Ravinia 2024 Issue 4

in a c r o o k e d line queer role models in the early ’90s. And although the Grammy winners have known each other since they were kids in Decatur, GA—Saliers, 61, and Ray, 60, were one grade apart in elementa- ry school, becoming friends in their teens—they have never been carbon copies of each other. An appreciation for their points of contrast is also key to their longevity. “We’re very different, and our differences are hugely important to the duo,” Saliers observes. “Amy’s sensibili- ties and the way she writes music come from a punk-rock aesthetic. I was much more influenced by narrative style; Joni Mitchell’s my personal songwriting hero. We write our songs separately, and then we come together to arrange. I sing in a higher voice than she does. I’m more of a guitar picker; she’s a strummer. Those artistic differences keep us together.” Finally, at the core of the Indigo Girls lies a bedrock of loyalty—to each other, yes, and to their entire found family. “We have had the same manager since 1987. We have the same agent,” Saliers notes. “Every step along the way has been quite organic, and the thing that feels really good is: Along the way, we never compromised our values or our standards. The fact that Amy’s and my friendship is wholly intact after 40 years, that’s absolutely remarkable.” All these factors mean that the band still brings a palpable sense of joy to their concerts. “We have songs we don’t want to play anymore, mostly because they’re not that great,” Ray acknowledges. “But the classics—‘Closer to Fine,’ ‘Galileo,’ the ones where everybody sings along— they don’t get tiresome. For me, it’s a fun communal time. There’s not any song people love that we need to retire. The fact that people are still willing to jump up and sing along and not be jaded— yeah, it’s a positive feedback loop.” RAVINIA.ORG  • RAVINIAMAGAZINE 7