Garrett Hendricks: Northwest & SouthBound
Nashville-based, Pacific Northwest-bred Singer/Songwriter Walks the Walk & Sings the Talk
Insights From Melinoe:
Welcome Ghouls, Demons and Fellow Wyrd Ones! Today I share with you a Fantastic Country Artist, Garrett Hendricks. He even took the time to answer my nosey little questions. Diving right into his soul. Assessing an Artist of a Genre, I am stingy as fuck about. KB Tennessee highly recommended I give him a shout and experience his talent. I have been on the hunt for what it means to be a true Cowboy. Especially in a land of fake fucks the roam the streets. We are in an Age of Authenticity. We are demanding it as a society. We command such from our Generation’s Voices. The Message of Music, used to mean something. Represent the Culture. Tell the Story. That has been lost. Sacrificed for quick gimmicks, cheap thrills, and fast fashion. All the likes in the World at the Death of our Truth. We all know I have yapped about my haste for country music. Well, you would know if you’ve kept up with my other reviews.
I am here to translate and tell the tale. Shine the Spotlight on the authenticity we all crave. None of this is about me. It is about You. Extending the Olive Branch to Align the stars. To create constellations of Power. My Web of Wyrd. A society, a Network of Light. To do so, I have to take a Leap of Faith into Worlds I would prefer to ignore. Or, perhaps it is better to say that I have this as a low priority experience. I am sure all of our Lists of Wishes have a specific Vision. Yet, One of my Loudest Wishes is a simple mantra. “I wish to Live Life. I Wish to Experience All the Beauty that Life has to Offer.” Jokes on me, that includes Country Music.
As I began Northwest & SouthBound with ‘Son of the River’, I instantly felt into a 90’s Country Jammin’ Groove. You see, my Birth Mother was a huge 90’s Country Queen. We lived in Amarillo, Texas for about two years. Dayna had set a standard and taught me what I should expect from Country Music. As well, my Grandpa Mike (Maternal Grandfather), was raised in Texas as a Young Lad. He had his 50-70’s and other ages of oldies within Country Music to share.
I have an understanding of Country Music. I suppose one I could argue is my Ancestral right to Rebel against. However, the Genetic call just pulls me right back in. I was entranced in nostalgia, envisioning every dance along an event venue, or simply the kitchen/living room floor, to nothing other than George Straight, Garth Brooks, Willy Nelson, Johnny Cash, George Jones & Hank Williams. Most of which are also artists my Beloved will select within his country moods. Adding the Allman Brothers, and other Blue Grass Jam Bands, to the mix. I may talk my shit about Country Music, but I will be the first to jump up and two-step on the dance floor. If it is one thing I love, it is dancing. Freely and Imperfectly. If we Bring People Together Through Music, a Branch to that Tree would be the Muse that is Dance. Music that can make one dance, only adds to the magick of connection. The Power of Art.
Throughout the Album I wanted to do nothing more than dance with aloud and proud group of friends. To be lost in my own world. I felt passion. Wielding emotion within a rhythm. You could say there was a hypnotic Siren call within Garrett’s voice. At the very least, he has a message to share, and initiation to bestow. Puppeteer-ing us all into various states of flow, freedom and serenity. Regardless of the theme within the songs, there was a peace that was encouraged to be felt. A steadiness to life and the approach to emotion, inspiration and human connection. I thoroughly enjoyed the works that Garrett Hendricks has created. He is the real deal. Not only is he sweet on the eyes, but he is sweet on the ears. Last Week, I witnessed Jean Saint Lazarus. She has a song written about a Cowboy Boyfriend, called, ‘Cowboy Boyfriend’. I mean this with the utmost respect, Garrett Hendricks fits the Vibe. Checks off every box of what you would want a (True) Cowboy Boyfriend to be. You don’t feel shame when looking at his Cowboy clothes. You’re not wanting to crash his truck in some mud. He is allowed to keep the Hat neatly placed upon his Head. I love his vibe and the lane he chooses to express himself. He is a genuine being, out there living the life he loves.
