Cory Coffman (Solo)
After his project The Cuckoo Bees disbanded in 2019, Cory hit the ground running as a solo artist. His time fronting the trio built confidence behind the microphone, making the transition to solo performances feel natural. In 2020, he released his solo debut Canvas and Color, recorded entirely from his apartment. The album features stripped-down Cuckoo Bees tracks, new songs leaning into indie rock, and a Tom Waits cover.
Cory embraced the solo life for several years—enjoying the flexibility of a one-person operation and stretching the budget a bit further. Alongside his girlfriend/manager (now wife) Alyssa, he built out a camper van and toured throughout the Midwest and West with their dog, meeting people and seeing new places along the way.
Eventually, the pull to collaborate returned. Around the same time, two of Cory’s childhood friends—former bandmates—moved back to the area. Reuniting creatively, they formed a new project: Fat Earth.
After his project The Cuckoo Bees disbanded in 2019, Cory decided to hit the ground running and pursue playing solo. His time with the trio built up some confidence with being out front and center with a microphone, making this transition into performing solo rather smooth. His solo debut, Canvas and Color, recorded entirely from his apartment, released in 2020. On it you can hear a few stripped down versions of Cuckoo Bees songs, new songs pointing to more of an indie-rock feel, and a Tom Waits cover.
Cory embraced the solo experience for a couple years. He found it was way easier to schedule band practice (or rather, way easier to skip band practice) and that the money went a little bit further split one way. He built out a camper van with his girlfriend/manager (soon to be wife) Alyssa, and together with their dog they toured around the midwest/west. They had a lot of fun, met a lot of people and saw cool places through these years.
Eventually, Cory would get the itch to collaborate and play music with others again. At about the same time, two of his childhood best friends (who he used to play music with) moved back to the area and a new project was formed - Fat Earth.
Canvas & Color
Released November 2020
In his debut album, Canvas and Color, Cory Coffman blends hopeful new beginnings with a sense of nostalgia, pairing heartfelt lyrics and subtle satire with simple chords and sweet melodies. Created during the COVID-19 lockdown, the album was recorded entirely in Coffman’s Duluth, Minnesota apartment.
Canvas and Color is dedicated to Coffman’s grandpa, Richard Shaw, who passed away in March 2020. The songs “Marigolds on Monday” and “Weeping Willow” are direct tributes to his memory.
Listen
Track List
Canvas & Color (3:33)
Tango til They're Sore (3:30)
Mother Earth (4:19)
Midnight Callin' (5:16)
Digital Downloads
credits
Written, arranged, performed by Cory Coffman
Recorded by Cory Coffman
Mixed by Jason McGlone at The Hideaway Studios
Mastered by Rob Schlette at Anthem Mastering
Select Interviews/Press
Canvas and Color Review | Richard Thomas, Duluth Reader
Playlist Presents: Cory Coffman | Recorded by WDSE-PBS TV
Songwriter/Storytellers Series | Produced & recorded at Sacred Heart Music Center
Music Videos
