Cori Yarckin
This
month's Spotlight Artist is Cori Yarckin. For years now
Yarckin
has worked in various areas of the entertainment industry doing work,
not only as an actress, but also a little modeling for the T-Shirt
company Dirty Shirty. Ms. Yarckin now however, feels she has
found her true calling within the industry as a musician. She
has
honed her skills, put together her own awesome rawk band and has even
released a cd with her own original music. If you've yet to
her
of Cori Yarckin and her band I can guarantee that you soon will.
Cori and the band are on the rise and this is why we've
chosen to
spotlight them this month. Here's the interview:
IML: Cori thanks for allowing us to
interview you. I want to start out with you telling us exactly who Cori
Yarckin is and what she’s bringing to the industry today.
Cori:
I'm just a regular girl with big dreams. I love rock and roll and being
on stage and that is what I get to do as well as bring music and fun to
other people.
IML: Everyone has their inspirational
artists that they maybe model themselves after or strive to be like in
someways, how are these influences for you and why?
Cori: I
grew up listening to a whole array of music. I was a dancer for a long
time, so I was exposed to all sorts of music. I really enjoy me some
classic rock, Queen, Aerosmith, and was a huge fan of Alanis Morrissete
etc.
IML: Now, very quickly I’d
like to set the stage so to speak as to how you’ve gotten to
where you are today as an artist. Reading your material I understand
that from I very early age, three in fact, you already were involved
with dancing classes and from there went on to perform on stage in
Oliver. Given that this all occurred at such young ages is it safe to
say the performing is something you’ve always wanted to do?
Cori: Yes..
as long as I can remember.
IML: I understand that
you’ve done some modeling work as well for the Dirty Shirty
line. How did this opportunity come about and is modeling something
that you see yourself pursuing in the future as your music career grows
and expands?
Cori: I
wouldn't say I'm a model by any means. A guy I was working with in
Atlanta also owns that tshirt company and asked me to do a shoot for
him... that's about the extent of it.
IML: You’ve also done even
more notable work as an actress, what were these experiences and how do
you feel that they have helped you out in developing as a performer
overall?
Cori: Yes,
I've done a little acting. I was acting before I was singing, but I
don't think I'm that good of an actress. Its fun... and it pays well,
but I much prefer the path I've taken thus far.
IML: I’d like to stick to
the topic of your performances. As anyone in the industry knows as an
artist it is your live show that often decides whether you make it or
not. In fact it alone can catapult you into higher degrees of success.
You seem to get this more than most indies, what would you say led to
your enhanced skills and command in front of an audience while leading
your band as well?
Cori: Well
as stated before in your question, I've been performing my whole life.
I was a dancer for 16 years and was also heavily involved in musical
theatre. That sort of set the stage for my musical career. When I first
started in this industry though, I have to say I had my problems...
stage fright, pitch stuff etc etc, but now that I've been doing live
shows for almost 7 years now, I've defiitely honed that craft. Its what
I enjoy most and what I feel is one of my strong parts.
IML: Now, I was able to catch a
glimpse of your live show via YouTube and I have to say there is only
one word to define what I saw, Honed. I understand that
you’ve been given the opportunity to work with/under some
great performers of our time, who are these individuals and what do you
think you took from these opportunities that helped you out the most in
honing your skills?
Cori: I
have worked with a lot of people writing and whatnot, but not too much
as far as performing. that is something you kind of just have to learn
on your own and take from other people. I loved Janet Jackson growing
up just because she is such a dynamic performer on stage. I don't know
if you've ever heard of a guy called Butch Walker, but he's one of the
greatest live performers I've ever seen. He just looks like he's having
a blast on stage. And that is what we have to do... have fun so
everyone else can too.
IML: Aside from your acting and
modeling pursuits many may know you I understand from two other aired
series, what were they and how did these experiences help you in
shaping the Cori Yarckin we see and hear today?
Cori: I
was on a music-based reality show called the "road to stardom" with
Missy elliot. I didn't make it very far on that, but I put that on the
fact that I don't do hip-hop music or rap. I'm not even quite sure why
they put me on that show to begin with, but some how I made it to the
end. I think everything you do is a step to where you want to go and
that's about all I can say about that.
IML: I ask this because it seems now
that you’ve chosen a completely different road, at least in
terms of genre to pursue and your overall style, is this a fair
assumption?
Cori: Well
like I said... I was still doing this type of music when they put me on
that show. I was never doing r&b or rap... which is why I don't
know why I was on there... but I took the opportunity cuz it was a big
one.
IML: One more question
revolving
around these shows, if you had indeed won the prize of a label
contract, given where you are today both personally and professionally
do you think you’d be as happy in those situations as you
currently may be with where you are now with See Why Records?
