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Written by: Ezra Lerner

Published: 13 October 2020

Created: 13 October 2020

Last Updated: 13 October 2020

Hits: 4133

Justin Cooper, a graduate of both Scarsdale High School and Northwestern University, has cut his teeth as a professional musician over the past few months. His debut song, The Good Ole Days went viral over the summer, making waves on music streaming services Spotify and SoundCloud, before expanding to a wider range of platforms. Since then, he has released Sunny Side Up, a song about different types of eggs, and Call Me Girlfriend, a track about his relationship failures, that comes to Spotify on October 16. His newest song, Morning Person, is out now on Spotify. During our conversation, which has been edited for length and clarity, we spoke about the inspiration behind some of his catalogue, his interest in music production, and his love of singing.

So, just to start, how did you decide to make The Good Ole Days?
This year, I lived in a house with seven roommates, and it was just beautiful to hang out on the roof, especially when the weather got nice. So one night, a few of us are hanging out on the rooftop, and I'd just seen that episode of The Office when Andy [Bernard] says, “I wish there was a way to know you’re in the good old days before you've actually left them.” It was almost graduation, and I was like, “Wow, like, these are the good old days.” And that night, I went down into my room, started working on the song, and just a few days later, it was ready.

Was this the first song that you made professionally?
So it's the first song that I released onto Spotify and SoundCloud, but I'd say since March 2019, this has been my passion project. Around then, I got one of those fancy mics, I got Logic Pro on my computer, and I just started pouring through YouTube videos, learning how to actually produce, mix and master records. I'd always loved writing songs, but this was probably the first song where I was like, "Wow, the public really needs to hear this. I really love this song."

What about that song made you think that it was time to start releasing?
As soon as I graduated, I was like, "Alright, I want to start releasing stuff. I want to see what I can do in music before I sell myself to the corporate world." So I was trying to figure out my best song, and this song— I caught [my friends and roommates] all walking around the house, humming or singing it. That's when I knew, “Wow, this is catchy. People are gonna like this.”

Can you walk me through the numbers that song has done?
I could look it up, but off the top of my head, I'm pretty sure on SoundCloud, it's past 100,000 [streams], but I think it's kind of topped off around there. And on Spotify, it's been growing every day. Right now, I think it's at like 75,000 [streams].

Why do you think it's resonating with people?
So I think there are a couple of factors. I really have tried to build my brand and identity around this nostalgia vibe, especially to the ‘90s. I also think that a lot of the elements of the song and the production are just very retro. The chord progression is this blocky synth that just sounds like childhood. It sounds like a kid banging on a xylophone. And then that coupled with the message of the song being "these are the good old days This is the time that we're gonna look back and be nostalgic about." I think it resonates with people on both a production and a lyrical level, where it's just a full on nostalgia trip.

I definitely got an e-boy vibe. I don't know if you know who Chase Hudson on Tik Tok is—he doesn't make music—but I was like, "Oh, if he made music, that is what it would sound like."
What's the name? Chase Hudson?

Yeah.
[begins typing] Cool. I'm gonna look him up.

I got the sense that the song was centered around the value and the benefits of male camaraderie. Am I catching onto something there, or no?
It's definitely about that. As the origin story of the song goes, it's about a bunch of dudes in a house, hanging out on a rooftop. At the end of the day, it's definitely got that bro-y, kind of hang-out vibe. And I feel like a lot of people definitely are feeling that, and especially recent graduates are probably feeling that too.

You can teach yourself how to mix and sound produce, but you also sing on the track. That's obviously more difficult. How did you come across doing that?
I knew that I wanted to be a songwriter and a producer, but the only way to get people to write and produce for is to have some credits. So, I just started singing on my own tracks. At first, I was terrible, but I practiced a lot, and with each subsequent song, I both got better at singing and got better at mixing my own voice. At this point, when I record, I definitely know what plugins I'm going to use on my voice in order to make it sound the best it can.

And then what was the inspiration for the song Sunny Side Up?
That was the first time I ever made a song, and there was no real inspiration for that other than I was really in the weeds of song structure and arrangement. And that song, when I showed it to people, I caught them singing it to themselves just randomly, and I was like, "This is a really catchy song."

