BY PANKHURI BHUTANI
PHOTO COURTESY OF COBI
With over 5.3 Million views on his YouTube Channel and around 450,000 monthly listeners on his Spotify channel, this artist is already climbing up the stairs of fame. Hailing from Grand Marais, Minnesota, Cobi started his solo music career by releasing his first song titled, “Don’t You Cry for Me.” Up until then he had been a part of Boston originated band, Gentleman Hall.
The song was such a huge success that it gained the position of number 1 on the global Spotify chart and he performed it live on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. Cobi has since then gained thousands of fans from all around the world and released some phenomenal tracks, some of them including “Goddess,” “Prophet Story,” “Nobody Opened the Door,” and “Underneath.”
Cobi just released his new single, “Don’t Stop” and has dedicated this song to his wife. To talk about the inspiration behind this song, Cobi took out some of his time for a short interview.
What was the experience like with your first song "Don't You Cry for Me"?
Cobi: “The reaction the song got was really exciting. At the time I was on a world tour as a guest singer with Above and Beyond performing amazing venues like the Royal Albert Hall and the Hollywood Bowl. Being my debut, it was really cool seeing it take off as fast as it did, going number 1 on the global viral Spotify chart and later landing me a performance spot on The Tonight Show With Jimmy Fallon.”
Was there anything you planned out to do before setting out in the music industry?
C: “Not really, I just wanted to play guitar and rock out.”
What according to you is the best thing that you have experienced so far related to your music?
C: ”Meeting new people on the road and sharing my experience with them through music is so exciting to me. Connecting with people through music is one of the most rewarding things I've ever experienced. It has a way of putting everyone on the same vibrational frequency for a period of time.”
Out of all the songs that you have created, which one is your favorite and why?
C: “Usually whatever song I wrote last is my current favorite so it's always changing and evolving. My favorite songs to perform live change depending on the setting and the audience.”
You just released your new single "Don't Stop". Congratulations on that! What was the inspiration behind it?
C: “I wrote ‘Don’t Stop’ at a pivotal time in my life. My father was passing away and my daughter Kaia had just been born. Losing someone you love is a frightening experience. It’s a wakeup call, letting you know that tomorrow is not guaranteed. I had never needed support more than I did during that time. That experience made my wife and I hold on to each other pretty tight. ‘Don’t Stop’ is dedicated to her for all of her understanding and compassion.”
What was the creative process like and did you face any challenges during the making of the song?
C: “The blank canvas can be an intimidating thing to some people. I think being able to make decisions quickly and going with your initial instinct is really important. There are endless possibilities when it comes to combining words, melody, harmony, and rhythm. Without that as a guide, you can easily get caught up in the trying infinite combinations. Coming up with a concept and seeing it through is a challenge if worked through over and over for many years.”
Is there any particular message that you are trying to convey through this track?
C: “Be grateful for the ones in your life who hold you up. Give love and praise to the ones who help you walk through grief and change. Love the right way every day.”