Who is Cowgirl Clue?
"Jungle, footwork, and techno are always a backbone to my creative process. I went to a lot of punk shows as a teenager and also loved raves, while also being obsessed with runway." You are transported into Cowgirl Clue's inspired, referential world just by looking at her debut album cover. On it, she poses with a geometric electric guitar wearing 90's-inspired pigtails and pastels, shot through an energetic fish-eye.
Somehow, though, it all works. Cowgirl Clue's wide range of influences, and her ability to make such a lush record, represents a democratized musical landscape. It's arguable that an artist like her could only exist in this capacity given the relatively recent streaming takeover. With more and more music being readily available and consumed, listeners are ready for their music to be packed with more nuance. Thank the fairy gods that Cowgirl Clue's got it in abundance.
The artist stopped by our office for a 90's-inspired shoot and to talk about the inception of the Cowgirl Clue world.
Leg warmers by FRASER KENNETH, Dress made by stylist
Tell me a bit about your background. I feel like you just came out of nowhere with a stunningly produced and distinct debut album. Where did it all start?
Thank you! That's really kind. Cowgirl Clue technically started in 2015 under the alias Wu-Wu. I was DJing clubs during my teenage years and styling shoots to support my new music project during the earliest stages of Cowgirl Clue. I knew I wanted to eventually learn how to begin producing my own dance music and establishing my own sense of style, so it was just a matter of time really. My first release was "Cherry Jubilee" and since then I've been 100% DIY learning the process, industry, and everything on my own. Icebreaker was my debut album and I felt like it was the true beginning of Cowgirl Clue for me and everything I hoped to explore. It felt fresh and the entire album roll out has been epic. I am super grateful for the love and feedback.
Where do you think pop music is headed, and what do you wish to contribute to that?
Pop is constantly evolving and for that reason, I find it quite punk. I think mainstream pop holds a pretty high standard for most artists. As a listener, this style has felt a little intangible/disconnected for me personally over the years. However, a new era of underground pop has been explored in the limelight, most recently and streaming platforms have blossomed tremendously, which has been a cool experience for Cowgirl Clue. I've never felt more understood falling under this umbrella. For Cowgirl Clue, I like to play with hybrid sounds to personalize my production. Jungle, footwork, and techno are always a backbone to my creative process and I love to have a live band at my shows, when possible. I believe my hybrid approach to pop will pave a unique sound for music today as a female pop producer.
What was the production process like on this album? It feels so distinct.
I consider Icebreaker my first complete body of work. It was a bit all over the place to be honest, as I was attempting to learn new production elements and in between moving around. While, also, leading up to this moment, my first big release became it's own world. I would learn something new about recording and revisit all the finished demos and add similar elements (like guitar or a new bridge to let it sparkle). I wrote most of the album in my bedroom and switched from Garageband to Logic halfway through. I would tease the songs live and see how an audience would react, then change the lyrics around at home or add something before it became officially on the album.
Top and skirt by TRIPP, Jewelry by SPYLN
Why the name Cowgirl Clue?
It's playful yet mysterious. Originally, I wanted to be known as Clue. However, for originality purposes, being born in Texas, Cowgirl Clue felt the most me.
Who are your favorite pop auteurs?
Lady Miss Kier, Björk, and Dennis Rodman.
How do you develop your aesthetic?
Being a hyper visual person, I am usually imagining an environment or something of that nature and snowball off that for aesthetic if I'm listening to music or something. I think I develop a lot of ideas through my sarcasm with a fashionable-esoteric type of feel. I went to a lot of punk shows as a teenager and also loved raves, while also being obsessed with runway. I love to hybrid the different classifications of life and bring them together in Cowgirl Clue.
What era do you find yourself most obsessed with, and why?
I think if I was obsessed with an era, it would likely be the late 90s through mid 2000s. The culture was super strong. I often find that the end of a decade and birth of a new decade usually has the most lustful art, music, and fashion. 1998- 2004 were some of the most iconic years in history for so many of bands, pop music, cut throat rap, and high fashion designers ect. 1978 - 1985 was also a time frame where creative cultures were making history.
What are you working on right now, and why should we be excited?
I've been writing a ton of demos this winter, which I plan to release later this year (hopefully soon) with visuals and new concerts to be announced in relation to the new music! I am also working on releasing my A/W20 Collection of Clue Wear (my fashion label/store of reconstructed clothing), which I'm pretty excited to finally launch this year with a few pop up shops as well in Los Angeles and hopefully other cities too. Lots of big projects I am finalizing as we speak, which I am crazy eager to share with y'all.
