Singer-songwriter-guitarist Coby James has made himself known in the past year with five EPs (three with indie label Centricity and two self-produced). This is no surprise to a self-described workaholic who graduated high school early to focus on a career in music.
When the COVID-19 pandemic shutdown much of the world in 2020, Coby used the down time to pen nearly 20 songs including the pop gem single, “Born Ready.” Some artists find it hard to find inspiration to write music, but Coby has found his groove.
On Centricity’s website, Coby says, “I started this whole journey writing and producing songs in my bedroom, so for me, that’s where I’m the most comfortable. At the end of the day, I’m still that same young kid in my bedroom hoping that I’ll create something that the whole world will sing one day.”
Coby took some time to share about each of the songs on Mixtape: Side A EP.
“Golden”
This song was inspired by pop influences. I really wanted to make a fun trendy vibe. Not your typical radio single, “Golden” talks about how there’s nothing like God’s love for us and how amazing that love is. It’s sure to get stuck in your head.
“Simple”
“Simple” is a laid-back acoustic-driven song. It’s about life as a pop star in Los Angeles. It’s about navigating the journey of discerning and obeying the Lord’s call on your life versus the games the devil plays. This song expresses a desire to get back to the simple truths that faith was built on.
“Castles”
This track, also an upbeat cool pop vibe, was one of my earlier writes in Nashville that always kept resurfacing as one of my favorites. The song is about the desires we all have to fill our lives with something and that all the material possessions and striving for more in this world will never compare to living on the word of God that will last forever.
“New Roots”
“New Roots” is a very personal song to me. It’s about my journey over this past year moving to Nashville away from my home in North Carolina. Not only was it a move to a new city eight hours away from my friends and family, but COVID-19 hit, everything shut down, and it was lonely. This song came out of that season of my life and just how God was so present and working through all of it. As hard as it was, he was building something new.
Kevin McNeese started NRT in 2002 and has worked in the industry since 1999 in one form or another. He has been a fan of Christian music since 1991.
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