Cory Goldman
What is your favorite art medium to work in, and why?
My favorite medium is sound. I’ve always been fascinated by the world of sound, and the ability to move people physically and emotionally with music. Its a universal art form that transcends social, linguistic, and cultural boundaries. Collaborating with other artists in live performance is one of my favorite things in life, I think I’m attracted to the unique combination of teamwork, creativity, mindfulness, and personal expression that comes with creating art spontaneously.
When did you first figure out that art was important to you?
One of my earliest memories of music is sitting next to my parents record player and listening to the LP of Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band with headphones on, and becoming totally immersed in their audio world. I think more than any other piece of music, that album’s intersection of songwriting craft and sonic experimentation has been a powerful and lasting influence on me as a musician.
Who is your art mentor?
Despite my background playing classical music, big band jazz, punk, and industrial music, my first real gigs were playing old time and bluegrass banjo. Portland, Oregon was (and still is) a hub of stringband music, and I learned a whole lot about being a musician from that community. In particular, my friends in Portland bluegrass band Jackstraw were encouraging and welcoming to me and always challenged me to be the best musician I could be. I’ve always enjoyed playing with people who are more capable and experienced than myself. As with all creative endeavors, there’s always something new to learn.
Finish this sentence: My art is my...
life, livelihood, passion
What advice would you offer someone just beginning their exploration of their own artistic self?
Enjoy the journey of learning and creation. Nobody picks up a guitar for the first time and plays like a virtuoso. Nobody’s first song is a hit. Keep your goals in mind, but don’t allow their perceived distance or unattainability to prevent you from taking steps in the right direction. Don’t allow yourself to be deterred by comparing yourself to others. Don’t allow your internal critic to hold you back from creating something. Don’t be afraid of failure. Take chances, make mistakes, live, learn, grow, and jam on!
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