Happy Pride 2026! Music Gets Us Through Grief and Exciting Breaking News

Happy Pride! Sloane Spencer catches up with music journalist and Rainbow Rodeo (https://rainbowrodeomag.com/) founder Rachel Cholst during a period of both profound loss and exciting professional growth. Rachel reflects on the unexpected death of a longtime friend, sharing how music, ritual, and community have helped her navigate grief, while also discussing major milestones including Rainbow Rodeo’s subscriber drive (https://rainbowrodeomag.com/#/portal/...) , plans to revive its podcast, and the news that SiriusXM’s Country Pride channel will become a permanent offering, with Rachel continuing as one of its voices. Along the way, the conversation explores the role of music in memory and healing, highlights emerging and established artists from the queer, indie, and Americana worlds, and touches on Rachel’s ongoing creative projects, including a comic book series (Kickstarter (https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/...) !). The result is a thoughtful, heartfelt discussion about loss, resilience, artistic community, and the ways music helps us make sense of life’s highs and lows. Pin Our Tastemaker Playlists • Apple Music (  / dive-bar-music-club-episode-12  ) • Tidal (https://tidal.com/playlist/ae70bf72-d...) Musicians Featured This Episode • Andrew Sa (https://www.andrewsamusic.com/) • Micah Schnabel and Vanessa Jean Speckman (https://micahschnabel.bandcamp.com/al...) • North Ingalls (https://northingalls.bandcamp.com/) • VNV Nation (https://vnvnation.com/) Musicians Mentioned in Our Conversation • Aaron Lee Tasjan • Call Me Rita • Frank Turner • Gorillaz • HC McEntire • Jeff Rosenstock • Jason Molina • Jimmy Eat World • Johnson and Magnolia Electric Company • KMFDM • Kim Richey • Lake Street Dive • Lavender Country • Mount Moriah • Paisley Fields • Patrick Haggerty • Procol Harum • Rammstein • Ratboys • Two Cow Garage The Regulars • Rachel Cholst (https://divebarmusicclub.com/episode/...) • Sloane Spencer (https://divebarmusicclub.com/episode/...) Chapters • 00:04 - Dealing with Loss • 03:43 - New Beginnings: The Rainbow Rodeo Fundraiser • 15:00 - Navigating the Landscape of Country Music and Sirius XM • 16:00 - The Influence of Holographic Performances • 26:24 - Navigating Grief and Music • 32:03 - Transition to New Music Discussions • 35:53 - The Impact of Social Media on Music Connections • 44:06 - Exploring Creative Passions Recommended If You Like podcast episode, music and grief, loss of a friend, songs about death, emotional music, coping with loss, music therapy, LGBTQ+ music, Rainbow Rodeo, indie music, country music, music recommendations, alt rock, mental health and music, professional growth in music, overcoming grief, personal stories in music, music playlists, artists to listen to, music community, Dive Bar Music Club podcast, Rachel Cholst, Rainbow Rodeo, queer country music, LGBTQ country artists, Country Pride SiriusXM, SiriusXM Country Pride, Pride Month music, independent music journalism, music podcast, Americana music, indie rock music, alternative country, queer musicians, Rainbow Rodeo magazine, music discovery, emerging artists, Andrew Sa, North Ingalls, Micah Schnabel, Vanessa Jean Speckman, Two Cow Garage, Lavender Country, Patrick Haggerty, Paisley Fields, Jeff Rosenstock, VNV Nation, Ratboys, Jason Molina, Johnson and Electric Company, grief and music, music and healing, friendship and loss, funeral songs, music memories, country music culture, independent artists, music reviews, no Depression magazine, queer country community, music journalism interview, underground music scene, DIY music culture, singer-songwriter podcast, Americana podcast, LGBTQ music media, indie music recommendations, Pride Month podcast, music fandom, artist interviews, music community, alternative music podcast