Interview With Scott Cooper
Next up in our interview with independent guitarists/songwriters is Scott Cooper, a native of Canada with two albums under his belt, and another on the way. Scott plays pop music -- no, not Britney Spears, but more like an infectious singer-songwriter, a la Elliott Smith.
Scott has a number of cover songs on his site, including this gem of a remake of the Ryan Adams song "In My Time of Need." Compare the two versions below:
Scott Cooper version:
Ryan Adams version:
For our interview series, I decided to ask Scott a question about cover songs. My question:
You have a few cover songs you've recorded. How do songs you like inspire you to write new ones? Do you ever decide to use the same chord progression, or use modify a melody to work in a new song?
His response:
I like recording a cover here and there because it's a really fun exercise, and it helps me to get out of my head. I think so much about my own output and "What It All Means" when I'm writing new songs and doing demos etc. So taking a song that you've always loved and just letting 'er go, feels really natural to me. It always takes me back to a pure place where I just love playing music. It's not intellectualized, it's simple and real like jamming with a friend. Once I feel better, I really don't try to use anything from the tune other than to attempt re-creating those feelings on my own. There's this saying, "a good song is a good song" and I really love that. If you're inspired by a certain genre, you can always add that feel in later after it's written. If it's a good song, it'll work. But if you set out to ape something else, the music is forced and not coming from the right place. No, not Albuquerque! Your heart.
***
For more of Scott Cooper's music, visit his web site at scottcoopermusic.com. And, if you know of a compelling songwriter that we should interview, let me know.++
Scott has a number of cover songs on his site, including this gem of a remake of the Ryan Adams song "In My Time of Need." Compare the two versions below:
Scott Cooper version:
Ryan Adams version:
For our interview series, I decided to ask Scott a question about cover songs. My question:
You have a few cover songs you've recorded. How do songs you like inspire you to write new ones? Do you ever decide to use the same chord progression, or use modify a melody to work in a new song?
His response:
I like recording a cover here and there because it's a really fun exercise, and it helps me to get out of my head. I think so much about my own output and "What It All Means" when I'm writing new songs and doing demos etc. So taking a song that you've always loved and just letting 'er go, feels really natural to me. It always takes me back to a pure place where I just love playing music. It's not intellectualized, it's simple and real like jamming with a friend. Once I feel better, I really don't try to use anything from the tune other than to attempt re-creating those feelings on my own. There's this saying, "a good song is a good song" and I really love that. If you're inspired by a certain genre, you can always add that feel in later after it's written. If it's a good song, it'll work. But if you set out to ape something else, the music is forced and not coming from the right place. No, not Albuquerque! Your heart.
***
For more of Scott Cooper's music, visit his web site at scottcoopermusic.com. And, if you know of a compelling songwriter that we should interview, let me know.++
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