Artist Spotlight
RUSS COSON: TAKING OVER THE WORLD OF MUSIC AS A PASSIONATE AMERICAN SINGER
Russ Coson (pronounced Cuh-Sone) is a Filipino-American Recording Artist born on March 9, 1989. He was raised in the San Francisco Bay Area and his hometown is San Jose, CA. His music has been listened to and shared internationally over mainstream, online, and satellite radio. Russ hopes to inspire others by leading by example. He believes in striving for success and only competing with nobody but your old self. He is always looking for ways to improve his habits and creative operation. We had the opportunity to have an interview with Russ Coson.
Hello Russ Coson, Thanks for coming to Honk Magazine to talk about your career.
Tell us a little more about when you first got into music?
Growing up, my family would sing Karaoke all the time. During my High School years, I started to rap and got into beat production and began making a name for myself locally as an artist. After I graduated college, I really wanted to focus on my music and decided to pursue my dream of being an established recording artist. Since then, I’ve been growing and making consistent music, developing my skills and talents in the process.
If you could describe your sound/style in one word, what would it be and why?
I would say “Smooth”. A lot of my listeners say I have a smooth voice and delivery in my songs. Whether it’s an R&B or a party song, I like to make my music catchy and easy to listen to.
What would you say to any aspiring recording artists who look up to your work?
First, I would like to thank them for listening to my music! I would probably like to know exactly what they like about my music. And lastly, I would tell them to keep going and that I’m happy to be an inspiration to them that will hopefully inspire others as well.
What quote or mantra do you live by?
A quote I came across recently that aligns with my values is “To get what you really want, you have to be who you really are.” I like this quote because it relates to my life and music journey and I’ve experienced both sides of this situation. In the past, I used to “dim my light” and my music to try to fit in and do what all the “cool” people were doing and listening to. Doing so, I lost myself and started making music for the wrong reasons. Since then, I’ve come to the realization that you can only play that role for so long, it’s not sustainable or emotionally healthy. By being your authentic self, you will never run out of inspiration and you will attract the right listeners to your music and message.
What is your hobby outside of music?
Outside of music, I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, outdoor recreational activities such as hiking and swimming. I also enjoy reading, watching sci-fi and comedy movies, traveling and learning about history and spirituality.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
In 5 years, I will see myself living in Los Angeles, CA with my girlfriend. I see us having kids, owning some properties, and still being heavily involved in the music. I see myself writing Grammy Award-winning songs for established artists as well as my own originals. I see myself owning a recording studio for the youth to develop their musical talents. I see myself surrounded by loved ones who always believed in me and us celebrating the life we dreamt about in the present moment.
What are your “5 things I wish someone told me when I first started” and why.
Find your strengths and weaknesses: I wish I had someone tell me to focus on what I was good at from an earlier stage in my life. I now know that it’s far more important to be really good at one thing then be mediocre at many things.
Don’t make music to fit in with the “cool” or “trending” crowd: Unfortunately, I also fell victim to the external praises of people who don’t really appreciate you as a unique artist and individual. When you make music for others that don’t necessarily align with your values, you increase the possibility of losing yourself. Make music for you that heals your soul and voices how you feel and think. You will never lose because you are being yourself.
Practice self discipline: Being a recording artist is just like being an entrepreneur. You are your own boss and you create your schedule and the daily tasks you need to complete. If you aren’t disciplined or have a schedule for yourself, it’s easy to become complacent and laziness could take over. When you are disciplined, you are able to schedule in when to create, when to learn, when to handle business, and when to rest.
Be confident in who you are and your abilities: You need to make sure you know who you are and your worth because if you don’t, someone else will tell you and it’ll be far less than what you think you are. When you know yourself, you set the standards of how others will respect you, how you are paid, and how they will treat you in the future.
Practice faith: My personal experience in this music journey has been a roller coaster of emotions as well as successes and setbacks. There will be times when you doubt yourself, your negative mindset will tell you to quit, and your finances will collapse. In dire times, our reasoning mind will try to defer us from living out our dreams/passions. By practicing faith, you begin to believe in the impossible and it’s easier to persevere through life’s challenges.
