Having already wooed many with a string of fresh and sultry neo-soul releases thees last few months, emerging frontwoman Gin Cooley has now returned to deliver her latest single 'Unattainable'.
With its sweet and sensual aesthetic, 'Unattainable' is a fresh and vibrant new offering that channels some wonderfully serious soul. Combining hard and bouncing percussion with her soft yet soaring vocals, this new delight conjures up images of laid-back days under the summer sun and will feature on her forthcoming new EP, arriving in the coming months.
So with her name beginning to rise, we sat down with her to find out more about her earliest influences and what kickstarted her love of music.
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What was the first instrument you fell in love with?
Probably the piano. My mother played when I was a little girl and throughout my life.
What has been the most prominent inspiration behind your music so far?
Intense human emotions… triumphs and tragedies.
What kind of music did you love as a teenager?
I loved all sorts of music. I really loved everything from punk rock to trip hop to gangsta rap to gospel and in-between… I love music in general and appreciate many genres.
Can you remember the first song that made you want to pursue a life in music?
I remember recording songs on my grandmother's karaoke machine that I would make up on cassette tapes. I grew up singing in church and remember listening to Mariah Carey and Paula Abdul as a little girl. There is not a specific song that inspired me but more the encouragement I received from my grandmother that inspired me. I called her “me-mama”. She was an incredible powerhouse singer and a major influence in my life altogether.
When you wake up in the morning, what kind of music do you like to listen to?
Sometimes I wake up with songs in my head but I generally like to listen to songs that get me hyped up. When I worked at the psychiatric hospital, I loved listening to old gangsta rap on the way to work and still do.
How many of your songs have you written about people in your life?
I am not sure. I think one for sure…. maybe more. It’s more of an abstract experience when I write, and not usually specific to 1 person or situation.
What has been the most memorable moment in your career so far?
I think singing to my children is the greatest moment in my singing “career”. This is what I value most... more than streams or likes or publicity.
Outside of music, what is your biggest passion?
Helping people… I’m a therapist, and I help people who are struggling with mental illness or whatever the issue is. I genuinely want to see people live a life that is meaningful to them and thrive.
If you weren’t a musician, what other path do you think you might have taken?
I have taken many paths. I was an international runway model for years and traveled around the world doing that. I became a psychotherapist and am getting my doctorate. I am a mother.. I don’t like this idea of only doing one thing for the rest of one’s life. You can do whatever you want in life.. the possibilities are endless. If you have a dream, go for it. If you want to do 10 different things, do it. You are the expert author in your life story, and it’s your journey.
And what advice would you give to other musicians looking to stay productive through the coronavirus lockdown?
Go outside… breathe in the fresh air… practice mindfulness… count your blessings… rediscover yourself.
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Gin Cooley's new single 'Unattainable' is available to stream and download now, with her new EP expected to arrive later this summer. Have a listen to 'Unattainable' in the player below.