Page 21 - Black Velvet Rock Magazine Issue 109

BV109 pg 16-21 Conquer Divide Interview.qxp_BV109 pg 21 17/12/2023 18:20 Page 6

BlackVelvetMagazine.Com - 21

in with the fellas, but now, we are able to put a the backhanded department." "As for being an influence to other females,
little more effort into how we look, because that's always the goal. We need more women
people are more accepting, which is great. o wrap things up, we turn to another in metal. Hell, we need more women in any
They don't just think, ‘Oh, look at these girls, Tlyric from the final song on the record, male-dominated place. It's 2023 and there
all dressed up.’ They are more accepting of us ‘So keep the gate ‘cause we’re coming for the shouldn't be any male-dominated anything. It
being a little more feminine, which I have no- throne,’ and ask about her hopes for 'Slow should be equal. We're all here together, shoot-
ticed. Burn' and Conquer Divide in the short and ing for the same thing, the same dreams. So,
"But the industry is still a cloudy place for long-term future. if we can inspire some younger girls, older
us. When we were trying to get signed, we hit "For the short term, I'm hoping the next girls, anyone, to just pick up a guitar or stand
up a bunch of labels and we often got the re- year, with 'Slow Burn' now out, we'll be added behind a mic or drum kit and maybe shoot for
sponse of, ‘We can't sign you because we al- to some tours with some bigger bands. We've their dreams, then that is the whole goal, and
ready have a female-fronted band. And it's like, already been talking to some bands about that is what we want and we are way honoured
‘So you can't have two?’ We've been running them hopefully taking us out with them next to be the inspiration to anyone who wants to
into those walls for some time, where they say year, and from there, next year, we're also hop- do that.
they already have their token girl band or ing to do our first headline shows in the States. "Or whatever it is. It doesn't have to be
singer, we don't need anymore. They'd think That's been the most asked question since the music, it might be they are brave enough to do
we'd fight each other and it'd be crazy and album came out, ‘When are you going to head- a science camp. Rock climbing. If we can give
we're like, ‘No, we're not going to fight. We're line a show?’ so we are really trying to get that anyone the encouragement to follow their
going to thrive together if we have a bunch of set up for next spring or summer. dreams, we're set. That's why we are here and
girls on a label,’ but there is still that belief there "Long term, I would hope 'Slow Burn' really that's why we do it."
and that is something that is lacking." does start slow-burning the industry for us,
From there, Janel shares a very sobering people can start to see us more alongside big- So, take a listen to Conquer Divide, go
fact from their recent dates across America, al- ger and more established bands, so that, watch their show, be inspired, be encouraged,
though at least it does have some positivity to maybe, in a couple of years, we'll have a tour and be elevated, while they most definitely
it. "I have noticed, this last tour, that no-one has bus rather than a tour van! Maybe we'll be make their way up to take the throne.
yet said to us, "Wow! You're really good for playing cool shows like Bamboozle or 4,000-
girls!" That happened a lot back in the day. We capped venues. Heck, even it'd be sick to play Visit http://www.conquerdivideofficial.com
love a good backhanded compliment. "Oh to 2,000. for more info.
wow, you're so sick for girls!" I know some peo- "And, in five years, we'd love to be playing
ple can get nervous, but please don't say that!” stadiums, that's the ultimate goal. With big pro- Words by Michael Coventry
"I mean, you never hear of people going duction and pyro, lights, LED screens and
up to a band and going, "Wow dudes, you lasers and the whole production. That's the
killed it for a bunch of guys!" They don't do that, main goal, to play big shows to as many peo- Photos By Jim Louvau
but I don't think that has happened once in the ple as possible, while also giving them the best
last six weeks, so we are making progress in show possible.

CONQUER DIVIDE