The standalone single follows her May release, Villain Era
India Ramey puts her foot on the gas with “Drivin’ Nails in My Coffin,” out today. Taking the country classic made famous by Ernest Tubb in 1946, Ramey turns its tale of drinking through heartbreak into a rowdy cow-punk workout, keeping the darkness and cranking up the speed.
“‘Drivin’ Nails in My Coffin’ with its dark, gothic spin on the breakup song appeals to my penchant for haunting imagery,” says Ramey. “We took the more subdued, high lonesome original and did the music equivalent of plugging it into a light socket, making it a ramped up, cow-punk riot of a song.”
The standalone single follows Villain Era, India’s new album released in May via Copaco/Blue Élan Records. Produced by Eric Corne, Villain Era finds Ramey drawing her own lines through songs about standing up for herself and giving up the need to please. Classic country, spaghetti western twang and Ramey’s sharp sense of humor run throughout the record, from “Welcome to My Villain Era” to “We Ride at Dawn” and “Cryin’ in My Lingerie.”
Nashville Scene called Villain Era “one of the year’s best records, full-stop,” adding that it “has ‘timeless classic’ written all over it.” American Songwriter praised her “impressive fifth album,” comparing her voice to Loretta Lynn, Tammy Wynette and Dolly Parton, with “sassy swagger flavored with echo-heavy twang.”
“This album is the ‘healed’ me,” says Ramey. “I've spent the last few years finding my authentic self and reclaiming my identity. Songs like ‘Welcome To My Villain Era’ is me saying I'm not going to suffer fools anymore. I'm not compromising anymore. If my boundaries offend you, I'll happily play the villain in that story.”