Sam Kogon Shares the Inspiration for His New Music
By Dale Henry Geist
Sam Kogon owns CQ Roundup’s Song of the Week with his delectable slice of old-school guitar pop, “Find Out.” We had some questions for Sam about “Find Out” and the self-titled EP that’s due out on April 1st.
First, can you tell us about the initial moment of inspiration for “Find Out”? What was literally the first thought that made you realize you wanted to write this?
I came up with the song while I was in upstate New York a few summers back. I am really inspired whenever I’m up there. I wrote the chorus first and only had the words “Find Out, I want to find out about you”. To me it sort of captures those first feelings when you’re crushing on someone.
“Find Out” has that pop-rock sunshiney vibe of those great 60’s singles by groups like The Turtles, the Lovin’ Spoonful, etc. And you obviously know how to write a song like that. Where does that come from? How did you get good at that?
Thank you so much! I love The Turtles and The Lovin’ Spoonful – hi, Flo & Eddie, and John Sebastian! – and so many other acts from the 60’s. I grew up listening to the good stuff, thanks to my parents, and my various guitar teachers showed me how to play the Beatles chords, and from there I was hooked. I am constantly listening to records and learning old songs. I definitely lean into that sound on this song, which makes it so much fun to play live with my band.
For “Find Out,” how did it get from your original idea to a finished single? And how did the live video factor into that?
I first made a demo on my multitrack recorder, it was super phased out and wonky with a lead guitar riff going throughout the song, a lå Marc Bolan. I then went on a West Coast tour with my band and the song developed into a more Byrds / Travelling Wilburys sound, which you hear on the record today. The video was filmed in an old school house that was converted into a recording studio up in the Catskills. My band had recorded the EP just before covid and we wanted to perform live so we went up and did a live-streamed show at the studio. It was so fun we decided to film the song live to capture that magical and much needed weekend.
You put out an album in 2016 (“Psychic Tears”). Can you sum up the journey to this new EP?
I had just gotten off touring my last record when I got cast in Martin Scorsese’s film The Irishman. While I was on set I befriended Stewart Lerman, who had worked on the music in the scene I’m in. We stayed in touch after the filming wrapped, I sent him my demos and he connected me with John Agnello. I had the 4 songs floating around, they are all singles in my mind. I thought instead of putting them on a full length album why not just make an EP of 4 singles? So we did! We first recorded “Barbed Wire” as a test, and the results were good so we went ahead and tracked the other three songs. I decided to start my own label and put this out on my own. I wrote them, why shouldn’t I release them?
The video for “Barbed Wire” was a slice of wholesome American themes with a queer love story threaded seamlessly into it. Our readers would be interested in knowing how you approach queerness in your art.
I’m so glad “Barbed Wire” resonates with you and your readers! I’ve been thinking about that question a lot lately, I let queerness happen on it’s own, it’s a naturally occurring substance for me, so I just use the lens I was given. I will say I feel more comfortable and empowered sharing that side of me now more than ever. “Barbed Wire” gave me the platform to show a wholesome American queer love story. I’m really glad knowing it’s out there for anyone to see, especially during a time where simply existing as a queer person in this country is being threatened, yet again.
Anything else you would like to tell our readers?
I’d just like to say I hope they enjoy my music, alone or with someone special, and I hope to hit the road soon with my band! Please follow me @samkogon if you’d like to stay updated.
Thank you!
Thanks for having me!
Pre-order Sam Kogon, the EP.