In Outlaw From The South, Mike Schikora marks his return to country music after twelve years, delivering a collection of songs that are rugged, reflective, and brimming with authenticity. This album doesn’t attempt to conform to mainstream country trends, instead embracing a raw, heartfelt sound that feels like an ode to those who live life on the edge—the “outlaws” who follow their own paths rather than society’s rules.
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Schikora’s time away from the industry seems to have enriched his perspective, and his experiences living off the grid in Texas and working with his hands lend an earthy realism to the music. From the opening title track, Schikora’s gravelly voice captures the spirit of resilience, creating a portrait of a cowboy who’s weathered both physical and emotional storms. It’s a sound that recalls a bygone era of country, while the lyrics reveal a man who’s seen the hard side of life and still manages to carry on.
The album’s themes are timeless—nostalgia, heartbreak, and the search for identity—but Schikora adds his own unique twist. Tracks like “These Are The Good Old Days” and “You Do Me Wrong” tackle familiar country subjects but avoid sugarcoating. Schikora, a Montana-born LGBTQ artist, brings a raw perspective to the idea of “good old days,” exploring not only the joys of the past but the loneliness and struggles that came with it. The melancholy yet hopeful “Last Rose of Summer,” a collaboration with Michael Bonagura and Kathie Baillie, stands out as a beautiful meditation on love and loss, fading away like the summer days it describes.
Schikora’s band members include seasoned Nashville musicians, from Buck Johnson of Aerosmith to steel player Scott Sanders, whose contributions bring polish without losing the album’s rugged feel. The music is well-produced but never overdone, maintaining a down-to-earth quality that mirrors Schikora’s own story and style. Even so, listeners who prefer a polished, radio-ready sound might find Outlaw From The South a bit too stripped back, as its charm lies more in its authenticity than its gloss.
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One of the album’s most thought-provoking tracks is “It Ain’t Whiskey Til It Rains,” a clever song that uses the metaphor of a storm to describe life’s heavier moments. In Schikora’s lyrics, the inevitable downpour brings a sense of truth to the surface—troubles don’t disappear with easy fixes, they build until they overflow. Schikora’s voice, weathered and sincere, carries these sentiments with a knowing grin, capturing the essence of country’s traditional storytelling.
Overall, Outlaw From The South stands as a reminder of country music’s roots. Schikora’s album feels less like a commercial venture and more like a personal testimony, infused with his off-grid lifestyle and his connection to nature. His return might not reinvent the genre, but it offers a refreshing reminder of country’s potential when it’s grounded in real-life experiences, making it a compelling listen for those who appreciate honesty and grit.
Cleopatra Patel