Temtris: a 5-piece metal band with elements of traditional, melodic, power and thrash influences.
Interview March 15 2021
By Dan Locke
Before the turn of the Millennium, on the South Coast of New South Wales, Australia, there was a popular ‘heavy rock’ band well known for having a young woman with an ‘astonishingly loud and powerful voice’ and a guitarist with ‘amazing versatility’. The band was called ‘Labyrinth’ and the two musicians in question were Genevieve Rodda and Anthony ‘Fox’ Roberts. Labyrinth eventually came to an end having recorded a number of demos and an independently released E.P. – ‘Escape Reality’. Genevieve and ‘Fox’ as he was now commonly known, decided to pursue their shared passion for heavy music in a larger scene and Sydney seemed like a good place to find the musicians they needed for the direction they wanted to go…
What is your upbringing?
Genevieve: I was born in Nowra on the South coast of Australia. We moved around a lot for my dad’s work. My parents were pretty strict. I actually moved out of home at 15 to work and follow my career to sing. I was very driven and knew what I wanted to do.
How did you discover music?
My parents always played music in the house on their record player and when I was growing up a show called Countdown was always on TV on Sat nights. It had lie bands on it and we would watch it as a family. At 12 years old I was given my own guitar and started lessons. Then at 14, I decided to take singing lessons and join a local band.
How did you start to write music?
I use to sit in my room on my guitar at about 13 yrs. old and write songs about my life and how I was feeling. I loved spending hours in my room on weekends doing this.
Describe your music.
It’s written with emotion and passion. I like to still write about my feelings and life experiences. I want people to feel the emotion and message and connect with the song also. I also like our music to have a bit of grit to it
Genevieve- Have you gone back to your middle school and talked to the teacher who gave you the bad report about your music performance?
No, I have not seen that teacher again. But it was funny to look back on my music school report and read what they thought back then and look at where we are now with our music.
What was your first performance like?
I was 14 at my first gig, it was at a big hall for a birthday party. A lot of people came and we played cover songs by Gunners, Skid row, Ozzy Osbourne and more. It was a lot of fun and I never looked back. There was actually a huge fight there that night and a lot of police had to come and break it up. Will never forget that first show.
What makes a good songwriter?
Everyone likes different music, but for me a good song needs a catchy riff and chorus. You want people to walk away still singing that tune after the show.
What makes a good songwriter?
Everyone likes different music, but for me a good song needs a catchy riff and chorus. You want people to walk away still singing that tune after the show.
How did your band form?
Temtris was formed by myself and Anthony Fox. We found a drummer and started writing. We knew what sound we were after. When we started out there were not many female singers in Metal bands like there are now.
How did you get your bands name?
We wanted a metal sounding name that had a female feel to it. So Temtris it was.
Do you belong to any songwriters’ organizations like the International singer-songwriter association, SESAC, BMI or ASCAP?
Yes, in Australia it is called APRA
What was the title of your first original song? Did you record it?
The first band I was in was actually called Labyrinth. We recorded a few tracks at Sony records on an EP we released in 1999. Called Escape Reality.
How was it to support bands like Girlschool, Metal Church, Raven, Tank and Marty Friedman?
We have been extremely lucky to support such great bands. Girlschool was very cool, except was a sold-out show playing to 800 metalheads. Metal church was very cool and i must say the nicest muso to play with has been Michael Sweet from Stryper. He was just really friendly and a great guy to us.
Did any of the bands give you any words of wisdom on how to make it in music?
No, there is not usually much time to chat at shows. Everyone is busy loading in and setting up or sound checking.
Tell me about your CD which comes out in April?
We have recorded a really strong album with lots of themes on time in the song lyrics. We are very excited to release it. Hopefully in April but it is up to the record company.
Can you tell me about the backstory on your single Forever?
I wrote the song Forever is about Temtris and us pushing on even after so many lineup changes and letdowns.
Where did you record Forever?
Forever had the drums and vocals recorded at Main Street studios in Wollongong. The guitarists recorded the guitars in our home studios. It was mixed and mastered by Lord Tim.
What makes you feel the reason that Forever was so successful and was able to get you a record deal with Wormhole death?
I am not sure, but that song has a great chorus and big vocals. A lot of people believe it has an old-school metal vibe mixed with a new sound too. The Temtris crew has always pushed ourselves to release a bigger and better product and Carlo from Wormholedeath believed we had a strong and original sound that he could sell.
How was it to record at Main Street Studios?
We always record there with the engineer Adam as he knows how we work and what we are after. He is very patient and always easy to work with even on long days.
What is your favorite track on your album?
Very hard to answer, I love a lot of the songs on this album. Ritual warfare is amazing as is Seven sins of man. But I also love the Ballad, called Tempus Aeturnum.
How do you stay healthy while performing?
I try and keep fit all the time. I run and train weights a few times a week plus I also train Krav maga for strength and fitness. I eat well most days but I do like to party on the weekends. Work hard, party hard!
What are your feelings about streaming music?
I think streaming is ok but the way they pay artists needs to change as it costs thousands of dollars to produce even one song. I try and buy CD’s still to support bands as streaming does not provide a sustainable income for bands.
