Orville Peck's Mask and the Myth of the Gay Cowboy

Orville Peck is a South-African born, Canadian-based, and openly gay country musician. His voice, song writing and style all paint an image of a new kind of cowboy mythology: the myth of the gay cowboy. By transforming a typically white-hetero-based mythology, Orville Peck actively transforms the mythology of the cowboy into one that is not only accepting of the LGBT+ community, but actively represents it. His fringed mask does not hide an identity, but rather provides an identity that isn't just for the singer, but for the whole culture.
For a full transcript, check out our website incidentalmythology.com
Check out my other channel for research vlogs: @VivianAsimos
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[@skeeverapfelbaum7168]

This is a really thoughtful analysis of Orville Peck and his statement as an artist. Thank you for not writing off the mask as "a gimmick" as many seem to do. Great video!

[@incidentalmythology]

Thanks so much, I'm glad you liked it! I love Orville's mask, and the care and attention he puts into his look is something to really admire.

[@PrimateEnrichment]

It took me a minute to get with the mask but it works and I think adds to everything. I love it

[@burninsherman1037]

Love Orville Peck, and loved this video. This is my second watch after needing to come back to it after watching Kaz Rowe's videos on gay cowboys and westerns.

[@incidentalmythology]

Thanks so much!!

[@pickledbeetroots4413]

I just stumbled across your video while listening to Orville and wow what a find! This is such a detailed and interesting video, Thank you for all the work you must have put into it

[@incidentalmythology]

Thank you for watching, and for your kind words!

[@someguy4505]

Good to see people who don't make radio pop country bullshit get some attention. I think there would be a lot more country fans if so many didn't think country music was just the stuff that's usually pushed by the industry.

[@at_brunch3852]

I didn’t need an explanation, he’s perfect. I guess some do. Your explanation supports his choices. From interviews; I can hear his own sentimentality. He’s a brightness 🌟no one can deny. I live countryside with animals and ‘cowboy gear’ and he has become my favourite everything. I have absorbed every word of every song & interview. I finally feel whole. 💫

[@footpath21]

i am going to make every single person i am remotely close to sit down and watch this video cuz this FUCKS. also it's an amazing analysis, thank you so much for making it!

[@incidentalmythology]

Thanks so much for watching it!

[@markplank5929]

Highly appreciate this deeper look into a much deeper person who is an authentic Cowboy.

[@brandonbrake5782]

He JUST cancelled his Pride performance in Seattle, and we understand, and look forward. To the next time.

[@at_brunch3852]

2 months ago? Is this accurate?

[@johnobrien5440]

Yea, he's going through some shit. My guess is his label will drop him after they have enough of his emotional drama.

[@dyrekvellnagel3011]

And here I thought , he is a beautiful singer/songwriter, choreographer,designer an all around great guy. Never in my wildest dreams would I have taken such a plunge into the psychology as you have presented . Thank you for your work. Cheers🐨DD

[@at_brunch3852]

Same.

[@Katakagara]

New subscriber here. Great content!🏆 Just found your channel through a search of Peck and wondering if he was Gay. Initially, I was searching for Norman Reedus (of The Walking Dead show) to see all the music videos he’s been in, including Lady Gaga’s Judas. After watching a video of him hugging Reedus, I got curious. Looking forward to watching more of your videos. I am proud of my LGBcommunity and mythology. Thank you.

[@vicquemare]

oh a terf. interesting.

[@incidentalmythology]

Was really really hoping (probably dumbly) that it was an unfortunate typo

[@Katakagara]

@@vicquemare you can call me whatever you want if it pleases you. I am not part of the T or Q community. That’s all. They’re not in my world and they’re not in my personal community, so I am really neutral to people who identify with those communities. That’s all. If that’s all you got from my post, okay. Best!

[@Katakagara]

@@incidentalmythology no it’s not a typo. I’m not part of the T or Q community. That’s really it.

[@EsotericSyncretism]

Interesting that the fringe has come off with this most recent collaborative album, maybe his symbolism that he is no longer on the fringe of society anymore

[@fairwitness7473]

Thank you! I rather enjoyed your essay. Very well done my friend. I loved the holistic view taken. Very enlightening. Again, thank you!

