Retro Cowgirl Brings a Female-Fronted Blend of Blues, Latin Flavor and Classic Rock to San Antonio

Retro Cowgirl, an alternative rock band that mixes blues, Latin influences and classic rock, has been winning over audiences in the San Antonio and Austin areas less than a year after forming.

The group began in the summer of 2021 with original members Lucky Steele and Luis Fiallos. It has since grown to five members. Steele is the lead singer and Fiallos plays lead guitar.

The two first crossed paths in Brentwood, California, where they met at various shows. Fiallos later reached out to Steele about writing a song together. "We started playing, and I think we love each other's chemistry," Fiallos said. "And since then, we've been making music together for four years."

Eventually the pair made the move to Texas, a decision Steele described as a leap of commitment. "We don't want to get to the end of our lives knowing that we never fully went all in," she said, recalling their thinking. They resolved to devote their time and energy to what she called the biggest passion of their lives.

In San Antonio they began playing local venues such as Wong's Bodega and Paper Tiger. Luis Garcia was on rhythm guitar, Jonluca Biagini on drums and Sophie Connolly on bass.

The band's name came from a shopping trip. While buying her first pair of Texas boots, Steele video-called her mother, who told her she looked like a retro cowgirl. Steele immediately liked the phrase and the group adopted it.

Retro Cowgirl has stayed independent and produces its own original music. Its first single, "Dance," came out in October 2021. This March the band put out "Honey," with a music video produced by LNB Broductions. The song draws on heavy rock, while its chord progression gives it a softer, sultry feel. The group is known for energetic live shows at local venues and has landed a sponsorship from Topo Chico.

Steele cites Gwen Stefani and Blondie as inspirations. She said having a woman out front sets the band apart. "The fact that we're a rock band with a female singer — I think it's kind of unique in a way," she said. She acknowledged that there are excellent rock bands with female singers, even in San Antonio, but said the genre remains dominated by male vocalists, especially among bands influenced by classic rock.

Looking ahead, the band hopes to release its first EP in 2023.