Roulette speaks to The Grinder

1.Introduce yourself and your band and tell us why we should listen to you. 

We are Roulette. You should listen to us because you want to.
  

2.What do you classify your sound as, Who do you tell people you sound like? 

We have been described by our audience as being metal, but with a punk “edge”. We’d say we take most of our influence from bands like Alice in Chains, Periphery, Avenged Sevenfold, and Trivium.

3.With digital music in today's world would you vote to keep or eliminate physical media?

We wouldn’t eliminate physical media completely. We understand that many people still enjoy having physical editions to both listen to and collect. We also enjoy physical copies for the same reasons.

4.What is the reason you decided to be a musician and has that reason paid off? 

Music is way more fun when you can perform with others, especially your friends. You can learn a lot from each other while having  a good time. We still have fun, after about 10 years, so it’s definitely paid off.

5.How do you feel about females in metal getting special attention? Do you feel it is fair? 

We don’t really see that. If they are great at what they do, then they deserve the attention they receive. Sometimes, they get attention for the wrong reasons, but not enough for it to put us down.

6.In the world climate with hatred being at an all time high and metal being an “angry” music. Do you think your music contributes to anger and hatred? 

Personally, we don’t think of metal as being an “angry” type of music. It CAN be hateful, but so can other styles of music. Metal is misunderstood and has been since its creation. We don’t write music to be hateful or spread violence. Songs can sound violent and chaotic in nature, but that is to ask the listener to empathize with a point of view or understand what the emotion of the song is trying to convey. Metal (in our opinion) is the most cathartic and healing form of music. 
   

7.Are you opposed to religious beliefs or politics being used in music? 

No, we believe that music is a great platform to express our beliefs, no matter if they are controversial or not. There has been of late a disturbing rise in “cancel-culture” and lack of communication. When we communicate controversial or sensitive ideas, that's how we grow to understand each other's perspective.

8.We have dive into some pretty deep issues here do you think your music sends a message and if so what is it?

Each of our songs have their own message, targeted at different issues. People interpret our songs in different and sometimes personal ways. Overall, our songs tend to focus more on our personal experiences, and less on social & political issues.

9.The market has changed and many bands believe that record labels are a thing of the past, with many labels now charging bands to “sign” how do you think a band can make it in todays scene?
   

It’s not enough to “just” be a band now. You need to be a source of entertainment on multiple fronts. Social media is a double edged sword. While it’s entirely oversaturated, it can also be the most effective platform for reaching potential fans. Realistically what you need is a bottomless bank account or rich parent who can buy your way into the spotlight. That’s unfortunately the nature of the beast. Just look at Greta Van Fleet. Have you ever seen them play a local show? Nope. 

10.Why with the thousands of options including netflix , sporting events everything on demand. Why do you think people should take the time to listen to what you have to say in your music? 

Our music is real. Real thoughts, real people, real lives. It’s not corporately funded or made without purpose.

11.How do you feel about pay to play? Do you think it is fair for a band to have to pay money to play?
  

Pay-to-play is what you get when promoters don’t know how to do their job. The only acceptable instance of pay-to-play is if your band is relatively unknown, and buying its way on to a bill with well-known/successful artists.

12.It is fact that you are the talent and the entertainment explain what you think is the most important key to success?

There’s two keys: “Who You Know” and “How Big is Your Wallet”.

13.In country music and even in some cases rock music is written and performed by different people would your band perform a song written by someone else?

We occasionally enjoy playing covers if we can add our own style to it. However, we write 100% of our own original material. We wouldn’t be opposed to working with other artists. But, would not be comfortable claiming a song as our own, if it were written by another artist.

14.If you are pro female in music are you pro using sex to sell your music? 

We are pro-freedom. We don’t label ourselves. If people want to use sex to sell something, that’s up to them. We let our music speak for itself.

15.What is your view on the lawsuits against people saying lewd or unprofessional things to women or men and how does that affect an art described as sex drugs and rock n roll ? 

As long as you aren’t inciting harm to others, you should have the freedom to say whatever you like.

16. Ok lets lighten up a bit. What is your favorite band of all time and why?

Depends on the day. That, and it’s hard for five people to agree on one favorite band between all of us.

17.What would you be doing if you were not in a band? 

Having money. And being a functioning adult in society… whatever that means.

18. Do you have a favorite sports team? 

What are sports?
  

19.If you could get on stage with anyone dead or alive who would it be? 

Gojira or Trivium.

20.This is your shot to let loose, Throw down your biggest complaint about the music biz

The Music Industry is not about music anymore. It’s about money.