Queer country singer Orville Peck named Apple Music’s first Up Next artist of 2020
The masked musician is continuing to make waves following his 2019 debut record 'Pony'.
By Will Stroude
Canadian country singer Orville Peck has been named Apple Music’s first Up Next artist of 2020.
The enigmatic masked singer, who identifies as queer, is the latest artist to join the Apple Music initiative shining a spotlight on rising talent in the industry.
A press release from Apple Music declared Peck, who released debut album Pony last year, a “modern alt-country artist for the Instagram age” and “a burgeoning fashion and cultural icon who is breaking boundaries in the country music tradition”.
In a statement, Peck, whose age and identity remain unknown said he was “thrilled” by the accolade, saying: “[Apple Music] have been so supportive of me and it feels real nice to be able to bring y’all a little closer to who I am as a country musician and an artist.”
Apple Music host Matt Wilkinson added: “Orville Peck is an enigma alright: a glorious mix of differing qualities that, on paper, really shouldn’t work,” said Apple Music host Matt Wilkinson.
“Yet when you listen to his music, and hear his story, and watch how he connects with people on stages all over the world, there can be no denying that he’s hit upon something very special indeed.
“At his London show last October I saw stetson-wearing country old-timers stood shoulder-to-shoulder with drag queens, hipsters, indie kids, members of the fashion elite and sweet couples out on date night – all completely connected thanks to the music of one man who says he’s spent his entire life feeling disconnected. The irony of that!”