name	Indigo Girls
background	group_or_band
origin	Atlanta, Georgia, United States
genre	Folk rock
years active	1985–present
label	Epic (1987–2005)Hollywood (2006–08)IG Recordings/Vanguard (2009)
associated acts	Joan Baez, Michael Stipe, R.E.M., Mary Chapin Carpenter, Ferron, disappear fear
website	indigogirls.com
current members	Amy RayEmily Saliers }}

The Indigo Girls are an American folk rock music duo, consisting of Amy Ray and Emily Saliers. They met during elementary school and began performing together as high school students in Decatur, Georgia, part of the Atlanta metropolitan area. They started performing with the name “Indigo Girls” as students at Emory University, performing weekly at The Dugout, a bar in the Emory Village.

They released a self-produced, full-length record album during 1987 and contracted with a major record company during 1988. After releasing nine albums with major record companies from 1988 through 2007, they have now resumed self-producing albums with their own IG Recordings company.

Living very separate lives when not performing or recording, Ray has released solo albums and initiated a not-for-profit record company while Saliers is a restaurateur and a published author. Both Saliers and Ray self-identify as lesbian and are active with political and environmental causes.

Recording and touring

Early years

Amy Ray and Emily Saliers first met and got to know each other as students at Laurel Ridge Elementary School in DeKalb County, Georgia, just outside of Decatur, Georgia, but were not friends because Saliers was a grade older than Ray. While attending Shamrock High School (now Shamrock Middle School), they became acquainted better, and started performing together, first as "The B-Band" and then as "Saliers and Ray".

Saliers graduated and began attending Tulane University. A year later, Ray graduated and began attending Vanderbilt University. Homesick, both returned to Georgia and transferred to Emory University.

By 1985 they had begun performing together again, this time as the Indigo Girls. In a March 2007 National Public Radio Talk of the Nation interview, Saliers stated "we needed a name and we went through the dictionary looking for words that struck us and indigo was one.

Their first release during 1985 was a seven-inch diameter single album named "Crazy Game", with the B-side "Everybody's Waiting (for Someone to Come Home)". That same year, the Indigo Girls released a six-track Extended play album named "Indigo Girls", and during 1987 released their first full-length album, ''Strange Fire'', recorded in John Keane Studio in Athens, Georgia, and including "Crazy Game". With this release, they secured the services of Russell Carter, who remains their manager to the present; they had first asked him when the EP album was released, but he told them their songs were "immature" and they were not likely to get a record deal. ''Strange Fire'' apparently changed his opinion.

Epic Records (1988–2005)

The success of 10,000 Maniacs, Tracy Chapman, and Suzanne Vega encouraged Epic Records company to enlist other folk-based female singer-songwriters; Epic signed the duo during 1988. Their first major-label release, also named ''Indigo Girls'', which scored #22 on the album chart, included a new version of "Land of Canaan", which was also on their 1985 EP album and on ''Strange Fire''. Also on the self-titled release was their first success "Closer To Fine" (an unlikely collaboration with Irish band Hothouse Flowers), which scored #52 on the popular music chart and #26 on the modern rock chart. They even managed one week on the mainstream rock album-oriented rock music chart at #48. During 1990, they won a Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Folk Album. They were also nominated for Best New Artist (but lost to Milli Vanilli who eventually had that award revoked).

Their second album, ''Nomads Indians Saints'', sold very well during December 1991 and included the successful song "Hammer and a Nail", a #12 modern rock music track; it was not as successful as their first, which was certified platinum at about the same time. The Indigo Girls followed it with the live ''Back on the Bus, Y'all'' and 1992's album ''Rites of Passage'', featuring the song "Galileo", the duo's first top 10 modern rock music track (#10). This was followed by ''Swamp Ophelia'' during 1994, selling very well during September 1996, and scoring at #9 on the Billboard 200 album chart.

During 1995, the Indigo Girls released a live, double CD, ''1200 Curfews''. ''Shaming of the Sun'' was vended during 1997 followed by ''Come on Now Social'' during 1999. ''Shaming of the Sun'' debuted at number seven on the Billboard charts, driven by the duo's contribution to the Lilith Fair music festival tour. The track "Shame on You" was broadcast more by adult alternative, top 40 and adult top 40 radio stations than any of their previous singles, although this seemed to be a maximum of their crossover success.

''Retrospective'', a compilation album with two new tracks, was released during 2000 and ''Become You'' followed two years later. Their last Epic studio album was ''All That We Let In'', released during 2004 with an accompanying tour. On June 14, 2005, they released ''Rarities'', a collection of B-sides and rare tracks partially decided by fan's input, which fulfilled the album count obligation for their contract with Epic.

