Collin Cable faces the challenge of digital media with an attitude unlike other artists. In the days when almost anyone can create an album and promote their talent on MySpace and You Tube, widespread accessibility makes it harder for musicians to earn support.
However, Cable views the apparent challenge as inspiration to promote his music.
“It’s an exciting time for music since it’s being proven daily you don’t need a label anymore, or a mass promotion or mass attention,” said Cable, 21. “You just have to work at it and find your audience.”
Cable “worked at it” by releasing his first studio album, “Beneath the Ash Tree,” in October. He found his audience through his prominent experience in the music industry. From touring with 30 Seconds to Mars to shifting from band membership to a solo artist, Cable drives his music into the sphere of other local artists with determination to set himself apart.
“Beneath the Ash Tree” features all 12 songs written by the artist. Expressions of pain garner the tracks, but Cable believes that quality of songs evoke more creativity and desire in times of hurt. Each song displays the emotional depth and value of Cable’s talent.
“He’s got a great sense of melodies while being very dynamic,” said Taylor Tatsch, who produced and mixed Cable’s album.
“He knows how to fit lyrics to the mood of the song and create a moving piece of music.”
Born in Denver, Colo., and raised in the Dallas suburb of Rockwall, Cable grew up with a musical influence in his father who was a member of a country band in the 1970s.
He started playing guitar and writing songs at the age of 10 and formed his first band at age 11.
At 17, after playing various high school events and coffee shops, Cable became a member of a band called The Broadcast, a notable Dallas mention at the time. He later joined the band The Greater Good, which went on to record in San Francisco with the same production crew that produced The Killers’ first record, “Hot Fuss.”
The band was introduced to The Killers’ manager, Braden Merrick, and the representative who signed The Killers to UK-based Lizard King Records.
With The Greater Good, Cable played shows in London and had a showcase performance at Austin’s South by Southwest in 2005. He became displeased with his role in the band as songwriter and not lead singer, so he decided to begin a solo career.
A solo career turned out to be the right move for Cable. While working at the Mockingbird Station Urban Outfitters store in March 2006, Jared Leto approached Cable and asked him to tour with his band 30 Seconds to Mars.
Cable instantly left Dallas to travel with the band for seven months. He opened for a few shows while gaining hard-earned respect from Leto. Cable feels he learned more about the business and the art of the industry during that short time frame than in his previous years in music.
Upon returning to Dallas, Cable hit the studio, Bass Propulsion Laboratories, to finish work on his album. Cable strongly credits the musicians he worked with, including Tatsch, for playing a pivotal role in smoothly completing the record.
“I was lucky to be surrounded by musicians where I was comfortable with their instincts and I trusted what they heard,” said Cable. “I think that from that freedom, the tracks just came through.”
The modest yet charismatic artist offers three means for listening to the tracks. “Beneath the Ash Tree” is available for purchase from Cable’s MySpace site, myspace.com/collincable, or from iTunes.
Cable will play a show Saturday night at The Cavern on Greenville Ave. He’ll take the stage around midnight following performances from bands The Farstar and The Enormous Magic Verb. Doors open at 9 p.m. The show is for ages 18 and up.
