The first time I saw Cowgirl Clue live, it was sort of a happy accident. Her song “Utopia” was already part of my Spotify summer repertoire, and after hearing we’d be playing the same venue for SXSW in Austin, Texas, I had to make sure I was able to see her set. But, of course, after 10:00 p.m. any unofficial act is a drunken blob of emotions and getting your equipment to the cheap Hotel 6 you copped via your Expedia rewards whatever program is the least of your worries — and when I say ‘you’ I mean me. I had to see Cowgirl Clue. All I remember was finishing my set at the outdoor patio located inside the Austin bar and venue, Spider House, grabbing a drink, and heading towards the indoor stage lured by drum and bass beats that welcomed anyone and everyone who dared not be outside for another rock band. There, Ashley Calhoun (better known as Cowgirl Clue) commanded the stage with an attitude like no other — bold and contained, yet messy and elegant. Cowgirl Clue, as a live act, is a mixture of sounds that goes from tribalistic to bubblegum pop paranoia, a combination that’s anything but futile. Its an escapade and melodic experience that’s fun and personal. Her debut full-length Icebreaker encompasses world rhythm sounds with dance elements in a cohesive manner that makes it undoubtably the “Cowgirl Clue” sound.

Read the full article over at Alt Citizen.