By Nicholas Jason Lopez
With a love for music that started at an early age, Cody Weaver was influenced by blues, bluegrass, traditional country and rock n’ roll.
Equipped with a “do-it-yourself” approach to create a new take on old music, the Florida-based country artist put together a new five-song EP ‘Southern Noise,’ supported by the single “Cope,” which he recently put out the music video for.
The Music Bugle had the opportunity to talk with Weaver about what he’s been up to lately and more.
Music Bugle – What made you want to become a musician?
Cody Weaver – My momma was a great singer, so that definitely played a part in it. I got my first guitar when I was eight years old and started learning and never stopped!
Music Bugle – How would you define the current state of country music?
Cody Weaver – Lost. It seems that mainstream country has been diluted to a point where it’s indistinguishable from pop, but I feel that a shift is happening now that modern technology is allowing independent artists to get their music heard around the world, regardless if they’re signed to a big label and that is certainly giving me hope for my favorite genre.
Music Bugle – What was it like making your ‘Southern Noise’ EP?
Cody Weaver – It was so much fun, I have a great group of musicians behind me and we love creating new music together. Writing sessions and studio days are what I live for.
Music Bugle – Did the music video for “Cope” come out the way you had envisioned?
Cody Weaver – Even better! We did the whole video ourselves on a very low budget of about $300. My guitarist, Jarrad, filmed and edited the video. He did a fantastic job and I think it just goes to show you don’t need big label money to put out quality music and videos!
Music Bugle – Who are you listening to right now, music-wise?
Cody Weaver – A lot of Brothers Osborne. I really like their style. Also been on a bluegrass kick lately. A lot of Allison Krauss and Union Station.
Music Bugle – How would you describe Florida to someone who has never been there before?
Cody Weaver – Florida is wild and free. We have a whole different mindset here. We are doers and dreamers. We got big city life and we got the sticks, orange groves and cattle. It ain’t all beaches and nursing homes. Also, talk about the best saltwater fishing in the world! However, the year-round heat ain’t for the faint of heart.
Music Bugle – Does social media help or hurt music?
Cody Weaver – It has the potential to do both. I reckon it depends on the artist and how they go about it. I just try not to get sucked into the vortex of needing likes and followers for validation. We’re all guilty of it, but I think we should put less stock into that instant gratification.
Music Bugle – How have you been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic?
Cody Weaver – Well, I had it, so that sucked, but I made it through just fine, thankfully. The worst part has just been not being able to play shows. We had so many cancellations and now, we are still not getting shows for 2021, so it’s definitely discouraging, but I’m just trying to stay focused and keep writing good music. When the time comes, our shows will be full of new music and that is definitely a positive take away. This year has been good to me for the most part. I’m super proud of what we accomplished in spite of Covid.
Music Bugle – What’s something you wish happened more in today’s music industry?
Cody Weaver – I wish artists were paid better for their streams. We are totally getting screwed, but we need those services to get anywhere. It’s extortion and I wish we saw more of those big name services stepping up to do the right thing and pay artists a fair cut of our music.
Music Bugle – What’s a quote that motivates you to keep doing what you do?
Cody Weaver – You ready? It’s a long one. “It is not the critic who counts, not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly, who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming, but who does actually strive to do the deeds, who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions, who spends himself in a worthy cause, who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat,” by Teddy Roosevelt.
