Occasionally, you have the fortune of witnessing a band in a live performance right before they break into the mainstream indie scene. Attendees at this year’s Great Escape had this experience as they watched the Manchester quartet Westside Cowboy perform multiple sets over the festival weekend, each one filled to capacity amid buzzing conversations about the next big thing circulating throughout Brighton.
The vibrant energy of their live shows has attracted considerable attention, but it's their unique, self-defined ‘Britainicana’ songwriting style that has truly won people over. As they prepare for the release of their debut EP ‘This Better Be Something Great’ on August 8th, we spoke with the group to reflect on their journey thus far.
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It’s crucial to note that their new ‘Britainicana’ genre blend goes beyond a mere mix of influences; they have thoughtfully crafted this term to encapsulate a project born from a profound appreciation for the contrasting cultures of the US and the UK. The band characterizes Britainicana as “a bunch of English kids in the countryside being constantly exposed to American films and TV; enjoying bands from the British Invasion while watching classics like Back to the Future and westerns. We have a shared love for both British and American indie, and as we began writing together, we gradually rediscovered more traditional music forms, with Americana playing a significant role. It stemmed from our childhood desire to be American, thinking their culture was cool. You inevitably fall short, living in the UK, but that doesn’t stop you from naively trying to emulate it.”
The band's name also draws from a lesser-known chapter of American history: “In the early 1900s, New York was evolving into the city we know today. The industrial revolution was taking off, skyscrapers were being erected, and railway lines were introduced to connect old mining towns surrounding the city. As these massive steam engines traversed New York, people were so unaccustomed to them that they would walk directly in front of them and get hit.
“There were so many accidents that the authorities called upon old cowboys, whose work had largely dried up, to ride in front of the trains and guide people out of the way. Most of them hailed from the West side of New York and were consequently dubbed the Westside Cowboys. We found it fascinating that these Westside Cowboys transitioned from a life without electricity to one filled with radio, trains, and planes. They must have felt as though they had stepped into the future.” This narrative adds another layer to the Westside Cowboy identity, merging American and British cultures while exploring the interplay of old and new through a Gen Z perspective, significantly informed by the creative community they've embraced in Manchester.
Hailing from various backgrounds in places like Coventry and the British countryside, the four band members—Reuben Haycocks, James Bradbury, Aoife Anson O’Connell, and Paddy Murphy—came together in Manchester. After bonding over their participation in different local projects and refining their skills on the local music circuit, they merged their talents, learning from their previous endeavors. While they may not fit the typical Mancunian mold, they emphasize that the community itself, rather than Manchester's music scene, has significantly shaped their journey.
“Manchester feels like the largest, most influential city while still retaining a tight-knit, grassroots atmosphere. We essentially eat, drink, and work at the same three establishments daily. There's Johnny Roadhouse, a cherished music shop, and a beloved vegan café that has been around since the seventies, located just three doors down where our best friend is employed. It's inevitable that we run into someone we know—friends, fellow band members, or promoters—wherever we go. We even met each other through playing in different bands before Westside Cowboy and just crossing paths.”
“The closeness of our community has been vital to us, allowing others to take a chance on us. Our very first gig was a 20-minute slot at a coffee shop run by a friend. They had heard we were jamming in our bedrooms and offered us a chance to perform, which marked our debut. Our second gig was at an animal rights benefit, again organized by a friend. Many of these opportunities wouldn’t have presented themselves if we hadn’t had such a close-knit community surrounding us. We feel incredibly fortunate to be part of it!”
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It’s evident that the burgeoning Manchester scene has significantly influenced the band’s path. To an outsider, it might appear as if Westside Cowboy suddenly emerged and is now securing prominent slots at Glastonbury. However, those within the local scene have recognized the individual members for years and believed that their combined talents would lead to success. Therefore, Westside Cowboy didn’t begin from scratch; they entered the scene with the support of their local community, bolstered by their previous musical endeavors.
That said, the band acknowledges they have learned much from their past experiences. “We definitely tried too hard in our previous bands. We’ve
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