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OUR STORY
WHERE IT ALL BEGAN
Born out of the pandemic, The Westerns are new LA alt-country. Having met in the Nineties as founding members of Austin, TX’s beloved Those Who Dig, Matthew Hart and Kit Pongetti have incubated their unique sound on Southern California stages for decades.
The result of the enduring musical relationship became Saguaro, their 2023 debut LP release. Their 2024 follow up, Pedernal, is now available wherever you stream.
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Their 2025 release, "Cowtown" is due out in October.
THE MUSIC
​Their debut LP ‘Saguaro’ (2023) introduced audiences to their rich mix of acoustic tremolo and pedal steel. ‘Pedernal’ (2024) showcases the band’s evolution with Grammy-nominated collaborators and new member Stephen Howard, delivering a sound that’s both modern and timeless.
On Saguaro, Matthew Hart’s songs are supported by old musical friends Meyer Horn,Rod Sherwood and Grammy-nominated Stephan Crump along with Marc Weller and newcomer Charlotte Hart. Pedernal introduces Stephen Howard to the team.
Images of the Modern West are painted on a canvas of acoustic and electric guitar tremolo, pedal steel, a driving rhythm section and echoing harmony.
'Cowtown' introduces Mark Tavarez on bass, Joe Tavarez on drums, Alina Rajbaran on violin and award winning Shelby Eicher on fiddle.
Cowtown takes The Westerns to a new place musically, incorporating the synth sounds of the '80's that were formative to Matt and Kit.
KIT
Born in Houston, schooled in Austin and settled in LA, Kit has been a multi-instrumentalist since middle school where she learned the guitar by staying up all night at a slumber party teaching herself Jimmy Buffet’s “Margaritaville.” Kit is also an accomplished actress, writer and director, known for roles on TV Shows Scrubs and iCarly. She is a mom and a certified “harmony machine.”
MATT
Born in Dallas, schooled in Austin and settled in LA ( after a stent in NYC), Matt first learned the guitar in the 6th grade. A student of Robin Macy of The Chicks and high school band mate of Rhett Miller of the Old 97s, Matt is also an Anesthesiologist in his spare time. He has been writing songs since the elementary school and is a dad who is passionate about Autism related causes.
OUR OTHER PROJECTS
Our Austin, TX 90's band that started it all.
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The Supermoon Project, launching in 2026, is our philanthropic and creative initiative that unites music, storytelling and community to raise funds and awareness for autism and other human needs, guided by themes of enlightenment, transformation and unity.
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The New Album Out October 10
COWTOWN
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