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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (Aug. 15, 2008)
AUGUST 15, 2008 ■ justput Í 21 MELISSA'S SECRET pened had you not experienced keep myself in a shell there and 1 could be breast cancer? because of their fear of different, I could be ME: Well, I would like to think sexuality? Am 1 gonna unusual and crazy and I that 1 would’ve gotten where 1 am, make myself small be could be in that, and I but 1 do know that the experience cause of their fear?” just really thought that Jl/rr nf of having breast cancer and going So 1 kind of had it was Emerald City tht h:tiur through the chemotherapy and that going for me any and we’re just all gonna thr M'¡kirt¡í •jf that whole thing—I look at that way and really was be be tra-la-la and happy . u New as a huge gift, just an incredible lieving in that and was there. .1 ri'f-riiAiii gift of forcing me to be completely having my own spiri Hollywood is like still, to examine my whole life in tual path, but I didn’t a machine with this this wonderful stillness, to experi ever say “God” much. big maze, and you just ence my spirit apart from my body “God” and that whole keep thinking, “OK, if 1 and my mind, to really have a spiritual thing 1 sort of just get to that thing or Etheridge became the poster child for physical and spiritual awakening. left to those that wear that award or that show nontraditional families in 2000 when she I do credit my experience with it. [Laughs] And that ’ s or that party or if I just Still bald from chemotherapy treatment, Etheridge blew the talked to Rolling Stone about her two children cancer as bringing that about. what really changed know that person, then roof off the 2005 Grammys belting out Janis Joplin’s "Piece of with Julie Cypher, using sperm donated by And so now, 1 feel I want to My Heart** with Joss Stone. with cancer: “Why do it’ll all make sense and fellow rocker David Crosby. help bring that about in other they own God? 1 have 1’11 be in that place, 1’11 Jim Radosta: You obviously have a huge fol people without them having to go through can God! I am God, and you are God, and God is in be there.” And 1 kept going, “There is no ‘there’ lowing here in Portland. What do you think of cer. [Pauses] But don’t wait—you can do it before all of us, and I’m going to start saying God.” here—it doesn’t exist.” And 1 found out that what the city? then. Because you know what? You can’t say you’re I created every day—my own life with my family, Melissa Etheridge: I love to walk around a Christian and then you own God. You don’t. my friends—is the life I have! Portland every time I’m there. It grows and grows. JR: Your lyrics share a really beautiful per [Laughs] God is everywhere, and that’s the mes There’s this illusion called Hollywood—and What I love about Oregon is it’s such a paradox: spective on spirituality, which is often a difficult sage that has to get out. it’s only an illusion—it’s just a big machine that You’ve got the most liberal liberals—you guys subject with gay folks. So I’m curious: What people keep going and churning out on television are way ahead on all the environmental scales were your views like before the cancer? JR: The album also presents two very dif and film, but it doesn’t exist. That was a huge free of everything—and then you also have the most ME: People would say, “Are you religious?” ferent perspectives on Los Angeles, from the dom; that was a big thing when 1 finally stopped conservative people [laughs], the ones that are sort I thought, “Oh, goodness, no, I’m spiritual, hopeful “California” to the jaded “Map of the sort of running on that hamster wheel. I stepped of pulling and dragging and putting their feet in. though.” The gay community in general—we off of it. Stars.” How have your views on fame changed So I’ve always appreciated the people of Portland, fight these things that are telling us we can’t love, since you moved west? And now 1 see these people that are still on Oregon, especially because they seem to be trying and yet we be ME: Yeah, it—ugh—and they’re getting skinnier and skin to lift everybody up. lieve in love that’s one of the nier, you know, and they shave their heads and and our right things that I they go crazy. It’s crazy-making because it doesn’t JR: How goes preparation for The Revival to love who wanted to really exist, it’s an illusion, and people treat you like it Tour? Should fans expect anything different we love, even get through on does exist. You go insane. this time around? though it’s this album. That ft ME: It’s not different in that you’re still gonna hard and differ journey of mine JR: I really appreciate the frank sexuality of hear your favorite songs—I’m gonna do what I “Threesome.” [“I don’t want to be a swinger/I’d ent. So I think was that I grew up do—but I have organized the show a little differ in the Midwest, we are ahead of rather keep you all to myself.”] Since you’re in ently than I usually do. With The Awakening, it’s everyone else 1 completely a very truth-telling mode, was that based on an sort of a chronicling of my journey, so what I’ve believed every sometimes on actual incident? song and movie done is arrange the show in that I’m telling a story this journey be ME: Well, yeah! Absolutely. I made a promise of this journey. The show moves more chronolog cause we have and television to myself with this album that if 1 feared anything, show 1 saw that I would see it through, I wouldn’t back off of it. So ically than before. It’s a little bit more expository. had this sort Hollywood was 1 went ahead and did it. of resistance to this great place I wanted to make my monogamy and my mar JR: I would like to ask you some questions love. And you riage and my true love for my wife—I wanted that where everyone about The Awakening. To start with, do you just realize as was there, and think this fearless album—and the profound you grow up: Etheridge's wife, 33-year-old actress Tammy Lynn I wanted to be Continued on Page 22 messages contained within it—could have hap “Am I gonna Michaels, gave birth to twins in 2006. To order, please call or visit: 503-236-3395 2710 NE Glisan Street Portland, OR 97232 EdibleArrangements.com @ Vault Martini Lounge / No Cover. Drink proceeds Io Portland's O-Center / avw !» Mx«and or vraov Cwyright it iOUtt txHdr Ajranfttmeot*» 1JUC
