Scarlet Sins, a hard rocking quartet from north of the border (Toronto), came into existence in the summer of 2004 and released their debut EP "Reborn" toward the end of 2005. There have been a few personnel changes along the way - the most recent being when bassist Tanya Nicklaus was added to the lineup in August of this year.
Scarlet Sins offers a sound that's definitely hard, but softened by enough melody to keep everyone listening. Within that basic hard rock framework they offer an impressive diversity of styles, not only between songs but even within individual tunes. Their website states that they'll begin recording their first full-length album this month. We're glad this up-and-coming band was able to stop by The Cover Zone for a little Q&A.
TCZ: Tell us about your early musical roots and what influenced you most to pursue a career in music.
Sylvia: When I was a little girl, I wanted to be Madonna or Cyndi Lauper. I knew from a very young age that I wanted to be a musician. I loved entertaining and being on stage and felt comfortable doing so. I knew that's what I was supposed to be doing.
Cris: As long as I can remember, I've been playing and writing music. I grew up with classical music and fell in love with it. Then I saw Jem and the Holograms and I've wanted to be a guitarist in an all-girl band ever since.
Karli: I started to play the drums in elementary school for the school band. My older sister was a big influence since she also played drums and had her own kit that I used. As time went on, it became my passion to become better as a musician.
TCZ: What instruments do you play and have you had any special training?
Sylvia: I started vocal lessons at 13 with three different teachers. I studied opera at 16 for a few months, which taught me a lot about breathing techniques. Then I studied again at 21 for a year and a half.
Cris: I play anything I can get my hands on, but I suck at drums. Besides guitar, I've also played bass, piano, sax, trombone, and I once played percussion in a 40-piece band (timpanis, bells, etc.). I attended the National Guitar Workshop in Florida and attended workshops with Yngwie Malmsteen and Jennifer Batten. My main guitar is a scalloped Gibson Les Paul. I also use EMG pickups, Ernie Ball Not-So-Slinky strings, and Planet Wave cables. I love my Mesa 2:90 poweramp and my POD Pro.
Karli: Currently, I'm using a Yamaha Rock Tour Custom kit that has an amazing full sound. I've never had any formal training.
Tanya: I play bass for Scarlet Sins. I haven't had any special training on bass, but I have on guitar, which I played for 10 years before picking up the bass. I'm endorsed by Evidence Audio cables.
TCZ: All of you have listed various performers that have influenced your musical roots but what if any performer influenced you most in pursuing a music career and why?
Sylvia: My older sister took me to my first big arena show. We went to see Bon Jovi I believe it was the New Jersey Tour. I was still a kid. I remember the huge crowd and all the excitement. I had shivers up and down my spine imagining that one day I would be on that stage. It's just a matter of time.
Cris: Jem! She's truly outrageous! LOL! Does it count if she's fictional? Seriously though, that was when I started daydreaming about being in a band. My friends and I would pretend we were Jem and the Holograms at recess.
Karli: Many musicians from bands I love and people I personally know have influenced me. Josh Freese is a big influence; I love his style and creativity. I look up to friends that are more experienced and they inspire me greatly.
TCZ: Using one word, describe Scarlet Sins.
Sylvia: Explosive.
Cris: Otherworldly.
Karli: Powerful.
Tanya: Phenomenon.
TCZ: Can you share with us in your own words the story behind Scarlet Sins and the growing pains the band endured in the first few years.
Cris: Putting a band together is hard. Putting the right band together is even harder. We started off doing this for fun, but as we got better and started getting more attention, Karli and I decided to give it our all and pursue this. That was when we realized we had to make some personnel changes.
Karli: Changing members is something I think a lot of bands have to deal with, and it is especially hard when those members are close friends.
TCZ: Take us through a day of recording your debut cd, "Reborn."
Cris: First stop, Tim Horton’s. Then we would sit in the studio doodling the cool outfits we imagine for stage and learning Polish while one of us is in the hot seat. We spend a lot of time making fun of each other in the friendliest way, like friends do! There are passionate discussions between myself and the producer who I force to convince me why his suggestion is better than mine. Take out, take out, take out. Then we start to get loopy and start playing tracks backwards and trying to sing vocals that way. We never leave before midnight and we’re back the next morning to do it again.
TCZ: Share with us a special talent or trait that each of your band mates bring to Scarlet Sins in your own eyes?
Cris: Tanya is a very organized, detail-oriented person who makes us laugh. Although she’s the newbie, it feels like she’s always been a part of this band. Sylvia’s passion is infectious and I love that she doesn’t let anything hold her back. Karli has a lot of determination and focus – especially when she is trying to conquer a really hard drum part!
