Page 8 - Black Velvet Magazine Issue 108

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sucks! I’ll just try to be my best self all the time.” ing together is what I love about music and what that at some point she would love to do some-
I love about the rock shows specifically. Live thing as a nonprofit organisation. “So, I start as
hen it comes to being the best version concerts are where I see people from all walks an individual psychotherapist, then, hopefully,
Wof the band, the members combine of life; we are under one roof and we are cele- once music is paying my bills I would love to
their collective love of rock, metal, punk and pop brating one thing, and a lot of times that’s to- open something, see a need somewhere and be
to create diversity in Eva Under Fire’s sound. getherness. I believe in humanity. I think a lot of able to utilise that with a company, or cause,
Sometimes it’s haunting and delicate, some- people have lost that because of things that are somehow. There is a terrifying mental health
times it’s fierce and filled with attitude. They’ve happening in the world. Those that are in power problem, especially where we are from in the
added this combination to the songs they have acting on their own behalf really present a neg- United States, that not enough people are talk-
covered over the past few years too. Check out ative light about humanity. I think that real hu- ing about and certainly not enough people are
the band’s excellent renditions of U2’s ‘With Or manity is in conversations like these. Getting to doing anything about, which is why I love what
Without You’, Journey’s ‘Separate Ways (Worlds know other people and talking to people on the Sweet Relief is doing. Musicians are such a
Apart)’ and their most recent, a delivery of Black street. Paying attention to - how can we be help- community of people that bring so much to so
Sabbath’s classic ‘War Pigs’. The latter cover ful? How can we be kind? I think that’s probably many, yet they do not have a lot of access to re-
was shared and given a seal of approval from the most important.” sources when it comes to mental health. It’s so
one of Sabbath’s founding expensive. Eventually, I would
members, Geezer Butler, via his “I think that real humanity is in conversations like like to see that side evolve into
personal Twitter account. It may being another dream of mine,
be over 50 years old, but the these. Getting to know other people and talking to to serve that need somewhere
lyrics included within ‘War Pigs’ people on the street. Paying attention to ­ how can along the line.”
are still very relevant today.
“I felt the same way,” Eva we be helpful? How can we be kind? I think that’s oming across a quote
says. “If I can relate to a song, probably the most important.” ­ Eva Marie Conline that read, ‘I am
that’s the ticket for me. It’s wild not a product of my circum-
because it was written all those stances; I am a product of my
years ago. It was generations ago that that song decisions’, reminded us of how Eva’s life could
came out and yet I still find that it’s relevant. lot of people will be coming together and have so easily taken a different path. Black Vel-
Originally we had covered it during the pan- Agetting to know Eva Under Fire’s music vet asks how Eva feels about what she has
demic, so we intended for it to be released at after seeing the band’s first European tour, achieved because of the decisions she has
that time. The powers that be all have their opin- opening for Skillet. This tour is also the band’s made.
ions about when we should release what, so it first with drummer Dave Miller II, who has taken Eva ponders before answering. “I can say
didn’t end up happening that way. But now, I’m over the drum kit, after Newsom left the band I’m proud of myself. I think that’s helpful,” she
so grateful that we can use it and pay tribute, be- earlier this year to pursue other ventures away responds. “A lot of people see concepts like
cause they are still lyrics that people will feel.” from music. pride or selfishness in a very negative tone, but
With the war in the Ukraine still ongoing fol- Eva gushes about the opening night of the I think there is room for that, there should be
lowing Russia’s invasion, this song is very apt. tour, which started here in England. “We showed room for that in our lives. What we’ve chosen to
‘Politicians hide themselves away / They only up in Manchester; there was a crazy amount of do, despite what we may have learned, or where
started the war / Why should they go out to people. It was my birthday and they sang ‘Happy we’ve come from. So, I can say I’m proud of my-
fight? / They leave that role to the poor’. We Birthday’! I tried so hard not to cry. I was like, self and I do take some time to be selfish. Cer-
rarely see world leaders lead in a way that the ‘You’re going to screw up all of the makeup that tain moments I’m just, ‘I need a breather, I need
Ukrainian president has. Volodymyr Zelenskyy just took you an hour and a half to do!’ I was def- a little self care, I need a nap,’” she laughs. “It’s
has put the needs of his country and its resi- initely teary, but it was really cool.” the simple things,” Eva continues, “I talk a lot
dents first. He has motivated and inspired not Eva tells us that the band had already been about my feelings because, in my lyrics, that’s
only the Ukrainians in their resilience, but the informed that rock music fans in the UK and Eu- my therapy, I feel that’s where I can share a lot
whole world. rope are different to those in the United States. of the heavy tones that people gravitate to and
We ask Eva her thoughts on how much of “We grew up in a different world. Back might relate to. But, in my everyday life it’s the
an impact the people we choose to be led by home, where we are from, in Detroit, we played simple things, the little things that help me get
have on how we react and cope in certain situ- in all these little bars. It’s not an experimental by. So I’m happy that I learned that too, from my
ations. “I think politicians are all stressful!” Eva sort of place; people are bandwagon fans where parents and where I’m from.”
