Rainbow Ruckus 6/16: Andrew Sa, Aaron lee Tasjan, Justin Hiltner, and More!

Keep queer country community strong and dive into our 600/500 Challenge today!

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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• Aaron Lee Tasjan makes gender dysphoria whimsical on his latest single "Lydia's Boots." Inspired by the glamorous style of Lydia Loveless, it's not the first song that's been written about them – but probably the more flattering one. Tasjan's glam rock gives this desire to wear a glittering pair of boots a gentle beauty amidst disappointed yearning.

• Andrew Sa's upcoming album American Rough is looking to be one of the best albums of the year. We can get a hint of that here on "Your Whisper," which showcases Sa's choir boy vocals and producer H.C. McEntire's lush production that can only be described as "fecund." "Your Whisper" elevates hushed intimacy to soaring heights.

• It's a thrill to see Justin Hiltner back behind the banjo with musical partner Jon Weisberger. It's not like Hiltner's been farting around, though – their album 1992 is a stunner, and they've been a bit busy editing The Bluegrass Situation and the Good Country newsletter. "Marinda" shows the pair are just as strong as ever with winsom melodies and a jaunty banjo line. Hiltner's voice strikes the perfect balance of folksy and emotional depth.

• Sarah Something taps into a deep truth with a great sense of humor in "Happy People Don't Write Music." Off of her latest album Queer Country (how's that for SEO?) the song is a reminder to take a break from daily life – somehow – to focus on your purpose.

• Just to give the song a little more shine for Pride, Secret Emchy Society celebrates "Gay Cowboys" with this re-release from her album Queen of Assholes. The song reflects on queer country community – the victories and frustrations, but the necessity of riding on no matter what.

Find our Tidal playlist here: