Ty Cooper EP release/listening party at Peach's in Yellow Springs

You could say up-and-coming singer/songwriter Ty is and isn’t fooling around with his new EP.

He is with its title, “Fool,” but not with promoting it. He’s been in Indianapolis, Columbus and Cincinnati so far and Saturday, April 1, appropriately April Fool’s Day, the Southeastern High School graduate is returning to this area.

Peach’s Grill in Yellow Springs will host an EP release/listening party, 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. where Cooper will perform live versions of songs from “Fool” along with live music from band Scarecrow Sideshow.

Cooper drew from multiple musical influences for the five songs on “Fool,” coming up with what he calls Americana soul with lots of horns but a country feel blending in, as well.

“I looked at Otis Redding and Sam Cooke, songs I grew up with but also George Jones,” he said.

He said Grammy-nominated performer Sturgill Simpson was a close example of the sound he’s going for, although he’s more country overall.

Cooper describes the first single, “Thanks to You,” co-written with fellow Southeastern grad and singer/songwriter Wyatt McCubbin, as starting off upbeat but slows down, a good mix.

Other tunes were written with Matt Washburn, also from the area, who has also worked with the Kate Hasting Band.

“He’s very good with ideas, a riff or a line. Together we can mold around that and it all makes sense,” said Cooper.

As for the “Fool” title, Cooper said it was autobiographical.

“That’s me,” he said. “The songs are about relationships, autobiographical, personal stuff.”

Cooper recently moved to the Nashville area to focus on his music career, making rounds in the Midwest to promote the EP. Coming to Peach’s seemed like a good way to return home.

“As a musician, I grew up at Peach’s.” he said. “I made a lot of good friends at their open-mic night and had great times there. The people in Yellow Springs are all about music and art.

“Even though I’ve only been gone a month, it’s so nice to see familiar faces.”

Cooper will do several live dates in the upcoming weeks including Springfield’s Station One in Springfield on May 13 and at Urbana’s Rhythm & Foods Festival at the Champaign County Fairgrounds on June 17.

“Fool” will be available on CD at the listening party and released and on digital on April 14.

Contact this contributing writer at bturner004@woh.rr.com.

How to go

What: Ty Cooper EP release/listening party

Where: Peach’s Grill, 104 Xenia Ave., Yellow Springs

When: 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. Saturday, April 1

Admission: Free

More info: www.facebook.com/TyCooperMusic/

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