Dead Sara has been busy since we spoke with them last year. The female-fronted four piece has been packing in venues, exponentially growing their fanbase, and just finished recording their highly anticipated new album. Dead Sara was recently selected to be featured artist on this year’s Warped Tour and has been enjoying success on popular rock radio stations throughout the country.

We recently caught up with vocalist Emily Armstrong who explained that 2012 is shaping up to be the band’s best year yet.

Check out our conversation with Emily as she discusses being a female vocalist in a male dominated rock world, items in her tour survival kit, and the band almost being named Masturbation Salvation:

Since we caught up with you guys last October, you seem to just be getting bigger and bigger. What do you owe the momentum to?

Working together as a team here at Pocket Kid Records/Fontana and the support of our fans!

How does it feel to be a female fronted rock band amidst a sea of male fronted rock bands?

We have a leg up I’d say because of the lack of female fronted rock bands these days. But at the end of the day, we are just friends who love rock music and love playing rock music with a passion. There is no boy-girl equation.

What runs through your head right before you guys take the stage?

A million things. It’s too hard to think. My mind is racing…!

What’s in your touring survival kit?

Vitamins, water, good coffee and good food when we can.

Do you have any female singer role models that you look up to? You’ve been described as a cross between Patti Smith, Janis Joplin, and Siouxsie Sioux…

Sure, It changes from time to time but it mainly falls back to the 60′s – 70′s folk singers. From Melanie, Sandy Denny, Joni Mitchell, Cat Stevens – you name it. They sang with so much honesty I can’t help but get goosebumps and watery eyes.

Emily and Siouxsie, you’d been playing together for a while, but it wasn’t until you teamed up with Chris and Sean that you found the Dead Sara sound. Did you know when you first jammed with them, that you had found the missing links in the project?

It took me a little longer then the first jam but not much longer. I was just stoked to be playing. It didn’t hurt that we started writing “Weatherman” the first rehearsal… like I said, it didn’t take much longer.

What has been the most surreal moment of being in this band?

Being played on 98.7 FM. Because, being from LA I would listen to that station growing up and fantasize that one day my band would play one it. The support from them is amazing!

Is it true you almost named your band Masturbation Salvation?

It was an option that Siouxsie had…yes.

Who is your favorite band that you shared a stage with and why?

I don’t have an answer for this one yet. Going blank.

Where do you hope 2012 takes Dead Sara?

Staying really really busy. We got a lot cut out for us this year and it’s all exciting! Including being one of the featured artists for Warped Tour. I know how important it is for a band to be working – and this work is a blessing.

If you had to pick one of your songs that best sums up what Dead Sara is all about, which would it be and why?

I have to say “Weatherman”. Only because it was the first song we started writing together with Chris and Sean. And now it’s our first single…

 Is there any sort of underlying theme to your debut album?

I’d just say it is raw, energetic, rock n roll and passion.

What is your secret to your massive on stage energy? Chugging coffee pre show? Natural adrenaline? Energy drinks?

Sleeping! A good rest sometime during the day or right before the show and then letting adrenaline do its thing when hitting the stage.

What’s the best part about being a Los Angeles rock band?

Big city, big dreams.

Words by Nicole Pajer (@NicolePajer). Photos by Catie Laffoon (@CatieLaffoon)

Weatherman by Dead Sara