A Look Inside the Craft of Tina and Her Pony
Kai Meyer | February 1, 2024
On Friday, Jan. 26, Tina Collins, lead singer of Tina and Her Pony, calmly set up for her solo performance at a local brewery in Asheville, Ginger’s Revenge. She did a mix of original songs and covers in a two-hour set, living out her childhood dream of performing as a singer.
“People asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up, and I told them I wanted to be a siren on top of a firetruck,” Collins said.
She was brought up singing in a choir, which is where she inherited her love for harmony. Moreover, she felt drawn to the craft of poetry and writing. Collins found the songwriting process cathartic and a powerful form of expression.
Central themes of Collins’ work include nature, love, heartache, grief and queerness. During her live shows, she enjoys telling stories alongside her songs as a way to bring grief and queerness into the “mainstream conversation.”
When words alone fail to create a feeling, Collins uses other instruments such as the cello, the pedal steel and the dobro. These were some of her favorite recurring sounds while creating her latest release, “Marigolds,” where Collins took on a more country-folk melody.
She was inspired by Angel Olsen’s album, “Big Time,” and local, independent artists, like Amanda Anne Platt & The Honey Cutters, The Amy Ray Band and Hannah Kaminer.
Collins’ stylistic shift was recognized by Rainbow Rodeo Magazine, who ranked “Marigolds” number three on their “Best Queer Country Albums of 2023” poll.
Collins said that a special track for her on “Marigolds” is “Yellow Rose,” which completes the arc of the album, from sadness to rebirth. You can hear her laugh at the very end of the track, which is symbolic of her falling in love again and the cyclical nature of life.
“It’s what I’m here to do,” Collins said. “I’m supposed to remind people that no matter how dark it is, there’s always another light time coming around.”
To support Tina and Her Pony, check out her Spotify and social media accounts below. And to find more queer country music check out Rainbow Rodeo Magazine.
Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/artist/2PwI4GWZsG6GxyRZ4YudFu
Website - www.tinaandherpony.com
Instagram - @tinaandherpony