Cole Blair Gockley

"SHOW PLAYS TO HIS STRENGTHS * By Pam Cowan, The Rochester Insider, 2006: Cole Gockley was just 11 when he started writing songs. Now 32, the Rochesterian has more than 350 to his credit._____The 1992 Graduate of Brighton High School also has been part of the bands The Melting Minds, Listen and Kin Sky, and now fronts Cole's Band, in which he sings and plays guitar and piano, occasionally with guest bassists and drummers._____Over the years, Gockley (Cole Blair) has performed what he calls "folk funk" and "rocket blues" (guitar mixed with bass, harmonica and drums) at the Alexander Street Pub, Starry Nights Cafe, ACME, Richmond's and Monty's Crown (as well as other haunts)._____Music, however isn't his only creative outlet. He's exhibited drawings and paintings recently (many of which he depicts the human body) at Lola Bistro and sold pieces to The Elisabeth Collection at Artisan Works._____And his combined talents will be on display when he performs at the opening of his art exhibit "Cole Gockley: A Print Show" at Boulder Coffee Company._____YOU SAY YOUR MUSIC AND VISUAL ART ARE ONE AND THE SAME. HOW SO? They are the same in that both are ways in which I express my perceptions and feelings of life experience. The magic is that we can relate to one another. We all know how it feels to fall in love or to lose a lover. ...We all experience fear and sorrow. We also experience happiness. Whether it is a song or an art piece...it is a personal expression of a moment or situation. Each piece has its own..._____YOUR MUSIC INFLUENCES ARE QUITE VARIED - MORRISON, DYLAN, LENNON, DIFRANCO...DOES YOUR STYLE REFLECT THESE ARTISTS? The music of my influences definitely are a part in my musical style. The lyrics, song forms and meanings of these dynamic artists have absolutely inspired me in finding my own voice and musical direction._____YOU WERE FEATURED AS "ROCHESTER'S SONGWRITER OF THE WEEK" ON WCMF-FM (96.5). DID THAT HELP YOU GAIN RECOGNITION AROUND TOWN? It definitely did a job on my ego at the time. That was about nine years ago now. I don't know if it necessarily helped me gig more. It was an honor for sure._____HOW MANY ALBUMS HAVE YOU RELEASED? I have released three full-length compilations with one on the way. The first was late in 1997 entitled STONED BY THE MASSIVE ROCK. Consisting of mostly folk-rock ballads, its completion was an accomplishment in itself. It is about the bullshit we learn in this place. How we soon find that freedom may not be what we thought it was. This a world full of illusions and control. Don't let other's egos get you down. Yet, remember its tough making a living doing nothing but hanging out at Cobbs Hill, playing guitar, smoking pot and dreaming._____The second and third albums were recently released: UNDERNEATH SELFISH ASYLUM and BEEN SO LONG. The asylum CD is about a selfish American who wishes for all the cush conveniences within this existence, looking for these 'things' to make him happy. ...I've found the only true source of happiness lives inside me. I don't believe real happiness comes in a nicely packaged box for only three easy payments of $19.95. Does it?_____BEEN SO LONG is primarily a piano, vocals and drums album with a hint of guitar in the background. In this recording, I take the listener through the lifespan of an incredible relationship with a lover in about 24 minutes. This, I think is one of my more successful discs to date._____HOW DO YOU COME UP WITH ALL THAT MATERIAL? Coming up with the material? I get it from living life._______________________________________________________ ________ ____________________________________________________________ ______ ____________________________________________________________ ______ GOCKLEY BREAKS BOUNDARIES * By Yolanda Yeyes, Campus Talk Editor, Virtual Stylus, 2001: Coleman Gockley, a local student, artist and musician opened his first art show at Java Junction on Wednesday September 26. The 28-year-old Brighton native and Brockport senior compiled the mixed-media show over a period of more than a year, spending varying lengths of time on individual pieces. “There’s no mean, no average,” Gockley said. “It just takes time.” Though varied in content and theme, the form is specific to Gockley. A double major in studio art and psychology, these two schools of discipline infiltrate his work: in color, subject and movement. He uses gesso, ink and charcoal to create organic images taken from life and give them movement on the page. Jevon Allen, a Rochester resident and friend to the artist, said “The work is etherically strong. A mix of classical style and modern, organic, industrialism. Beautiful stuff.” Life drawing is a strong influence on Gockley’s work, particularly in his portrayal of human body. “The body is the hardest thing to do, It’s not just a lampshade or a twig. As an artist, you’re dealing with individuality. A lampshade is a lampshade but a face is not just any face,” Gockley said. Aside from the inspiration he finds in the human body, he has been influenced by Renaissance artistry. “DaVinci, MichelAngelo and J.S. Berd,” Gockley said. Professor J.S. Berd, Gockley’s painting professor at Brockport, was a particular influence in his work. “J.S. was a big inspiration...I allowed him to affect my work and I don’t just let people do that. When the student is ready the teacher appears.” Gockley also exhibited his other artistic attributes as the night continued, pulling out a friend’s guitar and playing with a circle of drummers in a spontaneous jam session that pulled people off the streets, to enjoy music while viewing the exhibition. Coleman has been playing music for 10 years and has co-founded several projects. He is currently working with a new band and is looking forward to the release of a second album, coming out in the spring. His first album was entitled “Stoned by the Massive Rock.” Some of his musical influences include Bob Dylan, Jim Morrison, John Lennon, Ani DiFranco, Tom Petty and Joff Wilson. ...Coleman Gockley’s pieces are currently being exhibited and sold in Java Junction, Brockport, NY.

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