Citizen Cope Drops “One Lovely Day”, Sits Down With Last.fm For Exclusive Interview

By Matt Simpson Jul 25, 2012

Washington D.C. native Citizen Cope has been quite a busy man as of late with his long anticipated fifth studio LP One Lovely Day finally hitting stores last week after countless hours of work in the studio. But with the burden of perfecting his masterpiece finally behind him, Citizen Cope took a second to sit down with Last.fm to discuss his new album, offer insight into its songs, and more!

Cope’s new album builds on the creative mastery that has made him one of the most acclaimed songwriters in music today. Among the slew of musical elements and genres that he has been known to fuse together, it is perhaps the lyrical themes and passion behind them that serve as Cope’s x-factor. Specific standout songs on One Lovely Day like “Back Then” and “Peace River” serve as great examples of this; and when asked about “Back Then”, Cope replied:

“It’s just about when u look at your past and there’s elements of your past; everyone’s past hopefully, that they can shine back (on) and look at in a good way or time. And I think that we tend to forget that we can change whatever direction we’re going (in) and allow those good feelings to be a part of our present.”

He went on to discuss “Peace River” as well, saying:

“It’s just like, you know, when you get overwhelmed with certain things and you need a break. And, even from your own thoughts sometimes. Sometimes you get trapped in your own head and the things that happen to you in life; you kind find yourself not saying no enough and not yes to the good things in life.”

Check out “Peace River” by clicking play below:

While the ability to write songs like “Back Then” and “Peace River” might seem as if they come naturally, that was hardly the case for Citizen Cope as it took him years to develop a method of writing. It wasn’t until he came to New York with a few songs that he truly realized his potential, as well as the art of not rushing something as expressive as a song. He discussed that first trip to New York saying:

“I loved coming to NY because I’d developed, I think, my craft as a songwriter to the point where I had already kind of found my method. I’d done some recordings that I was very happy with. So I kind of came with some stuff and if I would have came to NY a little before that, even though I wish I would have, I don’t know how well it would have gone. But I found it as a place with a lot of people with talent, no matter what they do.”

To make the release of One Lovely Day even more exciting, the accompanying tour will be highlighted by intimate shows at smaller venues and theatres, which has become some what of a lost art today. Cope talked about the decision to play those venues and how great it is to see that tradition of old be reborn again:

“People live in those (small) communities and you know, they don’t want to have to drive to their nearest, big (venue). They will, but there’s also people that won’t. And if its right there, and it’s a great theatre – that tradition somehow died over the years, but is being reborn.”

Nov

Citizen Cope

Royal Oak Music Theatre, Royal Oak, MI 48067,…

2 going

Tracklist: