Colter Wall Announces New Album “Western Swing & Waltzes…”

Try to stay calm out there all you true Cowboy & Western fans. But the rumors are true. Colter Wall has a new record on the way called Western Swing & Waltzes and Other Punchy Songs that will be arriving on August 28th via LaHonda Records and Thirty Tigers, and the first song “Western Swings & Waltzes” is available now (listen below).
Unafraid to apply his haunting, one-in-a-million voice to archaic composition without any modernization and bare accompaniment, Colter Wall is single-handedly revitalizing passages of the North American songbook most had completely forgotten about. This 24-year-old Saskatchewan, Canada native might as well be 200 years old when he opens his mouth, and the cowboy ghosts of the past come rearing to life right in front of you.
Though you can expect the same style of music on his third record that has made him an unlikely phenomenon in country and Western, Western Swings & Waltzes marks a slight change in approach. As opposed to working with producer Dave Cobb on the record, Colter Wall produced this all on his own at the Yellow Dog Studios in Wimberly, TX just outside of Austin, known as the primary sound laboratory of Adam Odor, who is the behind-the-scenes mastermind to the recent success of Mike and the Moonpies. Colter has also parted ways with Young Mary’s Records.

Colter is joined on the record by his touring band of Patrick Lyons on pedal steel, dobro, mandolin, Jake Groves on harmonica, Jason Simpson on bass, and Aaron Goodrich on the drum kit. Emily Gimble on piano and Doug Moreland on fiddle also join in on the sessions. Songs include Lewis Martin Pederson III’s “High & Mighty,” and a studio recording of “Big Iron” many fans have been impatiently waiting for.
Colter Wall is a man of few words, and simply has to say about the record, “These songs are punchier than I am.” By all accounts, his staunch adherence to the pure roots of cowboy music and Western sounds should doom him to irrelevance. But with a voice and delivery like his, he can enrapture most anyone.
Western Swing & Waltzes and Other Punchy Songs is now available for pre-order.
TRACK LIST:
1. I Ride An Old Paint/Leavin’ Cheyenne
2. Big Iron
3. Henry and Sam
4. Diamond Joe
5. High and Mighty
6. Talkin’ Prairie Boy
7. Cowpoke
8. Rocky Mountain Rangers
9. Houlihans at the Holiday Inn
June 16, 2020 @ 8:54 am
Oh Wow,
His voice is downright orgasmic …
Whew.
Love the album cover art with all the brand(ing) symbols.
Think the temperature just went up 15°
June 16, 2020 @ 8:57 am
No one dared to ask his business, no one dared to make a slip.
It does my heart good to see that we’ll get proper recordings of “Cowpoke” and “Big Iron” from Colter Wall. At least one thing is right about this world.
June 16, 2020 @ 9:20 am
There’s a bad cell phone video of him singing “Big Iron” less than a year old that has half a million views. A live video of him performing “Cowpoke” has over 2 million. I would say there’s some interest in these songs.
June 16, 2020 @ 9:35 am
The Western AF video (and Western AF in general) are of superlative quality. I’m just really excited to see these cut into wax.
June 16, 2020 @ 10:44 am
My wife and I saw him at the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo back in February and he sang it there, and I thought, “I would pay good money for a proper recording of that.”
June 19, 2020 @ 11:57 am
Yes, there is interest in Western and Cowboy songs which I perceive is growing as the internet opens the channel and gives more artist singing these “sounds should doom him to irrelevance” that I call Western Country more relevance with an ability to find a following audience that will pay to see them live and buy and enjoy their albums faithfully. Colter Wall is no exception and I for one look forward to his new album and sharing him where he is relevant. The question is who controls the bias of what is and isn’t relevant in music? I enjoy your post Trigger.
June 16, 2020 @ 9:22 am
Wow..Colter has really found his niche. This style is absolutely perfect for his unusual voice. I know I’ve mentioned this before but its worth repeating, I saw him when nobody knew a thing about him, it was during the Ray Benson and Dale Watson tour some years back.. At that time he had a Ramblin Jack coffeehouse folk vibe, which just did nothing for me. I didn’t get why country fans were into him. But with this current transition into traditional sounding cowboy tunes, my mind is blown. He sounds so authentic and convincing, and he’s bringing a new fan base to an overlooked genre of music. Rock on, Colter Wall, you are the real deal, brother.
