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METAL PULP AND PAPER: Hello CJ, Maggie, and Lulu, so glad to be catching up with all of you. Thank you for taking the time to speak with us here at Metal Pulp And Paper. We appreciate it.
So, how is everyone doing?
GFM: We’re doing really good actually! Thank you for wanting to talk with us.
MPAP: 2018 is finally behind us now, is Gold, Frankincense & Myrrh ready to tackle 2019 and take it by the horns?
GFM: We’re more than ready. We already know 2019 is going to be our year!
MPAP: I see you were all at this year’s NAMM Convention in Anaheim, California? How was that? Anything special happen there that you can tell us about?
GFM: It was so amazing. We can’t thank our sponsor Gator Cases enough for inviting us this year. We had the opportunity to talk to so many brands and companies, and they were so receptive to us as an up-and-coming band. We also got to meet so many musicians that we look up to and had great conversations with them. A couple of our producers for upcoming projects were there as well with their panels, so it was great seeing them again. The crazy thing is that we were recognized all weekend! All throughout the day, every day we were there, someone would recognize us. It was pretty cool.
MPAP: Before we go any further, let’s introduce you to everyone that might not know who you are just yet, shall we? Gold, Frankincense & Myrrh (GFM) is an all-female band comprised of a trio of sisters hailing from Jacksonville, Florida. And you’ve come up with the term 'beautycore' that best describes your music? Beautycore, go into more detail about that if you can? What can someone expect to hear?
GFM: Beautycore is a new genre that we have created. Our music resembles the metalcore genre but with three teenage girl singers, it sounds a little different haha. At first, it was just something we were using to describe ourselves, but now it has started to become this women empowerment movement, bringing in more and more women into the music industry. All-girl bands and female-fronted bands are starting to hashtag beautycore, and everyone seems to be jumping on it.
MPAP: GFM infuses positive and youthful energy into traditional metal, and it’s no secret that GFM is spreading a positive message through their music, with their faith and love for God correct?
GFM: Of course. We could not be achieving anything that we are without Jesus Christ; we give Him all the glory. That being said, our lyrics bring a positive message. We will never shove our beliefs down anyone’s throat. Our music is written to relate to real life and to bring hope, but we’re not going to be preachy about it; that’s just not our thing. We will always promote our message, but whether or not someone wants to accept it does not change our love for that person. We are a family in Team GFM, no matter what.
MPAP: Let’s talk about your latest song? You have a new single that recently came out called, "On The Inside." Tell us a little bit about this song and what’s it about? What does it mean to you?
GFM: This song was written in a time when I was struggling with a lot of insecurities. The whole upcoming EP is really about that and my growth through it. I had beaten myself down really low. But at some point, I realized that I didn’t want that to control me anymore. I wanted to get better, and I wanted to be happy again. The only way to make progress though, is to give up those negative feelings, and that’s what I did. I told myself that I would survive, that I was strong, and I started to fight. I’ve been fighting ever since, and I don’t plan on stopping. That’s the sort of idea that I brought to the table, and we began writing as GFM to make something that the fans could relate to.
MPAP: There is also a video for it as well, that already has well over 11,000 views. These are some comments taken from it on YouTube. 'Dude I never clicked that fast on my life I love this song!' 'Good job girls! Literally can't get enough of you guys.' 'This. Is. Goooooood. Click replay and add to my favorites. Done.' 'You make my day. Yep. Goooooood day. Yuup.' 'So awesome!! New favorite song!' So, how does that make you feel when you read comments like this?
GFM: We are ecstatic that our fans are so receptive to the music we’ve been putting out. We would be nowhere without our fans, so having their support is great. We write music that we want; it’s what makes us happy. Being able to share that with the world and having them accept that is more than we could ask for.
MPAP: Of course, the song is taken from your next EP that’s not out yet? Are there any more details you can tell us about this upcoming EP that you can announce here? Is there a tentative release date, or even a title for it yet?
GFM: We are not at liberty to give any more details, but more songs are coming very soon.
