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a lot of good insight and context for the new record, and the Seymour story in general, in here: http://soultrain.com/2014/12/22/sound-check-coultrain/
St. Louis singer/songwriter Coultrain is preparing to release new album Divided For Love’s Sake’ on December 21st via the Fresh Selects label. His style is very dense and meaty, but his talent and his soul are utterly undeniable as he vividly chronicles fateful heartbreak through the disenchanted eyes of alter ego, Seymour Liberty.
Coultrain discusses his upcoming album with SoulTrain.com, as well as his views on the events in Ferguson and its longstanding consequences.
SoulTrain.com: Tell us about your album, Side Effex Of Make-Believe.
Coultrain: It is the meaning behind the meaning of this fake world. You see, there isn’t really anything here. We all get lost in the drama of this play, trying to win something we don’t really want to look at people we don’t really like. With that being said, with love pouring itself into it all, you invent these ideas of people and situations that aren’t really parallel with the person you’re staring at. All that wrapped up in the fact that we’re also tied up in a trick bag, and they’re laughing at how we twist and turn in it, when the light is right above us. Or rather within us. It doesn’t really matter though. You see, we won’t see it in time. At least not all of us. So when Seymour fell for her, he knew love itself would annihilate him, and he still gave himself up willingly. Some things you find yourself in and u can’t walk out. You see, he had no choice in the matter. His soul had decided it for him. It happens every now and then when you get too stagnant, ain’t moving enough and living shockless. Those ideas and a million more only touch on a corner of what the “Side Effex” really are and why they only matter for an experience to mold your soul. The “Side Effex” is the story of two who could never be one.
SoulTrain.com: Are there any features on the project?
Coultrain: None. It wasn’t necessary. The story of Seymour Liberty is a piece I’ve been working on for many years, and I approach it in a novel sense; it’s only been fleshed out to the public, chapter by chapter. I collaborate with other musicians on many other side projects, but the solo work has always been simply that, solo.
SoulTrain.com: Who is Seymour Liberty?
Coultrain: He is a myth. He is a fragment of the world to come. See, there once was a time when this was all different and history didn’t exist. As they say, it’s only the lie agreed upon. But you’ve got these ravens over here, these souls of people older than time, walking around, trying to understand why this place ain’t never felt right. They invent the meaning of cool, and people just come along and steal it from them and then write the history down in a way that this new cat is the hero, when they’re really the villain. We are the blues of this place; that’s why when it comes out of us you feel it in your belly, you feel the rhythm of the words. The pain of just existence alone. All our women get raped, all of our men belittled. Seymour is a prototype of where we can go, but to do that he’s also got to live the holocaust, and you get to watch, if you want.
SoulTrain.com: Your sound at times can be a little darker than most soul singers out. What compels you to pick up a pen?
Coultrain: My soul. Honestly, I can’t imagine what somebody must be seeing if you can talk about bright things right now. We’re living in dismal times. Amazing, sure, but dismal nonetheless. We’re dropping like flies. There’s no way I could write anything other than what I see and feel. Unfortunately, at times, I’m inspired by the tears of my people. It seems it’s all we’ve had, and now, I’m afraid we glorify it. If I were chasing after fame I would be too, but this music is a reflection of the mood of the state of mind I live in. And because I feel this, you must too. Sure, I’ve wrapped it around a love story but it’s about so much more. It’s how a man sees this world, the spirits and colors inside it and why he can’t hold onto love, I suppose he doesn’t know how to love. that’s probably the biggest crime of all, we’ve forgotten how. Writing is my map back to the love I lost so many millions of years ago.
SoulTrain.com: If you had to single out one person who has had the biggest influence on your music, who would that person be and why?
Coultrain: I’ve had conversations with people I’ve never met, and they’ve changed my life. I’ve had a woman whispering in my ear for years now, and I have an idea of who she is, but I honestly couldn’t tell you her name. But she can flick a light and lead my thoughts to this black pool where I can just dip in and pull out the words to say what I wanna say when one of the composers I work with send me something. I would say she’s is my biggest influence.
SoulTrain.com: Have the recent events in St. Louis inspired any new creations?
Coultrain: Well, yes and no. The head-hunters released a piece recently where we spoke about it. Thing about it is, it’s just being televised but those events happen all the time to young black men. I think the important thing is to wonder why this one? And then another pops up and the last is forgotten. You see, it’s continuing to happen. Somebody’s trying to convince the world we’re worthless, and they’re working hard at it. I’m not one to dive too deep into the politics of the world because I know it’s all a mirage; the people ain’t nothing but numbers and they ain’t never had no power in that system. never will, and they might as well think of a different route because it won’t happen. And you got to understand they ain’t just beating us with just guns, it’s a whole other thing happening. It’s an attack you can’t see. Can’t you tell?
SoulTrain.com: Many Americans are crestfallen with the justice system. What do you think the solution is?
Coultrain: Well, if you’re looking for a solution that will change the way it is, you’re still deluded by a dream. See, if you study the annals of history you can almost predict how most things will end. Thing about it is, it can’t go on like this forever. The justice system never had black people in mind when it was written or when it was signed. But everybody’s looking around now, knowing everything they thought or hoped for was all a lie, and they can’t believe it. If you been around here long enough, you’re not surprised at all. Most black people have gotten used to it. It’s just another day. But now everybody else knows how much we’ve contributed to this country and they follow us anyway, so they’re like, how can this be, in the land of the free? We are looking for something that doesn’t exist. These laws weren’t meant to protect us, that’s why they don’t.
SoulTrain.com: What’s next? Will there be any visuals?
Coultrain: Yes, very soon. The first will be a piece celebrating “Kiss of Death.” The second one shortly following will be inspired by “Like A Dusty Piano.” The visuals are separate while being a part of the audio. They tell a story in themselves. I hope they move us all.
Learn more about Coultrain on Facebook, SoundCloud, and Bandcamp, and follow him on Twitter @Coultrain.
—Ayara Pommells
http://freshselects.com
Coultrain - Side Effex Of Make-Believe http://bit.ly/FSX-004
Low Leaf - AKASHAALAY http://bit.ly/_FSX-003
Mndsgn - Breatharian http://bit.ly/FSX001_
Tight Songs radio show: http://xray.fm/shows/fresh-selects
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