Kobra and The Lotus joins the Kiss and Def Leppard tour at Verizon Wireless Amphitheater July 5
Kobra and The Lotus is a Canadian heavy metal band that was formed in 2009 by songwriter and lead vocalist Kobra Paige. Kobra was discovered by Kiss bassist Gene Simmons, and will be opening for Kiss and Def Leppard on their summer tour with a stop at The Verizon Amphitheater on July 5.
Kobra and The Lotus not only represent a new age of metal militia, but a band of professional life-dedicated musicians. Their album High Priestess will be available on June 24.
The OC Concert Guide had the opportunity to talk to Kobra and The Lotus about their origin, Simmons discovery and musical inspirations.
OCCG: Where did the Lotus part of your group name originate from?
Kobra: The lotus is a beautiful flower that blooms out of the mud. To me there was no better metaphor for heavy metal… beautifully melodic yet fierce!!
OCCG: How did feel to be discovered by Gene Simmons?
Kobra: It felt surreal to have such a rock and metal giant come onboard with us and believe in the journey. Gene is a brilliant and passionate man; it’s an honour to work with him.
OCCG: What do you want your fans and listeners to gain out of your latest album High Priestess that comes out on June 24?
Kobra: I want them to feel emotion and passion. There are a whole array of different stories and messages throughout the music and it’s my wish for them to take it and feel it for themselves.
OCCG: Who are some of your musical inspirations and whom do you look up to in the music industry?
Kobra: This is a constantly changing and growing list. There is inspiration everywhere if you look for it. One of the first people to ever inspire me was Robert Plant and still to this day Led Zeppelin resonates within my creative process.
OCCG: How did you know you wanted to pursue music as a career? Was there any pivotal moment or event that made you decide that?
Kobra: I had always wanted to pursue music but it began in a classical direction. Eventually I decided I was no longer interested in Opera and ceased all musical studies until…Judas Priest. They rolled into town on their Painkiller tour and I never looked back. I had to be a part of that culture; it had to be heavy metal from that day forward!
OCCG: What was it like working with Grammy-nominated producer Johnny K?
Kobra: Working with Johnny K was an unbelievably inspiring experience. Johnny has an amazing vibrancy fuelled by his passion for music and the creation of music. His excitement made me even more excited every day we worked. Not only that, he challenged the shit out of me. Really pushed me outside my envelope and stretch my brain in ways I hadn’t done before. It was a completely frustrating but beautiful experience.
OCCG: What are you most looking forward to at your show at Verizon on July 5 with KISS?
Kobra: Can’t wait to rock out with Irvine!! We’ve never been there before so we’re stoked to be there and show them what we’ve got!!
OCCG: What’s next for you guys?
Kobra: Tour, tour, tour!!! Now that the new album’s launching it’s time to tour relentlessly!