OVERLOOKED: Kings - Queer Country Music That Soothes The Soul

Everyone knows that LGBT music includes more genres than just pop and dance, but not everyone knows where to find, say, a gay country band.

That's because bands don't always wanna pidgeon hole themselves as "a gay band."

But a New York trio of openly gay musicians called Kings has started weaving together a folk country album with a distinctly queer identity and sounds that soothe the soul.

Emily Bielagus and Stephanie Bishop play on acoustic guitar while Robert Maril works a cello in their released video for "October" (below). The tune floats wistfully on elegiac three-part harmonies as they sing about finally letting go of lost relationships.

Kings member Maril (aka NYC's DJ Executive Realness) compares the band's sound to Allison Kraus or The Dixie chicks without the drums and adds:

"I think there's something still so subversive and punk rock about being openly queer and working in country music. The music itself isn't exactly challenging and not exactly subversive, but...

"In the past when you were in high school and you listened to music, you had to reach inside and look for meaning. When we were writing this record, it was very important to us to make it clearly queer."

When they write love songs, they use the correct same-gender pronouns and future songs feature things like male lovers and a failed lesbian wedding—the sort of heartache one expects from great country songs.

Kings plans on releasing a 7-inch EP with "October" and another song, "I Got Stuck."