Veteran indie-rockers Emily Saliers and Amy Ray have been touring for two decades and released eight studio records. Saliers and Ray are the Indigo Girls, a group with a huge fan base that refuses to conform to music industry rules and norms and is heavily involved in environmental activism. With the release of the duo's most recent album All That We Let In, the Indigo Girls began touring the United States and the group is stopping in Albuquerque on Friday. The Daily Lobo got a chance to talk to Saliers in an e-mail interview.
Daily Lobo: The last two albums have had two distinct sounds. What made you return to the earlier Indigo Girls sound, with more harmonies and a more united sound on the new album?
Emily Saliers: Amy wanted to do a strictly-acoustic record for Become You after having made a record like Come On Now Social with so much layering, voices and instruments. So we just went back to our roots. All That We Let In is an extension of that, with the same band as Become You and the addition of electric guitars.
DL: Why do you think your music appeals to college students?
ES: I think a lot of the content of the lyrics have to do with soul searching and activism. College is a time of life when young people are really seeking and loaded with energy and ideas, and I think a lot of college kids can relate to the lyrics in this way. Also, I've been told that our music can be good for road trips. When I was in college, I took a ton of road trips.
DL: In more than one song you mention reincarnation. What do you really think about this?
Get content from The Daily Lobo delivered to your inbox
ES: I believe the soul lives on after death. In what form, I'm not sure obviously, but I believe souls continue to touch each other eternally - including souls which have left bodies influencing souls that are still housed in bodies. So I definitely believe in reincarnation. Nothing ever dies.
DL: How has your audience changed over the years?
ES: Our audience hasn't changed drastically over the years. It's just narrowed down primarily to very-faithful fans who come to the shows again and again, thankfully.
DL: In several songs you say there is freedom in love. In what ways do you think love is freeing?
ES: I think love is freeing in many ways. Good love provides comfort and ease of mind, which is freeing. The best way to learn about yourself is in a relationship, and growth is freeing as you move through your evolution and come to a deeper understanding of life. Love is the deepest well, and to have no limits is freeing.
DL: You have performed many staple songs for years. How do you feel about having to perform these songs tour after tour?
ES: They're still fun to play, especially because the crowd sings so much with us and on their own, too. Without the crowd participation, it wouldn't be as fun.
DL: How do you think the gay marriage issue should be resolved?
ES: The gay marriage issue should be resolved by states and the federal government sanctioning and supporting gay people's right to marry. It's a question of civil rights. The sacrament is a separate issue.
DL: Do you try and steer clear of Clear Channel?
ES: If given the opportunity to work with a local or independent promoter who really cared about us and promoting the show well, we would go with that.
DL: How do you feel about New Mexico and green chile?
ES: I love green chile. It's absolutely addicting. I used to bring bags home from New Mexico during the season. I couldn't believe there was a magazine dedicated solely to green chiles, but I understand why. There's nothing else like them in the world.
Who: Indigo Girls
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
Where: Rio Grande Zoological Park
Info: $ 21
(505) 764-6227
