Cole Burton is a 29-year-old Detroit area native and queer punk singer/songwriter. He is currently residing in Chicago and is in the final stages of writing his LP titled, "Blood/Sugar", which has a tentative release of early 2019. I sat down with Cole to talk about his first single, "Born/Again Romantic", his musical influences, and his future plans.
Punk Globe: "Born/Again Romantic" is your first single off your upcoming LP. Can you tell the Punk Globe readers a little about the inspiration for the song?
Cole Burton: It’s funny, a lot of people’s reaction when I released that song was, “I’m surprised this is so upbeat.” Really it’s kind of a sardonic look at myself repeating unhealthy patterns in relationships. I was in a long distance thing and it was very hot and cold. It was clear that it wasn’t going to work out. I ended up just painting this kinda grim picture with neon colors. I’m making fun of myself for making choices that I knew weren’t going to yield good results and compromising my values because I thought this dude was cute. I think the second half of the chorus illustrates this pretty well. “It’s all of the time that I change my mind, but it’s probably fine. Whatever, be mine.” It’s like, I know I shouldn’t do this but here we go anyway. Brace for impact.
Punk Globe: Let's talk about the music video. I know it was shot in Chicago. Talk about the video concept and what all goes on in the video.
Cole Burton: I had in mind this fish out of water idea. A dramatization of the fact that I feel like a fucking alien everywhere I go. I’m like a lizard in a people suit just praying that no one will see my zipper. I’m also really defined by this dichotomy of grotesque shit and shiny polished things. As a kid it would be a common occurrence for me to pull my Britney Spears cd out of my Walkman and replace it with Deftones or some harder shit. So when I first met with the video director, I gave him two videos for reference. Marilyn Manson’s “The Beautiful People” and Miley Cyrus’ “We Can’t Stop”. I wanted punching imagery and bright light...and a lot of blood and ooze. I guess in short it’s a story about a weird spooky guy who feels like he doesn’t fit in and finds his tribe at a basement party in hell with the help of some sexy neo-Shakespearean witches? Just a typical tuesday for me, really.
Punk Globe: Where can people find the music video for the single?
Cole Burton: Check out the video on my website Coleburton.net or my YouTube page
Punk Globe: I know you have been working on your LP. Who have you been working with and where did you record it?
Cole Burton: I’ve spent way too much time freaking out and poring over these songs so I’m still working on finishing touches as far as writing. I’ll start recording this winter. I write everything on my lonesome. The single was produced by Nick Tremulis and Rick Barnes. Both play with Nicholas Tremulis Orchestra. The single was recorded at Barns’ studio, Raxtrax, on the northside in Chicago. Nick is a Chicago legend and he’s really kindly taken me under his wing and supported me as an artist long before the single. I can only dream that one day I might be as badass as that guy is.
Punk Globe: Are you planning on releasing the LP in 2018? Do you have a title for it at this time?
Cole Burton: God and my own self-defeating perfectionism willing, I want it out by the start of 2019. Crazy that it’s almost a full year after the single release but that was really just a preview of what I’ve been cooking.
Punk Globe: We met when we were both attending Columbia College Chicago. Can you tell the Punk Globe readers about your time at Columbia and how it shaped your music?
Cole Burton: After high school I dicked around in community college for a few years before choosing a direction. I took classes in music but also in art history, mythology, psychology, and you name it. I took classes I was interested in because I didn’t think a degree in music was a viable route. I didn’t have access to formal training and once I got a taste at community college I just got thirsty. My writing was improving drastically and immediately the farther I dove in. I wanted to absorb everything I could. I decided to get a degree not because I thought it would get me a job but because I really craved an immersion into music. I wanted to become a master. So I bunkered down and studied up. I’m in a heap of debt but I wouldn’t take it back for a thing. Studying theory and classical composition has shaped the way I write so much. I’m a huge nerd and I’m very detail oriented so Columbia was instrumental in being able to speak the language and get what had been in my head for years out in a cohesive and interesting fashion. Though admittedly, music is such a dense body of knowledge and I don't think I'll ever feel like a "master" necessarily because there will always be more to learn.
Punk Globe: It is so crucial for queer artists to be visible in 2018 and Chicago is starting to have quite a scene of queer musicians and artists. Are there any queer artists in Chicago you think people should know about?
Cole Burton: I feel like Chicago is such a stepping stone. Most of the good acts here wind up leaving for somewhere else. Some notable queer bands have come out of Chicago. There is a really great folk pop group called Elk Walking that’s fronted by a divine queer gal. Her voice kind of has a 10,000 Maniacs vibe. There’s a fun indie-esque dude, Joey Nebulous, whose claim to queer Chicago fame is pop culture bops with clever titles like “Dumbledore Is Gay” and “Rip Vine”. Oh, and Muna for synth-pop fans but they’re like bona fide famous at this point so I think their scope transcends “Chicago queer”.
Punk Globe: How did you get into songwriting?
Cole Burton: You know? I didn’t ever have a choice. I’ve never identified with that existential late teens, early twenties “what do I want to do with my life” struggle. I’ve always been on this course. It’s been a slow and winding road but it’s always been heading toward the same goal. Instead, my struggle is “how am I going to make this happen”. In some ways, that’s way more terrifying but the grass is always greener.
Punk Globe: When was your first introduction to punk music?
Cole Burton: I guess that depends on how you define punk. I had a childhood obsession with KISS. I have an adulthood obsession with them too but if you want to get nitty gritty about it, KISS is a pop band. A lot of my favorite acts tow the line between pop, rock, or punk. Punk has become so much less about music and more about a way of life these days. I definitely went through a “traditional” punk phase in high school. I got heavy into The Ramones, The Clash, etc. I still love those bands but I wouldn’t necessarily say they are hugely influential on the way that I write as much as the way that I think and perform.
Punk Globe: Who are some of your biggest musical influences and why?
Cole Burton: Freddie Mercury over everything. I’ve always marveled at the fact that somehow in the 70’s before it was “okay to be gay” this super flamboyant operatic guy who looked like a Tom of Finland painting somehow weaseled his way into the hearts of blue collar straight American men. Like, were you guys aware that your rock god was a showboaty fabulous diva? The way he was able to be mainstream instead of become a queer specific niche artist has always captivated me. Alanis Morrissette is another big influence for me. I love all 90's alt as I’m sure the vibes from "Born/Again Romantic" would suggest. Gin Blossoms, Nirvana, and the Yeah Yeah Yeah's. I still rock post-hardcore like it’s my job, too. Gerard Way is another huge idol. I think as far as songwriting and production Imogen Heap is unmatched. She writes, records, and produces everything all by herself. What could be more punk than that?
Punk Globe: How can Punk Globe readers find your music online?
Cole Burton: Coleburton.net, Instagram @fckincole, https://www.facebook.com/fckincole, and Youtube.https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLfWDoNYuOWLI7hSceSLLuQ
