Last month, Chicago-via-Portland-via-NorCal songwriter Andrew Sa announced his signing to Chicago’s alt-country hub Bloodshot Records along with the news that the label would release his debut album, American Rough. Reared on top-40 country hits in Fremont, California before relocating to the Midwest to study the craft of songwriting at the Old School Town of Folk Music, the sound Sa has landed on straddles the line between classic country and contemporary indie-folk, with a similar balance struck between the lyrical themes traditional to the genre and a focus on the queer lifestyle that it long omitted. There’s also a certain dialog going on in his music between the sun-soaked feel of the West Coast and something more distinct to Chicago’s local scene.
That scene is on full display in the live performance video Sa is sharing today for the record’s lead single “Lavender Cowboy” (featuring H.C. McEntire), which sees the artist performing the track at his adopted hometown’s longstanding indie-focused venue The Hideout. Joined by a backing band made up of Sam Cantor, Aaron Smith, and Spencer Tweedy, the clip was filmed in dedication to the band leader for the song’s namesake, who broke new ground in the queer country scene—if not creating that scene themselves. “I wanted to capture ‘Lavender Cowboy’ on the checkered floor at The Hideout—a place we’ve all had memorable nights and important shows, together and especially with Patrick,” Sa shares.
Check out the performance below, and expect American Rough out on June 26. Naturally, the release will coincide with a show at The Hideout.
