Five Questions With Cole Swindell
Newcomer Cole Swindell is burning up the airwaves with his debut single, “Chillin’ It.” The Georgia native, who recently released his very first music video, has a lot going on! In addition to watching his debut single rise into the Top 20 (& it’s still climbing!) at country radio, he’s currently putting the finishing touches on his debut album for Warner Bros. Nashville and also gearing up to hit the road with superstar Luke Bryan next year.
We caught up with the “Chillin’ It” singer talk about all of the great things he’s got going right now. Check it out…
CMIL: Congrats on your success! How does it feel to be experiencing so many great firsts throughout the past few months?
CS: Thanks so much! A lot of firsts for me for sure. I’m right where I have always wanted to be so I’m very thankful for that. It’s truly humbling to get so much support from country radio and fans this early in my career! I honestly couldn’t have dreamed it up any better!
CMIL: Was filming your first music video everything you thought it would be? Do you have any fun memories from the shoot?
CS: It was an EARLY day! My band and I had a blast. My good buddy Michael Monaco directed it with Shaun Silva so that was pretty special. My manager’s Blazer, which I drive in the video, had a bad battery and it wouldn’t stay cranked so the slow motion scene, I am actually getting pushed by the film crew. Ha.
CMIL: How is your album coming along? And what can fans expect from it?
CS: I have one more vocal to do and I’m done with my part other than the listening & approving. My long time friend/co-writer Michael Carter is producing it so I’m very proud of that. Fans can expect a fun album that touches on heartbreak, where I come from, how I was raised and [it] has a fresh sound. I’m excited for everyone to hear more than just “Chillin’ It.”
CMIL: As a songwriter, are you going into the album-making process with a lot of your own co-writes, or accepting songs from outside songwriters as well? How do you choose?
CS: So far, we have only cut one song I did not write. We didn’t plan it that way but in the end, the songs that my team and I all agreed on were songs I co-wrote. We have to narrow it down to 11 or 12 so that’s going be tough to decide which ones make it. As a new artist, it’s hard to get pitched the best songs so the fact that I have spent the past three years of my life writing songs worked out in my favor, I guess.
CMIL: Can you talk about your friendship with Luke Bryan and what it means for him to take you under his wing?
CS: Luke is a great guy and obviously a huge influence. He gave me my first job and has always been supportive of me chasing this dream. He has let me figure it out on my own which is cool. I will always be thankful for every opportunity he has given me. Monaco (video director) actually has him asking me to be a part of the 2014 That’s My Kind of Night Tour on film. I’d be happy to be on any tour but when it’s your buddy’s tour… I can’t imagine it being any better!
Fans can keep up with Swindell on Facebook and Twitter. Click HERE to purchase “Chillin’ It” on iTunes and HERE to visit his official website.
Watch the official “Chillin’ It” music video below.
