Rainbow Rodeo 9/3: Olivia Ellen Lloyd, Lizz Shine, Cactus Flower NYC

Every week, Rainbow Rodeo brings you the best new queer country music! Listen to this playlist on Spotify! Thanks to Elliott for making a parallel list on Apple Music! Listen to the parallel list on Tidal. Missed a week? TA Inskeep is generously keeping an archive of all music featured on this Spotify playlist.

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This week’s playlist features a special selection of artists: the folks spearheading our lineup at our next Rainbow Rodeo Live in New York City! Join me, The Locksmiths, Olivia Ellen Lloyd, Cactus Rose NYC, and Jackfruit at Penny Jo’s Uptown on Sunday, September 29th, from 6 – 8 PM!

• The Locksmiths reaffirm their love for the city that never sleeps on “My Name is New York” off their recent EP My Way in Manila. It’s a shining example of Robert Bock’s ricpord delivery and electrifying performances — you know you want to be a part of it in a few weeks!
• Olivia Ellen Lloyd is part of an exciting new wave of New York City-based country artists. Now she’s coming uptown and bringing songs like “A Few Old Memories” with her, showcasing her trad country bona fides.
• Cactus Rose NYC (formerly performing as Kandia Crazyhorse) represent Harlem as well as Black Seminole culture on their brand new EP Field Recordings. “Scene and Herd — Live” captures Crazyhorse’s otherworldly singing and guitarist Lonnie Harrington’s crackshot guitar playing
• Lizz Shine (who appears to be based in LA and, therefore, not performing at our little show) celebrates her daughter Kate in “Kate’s Song.” Shine writes “She’s named after my godmother and aunt who died when I was 15, one of the few people who understood who I really was. As a trans woman I have always dreamed of being a Mom and wanted to name my daughter after my aunt Kate. So here I am living my dream, and now have a song streaming telling exactly this story! Dreams do come true.”
• On “27,” Salt Water Baby reflects on the hard-learned lessons of being in your late twenties. The Nashville-based artist takes a rueful view — you’d think you’d have it all figured out by now. But there’s a hint of optimism and sense of adventure that comes with the realization that maybe you never will.