Women leading rock and metal bands are still a minority in the scene, despite so many talented representatives and the strong female presence in concert audiences. In a still male-dominated environment, artists like Cristina Scabbia , vocalist of Lacuna Coil , are a great inspiration for young girls interested in pursuing a career in this industry.
In a 2012 interview with Wikimetal , the singer was asked what advice she would give to "a fifteen or fourteen-year-old girl who is thinking about forming a band," and she offered realistic guidance to the younger generations.
“First of all, they have to be honest with themselves and play the music they truly enjoy, because if you try to promote yourself in a musical scene you’re not comfortable with, you’re going to fail,” she said. “So you have to sing with your heart, with passion, and you have to be sincere about what you’re singing, and be completely convinced of what you’re doing. More than anything, you have to realize that it’s a very difficult job that not everyone can handle, so don’t just focus on the glamorous part, because this career involves a lot of work and sacrifice, so be prepared for that too.”
Although the advice was specifically for women, it certainly applies to anyone interested in turning their passion for music into a career on stage. "Many people believe that the goal is to get a record deal, but that's just the beginning, because once you achieve that, that's when the hard work starts," she continued.
Among the sacrifices necessary to pursue her career, Scabbia cited the time spent away from friends and family to fulfill long tours and "having to perform every night, even when tired, sick, or with back pain," for example.
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