My name is Cosmos Sunshine Heidtmann. I was born at 4:32 PM July 22nd, 1972 and I grew up in a shack on the banks of the Connecticut river. It was part of a semi-commune, farm-type thing that was shared by many freaks and other animals. There was no inside plumbing and no electricity other than what was supplied by generators, car batteries, then wind and eventually solar. When my dad was killed in a car accident it all sort of dissolved. Along came the '80s and many hardships. That's a whole other tale. I started playing guitar at fourteen. I did my first gig a year later featuring two songs I had written. Played my first paid gigs that same year. I had to carry a permission slip from my Mom to play in bars. After a brief stint at Berklee College of Music, I moved to NYC in 1991. There I formed the band Cherokee Sex Workshop and a few other bad habits. Soon after, success started rolling in by dribs and drabs. We were now being managed by a woman named Stefani Scamardo and began to pal around and do gigs with Jaik Miller and his band, Xanax 25. They in turn introduced me to The Allman Brothers Band, Blues Traveler, Spin Doctors, etc, etc. Soon we were doing gigs opening for great artists at New York venues such as Irving Plaza, Wetlands, CBGB, McGoverns and the infamous Nightingale Bar. At that time in New York there was a tight-knit musical community. We hit the heights with our buddy bands Cycomotogoat, NyQill, Lex Grey and the Urban Pioneers, Native and The Homegrown Lopes to name just a few. Soon we began work our first album with Warren Haynes doing the producing and the major labels came knocking. Deals were starting to come through, but the band had some deep flaws to go with our deep music. We caved in to pressure, changed the name to Walkinbird and carried on simultaneously creating and destroying ourselves while making some of the finest rock n' roll the world has never known. We took an indie deal after being passed on by almost every major label, all the while touring relentlessly. The first Walkinbird album came out and it was beautiful. The dark and the light swirled around us. Unfortunately, at least for a time, the darkness prevailed and we had to call it a day. After the band broke up I immediately immersed myself in studio work at the legendary Coyote Studios in Brooklyn. Among other projects, I worked with They Might Be Giants. I learned a ton about production working on their kid's record, the music for The Daily Show with Jon Stewart and the first two seasons of Malcolm in the Middle. It was a crucial experience, but by that time I had been amassing a backlog of songs and I began to sing. I retreated to CT to lick my wounds and hone my craft. So was born the Cosmos Sunshine Band and my li'l label, Lunar Discs. Many times were had, both good and bad. Mostly good. I released two CDs during that time as well. Then came the time to return to NYC and strike out on my own. Here I am. At the peak of my powers. Healthy and strong, come what may. I recently released the Cosmos Sunshine Band album entitled "Polyamorous" and I am working on the release of the long lost Walkinbird LP "Hole in the Sun" as well as doing gigs both with my new band and as a solo artist. I am hoping to manifest the people to invest money and help to guide my career. Life so far has one heckuva journey. Lots of adventures, musical and otherwise. Along the way I have had the honor of sharing bills with Gov't Mule, Johnny Winter, Lenny Kravitz, Blues Traveler, The Spin Doctors, Chris Whitley, Rich Robinson, Suzanne Vega, Blue Floyd, King Crimson, Son Volt, Dickie Betts, Tim Reanolds, Mountain, Screamin' Cheetah Wheelies, Derek Trucks, Topaz, Big Sugar, Deep Banana Blackout, Bernie Worrell, Suzanne Vega, Earl Greyhound, Raq, and the Breakfast and more. I have also graced many of the better stages across this great land and I've gotten to meet some of my idols. Jeff Buckley, Billy Gibbons, the surviving original members of the Allman Brothers Band, Jack Cassady and Tom Dowd are the ones that spring to mind. There are others. Life is good. I am blessed. In a time when it is more and more challenging for a musician to find success, the world needs us to light the way. Now more than ever. Music is an exchange. Be a part of that give and take. Help when and where you can to spread the news. For your own good, for the good of the artist and the good of the world.
Hello Cos, I was just listening to some of your music and thinking of you. I just wanted to let you know, because i think it is something you would want to know, that, when I first saw you and your band play at my high school 5 years ago, you influenced me to play music more than any other person or band that i know. I tell you this because i am finding that music is going to take me where ever my life may go and i wanted you to know you are partly responsible for that. on a lighter note let me know of any up coming gigs you have this summer in the city or elswhere because i would love to see you play . Thank you. -Nick Fiora
fell off a table at Nightengale's while ranting about the old skool. Been recovering on the Mountain for 3 months now..it's the mt where dylan crashed before writing blond on blond soo I have had some inspiration...can't wait to shake again though...r
Yeah I had a blast that night........!!!! Im well! Definately keep me posted if you plan on playin in the area I really would love to watch you perform!
Look to the sky, straight up Broadway and keep going as the crow flies... to here... just 90 miles north of you... There is a strange and wondrous wild woman who you happened to befriend several years ago. Because you knew she'd see who you really are... Or maybe you didn't. But she is your friend and she loves you. She always sees a beautiful aware, awake being who has the ability to make one smile or cry with raw emotion, Who seers his voice into the hearts he touches.
In her heart and mind, You are perfect. Simply perfect in your being so gracefully you.
Here.... 90 miles north as the crow flies nestled between two mountains... beneath a crisp blue sky... laced with puffy clouds dancing around a brilliant sun... Is me loving you... for you.
Cosmos Sunshine... So aptly named, I, who's name is also Sun, also aptly named... thank you for being a light in my experience. Distance makes no difference... because there is no distance. Energy moves faster than matter... Can you feel the hug?
