EMQ’s With Baby Bear Vox

Hi everyone! Welcome to another EMQs interview, this time with Baby Bear Vox. Huge thanks to their vocalist, songwriter, and creative director, Winston Monroe, for taking part.

What is your name, what do you play, and can you tell us a little bit about the history of the band?

My name is Winston Monroe, and I’m the vocalist, songwriter, and creative director behind Baby Bear Vox, an independent solo metal project based in Fayetteville, Arkansas.

My journey started over 20 years ago. When I was 18, I joined a band called An the angels were Silent as a bassist, but eventually found my true calling behind the microphone. Once I experienced the freedom and intensity of being a frontman, I was hooked.

Baby Bear Vox is the culmination of everything I’ve experienced since then. I combine metalcore, deathcore, and emotionally driven songwriting, using everything from deep growls to high screams to tell stories drawn from my own life.

I write the lyrics, develop the song structures, and communicate the riffs, rhythms, and breakdowns I hear in my head to the musicians I collaborate with. I’m a solo artist, but I believe collaboration makes the music stronger.

Onstage, I’m an entirely different animal. The makeup goes on, the panda comes out, and I give everything I’ve got to the audience.

At its heart, Baby Bear Vox is about turning pain into something powerful. I want to be a voice for people who feel unheard and remind them that no matter what they’ve been through, they’re still standing.

How did you come up with your band name?

My stage name is Baby Bear, and Vox is Latin for “voice,” so Baby Bear Vox literally means “Baby Bear’s Voice.”

This project is about more than just making heavy music. It’s about giving my experiences a voice. I’ve faced my share of trials and tribulations throughout my life, and music has become my way of processing those experiences, overcoming adversity, and turning pain into something meaningful.

Every scream tells a story. Baby Bear Vox is my voice, unfiltered and unapologetic.

What Country / Region are you from and what is the Metal / Rock scene like there?

I’m based in Fayetteville, Arkansas, in the United States. Northwest Arkansas has a passionate music community, but being a metal artist in the heart of the Bible Belt comes with its own challenges.

Some of my darker imagery and satanic aesthetics don’t always sit well with everyone around here. But I think people sometimes forget one little detail: “Lucifer was an angel too.”

To me, metal is about freedom of expression, challenging perceptions, and being unapologetically yourself. I don’t believe you have to come from a major music city to make an impact. You just need passion, determination, and the courage to stand out.

There’s a lot of talent in this region, and I’d love to help bring more attention to the heavier side of our music scene.

What is your latest release? (Album, EP, Single, Video)

I’m currently releasing a series of singles that will eventually come together as a collection called “Bearly Hanging On.”

It’s essentially a musical rap sheet of my life’s tribulations. Each song represents a different chapter, from painful breakups and cheating spouses to struggles with mental health, depression, and finding the strength to keep going.

These aren’t fictional stories I’ve created just to make heavy music. They’re experiences I’ve lived through, and every one of them has left its mark.

The title is a play on words, but it also represents those moments when life has pushed me to my limits and I’ve felt like I was barely hanging on.

I’m releasing the songs individually because I want each story to have its own moment before bringing them together as one complete body of work.

“Bearly Hanging On” is my life, one scar at a time.

Who have been your greatest influences?

My biggest influences include Oli Sykes from Bring Me the Horizon and Alex Terrible from Slaughter to Prevail. I admire the intensity, individuality, and commanding stage presence they bring to their music.

I’m also heavily influenced by bands like Norma Jean and Unearth. Unearth’s The Oncoming Storm was a particularly important album for me. Those relentless breakdowns really helped shape my love of heavy music.

Randy Blythe from Lamb of God has been another major influence. His vocal range showed me how to put the right emotion behind every word I sing.

Chester Bennington also inspired the way I approach vocals, particularly his ability to blend melody, emotion, and screaming.

I don’t want to copy any of these artists. I take inspiration from what makes them unique and use it to develop something that’s unmistakably my own.

What first got you into music?

Believe it or not, it all started with a scratched-up Limp Bizkit CD I found discarded on the floor of my school bus.

Curiosity got the better of me, so I took it home and doctored it up. Here’s a little old-school trick for you: toothpaste can sometimes help with CD scratches!

Growing up with religious parents, I knew this probably wasn’t something they’d appreciate me blasting through the house. So I waited until everyone was asleep, put on my headphones, and pressed play.

And there I was, listening to Fred Durst absolutely kill himself on the microphone!

My eyes were opened to an entirely new level of emotion and music. I had never heard someone express themselves with that kind of raw intensity before. Something about it just clicked. I realized music didn’t have to be pretty or polished to be powerful. It could be angry, ugly, vulnerable, and beautiful all at once.

