Interview: Leah Martin-Brown, Lead Singer of ‘Evol Walks’

Printer-friendly versionE-mail page to friendPDF version

CHICAGO – With a healthy dose of attitude, a dynamite lead singer and a predilection for time-honored rock ‘n’ roll, “Evol Walks” is a band that has rapidly emerged as a heavyweight contender. Now based in Los Angeles, Evol Walks has produced an EP, earned plaudits from artists and fans around the world, and played across three continents. The band’s hard edge takes its inspiration from the giants of heavy music, from roots in AC/DC and Black Sabbath, as well as Led Zeppelin, Joan Jett, Stone Sour and Monster Magnet, plus gives it a modern tweak.

“The Fire” is featured on Evol Walks new EP, “Our Time Is Now,” released on January 18th of this year, and produced by Erik Ron (Godsmack, Motionless in White, Sylar, New Years Day). It featured writing contributions from Jake Pitts (Black Veil Brides), Dan Jacobs and Travis Miguel (Atreyu) and Tim Henwood (The Superjesus, Rogue Traders, Palace of the King).

Leah Martin-Brown, Lead Singer of Evol Walks
Photo credit: EvolWalks.com



Jeff Doles of HollywoodChicago.com interviewed Leah Martin-Brown, lead singer of Evol Walks about the band and their new EP “The Fire.”

HollywoodChicago.com: What inspires you personally to create music and how did your musical background impact how you approached forming the band back in 2014?

Leah Martin-Brown: I am generally inspired by everyday life and the events that occur around me. When I formed Evol Walks back in 2014, I had a very clear idea of what I wanted to sound like and be like. That really helped when I was approaching musicians and trying to put the group together.

HollywoodChicago.com: Along with Evol Walk’s hard hitting sound, image plays a major role in live music and creating a fan base. What groups inspired Evol Walk’s look and what do want fans to think after they see the band for the first time playing live?

Martin-Brown: Our look was inspired by bands like Black Sabbath, Halestorm and AC/DC. We have such an energetic and frenetic live show that I really feel draws people in, whether or not they’ve heard of us or not.

HollywoodChicago.com: You’ve spoken of specific influences for sound. How did ‘Soul Stripper’ by AC/DC, ‘Sorrow’ by David Bowie and ‘Devil Woman’ by Cliff Richard inspire inspire your new track ‘The Fire’? 

Martin-Brown: I wanted to write a song from the perspective of the so-called ‘evil’ woman described in these songs. I wanted to create a strong, female response that owned the character and turned the stereotype around.

HollywoodChicago.com: What does the song ‘Our Time is Now’ mean to you personally, and how does it speak to or about your specific audience?

Martin-Brown: I co-wrote ‘Our Time is Now’ with Jake Pitts [Black Veil Brides]. At the time there was a lot of crazy political stuff going on in the world, a lot of which I didn’t agree with … I think ‘Our Time is Now’ acts as a call to action for today’s youth. It is song asking those in power not to brush us aside just because we are young, because we will be the ones dictating their future.

Leah Martin-Brown (center) and Evol Walks
Photo credit: EvolWalks.com

HollywoodChicago.com: How does Evol Walk collaborate musically and lyrically to create your unique sound?

Martin-Brown: I am the main writer for the band and for our EP I did a lot of co-writes with some amazing songwriters in the industry, like Jake Pitts, Travis Miguel and Dan Jacobs. I always have an idea in my head of where I am wanting the song to go and how they will translate in our live show. When I work with the guys in the band, we try and draw from lots of different influences to make the music as interesting as possible, while still keeping it as something we love to play.

HollywoodChicago.com: Finally, what has been the fan reaction to the EP, and what is your favorite song off the disk to play live?

Martin-Brown: The fans have been overwhelmingly supportive, which is awesome! I absolutely love playing ‘Up All Night.’ It’s such a fun tune and the audience always gets into it, which I also love.

Follow Evol Walks …
Website: Click here 
Facebook: Click here 
Twitter: Click here 
Instagram: Click here and here. 
YouTube: Click here 
Spotify: Click here 

Interview by: Jeff Doles
Published by: Patrick McDonald, Editor, HollywoodChicago.com