Interviews About Albums: MaveriX - Cowpunk (2023)

In this new interview, we sat down with the Italian Punk Rock band MaveriX to ask some questions about their album "Cowpunk". 

1. What can you say about this new album?

This is our first-ever album! We started playing together about a year and a half ago, and it seems incredible to already have one full-length album out via a record label. We are very satisfied with the whole thing, and we think that people who will listen to it online or come to our shows and get the CD will be very satisfied as well: the songs are catchy, energetic, and fresh sounding! Also, the artwork and packaging are so cool, so it's a must-have in your collection!

2. What is the meaning of the album's name?

At first, we wanted to name the album after one of the songs. But then we switched to COWPUNK! because we wanted something easy to remember, a word that wouldn't influence the listener or wouldn't express a mood or something we are not. So here we are: COWPUNK! is what we play, it's a statement, a word that introduces us and our music.

3. Which of you is the composer of the album?

We usually start writing from a guitar or bass riff and then we develop the song all together in our rehearsal room. So at first, we have a jumble of chords and melodies that little by little we transform into a song: the outcome sounds pretty good, it seems! We also have different music influences and different approach to the songwriting process: Drago (our drummer) has always listened to heavy metal; Matteo (bass player) is the punk-rock core of the band and Niccolò (singer and guitar player) is the one who is influenced by country music the most, and he’s also the author of the lyrics.

4. If you had to pick one song, which one would you pick?

Besides the two singles we released before the album, we think The Saddest of the Bar is one of the best songs on the record: it doesn’t have the typical "verse-chorus" structure but a perfect climax that goes from the minimal sound of tribal drums and western guitar riffs in the beginning to the full and energetic melody in the choruses and the ending with the kinda-country guitar solo that closes the song. Also, the lyrics of TSOTB are some of the most inspired off the record in our opinion.

5. Is there a special message in this album? If there is, what it is?

We never intended to include a special message in this album: we just wanted to create something that sounded new but at the same time familiar, like it's always been there. We think this is the perfect recipe for successful songs!

6. Are there some lyrics that you'd love to share in particular?

The Alps and House in the Mountains are clearly about mountains but also feeling good about ourselves and at peace in the wild nature. In particular, House in the Mountains was partially inspired by living in the same places described in the books by Italian writer Paolo Cognetti of whom Niccolò is a big fan.

7. Which inspirations have been important for this album? Like musically or friends, family, someone you'd love to thank especially?

We'd love to thank Josh Brolin for the inspiration, the movies and for being such a badass!

8. Something to add?

We really hope people will like our album and this interview. We can't wait to meet y'all at one of our live shows, one day!