Midland: 'Choosin' Texas' Might Be Best Thing for Us — SkimNews
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- Mark Wystrach told Rolling Stone's Nashville Now podcast that "Choosin' Texas" coming out "might be the best thing to ever happen to Midland," saying Langley's chart success shined a light on the traditional country sound they've played since their 2017 debut single "Drinkin' Problem."
- The band also used the interview to address the authenticity attacks they weathered early in their career as purveyors of traditional country during the era of bro country's dominance.
- "Stages", Midland's new album, builds on the sounds of their 2017 debut "On the Rocks" and includes the singles "Marlboro Man" and "Shooting Memories With Tequila."
- Wystrach said "Stages is the album we would have made 12 years ago if we had the chops," attributing the gap to the band evolving as musicians and writers.
- Cameron Duddy added that the songs that came to them for "Stages" simply weren't available 12 years ago, with Wystrach noting the band needed time to "get a bunch of scars, some Ws, some Ls" before they could make the record they wanted.
- During the Rolling Stone conversation, guitarist Jess Carson joined Wystrach and Duddy as the trio discussed the traditional influences that run through their catalog.
Why it matters: Wystrach directly credits Langley's mainstream success as vindication for the traditional country approach Midland has played since their 2017 debut — a sound he frames as commercially out of step during the bro-country era. The timing matters: 'Stages' (featuring 'Marlboro Man' and 'Shooting Memories With Tequila') arrives while a kindred sound is topping the charts rather than while it was being crowded out.
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