iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Rainbow Rodeo Magazine @rainbowrodeo.bsky.social · 6h

As a genre, Americana is vulnerable to being ill-defined, vulnerable to those who want to make a quick buck, and – perhaps the most taboo in the entertainment industry – Boomer-coded. Here's how it happened. rainbowrodeomag.com/...

A white man in a white cowboy hat bends over an acoustic guitar, strumming. His face is hidden by the hat.

010

Rainbow Rodeo Magazine @rainbowrodeo.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

I Walked with a ZomBee reviews Hope Is a Heavy Thing, the urgent new album from Joy Oladokun. "It's long overdue to actually listen to Black women about brutal reality," writes Dolores. rainbowrodeomag.com/...

A Black woman stands with her hands in her pockets against a blank backdrop. The backdrop is lit with green and teal lights. Her hair is in shoulder-length twists. She wears a baseball cap, a gray t-shirt with a mushroom on it, and green cargo pants.

011

Rainbow Rodeo Magazine @rainbowrodeo.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

Every week, Rainbow Rodeo editor Rachel Cholst picks the three best queer country albums of the week. This week features sumptuous Appalachian explorations, tragicomic patriarchal characters, and a tidy little package to describe all of our messiness. rainbowrodeom...

An illustration of a naked woman with a harp as the figurehead of a small boat containing a unicorn, mushrooms, a fox, a bird, and a dogwood tree. The border is yellow flowers. The text on a banner across the tree reads Jude Brothers, Dogwood Maiden Voyage

A photograph of a man in a trucker hat slumped over on a table covered with plates of food. The text on top reads The Male Pattern presents I Was Shot in the Heart! The text below the photograph are the song titles on the album.

A white woman lies in a field at sunset with the sky stretching out above her. Airbrushed onto the clouds are the words: Fools For the Fleeting, Katie Pruitt

053

Rainbow Rodeo Magazine @rainbowrodeo.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

CC Trubiak pays tribute to the country divas who didn't just make him gay -- they made him him. Learn how Dolly, Olivia Newton-John, and Tanya Tucker reached out and touched a boy growing up in Flin Flon, Manitoba and helped him to flourish. rainbowrodeomag.com/...

020

Rainbow Rodeo Magazine @rainbowrodeo.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

INTERVIEW: Kam Franklin owns her space on her recent album Land of the Neon Sun. In our interview, Franklin talks about that process...and singing with Kermit. rainbowrodeom... #QueerCountry #Americana #CountryMusic #RootsMusic #LGBTQMusic #QueerMusic #LGBTQMusician #lgbtq

A black-and-white photo of a Black woman with natural hair stretching her arms over her head. She looks directly into the camera while wearing heavy lipstick, a fur coat, and a lacy bustier. The background behind her is an abstract pattern of black and white lines.

022

Rainbow Rodeo Magazine @rainbowrodeo.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

Following the release of her first full length album for Anti-, the Minnesota-raised, Nashville-based songwriter Brennan Wedl is moving into a new chapter where authenticity reigns. Natalie Kunce takes us into Wedl's neo-Southern rock...and Wedl's freakazoid tendencies. rainbowrodeom...

A white woman with short, bleached blonde hair, smiles and looks to the lower right. She wears pink lipstick and wears an open tan windbreaker. Her chest is exposed, revealing an eagle tattoo. In the background is a chain link fence.

010

Rainbow Rodeo Magazine @rainbowrodeo.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

ALBUM REVIEW: Fiver spans the distance between jazz, country, and prog on the singular album Cleaning House -- showing vision that the band fearlessly explores, writes Richard Marcus rainbowrodeom...

A group of four people dance in a frenzied circle on a clifftop while the sun sets in the background

010

Rainbow Rodeo Magazine @rainbowrodeo.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

ALBUM REVIEW: Jake Blount closes out a decade and a half in traditional string music with Single-Footing Horse, a wily, political, and seductive tribute to the work and mentors who have helped shaped him, writes I Walked with a ZomBee rainbowrodeomag.com/...

A thin Black man stands on a beachw ith his hands in his pockets. He wears black jeans and a black lace shirt. He has a tidy beard and short, wispy hair. His head is back as if he is inhaling deeply.

011

Rainbow Rodeo Magazine @rainbowrodeo.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

ALBUM REVIEW: Mary Gauthier's new album reckoning is a lived-in, compassionate collection of songwriting a la Bruce's Nebraska, writes kate fishman rainbowrodeomag.com/... #QueerCountry #Americana #CountryMusic #RootsMusic #LGBTQMusic #QueerMusic #LGBTQMusician #lgbtq

A black and white photo of a middle-aged white woman with spiky white hair. She stands in the middle of a wheat field with an acoustic guitar. She wears a black shirt and nez pierce sunglasses. Stormclouds are rolling in overhead.

