Friday, September 21, 2007

Back to school with EVAN COWDEN!

Hey boys and girls,

So if you haven't already, check last week's post where we started offering a free download of Evan Cowden's new single, "No One is to Blame" (our exclusive Perry Twins remix) :)



After discovering that Evan studied music here in Boston (at Berklee College of Music which, let me tell ya, speaks pretty highly of his talent - AMAZING school!), we caught up with him for a few Q&As... after all, it's "Back to School" month here on the blog.

Enjoy! I'll be back in a bit... battling a horrendous hangover this morning... was out last night seeing one of our past Divas at a show. Any guesses?

I'll let you know in a bit, after I eat something carb-heavy... haha.

Q: That you are classically trained is somewhat unusual in today's music world... especially the dance genre. Why did you feel it important to get a formal education in music?

EVAN COWDEN: Honestly, I started studying music at such a young age, it just seemed logical to continue... I took voice lessons as a kid, and I was an instrumentalist as well (sax)... so the foundation in music theory was already built. Plus, I have always been driven by learning... I love to learn new things and love being presented with new challenges. I have always believed the you need to KNOW the rules in order to BREAK them.

Q: What's the #1 thing you learned - about music, about business, or just about life! - during your college days?

EC: Well, since I was coming from a very small community, I learned that I am not the ONLY musician out there!! I suffered a little from "big fish" syndrome before I went to Berklee. Of course that was instantly crushed when I got to Boston and met some amazing artists. I quickly realized that it was about hard work and determination and that talent gets ya somewhere but it doesn't tell ya what to do when you get there!

Q: What was your LEAST favorite class?

EC: Wow, that is a tough one... Musically, I would have to say "String Methods". I started college majoring in education and you are required to be able to teach ALL instruments up to the high school level. So, I had to become familiar with strings... where I LOVE strings and use them alot in my arranging... I am not a born violinist. I don't think ANYBODY is. Those guys(girls) work there butts off to learn how to make those instruments sound good... you don't dabble in strings... you'll just sound like a dying cat. I also studied dance for short time in college before I transferred to Berklee... ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY kicked my butt. No worries about me becoming a doctor anytime soon!

Q: Any favorite Boston haunts during your Berklee days? Maybe a special spot where you loved to study, or a favorite hotspot where you loved to take a study break?

EC: Almost too numerous to mention! Boston has always been like a second home to me, and I try to get back as much as I can. I used to go to Jeffries Bistro a lot and get the chocolate pecan pie! Ouch, that was good! Trident Book Store on Newbury, vintage stuff at Boutique Unique and Allston Beat. Oh, this will take some back.... Wednesdays at "VENUS DE MILO". You young things can look that up in the history books. I used to scoop ice cream at Copley Place for spending cash.

Q: Not every day is "Animal House," but what's the craziest thing that you recall from those years?

EC: So not at all an "Animal House" moment... but CRAZY none the less. I had no idea what I was getting into at Berklee, like I said before, I was from a REALLY small town. So, I was in a theory class the first week, and this really beautiful girl asked if I would be in class on Friday, and if so, would I take notes for her. I said sure and asked her where she was going to be. She replied "I have to go to LA. I'm doing Arsenio Hall". WHAT? No one I know DOES Arsenio! This girl was Layla Hathaway (daughter of the great Donnie Hathaway)! She already had a record on Virgin and was doing BIG things. Amazing! I remember my entire dorm huddled around the TV that weekend watching her on Arsenio. That was pretty crazy to me.... Dorthy was NOT in Kansas anymore!

Q: What would you suggest to other students looking to make their way in the music business?

EC: Learn your craft, Don't be scared to try new things, and most of all- BE PATIENT! I was always a kid that often put the cart before the horse. I have learned that things happen the way they are supposed to, not the way we orchestrate them. If you love the process and are doing everything with sincerity, things will fall into place. We can only control ourselves, not others. So, do your best and the rest will come.

Q: Finally, make your old teachers proud: What are your upcoming music plans?

EC: ALOT!!! I have a new single dropping in October. A new video as well. My first full length studio album "Ten Days at Satellite Park" will be released in November and I have alot of performing planned for the coming year. I am also producing for some other recording artists and directing some music videos for them as well. OH, and maybe when I finish all that, I will consider a vacation! lol

Later,
JOHNNY

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