PBG 3 Question Interview with Cowboy Jane: The Blonde Headed Stranger Album
- Produced by a Girl™
- Jul 10
- 4 min read
Updated: Jul 10
Cowboy Jane’s The Blonde Headed Stranger is a cinematic Americana journey that feels equal parts dusty road trip and dreamscape, weaving Spaghetti Western textures with raw, deeply personal storytelling. Inspired by a transformative period of homelessness and years immersed in Maine’s vibrant music community, the album explores loneliness, resilience, and self-discovery through honest vocals, rich instrumentation, and evocative songwriting. Produced by Kelley Doore and brought to life by a talented collective of local musicians, The Blonde Headed Stranger is an atmospheric collection that celebrates both the untamed spirit of the American frontier and the quiet power of finding your own voice.
1. The Blonde Headed Stranger instantly transports listeners into a world that feels part Western movie, part haunting road diary, and part personal myth. You’ve mentioned that some of these songs were born during a time when you were traveling coast to coast, without a home, searching for your own identity. When you revisit that chapter of your life, what do you think your younger self was really seeking, and how did creating this album help you finally let her speak?
I think at the time I was looking for a place where I felt like I was at home. I had not experienced the feeling of being home since I left my hometown (Elk Mound, WI) in 2001.I felt most at home in moments where I was in nature. It seemed impossible to leave the city, but I did it anyway, which derailed my whole career. I felt really suffocated in Chicago as a creator. I watched a lot of shows, but I was aching to create my own art. Leaving Chicago opened that door for me. I learned a lot from musicians and artists I met over the years, but I was never encouraged by them, there was not a sense of community, only competition. I had to face some demons when I left because I was alone a lot. All of those insecurities came out. At one point, I didn’t have much left in materials, and I didn’t want to make the same mistakes. That’s when I found my home, when I finally let go of everything. This album let me speak through the different alter egos and emotions that I felt during a time of tumultuous transition.
2. This album radiates a real sense of place, from the vibrant Mid Coast Maine music scene to the creative spark of Forest Audio right on the waterfront in Belfast. You brought together a community of musicians you met at open mics and through local creative circles. How did the people, stories, and musical traditions of Maine weave their way into the emotional heart of this record?
Before I moved to Maine, I didn’t know anything about old time music or fiddle tunes. I was mostly into techno music, house music and blues. All of these songs were written in Maine, most while I lived in an off-grid cabin. I wanted to bring the songs I had written to life, and I knew I couldn’t do that alone..I looked for community jams and found a place at the Searsport Shores campground where I could perform and grow as a musician in a non-intimidating environment. That’s where I learned the structure of fiddle tunes, old sea shanties, cowboy ballads, etc. Playing at jams taught me a lot about how I wanted to move forward as a performer. I started going to open mics. I love being inclusive and spontaneous. For that reason, I’m always encouraging people to join me on stage and met multiple musicians.I found my producer, Kelley Doore at an open mic. Her music project, Thousand Year Pine performed at an event I organized. She made a point to encourage me and give me really useful feedback. She had the energy, skills, and believed in my vision to complete this project. I needed someone to lean into my cinematic side (I’ve been involved in multiple film projects). Maine’s sense of strong community is in the emotional heart of this album. People are always willing to help you here in any way they can.
3. You’ve called your voice raw, truthful, and 'not for everybody,' which honestly feels like such a bold and inspiring thing for an artist to claim. In a world where musicians are so often pushed to polish away their quirks, what has it taken for you to embrace those wild, honest, cinematic parts of yourself and let them guide your music?
I am still learning to embrace my voice. With my music, I make what I want to hear. I don’t want perfection, I want to feel something. I want something to move me. You can have all the skill in the world, but that doesn’t mean you have the heart and soul to move every single person.
4. Bonus Question: What does Produced by a Girl mean to you personally?
Not having a man insert himself saying to do this or that or show you how to do something “better”. And empowering yourself to create a landscape that is typically male.
Contact Cowboy Jane
Written By: PBG Press Chief Editor - Mary Knoblock
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