020

Rainbow Rodeo Magazine @rainbowrodeo.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

INTERVIEW: Jude Brothers has always insisted on being nothing more than themself, and inviting others to join them. In our interview, Brothers discussed their approach to their new album, Dogwood Maiden Voyage, and what it means to hold live music as a sacred space. rainbowrodeomag.com/...

An AFAB white person with fringe bangs and shoulder-length dark hair lies in a blue lagoon, half-submerged. They have one arm over their had, lying on a rock, and staring at the camera. In the other hand, they hold an antique harp. They wear an old-fashioned high-necked white dress.

010

Rainbow Rodeo Magazine @rainbowrodeo.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

ALBUM REVIEW: Lawrence Rothman caps off their country music trilogy with Here Lies Love / Stardust to Sawdust, an intimate and deeply relatable exploration of Rothman's full talents as they continue to explore themself, writes Stefanie 🏳️‍⚧️ rainbowrodeomag.com/...

A nonbinary white person leans on a wooden fence in an open meadow. They wear a black cowboy hat and studded black leather jacket. There is a light stubble on their chin. They also wear heavy silver and turqoise rings.

012

Rainbow Rodeo Magazine @rainbowrodeo.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

REVIEW: Arend (they) reviews Everything All the Time -- the stunning new queer exvangelical album from Maddie Zahm, which teaches us that living is an art, not a dogma. rainbowrodeomag.com/...

A white woman with long blonde hair leans over the back of a couch, smiling into the camera. The couch has a yellow blanket and black and white checked fabric. Over her shoulder is a purple-painted living room and a traffic light. The camera is pointed slightly up, revealing that the room is actually a TV set.

041

Rainbow Rodeo Magazine @rainbowrodeo.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

PREMIERE: New Orleans band Ever More Nest gently gets rid of that lover's ex who won't let it go on the wry country waltz "Mine to Love" rainbowrodeomag.com/...

110

Rainbow Rodeo Magazine @rainbowrodeo.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

Our editor Rachel Cholst guides you through the best of queer country past, present, and future in our monthly podcast series Queer Country Forever. This month: Roselit Bone Kam Franklin Chris Housman bailey dogllhunt And more! rainbowrodeomag.com/...

A rainbow stretches into infinity on a lavender background. Purple text above it reads: Queer Country Forever. Black text reads: Episode 3

021

Rainbow Rodeo Magazine @rainbowrodeo.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

The Ratskin Family Band are the world's first all-drag country band -- but they're just doing what every mainstream country singer has always done, they explain in our interview. rainbowrodeomag.com/...

A group of six drag queens in hair metal wigs face to the left with their hands folded in prayer. They stand against a '90s photo studio-style cloud backdrop

000

Rainbow Rodeo Magazine @rainbowrodeo.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

ALBUM REVIEW: On their debut album, Aubory Bugg explores nostalgia at the tender age of 21 on i think i had something once. Steve Roberts notes that it's a promising debut, and a showcase for Bugg's crystalline voice. rainbowrodeomag.com/...

A white AFAB person with shoulder-length brown hair sits at a dining room table with their hands clasped. They are laughing and looking at someone off-camera. They wear glasses, a brown checked buttondown, and a gray t-shirt.

010

Rainbow Rodeo Magazine @rainbowrodeo.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

If you're heading to Music City for Americanafest, we heroically highlighted all the best queer happenings to make your week more fabulous -- especially tonight's Queer Roots Showcase! rainbowrodeomag.com/...

A concert poster for the Queer Roots showcase tonight at the Lipstick Lounge in Nashville

000

Rainbow Rodeo Magazine @rainbowrodeo.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

INTERVIEW: Maddie Zahm was born to sing -- and in her upcoming album she's reconciled her past as a youth faith leader with her LGBTQIA+ identity. Also, she would love your sweet treats. rainbowrodeomag.com/...

A white woman with long blonde hair and khakis smiles at the camera above her. She is standing on a TV set similar to Mr Rogers' Neighborhood with a traffi clight near the door, an armchair, knit rug, and wooden floor.

