By Joey McWilliams
DURANT – Victoria Cook recently released her first single online. “Double Standards” came out just a couple of months ago on various streaming platforms, such as Spotify, Apple Music, iTunes and more.
It comes across as alternative pop and has a edgy feel to it. That feeling is to be expected as it illustrates her frame of mind at the time.
“I wrote this song at a really kind of angry point in my life, a hurt point in my life,” Cook said.
“I have a lot of originals and I sent at least 20 demos to this producer. I wasn’t expecting him to pick this song. He said this one had the most ‘oomph’ to it, the most attitude. Well, yeah, I was really hurt then, but I want to clarify that this song came from that headspace, and not where I am now.
Victoria Cook in the forefront, with the band Willowshade. Photo provided.
“I don’t think that the art you get from those particularly unhealthy headspaces should necessarily not be put out there. Because I think that’s helpful.”
[In the iTunes Store, search “Double Standards.” The song by Victoria Cook can be purchased for $.99. It is also on Spotify and Apple Music.]
Cook is a graduate of Silo High School, as well as Southeastern Oklahoma State University, earning a bachelor’s degree in arts and music. It was an educational choice she knew may present challenges.
“The reason I got a music degree – I had a scholarship for it,” Cook said. “And I remember during my senior year in high school thinking, ‘What am I going to do? I know that I want to do music, but I doubt that is going to be a possibility. I should probably do what everyone says and go into something that is going to get me good job.’
“But I knew that I didn’t know of anything else that I wanted to put time, like four years or more, into and even if I’m not going to get the best job security with a music degree, I would rather spend four or five years learning about something I’m interested in.”
She has been able to pursue avenues of that musical interest in the years following her time at Southeastern.
“Basically, I have been writing my own songs and performing for a while now. I recorded this song about two years ago and I’m just now able to release it so that’s exciting.
“There are a lot of originals that I’m doing nothing with besides performing at live shows. But this is the first one I’ve professionally recorded.”
Victoria Cook performing with Three River Jazz. Photo provided.
Cook plays acoustic guitar and sings in her live performances, but the single is out with a full band backup. Performances are on the side, as she takes care of her ‘day job’ working at Opera House Coffee.
But all of it took a backseat recently for Cook, who found out there would be another type of challenge to overcome.
“On Sept. 24, I found out I had a brain tumor and then had surgery on Nov. 20, so it was a really quick ‘Let’s get this done as soon as possible’ deal.”
Her music career and pretty much everything thing else had to be put on hold. And there was no guarantee as to how long that hold would be.
“When we first found it, we were going to different surgeons to find out what method we should do. The first place we went to was a neurosurgeon in Dallas. He said that it needed to come out ASAP, but you could lose function of the entire left side of your body and that is a pretty significant risk. I mean, that’s like I can’t walk or I can’t sing.
“So I thought let’s see if there are any other options. And basically, every one we went to spoke of loss of memory, loss of personality, loss of vision, loss of function on one side of the body, paralysis, death and other things.
“Naturally, I started thinking that this would change the entire trajectory of my life and I’m going to have to really adjust if I can’t play music and I was preparing to adjust.”
But it all had to be done and Cook has come out on the other side after a successful surgery. Although she couldn’t do much for a couple of months to follow, she said she knows there is much for which to be thankful.
“Of course, we were all stoked that I was alive and that I was not paralyzed. But it was a lot of laying around and a lot of headaches. Head-splitting pain. A lot of me trying to get back into doing things and then overdoing.
“I’ve learned a lot of things, but one of those things in particular is that I don’t rest well. There was a lot of me having to force myself to rest.”
It took a bit for her equilibrium to get back in order, she had to get used to walking and then there was the music.
“I also tried to play guitar like four days after surgery, which was a horrible idea, and my surgeon was like, ‘What the heck do you think you’re doing? You’re not going to be able to play right now.’
“I was like, ‘Well, I got all excited. I wanted to try.’ But it didn’t go too well. I couldn’t play and sing at the same time for at least a month.”
As things are coming back into place, Cook also said it’s important to give credit where credit is due. and she credits her faith in God for her recovery and more.
“It makes all the difference. It’s everything.
“I honestly don’t know how people go through life without a relationship with Jesus. There’s just too much to handle by yourself, even if you’re not going through something like that.
“This didn’t start my relationship with God, but it definitely strengthened and furthered it because you don’t really have any other option at that point. I didn’t feel there was any other option but to cling tight to what I knew to be true.”
And now, she said she thanks the Lord everything went perfectly, and she knew it was time.
“I thought, ‘OK, it’s time to buckle down and release this song.’”
The single can be purchased for $.99 on the streaming platforms. Downloads and shares help the song get out there more.
“The goal is to take it further. I plan on releasing more for sure.
“And if this one isn’t your particular cup of tea, I will have other songs in the future. But with that being said, this song is really important to me and I’m glad I released it.”