From roaming the wilderness to playing in churches, from odd jobs to the stages of Austin, TX, Stephen Castillo and Phillip Brush found kindred spirits in each other’s songs. Bonding over a love for 80’s and 90’s country and a refined taste for genuine songwriting, they formed The Western Express in 2018.

Castillo and Brush cut their chops at open mic nights and honky tonks and in 2020 the musicians found their way into the ear of John Evans, a musical hero of Castillo’s since childhood. Evans, whose producer credits include Hayes Carll, Corb Lund and Emily Bell, came on board to craft the the band’s debut record.

Drawn to the tragic or notable lives of writers and performers such as Dean Dillon, Andrew Marlin and Chavela Vargas, Brush and Castillo’s unique set of influences are balanced with classic country troubadours like Willie Nelson, Hank Williams and Alan Jackson. It is through this lens that they refract a sound all their own. Touching on classic pop country, Latin blues, gospel and even a little outlaw, The Western Express are cultivating their one-of-a-kind brand of Texas country.