The music industry is no stranger to cowboys—but it’s been a long while since any with an authentic affinity for the North American West came along and carried around a love for heroes like Ramblin’ Jack Elliot and Ian Tyson. Enter 24-year-old Colter Wall, whose dusty baritone voice and deep well of stories are almost single-handedly carrying traditional western music into the future. Most recently Wall lent that voice to a Ram Trucks livestream which pulled in over 200,000 views.
Hailing from Saskatchewan, Wall’s approach is that of a preservationist, pure as the prairie wind, and is on full display on his new self-produced album Western Swing & Waltzes and Other Punchy Songs. Available from La Honda Records/Thirty Tigers on August 28th, Wall’s 10-track ode to the themes and labours of western life picks up where his last album left off, with a reverence for his “working cowboy kin” and a whole mess of cowboy songs. Fans can pre-order Western Swing & Waltzes and Other Punchy Songs here and listen to the album’s first two singles, “Western Swing & Waltzes” and “Cowpoke” here.
About the album, Wall said, “These songs are punchier than I am.” Giving credit where credit is due however, Wall is no slouch on the ranch. As any new cattleman would, he adds to his herd, as he does his musical legacy with Western Swing & Waltzes and Other Punchy Songs.
Along the Blanco River bank, outside the small town of Wimberley, Wall rounded up his band, hot off a North American tour, to lay down these ten new songs at Yellow Dog Studios, deep in the heart of Texas. From his previous recording sessions with Dave Cobb at the helm, Wall began to take in what it meant to produce a record; the decision making, risk-taking, and band-leading all learned along the way. With Western Swing & Waltzes, it was Wall’s turn to take the reins. His band. His choices. And the finished product is diverse and effortlessly cool, with an extra log or two on the fire.
Fans have long adored the lonesome sound of Wall’s live version of “Cowpoke,” the Stan Jones classic cowboy tune. The big sky sound continues with Wall’s full-band studio version of his latest release from the upcoming album, “Cowpoke.” Harmonica, a fitting addition to the classic timbre of Wall’s iconic voice, leads the song into a hopeful territory, while notes of pedal steel guitar and mandolin provide a sentimental grace. Listed by the Western Writers of America as one of the best Western songs of all time, “Cowpoke” is a fitting tune for Wall, and the release of his version will ensure that the classic song will stick around.
Songs like “High & Mighty” — cowboy poet and rancher Lewis Martin Pederson III’s ode to a legendarily tough bronco — showcase Wall’s well-curated and hard-working touring band: Patrick Lyons (pedal steel, dobro, mandolin), Jake Groves (harmonica), Jason Simpson (bass), and Aaron Goodrich (drums); joined by Emily Gimble on piano and Doug Moreland on fiddle while others like Wall-penned “Talkin’ Prairie Boy” feature just Wall’s voice and guitar. However arranged, there’s an earnestness to these songs, roughly half of them written by Wall and half by Wall’s direct influences and fellow purveyors of honest, hard-earned tunes for the prairie and beyond.
In addition to the premiere of “Cowpoke” earlier this summer (July 24) Wall also just released a surprise live performance video as part of a new series he calls “The Bunkhouse Sessions.” The first song, “I Ride an Old Paint/Leavin’ Cheyenne,” is a tease and nod to his much anticipated upcoming album. Shot in a bunkhouse on the ranch of Wall’s friend and actor, Beau Smith, the video features the songwriter seated by a bedroll and coffee maker just in front of Ray McGuffin and Tom Ryan paintings which hang on the plywood interior wall of the bunkhouse. Wall listed this video as “Episode 1” on his social media accounts, promising more to come from the Western singer and his label, La Honda Records. Watch The Bunkhouse Sessions here.
Visit ColterWall.com for more information or to pre-order Western Swing & Waltzes and Other Punchy Songs.
More About Colter Wall:
From the prairies of Saskatchewan, Canada, Colter Wall, is known for his songwriting and unparalleled voice. Steeped in Western tradition and historic influence, the music of Colter Wall has soundtracked movies such as Hell or High Water, Peanut Butter Falcon, and Deadwood, in addition to TV series Yellowstone and HBO’s Run, while catching the ears of celebrities, critics, and fans worldwide. His recent appearance on Austin City Limits TV set the direction of Country & Western music’s future. Still a young artist, Colter Wall’s discography includes the breakout Imaginary Appalachia, two acclaimed full-length collections, Colter Wall and Songs of the Plains.
With his new release, Western Swing & Waltzes and Other Punchy Songs, it was Wall’s turn to take the production reins. His band. His choices. And the finished product is diverse and effortlessly cool, with an extra log or two on the fire. Western Swing & Waltzes and Other Punchy Songs is available everywhere on August 28th via La Honda Records/Thirty Tigers.
