BONUS TRACKS: Rhiannon Giddens’ Essay Brings Black Country History to the Mainstream

Whether a Black pop star is “allowed” to make country music is a subject of fierce debate in some corners of the internet lately, and probably in some dark, ugly places in real life, too. But the fact is Black people have been making country music since the genre’s beginnings, way back to its foundations. History tells us this, and this week Rhiannon Giddens — the banjo player heard on Beyoncé’s “Texas Hold ‘Em” single from her upcoming country album — made sure everyone is paying attention to that history. In an essay for The Guardian, she reminds us that capitalism, not culture, is what gave country music its whitewash. Tradition has roots in regions and practices, but genre was born out of trying to sell records. We’re too savvy to get stuck in that trap anymore, right? Read Giddens’ essay here.

Willie Nelson’s traveling Outlaw Music Festival is heading on the road again this summer with some pretty impressive guests. Bob Dylan will join Willie and family for all 26 tour stops, with Robert Plant and Alison Krauss and Celisse featured on the first half of the dates, and John Mellencamp on the others. Also appearing on some of the later dates are Billy Strings, Brittney Spencer, and Southern Avenue. Check out the dates and each roster in this story from Rolling Stone. Tickets go on sale today.

Bandcamp Fridays are back for 2024, and today’s the day. The platform will waive its cut of sales revenue for albums and merch purchased today. You can check this site to avoid any time zone trickiness (Bandcamp operates on Pacific Time) and make sure it’s still Bandcamp Friday where you are.

WHAT WE’RE LISTENING TO

Here’s a sampling of the songs, albums, bands, and sounds No Depression staffers have been into this week:

Richard Thompson – “Singapore Sadie,” from his new album, Ship to Shore, coming in May
Kelsey Waldon feat. S.G. Goodman – “Hello Stranger,” (cover of the Hazel Dickens and Alice Gerrard version) from Waldon’s new album, There’s Always a Song, coming in May
Lake Street Dive – “Good Together,” the title track from their new album, coming in June
Ani DiFranco – “Baby Roe”
Donovan Woods – “Rosemary,” from his new album, Things Were Never Good If They’re Not Good Now, coming in July

Kim Richey – “Floating on the Surface,” from her new album, Every New Beginning, coming in May
Mdou Moctar – “Funeral for Justice,” the title track from their new album, coming in May
Kacey Musgraves – “Too Good to be True,” from her new album, Deeper Well, coming March 15
Maggie Rogers – “Don’t Forget Me,” the title track from her new album, coming in April
Bo Ramsey – On the Range
Anna Tivel – “Disposable Camera,” from her new album, Living Thing, coming in May