After some unfortunate lable-shuffling, Cope found his way at DreamWorks Records, who released his official debut self-titled album in 2002. Now with RCA Records, Cope's managed to skirt major media attention, mostly because his music is so difficult to classify. Cope's honest, eloquent lyrics and infusion of blues, folk and hip-hop elements are just the right blend to keep mainstream radio and media scratching their heads.
However, we in the folk world are well aware that those things rarely keep music that's worth hearing from spreading like fire. Cope's latest album Every Waking Moment was released in September. Featuring songs that touch on topics that keep most of us consumed for every waking moment, the album showcases a more introspective, socially considerate side of Cope's work – if that's possible. With personal lyrics that embody topics ranging from love to politics, Cope is surely not an artist to miss.
Kim Ruehl: Tell me about your new album Every Waking Moment – what is the title about for you?
Citizen Cope: Well, I just used one of the songs on the record. That song is kinda about having, or being aware of meeting that person or finding that thing that's missing in your life.
What do you want people to be able to take away from it?
Just joy, you know.
How have you and your music changed or evolved from your first record?
Well these last two played better from start to finish. That's an evolution. You know, I think I touched on more vocal things I haven't done before – ranges and falsetto and stuff. And on Every Waking Moment, this new record, I kinda solidified my sound more.
And what is that sound? How do you identify what you do?
Oh I don't know. You gotta listen to it to define for yourself, you know. Make up your own mind about what it sounds like. [I think] it's something you can drive your car to.
Do you identify with folk music? Do you feel like you're a part of that tradition?
Yeah, I think I identify with folk and blues, r&b, you know, hip-hop. Any art that pushes the boundaries. Also observations, you know, someone putting their heart and soul into the music and really singing about something they believe in.
Were you surprised when "Sideways" kind of blew up?
Yeah, I felt really lucky. Well, I don't really think it blew up. It never really blew up, never charted. But I think people identify with that song a lot. They'll come and sing along with all the words at my shows ... but they do that with a a lot of my songs.
What are you listening to right now?
Howard Smith.
That's it? Just Howard Smith [all the time]?
[laughs] Oh no, you know I've been listening to just basically Bob Marley, Kenny Rogers. I've just been revisiting some stuff. Willie Nelson. I've been listening to this incredible record from Willie Nelson and just [remembering], you know, he's a great songwriter.
Is that his new one? The box set?
I don't know. It's a live one ... (calling to one of his friends off the phone – Hey Adams, what's that Willie Nelson record?) I don't know. But, yeah. It's a live record.
Well you're kind of a jack of all trades – writing, producing, playing music – is there a part of the creative process that you prefer?
I like writing and production. That's my favorite. You know, a lot of people play better than me, so I like to get [other] people to play on the record. Performing. I like performing a lot, too. You know what I don't like about performing is that you can just be out on tour for so long.
Yeah, and you've got a heck of a schedule coming up. So are you sick of touring yet? Or has it all become a blur?
It can be a blur, especially when you're remembering the last tour. Like I went to Nashville [recently] and was thinking, how many places have I played in Nashville? A lot of places! And some places are the same, but most aren't; becuase you start out playing in small places or opening for someone else's shows, touring with someone else. But now I'm playing my own places and shows, selling out gigs ... so there is a lot of positive things. But the hardest thing about touring is [trying to] schedule getting to the next city so that there's enough time besides sound check, show, after the show, and get back on the bus. It's hard to do anything else, and you want to be able to do other things in these towns.
Well, our time is running out. Is there anything else you want people to know about this record, or anything else?
Nah, just that I enjoyed making it.
