Live Music: Cole Barnhill

Cole Barnhill is a fast-rising artist out of Lubbock, Texas, working at the intersection of Texas rock and alt-country. Known for his high-energy shows, striking vocals, and heavy guitars, his music blends grunge, alternative, and Red Dirt country. He’s often grouped with the new wave of Texas acts like Koe Wetzel and Kolby Cooper.

His sound pulls as much from rock as from country. Barnhill’s sound is as much Audioslave and Nirvana as it is Red Dirt country, and he’s not afraid to mix those worlds — his single “Daydreams” features fellow Texas band Treaty Oak Revival. His shows lean loud and rowdy, and he’s built momentum with a steady stream of singles and a growing fan base both in and outside Texas.