With a distinctive sound and a passion for storytelling, Kaleb Cohen is quickly making a name for himself in the indie-folk scene. Drawing inspiration from a diverse musical upbringing and his experiences as a young artist navigating the industry, Kaleb brings a fresh yet nostalgic feel to his music. As he gears up for the release of his latest single, “Cherry Trees,” we caught up with him to chat about his journey, creative process, and what’s next on the horizon.
Hi Kaleb, thanks for joining us today at ECHO! You go to school in Los Angeles, right? Being surrounded by so many musicians must be inspiring.
Thank you so much for having me. I’m super happy to be here! I actually go to school in Orange, just outside LA. I head back in a few days, and I’m excited to return.
I know you’re promoting your new single “Cherry Trees”! We’ll dive into that soon, but first, how did you get into music? You’re so young and already have such a unique sound.
Thank you, I appreciate that. I started music young — I was put into piano lessons at three years old. My family aren’t professional musicians, but they’re huge music lovers. My mom recently started learning the guitar, and my dad grew up playing drums. My sister sings and plays guitar.
Growing up, my parents introduced us to a wide range of music, from Robert Johnson and Stevie Wonder to Maroon 5. That eclectic mix really shaped my musical style.
That sounds like a fun and creative environment. Do you all ever jam together during the holidays?
Kind of! I’ve posted videos where my dad’s on cajón, my mom plays guitar, and my sister sings. My sister and I have harmonized since we were kids, teaching ourselves. I never had formal vocal lessons but learned piano and music theory, which really became a second language for me.
That’s awesome! And clearly, it’s paying off. I saw one of your recent TikTok videos that gained a lot of traction. How has that virality impacted your streams and social presence?
It’s been amazing. About two months ago, my manager Jake and I started focusing on social media more strategically. We found a formula that worked — keeping it organic and natural. The timing was perfect; we saw a huge increase in streams and social growth across TikTok, Instagram, and other platforms.
Congratulations! Your voice has such a cool raspy yet smooth quality. Do you have any vocal techniques you’ve learned to achieve that sound?
Thank you! Honestly, no formal techniques. I’ve been reflecting on my singing style recently and realized how important breath control is. I’ve learned I can hit certain notes with very little breath, which has helped me explore my sound.
It definitely works for you! So, you’ve grown up in the age of TikTok and talent shows like American Idol. What’s your take on those platforms for artists today?
It’s interesting. I actually auditioned for American Idol over Zoom for fun after being contacted by a casting director, but I didn’t hear back — which ended up being a blessing. I also passed on opportunities from The Voice and America’s Got Talent. Those shows are great, but they often come with big commitments that limit creative freedom. I’m really focused on building my sound independently right now.
That’s valid. TikTok definitely gives artists more creative freedom. Are there any indie-folk artists you’re currently obsessed with or would love to collaborate with?
Absolutely! My favorite band of all time is The Beatles. Their ability to reinvent themselves with each album is so inspiring. Right now, I’m really into Mt. Joy, The Lumineers, and Noah Kahan. Mt. Joy, in particular, blends soulful and acoustic sounds beautifully.
Great choices. Speaking of “Cherry Trees,” what inspired the song title?
Funny story — I was jamming with a friend at school, and he was playing three chords. I suggested moving the capo up to make it sound like a ukulele. That sparked the initial idea. Later, I was writing lyrics in the car on my way to a studio session in LA.
Growing up in New England, cherry trees were common, and picking fruit was a memorable childhood experience for me. It’s such a simple but joyful memory. I almost named the song “Lover Lover,” but “Cherry Trees” felt more meaningful.
That’s beautiful. One of the lyrics I love mentions “reading in between the lines.” How do you stop yourself from overthinking things and just live in the moment?
I don’t, honestly! I’m the biggest overthinker. But I’ve learned that overthinking can blind you to what really matters. Recently, I’ve tried being more introspective — spending less time on my phone and more time reflecting. That helps me stay grounded.
That’s very profound. I totally relate to the doom-scrolling habit. Lastly, you mentioned shows earlier. Do you have any performances coming up?
Yes, shows are in the works! I’m excited to get back to live performances and connect with audiences in person.
Awesome — we’ll be keeping an eye out for those announcements. Thanks for chatting with us, Kaleb.
Thank you! I really appreciate it.
This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.