Jon Cohen: Walk out and say that ‘I was part of this show.’

Jon Cohen is a musician who likes attention. He plays Prague's Red Room on Feb 18th. He used to be in The Dears and The Social Register but now performs under his own moniker, The Jon Cohen Experimental. We chatted about music, weather and feeling alive.

Have you ever been to Prague, and if so, hos wiw you like it?

I have never before been to Prague but I've been told to expect what might possibly be one of the most beautiful cities ever. I'm excited to experience it, and that is why I wanted to include it on my tour, to be inspired by something surreal. I always look to play these types of places, like Finland for example, because I feel it brings out all these great aspects of the music. 

Your most favourite albums of all time?

Wow, those are big questions, I'd say one of the biggest influences I ever had, Music From Big Pink, Pet Sounds, Desire,  Let it Be, groups that influenced me include Pink Floyd, Guided by voices, Ween.

What made you decide to become a musician?

At first it was girls, it was attention, but then after I got into it and scratched the surface, I discovered a world of beauty, intimacy and the ability to go deeper into myself and connect with others through this medium. I love songwriting, conveying a message to people and especially performing. These types of tours is when I feel most alive. 

What can we expect from your gig?

You can expect to be taken on a journey, where you are bombarded with positive messages, in a non-preachy way. Then bombarded with an uplifting challenge, at the same time, propelled to move and to dance and to take part in the show, and to feel like it’s one unit altogether, and walk out and say that ‘I was part of this show.’ And you can expect to hear some frickin’ amazing music.”

What are you doing against the gray?

If you mean the weather, its a lot nicer than montreal so its almost tropical for me, I love the gray, I embrace it and take in the days that are sunny as a blessing. I make sunny music, I hope you in Prague will enjoy it!

www.thejcex.com