Rachel Cholst

@rachelcholst

Queer country music nerd and journalist, printmaking, Mets convert, yr butch aunt. Editor of www.rainbowrodeomag.com Send me music!

835 Folgt1.244 Follower2.196 Posts

Instagram YouTube YouTube Bluesky

gamer

Ist das dein Profil?Übernimm es — dann gehört dir rachelcholst.dirty.social.Profil übernehmen

Rachel Cholst@rachelcholst· Jul 9

Me and my five best friends

Rachel Cholst@rachelcholst· Jul 7

Get your ears on Sophie Wellington's new album Her Bright Smile Haunts Me Still! This album shimmers as Wellington pushes the envelope on what a single human can do with a guitar (and tap shoes.) Read my review on @NoDepression.bsky.social! nodepression.org/album-review...

a person in a red jumpsuit sits at a windowsill with sun shining onto their face. They have shoulder-length blonde hair and wear glasses. The room around them is dim.

Rachel Cholst@rachelcholst· Jul 2

Closing out Pride Month on @NoDepression.bsky.social with a look to the future: in their own ways Chicago's Andrew Sa and New York's Paisley Fields are carrying on the legacy of queer country pioneer Lavender Country nodepression.org/queer-countr...

A man in a white cowboy hat, black jeans, black denim jacket, and a white tank top leans against the wall in an empty white room with a white wooden floor. There is an object in front of him, maybe a yellow bandana? He looks pensive and has a bushy mustache

Rachel Cholst@rachelcholst· Jun 20

I feel really dumb. My turntable came with a 45 rpm adapter and I can't figure out how to get it...off of the turntable? Spinning it around doesn't seem to do anything and the manual has no information

Rachel Cholst@rachelcholst· Jun 18

For @NoDepression.bsky.social, I review Soft Place to Land by Candace Hastings. Hastings is an accomplished singer and songwriter -- and her reunification with her birth family and exploration of her indigenous heritage inform Soft Place to Land. nodepression.org/album-review...

A middle-aged woman with dyed brown hair looks off tot he right while strumming an acoustic guitar with a sunburst finish. She wears a white cowboy hat, brown leather jacket with fringe, white t-shirt, and a necklace and rings of turquoise jewelry. She stands in a path lined by agave plants and trees. White text reads Candace Hastings soft place to land

Rachel Cholst@rachelcholst· Jun 15

For @NoDepression.bsky.social, River Shook and I spoke about stepping out on their own, knowing when to call it with the Disarmers, and the freedom that comes from obligation -- all ahead of River's self-titled solo debut! nodepression.org/spotlight-ri...

Rachel Cholst@rachelcholst· Jun 12

Happy Pride!!! I am honored to once again serve as the voice for Sirius XM's Country Pride channel, this time on Channel 300 from now until June 19! www.siriusxm.com/blog/pride-m... #QueerCountry #Americana #CountryMusic #RootsMusic #LGBTQMusic #QueerMusic #LGBTQMusician #lgbtq

Text on black background reads: country pride. The word "country" is white, the word "pride" is in a rainbow gradient

Rachel Cholst@rachelcholst· Jun 4

ANNOUNCING RAINBOW RODEO'S 600/500 CHALLENGE!!! We want: - 600 subscribers a month (paid or free!) - $500 a month in subscriptions You get: - a queer country zine with art by @anthonyhurd.bsky.social - a FREE t-shirt Seems like a good trade? Subscribe! rainbowrodeomag.com#/portal/signup

Rachel Cholst@rachelcholst· Jun 1

Happy Pride! For @NoDepression.bsky.social, I illustrate how queer country will help lead the way to revolution -- especially with anthems from artists like Adam Mac, Paisley Fields, Molly Brandt, and Brandon Good! nodepression.org/queer-countr...

A white man with a closely-shaved brown beard stands in a dive bar with his hands on his hips. He wears a black cowboy hat, a teal and pink Western shirt, a rhinestone-studded belt buckle, and black jeans. The cuffs of the shirt are also covered in rhinestones. he is wearing a full face of makeup and gazes into the camera with a challenging stare.

Rachel Cholst@rachelcholst· May 8

The retro kits fucking rule #Liberty #wnba

Rachel Cholst@rachelcholst· May 4

For @NoDepression.bsky.social, I wrote about the relationship between Nashville's nexus of evil, country music -- and trans country artists like @RaeSpoon.bsky.social, @JessyeDeSilva.bsky.social, and courageous allies like Heather Mae who put it all on the line nodepression.org/queer-countr...

A person with a bleach blonde mullet, blue denim cowboy hat and shirt, and lavender suit steps on a red velvet stepstool. The suit is oversized and has flower appliques on the lapels. They are standing against a lavender backdrop that matches the suit.

Rachel Cholst@rachelcholst· Apr 3

Honored to review @JessyeDmusic.bsky.social Glitter Up the Dark for @NoDepression.bsky.social It's an album of trans euphoria, redemption -- and a hint of rage -- cradled in what music that sounds like Stevie Nicks taking a swing at arena rock. nodepression.org/album-review...

Silver text on a black background reads Glitter Up the Dark. There is a sword with a snake pointing out of the "P" and the dot on the "i" is a crescent moon. Below the text is a silver block, with a woman with dark, curly hair and a gold jumpsuit sitting on a surface covered in blue lace. The ground is lit a bright pink. The woman has tattoos on her arms and sits with one leg crossed over the other.

Rachel Cholst@rachelcholst· Mar 20

NEW: I wrote about our most recent @RainbowRodeo.bsky.social Live show on @NoDepression.bsky.social – but also about the ways that community hold us, and how we pass them on to others. nodepression.org/queer-countr...

