The music of the Indigo Girls can be difficult to describe. Sometimes it may sound like folk, rock, or pop or something all mixed together. Possibly this is because the members of the duo ( Amy Ray and Emily Saliers ) are so drastically different.
They began performing together as high school students in Decatur, Georgia. This continued into college, where the name Indigo Girls was adopted, and they hit it big with the single "Closer To Fine."
During their time away from the group, Ray released six solo albums and started a record company Daemon Records while Saliers chose the restaurant biz and wrote a book.
Over the years the two have played Chicago many times. This time, WCT called up Saliers in preparation for the Girls' return to House of Blues.
Windy City Times: Hi, Emily. First time I saw you perform live was opening for R.E.M. in Nashville. Did you ever imagine performing for this long?
Emily Saliers: We never talked about the future. We grew up going to the same elementary school and high school, where we became pals. As soon as we started playing together it was the most fun I had in my entire life. All we ever did was want to get the next really good gig. In high school we never planned on making a career out of this or winning a Grammy.
It was more like, "This club is the best alternative club in Atlanta and let's get a gig there because they don't have that many acoustic musicians." It was that. To answer your question, we really didn't set out on a plan. We just wanted to do the next exciting thing. That is the way it's always been and continues to be.
I have to say that when I look back on it I'm blown away that two people could still get along who are so different from each other. It's the ideal yin-yang thing in full force really working for us.
WCT: I just watched a clip from a long time ago when David Letterman kept mentioning your name as "Indigo" during his early interview with you two.
ES: That was great press for us. That was back in the day. The first time on Letterman my legs were shaking so hard! I'm glad there wasn't a close up. Those were crazy times. Now we are just settled in to our wonderful core group of fans that allow us to continue to tour and make a living at music so we can keep doing it.
WCT: With releasing albums independently, has social media been a challenge?
ES: With social media, I think everyone wants to make the most use of it they can. Obviously, the landscape is completely different than when we came up when Epic Records signed us up for numerous records and nurturing our career up until the point our relationship ended. It was a different time. We got some radio play and it did help our careers.
I have mixed feelings about social media. I know it's important and some people live for it. It keeps things interesting for fans and attention spans are shortening. I know that people want to be more involved in an interactive experience. There is the old school in me that wants to write the music, play the shows, do the activism, and have it be that. There is another part of me that writes a Tumblr blog and it's very organic. It is from our own experience to present it to fans so we are using social media for something that feels good.
There is a lot to sort through with social media. I don't have a personal Facebook page because just the thought of being in touch with that many people and keeping it up just makes me tired. It is getting bad! So I have mixed feelings about it but there are parts of it that I enjoy.
WCT: It was interesting to be around Amy Ray at Lincoln Hall for a solo show and see how the fans were around her. They were nervous but she is so laid back and cool.
ES: Yes, she totally is. She's a real person.
WCT: Have you had many crazy fan experiences?
ES: We both have had some crazy fan experiences. I don't even know where to begin. We have had an occasional fan onstage or they think we have had a long life together when we haven't.
Most of the fans are incredibly wonderful, so supportive, and they really care. When we show up at a concert in Chicago like at the House of Blues we are so happy that people come out to see us. I want to say thank you and my gratitude runs deep.
WCT: I was at the Christmas show you did at House of Blues. It was really special.
ES: We like to do different things like that. It keeps it fun and interesting for us as well as the people at the shows. We don't want to just come through town and do the same thing every time.
WCT: Who is opening for you this time out?
ES: Hannah Thomas, who is an incredible young bluesy rocker.
WCT: I just interviewed her for Windy City Times. She's really talented.
ES: She is and a powerhouse, plus a very nice person. She's a good songwriter. She can go as far as she wants to go.
WCT: "Making Promises" is your latest video. It reminded me of The Monkees—very light.
ES: Yeah, it is totally pop, Amy's pop. It is by her friend who is a video maker. It was something we could do that is homegrown. We inserted all the graphics that make it fun. It has a sunny vibe although the content of the lyrics add a serious element to it. That is classic Indigo Girls, you think it's sweet but then look at the lyrics and see how depressing it is!
