Interview: Jenni Rose of The Vandoliers and The Tomgirls

Jenni Rose

Jenni Rose is the lead singer of Texas Cow Punk band The Vandoliers and of the newly formed punk/pop band The Tomgirls. The release of The Tomboys’ new single ‘Run’ marks the first anniversary of Jenni coming out as a Trans woman. 

Being part of the hetronormative and macho Country scene coming out as trans isn’t what you’d call safe or for the faint of heart. Jenni doesn’t seem to have skipped a beat – especially creatively. In the year since she came out The Vandoliers have released a great album – “Life Behind Bars” – and she’s started a new band and preparing to release the Tomboys’ first album – “Sissy” – in February 2027.

Jenni is doing a full out media blitz to support the new album so I shot her a few questions via email and here’s her answers. There are many reasons to listen to The Vandoliers and Tomboys, but the main reason is because the music is so damn good. Of course it has the added benefit of probably pissing off all the right people.

In the 1980s Queercore – the queer punk movement – was founded as a response to government indifference to HIV/AIDS. It was in your face and a celebration of queerness. By being unashamedly queer the music and the art brought their issues out in the open. It may not have increased broader acceptance – but it empowered a community that had been abused and neglected for too long.

Today governments all over are targeting Trans people as the new scapegoats and boggy people. Bands like The Tomboys are celebrating who they are and pushing back against the hatred. Who knows what will happen as a result – but they aren’t going to be quiet any longer. 

Lets start with some background…When did you decide music was what you wanted to do? And what first inspired you? I think I read somewhere that the Ole 97s were one of your inspirations for Vandoliers..who else?

I grew up between Dallas and Fort Worth and around 5th grade music and being in a band became my main priority. I had become obsessed with guitar and writing songs after going to my first punk show.

What are the influences for the new band – any bands in particular or just an amalgamation of  people?

I listened to groups like Blink-182, Green Day, Alkaline Trio and started my first band in middle school. I think that “first band” feeling inspired Tomgirls the most for me. 

Will Tomgirls be a more political band than Vandoliers? I know you say the songs are reflective of the journey/process you’ve been experiencing for the past year and a bit since you came out – but is that going to progress to being a queer rights band?

I feel like Vandoliers has been outspoken and political throughout our career. That being said since my transition everything I do is political. Tomgirls is me processing my trans experience and that experience is politicized constantly. There are political songs on the record like Red Flags and Submit or Die, but I could sing about flowers and it would be an act of resistance. 

What do you hope your audience gets from Tomgirls’ music? 

I hope they see how human it is to transition. 

Are you finding there’s more of a focus on you and your personal journey instead of the music? If so are you experiencing any difficulties because of that?

I think they are the same thing, I have always used my songs to document my journey. I process what I’m going through in the lyrics and let out my feelings in the music. 

Do you feel an obligation to be a ‘trans’ musician now instead of just a musician who happens to be trans? 

I’m proud to be a trans musician. 

The world isn’t exactly safe for Trans people right now – Canadian provinces and American states are passing laws restricting care for trans people. Do you feel like you’re rallying the troops with your music? 

Every night I perform in public or release a song, I get a message online or at the merch booth from a trans person who hasn’t come out yet or maybe parent with a trans child. Representation is important to them and sometimes I’m the one they see. In those moments I try to be a good example. 

Queercore came about in the 1980s as a reaction to government indifference to AIDS – and it led to ACTUP and bands like Pansy Division and Team Drech – and even a musical (Hedwig and the Angry Inch) Do you feel like there is the same type of energy currently to motivate people to stand up for themselves in the face of government antipathy?

Yes, absolutely. This may be the most important time to create human art. To say “fuck you” to the status quo and its interests. To be unapologetically yourself. Nothing combats fascism like art and authentic self-expression. 

In Canada there are a number of services available to trans people – more in some provinces than others unfortunately – that are covered by our healthcare system. This includes speech pathologists who help people transition their voices. I notice your voice in Run sounds quite different from your singing voice with the Vandoliers – have you been working with someone.

There are a few things happening. First, I have been working on taking care of my voice for the last 7 years after a scare in 2019. Sobriety has helped, and I quit cigarettes and started prioritizing my health. I haven’t worked with anyone formally as of right now. What you’re hearing is a happy accident in the recording process. The guitar and bass were tuned to about a half step up to F standard tuning. Forcing me to sing a little higher and it was a game changer. 

Asking someone to see into the future can be silly, but what do you foresee when it comes to Vandoliers and Tomgirls – any bleed over between the two musically and thematically or will you work at keeping them two distinct entities?

I don’t know, it’s the same people but different styles. Vandoliers are forever and Tomgirls are new. Who knows, maybe I’ll do a solo record too!