Neyla Pekarek
Liza Nelson
Taking the listener into a sonic trip to western America, Neyla Pekarek has debuted her first solo single “Train,” premiering exclusively on Billboard today (Nov. 1). The song will appear on Pekarek’s debut solo album Rattlesnake, out Jan. 18 on S-Curve Records.
On lead single “Train,” Pekarek sets the record’s adventurous tone with a playful, upbeat melody accentuated by her full-throated vocal delivery. Blending indie, country and folk-infused sounds, she travels between lows and highs while telling the narrative through the fearless lens of one of the strongest independent woman in American history: Rattlesnake Kate.
Rattlesnake is a concept album that will indeed center around Rattlesnake Kate. Telling one of the greatest untold stories of the wild west, Pekarek channels her inner midwest badass, recounting tales from the love letters between Rattlesnake Kate and Colonel Charles D. Randolph.
“Rattlesnake is about opportunities. It’s also about how this record is a next step for me. Kate gave me a door to opportunity,” the singer tells Billboard.
Pekarek, known for being the cellist in the Lumineers, recently announced her decision to pursue a solo career.
Get a first listen of “Train” below.