Sharita: My first impression of the album was like wow. You guys have definitely taken me back to the fun days of eighties metal. However, you mentioned that this album is a story of a soul as it takes its journey through a path towards enlightenment. Would you say you are on that path professionally and personally?

Veronica: Wow, good question. (Laughs)

Sharita: Thank you. (Laughs)

Veronica: I do feel I’m on the right path professionally. I feel honored to have known great people like Craig Goldy from Dio and Jeff Pilsen from Dokken who produced the album as well. We as a band are definitely involved in all phases; spiritually, mentally, and physically. I’m not so sure about the personal aspect.

Sharita: Well yes you are. You just got married, that’s a start.

Veronica: True!

Sharita: On the album [Seasons of Tragedy] you did an awesome cover of Dio’s song “Balls to the Wall.” What other song would you like to cover and why?

Sharita: Fair enough. It’s apparent that some of the bands influences are Savatage, Dokken and Accept. Are there others?

Veronica: Yeah definitely! Besides those, I’m a huge fan of Queensrÿche, Dream Theatre, Black Sabbath, and of course Dio.

Sharita: Any singers that have influenced you in particular?

Veronica: Oh yeah. Females like Joan Jett, Tina Turner, Cher, and Doro Pesch just to name a few.

Sharita: Yeah, I did read that you are a big fan of Tina Turner. If you could cover a song by her, what song would it be?

Veronica: Ah, good question again. There is a song…(Veronica starts humming the song, singing a couple of lyrics) It’s actually one of her lesser known songs and the name of it escapes me right now. (She starts singing again, chuckles) You might not know it but that one, but then again there is so many to choose from. Who doesn’t like Tina Turner?

Sharita: Very true. You mentioned Cher. Huh?

Veronica: Yep, I love her. I know she has retired and like came back a hundred times but she has got such staying power and an awesome voice…

Sharita: Much like yourself.

Veronica: Aw thanks. Remind me to pay you right after this interview. (Laughs)

Sharita: You also mentioned Doro Pesch. I just caught her on tour not that long ago and she was so awesome. You also toured with her. What was it like touring with her, what was she like, and was their any advice that you took away from conversations with her.

Veronica: Oh man, it was like a dream come true touring with her. She is such a genuine person; Nice and so humble. With a voice like that I don’t understand how she could be so gracious. I really enjoyed talking with her whenever I had the chance. The advice that she gave me was to take care of myself and get plenty of rest. That was two of the biggest things that stuck in my mind. Of course there was more but those were the most important.

Sharita: Awesome. Speaking of touring, how was Chicago Powerfest last year?

Veronica: It was a lot of fun. It was a great experience playing on the same stage with a lot of great acts. I only wish they would’ve invited us back this year, we would’ve played again. (Laughs)

Sharita: I have a unique question for you. If you could organize your own festival, what bands would be on it?

Veronica: Aw, I can only pick five?

Sharita: Yep.

Veronica: That is too hard! (Chuckles) Ok, Well Dio, of course. Queensrÿche, Dream Theatre, Dokken, and Black Sabbath. Man, you have to let me add Doro. Don’t make me leave her out, ok?

Sharita: Ok, I won’t because she is too awesome to not to have on any true metal festival.

Veronica: So true, so true.

Sharita: I read in another article that you are a self-taught singer. Do you think that having lessons would have made you better.

Veronica: Yes I do. I would’ve learned all the ins and outs of singing and probably have more of a trained voice. However, singing lessons are a little pricey hence I didn’t have them.

Sharita: Truly, I don’t think you need them.

Veronica: Aw, thanks honey. (Hear the smile in her voice)

Sharita: I have a couple of more questions before I let you go and again, thank you so much for talking with me today.

Veronica: You are so welcome.

Sharita: Being a woman involved in metal, do you think women will ever be accepted as viable metal performers?

Veronica: In my opinion, I think we are already accepted. In this male dominated world, women will always have that stereotype of being the weaker sex. However, over the past few years in the real world and in the world of music, women have achieved a lot more success than they did in the past. These days women get a lot more respect for what they do.

Sharita: Were there any instances they you were faced with?

Veronica: No, nothing major. You know the usual stares and the “aw man it’s a girl!” comments that you might hear. Being a female metal singer is something I’ve wanted to do for a long time and I’m having too much fun to let anything bother me.

Sharita: Cool. Lastly, what’s in like touring with a band full of guys? What are the advantages and the drawbacks?

Veronica: Well truthfully there are no drawbacks because everyone in the band is like a family. When were on tour we spend a ton of time together. It’s awesome because I’ve learned so much from all of them and I’m not so sure where I’d be without them.

Sharita: Aw that’s great Veronica. I really do appreciate you taking the time to speak to me today. You need to come to Chicago so I can catch you live.

Veronica: Definitely, honey, Chicago is an awesome city and we’d love to play there again. I’d love to meet you, maybe I’ll pull you up on stage for a couple of songs.

Sharita: Oh no way. I’m not the singer, you are. I will stick to the writing, that’s something I do well. (Laughs)

Veronica: Oh c’mon, everybody can sing a little. (Chuckles)

Sharita: No, not me! (Laughs) Thank you so much for the interview Veronica is was fun!