In his latest single “Tryin,” Hollywood Cobain delves deep into themes of men’s mental health, a topic that he resonates with personally.
The timing of this realization was serendipitous, aligning with an article he read about June being Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month, a significant period for Cobain. “Father’s Day is in June, which has taken a lot from my family, particularly on the men’s side. My dad, my grandpa, and his dad all suffered from alcoholism,” he explains. The cultural stigma around men seeking help weighed heavily on Cobain’s mind. “The stigma that men getting help is a sign of weakness leads a lot of people to the bottle,” he says. Feeling like it was a sign from God, he decided to act on his inspiration. “I just popped up and pulled up the recording session to mix it, made the artwork myself, and started letting people know I was back to the music.”
Moving back to Orlando and enrolling at Full Sail University was also a pivotal moment for Cobain. “Being surrounded by driven artists lit the fuse of inspiration,” he shares. However, it was a poignant conversation with a mentor that spurred him into action. “He told me I was being selfish for keeping my music to myself when a lot of my older music had inspired others,” Cobain recalls.
Cobain’s creative process for “Tryin” is deeply intuitive. “When I write songs, it’s like I blackout,” he says, comparing the experience to attending an unforgettable concert but struggling to recall the specifics afterward. This immersive approach allows him to channel raw emotion into his music.
On the production front, Cobain focuses on authenticity. “I learned a long time ago, when it comes to making my music, trust my gut and go with it. I am who I am,” he states. Overcoming the insecurities associated with releasing new music is an ongoing challenge for him. “Releasing music has always been the hard part. That’s where the insecurities creep in,” Cobain admits. Yet with “Tryin,” he is committed to breaking free from these doubts and sharing his work with the world.
Hollywood Cobain’s “Tryin” is more than a song; it is a candid reflection on the complexities of mental health and an artist’s journey toward embracing vulnerability. By confronting the stigmas and personal challenges that men face, Cobain’s latest release is a heartfelt contribution to an important conversation.
Stream the single below.