Corey Cyr- Q + A
Corey Cyr - Q + A Corey Cyr sat down with us last Saturday, April 29th, 2017 and agreed to answer some questions and even reveal a little about himself. Q: What made you want to get into music? A: "Well I've always been a huge fan of music, listening to records before bed and such. I couldn't sleep at night to the sound of nothing, so I had to steal an old radio and use the CD player to fall asleep. I stole my stepdads "Creedence Clearwater Revival" Chronicle CD and started listening to that. At first I'd fall asleep right away. But after a couple nights I found myself just laying awake singing the entire album through, not sleeping at all. I guess "making music", didn't come til after high school when my French teacher recommended I listen to Bob Dylan. He sounded so simple in his early days. One guy, one guitar. I figured "I could do that." Write a song or two at least." Q: You've been compared to Bob Dylan, any thoughts on that? A: "I laugh every time I hear that actually... Part of me actually gets giddy, and the other part believes that's like comparing civilians to Caesar. Dylan has so much untouchable reputation, practically undisputed. I couldn't touch it." Q: Who has inspired you most lately? A: "Well I'm always getting caught on "new" people. I went and saw a the infamous "Buddy" musical at my local theatre, and I hadn't realized how much good music that guy actually made. You hear the repetitive Peggy Sue, which personal I never found great... always thought he was only a one hit wonder. Looking back makes me feel a little foolish, but I blame my age. What I like about him is he's so transitional, going from the early rock and roll style to the full orchestra mix of swing and cantina dance music all in a matter of like 18 months or something. I immediately went and bought all three of his albums, as well as some bootlegs. Bootleg recordings are what do it for me mostly. They are broken down, and simple. I'm a simple guy. I even still look to Dylan's early bootlegs like the "Minneapolis Party Tapes" for inspiration." Q: Are there any "new-age" musical influences? A: "Well (Eric) Clapton is still releasing albums, as well as the (Rolling) Stones... Does that count? I really don't care for modern music... it's lost its way." Q: What do you mean by "modern music has lost its way?" A: "I just think it's only appealing to the artificial. Like country music for instance, used to be about Jesus and losing your woman... or just growing up in tough times. Now it's the complete opposite... tailgating at parties with beer and loud music. And LOTS of mud, can't forget the mud. There's even this one song about rolling down your windows and driving around! I think the only reasons it's labeled country, is because the lead is singing in a southern accent with a guitar. If he even has a guitar, which is another big problem... Johnny Cash and Hank Williams were buried a long time ago, and this new pop-country music seemed to make sure of that." Q: What makes your music different? A: "Well I feel my approach is what makes me my "own" music. what I do is I write all my own songs, usually I'll have about 20 of them before I think about putting together any kind of album. After I've practiced and gotten the chords down to match the music, go to my home studio. I'll have two mics: one on my guitar, one for vocals. I only do about two or maybe three takes then go over which one sounds smoother. Then pull my voice out of the backing guitar. I prefer to have everything in one solid take, and not mix and match... it gives it that "this would be better live" appeal. What you hear on the track, is exactly what you'll hear onstage. No crew needed." Q: Why do you prefer to record alone? A: "I don't have to depend on anyone else. It's why I haven't signed with anyone. I love the freedom to do whatever I want, whenever I choose to do it with music. Deadlines are what kill the reality of music. Get pressed by a deadline, and you'll just fill pieces of paper with garbage to fill gaps in the album. I also set my own practices... whether I'm just sitting at home, or wherever. Music is life, and life doesn't have set schedules. Happens whenever. I have written some songs that would fit with a band, so maybe I'll do one or two of those down the road." Q: Would you do a collaboration album? A: "With someone else? I don't think it would be planned. I mean if someone were to come and jam with me and we so happened to record it, I'd probably consider releasing it as a bootleg or something later. But I wouldn't rely heavily on each others names merely for record sales like nowadays, where it's all about the branding label and stretching to new fans. It would have to be inspirational, and with someone I'd blend well with. I wouldn't want to be crammed in the studio with someone I'm not a fan of myself." Q: Do you try to spread a specific message with your music? A: "I think that's all up to you. As the listener, it's your job. I've realized with people, you can either say the wrong