Cowboy Simple, the new country funk outfit from Australian funk legends Roland Kapferer (vocals) and Josh Beagley (guitar), following on from their bands SWOOP and Professor Groove & The Booty Affair, launch their self-titled debut album at Lazybones Lounge on Thursday April 23.
After starting Cowboy Simple on a whim as a vehicle to play music influenced by the New Orleans funk of The Meters to the diverse soul of The Band and the countrypolitan stylings of Glen Campbell and Charlie Rich, they enlisted the help of a veritable Australian “Wrecking Crew” - musicians like Michael Di Francesco (bass), Terepai Richmond and Declan Kelly (drums), Oliver Thorpe (pedal steel) and many more help them record an album that veers from countryfied disco to pastoral laments to heartbreaking Al Green style truck stop soul, with a hand picked selection of underground Australian singers. Ricky Nifo will stop you in your tracks, Juanita Tippins soul is deep cut legendary, brand new artist Xanthe will melt your brain and Chloe West is extraordinary as they interpret this collection of songs from these under-recognised Australian legend songwriters and musicians.
Original songs like “Rollin’ On” and “Sunrise With U” have already garnered lots of attention in country-esque world both locally and in the US, featuring on multiple playlists such asAussie Country, New In Country, New Music Daily, New In Singer-Songwriter & Little Bit Country, and their cover of the classic “Wichita Lineman” was remixed by Desert Disco legends The Flying Mojito Bros and has been played from Glastonbury to Coachella.
Time will tell if these tracks make the impact they deserve, but the suggestion would be to check them out now before they blow up.
This is a new universe where genres blend and classic songs prevail
Roland Kapferer (vocals), Josh Beagley (guitar/vocals), Michael Di Francesco (bass), Declan Kelly (drums), Oliver Thorpe (pedal steel) & Harry Sutherland (keyboards)
8.30pm bands