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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (Jan. 23, 2009)
MATTOOOM JANUARY 23, 2009 music Indigo Girl, Interrupted Amy Ray goes solo by Dale Schiff In making the album Ray says: “I wanted to involved in multiple political and so moting and making records with use every voice I had inside me, every voice 1 had cial causes—including gay rights, abor Indigo Girls, Amy Ray straps on come across and absorbed. 1 didn’t want to be lim tion rights, women’s rights, low-power her Les Paul guitar, assembles ited by habit or insecurity or gender or place.” broadcasting, indigenous struggles, gun hen on hiatus from touring, pro a group of musical friends and The result is a sweeter album that’s more al control, the Zapatista movement, en foundlings and makes solo albums. Her latest, ternative country than punk and draws heavily vironmental protection and the anti Didn’t It Feel Kinder, is a humanistic collection of from ’60s and '70s influences. Its beauty is helped death penalty movement—and this personally charged political anthems. along by the ethereal background vocals of Seattle philosophy extends to her record label. “What ties the record together for me is the chanteuse Rrandi Carlile, particularly evident on An unlikely label mogul, Ray runs human yearning to be understood and the yearn “Stand and Deliver,” and the ragamuffin emo- Daemon Records from an artist-centered perspec tour. With 40 years of combined musical experience ing to become empathetic with other people— meets-new-grass stylings of the band Arizona, tive and is just as likely to be found filling orders as between them, Saliers and Ray decided, rather than how to love each other and be kind even when which lends a hand on “Rabbit Foot” and “Out calling the shots. Daemon has been fundamental in searching for a new label, to forgo the constraints of we’re brutally angry,” Ray says. on the Farm.” helping some great queer bands get a leg up, includ mainstream music making and add their name to the list of bands in the D1Y movement. © Amy Ray performs Feb. 2 in Eugene and Feb. 3 in Portland. Fans of Stag and Prom, Ray’s earlier solo albums, There are moments on Kinder, like in the song ing Athens Roys Choir and Girlyman. Lately it has don’t need to fret: Kinder still rocks, particularly on “Let It Re Me,” that Ray’s telltale tenor is virtually been raising money to help people in the housing “Rus Rus” and “Who Sold the Gun,” thanks to the unrecognizable as she sings in falsetto and bemoans, crisis feed and house their pets. verve and ferocity of longtime collaborators Melissa “It’s hard to love the woman in me.” It is a bit of For fans who can’t wait for the next Indigo Girls York (The Rutchies) on drums and Portland’s Kaia musical sleight-of-hand; the songs have an infec record, you don’t have long to wait: In March comes $ 18 at the door or $ 15 in advance from TicketWeb. Wilson (The Rutchies, Team Dresch) on guitar, tious, sometimes irresistible early rcxrk ’n’ roll beat to Poseidon and the Bitter Bug, a two-disc collection with This lineup will be joined by Packer (Jenny Hoyston, providing both backbeat and backbone. them, but lyrically the subject matter is grave—war, all the songs first recorded with a full band, then Kaia Wilson, LKN) 8 p.m. Feb. 3 at Wonder Kinder also has a spit-shine polish that sets it apart fundamental religiosity, global warming. In the song rerecorded “organic and stripped down”—just Ray Ballroom, 128 N.E. Russell St. Tickets are $13 at from the rough-and-tumble of Stag and Prom; this “Who Sold the Gun,” it’s hard not to sing along with and Emily Saliers on their guitars with a little banjo the door or $ 12 in advance from Ticketmaster. can be greatly attributed to Ray’s decision to bring the catchy chorus—until you realize you’re singing, thrown in. And the duo are trying something new in an outside producer, Greg Griffith (Le Tigre, The “Gun, gun, who sold the gun" in reference to the by self-releasing this set: After nine albums on Epic, D ale S chiff is involved in many aspects of the Rutchies), for the first time. She describes him as “a Virginia Tech shootings and Iraq. Indigo Girls signed a five-record deal with Hollywixxl Portland music scene and all things gay. Contact her Records—until it dropped them in the middle of a at daleischiff@gmail.com. renaissance man of all things musical.” Ray is well known for being a grassnxns activist A my R ay performs with Arizona 7:30 p.m. Feb. 2 at Eugene's WOW Hall, 291 W. Eighth Ave. Tickets are P ortlands P remier G ay M en ’ s C lub KNOW NO COVER! Seven Days a Week Noon-2:00 am 1125 SW Slark St. YOUR STATUS :ree & confidential HIV rapid tests or gay & bisexual men Oregon City Clinic at 1425 Beavercreek Road Oregon City 97045 Call 503-655-8471 for an appointment Tuesdays 3:30-6:30
