Ahead of their first ever sold out headline show at The Black Heart in London, alt-metal duo LAKE MALICE reflect on their journey to this point. While vocalist Alice Guala and guitarist Blake Cornwall only started this project around two years ago, both members have a love of music that goes way back. That being said, the band has gained a crazy amount of traction in that time, and it’s clear people are starting to pay attention, drawn in by their striking visuals and unique sound.
Blake explains, “it’s been a whirlwind for us, we’ve been out on some incredible support tours and played some amazing festivals, but as a newer band it’s hard to gauge if there’s a fanbase out there yet. We honestly just make music that we would want to listen to ourselves, so if that resonates with people then I’m all for it.”
In the week of release of their debut EP Post-Genesis, the band are only now coming to terms with their recent success, and it’s obvious that it’s only going to go up from here. Alice goes on to say, “I feel like I often have no perception of how many people are paying attention to us, it’s so hard to grasp that in the online world. I think the first time I realised we actually built a fanbase was when we sold out our upcoming headline show in London. That’s real, it’s offline and it’s real! It feels amazing.” Still reeling from this latest triumph, the band make their shock and gratitude extremely clear.
Both members of LAKE MALICE found a love for music from an early age, playing in their respective bands in school and exploring a range of genres, from nu-metal to pop, referencing TRIVIUM, LINKIN PARK, GRIMES and CHARLI XCX as artists that have really inspired them. Alice explains that she began singing in a school choir, which taught her many of her singing techniques, but makes it clear that everything beyond that is entirely self-taught. While they’ve always taken it fairly seriously, none of their previous bands really took off, and Alice started to look for somebody new to start a new band with.
Blake says, “we got chatting and realised we were on the same page, so I immediately got to work on some demos. Everything’s just fallen into place since, it’s been crazy.” Alice adds, “both me and Blake feel really motivated because we come from similar positions of having projects that didn’t work out. Now we’re giving it all we’ve got.” Since their formation, the band have slowly developed a very specific aesthetic, made up of the visuals in their music videos and also their personal styles when it comes to fashion, with Alice coining the term ‘futuristic rave goths’. While the music is at the forefront, their striking look is undoubtedly part of what makes them so memorable.
With the release of their debut EP Post-Genesis, LAKE MALICE reflect on how it came about, and how they shaped the first few songs they ever put out into the world. Alice explains, “Post-Genesis is a collection of songs that represents the process of re-birth through negative experiences. I wasn’t in many projects of my own before, so I had a lot to unpack. I ended up writing mostly about my worst life experiences and how they shaped my identity. It’s basically a big ‘fuck off’ to a lot of people who tried to make me miserable or didn’t believe in me.”
Much like many bands and song-writers, especially in the alternative scene, Alice used music and writing to reflect on and redefine her personal experiences, transforming them into something digestible and beneficial for her mental health. She elaborates, “I think rage was a key emotion when we wrote this EP. I think it’s still important to process anger, and sometimes we tell ourselves we moved on or found ways to forget or forgive, but writing music is just a next level exorcism honestly.” The stark honesty that comes through on this EP is extremely reflective of what the band seem to be about: not shying away from anything, facing difficult topics head on, but also feeling a sense of relief and catharsis.
Lake Malice live @ Radar Festival 2023. Photo Credit: Serena Hill PhotographyThe modern music scene is ever-changing, and it’s especially clear at the moment that there is a new wave of creativity and experimentalism in different genres, and this is most apparent in the alt-metal scene. This is something that both inspires the band, and pushes them to constantly try new things, and make an effort to stand out. Blake explains, “the alt-metal scene is absolutely popping off. I think we’re seeing lots of artists push boundaries and conventions. The modern consumption of music is forcing people to write better songs and to be more original in order to stand out.”
While there are certainly factors that are making it increasingly difficult to be a newer band in this current climate, it’s also an undeniably exciting time, with some incredible artists pushing everything forward, and LAKE MALICE fit perfectly into this sentiment. Blake cites some of the bands and artists that are inspiring him right now, which includes 100 GECS, POPPY, ASHNIKKO, WARGASM, VUKOVI, SLEEP TOKEN, HERIOT, AS EVERYTHING UNFOLDS, and CASSYETTE.
With their headline show as just the beginning, LAKE MALICE are certainly not slowing down on the touring side of things, with another UK tour announced for the spring. It’s apparent that playing live is one of the most important elements for the band, with Blake stating, “we try to give every performance absolutely everything we have. My mantra is to deliver a ‘show’, and give people something to remember.”
Now that all the songs from the EP are out into the world, the next step is to play them to crowds of people, and have them resonate. Alice explains, “I want people to sing along to Blossom‘s chorus and feel as proud as they can of themselves. I think self-worth, confidence and self-belief are what we are trying to communicate with Post-Genesis, and I want them to know that whatever they think broke them, made them into who they are today.”
Post-Genesis is out now via SO Recordings.
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