Sherry Cothran is a singer-songwriter and musician whose artist discography includes releases on Mercury/DAS Records (NY), Flying Sparks, (London) as the lead singer for the highly acclaimed rock/alternative band, The Evinrudes, and as a solo artist on Rain Records (Nashville.) Her songs have appeared in radio, movies and t.v., including the independent movie Novem and the t.v. series, “Men in Trees,” and “Medical Investigator.”
Cothran's latest release, “Sunland,” combines the energy and familiar chemistry of the Evinrudes while illuminating the beauty and intimacy of Cothran’s voice and point of view. Exploring stories of women who appear in ancient religious texts, Cothran reveals the unified field of artist and spiritual leader. To complete the project, Cothran partnered with engineer/professor, John McClure, whose groundbreaking work in the field of music and theological invention caught Cothran’s attention while attending the Masters of Divinity program at Vanderbilt University.
"Sunland" stays true to Cothran's rock/alternative roots while exploring the intimate landscape of voices of women from ancient religious texts, enabling them to be thoroughly modern while not sacrificing their mystery and intrigue. Consider them theme songs, if you will, accompanied at times by middle eastern flavored percussion and violin and at other times by the full on rock band experience. Cothran's voice emotes the essence of these exotic and timeless women who were not meant to be locked up inside these ancient texts; their stories demand a new hearing for the modern age.
Sherry's first solo CD release from 2003, "Who Let the World In" is rich with mood and melody. The songs on this release reflect an initial exploration of her personal and professional struggles. Sherry recounts, "It was hard making that first step of actually beginning such a work and thinking it as really separate from my life as an Evinrude. The process really started me thinking about what I was about as a songwriter, as a woman, and as a person. I am by no means finished. In fact, the whole thing made me realize that I have just started. I wanted the whole album to reflect a little of where I have been."
Produced by the four-time Grammy nominated team of producer Johnny Pierce and engineer Jim Emrich, it is fresh and youthful with an edge of maturity and experience. As Sherry says, "This record is part West Tennessee, part world, and a combination of my childhood, travels, and experiences with the Evinrudes."
Sherry explains, "These experiences begin to best describe my musical journey. My goal is simple. I want my songs to reflect deep resonance and power in their lyrics. I have always been attracted to powerful songs. It is not so much genre but lyrics, melody, and/or rhythm that makes a song really powerful. The music can be a simple ballad or a lilting melody, but it can be sung with such presence that it can haunt you long after the power drains from the stereo. The song can seize you and shake your foundations. It sometimes does not take much to make a song resonate with its audience. Of course, when it does-watch out!"
Just after the release of "Who Let the World In" in 2003, Sherry acted in and wrote songs for a movie called "Novem" which won awards at film festivals all across the U.S. and in international festivals. You can check out the film at novemsongs.com Also, a couple of her songs from this album, "To Be Someone" and "Who Let the World In" were featured on episodes of the ABC hit TV show, "Men In Trees," and also "Medical Investigator."
website: www.sherrycothran.com
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