The journey of self-discovery never ends, and for most of us finding oneself can take a lifetime. There are some who realize who they are at a young age, and rather than alter paths, continue on a focused one, hoping it will lead to their dreams coming true. Originally out of Boston, Massachusetts, Diamante already opened herself up to world of entertainment while only a teenager , trying her hand as a professional singer, and soon to transplant herself out west to pursue a Rock-n-Roll fantasy.
Unbeknownst what the future may hold, now at 21 years of age, she finds herself signed to Better Noise/Eleven Seven Music, out on big tours with some of Hard Rock’s elite, and set to release her debut album, Coming in Hot. A product of believing in herself and a lot of hard work, the young, promising rocker is wise beyond her years. Recently, we caught up with her to talk her progression over the years, the work behind her new album, lessons learned, plus more.
CrypticRock.com – Last we spoke in 2014 you were still working as an independent artist on the verge of big things – finding yourself a part of 2015’s The Hottest Chicks in Hard Rock Tour, a follow-up tour with Hinder, among others. Now you are signed to Better Noise/Eleven Seven Music and set to release your debut full-length album, Coming in Hot. How redeeming is it to see all the hard work paying off?
Diamante – Extremely! The grind has not stopped since we last spoke, and I am so excited for the future and what is to come. After nearly two years of writing and recording, my first full-length is album is finally here!
CrypticRock.com – It is a very exciting time for sure. As we spoke, you started doing this very young. That in mind, what would you say are some of the most important things you have learned over the years about this life of Rock-n-Roll?
Diamante – I have learned a lot about myself actually, what I wish to achieve and the strength of my character. I’ve learned that with the right amount of grit and determination, anything is possible.
CrypticRock.com – All good lessons learned – you are fortunate to have learned them early on. As far as the new album, Coming in Hot is due out Friday, June 15th. A hard hitting collection of songs, what was the writing and recording process like?
Diamante – The process was both grueling and liberating! Because I’m a solo artist, rather than writing with band members, I wrote with at least 50 different songwriters throughout the span of eighteen months. It took a bit of trial and error at the beginning to find the right people, but once the sound and message of the album was locked into place everything came together seamlessly.
CrypticRock.com – Very cool, well the album came out very well. Your music certainly has seen growth through the years. Would you say your life experiences has shaped the sound and context of the songs?
Diamante – Definitely! This album is a very coming-of-age story because it literally tells the story of me transitioning into adult life. I have toured the nation, gone to college, been in my first real relationship, and experienced what hurting someone you love feels like.
CrypticRock.com – All real to life experiences we can all relate to. Coming in Hot has a lot to offer – it is heavy, fun, and Rock-n-roll through and through. Amidst it all, you do a great cover of Heart’s “Crazy On You.” What inspired this cover?
Diamante – My pure love for ’80s Rock-n-Roll! I’m heavily inspired by artists like Heart, Joan Jett, Pat Benatar, Stevie Nicks, Lita Ford, etc. I had always wanted to cover one of their songs and felt like covering Heart would be a really fun challenge to take on because of how difficult their songs are vocally.
CrypticRock.com – You do a great job with the song. Coming from an Italian and Mexican background, you offer a beautiful Spanish sung rendition of “I’m Sorry” concluding the album, naturally translating to “Lo Siento.” Have you ever recorded a song in Spanish before? That question asked, can we expect to hear more of this in the future?
Diamante – “Lo Siento” is actually the first time I have recorded a song of mine in Spanish! I definitely want to do more because I feel that the Spanish language really emotes passion in a way that no other language does.
CrypticRock.com – Agreed, it is quite beautiful. It will be exciting to hear you do more of that. Three years ago, when we asked you where would you like to see your music go in the future, you candidly said, and we are paraphrasing, to be honest and part of you. Being your own critic, do you feel you are following that path?
Diamante – Absolutely, that is what I love so much about this album. I finally (thanks in large part to my producer Howard Benson) had the courage to open up and write about things that I had always been afraid to put in my music. Coming in Hot really shows who I am as a person on a multidimensional level.
CrypticRock.com – It certainly is a strong and impressive debut record, it will be exciting to hear what people think. You are currently out on the road with label mates Bad Wolves and From Ashes To New. How is the tour going thus far?
Diamante – It’s going great! We are all on the same record label Eleven Seven, so this tour really feels like family. The reception of the show is also incredible from all bands which makes me believe that the future of rock is strong.
CrypticRock.com – Very cool. Beyond this current tour, you will actually be a part of the Five Finger Death Punch, Breaking Benjamin, Nothing More tour later in the summer. Big stuff! How excited are you for that run?
Diamante – I’m so excited! I was lucky to go on Bad Wolves’ tour with Five Finger Death Punch and Shinedown this past May, and it was the coolest experience of my life. I had the chance to sing in front of 10,000 people every night, so knowing that I get to do it again on an even bigger scale is the greatest feeling!
CrypticRock.com – Wow, all very exciting things to experience, and now we have Coming in Hot! Last question. If you recall CrypticRock covers Horror movies too, and you said you are a pretty big fan of the genre. That in mind, what have you seen lately in the Horror movie realm that you enjoyed?
Diamante – I actually went to movies on a recent day off with Bad Wolves and watched the movie Hereditary and really enjoyed it! I really love horror films that appear to lean a certain way plot wise and then completely flip towards the end.
No comment