Sierra Levesque – GET OFF MY STAGE

By starrymag | December 3, 2023

By: Ilaria Masselli

 

 

Q) I know you used to do theatre before you went down the road as a musician. What made you change your path? 

A) Yes, I started out in musicals, I was Annie in Annie and several other larger roles until the age of eleven and, at the same time, I was taking singing and piano lessons, as well as writing my own songs. I grew up listening to rock music, so I knew that I wanted to move into that more. After my final musical was done in 2017, I got my first Flying V electric guitar and that’s when I started fully focusing on rock!

 

Q) What struck you particularly about rock n roll?

A) I always loved listening to rock bands and artists like Black Sabbath, Ozzy, Motley Crue, Guns N’ Roses and Bon Jovi with my dad since I was a little girl. It was only natural for me to play that kind of music when I first learned my instruments! The first riff that I actually ever wanted to learn on guitar was “Sweet Child Of Mine” by Guns N’ Roses. I just love the sound of electric guitars and a powerful vocal.

 

Q) Which are the Rock n Roll bands that have influenced you and your music the most? 

A) Ghost, Heart, and Scorpions are the three bands that have influenced my own music most. You can hear aspects of their music in all different songs of mine. And even though she is more “pop,” Avril Lavigne has also been a big influence.

 

Q) Your debut single “GET OFF MY STAGE” became available on all major music platforms from September 1. Talk about the story behind it. 

A) During COVID, the rapper-turned-rock artist, Machine Gun Kelly was becoming more and more popular by dissing rockstars who I really like. So, I thought that it was time for someone to get back at him, and I wrote my own diss song! It’s a fun song and I definitely hope that he has heard it! GET OFF MY STAGE, MGK!

 

Q) What made you decide to use all caps for the title?

A) I actually use all caps for all of my song titles. It’s something that I feel expresses my emotions even more – an angsty way to almost yell my song titles for the listener to remember them. [laughs]

 

Q) What was the most challenging part of writing or recording the song?

A) I would say that the guitar solo was the most challenging part to both write and record because I wanted to do something catchy, but difficult at the same time. I ended up creating a tapping guitar solo that emulated the main notes of the song’s intro riff. It was hard to get perfect for the recording, but I eventually got it after many tries. Now it’s the part that I get most nervous to play live, but I feel that it is good to have a challenge.

 

Q) How much of a hand do you have when it comes to the production side of the music that you make?  

A) I am technically a co-producer for all of the songs that I record (I currently have twenty fully recorded and ready). I record all of my tracks from my home studio, and I send them through WeTransfer to my guitar teacher/mentor/producer, Ron ‘Bumblefoot’ Thal. From there, he mixes and masters everything from his end while on a Zoom call with me. I really enjoy making the artistic decisions while letting him make everything sound nice and balanced.

 

Q) You are so talented and especially so young. Through your song you show that you have a lot of self-confidence. People your age often struggle with that. Do you have any advice for them? 

A) Thank you very much for the compliment! My best advice would be to always know that you have the power to achieve anything that you set your mind to, even if it seems impossible. In a year from now, you may be surprised with how much you have accomplished simply by believing that you can!

 

Q) What is the most important advice that Ron ‘Bumblefoot’ Thal, your mentor and great musician, gave to you as an artist? 

A) He’s given me so much amazing advice, it’s difficult to pick the most important. One thing that he always says is to ignore people who try to bring you down and realize that you can never make everyone happy, so you must be able to make yourself happy first. I will carry that advice with me throughout my career.

 

Q) You have already achieved a lot as a newcomer. What is next for you? An EP or a full album maybe?

A) Thank you! I have a few more singles planned for the near future, and after that, I would love to release an EP!

 

Q) Who would you most love to collaborate with on a song in the future?? 

A) My dream would be to collaborate with Tobias Forge of the band Ghost. His music has inspired me so much and it would be an honor to work with him!

 

Q) What would you like to say to your fans and supporters? 

A) I’d just like to say thank you SO MUCH to everyone who has supported me and listened to my music so far. I truly appreciate you and stay tuned for new songs coming soon! Remember the date February 2nd, 2024 (02/02/24)!!!