000

Rainbow Rodeo Magazine @rainbowrodeo.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

This week's Rainbow Ruckus playlist features Texas angels, acidic breakup songs, Flock-destroying folk heroes, eternal love, and wandering nature elementals. @denitiadenitia.bsky.social Tami Hart Nathan Evans Fox Maddie Zahm Jude Brothers rainbowrodeomag.com/...

A Black woman with her hair in twists stands outside a gas station mini-mart at night, looking down and to the right. She wears an oversized white t-shirt, gold chain, and large gold hoop earrings.

010

Rainbow Rodeo Magazine @rainbowrodeo.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

Josh Friedberg asks listeners to Just Say Yes to Ruthie Foster's joyful voice and lyrics in her latest album. rainbowrodeomag.com/...

A photograph of a smiling middle-aged Black woman seated holding a black electric guitar. She wears an orange head covering and dress. Behind her are plants and a warm amber light.

000

Rainbow Rodeo Magazine @rainbowrodeo.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

Our weekly recap features some cringe adolescent memories, a review of Sad Daddy, an interview with Willi Carlisle, artist resources, and queer country events around the world! rainbowrodeomag.com/the-janet-ja...

rainbowrodeomag.com

The Janet Jackson Incident (Not The One You're Thinking Of)

Our weekly recap features some cringe adolescent memories, a review of Sad Daddy, an interview with Willi Carlisle, artist resources, and queer country events around the world!

000

Rainbow Rodeo Magazine @rainbowrodeo.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

Every week, editor Rachel Cholst picks the 3 best queer country albums of the week. This week features telepathic soundscapes, Southern chamber pop, and trans-atlantic Country. brosaleigh Stephanie Smittle Pearl Does Country rainbowrodeomag.com/...

A glitched out photo collage of a woman's jaw line, a red and white shirt, and blue background. White text on top reads "If I Let it Quiet"

Red gothic text on top reads "Stephanie Smittle Passiontide" A blonde white woman in a golden dress poses at the bottom of a rocky hill. In one hand she holds an apple, in the other, an autoharp.

A white man with a light brown beard and a wolfcut stares directly into the camera. He is topless. The background is gray. Gray text on top reads Pearl Does Country

000

Rainbow Rodeo Magazine @rainbowrodeo.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

ALBUM REVIEW: With Ozark Shine, Sad Daddy both preserves and progresses roots music, inviting you into their cabin for a casual gig, writes Steve Roberts rainbowrodeomag.com/... #QueerCountry #Americana #CountryMusic #RootsMusic #LGBTQMusic #QueerMusic #LGBTQMusician #lgbtq

A group of four musicians stand in the woods holding banjos, guitars, a fiddle, and a standup bass. The trees have mostly lost their fall foliage and the sky behind tem is pale.

010

Rainbow Rodeo Magazine @rainbowrodeo.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

Emile Milgirm, the drummer for Miami-based indie rock band Las Nubes, spills some of her cringiest adolescent memories to tell us which songs made her gay. Milgrim offers her adolescent discomfort for our gain. rainbowrodeom...

Image with rainbow gradient border and white square in middle. Top text reads Songs That Made Me Gay. The word "gay" is in cursive with a rainbow gradient. Pink text underneath reads A Rainbow Rodeo Exclusive. Below that, in purple text: Episode 3: Emile Milgrim of Las Nubes

000

Rainbow Rodeo Magazine @rainbowrodeo.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

INTERVIEW: Ahead of his weird work party The Universal Bubba (produced by Tyler Childers), @willicarlisle.bsky.social talks queer country, his approach to the upcoming album, live music, and puppets...lots of puppets. rainbowrodeom...

Black and white photo of a hefty white man sitting on the bed of a vintage pickup truck. He wears a brimmed hat at a jaunty angle, a striped shirt, jeans, and holds a banjo under one arm.

010

Rainbow Rodeo Magazine @rainbowrodeo.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

ALBUM REVIEW: Bee Delores pans for gold -- and finds lots of it -- in Sera Cahoone's resilient collection of songs eight years in the making: I've Missed You All These Years. rainbowrodeom...

A white woman with shoulder-length black hair grins toothily into a camera. She sits against a gray portrait screen. She wears a black beanie, yellow-tinted aviators, a gold chain, and a black v-neck shirt.

122

Rainbow Rodeo Magazine @rainbowrodeo.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

Josh Friedberg reflects on the relationship that mattered most -- and the music that soundtracked it -- in Rainbow Rodeo Vol. 7 Pick up your copy today! www.fourquartersreco... #QueerCountry #Americana #CountryMusic #RootsMusic #LGBTQMusic #QueerMusic #LGBTQMusician #lgbtq #zine #zines

020

Rainbow Rodeo Magazine @rainbowrodeo.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

Here in queer country, nobody falls by wayside -- including cowpokes with disabilities. Karen and the Sorrows makes sure of that in Nobody Falls By the Wayside, and you can read more about it in Rainbow Rodeo volume 7! www.fourquartersreco...

