Paul Cogley On the Making Of ‘The Silent Sea’
How did everything come together?
Very slowly.... This album took me two and a half years, which was one and a half years over. When you are a one-man show responsible for everything, it is so easy to be overly critical, which I suppose is good in the end. I constantly look for that gut feeling I get when it comes together well. And with the help of many evenings in front of the fire, with a bottle of scotch and a pen and writing pad critiquing, I'm sure you can imagine.
How did you approach the arrangement and instrumentation on 'The Silent Sea?'
Trial and error, I wish I had a process, but I don't. Often I end up down blind alleys and the song is taking a turn I know I won't like, so I constantly back track. What makes it trickier is that I try to address the flow of the album and am aware of the songs that precede and come after, it has to flow well. I guess I am one of those who still think listening to an album is a journey, as the whole is greater than the sum of the parts.
Can you talk about any standout tracks on 'The Silent Sea' and what makes them special to you?
“The Dream of White Horses” was a dream that I had while at a quiet little place called Moclips in Washington State. My wife, dogs and I have visited many times. Half of it is a reservation and it really is a special, spiritual place that seems to make us welcome there. It is a place that softens my heart and helps bring clarity and of course is dominated by the open ocean, crashing waves (white horses?) and all of that.
What is fun about being a musician?
Well I quit the band scene about 10 years ago, and that allowed me to finally go it alone and I love being able to make all the musical decisions, creative freedom that I have never really known before. That is fun!
Do you aim to convey any specific themes or messages through your music?
I believe music is an individual interpretation. Obviously there are cues and meanings in my music that mean a whole lot to me, and my job is to convey the emotions of that through the music. My goal is not to impart those meanings onto others, but that the emotions of those meanings invoke something in the listeners heart that moves and awakens, but in a way that they relate to their own life experiences. I think many of us are going through the same things and if my sharing my emotions helps others, then what an honor that is.
