the dandelion interview

another little birthday honor for the divine ms. em: one of my favorite emily interviews, and i haven't seen it posted/passed around much, so i thought i would put it up here:

Indigo Girl, Emily Saliers by Michelle Theall
Dandelion magazine, V.2 N.2 2004

Grammy winner Emily Saliers is a teacher. Only she doesn't see it that way. Instead the 40-year-old Atlanta resident will tell you it's the profession she once considered, before committing to the musical path that led her and Amy Ray to become the legendary folk-rock duo the Indigo Girls. The lessons she gives are from observation and from following her heart. Her vocals are as sweet as the Georgia apple pie and wisteria breezes with which she grew up, but the lyrics carry contemplative, soul-searching messages about love, land, and justice. Emily took the time to talk with us about growing up a tomboy, taking risks, and what's really important to her.

What were you like growing up? Did you play sports?

I have always loved sports: from kickball, to football, to basketball. I was a true tomboy, no doubt about it.

Tell us about your connection to the outdoors.

I hang out in the mountains, but I can't say where because it's a special, private place. I go to the cabin and sit and listen to the rushing stream with my dogs at my feet.

What makes you an avid runner?

The physical sensation, when it's just you and your body and the elements, is amazing. And I like to feel the sun on my face. I don't mind running in the rain either. It's all good to me.

Fire, air, water, earth, and other elements of nature and wildlife show up prominently in the lyrics of Indigo Girls songs. Why are they significant?

The elements are the physicality of our existence. If we respect and truly love our natural surroundings, we will not destroy them. Obviously, the secret to that is to feel connected to them, to see them as integral to our own existence.

Can you give me any specific examples?

On the new CD, I likened a dysfunctional relationship to 'the hole in my sky, my shrinking water supply' because one kind of degradation is like another.

***

This issue of Dandelion is about taking risks. You take risks with your music all the time. In contrast to today's shock-pop, your lyrics dig below the surface into issues like the ones you just mentioned.

Digging into these issues doesn't feel risky to me; it's just what we do as writers. Justice is important to me -- civil rights, people being allowed to live their lives freely and with dignity.

Any repercussions to being so vocal?

It's worth any sacrifice of popularity to achieve progress for equality. We can feel a real sense of artistic accomplishment because we are not chasing trends and bowing to the whims of a record company. We are making the music we want to.

About taking risks, what does scare you?

I want to make a solo record, and I'm definitely scared to do it. So, I just need to write the songs and start from there. As my good friend said to me, "You know, Emily, it's not prison." I tend to get in my own way sometimes. I keep thinking, What will the songs be like? Will it rock? Will it have beats and samples? Will I record it in London or in Atlanta? Who will play on it? I just drive myself crazy with questions.

Other fears?

The usual: death and the deaths of loved ones. Not much I can do about that except live and love big every day.

So, what's next?

Indigo Girls' contract with Sony is up after 16 years. The unknown is a little scary, but I know we'll still play together, so that's what really counts. We're releasing a rarities CD and touring all year in support of All That We Let In. I still own the Watershed restaurant in Decatur, Georgia. Human rights will continue to come up in our songs. It's no burden to be concerned and involved, as long as you can balance the challenges of hard work with a good dose of fun. I'm all for fun. It's a serious life and it's a playful life. It's good to get it all, isn't it?