Reader's Choice: The Top 10 Queer Country Albums of 2023
Hi, pals. I was prepping this week's newsletter and saw that the last two never went out??? Sorry about that -- sending this one today, and last week's tomorrow. Presumably.
Happy new year, everyone! I hope you had a restful holiday.
This week, we published the results of the first annual Rainbow Rodeo reader's poll. I analyzed the results and what I learned about bots and stan culture and the nature of art (not sure how it went that far but it did) over on the Patreon. I'm trying this new thing where if I actually post stuff there, maybe people will sign up for it.
Why don't you join us there? I know people say this all the time, but freelance work is drying up and I can no longer self-fund this project. Your joining the Patreon will be vital to its continuation.
Without further ado, here are the results! You'll find a summary of all the other Rainbow Rodeo goings-ons, events, and artist resources after the results. I'll post my personal top 10 next week.
Reader's Choice: Top 10 of 2023
We asked and you voted -- with 647 responses, here are the top 10 queer country albums of the year as voted on by readers like you! We’ve provided excerpts from reviews on Rainbow Rodeo where possible. We also included reader responses.
Read the full reviews at the links below.
10. Brittany Ann Tranbaugh -- Brittany Ann Tranbaugh
On her new self-titled EP, Brittany Ann Tranbaugh demonstrates her versatility and her keen eye for humanity. Tranbaugh captures yearning with style. -- Rachel Cholst
9a. Brian Falduto -- Gay Country
“Gay Country, the newest LP from Brian Falduto, is a cotton candy country romp presented in a throwback ‘90s package. Falduto’s voice, reminiscent of Jon Pardi with a hint of Chris Young, powers along over a bland and typical tapestry of pedal steel, acoustic guitars, and the occasional organ pad.” -- Gion Davis, Issue 3 of Rainbow Rodeo
9b. Bonnie and the Mere Mortals -- Live & Unplugged at the Club Cafe
“Ramone’s performance is confident and inviting. Her warmth sells the tale: while the song begins with a tone of friendly warning, it ends with a sense of love for the narrator’s partner. In fact, the characters end the vignette much stronger than when they began.” -- RC
8. Flamy Grant -- Bible Belt Baby
Note: Rainbow Rodeo was the first publication to review Bible Belt Baby.
“There’s no hiding Flamy’s church training on this album. Whether she’s getting saucy on the gospel funk number “What Did You Drag Me Into?” or the raw soulfulness (no pun intended) of “Holy Ground,” Grant’s voice rings true and clear. There’s no ambiguity to her lyrics, either: like the best of ‘em, Grant transmutes emotional complexity into three choruses, a bridge, and chords to match.” -- RC
7. Joel Brogon -- Where Do We Go From Here?
6. Joy Oladokun -- Proof of Life
“Joy Oladokun shows us that there’s hope, truth, and lessons in the journey it takes to be human in their highly anticipated newest project Proof of Life. Track after track we are taken through metaphorical and allegorical nods to the end of the world, relationships, and growing older; but the insistent melodies continue to keep us afloat and show us the proof of life.” -- TJ Squire
5. Brandy Clark -- Brandy Clark
4. Allison Russell -- The Returner
“Russell has never trapped herself in a genre box, but there’s something audacious in the way The Returner skips about picking a bouquet of disco, funk, soul, even a lean towards new wave in “Shadowlands,” along with the notes of gospel, old-time and country familiar from her discography to date.” -- Rebekah Bouche
3. Tina and Her Pony -- Marigolds
“If you’re looking for some sweet tunes to swaddle yourself in as they carry you gently into spring, look no further than Tina and Her Pony’s latest record Marigolds. Spring is a season heralding life and renewal, but, for many people, it’s also a period of seasonal depression. Marigolds holds space for both.” -- Arend Lee Jessurun
2. Keturah Allgood -- Shine
“Keturah Allgood’s debut album Shine is a horse pill of optimism against chaos and despair. Shine transforms into an album of determination, grit, and an iron grip on the belief in the goodness of humanity.” -- RC
1. Amy Martin -- Travelin’ On
See more poll responses here
Interviews
Sophia Eliana Kisses Girls in Church Parking Lots and Tells Us All About It
Music Videos
Paisley Fields brings a little rainbow to the literal rodeo in their video for "Over the Radio Waves," a team-up with Aaron Lee Tasjan
Playlists
This week's playlist includes CJ Lawrence, Max Lane, The Shandies, and more!
Rainbow Roundup
An East Nashville LGBTQ+ musician was brutally assaulted over the Christmas holidays. Jobi Riccio has organized a GoFundMe for this person's recovery fund. You can donate here.
Lizzie No is No Depression's Spotlight Artist of the Month!
Nashville's RNBW Collective is looking to book artists for shows on 1/26, 1/27, and 1/28 at the Nashville Flea Market
Austin Lucas is selling these dope af t-shirts to fund their next records
https://www.instagram.com/p/C1aUqFYP-r1/?igsh=MWp4NDNnZ3AwNW9yBryan Ruby was selected as a finalist in the John Lennon International Songwriting Competition
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
1/20 (Austin) — Creekbed Carter Hogan and Large Brush Collection will be playing Radio East
Want your event here? Reply to this e-mail!
Artist Resources
DEADLINE 4/1: Apply to perform at Philly Folk Fest!
Nashville's RNBW Collective is looking to book artists for shows on 1/26, 1/27, and 1/28 at the Nashville Flea Market
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 Alone at 2 AM 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
And here’s a list of resources for “women” entering the music industry — presumably they also encourage nonbinary participants
Sign up to the Black Opry Revue’s interest form!
Check out the weekly Queerfolk Fest show in Nashville