Written By: Big C
What is your favorite record from the 90’s and why?
I was born in the very late 90’s so I never really listened to or got into 90’s music. My parents exposed me to 60’s & 70’s rock like Aerosmith, The Beatles, The Stones, and I really gravitated towards songs like Eleanor Rigby by the Beatles or Dream On by Aerosmith. I was really attracted to the story telling in Eleanor Rigby and the cinematic size both songs had when I first heard them. I personally really got into Emo Bruno Mars, One Republic, and The Script growing up. Those groups taught me how to sing, play pop piano, and laid the foundation of the songs I write today.
If you could produce the sound track to a movie, which genre or movie would you choose?
An indie animated superhero movie. I love soundtracks that blend orchestral with modern writing styles and go to experimental places. Think if Mike Dean, John Williams, and Jon Bellion had a sound-track baby. It would be both musically emotional and gorgeous, but also use sounds you’ve never heard before. When indie-film studios get the rights to a superhero, they take the coolest risks I see in cinema. Like Spiderman into the Spiderverse.
How would you describe your hometown sound?
I’m from Philly, and there are three major scenes there that thrive. Rap, R&B and Rock. They have a grit to them that’s reminiscent of what you’d hear out of New York but, in my opinion, are more experimental and willing to take more risks. Which I think has always been a Philly thing. If you listen to the O’jays or really anything that Gamble and Huff created, it sounds big, and they were unafraid to play with more eclectic sounds and instruments in their production. I believe that spirit is still alive in Philly’s music scene.
When you feel discouraged, what keeps you motivated?
Remembering. Remembering where I started, how far I’ve come, why I chose this path in the first place, and the people I have in my life. Sometimes I fall into a really dark place (who doesn't?) but I know that there’s a plan laid out and I can only see the step in front of me. Remembering my blessings and my journey keeps me thankful and positive. I’m learning to let go and enjoy each day as it comes.
Do you play or watch any sports or video games?
YES! Call of Duty has been my favorite game since I picked up MW2. When I need some valuable me-time I turn on my PS4 and hop online or play COD Zombies. I love the competitive nature of the game. The anxiety the game causes helps me relieve my actual anxiety. You’ll probably catch me on Nuke Town this weekend to take a breath after the crazy release week I just had with my new EP.
What is your favorite motivational lyric or life quote?
“I can and I will”. It’s not a quote from anyone. It’s a phrase I’ve been saying to myself for as long as I can remember. Anytime I feel self doubt seeping in, I take a breath, pause, and think “I can and I will”. It’s affirming because I learned that I don’t need to know how to do something, I just have to start, and I’ll figure it out as I go. I even made a painted denim jacket with that phase on the back.
If you made a song for the year 3000, what do you think would be different about it?
Oh man… What would we throw back to??... the 2990’s?? Haha, I would imagine the soundscape would be immensely more diverse and that listeners would be more open to an even wider range of music tastes. Human nature doesn’t change, we’ll still struggle with love, lust, belonging, connection, rejection, separation, so I believe that the topics will still show the same human soul. But I think the production, including what we can do with the human voice (if we’re not using computers to sing), will be so incredibly superior then what we can do now.
I believe that the barrier to entry into music will be lower than it is today. Tools will be more accessible, the need for musical hard skills will continue to become less relevant. What will become more relevant is an individual’s vision for a song, and I think that’s an exciting prospect. Vision without limitation of execution.
I can’t say what music I would make that far in the future, only that I would still talk about self-doubt, love, and anxiety, like I do in my EP, and I’d be influenced by the people around me.
What a cool question, thanks for asking!
Who are you looking to collaborate with next?
I would love to collaborate with Jon Bellion. I think honesty and creativity are incredible and inspiring. But my more open and honest answer, anyone who will push me to be better.
Spring, Summer, Fall or Winter?
Oh Fall 100%! The colors are enchanting, and Halloween is the coolest holiday. Even though I hate horror movies, I LOVE Halloween and haunted houses! My mom and I used to build themed haunted houses in our basement every year, and people would drive 20 minutes just to go through it. We’d project the movie that we based on the haunted house after on the side of our house. We had an average of 300 people a night! I would be a scarer, which was incredibly fun.
Sometimes I’ll make myself a pumpkin spice latte during non-fall because I miss the taste of fall. And yes… I make latte’s regularly haha
Where can people connect with you at?
Instagram: @koryshore
TikTok: @koryshore
YouTube: Kory Shore
Spotify: Blood, Sweat, & Tears