During a flight from Paris the other day, my friend David, who is also the owner of our new label Team Nowhere, listened to the podcast. When he landed, he called me and said, "I have figured out what you are doing with the podcast". Curious, I inquired, “What is it that I am doing?".
With his usual wit, he replied, "This is not just an interview, it's a rock n' roll psychoanalysis!".
In retrospect, I think he's right. As an interviewer, I'm always interested in the musical journeys of the artists I speak with. However, I'm also curious about our histories as artists because I think there's a link between personal history and art. The way I see it, art is a chemical reaction that is formed by our upbringing, our environments (private and public) as well as the things that happen in the world. By asking my interviewees their personal stories, I try to unearth what led to their art. My experience has shown that it begins even before they are born more often than not.
Cosmo Gold traces its lineage back to Emily Gold's grandparents. Her grandmother was singer Marni Nixon, who famously dubbed Natalie Wood's singing parts in West Side Story and Audrey Hepburn's in My Fair Lady. Her grandfather, Ernest Gold, was an Austrian-born composer who won an Academy Award for his work on the movie Exodus. That's quite a musical heritage!
In Emily's case, her music is even more closely tied to her dad's, Andrew Gold's. He was not only a talented musician but also a passionate UFOlogist, which, as we'll see, had a significant impact on the music of Cosmo Gold. As well as making music for himself, such as the recently resurrected viral mega-hit "Spooky Scary Skeletons," Andrew Gold has contributed to the hits of others like Linda Ronstadt.
Cosmo Gold embraces Andrew's musical freedom and sci-fi appetite. A pop space odyssey, Krong, their debut album, is a concept album about a friendly alien who abducted the band and taught them the secret to a peaceful civilization. The band is grateful to Krong for teaching them the virtue of doubt. In a world of self-confidence, entitlement, and where feelings take the place of facts, it seems wise indeed.
There is a playful spirit to the band, and the album captures the innocence only children possess. With cardboard and glue, they build a world of their own, just like in their funny and artsy DIY music videos.
Yet, behind the crafty pop escapism aesthetics, there's something darker at work. Cosmo Gold has proven to be a therapeutic vessel for Emily since Andrew passed away in 2011. She suffered from panic attacks and needed a familiar, reassuring alien place to escape.
Aside from the beautiful message and homage found in Krong, there is also a real sense of musicianship. Krong's arrangements show the band's skill and maestria. Compare the stripped down live version of Krong they taped in our studio with the album version, and you'll see what I mean.
Founded in 2019, Cosmo Gold is an LA-based alt-pop band featuring Emily Gold (vocals, guitar, synth, keys), Mike Deluccia (drums, synth, keys, guitar), and Stephen Burns (bass, guitar, vocals).
You can fly to Krong on any platform of your choice and escape our world.
Call Krong: 📞 1-510-90-𝗞𝗥𝗢𝗡𝗚📞
- Vincent Walter Jacob
Hanging On Sunset TV: Cosmo Gold - Krong (Live):
Cosmo Gold Analog Gallery by Vincent Walter Jacob:
Cosmo Gold Digital Gallery by Julien André: