About the Album
I'm Not Broken
What I wanted most for my first album was honesty. Because I've had a habit of hiding behind humor for so long, I asked Mike to keep me honest with my words. I wanted to say what I meant without being fearful or shy and Mike helped me.
The usual process for us: Mike composes the music then records the guitar and piano, Nils adds his flavor on the drums, and I write the melody and lyrics. We then work as a unit to polish, edit, edit, and polish.
The first song that Mike and I wrote together is title, “Looking for a Memory.” The first time I heard the music, I thought - yeah, this is sexy. Not lying even a little. It reminded me of when you first meet someone that you are innately attracted to. That first flutter, that instinct to pounce. You all know what I’m talking about. So, because Mike made music writing a safe place for me, we exchanged ideas on what angle I wanted to take (some of which we laughed hysterically about). What came out of about four hours worth of writing was “Looking for a Memory”: the story about a woman finding herself intrigued and, well, turned on by someone she’d never seen or met in her favorite bar (ironically, thinking about our album release location: The Florence Bar in Niles, California), getting the courage to take him home, then make him leave. Okay. The song is about a one night stand. That four hours really helped me understand that really good stuff comes from when I can be honest with myself.
The second song that Mike sent me is the album title, “I’m Not Broken”. Mike had sent me a song, also on the album, titled, “Silent Valley”. My initial thoughts were to make this song about wars past and present. My grandfather served in the Korean War, my pseudo little bro was deployed in the current war we are in, and I have other family members who serve and have served as well. I always feel concerned about people romanticising war because I know the fear that comes with someone you love deeply not coming home. “Silent Valley” was to be a combination of my little brother’s and my grandfather’s experiences, and their fears. But when I sat down to interview my brother, something special and unique came out of our conversations. I asked my little brother what the one message was that he wanted to get across. And he said, “like you and your mental illness, it’s the same thing.” He said that just because we experience hardships, just because we’ve seen things, just because we may seem some particular way or peculiar to people, we aren’t broken, we don’t need to be fixed. And this, my friends, became the song that hit home the most for me. I knew this had to be our song. And it is now. And “Silent Valley” became a song just for my grandfather.
The third song that I want to bring to light, as it hits close to home with my co-writer, is “Remember Me”. This is a song that was written in inspiration of Mike hearing his father’s voice for the first time in 25 years. He, too, has a past with his father. I asked him how he felt about the song, what he wanted to relay. He told me that he wanted to grieve the good times, and remember the good things. Because there were good things.
So I sat down and thought about his relationship with his dad, my relationship with my mom, my moms relationship with her mom, who passed in 2014. And I wrote. This song has healed me in ways I cannot accurately depict, here. But you can, I hope, hear it in the song. And I hope you can heal from it too.
All of these songs were fun and wonderful to write. As you can ask friends and family, there were a lot of tears during the writing process. There was some depression and some highs! I loved to ride those highs, too! There are songs about owning yourself and priding yourself on being the only one with “This Heart,” there’s a song about how one very emotionally dark person can love, thought not easily, a ray of sunshine, and there are songs about good times with friends. There are different styles and flavors throughout the album that we each love and had fun with.
We hope you have fun with it too!
If you get anything from this album, this is what I hope: Some things that are damaged are some of the most beautiful things you’ve ever seen. Some antiques don’t work, but we have them in our homes because they have history and are unique. Shattered glass, when the sun or light hits it, can create beautiful images on a wall, on a ceiling, on a floor. We’re not broken. It’s the things we come from, and the things that crack us and love us and hurt us that makes us the beautiful, unique creatures we are. And I want us to be proud.
Special shout out to Charlie Fithian, who has cradled my tears, stayed awake during many, many nights of recording, and is the genius behind the camera and computer! I love you and I thank you. Love to my family, friends, fans; and I stay grateful for my past! A special thank you to my Heartstone boys who have a unique and important spot in my heart. It’s a community that built this soul.
Official release date: Announcing Soon
Release Party: Friday, July 27, 2018 - Acoustic performance from 7-8:30 (Party to follow!)
Where: The Florence Bar
37349 Niles Blvd
Fremont, CA 94536
CDs will be on sale and signed!!!
More about Mike Cook Music and Production
URL: mikecookmusic.com
YouTube: View channel