Margarita Monet interviewed by:
Lisa "Sunshine" Svelnys, Host- Hollywood Rock Underground TV
Margarita Monet is the powerhouse female vocalist fronting EDGE OF PARADISE, and is produced by Michael Waegner. Yes, THE Michael Wagner, the original guitarist for the German band ACCEPT, amongst his other incredible accomplishments in 1981 he produced the first DOKKEN album, produced SKID ROW's self-titled debut AND mixed METALLICA's, "Master of Puppets". With a brand new CD coming out this summer, "Immortal Waltz", and fresh off her 6 page spread in the Oscar Issue of Image Magazine, I can only imagine the brightest of bright futures for this incredible and powerfully creative beauty. Come check them out LIVE on JULY 6th at THE VIPER ROOM!!!
Edge Of Paradise was formed by Margarita Monet and Dave Bates in 2011. Few months after formation, the band released their debut album 'Mask' that featured rhythm section of bassist Tony Franklin (Blue Murder, The Firm) and drummer Gregg Bissonette (David Lee Roth Band). 'Mask' came at #6 most added on national CMJ radio, right behind Machine Head and solidified existence of Edge Of Paradise. An album chockfull of industrial-tinged metal coupled with soaring vocal hooks was greatly received by critics and fans worldwide.
Legendary Rock Interviews stated "Once in a while a new band comes along that not only has a unique sound of its’ own but draws upon all the things we love about metal or rock to begin with. Edge of Paradise is one of the best independent bands to come out of L.A. in some time."
After the release of 'Mask' and a number of regional shows, The group immediately began writing to showcase the bands maturity and define the direction that was pre-empted by “Mask”. Developing their sound that would define Edge Of Paradise. Later in 2012, Edge Of Paradise started to expand, playing shows throughout the West Coast states as well as landing a few shows in HI.
By 2013, the band was working with legendary Michael Wagener on the mix of the songs and recording with Grammy winning producer Bob Kulick (Kiss, Motorhead); 'Perfect Shade Of Black' was the result. The EP was made available via physical release, before the worldwide full-length album release in early 2014. The EP received rave reviews, painting a vivid picture of the bands staggering growth, and if public perception is any indicator, the lyric video for one of the songs "Breakaway" quickly reached 200,000 views with the debut on AOL's "Noisecreep."
PureGrainAudio stated "An album recorded with Bob Kulick and Brett Chassen and mixed by Michael Wagener brings with it certain expectations. Let me be the first to say that Perfect Shade Of Black meets and exceeds all of said expectations..." RushOnRock.com said; "Monet really lets rip on title track Perfect Shade Of Black – opening up her powerful pipes to reveal a vocal range her peers on the female-fronted metal scene can only dream of... it’s obvious why this band’s big news on the retro-obsessed LA scene right now."
2013 served as a heavy touring year for the band, Edge Of Paradise toured West Coast and East Coast, as well as hitting some states in Midwest. And after playing in over 15 states the band is gearing up for their release of the second studio album, 'Immortal Waltz' produced by the legendary Michael Wagener.
With a solid line up Margarita Monet-Vocals, Dave Bates-guitars, Nick Ericson-bass, John Chominsky-drums the band is looking forward to jumping into the future, full speed ahead!
Margarita, how would you describe your music?
Circus metal - Heavy, Symphonic, Guitar Heavy -very melodic with soaring vocals, It's unique, yet accessible. The sound defines who we are as a band.
Who has been your inspiration?
I get inspired by a lot of people; I love Ronnie James Dio, Freddie Mercury, Bruce Dickinson, and Robert Plant… They all have their very distinct style, are great singers and they're singing is fueled with emotion and attitude! Dave was inspired by Randy Rhoads, Eddie Van Halen, Steve Vai; all the greats...the sound of the guitar are music to his ears.
How old were you when you first started performing? Where was your first show?
I was very little; it was in Moscow at a performing arts center. I was in a play, I sang, I danced all in one night, I had to do it all, Dave was around 15 jamming in cover bands at bars with the local 30 year olds.
What was the first CD you bought? What kind of music are you naturally drawn to?
Growing up I listened to a lot of classical music, because I played piano since as early as i can remember, but when I was fourteen, I got into Led Zeppelin, Guns and Roses, AC/DC, heard some Marilyn Manson, thought his songs were cool. I think the first CD I bought was 'Appetite for Destruction', I really liked "Welcome to the Jungle" so I got the CD, great songs! I'm drawn naturally to heavier music, but it has to be very melodic and have emotion in it, that's why i don't think I’ll ever be able to tolerate Dub Step, because computer music that does the same thing a million times over doesn't mesh well with me.
Who have you met professionally that you were just "WOW" about? Tell us that story...
I would have to say our producer, Michael Wagener, whom we were lucky to have mix “In a Dream.” From there he brought us out to Nashville to be the band for a recording workshop where we recorded “Rise for the Fallen.” Michael has sold over 96 million albums and he is so good at what he does and he lives and breathes music (like us), it makes the entire creative process incredibly fun! After completing “RFTF” we had to figure out a way to get back there and finish the album, luckily it came together and the result is “Immortal Waltz” our next release. We also feel like Michael is part of the family now. There are other notable mentions too; Gregg Bissonette, who tracked some of the drums early on, was incredible and Tony Franklin (who added some bass on early tracks) was amazing as well.
Who are you performing with, how did you choose your band?
Dave Bates is the guitarist, he and I formed the band, I met him when I was working with a producer on a solo project and we hired Dave to play guitar on the song and we decided we wanted to form a band together like a few weeks later! We went through a lot of lineup changes, but finally we met our current bass player Nick Ericson who was engineering at Bob Kulick's and Brett Chassen's studio, where we recorded some songs, and Nick knew John Chominsky, who is our drummer, when we all played together, it just felt right and we all get a long great, so we knew it was the right lineup!
What are you working on right now? (Recording, touring, shows, writing)
Well, we were just in Nashville with Michael Wagener, where we finished recording our full length CD and now we just signed with a management out in the UK and are getting ready to release the CD and tour US and Europe. We are also working on “theatrical” live show, the new CD is very expressive and theatrical so we are working on the show to match the new music and make it unique and very entertaining!
What is something about you that would surprise your fans?
Dave's a ninja (laughs)
What do you love the most about the music you are performing RIGHT NOW?
We all really love playing the new music, it's very intriguing and dynamic and we never get tired of it! Plus the process of figuring out how to play some crazy stuff that we recorded in the studio live is fun! :)
What has been the most exciting moment of your career thus far?
Working with Michael Wagener, we never would have thought our second CD would be recorded and produced by Michael!
Check out Edge Of Paradise and see for yourself why they are ones to watch out for!
Website - http://www.edgeofparadiseband.com
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/EdgeOfParadiseBand
Twitter - https://twitter.com/EdgeofParadise1
INSTAGRAM - http://www.instagram.com/edgeofparadise
Youtube - EdgeOfParadiseWorld
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