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Rising Appalachia has always been a mission-driven, social justice-focused band. On their recent album Folk and Anchor, however, the band decided to take on a more light-hearted project. The sister duo of Leah Song and Chloe Smith went back to their roots and picked out a collection of songs that influenced them -- including some that might surprise you. Leah and I spoke about how the band settled on this project, the songs they chose, and what it means to finally take a break.
Music
Rising Appalchia -- "On And On (Erykah Badu)" (2:05) Rising Appalachia -- "Texas Hold 'Em (Beyonce)" (15:55) Amythyst Kiah -- "Love Will Tear Us About" (29:34) Rising Appalchia -- "I Shall Be Released (Bob Dylan)" (32:24)Stay up-to-date with all the queer country news fit to print with the Rainbow Rodeo newsletter, and support us on Patreon!
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Hey, there cowpokes -- remember when I did podcasts? Me, too. So...I'm thrilled that I get to interview Chris Housman for episode 22! Chris's new album Blueneck is a raucously fun and aggressively queer pop country album. Chris has been in Nashville for 16 years, and we talk about how it's been to be a queer artist in the mainstream country machine, as well as how Chris got his start and why he loves making the catchy music he does.
Song Timestamps
2:51 -- "Drag Queen" -- Chris Housman
21:59 -- "Bible Belt" -- Chris Housman
35:33 -- "Backwoods Proclamation" -- Jett Holden
39:08 -- "Dust Off Your Boots" -- Adam Mac
42:05 -- "Life Behind Bars" -- Chris Housman
Support us on Patreon!
Never miss out on queer country news with our free weekly newsletter!
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Hey there, cowpokes! This time around I interview River Shook about their new album with Sarah Shook and the Disarmers, Revelations. What’s that now? Well, we get into River coming out as nonbinary, changing their name…and still touring under their given name. We’ll also talk about their growing confidence as they continue into sobriety, taking the helm as a producer for their own projects as well as Izzy Rider’s, and why their latest album Revelations kicks so much ass.
Thanks to the Nashville Scene for printing an excerpt of our conversation.
Check out John Rodney's Deers, Queers, and Carolina Twang playlist I mentioned at the end of the show.
Follow Rainbow Rodeo for news of our fundraiser (starts Monday) and support us by subscribing to our Patreon!
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Howdy, cowpokes!
This is a special bonus episode of Rainbow Rodeo to celebrate two different queer country shows next week.
The online festival Country Soul Songbook, which is pay-what-you-can. It's a great weekend of conversations and concerts that celebrate radical intersectionality in country music. On Friday March 15th from 12 PM - 5 PM IN AUSTIN, Meanwhile in Music presents a queer country showcase featuring Creekbed Carter Hogan, Secret Emchy Society, Ever More Nest, Paisley Fields, Jared Deck, and Austin Lucas. Please note I misread the poster and said it was from 5 PM to midnight!!! Then, on Sunday March 17th IN NEW YORK CITY, join me at Penny Jo's at 163rd and Broadway for the very first Rainbow Rodeo Live! The show will feature The Locksmiths, Cactus Rose/Kandia Crazyhorse, Brian Falduto, and JackfruitYou can read more about what I've been up to on the Rainbow Rodeo newsletter
Support Rainbow Rodeo by subscribing to Patreon!
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Cidny Bullens is not just a rock'n'roll lifer -- he's a survivor. He toured with Elton John and Bob Dylan and was nominated for two Grammys for his own solo work. If you've listened to the Grease soundtrack, you've probably heard him -- but this is all before he transitioned.
Cid's been through quite a bit as well, and not just a rock and roll lifer, but also a survivor. And his recent memoir, TransElectric, Cidny talks about his journey from growing up in rural Massachusetts to New York to LA back to New York... and eventually Portland, Maine, and all the obstacles along the way: flying high In the music scene to his lows with struggling with addiction and losing his daughter and being in the closet as a trans person in the sixties and seventies without even really knowing what that meant or what the possibilities could be.
Cidny complemented the memoir with Little Pieces and put it out in 2020. So you can guess what happened there. That's why Kill Rock Stars signed Cidny and reissued the album earlier this month.
In this interview, Cindy and I talk about his life, intergenerational LGBTQ+ work, recording Little Pieces, and what's next for him.
Purchase your copy of Rainbow Rodeo right here! Don't forget to support us on Patreon and subscribe to our weekly newsletter!
Track Listing
Cidny Bullens, "Little Pieces" (3:50) Cidny Bullens, "Purgatory Road" (12:07) Cidny Bullens, "The Gender Line" (25:36) Mya Byrne, "Please Call Me Darling" (55:52) Cidny Bullens, "Call Me By My Name" (1:00:00) -
This isn't Jessye DeSilva's first Rainbow Rodeo! The non-binary singer-songwriter was the very first guest on this podcast, and we're thrilled to have them back. In this episode, we talk about how DeSilva is setting intentions and seeing them through, their album Renovations as a document of coming into their own, and what's next as they tackle being an artist in a post-lockdown world. As I mention in the intro, I interviewed Jessye and others about the transphobic events at this year's Americanafest -- and how music festivals could become safer spaces for artists in the future -- in the Nashville Scene. Remember to subscribe to the e-mail newsletter to get a weekly update on what's been going on down at the Rodeo! Catch us on Twitter, Instagram, Threads, and Mastodon under @rainbowrodeomag, and at @rainbowrodeo on Bluesky. Song List 1:48 -- Jessye DeSilva -- "Let It Burn" (Renovations) 14:23 -- Jessye DeSilva -- "Queen of the Backyard" (Hover) 19:11 -- Jessye DeSilva -- "Dysphoria" (Renovations) 36:57 -- Allison Russell -- "Demons" (The Returner) 41:28 -- Jessye DeSilva -- "What I Know To Be True" (Renovations)
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Howdy, cowpokes, and welcome back to Rainbow Rodeo! This month, I interview artist and podcaster extraordinaire, Jenny Owen Youngs. I think you can hear in the interview that I’m a little bit starstruck, but of course Jenny was a pro. (We’re on a first-name basis now.) We talk about her return to solo music with her new album, Avalanche, and how it’s been to work in the co-writing and music licensing space in LA for so long. We also get a little silly with fandoms, but also get down to business to discuss queer artists and the anxiety around pigeonholing, and idea that’s been on my mind a lot lately. Read my review of Avalanche on No Depression. Subscribe to the Rainbow Rodeo Patreon here and subscribe to our weekly newsletter here! Music Time Stamps: Jenny Owen Youngs -- "Everglades" (1:58) Jenny Owen Youngs -- "Knife Went In" (11:49) Jenny Owen Youngs -- "Set It On Fire" (38:17) Trixie Mattel (ft. Orville Peck) -- "Jackson" (42:08) Jobi Riccio -- "Whiplash" (44:45)
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Hey there, cowpokes, and welcome back to Rainbow Rodeo! This month, I speak with veteran Maia Sharp about her album Reckless Thoughts, which came out in August. I also interviewed her for the Nashville Scene. In that interview, we discussed the divorce that caused her to move to Nashville and how she brought together a trusted band to create Reckless Thoughts and her previous album, Mercy Rising. The part of the conversation you'll hear is from when we were already 30 minutes in and switching gears for podcast mode. Maia had mentioned joining a softball league in Nashville, so we had to kick things off by discussing it, naturally.
Follow us on all the apps and subscribe to our newsletter. Subscribe to our Patreon for access to the Rainbow Rodeo zine, extra podcast content, and more!
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Julian Talamantez Brolaski is a poet and country crooner but, above all else, is a careful curator of traditional country music. Brolaski's album It's Okay Honey comes out today, replete with yodeling, cowboy guitar and, of course, heartbreak. Brolaski was also on the ground floor of Brooklyn's queer country scene in the 2010s. They're too modest to say it, but that makes them an integral part of the current queer country movement.
Julian Talamantez Brolaski is a poet and country crooner but, above all else, is a careful curator of traditional country music. Brolaski's album It's Okay Honey comes out today, replete with yodeling, cowboy guitar and, of course, heartbreak. Brolaski was also on the ground floor of Brooklyn's queer country scene in the 2010s. They're too modest to say it, but that makes them an integral part of the current queer country movement.
Song List
2:40 -- "Goin' to Nashville" (Julian Talamantez Brolaski)
20:17 -- "Racing the Train" (Julian Talamantez Brolaski)
29:50 -- "You'll Have a New Body" (The Invert Family Singers)
36:00 -- "Gourd Flower" (Julian Talamantez Brolaski)
45:20 -- "Ain't a Day Goes By" (Melissa Carper)
48:52 -- "Just Like a Man" (Julian Talamantez Brolaski)
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I'm excited to introduce you to Beau Wheeler. Beau's latest album, Flying Colours, reveals a huge generosity of spirit. They wrote these songs while they were undergoing cancer treatment -- and coming out as non-binary. We also discuss hacking it in the Canadian indie rock scene -- and, for Patreon subscribers, just what they would risk to go see Mavis Staples. Read my review of Flying Colours on Rainbow Rodeo! Subscribe to the Rainbow Rodeo Patreon! Never miss an update with the Rainbow Rodeo newsletter! Advertise on Rainbow Rodeo!
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Hey there, cowpokes, and happy Pride! We are in a real treat this month with our conversation with Cathy Fink and Marcy Marxer, old time music legends.
In our interview, Cathy and Marcy said they haven't done much -- but they're just being modest. They have performed with Pete Seeger, Theodore Bikel, Tom Paxton, Patsy Montana, Riders in the Sky, and a wide range of musical luminaries. They have entertained the Queen of Thailand, been keynote singers for the AFL-CIO, appeared on the “Today Show” and on National Public Radio. Cathy & Marcy earned GRAMMY Awards for their recordings “cELLAbration: a Tribute to Ella Jenkins”, and “Bon Appétit!: Musical Food Fun”. Their CD’s “Postcards” and “Banjo Talkin’” were GRAMMY Fnalists in the Best Traditional Folk Album category. Since we discuss it later in the episode, we'll kick things off with the song they co-wrote with Tom Paxton, "Don't Say Gay." "Don't Say Gay" Music Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vpjme3usL-0 Subscribe to the Rainbow Rodeo Patreon to get your copy of Rainbow Rodeo Issue 3 and more swag! Listen to Rachel this month on Sirius XM's Country Pride -- Channel 105 Advertise on Rainbow Rodeo! -
Get to know Mya Byrne now, because she is going to become a household name. Her newest album, Rhinestone Tomboy, is out now on Kill Rock Stars Records. KRS is the legendary riot grrl record label, and Rhinestone Tomboy is the first record off its brand new Nashville imprint. As I wrote in my profile in the Nashville Scene, that's not the only first for this project: the video for "It Don't Fade" features a kiss shared between Mya and her partner, songwriter Swan Real. When the video was broadcast on CMT, it made them the first known transfemme kiss on broadcast TV. When the pair repeated their performance at the Love Rising Concert in Nashville's Bridgestone Arena, they became what is almost certainly the first openly transfemme couple to do so. Learn more about Brooklyn Transcore here. Learn more about Nashville Transcore here. Support Rainbow Rodeo when you subscribe for as little as $4 a year. You can also advertise on the podcast for a mere $15.
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Hey, cowpokes! This week I joined queer baseball podcast Batting Around to speak with Bryan Ruby. Bryan is the first professional baseball player to come out while actively playing. Now that he's getting ready to hang up his cleats, he's picking up his guitar and kick-starting his country music career!
This episode goes more into his time in baseball and being queer in the sport, though of course we talk music, too. Bryan's career is fascinating, and a great look at the sport for the vast majority of its fans and players -- those who operate outside of the MLB and the US in general.
Also, I made a playlist of the music Bryan and I reference here.
Learn more about Bryan here.
Learn more about Batting Around here and subscribe on your favorite app!
And, of course, you can support Rainbow Rodeo here.
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Howdy, cowpokes! This month I speak with Zoe Boekbinder about their recent songs, "Cut My Heart In Two," and "I Am Yesterday." Both of these songs were produced by Gracie and Rachel, whom I interviewed on my previous podcast, Adobe and Teardrops. Zoe Boekbinder is a veteran, singer songwriter, born in Canada and raised in a string of Buddhist communities on the West coast they have a unique outlook on life. Their latest album Shadow was self-produced and released in November of 2018, but as we'll hear, Zoe has more music on the way. From May, 2010 to December, 2014, Zoe volunteered as a performer and teacher at New Folsom Prison. This music culminated in the album long time gone by the Prison Music Project. In our interview, we talk about the backstory behind the song "I Am Yesterday," confrontation within community, its relation to incarceration, and what really defines queer country music. Zoe's pup makes a special appearance as well, but first, I want to thank the following new Patreon subscribers. Welcome, Michelle, Elliot, Lori Beth, and Claude! You too can support Rainbow Rodeo when you subscribe for as little as $4 a year. You can also advertise on the podcast for a mere $15. SONG LIST "Cut My Heart in Two" -- Zoe Boekbinder (2:18) "I Am Yesterday" -- Zoe Boekbinder (9:23) "Long Time Gone" -- Prison Music Project (ft. Princess Shaw and Zoe Boekbinder) (19:55) "Haunted" -- Zoe Boekbinder (31:42)
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Howdy, cowpokes! Thanks to an audio snafu, this month's interview did not go as planned but that means I get to LARP as an NPR DJ! This month's episode reviews the fantastic queer country releases from February, as well as a preview of what's to come this spring. Sunny War, Anarchist Gospel, “Swear to Gawd” John-Allison Weiss, The Long Way, “Different Now”
Terry Blade, Ethos: Son of a Sharecropper, “Won’t Be Around” Jaimee Harris, Boomerang Town, “Good Morning, My Love” Izzy Heltai, “Running Out” (Single) Tina and Her Pony “Beautiful Mess” (Marigolds) Tami Hart, “Thanks For Saying Hi” (Thanks For Saying Hi)
You can subscribe to the weekly newsletter here! Advertise on Rainbow Rodeo for a mere $10! Details here. Hate ads? Support Rainbow Rodeo on Patreon for as little as $2 a year! -
I interviewed Canadian alt-country singer Mariel Buckley back in August. And you can tell this was a few months ago because we talked a little baseball -- little did we know how badly the Blue Jays would implode. Buckley's album Everywhere I Used To Be is a distinct departure from Buckley's acclaimed Driving in the Dark. The sound is more spare, more melancholy. We dig into that as well as Mariel's experiences with extended vocal rest, gender identity, and growing up queer in a small town. Since we mention it, you can read my review of the album in No Depression here. Support queer media and subscribe to our Patreon! Keep up with Rainbow Rodeo with our free weekly newsletter!