Hollywood Records (2006–07)

After departing Epic, the Indigo Girls signed a five-record deal with Hollywood Records, a company owned by The Walt Disney Company. Their first (and only) Hollywood album, ''Despite Our Differences'', produced by Mitchell Froom, was released on September 19, 2006. John Metzger from ''MusicBox Online'' described ''Despite our Differences'' as "the most infectious, pop-infused set that the duo ever has managed to concoct. In fact, its melodies, harmonies, and arrangements are so ingratiating that the album carries the weight of an instant classic." Thom Jurek from ''Allmusic'' wrote: "part of an emotional journey as complete as can be. More relevant than anyone dared expect. It's accessible and moving and true. It's their own brand of rock & roll, hewn from over the years, that bears a signature that is now indelible. A moving, and utterly poetic offering."

The Indigo Girls contract was terminated by Hollywood Records during their 2007 tour to support the album.

Independent work (2007–present)

After their end with Hollywood Records, the Indigo Girls announced their next record would be released independently. ''Poseidon and the Bitter Bug'' was released on March 24, 2009, from IG Recordings, the Indigo Girls' label, and distributed through Vanguard Records. This album is their first fully independent release since 1987's ''Strange Fire'', and their first two-CD set since 1995's live album ''1200 Curfews''; the first disc has the 10 tracks accompanied by a backing band, and the second includes the same 10 songs with only Ray and Saliers on vocals and acoustic guitars, and an additional track. On June 29, 2010 Indigo Girl's 2nd full length live album 'Staring Down the Brilliant Dream' was released on IG Recordings/Vanguard Records. This was followed up on October 12, 2010 with their first holiday album 'Holly Happy Days'. Indigo Girls are currently in the studio recording their as-yet-untitled twelfth studio album to be released in late 2011 (IG Recordings/Vanguard Records).

Songwriting

Ray and Saliers do not ordinarily collaborate in writing songs. They write separately and work out the arrangements together. There are a few exceptions, mostly unreleased songs from their early, pre-Epic days: "I Don't Know Your Name" and "If You Live Like That." "Blood Quantum," which appears on ''Honor: A Benefit for the Honor the Earth Campaign'' featured Ray's verses and chorus and Saliers's bridge. Finally, "I'll Give You My Skin," which appears both on ''Tame Yourself (Benefit People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals)'' and on the Indigo Girls release ''Rarities,'' is a collaborative work by Ray, Saliers, and Michael Stipe which is doubly rare, as Saliers and Ray usually write their songs without outside collaborators.

Touring band

The Indigo Girls have toured as a duo and with a band. In 1990, they toured with the Atlanta band, the Ellen James Society, backing them; they have also toured with side players, with one distinct group from 1991 to 1998 and a second from 1999 onwards:

First touring band

Gail Ann Dorsey — bass (1994)

Sara Lee — bass (1991–98)

Jerry Marotta — drums, percussion (1992–98)

Scarlet Rivera — fiddle (1992)

Jane Scarpantoni — cello (1992)

Second touring band

Brady Blade — drums (2002–04)

Matt Chamberlain — drums (2006–present)

Blair Cunningham — drums (2000)

Caroline Dale — cello (1999)

Carol Isaacs — keyboards, accordion (1999–2007 and one recent show in Brighton in the UK)

Clare Kenny — bass (1999–present)

Caroline Lavelle — cello (2000)

John Reynolds — drums (1999)

Julie Wolf — keyboards, accordion (2008–present)

Solo projects

In 1990, Ray founded Daemon Records, which has signed Ellen James Society, Kristen Hall, Rose Polenzani, Cordero, Girlyman, Nineteen Forty-Five, Athens Boys Choir, and James Hall among others.

Ray has put out four solo albums, entitled ''Stag'', ''Prom'', ''Live from Knoxville'', and ''Didn't It Feel Kinder'' through Daemon. She has toured with both The Butchies and her band The Volunteers.

Saliers is also planning a solo album, and is co-owner of Watershed Restaurant in Decatur, Georgia, along with two of her friends. Saliers was an initial investor in the Flying Biscuit Cafe in Atlanta, Georgia. In 2005, Saliers and her father, Don Saliers, a theology professor at Candler School of Theology at Emory University, released the book ''A Song to Sing, a Life to Live: Reflections on Music as Spiritual Practice''. They promoted the release of the book together including several days of speaking and performing together at the Washington National Cathedral College in Washington D.C.

Appearances in other media

Ray and Saliers appeared in the latter half of the feature film ''Boys on the Side'', playing short excerpts from their songs "Joking" and "Southland in the Springtime," as well as singing "Feliz Cumpleaños" ("Happy Birthday" in Spanish) with the gathered group of friends during the birthday cake scene, and standing on the far side of several shots over the next few scenes. Neither had any spoken lines. The duo also appear in the 2006 documentary ''Wordplay'', where they discuss their reaction to appearing in a ''New York Times'' crossword puzzle and then begin to solve one together.

