Image: Spiritbox Interview on the Grammy 2025 Red Carpet [YouTube]
Today is International Women’s Day - so in honor of this occasion, we’re highlighting Spiritbox frontwoman Courtney LaPlante and what she has to say about working in the metal scene as a woman. Recently, she and Spiritbox were nominated for a Grammy once again, and ahead of the event, she spoke about the challenges women face in a male-dominated community.
Best Metal Performance – Grammys 2025
Courtney LaPlante had hoped to see a female winner in this year’s Best Metal Performance category at the Grammys. She herself was nominated with Spiritbox for the song "Cellar Door", while singer Poppy was also nominated alongside Knocked Loose for "Suffocate". In the end, Gojira took home the award, with opera singer Marina Viotti featured on their track "Mea Culpa (Ah! Ça ira!)".
In an interview on The Zach Sang Show ahead of the Grammys, Courtney LaPlante said:
"I want myself or one of my girls to win Best Metal Performance, 'cause no girl's won. And I want one of us to fricking smash the ceiling."
When asked the following question, she further explained her experience as a musician in the metal scene:
"Both. It's really hard to get into - it's not 'cause girls are like: Ew, metal! It's just really hard to get into a system where, as a fan or as an artist, people are really not - don't respect you, maybe are a little bit annoyed that you're there. I know it's more normal now, but when I started out, like, the women that I looked up to and that I really liked in the metal world, like, it was a lot toughter for them. People question you even having the ability - you kind of have to just do the classic like, you gotta work harder to get half the respect type thing. And when you feel like no one wants you in a community, you will go find your own community, usually. So I think that if things were more open and there was less, you know, sexism and misogyny and stuff, then you wouldn't have to deal with that. But that's just kind of how it is in any male dominated field. There's no difference."
You can watch the full interview here:
Mutual Support: Advocating for Equality
Courtney LaPlante has spoken about this issue in the past, particularly in connection with International Women’s Day. However, she doesn’t just talk about gender equality between men and women - she also emphasizes the importance of supporting women of color and the LGBTQ+ community.
"How can I expect my fellow men to stand up and challenge those that harm me, if I do not do the same for women of colour? Or our LGBTQ+ siblings?"
You can read her full statement at Kerrang.
You haven’t listened to Spiritbox’s new album Tsunami Sea yet? The record dropped just yesterday, so what are you waiting for?
