Caspian Coberly | Interview
''This is my mission statement on what classic rock 'n' roll should sound like...I'm continuing the story''
Caspian Coberly is keeping rock music alive and showcasing why Seattle is one of the best cities for rock 'n' roll. If you think there are no new rock artists creating authentic rock music, or you have no luck finding them - you need to listen to Caspian Coberly. His albums Texas Sex (2023), 4st spiral thru the dream dimension (2022) and self titled Caspian Coberly (2019) are full of influences from 1960s and 1970s classic rock. Check out ‘‘Find Me, Love Me’’, ‘‘First Castle We Built’’ and ‘‘Out Of Focus’’ :
Not only has he recorded with drummer Mark Giuliana (David Bowie, St. Vincent), bassist Stu Brooks (Dominic Fike, Perry Farrell), and Money Mark (Beastie Boys), but he has caught the attention of Alan White (John Lennon, George Harrison, Yes) and Duff McKagan (Guns ’n’ Roses). And also grunge icons Mike McCready (Pearl Jam) and Jerry Cantrell (Alice In Chains).
Moreover, Caspian has been playing lead guitar in drummer Matt Cameron’s (Soundgarden, Pearl Jam) solo quartet and Wipers tribute project Is This Real?, opening up Pearl Jam’s sold-out Moda Center Portland gig this May.
His new album Starlight comes out on Valentine’s day - 14th February 2025. However, the first single from Starlight "Shepherd's delight" is out on 15th of November.
But for now, check out ‘‘South Street Talk’’ from the upcoming album and read below about Caspian Coberly’s songwriting process and the song he wouldn’t want to hear again.
You have expressed that you have been inspired by T. Rex, John Lennon and The Allman Brothers. Does this influence only apply to the music itself or have these musical figures influenced your personality, or anything outside of the music world?
CC: These influences pretty much only apply to the music itself. Outside of that, I've been influenced by Marc Bolan (T. Rex)'s image and on stage persona. I've drawn inspiration from the Electric Warrior and The Slider album covers for my own aesthetic.
How important is music for society? Is it more important than other art forms (film, literature, art, etc.)?
CC: I think music is super important for society because its the art form that can be fully enjoyed whilst focusing on other things as well. My favorite time to listen to music is when I'm driving and other art forms can't really accompany that task as well as music can.
Are you able to express yourself freely in your music or is it sometimes challenging? Has this changed over the years?
CC: I express myself freely in my music but also I don't express everything about myself in my music. I mostly just try to express the melodies and vibes and worldbuilding that moves me. I think I've gone through periods of over-controlling what I want my music to be and also periods where I was too loose and was making very raw and more like impressionist music where I wasn't trying to let myself get in the way of the music, and now I'm at the point where I'm balancing those things.
What is your songwriting process like? Do you focus on the instrumental or lyrics first? Does the environment around you influence the way you write songs?
CC: My songwriting process usually comes from just freestyling some guitar parts or a vocal melody and building the song around that. I rarely start with the actual lyrics first but I sometimes start with a vocal melody. Usually I get the melody and chords at the same time. The environment around me doesn't necessarily influence me as much as what I'm currently listening to or what kind of equipment I'm using. Sometimes messing around on instruments I've never played can give me great ideas.
Is there anything special or different currently happening in the Seattle music scene?
CC: I think that the little scene around the music me and Ben Root have been putting out is pretty different than what a lot of people are doing. We're very influenced by 60s and 70s music, Ben moreso drawing inspiration from The Who and early punk stuff, but ya. That in addition to us recording most of our music on cassettes is pretty out of the ordinary for people making classic rock these days. You see that more with people who make slowcore music and stuff like that.
You have been playing lead guitar in drummer Matt Cameron’s (Soundgarden, Pearl Jam) solo quartet and Wipers tribute project “Is This Real?”. Also, you opened Pearl Jam’s sold-out Moda Center Portland concert in May. What was this experience like ?
CC: Opening for Pearl Jam was pretty amazing, also the rig provided by the Benson Amp people was awesome, just hearing your guitar play in a stadium was amazing. One of my favorite experiences playing live. The Pearl Jam people are super friendly and so talented, great group of people to be around, I'm very lucky.
With your new album Starlight (2025), is there a message or anything you would like for Listeners to understand about you and your music?
CC: I think the message is just like, this is my mission statement on what classic rock 'n' roll should sound like. I tried to sum up a plethora of characteristics of what made late 60s - early 70s British rock so great on the album because that stuff is just totally not represented in modern music anymore. I'm continuing the story.
What is a song you would never ever want to hear again?
CC: I don't know, maybe Virginia Plain by Roxy Music.
They've been a huge influence on the stuff I'm working on currently but some of their music I absolutely can't stand and I kind of have to disregard a portion of their catalog to fully enjoy them. A total mixed-bag band for me, their tracks Strictly Confidential, Both Ends Burning, Out Of The Blue, and The Bogus Man just absolutely blow my mind however.
