Thank you for talking with us! You recently released your new single, "Love Made Me" that you also co-wrote. Tell us about the writing process and where the idea came from. I was fortunate enough to sit down with songwriter Eric Mallon back in December of last year and he had this cool title called “Love Made Me”. It seemed very simplistic at the time but as we started dissecting it – we discovered a very honest and fun universal theme about those who have fallen “head over heels” in love with someone. The song is super upbeat, and anyone can relate who has ever become a little crazy because of someone they fell in love with.
What was the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given about pursuing a career in music? There were two bits of advice that still stick with me today. The first was to “Take care of the music, and the music will take care of you.” It can be easy to get lost in the difficulty of the music business but if you focus on making sure the music is great – I believe the rest will fall into place. The second piece of advice was “No one does you like you”. It sounds super silly but that always stuck with me. Sure – there may be better singers, songwriters and performers out there, but no one can “bring to the table” what you can better than you!
At the end of the day, what do you hope is the message of your music? What do you hope people take away from your songs? My hope is that when people listen to my music they can find somewhere to escape to. My goal is that people can relate to the lyrics and the story I am trying to tell. Whether one of my songs helps someone through a difficult time or makes them want to crank open seven beers and party – my hope is that my music takes people to a place where they can escape and maybe even take them to a place of joy or hope!
You are returning to the studio to begin work on new music. What has changed in your life between recording your last album and this one? I released my last record in 2016 – coming out of my first year of University. Most of the songs I recorded on that record were written when I was in high school. Throughout these last three years, I have experienced deeper emotions than in high school. I have moved away from home and experienced loneliness and rejection. I have also fallen in love and out of love. I also have had a lot of great memories that come with growing up including making new friends, partying and having a lot of fun! I will be releasing a new project in the next six months and the biggest difference with this project (than the last) will be more mature writing and stronger production. I definitely believe this is the best work I have done – SO FAR!
Do you have any pre-show rituals? I have one pre-show ritual that I incorporated from my days growing up and playing hockey in Canada. It’s this chant called the “Dirty Bird” that my teammates and I used to do before every game. I would share it with you but it may be a little explicit in some parts ha-ha! Either way, I do it before every show - the band and I all love it!
What's your favorite family recipe? It would have to be my Nana’s roast beef dinner. Every Sunday night growing up – my cousins and I would go to my Nana’s house where she would make this amazing roast beef dinner spread that included Yorkshire puddings, gravy, potatoes, rice pilaf and a bunch more amazing side dishes. Not only was the meal itself delicious but it was just so special being able to go to her house and spend quality time with the family every Sunday. I’ll forever cherish these special memories growing up.
Home cooking or going out for dinner? I think growing up I would have said going out for dinner but since I moved away from home five years ago – my answer has changed! I am an awful cook so going back home and eating Mama’s homemade cooking is definitely a treat.
If I was a bartender, what would you order? It would have to be a Jameson on the rocks (lots of ice). I love Jameson! But if not – usually I am cool with drinking a corona and lime, or two, or three……
What's your favorite fast-food chain? Hands down – “In N Out” Burger. If you haven’t eaten at “In N Out” – you haven’t experienced a real burger. That’s all I have to say.
If you could share a meal with any four individuals, living or dead, who would they be? Oh man – this is a big question! I think I would probably sit down with Kenny Chesney, John Lennon, my late Grandfather Bernie and my favorite hockey player Duncan Keith. It’s definitely a mixed group but Kenny is my musical hero, John Lennon is a musical legend, my granddad passed away when I was younger and he fostered my passion for music through the Beatles. And I’m a massive Chicago Blackhawks fan and I feel like Duncan Keith would be a great addition ha-ha!
Finally, if you could be sponsored by one food/drink brand who would it be and why? Whoa – this is a hard question! I’ve got a lot of favorite brands. I would probably say Corona because I feel like our brands complement each other very well. It’s that summer / beach vibe that we both have. I’ve got some buddies that just started up a beer company called “Crank Lite” so I should give them a shout out too.
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About Cole Bradley: Country singer and songwriter, Cole Bradley, is a rising star in the North American music scene. Growing up listening to the likes of Kenny Chesney, Garth Brooks and Tim McGraw, Bradley first graced the stage at the young age of five. Since then, Cole has fostered a passion for performing and sharing his music with others. “As an artist, it is important for me that people connect and relate to my songs,” says Bradley. Much like Cole himself, his songs are upbeat, positive, and full of life. He is a natural entertainer with infectious energy. His unique vocals and his edgy country sound, make his music fresh and original. Whether he is belting out a rowdy party anthem or a heartfelt ballad, he is able to captivate fans of all ages with his sense of humor, warmth and honest songwriting. Bradley has had the privilege of working with world-class producers and writers in Canada, Nashville and Los Angeles and has opened for various country music entertainers including Thomas Rhett, High Valley, LANCO, and Brett Kissel. Since his move to Nashville in 2016, Bradley has continued to work on the craft of songwriting while playing at local venues including the historic Bluebird Cafe where he made his debut in September 2017 and has played again numerous times since, happily returning to play for the attentive audiences for which The Bluebird is famous. In 2020, Cole graduated from Belmont University. Bradley is expected to release brand new music in 2020.
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