lifeblood: listlogs: 2005v08n018-news

ig-news-digest        sunday, february 27 2005        volume 08 : number 018

today's subjects:
-----------------
  [ig-news] athens banner-herald article  [sherlyn koo <sherlyn@pixelopolis.]

----------------------------------------------------------------------

date: sun, 27 feb 2005 09:54:55 +1100
from: sherlyn koo <sherlyn@pixelopolis.com>
subject: [ig-news] athens banner-herald article

hey kids,

here's an article/interview with emily from the athens banner-herald... if you
want to check it out online you'll have to register - it's at
http://onlineathens.com/stories/022605/roc_20050226010.shtml

cheers,
sherlyn

- ---begin forwarded article---
ever closer to fine
indigo girls return to athens

not surprisingly, one of the most important things to emily saliers when she's
asked about the indigo girls' upcoming show at the 40 watt club is to stress
it's a benefit for a worthy cause. saliers and bandmate amy ray, who famously
began playing together in the 1980s when they were in high school in atlanta
have been known pretty much throughout their careers as a duo ever-dedicated to
causes they believe in - evident both in their lyrics and their actions. a link
on their web site, indigogirls.com, titled activism, details some of the
organizations they support.

the athens show on tuesday is a fund-raiser for the craddock center (see
sidebar), based in cherry log, which serves people in southern appalachia. and
of particular interest to saliers is the center's work with area head start
programs, bringing musicians and storytellers to visit children who otherwise
wouldn't receive exposure to the arts.

"it's just such a great program," saliers says, adding she's glad to give it
some attention as well as allow the concert to be a fund-raiser.

doing benefit shows is what's "nearest and dearest to our hearts," she adds.
"but that's not to say we don't love just being able to play for (our fans) -
we have the greatest fans in the world. but (with benefit shows), when we're
playing with other people, there's a great sense of camaraderie. music is a
healing force, and in such disparate times, we feel it's really important to
come together as a community to create something positive."

this year will see the indigo girls' final release on epic records, an album of
obscure and live recordings, collaborations and songs that have been included
on compilations. in the fall, saliers says, they'll probably begin work on a
new album - their ninth studio album together. though they're not sure what
label they'll go with, saliers says they'd run their course with a major label
(epic is part of sony).

"we're just looking at our options right now - and whether we distribute it on
our own or release it on a smaller label, it doesn't matter," she says. "we're
always going to make music together, and this is just another chapter for us."

after more than two decades of songwriting, saliers says creating songs is a
bit more challenging now.

"it's definitely harder for me - i don't know if i can speak for amy on that -
but it does get harder and harder to say something new, in a new way. but it
also presents an opportunity to grow as an artist. ... the times when i really
try to sit down and be disciplined about writing tend to be the times when i
(get writer's block). but i do always have faith that the songs will come."

part of what makes the indigo girls' music so powerful is the chemistry between
saliers and ray and their individual approaches in vocals, songwriting style
and lyrical quality that complement each other in what seems to be a perfect
balance.

"we really like each other's music, too," saliers says. "i know that once i
arrange (one of my songs) with amy, it's going to come out better than it was
before. but we each have a different style that i think keeps it fresh for both
of us."

saliers says they're looking forward to the athens show - they played many
times here in the fledgling years of their career, and it's been awhile since
they graced a stage in athens. plus, the opening band is longtime fellow
atlanta-cum-athens scensters, magnapop, who have just released a new cd,
"mouthfeel."

"oh my gosh, it's been many years since we played there last," saliers says,
adding she has a lot of memories here. their very first cd, "strange fire," was
recorded in 1989 with athens producer/engineer john keane, during which time
saliers recalls they ate a good many meals at the nearby taco stand. and they
played a good many shows at the uptown lounge (shooting the 1990 video, "live
at the uptown lounge," there as well).

"and our collaborations with michael stipe were great. (we were there) during
the whole 'athens inside/out' era, and the music there was so rich. we were
thankful to be so close and able to play there a lot. it was a very inspiring
place for us as young musicians."

saliers still lives in atlanta and ray lives close by - which is another thing
that's important to them, saliers says - staying close to their roots, family,
friends.

"and i love the people of atlanta ... i love the south, even though it has a
complex history. the people here take part in politics and affecting change -
the community comes together for that."

for sure - an ideal place for the indigo girls to be.

indigo girls support craddock center

"our philosophy is that it very much enriches a person's life and increases
self-esteem to participate in music and the arts," says craddock center
executive director fred craddock.

founded in 2001 and named for fred and his wife, nettie, the craddock center,
located in cherry log, is the beneficiary for tuesday night's indigo girls show
at the 40 watt club. the craddock center serves people in southern appalachia
to offer programs that address basic physical needs, nourishing cultural
enrichment and encouraging self improvement and career enhancement.

"the major thing which interested (indigo girl) emily (saliers) is our work
with head start programs," craddock says noting the center sends musicians and
storytellers to head start programs in northeast georgia, and so far reaches
1,000 children per week.

"studies show that if children are exposed to music, dance and the arts, it
better socializes them - they're less likely to retreat," craddock adds, noting
the center already has received positive feedback. "we've had teachers tell us
it makes all the difference in the world. low self esteem is a real killer. and
we're trying to break that cycle."

as for how the craddock center earned the attention of the indigo girls, "i'm
not without friends in high places," jokes craddock on the center's web site.

craddock says he and saliers' dad were colleagues at emory university, and he
had dinner with the family when emily was a teenager.

the benefit was a bit unexpected, though.

"when i first talked to emily about (the craddock center), she was very
interested and said maybe (the indigo girls) could do a benefit sometime,"
craddock says. "but i didn't push her about it. she's very busy, and i didn't
know if it was something (she would actually be able to do). but she found the
time," craddock adds. "they're fine people."

indigo girls
magnapop
when: doors open 9 p.m. tuesday, march 1
where: 40 watt club, 285 w. washington st.
cost: $25 (sold out)
call: (706) 549-7871

published in the athens banner-herald on saturday, february 26, 2005

- -----------------------------------------------------------------
this has been a message from the ig-news list.
please send feedback, questions etc to owner-ig-news@smoe.org.
submissions are welcome - please send these to ig-news@smoe.org.
to unsubscribe send the appropriate command to majordomo@smoe.org:
bounce subscribers:   unsubscribe ig-news
digest subscribers:   unsubscribe ig-news-digest

------------------------------

end of ig-news-digest v8 #18
****************************