Meet Distant Cowboy | Music Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Distant Cowboy and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Distant, why did you pursue a creative career?
My parents are both involved in music. They met at a fiddle contest where my father accompanied my mother (who plays fiddle) on guitar. I was introduced at a young age to bluegrass music and also my mother was teaching violin lessons at home so I was surrounded by sound. I have been drawn to many different professions but in a way I feel like I was raised to play. My grandfather also used to play clarinet and had his own traveling big band in Wyoming. Recently, I have been finding purpose in writing songs that tell an emotional story that listeners can relate to. My goal as an artist now is to inspire people to connect back to themselves. When someone comes up to me after a show and mentions, “I had forgotten what it was like to be still and have an open heart” that gives me fulfillment.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.

I grew up in Wyoming, then studied classically at the Verdi Conservatory in Milan, Italy and the Boston Conservatory. It wasn’t until the pandemic that I was commissioned to score an independent dance film. This is when I began to find my compositional voice, which opened up a world for me. I played improv with a violinist friend at an art gallery in LA several years ago for an opening where I met my manager (shoutout to Robin). When it comes to writing, commissions can be the most freeing because the writing is in service of the work. My music is a combination of ambient, cinematic, western, folk, and a few other genres. Right now I am focused on making music that connects to one’s psyche. I have a lot of memories of childhood growing up on the Wyoming prairie, playing on the banks of the Laramie River and hiking in the Snowies. I am trying to write these memories into music constantly. I feel like early childhood memories can be remembered in the form of songs. I am currently creating themes that evoke an emotional connection working with healing frequencies. The legacy I am building is one that highly values instrumental artists.

I am excited about my debut album “A Cowboy’s Love Never Dies” slated to be released this fall, as well as “Topia” by Jessie Lee Thorne (a recent dance film that I co-scored with Lauren Dessinger) which is beginning to circulate now.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Coming from a small mountain town, I appreciate small businesses. Foodwise I love the shiitake scramble at Valerie in Echo Park for breakie. For lunch I go to Tribal Cafe as Joseph the owner feels like family. Other favorite food spots include Rodeo Express (quick burrito place with the best nopalitos), and Joy in Highland Park. For bars, Thai Angel in K-town is a favorite as the owner also feels like family. Favorite spots: Switzer Falls, Zuma Beach and the Norton Simon Museum.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?

I would like to first recognize the community that Jax Anderson and Ariel Loh have built with their group “Show and Tell.” It is a queer community where local artists at all stages of development come together once a month to share their current work. Every single person in this group has inspired me to be consistent in my process and it is such a wholesome, supportive family. I have met some really individual, and inspiring souls there. I also would love to thank Gigi Zimmer (producer/engineer) who I quickly bonded with in a session, and who is now producing the majority of my debut album. A giant thank you to Shiloh at Tea at Shiloh for giving me a place to play ambient instrumental sets in LA and also for making me feel seen. I want to thank my friends and fellow artists/producers who show me every day the value in what we do (Mike Sabath, Kylie Shea, G Flip, Kathleen, Pichya, Danny Parra, Luke Wild, Victoria Canal, Chandler Leighton, Mathis Xavier, Cody Lovaas, Jessiah, Bronni, Colin Jones, Christiana C, Vixen, Ty Rex, YAS, Roger Weeks, Ruth Radalet, TRACE, Francesco Costanza, Tim Anderson, Filip Nikolic, Riley Polanski, Brian Leon, Tim and James, Jamie Canon + Majr App and so many more.

I’m excited to announce a few things that are in the works at the beginning of 2024…

Also, a shoutout wouldn’t be complete without of course thanking my family for their love and support, I love you all.

Instagram: @distantcowboy

Other: Tiktok: @distantcowboy Spotify: Distant Cowboy

Image Credits
Black and white photo: Colin Jones and Joseph Matick Porch photos: Augusto Piccio