Which tips would you recommend to your colleagues in your industry to help them to thrive and not “burn out”?
To avoid burnout, you need to be organized with your tasks and manage your time wisely. I use Google calendar, Google Keep, and Google Docs to write out my monthly goals, my weekly goals, and daily tasks and I look at these everyday as if I were at a regular 9-5 job. Being a full time recording artist is a real job that requires your full focus. Use Google calendar to schedule your weekly tasks and spread them out throughout the week and month. Don’t over schedule yourself and make sure to book in time for rest and reflection.
Do you have anything new or upcoming we can expect to see from you?
My new EP “Getaway” is out now on all streaming platforms! This project features 5 brand new R&B songs that are relatable to people in love and those in relationships. I am also doing a special series on my Tik Tok & Instagram called “If I had a verse on…” where I cover popular songs with my own written original verse.
What is the inspiration behind your latest song?
My latest project “Getaway” was created during the Covid 19 pandemic. During the last phase of the lockdown and quarantine here in the U.S., most people were getting impatient and anxious for the world to open back up again. International travel was banned but we were still able to travel locally. This project was inspired by those hopeful moments of freedom. Being only 5 songs, it represents the sweet and simple comparison to a weekend getaway with your significant other.
How can our readers follow you online?
Please follow me on all my social media under “Russ Coson” including IG, Tik Tok, Youtube, Twitter, and Facebook. My music is available for download and streaming on all music platforms such as Spotify and Applemusic. You can also check out my website at www.russcoson.com!
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Cindy Zhang evokes love’s nostalgic reverie with “Familiar”
Cindy Zhang’s latest evocative single, “Familiar,” takes listeners on a soulful trip down memory lane, reviving the echoes of past loves and the yearning for what was once there. With a mix of Japanese City Pop style and vintage vibes, the song features heartfelt lyrics that effortlessly capture the essence of reminiscence. Inspired by renowned artists like Hikaru Utada and Miki Matsubara, the song is characterized by retro funky production, shimmering synthesizers, and infectious guitar riffs that create a perfect backdrop for Zhang’s emotive vocals to shine.
It was an excellent decision to team up with producer Coultré, who strongly respects 80s production styles. Together, Zhang and Coultré meticulously produced a music project that delivered an impressive blend of elements, exuding 80s charm while feeling wonderfully spontaneous and refreshingly new. Zhang’s artistry and hands-on approach ensure that every note resonates with authenticity and passion, from its inception to the final mix.
Lyrically, “Familiar” tugs at the heartstrings, exploring the universal theme of longing for lost love. Zhang’s words are a healing balm for the soul. Its raw honesty and vulnerability are palpable, offering solace to anyone who’s ever found themselves caught in the undertow of past relationships.
With “Familiar,” Cindy Zhang cements her status as a significant musical artist with whom to collaborate. The song narrates a poignant and reminiscent tale that demands repeated listens. Each spin reveals new layers of emotional sentiment and complexity, providing a voyage of self-exploration for the audience. It is a valuable addition to any playlist. So, dive in, let the music envelop you, and rediscover the beauty of love’s familiar embrace.
For more information about Cindy Zhang, please visit [website].
CLICK HERE TO STREAM Cindy Zhang’s “Familiar“ on Spotify.
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Artist Spotlight
Angie and Chris from Eleyet McConnell Talks “Surrender,” Morphing and New Single
Angie McConnell’s powerful voice and heartfelt songwriting, influenced by icons such as Beth Hart, Janis Joplin, and Merle Haggard, blend seamlessly with Chris McConnell’s soulful musical arrangements, reminiscent of classic 70s rock and blues. Together, as Eleyet McConnell, they create a sound that is both nostalgic and refreshingly modern.
