AMY “FÖXX” SALEMA is from Bragança Paulista (SP – Brazil), self-taught, having been in the independent circuit for more than 20 years, and also one of the pioneers as a transgender person in Brazil. Regardless of gender. Föxx is an active person in the defense of LGBT + rights, showing that what matters is harmony, respect and acceptance between people, equal rights, as it is impossible to admit that there is still so much prejudice in the world, and recently it seems that a new wave of intolerance insists on trying to proliferate. Within the world Metal scene we have several examples of artists who have assumed their sexuality or gender identity (as Rob Halford and Marcie Free, for example), and none of these artists uses their choices and personal life to promote themselves, because what matters is talent.

After a lot of struggle against the well-known difficulties that musicians encounter, FÖXX SALEMA released her debut, “Rebel Hearts” last year, achieving good repercussions and favorable reviews, appearing on several lists of the best of the year, including a seventh place for best Brazilian Metal album in the biggest Heavy Metal magazine in South America, the Roadie Crew Magazine, and eighth in the Road to Metal website, the biggest underground Heavy Metal website from South of Brazil. About the sound of “Rebel Hearts”, it is influenced mainly by the classic Heavy Metal of the 80s, including NWOBHM, in addition to Power Metal, to quote the most current inspirations.

The vocal tone of Föxx is well suited to the style, and there is inspiration for classic Metal vocalists. It also brings intelligent lyrics that can deliver plausible and current messages, having a lyricism based on personal experiences, both social and political.

About her beginning in the song Föxx comments: “Well, I’ve been singing since I was a child and I also always liked the theme Terror, at that time I would pass and see without knowing what it was, Iron Maiden posters on the wall of a small record store and I thought those drawings were really cool. When I was a teenager, a cousin of mine, who already collected fanzines of the genre and had several albums, introduced me to Metal properly. He even recorded on tape the Possessed album “Seven Churches”, which I asked for copy of the booklet to be able to follow in the lyrics what was sung. From there, for me to start singing Metal and go to the stage it was ‘a jump’”

Regarding facing prejudices for being trans, Föxx said: “setting up a band while being trans is chaos, people in general have a mental brake that many don’t even care about, for example: ashamed of sharing the stage with me, not being from the LGBT + community and thinking that they will be judged, taxed as such. So I spent a lot of time “hunting” musicians. Fortunately, I found competent people and that this whole personal matter of mine, did not prevent them from being musically by my side.”

Still on the subject, Föxx recalls some artists from the Metal and Hard Rock scene who assumed their sexual position, such as Rob Halford and Marcie Free: “Some artists have publicly assumed their sexual orientation or gender identity and the subsequent one. Public acceptance, I think it is important to emphasize that they did it already with a certain fame and renown, I did the opposite way and paid a high price for it. Even so, I don’t regret it, because I was in 1st place with myself and also with the people who lived with me, some understood, others did not.”

After months of rehearsal and the debut of the line-up to the stages earlier this year, the plans for the promotion tour were postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Föxx Salema continues to promote her album through digital media, always active on the networks, promoting music and defending people who suffer from inequality.

About the album, she invites: “To Metal Shock Finland readers: listen to the album on Spotify or on some streaming service, if you like, indicate the same to other people and if you like it so much, get the physical CD!”

More information at https://www.facebook.com/foxxsalema78/