Israel Nash

Israel Nash recorded his reimagined version of the Byrds' Sweetheart of the Rodeo at the Cosmic Chapel, his home studio perched high above the Texas Hill Country. There, surrounded by ancient rocks and widescreen skies, he transformed the landmark country-rock record into something as cinematic as the views unfolding outside the control room window. Reshaping the original album's textures with synthesizers, programmed percussion, pedal steel, ambient soundscapes, arpeggiators, swirling guitars, new melodies, and even a revised track list, he transforms the 1968 classic into something living, breathing, and undeniably modern. Rather than treating Sweetheart of the Rodeo as a covers project, Nash uses it to explore how Americana has evolved, and where it might go next. Along with recent releases like the instrumental album Moods and the deluxe reissue of Rain Plans, Sweetheart of the Rodeo is the latest project created during a prolific period of unbroken experimentation, shining new light on an artist committed to limitless creativity.