The WIDR guide to Countrygaze

9 minutes ago

2 min read

I DJ a Countrygaze show on WIDR and people are always like "What even is that?" "Did you say Country Gays??" or "I don't like Country music." And I'm afraid people won't listen because they think I'm playing Buck Owens or something. It's such a common phrase I hear in music fans "I like everything BUT country." What makes country so controversial? I can tell you now that not all country is created equally, and even the most punk kids who won't give country a chance, might just be surprised on what the alternative side of country really sounds like. I first discovered this genre by listening to Faye Webster. It didn't even occur to me that she was making alt-country music, I just liked her twangy guitar. Well, one year when I was slaving away working at Cedar Point, a friend told me to check out this guy, MJ Lenderman. I listened to Wristwatch and I was like "Woah, country music isn't all bad and stupid??" Then the same friend told me if I like him to listen to this band Wednesday because he's in that band too. So I listened and Karly Hartzman's voice got me hooked. My first playlist was born filled with Faye Webster, MJ Lenderman, Wednesday, and more. So what even is the meaning of the word countrygaze? It's quite literally a mashup of country and shoegaze. For those unfamiliar shoegaze is a dreamy, fuzzy, effects pedal heavy sound. It was popularized by bands like my bloody valentine & Cocteau Twins. It got its name from how artists would stare at their effects pedals while performing.

So if you're bored of reading all that you should check out these picks while your here.

Love Has No Pride (Condemned) - Wednesday

Come and Change My Body - Greg Freeman

Rewind - feeble little horse

I Won't Change My Mind - Fat, Evil Children

Idaho - Slow Pulp

90 In November - Why Bonnie

TV Dinners - MJ Lenderman

Take My Heart - Florry

She's Actin' Single (I'm Drinking Doubles) -Wednesday

It's A Wonderful Life - Sparklehorse

Eye On The Bat - Palehound