MPAP: GFM manages to blur the lines of the Christian sub-culture. Drawing its name from the original gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh, GFM proves that while the guitar’s distorted, the message is clear. The mission is spreading hope and strength to a dark and hurting age. You want to blur the lines of Christian sub-culture, what do you mean by that?
GFM: We believe that Jesus has called Christians to reach the people of the world. It doesn’t matter what you wear or what type of music you listen to, we are called to reach everybody.
MPAP: You’re also trying to spread hope and strength to a dark and hurting age. What do you honestly think is wrong with the world today, and what can be done to turn things around?
GFM: There is so much negativity in the world, and we are just trying to bring positivity back and be an encouragement for everyone.
MPAP: How would you say all three of you have grown as a band and even musicians since your 2015 Death Of Giants debut?
GFM: We’ve definitely matured a lot. Back then, we were just playing whatever type of music people said we should play. Now, we have discovered our sound and know what we want. We’ve all progressed in our playing and singing, and we’re continuing to experiment with vocals and playing styles. We’ve ultimately become more confident as a band.
MPAP: When you play live shows, is it ever stringent for you to play music for people that may only like the sound and style of your music, but they are not into following the message you are trying to get across in your music or lyrics because maybe they aren’t into the religious aspects of it?
GFM: Absolutely not. We do not ever want to shove our beliefs down anyone’s throats. We present ourselves openly, but we are here to create a positive environment for concert goers.
MPAP: Now, if your band just happened to be invited, would you be against going out on a tour and opening for a group that might be of a darker genre than you, say like Marilyn Manson, Ghost, or even Slayer?
GFM: No way. Music is music to us. The music industry is a family. We would be excited to share the stage with them.
MPAP: Continuing along, do you believe in getting some exposure for your band, even if it’s not necessarily on the right side of the street that you’d normally walk on, but it could gain you thousands of more fans?
GFM: To us there is no 'right side of the street.' We will happily play with anyone, on any show.
MPAP: This is a story pulled from today’s headlines; Legendary baseball player Mariano Rivera, who was a pitcher who played 19 seasons for the New York Yankees from 1995 to 2013, revealed why he doesn’t like Metallica’s music. He was nicknamed 'sandman' and would walk out to the pitcher’s mound while the song was playing. Mariano stated, "As a Christian, with all due respect to Metallica, I don’t listen to that kind of music." Going back to the subject of would you go out on tour with certain bands, could you at least be friends with and maybe hang out with fans that listen to, and likes bands like Metallica? Are you able to get along with everyone, or is that something that just doesn’t fit your lifestyle, thoughts, or views?
GFM: We will say it again. We don’t judge anybody for the type of music they listen to or play. In fact, some of us can play some Metallica songs, and the cover songs that we play on stage are not songs by Christian bands. We will tour with anyone, and we will receive everyone with open arms. We want to show the true love of Jesus Christ, and that it is available for everyone.
MPAP: What is life like out on the road for GFM? What do three sisters do together to pass the time between shows?
GFM: There’s a lot of school being done as we’re all finishing up high school and then college. But we love to watch shows and movies, sometimes we’ll bring our Xbox and play video games in the hotel rooms. We have about 17 hours of music downloaded to listen to as well haha. It’s really just a blast being on the road with your family. It’s like home life without the chores.
MPAP: "And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh." Let’s fast forward to present day, what do you think the wise men would bring Mary today?
GFM: Maybe what people would bring to a normal baby shower? As well as what is highly valued in their country. Jesus was seen as a king, so whatever gifts would honor a king, that might be there.
MPAP: On behalf of myself, and Metal Pulp And Paper, I’d like to thank you all for taking the time to do this interview. We look forward to what Gold, Frankincense & Myrrh does in 2019 and beyond.
GFM: Thank you again for having us!
MPAP: Any last words for all the readers and your fans out there?
GFM: Make sure you follow us on all of our social media sites @thegfmband ! We’re getting ready to start releasing new music and videos, and the only way to know the release dates is to follow us! Also, make sure you spread the word that GFM wants to come to a city near you. We can’t wait to get back out on the road.
GFM/ February 6th, 2019/ Interview #137