The Janet Jackson Incident (Not The One You're Thinking Of)
Our weekly recap features some cringe adolescent memories, a review of Sad Daddy, an interview with Willi Carlisle, artist resources, and queer country events around the world!
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For this month's Songs That Made Me Gay, Emile Milgirm, the drummer for Miami-based indie rock band Las Nubes, spills some of her cringiest adolescent memories to tell us which songs made her gay. From indelibly associating Janet Jackson with boobs (not how you think that happened) to holding her head high with Tori Amos, and the most embarrassing first queer kiss soundtracked by Missy Elliott, Milgrim offers her adolescent discomfort for our gain.
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Rainbow Rodeo Vol. 7
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The 500/600 Challenge
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This Week on Rainbow Rodeo
Editor’s Picks 9/11: Josaleigh Pollett, Stephanie Smittle, Pearl Does Country
Every week, Rainbow Rodeo editor Rachel Cholst picks the three best queer country albums of the week. This week features telepathic soundscapes, Southern chamber pop, and trans-atlantic country.
Rachel Cholst
Sad Daddy -- Ozark Shine
With Ozark Shine, Sad Daddy both preserves and progresses roots music, inviting you into their cabin for a casual gig, writes Steve Roberts
Steve Roberts
INTERVIEW: Willi Carlisle Invites Us To His Big, Weird, Work Party
Ahead of his weird work party The Universal Bubba (produced by Tyler Childers), Willi Carlisle talks queer country, his approach to the upcoming album, live music, and puppets...lots of puppets.
Rachel Cholst
Sera Cahoone - I’ve Missed You All These Years
Bee Delores pans for gold -- and finds lots of it -- in Sera Cahoone’s resliient collection of songs eight years in the making: I’ve Missed You All These Years.
Bee Delores
Rainbow Roundup
- Do you wish Country Pride was a permanent channel on Sirius XM? Good news! Starting today, you can find it in Sirius XM XTRA on the app and web – and I'll be the voice of the station moving forward!
- Congratulations to the Brothers Osbourne for their CMA Nomination! Maybe one day there will be more than one out queer artist at a time nominated for one of these. In the meantime...
View on Threads
- An interesting Reddit post on the TikTok-ification of folk music (looking at you, Jesse Welles)
- Jason Isbell and others are suing AI company Suno in a class-action lawsuit
- Are you trans in Tennessee and looking for gender-affirming care? Get support from Southern Equality
- A moment of zen from Aaron Lee Tasjan
aaron lee tasjan (@aaronleetasjan) on Threads
I used to wonder what else I could do and now I try to think more about how I can let go :)
- And my personal moment of zen courtesy of Nathan Evans Fox
Nathan Evans Fox (@nathan.evans.fox) on Threads
ACAB includes Saving Country Music
Fundraisers
- Robert Bock is finally recording that damn album of his and I'm so excited to have it in my hands so help me out by contributing (you'll need to hover over the images – I got a little confused at first)
- Marian Runk is Kickstarting her next album – and for a limited time you can get a very cute t-shirt!
- So many of the artists we feature here rely on shows like Mountain Stage and Tiny Desk to get the word out. If, like me, you live in a major city with a large donor base, your station is probably fine. So maybe adopt a station that's had more than 70% of its budget slashed? I'm choosing Allegheny Mountain Radio just because it fits the theme.
- Kamara Thomas, who is a co-organizer of Southern Soul Songbook, needs support as she recovers from Stage 3 breast cancer
- Color Me Country is seeking to raise $202,000 to support BIPOC artists with travel grants and more. Donate here.
Need a Protest Song Mixed?
Artist and Rainbow Rodeo contributor Arend Lee Jessurun has this offer for artists:
I'm looking to get back into the production/mixing/mastering game since a bit of a hiatus for health. I'm starting to better manage my energy with fibromyalgia, and I'm a bit antsy to do more of the work I love. And I'd especially love to work with other queers!
Also, if you've got protest music for these times, I'd love to produce, mix, and/or master it for cheap, even for free if I can swing it. If you're unfamiliar with my work and studio, check it out here.
Events
I make this list by scrolling through Instagram and Threads (and occasionally Bluesky when you all post there.) Feel free to send me events by replying to this e-mail!
