Indie Country Singer from Wisconsin Makes Music Full of Midwest Pride

Stumbling upon a new artist with whom you connect is always fun. It's even more gratifying when you realize the singer himself is from a town similar to yours. In the realm of country singers, there's a lot that makes Dan Lepien stand out.

For one, when the was last time you heard a country singer with roots in Wisconsin? A quick Google search tells me there are two country singers of note from the Cheese State. Dave Dudley, who is most famous for that anthemic trucker tune "Six Days on the Road," and songwriter John Thompson, who has also enjoyed some success as a singer, including the instantly catchy "Beer on the Table."

You can add Dan Lepien to that list. The Sauk City, WI has enjoyed some modest success thanks to a 2023 song that showed his Midwestern pride. The song is called "God Bless Kwik Trip," and is exactly the kind of song it sounds like. It's one big ode to the omnipresent gas station/convenience store chain, which has a large presence in Wisconsin, Iowa, and Minnesota.

Just get a load of these lyrics, sung with the utmost sincerity and admiration by Lepien, who avoids making this song sound like a parody:

I'll take the six pack of Dunkers, Angus cheeseburgers, sweet Caribou coffee buzz. Hash brown potatoes, roller tornadoes, hit me with that Nature's Touch. Long Johns and Reese's, breadsticks, the teases, one stop for all your love. Man, I just gotta say, God bless Kwik Trip - Dan Lepien, per God Bless Kwik Trip

Last week, Lepien dropped his debut album, The Honky Tonk Traditional. Having listened to a few of the tracks, I can say it lives up to its title in strong fashion. It's an album that strips country down to its bear essence: organic instrumentation, potent lyrics, personal songwriting, and strong vocals.

Lepien's album is a solid showcase of his talents. With only 10 tracks adding up to about 32 minutes of music, it's lean; there's no fat nor filler. Just solid country from a local boy.

Dan Lepien is going to be busy touring this summer. Good news for Tri-Staters: he'll be performing in Hazel Green, specifically the Sandy Hook Tavern, on July 5th, 2025, alongside his full band.

You can find out more about Dan Lepien on his personal website. Follow him on Instagram here, or check out his debut album, The Honky Tonk Traditional, on Apple Music.