Rainbow Ruckus 3/18: Paisley Fields, Andrew Sa, Jessye DeSilva, and More!
This week's Rainbow Ruckus features club kids, touching tributes, joyful gender exploration, the wrong end of a love triangle, and butch dykes playing the Opry.
Every week, Rainbow Rodeo brings you the best new queer country music! Listen to this playlist on Tidal! Thanks to Elliott for making a parallel list on Apple Music! Missed a week? TA Inskeep is generously keeping an archive of all music featured on this Spotify playlist.
Please note: we are no longer updating our Spotify playlist.
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- Paisley Fields introduces us to their new album R U Mad At Me? with a bang thanks to "parTy girl" – a frenetic bopper about a club kid who has, perhaps, turned into a club adult, even though that's not such a cute look anymore. Paisley sounds great backed up by a band that deftly swings between country, disco, and pop in this bop.
- Andrew Sa pays tribute to his Patrick Haggerty of Lavender Country with the touching song "Lavender Cowboy." It's the first single off his upcoming album American Rough, out on a revitalized Bloodshot Records on June 26. Produced by HC McEntire, who also contributes gorgeous harmonies here, any of us would be so lucky to receive such a tribute.
- Continuing in a country disco theme, Jessye DeSilva gives us the first hint of her upcoming album Glitter Up the Dark, out on April 3rd and produced by Aaron Lee Tasjan. Tasjan's trademark glam pop is evident here, but it's DeSilva whose tender portrayal of youthful gender exploration invites us to find joy in the process.
- I suspect I was initially drawn to country music through all those songs where the (male) narrator is at the wrong end of the love triangle. A lot of my favorite songs growing up were literally about how he don't know you. Chicago Americana duo The Devil Said Jump brings that impulse to life with the queer ballad "Better Man," with an intricate arrangement and stunning harmonies.
- What does it really mean to be "the first?" Ellen Angelico and I discussed this when they were nominated for an Americana Music Award – the first openly non-binary person to do so back in 2020. With their charming project Uncle Ellen, Angelico combines their hotshot guitar licks and laconic sense of humor. "The First Butch Dyke to Play the Opry" finds Angelico reflecting on their experience walking the Opry stage, the hidden legacies they walk amongst, and how to open doors for others.
Find our Tidal playlist here:
