Alone is much less lonely than being with unsuitable particular person says nation belle Kacey Musgraves
Texan belle Kacey Musgraves has created the best music of her career and it’s all thanks to a break up ” the longest single period of my life”
Kacey Musgraves is back with Middle Of Nowhere(Image: Toast PR)
Eight time Grammy winning gal Kacey Musgraves went back to her tiny Texas hometown during a messy break-up for her new album, and found inspiration in solitude.
Middle Of Nowhere, out now, was born in Golden – population just 300 people – where she re-evaluated her personal life, reconnecting with horses and the essence of her roots. Musgraves was in a relationship with writer Cole Schafer for two years following her divorce from country singer Ruston Kelly.
Now enjoying some ‘me-time’ Kacey said: “I started this record while still in the throes of Deeper Well after going through a pretty ridiculous breakup,” she recalls. “It actually felt incredible being alone and existing in a space not defined by anyone else.
“I found that for the first time, it actually felt incredible being alone and existing in a space not defined by anyone else. I needed that period to really understand that I really don’t need someone to be happy.”
She felt like she was in the Middle Of Nowhere emotionally and physically too. That sense of solitude is celebrated on album highlight Loneliest Girl where she comes to an understanding with herself.
She explained: “That definitely comes with age, therapy, and realising that being alone is way less lonely than being in the wrong relationship. Loneliest Girl isn’t lonely at all.”
The music is Musgrave’s unique interpretation of country authenticity.
“Creatively, I felt compelled to purposefully lean hard into western tropes and elements that I grew up on,” she explains. “I knew I wanted simple and nostalgic framework with traditional elements like pedal steel and banjo but, as always, I look at how to flip things on their head a bit.”
“I became so at ease with being in the “middle of nowhere” in many senses and sitting in the un-comfort of the undefined. I had a lot of time for creative ambling and leaning into myself in different ways; horses, humour, writing with my early collaborators again, and living out my very simple, inspired life between Texas, Tennessee and Mexico.”
But it wasn’t just the sound she was after, Musgraves immersed herself in the deep-rooted cowboy culture again visiting a Texas Hill Country dancehall dive: “Seeing so many strangers from different walks of life joyously dancing and swinging each other around the room made me want to write some classic dancehall songs.
“Dancehalls sprung up around Texas in the 1930’s and became places of regional community and recreation. Many old dancehalls died out with the rise of disco but that spirit is still alive and well in the hearts of many Texans, including mine.”
Sure there are songs about cheating hearts and loveable horses, but also some forward thinking country like Uncertain, Texas where Musgraves teams up with ‘ultimate Lone Star icon’ – Willie Nelson.
She explains: “Uncertain is the real name of a real town in Texas and I had fun imagining that it’s also a place where no one that lives there can make up their mind.
“The song is a callout to this modern time where options are infinite, accountability is optional, and vulnerability can feel like a liability. I had to have Willie, the patriarch of truth, help throw some shade.”
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