Cobalt and The Hired Guns - 17 Feb 10

...maybe that should the title of our next album - Idiots Smiling...


Hey, blogspot readers, SouthSide's getting up close and personal for the latest scoop in this one on one interview. Today, she's learning all about the ins and outs of Cobalt and The Hired Guns. This local band is quite known around town for its rockin' twist on the Americana/alternative sound. And it's receiving buzz-worthy notice with two songs, You Left Your Sweater and Of Summer, being heard on local radio.

Ever since being one of the four finalists in last year's Metromix's Rock-n-Vote, Cobalt has been one busy band. They did a summer tour and founded Chicago Roots Collective with other distinguishing local bands such as Band Called Catch and How Far To Austin. After making their first appearance on the Metro stage, this band had a residency at Uncommon Ground sharing the stage with other CRC members. Cobalt ended their rockin' 2009 in a New Year's Eve show. Yet it doesn't stop there - 2010 is really shaping up to be another exciting year for this indie band.

While preparing hard for their second Metro appearance this Friday opening for State Radio, Tomlinson Fort (Cobalt's front man on vocals and guitar) was kind enough to spare a few mintues with SouthSide for this entertaining phone interview. This conversation gave her a deeper insight into the hipness of Cobalt and The Hired Guns. According to Tom, opening for State Radio is truly a huge opportunity for them. Not only will they do it in front of the Chicago home crowd but also a week later at the Cat's Cradle in North Carolina. Plus it will give them another chance being reunited with original producer, Brian Humphreys, as they start laying tracks down for an upcoming CD.

For the Metro show, they're putting together a bigger band set-up. Besides Cobalt's usual partners in crime (Jesse on drums, Tom on guitar, Mike on bass and Matt on guitar), there will be special guests on horns and accordion to liven up their already rockin' sound. This should really get their fans jumpin' and jivin' during the opening set. Yet that's what Cobalt wants to happen on Friday. They want to light up the venue (or any venue where they're performing) with their music absolutely giving the people what they paid for after coming to the show. According to Tom, "...fun, joy and love..." - the three basic tenet's which Cobalt follows as their reason to rock. And believe SouthSide, blogspot readers, when she says these guys have way too much fun enjoying what they love to do.

Here's an interesting scoop just for you, Tom's a big fan of hiphop but he enjoys other genres as well. He's excited about being in a band that's always developing. Their sound draws inspiration from all artists and music styles and genres like R&B/soul (for that horn rhythm). However, don't think Cobalt doesn't enjoy being known as an Americana band. That's definitely not the case at all. According to Tom, there needs to be a vision when song writing as well as being flexible too. You can't guide the song ...sometimes you have to let it guide you. For example, You Left Your Sweater started off as a mopey love song until Jesse (Cobalt's guy on drums) flipped it into a lively Rockabilly/punk song. With four songwriters in the band, you can expect that and more as they experiment with different rhythms and beats.

When asked the one song fans should listen to familiarize themselves to Cobalt's music, SouthSide's question had Tom stumped for a minute. Well, for a good reason since it's difficult picking just one out of so many good ones. He did suggest listening to their other hit, Of Summer (also written by Jesse) which is currently available on iTunes. What Tom also likes about the band is how everyone's part fits together. There's great chemistry between the Cobalt's members. It does show while they're jamming on stage in front of the fans ...smilling like idiots.

Just like State Radio's zeal to involve themselves with community activism, Cobalt and The Hired Guns are no strangers to social causes themselves. Last year, the band participated in the Kitty-palooza at the Empty Bottle, an event for kitten adoption. According to Tom, it's cool for them to be involved with events and causes like that. On Friday night, part of the proceeds will benefit Calling All Crows (founded by Chad Stokes of State Radio. It's an organization that brings together musicians and fans to raise human rights awareness. Currently Chad along with partner, Sybil Gallagher, are raising funds for the women in war-torn Darfur. For more information about this organization, visit www.callingallcrows.org.

In closing, Tom wants everyone to know that Cobalt and The Hired Guns about having fun on stage while helping others like you and SouthSide have fun too.

Once again, thanks to Tomlinson Fort for his time during this interview - it was a blast!

For more information about Cobalt and The Hired Guns, visit www.cobaltandthehiredguns.com or www.myspace.com/cobaltandthehiredguns.


Until next time, support your local scene,
SouthSide