Years ago, or more than two decades, if I’m being honest, I began using the moniker Cold the Winter on music sites, and some forums, as a name for my band—something that never materialized as an actual band. I got it from a line in Pearl Jam’s “Thumbing My Way” that says, “No matter how cold the winter, there’s a springtime ahead”, and it was something that resonated with my rather pessimistic outlook.
As someone who lives in a state that gets very little snow, the idea of a winter-themed motif made me happy… a wish for something that I didn’t experience much of, and, as years have gone on, I rarely experience now. I loved finding free-use pictures, or getting permission from people who’ve taken wintery photos to use them.
After releasing three albums and seven or eight singles as KCWM, I made the decision to release upcoming music with lyrics under the KCWM moniker, something that’s I originally envisioned as purely Cold the Winter territory. I recently received an email about renewing Cold the Winter, and that was the final nail in the coffin for moving everything under KCWM.
I doubt anyone’s using or wanting to use Cold the Winter as a band name (though I did have someone reach out back in the MySpace days and tell me they trademarked it… they lied), but, as guardian of the name now for 20-something years, they have my blessing to do so.
It’s been a fun ride, but if I ever release music in the future, it will be under the KCWM name.
All the best.