WCT: It must be nice to have some downtime. I know you both go and go.
ES: Well, we both have kids now. Amy has a little daughter and so do I. There's no break anymore! [Laughs]
WCT: How is your daughter?
ES: She's awesome. She is 17 months and she's fabulous. She is not a great sleeper so she is up a lot. Her other mom and me are perpetually tired but she is definitely worth it. It makes every bit of life officially busy, busy as hell! I take naps when I can and I get to sleep when I go on the road.
WCT: That's your break? Going on the road!
ES: That is the break but on the other hand I miss them so much. Little kids change so quickly. If you are gone ten days then you miss a developmental thing happening. I can't complain; I get to play music for a living and have the most wonderful family I can imagine. It's awesome!
WCT: You and Tristin are married?
ES: Yes, we are married. We got married in New York last August.
WCT: Congrats on that.
ES: Thanks. It has been a long process of getting residency. She's Canadian. All of that stuff is working itself out. We are one of the fortunate ones. It is a lot harder for people going through immigration who don't have the same privilege that we do. I am thankful for our ability to work through the system. The Supreme Court decision changed our lives in a day.
WCT: I was surprised that Indigo Girls are not doing [the upcoming] WorldPride in Toronto.
ES: She is going up there for WorldPride. She is totally psyched. Amy and I just have other concert dates so we couldn't work out the scheduling. It is an incredible series of events. I wish we could be there. We have played in Toronto Pride before and it was awesome.
WCT: I had a blast at their Pride last year. Do you have a great Pink story?
ES: She's incredible. When she invited us to sing on "Dear Mr. President"—both Amy and I were blown away. We didn't know where it came from, but then learned that she loved our music and grew up singing some of our stuff. We are both Pink fans. When you find out that an artist that you admire likes your stuff then it's a really good feeling. I can't speak for Amy because I'm a little more excitable but my head almost popped off!
She is so cool and Amy invited her to sing on her song when she was in L.A. She has such a powerful voice that she had to stand five feet off the mic. Her pitch was perfect. We didn't have to fix anything and she learned the song really quickly. We sat outside and talked politics for hours. She is a great talent and her voice is one of my favorites in all of music today. She's super-cool!
WCT: Do you want to make a solo album?
ES: Yep. I am working on it now, believe it or not. I am writing songs for it while I am writing songs for a new Indigo record. Amy and I are going back in the studio in September and October. I am also writing solo songs and I am going to co-produce it with Lyris Hung. She has toured with us and will be with us in Chicago, actually. She's our violinist. She is also great production ideas. We are very simpatico, musically and as friends, so we are starting to put that plan together.
WCT: What kind of vibe are you going for with this solo album?
ES: It is going to be more rhythmic, more groove oriented. I am huge fan of R&B. I like a lot of beats. I like groups like Zero 7 and the singer Sia. I am not going to make a Daft Punk album because they are geniuses but I like that kind of thing. I like a deep groove. I imagine it will be my same old serious lyrics but with some strong beat elements. I love instruments from all over the world. I am way into Indian music and would like to have some Indian drumming. Middle Eastern pipes and drums I love too. Asian strings would be nice. I imagine it will be a mishmash of groove, world flavor, and lyrics. That's the plan!
WCT: I heard you like wine. Do you have a favorite?
ES: You know it's funny I don't drink wine anymore. I was a huge wine collector but I gave all of that up almost three years ago. When I was into it, because I own a restaurant and still do called Watershed, we had access to amazing wine. Back in the day I tended to be into huge reds and there were a lot of boutique reds and Rome varietals. I liked the spiciness and pepperiness of those but I never had one favorite. I was quite the connoisseur but I liked them all. It is better for my health and life to have no more vices. We are just on the straight and narrow path.
That path leads to a live show on June 4 at House of Blues, 329 N. Dearborn St. Visit www.indigogirls.com for more on the band.
