It has been nothing less than eventful since Hydrovibe’s dynamic vocalist Heather St. Marie and lead guitarist Mat Dauzat made the decision to relocate from Louisiana to Los Angeles in 2002. The very week of their arrival in L.A., Mat auditioned and was picked to play lead guitar in Kelly Osborne’s band, immediately launching a worldwide tour supporting her debut album “SHUT UP”.
Even while savoring the whirlwind experience of being on the road with Osborne, Mat continued to work with Heather on Hydrovibe over the internet. Mat’s return to LA launched a national search for new band members, finally finding their perfect matches in drummer Philippe Mathys (formerly of Sony/Nitrus Records’ rock band UPO) and bass player Eliot Lorango.
While finally getting into the studio recording their Debut album “Nothing Left To Lose” Hydrovibe got the exhilarating news that they would be featured on the SAW III sound track. Dropping everything else to write, record, and film a video for the movie, the band was swept into the better part of a year touring, sharing stages with Static-X, Taproot, Soulfly, Trust Company, Powerman 5000, (Hed) P.E., Black Stone Cherry, Soil, and Drowning Pool.
Upon their return home to LA, Hydrovibe knew they needed to re-record the tour toned versions of “Nothing Left To Lose” and entered Mad Dog Studios in Burbank, CA with Kevin Lamb to re-track the album. Kevin Churko, (Ozzy Osbourne, In This Moment, Five Finger Death Punch) took time out from his major label projects to mix the independently released album’s first single “Fame”.
With the album released, they are enjoying the snowball effect of success and looking forward to getting back on the road.
What/Who are your influences?
(Heather) This band spans a HUGE gamut of influences. I think we all share some classic rock and modern-ish rock influences like Black Sabbath, Led Zeppelin, Rush, Ozzy Osbourne, old Metallica, Iron Maiden, Soundgarden, Tool, Alice In Chains, A Perfect Circle, etc. From there, it goes in many different directions….from Pantera to The Police, from Skid Row to Stevie Wonder, from Helmet to Heart, from Black Label Society to The Beatles, etc.
The song killer Inside was used for the Saw 3 soundtrack, how did that come about?
(Mat) Shawnee Smith met us through mutual fans and became a big fan of the band. After filming SAW II, she brought the director out to one of our Hollywood shows, and he fell in love with the band. When they began shooting SAW III, he gave us bare minimum plot details and asked us to write a song about Amanda’s development from victim to killer… and asked that we deliver it in a matter of weeks!! We locked ourselves in the studio to write and record Killer Inside.
How was it working with Shawnee Smith the actress who plays Heather Jigsaw’s Protégé?
(Heather) Shawnee is a true artist – wether she’s acting, singing, directing, etc. She puts her heart into everything, and I think that shows in her work. We had lots of fun in the studio working out the parts we sang together (the intro and outro as well as the choruses) and during the 18 hours of filming our “Killer Inside” music video. Lion’s Gate sent me to New York with Shawnee for SAW III promotions, and we had the greatest time both working and hanging in the city. Shawnee’s always lots of fun, but more importantly, she is loyal and supportive. When she believes in something, she really gives 200% to it, and Hydrovibe is extremely appreciative.
In October 2006 you performed with Static X for the premiere of Saw 3 at Rain in the Palms Resort Las Vegas; What kind of exposure does being on such a major international project lend to up and coming artists?
(Heather) Well, having that under our belt (which was our first show with this final Hydrovibe lineup, by the way!) allowed us to tour for 9 months straight in 2007. Many clubs heard of Hydrovibe and were willing to book us because of the movie. From there, it was up to us to deliver the goods on stage. We also gained a number of fans who might not have checked us out if it weren’t for the soundtrack.
What would you consider to be Hydrovibe’s biggest achievement to date?
(Mat) Probably getting our song “Killer Inside” in the movie SAW III and on the SAW III Soundtrack, which led to getting the “Killer Inside” music video in the SAW III Director’s Cut DVD and the SAW TRILOGY Box Set. That was lots of action for just one song! That certainly has opened a lot of doors for us, and helped launch our touring career as well. We’ll be forever grateful for that score!
