Antigone Rising Drops Album With GLAAD Performance

If the all-female alt-country rock band Antigone Rising is getting a hard time from the country music community, it isn't hurting business any. This week, they release their new album "Whiskey & Wine - Volume 2" in conjunction with new tour dates, and on March 21, will bringing their trademark sound to the official GLAAD Media Awards pre-party.

Founding sisters Kristen Henderson on bass/vocal and Cathy Henderson on guitar/vocals team up with lead singer Nini Camps and drummer Dena Tauriello have established themselves, through their musicianship, hard work and just plain likeability, as a force of musical nature. This is quite an accomplishment for an all lesbian alt-country rock female band that while part of the growing chorus of out voices contributing to the slow walk toward country music embracing LGBT individuals, is still up against a predominantly conservative industry.

"For the most part, we haven't felt any backlash, although they may just not say it to our faces," said Kristen Henderson in a recent interview. "The way the industry is now, you can create your own market and niche if you need to, and that's what we've been able to do. We don't need the blessing of Toby Keith or anyone like that, and I think South Nashville in particular is evolving, and becoming a more open and honest place."

Henderson pointed as an example to a performance at the recent Grammy's of Brandy Clark, the singer/songwriter nominated for album of the year who is an out lesbian, and sang an LGBT-themed song at Grammies, a lot more acceptance, little by little.

Since releasing "Whiskey & Wine - Volume 1" on iTunes and the band's official website last year, the band has not only kept busy with a non-stop touring schedule but as well with long studio hours to complete the highly anticipated Volume Two of the double EP project.

"With W&W Vol. 2 the songs have gotten much more personal, the productions a little more elaborate. These songs all have something to say," said Henderson. "It's important to the band that we write songs that say something about who we are and what we stand for. We are looking forward to touring and performing the songs for a live audience, getting the crowd's reaction and visiting cities we haven't been to in quite some time. It's going to be a great year for Antigone Rising."

Antigone Rising have toured with such A-listers as Aerosmith and The Rolling Stones; were appointed as cultural ambassadors by the United States government to tour Israel and the Middle East; and have also played a part in LGBTQ advocacy, making news when Henderson appeared on the cover of Time Magazine with wife Sarah Kate Ellis-Henderson (president/CEO of GLAAD) for a feature on marriage equality.

Henderson said this was the story behind the lead single, "Game Changer." It was inspired by a straight ally, 18-year-old Morgan, who stood up to her high school when they told her she couldn't use the photo of Henderson and her wife kissing on the cover of Time Magazine for a school report.

"She was the most political in her class, and when they told her she couldn't pose with it, that most political kid didn't bow down. She won the fight," said Henderson. "We found out about her story via social media and have since become her friend on Facebook. The song was inspired by Morgan and the importance of straight allies who are helping spread equality across the country."

The fun rock song is one of five new cuts on the album, which includes 'I See You," "Weed and Wine," "My Town" and "Last Time."

"The album is a little bit jangly boot-stomping stuff, but then also some poignant tracks inspired by the town we live in," she said. "We recorded it in our lead singers' home studio for the second time, and the evolution and production gotten more elaborate and lush. We can spend the time we want to recording, and not worry about the clock."

On March 21, they'll share their new tracks at the official GLAAD Media Awards pre-party in Los Angeles.

"Everything about the GLAAD awards is so fun," said Henderson. "We are especially excited to perform amongst artists and actors, and to see Kerry Washington awarded. We'll be there for it all."

After that, they'll hit the road for a tour of the coasts and the heartland. Among their dates is the April 11 "Whiskey & Wine, Volume 2" CD release party, at the Mercury Lounge in New York City.

"It's so fun touring, and we love going down South; we're really looking forward to it," said Henderson. "We're playing markets that we haven't been to in a while, particularly Birmingham and out west to Los Angeles."

So pick up their new album, see them at the GLAAD party, or catch them when they come to your town!