Through highs and lows – Interview with Awake Consciousness

We had the chance to ask some questions to get to know Madrid-based metalcore band Awake Consciousness better – the up-and-coming band’s singer Ira Kero not only gave us an insight into the challenges of the metal scene, but also shared her own experiences of how building a career in music as a woman can be different. Finally, here’s a fun fact: they were in Budapest about a month ago, in S8, so some of you probably heard them in person!

Band: Awake Consciousness
Origin: Madrid, Spain
Genres: Metalcore, post-hardcore, djent, progressive metalcore

Ira, you are a female vocalist and songwriter. Have you found it difficult to make your way into a musical genre dominated by the male gender?

I had a lot of difficulties at the beginning of my musical career. Being a female musician makes many people not take your work seriously. In recent years, the mentality has been changing and more and more women are encouraged to be authors and composers, as well as performers.

Can you tell us any anecdotes of this type?

I remember ten years ago, I was singing in a classic heavy metal band and as soon as I finished the concert and was leaving the stage, a musician, unknown to me, suddenly kissed me on the mouth and then he came out to play on stage as if nothing had happened.

I also remember a singing teacher, who is also a very well-known singer in Spain, who would turn up the heating so that I would have to take off my clothes when I attended his private lessons.

These are things that, fortunately, are already changing and should never be tolerated.

Despite everything, would you encourage other women to follow your example and lead an extreme metal band?

Of course. It´s a hard road, but it´s worth it if you like it and it´s what really fills your spirit. I´m also the band´s manager and it´s a job that requires a lot of responsability and strategy.

In addition, having a female vocalist greatly enriches a metal band, due to the great versatility of tones and contrasts that the female voice can provide.

You sing melodically and gutturally in your songs. There are many people who don´t understand that guttural singing is music too. What do you think about this?

I have studied lyrical singing and also guttural singing for many years, and I have to tell you that guttural singing is much more difficult. I am currently also a teacher of guttural and diphonic singing.

Guttural singing is an ancestral song that has its origins in Mongolian diphonic singing and Tibetan throat singing. It´s not screaming, in fact it´s the false vocal cords that are used. You need to learn a technique to be able to do it without damaging your voice.

For all these reasons, guttural singing should be considered music and should be taken into account much more in the current music industry.

Why the name Awake Consciousness? Does it have anything to do with the themes of the songs?

Yes! Both the name of the band and the theme of the songs are aimed at awakening humanity’s consciousness. To remind human beings that they are powerful, free and sovereign over themselves, and that they do not have to give up their personal power to anyone outside.

Thank you for the interview!