Interview: Halestorm Gets Vicious and Unapologetic on New Album
Halestorm is getting vicious. Front woman Lzzy Hale and guitarist Joe Hottinger share stories (and struggles) behind the new album, favorite tracks, and excitement for their upcoming female fronted tour.
Vicious, the fourth studio album from Halestorm, is heavier, both musically and lyrically, than anything the band has released before. The album is about overcoming difficulties and being unapologetically yourself, even if that makes others “Uncomfortable,” as the first single suggests.
Vicious was produced by Nick Raskulinecz, a friend of the band, who’s previously worked with Foo Fighters, Rush, and Alice In Chains. “He’s been a first choice for years, but our schedules never lined up,” says Lzzy. “He also has been a fan of Halestorm for years so it was really neat to kind of do the record with somebody who could see us outside of ourselves while still being just as passionate for this music that we like to make.” Overall, it was a great fit. Joe adds, “I’d be in a band with that guy any day, and I’m glad that he was our fifth band member.”
A Halestorm album just wouldn’t be a Halestorm album without a tune driven by carnal energy, and “Do Not Disturb” does not disappoint. The standout song features a catchy slow groove and is a favorite of Lzzy’s. However, she says, “I feel bad I made our producer slightly uncomfortable with the lyrics.” She laughs, “Poor guy he’s like, alright I think we got it we don’t have to do it ever again now.” The lyrics tell of a sexual encounter among three people in a hotel room and, according to Lzzy, was based on a true story.
Vicious brings something new for Halestorm fans while still delivering on everything fans already love them for. Halestorm will be on the road promoting Vicious with female led bands In This Moment (led by Maria Brink) and New Years Day (led by Ash Costello).
To Lzzy, the opportunity to bring a full female fronted tour to fans is in a word, amazing. “We couldn’t have timed it better. I mean, there’s such an amazing sense of strength and community not just within the female musician club but just the female rock and roll attitude going on right now. The women are kind of taking over.”
Lzzy continues, “For me it’s been an amazing thing to be a part of. I don’t think a day goes by that Ash and Marie and I don’t comment on that in some form because I don’t think we realized how awesome this was gonna be until we got ourselves into it.”
Vicious arrives everywhere on Friday, July 27th. Halestorm has announced tour dates through December for North America and Europe.