Cori: Probably
not... and I only say that because I don't even think the girl that won
is doing anything still.
IML: Touching on the concept of your
personal life vs. your professional life, unlike many others you
seemingly openly blur the lines of the two. That is to say, you are a
very open and raw songwriter like that of a Gwen Stefani or even Ani
Difranco is this something you’ve chosen to do purposely or
did it just sort of occur?
Cori: Well
when you are writing your own music... I find it much more real (as
well as easier) to write about your own experiences rather than coming
up with fake scenarios for the sake of a song. Not to mention, emotion
is so much realer when it comes from within.
IML: Not only does your writing style,
at least in terms of rawness, meet up with the two artists mentioned
above, but it also connects with two other at one time young adult
females that just like you wrote about simple, everyday sort of topics
that every girl in that age range is going through I’d
imagine. These to artists being Ashanti on her debut album and one,
Alanis Morriesette. Do you consider your writings in their same vain so
to speak as well?
Cori: I'm
not too familiar with Ashanti, but like I said before Alanis for sure.
I was a huge fan and I think she's had a very large influence on where
I've come to be musically.
IML: Now, all of this preparation has
combined to lead you to many recent successes in your career ranging
from a Sessions @ Aol feature, a Rolling Stones Magazine blurb, and
most recently a win at the Florida Grammy Showcase. What has these
things meant to you personally as well as your band as a whole?
Cori: Its
definitely nice to be recognized. Its also very validating to see
things happening after a lot of hard work. In this biz, people only
care about what you are doing right now... as opposed to what you've
done in the past. So you always have to be on top of your game and
always moving ahead or you will get lost in the crowd.
IML: Of the many songs
you’ve written which ones do you enjoy performing most and
why?
Cori: We
have this song called "Not that Nice". and even though its probably not
my best song... its always fun to do, b/c its upbeat and it gets the
crowd going.
IML: Of the songs you’ve
written which one do you personally find to be your best or favorite
lyric and why?
Cori: Lyrically,
Gratitude is something that hits very close to me. And I like the play
on words in that song, where 'gratitude' kind of is like the 'gratuity'
i owe someone for the way they've treated me.
IML: Lets switch gears and talk about
your newest album project, Ringing In My Head. All successful acts have
teams of people behind them, who are some of your team members?
Cori: That
record I did with a guy named Jimmy robertson Landry who is a producer
out of NY. Besides that, I've got my manager, my mom and my band. Well
then there's Cherry Lane too. (Don't let anyone think that they do all
of this on their own!! lol).
IML: Why would you say that this album
is one that music fans should buy?
Cori: Because
I think every song on there really has something to it. when you get
it, you don't want to skip over any... and they are all easy to sing.
IML: What is your favorite song on the
album and why?
Cori: I
think "Better" turned out the best on that record. From the lyrics to
the way the vocals sound it just all came together for me.
IML: Finally I’d like to ask
one more question and then some that I ask everyone that I interview.
Where do you see Cori Yarckin as a performer, not only in music, but in
your acting and modeling pursuits as well five or so years down the
road?
Cori: I
hope that in the next 5 years I can really start to do all of the
things I want to do. I hope I have the opportunity by then to have
toured the country wholly and maybe even the world... I would have like
to have done a feature film too... But who knows.. we'll see what this
life has in store for me.
IML: What’s the best advice
ever given to you?
Cori: You
control your own destiny.
IML: Is a major record label contract
it for you or have you found other areas within yourself and the
industry that define success for you now?
Cori: No...
a major label contract will not necessarily make me successful. It can
definitely help, but it by no means is the end all be all. We will just
have to see.
IML: What one thing would you say to
those wishing to enter the industry?
Cori: You
better have drive, patients, hard work ethic, and really good luck!
IML: What, if only one thing, do you
wish that a person walks away from a Cori Yarckin show with?
Cori: Ringing
in their head!
IML: Aside from music what other
hobbies do you have?
Cori: I've
got two dogs that I love to death. I'm a little obsessed with them.
IML: What if you weren’t a
musician would you currently be pursuing?
Cori: You
know I'm not really sure. I'd probably still be in the entertainment
field in some form or another, but I'm just not sure in what vein.
IML: What person or thing could you
not do without?
Cori: My
dog. :)
IML: What one person or thing could
you do without?
Cori: Traffic.
IML: Giving your most ingenious
description, explain to those that have never had the chance to
experience what displaying their original music before a live show is
like for you.
Cori: Its
an opportunity to say all the things you've wanted to say to someone,
well thought out and put together. It lets you express how you feel and
allow everyone watching (and paying attention) to feel those emotions
with you.
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