She then relocated to Los Angeles and was quickly tapped for the role of "Adriana Smith" in the Iron Maidens, and has scarcely had time away from the fast-paced world of music since.
Learn more about Courtney at her facebook page and check out the Iron Maidens.
I had a chance to chat with Courtney recently - check it out!
I had a chance to chat with Courtney recently - check it out!
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1) What are your current projects?
My current projects are The Iron Maidens , The Starbreakers, Femme Fatale, and my new original project that has not been named yet.
2) How does this (do these) differ from your past work?
My music career started with little tours alongside Adrian Belew and Jon Anderson back when I was in my early teens out of Philadelphia. I have always been a metal head so those tours were a bit awkward at times with all the prog themes and mellow songs. Rehearsing “Ive seen all good people” (YES) in a slayer shirt was quite comical for me. I walked away with a new colour for my musical palette but metal is and always will be my genre. I also had an all female tribute to King Diamond back then called “ Queen Diamond” before moving out to LA at nineteen ,which led to me auditioning for the Iron Maidens.
3) Do you have one project that you are most proud of as a guitarist?
They all make me proud. The level of musicianship in each project is solid, which can be very hard to find sometimes especially with all of the billions of musicians out there. No drama, hard work ethic, we are all friends and we all know how to put on one hell of a show. You can’t ask for anything else really. I always said I would quit when this occupation becomes a job and surrounding yourself with amazing musicians allows you to remain a forever child rocking out on stage .
4) Can you give our readers a run-down of your basic gear (live and/or studio), and do you have a favorite piece of gear?
My basic run down is :
Guitars - Caparison Horus-M3 MF in my CC custom Green , Caparison Horus-M3 MF in aqua blue
Amp- Custom Friedman Half Stack
Effects- ( effects loop)-
Boss ch-1
Boss DD-3
BBE - Boosta Grande
Direct- Boss Tuner into a Line 6 Relay G50
Cables: Pighog
Picks: Custom CCSHRED Caparison picks 1.2mm
Strings: D’Addario nyxl 9-46
Same gear is used in studio as well….
5) Who would you cite as early influences, and who are you favorite new players?
I started playing because of Kirk Hammett once I got my hands on Metallica albums back when I was in grade school. Other influences include: Darrel Abbott, GlenTipton,Marty Friedman, Andy Laroque, Reb Beach, Paul Gilbert , Rob Marcello,Warren Demartini, Alex Skolnick and many other players ranging from the glam scene to the power metal and thrash scenes. Hmm new players.. I don’t really know because I wouldn’t consider certain “ new ‘ players “ new” because I have seen them play underground for years . Media is funny like that, huh?
6) Can you give a few tips to aspiring players?
I always tell people to play because you truly enjoy to. Passion is the only thing one can possess that will get you through the easiest and hardest times. You can’t create a dream without the passion behind it.
And also to keep an open heart. We are all that competitive little player thinking we own the world at one point in time, but you have to grow up and understand that we all contribute to this world of music, it would only fade away if we didn’t. Uncross your arms, put away your phones and enjoy a show! Live music is the best.
7) What are your future plans?
As I write this, I’m actually getting ready for a clinic in Mexico! A lot of tours approaching and one off shows with all mentioned projects. I don’t even know where I am half of the time ha. When at home, I’m continuing on with tunes for this original thing I have in the making. Any other spare time is spent at shows in Hollywood on the strip.
8) Thanx for talking to us, Courtney!
METALLLLLLLLLL…. Cheers!
1) What are your current projects?
My current projects are The Iron Maidens , The Starbreakers, Femme Fatale, and my new original project that has not been named yet.
2) How does this (do these) differ from your past work?
My music career started with little tours alongside Adrian Belew and Jon Anderson back when I was in my early teens out of Philadelphia. I have always been a metal head so those tours were a bit awkward at times with all the prog themes and mellow songs. Rehearsing “Ive seen all good people” (YES) in a slayer shirt was quite comical for me. I walked away with a new colour for my musical palette but metal is and always will be my genre. I also had an all female tribute to King Diamond back then called “ Queen Diamond” before moving out to LA at nineteen ,which led to me auditioning for the Iron Maidens.
3) Do you have one project that you are most proud of as a guitarist?
They all make me proud. The level of musicianship in each project is solid, which can be very hard to find sometimes especially with all of the billions of musicians out there. No drama, hard work ethic, we are all friends and we all know how to put on one hell of a show. You can’t ask for anything else really. I always said I would quit when this occupation becomes a job and surrounding yourself with amazing musicians allows you to remain a forever child rocking out on stage .
4) Can you give our readers a run-down of your basic gear (live and/or studio), and do you have a favorite piece of gear?
My basic run down is :
Guitars - Caparison Horus-M3 MF in my CC custom Green , Caparison Horus-M3 MF in aqua blue
Amp- Custom Friedman Half Stack
Effects- ( effects loop)-
Boss ch-1
Boss DD-3
BBE - Boosta Grande
Direct- Boss Tuner into a Line 6 Relay G50
Cables: Pighog
Picks: Custom CCSHRED Caparison picks 1.2mm
Strings: D’Addario nyxl 9-46
Same gear is used in studio as well….
5) Who would you cite as early influences, and who are you favorite new players?
I started playing because of Kirk Hammett once I got my hands on Metallica albums back when I was in grade school. Other influences include: Darrel Abbott, GlenTipton,Marty Friedman, Andy Laroque, Reb Beach, Paul Gilbert , Rob Marcello,Warren Demartini, Alex Skolnick and many other players ranging from the glam scene to the power metal and thrash scenes. Hmm new players.. I don’t really know because I wouldn’t consider certain “ new ‘ players “ new” because I have seen them play underground for years . Media is funny like that, huh?
6) Can you give a few tips to aspiring players?
I always tell people to play because you truly enjoy to. Passion is the only thing one can possess that will get you through the easiest and hardest times. You can’t create a dream without the passion behind it.
And also to keep an open heart. We are all that competitive little player thinking we own the world at one point in time, but you have to grow up and understand that we all contribute to this world of music, it would only fade away if we didn’t. Uncross your arms, put away your phones and enjoy a show! Live music is the best.
7) What are your future plans?
As I write this, I’m actually getting ready for a clinic in Mexico! A lot of tours approaching and one off shows with all mentioned projects. I don’t even know where I am half of the time ha. When at home, I’m continuing on with tunes for this original thing I have in the making. Any other spare time is spent at shows in Hollywood on the strip.
8) Thanx for talking to us, Courtney!
METALLLLLLLLLL…. Cheers!
=====
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