David Cook first came to massive – aka practically global attention – back in 2008 when he was a contestant on the 7th season of American Idol, which he went on to win, and since then, both his career and his fan-base have continued to grow exponentially. His latest single “Reds Turn Blue” is Cook’s first new music release since his 2018 EP Chromance, however it’s certainly one of his most personal ones, and PopWrapped are delighted to premiere its video. We also caught up with David to find out more about the creative process behind the visuals, and his advice for those struggling with their anxiety, as he has and does his own.
Having been in the public spotlight since appearing on Season 7 of American Idol back in 2008, why did you feel that now was the right time to address your struggles with anxiety over the years through music as you have on new single “Reds Turn Blue”? Have the last couple of years – and this ongoing Corona crisis – perhaps been particularly difficult, emotionally, for you, and you needed a release for those feelings?
There was never any sort of coordinated effort that was like, “Now is the time!”, or anything like that. It was really just how my timeline laid itself out. Finding new ways to navigate and cope with my anxiety has been a long process. One that’s had more than a couple missteps along the way.
Consciously, I didn’t write this song with any particular event in mind. It was actually written before the pandemic began. I had watched an interview with Bill Hader, where he had discussed his relationship with his anxiety, and how it helped him to sort of personify his anxiety as “the other”. “Reds Turn Blue” is the result of me trying to implement that for myself.
Would you like to see more bands and artists addressing personal or common issues such as mental health through their music?
If it makes sense for them, sure. I can only speak for myself and say that this experience with RTB has been positive for me. But every person’s path is different. It’s rarely, if ever, easy to open up like that in such a public forum.
Would you agree that artists such as yourself being so open about their own struggles with mental health is having a positive impact on the subject in terms of it helping encourage others to open up about their own and seek help if they need it? What one piece of advice might you give to those who listen to your music/follow and support you who are going through a difficult time right now?
I think it always helps to know you’re not alone. To feel represented somehow. And while I’d never say “I know what you’re going through”, it’s nice to have that community to help learn and grow through it. My advice is really to continue to accumulate new skills to help cope and navigate. My anxiety has never been a static entity, so to have more tools to use with it has only allowed me to be more successful in dealing with it.
Where did the idea and concept for the video to “Reds Turn Blue” come from?
Some of my favorite music videos have been animated; “Paranoid Android” by Radiohead. “Hellbent” by Kenna. And with the pandemic and being quarantined, it felt like the right time to attempt something along that line. The idea for the video came about after talking to Justin and seeing his work. I loved the emotional subtext of some of his other work, and wanted to chase that. We both felt like the Sci-Fi-ish back drop of it would add to that feeling of isolation that the song touches on.
How did you find the collaborative process with artist Justin A. Nixon and is there any particular message you want those who see the video to take from it? Is the animation route something you might consider returning to in future?
Working with Justin was great. He got what I was going for with the song, and created a visual that is, to me, the perfect companion to it. My hope for those who watch this video is for them to feel the way I feel watching those Radiohead/Kenna videos. Those videos were extensions of those songs, and allowed me to internalize the song on a deeper level. As far as doing more animated music videos? I’m not opposed to it. It would only depend on whether it best served the song.
Finally then, with the rest of the year pretty much a write off for many, including artists such as yourself, where do you plan to go from here? Have you started looking to 2021, working on new material and such or are you just taking things on more of a day-to-day ‘let’s see what happens’ kind of schedule?
We’ve moved some dates that were on the books for 2020 to next year. The hope/belief is that we’ll be able to fulfil those. It’s such a chaotic moment, though. I’m just trying to focus on the immediate, which right now is writing and recording, so that when the curtain is finally lifted, we’re in a position to hit the ground running, and get back to doing what we all got into this to do, which is play live shows. Especially now that we have a song like this to add to the setlist.
Watch “Reds Turn Blue” below and for more information on David Cook, visit his website, give his page a like on Facebook or follow him on Twitter. Header photo credit: Jake Harsh Photography.
