Issue 4 Update AND Another T-Shirt Contest!
Howdy, cowpokes,
I am thrilled to announce that we are just over halfway to the funding goal for issue 4 of Rainbow Rodeo!
But if owning or downloading a zine from your favorite queer country site isn't enticing enough, the 10th person to make a purchase or donation TODAY will win this t-shirt from Eli Conley! (Sizes run XS - 5XL)
So get clickin' over to the new Rainbow Rodeo shop! Any purchase or donation will qualify you!
Rainbow Rodeo Updates
Pretty light week on the blog since I was focusing on the fundraiser and it's a busy moment in the semester.
We PREMIERED Heather Mae's stunning double-single for "Ash & Smoke". Mae recorded two versions of this album: one rock/American and one pop -- each with a team of women and non-binary artists. You can watch both versions of the song in the video
British troubadour Holly Lerski went to hell -- and America -- and back to make her upcoming album. She tells us about it here.
A Word From Our Sponsors
If you're an LGBGTQ artist looking to get some press on your next project - be sure to check out Sweetheart Pub - they've been helping put "queer country" on the map by representing artists like Karen & The Sorrows, Paula Boggs, Shawna Virago, Mercy Bell, Secret Emchy Society, Sarah Peacock and many others - since 2017! Check out their services and rates at www.sweetheartpr.com
Rainbow Roundup
Jessye DeSilva is alllllmost at the 50% mark for their fundraiser for their upcoming album. If you don't chip in for Rainbow Rodeo, help this one get made -- it's vital!
Amid the shower of accolades for Cowboy Carter, guitar virtuoso Yasmin Williams writes about how the album falls into the same patronizing traps as other commercial country music. (I loved the album and I also agree with Williams.)
Speaking of Eli, he's set to run a number of singing and songwriting classes this spring for queer and trans folks
Orville Peck is about to release a new country duets album. I'm excited, but I have a feeling that once we hear it we could copy and paste his name into Williams' essay and it would be the exact same critique.
Events
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
4/21 (Brooklyn) -- The Holler will be hosting a queer art bazaar
5/2 (San Francisco) -- Shawna Virago will be playing an album release party at El Rio
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
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