June 16, 2020 @ 9:35 am
Speaking on that Ramblin Jack reference, it’s neat to see his voice and singing style has changed with each album. He had a clearer deep voice at first, then it was the whiskey soaked bottom of the barrel deep, now he’s found His cowboy singing voice. I prefer his debut album vocalizations but these are still amazing!
June 16, 2020 @ 9:44 am
Big Iron has arguably one of the coolest lines ever in country music:” he was vicious and a killer, tho a youth of 24, and the notches on his pistol numbered 1 and 19 more, 1 and 19 more.” Of course Colter won’t top Marty Robbins, but I’m sure he’ll do it justice.
One other observation, I am hearing a bit of Willie influence in Colters phrasing and a Red Headed Stranger and maybe Tougher Than Leather vibe, instrumentally speaking.
June 16, 2020 @ 10:05 am
Can’t wait for this record I’m guessing my only complaint will be its too short. I know reaction channels are kind of played out on YT but watching people hear him for the first time is always great.
June 16, 2020 @ 10:13 am
Dude, watching this guitar teacher hear Colter Wall’s voice for the first time is everything. He doesn’t know what to do with his hands. Makes you wish you could go back and hear Colter Wall for the first time.
https://youtu.be/ozGhEP2BDPM
June 16, 2020 @ 11:26 am
That really was fun!
June 16, 2020 @ 12:49 pm
I’m with you – this is a sure buy for me, and the only disappointment I foresee is that isn’t going to have several more cuts.
June 17, 2020 @ 11:44 am
Always leave em wanting more, right? This is gonna be a good one.
June 16, 2020 @ 11:51 am
My husband Steve, who was a U.S. Marshal, I.S.P., etc…
We used to belt out Big Iron On His Hip, while listening to Willie’s Roadhouse, on Sirius, as we traveled around the country. We listened to rock as well, but more often than not, we were tuned in to Willie’s and hearing Dallas Wayne, Paula Nelson, & others.
Steven was a badass to be sure, with one of the kindest hearts i have ever known. Truly was one of the rare good guys.
More than once, we had a man come to our table to shake Steve’s hand and buy us dinner, because of the respectful and kind way, he treated someone who had gone down a wrong path. And we were struck with an elation that those individuals were now doing well.
It was wonderful.
That dummy tore me away from nuclear medicine out in the panhandles, & made me marry him.
Had known each other forever, and from the time we married, in Dec. ’16 until 2 Sept. ’18, when Steve passed away, we had insane fun.
We were all over the U.S. one of the greatest times being in Deadwood, S.D.
When i heard Colter singing Big Iron On His Hip today, it was the coolest thing.
Sang along & couldn’t stop smiling.
Thank you Colter.
THANK YOU TRIGGER
*sorry for the long story.
Had to get it out of my system
June 17, 2020 @ 3:16 am
Di,
How did Steve die?
June 17, 2020 @ 10:08 am
Hi,
Steve had a massive heart attack while driving.
Shot across the road, sailed over a walking trail, car chopped mature grown trees in half for 150 ft., and landed partially in the river.
That day, told him to go ahead and meet everyone out at the lake, and as soon as i was finished with the last batch of blackberry jam, i would hop in the shower and drive right out.
I have Never seen a vehicle so grossly damaged and mangled.
Of course, 3 very tall 6’2″ ish and over troopers kept me from seeing the wreckage.
For ninety minutes we did a dance, walking up & down the shoulder of the road. Was looking for a break to get to Steve.
15 minutes after coming upon the site had to play the law enforcement card, the brotherhood and all of that. Looked at the officers and said, look, former FBI family, and you possibly have an ISP officer down there. SOMEBODY NEEDS TO TALK TO ME NOW.
Could not see the wreckage from the road because the vegetation was so thick.
Was DESPERATE to get to Steve. But the officers with extreme gentleness and kindness, kept saying don’t cross that line (the yellow line on the shoulder).
Told one of the officers to check the glove compartment, for registration, need to know if that is my Steve down there somewhere.
Hate to pull the law enforcement card, but.
Within 10 minutes the officer came back up holding a registration, and i knew.
Began looking for a break between the officers so could sprint to Steven. Was desperate to get to him. Desperate. Kept telling them wanted to get to him, tell him i love him. Thank him for total unconditional love.
Tell him everything was going to be ok.
Just be able to hold him, kiss him, tell him i love him.
Just tell him how much i love him, and thank him for everything.
