Who is Tulip
Interview conducted on Aug. 21, 2019
by Dan Locke
Hot off the heels of their debut self-titled EP release, female-fronted Symphonic groove metal band, TULIP, have announced a North American summer tour with Swedish melodic-metal band EVERGREY. TULIP will kick off the tour on August 23rd in Los Angeles, Ca at The Satellite.
Stay tuned for news on further tour dates and full-length release coming Fall 2019.
A band following no stereotypes. A lineup with no limitations. Texan based ‘Tulip’ deliver their own taste of symphonic metal, spearheaded by ex-professional opera vocalist Ashleigh Semkiw, and Colin Parrish on guitar.
Having only emerged in September 2018, the members of Tulip are no stranger to the music scene, having performed for a decade worldwide in their respective past acts; Ashleigh in professional opera, Brandon with ONI throughout Europe alongside the likes of Children of Bodom and Lamb Of God, Ryan sessioning across USA and Canada, and co-lead member Colin having performed across a plethora of recordings and live shows.
Band members
Ashleigh Semkiw
Colin Parrish on guitar.
Dan Locke: Ashleigh, how did Colin get you into Tulip?
Ashleigh Semkiw: He played me metal that I had no idea existed. I was ignorant to the evolution metal had gone through and was thinking he wanted me to play in a hair metal band – as soon as he played me Meshuggah, Within the Ruins, After the Burial, the bouncier, more rhythm-based metal, I was into it.
What do you think of Tiptoe Through the Tulips by Tiny Tim?
That song will always remind us of Insidious. James Wan was a genius for that one. Did you know he named his daughter Tulip! We should totally find her.
Why the name Tulip?
We grew up in the Calvinist tradition of evangelicalism which uses the word TULIP as an acronym to describe the doctrines of the theology. We were excommunicated (kicked out) last year, and subsequently don’t subscribe to any of it any longer, but the name suits a female-fronted metal band. We enjoy turning the phrase on its head.
Have you ever heard of the band of Renaissance (English progressive rock band- Annie Haslam)?
You know what’s funny – I (Ashleigh) recently became really obsessed with Doro, and Annie’s name came up when I was doing some research. Those women are some really fine singers.
What is the music scene like in Argyle, TX?
Argyle is basically farm fields, so there’s not much going on, but we’re 15 minutes from Denton, Texas and the music scene there is incredible.
Since you are from Argyle, TX I am going to name some bands from Texas. And I would like you to say something about each if you can.
Pantera
My childhood best friend Adam, alternated between Slayer and Pantera T-shirts for our entire high school experience. Their fans seem very devoted.Janis Joplin
My voice teacher Melissa (Cross) modeled her singing after Janis when she was first starting out as a vocalist and that led her to become the greatest fry scream teacher on earth, so thanks Janis!
Stevie Ray Vaughan
He is the reason why I (Colin) string my guitars with 13’s.Willie Nelson
“Hands on the wheel” is one of the most beautiful love songs ever written. It was my best friend’s first dance at her wedding.Butthole Surfers
We just watched the Pepper video. Still holds up actually.
Dixie Chicks
They’re great singers and great writers.
Shawn Colvin
Ugh I (Ash) LOVE Shawn Colvin so much. Her voice is butter. “Nothin on Me” I used to dance around the house to with my Dad when I was a kid.
Ashleigh – How did you start to write for the National Post?
They used to do this cool thing where they would ask artists to keep a weekly journal of sorts, so I got to contribute for five days. That was fun.
Ashleigh – Tell me about your upbringing?
I was raised in a busy home, the oldest of four girls. I loved music and performing from a very young age.
Ashleigh – You were classically trained. Why did you change your style of music?
I still sing all the old stuff and play jazz and soul around the house, but Colin is a really smart guy, so when he says something is gonna work, it does. He was right again on this one. There is also nothing like performing metal live. Unreal.
How many octaves is your voice?
Hm. I can sing a high E – so what is that? Five ish?
What was the meaning behind Siren?
Siren was a piece that my artist friend Mitchell F Chan created as a performative sculpture which response to the human voice. I can’t speak for him, but I believe the meaning was to showcase how singing can create choreography through technology. It was brilliant, and I was proud to be a part of it.
Love you take on Dave Matthews #41. It is a really incredible version. Along with Bonnie Raitt’s “Love Has No Pride”.
Thank you. Both of those songs mean a lot to me, Bonnie is especially a hero of mine.
Ashleigh, you went to Northwestern. How was Chicago?
It was awesome. I can’t say enough about that program. The Evanston campus, the teachers, the other students – wonderful.
Colin Parrish- Tell me about your background?
I grew up playing a lot of hockey, rollerbladed professionally for a few years, got an engineering degree and married the love of my life at 33.
What took you from Canada to Dallas, TX?
Work mostly, and the sweet aroma of brisket flavored freedom.
Are you going to Invade Roswell next month?
We’re currently driving through New Mexico right now on tour – we’d love to release our next album at Meow Wolf.
What bands are on your radar now?
Baroness, Gojira, Jinjer, Leikeli47.
Since you are a musical couple (you are married) I am going to name some musical couples. I would like your view of them.
Elton John and David Furnish
Still going strong!David Bowie and Iman Abdulmajid
Gorgeous. Terrible to have lost him.
Jay-Z and Beyonce
MogulsThurston Moore and Kim Gordon of Sonic Youth
Also still going strong!Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash
We liken ourselves to them often. They’re couple goals for sure.Gwen Stefani and Gavin Rossdale
Really sad this one didn’t work out.Kurt Cobain and Courtney Love
Something fishy was going on there. Kurt was a genius.
Miranda Lambert and Blake Shelton
I think they make better music apart. The Pistol Annies project is so goodBruce Springsteen and Patti Scialfa
They’re also inspirations of ours. We have their New Yorker cover photo on our fridge.Carly Simon and James Taylor
Never really been fans of either.
Elvis Costello and Diana Krall
LOVE them together. They’re both so ridiculously talented and they don’t seem to encroach on each other’s space.
Ashleigh if you could put together all-female band, who would be in the band?
It would be Ani DiFranco on guitar because she is everything to me, and I would get Tatiana Shmaylyuk to sing too cause she’s rad and has great energy. On drums 100% you have to get Sheila E and bass – Melissa Auf Der Maur. Actually, I don’t even need to be in that band, I would just want to watch all the talent in the same place.
Are you ready for the tour?
As ready as we’re going to be! On our way now.
How do you stay healthy while touring?
We make sure we all get enough sleep.
What is your favorite food to make at home?
Steak and Caprese salad.
And how do you make it?
Steak always in a pan with butter so it’s super rare and tender, for the Caprese it’s all about the cheese and Campari tomatoes.
How soon before your LP comes out?
We’re hoping for a Halloween 2019 release
How do you see your band in the next five years?
We’ve got a lot of music in the pipeline, so continuing to make music we’re proud of and can get excited about.
Anything you like to say in closing?
Bucee’s is life.
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