Not long afterward, a friend introduced me to a band his dad listened to called Linkin Park.

And the rest, as they say, is history.

Funny how something somebody else considered trash ended up changing the direction of my entire life.

If you could collaborate with a current band or musician who would it be?

Without hesitation, Oli Sykes from Bring Me the Horizon.

What I admire most about Oli isn’t just his vocal ability or stage presence. It’s his willingness to evolve, experiment, and push boundaries without losing the emotional intensity behind his music.

That’s something I strive for with Baby Bear Vox. I don’t want to scream just for the sake of being loud. I want every word to carry weight, every breakdown to mean something, and every song to leave the listener feeling something.

I’d love to combine my raw, aggressive vocal style with Oli’s creativity and emotional delivery. I think we could create something absolutely devastating, in the best possible way!

And if Alex Terrible happened to wander into the studio while we were recording, I certainly wouldn’t kick him out!

Although I’m pretty sure we’d need to reinforce the studio walls first.

If you could play any festival in the world, which would you choose and why?

Without a doubt, Download Festival in the UK!

There’s something incredible about the thought of standing in front of thousands of passionate metalheads who aren’t afraid to let loose and express themselves.

For me, performing isn’t about standing behind a microphone and going through the motions. I want to connect with the audience, get right down there with them, hand them the microphone, and make them feel like they’re part of the show.

Download has hosted some of the biggest names in heavy music, and the thought of bringing Baby Bear Vox to that stage would be a dream come true.

But here’s the thing: I wouldn’t care whether I was opening the festival or playing the smallest stage on the grounds. Give me a microphone, an audience, and an opportunity, and I’ll give them absolutely everything I’ve got.

I don’t need to be the biggest bear in the forest. I just want to make sure they remember hearing me roar!

What’s the weirdest gift you have ever received from a fan?

I can’t say I’ve received any particularly strange gifts from fans, but I do have a rather interesting story about something a fan decided to take from me!

When I perform at a local venue called JJ’s, I usually keep a glass of water off to the side of the stage. For some reason, whenever I’m about to perform, I take my chewing gum out and drop it into the water. Don’t ask me why. It’s just something I do!

Well, one night, while I was performing, a female fan apparently decided to help herself to the gum right out of my glass.

After the show, she approached me, proudly chewing away on it, and informed me that she wanted to experience the “Baby Bear essence.”

I couldn’t help but laugh!

And don’t worry, I eventually got my gum back. Let’s just say it was returned during a rather enthusiastic exchange of kisses. 😈

So technically, I suppose the weirdest thing a fan has ever given me was my own chewing gum!

I guess that’s one way to leave a lasting impression on your audience!

If you had one message for your fans, what would it be?

Never let your circumstances dictate your worth.

Life can be cruel. People will hurt you, betray you, underestimate you, and sometimes make you question whether you’re strong enough to keep going.

But your scars aren’t something to be ashamed of. They’re proof that you’ve survived things that were meant to break you.

I’ve had my share of darkness, and I know what it feels like to be unheard. That’s why I do this. I want my music to give a voice to people who feel like they don’t have one.

You don’t have to be perfect. You don’t have to fit anyone else’s expectations. Just keep fighting to become the person you want to be.

And remember, whether there are five people in the audience or five thousand, I’ll give every single one of you everything I’ve got.

I’m Baby Bear, but I’m a bear for the people. And none of you are alone in this fight.

If you could bring one rock star back from the dead, who would it be?

Without hesitation, Chester Bennington from Linkin Park.

Chester was one of the first vocalists who showed me that screaming could be so much more than aggression. It could express heartbreak, desperation, anger, vulnerability, and emotions that ordinary words sometimes struggle to convey.

When I first discovered Linkin Park, I was just beginning to understand how powerful heavy music could be. Chester’s voice helped open that door for me.

I wouldn’t say I tried to become Chester Bennington. I wanted to find my own voice. But he certainly inspired me to explore the emotional possibilities of mine.

What makes his story especially heartbreaking is that someone who helped so many people through their darkest moments was fighting battles of his own.

If I could bring him back, it wouldn’t be for another album, another tour, or another performance.

I’d want him to have another chance at life, to find peace, and to experience the same hope his music gave millions of people.

The music world lost an extraordinary voice, but more importantly, a family lost someone they loved.

What do you enjoy the most about being a musician? And what do you hate?

What I love most is the connection with people.

There’s nothing quite like stepping onto a stage, putting on my makeup, and becoming Baby Bear. I get to take all the pain, frustration, and emotion I’ve carried throughout my life and turn it into something powerful.