replies. “As a matter of fact, the cinematogra- we’re from. You have to be somebody before
pher who is here today, he’s from the UK, we they come to the shows. If not, then it’s just fam- our years ago, on the band’s social
were chatting and he’s given us a couple of po- ily and the girlfriends of the other bands; that’s Fmedia page, Eva wrote, ‘Pain is worth
litical themes that they have here. We shared the only people that are going to be standing - enduring if I better myself because of it. Grief
the same thing that’s happening in the US. I there’s like fifteen people in this little tiny bar and can’t take me down if I put it down on paper first.
think it happens all over the place, where those that’s how we grew up playing rock music. Maybe I’ll use my brokenness so someone else
that are in power stay in power, and do for other Everybody says, ‘You guys are so fun to watch,’ can feel more whole. Sometimes healing leaves
people in power. It’s just this nasty cycle that and we’re like, ‘Yeah, we had to compete with a mark, but that doesn’t mean we can’t move
continues to feed itself and so the rest of us are whatever was on the sports television in the forward.’
just sort of left gaping at it, and trying to wrap back of the bar and the pool tables’. We had to Look how far Eva and Eva Under Fire have
our brain around it. I think that it does bring a lot be the entertainment; we’d jump around and come since then. How many people their music
of people together, no matter where we go. I have fun, put loud colours on and sparkle guitars has helped. How many smiles they have put on
don’t know that there’s a ton of influence in my because we want to be flashy, like, ‘Here we the faces of those standing in front of them at a
daily life. I try to walk around outside and see are!’ But here, we don’t need to work so hard, show. That figure will continue to rise, because
the trees and not watch the news. There’s a lot people are already paying attention. You guys Eva Under Fire are only just getting started!
of fear and there’s a lot of crazy things that peo- are great at that here. I don’t need to do any-
ple do all the time and I just don’t choose to par- thing for you guys. I think I said that during the Visit http://www.evaunderfire.com and
take in that negativity. I think that a lot of people performance last night, ‘I don’t have to tell you http://www.facebook.com/evaunderfireband for
could do with a lot more hugs than anything nothing, sing it again!’” Eva laughs. “Rock fans more info on Eva Under Fire.
else!” Eva smiles. “It’s scary to know that are different here and we saw it. We were like,
Ukraine, the things that are happening over ‘This is awesome!’” If you, or someone you know is struggling
there, that's the real world. I guess I’m not sug- with mental health issues or substance abuse,
gesting that we should ignore it, but I’m definitely s the doors for more touring opportuni- please seek help. There is hope in recovery.
suggesting that we should hug each other Aties open for the band, Eva reveals that Useful sites:
through it.” she still hopes to continue and evolve her role www.talktofrank.com
Eva Under Fire has their own song called as a psychotherapist. www.mind.org.uk
‘War’, from the EP of the same name. The track “Honestly, I would love to continue on. I
includes the lyrics, ‘Fight for what you stand for’. worked really hard for that degree so I want to Words By Penny and Sam Gower
As a band, or personally, what values are most keep going as much as I can. I have big dreams
important to them? we ask. for that, too.” she admits. Band Photos by Jeremy Saffer
Eva Marie Live Photo by Sam Gower
“I really think that the whole concept of com- Eva expands on those dreams, revealing Band Live Photo By Harris Tomlinson-Spence
EVA UNDER FIRE