Enigmatic South African artist Orville Peck releases his third album ‘Stampede’, embracing collaboration and inclusion while challenging conventional country music norms.
Orville Peck, the enigmatic country musician known for his masked appearance and deep baritone voice, is set to release his third album titled “Stampede”. Despite being an outsider in the country music industry, Peck has collaborated with a diverse array of artists, including legends such as Willie Nelson, Elton John, Mickey Guyton, and Kylie Minogue.
When Peck, a South African artist operating under a pseudonym, released his debut album “Pony” in 2019, he was a mystery to many. His image, characterised by a fringe mask and a large Stetson hat, became his signature look. Peck’s style, reminiscent of country outlaws like Merle Haggard and Waylon Jennings, stood out in the contemporary music scene. As Peck’s prominence grew, he gradually unveiled more of his face, leaving only the hat and an eye mask as he stepped towards greater personal confidence, a move that resonated deeply with the LGBTQ+ community.
Reflecting on his decision to release a duets album, Peck noted the inherent challenge and excitement in balancing his own style with the creative input of other music talents. “Every single song is me, 50%, and then 50% the other artist,” Peck explained. He likened the collaboration approach to famous country duos such as Johnny Cash and June Carter, and Gram Parsons and Emmylou Harris.
Peck’s collaborations on “Stampede” came together somewhat serendipitously. After Willie Nelson asked him to duet on the track “Cowboys Are Frequently, Secretly Fond of Each Other” during a festival interaction, Peck felt it might be the right moment for such an album. This 1981 queer country cult classic, which Nelson covered in 2006, holds significant meaning for the LGBTQ+ community. Filmed at Nelson’s Luck Ranch in Texas, the music video for their duet underscores the song’s enduring relevance.
In addition to Nelson, Peck’s album features a variety of other duets. “Papa Was a Rodeo,” originally by the indie rock band Magnetic Fields, has been transformed into a bluegrass number featuring Molly Tuttle and Golden Highway. “Death Valley High,” an homage to Sin City, is performed with Beck, who described the song as inspired by “Elvis in Vegas” with a Memphis twist. Another notable track is “Midnight Ride,” a disco collaboration with Kylie Minogue and Diplo, first performed live at a Pride event in Los Angeles in June.
