Electronica singer/songwriter Coco O'Connor has been making music since the age of ten. She talks to RAW about where she is now in her music career. Be sure to RSVP to see her perform live at the next RAW showcase on Thursday, July 1st at Cinespace in Hollywood! 

How did you first get started?
Well, my mom saw that I had a real love of music and she really encouraged me to write my own songs as she thought that if I wrote and sang my own songs it would be more lucrative :) So at the age of 10, I began writing and haven't really stopped. 

How would you describe your sound? 
Electronica with a side of ambient chill.

From where do you draw inspiration for your music? 
God. I believe that songs are gifts from the Divine and that I am merely a vessel that they pass through to enter this world.

Do you engage in, or draw inspiration from, any other forms of art? 
Well, I am a painter as well and I remember when I found out a friend of mine had committed suicide;  I was in my studio and I knew I just had to paint something for him and his family. So, he was a real "metal-head" and I remember just thinking ... what would George listen to ... so I turned on the heaviest radio station I could find and began the painting. It is my belief that the music really contributed to that piece and it really makes me happy to see that work so honored in his parent's home in Albuquerque, NM.

What do you love most about what you do? 
Well, I am a former crime victim and now an advocate for crime victims and I love singing and speaking to people who work with crime victims around the nation. They really appreciate hearing a victim's perspective. It's really great to turn injustice into justice through music and give back with my art.

What sort of musical techniques or styles do you most like working with? 
I really like ambient soundscapes as I think my  voice fits well over those types of sounds. But I also like breakbeats as well. I have a song called “Save Me (Salvation of the Honey Bee)” and it's got a really great groove and I'm hoping to go in more of that direction.

Are there any musicians, past or present, that strongly inform and influence your work? 
Well, I really love all the great soul singers like Mahalia Jackson, Aretha Franklin, Tina Turner and I am a huge fan of Cher. And believe it or not, I adore Dolly Parton as a songwriter and business woman. Presently, I really like Portishead and maybe they are not so recent but I still listen to them... Mazzy Star, Tori Amos, and Sarah MacLachlan and another fav , Enya.

Favorite album of all time? 
Elton John Goodbye Yellow Brick Road

Are there any specific reoccurring themes that you explore most in your music? 
I would say that philosophy is a theme. I often think I should've been a philosopher. I seem to propose alot of questions ... for whatever reason.

Why showcase at RAW? 
In this time where everyone has so many things competing for their attention ... to bring all kinds of artists and their mediums together under one roof for one evening is not only brilliant but I think it is the only way "art" and the creators are going to be able to survive in this technological age and find an audience who is attentive to what they have to say. 

When not making music, anything you enjoy doing? 
Running, hanging out on my boat in San Diego, spending time with my best friend, keyboardist and hubby Taylor and our 2 wolf hybrids, Titus and Seluh.

Any previous albums/shows/collaborations that you are most proud of? 
My song, “Hard Time To Shine” was remixed by UK DJ/Producer Andy Hunter, my song "Something Beautiful" was on the Craig Ferguson Show, and I collaborated with Kim Castle and Vito Montone on The Conscious Entrepreneur Experince DVD where I was the featured musical guest and they used my tunes throughout the whole production.

Any current rising stars within music that you would recommend we look out for? 
The Ugly suit … I love , love , love this band !!! They are already making a buzz at SXSW and I just saw them at The Viper Room last month and they are wonderful. Also, a singer/songwriter from the UK who used to be in this band called Budapest. His name is John Garrison.  I also really like this band Petty Crux from LA, and it's not just because my hubby plays keys for them:) The songs are amazing and they have done some great shows at the Dakota Lounge in Santa Monica. They should be on your radar. My bass player on this RAW gig OZ, is a force to be reckoned with and his project Chinese Goblin Factory is something to look out for as well.