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Coyote Eyes Releases 'Rain'

The LA songstress combines her haunting voice with powerful lyricism.

Shervin Lainez

Press Photo

Coyote Eyes, a.k.a. Jo Eubanks, is a singer, songwriter, and poet from New York City. She began training as a classical singer at age 11 and was dubbed a "young Sylvia Plath" by age 16 for her jarring poetry and memoir pieces.

Her premiere release, "Rain," mixes haunting vocals, evocative lyrics, and hypnotic beats to create a tragic and seductive soundscape. The singer says the song was born from a moment of deep sadness: "I wrote 'Rain' at 5am on one of those rare rainy mornings in LA. My Great Love had left me and I walked through the world like a zombie. For months. It was as I'd imagine coming off of heroin would be like: I would shake and cry and sweat and throw up and pass out and do it all over again. To this day I've never felt heartbreak – or love – like that. One day I turned over in bed next to my new lover and it just hit me – this emptiness, this hollowness. I grabbed a pen and listened to the rain. I would write a line then repeat to myself 'I can't do this,' then write another line and say it again."

Shervin LainezPress Photo

The song is reminiscent of a softer Evanescence or perhaps a darker Alanis Morissette, with powerful female vocals combined with lyrics about heartbreak and self empowerment.

But the world almost never got the chance to hear "Rain." Eubanks said, "I never intended on releasing this song. I never intended on recording it! It is truly one of the most private and vulnerable pieces of my soul and I intended on it remaining that way. But from that first moment in the studio with my producer I AM SNOW ANGEL (Julie Kathryn), I knew there was no going back. Julie is a trusted mentor and friend, and bringing this song to life with her was one of the most spiritual experiences of my life."

She learned an important lesson from the creation of "Rain", a lesson she hopes fans will take to heart. "When you feel something, get it out. Write it, paint it, sing it, play it. All too often we, myself included, run away from uncomfortable feelings and events. As hard as it is, that's where the magic, and the healing, begins."

For more from Coyote Eyes, follow her on Facebook, Soundcloud, or visit her Website.

Brooke Ivey Johnson is a Brooklyn based writer, playwright, and human woman. To read more of her work visit her blog or follow her twitter @BrookeIJohnson.

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Gabrielle Aplin Owns Her Flaws

The superstar releases new music video for "My Mistakes"

Ellen Offready

Gabrielle Aplin first rose to fame posting breathtaking covers of popular songs on her youtube channel. Today, the singer boasts an impressive list chart toppers and a certified gold record in the UK. Her ethereal voice and captivating piano melodies offer a welcome reprieve from the EDM-fueled pop trends of the day, transporting listeners to a soft world of tulle dresses and goosebump-inducing high notes. While her new song, "My Mistakes," may at first strike you as melancholy, the singer assured us that it's actually a hopeful number about owning your flaws and finding happiness despite them.

Gabrielle Aplin - My Mistake (Official Video)www.youtube.com

Your new song is a powerful portrait of someone struggling to come to terms with their own sadness. What inspired it?

It's, for me, more about being honest with yourself and owning your flaws. I wrote it with a few people on a day where I felt like I couldn't write and was unmotivated. So we decided to do something that required us all not really trying and just being purely honest. "My Mistake" was the result!

How do you think this song differs from your previous releases? Were you trying to capture something new?

I definitely wouldn't say I tried to capture something new but I'd never tried to write a song that involved no thinking! In my previous releases, I got really into sounds and production. For me, this one was purely lyrics.

You started your career by posting covers to Youtube. What's it been like to transition to creating your own music?

It's been really great. I feel like covering songs [was] a great way to develop my own songwriting skills. I was also able to be a part of a great, supportive online community.

The music industry is so focused on rap and hip-hop right now, yet you continue to release these beautiful piano-heavy ballads. Do you ever feel tempted to move further into the world of pop? How do you maintain your artistic integrity despite outside pressures?

I never really feel tempted to do anything really. I just focus on writing good songs because I believe they're timeless and transcend current trends. I just write what I want. I definitely don't feel like I've avoided pop. My previous two EPs were typical "pop" productions. I'm inspired by artists like Robyn who write honest relatable songs that you can also move to.

Tell us a little bit about the music video for "My Mistake." Why the dress?

I wanted the video to be really reclusive. Alone but not lonely. I love the way that tulle looks on camera. It's soft and fills space and moves gracefully.

What do you want from your career in coming years? What about your personal life?

I'm a very simple person, just give me a load of dogs and some food and I'm happy! Career wise I'd be very happy for it to be ticking along as it is right now for a long time!

