Coles Whalen is a young singer-songwriter from Colorado, which has recently given the music world The Fray. Here is Alan's exclusive interview with Coles...

Alan:  Thank you for taking the time to sit down with us…tell our readers a little about yourself.

Coles Whalen: Well, I was born in Philly and moved to CO just before I turned one year old. CO is definitely home, but I feel a deep connection to the north east and I love touring there.

AH:  Was music something you always wanted to do and what was your first memory performing?

CW:  I was in a professional children’s performing group growing up called The Colorado Children’s Chorale. I remember performing with them at 7 years old and I started touring with them at 11. I have wanted a career in music ever since then. At 11 I knew the energy of performing and a life lived half on the road was were I was headed.

AH:  How would you describe your sound?

CW:  Pop rock with country leanings and a little bit of jazz thrown in for good measure.

AH:  Who are your biggest music influences?

CW:  I listed to other singer sognwriters mostly. Sheryl Crow, John Mayer, Fiona Apple, Alison Krauss, Stevie Wonder and Patti Griffin to name a few. I also think the Indigo Girls are incredible song writers.

AH:  What inspires you to write a song?

CW:  Anything can inspire a song, that’s the craft, finding beauty and art in every day living.

AH:  You were on NBC’s reality show ‘Star Tomorrow,’ tell us your experience on the show and how that helped you as a musician.

CW:  I happened to be in NYC on tour when they were holding the first auditions. It was different than anything I’ve done up till now, very staged and felt a little unnatural. But it’s always good to be in front of a camera, the more you do it the more natural it feels. I’ve done several TV appearances since then and I think Star Tomorrow helped prepare me for that.

AH:  Why is music important to you?

CW:  Music is important because it sets people free.

AH:  What is your philosophy on music?

CW:  Play what you like and what feels natural. If people like it and want to listen you are in luck. If a lot of people like it and want to listen you are super in luck. But you have to play what YOU like, you will never be happy  playing what you think people want to hear or what other people tell you to play.

AH:  What are your goals, short-term and long-term?

CW:  I’d like to release three or four more records in the next four years and tour nationally in Europe, Australia and in Canada.


The Burn:

The things you’d be doing if it weren’t for music
Ski instructor fund raiser for Sensory Processing Disorder

Your three favorite venues
Red Rocks
Eddie’s Attic
Anywhere in New York City

Your three dream venues
Red Rocks (headlining this time!)
The Gorge, WA

Favorite city?
Close tie between Denver, New York and Austin

If you were a big-name star and they gave you this great trailer, what three things must you have before you even set foot inside?
Ipod adaptor, tea kettle, wine rack

Non-musical talents
Skiing, dancing, being a devoted sister, daughter and friend

If you had dinner with three people, which three would it be?
Joseph Campbell, Maya Angelou, Stevie Wonder

Best and worst tour experience
Best: Coming back for a home town show that was packed and feeling the love from local fans and friends
Worst: Driving 16 hours for an empty show

Embarassing moment on stage?
I had a wardrobe issue once, similar to Mz. Jackson’s. I recently turned the metronome on my keyboard on and blamed the clicking sound on the audience till I realized it was me.

Which big acts would you like to tour with?

John Mayer, Keith Urban, Sheryl Crow, Dixie Chicks

Alan Ho is the chief head of Musiqtone. You can contact him at alanho@musiqtone.com.







(C) 2007 Musiqtone. All Rights Reserved. Any part of this interview cannot be used without written express consent from both the representatives of Coles Whalen and Musiqtone.