Tag: Kenny Chesney

Ride on the Coastal Cowgirl Trend With Paige Lorenze’s Music Playlist Picks

May 5, 2023

Coastal cowgirl: It’s a vibe. This aesthetic, inspired by a mixture of slow-paced country living and sun-soaked coastal dreaminess, has been trending on social media lately, and it’s making waves on Spotify. 

From across the globe, we recently saw a nearly 1,430% increase* in the creation of user-generated coastal cowgirl playlists. These playlists feature a mix of genres like country, new wave pop, indie pop, stomp and holler, and sunshine pop.

Some of the top tracks added to user-generated coastal cowgirl playlists on Spotify include “Texas Sun” by Khruangbin and Leon Bridges, “Cowboy Take Me Away” by The Chicks, “Slow Burn” and “Golden Hour” by Kacey Musgraves, “Southern Nights” by Glen Campbell, “Dreams” by Fleetwood Mac, “Take It Easy” by Eagles, “Malibu” by Miley Cyrus, “Island In The Sun” by Weezer, “California Dreamin’” by The Mamas & The Papas, and “Heads Carolina, Tails California” by Jo Dee Messina.

Paige Lorenze, a content creator, channels coastal cowgirl pretty effortlessly. She was raised in Vermont and, after spending a few years in New York City, settled in Connecticut, where she now shares her love of horses, fashion, and fun with her followers. A glance through Paige’s vlog shows days spent at her barn and looks featuring cowboy boots, but she also posts beauty tips and has highlights of her international travels.

Paige’s predilection for the trend made her the perfect person to take over Spotify’s own coastal cowgirl playlist. She helped curate a list of songs that serve as the perfect soundtracks for the desert, beach, or rural dirt roads. For the Record caught up with Paige to learn more about the coastal cowgirl vibe, and how she picked songs for the playlist.

How would you define the “coastal cowgirl” vibe?

The coastal cowgirl vibe is all about incorporating western fashion with coastal elements, creating a relaxed-yet-chic look. It’s about blending earthy tones with denim and leather pieces, accessorizing with cowboy hats and boots, and incorporating horse-riding culture. Whatever makes you feel grounded in nature and in your roots. 

How did you pick songs for Spotify’s coastal cowgirl playlist?

I wanted to curate a playlist that reflects the coastal cowgirl vibe and showcases artists who represent this culture. I included country and indie-folk artists like Kenny Chesney, Leon Bridges, and Mazzy Star, who write calming, breezy songs that are perfect to sing along to in the car or play during a relaxing day on the beach. 

Can you talk specifically about a song you included and why you thought of it for the playlist?

One song I included was “Landslide” by Fleetwood Mac. I chose this song because it speaks to the idea of building a strong sense of self and overcoming obstacles. Plus, it’s a classic that everyone knows and loves! I grew up loving this song, as I’m sure a lot of people did. 

Why is this playlist the perfect curation for fans getting ready for festivals this summer?

This playlist is perfect for anyone getting ready for festivals because it captures the essence of the western and coastal cultures, which is what these festivals are all about. The songs are a mix of old and new and represent different genres that everyone can enjoy. And the playlist creates the perfect atmosphere for a day filled with sunshine, music, and good vibes.

What’s your favorite thing about this trend?

I love that the coastal cowgirl trend is sustainable and timeless. It’s all about good basic pieces and good boots that will last you forever. I love that all my boots are so in now. I have some amazing cowboy boots and boots passed down from my mom. Also, I love how growing up riding and having horses in the fields behind my house is paying off! 

 

Channel your own coastal cowgirl vibe with our playlist below.

*This data is global and reflects the increase in playlist creation from February 16 through March 2 to March 2 through March 16, 2023.

Spotify Refreshes Popular Playlist New Music Friday with Global Rebrand

February 21, 2020

Whether you’re a music fan or an artist, Fridays are about to get even better. Today, Spotify’s highly influential New Music Friday playlist—a curated selection of the most anticipated new tracks of the week—is debuting a global rebrand.

The revamped playlist, which has 43 versions worldwide, will continue to serve as the leading destination for listeners who want to discover new music from both established and emerging talent. With over 3.5 million followers in the U.S. and 8 million globally, it’s an achievement and milestone for artists to have their new tracks included on the list.

