Cobi (musician)

Cobi is an American musician from Grand Marais, Minnesota.[2] A former original member of the Boston-based band Gentlemen Hall, Cobi released his solo single "Don't You Cry For Me" on May 3, 2016, under 300 Entertainment.

Cobi
Birth nameJacob Michael Schmidt[1]
Also known asCobi Mike[1]
BornGrand Marais, Minnesota, United States
Occupation(s)Musician
Years active2008–present
LabelsManitou River Records (2020–present);
300 Entertainment (2016–2020)
Formerly ofGentlemen Hall
Websitecobimusic.net

Early life and career

Cobi became interested in music at about age eight. When a family friend visited their home with an electric guitar, then he began to teach Cobi and his brother a few chords. Once he was able to play them, his interest in music grew. That summer, he bought his first guitar, a Squier Stratocaster, by saving up money made from mowing lawns for $3 an hour. From then on, he taught himself to play guitar by ear, listening to songs over and over until he mastered them.[3] Shortly after, Cobi and a long time friend formed a blues band, playing covers of songs at local bars in Minnesota and Wisconsin.[4] Cobi is an alumnus of Berklee College of Music in Boston.

In 2008, Cobi and five others formed the band Gentlemen Hall.[5] The success of the band, which was signed to Island Def Jam Records, came rather quickly.[6] In 2009, Gentlemen Hall won a MTV Video Music Award for Best Breakout Boston Artist, and the band performed at the 2011 Billboard Music Awards.[7] In 2012, Cobi sang The Star-Spangled Banner at a New England Patriots game.[1]

2015–present

On December 18, 2015, Cobi signed with 300 Entertainment. In April 2016, he joined English progressive trance group Above & Beyond's international tour, providing vocals for many of the songs.[5] The tour included dates running through June 2016 at iconic venues such as Royal Albert Hall, The Hollywood Bowl, and the Sydney Opera House.[8]

On May 3, 2016, Cobi released "Don't You Cry For Me", which premiered through Interview Magazine.[9] The track was later released through digital retailers and streaming services Spotify, Google Play, iTunes, Apple Music, and Amazon Music on May 6, 2016. In July 2016, the track was trending on Billboard's and Spotify's Viral 50 list.[10] A music video for the song was released in September 2016 and premiered through the Huffington Post.[11] As of October 2016, the song had over 12 million streams on Spotify since its debut in May.[12] On September 29, 2016, Billboard premiered his second single "Prophet Story".[13] Billboard also premiered the music video for "Prophet Story" on January 17, 2017.[14]

On January 23, 2017, Cobi performed "Don't You Cry For Me" on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon with members of The Roots, with the New Power Generation's Morris Hayes on keyboards.[15] He released the EP Songs From the Ashes, Pt. 1 on September 15, 2017.[16] In November 2019, he released the single "Island In My Mind".[17] In January 2020, he released the single "No Way Out".[18] In March, he released the song "Keep Climbing".[19] In May, he released the song "Don't Stop".[20]

Artistry and influences

Cobi's blues-like sound has been compared to that of Hozier. His single "Don't You Cry For Me" features a gospel choir providing background vocals, giving the song a soulful sound.[21][22] Cobi grew up listening to, and found musical inspiration in, Jimi Hendrix and Jimmy Page.[2]

Discography

Extended plays
Title Extended play details
Songs From the Ashes, Pt. 1
Songs From the Ashes, Pt. 2

References
  1. "Returning to the Tavern: Jacob Michael Schmidt". Cook County News Herald. Cook County, Illinois: CherryRoad Media Inc. December 15, 2012. Archived from the original on December 28, 2022. Retrieved May 2, 2020.
  2. Tan, Emily. "Cobi on Jimi Hendrix, Songwriting and "Don't You Cry for Me"". Myspace. Retrieved October 25, 2016.
  3. Broxton, Candace (July 23, 2015). "Cobi Mike Interview – Ten Minute Interviews". Ten Minute Interviews. Archived from the original on May 31, 2016. Retrieved June 1, 2016.
  4. "Cobi - Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved July 15, 2016.
  5. Gomez, Adrian (May 19, 2017). "Getting Introspective: Up-and-coming Artist Cobi Lays It All on the Table With His Upcoming Music". Albuquerque Journal. (Albuquerque, New Mexico).
  6. "Vibe, maintained: Gentlemen Hall sign to Island Records, release Kendrick Lamar cover". Vanyaland. October 25, 2013. Retrieved July 15, 2016.
  7. Gabler, Jay. "Cobi Mike of Gentlemen Hall goes solo with 'Walking Through the Fire'". The Current from Minnesota Public Radio. Retrieved June 1, 2016.
  8. Harmon, James (April 26, 2016). "Above & Beyond Announces Arsenal of New Vocalists For Acoustic Tour – EDMTunes". EDMTunes.
  9. Mahot, Laura. "Exclusive Track Premiere: 'Darker Than Dawn,' Cobi". Interview Magazine.
  10. Lainez, Shervin. "Cobi Talks '90s Baggy Pants, Prince's Style & Rock n' Roll Vests at New York Men's Fashion Week". Billboard. Retrieved July 15, 2016.
  11. Nwandu, Angelica (September 6, 2016). "A Conversation With New Musician Cobi On Being A White Ally". The Huffington Post. Retrieved September 13, 2016.
  12. Allouche, India. "Cobi Steals the Highline Ballroom Stage with his Passionate and Electrifying Sound". Baeble Music. Retrieved October 25, 2016.
  13. DiMeglio, Mary J. "Listen to Cobi's Highly Anticipated Second Single, 'Prophet Story': Exclusive Premiere". Billboard. Retrieved October 11, 2016.
  14. Shouneyia, Alexa. "Cobi Gets Deep With 'Prophet Story' Video: Premiere". Billboard. Retrieved January 24, 2017.
  15. "Cobi to Perform on NBC's Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon". Broadway World. Retrieved January 24, 2017.
  16. Nguyen, Lisa. "Exclusive: Listen to Cobi's Soulful "Nobody Opened The Door" From His Forthcoming EP". Paste Magazine. Retrieved September 18, 2017.
  17. "Best New Music: Cobi - Island in My Mind". wearetheguard.com. November 13, 2019. Retrieved February 18, 2020.
  18. "Cobi - No Way Out". Chicago Music Guide. February 1, 2020. Retrieved February 18, 2020.
  19. "Cobi Releases New Single 'Keep Climbing'". Nerds and Beyond. March 6, 2020. Retrieved March 12, 2020.
  20. "New Single 'Don't Stop' Available Now from Cobi". Nerds and Beyond. May 22, 2020. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
  21. "Cobi – Darker Than Dawn | All Things Go". www.allthingsgomusic.com. Retrieved June 1, 2016.
  22. "Listen To This: Cry For Him". perezhilton.com. Retrieved June 1, 2016.
  23. "Songs From the Ashes, Pt. 1 - Single by Cobi on Apple Music". iTunes. September 15, 2017. Retrieved September 18, 2017.
  24. "Songs From the Ashes, Pt. 2 - Single by Cobi on Apple Music". iTunes. September 21, 2018. Retrieved September 21, 2018.
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