In recent years we have witnessed the country breakthroughs of pop stars such as Kesha, Lady Gaga, Diplo, Nelly Furtado, Miley Cyrus and the success of artists such as Orville Peck and Morgan Wallen, the latter becoming a small, big record case. Now comes a talent entirely dedicated to the genre, “My kind of country”, on Apple TV+ starting tomorrow, Friday, March 24. The country has suddenly become the new pop? “I’ve always thought so, because I love country music – replies Orville Peck – it’s the quintessential American musical genre.
It was formed by the encounter between very different cultures. It has roots in black instruments, in the gospel of black culture. But it also has roots in Latin and European culture. It’s like a sort of melting pot of many different cultures and in that it’s pop, even if sometimes people don’t think it is.”
The mysterious masked singer who in the US has conquered the public, critics and even colleagues such as Lady Gaga (who wanted him by his side in the country-style remake of the hit “Born this way”) e Shania Twain (who agreed to record “Legends never die” with him) with his musical project of country re-enactment, is among the judges of the format among whose producers there is also the six-time Grammy Award winner Kacey Musgraves, together with two other new generation stars and stripes country stars such as Jimmie Allen and Mickey Guyton.
But “My kind of country”, whose episodes are directed by Sam Wrench (director already behind the camera for “Billie Eilish: Live at the O2”, the concert film of the shows held by the pop star last summer on the arena stage London, in front of about 200,000 fans overall), .it is not a talent like all the othersfrom “X Factor” to “The Voice”, passing through “Got Talent”: “We all wanted to make sure it wasn’t yet another talent. There is more heart here, more authenticity. It’s what the authors and creators were looking for not only in artists, but also in us ‘scouts’. We don’t want to create the perfect singer. We are looking for authentic stories and authentic people. It’s more like a documentary than a talent show with judges sitting behind a counter pushing buttons or something,” explains Orville Peck.
The voice of “Hope to die” gives an appointment to the talents unearthed in the Dark Horse Recording Studios in Nashvillethe capital of Country, a legendary recording studio frequented over the years by artists such as Dolly Parton, Neil Diamond, Keith Urban, Tim McGraw, Luke Combs and Taylor Swift. Micaelafrom Cape Town, South Africa, tries his hand at a cover of “Need you now” by Lady Antebellum. Ismayfrom Petaluma, California, sings “Linger” by The Cranberries. Alisha, from Mumbai, India plays his version of Pink’s “Glitter in the air”. THE Congo Cowboysalso from South Africa, play Dolly Parton’s “Jolene” instead.
Like Peck, the other two judges do the same thing, making up their respective teams of emerging artists. No spoilers, though: “.What did I look for from my artists? Good storytelling. For me it’s the thing that matters, in country. A good country song must tell a sincere, credible story – says the masked singer – I remember seeing Dolly Parton on TV as a child: that’s how I discovered country and nothing was ever the same. Being an outsider, I look for other outsiders with a unique sound”.
Who knows if the role of talent scout made Orville Peck want to start producing young country stars: “It would be interesting. I mean: I’ve produced most of my albums, I have a very clear idea of how my music should sound. I have worked as a songwriter and as a producer for other musicians. Starting my own label? I would not know. Maybe I could ask Apple if it helps me, funding it (laughs). No, come on, I’m kidding.” Apple Music but will reward the winner of the talent with unprecedented promotion and visibility on the platform.