He of course was already gone. They had to cut him out of the vehicle and bring him out through the windshield. All glass had been blown out of the car, with the exception of the drivers side window, where Steven’s head came to rest.
The coroner, 45 minutes after i came upon the site, told me Steven was gone.
I stood there wiping tears from the coroners cheeks.
Pointed to one of the state cars and said is there a K9 in that unit. The officer said yes.
Told him, I Need That Dog.
Archie, Officer Archie.
Officer Archie & i became buds that day, as i hung on tight & cried my eyes out in his fur.
Steve was greatly loved by all who knew him.
Truly a wonderful man.
*4 days after that day, made chocolate chip cookies for the officers. And took a big box of large Milk Bone, and a giant chew toy to Officer Archie.
Those guys had infinite patience, & did a huge favor, by sticking with me, so i would not see the horrors of that day. Will forever be grateful to them.
One last note, and major apologies for the length of this explanation.
Steve had an undercover Beretta he carried with him at all times.
No one could find it. We looked everywhere. Metal detectors, etc.
Had to find it, because we did not want the horrors of it possibly being found some day by a child, where it could possibly have led to an injury or death.
And this is where it gets interesting …
Steve left on Sunday.
On Wednesday, felt Steve patiently and persistently trying to get my attention. He was trying to tell me something.
Through all the horrors of just trying to get through Sunday & beyond, kept feeling him.
Had been out to the wrecker service, a couple times with brothers in law.
NEVER wanted to see the car again.
However, a very dear friend of Steve’s was having a hard time processing this whole thing. (Weren’t we all)
Said, Andy, get in the car, taking you to the site, and the car & then that’s it.
Went to the site, went back to the wrecker service, and the car was gone. This was Saturday.
Andy said, hang on, i’ll just run in and ask them.
It had been moved to the back lot, ready to be taken away.
As we walked to the car, felt Steve’s persistance. He was EVERYWHERE. Baby, need you to settle down, for just a few minutes, need to talk to you, etc.
Andy went to the car, and i laid back a few feet, because it was truly jolting and shocking when people saw it for the first time.
Kept feeling Steve.
Quietly walked near Andy, to give him the comfort of someone close by.
Finally, when Andy was ready, we started walking away.
Halfway back to the wrecker office, REALLY heard Steve. Baby, i need you to settle down for just a few minutes, need to show you something.
Stopped cold.
Said wait a minute …
Andy said, what ..
At that point i think i couldn’t breathe.
Was really trying to understand what Steve wanted.
Got back to the car, and looked in.
The car was so mangled, and as i very very gingerly opened the drivers side door a little more, just enough to squeeze in, moved airbags aside, and looked at the center console where we always kept the Beretta when we were in that car. Sucked in some air, and stopped breathing… stretched across the floor, opened the console, and there it was. OMG, gently pulled it out, & finally understood.
Andy was standing by the passenger door, and we locked eyes.
He was just like Oh My God.
It was an unbelievable moment.
Was able to call the PD, let them know the Beretta was secure.
2 things the Harris family are so grateful for.
That no one was on the walking path, or in the other lane as Steve sailed over it.
That the gun was found, and would not be part of a tragedy
June 17, 2020 @ 11:25 am
Thanks for sharing this, Di. I have a feeling Steve knew how lucky he was to be with you, too.
June 17, 2020 @ 1:47 pm
That is very kind.
Thank you.
June 16, 2020 @ 12:30 pm
This is the best news I’ve heard all year (well, aside from my third child arriving, but I already knew that was going to happen).
I was very hopeful that Big Iron and Cowpoke would show up on his next LP. I’m glad I was not disappointed.
June 16, 2020 @ 12:34 pm
Am I the only one who feels like Colter Wall gets less and less interesting with every release? Imaginary Appalachia was flawless and is still heavily in my rotation, and even his self titled is pretty good. But I feel like his style has become so boring. Sleeping on the Blacktop, The Devil Wears a Suit & Tie, Living on the Sand; they all had punch. His last album about Prairies was so boring to me and this song doesn’t do it for me either.
June 16, 2020 @ 12:44 pm
No, from what I’ve seen, you’ll get a chorus of people who agree and then they’ll gripe about Dave Cobb’s production decisions, even though he’s not attached to this album.
