Singles Spotlight:
Andrew Sa –
“Lavender Cowboy”

Hello reader,

How’s your week been?

Today, I’m thrilled to be talking about an under-the-radar artist who shouldn’t be. The one and only, Andrew Sa, the self-described Cowboy Crooner. The Chicago-based singer-songwriter is about to garner some new fans. As his bio states, Sa was “Born from childhood memories of Ford F150 rides and his mother’s traveling karaoke business, Andrew Sa’s debut album, American Rough, represents the culmination of a lifelong obsession with the power of the human voice. After honing his craft in Chicago’s independent music scene and the campy, theatrical world of the Cosmic Country Showcase, Sa collaborated with producer H.C. McEntire to bridge the gap between mid-century country-pop and contemporary indie-folk. The record is a sonic tapestry woven with pedal steel, jaunty horns, and Sa’s signature ‘siren-like’ croon, drawing inspiration from titans like Patsy Cline and Roy Orbison while being deeply informed by the poetry of Arthur Rimbaud and Ocean Vuong.

More than just a genre exercise, American Rough serves as a cinematic exploration of queer intimacy and the complexities of masculinity. Sa courageously subverts the heteronormative traditions of country music, reimagining the genre through the lens of gay desire to create a space where hard bodies find each other in the dark and soften. The album invites listeners into a world of vulnerable characters and ‘mean handsome’ figures. By centering beauty and connection, Sa tethers himself to a long-forgotten lineage of men singing about their hearts, offering a vision of manhood that is as gentle as it is resilient.”  Hell yeah, this is a welcome change. I’m on board. Are you?

Looking into his debut album further, it arrived on Friday, June 26th, via the fabulous Bloodshot Records. The press release for the album notes the great supporting cast of musicians, “…Luke Norton (piano, guitar), Casey Toll (bass), TJ Maiani (drums), Spencer Tweedy (drums and percussion), Nick Broste (trombone), Hunter Diamond (saxophone), Ivan Pyzow (trumpet), Allyn Love (pedal steel), and Macie Stewart (violin). The team was rounded out with North Carolina-based producer and engineer Missy Thangs, who co-produced, engineered, and mixed the album.”

Having heard it all, I can say that American Rough is a fantastic album you should listen to. I got it on vinyl. I cannot recommend it enough. Definitely at least 4.5 Scum Drops relative to all new 2026 album releases. Deciding which song to shed some spotlight on was difficult. But I think “Lavender Cowboy” speaks volumes about a multitude of subjects, including history, and is a good intro to the talented world of Andrew Sa. The song was out of reference for out country frontman Patrick Haggerty, of the once Seattle-based band Lavender Country. Please take some time to educate yourself on Haggerty and the band, as though he’s passed, we can continue to tell his story. And not only support but encourage others. Thank you.

Sa’s song is not a cover of an old song of the same name that country music fans and historians or queer music historians would know, which is based on a poem and was turned into a song, sung by several over the years, perhaps most famously by Burl Ives. That name is a blast from the 1900’s past. The history is chronicled and explored here.

Listening to Sa’s song, you’re immediately struck by the guitarwork and pedal steel that will serve as the foundation for the melody. Seconds later, you hear Sa’s unforgettable vocal tone and delivery. Gorgeous. I see why the Cowboy Crooner moniker is relevant and fitting. The lyrics are captivating as well. The song will touch you in ways other songs just can’t. Country music fans, a new musician has entered the chat and is here to stay. Alongside the ranks of Orville Peck, Tyler Childers, Brandi Carlile, Jason Isbell, The Chicks, Willie Nelson, Kacey Musgraves, Bryan Andrews, Maren Morris, Margo Price, Steve Earle, Sturgill Simpson, the DBT, Jesse Welles, and the one and only Dolly Parton. To name a few of the good, progressive artists creating country or country-adjacent music today.

It’s quickly become one of my favorite songs that I’ve heard in recent weeks. And I think you’ll fall in love with it too. Add it to your playlists. Multiple.

Take a listen for yourself and see the awesome video for the song, “Lavender Cowboy” from Andrew’s YouTube channel:

(All credits and rights to Andrew Sa and Bloodshot Records)

Check out the dimples on that smile. The cover art for American Rough:

The track list for American Rough:

1. American Rough (1:29)
2. Under You (3:48)
3. Lavender Cowboy (3:13)
4. Follow (3:41)
5. Your Whisper (2:54)
6. Gorgeous Things (3:44)
7. You Turned Me On (4:26)
8. Love Songs (3:36)
9. Where It Lands (4:40)
10. Fightin’ To Be Fightin’ (2:28)

Alex M Theel

Co-Founder, Reviewer, Content Creator, Business side, Editor at Scummy Water Tower Productions | Web

Scummy Water Tower Productions co-founder, reviewer, business manager, and editor. Thank you for visiting this site, scummywatertower.com, and YouTube for Water Tower Sessions and SWT Interviews. And all of our socials.
Questions, feedback, or more? Contact me: alex@scummywatertower.com