Liz Cooper & The Stampede (2014–2019) In Nashville, Cooper formed Liz Cooper & The Stampede with bassist Grant Prettyman and drummer Ky Baker, later replaced by Ryan Usher. The band’s self-released EP
Monsters debuted in 2014, followed by
Live at the Silent Planet in 2016 and two live
Audiotree sessions in 2016 and 2017. The band toured widely, including performances at
Austin City Limits,
Newport Folk Festival, and
BottleRock Napa Valley, and supporting acts including
Lord Huron and
Phosphorescent.
Solo career and Hot Sass (2021) After relocating to
Brooklyn, New York, Cooper began releasing music under her own name. Her first solo album,
Hot Sass, was released on September 3, 2021, via Thirty Tigers. The album was recorded primarily live in
Burlington, Vermont, with producer Benny Yurco. Critics noted a stylistic shift toward
garage rock and fuzz-driven textures. In 2022, she released the EP
Soft Sass, featuring reinterpretations of tracks from
Hot Sass, as well as a cover of "Crazy Feeling" by
Lou Reed. Reviews of her live performances emphasize her energetic stage presence and departure from Americana toward indie rock with garage-psych influences.
New Day (2026) In October 2025, Cooper announced the release of her third studio album,
New Day, in February 2026. The album's first single and title track, "New Day," was released the previous month. Cooper described the second single, "IDFK," as "a love song to a friend and myself," and the song received praise from critics for its "spellbinding" production, introspective lyrics, nostalgic vocal style, and "singular" sound. Cooper stated that much of the record was written on the piano, in contrast to her earlier guitar-driven work, and explores her experiences coming out and navigating her first queer relationship and breakup. ==Musical style==