Kue Varo and the Only Hopes Release Sophomore Album, Cowboy Witchcraft
Calgary art-rock band Kue Varo and the Only Hopes has released their highly-anticipated sophomore album Cowboy Witchcraft.
The release follows the western-inspired single “Yip Yip”, as well as a spellbinding music video for “Gates of Hell”.
“The album is a culmination of musical spells, confessions and celebrations written over a transformative few years of my life. Every song is a pivotal point of either action, revelation, or manifestation. All of which led me back home to the prairies, which is where I needed to be despite my youthful rejection of it years ago. Invoking my lineage who inhabit the Black Forest of Germany and binding that energy to where I was raised as a first generation Canadian, the foothills of the Rockies… that’s Cowboy Witchcraft.”, Varo shares.
Cowboy Witchcraft is produced by Juno Award-winner Russel Broom (Art Bergmann, Jann Arden, The Last Waltz Remembered), in collaboration with band members Easy HD, Bob Quaschnick, and Matt Doherty. Varo realized that they’d outgrown the youthful rejection of the music associated with their hometown. Feeling drawn to the country sound that flows throughout the prairies, they looked to the genre as a source of inspiration.
First off care to introduce yourself to our readers?
Howdy, I am Kue Varo. I sing, write lyrics, and play rhythm guitar. We also have the Only Hopes: Bob E.Q. (slide and lead guitar) Matt Doherty (DRUMS) and Easy H.D. (Synth and Bass).
Tell us a bit about your recent release.
Well, it’s called “Cowboy Witchcraft” and it’s equal parts spirit-of-adventure to esoteric ritual.
Every track is a bit different, invoking the atmosphere of each experience the song was born from having gestated over the past few years. There’s grief, catharsis, courage, romance and party.
How do you typically go about the songwriting process? Do you have a specific method or creative routine that you follow?
It changes all the time. Sometimes I’ll have a song fall out of my mouth in five minutes flat and offer it to the Only Hopes to give it a nicer place to live in the tones and tricks of their expertise. Other times we all collectively jam to a pretty guitar lick Bob brings to the table.
We ALWAYS collaborate and make the most of our respective roles; better together.
Looking ahead, what are your plans for supporting this new release? Are there any upcoming tours, music videos, or additional content that fans can look forward to in connection with this project?
We have a remix for one of our tracks via Russell Broom our dear producer. Working on a music video for its release. We have a single in the works, a small tour in western Canada, and MERCH on its way. Whatever else pops up that seems fun we’ll do it.
Looking back on your musical career, is there a particular moment or accomplishment that you consider a turning point or a highlight?
I think this moment is happening right now for me. I can’t quantify it into a single accomplishment or instance just yet. Cowboy Witchcraft is starting to roll and it’s exciting. I can say getting #1 on CKUA in Alberta was surreal, I grew up listening to CKUA. I think I’ll have a better answer in 2025.
Last but not least, it’s time to pay it forward, what upcoming band or artist would you recommend your fans check out?
Jolene Marie, Sargeant and Comrade, Ryan Bourne, Baby Jey, Child Actress, Astral Swans, Mariel Buckley. The list could go on… did you know YYC/AB is filthy rich in talent? It blows me away constantly.