1. First of all, how did you come up with the name “Doomstress”? And is it part of an Alter Ego for you?
Well I 1st thought it up back in 2009 and its simply combining 2 big influences from my life around that time: doom and bdsm, mistress of doom becomes Doomstress Alexis then becomes my band DOOMSTRESS.
2. How did you get into doom metal specifically out of all the metal subgenres?
In all honesty I wasn't very aware of doom until early 2000s when I was looking for a band and happened to join a doom band in Houston, which is where I met Brandon Johnson (guitar) and Raymond Matthews (Project Armageddon-drums). Brandon really exposed me to much of the genre and over the years I became more and more entrenched, founding the Houston Doom Brigade to help interest & support for the subgenres to get some traction around the city and state of Texas as well.
3. How long have you been playing bass guitar and are there any bass players specifically that have influenced your playing?
I guess I've been playing bass for about 15 years or so now. Early influences were Steve Harris, Geezer Butler, Geddy Lee and more recently as inspirations & sister bassist/vocalists: Liz Blackwell (Castle), Mlny Parsons (Royal Thunder). Most recently is Ray Turner (Josefus/Stone Axe) as I am now the bassist for late 60s/70s rockers Josefus.
4. What long-term goals do you have for Doomstress?
It's hard to look to far ahead but getting the full length done and released is a big deal, hopefully getting over to Europe for tours and festivals, I'm already writing the 2nd record so there's already more in the works.
5. What are you most excited about right now with your music?
Finishing recording & mixing what will be the 1st full length record. Really pleased with these new songs we put down and ready to get vocals and solos tracked. Also working more with Kent Stump (So Fat) at his studio Crystal Clear Sound in Dallas, TX for the 1st time. We've known Kent and shared the stage several times and while he has mastered the Doomstress releases we haven't recorded with him yet.
6. You are a proud transgender female in metal/rock music, have you gotten much backlash for being outspoken about it? Have you had any bad experiences that you wish you hadn’t simply because you are a transgender female?
I haven't really had to many issues. Touring has been great and most everyone I've met along the road has been really cool. Social media always has assholes but I'm really too busy to pay attention to haters.
7.You are an avid activist for the transgender community, what other things are you supportive of and would like to see change?
I've organized and worked events for Homeless youth, Homeless LGBT youth and other LGBT youth support programs, as well as abused children. The kids are the future of this world so creating a positive change in their lives can hopefully give them hope.
8.You also pose for fetish photography, what attracted you to the fetish community? Is it because that community is also very open-minded? And how did you decide to become a part of that scene?
Though I've never considered myself a model I've done quite a bit of different modeling in the past with some fetish style but mostly artistic based. I've been in and out of the fetish community for quite some time and it’s always been an open and accepting place. I still occasionally do a fetish performance or get to an event to see old friends.
9.What is your favorite song off of your new EP,The Second Riteon CD via No Slip Records on (Released December 1st)?
Bitter Plea. This song just came together so well and we also had time to develop this song on the road before we recorded it where as the others were all developed in the studio.
10. The artwork was done by renown psychedelic artist, Goatess Doomwych. What made you decide to go with that artist and where can we see more of their work?
I can't recall exactly how I 1st discovered Goatess Doomwych but I knew right away I wanted to work with her. Once I started developing my DOOMSTRESS band I knew that would finally happen.
You can find more of her work and get in contact with her at her website: http://goatessdoomwych.wixsite.com/the674society
11. If you could change anything in the metal community what would it be?
That's really difficult to say. I feel so fortunate just to be doing this on any level. Touring a lot has been great and sure some nights you wish there were more people but aside from the usual bs of the business side of things I wish more people would just go out and meet all these different people at all these different shows and not just metal. Immerse yourselves in diversity.
Doomsstress/Sparrowmilk Split Pre-Order Launches on Friday, December 15th at 7pm CET!
Pre-orders will begin on January 15th at 7pm CET and the official release date will be JANUARY 26TH!
