When it comes to vocal powerhouses, few can rival Spiritbox‘s Courtney LaPlante. With her ability to shift from a terrifying scream to a gentle croon, she has helped make her band one of the most buzzed-about acts in recent years. LaPlante’s unique style is a result of her love for a wide range of music, spanning from soft rock to tech metal. In a chat with Kerrang, she opened up about the albums and artists, including Hayley Williams, who have shaped her into the force of nature that she is today.
It’s no secret that LaPlante is a massive fan of Evanescence, having interviewed lead singer Amy Lee for Revolver magazine in 2021. During their conversation, they discussed the power of music and the impact of raw lyrics. LaPlante even shared her experience of being completely captivated by Evanescence’s album, ‘The Bitter Truth,’ while recording in Joshua Tree.
Among the albums that have had a significant influence on LaPlante’s life are Prince and the Revolution’s ‘Purple Rain,’ Fleetwood Mac’s ‘Rumours,’ Coldplay’s ‘A Rush of Blood to the Head,’ System of a Down’s ‘Toxicity,’ Metallica’s self-titled album, and Deftones’ ‘White Pony,’ as she revealed to Metal Hammer in 2021. These eclectic choices undoubtedly contribute to the captivating and diverse sound of Spiritbox’s music.
In her conversation, LaPlante also expressed her admiration for Paramore’s Hayley Williams, calling her the ‘best voice ever.’ She believes that Williams and her band are continually evolving as artists, focusing more on their art and live performances than commercialization. LaPlante emphasized that Williams’ voice remains exceptional, regardless of the genre she performs in.
The Spiritbox singer’s comments on Williams:
“She’s someone I think we’re going to see have that trajectory where she [and Paramore] keep becoming even better artists, and instead of making more commercial music, they’re completely untethered from that. It’s not about the commercialization of their music and terrestrial radio and stuff; it’s purely about their art and their live show and their fans. No matter what genre of music you put Hayley in, she has one of the best voices I’ve ever heard.”
It’s clear that Courtney LaPlante’s passion for music is both deep and varied, and she isn’t afraid to wear her influences on her sleeve. With her unrelenting drive and unique vocal style, it’s no wonder that she and her band, Spiritbox, have captured the attention of so many fans. As LaPlante continues to be inspired by artists like Hayley Williams, we can’t wait to see what new heights she will reach in her own career.