Not much more Wild West than that! Garrett Hendricks is exactly the artist I would want performing at a sincere “Honky Tonk.” (Get out of here Kid Rock!) As well, I would love to have his tracks incorporate into cinema for shows or films like YellowStone, and Young Guns. (Personal Opinion. Love it or Hate it). I am always going to encourage Country Men to Darken their tone. Lean deeper into the mysterious unknown. I can make an argument in ways that Garrett Plays it Safe with some of his Music. Which doesn’t quite feel like that is his nature. His current music is quite pleasant, fun and purposeful. I suppose this depends on exactly where Garrett wishes to take his art. But I will not stop until I encourage everyone to make at least one Emotional, Gothic, and Dark Album. I would dream to witness everyone’s version of their shadow. A Dream for us all to Integrate our Shadows with Love. So, don’t mind me folks. I don’t want to paint anyone in my image. I want you all to paint yourselves in your image. I am merely asking what lurks beneath the surface? What does your shadow look like? And may I see it? May I find the beauty within it? Can you show me the worst of you, and allow me to love you anyways? (Boy, would Edgar Allan Poe be so very Proud!)
Interview with Garrett Hendricks:
Where are you/the band from? Where do y’all currently reside? If applicable, can you explain or express more specifically why you (potentially) moved and left the region? Perhaps dive into why it was the best
decision for yourself or others to leave and pursue your dreams. I want to paint an accurate and detailed picture for the audience on what it means to have lived life through your lens and the journey you have taken for your music and art.
Garrett– “I’m from the Pacific Northwest originally, living in various places across Western Washington but consider the Snoqualmie Valley home. But I also split time between there and Nashville, Tennessee. I’ve come to identify with both places so I’ve become an amalgamation of Northwestern and Southern.”
What is a brief History of Your Music/Band that you feel is most important to highlight within this article?Potential fun facts about your music name/pseudonym if applicable.
Garrett- “I grew up around music and the outdoors. Some of my core memories are of family fishing and camping trips where after days of casting a line guitars would get pulled out around the campfire. So music and the outdoors are intrinsically entwined for me. In my late teens and twenties I worked in the summer camp/outdoors industry. I learned how to ride horses, kayak, and backcountry guide. So that sort of rustic, no frills living, has soaked into my music as well. Almost forgot to mention stuff about goat farming, but it connects to generally being in touch with nature. The simplicity of the routine and learning the rhythms of nature and the circle of life is incredibly grounding. In the quiet moments where it’s just the sounds of the trees, the livestock, and the birds I can center myself and often times find the quiet mind to be able to flesh out lyrics and song ideas.”
What Genre would you classify yourself as? What are inspiring artists/ musical groups that have influenced your music/art?
Garrett- “I describe myself as Northwest Americana taking a lot on influence from the roots music tradition of the South and Appalachia and combining it with Northwest imagery and alt rock DIY ethos. If you took a bit of Johnny Cash, Sturgill Simpson, and Tyler Childers and combined it with Pearl Jam and Nirvana you’d end up close to me.”
What are the core philosophies within your music? And the messages) the band wishes their fans/audience to receive? Please feel free to add and highlight specific quotes you would like emphasized.
Garrett- “I consider myself first and foremost a storyteller. I feel like I was put on earth to be some kind of witness in song as dumb as that sounds. I’m an introvert and spend a lot of time just quietly observing my surroundings and I put a lot of what I see and hear into my songs. So I feel a responsibility to write about and champion the struggle of every day people. I have also worked as a farmer so I know what it means to be in communion with the land. Combine that with my work as an environmental educator and there is a lot of reverence for nature in my music. I hope that in listening to the imagery and narratives in my songs that folks can gain a reverence for working class people and nature. I think we need a conservation effort for both the environment and the people that work with it.”
