Meet Indie Rock Trio COIN
COIN first conquered the music world in 2016 with their single ‘Talk Too Much’, but their talent for composing indie alt-pop bangers hasn’t stopped there. The trio’s been hard at work since then, touring with The 1975, playing various festivals, and writing some stellar songs along the way. COIN’s upcoming album ‘Dreamland’ is slated for release on February 21, and they kick off a headlining tour in March.
We got to chat with COIN about everything from when they first started in music, influences, their hit single ‘Talk Too Much’ and more…
How did the three of you meet and decide to make music together?
We met in Nashville, TN, where we attended school. Maybe I was sheltered, but right before I left for college, I went to my first club show. After that night, I was devoted to playing one show in front of an audience (any audience would do). My second week of classes, I proposed the idea of booking a venue & just playing. I presented this idea to my new friend, Joseph. He understood this was more involved than just that, but he never stopped me from dreaming. We met day after day, writing songs & testing out band names. Eventually, the time came to bring in another musician, a drummer, Ryan. So, the three of us crammed in my dorm and played the first EP. A casual project slowly began to take over our lives.
Who were some early musical influences of yours?
At the start, inspiration came from everywhere – classic rock like The Cars to 90s R&B like New Edition. But our earliest collective influence was Talking Heads.
You’ve said that one of your recent singles, Let It All Out (10:05), was born on stage; Can you talk more about how that song came to be?
We were playing in the Philippines for the first time. I can’t really explain the feeling of overwhelming uncertainty that washed over me. At soundcheck in Manila, I just sang a melody that sounded exactly like I felt — I always pictured it like an orange being squeezed, but there’s nothing left. After a couple rounds of gibberish, the lyrics started pouring out. I came home from the trip, still a little off, and I sent the voice memo to Ryan & Joe. Ryan simply messaged back “let it all out” as an encouragement & lyric suggestion. One little sentence, and the song had a purpose beyond catharsis.
How important is interacting with your audience to you?
COIN wouldn’t be COIN without our audience. I’m thankful we have a platform to express ourselves, but without someone to give meaning, this would just be a self serving diary. We want our supporters’ voice to be as loud as ours.
It’s been four years now since your single Talk Too Much came out and blew up. How do you feel you’ve grown as a band since then?
“Talk Too Much” has acted as an open door to our music, which has afforded us the opportunity to meet amazing people around the world. Recently, we’ve grown so much by trying to unlearn. You can become so weighed down by knowledge & expertise that few things become “possible”. I never want to lose our optimistic naivety.
You’ve got a new album, Dreamland, coming out at the end of February. Is there any aspect of it that you’re most excited for your fans to hear?
We are thrilled how the album flows as a sequence — seamless transitions, parallel lyrics, & musical motifs
What are three words you’d use to describe Dreamland?
Sunrise, acceptance, sunset.
With plenty of impressive live shows under your belt like Lollapalooza and Bonnaroo, do you find yourself more comfortable on stage or in the studio?
I think it entirely depends on which we’ve just done. They’re codependent. I love nothing more than performing live after months of tedious production. There is no better feeling than watching your labor come to life in front of an audience. But that moment could’ve never existed without the time & space to create it. But yes, technically, I’m much more comfortable in my bedroom studio.
What are three of your goals you want to achieve this year?
Release Dreamland (it’s been more difficult than you think), play in new places, perform on television (look, Mom!)
Make sure to check out COIN’s latest single ‘Valentine’ below…