thing the right way, or the right thing the wrong way, or like it is. I try to tell it like it is in some type of metaphor, and let you figure out the rest. Everyone wants everything spoon fed to them, even music nowadays... Sickening!" Q: Some say your music can be linked to drug usage, any thoughts? A: "No comment." Q: The most inspiring figure outside of music? A: "A couple years ago, I would've said David Duchovny. He went to Ivy League school, graduated with masters in English, only to go on as "Fox Mulder", on the X-Files. Which is a totally badass show, by the way... but I guess he's doing music now which doesn't surprise me at all. Now I'd have to say Tom Hanks. He's just beloved by so many people, and seems to have a damn good sense of humor whenever he hosts Saturday Night Live. Forrest Gump is my all time favorite movie, and even has a pretty badass soundtrack. I watched it everyday when I was like 5-6, mostly to dance to the soundtrack my mother told me. I think that's where my love for the band "the Doors" came from. Also I hear Hanks' is into politics pretty heavy. I don't think it wouldn't surprise me at all to find out he's also thinking about trying his hand at music." Q: What about past relationships? A: "Well I've fallen head over heels a few times... as you can tell I hit my head. But I guess, yea... There were some happy times, not all bad. We all have to learn one way or another, some harder lessons than others. Got a wonderful woman now though. She's really the backbone that's kept me sane through everything. But yea, I reflect a lot on my own life and people I actually know, instead of trying to formulate some mythical being in my mind. Much easier." Q: What are some concerts that you've attended? A: "Well I've seen a number of people: Grand Funk Railroad, Steve Miller, Quiet Riot, The Guess Who, Blue Oyster Cult... I'd have to say the best one was Grand Funk up in Massachusetts. Always trying to catch the oldies before the flame dies out. This June, I'm seeing Dead and Co. on the 17th AT Fenway Park, and the very next night seeing Dylan in Wallingford, Connecticut. That should be a hell of a weekend. Hope I remember to breathe." Q: What have you been up too lately? A: "I did a couple shows after the release of my last album in July ("The Stray Of His Generation"), just trying to get over the sudden death of my older brother Sam. Acting like everything was alright. I've been through a lot I figured I'd be all set if I just didn't talk about. A couple months later in October, my grandmother had passed. Reality of life and death began to settle in harder. I didn't write a song, or even pick up my guitar for the longest time. Then when my grandfather figure passed in February, it came to me that this wasn't going to stop. People are going to die, and it's the way things will be. I just need to do as much while I'm here because ya never know." Q: Any future plans? A: "Of course! Now that all the dust has settled, I'm heading into the studio to finish "Yesteryear". It was supposed to be released last New Year's Eve, but with all that death happening, my life and music had to wait. I plan to have it released by July, while setting up a show here and there. And maybe even releasing another before the years end. Two albums in one year is a personal goal of mine." Q: Alright no more music questions... outside of music, what do you do? A: "What do you mean by that?" Q: How do you wind down other than playing/writing music? A: "I'll just set on some tea, read some poetry... like Nietzsche, Thomas, T.S. Eliot.. or watch some funny daytime tv like family guy. Helps me forget life for a little. I even like to do random biographies. I'll write essays without reason on certain people I find important in history or just fascinating. Just for myself to look at sometime and gain knowledge on. I love watching biographies and conspiracy stories as well. Thinking is a big thing for me. Usually there's always music playing though." Q: What's with the suits? Is it a change in persona? A: "I get that question more than any music related questions! Well, it started with the idea that everyone wanted to live in the 1940's, but nobody seemed to want to commit. The way men carried themselves in a gentlemanly manner, dressing professionally and respectable-like. Something about slipping on a suit gives a man confidence. It seemed in my small town if you dressed nice, you either had court or a funeral to attend. Nobody had anything really "important" to do. So I decided to have "formal Fridays", instead of "casual Friday's", because everyone was casual everyday anyhow. Nothing wrong with being a little different for different reasons. Plus, getting told I look like (Frank) Sinatra with my blue eyes is pretty sweet. And no on the persona part... I don't try to emulate any image or come across as too uptight. There's just something about slipping on a suit that makes you feel like a different person. I have a bit of a stage-fright, so being someone else on stage really helps."