But the greatest reward isn’t the applause. It’s when someone tells me that one of my songs helped them through something difficult. That’s when I know what I’m doing matters.

I also love interacting with the audience. I’ll hand someone the microphone, get right down in the crowd, and make sure they feel like they’re part of the performance. I’m not there to perform at people. I’m there to experience something with them.

What do I hate?

Probably how difficult it can be for independent artists to get opportunities without having money or connections.

I’ve spent over 20 years pursuing music, and I’ve learned that talent alone doesn’t always open doors. Sometimes it feels like you have to buy your way into being heard.

But I refuse to let that discourage me.

I’d rather earn five genuine fans through hard work than buy five thousand people who couldn’t care less about my music.

If you could change one thing about the music industry, what would it be?

I’d change the idea that an artist’s worth is determined by their bank account, social media numbers, or who they happen to know.

There’s an incredible amount of talent out there that never gets heard because those artists don’t have the money or connections to get through the door.

I’ve spent over 20 years pursuing music, and one thing I’ve learned is that determination, professionalism, and genuine passion don’t always get the recognition they deserve.

I believe effort and loyalty should count for something. I’d rather work with someone who’s hungry, dependable, and willing to grow than someone who has all the right connections but no heart.

I’m not asking the industry to hand me anything. I’m willing to earn every opportunity I get.

I just wish more doors opened because of what an artist brings to the stage, rather than what they bring to the table financially.

Name one of your all-time favourite albums?

My all-time favorite album is Sempiternal by Bring Me the Horizon.

I’ve listened to a lot of incredible music throughout my life. Unearth’s The Oncoming Storm helped shape my love for metalcore and those absolutely devastating breakdowns, and I listened to Senses Fail’s Can’t Be Saved over and over again.

But Sempiternal holds a particularly special place in my heart.

That album perfectly captures something I strive for in my own music: the ability to combine crushing heaviness with genuine emotion. Oli Sykes can make you feel the pain behind every word, and that’s something I’ve always admired.

In fact, the album means so much to me that I have its artwork tattooed on my right hand: the Flower of Life, a geometric symbol that, to me, represents eternity and foreverness.

It’s more than just a tattoo of an album cover. It’s a permanent reminder of the music that helped shape the artist I’ve become.

I guess you could say Sempiternal will literally be with me forever.

What’s best? Vinyl, Cassettes, CDs or Downloads?

I’m going to have to go with CDs!

There’s something special about holding a physical album in your hands, looking through the artwork, reading the lyrics, and knowing you’ve got an entire musical experience waiting for you.

After all, my journey into heavy music started with a scratched-up Limp Bizkit CD I rescued from the floor of a school bus. If everything had been digital back then, who knows whether Baby Bear Vox would even exist today?

Don’t get me wrong, I appreciate downloads and streaming. As an independent artist, they’re incredibly valuable for getting my music heard around the world.

But CDs will always have a special place in my heart.

Besides, you can’t exactly find a discarded Spotify playlist on the floor of a school bus and fix it with toothpaste!

What’s the best gig that you have played to date?

I’ve played some memorable shows, but one particular experience will always stand out to me.

I had the opportunity to perform for an audience that included a 10-year-old boy with autism. During the performance, something incredible happened: he found the courage to sing along.

I later had the opportunity to meet him and his family, and I signed a button for him. At another point, I performed near their table so he could be part of the experience.

Now, I love a good breakdown. I love watching a crowd get wild, and I absolutely love the adrenaline rush of being onstage.

But that experience meant more to me than any of those things.

Here was a young person finding the confidence to express himself through music, and I got to be a small part of that moment.

That’s what Baby Bear Vox is really about. Beneath the dark makeup, the screaming, and the aggressive stage presence, there’s a message of hope, acceptance, and perseverance.

I don’t care whether I’m performing for ten people or ten thousand. If I can make even one person feel seen, heard, or accepted, then I’ve done my job.

The best gig I’ve ever played wasn’t necessarily the one with the biggest audience. It was the one where I realized just how much a single performance could mean to somebody.

If you weren’t a musician, what else would you be doing?

Believe it or not, I’ve already spent quite a bit of time working behind the scenes in the music industry!

I used to work as a band’s film tech, capturing performances from behind the camera. I also worked as a stagehand for major artists like Slipknot, Shinedown, and even Garth Brooks.

Those experiences gave me a tremendous appreciation for everything that goes into putting on a live show. From the people setting up the stage to the artists performing on it, everybody has an important role.

But somewhere along the way, I realized something.

I was tired of standing in the shadows, helping other people live their dreams while mine waited backstage.

I didn’t want to spend the rest of my life filming other musicians. I wanted to be the one people were filming!

