he official music video for Noeline Hofmann’s rendition of “The Bullfighter” (written and originally performed by Luke Bell) is out now. Watch/share the video, which features Hofmann and 2x BFO World Champion Bullfighter Tyler Mansell.
The moving video is just the latest collaboration between Hofmann and director/editor Preston Hoffman, who also worked together on the video for her song, “August,” which won Video of the Year at the 14th Annual Alberta Country Music Awards. Hofmann also received Horizon Female Artist of the Year and Songwriter of the Year (“Purple Gas”) at the awards earlier this year.
Of “The Bullfighter,” Hofmann shares:
“To be scared half to death, or all alone, or run ragged, or knocked down into the dirt but you get up and do it anyway, face it head on, allow your determination to outweigh your fear, never let up, follow your truth, make art of a battle – that’s bravery. Perseverance. Grit. Cowboy. That’s ‘The Bullfighter.’ ‘The Bullfighter’ has become a friend of mine, a shot of courage when I’ve needed it the most. I never had the pleasure of meeting Luke Bell before he passed, but from guitar pulls to stages across North America, performing this cover has led me to making dear friendships and hearing stories from those who knew and loved him worth their weight in gold. Fans of Luke’s coming up to me after a show and telling me just how important his music is to them. It has been a gift to learn about Luke and the wild, inspired character he was, as well as witness his impact in these ways. Luke wrote songs that will last forever. Though my journey is just beginning in many ways, this song has guided me through the sticks so far on my mission to do the same. Recording this cover is my way of honoring Luke’s legacy and his importance to the alternative country genre as well as hopefully, sharing the strength his music has brought me with others.”
“The Bullfighter” follows Hofmann’s acclaimed debut EP, Purple Gas, which was released this past fall via La Honda Records (stream/purchase HERE). Produced by Patrick Lyons (Colter Wall, Sam Barber), Purple Gas draws deep inspiration from Hofmann’s life in the Badlands of Southern Alberta, Canada, where she’s worked in honky-tonks and herded cattle across the Canadian prairies. Continuing to receive critical attention, Rolling Stone praised, “Hofmann plays her shows with a commanding stage presence that blends charisma with confidence, and sings with a commanding voice…it’s hard to ignore Hofmann’s potential in country music,” while The Tennessean called her “one of popular music’s fastest-rising breakout stars of recent memory.”
An engaging live performer, Hofmann will continue to tour through this fall including an extensive headline run with stops at Tulsa’s Mercury Lounge, Oklahoma City’s 89th Street Madison’s High Noon Saloon, Chicago’s The Hideout and Boise’s Neurolux among others. She will also join Turnpike Troubadours, Colter Wall and 49 Winchester for select dates this year. See below for complete tour itinerary, full details can be found at www.noelinehofmann.com/shows.
In the midst of a breakout year, the 21-year-old artist has also been praised for her “mature and haunting voice, and an innate knack for storytelling” (Whiskey Riff), named one of Holler Country’s “New Country & Americana Artists for 2024” and made her Grand Ole Opry debut this past September. She was also recently named an Amazon Music “Artist to Watch,” an Apple Music Canada “Up Next Artist” and a Shazam “Fast Forward Artist” and was included in Spotify’s Radar Canada: Best of 2024 roundup.
Furthermore, her song “Purple Gas” caught widespread attention online from both fans and artists alike, including Zach Bryan, who, after being instantly moved by the track, asked Hofmann to record it with him as a duet for his new album, The Great American Bar Scene—the first time he’s ever recorded another artist’s work. Listen to the duet version, which is also featured on Hofmann’s EP, here.