020

Rainbow Rodeo Magazine @rainbowrodeo.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

Every week, Rainbow Rodeo editor Rachel Cholst picks three of her favorite albums from the past week – some new, some older, all the best queer country. This week features deep groves and deeper lyrics, lucky broke girls, and hopeless romantics. rainbowrodeomag.com/...

Album cover on pink background with white text below it reading Rainbow Rodeo, Editor's Pick. Photo shows a white man in a sleeveless denim vest leaning against a ranch fence and starting into the camera. Brown text at top of photo reads Dodge City

Album cover on pink background with white text below it reading Rainbow Rodeo, Editor's Pick. Watercolor painting of a red-headed woman in an orange wool cap sitting on a bed and smiling down at her cat. The walls in the bedroom are painted purple.

Album cover on pink background with white text below it reading Rainbow Rodeo, Editor's Pick. Photo shows a muscular white shirtless man with waist-length hair holding a beer can, laughing, and pointing at someone off-camera. Orange text at top of photo reads Playing With Fire. White text below it reads Bryan Ruby

000

Rainbow Rodeo Magazine @rainbowrodeo.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

OP-ED: Editor Rachel Cholst explores how artists can breakup with streaming and build something new, like mirlo and the new Americana-focused Record Bin Social Club. Sign in or subscribe to read the full article! rainbowrodeomag.com/...

Stock photograph of a life music concert. The image is focused on a series of hands raised and making a heart shape. The artists in the background are too blurry to see in the distance.

020

Rainbow Rodeo Magazine @rainbowrodeo.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

In volume 7 of Rainbow Rodeo, Ryan Seiler details his approach to sobriety and life on the road. Pick up your copy today! www.fourquartersreco... #QueerCountry #Americana #CountryMusic #RootsMusic #LGBTQMusic #QueerMusic #LGBTQMusician #lgbtq #zine #zines #sobriety

A black and white photo of a man in a black beanie standing against a break wall. The photo is on a red background. White text reads Highway State of Mind by Ryan Seiler

010

Rainbow Rodeo Magazine @rainbowrodeo.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

This week's Rainbow Ruckus playlist features dimestory deities, Marlboro vinyasas, divine unrequited live, good times and river rides. Next of Kin @willicarlisle.bsky.social Aubory Bugg Shawnee Kish @kameronross.bsky.social and Alyssa Edwards rainbowrodeom...

A trio of white femmes with brown hair pose for a camera. The person on the left wears a peasant-style white halter top and white skirt. She has tattoos on her forearm and a butterfly on her belly. The person in the middle has short hair, an orange bandana, turquoise pendant and denim shirt. The person on th eleft has long hair and a sleeveless denim vest. They are sitting atop a red leather booth in a bar with black painted walls.

000

Rainbow Rodeo Magazine @rainbowrodeo.bsky.social · 31/08/2026

ALBUM REVIEW: Half Truth, writes Richard Marcus, finds Avery Hellman exploring the perils and pitfalls of modern life with a true "poetic voice of extraordinary scope and vision." rainbowrodeomag.com/...

A white AFAB person with wavy shoulder-length brown hair sits on a futon wrapped in a wool blanket. They wear a denim shirt and jeans. They hold a black and white guitar on their lap. Behind them are wood-paneled walls and a rack of guitars.

000

Rainbow Rodeo Magazine @rainbowrodeo.bsky.social · 31/08/2026

Richard Marcus examines the important of queer line dancing in the context of creating safe(r) spaces for queer folks across the world. Read this important essay in volume 7 of Rainbow Rodeo! www.fourquartersreco...

000

Rainbow Rodeo Magazine @rainbowrodeo.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

In our interview, Boy Golden looks towards the paths that lead to the best of our possible lives -- and his new album. Read more about it in volume 7 of Rainbow Rodeo! www.fourquartersreco... #QueerCountry #Americana #CountryMusic #RootsMusic #LGBTQMusic #QueerMusic #lgbtq

010

Rainbow Rodeo Magazine @rainbowrodeo.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

Our weekly recap features our Dolly Parton tribute by Alivia Stonier, queer country news, artist resources, and events from all over the world! rainbowrodeomag.com/...