Do you believe being a female fronted rock band has helped or hindered you?
(Heather) It’s definitely a double-edged sword kind of thing… The global success of female fronted acts has helped to clear the way for me to lead a rock band. However, I find that I have to work harder to prove myself in the boy’s club.
Since we decided to remain independent for this first album, we haven’t had to deal with some of the problems female-fronted acts have to overcome concerning the music industry. Often times, the business suits take over to mold a female into the preconceived notions of a female rocker (Is her outfit skimpy enough? Are her lyrics sexy enough? etc). It was especially important to me to stay true to who I am; I can’t sell Hydrovibe onstage if it’s not sincere.
On a personal level, I also think that some female musicians get by on the fact that they’re girls, relying on the “hotness” factor to push their careers. I make it a point to raise the bar at least as high as the guys we tour with… I don’t want to be worried about my makeup or my hair while I’m performing. In fact, you’ll see me get VERY sweaty on stage! haha. I guess I try to emulate Janis Joplin more than the diva-type singers.
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You guys have really taken off since your beginning in Louisiana what would you consider your secret to success?
(Mat) Persistence, drive, finding and following true passion, persistence, learning to live on little sleep, taking the reigns of your own life and career, persistence, learning to live on very little money, having one of the strongest work ethics around….and did I mention persistence? That’s pretty much what has kept us going…persistence in chasing this crazy dream of ours.
Fans rave about your live shows; do you have any special pre performance traditions?
(Mat) REHEARSAL, REHEARSAL, REHEARSAL!!! When we are at home in Los Angeles, we rehearse around 5 times a week leading up to tour time to make sure everything is super-tight. We take pride in our live show, and though it is lots of fun, we take it very seriously. We hardly drink at all before shows…I will only have 1 drink max – if any at all. Nothing that would throw us off our game….party time is for AFTER the show!
What are your upcoming plans for 2009 and 2010?
(Mat) Lots and Lots of touring! We’ve been off the road for a little while with all this album release stuff, and we are itching to get back out there again! We miss our friends and fans and hope to see you all at a show near you very soon.
Many artists seem to have a lot of political involvement these days; what are your views on politics in art?
(Mat) We try to steer away from politics as much as possible….we are entertainers, not politicians. Generally speaking, the stage is not the appropriate place to exercise personal political ideas or agendas. People are there for a good time….LET’S GIVE ‘EM A GOOD TIME! I’m compelled to use this opportunity to quote visionary Spinal Tap keyboard player Viv Savage’s credo, “Have a good time…….ALL THE TIME.”
You guys have been together for four years; how have you seen the music industry change?
(Heather) Outwardly, it has been on an incredible downward spiral these past years…and I say “BRING IT ON!” The archaic business ideas and procedure that the label giants have been so desperately hanging onto were long overdue for a heavy crash. Now, the playing field is level again….signed bands and and unsigned bands will only be as successful as they are willing to personally achieve. There are no handouts and no hand-holding…you get what you work for. It’s also going to force everybody to get more creative in marketing, branding, and procuring fans. And, as always, touring will be the answer. Touring is the best way to earn loyal fans and sell merchandise (which keeps us all alive out there).
Exciting times, I say! Sure, it’s going to be tougher….but the strongest will survive – isn’t that the way it’s supposed to be?
Anything that Hydrovibe would like to plug here…
(Heather) As we always say, SUPPORT INDIE MUSIC! Sure, we’d love for you to buy OUR new album, but it helps us all if you buy your favorite indie bands’ album or merch…it keeps the indie scene alive (and probably pays for $1 Whoppers for the starving guys as well). And please keep in mind that word-of-mouth is huge for bands when you tell two friends about your favorite indie band, you just potentially tripled their fan-base in your circle of friends. Then they tell their friends and it grows exponentially.
Also, we’ve gotta plug the sites to buy our new album “Nothing Left To Lose”!
Get a copy at the Hydrovibe Store – http://www.hydrovibe.bigcartel.com/product/nothing-left-to-lose
Or Download it at iTunes!
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