Kacey Musgraves said she often finds herself in the middle of nowhere.
This space — sometimes physical, other times emotional — is at the center of the chart-topping, Grammy-winning country star’s sixth studio album, “Middle of Nowhere,” which was released in May.
In part a homage to her hometown Golden, Texas, where inspiration “jumped up and bit me,” she said, the album draws on folksy bluegrass flavors with Tejano influences and Musgraves’s lyrical sincerity.
“For many years, home has been sort of this compass or this feeling inside of myself, no matter where I’m at physically,” Musgraves, 37, said in a video call from Mexico. It’s a feeling she’ll bring along on her upcoming tour, which is set to begin this month in Chicago.
Musgraves burst out of the Nashville scene in 2013 with her debut album, the blues-inflected “Same Trailer Different Park.” She won the Grammy for album of the year in 2019 for her third studio album, “Golden Hour.”
She now divides her time between homes in Texas, Tennessee and Mexico.
The following list, which has been edited and condensed, celebrates ten of her favorite things.
My Gay Audience
Love is something that all people everywhere deserve. And if it’s not hurting anyone else for someone to love who they want to love, then let’s invite them to the damn party, too.
When I wrote “Follow Your Arrow,” it was never meant to be a gay anthem. It was a simple country song urging people to do whatever makes them happy because life is too short. And through that song, it really gave a lot of people an invitation into country music, where they didn’t necessarily feel welcome before. I feel really honored to have had that moment with people.
Mexico
I adore Mexico so much for so many reasons. My heart is here and so much of my real life is also here now. I have such a respect for the culture, music, principles, traditions and spirit. It’s been nothing but kind and welcoming to me as I’ve slowly been learning more about the culture and language, and I just find it to be a really beautifully inclusive and musically inspiring space.
Horses
I have a deep love for our equine friends. Anytime I can be on the back of a horse, I will be. I’ll take any opportunity to get to connect with these beautiful animals, and they’ve taught me a lot about myself. It’s a reminder to simplify.
Exploring New Places With People I Love
I love seeing new parts of the world and seeing how other people live, and taking in the sights, smells, colors, music and traditions of places outside of America. It is really inspiring and keeps you on your toes, keeps you young and mentally flexible.
Lifting Weights
It’s a fun personal challenge. I have this goal that by the time I hit my 40s, I want to be in the best shape of my life.
Getting a Little Stoned and Walking Around a Plant Store
It’s a really fun ritual that I have to get a little “rhinestoned,” if you will, and walk around a beautiful plant shop and notice all these plants I’ve never seen before. If you haven’t tried it, I recommend it. But you’re probably going to end up buying more plants than you thought you would.
Making Playlists for Niche Scenarios
Say we all just had an amazing beach day and we’re heading home in the Jeep as the orange sun is setting, and we’re on this beautiful winding jungle road. I try to curate exactly what that would sound like, so I can DJ on the fly. There’s a song out there for everything, every mood.
Designing the Tour
I’ve been designing the “Middle of Nowhere” tour for over a year now, and I can’t believe it’s finally almost here. It’s going to be an amazing time. I’m really pumped about the openers that are going to be out with us — they’re just so rad and different in their own ways and are going to add something special to all the places that they’re in.
A Great Dirty Martini
It’s a difficult, lifelong mission. I might be searching my entire life. But when you find one that you really love, it just tickles a certain fancy. I need an ice-cold, perfect balance of dirty, and I think people don’t go dirty enough. I’d say one the best one I’ve found is at Pastis Nashville.
Sleep
Sleep is very sacred to me, I love it so much. It’s something I’m bracing myself for as I’m about to begin touring again. It’s going to be difficult to sleep on the road, so I’m trying to hold on to the last few weeks of really sound sleep while I have it.
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