The Check-In with Cold Court
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In this episode of 'The Check-In with Joe Plummer,' host Joe welcomes Cold Court—fronted by JoJo Mini and Minnie—to discuss their debut EP 'Hands Up,' set for release on Juneteenth. The band reflects on their journey from early childhood musical experiments in Jersey to forming Cold Court during their senior year of high school in 2022. They dive into the creative chaos behind their sonic evolution, moving from raw no-wave and noise rock influences to a more layered, production-heavy sound that blends glitch, pop, and aggressive textures. A deep dive into the song 'Nina' reveals a lyrical narrative inspired by Nina Simone, framed as a dreamlike, apocalyptic love letter to a divine figure. The band shares the emotional and technical struggle of capturing the right energy in the studio, ultimately turning to Ableton and JoJo’s remixing genius to unlock the song’s full potential. They also discuss their evolving live setup, incorporating Ableton, 808s, and backing tracks, while remaining open to future experimentation. With a tour launching in three days in Philadelphia, the conversation ends on a warm, collaborative note, full of local tips and excitement for the future.
Cold Court’s debut EP 'Hands Up' blends no-wave intensity with glitchy, pop-infused production, reflecting a mature sonic evolution from their earlier raw sound.
The song 'Nina' was inspired by Nina Simone and functions as a poetic, dreamlike narrative about divine revelation and existential desperation.
The band struggled to capture the live energy of 'Nina' in the studio until JoJo remixed it in Ableton, adding trap drums and 808s that unlocked the song’s emotional core.
They use a hybrid live setup with three guitars, 808s, samples, and a live Ableton operator, embracing technology without losing their DIY spirit.
The band values creative experimentation and emotional authenticity over nostalgia or imitation, even when influenced by icons like Kevin Shields and Escape the Fate.
…and 1 more takeaway available in PodZeus
Sponsor Intro: Kuma Coffee & DistroKid
Joe opens with a sponsor segment featuring Kuma Coffee, highlighting their direct-trade, fair-trade practices and new instant coffee line. He then promotes DistroKid’s new features including unlimited mastering, music video distribution, and Banzoogle for building artist websites.
Cold Court’s Origins & Dog Fostering
JoJo Mini introduces their foster dog Chase (a.k.a. Rufus), sharing their love for dogs and personal history growing up in Jersey and moving to Philadelphia for college. The band’s roots in music began early, with JoJo playing guitar and Minnie performing since childhood.
Early Musical Influences & Identity
The duo discusses their formative years—video games, walks in nature, and early concerts like Justin Bieber and Louis Ebert. JoJo reflects on being in a band at 12, feeling disconnected from music at the time, and not truly understanding it until later.
The Birth of Cold Court & Sonic Evolution
“We didn’t know what we were chasing. Everything we love at the time—it’s just crazy.”
The Making of 'Nina' & Creative Breakthrough
“I literally cried because like this is exactly what we should sound like.”
“I literally cried because like this is exactly what we should sound like.”
“It’s like a love song about like God. Okay. A God who is this really hot girl.”
“We didn’t know what we were chasing. Everything we love at the time—it’s just crazy.”
Host
Guest
Cold Court
other
JoJo Mini
person
Minnie
person
Philadelphia
place
Ableton
product
Kuma Coffee
brand
Chase (Rufus)
person
DistroKid
brand
Nina Simone
person
Schecter Guitars
brand
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