At present, we’re in the weird gray area between Pride (August in Charlotte) and LGBTQ History Month (October). While it’s nice that we get two months of the year to celebrate our community, you might be wondering what would make good music to listen to during this period. Here are some suggestions.
Those of us who worship at the altar of lesbian singer/songwriter Melissa Carper know that in addition to her incredible solo career she also performs as a member of “Arkansas roots outfit” Sad Daddy. Carper takes the lead on the OCD anthem “Did We Turn Off the Stove?”, “Don’t You Take My Dollar Bill,” “Down In A Hole,” shares the lead with Rebecca Patek on “Frazzie,” and illuminates “Bootlegger” with her vocal harmonies.
With the winter holidays less than six months away, keep Carper’s 2025 holiday album “A Very Carper Christmas” in mind, too. It’ll sound just as good in 2026.
Released 30 years ago, “Truth From Lies,” the major-label breakthrough album by lesbian singer/songwriter Catie Curtis contained the uplifting queer love song “Radical,” which, as it turns out was pretty radical for 1996. Curtis’ wonderful new album “C’mon Butterfly” (catiecurtis.com), on which she is holding her dog Soji on the cover, features a new rendition of “Radical,” as well as a new interpretation of “Troubled Mind” (also from “Truth From Lies”).
Backed by a solid band, and featuring a string section, Curtis sound fantastic throughout, with songs such as “Sparkle Like Stars,” “Our Two Dogs,” “Running With Wild Horses,” “The Things That I Can’t Say,” and the title track deserving to be mentioned. Additionally, Curtis is joined by a knockout team of harmony vocalists, including Maia Sharp, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Rose Polenzani, and Kristen Hall.
Based on the song selection on triple Grammy Award-winning jazz vocalist Cécile McLorin Salvant’s new album “With Every Breath I Take” (Nonesuch), available as a 45 RPM double LP, it’s safe to say she’s an ally.
Show tune queens will recognize the title number as being from the Tony Award-winning 1989 musical “City Of Angels,” in addition to Stephen Sondheim’s “Send In the Clowns” (from “A Little Night Music”). The album also includes a stunning rendition of “Les Parapluies De Cherbourg” (which some may recall as “I Will Wait For You”), co-written by bisexual filmmaker Jacques Demy,” Noël Coward’s “I’ll See You Again,” and closes with Sondheim’s “Being Alive” and “all the very gay places” in Billy Strayhorn’s “Lush Life.”
Where would LGBTQ music be without the legendary Grammy and Oscar-winning singer/songwriter Melissa Etheridge?
A musical presence for almost 40 years, Etheridge’s immediately recognizable vocals sound better than ever on her new album “Rise” (Sun). Co-produced by Etheridge and Shooter Jennings (son of Waylon Jennings and Jessi Colter) and featuring a guest appearance by Chris Stapleton on “The Other Side of Blue,” the album continues in the country rock vein in which she’s been working on some of her recent albums.
Standout tracks include the title cut, “Davina,” “More Love,” “Tomboy,” “Call You,” and “Bein’ Alive.” Melissa Etheridge performs on September 4 at Harrah’s Cherokee Casino in Cherokee and September 6 at the Carolina Theater in Durham.
Remaining on the country course, we arrive at “Foggy Mountain Mental Breakdown” (Righteous Babe) the outstanding debut album by Boston-based queer duo Sweet Petunia.
The twanging twosome, consisting of Mairead Guy (who uses they/them pronouns) and Maddy Simpson, combine their voices for fabulous front-porch harmonies that are pleasing to the ear and the soul. There’s not a misstep among the dozen songs, including “In David’s Living Room,” “Good Part,” “Hal,” “Heels,” “Guise,” and the country punk wail of “Puke.” Sweet Petunia performs on Sept. 10 at Cannonball Music Hall in Raleigh.
This story is brought to you by Rosedale Health and Wellness and Dudley’s Place.
