My Favorite Highway frontman David Cook is back on the scene as a solo artist with a new name and a new single.
By Matthew Basheda
What’s with the name change?
“Well, when you’re an artist operating under the banner of a band, you don’t really have to worry about your name as an individual; however, if you’re a solo artist, your name is slightly more important—you’re a brand, so how you brand yourself is very important. My legal name is David Cook. I’m assuming that most people are familiar with the “American Idol” David Cook. If you can’t have two Toyotas or two McDonalds [sic], you can’t have two David Cooks, and based on that theory, I’m using my mother’s maiden name, Wazeter, as my stage name.”
What’s your favorite thing about your new single?
“I love that it doesn’t have any electric guitars on it.”
What’s different about your new music?
“It’s much more mainstream, very beat-driven, and I honestly think it’s better than anything I’ve written before.”
What’s next for you? Do you have any album plans? How about a tour? If so, when can we expect any of those?
“I’d like to release a new album at some point in 2012, and I’m going to do my best to make sure that happens. I don’t really have any plans to tour at this point.”
What’s your take on the current Northern Virginia music scene?
“To be completely honest, I’m very unplugged from the local music scene, so I’m probably the wrong guy to ask. That said, I love local music, and I support any artist with talent who’s trying to make something happen.”
(March 2012)