From his homebase in Nashville, TN, Justin and the Cosmics frontman Justin Collins makes Americana his own way. To tell his story, he alternatively strips his songs bare with spare chords or dresses them up with electric embellishments while his vocals walk a line between giving a nod to old-school country and embracing raw rock and roll. In addition to the band, Collins also moonlights as part of the production duo Cosmic Thug, who are responsible for producing albums from bands like Deer Tick, Sallie Ford and the Sound Outside and the super group Diamond Rugs (members from the Black Lips, Deer Tick and Dead Confederate). Fresh from supporting Diamond Rugs on tour, the next big milestone for Collins is the upcoming release of Justin and the Cosmic's full-length debut, Schooly Dreams, in October.

You recently came back from a tour with Diamond Rugs. What were the most memorable moments? 

With that group of comrades, every moment is memorable, though I do often recall Easter morning Bloody Marys somewhere in Iowa. Singing my song, "Totally Lonely," with them always holds a deep place in my heart, as well. The final show at the Shaky Knees Festival in Atlanta is also a vivid and emotional memory because it could have been the last Diamond Rugs show. Probably not, but that band uniting and touring is about as common as witnessing a comet.

Did the tour have any effect on future output?

I've been making music in some form or fashion with most of the Diamond Rugs crew for a while now, and what I do is not far off the mark with what they all do individually. So, being on tour in front of their crowds was a powerful move for me, and I think it has certainly opened some doors for my music to finally get more exposure, though my output will continue to be there regardless.

Where do you find inspiration for your songs? 

Haha, unfortunately it often comes from suffering. Sadly, I grew up with my own belief that nothing good ever comes without suffering. I've learned to be aware of how much nonsense that is; though habitually, because of self-programming, I still seem to find ways to hurt myself or find and spotlight the bruises  that can even be found in beauty. I'm working on fixing that. It's not healthy, though people often do feel better when they hear a song of pain and realize they aren't alone.

What was your record collection like growing up?

The first records I ever started buying were all of the late '80s and early '90s rap groups. You'd never know that when listening to my music though. Run DMC, Public Enemy, the NWA  gang, Too $hort, Geto Boys to name a few. I grew out of it though. In fact, I almost despise rap now. At a very young age, I was often deeply immersed in my grandmother's record collection...Elvis Presley, The Beach Boys, The Beatles, Michael Jackson, Bob Seger, CCR, etc. Very classic stuff, I still haven't grown out of any of that.

How did you first start writing and recording music?

I was dark and lonely and I couldn't figure out how to express what I felt like I needed to say, so I bought a guitar and started writing and trying to unmask my true feelings. Next, I bought a tape machine and started recording things in my house. That turned into a whole new passion. Recording. I often do it with/for other people now.

How would you describe Justin and the Cosmics in terms of sound and character?

Raw, tender, courage, experienced. The Nashville Scene described it well, I thought, when they said, "Outfitted with an Orbison-esque croon, they essentially sound like Bakersfield on better drugs, or early Meat Puppets with tighter chops."

What do you want listeners to take away from your EP or a show? 

With the EP, I want them to feel like they just were given a deep, warm hug in a dark, vast land. Our live shows are pretty high octane though. I just want the shows to make people feel alive and inspired to sell everything they got and hit the road because life is fleeting.

As for Cosmic Thug, do you have any new production projects on the horizon? What's your guys' approach like?

We always have things on the horizon. In fact, we just started our own record label, Cosmic Thug Records. We'll be releasing a series of 45's starting soon, which will feature many of the people we've worked with over the past few years, as well as some new!

How would you describe the music scene in Nashville?

Saturated. Lots of skill here. You are forced to be a better musician because of that. There's a lot of good bands in the rock genre now, and a lot of bad ones, too. Tons of mediocre music in most other genres.