SQUIRREL FLOWER releases cover of NEIL YOUNG's “Cortez the Killer”

SQUIRREL FLOWER RELEASES COVER OF NEIL YOUNG’S “CORTEZ THE KILLER” – RECORDED LIVE IN AUSTIN, TX Featuring members of alexalone, Horse Jumper of Love, Teethe, Truth Club, and Greg Freeman – Watch the blistering live performance via Stereogum Tomorrow’s Fire World Tour Continues – Opening for Julia Jacklin tonight in Brooklyn, with additional dates supporting Pedro the Lion, Courtney Barnett, and Bob Mould  Squirrel Flower in Austin, TX (2024) Photo by Samantha Tellez (Download) Today, Squirrel Flower – the project of acclaimed singer-songwriter Ella Williams, has shared her cover of the Neil Young & Crazy Horse classic, “Cortez the Killer” – originally featured on their beloved 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. Cementing itself as a beautiful act of protest, Squirrel Flower’s rendition captures Williams leading her own ‘Crazy Horse’ band of esteemed friends and collaborators, including members of the Squirrel Flower live band, Horse Jumper of Love, Teethe, Truth Club, Greg Freeman, and Polyvinyl label mates alexalone. Clocking in at just over 10 minutes, it’s a seething slow burn that places Williams’ voice front and center, floating atop a wall of guitars – five, to be exact.. Speaking about her choice to cover “Cortez the Killer,” Williams offered an impassioned statement –             “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

WATCH: “Cortez the Killer” (Live in Austin, TX) Live Photo by Laura Harvey/Stereogum (Download) Squirrel Flower is currently touring in support of her critically beloved 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. Tickets can be purchased HERE. In March, Squirrel Flower made her NPR Tiny Desk debut, performing “stripped back versions of her thundering rock songs,” as NPR shared, “giving way for her low register, affecting lyricism and guitar skills to shine. There’s an intensity unique to each song Williams plays.” Described as “a long time coming” by beloved on-air host Cheryl Waters, KEXP in Seattle recently released Squirrel Flower’s powerful live band session from their The Midday Show appearance – broadcasted earlier this year. PURCHASE / STREAM TOMORROW’S FIRE SQUIRREL FLOWER TOUR DATES 05/15 - Brooklyn, NY @ National Sawdust # [SOLD OUT] 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