Pleasure Horse began in 2012 with the duo of songwriter Tim Evenson and guitarist Ben Mahowald. Thereafter, the band worked to craft a uniquely Minnesotan brand of country music. Implementing the emotive clarity of Townes Van Zandt and a Parsons-esque passion for traditional music, Pleasure Horse self-released several collections of cosmic cowboy classics over the following years.
Dave Hoenack of Hymie’s Vintage Records writes, “Pleasure Horse offers just a little of just about everything you’ve ever loved about country music: beer-soaked heartbreak and twang, a little Tex-Mex and a little rock and roll.”
The release of Pleasure Horse’s New Lonely is the realization of their full musical potential. Featuring a collection of guest performers, the added instrumentation is a rich and eclectic accent to the group’s already solid foundation. With recording support from Neil Weir of Blue Bell Knoll and Scott Nieman at dubNemo Productions, the sonic quality of New Lonely is ready for the airwaves.
The inspiration for the song writing originally came from a desire to emulate the Outlaw Country songwriters of the ’70s like Jerry Jeff Walker, Willie, and Townes. It accomplishes that and more. A nod from any one of those songwriters would lighten the hearts of the group and those who listen. The songs come to life when each member stamps their own unique musical background on it. Most of which and oddly enough hails from the plains of South Dakota.
