Highly acclaimed, Grammy-nominated singer/songwriter Mary Gauthier’s influential sophomore album, Drag Queens in Limousines, turns 25 this year. In honor of this milestone anniversary, Kill Rock Stars will reissue the album on vinyl for the very first time on October 18th. To pre-order the vinyl, click HERE.
Gauthier just released the first-ever video for the celebrated title track, directed by Irakli Gabriel and Anana Kaye of Duende Vision. Inspired by the line in the song’s chorus, “dreamers with big dreams,” the Italian neorealist-influenced clip was beautifully shot in black and white and features everyday people in their natural settings.
“Anana and I are huge fans of Italian neorealist cinema, and in a way, Mary’s song has similar elements—everyday characters looking for a place to fit, standing up to the world and the realities they find themselves in,” says Gabriel. “Characters that we may see in grocery stores or pubs, but it takes a great artist to notice and feel their essence and bring them to life within a work of art. Neorealists often asked regular people, not trained actors, to be in their films but also had one or two professionals in leading roles. It was natural to follow a similar path for us and capture the characters we knew—dreamers with big dreams—in their element and ‘natural habitat.’” He adds, “We are also big believers that in film, every frame should stand on its own and look like a picture you could hang on the wall. Much like in a song, where every line should have its own purpose and merit and ideally could serve as the beginning of a new song.”
Watch the new video for “Drag Queens in Limousines”.
To kick off AMERICANAFEST on September 17th in Nashville, Gauthier was honored during the All-Star Tribute to Mary Gauthier. Some of her heroes, peers, and dear friends celebrated the artist by performing moving renditions of songs from her venerated body of work. Some of the evening’s performers included Emmylou Harris, Rodney Crowell, Lori McKenna, Gretchen Peters, host Jim Lauderdale, Aaron Lee Tasjan, Verlon Thompson, Jaimee Harris, Steve Poltz, and many more. Later in the week, veteran journalist Jewly Hight hosted a panel discussion, “Drag Queens in Limousines Forever: The Importance and Influence of Mary Gauthier’s Songs.”
Released independently on September 13th, 1999, Drag Queens in Limousines introduced the world to a special songwriter whose narratives spoke of the outsiders, those not considered the “normal” members of society. Much like so many of her musical heroes—such as John Prine, Lucinda Williams, and Tom Waits—Gauthier’s thoughtful lyrics and honest voice shone light on the humanity deep within her protagonists, which served to remind us that we are all connected after all.
Click HERE to read Gauthier’s liner notes that reflect on the path that led to the recording of the album and the impact it had on her inspiring career.
Mary Gauthier has released nine critically acclaimed studio albums that have received several award nominations, including the Grammy for Best Folk Album. She has won an Americana Music Award, the International Folk Music Awards (Folk Alliance) “Album of the Year” award, and the Americana Music Association’s UK “International Artist of the Year” award.
Pre-order the 25th-anniversary vinyl HERE.
Catch Mary Gauthier on tour. Visit MaryGauthier.com for tickets and information.
