Chelsey Cope Q&A
The musician discusses her upcoming record, moving to Guthrie and crying with John Moreland.
If Chelsey Cope played baseball, then her new song would be an emotional curve ball.
“Longer Road” is the newest release from the Oklahomaborn songwriter. She used it to replace another song on an upcoming LP.
“I wrote it a few weeks before we wrapped up the album . ... For me, this record was about taking my time,” Cope told The
Oklahoman. “I went through a lot of ups and downs emotionally while I was tracking this album, and it was important for me to give every part of it a chance to shine.”
You can hear “Longer Road” at NewsOK.com/blogs/MiddleOfNowhere.
From a thunderous opening riff to its faded ending note, the song is a rollicking force. Squealing guitars and momentous drums punctuate Cope’s smoky vocals which share a lyrical brotherhood with Bruce Springsteen’s “I’m Going Down” chorus. There’s a fiery, hungry edge to this cut, and the songwriter has never sounded more immediate.
Her latest solo release, an EP called “A Deeper Root,” emerged in 2012. Cope’s upcoming album doesn’t have an official release date, but the nine songs will land digitally in the not too distant future.
“I really had no specific direction for this record,” Cope said. “Basically, it’s just a collection of songs I’ve been wanting to hear professionally recorded for a while. In the extent of my career, I’ve never released a full-length record. It’s always been a goal of mine.
“The solo thing has and will always have a top priority in my life. Not because of anything other than it is an emotional attachment. It’s something I fell in love with years ago, and have used as a stage of expression since I was 13. It’s sort of all I know now. “
Back in March 2016, Cope connected with Lunar Manor Recording studio engineer Taylor Johnson (Vonna Pearl, The Wurly Birds) to start work on a full-length effort, and it was a good fit from the start.
“Hell, we even started our own band soon after we began this record,” Cope said. “Taylor did a lot of producing. I definitely looked to him a lot for advice on what the songs were lacking or needed more of. He also played drums, bass, guitar, and some other fun percussion.”
The upcoming record also will include Okie talents Dustin Paige (drums), Chavez Soliz (guitar), Derek Moore (bass) and Josh Lester (cello).
I caught up with Cope to talk about her new home and upcoming record.
Q: Has your recent move to Guthrie helped with songwriting or been an inspiration?
Chelsey Cope: Absolutely. The older I’ve gotten, the more time I want to spend feeling relaxed and surrounded by peaceful settings. I fell in love with this town years ago but never really envisioned myself living here. I’m away from the noise here. Away from the temptation of having a lot of things at my fingertips. I realize I’ve sort of secluded myself out here, but right now my music career and becoming a better musician overall, is more important to me than a social life.
It’s much easier out here to write whenever I want . ... I constantly have amps and pedals hooked up and ready to go. They’re sort of like my silent rooster. I see them in the morning, and it’s the first thing I want to do. Sometimes I do have a hard time finishing songs because, like most musicians, I overthink. I’ve been trying harder to complete a song a week, or at least start there as a small goal.
Q: Are there any details you can share about any upcoming releases?
Cope: It’s a part of a 9-song album. I don’t have a set release date yet. And as far as live shows go, I haven’t actually played very many of these songs live with a full band. Getting a lineup of musicians to play is in the works.
Q: Like a lot of musicians, you split your time between a day job and pursuing music. What does creating that balance look like for you?
Cope: Well, I am super fortunate to love both of my jobs. It’s easy to love a day job when your older sister (Rachel Cope, 84 Hospitality) is the bada— behind its achievements. She’s never failed on trying her best to cater to my music life. I get to be a part of making sure she succeeds the best way I can, and she helps solidify my goals as a working musician.
Q: Has anyone else in the Okie music world been an inspiration to you lately?
Cope: I’ve always really liked John Moreland’s music. I don’t think it was until this past year that I really sat down in a lonely, dimly lit room, and found a connection with the songs. “You Don’t Care Enough For Me To Cry” made me ugly cry. So, I do care enough to cry, John. I’ve also really come to love The So Help Me’s. I love their chord progressions. They’re super catchy and unique. They don’t seem to be playing by any rules, and to me that makes the most sought after music.