:: Behind The beats with Cosmo

Brett Thorngren (Cosmo) has many stories to tell… Besides being the guy with the cool glasses who stands behind Vagabond’s booth every weekend, he is also a multifaceted musician who has being exploring the world of sound in every shape and form for more than seventeen years.

His relationship with music started basically since the moment he was born, spending his early days surrounded by some of the most influential rock stars from the 80’s. Through the years, Brett was able to develop his trademark style, blending the new wave musical style of his heroes with electronic sounds, creating deep and obscure beats for the dance floor.

After many collaborations, tours, international releases and recognitions, Brett is about to release the first long play album from his latest musical obsession, Crystal Cadillac, a musical project that combines Brett’s distinctive dark wave style with Gil Bitton’s showman-charisma and deep vocals.

WFK: Songwriter, producer, engineer, DJ… how many hats do you wear for the music industry?
Most all of them, drummer at heart.

Your father was a renowned music producer and engineer of the 80′s who worked along with international music stars such as Talking Heads, Public Image LTD and many more, how has this influenced your career? Did you ever meet any of these artists?
I was young, it was all I knew being around the people dad was working with. With everyone being creative in some way, it just seemed natural.

Do you have any interesting story related to any of those musicians that you can tell us?
There’s so many. One summer while dad was working with Squeeze, ACDC came in to record the Maximum Overdrive soundtrack in another room.
One afternoon while hanging out in the game room Brian Johnson taught me how to play pool . I think I’ve played maybe 5 times since then.

Most people in Miami know you as COSMO , what does COSMO mean to Brett Thorngren?
COSMO is my mothers maiden name

Why did you choose it to name your alter ego?
When I was younger all my friends found it funny (and some still do). Fast forward to Muse getting dropped from Atlantic Records and running out of money. I had to get a job  … “your name is way to long” said one promoter, my girlfriend then turned wife Alison said you should use COSMO, and it stuck.

So you have a gold record for the work you did on Barbra Streisand’s 2005 guilty pleasures  … How did you end up working with Barbra Streisand ?
Around thirteen years old I attended a private school that the Gibb family kids went to, I became close with Barry Gibb’s oldest son Steven. Just over a decade ago Steven had asked if I would be interested in working as his dads personal engineer. By this point I was several years in and out of studios as a drummer/artist and a few years as a recording engineer, how could I say no! It seemed like the opportunity of a lifetime … and then I had no idea what was to come.

What do you see when you hear one of your musical creations?
I see a moment in time.

You’ve teamed up with many other musicians like Muse –back in the day in NY-, Amanda Green for YOYO XO and Gil Bitton for Crystal Cadillac. Is your roll the same one playing with different artists, or is it a completely distinct experience?
Every project has a life of it’s own. Everyone I work with has so much character.

When you are composing the melody for a song, how do you know in which of your projects it’s gonna fit? Is it something you decide before the creative process?
There’s zero planning involved. I just attack a song and don’t stop till it’s done.

Miami Vs. New York?
Miami’s home cause I grew up here… New York rules! It’s challenging … I came back for family reasons.

Tons of released and produced records,  tours across the US and Canada with international giants as Beck, Chemical Brothers, Daft Punk and many more… what is Brett Thorngren unaccomplished dream?
I’m completely happy with everything I’ve accomplished. All my dreams keep coming true.

–

Wasabi Quiz::

Miami tastes like… Candy
What inspires you? Working with others
What’s your heaven like? Sitting behind a drumset
Music is for Brett Thorgren as… Peanut butter is for jelly
Cassette, CD, vinyl or mp3? Vinyl
The first record ever that you remember buying: Beastie Boys – New Style  12″ Vinyl (Brass monkey on the flip side)
The last record that you purchased or downloaded: The Naked and Famous – Passive Me, Aggressive You
Brett Thorngren’s top 5 music wise : Crystal Cadillac – Candy Kisses, YOYO XO – 95 Islands, Dyslexic Postcards – Everybody Jump, COSMO/JOCE – For You Always, Casino Vice – Forever Rockin
What song, from other artist you wished you have composed it yourself? Dyslexic Postcards – Everybody Jump. Cause they rock !

You’d kill to play in the same stage with: All of my friends.
Freedom in your own words: Others not projecting their self doubts and letting things just happen.

CRYSTAL CADILLAC WILL BE RELEASING THEIR FULL LENGTH EP THIS COMMING FRIDAY AT THE VAGABOND
More info click here