Citizen Cope - ladies love him, guys want to be him - and goats fear him.

By Jaymie Baxley

After ending a thorny relationship with RCA records, Brooklyn-based troubadour Citizen Cope (or, as his mother calls him when he hasn’t cleaned his room, Clarence Greenwood) started his own label, Rainwater Recordings. His first effort under this imprint, a collection of soulfully reposed ditties entitled “The Rainwater LP,” will be loosed upon store shelves on March 2 .

We recently caught up with the singer/songwriter before his sold out Feb. 2 and 3 performances at the Cat’s Cradle in Carrboro and discussed his upcoming album and his new record company.

FAYETTEVILLE FEED: Have your past turmoils with bigger labels informed your new music and if so, how?

CITIZEN COPE: Well, I don’t really look at them as turmoils. I made three records with major labels and they got me to where I am today. I just felt like I needed to take things into my own hands because of the shrinking number of people at these companies. They really can’t take the time out anymore so I decided to start my own company and I feel really good about it.

F.F.:Would you ever consider migrating back to a major label?

COPE: I don’t know. I want my company to grow as a really strong independent label. I would like to do all of my stuff through Rainwater Recordings in the future. There may be a situation where I do some distribution through major outlets but I really don’t see major labels making a come back.

F.F.: Has managing your own label been stressful?

COPE: No, It’s actually been a lot less stressful. It’s weird because, when you write music and play shows, there’s a level of that that’s very basic. You act on instinct. When you have ten or twenty people behind that you start to question your instincts. “No, it’s not a good idea, you should try this or try that.” I think sometimes you tend to throw away good ideas.

F.F: There are several political references scattered about the new album. Do you feel lit’s easier to communicate political messages in a relaxed way as opposed the more aggressive politicking most bands do?

COPE: It’s just conciseness, I don’t call it politicking. It’s just my opinion about what’s going on. There’s no intention of changing anyone’s minds. It’s just poetry, really.

F.F: What was the song writing process like for the new album?

COPE: Sitin’ back and writing with the guitar. It was pretty great. I recorded between studios in Brooklyn and Malibu. It was a good contrast to be on both sides of the west. It was good to have two different environments to record in.

F.F.: The Rain Water LP is pretty atmospheric, where do you feel is the ideal place to listen to it?

COPE: Oh man…I don’t know. Listen to it loud. (laughs)

F.F.: Your music has been used in several films and TV shows. Of these, which are you proudest to have your music associated with?

COPE: I really liked the placement of “Hurricane Waters” in that film “Trouble In The Waters.” It was a documentary about hurricane Katrina. I really like the placement and the emotional impact when my song came on in that.

F.F.: You have two upcoming shows at the Cat’s Cradle, have you played in NC before? How was the experience?

COPE: Yeah, I’ve played there a bunch actually over the last five years. I’ve played Raleigh, Chapel Hill…I’ve played many places in the state.

F. F: How do you hope people will react to the new record?

COPE: I just want people to enjoy it and pass it along to their family and friends. That would be the best.

For more general information or to hear snippets of the “Rainwater LP,” visit Citizen Cope’s website.