Originally published on March 2011
A CHAT WITH THE WOMEN OF LOSING SCARLET
Interview and Photos by Mario Salazar
LOSING SCARLET is part of a new breed of female-fronted Chicago rock bands that is making their mark in not only our local scene, but in the region as well with great songs, actual rock shows and the desire to rise above the status quo. The band's been around for a few years now and are releasing a brand-new album this month. I recently had a chance to chat with lead vocalist Jodi Kell and bassist Petra Sith when they stopped over to talk about the band and their new record.
Here's how that went:
LOSING SCARLET is part of a new breed of female-fronted Chicago rock bands that is making their mark in not only our local scene, but in the region as well with great songs, actual rock shows and the desire to rise above the status quo. The band's been around for a few years now and are releasing a brand-new album this month. I recently had a chance to chat with lead vocalist Jodi Kell and bassist Petra Sith when they stopped over to talk about the band and their new record.
Here's how that went:
CHICAGOSROCK: Tell me about Losing Scarlet. How did you guys begin, where are you from and so forth. JODI: Well, we're from Chicago. It started as I watched a concert one time and got it in my head that I HAVE TO DO THIS so I started "stalking" and harrasing everybody to start a band with me (laughs), and Scotty was the only one who responded. So he came and listened to me singing karaoke-style, so he signed up. He suggested Petra, but when we approached her about it, we got a resounding NO! from her. She eventually came out and listened to a couple of songs we wrote and recorded with a drum machine. I think it was 'Guilty Me' and 'Shade of Hate', and then she was like "Ok, I'm in". That's pretty much history from there. CHICAGOSROCK: So you guys were friends prior to being bandmates? | 
The band from L-R: Shawn Kelly, Petra Sith, Scott Haith and Jodi Kell
|
JODI: Not really. I'd seen Scotty a few times in his old band. That was it. We maybe hung out at the bar maybe a couple of times here and there, but that was it...
PETRA: I'd only known Scotty from other bands, as I also played in local bands for a long time and crossed paths here and there but we weren't really buds that would hang out at a BBQ or something. When he got together with Jodi, I was at a point where I was pretty much done with the local scene, I was finishing up school and trying different things. He tried to get me to come over for like 3 months and I was like "no, thanks!". I eventually went and am so glad I did because I'm having the most fun I've ever had. It was a good thing.
CHICAGOSROCK: For those that are new to Losing Scarlet, how would you describe the band's music style?
PETRA: Well, it doesn't really fit nicely into a package or into any category. We've dubbed it our version of "Pretty Metal" because the music is heavier and Jodi doesn't scream vocally. She actually sings. It's very melodic and crosses a lot of musical walls, people that wouldn't normally like heavy music like us, because it has an edge to it. But people that like metal, the true metal fans, also like us so it's cool because we've somehow gotten our own little niche in the metal genre.
CHICAGOSROCK: As far as members in the band, where do you guys come from musically? JODI: Well Petra and Scotty were in bands before, but I've never been in a band before. This is actually my first band experience. Scotty was in a band called Lifter. PETRA: I was in a band called Made From Nothing. Before that I was in a band called Undecided. I was there for a many years and that was my first true band. Shawn was in a band called Dardo Grimley out of McHenry, IL. CHICAGOSROCK: Talk to me about your new album 'Learning To Bleed' and what differences -if any- are there between that and your first self-titled effort. |
JODI: Aahhh, it's waaay more awesome (laughs)!.
PETRA: It actually is. See, the first album we put out was good, but we were just getting to know one another musically. We were trying to figure out where we were going style and music-wise. With this new album, we've found that sound, that magic formula and it's the culmination of a year and a half of hard work, blood, sweat and tears. It's a Losing Scarlet experience and everything we've gone thru emotionally, the good and bad times. The album represents all that and I think it'll blow everyone away.
CHICAGOSROCK: Briefly walk me thru your songwriting & recording process.
JODI: It starts out with Scotty who pretty much writes the music. He comes up with a riff and brings it to us. From there Petra & Shawn go through it and add their parts. We all critique what we have and then I go home, drink wine and write lyrics, melodies. We then pick at it, pull out pieces, add stuff...
PETRA: We basically deconstruct a riff and then re-construct it. We all put in our piece and that becomes the Scarlet sound. Without each one of us adding that important piece it wouldn't be what it is.
PETRA: Recording-wise we go thru Angry Man Productions, we go in lay drums, guitars, vocals go down last. Then it's just months and months of mixing, tweaking, mastering, ...
JODI: ...arguing (laughs)
PETRA: well, there's always that. You've got 4 people with their distinct opinions, wants and needs. You then meet somewhere in the middle, but that's the thing, you just learn from it and makes you stronger.
CHICAGOSROCK: What are your plans to support the new album once it's out?
PETRA: The album, called Learning To Bleed is coming out on March 8th. In early March we have a couple of free live acoustic shows. One is at Best Buy in Mundelein on March 12th, and then on the 19th at Rolling Stone Records in Chicago. It'll be a good opportunity for people to come out and check out the band and pick up a CD. We've got a ton of shows coming up in what seems like every weekend. We've even got a midwest tour in beginning of May. So we're going to try to push things and get out there as much as we can.
CHICAGOSROCK: Will that tour be similar to the Southwest states tour you guys did last year?
PETRA: This will be more focused on the Midwest and it will be a week long. We just got confirmation of it so it's a go.
CHICAGOSROCK: Where can fans pick up a copy of Learning To Bleed once it's out?
JODI: It will be available at our shows initially. So if you want it you have to come out and get it. I think it'll also go on iTunes right...?
