By Raven, Columnist-Tampa, Florida
BAND MEMBERS : Militia Vox; GENRE: Hard Rock / Heavy Metal; BANDS: Militia Vox, Judas Priestess, Swear on Your Life, Disciples of Astaroth
Out of the Darkness comes The “VooDoo Goddess” Known for her intense vocal prowess and stunning stage presence, Militia Vox is a powerhouse with a four octave range that must be witnessed to be believed.
Known as MilitiA. or Militia Vox is a solo artist, frontwoman of Judas Priestess– the world’s only all girl tribute to the metal gods Judas Priest, lead singer/songwriter of progressive hard rock band Swear on Your Life, leading lady of Dee Snider’ss heavy metal horror orchestra “Van Helsing’s Curse” and known as the “Rock Goddess” of the Brooklyn based Afropunk movement.
Unapologetic about her love for rock ‘n’roll, this music maven is a former Host, VJ and music and alternative style expert from FUSE, Much Music USA, MTV2 and VH1 on shows such as- Heavy Metal Makeover, Soundtrack For Your Life, Tastemaker, All Things Rock, iMix and A Night With... She regularly hosts live events including the first ever Housecore Horror Film Festival in Austin, Texas (presented by Phil Anselmo of Pantera), NYC’s ComicCon and Anime Festival, the Afropunk Festival, The Box (NYC), House of Yes (Brooklyn, NY), events with 30-piece ensemble This Ambitious Orchestra, and the legendary NYC party BITCH- A Ladies’ Tribute to Metal.
Militia was a professional backup singer for Taylor Dayne, Cyndi Lauper, Nancy Sinatra, Living Things, Razorlight, and The Paul Schaffer Band; and has performed and collaborated with a slew of talented folks, including: Dee Sniker, Sandra Bernhard, Living Colour,CX KiDtroniK (Atari Teenage Riot, Saul Williams) and Ana Gasteyer (Saturday Night Live). She also is member of the Black Rock Coalition,formed by rock legends, Living Colour.
Militia has performed in the European Tour of Jesus Christ Superstar, the Off-Broadway show and American tour of Sandra Bernhard’s Everything Bad and Beautiful, originated the role of “Vita” in the Off-Broadway rock opera CHIX 6 (aka Super Chix) and performed in the 35th Anniversary NYC production of the Rocky Horror Picture Show as Columbia. She has also appeared in several films and tv shows.
Miliita runs MILITIOUS PRODUCTIONS- where she plans, produces, promotes and hosts concerts and special events in NYC, including: The Gits Movies NYC Premiere Party and Lighter Vigil for The Gits fallen frontwoman, Mia Zapata; RRRRIOT! The Riot Grrrl Tribute show, (B)ANGER– a nite of hard rock and heavy metal and many more. Militia also founded the Anarchists of Colour– a collective of NYC’s most cutting edge, brown skinned rock and rollers (ft. members of Guns ‘n’ Roses, the Kelis band and The Paul Schaffer Band.)
As a model, this gorgeous woman with an epic face has appeared in several calendars, promos, ads and spokes-modeled for top hair product companies, makeup brands and various clothing lines, such as: Manic Panic, Paul Mitchell, Harley Davidson, Shiseido Cosmetics, Urban Decay, Hard Candy, 1Aeon and Stella Zotis (Project Runway) Custom Rock Regalia.
Militia is often applauded for coining the phrase “DISGRACE YOUR STEREOTYPE”* and she lives her life by this adage. She is featured in Black Rock Vol. 1 by Earl Douglas Jr., “What Are You Doing Here? Black Women in Metal, Hardcore and Punk” by Laina Dawes (recently featured on NPR) and also in the upcoming book “Not Bad For For A Girl” by Dr. Lisa. Her song “Heavyhead” is featured on The Black Rock Coalition’s digital compilation album: “Rock ‘n’ Roll Reparations, Vol #2. MilitiA. performed the song live at the 7th Annual OUTMUSIC Awards in honor of Melissa Etheridge’s Lifetime Achievement Award.
I had the Pleasure of Interviewing This Lovely Goddess and here is what Militia had to say:
Hi Militia Thank your for time to learn a little more about Militia Vox…
RAVEN: Militia, When did you first start singing?