Ray and Saliers performed onstage in the 1994 revival of ''Jesus Christ Superstar'' in Atlanta, titled ''Jesus Christ Superstar: A Resurrection''. Ray played the role of Jesus and Saliers played the role of Mary Magdalene. They later reprised their roles in stagings of the musical in Austin, at the South by Southwest (SXSW) festival, and in Seattle.

They made several cameo appearance on the Ellen DeGeneres sitcom "Ellen". In the episode "Womyn Fest" Ellen and her friends are attending a feminist music festival and catch the end of a performance by the Indigo Girls.

Personal lives

Both Ray and Saliers have long identified themselves as lesbians. Saliers jokingly prefers "gay" because — she says — "lesbian has three syllables." They have never been a couple. Because of their engagements for LGBT rights they are regarded as icons of the movement.

Political activism

The Indigo Girls have been active politically and musically. They have championed the causes and held benefit concerts for the environment, gay rights, the rights of Native Americans, and the National Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty. For many years they incorporated a recycling and public outreach program into their road tours by including Greenpeace representative Stephanie Fairbanks in their road crew. They helped Winona LaDuke establish Honor the Earth, an organization dedicated to creating support and education for native environmental issues. After performing on the activist-oriented Spitfire Tour in 1999, Ray and Sailers joined forces with The Spitfire Agency to develop the Honor The Earth Tour, which visits colleges and Native communities, and raises money for their non profit of the same name. Ray and Saliers have also appeared at the annual SOA Watch rallies, the March for Women's Lives, and several other rallies and protests.

In 2006 the Indigo Girls were featured in artist Pink's album ''I'm Not Dead'' in the song "Dear Mr President", which Pink says is a political confrontation with George W. Bush about war, poverty, LGBT rights, abortion rights, and the No Child Left Behind Act. Returning the favor, Pink performed on the Indigo Girls' "Rock and Roll Heaven's Gate," which is about, among other things, sexism and heterosexism in the music industry.

During June 2007 the Indigo Girls were part of the multi-artist True Colors Tour 2007, on the tour's Las Vegas stop which benefited the Human Rights Campaign and other organizations that provide support to the LGBT community. The Indigo Girls performed again on the True Colors Tour 2008.

Discography

Albums

;Studio albums

''Indigo Girls'' (EP, 1987)

''Strange Fire'' (1987, independent 11-song version, re-released 1989 in major-label 10-song version) US #159

''Indigo Girls'' (1989) US #22

''Nomads Indians Saints'' (1990) US #43

''Rites of Passage'' (1992) US #21

''Swamp Ophelia'' (1994) U.S #9, UK #66

''Shaming of the Sun'' (1997) US #7

''Come on Now Social'' (1999) US #34

''Become You'' (2002) US #30

''All That We Let In'' (2004) US #35

''Despite Our Differences'' (2006) US #44

''Poseidon and the Bitter Bug'' (2009) US #29

''Holly Happy Days'' (2010)

''Beauty Queen Sister'' (2011) (upcoming release)

;Live albums

''Back on the Bus, Y'all'' (Live EP, 1991)

''1200 Curfews'' (1995) US #40

''Perfect World (EP)'' (live, 2004)

''Staring Down the Brilliant Dream'' (live, 2010)

;Compilations

''Deadicated'' (1991), covering "Uncle John's Band"

''4.5'' (UK and Australia only, 1995) UK #43 | style="text-align:center;"|5 | style="text-align:center;"|3 |align="left"|''I'm Not Dead'' |}

Other contributions

''Sweet Relief II: Gravity of the Situation'' (1996) — "Free of Hope"

''107.1 KGSR Radio Austin — Broadcasts Vol. 10'' (2002) — "Moment of Forgiveness"

''WYEP Live and Direct: Volume 4 – On Air Performances'' (2002) — "Become You"

Pink — ''I'm Not Dead'' (2006) — "Dear Mr President"

Anne Murray — ''Anne Murray Duets: Friends & Legends'' (2007) — "A Little Good News"

Brandi Carlile — ''The Story'' (2007) — "Cannonball"

Live recording circulation

Indigo Girls allow fans to tape their shows, and appropriately gathered recordings can be traded, obtained for free from a number of sources, including the WorldFalls fan site.

References

External links

Indigo Girls official site

IndigoVortex

Lifebood.net's compilation of Indigo Girls lyrics with background information on many songs

Category:American folk musical groups Category:Epic Records artists Category:Feminist musicians Category:Grammy Award winners Category:Hollywood Records artists Category:Lesbian musicians Category:LGBT-themed musical groups Category:Music of Atlanta, Georgia Category:Musical duos Category:Musical groups from Georgia (U.S. state) Category:Vanguard Records artists Category:All-female bands Category:Musical groups established in 1985

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