Midnight Cowgirls
Blaise Dahl Talks New Single, Country Cred, and Her Fairy Godmother
by Christopher Long
Now and again, from time to time, every once in a while, when the planets align just right, a new band pops onto the scene that’s so fresh, so fun, that it demands attention. And from the moment they dropped their self-titled 2024 debut EP (along with the accompanying video / single, “Giddy Up”), it became clear, PDQ, that Midnight Cowgirls is one of those special bands. Boasting a bounty of crisp and catchy, country-fried, Americana-flavored sing-alongs that shine as brightly as their sparkly, spangly, rhinestone-studded outfits, the bi-coastal combo blazed a trail across the U.S. last summer, as the opening act for iconic rockabilly kingpins Stray Cats.
Juggling myriad musical projects, New York-based singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and full-time Cowgirl Blaise Dahl is currently one of the busiest gals in the biz. And it was my good fortune to catch her recently on a rare off-day and discuss some of the amazing things happening in the Midnight Cowgirls’ turbo-charged world, including their just-released single, a sassy, high-octane, and remarkably authentic remake of “Tennessee Homesick Blues,” the 1984 chart-topper from Dolly Parton. “It suits me,” said Dahl, regarding her fast-paced Cowgirls lifestyle. “I knew what I was signing up for,” she laughed.
Dahl first connected with band matriarch, bassist, and celebrated fashion designer Jennie Vee more than a decade ago, while both musicians were based in NYC. Fast forward to 2024, and Dahl received an invite from the now California-based Vee to join the Cowgirls as a temp touring member. However, given her massive vocal talent and ability to pivot effortlessly from guitar to synth, Dahl was asked to become an official Cowgirl in very short order. “She’s been my friend and mentor for so long,” Dahl said of Vee. “I knew when she called, I had to be a part of her new band in whatever capacity she asked of me. I’d seriously follow her anywhere.”
Clearly, the connection between Dahl and Vee goes way deeper than just business. According to Dahl, this relationship is personal. “Jennie is like my fairy godmother of firsts: she hired me for my first professional video, styled by the incomparable Courtney Love, no less, in her own couture designs. And the first time I was glimpsed in a major magazine was when that video premiered in Nylon. Then she took me on my first professional tour opening up for the Manic Street Preachers.”
What helps make Midnight Cowgirls such a compelling collective is the vast array of influences that Vee’s talented team brings to the project. “The sense of community Jennie is building with this stable of talented female collaborators from all genres, instruments, and backgrounds is unmatched,” Dahl said. “And I feel so genuinely honored to be a part of it.”
Pointing to David Bowie’s eclectic body of work as an appealing blueprint, Dahl says that the Cowgirls shy away from being “pigeon-holed” creatively. Claiming such artists as PJ Harvey and Shirley Manson (Garbage) among her primary personal influences, Dahl credits her dad for introducing her to southern rock and classic country at a young age. Commenting that Cowgirls drummer Marlhy Murphy is something of an “emo girl,” Dahl also praised “goth girl” Vee for envisioning and designing the type of outfits that would ultimately inspire the birth of Midnight Cowgirls. “Jennie always had a feel for western fashion,” Dahl revealed.
Overseen by veteran producer Josiah Mazzaschi, the band’s aforementioned new single, “Tennessee Homesick Blues,” oozes the classic Dottie West-style sweetness and Loretta Lynn-inspired swagger of early ‘70s country. And while it was recorded primarily in L.A., the process actually played out in various locales. Dahl laughed when she admitted how she cut her lead vocals for the track while sitting on the bedroom floor of her parents’ house. “You do it when you can,” she confessed, regarding the members’ demanding and sometimes conflicting schedules. “I shot my part for the song’s video in 30 minutes. Then I jumped in an Uber to the airport and headed back home.”
The song selection came as a result of the band’s participation in a recent Dolly Parton tribute show. The final cut features Vee and Murphy on bass and drums, with Dahl providing lead vocals and Kandle Osborne on backing vocals. Amping up the “WOW” factor, the track screams with layers of urgent shredding from rising arena rock guitar ace, Bella Perron, and masterful fiddle work from Ginny Luke.
“‘Tennessee Homesick Blues’ has been my chance to step out front more and lean into my own voice,” Dahl added. “Midnight Cowgirls is all about blending our varied influences with the new dynamic in country music that sees so many artists from different genres embracing that sweet, down-home sound. I’m happy to bring a little more grit and rock and roll rawness to the table. Plus, I got to learn how to yodel, which was really challenging, but really fun, too. I think it gave the song some more traditional country cred. We always want to show that kind of respect to whatever we cover.”
As the steamy season ensues, Midnight Cowgirls will continue plugging away diligently on their upcoming new full-length record, while also navigating through a hectic summer concert tour schedule. Giddy on up, girls!
Featured photo by Gretchen Lanham.