Why eggs as a subject matter?
So when I first started writing the song, I was just trying to think of the most ridiculous thing I could write about. I had just had scrambled eggs, and I remember my friend was making fun of me for putting ketchup on my eggs. So I was like, "Alright, I'm gonna write a song about putting ketchup on my eggs." And then as I progressed in writing the song, I started to realize like, "Oh, eggs have such deeper meaning to them. They're so hard on the outside, but once you crack them, it's all gooey and mushy on the inside." That’s what inspired the lyrics from the bridge that are like, "Crack the egg and then do it all again. I'm in my shell. I'm in my shell." Maybe we're all eggs on the inside.

What did you want the eggs to represent?
I don't think that I really had an intentional metaphor with that. I was just trying to play around with them.

Oh, okay, because it just sounded like you kind of wanted it to mean something.
I want the audience to be able to extract their own meaning from it. And whether or not my intention was a specific meaning or not, I think is irrelevant. All that matters is what the audience perceives.

Your song Call Me Girlfriend—somewhere you said it was based on you making the same mistakes in relationships. Can you walk me through the thinking behind that?
Over the last couple years, I've gone through several different relationships that fell into the same patterns. At first everything was great, and slowly as the relationship would unfold, I started to get very attached. Eventually, it would just become very paralyzing. So this song was kind of my catharsis, to basically say to myself, "I think that I can break that cycle.”

And do you think that was your fault, their fault, or both?
Oh, it's 100% my fault. I think it's just something that I need to learn to work on.

Do you have any new music coming out soon?
I do have a few other songs, and I'm trying to figure out right now how I want to go about releasing them. I could see myself doing an EP, or just continuing with this string of singles. I kind of like releasing singles, because I feel like each song gets to be super special and has its own time in the spotlight. So I definitely want to think a little bit more about my release strategy. But for sure, I will at least have a song coming out every month for a while.

Can you tell me what the upcoming one is about?
Another song that I'm planning on releasing soon to Spotify etc. is called Turning Blue, which is about the mundanity of the quarantine. Every day feels like I'm waking up, not really doing anything, and not making any progress in any way. That's just making me miss the pre-quarantine days. I feel like none of us really knew how good we had it in February, when we could just go out and do whatever we want.

I know you want to be a songwriter, but do you want to keep singing?
Yeah, I didn't realize how much I loved singing until I started doing it every day. And now it's kind of like working out—I need to do my warm-ups in the shower, and I need to practice my repertoire every night, or else the day is just not complete.

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Written by: Joanne Wallenstein

Published: 07 October 2020

Created: 07 October 2020

Last Updated: 07 October 2020

Hits: 2390

Myra Saul, the new chair of the Scarsdale Democratic Town Committee, has many friends and acquaintances asking her that question these days. "This year's election, especially the presidential race, has drawn a lot of interest from many people in Scarsdale. Depending on your interests and the amount of time you have to volunteer, there is always a way to connect voters to the campaign safely, despite the pandemic." Of course, the pandemic has curtailed canvassing--- going door to door to talk with voters.

According to Saul, the primary way that the Biden campaign is now connecting with voters in swing states is through texting and phone banking. The Biden campaign is also asking volunteers to ask their own networks--family and friends--to support the candidate through its own "Vote Joe" app. These opportunities can be accessed through newyorkforbiden2020.com. Closer to home, volunteers may want to connect through Westchester for Biden's Facebook page.

The lawyers in the community and those who are interested in voting rights may find volunteering to help voters directly through work on a voter helpline compatible with their skills. Those opportunities are accessible through the New York Democratic Lawyers Council--nydlc.org-- and Fair Fight-- fairfight2020.org.

Of course, some people are text and phone shy. No problem. Letter and postcard campaigns are offered through Vote Forward--votefwd.org-or Postcards to Voters--postcardstovoters.org. Vote Forward contacts hard to reach and infrequent voters. Postcards to Voters reaches down ballot voters.

There are many senate, house and state races that complement work on the Biden campaign. Two are Swing Left--swingleft.org-- and Sister District, sisterdistrict.com. State legislative races are vitally important, because this is a reapportionment year.

