The Indigo Girls are an American folk rock duo, consisting of Amy Ray and Emily Saliers. They began in Atlanta as a regular act at The Little 5 Points Pub, and were tangentially part of the Athens, Georgia college rock scene that included The B-52's, Pylon, R.E.M., The Georgia Satellites, and Love Tractor.

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Recording and touring

Early years

The two women 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 ahead of Ray. While attending Shamrock High School, they grew closer, 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 at 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 NPR 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." ^[1]

Their first release in 1985 was a seven-inch single called "Crazy Game", with the B-side "Everybody's Waiting (for Someone to Come Home)". That same year, the Indigo Girls put out a six-track self-titled EP, and in 1987 released their first full-length album, Strange Fire , recorded at 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 day; they had first approached him when the EP 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 mind.

Epic Records (1988–2005)

The success of 10,000 Maniacs, Tracy Chapman, and Suzanne Vega encouraged Epic Records to look for other female singer-songwriters; Epic signed the duo in 1988. Their first major-label release, also titled Indigo Girls , which charted at #22 on the album chart, included a new version of "Land of Canaan", which was also on their 1985 EP and on Strange Fire . Also on the self-titled release was their first hit "Closer to Fine" (an unlikely collaboration with Irish band Hothouse Flowers), which charted at #52 on the pop chart and #26 on the modern rock chart. They even managed one week on the mainstream rock album-oriented rock chart at #48. ^[2] In 1990, they won the Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Folk Album. They were also nominated for Best New Artist, but lost to Milli Vanilli, who eventually had the award revoked.

Their second album, Nomads Indians Saints , went gold in December 1991 and contained the hit song "Hammer and a Nail", a #12 modern rock 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 "Galileo", the duo's first top 10 modern rock track (#10). This was followed by Swamp Ophelia in 1994, going platinum in September 1996, and charting at #9 on the Billboard 200 album chart.

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

Retrospective , a compilation album with two new tracks, was released in 2000 and Become You followed two years later. Their last Epic studio album was All That We Let In , released in 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)

thumb After departing Epic, the Indigo Girls signed a five-record deal with Hollywood Records, a label under 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 Jurekof 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 were abruptly dropped by Hollywood Records during their 2007 tour to support the album.

Independent work (2007–present)

Following their break with Hollywood Records, the Indigo Girls announced their next record would be released independently. In a correspondence from Saliers on their website, she wrote that they had finished "all ten tracks for our new cd which will be released in February 2009". Poseidon and the Bitter Bug was released independently on March 24, 2009, from IG Recordings, the Indigo Girls' label, and distributed through Vanguard Records. This album will be their first fully independent release since 1987's Strange Fire . This record will also be 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.

While the Indigo Girls have been uniquely successful, other up-and-coming all-female bands that have been compared to them include the Canadian duo Tegan and Sara, the American jazz duo Mrs. Fun, and the American trio (and MTV 2009 Best Breakout New York City Artist Award nominee) The Shells. ^{[3] [4] [5]}

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; from 1991 onwards, they toured with various side players:

• Brady Blade — drums (2002–04)
• Matt Chamberlain — drums (2006–present)
• Blair Cunningham — drums (2000)
• Caroline Dale — cello (1999)
• Gail Ann Dorsey — bass (1994)
• Carol Isaacs — keyboards, accordion (1999–2007)
• Clare Kenny — bass (1999–present)
• Caroline Lavelle — cello (2000)
• Sara Lee — bass (1991–98)
• Jerry Marotta — drums, percussion (1992–98)
• John Reynolds — drums (1999)
• Scarlet Rivera — fiddle (1992)
• Jane Scarpantoni — cello (1992)
• 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 ^[6] in Decatur, Georgia, along with two of her friends. Saliers was an initial investor in the Flying Biscuit Cafe ^[7] 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.

The Indigo Girls are mentioned in Stephen King's book Rose Madder . They are depicted playing at a picnic for a women's shelter.

The Indigo Girls were also featured on Anne Murray's 2007 album Anne Murray Duets: Friends & Legends singing "A Little Good News."