Since meeting in 2013 and beginning their collaborative songwriting journey, Angie and Chris have developed a musical synergy that is palpable both in the studio and on stage. Their songs reflect personal experiences and universal truths, delivered with an honesty that strikes a chord with audiences.
On the eve of their new single release, “Don’t Tell Me Why” from their critically acclaimed debut album, “Crazy World,” the couple took time out to answer some questions in this EXCLUSIVE interview…
“Surrender” is such a personal and emotionally charged track. Can you share with us the inspiration behind the song and what it means to you both personally?
Angie: Lyrically is a reflection over a very difficult period of time for me. Life was throwing curveballs at me, and I had to reconcile a lot of really hard things all at once. “Surrender” was my way of telling the story of my journey, and those moments when things felt quite insurmountable to me. It was my opportunity to share my belief in a higher power and faith that there is something bigger than all of us in control.
As a married duo, how does your relationship and shared experiences influence your songwriting process?
Chris: Almost every song we’ve written is about our life before and after marriage. For us it’s a magical thing to share the ability to express life through song lyrics and melodies. Writing is almost like the framework that makes us who we are both as individuals and as husband and wife. Angie never wrote songs until she and I met, and I was just waiting for things to click for her and see what could happen. For a couple years I’d noodle on the bass during rehearsals to see if she’d catch on and it took a bit. One day it was like she heard it for the first time and things just took off from there.
Angie, you mentioned that “Surrender” is your “give it to God” song. Could you elaborate on how your faith journey has influenced your music, especially in this song?
I grew up in the church and spent several days every week in service, bible study, or the fun activities our church would have on Saturdays or during softball leagues and things like that. My mom was always playing hymns on the piano and she and my dad would sing those old songs playing guitar. It was definitely part of my foundation. Like many people I drifted away from that life as I got older and while I never forgot those times, I certainly wasn’t active like I was when I was younger.
As I explained, the lyrics to “Surrender” talk about the lowest period of time in my life. So many difficult things happening all at once and I was struggling to deal with it all in a healthy way. Literally, one day I was on my knees just sobbing because I was so overwhelmed and I actually said out loud, “I can’t do this please help me”. I felt a peace that I hadn’t felt in a very long time and not because it had left me. It was because I wasn’t open to receiving it and didn’t even realize it.
All my life I remember hearing people say, “lay it down..give it to God”….. but it didn’t really resonate. This time it felt so natural and so easy. I let it all go and gave my worry, my fear, my sadness, my guilt….all of it to God. It was the best thing I could have done for myself.
“Gettin’ By” was a success, hitting the top 30 on the UK iTunes Rock songs chart. How did you feel about the reception to your debut single, and did it impact your approach to creating new music?
Chris: Believe it or not, we never sit down with the intention of writing a song in any certain fashion. Even with a song like “Getting By” and all its success, we still never went back to write the next tune with the intent to stay in that vein and try and match the success. Maybe we should think about that in the future, but our writing just doesn’t flow like that.
Your debut album, “Crazy World,” seems to touch on themes of overcoming struggles and finding hope. How do you hope listeners connect with the overall message of the album?
Angie: The songs on this album all come from our life together. Chris and I have had our share of struggles, and we still found a way to make it all work and it’s been just amazing. Our lives are crazy and fun and full and challenging, and the world at large feels even more crazy at times. This album shares stories of different struggles like paying bills, falling in love, sadness, disappointment and how unfair life is at times – all the things that each of us deals with on the daily. We found each other and have found a way to get through all the hard times together. Anything is possible. Hopefully, someone else can listen to our story and feel encouraged to keep chasing their dream.
“Don’t Tell Me Why” is your upcoming single, set to release soon. Can you give us a glimpse into the inspiration behind this track and what listeners can expect?
Chris: This song came together in a matter of minutes. We were writing with our friend, Darla, in her basement one evening. I came up with those bass intro notes and just sang the line “Don’t tell me why”. Darla and I just seemed to play the same thing without talking much about it and Angie literally just took off with the lyrics to the song. It was like she couldn’t write them down fast enough. Apparently, she was upset with me about something (chuckling). I might be responsible for a few of those songs when she was upset. More stories for later LOL.
