Backstage Pass with... Concept: Bravery
Jared Cohen and his Concept of Bravery
By Lori Kapes
There are tons of people trying to make it in the music business. I’m not talking about the singer wannabes trying to cheat the system by belting their lungs out for Paula, Randy, and Simon; I’m talking about the people who actually give a damn: the singer/songwriters. If you’ve been bombarded with the singer/songwriter types then here is yet another artist to check out: Concept:Bravery. I came across singer/songwriter Jared Cohen, who goes by Concept:Bravery, through the net which is how many artists are getting their music out there these days. Cohen is a native of California who, with the help of his friend and manager, Adam Londy, started playing at coffeehouses around the Los Angeles area. Since 2001, this young artist has self-released 6 CD’s. Cohen’s songs come full force with his soft and reassuring vocals, relatable lyrics, and a casual acoustic guitar. I had the chance to interview this relatively new artist who has just finished up his first 9 city tour which included shows in Portland, Oregon, Seattle, Washington, and San Diego, California.
Tuned In: What made you want to become a
singer/songwriter?
Jared Cohen (Concept: Bravery): Ever since I can remember I've wanted to do this. My dad says I was singing before I could talk. I think the biggest appeal was that I had the ability to write meaningful things and spread them. I feel like I have so much to say, and I want as many people as possible to hear my messages. Most of these songs are about the things that I'm feeling, and how I cope with it... and the thought of my words helping someone else to get through the same situation is enough to keep me going.
TI: Is there a certain technique you follow when you
write lyrics/notes?
JC: There isn't really. Every now and then I'll sit down and focus on writing a
song or a poem, but most of the time it's much more random. I usually write
songs in bursts. More often than not, when I write a song, I'll write a couple
more the same day. I just let the words pour out, and then I go back and edit
them later, to make them sound a little prettier.
TI: What is your favorite song that you have written?
JC: My favorite song of mine is a song called Compounding Interest. But I
never play that song live so no one has ever really heard it. I suppose my
favorite song that people actually know, is "Sixes and Sevens". I think it's my
favorite because it's the prettiest one.
TI: Who are your inspirations?
JC: Mostly the singer/songwriters of the 60’s and 70’s. Guys like Dylan, Cat Stevens, Jim Croce, Nick Drake, Simon & Garfunkel. Oddly enough, my biggest influences are stuff like that, and Ben Gibbard (Death Cab For Cutie). It's a strange mix, but it works for me somehow. But I listen to all types of music so I really feel that I draw upon an eclectic range of music when I'm writing.
TI: What types of music/artists do you listen to?
JC: When I started listening to music it was all because of my Dad. As a child,
he played me his favorite music, which is probably best referred to as "classic
rock". From there I discovered the Alternative music scene on my own in the
early 90’s and then went on a mission to find every band I could. Today I would
mostly say I listen to a very wide range of music, and while I definitely love
the music of the 50s-80s, most of what I listen to is much more recent. I enjoy
listening to modern singer/songwriters like Elliott Smith, Billy Bragg, and
Jonah Matranga (onelinedrawing). But I also love what can best be called "rock"
in my eyes. Bands like Mae, Jets to Brazil, Pedro the Lion, Jimmy Eat World,
Minus the Bear...basically anything where the band has talent and the music
makes me feel good.
TI: What are your plans for the future?
JC: I have no idea, and that's the truth. I suppose to do this music thing for
a while and see where that takes me. I'm sure I'll be going to school the whole
time, so I've got something to fall back on, but I hope I can make a living at
playing music. It would be a beautiful thing.
TI:
What has been the biggest factor of getting your name and music out there?
Playing at coffeehouses or the Internet?
JC: The Internet has definitely been the most helpful way of getting my name
spread around. I had my first website to promote my music nearly 6 years ago,
and since then, tens of thousands of people have been able to see my music
online. Websites such as myspace.com have even furthered my ability to spread
music online. It's a great way to spread new songs and network all around the
world. When I send out a bulletin on myspace, I know it will reach over 800
people within minutes. I can’t think of any other way to be this efficient.
TI: How did you come up with the name Concept: Bravery?
JC: I'm just astonished that we're a society based on accomplishments. All of
the emphasis is placed on how much somebody achieves or how much they earn, and
not the effort they put into it. I think bravery is something that used to be
praised, and we seem to have forgotten about it. I believe in commending people
for being strong and doing what they believe in regardless of the outcome or
their achievements. That is my concept. A concept of bravery.