You know how every once in a while you come across something that just doesn't make sense to you? Like adult cartoons. Or jumbo shrimp. Or Joan Rivers? That's what sprang to mind when I came across the debut CD of Cori Yarckin. This 22-year old hottie from Florida has just put out the best power-pop/rock record of 2005, "Ringing in My Head". I had only heard one cut when Cori sent me the CD and I was just knocked out when I heard it. Every one of the 10 cuts on the record is a great song.

And the thing that doesn't make sense is how come she's an indie artist and not on some huge label knocking them dead in arena shows. Hey, compare her to Hillary Duff, Lindsay Lohan and the like, and there's no contest. Cori rocks!!!

The record is also really terrifically produced, thanks to Jimmy Robertson Landry who also played mostly all the instruments, and co-wrote the songs with Cori. There are pedal-to-the-floor rockers like "Gratitude" and my favourite cut, "So Much For the Real Thing", and more reserved songs like "My Ever After". All of them add up to a real strong record.

antiMusic spoke to Cori this week about her new record, working with Missy Elliott, and having her heart stomped on.

antiMusic: "Ringing in my Head" is such a strong record for a debut, did it come out the way you had envisioned?

Cori: I think it came out better than I would have ever thought. For the budget we were on, I really wasn't expecting it to even be sonically as good as it is... so it was a nice surprise. (Thanks Jimmy www.audiostrike.com).

antiMusic: How long has the record been in the works?

Cori: Well it took about 4 months start to finish to complete...and was released in April.

antiMusic: Can we talk a bit about some of the songs? Can you give a couple of lines about a couple of the cuts, either what they're about or something that happened while writing/recording them?

Cori: - Gratitude- "Thank you, I'm better off now. That's my attitude. Thank you for kicking me when I'm down. What do I owe you? Here's something for my gratitude." The lyrics on this song were sort of satirizing someone hurting me and saying it was a good thing. Ever heard the expression "What doesn't kill you only makes you stronger?"... something like that.

I Want That- "I want that. I want a picture perfect couple like in my grandma's vintage photograph." I actually was in Boston when I wrote this song, and was at my grandmother's house and saw an old, old picture of her and my Papa in the living room. I was looking at it and thinking how happy they looked back then and how happy they still were after 56 years of marriage. It kinda blew my mind and made me wonder if I'd ever find someone like that to share my life with.

Shatterproof - "It's killing me that I can't walk away from you, I'm not shatterproof". This song is about an unhealthy relationship I had that I just couldn't get away from. No matter what he did or how strong I tried to be, I would always go back.

How the World Goes Around - "I think life tastes so much sweeter, going nowhere and when you follow the leader, you don't have a prayer. So keep it up now, stay on top now, move your lips and do what they tell you now. I can't believe how the world goes around, it's sad to see how the world goes around." This sort of means we all need to make our own paths in life and in everything we do. If we all just do what the media tells us to do, we're all going to be the same... and that's just sad.

antiMusic: Any significance to the title of the record?

Cori: "Ringing in my Head." All these songs and all the lyrics are things that I've wanted to say for a long time but never had the outlet to do so... yea... that's where that comes from.

antiMusic: Do you have a personal favourite on the record? Why?

Cori: I love "Gratitude" just for the lyrics alone. Song-wise... for me it's a toss up between "Better", and "Shatterproof."

antiMusic: How were the sessions for this? What was your studio schedule like?

Cori: I wrote the majority of the songs in a period of about 2-3 weeks. It was very intense... and challenging. Jimmy (the producer) and I were in the studio all day from like noon to 2 in the morning... and then he'd sleep there! It was pretty crazy.

antiMusic: How did you come to work with Jimmy Robertson Landry and what is it about your working relationship with him that makes for such an excellent end product?

Cori: I met him through a lawyer that I knew in NY. Jimmy is great because he's lets me have my say. A lot of times in the studio... there are egos involved and it's hard to have a voice. With Jimmy, if my idea was better than his... then we'd roll with mine... or vice versa. We communicated really well.

antiMusic: The lyrics on the record tred the love-gone-wrong path. Are you drawing all the material from your personal life? Are things that bad in Cori-land ? :)

Cori: Well like any girl... we've all had our heart stomped on a time or two. (Boys suck!!!) But don't you worry about me... I can handle myself. Thank God for music or I wouldn't have an outlet for my emotions. :)

antiMusic: What is your musical background? How long has music been in your life and when did you make conscious decision to do this as a career?