Your music has been described as genre-defying. How do you approach blending different musical influences to create your unique sound?
Angie: Our music is simply a culmination of all the great stuff we grew up listening to as kids. Both of us have grown up with several influences and we love it all. I think it’s why our original work feels like it could live in a lot of places and it’s really difficult to say we live in this or that bucket. Both of us grew up on gospel and country music from our parents, Chris loved the 70s music and so did I. We both love rock and roll and blues and oddly enough, neither of us had a love fest with the arena stuff from the 80s. Sure, we listened and yes, we were in the throes of the vibe like everyone else at the time, but I wouldn’t say that era influenced us much as songwriters.
Both of you have dynamic stage presence. How do you translate the intimacy and emotion of your songs into live performances?
Chris: It’s very easy for me to get lost in the songs. We’ve written about some very personal experiences, from difficult arguments in moments where we didn’t think we’d make it all work to the very happiest times together and everything in between. I feel like we both can mentally go right back to those moments when we perform these songs, and the audience can feel that. Angie can grab a crowd. Some of my favorite nights are in small venues when the size of the place just makes it more intimate. There have been times where everyone is so in tune with everything she says, especially when she tells the story behind the songs. It’s magical.
Angie, you mentioned experiencing some difficult times a few years back. How has music been a form of healing or catharsis for you during those times?
Angie: It saved me. Music gave me an outlet to talk about and confront things that were far too difficult to utter out loud to anyone. When I began writing it was like I finally had this vehicle that let me – actually forced me, to look deep into myself and reconcile a lot of things that I had buried or compartmentalized. I had a lot of things to reconcile and through it all I changed dramatically. Chris will say, “You Morphed!”, and he isn’t wrong.
I took a hard look at myself and realized a lot of habits that I had developed where relationships are concerned, and it dawned on me that I had become someone else entirely. I didn’t hate who I had become per se, but I wasn’t happy nor was I really healthy. I had gained a lot of weight; I had some medical issues and I just felt like a cog in a wheel. My life was nothing much beyond going through the motions.
Writing was therapy in a lot of ways. I found a counselor that helped me with skills and tools to cope with life in more healthy ways. During this time writing music became prolific for me. I have told people that I feel like I finally know why none of us remember being born. Can you imagine how awful that would be? I think I know what birth feels like now. The pain, the physical pressure, the feeling of being transported from a cocooned environment to one where you are completely exposed. It’s traumatic. That time for me was traumatic but transformative.
I don’t look the same. I don’t deal with things the same. I feel like I’ve learned so much and I’m more at peace right now than I’ve ever been. Music was my outlet, therapy, healing—all the things. That line in “Surrender” that says, “I’ve changed so much that I don’t recognize when I look in the mirror, but I know I needed the change”….. that line is powerful for me when I reflect on that time and absolute truth.
Looking ahead, what are your goals and aspirations for Eleyet McConnell as a musical duo?
Chris: We would love to take some time to branch out and take the show out of our local region. We’ve been planning about how we can do that and still take care of everything we’ve got going on here at home. We can’t wait to get back into the studio. Angie and I have written so much material and we want to get it recorded as soon as possible. New singles will be released soon, and we can’t wait for that. This year we have stumbled into some cool opportunities to play in larger venues, and we’d love to see a lot more of that. We are blessed. We are grateful and sometimes still can’t believe all that’s happening.
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“Don’t Tell Me Why” delivers a compelling blend of raw emotion and introspective lyrics, wrapped in the rich musical heritage that Angie (Eleyet) and Chris McConnell bring from their diverse influences. The single follows their successful Top 5 UK iTunes hit, “Surrender,” and continues to build on their reputation for creating music that resonates deeply with listeners. The new release comes on the heels of the duo’s recent Josie Music Awards nomination for Best Multi-Genre Duo.
