Today we’d like to introduce you to Coby Lee Brooks.
Coby Lee, we’d love to hear your story and how you got to where you are today both personally and as an artist.
Hey, thanks for having me!
I grew up in Oceanside California in a secluded neighborhood on the east side. There wasn’t much to do but play music and baseball and ride bikes. Sprawling farmland bordered our neighborhood. I used to see the seclusion as a curse because I wanted to be like my friends who lived in the middle of town. But it was the place I learned how to explore, dig in the mud, fight off the bullies and lay in the lawn, dreaming as the clouds went by. There was such a wonder in it all, and it sparked a romance in me about the good nature of life in this big beautiful world. I dreamed of traveling the States, playing music from town to town.
But the suburbs have a dark side too. There’s an inherent pressure to be perfect on the exterior. Secretly I felt life was a jungle I was forced to survive. I learned how to “perform” and be perfect, but found it hard to be real. I found solace in listening to music and singing songs in my bedroom. I could be myself, away from the expectations of others. Those days in my bedroom refined me. It was there, in youthful angst, I created this dream I have today… to create, capture and show songs of my very own.
My musical roots stem from growing up in the evangelical church. I learned to look for the deeper spiritual narratives in life and express them musically. I played on stage in front of thousands of people. It’s how I became so comfortable behind a microphone. But I felt something nagging at me. I realized I was still “performing” and felt forced into a mold. It became hard to be happy all the time, so I went searching for something truer.
When I turned 20, I started writing my own songs. I was living on my own at this point but again escaped to my room where I would put my feelings to music. As the years past, my songs became my proverbial diary. Heartbreak, anger, living in America, despair, spirituality, and the fairer gender make up the bulk of my material. I just wanted a place, to be honest, and music was there with open arms.
I found country music when I was twenty-five. (I say that like I found salvation, haha) A coworker caught me listening to Ryan Adams and gave me a documentary on Gram Parsons. It wasn’t long before I found myself enthralled in the stories of many other American singers like Neil Young, Bob Dylan, Woody Guthrie, and Marty Robbins. They all seemed to be explaining some kind of spiritual reality that I resonated with. I wanted to do that too.
We’d love to hear more about your art. What do you do you do and why and what do you hope others will take away from your work?
I’m a singer-songwriter. I write, record and perform original music. What inspires me? Hmm…well, every morning I’m struck with the same thing. I feel this nudge on my heart, like a throb. I make a cup of coffee and sit out on my stoop to look at the sky. It makes me feel small, not in a demoralizing way, but because this world has a whole lot of mystery —I like to feel that. I feel a presence around me; the presence of all I don’t know. I’m interested in writing down what is revealed to me.
As I get older, I’m learning to let go of interpreting things so literally. I guess for some people it gives them handles to hold onto. But it makes me feel overly controlling, and I don’t like that. It doesn’t allow for much spontaneity. For me, life is not a series of absolutes, but rather a process of discovery. It’s about impressions and following the good ones. My songs are made from me figuring this out.
I hope my music encourages people’s spirit. Just live one day at a time. Keep going.
Artists face many challenges, but what do you feel is the most pressing among them?
I can only speak for myself (hopefully others can relate) I think it’s hard for me to be myself. I don’t like to be real sometimes, and it’s tempting to build a persona to hide behind. Many artists label themselves as an “outlaw” or a “revivalist”… I’m more concerned with just being myself and not getting caught up in the title. Because being real requires vulnerability and feels dangerous, I have to avoid the temptation to cover up the stress of it. That’s where the dark forces of this world can really draw me in, keep me sedated and never allow me to become conscious of my calling. Walking in the light (being truthful and sincere) is freedom and is where the most timeless art is created.
Do you have any events or exhibitions coming up? Where would one go to see more of your work? How can people support you and your artwork?
To hear my music go to my website and follow the link to iTunes (cobyleebrooks.com). I love seeing people at shows! The best way to find when I’m playing, and support is on Instagram (@cobyleebrooks). Stay in the flow and don’t miss out on the release of my upcoming EP I’m making with Grammy-winning producer Mark Neill (Black Keys, JD McPherson, J Roddy)
Contact Info:
- Website: cobyleebrooks.com
- Email: hello@cobyleebrooks.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cobyleebrooks/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cobyleebrooks
- Other: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VUM3bixPRHU
Image Credit:
Stefanie Vinsel, Brian Davis, Nick Peterson, Jamie Letting
Getting in touch: SDVoyager is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
