Pride Month Artist Spotlight: Orville Peck
It’s Pride Month yet again and every year I like to dedicate a post to share more about a queer artist’s music and career. This year I wanted to spotlight an artist that has shaken things up with his public image, got people asking questions, and continuing to bridge the gap between the LGBTQ community and country music: Orville Peck!
Decorated in a fringe face mask that shields his identity and a cowboy hat, his choice of attire is actually some of the least interesting things about him once you dig further into his background. Orville Peck, which is a pseudonym for Daniel Pitout, was born in Johannesburg, South Africa where he taught himself to play guitar and keyboard, while also dabbling in voice-over work for cartoons throughout his childhood. In addition to these early childhood talents, he was also trained in ballet and musical theatre where he later ended up on national tours. In his mid-20s he moved to London to study acting at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art.
Despite all of his classical and theatrical training, Orville Peck has made a name for himself in the world of country music, and some damn good country music at that. What sets Orville Peck’s music out from many other country artists today is his heavy influence of 1970s country artists. Orville has credited many iconic country singers such as Johnny Cash, George Jones, Waylon Jennings, Tammy Wynette, Dolly Parton, Roy Orbison, Willie Nelson, and many others from that era as major influences on his music. This era of country music also happens to be my favorite so I was instantly interested in everything Orville Peck once I got a glimpse of those influences in not only his music, but his performance attire.
Not only does his musical influences excite me, but it is the way he puts it all together with his very diverse and talented background in performance art. At first he lures you in with vocals that sound so smooth and heavenly, while also ranging from high highs to low lows, making any music lover pleased. He then pairs these vocals with a spaghetti western feel mixed with 1970s country and 1990s alternative to create a sound that is both vintage and like nothing you have ever heard. To take it a step further, in his live performances and music videos, he shows off his dancing skills and his love for musical theatre by putting together music videos that really share a story and create an overall experience. Something else I really enjoy about him is his clothing style. It is as if he took the typical attire of these classic country stars and put his gay spin on them to make them just a bit more glam, or “yassified” as the girlies may say.
Now it is no surprise that the genre of country music has some of the least amount of LGBTQ representation, which is honestly such a shame considering the heart of country music is storytelling, and queer stories deserve to be shared too. It is also is a common assumption that the majority of country music listeners aren’t as accepting of the LGBTQ community, however, I don’t necessarily think that is still the case. Country music over the last few years has created a more welcoming space and allowed a place for many types of country artists and styles to thrive, which has also earned the genre an uptick in fans. Of course this change isn’t all attributed to Orville Peck, but I think that he is playing a part in the genre being more accepting.
With Orville’s music representing this classic 1970s country sound and attire, he has been able to gain the respect of the older crowd while also showing younger LGBTQ country music listeners that there is space for them, as well as introducing them to the classics. Because of his ability to appeal to these very different country music listeners, he has helped blend the line between queer music and country music, showing that they do not have to be one or the other. I also have a tremendous amount of respect for Orville Peck for letting his extensive talents and experience speak for themselves in the face of those who may not be too excited about having a gay man come up in the country music scene. Instead of trying to convince those who may be skeptical of him because of his sexuality to like him, he simply does his thing and continues to garner fans, proving that it is his talent that matters. I mean the fact that a gay man from South Africa is putting out music that makes it hard for even the most conservative of country music listeners to deny his talent is really impressive and really helping to reduce any stigma that may still be lingering.
As someone who has such a huge place in their heart for country music, it genuinely excites me to see modern day artists from various backgrounds and points of view contribute to the genre, while also paying homage to our favorite classics. Country music is about real stories from real people and it is exciting that these stories are now being shared from queer individuals, or even those who simply don’t have the typical country background that most people assume. I continue to look forward to seeing where Orville takes his career and really appreciate all the work he has done so far.
Happy Pride to all my LGBTQ readers!