- 9/11 (Evanston, IL) – Ann Powers speaks with Anjimele, She Returns From War, Creekbed Carter Hogan, and Growing Pains to kick off Evanston Folk Fest
- 9/12 and 9/13 (Evanston, IL) – Evanston Folk Festival is sporting a killer lineup, including the Indigo Girls, Angela Autumn, Anjimile, Lucy Wainwright Roche, and She Returns From War
- 9/16 (Saskatoon, CA) – CJ Trubiak will perform at the Diamond in the Rough 3:30–4:30 PM Diamonds in the Rough showcase at the Delta Hotels by Marriott Saskatoon Downtown for Canadian Country Music Week
- 9/17 (Saskatoon, CA) – Elise LeBlanc and Shawnee Kish are set to perform at the Sirius XM Country Pride Y'all Means All showcase at Capitol Music Club (tickets here) – when will Sirius XM fly me out, huh?
- 9/17 (Nashville, TN) – Queer Roots Showcase returns to the Lipstick Lounge at Americanafest, featuring Jaime Wyatt , Rainbow Girls , Reilly Downes , Bobby Dove , Ruby Dice , and Jared Tyler . See the full lineup here.
- 9/17 - 9/26 (British Columbia) – Mr Cindy and the Secret Emchy Society are on tour in British Columbia! Click here for dates!
- 9/18 - 9/20 (Lockhart, TX) – The Texas Women's Songwriter festival is back, and Rita Bliss is in the lineup
- 9/25 - 9/26 (New Orleans, LA) – Black Americanafest returns for a second year in a row. Some of the queer artists featured are Joy Clark, Lili Lewis, The Kentucky Gentlemen, Denitia, Grace Givertz – and many more!
- 10/8 - 11/12 (Great Britain) – Queer Cxntry hits the road across the jolly old England
- 10/31 (Durham, NC) – Amelia Riggs and her new band play Sleepyfest
- 11/21 (New York, NY) – Brian Falduto has a Residency Encore and EP Release Show @ The Green Room 42 (Tickets here!)
Artist Resources
- List your queer New York City-based events in Groove
- UK artist Pearl Does Country wants to feature your music on his new internet radio show!
- Lovequeers wants to feature trans/gnc/nonbinary artists! More info here
- The Songbird Radio Show wants your music
- Someone from Threads is soliciting Queer music of all genres for her podcast
- The Wild Honey Pie is looking for YOUR folk music! (Think Western AF, but more twee.) Submit here
- The IndieBubble podcast network is soliciting country music submissions
- Radiofolk is soliciting folk/acoustic music
- Send in your music to this new alt-country radio station!
- What's a premiere and how do you pitch it?
- Got a release coming up? Add it to Country Everywhere’s newsletter! Country Everywhere is a directory of artists and news for queer, BIPOC, and disabled artists.
- With Bandcamp changing hands and union busting, here are some alternative resources for selling your music online
- Are you on BlueSky? Queer country artist 2 AM Wake Up Call created this feed of musicians. You can ask them to be added to the feed!
- I also made a Y’allternative Feed on Bluesky. Let me know if you’d like your posts to appear on the feed!
- We Are Moving the Needle is looking for women and non-binary audio engineers and music producers
- Eli Conley is teaching Unlock the Song Inside: Beginning Songwriting Class for Queer & Trans Folks & Allies, and he also offers an online LGBTQ+ songwriter circle!
- If you’re thinking of joining Mastodon, make an account on musician.social and read my tips for making Mastodon work for you!
- Once you do that, reach out to Moonshine Brigade to get added to their Americana and country music starter pack.
- Nice Hearing About Music highlights artists on the Fediverse - check them out and make sure they know about you!
- Submit your music and events to The Q LGBTQ Creative Network
- This Twitter thread has a whole list of places to find jobs in the music industry
- And here’s a list of resources for “women” entering the music industry — presumably they also encourage nonbinary participants
- Submit your profile to the Country Everywhere which seeks to unite BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and disabled artists and professionals
- Sign up to the Black Opry Revue’s interest form!
- Check out the weekly Queerfolk Fest show in Nashville
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