American heavy metal singer-songwriter Saint Laveau is bringing the global metal music community under a single roof with the inexplicable magnetic pull of his soundscape. He has recently drooped his cover of Seal’s ‘Kiss from a Rose’ and an original music video, ‘Dead Inside’ on major streaming platforms. The brilliant performer is bringing a new thematic wave bridging the gap between generations.
The multi-talented musician Saint Laveau has taken some time off his busy schedule to sit with our team to do an interview. He shared his thoughts and emotions about his music in the conversation.
Q. Tell us a few untold things about yourself and your music?
A. First off, thanks for having me. I play most of my cards close to the chest while trying to be as much of an open book as I can. I imagine most people don’t see the creative process in action. Also, with good reason. I’m such a believer in presentation that it’s always been hard to let others observe while in my creative flow. I tend to relive the most traumatic events in my life in order to provoke the deepest lyrical content I can write. This does however tend to make my collaborative efforts more awkward for the co-writers. But occasionally you meet someone who can feed off of that energy and help create something great.
Q. What is the most intriguing aspect of your latest music video, “Dead Inside”?
A. The perplexing and ongoing war between flesh and spirit. Dead inside is revealing the cruelty of the world. The soul stealing, divisive social norms to the bottomless pit of whatever our flesh can consume. We eat yet we are still hungry. We drink yet we thirst. I believe there is more to life than this corruptible flesh. This two part concept will come full circle when the sequel drops on my next album scheduled to come out this October.
Q. What kind of response did you receive with your cover of Seal’s “Kiss from a Rose”?
A. Huge response! Most of my industry people didn’t think an R&B cover would go over with the rock and metal community. They didn’t count on everyone secretly loving this song as a guilty pleasure. Now, metal heads are more comfortable admitting it since I gave this song some balls. Furthermore, the producers had a hard time with it because it’s a waltz. Most rock producers only write in 4/4. I was asked to shelve this track many times but I’m glad I pushed it through.
Q. What message do the songs convey to your audience base?
A. Our struggle is universally unique. We all deal with the same problems one way or another. The isolation that sets in from tribulation can be enough to drive anyone insane. If my message could be summed up in a phrase it would be, “You’re not alone”. My subject matter can be dark. But it’s identifiable. Turning negative energy into something palpable.
Q. Which instruments did you use in both the songs?
A. A wide variety of instruments to which I all play. Cello, violin, viola, piano, synths, guitar, bass & the drums. We use a lot of random objects as instruments. I used a chain in the verse of “Sucker” for ambiance. Building a vibe requires building your environment. This is how the song sets the scene for the story.
Q. Why did you choose heavy metal out of all musical forms out there?
A. I actually got my start in bluegrass. I was very young when I picked up the banjo which was my first instrument. Since then people have often asked me how I go from bluegrass to metal. However, the two genres have much more in common than many realize. Both pick fast and both sing about death…A LOT! I found my direction in my teens. Growing up in the punk scene I found the energy and rawness of what I thought mainstream music was lacking. I fell in love with the depth of the song writing while maintaining a simplistic lo-fi tone. It was dirty, pure and real! Metal came to me through a mixture of genres that derived from the punk community. I loved a lot of horror punk bands like the Misfits, Cancerslug, The Damned & 45 Grave. Then growing into the goth rock bands like Bauhaus, Siouxsie and the Banshees, the Smiths & Ministry. Ministry’s later records turned metal so this led me into death and black metal. I’ve been a music junkie as long as I can remember so I could go on forever. Just know the greatest metal band of all time is Motörhead.
Q. When did you start singing and songwriting and how long have you been in the industry?
A. One of my earliest memories was writing lyrics and vocal melodies. I owe a lot of that to my father. A self taught multi-Instrumental musician juggling a family, a job and med school. He would always take time out of his heavy work schedule to teach me something new. These are memories I will never lose.
Q. Who inspired you to make music in the first place?
A. Most of my songs are written about very specific people or situations that affected my life. I’m inspired by everything around me but sometimes the songs write themselves. The good ones anyway.
The flow. The connectivity. The emotional tug…. that’s what inspires me. it’s fascinating to see what I feel put into song. It fuels me for more.
Q. What is your main objective behind making music? Is it money, fame, or something else?
A. Reaching people. Letting them feel what I feel. Conveying a point that will leave the audience asking questions, wanting more, and building themselves up. I hope to encourage critical thinking while empowering everyone to live free from fear and self doubt.
Q. Have you toured or opened for anyone famous names in the industry?
A. Oh sure. I’ve opened for Rob Zombie, Guns N’ Roses, Megadeth, Korn, Motionless In White, Hinder, Sevendust, Alice In Chains, Cheap Trick, Bullet For My Valentine, Skillet, Hollywood Undead, Asking Alexandria, Escape The Fate, Volbeat, The Darkness, Pop Evil, Black Stone Cherry, Theory Of A Deadman, Queensryche, Chevelle, Creed, Slash, Hellyeah and so many more. I’m sorry if I left anyone out.
Q. Are you working independently or under any production house?
A. I run the show. No doubt. I’m too detail oriented to hand my creative direction over to someone else. However, I wouldn’t be where I am without my people pushing me. I will always go above and beyond for my crew. They make sure I don’t sound like garbage every night.
Q. What are your plans for the coming months?
A. Tour and working on this next album. Big things are coming up and I’m really excited as we get closer to the reveal.
