An Arizona federal judge ruled that Peoria's school board didn't violate Heather Rooks's free speech rights when they attempted to shut down her scripture readings. It left the question open on if she's violating the constitution.
A month before her Phoenix performance, Lady Blackbird sits down with LOOKOUT to discuss themes in her music such as identity, faith, and queerness.
Mesa Rep. Lorena Austin is trying (again) to get a license plate bill passed to aid students after it has met all the required legislative rules. Republicans appear to be blocking it.
A month before her Phoenix performance, Lady Blackbird sits down with LOOKOUT to discuss themes in her music such as identity, faith, and queerness.
Lady Blackbird, the dynamic force behind Black Acid Soul, is a captivating artist whose journey has taken her from the small city of Farmington, New Mexico, to the global stage. Born Marley Munroe to evangelical Christian parents, Lady Blackbird’s early exposure to music came through the church, where she honed her voice and found her first performance opportunities. Over time, she found herself questioning the constraints of her upbringing, particularly her identity as a queer woman of color, a theme that is central to her work today.
After years of trying to find her place in the industry, including stints as a session singer and songwriter, Lady Blackbird’s breakthrough came with her album Black Acid Soul. Unlike her previous work, which largely consisted of covers, Slang Spirituals represents a raw, unfiltered exploration of her life and experiences. Often compared to the likes of Grace Jones and Nina Simone, Lady Blackbird’s performances are known for their extravagant costumes and electric energy, as she continues to push boundaries both musically and politically. A longtime advocate for women’s and LGBTQ+ rights, she’s using her platform to amplify her personal truth and encourage others to do the same.
As she embarks on her U.S. tour, Lady Blackbird sat down with LOOKOUT Editor in Chief Joseph Darius Jaafari to discuss her tour, what it’s like to go from being a cover-artist to using her own lyrics in her album Slang Spirituals, and the journey she had to find a circle of safety among colleagues and friends.
This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.
Joseph Darius Jaafari (LOOKOUT): Tell me about growing up in Farmington, New Mexico. What’s it like there? What’s there in terms of the arts?
Lady Blackbird: Absolutely nothing. It was challenging—there were few outlets for expression. I grew up singing, but it was more of a church thing. My mom was like my first manager, booking me for fairs, weddings, and churches around the Southwest.
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An Arizona federal judge ruled that Peoria's school board didn't violate Heather Rooks's free speech rights when they attempted to shut down her scripture readings. It left the question open on if she's violating the constitution.
Mesa Rep. Lorena Austin is trying (again) to get a license plate bill passed to aid students after it has met all the required legislative rules. Republicans appear to be blocking it.
With the state's history of unequal justice in death sentence rulings, the co-chair of the legislative LGBTQ+ caucus wants to let voters decide if the death penalty should remain.
Progressive policy experts say the repetitive attempt to erase trans people from public life is dehumanizing.
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