Dom chats with Otep Shamaya on her approach to success, new music on ‘The God Slayer’ and so much more!
S] Hey Otep, how are you doing today?
Hi, I’m swell. Thanks for asking.
S] Can you tell me how you define success as an artist, and as a person, and how that has developed over time?
For me, it’s been the same since I was first signed to Capitol Records (without a demo after 4 or 5 shows playing dive bars and venues as a local opener on the Sunset Strip here in Los Angeles), to be a working artist. Art for art’s sake. I just want to create for as long as the muses recite.
S] What core lessons have you learned about yourself since the Sevas Tra era, and what would you tell that person if they were sitting in front of you now?
I’ve learned that the music industry is an industry and artists are commodities, that not everyone is meant to remain in your life; I’ve learned how to utilize my microphone not just as an amplifier but as an instrument, I’ve learned to always trust my instincts, that fads come and go but art is forever, and I’d tell Sevas Tra me, “Cut your hair. You’ll love it.”
S] To what level does Ostraziced, and The God Slayer as an album represent where you are now as an artist and a creative?
To what level? Every level.
S] There are some great cover choices on this record, talk me through why you chose ‘You Should See Me In A Crown’ and ‘Territorial Pissings’ – what significance do those tracks particularly, have for you, personally?
Crown was chosen because the lyrics really appealed to me and I think sometimes people are so bound by genre that they won’t give another artist a chance even if the message in the song would be meaningful to them. So by covering it, I give my audience and others a chance to hear something they might not ordinarily listen to and add a little righteous wrath of my own to it so it also reflects my own creativity. And the Nirvana cover is one of my favorite songs by one of my favorite artists and I thought we could honor it properly.
S] ‘Star Shopping’ is a real standout for me, can you talk me through the meaning and thoughts behind that one?
The co-producer Brian Spencer brought this idea to me in the studio. We’re both fans of Lil Peep and so we listened to the song to see what we could do with it. Brian is an amazing multi-instrumentalist so he had ideas from the beginning and the lyrics really hit different than anything else we were doing for this album. I’ve been in all kinds of situanships/relationships and I could relate to what he wrote about in very personal ways.
S] The image of Otep has always been very strong, and visually striking – how has your relationship with the project’s visuals changed and developed over time?
I am now and have always been very involved but the depth of that involvement also depends on a few factors: the label’s budget, if they in-house art department, and how to overcome whatever obstacles there are especially now in the digital age. I used to work for weeks, happily, with graphic designers and photographers to create the booklets for CDs but since it’s all mostly digital, I don’t have those opportunities anymore which is very disappointing but so it goes. However, with every album, I ask whatever label I’m on if they would help me create a lyric book with photos and my illustrations that could be sold separately but, sadly, no one has ever agreed, so for now, I do my best with what I have. Anything I do outside the label, I typically work with an artist from Argentina, the immensely talented Adriana Gonzalez.
S] Do you think much about your legacy as an artist also?
No. Even if after 9 albums and 2 EPs, I still approach everything from a blank slate. Tabula Rasa.
S] What is inspiring you most outside of music – think people, places, for example?
In no particular order: Generation Z, the archeological findings in Saqqara (a dig site outside of Memphis, Egypt), the Trans community, black women, my mother, the people of Hawaii, animal rights advocates, Indigenous women (MMIWG2S), the women in Iran, poetry by Leonard Cohen, the sci-fi series FOUNDATION on Apple+, writing screenplays, hiking the hills that surround Los Angeles, and of course, powerlifting at the gym.
S] Do you have a message for fans in the UK who have, and will continue to support you?
UK fans are probably some of the most devoted and passionate fans I’ve ever met. I’m grateful for their support and I really hope to tour across the pond again soon.
S] Is there anything else you’d like to add before we finish today?
Thank you for the opportunity.
S] Thanks so much for taking the time to answer these for me!
I appreciate the thought-inducing queries. Thank you.
