Bisexual singer/musician Aaron Lee Tasjan believes that being open about his sexual orientation has allowed him to connect with “incredible fans and musicians, proving that visibility matters so none of us feel alone.” (Photo by Curtis Wayne Millard)

RICH LOPEZ | A&E Writer
Rich@DallasVoice.com

From his early days co-founding glam-rock outfit Semi Precious Weapons alongside Justin Tranter to having established himself as one of the most compelling, genre-defying voices in modern Americana, Aaron Lee Tasjan has a knack for creating a colorful palette of sounds. With his latest album, Get Over It, Underdog, the artist conjures up a glam folk vibe that probably wasn’t a thing until Tasjan made it one.

The album was released this summer.

This sixth album reflects Tasjan’s fluid approach to both genre and gender — all through the lens of genuine vulnerability. Now on the road, he brings those vibes to Fort Worth on Saturday, Sept. 26, where he headlines at Printed Threads as part of that venue’s Showroom Sounds series.

Ahead of his show, Tasjan talked to Dallas Voice to talk about bi and queer visibility in roots music, receiving powerful advice from a lesbian icon and why choosing himself has made all the difference.

Dallas Voice: Congratulations on the new album. I want to go way back though. You started your career in music with Semi Precious Weapons which people could easily describe as an openly gay rock band at a time. Did that early outness shape your perspective as a queer artist? Aaron Lee Tasjan: When Justin and I were in Semi Precious Weapons, we were always conscious of how the band was perceived. Growing up in the Midwest — mostly Ohio for me — you were always looking for places and people to make you feel connected to your queerness.

Early on, both of us were hugely influenced by Patty Griffin’s album Flaming Red, specifically the song “Tony,” which deals with a gay kid who struggled with his identity and died by suicide. I think that time in my life started the path to navigating this.

You even posted about your bisexuality on social media. Yeah, later, when my solo album Silver Tears came out, I was in my late 20s, and I made a Facebook post saying that I’ve loved men and women, that we love who we love and that it shouldn’t be stigmatized in music. Some industry folks I worked with at the time panicked, worried it would make things harder for me.

Did you regret it? Not at all. Dolly Parton’s photographer, Stacy Huckabee, reached out and encouraged me, telling me those weren’t the right people to be working with if they couldn’t accept who I was.

Sharing that part of myself ultimately connected me with incredible fans and musicians, proving that visibility matters so none of us feel alone.

You identify as bi, so when you write romantic or love songs, do you write with a specific gender in mind at that time, or do you prefer to keep things open and inclusive? Sometimes it is specific. My partner of 10 years, Erica Blinn, is an artist who plays under the name Ricki. She’s very gender-androgynous, and I’ve always been drawn to people with gender fluidity. When I’m writing, it’s usually rooted in a specific personal experience with a real person, whether a man or a woman. But at the same time, I try to frame the song so that any listener can find their own story inside it.

You’ve spoken warmly about your relationship with lesbian folk icon Mary Gauthier who recently came through Dallas and spoke with us. What’s a highlight for you of your friendship? Oh man, she is a huge hero of mine, and over the last few years, she’s become a close friend and collaborator. I remember a specific moment during the Americana Music Festival in Nashville, where the association was celebrating the 25th anniversary of her Drag Queens and Limousines, and we’re backstage, and she’s making jokes about being “the original country lesbian.”

So then Emmylou Harris started rehearsing Mary’s song in the corner. I swear, time stopped. Mary grabbed my arm, looked at me with all this emotion that felt like it was everything she had endured in her career, and said, “Emmylou Harris is singing my song right now.”

She’s definitely lived a life. You both exist in this same world of music alongside each of your queerness. Has she ever dropped some words of wisdom? I was going through a tough time personally, questioning my path, and there was a moment has stayed with me ever since: She looked me dead in the eye and said, “Don’t give up.” It may sound simple, but it was her look I think. Mary showed me how music can transcend everything and inspire others.

Get Over It, Underdog, you decided to release it physically before streaming. What drove that decision? Digital streaming platforms aren’t really designed to benefit artists, and setting up releases around algorithm playlists felt exhausting. Fans constantly ask how they can best support artists directly. So we thought, why not skip prioritizing that right away and put the physical product directly into people’s hands first?

When we launched it, people who bought the physical record started commenting on Instagram about listening to the album, and they were creating this genuine community of listeners before it was even online. For the visual art, my partner Erica and her friend Vanessa Van Darien transformed our living room into a full production set for weeks. We shot all the album photos and video content right there at home.

What can fans expect from your live performance on this tour, and how do you maintain balance and stay grounded while traveling? The live show is structured as a musical arc. It starts very intimate — just me with a guitar and piano — then it builds by adding string and horn sections, eventually morphing into a full-tilt rock show with drums, bass and electric guitar.

What keeps you grounded while on the road? Staying grounded comes down to lifestyle changes. In 2018 while touring, I was drinking excessively, and I suffered a health scare where doctors diagnosed me with vasovagal syncope. I had to pull everything back, and, today, I live fully sober.

On the road now, I focus on simple, grounding routines: swimming every day, finding a quiet coffee shop early in the morning to write lyrics, and surrounding myself with a supportive sober community.

Looking back, you chose to leave Semi Precious Weapons right before the band went on tour with Lady Gaga on the Monster Ball Tour. How do you view that decision now? I was only 20 years old — about 10 years younger than everyone else. Justin and I were in a relationship, and I cared deeply about supporting Justin’s artistry. But I also knew I needed to step out and become my own artist.

Leaving right before things blew up was difficult, especially hearing crowds sing songs I had co-written when I was no longer on stage. But when you’re young and in an intense group dynamic, it’s easy to lose yourself. Stepping away was me choosing myself and giving myself the room to learn, grow and figure out who I was.

Looking at my life today, I don’t regret it for a second.

For tickets, ShowroomSounds.com.

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Queer concerts coming up


There are quite a few queer artists performing from now throughout October. From indie to mainstream, the next month has options for all types of listeners.

Phoebe Bridgers plays Dickies Arena Oct. 17

Plan your calendar, buy your tickets and rock out with your … Well, enjoy the show.

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