Folk-rock duo the Indigo Girls recently released their new album Poseidon and the Bitter Bug, which has gone to #29 on the Billboard charts and they have a heavy tour schedule to promote the new record (listed below). Last year Amy Ray stopped by these parts and took our 20 Questions and now it’s her compadre Emily Saliers turn. Saliers tells us how she’d like to dine with Jesus and urges the President to legalize gay marriage already, to which we add a resounding “yeah”.
1. The latest book or movie that made you cry?
A book called The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao. It’s a story about a family from the Dominican Republic and is an incredible mix of mysticism, politics (brutal reality under the Trujillo regime) experiencing Dominican Life in the U.S., but the best part was the mair character Oscar, who, against all odds, seeks love, ultimately at any cost. He is the one of the most poignant characters in my recent memory
2. The fictional character most like you?
Linus from Peanuts. I need a security blanket, and I believe in the great mystical pumpkin or something very much like it.
3. The greatest album, ever?
Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band. The Beatles aren’t my favorite band ever, but I just can’t deny the sheer brilliance of this record. I like everything about it: the instrumental and vocal arrangements, the psychedelic and evocative lyrics, the catchy melodies, the way-out-there production, the “concept” album achievement, the performances. Closer to my heart though, would be Stevie Wonder’s Inner Visions.
4. Star Trek or Star Wars?
Star Trek. I thought Kirk was the ultimate cool, and I was always waiting for Spock to feel something. I also loved the lights of the Enterprise’s cockpit and wondered what it would feel like to be “beamed up”. Still wondering.
5. Your ideal brain food?
Eggs, especially hard boiled eggs first thing in the morning. They always get me going. I love them with hot sauce or soy sauce. No more than two, though.
6. You’re proud of this accomplishment, but why?
Flying. I hate to fly. But I have to do it all the time. My sister once told me to do things I am afraid of. So after every flight I gave myself a little pat on the back for having taken another flight
7. You want to be remembered for…?
Just being a decent person. I would like to have lived by the golden rule as much as possible during the course of my life.
8. Of those who’ve come before, the most inspirational are?
Jesus, Gandhi, Martin Luther King Jr. for their commitment to peace, especially in the face of violence. Virginia Woolf for her genius and struggle to remain productive despite emotional and mental challenges, and for her being a feminist even though she didn’t know it.
9. The creative masterpiece you wish bore your signature?
The Mona Lisa. Oh to be understated!
10. Your hidden talents…?
I can make up children’s songs on the spot. I make a very good truffle risotto.
11. The best piece of advice you actually followed?
Breathe. I forget to breathe deeply sometimes. When I am stressed I remember to breathe deeply, and it always helps.
12. The best thing you ever bought, stole, or borrowed?
My guitars,both Martins. One is a D-45 and the other a J-40. I have had them for many years, and they are family to me. They are the inanimate thing I love most.
13. You feel best in Armani or Levis or…?
True Religions, my favorite jeans ever.
Photo: Matt Odom
14. Your dinner guest at the Ritz would be?
Jesus, although they wouldn’t let him in because of the dress code. I would really just like to meet him in person and ask him all the questions I’ve ever had about the meaning of life and the existence of God. I want to meet the person who spawned a religion like Christianity.
15. Time travel: where, when and why?
Right here, right now. I wouldn’t want to go forward and I wouldn’t want to go back. I believe that we are where we are for a reason.
16. Stress management: hit man, spa vacation or Prozac?
Spa vacation near the water. I have no trouble chilling out. And I love the smell of essential oils and candles burning.
17. Essential to life: coffee, vodka, cigarettes, chocolate, or…?
Good red wine, one of life’s great pleasures.
18. Environ of choice: city or country, and where on the map?
Right by the oceans, preferably the Gulf Coast of Florida with its white sand and blue water. But any ocean will do, as long as I can hear the waves crashing at night.
19. What do you want to say to the leader of your country?
No war. Be a really bold leader and help legalize gay marriage. No nuclear power. Establish a department of peace. Speak to the American people on a regular basis (like a fireside chat) and remind the adolescent country that we must have patience and sometimes make sacrifices. Abolish the death penalty.
20. Last but certainly not least, what are you working on, now?
I am working on a CD release with the Metro State Women’s Prison Gospel Choir (of Atlanta). They are called the “Voices of Hope”. We learned songs together, performed a concert at Emory University in November and recorded it to produce a CD. All proceed from the sale of the CD will go to the Care and Counseling Center of Georgia, a non-profit that helps provide for children whose mothers are in prison.
TOUR DATES
Thu April 30 – Madison, WI @ Orpheum Theatre
Fri May 8 & Sat May 9 – Edmonds, WA @ Edmonds Center for the Arts
Sun May 10- Eugene, OR @ McDonald Theater Tue May 12 – Sacramento, CA @ Crest Theater
Wed May 13 – Berkeley, CA @ Zellerbach Auditorium
Thu May 14 – Los Angeles, CA @ El Rey Theater
Sat, May 16 – Anaheim CA @ House of Blues
Sun May 17 – Mesa, AZ @ Ikeda Theatre
Mon May 18 – Santa Fe, NM @ Lensic Performing Arts Center
Wed May 20 – Dallas, TX @ Lakewood Theatre
Thu May 21 – Austin, TX @ Stubb’s Waller Creek Amphitheater
Fri May 22 – Houston, TX @ Verizon Wireless Amphitheater
Sat May 23 – New Orleans, LA @ Tipitina’s
Wed June 10 – Vienna, VA @ Wolftrap Foundation for the Performing Arts
Thu June 11 – Richmond, VA @ Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden
Sat June 13 – Hyannis, MA @ Cape Cod Melody Tent
Tue June 16 – New York City @ Central Park SummerStage
Wed June 17 – Northampton, MA @ The Calvin
Fri June 19 – Birmingham, AL @ City Stage
Sat June 20 – Louisville, KY @ Kentuckiana Pride Festival
Sun June 21 – Pittsburgh, PA @ Carnegie Music Hall
Tue June 23 – Interlochen, MI @ Interlochen Arts Festival/Kresge Auditorium
Wed June 24 – Grand Rapids, MI @ Meijer Gardens
Fri June 26 – Highland Park, IL @ Ravinia Festival
Sun June 28 – Bayfield, WI @ Lake Superior Big Top
Sun July 5 – Bellvue, CO @ Mishawaka Amphitheatre
Mon July 6- Boulder, Colorado @ Chautauqua Auditorium
Tue July 7 – Salt Lake City, UT @ Red Butte Garden
Thu July 9 – Flagstaff, AZ @ Orpheum Theater
Sat July 11 – San Luis Obispo, CA @ Central Coast Pride Week
Sun July 12 – San Diego, CA @ Humphreys Concerts by the Bay
Tue July 14 – Santa Barbara, CA @ Granada Theater
Wed July 16 – Fresno, CA @ Tower Theater
Fri July 17 – Grass Valley, CA @ California World Fest
Sat July 18 – Saratoga, CA @ The Mountain Winery
Thu July 23 – Jacksonville, OR @ Britt Festival
Fri July 24-Portland OR @ Oregon Zoo Amphitheatre