Josie Sal: Finding Her Voice with “Cowboys & Barbies”

On this episode of The Bandwich Tapes, I sit down with singer-songwriter Josie Sal to talk about her new single “Cowboys & Barbies,” songwriting, finding her sound, and what she is learning as she begins building a career in music.

“Cowboys & Barbies” started as an idea Josie carried around for nearly two years before deciding she was ready to write it. We talk about working with co-writers Kelly Johnson and Mara Streppa, and how the song uses the childhood image of Ken and Barbie to explore a much bigger realization: growing up means discovering that life rarely follows the script you imagined. Josie also shares one of the most important lessons she has learned as a songwriter — most songs are part of the practice that eventually gets you to the one you really believe in.

We also get into the recording process with producer Brandon Hood. Josie explains how the original demo leaned much more toward pop and how Brandon helped move the song toward the country sound she heard in her head while still allowing it to feel like her. We talk about the small production details that give the track personality, including a toy-box-like sound in the bridge that subtly connects the arrangement back to the song’s fairy-tale imagery.

Josie tells me how unexpectedly singing entered her life after years of dancing. What began with her dad offering her twenty dollars to sing with a band during a family trip quickly developed into vocal lessons, performances, songwriting, and recording. We talk about how her background in dance helped shape her sense of rhythm and how she continues to work toward defining exactly what the Josie Sal sound should be.

We also spend time talking about family. Josie describes the support she gets from her parents and three older siblings, how closely connected they remain, and what it has meant to experience the early stages of her music career alongside them. With “Cowboys & Barbies” arriving August 21 and its music video following August 28, Josie is focused on writing, releasing more music, playing shows, and continuing to develop an artistic identity that feels completely her own.

Key Takeaways

• “Cowboys & Barbies” began as an idea Josie held onto for nearly two years. She waited until she felt ready to fully develop the concept rather than forcing the song before its time.
• The song is ultimately about growing up and letting go of the idea that life follows a predetermined script. The childhood imagery of Ken and Barbie becomes a way to examine expectations, relationships, and reality.
• Co-writing has taught Josie to value the process, not just the finished songs. She estimates that the overwhelming majority of songs a writer creates may simply be practice that leads to stronger work later.
• Producer Brandon Hood helped Josie move the song away from its pop-oriented demo and toward the country sound she envisioned. Small production ideas, including the toy-box texture in the bridge, helped reinforce the lyrical concept.
• Josie’s musical path began unexpectedly. After growing up primarily as a dancer, she first sang with a band at age ten after her father offered her twenty dollars to do it.
• Her family has become an important part of the journey. Josie’s parents have consistently supported their children’s interests, while her older siblings regularly attend shows, promote her music, and remain closely involved in her life.
• Josie’s current priority is defining her own sound. Beyond releasing individual songs, she is focused on writing extensively, performing, surrounding herself with the right team, and making sure future music sounds distinctly like Josie Sal.

Songs from the Episode

• Song - Artist

About the Podcast

The Bandwich Tapes is a podcast about the people who make music and the experiences that shape them. I sit down with musicians, songwriters, producers, engineers, and other creative people for thoughtful conversations about craft, collaboration, careers, influences, and the realities of making music. The goal is simple: get beyond the résumé and talk about how music actually gets made.

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