Rodeo Mouth hit the highway for the Grand Canyon State (and beyond) in their twangy and twisted new single Leaving For Phoenix — showcasing today on Tinnitist.
The latest track from the gonzo alt-country rockers is a rollicking desert-highway anthem whose frenetic energy is only matched by its catchiness — examplified by a simple yet effective chorus bound to stick and kick around in your head: “Well I’m leaving for Phoenix tomorrow / I’ve been in L.A. for too long / For 32 days I’ve been gone / And I’m leaving for Phoenix tomorrow.”
With a fade-in train beat and pedal steel lick signifying a new dawn, Leaving For Phoenix follows the age-old tale of a road-weary traveler just trying to get home — except home isn’t Phoenix, but Tennessee. The song is autobiographical for lead singer and songwriter Paul Howard, who spent a solo month on the road between Nashville and L.A. writing songs and wrestling with the reality of having just turned 30 back in 2019 with not a whole lot to show for it.
A notable verse in the track, “I was sittin’ on my bed when the earth shook / Thought it was the drugs I had not took / And I was writin’ this song when I felt it / So I sparked up a number and got lit,” harkens to a small earthquake Howard experienced in the morning hours in Pico Rivera while in fact working on the song. It ends with the tongue-in-cheek lines, “Well the desert will be my home in the mornin’ / 1,500 miles to go / Then I’ll be back to my home in Tennessee / Where my singin’ career will be takin’ off any day,” signifying a sarcastic if not slightly hopeful aspiration.
Delivering an epic pedal-steel guitar performance is Nashville mainstay Van Coffey, who performed with the late great George Jones the last few years of his life, along with The Bellamy Brothers and Collin Raye. The track also features Irish songbird and now-local singer-songwriter Neve Cunnane on background vocals.
Leaving For Phoenix follows the band’s previous singles, Fanny’s Farmhouse and Cowboy Cannibal. It was recorded at The Bomb Shelter (Alabama Shakes, Hurray For The Riff Raff) in East Nashville.
Along with Howard, Rodeo Mouth includes Emmett Rozelle (lead guitar), Anthony Fili (bass) and Zach D’Amico (drums). Howard began reclusively writing off-color folk songs and occasionally playing solo shows, but eventually wrangled some Nashville-based friends from home in Upstate New York to join in the fun. Much of the band’s sound and influence stems from music of ’60s and ’70s classic rock, folk and country.
Howard’s songs are refreshingly offbeat, filled with tongue-in-cheek charm, wit and irreverence. The band’s style bounces between folk-rock, alt-country and Cosmic Americana, with plenty of playful, nostalgic, and satirical elements. Rodeo Mouth performed all over Nashville in 2024, and entered 2025 recording the final songs for their impending debut album.
Check out Leaving For Phoenix above, hear more from Rodeo Mouth below, and hitch a ride with them on their website, Facebook and Instagram.
