Hellz - Interview - PETE'S ROCK NEWS AND VIEWS.COM

Interview with Pete Devine of Pete’s Rock News and Views (http://petesrocknewsandviews.com)

PD: How would you describe yourself or your band as an artist?

Hellz: Hellz is a powerful representation of fighting spirit. Hellz Abyss (The band) sits within the hard rock genre. The music always stands for the challenges we all face throughout life.

PD: Can you tell us briefly about your background – i.e. where you’re from, how you came to make music, etc.

Hellz: I was born in New Zealand but now I live in Australia. I was born with music programmed within me. It was always a natural thing to me. I can’t really tell you the moment I knew I was a musician. It’s just always been there.

PD: Who and what inspires you to make music, both in terms of musical and other influences? What do you like to write about in your songs?

Hellz: Life, People and everyday occurrences inspire all my songs. Warrior was about a very hard time in my life where I found the courage to overcome some terrible people and things that were done to me. Other times a friend can tell me about something they are going through and I naturally write a song for them about it. I write about expressions of the feeling we all suppress in this world. Yet many of us are going through similar issues.Because of social media people feel pressure to pretend their life is perfect outwardly. We need a voice that tells us it is ok not to be perfect. It’s perfectly normal to climb obstacles in life.

PD: What are your aspirations as an artist?

Hellz: Mostly to help people. My gain is to know that a song I wrote gave someone the courage to live on. Money is not a goal here. My biggest dream is to help people decipher the unjust in their heart and souls and to learn through song that they can overcome anything.

PD: What is the proudest moment in your music career so far?

Hellz: Definitely Warrior. This album was a task I set upon myself to write, play, produce and sing. Many of the tracks on this album are solely me. It was a huge task and I feel the hardest i’ve ever set my mind to.

PD: Promoting one’s music is such a challenge these days, especially with so many new artists emerging from bedrooms in the day of the home studio. How is that going?

Hellz: Promotion is key to success as an artist. Crap can literally be promoted well and it becomes a Billboard hit. I have found over time I’ve gained many contacts and gathered hundreds of Radio stations and so on that help immensely. It’s all hard work, but it is worth it. I also have an amazing team at Metal Devastation PR that always does a great job!

In today’s industry, learning the skills to do as much of the job as you can makes a huge difference. Posters, Video ads, Social media all need vital attention. If you don’t do these things alone, you will end up broke.

PD: And how do you book and promote your live shows and tours? Any performances coming up?

Hellz: Hellz Abyss works with our label here in Australia Battlegod Productions. I am currently restructuring the experience of a live show to include the audience a lot more. I feel the days of rocking up and watching 3 bands just play is getting a little monogamous. Our next show here in Sydney is at The Chippo Hotel on March 11th 2023. We have a signed band guitar that will be given away that night!

PD: What do you think about downloading music online? What about streaming sites like Spotify?

Hellz: I feel it is a double edged knife. It is necessary evil.

PD: What song do you wish you’d written and why?

Hellz: None, I look forward to the song i write myself that one day makes a huge impact.

PD: Is there anything you don’t like about the music industry, which you would change if you could?

Hellz: Jealousy, hate and manipulation. Also, the treatment of female entertainers by power mongers that feel they can hold our careers back if we don’t do what they want. This needs a serious overhaul.