Digital vs. vinyl?
Both have their spot in music and I use both. Vinyl is cool to collect for the artwork looks great on vinyl
What song from the past is in your mind right now?
Moreover, what is the meaning that song means to you? 18 and life by Skid Row… one of my favourite songs I sang at my first show at 14yrs of age.
When 2020 kicked off you were the headline for Smashfest in NZ. How was that right before the virus hit the world?
Things were looking really great for us, we were headline smashfest and flying back to support geoff Tate in Sydney. After that things, all just stopped but we decided to push on and record and release Forever.
You are about to play the Forge Metal Night club are you’re ready?
Always ready to play a show, they are great nights.
If “Video Killed the Radio Star” do you think that the Covid-19 virus has killed live music?
Do you feel the Covid-19 virus going to affect the music business in the future? No, music will always be around. It may move underground if needed but it will never be gone
What have you been doing with your self-quarantine?
I worked my day job when we were in lockdown. I never really stopped. I kept up my fitness at home also.
Have you discovered or rediscovered any new hobbies?
No i have actually have been, just as busy in lockdown as before. No time for new hobbies.
95% of people said that they have changed the way they watch television. This includes people who don’t have television and using their computers to do streaming of programs and movies. Which is your favorite streaming channel?
I don’t have a lot of time for TV etc, but like to watch a few Netflix series in my free time.
Many artists are doing nightly concerts over either YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. In October that is going to change at least on Facebook. Facebook is cracking down on livestreamed shows that include recorded music with new terms of service, preventing artists from using the platform for “commercial or non-personal” purposes, unless they have obtained the relevant licenses. The updated music guidelines state that users “may not use videos on our products [which include Instagram] to create a music listening experience […] This will include [Facebook] Live,” and stipulates that such content should be posted for the enjoyment of friends and family only. How do you think this will change the landscape of Facebook?
I think it won’t be long and someone will start a new platform for music.
How can bands keep their fans if they cannot play live in front of the fans and sell merchandise to them at the show?
As long as bands are releasing new music and clips fans will keep following them.
Is pay to play still a thing? Now pay to play also means thinks like playlist on the internet and opening slots for a major band on tour.
We have never paid to play a show with a bigger band. But have been offered to join tours with some cost involved but it has never been worth our while to do this.
What about Holographic concerts in our living room?
Don’t think I’d be keen.
Governments around the world are hearing the call of thousands of music creators and included protections for the music community in the omnibus bill. In addition to extended and improved unemployment benefits and small business loans for freelance creators, the package includes several bills which the Recording Academy, its members, and the larger music community advocated for. From the Save Our Stages Act, provided a lifeline to performance venues and promoters, to the CASE Act, which creates an avenue for smaller creators to defend their copyrighted works, Congress has ensured that both music creators and those who act behind the scenes to bring music to life are given the support they need during this difficult time.” Do you think this will save music venues?
Australia does not have any of this support here sadly. Not sure if it will help music venues but we can only hope any help does.
Did you know that the Grammys MusicCares can help artist? The MusiCares COVID-19 Relief has helped thousands of music industry artists and professionals during these difficult days. This is the most recipients helped, for any single event, in MusiCares’ history. The need remains great, and these unique times remain critical for music people. It has taken a community uplifting one another to get through this pandemic, and MusiCares has pulled together a list of additional organizations and resources to further support you. https://www.grammy.com/musicares/get-help/relief-resources. Have you applied for it yet?
I have not heard of this over here in Australia.
In the past if a musician stop doing music, they find a new career. For example, David Lee Roth from Van Halen became a licensed EMT in NY for 6 years, San Spitz (guitarist for Anthrax) became a master watchmaker, Dee Snider (Twister Sister) voice over work for SpongeBob SquarePants. If you can’t do music, what would you like to be doing?
The reality is most musicians actually have a day job on top of being in a working band. I work as a teacher’s aide in a special needs school 4 days a week.
What is your happy place?
On stage singing.
Spotify just deleted 750,00 songs, mostly from independent artists. Was your saved? Sony Music in November and Warner Music Group in December, The ByteDance-owned video app revealed on (February 8) that it has struck an “expanded” global licensing agreement with Universal Music Group. Now that TikTok is now fully licensed by all three major record companies, will you start using TikTok more
Our music is still on Spotify and will be in the future. I’ve never used TikTok and has no interest in it.
Danny Wimmer Presents just announced their 2021 Festival Calendar: Which includes the following live shows: DWP Partners With Inkcarceration Music & Tattoo Festival For July 23-25 Event In Mansfield, OH Louder Than Life Set For September 23-26 With Newly Added Thursday Night Celebration In Louisville, KY Welcome To Rockville Expands To 4 Days And Shifts From Spring To November 11-14 In Daytona Beach, FL Aftershock Set For October 7-10 In Sacramento, CA, Almost Sold Out Would you be willing to play these shows and what precautions would you like to have in place?
Always happy to play shows and festivals if offered and the borders are back open, we can tour overseas again.
Anything you would like to say in closing.
Thanks for your support and i hope you all enjoy our new album Ritual warfare …Horns up from Australia
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