Get In On the Ground Floor!
Hey I heard there was an earth-shattering country album that dropped today by an artist some people like?
Don't worry, I won't write about it today. I know that all of my peers are on it and they are definitely have more nuanced commentary than me!
What I do want to draw your attention to is the Rainbow Rodeo fundraiser that will officially launch on Monday! We've gotta raise $1400 bucks so I would urge you to contribute! We've got t-shirts, e-books, and all four issues are now in stock.
What's in the zine? The cover, designed by Marc + Ella, lets you know.
Have a safe and healthy holiday weekend for those of you observing!
New Music
Jessye DeSilva Sings of White Supremacy's Ghosts. Jessye just launched a fundraiser for their next album!
Creekbed Carter's self-titled album explores trauma, healing, and Catholicism
Marx Cassity combines synth pop, folk, and traditional indigenous sounds on their examination of two-spirit identity
Day Dreems' fun psych power pop album is a subversive path to trans liberation
Madi Diaz explores the fear and anxiety that comes with finding new love on her stunning album
Interviews
Zoe Boekbinder carves their own path
Podcasts
Rainbow Rodeo is BACK with River Shook. We talk changing one's name as a public figure and gaining confidence in their voice as an artist and producer -- especially as they continue with sobriety.
Playlist
This week's playlist features new music from Aaron Lee Tasjan, Shawna Virago, Jessye DeSilva, and more!
Rainbow Roundup
You can read an excerpt of my interview with River in the Nashville Scene
Austin-based company FLAVNT, which made my favorite binder when I still wore them, has two queer country-themed shirts
Bryan Ruby will sing the anthem at the Nashville Predators' Pride Night on 4/9
4/5 (Brooklyn, NY) -- Brittany Ann Tranbaugh, Balir Borax, and Stefan Weird are playing Alphaville from 8 PM - 10 PM. Get tickets here.
4/7 (Chicago, IL) -- Queer Country Bandwagon is playing its first-ever show! Richelle told me she started the band in part because she was inspired by Rainbow Rodeo, so show her and QCB some love!
4/11 (New York, NY) -- Queen Esther will be performing at Greenwich House
4/11 - 5/8 (Southeast - Northeast) -- Brandy Clark is hitting the road with Sistastrings and Jobi Riccio
5/6 (Nashville) -- Life Literacy Education, whom we've profiled on Rainbow Rodeo, is throwing a benefit show featuring Rachael Sage, Sar Rudy of Hello June, Will Payne Harrison, J. Dewveall, and many others!
6/6 (Torrey, UT) — Jaime Wyatt is playing Fort Desolation Fest
6/22 (Vienna, VA) — Storied venue the Wolf Trap is hosting an Out & About Fest, featuring Brittany Howard, Jenny Lewis, Kim Gordon, and many more artists!
Artist Resources
DEADLINE 4/1: Apply to perform at Philly Folk Fest!
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’alltertantive 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!
Are you on Mastodon or another part of the Fediverse? Get your music on RadioFreeFedi!
PS — If you’re thinking of joining Mastodon, make an account on musician.social and read my tips for making Mastodon work for 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