As I wrote on Rainbow Rodeo yesterday, I got a little too unplugged leading up to, during, and after the holidays and, to be honest, this interview fell off my plate!
But I wanted to feature this Sleigh the Holidays compilation for a number of reasons:
1) The compilation, assembled by Head Bitch Music, is a celebration of different genres, traditional and original holiday music, and all of the artists featured on the album are women, non-binary, and queer musicians.
2) We’re heading into hard times indeed and Sleigh the Holidays can offer some comfort all year round.
3) A portion of the streaming royalties will go to The Ally Coalition, which provides critical support for organizations dedicated to bettering the lives of LGBTQIA+ youth, and raises awareness about the systemic inequalities facing the LGBTQIA+ youth population. Especially with the wildfires, the LGBTQIA+ community will need The Ally Coalition’s services more than ever.
4) It’s cute! Be like my Jewish grandma and enjoy Christmas all year round.
Without further ado, LA singer-songwriter Anna Rose shares a powerful message of universal joy and acceptance on “Let’s Be Together” — a song that resonates all year ’round.
I know recording Christmas music is meat and potatoes for musicians, but how do you really feel about it?
I think, like any song written on assignment, the framework of a holiday song sometimes gives parameters that I wouldn’t normally work in, so I have to get a little more creative. I really enjoy working that way, actually, it forces me to think and, therefore, write differently. So, I guess I like the challenge!
How did you find out about this compilation? What made you want to participate in it?
Ryan and Jessie of Head Bitch Music are old friends and when they asked if I wanted to be a part of this, I jumped at the opportunity! They’re wonderful people who are always so thoughtful and passionate about the projects they put together. Raising up female and queer voices is deeply important to me, so with the added component of The Ally Coalition partnering with HBM, I was thrilled to be asked and included!
Why do you feel it’s important to make an album of queer-specific Christmas music?
I think it’s really important for queer stories and songs to be a part of something as mainstream as Christmas music because visibility matters. The holidays can be an incredibly lonely time, especially for people who feel “othered.” This is truly the definition of how music can save lives. Connection is everything.
Tell us more about “Let’s Be Together.” What inspired the song?
Let’s Be Together is probably the most joyful song I’ve ever written, which feels very appropriate for the season! I think it’s about gratitude and the idea of being inclusive and welcoming, something that can so often get lost in the drama of the holidays. It’s about the simplicity of finding commonality in our humanness.