Carol Cox draws from the divine
Vancouver’s own Carol Cox is rising fast.
Carol Cox's music is both sultry and spiritual. Submitted photo.
By Lliam Easterbrook
Senior Features Writer
Vancouver’s own Carol Cox is rising fast. You may have seen her recently performing Kwantlen’s Cram Jam 2011, where she gave Jay Sean a run for his money as crowd favourite. Her recent single, “Wasted”, has aired on Kiss FM Seattle and Virgin 95.3 FM and she’s currently co-writing and producing upcoming singles with Graham Gomez at Noisyhouse Music Productions
Now, having received the Best of B.C. Artist award for “Wasted,” she’s also made a video for the single, tapping Vancouver Film School graduate and award winning auteur Tony Dean Smith as director.
One could say Cox is ready for world domination, but for her, it’s not in the way you might think.
In a discussion ranging from pop-music with a conscience, to seminal ‘80s pop-rock band Queen and her affinity for Tool, The Runner recently caught up with CC for a friendly Q and A.
The Runner: Carol, what was it like working with Tony Dean Smith on your new video “Wasted”?
Carol Cox: Working with Tony was such a creative, sacred experience. He’s just so spiritually in tune, but just as a soul his path when he came here was to create art, and collaborating with someone who has no ego, it’s amazing—it’s like you’re building this incredible mansion together. I’m very happy with what we created with “Wasted.”
TR: I know having talked to you before that you’re a very spiritual person—both in your life and your art. How does your spirituality help your music?
CC: It definitely helps me as an artist. I believe we are all divine sparks, and, in essence, creative beings, so my purpose and my path is to share my music and channel what flows through me and help my brothers and sisters around the world through my music as well as the prosperity that comes from it. I think if you create from within, you can make art that truly resonates…
TR: Who or what has been your biggest influence? Who inspired you to choose a path in music?
CC: That’s a tough one. First I would say that I chose this path before I came here from Dubai. Even growing up, with my parents not being supportive of me fully, I just had to keep pursuing it, no matter what the consequences, no matter how many rejections—none of that mattered in the grand scheme of things. I just woke up with this knowledge and this drive to create music and to do what I feel I was born to do. In terms of influences, my spiritual mentors and other musicians, growing up listening to Freddy Mercury of Queen. I wish he were still alive! Definitely a kindred spirit of mine! [laughs] Just all the greats: Janet Jackson, George Michael, the sixties, the seventies. The list goes on…
TR: Nice. So what are your plans for the future? Where do you see yourself a year from now?
CC: Wow—a year! That’s a long time from now! . . . Well I don’t know when it’s going to manifest, but I want to reach every single soul around the world with my music. Not everyone necessarily has to like it—we all have our tastes—that’s what makes us so different and so human—but [my music] does have messages. It’s not just pop that’s talking about “bling-bling” and materialism. It’s about creating unity and community worldwide. My other vision is to start the charities and amnesties and foundations that I know I was born to, and help my brothers and sisters who might not necessarily be able to help themselves.
TR: Last question! What would your top 5 “desert” albums be?
CC: Can I say greatest hits?
TR: Of course!
CC: Okay, well definitely the greatest hits of Queen! (I love you, Freddie!). Also the greatest hits of George Michael, the greatest hits of the Spice Girls, and I would say Tool—the albums that have “Stinkfist” and “Sober” [Aenima, Lateralus respectively]—those are both great albums.
