We’re looking forward to introducing you to Sean McCole. Check out our conversation below.
Sean, we’re thrilled to have you with us today. Before we jump into your intro and the heart of the interview, let’s start with a bit of an ice breaker: Are you walking a path—or wandering?
I find myself balancing between both paths. There’s a clear vision that pulls me forward, especially in my music and career, yet I also hold close the truth that “the less I want, the more I have.” Life is fleeting, and there’s a quiet beauty in surrendering to its current—because even when we believe we’re moving toward a chosen horizon, serendipity has a way of turning the wheel. For better or worse—though I like to imagine it’s always for the better.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Sean McCole, an alternative rock artist shaped by the raw grit of Chicago and now breathing in the sun-soaked rhythms of San Diego. Beyond my solo journey, I lead Madame Gun, a Chicago-based band that channels the pulse of the city where it was born. My sound lives in the tension between shadows and light—melding the industrial edge of Nine Inch Nails, the swagger of Queens of the Stone Age, and the theatrical fire of David Bowie—music that aims to be both visceral and cinematic. And when I step away from the studio, I carry those stories into intimate spaces, performing stripped-down acoustic sets across San Diego, Orange County, and the winding hills of Temecula’s wineries, where every song finds new breath in the open air.
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. What did you believe about yourself as a child that you no longer believe?
As a kid, I thought I was unstoppable. I wasn’t afraid to take risks or put myself out there, and I trusted my creations without second-guessing. Now, I catch myself tangled in anxiety, overthinking every move, wondering if what I make will matter to anyone else. That fearlessness feels distant, but I’m fighting to find it again—to tap back into that younger version of me who didn’t hesitate, who just created because it felt alive. These days, I find myself searching for that childlike spark again—trying to reclaim the courage of my younger self, who never asked for permission to dream.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
I’d tell my younger self not to carry everything so heavily. Don’t take life so literally. The sensitivity you feel, the thing that makes you feel different—isn’t a weakness, it’s your gift. The challenges ahead will grow bigger, yes, but so will your strength. So breathe, play, and savor this moment—you’ll never get this time back.
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. What truths are so foundational in your life that you rarely articulate them?
One truth I hold close is that the less you want, the more you have. It’s easy to get lost chasing things that never really fill you, but I’ve learned to slow down and recognize what’s already here. For me, it’s also a lesson in patience (something I’m still learning every day.) Gratitude has become my anchor, a reminder that even in struggle, I’m surrounded by gifts. And I can’t ignore the reality that so many others carry far heavier burdens, which makes me cherish my blessings even more.
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. If you knew you had 10 years left, what would you stop doing immediately?
If I knew I had ten years left, I’d stop wasting a single second on doubt. I’d silence the overthinking and dive headfirst into every idea that lights me up. No more waiting, no more second guessing. I’d create like time was on fire. I’d choose only the battles that truly matter, let the rest fall away, and spend what’s left laughing hard, smiling wide, and soaking up every fleeting moment.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.seanmccolemusic.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therealseanmccole/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/seanmccolemusic/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8Mg52LRMPo_PHjj8HQjPMw
- Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/mccolemusic
Image Credits
Emma Zanger: https://www.instagram.com/emmaazanger/?hl=en
Zak Hanan: https://www.instagram.com/zak.hanan/?hl=en
