Aisha Cohen (of Like
So)
Interview 13 April
2006
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Tell
me about Like So, when did it start, who is it and how did you all get
together. It stsrted with you and Aarom Magram right?
Yes, Like So started officially with me and Aaron, though at the time
of our beginnings, we were calling ourselves The Aisha Cohen Band.
However before meeting Aaron, I had been writing songs and playing my songs out
with various musician friends of mine.
And how has it evolved since the start
Well, for one thing, I changed the name. I thought The Aisha
Cohen Band was kinda cheesy, I didn't want that much attention on myself.
I thought Like So was a better fit. Besides the name our musical style
has also evolved a lot. When we started, and you can hear a lot of this
on the first record I think, we were very much influenced by jazz and old
school soul. When I first started writing, I listened to a lot of Ella
Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, Abbey Lincoln and Bill Withers. Now, I would
say the music nods more to rock and reggae and dub. And the newer batch
of tunes I've been writing are a lot more dance music influenced. There
are a lot of booty bouncing tunes.
Tell me about the style and what you're aiming at – Heavy Soul?
I think our style is always evolving, but it's always essentially
heavy soul. I think of heavy soul as rock influenced soul and
r&b. Music with deep pocket and deep rhythm and heart.
How do you see yourself fitting in the marketplace
Hmmm, I don't know. That's always a challenge for me. But
it seems like there are a lot of bands of our ilk cropping up these days.
I think people who are looking for an alternative to the brand of R&B
that's being cranked out by the major labels will like this music.
What 's your show like, you play around New York a lot. Where else have you
been.
Our show is a party! I'm all about dancing, having fun and
shaking my ass when I'm on stage-the music calls for that. So I'm all
about people in the audience doing the same. I want folks to have a blast
at our shows.
Besides, New York City, we performed in Boston and New Jersey.
We are looking to perform in more cities this year after we finish recording
our second record this summer. And we would LOVE to take a trip to the UK
and play. I performed there once with another band I'm in and I love it
over there.
It's very much a live thing?
Yes, definitely.
But you cut the mini album, how's it going down, its been out for a while now?
Yeah, the record has been out for a bit. We don't have a
manager or a label really (I'm the label). So, I've been doing everything
myself and just taking my time with it. I have a full time job too, so I
do what I can. And considering, I think it's been going well so far.
The record has received some nice reviews. I can't complain.
Building it into a full release?
Most definitely. The record that is being worked on this
spring/summer will be a full length release.
What tracks are getting attention?
"Down" seems to be a favorite which is cool. It's
the first song I ever wrote! People tell me it's catchy.
"Golden Boy" has received some airplay here too. And "I
Never Thought You'd Leave" is a favorite among the ladies.
Are you getting where you wanna be
Slowly but surely. I don't think I'll ever get there really
though. Once you get to a certain place, there's always more growing to
be done. It's an ever evolving process.
Are you gonna stay indie or you looking for a deal
I think I'm going to stay indie. I like the idea of owing
the rights to my songs, but I am looking for distribution. We need help
with that.
Whats happening next
Well, like I mentioned before, the second record is being recorded.
I'm actually going to start tracking this weekend. And then in the summer
and fall we'll be playing out here in the states in the Northeast mostly.
Do you guys work on different projects?
Yes, we all do. I play viola in a band called The Sharp
Things and bass in an all girl band with some friends of mine called Boombox.
Aaron has a rock band called Kadafi that he fronts and is also in a duo called
Whitestreet. Rich Holst plays bass in The Sharp Things and does solo
work. Steve Gonzalez, the drummer on the record, is the drummer for The
Sharp Things. Bob Byrne, the keyboardist on the record, also plays in The
Sharp Things. (notice a theme here) And our current drummer Billy
Gunnz is the drummer for a reggae band called The Cool and Deadly, guitarist
for a band called El Knife and is a producer. Yeah, we're a busy bunch.
Are you full time in music, or do you still have other jobs.
I work full time, as does everyone else in the band.
Tell me about yourself, your background, your family,
I was born and raised in New York City. I grew up with my mom and
grandma. My family hails from the US Virgin Islands. I'm from
Hollis, Queens-Run DMC is from Hollis too! I've always played music.
I started out playing the guitar, then the sax and then settled on the viola
when I was 14. I studied music and the viola in college and have been
running with it ever since.
Has music been in you from an early stage?
Yes, see above. =)
Who were your early influences
So many people. I grew up listening to Prince, Michael
Jackson and whatever else was on MTV in the 80s. My grandma likes a lot
of jazz and I grew up listening to that as well.
Who out there right now are you feeling
Kudu, I really like that band. They are from Brooklyn, NY too.
I also like Goldfrapp, M.I.A. and The Bellrays.
What other things have you done?
I performed the Nutcracker with an orchestra at The Apollo Theater in
Harlem. =)
What other things do you like to do
I'd like to win a Grammy someday and get the music into film and
television.
Anything you'd like to add.
Like so rawks! Buy our record, please. And thank you Mike
for the opportunity.
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