“Guitars & Cigars” is the debut EP from 2016 CMAA Academy Of Country Music graduate El Cosgrove. The self-confessed red-headed, boot-wearing, alt-country singer-songwriter has drawn upon her upbringing in rural Queensland for her debut release.
After graduating high school El set off to Canada where she was immersed in the rodeo and ranch life of Alberta and had the opportunity to perform at the ‘Ladies of Canadian Pro Rodeo Luncheon and Fashion Show’ as a part of the ‘Canadian Finals Rodeo’ in Edmonton. Since returning to Australia she has played regular gigs and festivals from packed out halls and the opening ceremony at the Tamworth Country Music Festival to the main stage at The Gympie Music Muster and a bunch of shows in-between.
Featuring five original songs the EP was produced at Sydney’s LoveHz Studios by Matt Fell. After meeting the ARIA Award & Golden Guitar winning producer, when he was a guest speaker at the country music academy, El knew she’d found the perfect person to bring her music to life. Once they had arranged to work together El flew down to Sydney and lived in Love Hz studios for one whirlwind week in which the EP was produced. With the producer also playing various instruments, Glen Hannah on guitars, Josh Schuberth on percussion, you’ll find an alt-country sound mixed with folk, Americana & western sounds paired with punchy lyrics.
Australia’s country music capital will always be special to El – it’s here she was privileged to have co-written songs with both Kasey Chambers and Ashleigh Dallas, share the stage with the likes of Catherine Britt, Lyn Bowtell, Kevin Bennett, Dobe Newton and Roger Corbett (The Bushwackers), Karl Brodie and fellow academy students, as well as having the opportunity to work with Amber Lawrence, Aleyce Simmonds and more.
The debut EP “Guitars And Cigars” was released during the 2017 Tamworth Country Music Festival.
INFO ON SELECTED EP TRACKS FROM EL COSGROVE:
‘Nobody’s Getting Out Alive’
This song is basically about doing what you want in life – taking chances, getting wild, kicking back, and embracing life. Plus how you want to live it without worrying about what other people are doing or what other people think of what you’re doing. We literally only get a short amount of time and so you may as well make the most of the days that you’ve got. I’m probably the proudest of this song/message out of all of the tracks on the EP simply because I think it sums up who I am as a person and how I try to live my own life whilst also putting my view into perspective for others and that’s kind of the goal as a singer-songwriter I guess – punchy lyrics in good country music!
‘Rebel Girl’
This is really just a bit of an introduction to me and who I am. It’s basically about embracing your own imperfections or flaws and turning them into your strengths as that’s what makes you who you are. Hopefully it inspires others to also embrace who they are and just have fun with it!
‘Guitars & Cigars’
Similar to ‘Nobody’s Gettin’ Out Alive’ there’s a strong message about doing what you want and what you’re passionate about in life. For me that’s been playing music which of course isn’t exactly the easiest career to pursue, however, I think that if you’re passionate enough and work hard then you can make a life doing what you love and it will only be even more worth it in the end. “Maybe it wasn’t easy, but it was all worth it”.
‘The Unfamiliar’ (first single, at radio now)
This track is all about my love of travelling and experiencing rural life on the road. Always feeling a sense of calm and belonging whilst driving and experiencing places off the beaten track, this was most likely influenced by my upbringing on a farm near Dalby, in the Queensland Darling Downs. Some of my earliest memories are driving between our farms with my family doing the many necessary jobs including carting machinery or moving and feeding cattle.
“Guitars And Cigars” is out now
Available digitally on iTunes & GooglePlay
Physical copies HERE
GET SOCIAL WITH EL COSGROVE:
For more info and/or an interview with El Cosgrove, contact:
E: kris@kriskatpublicity.com.au | M: 0414 334 348 | Ph: 02 9349 5328