Every now and then, an artist emerges who stands out in every way, instantly winning the hearts of music lovers. Arkansas native Nick Shoulders went viral during the pandemic with a Western AF video of his song Rather Low. The recording is simple—perhaps that’s what makes it so compelling: a mustached, mullet-haired, and tattooed Shoulders sits in the hallway of an old wooden building in New Orleans, playing his acoustic guitar, yodeling, and whistling. But for many new fans, that moment was enough to reveal his exceptional talent.

Growing up in the Ozark Mountains, surrounded by whistling birds and saturated with Southern gospel music, a young Shoulders took to drumming in punk and metal bands while designing gig posters for Arkansas’ heavy music scene. After personal struggles and a growing obsession with the musical traditions of his home, he packed up his camper and headed to New Orleans to busk on the streets. That’s where the foundation was laid for the unconventional, versatile, and one-of-a-kind singer-songwriter and musician he is today—now back in Fayetteville, Arkansas.

Through his own label, Gar Hole Records, Shoulders releases albums featuring a broad spectrum of early country styles. His vocal technique echoes generations of his Ozark ancestors, and though his songs are rooted in century-old genres, his lyrics are undeniably modern. He doesn’t shy away from tackling political, social, and environmental issues, yet his music is also filled with sharp wit and infectious rhythms. This is masterful musicianship delivered with a punk attitude and total commitment. Shoulders stands at the forefront of today’s outlaw country movement, and his solo set in Rotterdam is bound to be a festival favorite.