R'n'B artist Cosha has released her new single, Fire Me Up, the opening track of her Murmurs EP, which follows on 9 May. We asked her the BIG questions . . .
We need your consent to load this Spotify contentWe use Spotify to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review their details and accept them to load the content.Manage Preferences
Born in Indiana, Cosha grew up in a small fishing town in Co. Wicklow and moved to London at 17, where she became involved in the music industry, touring with Mura Masa, Flume, Tirzah and Nile Rodgers, songwriting for Charli XCX and Shygirl, and soundtracking commercials.
Speaking about Fire Me Up, she says, "I made that beat on the plane when I was leaving from London to LA, it made it even harder because it was really about that like, 'I still love you, I still want you in my life but we do need to do this and we're both quietly in the distance for each other. You’re never not going to be someone I care about.’
"I remember I was trying to sing the vocals and it was obviously really raw and I couldn’t sing it, I kept choking up and crying... and that’s actually the take on the song, me trying to hold it in and sing through it."
Tell us three things about yourself . . .
I really enjoy being in nature, I grew up in Wicklow Town beside the sea and a close drive to Roundwood with all its waterfalls and mountains. I’ve lived in big cities for 10 years now but I think I’m ready to take it down a notch, and hopefully soon to live beside the sea again.
I’m in Brazil right now, I’ve been here for the last month doing all the things that make me ecstatic - beach in the morning, dancing in the evening, eating great food, meeting beautiful people, taking time to listen to new amazinggg music, saying hi to people as you pass in the street, not being on my phone, not really watching tv. Working on being present, learning from a different culture and giving myself space to feel grateful for everything every day.
I’ve spent the last two years working on my new project Murmurs, out this May. I’ve done it all independent, self-funded and self-managed. It’s been the hardest project for me to complete so far but it’s taught me a lot, I love all the music so much and I can’t wait for you to hear it.
How would you describe your music?
I’d say it’s meditative, wholesome, rhythmic, experimental, sensual and honest.
Who are your musical inspirations?
There are too many and the list keeps growing, there’s so much incredible music in the world! But the main names for me at the moment would be D’Angelo, Björk, Sade, Solange, Minnie Riperton, Cruel Santino, Diego El Cigala.
What was the first gig you ever went to?
My dad took me to see Jamiroquai at the Point when I was a kid, back when Beverly Knight was doing backing vocals, I remember really enjoying that gig.
What was the first record you ever bought?
Ashanti’s debut album.
What’s your favourite song right now?
Crushing by Eartheater and Me Faz de Bola de Sinuca by JN no Beat original.
Favourite lyric of all time?
Most things that Björk says, it changes depending on where I am in life. Right now, I’m in my Vespertine era and I'm loving the lyrics - "I can decide what I give, but it’s not up to me what I get given, unthinkable surprises are bound to happen, but what they are, it’s not up to you."
If you could only listen to one song for the rest of your life, what would it be?
There’s a clip on YouTube called Lord Hear My Prayer by Callie Day, it may be my favourite vocal performance ever. I want to be able to sing that, I’m sure I could do it if it was the only thing I could listen to for the rest of my life!
Where can people find your music/more information?
My music is on all the usual streaming platforms (Bandcamp, Apple, Spotify, Amazon, YouTube etc), pick your poison. You can find updates on my website as well as my socials.
Alan Corr