Personal lives

Both Ray and Saliers have long identified themselves as lesbians, though Saliers prefers "gay" because — she says — "lesbian has three syllables." ^[8] They have never been a couple. Ray has had long-term relationships with musician Cooper Seay and feminist author Jennifer Baumgardner, and is currently in a relationship with documentary filmmaker Carrie Schrader. Because of their engagements for LGBT rights they are regarded as icons of the movement. ^{[9] [10] [11] [12]}

Political activism

The Indigo Girls have been active politically and musically. They have championed the causes of 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. 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 has been regarded as a political confrontation with George W. Bush about war, poverty, LGBT rights, abortion rights, and the No Child Left Behind Act.

During June 2007 the Indigo Girls were part of the multi-artist True Colors Tour 2007, ^[13] 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) U.S. #159
• Indigo Girls (1989) U.S. #22
• Nomads Indians Saints (1990) U.S. #43
• Rites of Passage (1992) U.S. #21
• Swamp Ophelia (1994) U.S #9, UK #66 ^[14]
• Shaming of the Sun (1997) U.S. #7
• Come on Now Social (1999) U.S. #34
• Become You (2002) U.S. #30
• All That We Let In (2004) U.S. #35
• Despite Our Differences (2006) U.S. #44
• Poseidon and the Bitter Bug (2009) U.S. #29

;Live albums

• Back on the Bus, Y'all (Live EP, 1991)
• 1200 Curfews (1995) U.S. #40
• Perfect World (EP) (live, 2004)

;Compilations

• Deadicated 1991 ("Uncle John's Band")
• 4.5 (UK and Australia only, 1995) UK #43
• Retrospective (2000) U.S. #128
• Rarities (2005) U.S. #182

Singles

Year	Title	Chart positions									Album
		U.S. Hot 100	U.S. Mod. Rock	U.S. Main. Rock	U.S. Dance	U.S. Adult Top 40	UK	CAN	AUS	GER
1985	"Crazy Game"	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	Non-album single
1989	"Closer to Fine"	52	26	48	-	-	-	53	-	-	Indigo Girls
1990	"Hammer and Nail"	-	12	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	Nomads Indians Saints
1992	"Galileo"	89	10	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	Rites of Passage
	"Ghost"	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
1994	"Least Complicated"	-	28	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	Swamp Ophelia
	"I Don't Wanna Talk About It"	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	Philadelphia soundtrack
1995	"Power of Two"	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	Swamp Ophelia
1997	"Shame on You"	-	-	-	-	15	-	-	-	-	Shaming of the Sun
	"Get Out the Map"	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
1998	"Shed Your Skin"	-	-	-	36	-	-	-	-	-
1999	"Peace Tonight"	-	-	-	-	40	-	-	-	-	Come on Now Social
	"Go"	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
2007	"Dear Mr. President" (with Pink)	101	95	-	100	88	-	55 [15]	5	3	I'm Not Dead

Other contributions

• 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."

Live recording circulation

Indigo Girls allow fans to tape their shows, ^[16] and appropriately gathered recordings can be traded, obtained for free from a number of sources, including the fan site.

Sound samples

• Download sample of a live cover of Bob Marley's "Redemption Song"

References

1. Title Unavailable
2. Declaration of an Independent
3. Sullivan, Kate, "Sister Gurls," ''Los Angeles Weekly'', 4/14/05, accessed 9/1/09
4. Woehrer, Jolynn, "Women making waves in Milwaukee music," OnMilwaukee.com, 10/19/2000, accessed 9/1/09
5. Band Spotlight: The Shells
6. Watershed Restaurant
7. Flying Biscuit Cafe
8. Interview: Indigo Girls
9. Hofstra University LGBT Symposium
10. Chicagopride.com; June 3, 2008
11. The Desert Sun, December 24, 2008
12. "Mark Knopfler a Bigger Gay Icon Than George Michael" by Mike Seely, Seattle Weekly, July 1, 2008
13. True Colors Tour | Home
14. British Hit Singles & Albums
15. Canadian Hot 100 - Dear Mr. President
16. Indigogirls.com