Victoria K- Metal; Symphonic Metal
Interview conducted on April 25, 2020
by Dan Locke
The Melbourne singer/songwriter has made her mark on the rock and metal scene with the release of her debut single ‘Monster’ in 2016, featuring guitar work by Brett Garsed (John Farnham Band) along with her 2019 follow up track ‘Lacuna’ distributed in Australia and New Zealand by Warner Music Group (Australia) and is the lead single off the upcoming album.
The single garnered a lot of media praise and created an opportunity for Victoria K to support Swiss folk metal giants Eluveitie for their May 2019 tour date in Melbourne, a performance that had the crowd chanting for an encore.
Although the album was originally a solo project, it has now developed into the current band structure with each member bringing their own energy and experience to the collective. The band is looking forward to collaborating on future releases and is now heavily focused on the release of this debut full length in April 2020.
Band Members
Victoria K – Vocals
Sheri Vengeance – Extreme Vocals
Julia Mammone – Guitar
Marty Kawaler – Bass
James Davies – Drums
What was your upbringing? How did you discover music? If I got this right you were 2 years old?
For as long as I can remember I have been singing. My family has exposed me to music from a very young age. I started vocal training from when I was 5 years old at my dance school. I quickly discovered I was a better singer than a dancer.
How do you learn to sing?
I started training with Music Theatre which I did for a few years, before moving to more contemporary training. About 5 years ago I started classical and Opera training. I love all the different vocal styles I have learned over the years.
What are your musical roots?
I started with dance and musical theatre, but my whole life I have listened to rock and metal music thanks to my mum who absolutely loves that style of music. Thanks, mum!!
How is Melbourne for live music?
Melbourne has an awesome live music scene, especially for prog metal and hard rock. I’ve been lucky enough to have played heaps of gigs over the years and the passion of the fans is amazing. In the Melbourne music scene, the fans are so supportive and genuine.
There was a country artist with the same name as you (Victoria K) a few years ago. Has anyone come up to you asking you if you were her?
Haha, I know. No one has asked me that surprisingly! That is definitely not me, I was really young when her album was released. When I decided on Victoria K I had no idea anyone else had ever used it.
How was it to help Andrei Cerbu on his little project? I like your cover version of Youth Goes Wild and Barracuda.
It was really great to work with Andrei; he is a great guitarist and a great musician. More importantly, he’s a great guy. It’s always fun to work with other musicians and collaborate. I always find you come up with new and fresh ideas but also everyone learns from each other. It’s a great way to grow as a musician.
How was it to be support for Eluveitie? And did you learn anything on the road with them, which you would like to pass on to new bands?
Supporting Eluveitie was absolutely amazing. They were so supportive and just the nicest and most genuine people. I really loved being with all of them but I really connected Nicole and Michalina. Griegl gave me the best advice ever and one day I hope to prove him right. They are truly professional. The main lesson I learned is that nothing happens without hard work and dedication.
Be real, be humble, and prepared properly before any show because, in the end, the music is about the fans. As an artist, you need to be at your best every time you hit the stage so you can give your best to everyone that has come to the show to support you.
Your debut LP is entitled “Essentia” is Latin for Essence. How is your Latin?
I don’t really know how to speak Latin. I know a little bit from the poetry and books I read, but I can’t say I can speak the language.
Why did you decide to record a full-length LP?
I have worked with many people over the years and one of my mentors always art doesn’t exist until its delivered. In the end, you can’t be an artist until you gift your creations to the World. I have written a large volume of music and it really doesn’t exist until it gets to the people. I wanted to have my creativity heard and I wanted to gift this LP to whoever wants to listen.
I saw your name in Quora. It stated that you needed a vocal coach. Was that reason why you got a vocal coach?
I saw that and I felt honored that the public wanted to discuss me and my abilities. It was very humbling. But no, I was receiving vocal coaching well before that question was posted and like any instrument, it takes time to master your craft. At that time, I had started Opera training in order to strengthen various parts of my vocal register that need development. I am still receiving coaching and I believe that continual coaching is needed to stay at the top of your game and be the best you can be. Any professional in any field continues to work with a coach even at the peak of their career.
The best example I can give, are sportspeople, who are continually coached right through their careers. Voice and music should be no different. Continual coaching helps to keep you on track, improving, and fixes any bad habits that tend to creep in, very very quickly.
You started your YouTube channel back in 2014. What happened to all the videos from back then?
Well, my sound, vision, and focus have completely changed since then. Victoria K is now a band so because of that, we wanted to keep everything current. It is really cool to be able to release your own music so that is what we wanted to be the focus moving forward.
Lady Gaga vs AC/DC (mashup)?
I love working with Sina. I really like both those songs and when Sina asked me to be a part of the mash-up, I jumped at the idea.
I saw you’re “My favorite Things” video. It really shows the total range of your voice. Do you have other videos like this? What is the range of your voice?
That is a one of a kind. I really loved the idea of taking a classic, well-known song and challenging myself to change it up to a point that the song was familiar, yet new. That’s what we did with My Favourite Things and I’m really proud of how it turned out.
Ever since I started the Opera training my vocal range has grown. It’s incredible, once you have the proper training and technique how much easier it is to extend your range.
How did you find your band members?
I love everyone in the band. They’re all just super chill and it’s like a big happy family. I include our producers in that family as well. We all get along so well and it’s chilled even when the pressure is on. I wouldn’t change any of them for the World. We started working together before the Eluveitie support and we came together for that show. It really happened by word of mouth, Lee knew James and Sheri. James knew Julia and Sheri knew Marty. It was as simple as that.
How do you see yourself in five years?
That’s a really hard question. I guess we see ourselves touring globally and playing the European festival circuit and working as full-time musicians. We would love to have a lot more music out in the public by then as well.
Anything you like to close with?
Thank you so much for talking with me, I had a lot of fun. At this crazy time, I just want to wish everyone health and happiness. Please stay safe and healthy.