Militia:I first sang when I was about a year old. According to my parents, I was making random sounds and “talking” with a purpose but not saying specific words. Then one day, my dad was listening to one of his car mixtapes- the song was “Babe” by Styx- and out of nowhere, clear as a bell, I sang the ending of the song “Ooooh, Babe” and gave him a devilish grin from my little car seat. He was totally freaked out and thrilled- a reaction that I frequently get from most people to this day.
Raven: What did your family do to encourage you?
Militia: My dad’s an avid record collector- he was always playing music- at home, in the car… It was important to him that I know music and music history. He’d send me to my room with one of his albums and I would lay on the floor of my bedroom and listen to them, staring at the ceiling and fantasizing on what the music meant, how it made me feel, where it came from and what the person singing looked like. I also would imagine that I was the singer and I was making all this cool music and telling these stories that sounded so exotic to my innocent little ears.
When I was about 7, I told my folks that I wanted to learn to play piano. So, I began taking lessons. It changed my life. Other than that, they’ve usually been supportive of my choices to perform, they didn’t like a few things I’ve done but I’ve always had my reasons which are difficult to argue with!
Raven: Who else in your family sings?
Milita: My father used to sing a bit, and my grandmother did (RIP.)
Raven: Militia, With so many Artists out there, Who are your musical inspirations?
Militia: Freddie Mercury, Rob Halford, Bon Scott, Ozzy, Tina Turner, Trent Reznor, Maynard Keenan, Danny Elfman, Chino Moreno, Martin L Gore, Robert Smith, PJ Harvey, Donita Sparks, Kat Bjelland, Bjork, Jerry Cantrell, Chopin, Mozart.
Raven: Wow, Thats a wide variety of Inspiration, What kind of music do you listen to today?
Militia: It’s all over the map, but artists/bands that are in my current rotation are: Car Bomb, The Cure, Oingo Boingo, Pelican, Neurosis, Pallbearer, Nails, Sinead O’Connor, Kronos Quartet
Raven: What embarrassing songs might I find on your MP3 player?
Militia: I’m not embarrassed by any music I have. I do not embarrass easily!
Raven: Lol, Where would you most like to perform?
Militia: Italy, Australia, Japan, The Grammys
Raven: If you had your pick, Who would you most like to open for?
Militia: Nine Inch Nails
Raven: If you weren’t singing, what would you be doing?
Sleeping. LMFAO.
Raven: Lol..YES Sleeping we caould all use that, Do you play any instruments?
Militia: Piano’s my first instrument. I also play bass, some guitar. Percussion.
Raven: If you could dabble in another genre of music, what would it be?
I’m forever dabbling. I don’t have rules.
Raven: Yes I agree there are no rules in music. What hidden talents do you have?
Militia: If I tell you that would mean they’re not hidden anymore! No joke- I’m a hell of a tap dancer. That’s all you get outta me!!
Raven: Lol…Ok thats cool and Tap dancing is hard….Do you enjoy writing music and/or lyrics?
Militia: Love it. My songs are my children.
Raven: Militia, what advice would you give young Singer/Songwriters that want to break into the Music Industry?
Militia: Write and perform honestly.
Ok Final Questions…. Militia, how do you feel about this guy Raven promoting you…lol, Kidding but you can answer if you like?
Militia: It’s great. I need a million more just like him. ; ) Thanks, Rave. x M
Awww..Thank You So Much Militia for taking time for this interview with me and for Rock At Night. So to sum it up: Militia Vox Rocker, Actress, VJ, Model and Horror Queen. Don’t Forget to check out Militia Vox’s Solo work as well as Checking her out live with JUDAS PRIESTESS.
Signing off, Raven!
Thanks for another “Raven’s Nest”
https://soundcloud.com/militiaismyname
VIDEO
Links:
militiaismyname(Twitter)
militiaismyname(Instagram)
I'm Ravyn, Musicologist and maker of peace. I love Music and writing about all the Great Artist that are out there, A HUGE Thank You and Much Respect to Chyrisse for giving me the opportunity to write for a great music magazine that is ROCK AT NIGHT.
- UK’s Country-Pop Artist Megan Louise–the New Taylor Swift? - October 2, 2019
- Primus at Ruth Eckerd Hall: ram horns, goblins, and dark themes - November 13, 2017
- Chatting with 13-year-old Queen Teen Drummer Alexey Poblete - December 28, 2016
1 Trackback / Pingback
Comments are closed.