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| Artist Statistics |
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Artistopia Rank : 58
Member Since : 7/2005
Last Login : 1/22/2012
Views : 3,286
Songs : 4
Events : 0
Alliances : 0
Releases : 1
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Artistopia URL :
http://www.artistopia.com/catmancohen |
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| Latest Music By Catman Cohen |
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News Article |
Artist News Home |
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An Interview with Catman Cohen |
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| Published on 1/22/2012 |
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| By Artistopia |
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Q. At what age did you realize you wanted to become a music artist and why?
I first began writing music at age 15. I never aspired to become a music "artist," rather I've been lost most of my life, never really knowing what I wanted to do. I've made so many bad decisions and choices, I cannot begin to count them all. In regard to music, I just write things that matter to me at the time, record them, and hope there is an audience who might care.
Q. Most music artists have that special someone or thing that influenced their decision to do music. Did anyone or something in your life play a major role in influencing you to go into the music business?
After my divorce and following a health scare, I sat down at the piano and began writing music again. Years of misery, frustration, and despair, tinged with an aura of mad hopefulness, just came pouring from my fingers, as if from some unknown heavenly source. I thought maybe I should record the creations and if I had not met by accident the late Henry Iglesias, who inspired me to move forward, I probably never would have taken my compositions any farther.
Q. In terms of the music, which major artist(s) influenced your style and why?
Primarily John Lennon, in terms of music/lyrics and social activism, with a fair bit of influence from early Bob Dylan, with emphasis on the word "early." In terms of vocals, undeniably, Janis Joplin. In terms of musical spirit, I would say Gustav Mahler and Mozart, with a bit of Tchaikovsky. Although many critics have drawn comparisons between my work and that of Leonard Cohen, frankly, he was never an inspiration in any real sense. I certainly admire his poetic lyrics, far better than anything I could ever hope to write, although I am less impressed with his seeming indifference to social activism, especially considering the tremendous influence he has had, and I think any resemblance that exists between Leonard and me is more likely genetic than anything else.
Q. With so many independent artists trying to make it, what makes you stand out from the competition?
I don't view other artists as "competition." As a shadow musician, I doubt I "stand out" in any sense; instead, I would think I am a rather obscure individual.
Q. Music industry professionals are quick to say that being an artist means to gracefully fit a marketable niche in the industry. If you were offered an opportunity that asked you to be something you are not, would you do it to get your foot in the door?
There are certain things I just will not do, no matter what carrots are placed before me. I do not like the preponderance of four letter words in contemporary lyrics, not because I am an old fuddy-duddy but rather because I think it is simply illiterate and I am no fan of illiteracy. Like many other men, on some days, I can be more profane than a drunk sailor, but I think profanity debases art, and I aspire to "soar with the angels" when I create my songs.
Q. Making music is one thing, selling it is another. What types of strategies do you use in promoting your artistic work and getting it heard by the proper professionals?
It's all just one ongoing experiment and we make it up as we go along. I often hope that some kind of "Brian Epstein" figure will enter my life and teach me the most optimal way of bringing my less than mainstream music and political ideology to a mass audience because, in all likelihood, I probably am as clueless as can be. My late father was a fantastic salesman, a real genius in that regard, but I never inherited that talent from him.
Q. In regards to wheeling and dealing, how important do you feel business knowledge is to making it in an industry filled with much heartache?
I would think that, far more important than biz knowledge, you have to understand mass psychology.
Q. Let's fast forward to 5 years from now. What advice would you offer to struggling independent artists?
Since it is quite possible I could be a struggling artist myself five years from now and since I am not so confident I will be around in another five years, frankly, I have no advice to offer.
Q. Most successful artists are involved in charitable organizations that stand for a cause that hits close to home. In that regard, once you reach success, what charitable cause(s) would you like to be involved in and why?
I have been involved in several charitable causes since square one. I think that kind of involvement should not depend upon "success," it should be an imperative from day one, since there is always somebody more unfortunate than you who can use some help. Even a beggar can help another beggar.....somebody who is well fed just one day of the year can help somebody who happens to be hungry on that particular day.
Well, we thank you for taking the time to interview with us and certainly wish you the best in your music career endeavors. There you have it ladies and gentlemen, an inside look into the mind of an independent artist struggling to bring their hard work to fruition in an industry where perseverance and thick skin means survival. No one said it would be easy.
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| Article Credits and References |
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| No Credits or References were provided by publisher |
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