And while I have enormous respect for stagehands and production crews, I started dreaming about the day when I’d have a crew working one of my own concerts.

So if I weren’t a musician, I’d probably still be involved in live production, filming, or working backstage.

But my goal has always been to make that transition from behind the curtain to standing in front of thousands of people, giving them a performance they’ll never forget.

I’ve helped build the stages for other people’s dreams. Now it’s time to build my own.

Which five people would you invite to a dinner party?

Oh, this would be one interesting dinner party!

First, Oli Sykes from Bring Me the Horizon. I’d love to pick his brain about songwriting, creativity, and how he’s managed to evolve as an artist without losing his identity.

Second, Alex Terrible from Slaughter to Prevail. I’d want to talk vocals, stage presence, and what it takes to deliver that kind of intensity night after night.

Third, Randy Blythe from Lamb of God. His vocal range has been a huge influence on how I express emotion through my own voice. I’d probably have a thousand questions for him.

Fourth, Chester Bennington. If we’re allowed to invite someone who’s no longer with us, I’d want the opportunity to thank him for the inspiration his music gave me.

And fifth, my mom. Because as much as I admire these incredible musicians, I’d want someone from my own life sitting at that table, too. Besides, I think watching my mom have dinner with four metal vocalists would be an experience in itself!

Of course, with that group sitting around one table, I doubt we’d get much eating done.

And knowing my luck, somebody would start a breakdown before dessert!

What’s next for the band?

The next chapter for Baby Bear Vox is about growth, brotherhood, and taking this music as far as it’ll go.

I’m continuing to release singles that will eventually become my collection, Bearly Hanging On. Each song represents a chapter of my life, from heartbreak and betrayal to depression, perseverance, and overcoming adversity.

But I don’t want this project to be about my experiences forever.

One of my biggest goals is to build a brotherhood of talented, dedicated musicians who share my passion for expressing the suffering and struggles of humanity through music.

I want musicians who bring more than technical ability to the table. I want people with heart, loyalty, creativity, and stories of their own.

I’ve spent years telling my story through Baby Bear Vox. Maybe it’s time to help tell theirs next! Haha!

I’m also actively pursuing more live performances, opening opportunities with touring bands, and eventually finding the right management or record label to help us reach a larger audience while maintaining our creative freedom.

My ultimate dream is to tour year-round, connect with people who find comfort in our music, and build something that lasts.

I may have started this journey as one bear with a microphone, but I’d love to finish it surrounded by a brotherhood of musicians who believe in the same mission: giving a voice to the unheard.

What Social Media / Website links do you use to get your music out to people? 

You can find Baby Bear Vox on the following platforms:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/babybearvox/

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6FFqVVzSE8Gdb3rPenX8vc

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@babybearvox

Instagram is where I share performance clips, behind-the-scenes moments, and updates about upcoming releases and shows.

Spotify is where you can listen to my music, and TikTok is another place to catch my videos and follow the journey.

I’m always happy to connect with people who appreciate heavy music, so come say hello!

Remember, I’m a bear for the people!

There’s a long-standing food-based debate here in the UK. And we’d like your help. So… A Jaffa cake – is it a cake or a biscuit? Discuss! 

I’m an American metalhead from Arkansas, and you’re asking me to settle a British dessert controversy? Haha!

From what I understand, a Jaffa Cake is technically a cake, but I’m going to need some firsthand research before I make a final ruling.

Here’s my proposal: Book Baby Bear Vox for Download Festival, supply me with a mountain of Jaffa Cakes, and I’ll personally investigate this matter.

I’ll even conduct a taste test backstage.

But if there’s one thing I’ve learned from metal, it’s that you should never judge something by its appearance. After all, I look pretty terrifying onstage, and I’m actually quite sweet underneath!

So my official answer is cake. Unless somebody brings me convincing evidence otherwise. Preferably with a cup of tea!

Thank you for your time. Is there anything else that you would like to add?

First, I’d like to thank Ever Metal for giving an independent artist like myself the opportunity to share my story. It genuinely means a lot.

To everyone reading this, whether you’re a musician, a metalhead, or someone who’s simply going through a difficult chapter in life, remember that your story isn’t over yet.

I’ve spent more than 20 years chasing this dream, and I’m nowhere near finished.

If you connect with my music, come find me on Instagram or Spotify. I’d love to hear your story, too.

I’m Baby Bear Vox. I’m a bear for the people, and I intend to keep roaring until the unheard have a voice.

Thank you for listening. 🤘

Disclaimer: This interview is solely the property of Ever Metal. It is strictly forbidden to copy any part of this interview unless you have the express permission of said party. Failure to adhere to this will be treated as plagiarism and will be reported to the relevant authorities.