Paul Cote pauses in thought as he tries to answer the question. The question wouldn't be too hard for most musicians to answer, but Cote isn't your ordinary musician. The talented singer/songwriter/guitarist has recently left his gig in Calling All Monsters in favor of a solo career, but right now he is trying to answer the most common of all questions in a music interview--"What are your influences?"

"I like good music." Short, sweet, and not very elaborate, but it may be the only answer that is appropriate. Cote's songwriting and delivery encompass such a wide range of musical styles and eras that he would be doing himself a gross injustice by simply naming a few bands he listened to as a kid. Initially, Cote's seven song CD may bring to mind several hard rock and psychedelic bands of the 1960s, but the beauty of Cote's music lies in ability to mix a fabulously varied array of influences with his own unique style of singing, songwriting, and guitar playing.

Virgin ears will be able to link Cote's music with the rock giants of the 1960s and 70s--Cream, Hendrix, the Beatles, and David Bowie come immediately to mind. Fast paced songs like "Lobuine," "Jet Fighter," and "Refresh," would fit nicely into a mix tape with songs from Cream's "Disraeli Gears." However, repeated listens reveal the presence of many more influences including, but not limited to, blues, metal, folk-rock, country, and funk.

Cote officially left Calling All Monsters in November 1999. As the singer, guitarist, and chief songwriter of the group, Cote is certain that fans of the band will find his solo material very similar to the material he produced with the group. "I basically wrote all the songs for Calling All Monsters, so it wasn't an egomaniacal thing where I didn't appreciate someone else's songs or something. I just reached a point where I felt it was in my best interest to go solo and all I can do is hope that there won't be any hard feelings. But as far as the music goes, I think people will be able to tell right away that it's coming from the same place."

After deciding to go solo, Cote held a series of auditions to find a bassist and drummer. Through what he calls "An amazing twist of fate," he was able to hook up with drummer Masa Amakura and bassist Mike Burns. "Masa came down to audition just two days after I had seen him playing at Chicago B.L.U.E.S. and he blew me away. Once I heard him and Michael play I knew we had something going."

The newly formed trio is currently rehearsing in New York in preparation for Cote's upcoming solo album. Cote claims that his new album will have a similar sound and style as his earlier material--which has been featured in several films including "The Last Days of Disco." "The new songs will also have some electronic stuff in there. It won't be the focus of the music, but it will definitely be there. Similar to what Beck and Moby are doing."

It will be interesting to see how Cote incorporates the electronic element into his already eclectic sound. As the driving force of "Lobuine" dies down, Cote shifts gears into "Chinese Pictures," a laid back tune about personal freedom complete with distorted guitars and haunting imagery. As Cote sings the chorus ("I'm the clown and the world laughs from a fishbowl"), you can tell that he is intensely free-spirited. "Chinese Pictures is about having the courage to make your own choices without worrying how society will react. In the end, the people who criticize you will contain themselves with their own judgements."

His ability to write music that runs the gamut from trippy ballads to hard-hitting jams has made Paul Cote one of the most sought after unsigned artists in New York. Go check him out before he is signed so you can say you saw him way back when--and I can say I told you so.

In addition to being a contributing writer at ModernRock.com, John Fitzgerald is President of Snozzberry Entertainment, a music video production company. For more information, email him at snozzberry@ModernRock.com.