Bria, is back with with their follow up LP, Cuntry Covers, Vol. 2, via Sub-Pop Records. Set to release on February 24, you can pre-order here. Bria is a collaboration, comprising of Bria Salmena and Duncan Hay Jennings, both of Orville Peck’s touring band. Like Cuntry Covers, Vol. 1, Bria explores the boundaries of country classics while placing the listener in a modern hypnotic haze. The six tracks featured, include:
- Where Have All The Cowboys Gone – Paula Cole (1996)
- When You Know You’re Happy – Mary Margaret O’Hara (1988)
- Don’t Come A-Drinkin’ (With Lovin’ on Your Mind – Loretta Lynn (1967)
- By The Time I Get To Phoenix -Johnny Waters (1965) via Glen Campbell (1967) via Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds (1986)
- I Dream A Highway – Gillian Welch (2001)
- See You Later, I’m Gone – Robert Lester Folsom (2014)
Hidden away in cold Toronto, we asked the duo a few questions about the upcoming album. The rest will be answered on your first, second, third, fourth listen of Cuntry Covers, Vol. 2 (and make sure to pick up Vol. 1 if you haven’t already).
Why these six songs?
For Cuntry Covers, we always have a shared playlist of songs we want to try out, and for Vol. 2 that playlist seemed long and never-ending. We tried out multiple songs and found these six to be the most memorable interpretations. We found ourselves expanding our range of how we wanted to approach each track, which also compelled us to pick songs to cover we may have once overlooked. We felt the six that made the cut embodied the overall mood and vibe of Vol.
“Where Have All the Cowboys Gone” is sometimes controversial these days. How do you interpret it? What life do you find in it?
We don’t find the song to be controversial necessarily. What we found exciting about it is its ambiguity, I find Cole’s lyrics to be satirical enough that the whole track borders on sarcasm. We interpreted it as a way to build a conversation, obviously, both Duncan and I also exist within sects of the country music community and are interested in the subversion of that genre. We found this song gave us another opportunity to do so.
Which of these six cut a little deeper for you than the others? Why?
I think “I Dream A Highway” is a deep cut for me, I’ve been a huge Gillian Welch fan and this song has seen me through many heartaches and dark patches. It was a daunting song to attempt to cover, but it holds so much emotional attachment I felt as though we could create a rendition that was truthful to the original but the darkness it conveys would be entirely our own.
The new album is available now on Bria’s Bandcamp in digital, CD, and vinyl. Make sure to follow them on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter for more updates.
