The Means of Production and Distribution
Our weekly recap features some music industry advice, free passes for Americanafest via Black Opry and Equal Access, and more queer country events than you can shake a stick at!
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t looked like something would finally change when Spotify began running ads for ICE recruitment. (Don't worry – I guess – they stopped.) Musicians erupted in disgust, some even pulling their music from the service and fans cancelling their subscriptions en masse. It seemed, for a moment, that calling attention to one source of Spotify's profits could lead to outrage about its main source: bilking artists. The groundswell seemed so pronounce that legendary music impresario Jimmy Iovine pronounced Spotify was "minutes" from collapsing (lol. But we'll get back to him.)
Unfortunately, it worked about as well as when artists boycotted Amazon Music in 2019 for the same reasons – absolutely no long-term changes in these tech juggernauts and how they treat their customers/content providers (sorry – I meant artists.)
At this point, after years of algorithmically-generated content, AI, and now algorithimically-generated AI content getting shoved down our throats and our lives being no better for it, people are sick of all of it: Spotify, social media, smart phones, the Internet in general. But if artists can't make money from streaming, can't promote their tours on Instagram, and can barely make gas money at each show...what are we gonna do?
I've had an eye on a few different projects: both on the Fediverse (I know I know BUT) and a new project from Kelly McCartney that suggest that musicians need to start thinking a little bit smaller in order to get bigger, and perhaps turn to labor organizing as a role model – after all, this is a question about how their labor is valued (or not.)
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Rainbow Rodeo Vol. 7
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This Week on Rainbow Rodeo
Rachel Cholst
Rachel Cholst
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!
- For Rolling Stone, Maris R Moss interviews Maren Morris about her place in country music
- I call it indie-cana, but Michael Hann says it's a new wave of alt-country and interviewed Florry, Ratboys, and more about it for The Guardian
- River Shook's solo debut is, deservedly, no. 1 on the Alt Country charts. Congrats, River!
- Please take a moment of silence for Vincent Anthony Siqueiros and Cameron Davis Capara, who were shot outside of Tucson gay bar Venture-N in an apparent hate crime
- Hunter Kelly interviews Chris Housman about his fantastic new album Dodge City (see above) over at the Untethered Southerner
- This is Jake Blount's last tour under his name and playing old-time music. Read his Instagram post here.
- Deadline this Monday, 9/7: Equal Access and Black Opry are offering six Americanafest passes for music industry professionals who cannot afford passes. Apply here.
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)
- 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.
- 9/18 - 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
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!
- 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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