Berklee Spring ‘23 Songs for Social Change (S4SC) 
S4SC-23 Invited SoundCloud Finalist

A song for those questioning what milestones like marriage and having children can look like for members of LGBTQ+ communities. Sidelined by traditions that haven't yet made way for us. For many, myself included, these ordinary progressions in life feel unattainable or unearned as crazy as that sounds considering how long we have fought for such rights. We have to find the strength to overcome these fears and ask ourselves in the face of love, "Does it matter?"

Lyrics:
If I got down on one knee,
Would that make a groom of me?
If you wear a white dress
Am I meant to wear a tie?
Which one of our dads gets disappointed?
Cant give his only daughter away
And if we’re following tradition,
Which family pays?
During our first dance
Do I step forwards or backwards?
And does it matter?

If our daughter has your eyes
Does that mean she isn’t mine
And if she calls you momma,
Am I her dad?
What will she think on Father’s Day
Making cards in class
What will her friends say?
Will she be ashamed?
Already know
We’d need to fight just to have her
But does it matter?

Told me the white picket life
Was reserved for a husband and his wife
That can’t be true
Sure there’s a lot to figure out,
Can’t fall on tradition when in doubt
I’m scared too.

But if I got down on one knee
And swore we’d build a family,
Would you be willing?

Does It Matter?

I won't believe in God above
If they won't believe in me
Yeah some might say that there's still love
And that's the most you'll ever see
But I don't understand your heart
No I'm not saying that I won't believe
In something I don't comprehend
Guess I'm just talking cause I can

Did you see footprints in the snow
Then follow them out the back
Some drunken spirit of the road
There showed you all I lack
No things they never stay the same
And I'm a lover of chaos and I'll never change
Nothing but God could hold me still
And it feels I am blowing away
I pray that God might me still
Oh and still I am blowing away

Received your message just the other day
I heard the words but could you speak it plain to me
I don't wanna know you anymore
Oh-oh
Oh-oh
Oh-oh-oh

Heard you say you'd like to change your name
Kill everything move to a different state
Take it from me
You won't outrun who you've been
I'll haunt you
I'll haunt you
I'll haunt you

Oh-oh-oh

God Ain't A Man And Ain't Ain't In The Dictionary

This is the first BCR Clippings compilation and, given the time limitations of tape cassette (our chosen physical format for this release), it is a fair representation of what we've been up to.  We couldn't get everyone on here though, so there will just have to be more of these.

A Night In The South China Sea

Kerosene Kiss

I like to call this our summer goth queer country music anthem. Collaborating with producer SpookyRockstar - we had an absolute ball figuring out how to have even more fun with this Ned Sublette cover tune from our 2022 release ‘Gold Country / Country Gold.’ When we were in the midst of the remix, we also realized that the original (and awesome) guitar tracks from Tolan McNeil had gotten lost. That introduced a cool opportunity to bring our touring guitarist Marco Baroz into the mix and capture his unique take on the tune. So many folks enjoyed the swaggery goth vibes of the original - we wanted to see what would happen if we threw caution to the wind and made it ‘gother’ - the results should please even the spookiest among us.

Cowboys Are Secretly Fond Of Each Other (SpookyRockstar Version)

When we heard how the recording from our set at Tacoma’s Spanish Ballroom sounded - we knew we had to release it. A love letter to one of our favorite venues on tour - this Secret Emchy Society tune has evolved in many directions over the years - but this take captured something really special. We hope you love this new take on our ode to prizing art over beauty standards.This song is about both the adventure of playing remote shows where we got paid in dolphin bones (ethically scavenged) and homemade rhubarb champagne AND how patriarchal beauty standards and pitting women against each other have nothing to do with the quality of art. Plus as a particular favorite of Patrick Haggerty’s (Lavender Country) - it seemed only right to honor that by putting our new version out into the world.

End Of Pretty (Live at the Spanish Ballroom)

This song captures the vibrant spirit of Nick and Matt, a gay couple who swap city life for rural charm, as they embrace their identity and reshape a small town's culture with positivity and inclusion. Titled "The Queer Billies," the song mixes traditional country elements with a refreshing twist, celebrating diversity and community acceptance with an infectious, upbeat rhythm.

