Though politics and music has always been related to each other,few artists have been as politically and socially aware throughtheir music as Ani DiFranco has.
Releasing 16 albums on her own label, Righteous Babe Records,DiFranco has always mixed the personal with the political, all thewhile managing to find success in independent music.
Her songs have been covered by the likes of Dave Matthews andChuck D.
She has been outspoken spokesperson on issues concerning civilrights.
DiFranco will be playing Memphis on Sept. 22 at The New DaisyTheatre and will include a guest appearance by the IndigoGirls.
DiFranco has always been known for a relentless tour scheduleand this fall proves no different. Besides lending support of herlatest album, "Educated Guess," DiFranco is doing the "Vote Damnit!Tour," which will go through swing states in hopes to registerpeople to vote.
One of the tour's goals is to raise the voter registration withthe youth of this country.
"Young people were born into their disillusionment with thepolitical system in this country," DiFranco said.
"We have never known a time when 'politician' was not synonymouswith 'greedy calculating liar,' so it's natural and smart to feelalienated by the government.
"Ironically though, I believe it is a reinvestment in the beliefin government that is the solution to our current situation. I hopethat we will see a heretofore unprecedented number of young peoplevoting in this election and from now on."
DiFranco has covered quite a bit of ground in her nearly decadeand a half in music and went from simple folk singer on her earlierworks to jazz and funk on later works such as 2003's "Evolve."
With her latest album, "Educated Guess," DiFranco has gone fullcircle and returned to solo work.
Recorded on an 8-track in her hometown of Buffalo NY, it isDiFranco's first solo album in more than a decade. Though many ofthe songs border on the more intimate and personal, DiFranco stillabout social change.
On the song "Animal," DiFranco sings "and I think when you growup surrounded by willful ignorance, you have to believe that mercyhas it's own country and that it's round and borderless."
DiFranco said her next album will be entitled "Knuckle Down" andwill be an even more personal exploration, going back along thelines of "Dilate" (1996).
During the winter and spring of 2004 DiFranco, along with otherartists like Willie Nelson, were involved in supporting Democratcandidate Dennis Kucinich and his campaign. With Kucinich havingsince left the race, DiFranco has now lent some of her support tothe Kerry campaign, though she feels there are some issues Kerryneeds to work out.
"The U.S. out and the U.N. in for Iraq and Afghanistan, Kerry isvery disappointing on this issue," DiFranco said. "I think he'sskimming because he's a calculating politician, not a hero of ourpeople. But hopefully, his election will be a tiny step in theright direction. We must remember we are not electing and beyondthe personality contest, the changing over the guard fromRepublican to Democrat administrations will mean a whole new castof characters in all kinds of appointments. It will mean people ofvision will be able to get out of crisis mode and generate momentumin their work, even if Kerry is not one of those people."
The show is scheduled to start at 7 p.m. and will be all ages.Voter registration booths will be set up as well as booths fromprogressive and environmental organizations.
"This tour and my politics have nothing to do with Bush,"DiFranco said. "Whether or not we are empowered citizens is anissue much bigger and more eternal than the joker in the OvalOffice. I am simply about sharing and celebrating truth, in thisand every tour."
