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? Thomas Inskeep is generously keeping an archive of all music featured on this Spotify playlist.
Also — if you’re looking for a stocking stuffer — you can now purchase issue 3 of Rainbow Rodeo!
Izzy Ryder — “Shoreline”
Izzy Ryder’s upcoming album is one of the releases I’m most excited about for 2024. With the album produced by River Shook of Sarah Shook and the Disarmers, it’s no surprise that “Shoreline” rocks and rolls with extra thunder. Ryder’s elongated vowels recall Shook’s style, but there is an irresistible energy all her own.
Lizzie No — “Annie Oakley”
Lizzie No is such a funny and delightful human and her songs are so, so sad. On “Annie Oakley,” No reflects on a question that hangs over the heads of all creative people all-too-often: at a certain point, doesn’t it make sense to just give up? No highlights the additional burdens Black artists must face on the lonely road and the extra dangers they face — all packaged in shimmering folk rock.
Chris Garneau — “Millions”
Chris Garneau makes a specialty out of pop music with roots music flourishes. The tinkling banjo behind Garneau’s meditation on fame calls us to something softer than his narrative suggests. Garneau’s pensive pop helps us swallow bitter medicine, and this song is no different.
Madeleine Kelson — “Where the Spirit Meets the Muscle”
I first learned about Madeleine Kelson’s through our Queer Country Holiday Gift Guide and I have regrets. Her song “Where the Spirit Meets The Muscle” is transcendent, a gorgeous love song with real substance that acknowledges the hard work committed relationships require. Add to that Kelson’s bourbon-smooth voice (fans of Mariel Buckley will rejoice) and you’ve got some damn fine queer country.
Montana Sand — “Cigarette and A Coffee Cup”
Montana Sand is also someone I learned about through the gift guide. Her song “Cigarette and A Coffee Cup” captures an artist with a big heart and a big voice. Montana Sand turns up the vintage country vibes to 11 with her raspy belting and warmth, but the precision of her songwriting gives “Cigarette and A Coffee Cup” a contemporary edge.