Salvaged By Creation
Writer CL Frankenbach reviews Jake Blount and Mali Obamsawin’s astonishing new album symbiont
Jake Blount and Mali Obomsawin’s revelatory album, symbiont, is so expansive it feels reductive to simply classify it as a concept album, or assign it to any specific genre. Though the world they create is set in the future, it wrestles with the rapid destruction of the natural world and our connection to it in a way many musicians avoid.
In the album introduction, Blount and Obomsawin explain their embrace of symbiont as a remix album: “This record reflects not only the natural harmonies that exist between our individual and cultural perspectives, but also an arduous process of reconciliation through remix” And the elements being remixed are wide ranging: from Slave Songs of the United States, to a 1980 John Trudell speech, to plants (there are several songs that feature work around a “synthesizer controlled by an aloe plant”). These primary sources are layered in alongside masterful instrumentation and spoken word that have an immediate command over the listener.
The prelude is a radio broadcast in the near future, as a news announcer describes catastrophic climate disasters and increasing unrest. This, of course, is close enough to present day news reports to throughly unsettle. She next describes a new phenomenon: self identified symbionts are spreading an “earth first” message and amassing followers as they infiltrate the airwaves. If you’re thrown by that radio broadcast, the Blount and Obomsawin keep you on your toes with the next track: "What’s You Gonna do When the World’s on Fire," closing it with, ”You can join her in allegiance, or perish in defiance but you will go to her in the end.”
The album is split into two acts: the first, “To Death and Fire” and the second “The Green Road.” As the name suggests, there is a darkness and urgency to this first half, a feeling of being on the run. It feels cinematic both conceptually and sonically. Within the strings I could see the glow of a campfire, while in the percussion and arrangements, I felt the edginess of Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross’s scores.
"The Green Road" opens the next section, a song that asks, now that everything has been destroyed, how do we move forward? Is it possible there’s something better ahead? It features more spoken word by Blount: “You are just the fingertips of something - unable to grasp the wrist you are attached to, and unable, therefore, to perceive your connection to the greater whole. We have come to remind you.” The second half of the album reinforces this reminder of the power of our connection to the natural world.
The political and societal moment we’re in requires more of us than lamentation and despair. It requires invention. Blount and Obomsawin rise to the occasion and they call us to join them in this reckoning both within our own world, and within the lush world they’ve created in symbiont. The albumopens a portal into an imagined future, born from darkness, but salvaged by creation.
New Podcast — Liv Greene
“There's a little bit of fear of being pigeonholed as a queer artist, but at the end of the day, I think I would rather run that risk and have people know that I'm queer when they see me live. Visibility is super important to me just because I know for me, growing up, that representation was massive and very important and I feel so grateful that we've made such strides that we have…. There are so many queer Americana and country artists are out there that make us all feel seen and safe.”
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New Music
Granddogs sound like if the Doors had more pleasant trips and their parlorcore album Peaches is a fun ride
PREMIERE: Our very own contributor Soda Canter released his first song, “Don’t Pray For Me,” a sweet but biting reckoning with religious trauma with ‘90s country hooks. We’re honored to be a part of Soda’s musical journey.
See you on Sunday!
New Yorkers! Join me, Robert Bock, Cactus Rose NYC, Olivia Ellen Lloyd, jackfruit, and a special guest at Penny Jo’s (168th and Broadway) from 6 - 8 PM! No cover!
Rainbow Roundup
I also reviewed symbiont for No Depression and dive a little bit more into the album’s astonishing political significance
You think you know what a guitar sounds like, then you listen to (or, better yet, watch) Yasmin Williams play. Bandcamp Daily interviewed her.
Not queer country-related per se, but Cari Wade Gervin of the Tennessee Lookout reports on the funny business at the heart of the preservation of Highlander Folk School. The school has been training organizers in the south for decades, and helped immortalize many of the songs we know of through the Civil Rights Movement. Essential reading if you care about music, history, and identity.
Events
9/29 (Manhattan) — Rainbow Rodeo LIVE (hey that’s us!) featuring Robert Bock of the Locksmiths, Olivia Ellen Lloyd, jackfruit, Kandia Crazhorse, and a surprise guest!
10/3 (Harvard, MA) — Mary Gauthier leads a songwriting workshop and an evening of song with Jamee Harris at The Fruitlands Museum
10/19 (Philadelphia) — CORRECTED LINEUP — Baby’s First Rodeo is back at Johnny Brenda’s with the Bootstrap Boys and lesbian house band Fist City featuring Sam Rise and Brittany Ann Tranbaugh. Check out our Instagram next week for a ticket giveaway!
10/17 - 10/20 (Texas) — Mary Gauthier, Jaimee Harris, and Carrie Rodriguez launch their Three Women & The Truth tour
Artist Resources
What's a premiere and how do you pitch it?
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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’alltertanative 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