The White Buffalo - Hogtied Like a Rodeo (2002)

The White Buffalo - Hogtied Like a Rodeo (2002)

Tracklist, Album Covers, Info and Fun Facts

1 I Believe   2:57

2 Time 3:41

3 Hogtied Like A Rodeo    3:04

4 Wrong  3:56

5 The Woods   2:25

6 Story 3:01

7 Mad Man   4:12

8 The Bar And The Beer 2:53

9 My Lie 3:02

10 Carnage    3:26

11 Today's Tomorrow, Tomorrow's Today 4:04

12 Sweet Hereafte    3:49

Jake Smith - Acoustic Guitar, Vocals, Songwriter

Josh Huffman - Art Direction, Design

The White Buffalo is the professional moniker and stage name of American musician and singer/songwriter Jake Smith, who was heavily influenced by Irish Traveller, Manor Donohue — and his poetic nature.

Born in Oregon in 1974/1975, and raised in California, Jake Smith grew up listening to country music and punk rock. He studied history at university. The largest influences on his songwriting are folk singers such as Bob Dylan and Leonard Cohen.

A baritone, Smith is known for his wide range in pitch within his singing, incorporation of whistling into his music (in place of the harmonica often used in roots music) and his lyrical references to God and war. His singing style has been compared to that of late singer-songwriter Richie Havens.

The White Buffalo's first full-length album, Hogtied Like a Rodeo, debuted in 2002. This was followed by The White Buffalo EP, produced by Eels' Koool G Murder, which Smith states is about "relationships, love, loss and booze with a little murder mixed in." This EP was musically grounded in acoustic folk and country blues. In a friend's living room in 2008, he re-recorded the first album, dubbing it Hogtied Revisited. Musically, this 2008 album was a blend of folk, modern rock, and alternative country.

When a bootleg tape of Smith's music made it into the hands of pro surfer Chris Malloy, one of his songs, "Wrong," was featured in his popular surf movie, Shelter. This eventually led to further film scoring and composing work, with many of his songs featured in FX's hit show Sons of Anarchy and Showtime's Californication.

In 2010, a second EP, Prepare for Black and Blue, was recorded in six days by producer Jimmy Messer and released through Chad Stokes' Ruffshod imprint via Nettwerk Records earlier that year. Again, this was musically grounded in folk. The music and the artist captured the attention of Unison Music's Bruce Witkin and Ryan Dorn, who then signed The White Buffalo and co-produced Once Upon a Time in the West. This album transitioned to a more roots rock sound, whilst some songs still retained a folk style.

In 2013, a fourth LP, Shadows, Greys, and Evil Ways, was released on Unison Music Group. This was musically a mixture of folk rock and some blues rock. The LP saw positive reviews including NY1 which stated, "Not since Neil Young's Living with War has there been so strong an artistic statement about this country's occupations."

Jake Smith performed several songs on the crime drama television series Sons of Anarchy. Most notably, in 2014, he and The Forest Rangers performed the Season 7 finale song, "Come Join The Murder", written by the show's creator Kurt Sutter. Other songs appearing on Sons of Anarchy include "Matador", "Damned", "Wish It Was True", "House of The Rising Sun" (with The Forest Rangers), "The Whistler", "Set My Body Free", "Sweet Hereafter", "Oh Darling, what have I done" and "Bohemian Rhapsody" (with The Forest Rangers).

In 2015, the album Love and the Death of Damnation was released. Musically this was very varied, with several songs being grounded in roots rock, whilst the song "Chico" incorporated Latin music, "Last Call To Heaven" fused folk, blues and jazz, and "Come On Love, Come On In" was a soul song.

In August 2017 Smith released two tracks from his then-upcoming album Darkest Darks, Lightest Lights, the singles "Avalon" and "The Observatory". 

The single "Avalon" was described by Billboard as an "expansive country-tinged rock song" and tells the story of a wayward man's trip to peace."The Observatory" was a blend of soft-rock and country-folk.

Darkest Darks, Lightest Lights was released in October 2017 to positive reviews, and was Smith's most electrified rock album yet. Musically, the album was a blend of alternative rock, blues, country and folk. The song “The Observatory” was featured in This Is Us episode “The 5th Wheel”.

With the placement of "Wrong" in Chris Malloy's movie Shelter, The White Buffalo has gained further film scoring and composing success with three of his songs featured in FX's hit show Sons of Anarchy and Showtime's Californication, as well as commercials for Wal-Mart. His song “Wish It Was True” was also featured in the Netflix original series Marvel's The Punisher, season 1, episode 3 "Kandahar". "The Observatory" was also featured on season 2, episode 11 of NBC's This Is Us. His song "Where Dirt and Water Collide" was featured in the Netflix series Longmire, season 6, episode 7, "Opiates and Antibiotics". "The Woods" was featured in The Punisher, season 2 episode 8 "My Brother's Keeper".

