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If you haven’t already joined Katy Perry and the million plus people who have viewed their video for “Washed Up Together” where Knox Hamilton shrink wrapped themselves (and a few others), please allow me to introduce you to Knox Hamilton. They are they are brothers Boots Copeland and Cobo Copeland (Boots vox and guitar and Cobo on drums), guitarist Drew Huffington and Bassist Taylor Flynn. On first meeting, immediately their southern charm is comparable to some of the best thing that is written about in books and shown in movies. Chivalrous (with out being the least bit chauvinist), and respectful, with they each seem to use the perfect amount of words needed, seemingly chosen to convey exactly what needs to be heard in that moment; and often very witty. As I meet up with them at the High Line Park in Manhattan, I listen to their observations of the city and and refreshed by their take on it. They get excited about shopping, donuts and parkour, but you might not understand how much they are immediately. Their Southern cool, sunglasses and slick black threads conceal much, but as the men get more and more comfortable in their surroundings, glimmers of boyish excitement seep through.
BC : Ok, so how did Katy Perry get involved in all this?
Boots: Her and a mutual label friend of ours were talking and Katy said she’d already seen the video when our manger started talking about it and she was like, “Yeah, I’ve seen that one. The one from Knox Hamilton. I was just about to tweet about it, like right now.” Cause they were getting their nails done or something together. I’m not just being a chauvinist, they literally were getting their nails done together. It kinda organically happened.
BC : After that the video has hit a million hits in under a month, how does that feel?
Drew : It feels awesome. Crazy. We figured the concept would do pretty well, just cause it’s weird and people like watching weird stuff on line, apparently. (Laughs) We thought it would do well, but a million views, we never expected to have that many people watch anything you do it’s crazy.
BC : Getting back to some basics, what’s your first musical memory?
Boots : I played the drums in church when I was 5 years old. My dad was a pastor of a Pentecostal church and music is huge in that denomination. Church and music are just like join by the hip. That’s always been a part of life.
Drew : Second Boys to Men album, was the first musical connection. The songs were so sexy and I was nine and not supposed to be listening that kinda stuff. It’s still one of my favorites.
Taylor : First music, I think was Kirk Franklin, he’s this old black gospel guy. Kinda have a lot of influence on the way I sing and do all the harmonies that we do.
Cobo : Mine and Boots, we are brothers, is our mom, she leads the worship. She has a great voice. Probably just seeing her up there influenced me and probably both of us.
Listening to their music, I’m left with impressions of times and places. Glimpses of life that are reflecting on happy times and moments that are lost but looked back with nostalgia. It’s more of that Southern perspective that is starting to be addictive.
BC : Where do you go for inspiration when you’re writing music?
Boots : I guess we get inspiration from everything. I can play a grouping of chords on guitar that reminds me of New York City. Me and my wife spent an entire summer up in New York City after she graduated college a few years back. A lotta years back and somethings remind you of certain things. You listen to some albums that inspire you to want to write better. The loves of your lives can influence you, so I find inspiration and influence from all kinds of places.
Cobo : That’s the good thing about music right, it can take you places. You don’t have to go places. You know what I mean.
BC : Wow
Cobo : I told you I’d give you some hot takes. (Laughs)
BC : What’s your favorite song to play live together?
Boots: “Sight For Sore Eyes” a song that will be on the new album. The lyrics is based on a trip that me and my wife took a few years back to the west coast and back driving. And the lyrics are based on that trip and the music matches that. It’s just super rock and roll, Drew is doing a solo. It’s the one time we are super Rock’n’Roll. We never do that.
Drew : We let our hair down a little bit and go.
BC : Anything you want to say to your fans?
Boots : We love you, and thank you and we would love to see you very soon.
Cobo : Send donuts to us at shows and stuff.
Taylor : That’s actually a really good idea.
Boots : I’m going to get so fat. (Laughs)
Don’t worry men, black is slimming. Nom Nom!
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