[Cover photo credit to Laura Harvey/Stereogum]
Squirrel Flower, the project of singer-songwriter Ella Williams, has released a cover of the Neil Young & Crazy Horse song, “Cortez the Killer”, originally featured on their 1975 release, Zuma.
The performance was recorded live at Cheer Up Charlies in Austin, TX on March 15, 2024 as part of Squirrel Flower’s set at the Stereogum & Topshelf Records Unofficial Showcase.
Speaking about her choice to cover “Cortez the Killer,” Williams states:
I decided to cover ‘Cortez’ with my friends as a way to feel the power of community amidst the fascism surrounding us that week in Texas. I love Neil Young and his uncompromising convictions, so I thought this song would be the perfect expression against everything going on. I had the idea the day before the show. Alex offered up their practice space, we ran through it a few times, and then Dimitri and Greg joined the crew day-of. We put it all out there with this one. In the words of Neil, it was ‘one of the pleasures of my life to be able to be on this stage with these people.’
The performance includes the following artists:
Drums: Kai Wilde (Teethe)
Bass: Michael Cantella (Squirrel Flower, NNAMDÏ)
Guitar: Travis Harrington (Truth Club)
Guitar: Dimitri Giannopolous (Horse Jumper of Love)
Guitar: Greg Freeman
Guitar: Alex Peterson (alexalone)
Vocals & Guitar: Ella Williams
Squirrel Flower is currently touring in support of her latest album, Tomorrow’s Fire, released October 2023 via Polyvinyl Record Co., and will be performing on select dates this Spring and Summer with Julia Jacklin, Pedro the Lion, Courtney Barnett, and Bob Mould.
Squirrel Flower will also be headlining a special run of dates across the UK and Europe, including her first-ever live shows in Spain.
SQUIRREL FLOWER TOUR DATES
05/18 – Somerville, MA @ The Armory – Still Around Benefit Show
05/21 – Brooklyn, NY @ Union Pool [SOLD OUT]
05/22 – Brooklyn, NY @ National Sawdust # [SOLD OUT]
05/30 – Kansas City, MO @ Manor Fest 6
06/16 – Boise, ID @ Visual Arts Collective +
06/17 – Salt Lake City, UT @ Urban Lounge +
06/19 – Denver, CO @ Bluebird Theater +
06/22 – St. Paul, MN @ Turf Club +
06/23 – Madison, WI @ High Noon Saloon +
06/24 – Chicago, IL @ Thalia Hall +
06/25 – Indianapolis, IN @ Hi-Fi +
06/27 – Detroit, MI @ El Club +
06/28 – Toronto, ON @ The Great Hall +
06/30 – Boston, MA @ Crystal Ballroom +
07/04 – Amsterdam, Netherlands @ Paradiso
07/05 – Paris, France @ Le Mecanique Ondulatoire
07/06 – Bordeaux, France @ Jalles House Rock
07/07 – Barcelona, Spain @ Razzmataz
07/08 – Madrid, Spain @ Siroco
07/09 – Valencia, Spain @ El Loco
07/11 – Vannes, France @ Echonova Hors Les Murs
07/12 – Montmartin, France @ Chauffeur Dans La Noirceur
07/13 – Kutna Hora, Czech Republic @ Creepy Teepee Festival
07/14 – Nijmegen, Netherlands @ Valkhofpark
07/16 – Margate, UK @ Elsewhere
07/17 – London, UK @ The Lexington
07/18 – Manchester, UK @ YES – Basement
07/19 – Glasgow, UK @ The Glad Cafe
07/20 – Leeds, UK @ Hyde Park Book Club
07/21 – Brighton, UK @ The Prince Albert
07/26 – Skokie, IL @ Illinois Science and Technology Park %
# solo w/ Julia Jacklin
+ solo w/ Pedro The Lion
% w/ Courtney Barnett, Bob Mould
