Country Westerns — a group launched back in 2016 by JP5 frontman and Duke’s co-owner Joey Plunket and Silver Jews drummer Brian Kotzur — have been slowly and steadily shaping themselves as a band. They've appeared around town and on the road in various configurations, dropping the occasional single. Sabrina Rush, who plays violin with Louisville group State Champion, joined Country Westerns on bass and helped solidify the rocking post-Neil Young sound that underpins the group’s casually literate songs.
Now, word has come that Country Westerns have signed to long-running Mississippi indie label Fat Possum. The band's self-titled LP is set to be released May 1, and you can get a preview via a driving track called “Gentle Soul.” It's a melancholy and complicated story, told succinctly.
“ ‘Gentle Soul’ is the first song we recorded for this album, and it’s one I’d been kicking around for a while,” Plunket tells American Songwriter. “It’s about righteous anger and reclamation in spite of betrayal. But now I sense something equally sinister and cowardly; pride that leads from loss to resignation. Plus, I dig the guitar solo, and it’s easy to sing along to.”
Take a listen to the song via the Bandcamp embed below. You can preorder the LP there, or check in with your favorite record store. Friday night, you’ll have a chance to see the band in person when they play Mercy Lounge with Teddy and the Rough Riders. Advance tickets are $15 and available here.
