✦ Manchester-born Westside Cowboy was gearing up to bang on the doors of the indie scene with their second single Shells, which won them the Glastonbury Emerging Talent Competition. Now that track, fusing energetic guitar textures with emotional harmonies, creates an impact with what they define as their signature sound: Britainicana.
Britainicana: A Meeting Point of English Indie and the American Spirit
Westside Cowboy has adopted a sound they call Britainicana: a bridge between British indie-pop melodies and American country/rockabilly references. Born from the underground scene of Manchester, this sound carries an honest and spontaneous spirit. What started as home-studio rehearsals of Hank Williams and Bob Dylan covers eventually blossomed into a distinctive identity of their own.
“Shells”: The Explosion of a Humble Beginning
Shells opens with 90 seconds of soft, introspective balladry. But just then, foggy guitars, tangled harmonies, and rhythm changes erupt like chord storms. In the words of Earmilk:
“Tangled harmonies, fuzzed‑out guitars, whip‑smart rhythm changes that leave you punch‑drunk in the best way.”
According to Stereoboard, this dynamic structure played a significant role in the band’s Glastonbury win. The single was released just days after they took home the Glastonbury Emerging Talent award.
On the Path to Cult Status, Growing Through the Stage
Westside Cowboy is a band that transmits their stage energy into the studio. From small venues to festival stages like The Great Escape, they’ve built a loyal fanbase. Their live shows are often described as having a “cult-like” presence. Their debut EP This Better Be Something Great drops on August 8th. Its sound combines the diversity and dynamic range of Shells, Alright Alright Alright, and other tracks.
Young, Defiant, and Emotional: Who Is Westside Cowboy?
- Members: Reuben Haycocks and James Bradbury (guitar, vocals), Aoife Anson O’Connell (bass, vocals), Paddy Murphy (drums)
- Influences: The 2000s indie scene, Big Star, The Silver Jews
- Style: Lo-fi recording aesthetics paired with punchy, face-slapping guitars — spontaneous, yet tight.
- Buzz: Still making waves across the music world with compliments from English Teacher, Ezra Furman, and Blondshell.
The Final Word
The step Westside Cowboy takes with Shells is more than just a single. It’s a signature — a way to be seen on the Glastonbury stage and to bring the Brit-American spirit into the indie world. A sound drifting from London to Manchester’s underground, and to the coastal heart of American country — full of energy, full of emotion, and ready to be heard.
