BIO – STEVE COHEN / ELTON COSTELLO
My 1st CD (Silent Too Long) was recorded in 1997. I used my credit cards to make it happen. I invested about $8,000, hired studio musicians and set out to record a disc that was true to my heart. I got the courage to invest the money after receiving praise at an ASCAP songwriter’s workshop in NYC. Mark Cohn along with a panel of record industry people seemed impressed with the song “I’ve Tried.” They told me the only way for the music to be “shopped” was for it to be recorded with full instrumentation. I was invited the next day to a lunch at the four seasons hotel and encouraged to sign up with ASCAP by Marcy Drexler. I was promised that once the music was recorded better it would be “shopped” for me. Ms. Drexler was the head of membership at the time and was quite upbeat about my chances of getting a deal. I never received such attention before. When I later met Marcy at the ASCAP office I was quite impressed with her photos with stars like Bob Dylan and her stories of what it was like to work as the assistant to Clive Davis at Arista Records. I manufactured about 1,000 copies, which was the custom at the time. I realized it would take me forever to sell the CDs from gigging and most industry people seemed uninterested. Even folks from the panel seemed more interested in getting more material than making use of the music I had already recorded to their specifications. I gave most of the CDs away. "I Want To Be A Jock" remains the favorite tune from the collection (released under my birth name; Steve Cohen.)
My 2nd CD (Crazy) was recorded in 2000. I was convinced the reason the first disc didn’t make money was because it had too many slow and introspective tunes. Years earlier I sent one of my songs to Gus Dudgeon in the UK. He was responsible for producing the amazing records that made Elton John a household name. I worshipped the man. I remembered his advice… “People want to be uplifted by the music they buy.” “Crazy” was recorded with that concept in mind. While some of the lyrics were heavy, the music was more upbeat. I went to a better studio and invested about $12,000. The studio was so excited about the album that they re-mastered it 3x on their own time to make it “perfect.” I marketed the disc using the "six degrees of separation" philosophy assuming it would magically fall into someone's hands. I was quite excited about the disc myself. I gave away about 3,000 copies. Many people liked the collection. It landed me some gigs and I made good money that summer with live performances. This was also the summer the stock market was booming so the economy helped. I naively thought I would gain airplay on local radio based on the quality of the record. This led to further frustration as I was faced with rejection and lies from radio programmers who would not be honest with me about whether the disc was even in their music library. My friends were constantly requesting the music, but it was never played. Folks still tell me how much they love the disc. "Can't Put My Finger On It" seems to be the favorite from the collection.
My 3rd CD (Electronic Phonics) was the first time I recorded using electronic instrumentation. I began creating it around 2002. It is also the first time I produced and engineered my own music. (I also changed my name to “Elton Costello” to avoid confusion over the multiple folks in the world with my birth name.) I "designed" the album art myself to save the expense of a graphics person. I kept it simple :). I had just about maxed out my credit line and was feeling hopeless. I needed to stop spending money on recording studios and realized I had to find a way to create music without hiring a producer, musicians or an outside recording studio. The fine folks at Sam Ash Music were there to help me “save money.” I purchased an AKAI MPC 2000XL drum machine (the same that DR. DRE was using at the time), a Proteus 2000 for sounds, and a Yamaha 4 track digital mixer. My plan was to do all the manufacturing myself and use the internet to promote. I focused primarily on digital distribution promoting sales thru online digital distributors like i-tunes, creating a myspace page and seeking industry contacts through services like Broadjam and Sonicbids. I’m now convinced the only way to sell music is to go out and perform. Independent musicians will never gain widespread exposure simply posting music and trying to get people to listen to it one person at a time. Major media will never play independent music unless they are somehow making money from extending the exposure. However, people do seem to like the Electronic Phonics disc. "Tantrum" is often the favorite song of the collection. "World Famous Chef" is also popular.
My 4th CD (American Troubadour) is a collection of 10 songs inspired around the 911 tragedy. It is a simple acoustic piano/voice collection. It reminds me of “10 Song Demo” by Roseanne Cash or “Nebraska” by Bruce Springsteen. I’ve always enjoyed the opportunity to hear an artist “naked.” The album was digitally recorded by placing a microphone on top of the piano and playing and singing the songs live. Each song was recorded with one take. There is no multi-track editing on this album. I wanted to write music that showed my love for the USA. Some of the tunes like "Boston" and "Ohio Highway" are about parts of the country. "Texas Town" seems to be getting some plays on soundclick.com. “Disneyland Is Closing” was written about the 911 events and remains the #1 seller off the disc.
CDs of all 4 albums are available by visiting eltoncostello.com. You can also download the tracks at i-tunes or your favorite on-line distributor.
REVIEWS
Below are some early reviews I received. I remember the first time I was reviewed in Billboard. I thought I had "made it". I received phone calls requesting material from two major labels. Nothing came of it. I now understand that nothing "just happens" without a good product, a clear plan and a willingness to put in a lot of hard work performing. No one in the industry is going to risk a job to take an interest in you unless you already have proven yourself.
BILLBOARD MAGAZINE
“Elevated to a new commercial level.” Steve Cohen’s gravelly voice has taken on a more convincing, worldly tone, which lends considerable depth to his songs. Mr. Cohen has a nice knack for crafting taut melodies that linger in the mind. His true calling card is his ability to weave a tale that has both a vivid cinematic bent and an intense emotional undertow. An A&R exec with a little vision could find a gold mine in these songs.
SONGWRITERS MONTHLY
The rawness in his voice hypes up the honesty factor. As a result, you feel very close when Steve Cohen sings his insightful songs of life and love. The songs are also constructed so well that you don't even have to look to know the title.
PHILDADELPHIA CITY PAPER
Best underexposed potential pop star...Steve Cohen. - Philadelphia City Paper Choice Awards
- Wrapping his warm, rag-edged voice and power-chord keyboards around disarmingly open-hearted lyrics, Cohen's niche-transcending music deserves a broad audience. He's both affable and charismatic as a performer.
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INTERVIEW FROM SOUNDCLICK.COM
WHY THIS NAME?
Google “Elton Costello.” It's easy to find me. Believe it or not if you go to ITUNES and search my birth name (Steve Cohen) I won’t appear until the 4th or 5th page. You'll even find two different artists on itunes. How crazy is that?
There's also something romantic to me about how greatly influenced by American culture these two British Rock Stars (Elton John & Elvis Costello) have been. "Elvis" was as American as apple pie before Mr. Costello claimed the name. Elton John began his career singing the songs of "Motown." Elton John is also someone who does good work in the world and had a major influence on my desire to write songs. I would love to be able do great things with my life as he has. Many people are successful with their music, but few are generous enough to try to create charitable foundations. Elvis Costello had an amazing attitude when he started out. He was the spirit of unquestionable talent and unstoppable drive. However as one producer said to me, “If you want to use that name, you need to make sure you sound nothing like either of them.” I’m not sure that is true but I do think it can make some people prejudge my music based on their perception of those artists.
As I move forward with my music I may go back to using “Steve Cohen.” I need to be true to myself in order to be clear about my direction as an artist. Sometimes that can be difficult using a name pulled out of thin air. Also a lot of people look at me like I’m crazy when I tell them I am using a new name. Time will tell.
YOUR INFLUENCES?
Hopefully I'm the type of artist where folks never know what to expect. I find myself most inspired by that type of creative person.
ANYTHING ELSE?
Please snd me an email. (KeysCohen@aol.com) I'd love to hear from you.
Also, If you are an independent recording artist seeking CD and digital distribution, check out cdbaby.com. They will put you on the right track whether you are just starting out or have folks ready to buy your music.
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