TexWestus Makes Some Sweet Noise In The West Texas Prairie

I got interested in this genre because I am a huge fan of 90's country and have lamented the bro-country movement that has decimated a once great and proud musical style. I listened to a lot of country in the 90's because of what was happening to rock. It was dark with no light at the end of the tunnel and I believe we are still suffering from that musical shift even today. But country was still versatile, upbeat and easy to sing.

Nashville is now the epicenter for a number of musical formats that are starting to congeal like dross that has melted away from the golden discs of yesteryear. Things are different in West Texas. There is music in them there hills and it's redefining country music again. It's reverberations began over a decade ago, as a response to the nonsense that is now the norm in Nashville. The purveyors in Lone Star country still wear cowboy hats and boots and there are no skinny jeans in sight. In some cases, the guitars have more kick, the fiddles play with a guitar like abandon, and the voices come with red dirt road street credibility and not a shred of auto tune.

There are dozens of artists I could cite. But one duo got my attention for a number of reasons. Both male and female vocals, a variation of electric and acoustic numbers. The playing precise and animated. The songwriting interesting and provocative. The name of this band is Texwestus. Very much like West Texas in a catchy anagram or an accidental slip up after too much Tequila.  The duo is made up of singer and guitarist Corbin Burgett, who apparently loves 80's guitar rock. And Chloe Fowler who's sweet voice contrasts Corbin's husky baritone. The combination of voices and influences make for an atypical roots country experience.

The band has released 2 songs this year thus far. A barn burner called "Can't Slow Us Down", and the folksy and more pensive "Gone" which in another musical dimension might win an award of some kind for songwriting and production. Corbin's harmony vocal adds a layer of intricate drama. Burgett plays his guitar both lightly and heavily as the song evolves through it's heartbreaking tale of lost love. The duo also has an EP from 2018 that maps all kinds of west Texas terrain with heart and soul.

"Somebody Like You" is a rocking, dancing, hollering favorite here. "Fight With You", Shoulda Said Yes" and "Not Coming Home" show a fine singer songwriter style whereas the genre bending "Queen of My Own Heart" is almost reminiscent of an 80's arena rock sound, but with root rock tendencies. "West Texas Wind" could be 90's country, but with less gimmickry and more red dirt mojo.

Even if you don't like this style of music, you have to admire the organic and authentic musical pursuits. These melodies are refined in bars and small concert halls in a part of the world where the only thing that is more cherished than these grooves is the beer that perfectly compliments it. You can never know for sure who is going to be famous. But if the world would just react the way it's supposed to, Texwestus would be a household brand.