Finally, don't forget to make your own plan to vote. First, make sure you are registered by going to voterlookup.elections.ny.gov. The last day to register to vote is this Friday, October 9th. Vote by mail, vote early or vote on election day, November 3rd. Voting early (October 24 through November 1) may be the best bet for those who want the confidence of voting on the machine and yet want to avoid crowds. Information about early voting in Westchester can be found at voteearlyny.org.

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Written by: Joanne Wallenstein

Published: 22 September 2020

Created: 22 September 2020

Last Updated: 29 September 2020

Hits: 3302

Make your plans to vote in the general election on November 3rd. This year, registered voters have three ways in which they can vote: 1) by absentee ballot; 2) in person during early voting; and 3) in person on election day.

All New York registered voters fearful of contracting Covid-19 may apply for and vote by absentee ballot using “temporary illness” as the reason for their absentee ballot request. The Westchester County Board of Elections website details the variety of ways you can apply for an absentee ballot, including through a newly-established online portal. The deadline for applying for an absentee ballot is October 27, but voters are encouraged to apply NOW. Completed absentee ballots must be postmarked by November 3 and received by the Board of Elections by November 10. Please note that mailed absentee ballots without a postmark must be received by Wednesday, November 4, 2020, to be counted. Those not comfortable with the delivery of mail service but wishing to avoid the possibility of long lines at the polls may return their completed absentee ballots to drop boxes which will be stationed at the Board of Elections, early voting polling locations, and election day polling locations.

Early voting will take place between October 24 and November 1. This year, Westchester voters can vote at any early polling site in the county. Be sure to check early voting locations and times listed below and on the Board of Elections website. Westchester voters may also place absentee ballots in drop boxes at any early voting polling locations.

Election day is November 3, and you can vote only at your assigned polling location.

Social distancing and other precautionary measures will be enforced to ensure safety when voting. You may also place your absentee ballot in the drop box at your election day polling location.

As election day nears, the Governor may need to pass additional measures related to the November general election. The League is continuing to monitor potential new voting legislation. Updates can be found at www.lwvs.org/voter-information/. You may also visit the NYS League of Women Voters website at My.lwv.org/new-york-state.

If you have any questions regarding voting, contact the Scarsdale League of Women Voters, voter service at: [email protected]. The League knows that the ever-changing rules can be confusing and is happy to answer any questions.

Important Dates

Now: Residents should check their voter registration status.

October 9: Last day for your voter registration to be postmarked. The voter registration form is available on the Westchester County Board of Elections website.

October 9: Last day to register to vote in-person at the Westchester County Board of Elections’ Office. (25 Quarropas Street, White Plains, NY 10601).

October 24: Early Voting Period begins. Voters may vote in-person at any of the 17 Early Voting polling locations.

October 27: Last day to apply for an absentee ballot at the Westchester County Board of Elections. Westchester voters who wish to apply for an absentee ballot may do so online using a newly-established portal or by email, fax, regular mail, or telephone call.

November 1: Last day of Early Voting.

November 2: Last day to apply in-person for an absentee ballot.

November 3: (Date of General Election); last day for your absentee ballot to be postmarked.

Absentee ballots must be received by November 10. Absentee ballots without a postmark must be received by November 4.

November 3: Last day to deliver an absentee ballot in-person to the Board of Elections.

Early Voting 2020: Schedules and Locations

Westchester County registered voters are eligible to cast an early voting ballot. Registered voters will be able to cast their ballot at ANY of the 17 designated early voting locations listed below.

Westchester County’s Election Inspectors will now use Electronic Poll Books and Ballot-on-Demand systems to facilitate early voting. There will be nine days of Early Voting before each election.

Voters casting absentee ballots can choose to return their absentee ballots to drop boxes set up at these early voting polling locations.

Westchester County Early Voting Times for the November General Election
Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020 from noon until 5 p.m.
Sunday, Oct. 25, 2020 from noon until 5 p.m.
Monday, Oct. 26, 2020 from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m.
Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2020 from noon until 8p.m.
Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2020 from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m.
Thursday, Oct. 29, 2020 from noon until 8 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 30, 2020 from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m.

