With the new year upon us, something, anything, has got to fill the sensory void left by all the holiday music, festive lighting and big concerts blissfully and sometimes annoyingly occupying your psyche for the last couple of months. You need a new infusion of sonic inspiration, and luckily for us, a bunch of new and established LGBTQ artists from across the musical spectrum are stepping up.
Get your headphones on and your Spotify/iTunes accounts fired up, people, and let’s find some new music.
Artist: Amanda Palmer
New Release: “There Will Be No Intermission” dropping March 8
Out singer-songwriter, activist, author and artist Amanda Palmer hasn’t released a solo album in six years. Sure, there have been songs, books, Dresden Dolls reunion shows and other performance projects trickling out since then, but anybody familiar with Palmer’s prolific and frenetic pace of touring and recording up until now is probably feeling a little bit starved.
Well, that changes this year. Not only is Palmer releasing a new album — an eclectic collection of personal songs tackling the big questions: life, death, grief and how we make sense of it all — but she is also releasing a new hardcover book of narrative photography to accompany the album’s release. Palmer hits the road for a tour that lands in Philadelphia on April 6. For more information, visit www.amandapalmer.net.
Artist: Bob Mould
New Release: “Sunshine Rock” dropping Feb. 8
Out singer-songwriter and alternative and punk-rock icon Bob Mould (Hüsker Dü, Sugar) took an extended break from writing, recording, touring and DJing and moved to Berlin three years ago. Mould found the new environment inspirational and the resulting optimism comes through on his soon-to-be-released album “Sunshine Rock.” Mould even brought cameras into the studio with him for the first time, giving his fans a behind-the-scenes look at his recording process.
Mould is taking his solo band on the road in support of the new album and performs in Philadelphia on Feb. 15 at Union Transfer. For more information or tickets, visit www.bobmould.com.
Artist: Courtney Act
New Release: “Fight For Love” single
Drag star and pop singer Courtney Act was the first queer contestant to appear on “Australian Idol” in 2003.
This year, the “RuPaul’s Drag Race” finalist and “Celebrity Big Brother UK” champion is taking her new single, “Fight For Love,” global with the dance-pop anthem as Australia’s entry at the Eurovision Song Contest 2019. Act will also compete on Australia’s “Eurovision — Australia Decides” on Feb. 9. For more information, visit http://courtneyact.com/.
Artist: King Princess
New Release: “Pussy Is God” single
The genderqueer electro-pop singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist turned heads in 2018 with her debut EP, “Make My Bed,” dropping a new single called “Pussy Is God” toward the end of the year. Her confident sexual identity and talent for crafting pop hooks have spawned a tour, which stops in Philadelphia for a sold-out show Jan. 28 at TLA.
King Princess could easily give artists like Lorde and Robyn a run for their money. For more information, visit https://kingprincessmusic.com/.
Artist: Laura Jane Grace & The Devouring Mothers
New Release: “Bought to Rot” album
Trans singer-songwriter, activist and author Laura Jane Grace is taking a break from her punk-rock group, Against Me!, having released her acclaimed debut solo album late last year with The Devouring Mothers. The album covers a host of topics detailing Grace’s fractured relationships with her adopted hometown, interpersonal acceptance, all-consuming affection, complicated romance and reconciliation.
Laura Jane Grace & The Devouring Mothers embark on a spring tour that brings them to Philadelphia on April 19 at Underground Arts. For more information, visit https://www.bloodshotrecords.com/artist/laura-jane-grace-devouring-mothers.
Artist: Naomi Smalls
New Release: “Pose”
Drag performer and fashion model Naomi Smalls is currently competing on the fourth season of “RuPaul’s Drag Race: All Stars,” but she isn’t waiting for the season to end before unleashing her new single, “Pose” — out now with her fierce new ballroom house anthem, “Pose,” produced by Cameron Traxxx and Todd Diederich. Her stage name is an amalgam of 90s supermodel Naomi Campbell and rapper The Notorious B.I.G, also known as Biggie Smalls. She merges the world of fashion, house beats and hip-hop. For more information, visit https://naomismalls.com/