Live From New York! It's...Rainbow Rodeo!
Howdy cowpokes,
Things have been a little quiet at the rodeo this week, and will be for the next two because I will be taking my LMSW exam on Thursday and then I'll be going to Country Radio Seminar the week after. (I will be on a panel about diversity in country radio programming. I hope I get a nickel every time someone mentions Beyonce.) I've also been finalizing issue 4 of Rainbow Rodeo. (And, thanks to marc + ella, it's looking FANTASTIC. You can check out the Patreon for a sneak peek!)
But for now, the BIGGEST announcement is we're finally doing a live show in New York City! And since I planned it, it's at my favorite bar in my favorite neighborhood. Brooklynites, I promise you will survive if you sit on the subway for an hour.
We're going to have Brian Falduto, Cactus Rose, Jackfruit, and The Locksmiths. There's no cover but tips for the artists are HUGELY appreciated! All the tips will go to them.
Penny Jo's is a very cozy spot with great soups, sandwiches, and cocktails. (I just had something with mezcal, miso, and yuzu? It was perfect.) Make sure you get there before 7 to make sure you have a seat and a spot of dinner.
If I have time I will fire off a dispatch from CRS on 3/1, otherwise I will see you sometime after that!
Interviews
Damon Beirne tells us about his documentary Lavender Outlaws, and the screening party in Brooklyn on 2/21!
Music
Nonbinary artist Shannon Vetter shares their jazz funeral for a shitty relationship on "Boundaries, Baby"
Do not drive while you listen to Middle Sattres' Tendencies because you will cry and Driving'n'Crying is a different band
Playlist
This week's Rainbow Rodeo playlist features Brian Falduto, Sarah King, Molly O'Leary, and more!
Rainbow Roundup
Dolly Parton won't perform at a benefit concert for trans rights in Nashville, but she will gift a guitar to a drag queen activist in Texas
Are you on BlueSky? I made a feed for LGBTQ+ and BIPOC country music!
You can get almost 50% off the book Queer Country using this code: F21UIP
Support disabled artists when you support Rampd
This thread gives advice on self-managed transition in Alabama and other states that restrict our bodily autonomy
And here’s a directory of DIY HRT
Eli Conley is running a queer songwriting circle
Events
There's so much queer country out there nowadays that I can't keep up with it! Be sure to follow @rainbowrodeomag on Instagram and check the stories
2/11 (Philadelphia) — Brittany Ann Tranbaugh, Sam Rise, and Andrew Sa are headlining another installment of Baby’s First Rodeo
2/21 - 2/25 (Kansas City) -- Cindy Emch will be playing a string of shows during Folk Alliance. Check her site for dates and times.
2/23 - 2/27 (Nashville) -- Brittany Ann Tranbaugh does not sleep and she'll be playing a few shows in Nashville. Check her site to confirm the dates and times.
2/28 - 3/2 (DMV) -- She'll also be playing some shows in the DMV area
3/15 (Austin, TX) -- Heading to SXSW? Colton House will be hosting an afternoon of queer country music with Austin Lucas, Jared Deck, Paisley Fields, Ever More Nest, Secret Emchy Society, and Creekbed Carter
3/16 (Forth Worth, TX) — The Forth Worth African American Music fest returns featuring Lizzie No, Joy Clark, Crys Matthews, and Lilli Lewis as well as many others!
3/17 (New York, NY) -- Rainbow Rodeo is hosting its very first show at Penny Jo's (163rd and Broadway) with Brian Falduto, Cactus Rose, Jackfruit, and The Locksmiths! No cover, but donations appreciated!
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!
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