THECOCKNBULLKID: Interview

We're very excited to watch the development of new artist THECOCKNBULLKID. Her catchy and fresh track Clean Apart's got us itching for more. Camille and I had a chance to ask her a few questions about her recent release the Querelle EP, her inspirations and of course the meaning behind the stage name!

The name thecocknbullkid is certainly something we've never heard before. How did it come about?
It's basically a tongue in cheek way play on calling myself a bullshitter. I didn't stick with my own name because I think it's sounds too earnest. There is no more deplorable trait than being too earnest.

What can we expect from you during the end of '09 and beyond?
The album. Which will be quite a departure from what I have done so far. I feel like everything pre-2009 have been my demos. I've been finding my feet. I want to make a timeless and accomplished record.

We are loving 'Clean Apart' tell us more about the meaning of the track and it's lyrics.
It's pretty self explanatory. I'm not a fan of explaining lyrics because i think it ruins something for the listener. Some people have interpreted it as an acerbic break up song. I guess it could be.

Do you have plans to promote/tour in the United States? We are waiting for you here in NYC!
Yes definitely! I had plans on coming this summer but the sound of the album took a turn so it made sense to finish the whole thing before we went out there . It never felt particularly finished or confident enough to go over with at that point. I knew I had to write some better songs before I did that so that's what I'm doing. It's pretty much done now so I should be coming over by the end of the year.



Where do you draw inspiration from, specifically for your music and look?
Everywhere! People, Love, Art, History, Extremes. I'm constantly on the hunt for inspiration, i draw it from the most unusual places at times. I just need a word or a phrase that strikes a chord with me and I'll go off on a tangent and write a song. it can be amazing when you get it right.

Tell us more about what we'll hear on the Querelle EP, which is available now? How did the artwork for the EP come about?
The songs on the EP mainly explore the dark side of love, self loathing and sabotage. The artwork was inspired by the film Querelle which is quite a dark and twisted love story. I wanted the imagery to marry the masculine to the feminine, i wanted to put two extremes together. I liked the imagery of a middle aged man with a beer gut delicately holding a beautiful flower.

We love that you are influenced by all of our favorite artists here at Hard Candy. What current/upcoming artists do you listen to?
Im the worst person to ask as I'm not really listening to current music! The only current act I'm listening to at the moment is Florence, its because her music sounds timeless. I also listen to Metronomy and an upcoming band singer and writer called Wolfgang. But especially now because I'm recording an album, i have no head space to listen to anyone else . There is a fear you'll become too influenced by it so I'm not listening to anything else too faithfully.



Who do you work with to record and produce your tracks? Tell us about the songwriting process for you, and the equipment/sounds you use.
I'm working with a few producers on this record now, including Gonzales and Peter (of Peter, Bjorn and John). Its very much a collaborative process. We'll often start on the piano and build up around that. Making percussion with pots and bottles. Peter has some amazing south American bits of percussion with names I cant pronounce that we often end up using as well.

Writing this album, i'm learning so much every day. I've started to implement the rule that if none of us is getting excited after 15 minutes, we bin it and start another song. It's a very staunch mindset you have to take up but It seems to be working.

Put your ipod on shuffle, what are the first three songs that pop up? Any special significance to you?
Dudley - Yeah Yeah Yeahs. This is from the Show Your Bones album but Fever To Tell is my favorite album of theirs, in fact its one of my favorite albums full stop.

Fine Time - New Order. Blue Monday was one of the first songs to get me into electronic pop music.

Aunt Dot- Lil Kim. Lil Kim is one of my favorite artists! I just love strong women and have always been drawn to female artists who say whatever they want. A lot of people think she's vulgar but I think she's misunderstood, I love her balls.

If you could chose one artist who would be the soundtrack to your life who would it be and why?
Hard one! Madonna cos she's done it all.

Tell us something random about yourself!
Both my pinky fingers have been broken since childhood. I didn't realize until quite recently.