Kitty Coen Releases “Cadillac” and “El Paso”
Nashville-based alternative pop/rock artist Kitty Coen shares two cinematic new tracks “cadillac” and “el paso” out now. Inspired by her time in West Texas and Western films, each track takes on a life of its own, delving into tumultuous love affairs and late night drives over smooth guitar licks and mesmerizing melodies.
Out today, “cadillac” rolls in like the height of an old Western movie with a brooding baseline, and sultry vocals that paint a picture of smoke, an old car, a horse and “talking smack.” Exuding an unmistakable dark and stormy energy, Coen describes the track as a “metaphorical dance with the devil on fateful night in a desolate West Texas saloon.” The artist cites old spaghetti Western films and Quentin Tarantino as inspirations that touch on her roots to bring a refreshed sound that is uniquely Coen.
The second single out today, “el paso,” swiftly picks up where “cadillac” left off, evoking a Southern Gothic aura that envelops the listener. An autobiographical plunge into heartbreak, “el paso” sheds light on the pain that addiction can inflict on users and their loved ones. The Western-tinged acoustic ballad, Coen says, is “a true story about love and loss in my own life. In my opinion, being in love with an addict is one of the hardest things a person can go through.” Musically, Coen points to the emotional country heavy-hitters like Noah Cyrus, Kacey Musgraves as influences, and reveals it was the creation of this song that pulled her in a similar direction, where she intends to keep going. Coen admits, “I’ve always been a Bluegrass girl at heart even if I’ve been fighting it my whole life.” With her heart on her sleeve, Coen shares her own experiences of joy and pain with unwavering honesty and uncompromising artistry.
Kitty Coen, a rising star in the indie music scene, has been hailed for her unique blend of alt rock, pop rock, and what has been referred to as “witch rock.” A spell-casting of sorts, her music weaves a web of enchantment that draws listeners in with a captivating charm.
The haunting “everything’s a mess,” that arrived in October 2023, sees Coen embrace her own imperfections, and through a melancholic melody, sultry vocals and 90s-inspired guitar tones, bravely examine feelings of despair and confusion. Written in the midst of moving from Austin to Nashville, Coen found herself in a rough patch, clinging to the wrong people and getting hurt. It was this track that brought her back to herself–a healing reassurance. Coen recalls, “This song was my therapy, I sang it over and over again until I didn’t feel hurt anymore.”
The track offers refuge to others in the midst of hardship, to those that feel lost or overwhelmed–a gentle reminder that it’s OK to not have everything figured out. Coen adds, “It’s a song that encourages you to embrace the messiness of life, to find beauty in the chaos, and to keep going even when everything seems to be falling apart.”
In September 2023, Coen shared the nostalgic, angsty self-directed official music video for self-love anthem “unfollow me.” Inspired by Nirvana’s “Smells Like Teen Spirit” video and subsequent iconic visuals of the 2000s pop-punk greats like Paramore, Avril Lavigne, and P!nk–and everything seen on VH1–the “unfollow me” video embodies this Y2K, playful angst. Explaining the goal of the video, Coen says, “I wanted to make a video for the haters, the lovers, and really anyone who has ever felt like their worth has been defined by how others view them. The truth is, you’re never going to please them all so be who YOU are and do what makes YOU happy.” Instead of succumbing to the negative external voices, Coen’s mission is to follow her heart and choose herself–culminating in her most authentic, poised art yet.
Born in Missouri and raised in Texas, Coen’s music is deeply influenced by her upbringing. The result is a beautiful fusion of southern charm and modern indie influences, creating a sound that is both familiar and refreshingly new. After beginning her ascent into live music in early 2020 with “Dark Soul,” Coen toured across the U.S. supporting bands like Mt. Joy, and Jive Talk and an appearance at Austin, TX’s SXSW. Tastemakers around the world have taken notice of Kitty Coen’s eclectic, genre-bending sound and eye-catching, bold aesthetic, including Wonderland‘s premiere of the 2020 track and video “Lost in California.” Of her 2022 single “bad bad liar,” Loud Women wrote, “Kitty’s soulful, nostalgic vocals remind us of artists such as Halsey and Miley Cyrus. She embraces her confidence in this piece of psychedelic rock and we are here for it.” Unpublished Zine called 2022 single “rotten tomatoes,” “fiery” and praised her artistry, writing, “Coen blends nostalgic 90s soundscapes with a dazzle of chilling poignancy and tales of self-exploration. Her style is as strikingly fierce and unapologetic as her masterful lyricism..” Equipped with her most vulnerable songwriting and most self-assured sound to date, Kitty Coen looks towards 2024 to build on her ever-evolving artistic identity in her relentless pursuit of self-discovery and eternal female empowerment.
Conjuring up imagery of a Texas life she once lived, Kitty Coen’s signature enchanting storylines and hypnotic vocals are on full display with the latest singles “cadillac” and “el paso” out everywhere now. Follow along with Coen on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube and Facebook for much more from the rising artist.
Photo credit: Kirt Barnett