CIMO FRANKEL Discusses His Forthcoming Debut EP and Much More!

Get to know the accomplished singer/songwriter/producer Cimo Frankel. He is the writer behind multiple hits by Cheat Codes, Yellow Claw and more. He will release his own debut EP on June 7th.

Here’s the first single “Live Without You”: https://soundcloud.com/cimofrankel/cimo-frankel-live-without-you

And second single “Where You Are”: https://soundcloud.com/cimofrankel/cimo-frankel-where-you-are/s-hMiES

Cimo has over a decade of experience in the industry – he’s already written a score of hits, including the multi-Platinum ‘Sex’, performed by Cheat Codes & Kris Kross Amsterdam, as well as Yellow Claw’s iconic smash ‘Shotgun’ and more recently Hardwell & Snoop Dogg’s “How You Love Me” collaboration, OMI’s “As Long As I’m With You”, and Lucas & Steve’s current airplay smash “Where Have You Gone”. Cimo has also featured on records with internationally acclaimed artists including Armin van Buuren, Daddy’s Groove, EDX  and TW3LVE, and in 2017 started releasing his solo material – all written, produced, and performed by himself.

Learn more about Cimo Frankel in the following All Access interview:

Thanks for your time today! Where does this interview find you?

Thank you for taking the time with me! I am in sunny Los Angeles at the moment.

Now that we are into the 5th month of the new year, how has 2019 been treating you so far? What are some goals that you have for yourself this year? How are those New Years Resolutions going?

2019 is a good year that has started off well. I feel great. There’s an exciting new energy and I feel like I am starting a new chapter of my life since moving to LA. I actually didn’t have any new years resolutions going into 2019. However, I still go to the gym regularly since 2017’s resolution. And I have been pescatarian for a while now, which has been a great lifestyle change. I rewarded myself with a no-new-years-resolution-2019. But I’m always leaving room for improvement!

Growing up, how important was music in your life? Can you recall the moment when you decided that you wanted to be a musician? Was it an easy or difficult choice to make?

I grew up listening to Michael Jackson’s music a lot. I was obsessed with it. Being a musician and singer, my father would bring my brother and I to the studio all the time. The energy in the room was always inspiring and it was those early years where I realized I wanted to be an artist. The choice was easy.

Was there ever a time when you thought about doing something else? If you weren’t a musician today, what else could you see yourself doing? Would you be as fulfilled in life?

I’m wholeheartedly a creative person who likes to express himself through art.  There was a time I was using Photoshop regularly and experimenting with photography.  I also love to paint and did see a future in it at one point.  However, in retrospect, I don’t think it would be as fulfilling as a career in music. 

What has been the biggest surprise so far about making music your career? What has been an unexpected or welcome challenge to it all?

When I first started out writing and recording professionally, I thought it would be fun and games every day. Well, it turns out that there is so much more to it than just having fun in the studio or on stage. There’s a business to run, and like any business, there is a lot of planning and organization that needs to take place.  Coming from another country, there are some obvious and not-so-obvious roadblocks I’ve encountered since transitioning to Los Angeles, but I take those struggles as a source of inspiration for my music.

Let’s talk about your forthcoming debut EP as a solo artist. What was it like putting this collection together? Did anything surprise you about the overall process?

I’m very excited to share this new body of work this summer. I collected these songs over the years and they all came piece by piece. Some songs were written this year, some in 2015 or in between. I am surprised I’m still this excited about the songs that are relatively old.  The songs all work together to form a body of work I’m extremely proud of.

How do you think your already released song, “Live Without You” prepares listeners for your EP? What was the inspiration for the track?

On this upcoming EP, listeners will hear influences from various genres and eras of music that I love.  “Live Without You” in particular lends itself to certain sounds of the 90’s, which is an era of music that I grew up with.  The drums are inspired by the New Jack Swing sound.

Do you have plans to put out a full-length album of new songs soon?

I will definitely do this in the future. I can’t wait to finish the songs for it.

What was it like working on your music and how did it compare to writing songs for others?

Focusing on material for me is nice, yet I really had to find the time for it. The songs I release as an artist are 100% authentic to me, and that process takes time through experience. When I’m writing for another artist or project, I need to put myself in someone else’s shoes and create a narrative that is specific to that artist.  Both situations are fun and unique in their own way.

How do you think you have grown as a musician since you first started singing and writing songs?

Over the years, I’ve learned what to do and what not to do in a song just through experience. Singing everyday makes your voice flexible. I don’t have to do as many takes to get what I want from a recording. With any craft, there are many hours you need to put into it.

What has it been like keeping up with your social media accounts and all of the different platforms? Is it hard to stay up to date on it all? What would you say is your favorite way to connect with your fans now?

It’s hard to do, especially when it’s expected in today’s world. I am mostly in the studio creating, and I usually don’t want to bother people with yet another studio session that I am in. I do love the engagement with my fans. I love when they DM, I will always reply.

Who are some of your favorite artists or rather, what musicians have continued to inspire you and your music? Who would you absolutely still love to work with in the future?

From a creative standpoint, I have always loved Michael Jackson’s music and dancing. It will always inspire me.  I’m a nostalgic listener and love music from the 70’s and 80’s.  Two of my favorite artists are Fleetwood Mac and Stevie Wonder. I would love to work with Fleetwood Mac. That would be awesome!

Where can fans see you perform next? Got any upcoming tour dates planned?

With this new body of work, I’m looking to find the right opportunities to connect with the audience in a live setting.  I’ll be doing a few intimate shows locally and hope to go on the road in the near future on a bigger scale.

If you had an unlimited budget and your schedule was free, what would your dream music video look like?

I love forming narratives around my music.  With an unlimited budget, I would want to produce a 20-minute film, with a full cast and top-of-the-line effects team. My favorite genre is time travel, and the storyline would have a strong focus on that topic.

If your music was going to be featured on any TV show that is currently on right now, which would you love it to be on? Or if you prefer, what is a movie that you love that you wish your music was featured in?

I wish my music was featured in Avengers. That is such a fun movie.

At the end of the day, what do you hope people take away from your music?

I hope listeners can hear that I am always doing my best in finding good melodies rather than trying to beat the market. Of course, I’d love to have a hit but I would never work with a formula. I have to feel the music.

Would you like to share anything else with our readers about your music?

Please continue streaming it. It will be super versatile so there will be something for everyone.