Willy Cobb introduces himself with his new single ‘Cigarette Smell,’ and tells us why genre is irrelevant when it comes to making music.
Alternative country is not a new form or genre of music, but it feels incredibly apt when describing Willy Cobb. Cobb’s music is not about the genres per se, but about spinning what he knows and who he is into the perfect mix. What that’s led to is his first single ‘Cigarette Smell’, an amalgamation of multiple influences and styles. “Good music is good music, who the fuck cares about genre labels or just labels on anyone in general”. Such a forward thinking attitude is what has led him to finding his sound for the first official single.
Based in Nashville but hailing from Georgia, he co-wrote ‘Cigarette Smell’ with his cousin Brent Cobb when in Nashville. “I sat outside on his patio writing a few ideas down, and the one that really stuck was the main hook for Cigarette Smell. I got excited, ran in and told Brent and from there we just started writing it.” It seems being in Nashville has only been a good influence on him as an artist, introducing him to more sounds and artists that inspire him.
His alternative influences have been with him since he was a teen growing up in Georgia. Primarily it has been Nirvana, more specifically Kurt Cobain who he hails as someone who has had the biggest impact on him, both as a songwriter and artist. Such an influence doesn’t go unnoticed even as he blends it into the country. “It feels great to do y’allternative music because I know there are people in the south that will get it.”
The audience for country music, and even alternative country music has been and continues to grow. Its popularity has the genre reaching more people than ever, and Cobb’s blend of country alternative music is bound to be heard further just than those in the south.
He can also proudly state that the album is finished. We don’t know yet when it’ll be released, but our introduction to Cobb is a precursor for more tracks that’ll tell us who he is, where he’s from and where he is going.
What was the writing process like for this track? Tell me how the track itself, ‘Cigarette Smell,’ started out?
Well, I was starting my first tour with my cousin Brent Cobb, and was hanging out at his apartment near Music Row in Nash. He mentioned to me about starting this whole Willy Cobb thing, and we were trying to decide what would be the starting song for the project. He had a phone call to make, so I sat outside on his patio writing a few ideas down, and the one that really stuck was the main hook for Cigarette Smell. I got excited, ran in and told Brent and from there we just started writing it. Sat out there most of the night and finished Cig Smell that night . Crazy to see where it has gotten me so far.
How has touring with the likes of Chris Shiflett of Foo Fighters and Cadillac Three prepared you for touring life? What has watching the shows from the sidelines taught you?
It’s definitely taught me so much about stage presence, and how to handle things properly when on stage and things go wrong. It’s been great, I love everyone I’ve been able to tour with so far, and how just being a genuine down to earth person can get you so far in life.
Was it difficult finding the perfect combination of alt rock and country for your music?
I mean it certainly has been a process trying to find that perfect grey area , I’m quite picky with my song structures and the sound of them. At the same time though, it’s almost natural to me at the same time because of all the music I was raised on as a kid to find that grey area.
How is living in Nashville affecting your sound as an alternative artist?
Well Nashville has certainly opened my mind to a lot more bands and other sounds alternatively. But most of my country side definitely stems from me being a country boy from Southwest Georgia trying to make it in this city life.
What do you hope people understand about you as an artist when they hear this track? Especially as it’s your introduction as a singer-songwriter.
I mainly want those people stuck in a small town, who don’t really fit in with the whole southern country boy stereotype, to know that I was once there and I understand how they feel, and that it is difficult but it’s okay to be your own person. Empowerment man. Get ready for the rest of the album there’s a whole lot more on the way.
What can we expect next from Willy Cobb? Is this the precursor to an EP or album?
Yes , most definitely have the album finished just waiting to get everything mixed and squared away.
Is genre becoming more obsolete in music? Does having multiple sonic influences mean you’re less likely to want to be known/tied to one genre?
I really think it is, but I’ve said that for a while, good music is good music who the fuck cares about genre labels or just labels on anyone in general?
Growing up in Georgia, how much does country music influence people there? And how did it feel to decide to not be a traditional country music artist? But instead decide to merge it with your other influences.
I feel like down there, especially from the small area I’m from, you either do country music or you do hip hop. That’s mostly all there is. But country is the main go to for everyone down there. It feels great to do y’allternative music because I know there are people in the south that will get it.
What artists in particular and even things have influenced you as someone who makes music? What songwriters inform your own songwriting?
Definitely my biggest influence in artists and songwriting would have to be Kurt Cobain, I have always been the hugest stan of him since I was like 14. Other huge influences are Lucero and Drive By Truckers of course. But there are other great artists up and coming that I really dig and are starting the whole same y’allternative thing that I’m trying to encompass, such as Dexter and The Moonrocks from Texas, or even Briston Maroney from Tennessee or even MJ Lenderman from North Carolina
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Words: Janita Purcell
Photography: Alex Berger