It’s almost June, which means it’s time for a bumper crop of queer country songs. We kick it off with Mya Byrne’s “Where the Lavender Grows,” a dreamy ode to coming of age that’s as much Nashville’s Broadway as it is the Bowery of the 1970s. The Belle Curves’ “Check Engine Light” marks a more confident sound on the Long Island band’s upcoming sophomore album Watershed. Rounding out the queer country representation is Paisley Fields’ brand new single “Jesus Loving American Guy (Limp Wrist)” — a crowd-pleaser and THE “queer as in fuck you” country anthem.
Ron Addison wants to take you on a picnic on his bluesy jaunt, it just might not be the hotdog and buns you have in mind, though.
Then we get into some punk and indie rock. Matt Moody’s “Fire Away” is a melancholy complement to Rose Rage’s “Madhouse” — get the sadness out of the way to transform into anger. TAKE THE REINS lighten things up with some pop punk romance.
I rounded the set out with some of my favorite new songs from more established Americana artists. Stacy Antonel’s “Planetary Heartache” is sci-fi torch song that feels like it should be part of the soundtrack to The Day the Earth Stood Still. Miko Marks’ “Feel Like Going Home” continues to establish her dominance in country soul and blues. Madeline Edwards is proof that there are plenty of good things to find in country pop with “The Road’s” soaring vocal’s and gospel choir. John Moreland brings things down to earth with “Ugly Faces,” the latest in his stripped-down stream-of-consciousness sound.