To highlight your music, I would like to give an objective review of the your most recent album/music release. As well, could you provide any information or backstory/ inspiration to the album you would like expressed? I will express my personal joys to the album. However, could you express your favorite moments, songs or experiences within the album? As well, any other band/group member is free to express themselves if you wish to include them.
Garrett- “My debut album came out in October of 2025 and we released an expanded edition in the spring of 2026. It’s called Northwest and Southbound. It’s a crossroads of the places that have shaped me; the Pacific Northwest and the South and deals with identity, belonging, and mortality. I have been in touch with mortality and I know how little time we actually all have and so much of the record deals with that. I got to record with an incredible cast of musicians and songwriters which was the Nashville dream I’ve had since I was young. We recorded at Farmland Studios in Nashville where Willie Nelson and Stephen Wilson Jr have also recorded. So a lot of magic was in that room. I have some more music coming in the upcoming months of acoustic tracks that didn’t make the initial cut but I’m looking forward to sharing. I can’t speak to the specific release date yet but stay tuned!”
Are there any other works of yours that you feel would be beneficial to mention or guide fans/audience members to listen to? Whether for philosophical, political, spiritual or musical reasonings?
Garrett- “There’s two I would like to mention. I put out a folk-gospel acoustic EP a couple years ago that was a tribute to my grandparents that I like a lot. The other is a pair of Halloween singles I put out that pay tribute to Pacific Northwest folklore. One is called Eyes in the Night about the Bigfoot/Sasquatch legend and the other is about a mountain goat that murdered a hiker in Olympic National Park called “Klahanie Billy.”
Are there other avenues of self promotion, such as social media and/or podcasts/ community you would like me to highlight and inform the audience?
Garrett- “I’m most active on Instagram but also trying to grow on YouTube and I combine my music with environmental awareness education content sharing my passion for the outdoors with nature facts and fishing content.”
What is your birthday/Zodiac sign?
Garrett- “I’m a Pisces. I don’t know or dabble too much into astrology but all my friends that do say that tracks haha.
Garrett finished the interview by saying, “Definitely find me online and stream the tunes. While streaming doesn’t pay the bills or really mean anything important to my value as a human, the numbers help other people find me and give legitimacy to bigger venues and artists to have me out to share the music. The money don’t matter to me but getting to play for more people and build community is my goal.”
Garrett my darling, you most certainly are a Pisces. LOL I love that for you, and I love that for Music! Pisces is ruled by Neptune and Jupiter, which have connections to Music, the Muse, Art, Poetry and Creativity. Your Sun Sign sure is guiding you! I would be so intrigued to understand the other dynamics of your chart and how they play into your music. For those interested, look up your whole birth chart! Discover your creative alignments and mediums through the language of Astrology! If you know astrology, you can see that I am an Aquarius Sun, Leo Moon, Cancer Rising, Capricorn Mercury and Pisces Venus. All of these placements highlight aspects of my soul, my personality, my aesthetic, my art and my “branding” (persona) online. We all have our place in this world. It is simply up to you to do the inner work to find where that place is! Thank you for Welcoming me into your World Garrett Hendricks!
Live Deliciously. Love Authentically. And Always, Stay Wyrd.
-Melinoe Macaria Mourningstar
Follow Garrett Hendricks here:
Photos Courtesy of KB Wilder
KB Wilder is a photographer based out of a rural town in Tennessee, who travels all over the world, working with musicians, cowboys, and brands.“I don’t do coffee shop meetings. I want to sit in the bed of my truck and eat tacos from a gas station food-truck and talk with you all afternoon as the Southern summer sun sets. I want to talk about your album and plan our photoshoot while we fish and my dogs run around, getting us muddy. I can’t take overhearing one more Nashville tech bro talkin’ about his million dollar deals in a coffee shop with nowhere to park my truck. I reckon that’s about all you need to know about me and working with me.”
-KB Wilder
Holler at Her!
@kbfromtennessee
www.kbfromtennessee.com
kbfromtennessee@gmail.com
Discover more from Rock Oracle
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
