nine stone cowboy

Nine Stone Cowboy

Nine Stone Cowboy is an Oxford group associated with Mark Cope, James Crosskey and Jason Moulster. The act grows out of Cope’s work after the Candyskins, where he is a guitarist and backing singer in the previously signed Geffen band.

Formation and development

After the Candyskins split, Cope leaves Oxford and moves to Boston, a university town, where he begins recording songs that he has been developing in his head. He works with electronica and computers on material that becomes his first solo collection of songs, called Copey. After pressure from other Oxford musicians, he returns to Oxford and decides to form a live band.

The group goes through several early line-ups before settling on the arrangement described in the available material. It is later presented in the local press as an Oxford super group.

Music and releases

Nine Stone Cowboy is linked to material centred on Mark Cope’s songs and lyrics. The group’s debut EP is Son Of Elvis, and the track Closer is described as a standout. A debut single, also titled Son of Elvis, is noted for its harmony-led, upbeat sound. Another song mentioned is Jesus Doesn't Like Me.

Style and themes

The music is described through dramatic, narrative songwriting and a mix of romantic imagery and darker subject matter. One example given concerns a love story framed around a suicide bomber and an unsuspecting victim, with the song moving between confused inner thoughts and an explosive ending. The writing is presented as part of Cope’s world of love and romance, with sweeping strings, piano and emotionally charged arrangements.