A sign featuring Dolly Parton's signature in gold lettering with a field of pink rhinestones behind it

032

Rainbow Rodeo Magazine @rainbowrodeo.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

ALBUM REVIEW: Kam Franklin electrifies the eardrum and slithers into your soul on her genre-blending country funk album Land of the Neon Sun, writes Bee Delores rainbowrodeomag.com/... #QueerCountry #Americana #CountryMusic #RootsMusic #LGBTQMusic #QueerMusic #LGBTQMusician

A blurry black and white photo of a Black woman with an afro and a fur coat smiling directly into the camera. She has a light streak of hair in the center of her head. She is posed against a backdrop of zig-zag black and white lines.

010

Rainbow Rodeo Magazine @rainbowrodeo.bsky.social · 27/08/2026

ALBUM REVIEW: Brokestring presents a collection of righteous fury packaged as protest songs in Radicalized By Basic Decency, the second on his four-part Brokestring vs. The United States of America rainbowrodeomag.com/...

A black and white photo of a bald white man with a large handlebar mustache and soul patch. He has tattoos on his throat and the back of his head. He wears a buttondown shirt, suspenders, and bolo tie

000

Rainbow Rodeo Magazine @rainbowrodeo.bsky.social · 27/08/2026

PREMIERE: Bonnie & The Mere Mortals embrace Gothic Americana on their upcoming song "a coffin has no pockets" -- a stark reminder that you can't take it with you. rainbowrodeom... #QueerCountry #Americana #CountryMusic #RootsMusic #LGBTQMusic #QueerMusic #LGBTQMusician #lgbtq

A white man and a white woman are seated at a bar in a wood-paneled room. They are both wearing black and gold nudie suits.

020

Rainbow Rodeo Magazine @rainbowrodeo.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

INTERVIEW: rorie kelly (she/they) wants to bring our strengths to the forefront with their healing music. In our interview, we talk exploring small towns and manifesting collabs with Tegan and Sara and the Muppets. rainbowrodeomag.com/...

An AFAB nonbinary person laughs while looking at someone to the left of the camera. They have long red hair and a bright blue shirt. They are strumming an off-white telecaster and are sitting against a red wall.

000

Rainbow Rodeo Magazine @rainbowrodeo.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

There is something almost funny about how much Dolly Parton means to queer people. She was not queer. But somewhere along the way, Dolly became ours anyway. In this essay, Alivia Stonier works with Justin Hiltner to explain how that came to be. rainbowrodeomag.com/... #QueerCountry#DollyParton

A mural of Dolly Parton painted on a dark red brick wall. She is looking up and to the right surrounded by wild blonde curls.

062

Rainbow Rodeo Magazine @rainbowrodeo.bsky.social · 25/08/2026

This week's Rainbow Ruckus features joyful cowpunk, a middle finger to a bigoted hometown, conservative paranoia, timeless love, and when to call it quits bailey dogllhunt Maddie Zahm The Male Pattern Rita Bliss Justin Hiltner and Jon Weisberger rainbowrodeomag.com/...

Photograph taken from below of a bearded white man talking into a walkie-talkie while standing under an Applebees song. The man is wearing a sunglasses, a trucker hat, a white buttondown shirt and a black zip-up vest.

010

Rainbow Rodeo Magazine @rainbowrodeo.bsky.social · 25/08/2026

INTERVIEW: Singer-songwriter Madds Buckley explains how an early love of Warrior Cats led to the sweeping epic of her upcoming album A Simple Binary and a Complex Phrase. rainbowrodeomag.com/... #QueerCountry #Americana #CountryMusic #RootsMusic #LGBTQMusic #QueerMusic #LGBTQMusician #lgbtq

A white woman with thick, black, curly hair sits in a chair on a patio with ceramic tiles. She wears an orange linen shirt and blue jeans. She is surrounded by ferns.

010

Rainbow Rodeo Magazine @rainbowrodeo.bsky.social · 24/08/2026

000

Rainbow Rodeo Magazine @rainbowrodeo.bsky.social · 24/08/2026

ALBUM REVIEW: In Jobi Riccio's new album, faces all the feelings a little at a time. Natalie Kunce catalogs them here. rainbowrodeomag.com/... #QueerCountry #Americana #CountryMusic #RootsMusic #LGBTQMusic #QueerMusic #LGBTQMusician #lgbtq

A femme white person with auburn hair, straight bangs, and shoulder-length hair stands with her arms on her hips in a desert. She wears a black vest, white tanktop, and genese. Behind her stands a blank billboard.

010