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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (May 6, 2005)
may Rays of gender Amy Ray tackles the tough stuff by K athy B elge ndigo Girl Amy Ray’s second solo album, Prom, is a listening journey back to high school. The 41-year-old spoke with Just Out in advance of her three upcoming Oregon appearances. Kathy Beige: Why is this album so much more gay than any of your Indigo Girls stuff? Good’’], I’m speaking from a generation of people younger than myself, because they have been the ones to articulate it the most. It’s that idea that we’re not con tained into one gender anymore. We understand gender fluidity. We’re looking at it in a new way, and we’re going to chal lenge you at every turn. When 1 talk about male and female, I’m speaking to sexism and misogyny. It’s all over the map. But I think that’s the way gender is. KB: Were you trying to reach out more to a gay male audience with your song “Rural Faggot”? AR: Not on purpose. It came from a relationship that 1 had over the years with a few of the hoys in my neighborhood, some of whom turned out to be gay. And 1 watched them grow up in the last 12 years. I watched them go though puberty and go through their different levels of gay-bashing with me. KB: Were they bashing you? AR: They would tell me off color gay jokes to see how I would respond. Or this one kid...would be telling me how him and his friends Amy Ray sings about gender expression on her second would go down to Atlanta and solo album, Prom. make fun of gay people. And I was like: “Why are you telling me these Amy Ray: 1 don’t know. [Laughs] stories? I’m gay!” And he said: “Yeah, but I think because in the context of punk and you’re different. I know you.” The song rock, the lyrics seem to get a little edgier, came out of that. jH more graphic and political. When I have the singular focus I think it’s easier to talk Catch A my R ay with punk rock band Family about something really intimate, like your Outing 8 p.m. May 8 at Crystal Ballroom, own sexual identity, your own gender and 1332 W. Bumside St. Tickets are $15 at the how you relate to that. It’s harder to do as door or $12 in advance from the box office or a duo. Ticketmaster. The I ndigo G irls will perform 6 p.m. KB: There’s a lot of reference to gen July 15 at the Secret House Vineyard, der on Prom. What are you trying to get 88324 Vineyard Lane in Veneta ($33 from across about gender? Ticketmaster), and 7 p.m. July 17 at the AR: When 1 say gender, like “We’re a Oregon Zoo, 4001 S.W. Canyon Road ($26 from TicketsWest). new gender nation” [“Put It Out for “It should be a really amazing show. The talent is up there; no one’s weak in any thing,” he says. “It’ll be a unique experience for the audience.” Pendulum will perform Crimson Cabaret 8 p.m. May 1 3, 5 and 8:30 p.m. May 14 and 5 p.m. May 15 at the French American International Sch<x)l, 8500 N.W. Johnson St. Tickets are $12-$75 from TicketsWest. ---- Rebecca Ragain after a show and says 1 have inspired them, that is worth everything to me.” Tamaras is a native of Hollywtxtd. She grew up on legendary classic rock and funk artists of the ’60s and ’70s and taught herself to play guitar by age 11. “It’s hard for people to label my sound because it encompasses many different gen res,” she says. “1 have been compared to Ani DiFranco because of my socially aware lyrics and aggressive guitar style. My vocal style has been compared to everyone from Jeff Buckley to Janis Joplin. Some say 1 am a cross between Ani DiFranco and Radiohead.” Tamaras says others who have influenced her music are Fiona Apple, Curtis Mayfield, Nirvana, Erykah Badu, The Funk Brothers, Jeff Buckley and Etta James, to name just a few. Political issues—primarily environmental ism, the war in Iraq and corporate greed— find themselves on the forefront of Tamaras’ consciousness and seep into her lyrics. “Life is political. My gender, my sexual orientation, what 1 purchase...every action affects something or someone, and therefore all is connected. Writing about the world around me is my responsibility and is neces sary for my sanity,” she says. Tamaras has kept a nonstop touring 2005 » jUBt OMt|41 CALL NOW TO RESERVE YOUR AD SPACE IN THE JUNE 3 JUST OUT SPECIAL PRIDE ISSUE. 503-236-1253 OPERATORS ARE STANDING BY. Every woman’s J-jealth 501 N Graham #445 • Portland Or 97227 Gynecological Surgery and Obstetrics Kimberly Suriano, M.D. Philippa Ribbink.M.D. Elizabeth Newhall, M.D. Brenda Kehoe. M.D. Sally Holtzman, M.D. Laurel Lee,C.N.M. Jennifer Heiser, M.D. 503-284-5220 Carina Wienk, L.M.T Naturopathic Physician Tori Hudson, N.D. 503-284-2469 Tamaras performs May 16 to 18 in Portland. schedule for the past five years, most recently returning from Japan. “This was my third journey over to that great country. Each place is its own unique experience. Every city adds new color to my touring landscape,” she says. Tamaras encourages her fans to intnxluce themselves at her shows. She will perform 6 p.m. May 16 at Music Millennium, 801 N.W. 23rd Ave.; 9:30 p.m. May 17 at Ash Street Saloon, 225 S.W. Ash St.; and 7:30 p.m. May 18 at Suena, 3930 N.E. Hancock St. — jrg jn a egon Camera Genre jumper If you hear any of Tamaras’ funky grooves or cutting lyrics spinning in your CD player, odds are she’s on stage somewhere at that very moment, smothering audiences with her smoky v<x:als and charging words. Her songs translate just as well from festival stages to cozy jazz clubs to packed rock shows. Tamaras wrote, sung, strummed guitar and produced all music on Ordinary Supergirl, her sixth album on her own label, Universal Love Music. However, she is largely influenced by the interactive touring experience. . “I love connecting with people all over the world,” says Tamaras. “Don’t get me wrong—touring is a backbreaking labor of love—but when someone approaches me Everything Photographic /MM M| MHMM M A ‘family’ owned and operated business since 1997. 132 SW Atei Araac CwnÄs «97333 The all-trans Lipstick Conspiracy was named Girl Band of the Year by The Bay Guardian. (MC7M-2CW