PETRA: Yes, on March 8th it will be on iTunes and any of the other download sites (Napster, Amazon, etc.). Also, you can order thru the distributor that prints our CDs, Kunaki. They'll be able to send a copy by mail for those that live far away. Or you can just download it.
CHICAGOSROCK: Since you're doing a show at Best Buy, could one assume that Best Buy will carry your album?
PETRA: I think on that day, we'll be able to sell them there. As far as them actually carrying our album, that's up in the air right now so that's something that's probably in the works.
CHICAGOSROCK: Well, congratulations on all of that. I'm happy for you. Now as you're releasing a new album and are looking down the road, what do you see when you think of the future and Losing Scarlet?
PETRA: I see the world for this band. We all want it SOO bad and it means the world to us. The music we write, the friendships we hold, the ups and down we go through, we have enough drive and power behind this Losing Scarlet machine to get there. It almost makes me emotional... *sniff *
JODI: awwww....
PETRA: I love these guys more than anything. They're my 'bestest' friends and....
JODI: well, we love you too...
PETRA: ...ohh, pffft! (laughs)
JODI: We actually have a song in the new album called 'With Us We Fight' which is about everything we go thru as a band. It's about us and some people already think it's a love song or about war, but no, it's about us. It's cool and I hope everyone likes it.
CHICAGOSROCK: Very cool. Now, how can fans reach you and get in contact with you?
JODI: We are on Facebook, Reverb Nation, MySpace, Twitter, GoogleBuzz, YouTube, iTunes, Amazon, Napster. Basically google us or type Losing Scarlet on any of those platforms and you'll find us.
CHICAGOSROCK: Well, congratulations again and thank you for stopping over and talking to me.
PETRA: It actually is. See, the first album we put out was good, but we were just getting to know one another musically. We were trying to figure out where we were going style and music-wise. With this new album, we've found that sound, that magic formula and it's the culmination of a year and a half of hard work, blood, sweat and tears. It's a Losing Scarlet experience and everything we've gone thru emotionally, the good and bad times. The album represents all that and I think it'll blow everyone away.
CHICAGOSROCK: Briefly walk me thru your songwriting & recording process.
JODI: It starts out with Scotty who pretty much writes the music. He comes up with a riff and brings it to us. From there Petra & Shawn go through it and add their parts. We all critique what we have and then I go home, drink wine and write lyrics, melodies. We then pick at it, pull out pieces, add stuff...
PETRA: We basically deconstruct a riff and then re-construct it. We all put in our piece and that becomes the Scarlet sound. Without each one of us adding that important piece it wouldn't be what it is.
PETRA: Recording-wise we go thru Angry Man Productions, we go in lay drums, guitars, vocals go down last. Then it's just months and months of mixing, tweaking, mastering, ...
JODI: ...arguing (laughs)
PETRA: well, there's always that. You've got 4 people with their distinct opinions, wants and needs. You then meet somewhere in the middle, but that's the thing, you just learn from it and makes you stronger.
CHICAGOSROCK: What are your plans to support the new album once it's out?
PETRA: The album, called Learning To Bleed is coming out on March 8th. In early March we have a couple of free live acoustic shows. One is at Best Buy in Mundelein on March 12th, and then on the 19th at Rolling Stone Records in Chicago. It'll be a good opportunity for people to come out and check out the band and pick up a CD. We've got a ton of shows coming up in what seems like every weekend. We've even got a midwest tour in beginning of May. So we're going to try to push things and get out there as much as we can.
CHICAGOSROCK: Will that tour be similar to the Southwest states tour you guys did last year?
PETRA: This will be more focused on the Midwest and it will be a week long. We just got confirmation of it so it's a go.
CHICAGOSROCK: Where can fans pick up a copy of Learning To Bleed once it's out?
JODI: It will be available at our shows initially. So if you want it you have to come out and get it. I think it'll also go on iTunes right...?
PETRA: Yes, on March 8th it will be on iTunes and any of the other download sites (Napster, Amazon, etc.). Also, you can order thru the distributor that prints our CDs, Kunaki. They'll be able to send a copy by mail for those that live far away. Or you can just download it.
CHICAGOSROCK: Since you're doing a show at Best Buy, could one assume that Best Buy will carry your album?
PETRA: I think on that day, we'll be able to sell them there. As far as them actually carrying our album, that's up in the air right now so that's something that's probably in the works.
CHICAGOSROCK: Well, congratulations on all of that. I'm happy for you. Now as you're releasing a new album and are looking down the road, what do you see when you think of the future and Losing Scarlet?
PETRA: I see the world for this band. We all want it SOO bad and it means the world to us. The music we write, the friendships we hold, the ups and down we go through, we have enough drive and power behind this Losing Scarlet machine to get there. It almost makes me emotional... *sniff *
JODI: awwww....
PETRA: I love these guys more than anything. They're my 'bestest' friends and....
JODI: well, we love you too...
PETRA: ...ohh, pffft! (laughs)
JODI: We actually have a song in the new album called 'With Us We Fight' which is about everything we go thru as a band. It's about us and some people already think it's a love song or about war, but no, it's about us. It's cool and I hope everyone likes it.
CHICAGOSROCK: Very cool. Now, how can fans reach you and get in contact with you?
JODI: We are on Facebook, Reverb Nation, MySpace, Twitter, GoogleBuzz, YouTube, iTunes, Amazon, Napster. Basically google us or type Losing Scarlet on any of those platforms and you'll find us.
CHICAGOSROCK: Well, congratulations again and thank you for stopping over and talking to me.
