Check out the new single from Vancouver alt-country stars Petunia and The Vipers. ‘Billy the Kid’ is a compelling retelling of the famous gunfighter’s story and the feel and sound of the song takes us right back to the Old West. Singer-songwriter Petunia and his band base their sound on the music of the early 20th century, capturing the look and sensibility as well as the musical influences of the time. From the opening low notes on the guitar, the song is steeped in a cinematic atmosphere. It’s full of lyrical and musical drama, and Petunia’s deep tones are perfect for country-folk storytelling.
The video, directed, filmed and edited by Candy Roberts, is as dramatic as the musical material, with grand, sweeping landscapes, images from the Wild West and muted colours.
‘Billy the Kid’ is the latest single to be released from the forthcoming double album ‘Callin’ Me Back’, which is due out in 2025. The record was originally planned for release in summer 2020, but was put on hold due to the pandemic and further delayed as regular touring began once again. Petunia’s traditional folk, country and blues songwriting is heavily influenced by the original greats, like Hank Williams, the Carter family and Jimmie Rodgers. However, he continues to expand his approach and, for this album, horns have been added to the familiar Petunia sound. Petunia explains: “Once I started playing weekly with a horn section, the possibilities really began to reveal themselves. Eventually, an album developed with these big horn arrangements. I wouldn’t say that the album is a horn section album, but the horns are featured more than anything else.” Throughout the rest of 2024, Petunia and The Vipers will be touring North America to promote the new record.
If you like atmospheric narratives in your music, delivered with style and cinematic ambition, this is for you.
