Who Wants to Be Americana?
Our weekly recap features a critique of Americana, review of Joy Oladokun, and a premiere for Queer Country Bandwagon -- as well as artist resources, and queer country events around the world!
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Typically, musicians want to come together: that's when the best music happens. Those unexpected interactions ping into inspiration and – boom. You've got a new song. Maybe, eventually, a band. How about even a scene? Yet, Americana is, perhaps, one of the few scenes that artists habitually complain about belonging to.
When Jim Allen surveyed the queer country scene for Bandcamp Daily, this quote grabbed my attention:
Everywhere you encounter it, queer country is one of the most cohesive musical movements around, for a very pragmatic reason: Most of the artists under its banner actually embrace it.
Sure, there's the coy artistic sensibility of not wanting to be boxed in by a marketing label. However, after fifteen years of covering independent artists who consciously play within the spectrum of roots-inspired music, frustrations with mainstream country music and the independent scenes adjacent (or proudly not) are a constant theme.
Take, for example, River Shook's "baby rant" about the state of things ahead of last week's Americanafest – an industry event at which they were an official showcase artist.
Just like every genre, the Americana scene is oversaturated. Corny bands, cringey songwriting, and self-proclaimed artists who care more about optimizing an algorithm than they give a fuck about art. And as long as they're down to buy-in and slap a Wrangler logo on their ass, we give these clowns the same credence as actual titans...
So no, I don't sit around wondering why ticket sales are down across the industry when streaming has violently stripped music of all its inherent value, and mediocrity is platformed and rewarded to the point of total absurdity. music fans are fatigued. They're tired of being force-fed garbage in suspenders by an industry essentially saying 'Trust me, bro."
If there's one complaint older and more than universal than that of genre, it's kvetching that the industry rewards bland musicians who appeal to the greatest common denominator. (I have no idea who Shook was thinking of when they wrote this but I know who's in my crosshairs.)
Thing is, though, that Americana is unique in that it was created from the top-down rather than the bottom up – and that's left it vulnerable to being ill-defined, vulnerable to those who want to make a quick buck, and – perhaps the most taboo in the entertainment industry – Boomer-coded.
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This Week on Rainbow Rodeo
Bee Delores
Rachel Cholst
Rainbow Roundup
- For No Depression, I marked the anniversary of Patrick Haggerty's passing by writing about his legacy and the generation of artists carrying on his vision.
- Zach Bryan wore a "Free Palestine" t-shirt to his show at Gillette Stadium. If he got any pushback, I am blessedly free from that part of the Internet. I would revise my assessment of him, but he still took his Robert Kraft concert revenue home, though. Interesting.
- Sturgill Simpson says trans rights (h/t Mya Byrne)
- Trans soul pioneer Jackie Shane's archive is now open at Vanderbilt. I will be discussing her and her legacy in an upcoming episode of the podcast!
- Marian Runk's Kickstarter campaign for her next album is fully funded, but you can still pre-order the album as a late pledge!
- Lawrence Rothman discusses their new album with Variety
- Love line dancing? Live in Portland? Audition for Bootscamps!
- Miranda Lambert and Marisa R Moss talk the joys of drag brunch on the Rolling Stone podcast
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!
- 9/20 - 11/8 (Pennsylvania and Connecticut) – Brittany Ann Tranbaugh takes the show on the road – but mostly sticks close to home – this fall
- 10/8 - 11/12 (Great Britain) – Queer Cxntry hits the road across the jolly old England
- 10/9 (Chicago, IL) – Queer Country Bandwagon, Andrew Sa, and Iris Marlowe celebrate the Bandwagon's new music and National Coming Out Day at Judson & Moore (Ticket link)
- 10/11 (New York, NY) – DSA is hosting a linedancing fundraiser near Madison Square. RSVP for address.
- 10/11 (Nashville, TN) – Celebrate National Coming Out Day with The Chixie Dix, Sonia Leigh, Eleni Iglesias, Lili Venus, and more at Girl Crush Social House
- 10/11 (Provincetown, MA) – Crys Matthews plays the Keyhole for Provincetown Women's Week
- 10/13 (Durham, NC) – Kamara Thomas is back in the saddle at Shadowbox with Kym Register, Amal Bouhabib, and more!
- 10/15 (Asheville, NC) – Head on out to the Lavender South launch party with Brennan Page at Daytrip
- 10/23 (Killkenny, Ireland) – Lizzie No plays Billy Byrne's
- 10/23 (Chicago, IL) – Andrew Sa's Cosmic Country showcase returns to The Empty Bottle
- 10/24 (Troy, NY) – The Belle Curves play the fourth annual Ooky Spooky Fest
- 10/31 (Durham, NC) – Amelia Riggs and her new band play Sleepyfest
- 11/5 (Cambridge, MA) – Jessye DeSilva has a single release show at the Lizard Lounge
- 11/21 (New York, NY) – Brian Falduto has a Residency Encore and EP Release Show @ The Green Room 42 (Tickets here!)
- 12/5 (Sacramento, CA) – Autumn Sky Hall, Eli Conley Quartet, and Chaps – all Rainbow Rodeo faves – play Two Rivers Cider
Artist Resources
- Deadline 10/17: Arend Lee Jessurun (one of our regular writers!) is looking to collaborate on remixes of their recent album The Tower of Babel Falls in exchange for free mixing, master, or session work on a song of your own
- Deadline 10/31: Attention Australian artists who are not cis men! Apply for a ToneShift microgrant for studio equipment and space here!
- Opening 11/1: Apply to play Toronto Pride
- 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
- Charted is soliciting music from female artists!
- 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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