In 7th grade, I had a friend whose mother was a fan of Ani DiFranco and owned every studio and live album on CD. My friend and I spent an entire afternoon burning the CDS to my computer so I could upload the mp3s on my iRiver.
I had never listened to anything so intently on my headphones in my life. I had found music where every noise made sense to me – music that I FELT with every cell in my body. Laying listening to those CDS on repeat is where I learned I could question the “reality” of things in front of me. Reality is often just what is told to us, not how things actually are.
I remember hearing FUEL for the first time, which was just named one of Rolling Stones top 100 protest songs of all time. I was blown away by the reality of this piece. It provided an alternative way of seeing the world – it pushed back – it brought to light truths I didn’t know at the time. It takes true talent to create a song that can bring a sense of humor and at the same time providing the truth of a gnarled reality.
Am I headed for the same brick wall
Is there anything I can do about anything at all?
Except go back to that corner in Manhattan
And dig deeper, dig deeper this time
Down beneath the impossible pain of our history
Beneath unknown bones
Beneath the bedrock of the mystery
Beneath the sewage systems and the path train
Beneath the cobblestones and the water mains
Beneath the traffic of friendships and street deals
Beneath the screeching of kamikaze cab wheels
Beneath everything I can think of to think about
Beneath it all, beneath all get out
Beneath the good and the kind and the stupid and the cruel
There’s a fire just waiting for fuel
-LISTEN TO FUEL ON SPOTIFY HERE-
To say that Ani DiFranco has been the artist who has been the soundtrack to most of my life, in one way or another, would be an understatement. Many, many years of Ani touring while I was in college led to going to attending as many Ani shows that I could afford to go to – at least 2 or 3 times a year.
Witnessing her music live in person – is the most therapeutic thing I have ever gifted to myself. Most of the time attending the shows alone so that I could sing along the whole time as I wanted to. So I could move my body to every strum of the guitar. So I could truly be there to LISTEN and BE IN COMMUNITY with others who get it.
Joy Clark opened for Ani in Grass Valley at the center of the arts recently and explained that while church was the first place she was introduced to music – church to her has become anywhere she finds herself playing music.
It made me smile because I have always explained going to an Ani show like going to church to others – because for me – it truly was. To be surrounded by likeminded humans, who want to see good in the world – who understand the value of community and connection… and love the very music that makes your soul dance. It is a powerful thing.
ALL of that to say – getting to photograph the show on Tuesday night at the Center for the Arts in Grass Valley was a dream come true. Having the opportunity to have Ani in front of my lens, was an honor.
If you’re wondering : YES I did bring one of my vulva lighter cases that I handmade myself, to gift her in case we crossed paths that evening. But we didn’t. I know that SOMEDAY one of these lighter cases will end up in her hands. One of them has always meant to. (Bright Side Jewelry Co.)
