If you visit the music profile of Brooklyn singer/songwriter John Cole, you’ll find the statement “There’s something beautiful about this life. I just haven’t found it yet.” In his ‘About Me’ section on myspace, Cole, playing under the moniker In Ribbons, unintentionally sums up the simplicity and easy aesthetic of his music project in a dozen words.
The East Coast native has no formal musical training, save for the guidance of his own tastes, which include everyone from The Beach Boys and Bukowski, to his all-time favorite, The Smashing Pumpkins. In Ribbons is an independent project for now, but Cole has hopes to expand into a full band in the future and continue to release records from there. For now there is a single 7” record available, featuring two tracks that can also be sampled online. Recorded, mixed, and produced entirely by Cole himself, the record has a very simple feel to it, as if you’re overhearing your neighbor playing guitar down the hall.
Side A features the track ‘Mr. A and Mrs. B’, which starts off with a buzzing acoustic strum, soon to be joined by piano and Cole’s vocals. There’s a slight flatness to our singer/songwriter, but fortunately it also packs the same quirkiness that makes wavering singers like Conor Oberst so popular. There’s also an echo that seems to have been added in production that we would have preferred to be omitted, but later on when Cole is joined with a little female accompaniment, this echo earns its keep. Our favorite part of this track was its chorus, which while extremely simple, is also extremely catchy, and we found ourselves humming it in the days after first listening to the record.
The song found on Side B begins with a slow combination of guitar strumming, taking a brief pause before coming back with something a little quicker, and much more indie rock than the previous track. When listening to ‘Feel Again’ we can’t help but be reminded of Howl Howl Gaff Gaff era Shout Out Louds, and we were fans of Cole’s slight spacey/bubbly guitar work throughout the track.
In Ribbons has a few other tracks for listeners available on myspace, and is offering the 7”, which comes on a piece of beautiful pink marbled vinyl, for a mere $3. We vote that you support an up and coming artist and add the In Ribbons 7” to your collection.
The man behind the moniker was nice enough to under go some questioning from the nosy people at Reviewsic. Read on to hear about his plans for the future, who would play his dream show, and how he got his start in music.
Reviewsic: Can you give us a quick recap of what you have been up to musically?
John Cole: After spending a few months in California, I have returned to Brooklyn and am currently recording new demos, booking shows in the area, and also putting out a Love/Hate Records compilation that will be out by the late summer/early fall. We are holding a fundraiser for the compilation here: http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/lovehaterecords/love-hate-records-compilation-vol-1
Reviewsic: If you could book a tour with any 3 bands, past or present, who would they be and why?
John Cole: As odd as this would sound for one show, I’d love to open for The Smashing Pumpkins, Slowdive, and The Zombies. They’re definitely a few of my all-time favorite bands and I’d love to be able to hear all three of them bands with their original lineups, live.
Reviewsic: What are your top three musical influences?
John Cole: Top three: The Smashing Pumpkins, Slowdive, Red House Painters
Reviewsic: Is there any instrument you don’t play, but wish you did?
John Cole: The cello. I always have great ideas for a cello in my songs but haven’t been able to find a cellist yet.
Reviewsic: What are the last three albums or bands you listened to?
John Cole: Right now, i’m listening to the Dum Dum Girls debut album from Sub Pop which I’m really enjoying. Xiu Xiu’s newest ‘Dear God, I Hate Myself’ is another one that I’ve had on constant rotation. Also, The Cranberries, ‘No Need To Argue’ which I’m always listening to.
Reviewsic: If you could work with one person in the music industry (musician, label, producer etc), who would it be and why?
John Cole: In an ideal world, I’d love to be signed to Sub Pop Records. They’re doing everything a label should be doing in the current state of the music industry. They have an amazing roster , both past and present and they’re responsible for exposing grunge to me as a kid.
Reviewsic: Who was the first band/musician you saw live?
