Slip on your country boots—not the shiny, brand-new ones that squeak with excitement, but lurking with dust in the back of your closet, waiting for that thrilling, spur-of-the-moment decision of whether to check if a spider has spun a web inside. It’s precisely what Taasha Coates, the powerhouse frontwoman of The Audreys, did—her well-worn Texas-bought boots, clocking in 20 years of strutting miles, inspired the cover for their latest single, ‘Secondhand Boots.’ (And before you run to Google for a dupe, spoiler alert: these aren’t the boots from the song—sorry, boot enthusiasts.). The real magic lies in the timing. Those boots’ journey mirrors the band’s, as they’ve been walking the musical note-laden road since 2004. Split that in two, and now, ten years later, they’re back with their brand new single.
We’ve got a Cheshire grin because we’re thrilled they’re back—and even more happy that Taasha from The Audreys sat down with us for an exclusive interview. Are you curious about her secret spice to songwriting? Then look no further. She’s sharing her top five artist influences with us.
Lucinda Wiliams
Lucinda is an incredible songwriter and an absolute legend. She’s still putting out music and touring well into her 70s, and I just love that about her. She’s unstoppable. Her 2001 album Essence is comfortably in my Top 5, maybe even my number one (it depends on what day you ask me). It’s sexy AND sad, quite the combo. She also rocks the best bed hair in alt-country.
Taasha Coates
Cowboy Junkies
I went to see the Cowboy Junkies live while I was in the middle of making this record, and it helped remind me that people love sad music and you don’t have to jump around and try to be anything you’re not. That was a well-timed reminder. Actually, come to think of it, Margo had some pretty impressive bed hair going on that night, too (*starts back-combing hair).
Taasha Coates
Dolly Parton
A tremendous artist and a really inspiring person to boot. One of my favourite Dolly stories is that she refused to let Elvis Presely do a cover of ‘I Will Always Love You’ because it meant giving away her publishing rights on the song. That proved to be a very wise decision because, of course, it’s been a hit several times over. Imagine telling Elvis to stick it. Good on her.
Taasha Coates
Definitely no bed hair here!
Jason Isbell
I kind of have to put Jason because anyone who knows me knows that I’ve been obsessed with him since his 2013 album Southeastern. His songwriting just kills me. I saw him play at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville (where they used to hold the Grand Ole Opry) in 2014 while I was heavily pregnant, and the hard wooden seats nearly killed me, too, but I still loved the show.
Taasha Coates
Her Bandmates
When Tristan passed away in 2022, I lost my best friend and my songwriting partner of 25 years. I got the news while I was on tour with my new band [guitarist Tom Kneebone, bassist Felicity Freeman, and drummer Beej Barker], and I really wasn’t sure if I could keep going, but my bandmates were so loving and supportive. They helped me get on stage every night, then through writing and recording an album, and I eventually found a way out the other side of my grief and managed to create something that really honoured Tristan’s memory.
Taasha Coates
I couldn’t have done it without my band. Thanks, Tom, Flik, and Beej.
Do you have a singer you love who adores one of your other favorite artists? Well, we do – and it’s Taasha from The Audreys gushing to us in our interview about the legendary Dolly Parton, who, frankly, deserves to lasso her way to the top of everyone’s influencer lists. ‘Secondhand Boots’ has been out for a minute, and we’re only just obsessing over it because it’s been on constant rotation. Join the hoe-down and spin into the fun by listening on your favorite streaming services.
Then, loop your hand around our arms by commenting on your favorite lyric on one of our social media accounts, such as Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook. We’re ready to kick up some dust with you!
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