Charlie Pinhey
Music journalist & online sub-editor for CLUNK Magazine based in Bristol. Fumbling around on social media trying to tell people about my interviews and reviews. Follow me @charvawritesstuff
Gunslingers of the Southwest Trip Westerns have released their first single of 2025, ‘Showdown Shadow‘
Brighton-based five piece Trip Westerns have always leaned hard into sixties surf rock and psychedelia, epitomised by their self-titled E.P released in 2023. However, new single ‘Showdown Shadow‘ is another step up in musical ambition, runtime, and depth in storytelling.
That depth is felt right from the off as slowly plucked chords doused in reverb combine with fierce tremolo picking, to plunge you into a Tarantino- inspired melodrama. The mind breezily wanders into the dusty desert scene, which is well-paced by guest drummer Ellis Dickson (Fat Dog) between opulent hammer-ons and pull-offs on the guitar.
‘Showdown Shadow‘ propels a cautionary narrative of someone who loses themself in a dream world of their own creation. Lead vocalist Harrison Baird-Whitman begins singing with an almost reticent tone, playing the part of the protagonist who is initially fearful to blur their dreams with reality, ‘Is this illusion or some grand escape?’
As the track reaches its crescendo, Luciano Narcisi’s ethereal keys bleed into a scorching guitar solo that hints at the surrender of the protagonist to the dream-like state. If further clues were needed as to protagonist’s end, the track’s artwork shows a cartoon figure slumped under some bedsheets and streaked in shadow.
Listen to ‘Showdown Shadow’ here:
Catch Trip Westerns at the following:
29th May- Brighton, Green Door Store*
30th May- London, Moth Club*
31st May, Norwich, Norwich Arts Centre*
16th August- Lewes, DedFest
*Supporting Floral Image