Album titles, and album covers… Along with the actual writing and recording of music, creating 
the titles and covers are two of my favourite things about the process. It’s a fantastic way to add a little personality to a project, and invite the listener further into your world as a musician, with the visual representation of your work.
It’s kind of funny, up until Haunted Cowboy Sounds, every other album I have worked on had a title and a cover before I even began the project. I find that it really helps guide the direction of the recording sessions.
For example, the Free Range Muffins album cover had been floating around in my head for about 20 years before I actually used it. Same with the painting that was the cover of The Robotanist album. My wife created that painting in the early 2000’s and right away, I was like, “That needs to be an album cover!” - it just took me a while to do it - lol…
So, starting a recording project without a cover or title was very different for me. Luckily, the album quickly named itself, which helped steer the direction sound-wise, but what picture would best represent the Haunted Cowboy Sounds album… Heck, what is a haunted cowboy sound…
One thing was certain, it was not a Country & Western album, so it couldn’t have cowboys, horses, or anything that suggested a Country-Western theme. I figured that the title would already confuse enough people on its own, without adding a cowboy to the album cover, so it had to be something unique; something that captured the mood of the album.
Fortunately, my friend, store owner, and local artist, Liam Racine, was very gracious and allowed me to look through some of his work as I searched for ideas. I didn’t know what I was looking for, but I knew that when I found ‘it’ I would know! (Does that make sense…)
Flipping through the pages of Liam’s portfolio, it didn’t take long to find 3 potential covers. While there was some conversation with close friends about which of the 3 would be the best fit, everyone seemed to navigate towards the image (pictured at left) that would eventually become the cover we have today.
There was something very haunting about this path into the unknown. I know that art can be subjective, people like what they like and don’t know why at times, but this piece really spoke to me. The emotions this mysterious path sparked in me were very similar to the emotions I was layering into the album - the highs, lows, and heartbreak of love and longing.
Working with Liam was awesome!! Once we had our image to focus on, he went to work on narrowing down our colour palette, so that our haunted path could become a haunted cowboy sound.
The first painting he did and sent to me (pictured on the left) was beautiful. Not quite haunted enough, but we were definitely on the right track (or path to the unknown- hahaha!).
When I went to pick up the finished Haunted Cowboy Sounds album cover, this painting was there in the shop and Liam had titled it “The Wanderer” - so of course, I bought that one too and if you don’t know already, it became the cover to The Wanderer (7 Classic Country Songs) - the companion to the Haunted Cowboy Sounds album (more on that story this Thursday on the blog).
As I wrapped up the recording of the album, Liam let me know that our album cover was finished, and it was absolutely perfect! The colours, the tones, the layers, it all just said, “Haunted Cowboy Sounds”!
I think too, that with the album being released in mid-November, the cover is even more appropriate now; as the weather outside reflects the moods and tones of the album and its art. Thanks again Liam for bringing the visual of a Haunted Cowboy Sound to life!!
So friends, now that you have heard the album and seen the art, what are your thoughts...
And, if you're a local fan of mine, make sure to visit Liam at his shop: 109 John St. North, Arnprior, Ontario - or shop online. He has vintage clothing (90% of my wardrobe is from Liam's shop!), an amazing array of plants, and lots of very cool discoveries just waiting for you to take home.
Haunted Cowboy Sounds and The Wanderer (7 Classic Country Songs) are both available to stream or purchase on Bandcamp.
Haunted Cowboy Sounds is also available on Spotify and the streaming services. The Wanderer (7 Classic Country Songs) arrives there on November 21st.
Stay tuned here for more news about the album and some special online events.
See ya next time…
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