Mitski's album Be the Cowboy finds her navigating themes of isolation, existential weariness, and creativity within limits—all while keeping her sense of pop flair intact. In her interview with Kyle Meredith, Mitski reveals that this chapter emerged while she was dealing with the fatigue of constant touring. The record reflects her state of being exhausted yet still trying to make something beautiful out of it—“feeling empty inside but here, let’s dance,” as she puts it.
Reflecting on her role during her tour with Lorde and Run the Jewels, Mitski acknowledges the difference between performing her own shows, where fans are explicitly there for her, versus opening for someone else. “You’re kind of just there to play while everyone files in,” she notes, taking it as a challenge to win over a stadium crowd. However, Mitski found beauty in reaching new listeners and embraced the opportunity without needing all the fanfare.
The concept of using a persona was a way for Mitski to approach songwriting from a different angle. Rather than crafting songs strictly autobiographical in nature, she sought to express particular emotions more deeply, even if that meant creating scenarios or personas that weren’t literally true. “The reason I write music isn't to tell my story word for word... It's to express a feeling,” she explains. For her, the notion of a persona was less about fiction and more about creating a vessel through which to channel her real emotions, a means of exaggerating feelings to better capture their essence.
Mitski draws inspiration from a mix of obscure ideas—like imagining what might have led to Venus' global warming—and from a place of yearning, such as the simple yet evocative desire for a "good movie kiss," which symbolizes the kind of idealized romantic moment that never quite matches the fantasy.
The interview also touches on her unexpected endorsement from Iggy Pop. Mitski shares her disbelief and gratitude at being discovered by one of her heroes, with Iggy coming across her music on YouTube. She adds, “It's just great because Iggy Pop is one of my heroes... whenever I kind of needed reminding of what I think music should be.” This affirmation from someone she admires so deeply seemed to reinforce her direction, giving her an extra boost of confidence.
Be the Cowboy ultimately serves as a striking blend of the disillusionment and drive that Mitski experienced during those intensive touring years—an exploration of loneliness wrapped in upbeat rhythms and evocative storytelling that challenges the boundaries between reality and persona.
Listen to the interview above and check out the video below!