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Hey, there, cowpokes. It's episode 8 of Rainbow Rodeo and I'm speaking with Adeem the Artist. We spoke two days after the release of their breakout album White Trash Revelry. This episode is a little odd because we were both in kind of weird headspaces and spent a looong time talking about the music industry and how Adeem feels about hitting their stride. Adeem really lays out, step-by-step, how they got to where they are now. I left most of that in the cut for the Patreon version -- which you can listen to for a mere $4 a year! To learn more about Adeem's story, you can find our June 2021 interview on my previous podcast, Adobe & Teardrops. As a reminder, you can keep up with your favorite queer country artists by subscribing to the weekly Rainbow Rodeo newsletter! SONG LIST "For Judas" -- Adeem the Artist (1:38) "Books and Records" -- Adeem the Artist (21:25) "Heritage of Arrogance" -- Adeem the Artist (43:07) "Take Me to the Water Prayer" -- Jake Blount (49:49) "Going to Hell" -- Adeem the Artist (53:25)
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Hi, everyone. I'm popping in with a sort of mini-sode here. Patrick Haggerty, the lead singer and songwritier of Lavender Country, passed away on Halloween. I meant to post this shortly after his death, but between my midterms and the holidays, I just didn't get around to it. The real reason, though, is once I post this, well...then it means he's really gone. We recorded this interview in 2018 when I was writing my first major article ever. This was only the second or third time I'd interviewed someone I didn't know personal and I think you can hear my discomfort. The setting was Branded Saloon, home of Karen Pittelman's Queer Country series. Patrick, James Wilson of Paisley Fields, Barbara Endes of Girls on Grass, had just come from a rehearsal space around the corner and were doing soundcheck before the show. I mention Karen and Patrick mentions James, who now goes by Paisley. You can hear some of that soundcheck going on in the background as I recorded this directly to soundcloud with a Chromebook, yet the sound quality is better than this intro. Figure that one out. I think this interview shows Patrick's complexity. He was really, really, REALLY good at talking himself up. He had a LOT of anger and intensity stored up. In my opinion, some of his statements here are a bit grandiose but, at the same time, they're right on the money. After this, Patrick and I became friends and he was insistent that my wife and I come visit him on his ranch; that never happened. Hit the subscribe button for next week's interview with one of Patrick's spiritual successors, Adeem the Artist. Patrick Haggerty obituary in The Boot Wide Open Country article Subscribe to the Rainbow Rodeo newsletter!
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Hey there, cowpokes! I just got hitched, which meant I got a liiiittle behind working on the podcast. But, I think this interview with Violet Bell is well worth the white. The North Carolina duo, consisting of Lizzy Ross and Omar Ruiz-Lopez, just released their gorgeous new album, Shapeshifter. The album retells the ancient story of the selkie from many perspectives. Not only is the album beautiful musically, but Violet Bell use the story to make connections to dysphoria, power, imperialism, and liberation -- all from an old fisherman's tale. The bad news is the duo got COVID right after when the album was released, but the good news is you still have time to see their rescheduled album release show in December, so check out their website to find out where you can catch them. Support Rainbow Rodeo by joining the Patreon, and get early access to the podcast for as little as $4 a year! SONG "All The Stars" -- Violet Bell (1:35) "Mi Gente" -- Hector Lavoe and the Fania All Stars (16:03) "Fisherman's Daughter" -- Violet Bell (20:32) "I Am a Wolf" -- Violet Bell (34:53) "Free Leonard Peltier" -- Joe Troop (50:54) "Mortal Like Me" -- Violet Bell (56:40)
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This month, we're going to hear from Whitney Fenimore as she tells us about her EP, Leaving Ashwood, which came out on September 23rd. Whitney's story starts out familiar: she grew up in Oklahoma, devoted to church life in spite of the psychic pain it caused her. But not everyone in that situation moves on to sing in The Voice, or to marry an Olympic athlete they met through casual "likes" on Instagram. Before we get into the interview, remember to round up your social media algorithm and like Rainbow Rodeo on Instagram and Twitter at @rainbowrodeomag. You're going to want to stay tuned because I have a big announcement in January! And be sure to support Rainbow Rodeo on Patreon for bonus content, swag, and zines! SONG LIST "Holding Hands" -- Whitney Fenimore (1:47) "I Wanna Love You" -- Amy Grant (21:50) "It's Not Me" -- Whitney Fenimore (24:51) "Portland" -- Marielle Kraft (45:31) "Stay A Little Longer" -- Whitney Fenimore (48:40)
- Visa fler
