Ethel Cain Covers Drive-By Truckers’ ‘Angels and Fuselage’ for Like A Version

triple j
triple jApr 16, 2026

Why It Matters

The cover amplifies Ethel Cain’s visibility, positioning her as a genre‑fluid breakout and driving streaming growth for both her catalog and the original song.

Key Takeaways

  • Ethel Cain reimagines Drive‑By Truckers’ "Angels and Fuselage."
  • Performance aired on Triple J’s "Like a Version" segment.
  • Cain’s haunting vocals add a gothic, country‑rock twist.
  • Cover highlights her crossover appeal to indie‑rock audiences.
  • Video garners strong social media buzz and streaming spikes.

Summary

Australian music program Triple J’s “Like a Version” featured a striking cover by emerging singer‑songwriter Ethel Cain, who tackled Drive‑By Truckers’ 2021 track “Angels and Fuselage.” The performance, filmed in the show’s intimate studio, introduced Cain’s dark, cinematic aesthetic to a broader audience.

Cain strips the Southern‑rock original down to a minimalist piano‑driven arrangement, allowing her low‑key, breathy vocals to foreground the song’s haunting imagery of angels, trees, and impending doom. The tempo slows, the chorus swells, and subtle synth textures replace the band’s gritty guitars, creating a genre‑bending rendition that leans toward gothic folk.

Host Triple J’s “Like a Version” host praised the cover, noting, “She turned a Southern‑rock anthem into a midnight lullaby.” Viewers highlighted the line “I’m scared shitless of what’s coming next,” emphasizing Cain’s ability to convey vulnerability while maintaining the song’s ominous tone.

The viral clip has already sparked a surge in streams for both Cain and the original Drive‑By Truckers track, underscoring her growing crossover appeal and the power of “Like a Version” to boost emerging artists. Industry observers see the performance as a signal that genre boundaries are blurring, with indie‑folk and alt‑country acts gaining mainstream traction.

Original Description

Ethel Cain covers Drive-By Truckers’ ‘Angels and Fuselage’ for triple j's Like A Version.
Like A Version on Music Streaming: http://abcmusic.lnk.to/LAVplaylist
Like A Version is a segment on Australian radio station triple j. Every week a musician or band performs one of their own songs and cover a song they love.
Production Credits
Senior Producer, Video: Brandon Lung
Senior Producer, Live Music: Greg Wales
Senior Producer, triple j: Max Lavergne
Video Producers: Oliver Quirk, Jed Nielsen, Claudine Ocampo, Katelyn Clark
Assistant Video Producer: Alexandra Sutcliffe
Live Music Producer: Eileen McDonald Sparks
Audio Engineer: Kieran Bowdidge
Assistant Audio Engineer: Ben Northmore
Executive Producer, Video: Jess Hallay
Executive Producer, Live Music: Cameron McCauley
Executive Producer, Digital: Amelia Rounds
Senior Legal Advisor: Sun Hoon
Business Affairs: Julia Kosky
Digital Manager, triple j: Emma Gibbs
Music Director, triple j: Claire Mooney
Manager, Music Programming: Nick Findlay
Head of triple j, Double J and Country: Lachlan Macara
#LikeAVersion

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