Inspired by rock luminaries of yesteryear, Diamante is part ‘80s and plenty of spunk. Hear her track “Coming In Hot” on the latest installment of StripJointsMusic!

Diamante has a “School of Rock” summer camp to thank, in part, for where she is today. The then-13 year old with the exotic name—yes, Diamante is her real name, not just a stage name—was a music fan up until that point, but it was one song in particular that awoke in her a hidden passion.

Stripjoints vol72 animated

“I had to learn a number of songs to perform, but I remember the one that stood out to me the most was ‘Rock N’ Roll’ by Led Zeppelin,” Diamante says. “I had never heard anything that chaotic and powerful, and I remember having an awakening sitting on the floor in my room, I was instantly hooked. I fell even more in love once I got to get up on that stage and get a first taste of performing live rock music, it was the first time I can honestly say I felt completely fearless, like I could do anything.”

It should be no surprise then that Diamante presently encapsulates the modern rocker, which is evidenced with her track “Coming In Hot.” She herself calls the song a “summer anthem …I picture people leaving their day jobs in the car on a Friday, cranking this, and getting ready to go nuts on the weekend.

“This upcoming album of new music really shows who I am as a person,” she continues. “I think sonically it’s something different, and something the world has been craving lately.”

Her producer, Howard Benson (My Chemical Romance, Chris Cornell, Kelly Clarkson), has touted her as “the only true heir to the female rock throne that has been vacant since Joan Jett’s heyday.” The comparison is spot-on for the turquoise-haired old soul.

“I’m not sure where it comes from, but there is something about ‘80s rock n’ roll that gives me this incredible feeling of nostalgia as if I really had lived in the ‘80s,” says Diamante, who also cites Pat Benatar and Debbie Harry as idols. “I connect on almost a spiritual level with the music from that time, and I always joke that my soul got left behind in that era.”

Stripjoints vol72 animated

EXPO deal 1