John Cole: Not counting random basement shows in suburban NJ, my first show in New York City was in 1999. All, Strung Out, and Pennywise at Roseland Ballroom.
Reviewsic: Who are three of your favorite local bands?
John Cole: Soft Black is definitely my number 1, not only because I’m friends with them, but they write such great tunes. Their last album is amazing. Also, their label mates, Werewolves are a great mix between the Velvet Underground and the shoegaze genre. Also, a band that I’ve been close with from New Jersey, Rapid Cities, will be releasing a split 7″ on Love/Hate Records. Be sure to check out their debut album, Machinery Saints
Reviewsic: What’s the backstory on how In Ribbons came to be what it is today?
John Cole: In Ribbons didn’t really come from a band break-up or anything like that. When I moved to Brooklyn in 2004, I began writing more music and early in 2005, I finally started to play live at open mics mostly. In Ribbons was what I named the project starting in early 2008. As of now, I, John Cole, am the only member but am looking to make it into a full band. My DIY label/collective, Love/Hate Records came to be as a result of me releasing In Ribbons’ first 7″ in the fall of 2008.
Reviewsic: Tell us about Mr. A and Mrs. B- Is there any particular inspiration behind it? What was the process of making the album like?
John Cole: Mr. A & Mrs. B is a story that is based on some real people, real experiences and also fictional figures. I try to incorporate true events and fictional characters in a number of my songs. For this song and the entire 7″, I recorded, mixed, and produced myself in my bedroom studio. For my next release, I would really love to finally get into a legit recording studio and collaborate with a number of musicians to really get a varying degree of sounds in my new songs.
Reviewsic: How would you compare yourselves as a musician at this point, as opposed to when you first began playing?
John Cole: I was never taught guitar. Basically, the day I got my first acoustic guitar, I’d put on Green Day’s Insomniac album and Nirvana’s ‘Nevermind’ and try and play to it with power chords. By picking up my guitar pretty much everyday for the last several years, I have been able to experiment more, learn some chord progressions. However, I still get most of my knowledge by just putting on a record and trying tofigure out the notes on my own.
John Cole: What are some of your favorite venues to play?
Reviewsic: I really enjoy playing at Sidewalk Cafe. They have a great scene there and the booker, Ben is an awesome dude. Also, their open mics are a ton of fun. When CBGB’s was still opened, I really liked playing in the gallery downstairs. Also, the Charleston has a great basement venue. It’s gritty but they always have great bands go through
Reviewsic: What are the best and worst music moments so far in your career?
John Cole: The best moment is definitely my last show I played in Brooklyn before heading out to California late last summer. I never played to that many people before and I played with a full band for half the set which was a lot of fun, considering I have never really performed live with more than one other person. It has definitely motivated me to find full-time members for In Ribbons. I am fortunate to say, that I have not had any terrible music moments, but it’s always a slap to the face when multiple venues deny me shows because I’m a singer/songwriter. It definitely limits my exposure and also prevents me from playing at venues I’d love to perform at.
Reviewsic: How did you get your start in music?
John Cole: My start in music probably happened at some point in grade school. Hearing Nirvana and Green Day for the first time definitely made me start enjoying music. But, ‘Melon Collie & The Infinite Sadness’ brought me to the next level of audiophile. Since then, I constantly listen to music, always had my headphones on, whether it was a walkman, a discman, or an ipod.
Reviewsic: What are three words you’d use to describe your music to someone who’s never heard it?
John Cole: Stripped-down, sincere, moody? ha. This question is much too difficult for me to answer
Reviewsic: What are your plans for music in the next year?
John Cole: Ideally, I’d like to have formed a band and work on an EP and book an East Coast tour in the late summer.
May 6, 2010 at 12:05 am |
[...] Love/Hate Records By reviewsic Music from Jon Cole, known under the moniker In Ribbons, is something we’ve talked about here on Reviewsic in the past. With the hope to bring you more from In Ribbons and other East Coast [...]