Indi-Go-Getters
The fem political folk rock duo of Amy Ray and Emily Saliers has spent the last 20 years raising eyebrows and tapping feet. Some may argue that the Indigo Girls’ activism, lesbianism and feminism overpower their music. While it is true that these ladies refuse to be quiet about their passions, their incredibly successful music career proves fans love what the Girls have to say. In the wake of their Oct. 2 Mem Aud appearance, Ray talked to Backdrop about Obama, youth voters and Stephen King.
As a group built upon reinvention, innovation and crossing boundaries, it is easy to see the Girls’ connection with the upcoming election. “I think Obama’s a visionary,” Ray said, adding, “I don’t think it’s a shoe-in, I think it’s going to be hard and we’re going to have to work at it…we can’t get lazy.”
Looking around OU’s campus, one could assume Ray would be pleasantly surprised with the passionate and informed students promoting politicians, issues and most importantly, voting. But with so much attention focused on national elections, it’s important to remember other political opportunities for change.
“There’s often a very disparate sort of socio-economic thing going on [in university towns] which is important to look at and maybe help out with,” she said.
This proactive approach to change is what governs much of her and Saliers’ activism, channeling their ambitious but determined energy into their own foundation, Honor the Earth. The Girls started the group in the early ’90s to help financially back causes they believe in. “We fund mostly through a grant-making process, which helps a lot of Native American-bred environmental groups and groups that work on issues like cultural sustainability or youth-oriented issues like substance abuse and suicide,” they said.
Ray said the group supports Native Americans who, because of poor financial and social status, live in areas targeted for mining of coal and uranium as well as waste disposal. And it’s working.
“We’ve seen victories that create corporate accountability and seen precedent setting. [These programs] help push along energy programs that help everybody,” Ray said.
Ray and Saliers also feel very strongly about LGBT issues. “We do a lot of localized, community-based queer activism to help get their message out on a grassroots level.”
Unsurprisingly, Ray is focused on changes to both the environment and the health care system in the upcoming election. “For me [health care is] pretty important and it covers a lot of territory with socio-economic issues and societal issues.”
Unfortunately, it is doubtful that the public is always in full agreement with the Girls. So how have they managed to keep their activism in the forefront and their fans at bay? By balancing their strong opinions with their equally powerful music. “I don’t really worry about it,” Ray said. “We’re not so mainstreamly successful so we don’t have that fear and we don’t have as much to lose.”
They’re more beloved than Ray may think. The Girls have found a niche where their activism can flourish and their music can be appreciated, actualized by a Grammy for Best Contemporary Folk Recording. Always breaking the boundaries, the Girls took the road less traveled to the release of their most recent album, 2006’s “Despite our Differences,” by joining Hollywood Records, The Walt Disney Company’s subsidiary record label, home to both Hillary Duff and the “High School Musical” sweethearts. Finding they weren’t happy in the midst of ‘tween rockers, the ladies have come full circle with their first independent album since their 1987 debut of “Strange Fire.” The untitled album is set to drop in February.
The Girls are Lilith Fair goddesses with friends like Arlo Guthrie and Sinead O’Connor. To witness their sphere of influence, the Girls can simply sift through Stephen King’s “Rose Madder” to find an allusion or look in a New York Times Crossword puzzle to pencil in their 11-letter name. But what about those who think women shouldn’t be singing about tough issues like war and politics?
“I don’t even take them seriously, it doesn’t even register with me…it’s the younger people who are so much more open to different kinds of music,” Ray said. “It’s just so funny to me when [people] say stuff like that; it’s just showing how obsolete they are.”
With 20 years of experience, accolades and a permanent spot in the pop culture vernacular, it’s obvious someone is listening.
Direct link: http://backdropmag.com/entertainment/indi-go-getters/