Cori: Music has always been a part of my life. Growing up as a dancer... I was exposed to so many different types of music. I also was very involved in musical theatre growing up as well. I took piano when I was younger but didn't stick with it... Growing up wasn't always that easy either... and when I would get upset about things I would write poetry... but never told any one about it or showed anyone. Then high school came and I was going through some tough times and started writing music with a friend. At some point I met my manager and just decided to stick with it.

antiMusic: Play any instruments?

Cori: Learning the guitar... I'm really bad and should def practice more. lol.

antiMusic: When did you first start writing songs?

Cori: The first song I ever wrote was in 5th grade as a class project. But I didn't really start writing songs until high school.

antiMusic: Tell us about your time on the Missy Elliott show. How did you hear about the competition and what was your experience like?

Cori: The show was definitely an experience. I got a random call from the casting directors one day and they asked me to come down to audition for the show. I went and for some reason I kept making it to the next round. It really blew my mind because I don't do hip hop/rap... but I figured I might as well run with it. I'm glad I had the opportunity for whatever that's worth... don't know how much good it did me, but it didn't do anything bad.... and that's GOOD!

antiMusic: Did you get much time alone with Missy? Did you get on personally with her?

Cori: No... we really had no time alone with Missy until you were brought up for elimination. That was the most disappointing part of the show because I really wanted to be able to work with her etc.

antiMusic: Did your time on the show give you any valuable experience you were able to put towards your career?

Cori: It taught me that you always have to be on your toes no matter what. And also that if you want to stay on a reality show... you either need to get in a fight... or make out with someone. :)

antiMusic: Are you aiming to land a contract with a major label or are you comfortable winging it the indie way?

Cori: I would LOVE to sign to a major. Being indie is cool and all... but things could be much easier and move along much quicker with the help of a major... so everyone say a prayer for me! :)

antiMusic: In your bio it says that you have worked as a dancer also. Is this a passion of yours or is it just to complement your singing?

Cori: It used to be. I danced for 16 years. I miss it terribly but there really is no future in dance for me. I always knew that I never wanted to be a professional dancer as a career b/c it was a dead end road... I was just good at it and loved it so much so I did it as long as I could. I'm extremely thankful for it as it taught me so much about discipline and gave me so much experience on the stage and with audiences.

antiMusic: What is the game plan for you for the rest of the year/2006?

Cori: Well come the first of the year I'm hoping to shop for a major label... but also I'll be on tour. I'm going to be doing a college tour. I'm really excited about that.

antiMusic: If you were to land a national tour, who would you be comfortable opening for?

Cori: Anyone... I can't be picky when it comes to that. :)

antiMusic: You are a reasonably attractive girl ;) (big laughs - understatement of the year!!) How do you maintain your ultra-fit condition while on the road?

Cori: I'll tell ya, it's really hard! I'm with 5 boys at ALL times and you can imagine the types and quantities of food they eat... not to mention the choices that I have on the road. I try really hard to eat as healthy as possible... but when there are fries in my face three times a day... I just can't always say no. Thank God for Tae-bo... and treadmills at the hotels. :)

antiMusic: What's Cori Yarckin like away from the mike? What other things are you into and what could one find you doing on a rare day off?

Cori: Well I don't get too many days off. Having almost 90,000 friends on www.myspace.com/coriyarckin now you can imagine the volume of email I get. If I don't do it everyday... I get waaay backed up. So I do that, I work out... and hang out w/ my friends. I have two dogs that I'm completely obsessed with and spend a lot of time with them as well.

antiMusic: Anything else you would like to tell us that I didn't ask about?

Cori: Yes... you can get my CD at www.cdfreedom.com/coriyarckin, www.amazon.com, www.cdbaby.com/yarckin, and also on itunes. :)

Thanks so much!!!