Listen to my latest single, “When This is Over”
San Francisco Bay Area-based Singer/Songwriter Chris McCooey is a product of the Bay Area: Born and raised, he has haunted SF, Oakland and Berkeley and they have left their mark on Chris’ writing, playing and his voice as an artist. Raised on grooves, heart, twang, soul, gospel and rock and roll, McCooey’s unique brand of musical storytelling contains collages, vignettes that recollect and muse about what he has seen, how he has felt and who he has known in these parts of this big world.
Drawing upon his roots, McCooey’s music mixes elements of anthemic heartland rock, country ballads and rhythm and blues-influenced pop. On the lyrical side of things, he deftly explores universal themes and narratives of hope, love, loss, long suffering, aspiration and self-determination. To fully capture his singular vision and unique take on the California sound – something less surf boards and Beach Boys and more of a modern and rootsy style giving nod to 70s-era Golden State singer-songwriters (ala Jackson Browne and Eagles) – McCooey’s original songs are brought to life with a 5-piece band of music industry veterans.
While forming the full band, McCooey reached out to Oakland based multi-instrumentalist, recording artist, music director and local pal Max Butler (Chuck Prophet) . Building out McCooey’s adept, seemingly-effortless songwriting prowess, heartfelt guitar work and innately-superb rock vocal croon (exhibiting a near-perfect balance of radio-friendly smoothness and gritty emotional intensity), Butler weaves in his live rock performance immediacy; His years of experience playing live to various audiences around the world act as guide. Joining Chris and Max to round out the sonic landscape as a core band member, SF Bay Area musician, drummer/multi-instrumentalist Thomas deBourbon (Small Crush) brings a youthful energy and edge.
“I am fortunate to have breath in my lungs and all the blessings I can count and am painfully aware of so many who are less fortunate, McCooey reflects upon his main purpose(s) in life, and in his music. “I hope my time this side of eternity counts for something and I can l eave something behind that matters or means something to someone. This music is one channel on that radio. So welcome aboard.”
In late 2020, Chris McCooey (and his talented band) released his first solo project, the impressive debut EP "Lovers and Cynics". He is slated to release a sophomore EP in summer 2021. The album will be preceded by a string of singles leading up to the much-anticipated drop.
