Biography

MIDNIGHT COWBOYS (Single release Oct 2015 from the album 'Horseshoe Rodeo Hotel')

Written by Alan Jansson (co-writer/producer of global smash Hit OMC's How Bizarre) and Brent Hayward, the artist who painted the dynamic pop art cover of Aly Cooks Horseshoe Rodeo Hotel album. This Eclectic track's pulsing beat with rhythmic fiddle from Nik Brown (TheWarratahs), ethereal slide guitar from Three Dog Night's Paul Kingery and distinctive haunting harmonica from the late Graham Brazier (Hello Sailor). Conjures the image of the lone cowboy in the desert. Complex but simple, Cook's smooth, seem less, understated delivery of the vocal, on the song's quirky but deep lyric, is both refreshing and memorable. Creating an idiosyncratic new sound, with its melding of country, blues and easy listening pop flavours, making the song difficult to define as genre specific. Much in the same manner as How Bizarre, although quite different, definitely has Jansson's radio friendly stamp and unique writing style.

BIO

Aly’s sound is an eclectic mix of Country, Blues & Folk and rootsy songs with rich harmonies and catchy choruses. Developing that unique sound with a long time partnership with New Zealand’s hit producer Alan Jansson, best known for pioneering the first street soul hip hop sound from New Zealand with the Proud album & for co-writing and producing one of New Zealand’s most successful songs the OMC’s “How Bizarre” a global smash hit that went #1 in the USA & 15 other countries.
2015 marks the release of her second album recorded with Alan Jansson entitled “Horseshoe Rodeo Hotel”, releasing on Rodeo Records a label they jointly formed, and have now inked a deal with Australia’s oldest independent distribution MGM Distribution (distribution by Southbound in New Zealand).
In the last 10 years Aly has performed across the world from New Zealand to Australia, UK, Europe and USA building a fan base everywhere she goes. August 2015 played Sydney’s historic basement and a sold out show at The Sydney Opera House for Jimmy Little Foundation, on return from her European Tour where she performed at festivals in Italy, Norway, Germany, Spain and Poland sharing the main bills with artists like Rosanne Cash & Laura Bell Bundy.

Those who have fallen in love with her music, have also fallen in love with whom and what Aly represents, in the way of free spirit, independence & her care of people & the planet. Aly is a representation of today’s woman - confident, motivated, creative and successful. It was these elements that saw her nominated for New Zealand Woman of the Year in 2011 in the Heritage and Culture Section for inspiration to women & her work within the community in New Zealand. This inspirational force comes through in her songwriting.
Having been nominated 5 times for New Zealand Female Country Artist of the Year. Being awarded the title in 2012 Aly’s songwriting skills have landed her as a nominee for both the prestigious MLT Songwriting awards for APRA Country Song of the Year. Aly’s songs have graced the country music charts in Australia and New Zealand and the main album charts in New Zealand.


Produced by Alan Jansson, the CD “Horseshoe Rodeo Hotel” is a collection of eclectic upbeat works, mainly co-written by Cook and Jansson. The album is filled with great musicianship including guest vocals from Graham Brazier (Hello Sailor) & New Zealand Country Music Legend Brendan Dugan. Fiddle is predominant throughout the album from Nik Brown of The Warratahs. The song Midnight Cowboys has a guest spot from Paul Kingery of Three Dog Night on guitar, but to name a few of the talented musicians on this eclectic easy listening collection. The songs are heavily influenced by Aly’s time travelling and performing in Australia including ‘Kimberley’ which uses Didgeridoo and Aboriginal Clapping Sticks. In March of 2015 her first pre-release ‘No Phone, No Mail, No Internet’ from the new album reached into the top 5 of the Australian Top 40 Country Tracks Chart, staying in for 15 weeks.
Being a regular visitor to Australia, Aly has performed from The Kimberley to Ceduna in the last year, and of course, she has attended her 5th Tamworth Country Music Festival. In January 2015 she was invited to perform at The Roll of Renown Concert in celebration of Lee Kernaghan and his father Ray Kernaghan’s induction into the Australian Country Music Hall of Fame.
Aly has been dubbed by some as a social media guru with large networks. She has raised over US$60,000 in crowd funding for her two albums. A publicist by trade, she has also just carried out the social media marketing campaigns for everything from skincare products to the Andrea Bocelli Tour to Australia & New Zealand.
Aly is an officially endorsed artist of Maton Guitars Australia and works closely with the Jimmy Little Foundation helping to raise awareness of their work with Aboriginal Communities with the Uncle Jimmy Thumbs UP campaign. May 2015 Aly was in the remote Mutitjulu community, working with Aboriginal children at Uluru. Aly is passionate about helping to bring about change, recognition for and encouraging consultation with the indigenous people of Australia for a better future for all.
Aly’s music is delivered with passion meaning and uniqueness.