Queer Country, Forever (Again)
Our weekly recap features podcasts galore, an interview with Jude Brothers, and album reviews for Mary Gauthier, Maddie Zahm, Lawrence Rothman, a new one from Every More Nest -- and artist resources, and queer country events around the world!
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If you haven't listened yet, I highlight my favorite queer country albums from August (I said September on the podcast – oops) as well as some punk-influenced queer country songs from the past decade. Plus – a look at some exciting new music coming out in the next few months!
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Rainbow Rodeo Vol. 7
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This Week on Rainbow Rodeo
PREMIERE: Ever More Nest Gives Lover’s Ex the Boot on “Mine to Love”
New Orleans band Ever More Nest gently gets rid of that lover’s ex who won’t let it go on the wry country waltz “Mine to Love”
Rachel Cholst
Maddie Zahm -- Everything All the Time
Arend Lee Jessurun reviews Everything All the Time -- the stunning new queer exvangelical album from Maddie Zahm, which teaches us that living is an art, not a dogma.
Arend Lee Jessurun
Lawrence Rothman -- Here Lies Love/Sawdust to Stardust
Lawrence Rothman caps off their country music trilogy with Here Lies Love / Stardust to Sawdust, an intimate and deeply relatable exploration of Rothman’s full talents as they continue to explore themself.
Stefanie Cuthbert
INTERVIEW: Jude Brothers Embarks on Their Dogwood Maiden Voyage
Jude Brothers has always insisted on being nothing more than themself, and inviting others to join them. In our interview, Brothers discussed their approach to their new album, Dogwood Maiden Voyage, and what it means to hold live music as a sacred space.
Rachel Cholst
Mary Gauthier -- Reckoning
Mary Gauthier’s new album reckoning is a lived-in, compassionate collection of songwriting a la Bruce’s Nebraska, writes Kate Fishman.
Kate Fishman
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 spoke with Kristen Ford on her podcast Obermann Amplified about the state of the music industry and keeping hope (and passion) alive even when it feels impossible! Here's the Apple Podcasts link, or if you want to see my living room you can watch on YouTube! (Embedding for this cute picture of my dog)
- Grace Braswell covered the Queer Roots showcase at Americanafest for the Nashville Scene. Wish I was there!
- We're all a busy bunch here – contributor Josh Friedberg chats about his very favorite songs with KoppenWithCritic
- Food for thought: what makes a song Sapphic?
- Noah Berlatsky profiles our pal Marian Runk in the Chicago Reader. She'll be playing Judson & Moore on October 10
- A moment of zen from Nathan Evans Fox:
View on Threads
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!
- 9/26 (Pigeon Forge, TN) – EmiSunshine, Alicia Harvey, and Noah Gray play Equality Fest
- 9/20 - 11/8 (Pennsylvania and Connecticut) – Brittany Ann Tranbaugh takes the show on the road – but mostly sticks close to home – this fall
- 9/25 - 9/26 (New Orleans, LA) – Black Americanafest returns for a second year in a row. Some of the queer artists featured are Joy Clark, Lili Lewis, The Kentucky Gentlemen, Denitia, Grace Givertz – and many more!
- 10/1 (New Orleans, LA) – Joy Clark plays Music For the Mind
- 10/10 (Chicago, IL) – Marian Runk plays Judson&Moore
- 10/8 - 11/12 (Great Britain) – Queer Cxntry hits the road across the jolly old England
- 10/9 (Chicago, IL) – Queer Country Bandwagon, Andrew Sa, and Iris Marlowe celebrate the Bandwagon's new music and National Coming Out Day at Judson & Moore (Ticket link)
- 10/23 (Killkenny, Ireland) – Lizzie No plays Billy Byrne's
- 10/31 (Durham, NC) – Amelia Riggs and her new band play Sleepyfest
- 11/21 (New York, NY) – Brian Falduto has a Residency Encore and EP Release Show @ The Green Room 42 (Tickets here!)
Artist Resources
- Deadline 10/17: Arend Lee Jessurun (one of our regular writers!) is looking to collaborate on remixes of their recent album The Tower of Babel Falls in exchange for free mixing, master, or session work on a song of your own
- Deadline 10/31: Attention Australian artists who are not cis men! Apply for a ToneShift microgrant for studio equipment and space here!
- 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!
- 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
- 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
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