‘Imaginary Appalachia’ was Colter trying to find his sound and was heavily Woody Guthrie influenced. He’s since taken on the mantle of preserving Western sound. No one can make you like the direction he chose, so I’m not going to argue with you, but frankly, the kid could sing me a phone book recorded next to a campfire a la Night Herding Song and I’d probably spin that record for 6 months solid before I moved on.
His is the best voice in music.
June 16, 2020 @ 1:03 pm
Not for us cowpokes. It’s only getting better.
June 16, 2020 @ 5:07 pm
I agree with you. If the only Colter Wall I’d ever heard was the “Songs of the Plains”-present version, I’d love him (and I do.). However, his self titled album is the version of Colter I love the most. He was a poetic songwriter and the agony in his voice catered to that. I get and appreciate the western stuff, but part of me kept hoping that would be just a phase in his career, and that his folksy, singer songwriter stuff would either mesh in with that or make a full fledged comeback.
Colter is awesome. He seems like a truly humble and laid back dude. I believe his versions of a lot of these old cowboy classics could become the modern definitive takes. Part of Colter’s awesomeness is his lyrical charms, and I think they’ve taken a bit of a back seat to his “Museum of Cowboy Songs” mission.
June 17, 2020 @ 11:38 am
I hear what you’re saying. But for the folks that live the lifestyle he’s now singing about, his western songs are still poetic and lyrically charming. It’s fantastic to see a guy that young play at the Elko Cowboy Poetry Gathering.
Now I know western songs have a small audience, and even smaller audience that can relate or even understand the lyrics. But there’s no shortage of folksy-singer-songwriter singers out there, but there is a shortage of guys his age doing cowboy songs, so I tip my hat.
June 17, 2020 @ 5:09 pm
With ya on this, Benjamin. I’m struggling to stay interested in Colter Wall, like I’m struggling to stay interested in Cody Jinks. Both artists seem to have that untouchable do-no-wrong messiah status among certain fans who value “authenticity” above all else, but their bland self-serious aesthetic has lost me lately.
June 17, 2020 @ 8:22 pm
Agreed on Cody Jinks. I never clicked with him. Find his music a bit middle of the road.
I personally don’t find Colter Wall self-serious. I mean, he calls himself a wannabe cowpuncher. But I can completely see how some can be lost with him now. I have it reversed… I didn’t care for his first record but once he dove into western and covered Mike Beck I was all in. Maybe cause I work with cattle Im biased.
June 16, 2020 @ 1:20 pm
Everyone thought Simpson, Isbell, and Stapleton would save country music. Really, it was Felker, Childers, Wall and Bryan
June 18, 2020 @ 6:53 am
Not me. Because those three guys never had country music firmly encased in their foundations.
June 16, 2020 @ 2:02 pm
I’m still trying to decide if I like the vocal on this single. The song itself is promising, but the voice is not what I expected. I miss him really flexing the baritone like he did on his first couple of releases.
June 16, 2020 @ 5:07 pm
He seems to be hiding it lately.
June 16, 2020 @ 5:08 pm
Pretty freaking COOL.
June 16, 2020 @ 5:12 pm
Does Trigger (or anybody) know the reason he left YMR?
I knew what he was doing with that last 2-song release. Based on the extreme sonic variation in the two tracks, he was doing a trial run for a self produced record, but now I wonder if that release also fulfilled some business obligation? Just curious
June 16, 2020 @ 5:21 pm
I remember arguing with someone in the comment section of this site who was saying Colter Wall isn’t and doesn’t want to be a country artist…
June 16, 2020 @ 5:33 pm
While writing this article I concluded that the proper genre for Colter Wall is Cowboy & Western.
June 17, 2020 @ 6:08 am
I think that’s probably right, but I’d counter that anyone who regularly features a cover of Redneck Mother in their live sets isn’t altogether averse to the association with the genre.
June 17, 2020 @ 9:46 am
Colter is pretty damn good but if I as far as Canadian singer/songwriters go I still prefer Corb Lund whose new album drops June 26th btw. Hope we get a review on that one too Trigger.
June 17, 2020 @ 11:35 am
Lindi Ortega and William Prince are right there too, for me
June 17, 2020 @ 4:07 pm
Talk about great voices, William Prince, damn. Voice like butter.
June 18, 2020 @ 5:29 am
I was really hoping his new album would get a review here, I feel like he could use that wider audience
June 18, 2020 @ 7:38 am
Haven’t ruled out reviewing him.
June 27, 2020 @ 3:38 pm
Yes please do! So much soul.
