On two very different sides of the queer women’s music coin (and if there is such a coin, whose face would grace it?) are CMJ style Canadian hipster twins Tegan and Sara and folk diva Ani DiFranco.
Ani DiFranco 2005Rather than re-invent the wheel I’ll point you in the direction of the T&S preview post I wrote before their last show here in December. The current tour, however, brings them not to Portland, but to Salem’s Elsinore Theater (170 High St. SE) this Thursday the 17th. This setting is bound to produce even more screaming tweens than the Crystal. And while I think it’s fantastic that young ladies look up to queer rockers it wouldn’t be my ideal crowd. That and the hour drive are keeping me away. (Hey, there’s always Sasquatch…)
I have no such excuse for not seeing the multi-talented Ani DiFranco this Friday at the Crystal Ballroom (1332 W Burnside), although she also tends to inspire screaming girls, if slightly older. All I can say is that she was a moment in my life that I can never recreate so I dare not try.
Since my high school days of relentlessly singing “Both Hands” from her self-titled 1990 debut album, Ani has been ridiculously prolific with 20 studio albums and several other EPs, compilations etc. Her most recent releases are the brand new “Live at Babeville” DVD, a 2007 LP “Canon” and a 2008 official bootleg.
I haven’t heard any of them.
What I do know is that she is a crazy talented strummer with an energetic live performance that lovers of the singer/songwriter shouldn’t miss. And while I may be speechless on her current work, the rest of the media certainly isn’t.