Ellen Offready

You tour extensively, and given how vocally demanding your songs are, do you ever struggle to deliver the same level of performance night after night? What do you do to maintain your voice?

I used to struggle because I didn't adjust my care routine to the growing demands. I'm at a place now where I'm aware of my boundaries and how far I can push myself. It's a lot about saying no.

This song is the first on your upcoming new album, what can you tell us about the album?

The new album is pretty eclectic for me. I've been writing it for a while now. I've experimented with lots of sounds, collaborated with amazing producers and I've just focused on writing songs that mean something to me and hopefully the people who will listen to them!

How did growing up in a small village influence your development as a musician?

I really love nature and things just being the way they naturally are, not over complicated. I guess, in some way, that could've affected my approach to writing.

Do you ever struggle to balance the demands of your career with your personal life? Have you had to sacrifice any of the usual rights of passage of growing up in order to pursue your career?

Maybe someone else my age would say yes, but really I don't feel like I've missed out. I didn't want to go to university. I'm not into going out on a Friday and drinking etc. I guess it could come across as boring but I just see it as knowing what I want and what I don't.

What can you tell us about your songwriting process?

I take it easy. I try to write a lot but I don't pull my hair out over it. It's always been very intuitive when I'm collaborating or working solo.

Is your onstage persona similar to who you are in real life?

Absolutely. I try to keep it laid back and honest and chat to the audience as if I was offstage.

What would you say to a young person who wants to have a career like yours?

I'd say go for it! Be yourself and have fun.

Check out more from Gabrielle on Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook.

Brooke Ivey Johnson is a Brooklyn based writer, playwright, and human woman. To read more of her work visit her blog or follow her twitter @BrookeIJohnson.

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MUSIC | An Interview with Melodic Pianist Benedict Cork

This week we got a chance to catch up with England's Benedict Cork just as he releases his newest single "Ghost"

Benedict started out playing piano bars in London before turning to song writing.

If being signed by BMG at the young age of 19 isn't enough of a testament to his incredible talent, surely his commitment to his craft at such a young age will be inspire you to check out his new single "Ghost." In his early twenties he spent honing his craft both in and out of bands, spending long days in the studio and nights playing in 5 star hotels and saloon bars.

What is Music? How would you define it?

I guess music's whatever you want it to be. It's really personal. For me it's beautiful melodies with beautiful lyrics. I love female voices especially. For some people it's thrashing it out on drums or even silence. That's what's so great about it, there's something for everyone.

Where did your interest in music stem from?

My siblings. I'm the baby of the family. I've got a sister and two brothers who are all super musical. We weren't really a sporty family; we sang and played in bands after school. Then I got a bit obsessed with it and wanted to start writing and playing all the time.

What do you love about creating music?

Probably the conversations in the studio. The first hour of a writing session is magic. You sit there and chat about the weirdest stuff before starting to actually create something. Sometimes I've shared my deepest darkest secrets with people that I've never seen again and there's something weirdly therapeutic about that.

What was your inspiration behind -- Ghost?

I wrote it just over a year ago when I was going through a pretty tough time in my relationship and I felt like we were growing really distant. We actually broke up not long after I wrote it and the lyrics took on a whole new meaning for me. I love that about songs, they can sort of take on a life of their own and pop up at random times to remind you of certain places and times.

Where can readers go to find out more about you?

There's more songs coming out in this series which we've called the 'Piano Tapes' EP. They're super personal so I'd say these songs and the lyrics especially are a pretty good place to start. I'm also a massive fan of photography. So if people are into that, I'd say my socials are a solid insight into my day to day life. I love photographing random people, places and things.

What do you love most about performing?

I'd say the instant connection you get with people. Sometimes I've played a brand new tune at a show and people have reacted in ways I wouldn't have imagined. Lyrics can take on a meaning of their own for different people and they come up afterwards and tell you these mad stories of how they connected. It's a pretty special feeling.

Where can fans see you perform live?

We're planning something very soon and I can't wait. I want the first show to be really special. It's hopefully going to be in one of my favourite music venues in London which is such a beautiful space.

How would you sum up your music in two words?

Soulful, Pianoman. I think I cheated - Piano Man is two words right? ;)

What feelings do you associate with your music?

I like to think I'm a pretty happy person day to day. But there's definitely a more melancholic side that comes out in my music. It's probably the place where I say all the things I don't feel comfortable saying face to face with people. I want it all to feel like a diary so I try not to hold back at all.

What is your ideal weekend?

Good friends. Good music. Good food. Probably a few drinks. Maybe a little dance. Definitely a lot of chilling in the sun right now. I'm heading back to London for the summer and I can't wait to spend the weekends in the parks doing nothing with the people I love.