Exclusive Interview: Pop Culturalist Chats with David Cook

Multi Platinum-selling artist David Cook is a true American idol who’s experienced the highest of highs following his win in 2008. Since then, he’s had several songs chart the Billboard Hot 100, sold millions of records, toured around the world, and made his Broadway debut. But after his run on American Idol, David began experiencing intense anxiety, which he opens up about on his latest single, “Reds Turn Blue.” We spoke with David about his career, learning to trust his gut, and what it’s like releasing one of his most personal songs to date.

PC: Take us back to the beginning. How did you discover your passion for the arts?
David: My first real experience was when I got busted singing while getting ready for school one day. My mom told my music teacher at my elementary school that I could sing. She put me in a Christmas pageant, and that’s how I got started. I didn’t find a passion for it until maybe middle school when I was doing school plays and stuff. Then music came along towards the end of high school. I was in bands most of high school, but that was just for fun. I didn’t start taking it seriously until end of high school, beginning of college.

PC: Who or what has had the biggest influence on your career, personally or professionally?
David: My dad plays guitar and I always grew up with music around. I remember I’d get up to watch Saturday morning cartoons and my dad would sit in his recliner and just doodle on a guitar. That memory probably drew me towards the guitar from the get-go. Professionally, I was fortunate enough to get to meet some local musicians when I was a kid and thinking, “Oh, that’s so cool.” They got to play a rock show at the mall. It’s little things like that. It always seemed like such a cool thing to get to do.

PC: You’re an artist who’s had a lot of success throughout the years. When you look back, is there a particular moment that stands out to you?
David: There are a few. Obviously, the whole experience of Idol is rather absurd. I kept catching myself saying, “Holy shit. What am I doing here?” [laughs] But then coming off the show, there were a few “pinch me” moments like playing to over a hundred thousand people in the Philippines a year after Idol, getting to perform at Carnegie Hall, just weird things that don’t make sense in the moment, and I still struggle to make sense out of them now.

PC: You made your Broadway debut in Kinky Boots in 2018. What was the biggest takeaway from that experience that you’ve been able to apply to your career moving forward?
David: More than anything, it was a creative recharge. I had been looking for another avenue for a while. Being a solo musician, I love having that creative control, but I was getting a little burnt out. Then the opportunity came along to go do Kinky Boots. I can’t say enough good things about the people, the experience, and being a part of a community of artists all trying to get to the same finish line, hand in hand. When I finished that experience, I was able to find a new excitement in doing my solo stuff again.

PC: PC: You have a new single out now. Tell us about “Reds Turn Blue” and the inspiration behind the song.
David: “Reds Turn Blue” was written as a letter from my anxiety to me. I was diagnosed with an anxiety disorder a couple years after Idol while I was writing my second post-Idol record. I started the song in the fall of last year just like a therapeutic exercise, just to try to get it out on paper. When I finished, I had this song that I felt had something special in it. It was a big challenge to try to get over the hurdle of wanting to release it because it almost felt a little too personal. But in an odd way, once that decision was made, I went through the recording process and I had a blast with it. It’s been this song that’s helped me navigate my relationship with my anxiety a bit. What I’m leaning on now is if somebody else can find something for themselves in this song, I’d be remiss not to put it out.

PC: This is a song that you’ve been wanting to write for a while now but couldn’t find the right voice for it. Was there a particular moment last year that helped you get over that hurdle?
David: I have a small group of people around me that I trust to listen to this before it’s “ready.” I really trust their opinions. They’ll be honest with me if it’s not good or if it’s great or whatever. The response I got on this one was different than anything I’d gotten before, in a positive way. That put some fuel in the tank to move forward. I had to get over the hurdle of feeling like this was something that needed to be hidden. The response I’ve gotten since I’ve put it out has been incredible. I’ve had a lot of people that have told me, “I deal with this stuff too.” That’s been really humbling that they’re finding something for themselves in it.

PC: Is it ever scary to be that vulnerable?
David: It’s constantly scary. I’ve been laughing a lot since Friday about the anxiety that comes along with releasing a song. In this case, I have all this anxiety about releasing a song about my anxiety. [laughs] Each song is that way. Each album is that way because I wouldn’t put something out if I didn’t feel strongly about it. But you never know how it’s going to be received. There’s a part of me like there’s a part of everybody like “I worked really hard on this. I want you guys to like it.” But that’s not a given sometimes. It can be a little daunting.

PC: It’s been almost twelve years since your debut album has come out. What’s been the biggest lesson you’ve learned about yourself as a man and artist?
David: To piggyback off the last answer, I think it stops being a healthy endeavor when you live or die on the opinion of one person. For a while, I used to joke around with my old manager about how I would read a hundred comments and one would be negative. I would, for some reason, fixate on that one negative comment out of a hundred. I think it’s realizing, “Listen, if I’m comfortable with what I’m putting out there and feel like it’s something that I’m going to be proud to share thirty years from now, then I’m on the right path.” The most important lesson is to trust my gut and my instincts and let the chips fall where they’re going to fall.

PC: Of all the music you’ve released, if you had to choose one song that best encompasses David Cook as an artist, what would it be and why?
David: The next one. I feel like I learn a bit about this process every time I finish a song. I’m always chasing better. I feel like once I get to the point where I don’t feel like I’m releasing stuff that’s better than the last stuff I put out, then yeah, I should probably go find a desk and put on a tie. You know what I mean?

PC: You’re also working on a new album/EP. How will this next body of work differentiate itself from previous releases? What do you hope to say with it?
David: The hope is always a little stronger songwriting. With this new stuff that I’m writing, there are themes that are pertinent. Right now, I’m noticing some more lyrical content about isolation, which obviously with this pandemic and everything going on makes sense. As far as what differentiates it from the other stuff, that always works itself out in the studio. Everything, with the exception of “Reds Turn Blue,” is in such infancy right now. I don’t want to put a label on what makes this different yet. I just know it is.

Pop Culturalist Speed Round

PC: A band or artist that fans would be surprised to learn is on your playlist?
David: I don’t know how surprising this would be because my buddy plays guitar for them, but DevilDriver is on my list right now.

PC: First album you bought?
David: I think it was like a Kris Kross tape.

PC: First concert you attended?
David: Mötley Crüe and Ted Nugent.

PC: An album that changed your life and why?
David: Gravity by Our Lady Peace. It’s just the right record at the right time. I was listening to that record towards the end of my high school life, and for some reason, that record just inspired me to want to be a musician.

PC: A venue on your bucket list to perform at?
David: There’s a lot. The Ryman here in Nashville would be a fun one.

PC: A must-have on the road?
David: Right now, probably, just yellow and orange Sour Patch Kids.

To keep up with David, follow him on Twitter, Instagram, and Spotify. Pick up or stream “Reds Turn Blue” today.