Westchester County Early Voting Polling Locations

Eastchester Public Library, 11 Oakridge Place, Eastchester, NY 10709
Dobbs Ferry Village Hall, 112 Main Street, Dobbs Ferry, NY 10522
Greenburgh Town Hall, 177 Hillside Avenue, White Plains, NY 10607
Veterans Memorial Building, 210 Halstead Avenue, Harrison, NY 10528
Pound Ridge Town House, 179 Westchester Avenue, Pound Ridge, NY 10576
Mamaroneck Town Center, 740 W. Boston Post Road, Ma.m.aroneck, NY 10543
Mt. Kisco Memorial Complex at Leonard Park, 1 Wallace Drive, Mt. Kisco, NY 10549
Mt. Pleasant Community Center, 125 Lozza Drive, Valhalla, NY 10595
Mt. Vernon City Hall, 1 Roosevelt Square, Mt. Vernon, NY 10550
New Rochelle City Hall Annex – 90 Beaufort Place, 90 Beaufort Place, New Rochelle, NY 10801
Joseph G. Caputo Community Center, 95 Broadway, Ossining, NY 10562
Peekskill Nutrition Center – Neighborhood Center, 4 Nelson Avenue, Peekskill, NY 10566
Somers Town House, 335 Route 202, Somers, NY 10589
Westchester County Board of Elections, 25 Quarropas Street, White Plains, NY 10601
Grinton I. Will Library, 1500 Central Park Avenue, Yonkers, NY 10710
Riverfront Library, One Larkin Center, Yonkers, NY 10701
Yorktown Cultural Center, 1974 Commerce Street, Yorktown Heights, NY 10598

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Written by: Joanne Wallenstein

Published: 21 August 2020

Created: 21 August 2020

Last Updated: 02 September 2020

Hits: 3875

(Updated September 2, 2020) Make your plans to vote in person or by mail in ballot in the Village election on September 15 and in the general election on November 3rd. Here is what you need to know from the League of Women Voters of Scarsdale.

The Scarsdale Village Election, originally scheduled for Wednesday, March 18, 2020, has been postponed by New York State Governor Cuomo's Executive Order 202.44 to Tuesday, September 15, 2020. All election districts may vote in-person at the Scarsdale Congregational Church, 1 Heathcote Road from 6:00 AM to 9 PM.

There are six candidates running for three open Village Board seats. If you would like to watch the League of Women Voters of Scarsdale Candidate Forum for Village Trustee featuring all six candidates, click the link: LWVS Candidate Forum for Village Trustee.

Note: The Village is holding all absentee ballots submitted before the March Village Election was postponed. They are valid and will be counted.

Important Dates for the Scarsdale Village Election

Friday, September 4: Last day to register with Westchester County Board of Elections to be eligible to vote in the Village Election. Click here to register to vote.

Tuesday, September 8: Last day for the Village Clerk to receive applications for absentee ballots to be mailed to qualified voters. Click here for a Village Election absentee ballot application: 

Please Note: All New York State voters can now apply to vote by absentee ballot using the temporary illness clause if there is a risk of contracting a disease such as Covid-19. On August 20, Governor Cuomo signed legislation expanding absentee voting in New York State: 

Monday, September 14: Last day for the Village Clerk to receive in-person applications for an absentee ballot from applicant or applicant's agent.

Tuesday, September 15: (Date of Village Election); Last day for the Village Clerk to receive absentee ballots in-person or by mail.

Note: You must be a registered voter at your current address in the Village of Scarsdale to vote in the Village Election. If you have any questions about your voter registration status, please call the Westchester County Board of Elections at (914) 995-5700 or click here to check your voter status.

Click here for the Scarsdale Village Election website.

General Election: Tuesday, November 3, 2020

Early Voting: October 24- November 1, 2020

Important Dates

October 9: Last day for your voter registration to be postmarked. Click here for a voter registration form:. 

October 9: Last day to register to vote in-person at the Westchester County Board of Elections’ Office. (25 Quarropas Street, White Plains, NY 10601). Click here for the Westchester County Board of Elections' website: https://citizenparticipation.westchestergov.com

October 24: Early Voting Period begins. Early Voting Polling locations and times to vote have been released by the Board of Elections: https://citizenparticipation.westchestergov.com/voting/early-voting-2020. Voters may vote in-person at any Early Voting location in Westchester County.