[@incidentalmythology]

Thank you so much!

[@fairwitness7473]

@@incidentalmythology I will be binge watching your videos tomorrow. After reading the titles, I find that I'm interested in every single one of them. I don't know how many more that you have in the works but I know that I'm interested. Subscribed. Do you welcome ideas or suggestions? I have a few questions that might help the older generation connect with the younger generation over our modern day mythology. Mythology in general is a subject that I'm forever interested in. I'm excited to dig into your body of work!

[@incidentalmythology]

I'll always take suggestions! I have a few ideas but it's always nice to hear from viewers and get an idea of what others want to hear. I never know how myth heavy to be in my videos

[@fairwitness7473]

@@incidentalmythology I really enjoyed how you tie together various mythologies and explain how they then tie together and complete the modern picture. Right now, as a 50+yo woman, I want to understand the role anime plays in our culture and how it changes or helps change unappealing social values. I can't watch much anime because of how the eyes are drawn. It's too distracting. But if you take that same story and do a nice cgi version, I'm all in. I was just wondering how much content to you consume to produce your vids? It's got to be a lot. Anyway, thanks for your time! Next up: what does the bigfoot (or criptid) myth contribute to modern culture? And what can we learn about ourselves? Or are we just a lonely species hungry to make any meaningful connection with another seemingly intelligent species? With Halloween around the corner, what role does horror movies, villains, and victims play on our collective psyche mythologically? I know I haven't worded those well, but I think you get the idea. I'm sure if you choose any of those, I'll love whatever you come up with! Again, thanks for your time. 🤗

[@incidentalmythology]

Thanks so much for your thoughts! I may consider turning some of these into videos themselves. Some of my research and thoughts that aren't video length, or lend themselves to visuals, I use as blogs on my website IncidentalMythology.com which may have some more stuff you'll find interesting

[@BB-wb9lv]

Outstanding analysis.

[@incidentalmythology]

Thank you so much!

[@michaelconley2793]

Very good thoughts and well articulated! Live Orville Peck and this analysis.

[@incidentalmythology]

Thanks!

[@-Razzle_Dazzle-]

really enjoyed this video!

[@incidentalmythology]

Thanks so much!

[@rodneyjenkins5092]

Great essay! Very thoughtful.

[@incidentalmythology]

Thanks so much!

[@mrbravo9473]

What cartoon is that

[@incidentalmythology]

I used a clip from Hilda - it's on Netflix I think. I already had the clip from a previous video so it made it useful. Was mostly thinking about the books though. But I highly suggest Hilda, it's great!

[@mrbravo9473]

@@incidentalmythology thank you

[@johnobrien5440]

HAHAHA!

[@Rufus..Calhoun]

him so georgous.....imagine taking him home and getting him nekkid.

[@johnobrien5440]

You're twisted.

[@johnobrien5440]

She is incorrect right-off. Orville is not based in Canada. He currently resides in Hollywood Hills, CA. He has a video offering fans a tour of it. He became a U.S. Citizen as well. Orville is not the first gay cowboy. Canandian-born, Drake Jensen holds that title, coming "out" publicly in 2012. Today, there are 8 openly gay male country artists in the U.S. with a much larger following than Orville Peck. Waylon Payne (son of Sammie Smith), Ty Herdon and Paisely Fields to name just a few. If you're going to tell a story, get the facts right.

[@anonymousanon3055]

Nice vid, thanks for making and sharing

[@PhylisSophical]

Bravo!!

[@incidentalmythology]

Aww, thanks!

[@glennthiele6250]

Very intelligently presented. Thank you Great job

[@ikelduo]

Oooh genial. Gracias.

[@markbraunstein58]

I really resent linking Orville to kardashian bullshit.

[@incidentalmythology]

The point was simply to demonstrate how dressing and identity is a social human thing. The fact you can read Kardashian's social body and know that's not your person, but really connect to Orville's social body, just helps to show the point I think.