Localized: Sad Cowboy

On May 20, come to Kilby Court to set out on a mind voyage with local psychedelic rock bands, The Lingo and Sad Cowboy, at SLUG Magazine’s Localized showcase. Lit’l Grim will kick off the evening’s festivities with a killer opening set. SLUG Localized is sponsored by Riso-Geist, and tickets are only $5. Doors open at 7:00 p.m. and music starts at 8:00 p.m. Get your tickets here! 

Sometimes, a band is greater than the sum of its individual members, and musicians can push each other to greater creative heights through collaboration. At least that’s what Tanner Waite and Siah Collins believe. These two are the primary songwriters for the psychedelic indie rock band Sad Cowboy, but until recently, Waite helmed a psych-surf band called Casio Ghost and Collins was the frontman for an earlier Sad Cowboy lineup. 

Waite and Collins have been friends since high school and each played in the other’s band. And while Casio Ghost and Sad Cowboy initially had distinct sounds and lyrical themes, both bands eventually developed a very similar style due to cross-pollination. So in late 2024, Collins and Waite decided to combine efforts under the Sad Cowboy moniker. “We just realized the styles were starting to mesh,” Waite says during our interview at Salt Lake Coffee Break. “So we were like, ‘Fuck it. Why not do all of this as one record and make it one band?’”

“And something that I appreciate in Tanner’s writing is that, when I hear what he has to say, I feel understood,”

Collins hums his assent while sipping coffee, then states, “Sad Cowboy is Tanner and I both letting go of projects we had full autonomy to write for by ourselves and making it a collaborative effort.” And though this merger took the name of Collins’ old band, Collins emphasises that Sad Cowboy evolved as a result. “The band that was Sad Cowboy doesn’t exist anymore in the same way that Casio Ghost doesn’t exist anymore,” he says.

The outcome is a band that blends beach goth’s danceability, country’s twang and punk’s vigor. Sad Cowboy now features Collins on rhythm guitar, Waite on lead guitar, Peter LaBarge on keys and Brady Flores on bass. The group is also gigging and recording with drummer Allen James. These members all contribute unique material to the band’s songs and provide vocals as needed. 

One thing I find especially wholesome about Collins’ and Waite’s dynamic is that, when I ask what they want Sad Cowboy to accomplish, each leads by mentioning the other’s strengths and how those strengths empower the band as a whole. “Something I’ve always admired about Siah’s writing is it really brings a vibe,” Waite says. “Siah is able to write songs that are so catchy. They get people dancing. Bringing that to a live show so people have a good time is what this band is about.”

“And something that I appreciate in Tanner’s writing is that, when I hear what he has to say, I feel understood,” Collins adds. “I resonate with what he’s writing about. My favorite songs have always made me feel a little less alone in the world. It’s all about creating that energy.”

“Sad Cowboy is Tanner and I both letting go of projects we had full autonomy to write for by ourselves and making it a collaborative effort.”

This new iteration of Sad Cowboy is coming out swinging with a wealth of fresh music. “We’ve just finished tracking everything for 18 songs,” Collins says. “We have two pairs of singles, each with an A and B side. One will come out in April. The two songs on that are called ‘Reno’ and ‘Howdy at the Bar.’ We’ll probably release the second set in May. We’ll then release a seven-song EP, probably this summer. Then we’ll have a 12-song album.” The band is self-producing this music instead of working with a traditional studio, but they’ve enlisted local sound engineers Chase Ford and Denney Fuller to assist with production. 

On a related note, any fans of the old Sad Cowboy or Casio Ghost should be warned that their old music may disappear from streaming services soon. “If people like the stuff that’s currently up, they should listen while they can,” Waite says as our interview wraps up. “I think it’s all coming down.” 

To be among the first to know when Sad Cowboy releases their new tunes, follow them on Instagram at @sadcowboyband. And if you can’t wait to hear what they’ve been cooking up, don’t miss their live set at the Localized show on May 20.

Read more Localized interviews here:
Localized: Vape Plug
Localized: Olympic Deth