Country Risqué (record release party)

Country Risqué Celebrates As the Crow Flies

San Francisco’s queer country scene gets a celebratory night of live music when Country Risqué takes the stage for a special record release party on Thursday, October 22, 2026. Joined by Dinner Date, Barfight, and Tom Conneely & Birds of Paradise, the evening brings together a diverse group of Bay Area artists for a full night of country, indie rock, post-punk, and roots-inspired sounds. Doors open at 7:00 p.m., with the show beginning at 7:30 p.m., and the event is all ages.

Since making their live debut in 2022, Country Risqué has established itself as something of a San Francisco queer country institution. The band began when singer-songwriters Miles Gordon and Daniel Bromfield, longtime friends who first met in Eugene, Oregon, reconnected in San Francisco after sharing songwriting ideas during the pandemic. Their collaboration grew into a honky-tonk band defined by the contrast between Gordon’s rich, formally trained vocals and Bromfield’s relaxed, deadpan delivery.

Country Risqué’s sound has evolved considerably since those early days. While their music initially drew heavily from classic 1950s country, the band has developed a rougher, more electrified style influenced by alt-country, heartland rock, and the rugged landscapes of the Pacific Northwest. The current lineup features Gordon on vocals and rhythm guitar, Bromfield on vocals and keyboards, Richard Moog on lead guitar, Sarah Parker on bass, and Chris Kenyon on drums.

The occasion is especially significant with the release of ** As the Crow Flies **, arriving October 23 through Nudie Records. Following their 2024 debut, Doe-Eyed Loverboys and Saints, the new record marks another chapter for a band that has continued to expand its musical identity.

The supporting lineup makes the night even more compelling. Dinner Date, formerly known as Secret Secret, brings a collaborative indie-rock sound shaped by four-part harmonies and engaging instrumentation. Lifelong San Francisco friends, the group moves comfortably between contemporary indie rock and post-punk while maintaining a warm, collective songwriting voice.

Barfight, a Half Moon Bay cosmic country rock band, offers its own take on roots music, drawing inspiration from the sounds of the past while refusing to be confined by tradition. Their songs explore themes of hope and ruin, delivered with the raw energy of a live rock performance.

Rounding out the bill, Tom Conneely & Birds of Paradise bring a distinctly West Coast perspective. The San Francisco-based group has released several records, toured extensively throughout the region, and developed a collaborative approach to songwriting, recording, and production. Led by guitarist and vocalist Tom Conneely and bassist Alois Cerbu, the band is also preparing for the release of Water Horse in spring 2026.

With four acts on the bill, the evening offers plenty of opportunities for musical discovery while building toward Country Risqué’s record release celebration. Arrive when doors open at 7:00 p.m., settle in, and prepare for the music to begin at 7:30 p.m. Whether you’re a devoted Country Risqué fan or simply looking for an adventurous night of Bay Area music, this all-ages celebration promises a lively meeting point between country tradition, queer expression, indie experimentation, and rock-and-roll energy.