Spiritbox’s Courtney LaPlante recently shared insights about the band’s approach to creative independence, discussing lessons learned from her previous band experience in a statement shared on Consequence.
LaPlante’s comments came in response to a question about her and Mike Stringer’s transition from Iwrestledabearonce to forming Spiritbox, and what they learned from that earlier band experience.
“We had the privilege of joining an already established band that, you know, they were all a minimum, like five years older than us. Some of the guys were, you know, 10 years older than Michael,” LaPlante said. “So we got to learn from their mistakes and their victories. And basically it was like having a big brother show us what to do and what not to do.”
The vocalist emphasized how this experience shaped their current band philosophy.
“But one thing we really learned from that, we realized that we just don’t really need to compromise what we want to do. And that a band is a team effort, and if it’s not, you know, if everyone can’t see eye to eye, it’s better for everyone to just make their own music,” she continued.
LaPlante concluded by explaining their preference for creative autonomy.
“So I personally, and Michael, I think that we just work better without, you know, outside forces wanting to help guide us in a different way, which could be good or bad because it is nice to have guidance. But I think we like to go off and just like carve out our own path and do our own thing,” she said.
This philosophy of creative independence has been central to Spiritbox’s journey since their formation. It reflects a deliberate departure from their previous band experiences.
Spiritbox Wiki documented that the couple, who married in 2016, had wanted to start their own project since 2011. They quit Iwrestledabearonce in late 2015 after replacing prior members and feeling uncomfortable in the established lineup. The transition wasn’t immediate, as both musicians took time to reassess their musical direction and personal goals.
Spiritbox’s official biography revealed that after leaving their previous band, Stringer presented LaPlante with demos in various styles. They took a break from touring to find regular jobs in Victoria, British Columbia. This period of reflection and experimentation ultimately led to Spiritbox’s formation in 2017 in the picturesque yet isolated region of Victoria.
The band’s approach to creative control has proven successful in the metal scene. Rock Sound reported that LaPlante has emphasized that her main goal with Spiritbox is fluidity. This allows the band to explore different musical territories without external pressure to conform to specific genre expectations.
Loudwire documented how this independent approach has helped Spiritbox become one of metal’s most promising bands. Their unique sound and creative freedom have attracted both critical acclaim and a dedicated fanbase. The band’s success demonstrates that LaPlante and Stringer’s decision to prioritize artistic autonomy over compromise has paid dividends in their musical career.
