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Hell of a Country

Hell of a Country
Photo by Snowscat / Unsplash

Happy Straight Pride July 4th, cowpokes!

As an early American history nerd, it's a real fucking bummer that the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence has to go down like...this. It's just hard to feel excited for this holiday when this country is more American than it has ever been: leaving the poor to die, executing genocide against "undesirables" at home and abroad, talking out of both sides of our mouths about freedom and independence and using the arm of the law to protect capital and no other rights.

I'm not being cynical, even: the American Revolution was never one thing to any one person who participated it. Consider John Adams' desire to set himself up as a dictator while passing the Alien and Sedition Acts in response to the radically liberal French Revolution – laws that to this day suppress free speech. Then, consider. Consider that my guy Tom Paine – the revolution's chief propagandist – argued for social security and a VA centuries before it came to pass. Consider Prince Hall, a Black man who persuaded freed and enslaved Black people to join the cause in an effort to advocate for abolitionism (he also forced the Freemasons to accept Black people.) Consider George Washington, who wore a Black man's teeth in his own mouth, rejecting those same soldiers until the chips were down.

(If you want to read more about the, er, differences in philosophy, I liked this book quite a bit.)

But this is a newsletter about country music.

These nasty undercurrents have been a part of country music from the very beginning. What does it really mean to be "country" and who gets to claim it? One of my favorite songwriters (who is not queer), Micah Schnabel, has spent his life on country and adjacent music that skewers the myth that there is something virtuous about being poor country folk. Country music, at least the mainstream stuff, ultimately paints a rosy picture of living a life that the powerful think is disposable.

I wrote about Molly Brandt's "One Helluva Country" on No Depression, but I think it's a good one to share today for its clever pun and skewering of the evil bones that make this country (and country music gatekeepers) what it is.

The good news is that this fight has been ongoing for 250 years, and the fact that there's an ongoing fight at all means there are more victories to be won. In the country music world, that looks like streaming and satellite radio (your Sirius XM and Apple Music) cautiously dipping their toes into woke 2.0 and promoting more queer country artists. It looks like the Cowgays' undeniable appeal and success. People want to be proud of where they're from, even if where they're from is the United States of America, and we can do that in a way that does not oppress our human family.

Keep scrolling for reviews and exciting new updates – like the podcast!

Rainbow Rodeo Vol. 7

New month, new zine! Buy it here!

The 500/600 Challenge

We're only $150 away from meeting our goal! Reading this for free? Become a paid subscriber today! Or, get your message out to dedicated queer country fans and advertise with us!

This Week on Rainbow Rodeo

PREMIERE: Rachael Sage In the “Nexus”
In her new video for “Nexus,” Rachael Sage calls upon her community of artists to create something hopeful from the ashes of a senseless death.
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Amelia Day -- EGO TRIP
Amelia Day revels in dropping some serious dead weight on her new EP EGO TRIP -- and the distortion-infused honky-tonk makes it an enjoyable ride for the rest of us.
Rainbow RodeoRachel Cholst
Rainbow Ruckus 7/1: Chris Housman, thisdogllhunt, Brittany Ann Tranbaugh, and More!
This week’s Rainbow Ruckus features self-love, pop country impulsivity, cowmen, running engines, sun-drenched trans defiance, and self-actualization.
Rainbow RodeoRachel Cholst

New Podcast!

We've got a new Podcast series out right now: Songs That Made Me Gay. Our first episode features Jessye DeSilva, and you'll need to subscribe for $5 a month or more to listen. :)

Rainbow Roundup

  • Do you wish Country Pride was a permanent channel on Sirius XM? Good news! Starting today, you can find it in Sirius XM XTRA on the app and web – and I'll be the voice of the station moving forward!
  • I wrote about Paisley Fields, Andrew Sa, and carrying on Lavender Country's legacy in No Depression
  • Listen to Heather Mae's interview on The Bluegrass Situation's podcast The Other 22 Hours about working as a neurodivergent artist and her activism in Nashville
  • Adeem the Artist addresses closing down the office for Four Quarters Records and their posts on social media (this will impact shipping Rainbow Rodeo zines as well)
  • The Nasvhille Scene fills is in on the happenings at Nashville Pride
  • UK country artist Pearl Does Country wants your song on his new radio show!
  • We Are Moving the Needle and Brandi Carlile's Looking Out Foundation have announced their scholarship winners for audio engineering, music production, and commercial music at Berklee College of Music
  • Julie Nolen's org OUTlaw Pride has a lot of exciting stuff coming this year – the first being a video series of studio performances a la Western AF
  • farcethemusic always calls me out
Farce the Music (@farcethemusic) on Threads
Threads

Fundraisers

  • So many of the artists we feature here rely on shows like Mountain Stage and Tiny Desk to get the word out. If, like me, you live in a major city with a large donor base, your station is probably fine. So maybe adopt a station that's had more than 70% of its budget slashed? I'm choosing Allegheny Mountain Radio just because it fits the theme.
  • Kamara Thomas, who is a co-organizer of Southern Soul Songbook, needs support as she recovers from Stage 3 breast cancer
  • Color Me Country is seeking to raise $202,000 to support BIPOC artists with travel grants and more. Donate here.

Need a Protest Song Mixed?

Artist and Rainbow Rodeo contributor Arend Lee Jessurun has this offer for artists:

I'm looking to get back into the production/mixing/mastering game since a bit of a hiatus for health. I'm starting to better manage my energy with fibromyalgia, and I'm a bit antsy to do more of the work I love. And I'd especially love to work with other queers!
Also, if you've got protest music for these times, I'd love to produce, mix, and/or master it for cheap, even for free if I can swing it. If you're unfamiliar with my work and studio, check it out here.

Need a Free Guitarist For That Protest Song?

Events

I make this list by scrolling through Instagram and Threads (and occasionally Bluesky when you all post there.) Feel free to send me events by replying to this e-mail!

  • 7/11 (Pittsburgh, PA) – Bonnie and the Mere Mortals headline the Fringe Country showcase
  • 7/18 (Charlotte, VT) – Creekbed Carter and a bunch of my faves are playing this show I found out about on Reddit
  • 7/22 (Northampton, MA) – Melssa Carper plays Iron Horse!
  • 8/23 (Pawtucket, RI) – River Shook and Olivia Ellen Lloyd hit The Met. Tickets here
  • 9/12 and 9/13 (Evanston, IL) – Evanston Folk Festival is sporting a killer lineup, including the Indigo Girls, Angela Autumn, Anjimile, Lucy Wainwright Roche, and She Returns From War
  • 9/18 - 9/20 (Lockhart, TX) – The Texas Women's Songwriter festival is back, and Rita Bliss is in the lineup

Artist Resources

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