October 27: Last day to apply for an absentee ballot. 
All New York state voters can apply online for an absentee ballot using this portal:
Westchester voters who wish to apply for an absentee ballot by email, fax, or regular mail can get information here:

November 1: Last day of Early Voting.

November 2: Last day to apply in-person for an absentee ballot.

November 3: (Date of General Election); last day for your absentee ballot to be postmarked. Absentee ballots must be received by November 10.

November 3: Last day to deliver an absentee ballot in-person to the Board of Elections.
The League of Women Voters of Scarsdale Voter Service Chairs recommend that:

Residents check their voter registration status.

If you are eligible to vote and are not registered, please register with the Westchester County Board of Elections.

If you plan to vote by absentee ballot in the General Election, all New York State voters can now apply to vote by absentee ballot using the temporary illness clause, if there is a risk of contracting a disease [such as Covid-19].

NYS has also announced early in-person voting for the general election. Here's what you need to know:

Early Voting 2020: Schedules, Locations, FAQs

Westchester County registered voters are eligible to cast an early voting ballot. Registered voters will be able to cast their ballot at ANY of the 17 designated early voting locations listed below.

Westchester County’s Election Inspectors will now use Electronic Poll Books and Ballot-on-Demand systems to facilitate early voting. There will be nine days of Early Voting before each election.

General Election, Nov. 3, 2020

Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020 from noon until 5 p.m.
Sunday, Oct.. 25, 2020 from noon until 5 p.m.
Monday, Oct.. 26, 2020 from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m.
Tuesday, Oct.. 27, 2020 from noon until 8p.m.
Wednesday, Oct.. 28, 2020 from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m.
Thursday, Oct.. 29, 2020 from noon until 8 p.m.
Friday, Oct.. 30, 2020 from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m.
Saturday, Oct.. 31, 2020 from noon until 5 p.m.
Sunday, Nov. 1, 2020 from noon until 5 p.m.

Westchester County Early Voting Centers

Eastchester Public Library, 11 Oakridge Place, Eastchester, NY 10709
Dobbs Ferry Village Hall, 112 Main Street, Dobbs Ferry, NY 10522
Greenburgh Town Hall, 177 Hillside Avenue, White Plains, NY 10607
Veterans Memorial Building, 210 Halstead Avenue, Harrison, NY 10528
Pound Ridge Town House, 179 Westchester Avenue, Pound Ridge, NY 10576
Mamaroneck Town Center, 740 W. Boston Post Road, Ma.m.aroneck, NY 10543
Mt. Kisco Memorial Complex at Leonard Park, 1 Wallace Drive, Mt. Kisco, NY 10549
Mt. Pleasant Community Center, 125 Lozza Drive, Valhalla, NY 10595
Mt. Vernon City Hall, 1 Roosevelt Square, Mt. Vernon, NY 10550
New Rochelle City Hall Annex – 90 Beaufort Place, 90 Beaufort Place, New Rochelle, NY 10801
Joseph G. Caputo Community Center, 95 Broadway, Ossining, NY 10562
Peekskill Nutrition Center – Neighborhood Center, 4 Nelson Avenue, Peekskill, NY 10566
Somers Town House, 335 Route 202, Somers, NY 10589
Westchester County Board of Elections, 25 Quarropas Street, White Plains, NY 10601
Grinton I. Will Library, 1500 Central Park Avenue, Yonkers, NY 10710
Riverfront Library, One Larkin Center, Yonkers, NY 10701
Yorktown Cultural Center, 1974 Commerce Street, Yorktown Heights, NY 10598

Frequently Asked Question for 2020 General Election
For the 2020 November General Election, you can vote in person before Election Day.

What is Early Voting?
Westchester County registered voters can vote in-person before Election Day at ANY of the seventeen (17) Early Voting Centers.

Who can vote early?
All Westchester County registered voters can vote early.

When can I vote early?
Early voting period will be from Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020 through Sunday, Nov. 1, 2020. The complete schedule is listed above.

Where can I vote early?
You can vote at ANY of the designated early voting sites throughout the County. These early voting centers are listed above.

Questions? Email [email protected]