A white woman with long brown hair and bangs sings into a microphone while playing acoustic guitar. To the right is a pink Christmas tree. Above the woman's head is a sign for Branded Saloon with a bull. On the floor is a wooden wagon wheel and a string of bananas hung above it, for some reason.

Rachel Cholst@rachelcholst· Feb 27

REVIEW: Even from the opening fiddle bars, American Seams, the fifth studio album from Rose's Pawn Shop, speaks directly to the moment. The band's blend of '90s rock and alt-country is refreshing and timeless You can read more about it on @NoDepression.bsky.social! nodepression.org/album-review...

Rachel Cholst@rachelcholst· Jan 3

I am back at it again as a contributor to @SloaneSpencer.bsky.com's new monthly podcast Dive Bar Music Club! Join me and many of your other favorite Americana critics while we chat about the songs that we love. Subscribe now for a series of short intro episodes! divebarmusicclub.com

Orange text arranged within an orange circle reads Dive Bar Music Club Podcast. The text is on a royal blue background.

Rachel Cholst@rachelcholst· Jan 1

I am a Six of Crows girlie I guess

Rachel Cholst@rachelcholst· Dec 23

Here's my top 10 albums of 2025! These are songs of contemplation, courage, and taking stock of your blessings. I'm proud to have covered many of these albums in @NoDepression.bsky.social, Good Country, and @RainbowRodeomag.bsky.social

To the left, a graphic of an LP. In the center, a graphic of a turntable. Orange and blue text at top says Top 10 of 2025. Orange text at bottom says Rachel Cholst. Blue text at bottom says @adobeandteardrops, www.rainbowrodeomag.com

Text reads: Rebecca Porter – Roll With the Punches

It’s been a joy to watch Rebecca step out on her own as an independent artist. I covered her very first single back in 2017 or so – she had a great voice, but her songwriting on this album is truly next-level: a calling card that proudly flags everything that helps Porter stand out from a crowded field, with zero apologies.

Text reads: Fust – Big Ugly

This one caught my breath from the very first line. Fust’s dogged melancholy is matched only by a determination to make the best of what they’ve got, and taking fierce pride in it. It helps that the band is absolutely locked in, knowing exactly when to let the others breathe. On Big Ugly, Fust is unhurried, giving themselves – and us – exactly what we need to soar.

Text reads: Ryan Davis & The Roadhouse Band – New Threats From the Soul

State Champion’s Deep Shit is one of my all-time favorite albums after 15 years of covering Americana. New Threats recaptures that wild abandon, the eerie dissonance between Davis’s frankly disturbing drifters and loners and the delirious joy he takes in music-making.

Rachel Cholst@rachelcholst· Dec 22

Have yourself an astonishingly beautiful Christmas song from Erin Frisby erinfrisby.bandcamp.com/track/christ... #Americana #FolkMusic #SingerSongwriter

A snow-covered statue of an angel holding a baby. Text on the left says "Erin Frisby." Text on right says "Christmas with Violet"

Rachel Cholst@rachelcholst· Dec 14

She was so fun excited to go outside she wouldn't wait for us to put her leash on. Then she saw the snow.

A small brown dog stands in the entrance with an apartment building, yards away from the photographer

Rachel Cholst@rachelcholst· Dec 4

In spite of this assessment I've been listening to practically every other genre of music and it feels FANTASTIC

Rachel Cholst@rachelcholst· Dec 4

Can you tell I took a break from reviewing albums in September

Rachel Cholst@rachelcholst· Dec 2

For the Bluegrass Situation, I explored both the making of the Lilith Fair documentary with producer Cassidy Hartmann and to get more insight on the festival's revolutionary context with Paula Cole. Read this, then watch it right now!!! thebluegrasssituation.com/read/lilith-...

A slender woman with long brown hair in a white tube tops and brown pants stands with her hip cocked. We see her from behind. To the right is a piano. She is standing facing an arena crowd of thousands of people.

Rachel Cholst@rachelcholst· Nov 28

Dragooned my wife into a #printmaking project with my little Open Project Press

Rachel Cholst@rachelcholst· Nov 26

As always, it's a privilege to write about queer country for @NoDepression.bsky.social This month, I write about how trans artists like Bells Larsen and Abigail Austin teach us how to trans-scend time. (See what I did there?) nodepression.org/queer-countr...

A person with ski goggles, a leather luchador mask, and a sleeveless leather vest holds a wooden paddle behind her head. She has elaborately tattooed arms. The jacket has pink and white studs and the ski googgles are hot pink, white, and light blue -- the colors of the trans pride flag.

Rachel Cholst@rachelcholst· Nov 18

So...now the barnstorming games will be BEFORE the regular season? But what about the players who will also be in the World Cup? Who is flying this plane??? #wpbl

Rachel Cholst@rachelcholst· Oct 30

Chat, why is this happening?

Rachel Cholst@rachelcholst· Oct 29

They say country music is three chords and the truth, but only a few people sing like they embody that and Mark Currey is one of them. His recent EP Only Sky is full of characters in search of redemption, and Currey makes you believe in the concept all anew. markwcurrey.bandcamp.com/album/only-sky

Rachel Cholst@rachelcholst· Oct 29

You know that feeling where you HAVE to tell everyone who even might care a little bit? Big Ugly by @Fust is one of the best albums I've heard all year. Achingly beautiful, describing simple longings and pleasures and pride of place with unapologetic Southern idioms.

Rachel Cholst@rachelcholst· Oct 17

REVIEW: Mariel Buckley's new album has been haunting me all week -- and I'm glad we can all experience I together. For @NoDepression, I explore the ways in which Buckley's harder edges make for an album that is comforting in spite of its raw vulnerability. nodepression.org/album-review...