_edited.png)
The Carousel Predicament released "Tongue Tied" in March and is gearing up for an EP release this year. We got the chance to get insight into Cory Withrow, the brain behind Carousel Predicament.
What's your inspiration?
Cory Withrow- Musically, I would credit 90's Alternative music (Bush, Live) as being what got me interested in music. But I would credit bands like New Found Glory, The Starting Line and Fall Out Boy as the bands who showed me what genre of music I wanted to emulate.
How would you describe your sound?
Cory Withrow-I typically describe it as Acoustic pop punk with a splash of Emo… if that makes sense lol.
What can fans expect at your shows?
Sincerity- my goal is to be as authentic as I can be on stage. Every show has its own flow and energy- I just try to ride that wave as best as I can.
If you could change anything about the industry, what would it be?
Cory Withrow-I would change the impossible expectations that are placed on bands, especially new artists. Not selling a million records or having a million monthly listeners doesn't make you a failure.
what is your favorite song to perform?
Cory Withrow- At the moment, Mr. Grey Eyes is my favorite to play live. But Chemistry, my next single, is definitely up there as well.
what would you be doing right now if it wasn’t for your musical career?
Cory Withrow- Probably writing fantasy novels lol. I love the idea of being a successful Author.
If you could go open for any artist, who would it be?
Cory Withrow- Great question. I'd probably say Fall Out Boy. They were/are a huge inspiration for me. Especially the Take this to your Grave era.
What first got you into music?
Cory Withrow- I come from a musical family. My Dad is a drummer so I grew up listening to live music in my house. Finally tried my hand at music in middle school starting with cello. Cello led to bass. Bass ultimately led me to guitar.
Do you have any hobbies outside of music?
Cory Withrow- I used to actively collect first appearance comicbooks. I had a pretty impressive collection from Wolverine's first appearance to Silver Surfer's first. But I recently sold all but one to fund my new EP and the 2 music videos I've shot recently with Alex Zarek. It was hard to let them go but it felt like the right move to make. I'm also a huge car guy so I'm usually out driving or detailing my car.
Which instrument is your favorite to perform?
Cory Withrow- Guitar is honestly my primary instrument. I'd feel weird having to play anything else live lol.
What is it about music that makes you feel passionate?
Cory Withrow- I'm big about the actual message that the lyrics convey. I'm always listening to hear a lyric that hits close to home. I think that's why I'm so transparent when it comes to writing lyrics. Vulnerability is a powerful tool.
What’s your favorite and least favorite part of being a musician?
Cory Withrow- My favorite part about being a musician is simply the process of writing a song from scratch. Hearing an idea come to life, musically, is awesome. Listening to layers being added and fine tuned is always such a fun experience.
My least favorite thing is hauling equipment to and from a show. Although now that I've got an acoustic setup, it's made that aspect a million times easier. All I need is my guitar and a cord- the house PA handles the rest.
What’s the best piece of advice another musician has given you?
Cory Withrow- "Build a community and lose the ego." I wasted a lot of time being competitive in my earlier years. Every band we played with was "our competition". Once I realized the people who were building a community of friends with other bands were both happier and had bigger followings, it made perfect sense. I wish that advice was given to me a lot sooner in my pursuit.
What’s your process for dealing with performance anxiety?
Cory Withrow- I honestly don't really struggle with performance anxiety. I'm always slightly nervous but it always fades the moment the first song starts going.
What does your work aim to say?
Cory Withrow- I typically write when I'm frustrated or depressed so a lot of my lyrics are pretty dark and defeated. But I hope that they serve as proof that storms can and should be weathered and that something beautiful always resides in the aftermath of struggle.
What is your dream project?
I'd love to collaborate with some of my biggest influences eventually. Doing/hearing guest vocals with Patrick Stump or Hayley Williams would be an incredible moment to experience.
What are some artists you’re listening to right now?
I'm listening to a lot of State Champs and Point North at the moment. Real Friends's new EP is also really good- "Teeth" is my jam.
What qualities make a good artist?
I would say Honesty, Commitment and Gratitude. Creativity is also up there.
What are you most excited about for this tour?
Cory Withrow- We're still trying to get to that point lol. We've got some local Texas stuff in the works though. I would love nothing more than to tour for most of the year though- that's the goal.
Are you stopping in any new cities or visiting some old favorites?
Cory Withrow- I haven't performed in Houston since I first picked up the guitar. I'm looking forward to checking that box.