CLEVELAND, MINNESOTA — Long gone are the days when musicians must all be in the studio at the same time to make an album.
With advancements in technology and especially with COVID-19 restrictions, artists found ways to keep working together. For Erik Koskinen, a new approach to collaboration developed on his upcoming album.
“I usually have this over-controlling arm over everything,” said Koskinen, speaking on the Friday, June 2, episode of Centerstage Minnesota. This time around, Koskinen sent his demos to other musicians without giving them directions.
This gave their contributions an original and spontaneous feeling, he said.
“They don’t start out playing with any preconceived idea of what I want to hear,”Koskinen said. “Instead, they’re just playing completely free of advice, which means it’s their truest self coming out.”
Koskinen recorded the album at his home recording studio in Cleveland, Minnesota. Beginning his career in northern Michigan, the Americana singer/songwriter and guitarist has now lived in Minnesota for more than 15 years.
“It’s the longest I’ve lived anywhere,” he said.
While the new album does not yet have a name or official release date, Koskinen hopes to have the first single out sometime in July, with the full album out in the fall of 2023.
For the complete conversation and more information on his new music, listen above.
Centerstage Minnesota is made possible by the citizens of Minnesota, through the Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund.