The White Buffalo – Hogtied Like a Rodeo (2002): The Early Roots of Americana

The White Buffalo, the stage name of singer-songwriter Jake Smith, is renowned for his gritty, soulful voice and storytelling that blends Americana, folk, country, and rock influences. His 2002 debut album, Hogtied Like a Rodeo, showcases the raw energy and authenticity that would become the hallmark of his music career, establishing him as a rising figure in the Americana scene.

A Brief Biography of The White Buffalo

Born Jake Smith in California, United States, he adopted the moniker The White Buffalo early in his career, symbolizing strength, survival, and authenticity. Smith began performing in small venues and bars, writing songs inspired by life, struggle, and the American experience.

The White Buffalo’s music is often characterized by storytelling lyrics, exploring themes of love, loss, hardship, and redemption. Over time, he gained recognition for his gravelly voice, evocative narratives, and ability to blend genres seamlessly, drawing comparisons to icons like Johnny Cash and Townes Van Zandt.

Hogtied Like a Rodeo (2002) – Album Overview

Released in 2002, Hogtied Like a Rodeo is The White Buffalo’s debut studio album, capturing his raw, unpolished sound and Americana roots. The album features a mixture of folk, blues, country, and rock influences, delivered with emotional intensity and lyrical depth.

Key Tracks:

• “Hogtied Like a Rodeo” – The title track, featuring storytelling lyrics and a raw acoustic sound that introduces Smith’s signature style.

• “No Way Home” – A folk-tinged ballad exploring themes of loss and redemption.

• “Steel Horse” – Upbeat, bluesy rock showcasing The White Buffalo’s gritty vocal delivery and storytelling prowess.

• “Long Way to the Bottom” – Darker, introspective lyrics over a minimalistic arrangement that emphasizes Smith’s emotive vocals.

• “The Long and Winding Road” – Evokes Americana traditions with acoustic instrumentation and narrative depth.

The album reflects The White Buffalo’s early exploration of Americana, highlighting his ability to capture the human experience in song while blending traditional and contemporary musical elements.

Discography Context

Following Hogtied Like a Rodeo, The White Buffalo released several albums that solidified his reputation in Americana and folk-rock:

• 2002 – Hogtied Like a Rodeo – Debut album, raw and storytelling-focused

• 2006 – The White Buffalo EP – Early experimentation with acoustic arrangements

• 2009 – Hogtied Again – Continued development of signature style

• 2012 – Once Upon a Time in the West – Critically acclaimed album showcasing mature songwriting

• 2017 – Darkest Darks, Lightest Lights – Blend of folk, country, and rock with cinematic storytelling

• 2020 – On the Widow’s Walk – Cinematic storytelling and evocative vocals

While Hogtied Like a Rodeo did not achieve major commercial success, it laid the foundation for The White Buffalo’s later critically acclaimed works.

Live Shows and Stage Legacy

The White Buffalo is known for intimate, emotionally charged live performances, often playing small venues and festivals. Highlights from his early live shows include:

• California Americana Festivals (2002–2005) – Early performances promoting Hogtied Like a Rodeo, connecting with fans through storytelling.

• Supporting tours for folk and Americana acts – Sharing the stage with artists like Rhett Miller and Lucinda Williams, helping establish his fanbase.

• Intimate club performances – Focusing on raw, stripped-down arrangements to emphasize voice, lyrics, and narrative.

His live shows are highly praised for authenticity, audience engagement, and emotional intensity, traits that remain central to his music career.

Fun Facts & Trivia

• The White Buffalo’s moniker was inspired by the mythical white buffalo, a Native American symbol of hope, resilience, and spirituality.

• Many songs from Hogtied Like a Rodeo were written while Smith was performing in small bars and roadside venues, capturing the grit of everyday life.

• His storytelling style has drawn comparisons to Johnny Cash, Bob Dylan, and Bruce Springsteen for its narrative depth and Americana sensibility.

• Tracks from later albums, inspired by the debut, have been featured in TV shows like Sons of Anarchy, introducing his music to wider audiences.

• The album artwork reflects classic Americana imagery, resonating with themes of the road, rugged landscapes, and survival.

The Legacy of Hogtied Like a Rodeo

Hogtied Like a Rodeo represents the birth of The White Buffalo’s signature style, combining raw vocal emotion, storytelling, and Americana roots. It is essential for fans exploring his musical journey, offering a glimpse into the artist’s early sound and thematic foundation.

For anyone interested in Americana, folk-rock, and authentic storytelling in music, this debut album provides a gritty, intimate, and unforgettable listening experience, laying the groundwork for one of modern music’s most compelling voices. 🐃🎶