Oregon-based alt-country artist Chuck Westmoreland first made a name for himself as the creative mind and falsetto voice behind mid-aughts indie rockers The Kingdom. Family health concerns and entrepreneurial interests eventually took precedent over the band. When Westmoreland’s respite from music ended in 2016, he shied away from the lush arrangements, dramatic vocal delivery and abstract lyrics found on The Kingdom’s two EPs. His back-to-basics approach made for the sparse sound and relatable truths on the new album Long Winter Rodeo. To grasp Westmoreland’s storytelling acumen, check out “Denim Tears,” the powerful story of a young man who’s afraid to come out of the closet.
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