THE VOICE OF CHICAGO'S GAY, LESBIAN, BI, TRANS AND QUEER COMMUNITY SINCE 1985

His EP, Dance to Keep from Crying (on the Brooklyn-based label Razor-N-Tape), will be out May 27. The title track will be out April 15, following the already-released "Possibly Impossible." (The video for "Impossible," which features Dave Giles II, is at www.youtube.com/watch, and below.)

Recently, Cor.Ece talked with Windy City Times about his new music, Croatia, the documentary Summer of Soul and personal realizations.

Windy City Times: Well, it seems that we're slowly coming out of the pandemic.

Cor.Ece: Isn't that something? I went to a downtown L.A. restaurant the other day, and I was shocked because they said they didn't need me to wear a mask or show a vaccination card. I went to a spot that would put you in the mind of Bandera, in Chicago.

WCT: So I saw the video for "Possibly Impossible." The first thing I figured is that, if I buy a farm, I know who to go to for tips.

C: [Both laugh.] That is so funny. I had a pretty good time there.

WCT: Tell me about making the video. I heard the song before seeing the video—and I was not thinking about farms.

C: And I love that because you used your imagination before moving on to seeing the video. I directed the video—and I've directed all of them except for one, as my collegiate training was in film. So I created this video, and I thought being on a farm would be a cool visual juxtaposition.

I've always had an affinity for the West and cowboy culture. My dad and I would watch westerns when I was a kid, and I would always imagine myself riding a horse. About 10 years ago, I went to the Black American West Museum, in Denver, and there was all this history I didn't even know. Ever since then, I've always wanted to do something related to ranching, horses and things like that. I mean, who wouldn't want to dance on a ranch? Come on… [Both laugh.]

WCT: I'd rather dance than have to clean up after the animals—that's for sure.

C: [Laughs] I know, but I can at least entertain—like I was trying to lift the hay and be a rancher. I didn't quite handle it, but then I came alive.

WCT: Yes, you do. Tell me what you have been up to since we last talked, in August 2020.

C: I went to Croatia. I performed at [house-music festival] Defected Croatia in 2021. That was a great experience. Defected Records is based in London, and has festivals all over the world. So I opened for a band called Dave & Sam, and I met so many people. There were some creative brands and collaborators I'm still in contact with. And Croatia has some of the bluest waters I've ever seen.

I was almost going to be signed with Razor-N-Tape, who I am with now. It's great working with them.

So the other day I wrote a salsa song—yes! It's about my friend Marisol. But I've been doing a lot of that—writing things I normally wouldn't write about.

Also, I'm actively writing my next album. I'm excited about that.

WCT: The last time I talked with you, I asked what you'd like to change about the music industry—and you got emotional because you were talking about how Black women have been treated. But, on the flip side, what's one thing you wish the music industry would bring back?

C: People always talk about A&R, a concept that came from Motown. One thing Motown was really good at was building an artist—every aspect of that person. They'd work on every part: publicity, dance moves, interaction with media. There are artists who need help with development, so I hope we can find a middle ground between people being free to be who they are and companies working with artists to bring out the best in them.

WCT: Back in the day, companies definitely took their time with some artists. You didn't have to sell 3 million copies immediately or face being dropped.

C: Right. And thank you for saying that. This is a business and it's about selling records: I get it. But there should be a space in which artists can create and grow into the landscape of the industry. I'm glad I have a space; I'm not selling millions of records but I'm a working artist.

Look at Rick James; he pretty much A&R'd himself.

WCT: By the way, have you seen Summer of Soul?

C: Yes!

WCT: The duet with Mahalia Jackson and Mavis Staples alone was worth the price of admission, as they say.

C: Yes. Mavis Staples is one of my all-time favorite voices, so to hear her with Mahalia Jackson, with the back-and-forth… And didn't Mahalia ask Mavis, "Help me out?"

WCT: Yes. Mavis was a last-minute replacement.

C: Wow. Aren't we lucky for that?

WCT: Indeed. Do you still classify your music as "hopeful electro-soul?"

C: I think so. It definitely is still here. When you think about "Possibly Impossible," the hope and soul are still there.

WCT: My last question is something I've asked a variety of people. The last time we talked, we discussed the racial awakening some people have had—but what have you learned about yourself in the past couple of years, as we've had a lot of time to self-reflect?

C: I have learned the difference between [loneliness] and solitude, and how much strength there is in solitude, especially for an artist. I think Einstein said that we spend much of our lives alone, so get used to it. [Editor's note: One of Einstein's quotes is "The monotony and solitude of a quiet life stimulates the creative mind."] So that's something I've been able to grapple with and find value in, as opposed to needing to be around people.

That's not to write off extroverts but, for me, that was a big one.

And, in that same vein—as a lot of my music is about love and relationships—I've learned to love myself more than I ever have. I really like hanging out with myself, in an affirming way.

Also, most people deserve some form of humanity—or, at least, the benefit of the doubt. When I engage on social media, I see a lot of arguing and people can be so terse with one another. What I've found out is that people just need a hug sometimes. So I'm working on being nicer with my digital presence.

Cor.Ece's work can be found on Facebook, Spotify and YouTube Music. People can also check out open.spotify.com/playlist/1YXfY3GEkGkCIK9XFKBzab .