Meet COEN

 

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful COEN a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

COEN, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?

I found my purpose in life from a very early age; music has been a very integral part of my life since I could carry my own boombox as a child. Over time, I became enamored over melodies, words, and phrases used in songs wherever I heard them; on the radio, on my television, or from the people in my life. Then, I just started writing out of nowhere simply out of necessity to cope with whatever was happening to me in moments. Those moments turned into written memories, which then started becoming songs. I have, and always will consider, myself a songwriter first before anything else. This is my purpose in life.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

I am an artist, songwriter, and creator in music. I have been writing songs since I was 16 years old in my dollar store composition books; writing songs about my own life and the stories of others, creating worlds out of them. What I do that is most exciting is seeing the process from planting the initial seeds and ideas and nurturing them; helping them grow into beautiful worlds of their own, and I grow alongside them.

My brand within music is remaining free, introspective, believing in love, and soft in a world that attempts to harden us with the obstacles life throws at us. I approach any project I have the pleasure of being a part of with clear and true intention. The art will then, ultimately, speak its truth once it is given life. As of now, I am working on my debut solo music project, which is expected late 2024/early 2025, and actively songwriting in sessions in Los Angeles/remotely. Please look forward to my upcoming solo music and songwriting placements!

Outside of music, I also run a weekly newsletter, titled ‘COEN’S WORLD’, which is out every Sunday morning at 9:30AM Pacific Time. I share original poetry, freeform excerpts, personal memories and scribed proses that ponder on the idea of life. I made ‘COEN’S WORLD’ to be a safe space every week to ask any and all questions, big or small, on life, the universe and greater meanings on various subjects (hope, destiny, faith, spirituality, etc.). It is completely free to subscribe, and I would love everyone to come and join my little corner of cyberspace.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

The three qualities that were most impactful in my journey of becoming an artist/songwriter are all very closely related (and always are evolving). The first is trusting myself fully; the trust I have in my own art and creative decisions helps me move with faith and grace to make art and music that I truly believe to be authentic and of excellent quality. The second is being open-minded; being flexible in different approaches, methods, and practices in creating will always keep you a student of your crafts. The third, is education; the act of learning and developing oneself in whatever facet in life is crucial. I look forward to evolving, maintaining drive and building more discipline in myself in any creative setting. With these three qualities working synchronously, I have the ability to move forward and become who I am meant to be for myself and touch the lives of others.

What would you advise – going all in on your strengths or investing on areas where you aren’t as strong to be more well-rounded?

I believe that in the world of art, and music especially, it is more ideal to be well-rounded. Having a versatile tool belt will only help you move farther and more efficiently with your creations. Why, is that your strengths serve as the foundation of being able to learn more, so you can do more. However, we are human and none of us will be perfect at anything in life; what you lack in or not as well-versed in, you continue your education and make your rough edges smoother.

I feel this way due to my own experiences in being in music for so long. Focusing only on strengths and not allowing yourself to invest effort on improving will hinder you from your goals. Think about the greats in whatever field or aspect of life you are passionate about; most folks inscribed in history had an understanding for an immense amount of material that was related to what they were good at.

For example, one of my all-time inspirations in music is Mariah Carey; she is regarded as one of the most prominent recording artists in the history of commercial music. She ultimately started off as a singer, but at her core, was a songwriter; she used her incredible talent of singing as a tool to articulate her meticulously chosen words to design melodies in music as a background singer first, then would move onto becoming who we know her to be today.

By being well rounded and versatile, you can become your own greatest support. As long as you believe in yourself, the world is truly your oyster. I look forward to creating and sharing more art with the rest of the world, please look forward to my future endeavors!

Contact Info:

Image Credits

Boy in Pink: Téa Todman

Boy in the Mirror: J. Churchill Morris

All remaining images shot and edited by: Coen Hutton

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