Get to Know Our Staff: Chantal Holmes

Title: Metadata Manager
Joined FiXT: 2019
Current Location: Somersworth, New Hampshire

Favorite Band From High School?

I think I listened mostly to Front Line Assembly, but my old high school CD case was equally loaded with Metallica, Disturbed, Good Charlotte, and Black Eyed Peas. The look on people’s faces when they saw “Monkey Business” next to assorted Metal for the Masses albums was priceless every time.

First FiXT Artist You Heard?

Even though it wasn’t part of FiXT at the time: Circle of Dust. Sometime around 2005, a buddy of mine had stopped by the local second-hand store (Toys from the Attic. Yes, it’s an Aerosmith reference) and told me he’d found something he’d thought I’d like. He hand-delivered it in the school library the next day, saying “it has you written all over it” – and it did: it was completely wrapped in post-its with the word “You” Sharpied on them. Under that magnificent wrap job was a limited edition remaster of the Mindwarp version of Brainchild. It turned into my go-to CD for the trips to, from, and during the bus rides to and from school pretty quickly.

Dream Collab You’d Like to See a FiXT Artist Work On:

Someone hit up Irving Force sometime, pretty please?

Favorites:

• Thing To Collect: At the risk of sounding super morbid: decorative skulls. I currently have a total of nine of them. Eight are chilling in my office with me: one solid acrylic, two with octopi, a small steampunk one and his non-steampunk brother, something that I think is supposed to be a goblin, a gold ”Aztec” one (even though most of the symbols on it are Mayan), and this really cool purple and blue one with light-up eye sockets. The ninth is a pumpkin with a raven on it, but I haven’t found a way to safely fit him on the shelf yet.

• Video Game: Fatal Frame

• Movie: I’m terrible at choosing favorites, but the two that tie for “closest to favorite” would probably be Event Horizon or The Fallen.

• Non-Music Related Hobby: I’ve been crocheting plush toys since late middle school. They’re small, usually adorable, and are amazing mood boosters: both as gifts, and during the entire process of making them.

• What Have You Enjoyed Most About Working With FiXT: Having come from the dreaded Cubey Land: I’m working with actual human beings instead of human-like number crunch machines, and it’s amazing. Everyone here’s so talented and supportive of one another, a combo I didn’t think could coexist with the working world.

Closing Message:

The journey from being a fan and follower of the label and its roster, to actually being a member of the staff, has been absolutely crazy. I feel both flattered and honored to be able to be here, and to work with all of the insanely talented and hard-working folks who’ve played a huge role in keeping my own creativity going for years. Don’t you guys ever stop being awesome.