The lyrics portray a lively tableau where the protagonists, along with their friends Jack and Tom, infuse their new home with joy, sass, and a dash of glitter, transforming mundane activities into delightful social gatherings. The recurring chorus emphasizes their boldness and the transformative impact of their presence, with a catchy call to join in the fun.

Musically, the song likely features lively banjo strumming, spirited line dancing rhythms, and perhaps a touch of harmonica, creating a foot-tapping, feel-good atmosphere. The bridge's lyrical metaphor of love and glitter sprinkling through the farm’s dusty spaces deepens the narrative, highlighting the magical, transformative power of acceptance and love.

Overall, "The Queer Billies" is an anthem of love, courage, and community, set against a backdrop of country tunes and rural landscapes, celebrating the beauty of being true to oneself and welcoming change with open arms.

Queer Billies

Newcastle 2 U 🌍
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S. Piliso & His Super Seven, Kuya Hanjwa
Linda Ronstadt, Silver Threads and Golden Needles
Bob Dylan, Bob Dylan’s 115th Dream
Joan Armatrading, Barefoot and Pregnant
Valerie June, Workin’ Woman Blues
Francisco Ulloa, El Beso Robao
Amparo Ochoa, La Calaca
Aly Bain, Waiting for the Federals
The Foothill Foot-Tappers, Jealousy 
Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Lonesome Fiddle Blues 
Willie Dunn, Louis Riel
Aretha Franklin, If I had a Hammer 
Sam Cooke, Tennessee Waltz 
The Chicks, Long Time Gone
Tine Turner, I’m Movin' On 
Beausoleil, Kolinda
Arthur Russell, Don’t You Forget About Me 
Bela Fleck and Luo Cultural Association, Angelina

Wildflowers w. Fiona Anderson - March 2024

In a world where the echoes of old Americana often get lost in the noise of contemporary music, Hallelujah Town emerges as an undeniable force of nature—part haunting reverie, part gritty road-weary confessional. It’s the second single from Secret Emchy Society’s upcoming album Queen of Assholes, due for full release in June 2025, and it announces itself with the kind of quiet authority that leaves you reeling.

Hallelujah Town

i'd love to record this again later, but while it's fresh on the mind!

Don't Ask, Don't Tell

All That Jizz by The Vaping Cowgrl is their final statement on Organisation General Records and a testimony to their work ethos and authenticity. The band embedded that authentic perspective in the album’s creation recording straight to tape on a 4-track in their friend’s basement, All That Jizz consists almost entirely of live takes punctuated by the occasional warble of tape degradation. It impresses like a bruise of unsure origin. Despite the centrality of words, it resists meaning. It mimics that state of good sex when thresholds explode and all logic flushes out. On this record there’s only one real guarantee: “It’s Only Rock ’n’ Roll (but I Like It).” ( ˘•ω•˘ )


(OGREC011)

Vaping Cowgrl - Karl Marx

Twenty year-old Americana artist from NC. Working to make the country music landscape more inclusive. I write songs for people who say "I don't usually like country music but..."

Organisation General Records 一般組織

🩸 Independant Record Label 🩸
💿 Paris / Tokyo 💿
☯️ We Make Records ☯️
🦇 We Sell Clothes 🦇
🐉 For Us By Us 🐉
☠️ Abolish Police & Protect Trans Kids ☠️

Listen to all our releases on our website organisationrecords.com

🩸独立系レコードレーベル🩸
💿パリ / 東京 💿
☯️ 私たちは記録を作ります ☯️
🦇洋服を販売しています🦇
🐉 私たちによる私たちのため 🐉
☠️警察を廃止し、トランスジェンダーの子供たちを保護します☠️

the solo work of Ouzo Bozo's dummer, Connor Ortiz.

Diaphane is an indie-rock band currently in its high concept phase, cosplaying as an ensemble of queer cowpokes who make country music... kinda.

We put out records and give a shit about humans

Newcastle --> 🌍
24/7 community radio 👽
Live from The Lubber Fiend 📡

Slack’s is completely ad-free & independent.
We rely solely on donations!
Please consider becoming a Slack’s Supporter.
www.slacks.world/support

New tracks tagged #Queer Country