Karli: Cristina comes up with crazy, wicked riffs that are dark and heavy. Her style is definitely my favourite thing and it makes it easy for us to write together because our tastes mesh so well.
Sylvia's voice is unlike any other female in the industry. She has so much power and her low tones are a perfect fit to the SS sound.
Tanya is the newest member, but her work ethic is unlike any I've seen. She puts in 110 percent and her input to each song adds a solid groove to complete the song.TCZ: Can you tell us the story behind the track "Drown"?
Sylvia: The lyrics were inspired by a close friend that was going through a really rough time. It's a song about being there for someone when they hit rock bottom and letting them know that they can count on you.
TCZ: What is your favourite track to perform live and why?
Tanya: Above Ground is my favorite track to perform live. It has a guitar intro and all of a sudden, everything kicks in at once. We definitely get people’s attention with that one.
Sylvia: All of them. They all have a different feeling and energy.
Karli: A new one of ours which will be on the upcoming full length... Broken. It's very heavy with some off-timing and double kick in the mix.
Karli: A new one of ours which will be on the upcoming full length... Broken. It's very heavy with some off-timing and double kick in the mix.
TCZ: Do you remember your first gig as a band, and if so, can you share that experience with us and what it means to you today?
Sylvia: My first gig with this band was at Maverick’s in Ottawa. I was nervous, but I remember feeling content. It was the first time I played in an all-female band; it was a dream come true.
Cris: With this lineup our first gig was at the Horseshoe in Toronto. It was Tanya’s debut and we kicked ass that night. It felt so right being on stage with her. It finally felt like Scarlet Sins was complete.
TCZ: At this point in your musical career, who or what would you say are your biggest influences?
Cris: I’ve always loved metal and lately I’ve been listening to Moonspell, Lamb of God, Metallica and In Flames. Metallica and Tool have always been huge musical influences, but 30 Seconds to Mars is definitely a new influence this year.
Sylvia: My influences right now would be Deftones, Tool, Alice in Chains, 30 Seconds to Mars, A Perfect Circle to name a few…
Karli: Every band out there making it in the business is an influence. To see those people playing with so much talent and confidence is definitely the route I want to travel. The bands you see putting on a great show are also the ones practicing every day, mastering their instrument...
TCZ: What was your most embarassing moment on stage and why? How do you view the experience today?
Tanya: My shirt came undone halfway through one of our shows and my bra was quite exposed. I only noticed it at the end, while I was packing up my gear and I suddenly became very embarrassed. But afterwards, that’s all people seemed to talk about…but in a good way. It seems I’ve become some kind of a sex symbol because of it…funny how these things happen…
Karli: For me it was a show we played in TO, one of our earlier days.. I had a couple drinks before I went on and completely zoned out on one song, losing my spot and not finding it for nearly half the song. I can only imagine how it sounded! Well, I haven't had a couple drinks before a show ever since!
Cris: I once tripped on Karli’s cymbal stand and fell into my amp. Two minutes later my strap locks came loose. I probably looked drunk! The way I see it is, shit happens…I can never control what will happen no matter what I do.
TCZ: What is the single most important lesson you've learned through out your short time in the music industry?
Cris: You can’t get anywhere without hard work, sacrifices and total dedication.
Karli: Not only does it take a strong talent to make it, you have to keep at it day and night, year after year. There is never a limit to your talent.. you can be 80 years old and still learning how to play. That's the beauty of music.. it's endless.
Sylvia: Don't burn any bridges. You just never know where that person will end up..
Tanya: You shouldn’t care so much about what people think about you. As long as you believe 100% in what you’re doing, that’s all that really matters.
TCZ: Now fans can download tracks from your debut CD on your MySpace. Why did you decide to allow some of the music to be downloaded for free?
Cris: We want to spread our music. There are millions of people who have yet to hear us.
TCZ: How can fans help spread the word of Scarlet Sins?
Tanya: Tell people to check out our website at www.scarletsinsonline.com or our Myspace page at www.myspace.com/scarletsins.
Cris: They can email us for banner codes for their myspace page or, better yet, put us in their top 8! We have tons of people who’ve asked us for banners or permission to use our songs on their page which is awesome!
TCZ: What can we expect from Scarlet Sins in 2007?
Sylvia: WORLD DOMINATION!! LOL…
Cris: Debut album to be released in several territories, and a Canadian, US and European tour to follow!
The Cover Zone represented by Karen/Aftershock and Mike Ramsey.
© The Cover Zone October 2006