Meet Cooper Walker | Musician

We had the good fortune of connecting with Cooper Walker and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Cooper, why did you pursue a creative career?
I’ve always found creative ways of expressing myself… when I was a kid I would draw on everything – tables, walls, myself… I remember getting in trouble for carving “Z’s” into the drywall at my parents’ house in Los Angeles after watching Antonio Banderas as Zorro. I never meant any harm by it, I was just paying tribute to my inner rebel. Thankfully I’ve learned a little self-control since my days as the masked crusader but I never outgrew my passion for conscientious objection.

When I discovered music it was like reconnecting with a long-lost friend I’d never met. I had a natural talent for the guitar and would happily sit for hours on end practicing until my fingers wanted to fall off… In the beginning it was a way to cope with the emotional turbulence of my parents’ divorce and all the emotional distress that accompanied it. But music became much more than an outlet for me, it gave me a constructive way of dealing with my introversion and anxiety, helped my self-esteem and over time led to professional opportunities that inspired me to pursue a career in the arts.

I’ve never been naturally inclined to business, my mind is simply not wired for it… I hated working in sales, and I like to tell myself it’s because I’m too honest! Music has helped me through so many difficult moments in my life – my parent’s divorce, my father’s death, mental illness, battling drug and alcohol addiction… it’s too personal to imagine writing for any other purpose than my own salvation. I know many talented artists who write for a demographic to commercial success but I would not count myself among them. Needless to say this is a poor business model but it is deeply fulfilling to engage in an artistic endeavor without an end to the means in mind.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I think what sets me apart as an artist is my ability to bridge different styles and end up with something unique. It’s what any musician worth their salt does, but I’m proud of my appreciation for good music regardless of genre or popularity. I like to say I’m waiting for my fingers to catch up with my ears, and that’s a true statement!

I got to where I am because I believe in what I’m doing. When you become a musician everyone tells you to stop. Like Bob Dylan said, “They’ll stone you when you’re trying to be so good, they’ll stone you just like they said they would”. Confidence plays a huge role in what sounds good, and can make the wrong note sound good. You have to love what you do or you will get wrapped up in what other people think, and doubt is poison for creativity.

Music has taught me to be myself and love who I am. If you don’t believe yourself, no one else will either. It’s in searching your own soul that others can search for theirs, and I think that’s because so much about the human condition that is universal. Everyone suffers, everyone’s heart is broken… music is a way to say that it’s ok.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If I had one week to experience Los Angeles, here’s where I would go. I’ll start by telling you what you already know – check out the Hollywood Sign and the Walk of Fame, visit Madame Tussauds wax museum, see the Santa Monica pier/promenade and walk down the Venice Boardwalk where The Doors first met. Visit the Sunset Strip and take Doheny down to Beverly Hills to walk up Rodeo Dr.

Next I’ll give you the more historic, lesser known spots! Go to the original Farmer’s Market on Fairfax, while you’re there check out The Grove. Go to The Apple Pan on Pico Blvd. and order the hickory burger. Drive though Westwood Village and go to The Hammer. Take Wilshire east and visit LACMA, take one of those pictures in front of the streetlight installation! Next, head back to the west side and visit Johnny Pastrami’s on Sepulveda. When you finish your sandwich walk down to The Cinema Bar and catch live music every night of the week, shoot for a Monday to treat yourself to the best Django Reinhardt tribute you’ll ever hear. Don’t forget to hit Harvelle’s, The Baked Potato and The Maui Sugar Mill Saloon for the best blues in LA. For jazz try Vibrato Grill.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Shoutout to my brother Monroe for keeping me afloat and making my record possible, without you I would not be here. Shoutout to my pops Jimmy in heaven above for steering me straight and arming me with music, miss you everyday! Shoutout to sisters Eleanor, Marisa and Stanley who ground and inspire me. Shoutout to my mother Lynda for always being there. Shoutout to Luke Davis for being a true friend and for making Piñata sound legit. Shoutout to the Cinema Bar in Culver City for keeping live music alive and making me part of the family. Shoutout to LA for being my home for the past 29 years!

Website: cooperwalker.com

Instagram: instagram.com/supportthecoops

Linkedin: linkedin.com/cooperwalker

Twitter: twitter.com/thecooperwalker

Facebook: Facebook.com/cooperjwalker

Image Credits
Miguel Ramirez