Orville Peck?Besides his reputation as the sultry-voiced, queer country singer of our dreams (and Trixie Mattel’s BFF), the “Cowboys Are Frequently Secretly Fond Of Each Other” singer has maintained an aura of mystery.
It’s helped make his each and every move all the more intriguing. But as he prepares to release upcoming duets album Stampede, embark on tour, and ditch his trademark fringed mask for good, some internet sleuths may have already cracked the code.Sign up for the Queerty newsletter to get your fix of heartthrobs with a side of the hottest queer news and culture.According to Maclean’s, while Peck is yet to professionally identify himself, it’s widely believed his real name is Daniel Pitout.Pitout was born in Johannesburg, South Africa, where the cowboy crooner found comfort in spaghetti westerns and Clint Eastwood movie.
When he was 15-years-old, his family relocated to Vancouver, Canada. In the land of Carly Rae Jepsen and maple syrup, Pitout began capitalizing on his musical prowess, performing in moderately popular punk bands like Nü Sensae and Eating Out.In fact, his thin frame can be spotted sporting bleached blonde hair and pounding away alongside screeching guitars in one of the band’s live performances at Heathers Bar for The Fader.Watch.During that time, Pitout also posed for beloved queer magazine BUTT, known for their trailblazing LGBTQ+ lifestyle coverage, and erm, nudity.
In his 2014 interview, he opened about his upbringing and musical roots, hinting at feelings of solitude that very well could have inspired his desire to adopt a character later into his career.“I just felt out of place at school,” he told BUTT. “South Africans are really into sports, so.