Joshua Cooley A little Q&A with multi-instrumentalist and vocalist, Joshua Cooley. Leicester Bangs: Tell us a little about yourself. Joshua: I believe in music that requires patience, music that builds on itself over a period of time, often longer than the three minutes and thirty seconds so common of modern pop and rock today. My philosophies are based off of the true genius of all music, which is classical music, which generally has no lyrics, and the music spans over a long period of time, creating highs and lows, moments of happiness, sadness, confusion, anger and other mixed emotions. Although my music is far from classical, I strive to fuse this aspect of music with rock, and to create a sound and feeling that no other artist has been able to capture before. LB: How did you start out making music? Joshua: Like many, I got a guitar for Christmas when I was 12. After a couple years of aimless tab-imitations I began to wake up randomly in the middle of the night and then music and lyrics just began to flow out of me. Since then have invested a large amount of my earnings towards musical equipment and making my room into a little studio. Music has consumed my life. LB: Who did you grow up listening to and how do they influence what you’re doing now? Joshua: My dad being a product of the 60s and 70s, meant that I was undoubtedly raised on the Beatles. I was also exposed to bands such as Pink Floyd, the Moody Blues, Neil Young, Cat Stevens and many others. For a while, I denied having some influence from my childhood songs (although I still listen to them today), but have come to realize that my subconscious has created a blend of what I was raised on and music that currently inspires me. LB: Tell us about your latest release. Joshua: Mentalmorphosis is an EP I released after about 8 months of recording at home. I took my music to the studio after this period of time and took my friend Brady Connors with me to help me out with percussion, and I did everything else. All of my songs were created to encapsulate a feeling or mood that I was in when I wrote the song. I anticipate “Surreality” to be my most favored song, since I took the most mainstream approach I could possibly muster up from my anti-conformist inner self, although I personally favor either “Seven” or “Tinnitus”. "Tinnitus" frequently confuses people, and is either praised as my best song to certain people who can understand and appreciate it, and criticized as my worst at the same time. If this song confuses you, the first thing I have to say is… good. Look into it a little deeper, discover the definition of what Tinnitus is, and let me paint a picture for you of my daily suffering with it. My hope is that Mentalmorphosis is listened to with a different approach than most music, instead of popping the CD into the player and hoping to be instantly gratified, I want the listeners to sit back, and paint the canvas of my world, within their own minds. LB: Do you get out and play your music live, and if so, what can an audience expect at one of your shows? Joshua: I am currently seeking other band members who would be willing to join me and do some gigging. As a solo artist, this is a little hard at the current point in time. I have been on stage a few times however, and what an audience can expect is a lot of improvisation, eclectic vibes, and an otherworldly type sensation. LB: What aspects of playing and recording music do you most enjoy? Joshua: I love the independence and freedom playing and recording music gives me. I need friends and family, everyone does, but my dependence on everyone else for amusement has rapidly diminished since my passion for music was developed. I love that I can be at peace with myself in an otherwise deranged world. LB: Where can people find (and buy) your music? Joshua: Please see the links below: www.cdbaby.com/cooleyjoshua www.myspace.com/joshuamaelyncooley www.famecast.com www.famecast.com/backstage/artist.php?artist_id=66146 www.youtube.com/watch?v=pcLgxMU5Fv8 www.youtube.com/watch?v=bGNStswxtNg www.youtube.com/watch?v=OaH9ODB3_xk www.youtube.com/watch?v=htPAl3H1z2s Joshua Cooley – Surreality Joshua Cooley – Seven Joshua Cooley – Tinnitus