Squirrel Flower forms an indie-supergroup for live cover of "Cortez the Killer"

Ahead of a busy summer of touring, Squirrel Flower (Ella Williams) shares her cover of the Neil Young & Crazy Horse classic, “Cortez the Killer,” leading a band of esteemed friends and collaborators from her own live band, Horse Jumper of Love, Teethe, Truth Club, Greg Freeman, and alexalone. Recorded live at Cheer Up Charlies in Austin, TX on March 15, 2024 as part of the Stereogum & Topshelf Records Unofficial Showcase, this seething slow burn places Ella's voice front and center, floating atop a wall of guitars – five, to be exact. Clocking in at just over 10 minutes, the track cements itself as a beautiful act of protest, as she explains – 

"I decided to cover ‘Cortez’ with my friends as a way to feel the power of community amidst the fascism surrounding us that week in Texas. I love Neil Young and his uncompromising convictions, so I thought this song would be the perfect expression against everything going on. I had the idea the day before the show. Alex offered up their practice space, we ran through it a few times, and then Dimitri and Greg joined the crew day-of. We put it all out there with this one. In the words of Neil, it was ‘one of the pleasures of my life to be able to be on this stage with these people." - Squirrel Flower (Ella Williams)

Watch the live performance via Stereogum below + catch Squirrel Flower supporting Julia Jacklin, Pedro the Lion, Courtney Barnett and Bob Mould across the US before making her way to Europe this summer - all tickets on sale now.

Drums: Kai Wilde (Teethe)
Bass: Michael Cantella (Squirrel Flower, NNAMDÏ)  
Guitar: Travis Harrington (Truth Club)
Guitar: Dimitri Giannopolous (Horse Jumper of Love)
Guitar: Greg Freeman
Guitar: Alex Peterson (alexalone)
Vocals & Guitar: Ella Williams