As Zandari Festa 2018 gets into full swing, we at Rock N Seoul wanted to give readers the opportunity to learn more about the artists who’ll be bringing Hongdae to its knees for one of the city’s most unforgettable annual music events.
Something that we don’t really hear much of are those bands who take a more melodic, ballad-esque approach to their sound. We find it in bands like Hyukoh or Phonebooth, sounds that err on the softer side without losing any of the fire and soul. Cogason is such a group that manages to infuse their softer shades with intense color. Among the bands that are mroe prone to harder-edged sounds, Cogason is somewhat of an anomaly. What they bring to the table serves as another testament to the eclectic musical layers South Korea has to offer, particularly in rock music.
In the midst of their preparations for their Zandari Festa performance, the band members (guitarist Kiwon, bassist Minhyeok, and lead vocalist and guitarist Wonjun) took some time to answer a few questions for Rock N Seoul.
What is the most exciting part of Zandari Festa?
Kiwon: You can see 100 great acts in the middle of the biggest city in Korea. No other festival in Korea have huge lineups like Zandari Festa.
What makes your music unique?
Kiwon: We’re doing what nobody else does today. We aren’t following trends and we aren’t staying in the past neither. That makes our music unique. We just make unique songs.
Minhyeok: This applies to every band and not just us, but I think it’s always incredible when people with totally different abilities and personalities come together and make one perfect output.
What did you want to be when growing up?
Wonjun: I didn’t have any specific plan for a future job and I didn’t think I would be a musician. I was a quiet kid just listening to my parents well.
Kiwon: The president of Korea or a rock star.
Minhyeok: I wanted to live my life doing what I wanted to do, enjoying delicious foods at every meal and traveling to wonderful places with my soulmate. I thought this was the life of ordinary people, but I’ve discovered that this is not easy to do, and nothing can be accomplished without hard work.
What advice would you give your younger self?
Dongwook: Play more
Minhyeok: Don’t be arrogant and be kind to everyone. And be nice to your grandmother.
What is the most important thing you want people attending Zandari Festa to know about you and your music?
Kiwon: We’re going to play some brand new songs for the first time. If you’re coming to see us for the first time, try to listen to our lyrics – I think they’ll put a smile on your face. And if you don’t want to concentrate on anything, just dance with our beat!
If you could be a super hero, what would be your name and your power?
Wonjun: I want to be able to fly in the sky.
Dongwook: My name would be Medium Rare and I’d have the ability to create meat.
Minhyeok: I’d be called Jumper and I’d be able to teleport.
Cogason play Sunday, October 7 at 5 pm at Evans Lounge.
Zandari Festa’s official website is http://zandarifesta.com/and you can learn more about Cogason at https://www.facebook.com/cogason/.
Rock 'N Seoul 