Destiny Potato Interview
May 31, 2014 (via Skype)

Destiny Potato. Let that name roll around in your brain for a while … DE-STI-NY PO-TA-TO. Aye, it’s a quirky name. But make no mistake: This Serbian alt-rock outfit is not a band thrown together for a lark. Fans of progressive music should already be well-acquainted with David Maxim Micić from his BILO albums and innovative guitar style. Destiny Potato’s debut album LUN recalls David’s progressive roots to some extent, but it also is accessible to casual listeners with catchy hooks and a satisfying range of styles. The original idea for the band was to have two female vocalists, but Destiny Potato ultimately went with a single siren, founding vocalist Aleksandra Djelmas. When you already have a singer who can growl, scream, hit the operatic notes, deliver a whisky-soaked purr, or sing in a rock/pop style, a second set of pipes would be rather superfluous; wouldn’t it?

Genya Ravan, April, 2014
conducted via FaceTime

Femme Metal is an expanding category in the music scene. MFVF is attended by large numbers, bands like Nightwish, Epica, Within Temptation and others travel the world to sold out concerts. But, these women are not the first in rock and metal, far from it. And, much as we appreciate the work that has been required to get them to this point, they benefit from others who came before them. One of these is Genya Ravan. And hers is a story that makes the others pale by comparison. Genya was a Polish Jew whose early years were spent as a prisoner in Nazi Death camps in WWII. After liberation by Russian troops, she, and what was left of her family, were transferred to a Russian work camp. They escaped and, with the help of sympathetic western aid groups, found themselves in the Hell’s Kitchen section of New York City where Genya grew into her teens. From there, Genya found her way into the music scene in New York, later in Europe and continues her career today. Sonic Cathedral’s Dr. T has long followed her illustrious career and recently arranged the following conversation via Face Time in New York.