Back in January I headed out to THE HARD ROCK CAFÉ in Boston to photograph a local band I was following at the time. In between sets,
I got this feeling that I was going to see something special. The band that was coming up had quite the following filling up the room and
the vibe was electric. I was thinking that I just had to stick around for this! I worked my way back stage to meet them and ask if I could
photograph their set. I wasn’t prepared at all for what I saw. I met a gorgeous set of twins, a fiery red head sporting an AC/DC shirt and a
drummer with what I call a drummer’s attitude (being a former drummer myself, I know it well). They we’re extremely gracious, upbeat and
had a plan to play their set the same way whether it was 5 or 5000 people in the audience. They hit the stage and played like seasoned
veterans, sprinkling some original songs with a few covers--bad ass covers of classic LED ZEPPELIN and AEROSMITH. During their set, I
found myself saying to anyone that would listen, just one word…WOW! These ladies came to play, they came to tear it up on stage and
make everyone know who they were--make everyone remember. I had just had the pleasure of meeting and witnessing FLIGHT OF FIRE.
Fast forward to June--I’ve had the privilege of becoming friends with Flight Of Fire. It turns out they’re fans of my photography and I’m
definitely a fan of their music. Following is the result of my time spent photographing them in and out of the studio, as well as a great
conversation to learn more about the four lady rockers that make up Flight Of Fire.
MM: How was FoF formed? Give the readers of ION Indie Magazine little history on the band.
Maverick: Well, the twins and I were all first-semester students at Berklee, and we were at a mutual friend’s birthday party at The Hard
Rock Cafe. On the T ride back to the Berklee area, I was singing at the top of my lungs. Apparently, obnoxious public singing is a desirable
personality trait as far as the twins are concerned, because Tanya turned to me, introduced herself, and asked me if I wanted to start a
Rock band. My answer was a resounding “Hell, yes!” Since then, FoF has been through a “Spinal Tap” amount of drummers, but I know
we’ve finally found our match with Victoria
MM: When did you start singing? How did you develop that amazing voice? Professionally trained or self-taught?
Maverick: Well hey--thanks! My first training was in THE SAN DIEGO CHILDREN’S CHOIR, and with them I had the honor to tour
internationally, do my first private gigs and perform with the SAN DIEGO SYMPHONY. I even got to sing with DENNIS DEYOUNG, randomly.
I didn’t start voice lessons until I was 18, when I entered the Opera Studies program at the UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, Santa Cruz. I was
only there for a semester, though, because I couldn’t stand having to do anything but music. I knew I needed a conservatory. So I applied
to Berklee--and I’m so glad I did. I was a comparative idiot before Berklee--and going there helped me turn my classical chops into what
I really loved--songwriting, wailing Rock vocals, and running around stages like a crazy person.
MM: If "The Voice" calls you tomorrow to come and audition, will you go?
Maverick: Funny you should ask--I actually have an appointment to audition for “The Voice” and “American Idol”. I considered the idea
recently because I thought it might be a good way to get Flight of Fire into the spotlight. But I have had multiple friends at Berklee who’ve
had some pretty icky experiences behind the scenes on Idol, so only time will tell if I actually go through with the audition.
MM: What’s the history behind the name “Flight of Fire”?
Maverick: So, here’s where you guys find out that we’re all huge dorks. We actually chose our band name in the geekiest, most type-A way
possible. The twins and I sat down together and each wrote a list of “power words” we connected with, loved the meaning behind or the
sound of. I insisted on secrecy throughout the process because I didn’t want the twins to influence each other, of course. Then we
compared our lists and circled the one 2vR