I just looked him up after reading this comment.
What. A . voice. And great lyricism to boot!
June 17, 2020 @ 3:10 pm
There’s no way to not get excited for this. Impossible to describe how important this music is to those of us connected to the way of life it represents, and there is simply no better voice for it in existence than Colter Wall.
June 19, 2020 @ 7:35 am
I’d be very interested in learning more about how you’re connected to the way of life Wall’s music represents, and what his music means to you, if you wouldn’t mind sharing. I’m not at all connected to it, except in my dreams.
June 17, 2020 @ 6:09 pm
Ain’t that the coincidence. I was just playing a live rendition of Western Swings and Waltzes by Colter off Youtube through my truck last night. I’ll look forward to August 28th.
June 17, 2020 @ 7:28 pm
Colter does what he wants..we can wish for something that fits what we want but he sticks to what he wants.. I’m more than ok with it.. he has made a name and a niche for himself.. and he is still so young.. Saw him live and he demands attention. It’s an experience.
June 18, 2020 @ 10:30 pm
Colter is in my top 5 favorite artists of all time and he’s only released two real full albums so far. That said, I’m going to be honest here and say that I’m not a big fan of the way this song was produced and sung. I’ve heard him sing this song before live on a few separate occasions and thought it was good, but this recorded version is the worst version of it I have heard. Drums seem off beat and the steel guitar feels almost like a nuisance having to get its say in after every single word, and that’s coming from a guy with a reference to steel guitar in his username. Colter also seems to be trying to hard to sound like the cowpunchy singers he’s clearly getting a lot of inspiration from lately, similarly to how he was straining himself to sing as deep and gravelly as possible in Imaginary Appalachia. His voice is good enough to where it still sounds good but it’s disappointing to know it could sound better. That’s the con to Colter becoming known so quickly into his music career, he’s still trying to find his voice, when he finally finds the sweet spot the result will be something incredible. This relative youth in music is the reason I also believe it is far too early for Colter to be producing his own records, I just feel like having some experience in the studio would only be helpful. Even Waylon had producers on his albums and he was incredibly independent. With all of that said, I still have high hopes for the album, his live renditions of “Henry and Sam”, “Houlihans at the Holiday Inn”, “Big Iron”, “Cowpoke”, and “I Ride an Old Paint” have all been good so I can just wait and hope they translate better into a recorded version that “Western Swings and Waltzes”. All love for Colter, just a little constructive criticism I wanted to get off of my chest.
June 18, 2020 @ 10:34 pm
I’d like to add on a lighter note that I thought his feature on Vincent Neil Emerson’s new single “Roadrunner” was very good.
July 27, 2020 @ 10:02 am
I know it’s in the banner crawl, but Colter’s studio rendition of his version of “Cowpoke” dropped. I am ready to declare it the country song of the year.
September 29, 2021 @ 6:42 pm
Clearly y’all are all more educated when it comes to the current sounds found in this genre of music. I found Colter while trying to find something other than crap pop country music. I joined Pandora about two years ago and I’ve kept the same 80’s playlist since I joined on. It was by mistake I found others out there who could actually tell a good story in a song. Cody Jinks was the first diamond I found. Shortly after I found Tyler childers and oh my god. That Kentucky soul resonated in my own spirit. I had a new play list with two names Jinks and Childers. I circled back around and decided to give a second listen to Stapleton after Tennessee Whiskey mostly because I didn’t think anyone could do a Jones song justice. He proved me wrong. So I gave him a little more space and got an appreciation for Chris. I’ll be honest I like it better when he’s with the Steel Drivers. During this time I was feeling spunky I also gave Jamey Johnson, and Sturgil Simpson another go. I really got into both of those guys as well. They were my “new” old country sound. It worked for minute. I noticed my playlist expanding and decided I needed my own modern day Lenard Skynard. It was by mistake this group of boys from north Alabama bounced off my radar. Blackberry Smoke lead by Charlie Starr. This sound is like super talented Kentucky Headhunters with Skynard a little .38 Special thrown in for good measure. I was hooked. Back to Colter and what he brings to the table. I don’t know what it is but I know it when I hear it and feel it. When I can envision those rebs running across the mountains and Wytapi River. It just takes you there and the next thing you know I’m in the middle of a one man gun fight watching a son of bitch so tough he laughs up blood as he bleeds out. Colter leaves me feeling like a time traveler and I love it!