The Cold Mountain is as cool as can be, but warm enough to answer our questions. Let’s see what this rising country star has to say.
The Cold Mountain is singer/songwriter Julian Mendoza from Sacramento California. He has been active in the Sacramento music scene with acts such as NuClear and Hero’s Last Mission. During the beginning of 2017, Julian decided to focus on his solo project and collaborate with country artists from Nashville and other musicians from around the US.
First off, tell us about your musical past, would you tell us about your early years?
I started making music back in 7th grade when a fellow classmate said I should get a bass because he played guitar. At the time, I was really getting into bands like Rage Against the Machine, Weezer, Green Day, and more so I figured it would be cool to learn how to make music with instruments. I remember getting a purple Peavy bass that to this day, felt amazing. I wish I still had it! My guitar playing friend and I had a bit of a falling out later in the year, and I didn’t have anyone to play music with. So I kinda let it fall by the wayside and kinda got into DJ-ing, but I always wanted to play an instrument, so I was always looking for anyone that played instruments to kinda jam with. I remember one weekend after my soccer game on the weekend; the coach had a party at his house for the whole team. One of his sons had a black pearl drum set upstairs, and from the moment I sat down behind those drums, my musical endeavor started and is still going on today. I spent at least 3 hours trying to play the drums that day. I was hooked!
How would you describe your sound?
I don’t know if I have a sound that’s set. For this project, I kinda just wanted to have the creative freedom to do whatever I wanted. Obviously, I do a lot of work in the current Country Music genre, but I think I will probably just have fun doing stuff I dig for my project. The release I had last year was more of an electronic in the box kinda sound I did with Andrew Heringer down in Los Angeles. I had never done a recording with sounds and beats, so it was refreshing to hear his take on producing those songs. The latest release I’m planning on releasing this fall will be more organic real instruments. I might do some collaborations with some EDM style producers.
Which artists have the biggest influence on your sound?
Man, there are so many to list in every genre. I really honestly have an appreciation for all kinds of music. It’s impossible for me to list. Let’s just say the Beatles. Lol
What’s the last song you listened to?
The last song I listened to was a song by my friends in American Young. They have a new song called “Soundtrack To Our Lives” I’ve been digging. Along with a bunch of their new stuff that is sounding great!
What’s your source for hearing new music?
I use Apple Music or Spotify. I like to find playlists and just go down the list and see if I can find anything new or different. I also still like the old fashioned way when someone tells me to look something up too.
Who is your dream producer?
I think everyone would love to work with Rick Rubin and I’m definitely included in every one. So much musical history that guy has created for music as a whole! I’d just love to see what he would do with my music.
If you could collaborate with anyone, who would it be?
I’d love to collaborate with Alanis Morrisette. The first album by a female artist I bought as a kid was Jagged Little Pill. It was my bday, and my parents asked what I wanted, and I said music. I just loved how raw that album was. I’ve been a fan ever since! It’d be great to collab on something!
What led you to music and what motivates you to keep making it?
I think it was just seeing the reaction people had to hearing their favorite song. I remember hearing something heavy, sad, happy, and it would totally alter my mood or help calm myself. To this day I haven’t got enough of that. I love seeing other people smile, dance, or zone out to music, so that keeps me motivated to keep doing it. The best compliment I get is when I perform, even if I’m performing in the background with someone else, is that I made them feel good! Love that feeling.
Tell us about the songwriting process. How does it all come together?
I do like to write with other people. So most of the writing is co-writing. I did a lot of writing with Zahkia, who is an artist here in Sacramento. She’s great and keeping the idea on track. I think because I grew up being in bands I like bouncing ideas off of other people. Writing solo tends to feel lonely for me, so if I can, I always like to have someone else there.
How do you connect with your audience? What is the easiest way for them to connect with you?
I use a lot of social media. You can find me on pretty much all the platforms under the name The Cold Mountain or @thecoldmtn.
You could also connect with The Cold Mountain via his website, Instagram, facebook, and Twitter.
What’s next for you?
I’ll be releasing new music this fall and hope to release some music videos along with the new songs.
For years in the Sacramento area you’ve been a rock musician. What makes you want to do country?
I think I just love the fans to be honest. I love to see how much they are invested in the artists and performances. They like to have a good time and are great listeners. One of my fav moments was performing at The Bluebird in Nashville for the first time. I never heard an audience so quiet! They really sit down and listen to every word. I love that!
Have you had any resistance from other musicians making the change or has everyone been supportive?
If there has been, I haven’t noticed. I don’t really pay attention to any of that stuff. Why care what anyone else is doing ya know? You do you!
What was your inspiration for “Falling Into Me?”
I just wanted to write a simple feel-good love song. A lot of my songs actually just start with a title idea, and it will morph into a full song. Zahkia definitely was huge in helping put it all together lyrically. I didn’t want anything too complicated I just wanted it to be simple and sweet. It’s my personal fav on the songs on that EP.
You have a favorite place to write?
My house! I have a simple music setup where I can record everything. Drums, Bass, Guitar, etc.
You’ve had a producer and co-writers for “Falling Into Me.” What was it like working with them?
I loved working with everyone on this song. Zahkia and Adam Lara were definitely awesome to work with in putting this song together. I hope we can do more in the future! Andrew Heringer is the man responsible for getting the overall sound. When I was trying to decide where to go, I really wanted to do something different. Andrew has been a friend over the years that I always wished we had collaborated on something. He has built a nice career over the years down in Los Angeles and I just really loved the music he was producing. So it was a no brainer for me to contact him. He knocked it out of the park!
Review: Ice, ice mountain, no, It’s Cold Mountain. Either way you look at it, The Cold Mountain EP is cool. The songs could comfortably fit in with the billboard top-40s, as well as, today’s country leading radio stations. Julian’s voice is buttery smooth, the bass is strong, and the songs will have you bobbing your head the whole time. When the Cold Mountain stops to collaborate with his producers, you should listen and get it on your playlist.
