Rainbow Ruckus 5/23: Lydia Loveless, Sug Daniels, Eli Conley, and more!
If you’ve been following our playlist on Spotify, then you already know we love rounding up the best new queer country of the week! Now that we can stretch our legs out on a nice blog, we’re excited to tell you why we love the songs we love. Without further ado, here are 5 of the best new queer country songs from the past week!
Lydia Loveless & Jason Hawk Harris — “Portions For Foxes
I’ve gotta admit, I have an emotional connection to this song. I learned it for a school of rock-style concert for grownups and, being in my mid-twenties, I felt every word of the song. I was AMPED when I learned that Lydia Loveless and Jason Hawk Harris were hailing the return of Bloodshot Records by taking a crack at the song. Loveless has made a career of songs about being a bit of a trainwreck and their honeyed vocals truly sell their verses. Harris’ latest album, Love & the Dark, is a stunning exploration of grief and addiction, so his potent combination of rage, sadness, and choir boy sweetness add depth to Rilo Kiley’s hit.
Sug Daniels — “You’re Still the One”
It’s a magical week for queer country covers of classics, I guess. Sug Daniels’ delivery of “You’re Still the One” gives the song a gorgeous, soulful tinge. With a spacey, analog atmosphere, Daniels’ rendition of Shania Twain’s ballad feels trapped in the amber of a lazy Sunday afternoon. Less a declaration and more a murmur into a lover’s ear, Daniels does the song justice for sure.
Eli Conley — “I Don’t Wanna Hurt”
As Eli mentioned in our interview, Conley is returning to singing after an extended period of vocal rest. His upcoming album Searching for What’s True will be out in July. The album explores aging, becoming a trans elder and what really matters to Eli after almost losing his music. “I Don’t Wanna Hurt” is a declaration of purpose amidst frustration, capturing the moment of knowing what you want and what you’ll fight for.
Love Crumbs and Cloudbelly — “Vacant Dream”
Berkshires-based Love Crumbs and Cloudbelly have teamed up on “Vacant Dream,” a winding epic of a song that tells the story of writer Michael Dubuque’s relationship with his estranged brother, and the addiction that has driven a wedge between them. As Dubuque explained to sister site Adobe & Teardrops, Cloudbelly spent an entire day perfecting their vocals for this song — nailing a Robert Plant-esque delivery that gives the song a sense of unreality.
Riggings, Mya Byrne, Swan Real — “A Girl W/ Range”
When we spoke with Alex Riggs a year ago, she was just beginning her transition. Her new song, with Mya Byrne and Swan Real on backing vocals, sparked from a conversation about having a deeper voice as a trans woman. The song is gossamer-thin and contemplative, with Riggs’ trademark haunting lyrics giving us a sense of hope and wonder in the smallest, strangest details of this gross ball of dirt we call home.
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.
