Exploring Warmth in Winter by Cold Weather Company
POETRY DANS LA RUE: “Warmth in Winter” has become such a beloved track for Cold Weather Company. What inspired it, and what does it represent within your overall sound as a band?
Steve of Cold Weather Company: Great question! “Warmth in Winter” is one of the songs we’re most proud of. It really came together organically. Jeff had an initial riff that he felt had a holiday feel to it, and the three of us spent some time in a room jamming together like the old days. It was October at the time, and that helped the idea that we could actually release a holiday song ‘click.’ From there, everything fell into place, and we were able to weave all of our lead vocals into the final version.
We each wanted to share our own reflections on what the holidays mean to us: nostalgia, the sounds of home, and the memories that come flooding back while still putting our own unique spin on it. Revisiting those feelings is something we’ve always loved.
One of the most special parts of this song was bringing in our community to help create it. The first voices you hear belong to our friends, families, and listeners who supported the song from the start. Then, we reached out to a friend who was teaching choir at my old high school and asked if their students would join in. That sense of everyone coming together is exactly the feeling we wanted the song to capture.
PDLR: It has such a comforting and reflective tone. Was there a particular moment, memory, or feeling that sparked the idea for the song?
Cold Weather Company: Yes, at its core, the song is all about nostalgia and the people we love. With a title like Warmth in Winter, we wanted to capture that feeling you get no matter where you are or what kind of year you’ve had. The comfort that comes from memories, traditions, and the people who surround you. For us, it’s about community, togetherness, and opening your doors to others, especially during this season.
PDLR: The song contrasts cold and warmth beautifully. How do you translate those seasonal metaphors into musical decisions like instrumentation, harmonies, or production?
Cold Weather Company: There were two elements we immediately knew we wanted to include: sleigh bells and strings, along with a choir. Our friends Christine Shieh on violin and Kevin Lucero on cello naturally brought such warm, rich tones. We felt it was essential to have that warmth woven through the track. The main choir line repeats and gradually builds, and as the song progresses, we keep layering elements, strings, piano, and guitar, so the sound grows fuller and fuller. That contrast and buildup is really what shapes the song.
PDLR: A lot of people say this track really sticks with them. Why do you think “Warmth in Winter” resonates so deeply with listeners?
Cold Weather Company: We think it connects with people because it reminds them of why they fell in love with the holiday season to begin with. It touches on those sentimental moments, the people and places they miss and that sense of longing. It carries the spirit of those classic holiday moments you picture around a piano, where everyone is together, singing, laughing, and feeling that special kind of warmth you only get this time of year. Creating something that feels like that, something everyone can be part of, means a lot to us. We think people connect with this song so deeply because it feels inviting, comforting, and truly meant for everyone.
The Making of Cold Weather Company Music
PDLR: How do you approach creating that emotional depth in songs like ” Warmth in Winter” and across your other work?
Cold Weather Company: We’ve always taken pride in staying genuine from the very beginning. Every song we write has to come from a real, honest place, and that’s always been important to us. Our very first release was a seven-minute song, which isn’t exactly the typical way to introduce yourself in a world built around radio singles, but it felt true to who we were. We believe people connect with our music because they can sense that authenticity. We always want listeners to feel that what they’re hearing is real, heartfelt, and honest.
PDLR: You’ve been creating music together for over a decade. How has your creative process evolved from your early albums to now?
Cold Weather Company: All of our songs still start from the same core foundation: piano, two acoustic guitars, and the shared vocals that have always defined us. Our first album was almost entirely acoustic, then on the second we quietly introduced drums. By the third record, we were exploring even more with drums, strings, and horns. The fourth album leaned further into atmospheric elements, and with this fifth one, we’ve really blended everything we’ve learned along the way.
We’ve never wanted to limit ourselves creatively. Our sound has naturally grown more cinematic, while still making room for those stripped down moments that feel intimate and personal. It’s constantly evolving. Writing this new album together in the same room again was especially meaningful after creating so much of the last record remotely during COVID, it brought back a special connection and creative energy we really missed.
PDLR: Your band began from a chance meeting at Rutgers University. How does that origin story continue to influence your collaboration today?
Cold Weather Company: New Jersey and the Rutgers community have been incredibly important to us. The support we received at Rutgers really helped shape who we are, and that’s a big reason why the community around our music exists today. It taught us so much about the value of connection and showing up for one another.
Our first show album release actually happened at a coffee shop in New Brunswick called Hidden Grounds, and our second album release was at their second location. We both started around the same time, so watching that growth side by side has been really special. They’ve continued to open new stores across New Jersey and New York while we’ve continued to release new albums. That’s, of course, just one example, but it’s been so important to us to stay connected to our New Jersey roots and continue being part of the communities here.
Creating Music That Feels Like Company and a Journey
PDLR: What role do winter themes, imagery, and symbolism play in your songwriting?
Cold Weather Company: Our music and the way we write together started in the winter, which is where our name comes from. During that time, we were really company for each other. The cold can bring people together in search of warmth, like Warmth in Winter, but it can also create distance and isolation. We’ve always found that writing together in the winter leads to something really fruitful, and there’s this natural pull to create during that season.
Nature is constantly changing, and each season gives us something different to draw from. Whether it’s mountains, forests, beaches, the sea, or even our proximity to New York City and other big cities, our music reflects that mix. It’s always been a source of inspiration. Each song ends up pulling from a different ecosystem as a way for us to express ourselves.
PDLR: You created the Cold Weather Collective as a way to bring artists and fans together. How has that community influenced the band’s direction?
Cold Weather Company: It’s one of the things I’m most proud of. It gave us a real way to connect with our listeners. While it officially started in 2019, it grew during COVID, when we hosted these open mics on Zoom. They became a meaningful way to stay connected with people and offer a platform for them to share their own artistic pursuits. I also hosted livestreamed Cold Weather Conversations on Instagram, where I interviewed other artists and creatives, similar to what you’re doing now. Getting to see and showcase just how much beautiful art is out there is what makes the whole experience even more exciting.
PDLR: Listeners often say your music feels grounding or comforting. What experiences or emotions do you hope people take away from your songs?
Cold Weather Company: We hope people walk away feeling like the music is both layered and comforting. One of the best compliments we ever get is hearing that our songs have kept someone company. It’s that balance knowing we were there for someone in whatever moment they needed us. A lot of listeners tell us our music feels like an adventure. Going back to the more cinematic side we talked about earlier, that’s exactly what we’re aiming for. We want to take people on a journey to help them imagine themselves somewhere new, or somewhere familiar they miss. It’s about being there when you need comfort, while also giving you something that can carry you somewhere else.
Live Performance & Future Plans
PDLR: When performing live, how do you adopt atmospheric songs like “Warmth in Winter” to the stage?
Cold Weather Company: Unfortunately, we don’t have the full choir with us when we perform “Warmth in Winter.” Performing live (usually as a trio) gives us room to challenge ourselves and rethink how we express the feeling we’re going for in recordings featuring bass, strings, and other textures to fill that space. A lot of those moments end up interweaving and creating something new each time. Ultimately, we want our music to do more than just be played on a stage. We want it to feel immersive and meaningful.
PDLR: Looking ahead, what new projects, collaborations, or musical directions are you most excited about in the coming year?
Cold Weather Company: We’ve got a few live projects coming out next year, featuring songs old and new. We’re also planning to travel a lot and continue to push our latest album, “In Time,” as well as the rest of our catalogue, while writing and sharing new material. The gears are always turning as we explore new ways to keep things growing.
