Cowpunk is a genre that fuses punk's energy and rebelliousness with the storytelling and twang of country music, creating a unique sound characterized by driving rhythms, jangly guitars, and often, a raw, DIY ethos. Emerging in the 1980s, particularly in the US, cowpunk drew from the same post-punk and new wave influences that spawned alternative rock, but with a distinctly roots-rock flavor. Artists associated with this genre often incorporated elements of folk, rockabilly, and Appalachian string band traditions, yielding a distinctive blend of rural grit and urban attitude. Cowpunk's cultural significance lies in its rejection of mainstream country's slick production and its embracing of punk's anti-establishment ethos, paving the way for future alt-country and Americana movements. Notable for its eclecticism and willingness to blend seemingly disparate styles, cowpunk has influenced a range of artists, from indie rock to folk-punk, and remains a testament to the creative power of genre-bending and musical hybridity.

Fort Defiance

Erik Vincent Huey

Album - 11 Tracks - Released February 13, 2026