Hey everyone! This past week, I was lucky enough to be able to talk to Corey Gray, an amazing artist from Dallas, TX. Currently based in Los Angeles, CA, he’s been creating amazing new music on YouTube with Keep Your Soul Records, a label he’s been instrumental in crafting. With a soulful voice and killer talent, Corey is definitely one to keep your eye on! I hope you enjoy our interview, and getting to know a little bit more about this amazing musician. Read on!
Elle: When did you first know you wanted to be a musician?
Corey: When I was in the fourth grade I happened to go to a school that offered orchestra. I had a small interest in making music but I hadn't ever really had the opportunity to try. I joined the class and chose to play the viola. The first song we worked on was "My Heart Will Go On" by Celine Dion. We finally had a day where we combined every instrument into an actual orchestra. I still remember getting goosebumps the first time we all played the song together. Sounds silly now, but contributing to a bigger sound like that was crazy to me. I knew from then on what I wanted to do for the rest of my life.
Elle: How has YouTube helped you with your career?
Corey: Living in a time where independent music has so many platforms is amazing. It makes it so much easier to sustain relationships with fans and even more so, it gives fans a place to keep coming back to your music.
Elle: Who are some of your inspirations in music?
Corey: So many artists haha that's a long list, but some of them would be John Mayer, the Beatles, Blink 182, Zac Brown, Sam Hunt, and so many more!
Elle: Are you working on any new material now?
Corey: Most definitely!
Elle: I see from your Snapchat and Instagram that you went to Rio for the Olympics! What were you up to over there?
Corey: I went with NBC to play acoustic music for a bunch of private parties! It was an amazing experience!
Elle: When do you feel most at home when performing?
Corey: When I'm jamming with Keep Your Soul Records and the rest of the band! We've been playing a lot of shows as a trio. It's been such a fun experience!
Elle: Is there a venue you're hoping to play one day?
Corey: It might seem kind of small, but I would LOVE to play the House of Blues in Dallas. Just because I grew up there and it would feel so awesome to go back and play the stage I grew up looking up to.
Elle: How did you get involved with Keep Your Soul records?
Corey: I met Jake Coco through a buddy of mine about a year and a half after moving to LA! He had an idea for an indie label based on YouTube artists and I have always been so into independent music so I was sold! We started collaborating with a ton of different artists and I think that's when I really started to come into my craft. I love playing with other people. Music is meant to be shared! Not only on the listening side but on the creation side as well!
Elle: What is your favorite style of music to play?
Corey: Honestly I think I like playing pop/rock or pop country the most. It just has this pocket that grooves so well and the crowd can't help but fall into it with you.
Elle: Do you have a favorite memory/event from a show?
Corey: I make new favorite memories at every show, but I do remember a time when Keep Your Soul was playing a show in San Diego, and a bachelorette party joined us on stage and shot champagne everywhere! It was in the middle of a guitar solo Jake was playing and the crowd was so into it. It was so much fun!
Elle: Who would you love to collaborate with in the future?
Corey: John Mayer for sure.
Elle: What do you have coming up?
Corey: Well I've been working on an EP with KYS! I'm really excited for a lot of the things we have coming up as a group.
To listen to Corey Gray and follow his work, follow him on these social media platforms!
Youtube- https://www.youtube.com/user/officialcoreygray/
Spotify- https://open.spotify.com/user/coreygraymusic
Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/CoreyGrayMusic/
Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/coreygraymusic/
Twitter- https://twitter.com/coreygraymusic
iTunes- https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/corey-gray/id372480524?ign-mpt=uo%3D4
Website- http://www.coreygraymusic.com/
Keep Your Soul Records- https://www.youtube.com/user/keepyoursoulmusic
