Article Contributed by Gratefulweb
Published on 2026-09-06
Photography by: Jose Garcia @joseakache
The Wandering Divide, the cinematic indie-folk project led by multi-instrumentalist and producer Brandon Cooke, will release its debut four-song EP, Norte Del Sur, on October 1.
Exploring displacement, longing and what Cooke describes as “melancholic joy,” Norte Del Sur grew from years spent traveling through Ireland, India, Appalachia, the American Southwest and beyond. The EP bridges the rugged landscapes of the Southwest and California coast with the misty terrain of Ireland, reflecting Cooke’s search for home and what it means to be American when you are not originally from this land.
Preview or preorder Norte Del Sur HERE.
The featured track, “Killary,” was written along the rugged coast of Connemara, Ireland, inspired by the wild Atlantic and those who crossed it in search of a new home.
Before launching The Wandering Divide, Cooke worked as an engineer for artists including Glass Animals, Kamasi Washington and Jelly Roll. He also played drums with The Rebel Light and shared stages with Weezer and The Black Keys. After leaving the commercial music industry in 2022, he returned to the open road before building a studio north of San Francisco.
Cooke recorded, produced and mixed Norte Del Sur, with mastering by Hans Dekline. The EP also features cellist Peter Jacobson, upright bassist Paul Livingstone, fiddler Gordon M’Gilvry Allen and bassist Nate Levin. Recording took place at Soundwell Studios in Sebastopol, California, and Stone House Studio at Zorthian Ranch in Los Angeles.
For more information, visit thewanderingdivide.com.
NORTE DEL SUR TRACK LIST
1. Atlantic (Departing)
2. Killary
3. 40 to 1
4. A Lullaby
