Country and alternative music can seem worlds apart. One side comes with imagery of tradition, straightforward musical ideas and lyrics, and conservative values, while alternative/indie music can have stereotypes of counterculture, abstract musical concepts, and liberal sentiments. On Friday June 14, the two will meet as the de facto home of the local indie scene, Yerberia Cultura, will host it’s first country concert with performances by Buck N Crazy band, Lauren Corzine, Eddie Saenz, and Jay Muniz.

               Pushing original country music in the Rio Grande Valley has been an uphill battle. Although bar venues like Hillbilly’s, Rinky Dinkys, and Mel’s HonkyTonk n Grill have housed country music for years, it seems most work musicians find is for performing cover songs. One of Friday’s performers, Eddie Saenz, was featured in a Song Chaser podcast episode and mentions the many times a country singer must perform classic songs like “Neon Moon” by Brooks & Dunn.

               A resurgence of country music crossing over to other audiences has begun. In the past, music artists such as Wilco and Ryan Adams have made alternative country music that introduced roots music styles to new audiences. Recently, Old Town Road has started a conversation of what is and isn’t country. The viral hit song was taken off the Billboard country charts for not meeting the qualifications of the genre. The music is centered around a Nine Inch Nails sample and 808 drums and bass. The main elements that can support it as a country song is the southern accent and lyrics about horses and tractors. Earlier this year, Kacey Musgraves won the Album of the Year grammy for “Golden Hour,” an album with pop sensibilities, lyrical themes, and dense production that is accessible to those unfamiliar with the usual country aesthetic.

               We spoke with one of Friday’s Yerberia Cultura performers, Lauren Corzine, about the state of country music, being a woman in music, and ambition as an artist.

Raymus Media: How did you get started in music?
Lauren Corzine: I started with open mic at Cine El Rey and Jitterz. I did non-profit and charity events. Six years ago I took a semester at UTPA, dropped out of three classes, and went home and told my parents I’m going to do music. I wanted to go for it.

RM: How did you get past the open mic and bar venue phase?
LC: I started getting into festivals and the private party scene. I don’t want to get stuck. I see an event and then send a video and ask “do you want some entertainment for your event?” It’s about getting out there.

RM: How do you feel about cover songs? Is it hard pushing your originals?
LC: I learned to respect and love my audience. If they want to hear Neon Moon, I’ll play Neon Moon. They’re my boss. I’m not smarter than my audience. Give something everybody knows, then introduce them to my own music.

RM: Yerberia Cultura has a regular audience that loves to hear original music. It also has a very liberal crowd and held a pro-choice charity event a couple of weeks ago. It’s not exactly a hot take to say that country music has a more conservative audience and appeal. Does any of this play into your mind at all?
LC: I truly don’t care. There’s no sense going through the arguments. Everyone has heard them already. I don’t want to work up my audience about that. I have a small platform and I don’t want to stop it from growing because of politics.

RM: I feel you. There were people who went to the Incubus show at Clayton’s who were upset last year about them booking Tekashi69 and defending him. So, I guess a venue is just a venue and every event is unrelated.
LC: What was wrong with Tekashi?

RM: He had sexual conduct with a 14 year-old. Clayton’s responded to critical comments on facebook by saying “see you at the show” with a smilie emoji.
LC: Oh, wow. . . okay. Well, I think everyone has something to hide. Just because someone has a clean image doesn’t mean they don’t have a track record, but controversy can be a draw too.

RM: How do you feel about the controversy of Old Town Road being taken off the country chart?
LC: Country has its purists. I happen to like the song, but I wouldn't necessarily group it into what I consider to be country music. If you’re to take that song off the Nashville chart, I think there’s a lot of other songs that shouldn’t be there either. Thats just me though. I love the music coming out of both Nashville and Texas. I don't always consider a song I hear to be country, but I don't expect my definition to be the one and only. At the end of the day, if a song moves you, it moves you. Don't worry about labeling it.

RM: How do you feel about Kacey Musgraves winning Album of the Year at the Grammy’s and getting exposure to a general audience?
LC: She’s a huge inspiration, since I bought her first album. I bought her second and third too. You should listen to her songs “Family is Family” and “Love is a Wild Thing.” It can be a bit difficult for a female to breakout so whenever we see a female we embrace it.

RM: Any trouble you’ve had as a woman?
LC: I like playing all-male lineups but I do take a step back and notice that it’s a male-dominated scene. There are guys that won’t work with you before seeing a picture of you. A promoter asked me out and when I said no, he never booked me.

RM: Which female musicians inspire you?
LC: Dixie Chicks, Dolly Parton, Karen Carpenter, Joni Mitchell, and KT Tunstall, Shania Twain, Alison Krauss, and Taylor Swift

RM: I don’t know much about country, but I remember when the country world turned against The Dixie Chicks.
LC: I know. I listen to their Fly album and I think “why can’t people just enjoy this?” I wish our society would let an artist speak their mind without turning on them. I wish it could just be about the music they make.

RM: Are their advantages to being a woman in music?
LC: I think so. I mean, there isn't that many of us compared to the men. Its definitely easier to stand out.

RM: Where does your fashion and look come from?
LC: I like the 50’s pinup girl look, and I like boots because they’re so versatile. I can be preppy and western.

RM: Your online presence is great. The thumbnails, pictures, the look, the followers. How do you do it?
LC: I don’t have management, so a lot of it is me, but I have some help. I sometimes feel like I’m in an episode of Black Mirror. Everything is a numbers game. How many reactions, how many Spotify streams, how is the song doing? Am I pretty enough today?

RM: Any advice for alternative bands? Your songs sound clean and family friendly, so I imagine it helps you get the gigs you get. How should a band with a more experimental sound get out there?
LC: I never really thought of it that way but yeah, I see what you’re saying. I think there’s an audience for every genre. You have to try, and maybe if you shouldn’t play a particular song at one venue, try another. Maybe try a different place.

RM: Are you excited to play for a different crowd?
LC: Yea, a little nervous now that you point out how different it is.

RM: The regulars there are very open to new music and embracing a female musician. You’ll be fine.
LC: Sounds great.

Listen to the RGV country playlist here