With today’s visual relaunch, Spotify is continuing to support its ongoing investment in the must-hear playlist brand, with a major social campaign, New York and Los Angeles billboards, and new cover art. Inspired by a trend of artists making their own celebratory New Music Friday social media assets, Spotify For Artists will now test a new feature where all artists added to the U.S. version—to start—of New Music Friday will be able to grab and share a branded and personalized social asset a la Wrapped.

Spotify’s Flagship Country Playlist, Hot Country Launches with Original Video Content from Keith Urban, Kacey Musgraves, plus a special performance from Justin Timberlake and Chris Stapleton

April 27, 2018

Country music may have gotten its start in Nashville, TN, but it has since expanded far beyond. For some time, country music fans around the world have been looking for a way to help them connect to the artists they love, discover new music, and share their love of the Country genre. With Spotify’s Hot Country Playlist—now enhanced with video—they may just find it.

Enhanced playlists, like the previously launched Rap Caviar and ¡Viva Latino!, combine music and video into a single view. This allows users to listen to their favorite audio tracks as well as watch interviews and music videos featuring their favorite artists. Enhanced playlists bring storytelling back to music discovery—a theme that country music emphasizes as well.

After enjoying the constantly refreshing playlist throughout the week, listeners can tune in every Friday to experience new and original country video interviews with an all-new Hot Country look and feel. First up: Grammy Award winner Keith Urban, who takes the wheel today with a feature cover story that coincides with the release of his new album, Graffiti U. On Hot Country, Keith gives viewers a behind-the-scenes look at his extensive guitar collection, discusses his love of playing in his new home studio, and dives into the inspiration behind his new album.

While reflecting on the Hot Country playlist, Keith Urban said; “Spotify has been an amazing partner, helping me to connect my music with people all over the planet. On their new Hot Country playlist people will not only hear Graffiti U, they’ll be able to come inside the studio with me and see a bit about the making of the album. Can’t wait for everyone to hear it.”

According to Brittany Schaffer, Head of Artist and Label Marketing at Spotify’s Nashville office, the country music audience has been slower to adopt streaming than audiences of other genres. But, “country artists have been craving the attention of the streaming services to help bring the country audience into streaming and craving a deeper ability to connect with and expand their audiences,” she says. “The enhancement of the Hot Country playlist is Spotify’s first significant step in helping artists do just that.”

Schaffer also notes that the enhanced playlist is only the beginning of Spotify’s collaboration with the country industry. “Spotify is serious about making an impact in country music, and the launch of the Hot Country enhanced playlist is only the first step in showing that commitment,” she says. “This opportunity is opening new doors for current and potential listeners of country music, in Nashville and around the world. Our commitment doesn’t start and end with the launch of Hot Country.”

Through Hot Country and upcoming Spotify partnerships, fans can look forward to behind-the-scenes footage and interviews with their favorite country artists such as Keith Urban, Kacey Musgraves, and Kenny Chesney. From a tour of Keith Urban’s new state-of-the-art home recording studio in Nashville and the making of Kenny Chesney’s stadium tour to video footage from Kacey Musgraves’ Fan-First high tea in London or Justin Timberlake x Chris Stapleton’s Spotify Premium event recording of “Say Something” at the Roundhouse in London, Spotify is dedicated to telling the stories of country’s biggest names.

To bring more Hot Country to its more than 4.5 million followers worldwide, the enhanced playlist feature will also launch in four additional markets outside the U.S.: Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and Spain (in addition to the UK, Sweden, and Latin America). According to John Marks, Programming Head of Country Music at Spotify, the audience for country music will only keep growing. “There are multiple awakenings happening right now. Streaming is opening a global market. There’s been a hybridizing of other international music into the country playlists, which is opening people’s eyes and minds to country music in other countries. Launching in those markets—which have very active fan bases—will start to speed up the process.”

Marks, who has a long history working in Nashville with country industry and artists, is enthusiastic about the partnership—and he’s not the only one, he says. “The Nashville music industry and Nashville artists have really embraced this idea out of the shoot. We have some big stars on board with Keith Urban and Kenny Chesney, and there are plenty others on queue. It’s really been gratifying to see how quickly and how nimbly everyone in the industry has supported this idea of enhanced playlists and to see it all come together.”

Check out the new Hot Country playlist here.