Theo Kogan
Theo Kogan, front woman for the alt rock Theo and the Skyscrapers and previously of the Lunachicks, is not your typical rocker. Having graced the ad campaigns of Calvin Klein, Burberry and, most recently, Kenneth Cole, the tattooed beauty has both a voice and a face that could launch a thousand ships. In addition, she has recently bowed her own cosmetics line Armour Beauty, and she has starred as the lead in a highly-acclaimed Rob Roth off Broadway production "Screen Test."
Riffin' caught up with her to discuss the definition of punk, her advice on how to avoid the sharks of the recording industry and how she was literally tracked down by Kenneth Cole's people to be their model.
Riffin': Kenneth Cole recently featured you in his ads with alluring shots of your tattooed body. What was the reaction to that advertising campaign and how did you get involved with it?
Theo Kogan: The people casting the campaign literally tracked me down and ended up finding me through our band-booking agent. It was a very pleasant surprise. I was actually just told that my ad won an advertising award!
The reaction to it was great. I had no idea that my ad would be the launch of the campaign and also had no idea that it was going to be so gigantic in the store windows and all over the place. It was very exciting. Being on the billboards was very exciting, too.
Riffin': From the Lunachicks to the Skyscrapers, you have always been at the forefront of your pioneering sound. How would you say that you have evolved musically over the past 5 years?
Theo Kogan: Over the past 5 years I think it's been evolving pretty naturally, just via the band itself, and then working with Rob Roth and Big Art Group. TATS has gone from four members to three in the past two years, which has also been cool, making it a little more stripped down and simple in a way.
Riffin': What were the biggest challenges starting off?
Theo Kogan: With Lunachicks the initial challenge was just not sucking, since we were all just learning how to play. And also not getting fucked over by labels, and managers, which we did - classic!
For TATS it was a slow segue. In 2002 I self released a solo album, simply called "Theo", written and recorded with Sean Pierce while he was still playing with Toilet Boys. It was scary to not have my Lunachick girls/family on stage. This was also where my collaboration with Rob Roth began, as he shot the CD cover for this first solo and began making video for the live shows. Then he did the video for "Time" and "Run Rabbit Run."
Then after a year or so it just felt natural to start to play music again with humans and not just a machine, so the creation of the band began, we modeled the look and height of the Skyscrapers after Sean who is 6' 6" tall. Also the Toilet Boys had decided to stop playing so it was an authentic shift and easy in a way- yet totally not.
Starting something new after Lunachicks was a challenge for me because I had to ask myself "Will I be accepted by the fans?" But I have faith that people will be open to a person who likes a lot of different kinds of music. I imagine that most people's tastes are wider than they may appear at first.
The strange thing about me is that I put myself out there in the light for all the criticism and judgment in the world, but I will also do whatever the fuck I want, which to me, whether the sound is "punk" or not, is still a punk attitude. I have never liked being put into a box, and it was always hard for people to put Lunachicks in a specific category though they tried and tried. People like to do that – to say something is black or white or rock or disco- you know? They want to put that something, whatever it is in a box, like punk is a specific type of music, dress and look. But let me say that is bullshit. Punk really means going outside of any box.
Riffin': What advice would you give to young musicians trying to break into the scene?
Theo Kogan: Don't follow trends - do what comes naturally. Also, never sign any contracts without a lawyer looking at it. With all the Internet music sites and money or record deal contests, which can seem all cool and easy, there are still stipulations in those contracts where they will try to own you.
So be super careful. The industry is scrambling and there are sharks out there that like to feed off the young. Also, don’t quit your day job. And be willing to sleep on the floor if you are going on tour. No prima donnas allowed!
Riffin': You have been dabbling in all sorts of musical projects as of late, including the acclaimed Rob Roth "Screen Test." What are you working on currently?
Theo Kogan: Well, Theo and the Skyscrapers just got back from Europe, doing a couple of shows with Big Art Group. One was called "The People," and the other "Cinema Fury, The Imitation." You can see more about them at bigartgroup.com
In addition, coming up this October we will be showing "Screen Test" with Rob Roth at the Abrons Art Center /Henry Street Theater in New York's Lower East Side.
Check out her new line of beauty products: armourbeauty.com
Albums can be purchased from their website: theoandtheskyscrapers.com
Click here for more inforation on Screen Test and to purchase tickets: ovationtix.com