Live From Queens...It's Rainbow Rodeo!
Our weekly recap features our next live show, a new joint from Jessye DeSilva, an interview with Mary Bragg, a new video from Big Guy & The Very Large Men, and more!
Howdy, y'all! Rainbow Rodeo may be taking a break, but we're going to party before we go! If you're in New York, mosy on up to LIC Bar in Queens to catch Robert Bock, Emily Frembgen, Byran Ruby, and Sweetbreads! There's no cover, but we will be raising funds for Mya Byrne's surgery recovery! RSVP here!
Also, I forgot to mention last week when I announced the break, but I'll be using that "fallow" time to put together the next issue of the physical zine, plus figuring out how to fix my Adobe & Teardrops website.
Rainbow Rodeo Vol. 7
Buy it here!
Advertise in Rainbow Rodeo!
You can keep Rainbow Rodeo going when you advertise with us!
This Week on Rainbow Rodeo
WATCH: Great Aunt Close Out OUTlaw Pride's Successful In-Studio Series
OUTlaw Pride wraps up 2026 with an in-studio performance by Great Aunt -- plus an update on their Americanafest showcase.
Rachel Cholst
INTERVIEW: Mary Bragg Finds Healing in Transparency With "The Game"
On "The Game," Mary Bragg sings honestly about what it's like to make a life with someone whose in-laws won't acknowledge her. Eight years in the making, Bragg tells us about what it was like to craft this song and put it out into the world.
Rachel Cholst
PREMIERE: Jessye DeSilva Hounds the "Jackals"
On her new song "Jackals," Jessye DeSilva vents her transfemme rage with arena-ready vocals and moral authority.
Rachel Cholst
WATCH THIS: Big Guy and the Very Large Men Bust Through the "RED DOOR"
Big Guy and the Very Large Men use cosmic country to interrogate the darker corners of making it in Nashville -- and the community that grows from that -- in "RED DOOR"
Rachel Cholst
Editor's Picks 11/6: Willi Carlisle, Lydia Loveless, Robin Shakedown
Every week, Rainbow Rodeo editor Rachel Cholst picks the three best queer country albums of the week. This week features universal bubbas, enduring accolades, and one trustworthy music that's one of Rachel's favorite albums of the year.
Rachel Cholst
Rainbow Roundup
- CONGRATS to Crys Matthews and Heather Mae on their marriage!!!!!!
- Ahead of the midterms, Natalie Weiner cautions country music fans not to buy in too deeply to the myth of "good" and "bad" country music over on Don't Rock the Inbox.
Fundraisers
- Robert Bock is finally recording that damn album of his and I'm so excited to have it in my hands so help me out by contributing (you'll need to hover over the images – I got a little confused at first)
- 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.
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!
- 9/20 - 11/8 (Pennsylvania and Connecticut) – Brittany Ann Tranbaugh takes the show on the road – but mostly sticks close to home – this fall
- 11/7 (Clarksdale, MS) – Launch of the Rosetta Records Project, celebrating jazz and blues by women from the 1920s - 1950s
- 11/6 - 11/8 (Richmond, VA) – The lineup for Queer As Folk Fest includes some real heavy hitters. I can take Amtrak there, right?
- 11/21 (New York, NY) – Brian Falduto has a Residency Encore and EP Release Show @ The Green Room 42 (Tickets here!)
- 12/5 (Sacramento, CA) – Autumn Sky Hall, Eli Conley Quartet, and Chaps – all Rainbow Rodeo faves – play Two Rivers Cider
- 12/11 (Newport, TN) – Housewarm the new Four Quarters Records HQ for Adeem the Artist's release party! Tickets here
- 12/13 (Queens, NY) – Come on out to Long Island City for Rainbow Rodeo Live! Featuring Robert Bock, Emily Frembgen, Bryan Ruby, and Sweetbreads at LIC Bar! No cover, but we will be raising money for Mya Byrne's surgery recovery! RSVP on Partiful here!
- 12/13 (Austin, TX) – Jaime Wyatt plays OUTlaw Pride's holiday show at the White Horse Tavern!
Artist Resources
- Opening 11/1: Apply to play Toronto Pride
- List your queer New York City-based events in Groove
- UK artist Pearl Does Country wants to feature your music on his new internet radio show!
- The Night Shift also wants to play your music on the radio in the UK!
- Lovequeers wants to feature trans/gnc/nonbinary artists! More info here
- The Songbird Radio Show wants your music
- Someone from Threads is soliciting Queer music of all genres for her podcast
- The Wild Honey Pie is looking for YOUR folk music! (Think Western AF, but more twee.) Submit here
- The IndieBubble podcast network is soliciting country music submissions
- Radiofolk is soliciting folk/acoustic music
- Charted is soliciting music from female artists!
- Send in your music to this new alt-country radio station!
- What's a premiere and how do you pitch it?
- Got a release coming up? Add it to Country Everywhere’s newsletter! Country Everywhere is a directory of artists and news for queer, BIPOC, and disabled artists.
- With Bandcamp changing hands and union busting, here are some alternative resources for selling your music online
- Are you on BlueSky? Queer country artist 2 AM Wake Up Call created this feed of musicians. You can ask them to be added to the feed!
- I also made a Y’allternative Feed on Bluesky. Let me know if you’d like your posts to appear on the feed!
- We Are Moving the Needle is looking for women and non-binary audio engineers and music producers
- Eli Conley is teaching Unlock the Song Inside: Beginning Songwriting Class for Queer & Trans Folks & Allies, and he also offers an online LGBTQ+ songwriter circle!
- If you’re thinking of joining Mastodon, make an account on musician.social and read my tips for making Mastodon work for you!
- Once you do that, reach out to Moonshine Brigade to get added to their Americana and country music starter pack.
- Nice Hearing About Music highlights artists on the Fediverse - check them out and make sure they know about you!
- Submit your music and events to The Q LGBTQ Creative Network
- This Twitter thread has a whole list of places to find jobs in the music industry
- And here’s a list of resources for “women” entering the music industry — presumably they also encourage nonbinary participants
- Submit your profile to the Country Everywhere which seeks to unite BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and disabled artists and professionals
- Sign up to the Black Opry Revue’s interest form!
- Check out the weekly Queerfolk Fest show in Nashville
Sign up below to get a weekly newsletter like this one!
