Ani DiFranco In Bed with Eva

Pronouns: she/her

Widely considered a feminist icon, Grammy winner Ani DiFranco is the mother of the DIY movement, being one of the first artists to create her own record label in 1990. While she has been known as the “Little Folksinger,” her music has embraced punk, funk, hip hop, jazz, soul, electronica and even more distant sounds. Her collaborators have included everyone from Utah Phillips to legendary R&B saxophonist Maceo Parker to Prince. She has shared stages with Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, Pete Seeger, Kris Kristofferson, Greg Brown, Billy Bragg, Michael Franti, Chuck D., and many more. Her memoir No Walls and the Recurring Dream was released in May 2019, and DiFranco released a No Walls Mixtape alongside the book, offering a new take on songs related to the memoir. The transcendent new album from Ani Di Franco, 'Revolutionary Love' marks the latest proof of one of her most powerful gifts as an artist: a rare ability to give voice to our deepest frustrations and tensions, on both a personal and political level. Produced by Di Franco and recorded mainly in two whirlwind days at Overdub Lane in Durham, 'Revolutionary Love' more than justifies the mad dash behind its making. 'Revolutionary Love' arrives as an instantly transportive selection of songs. Rooted in her poetic lyricism and ever-commanding vocal work, the album unfolds in an understated yet captivating alchemy of folk and soul and lushly textured jazz-pop.



Cripping Up Sex: Today on “In Bed with Eva”, we have the pleasure of talking with Ani DiFranco. Tell us your name, pronouns, and a bit about what you do.

Ani: hi, im ani. i'm a proud she. i write songs and sing and play guitar. i do a lot of other things, but those are my favorite things to do!

Cripping Up Sex: Awesome. How did you get started with this work?

Ani: i met a troubadour type fellow when i was 9 and he started taking me around with him. gigging in bars, busking on the street... i've basically been doing it ever since.

Cripping Up Sex: Cool! How did you decide to create your own record label?

Ani: i just started questioning what it meant when people asked, "do you have a record deal?" what really is a record deal and do i really need one? to do what i want to do? i started exploring the alternatives to seeking the "deal" which is what all young artists were supposed to do.

Cripping Up Sex: That's so cool! It sounds like we both created our businesses out of necessity. You did so because no other record labels would produce your work, and I did so because there was very little information on sex and disability, and I kept being shut down when I asked about it. I think we both were like, “Fuck it! We’ll create what we need ourselves then.” What was your process like creating your label, and what kinds of obstacles did you have to overcome in order to do so?

Ani: totally. we are kindred in that way. we are like harold and the purple crayon, creating the world for ourselves to exist in! as we truly are. all kinds of obstacles for me because there was no precedent really, and not even an internet to speak of in the beginning. distribution was the hardest nut to crack. getting records into record stores- which is how people got music then.

Ani: basically had to wait til demand- people asking for my stuff- made stores call distributors and distributors call me!

Cripping Up Sex: That must have been very liberating but also kind of nerve-wracking lol. I've heard you talk about how people come up to you and say things like, “Oh my god, no one has ever talked about this before,” or, “Thank you for being a voice for people,” which is awesome, but it definitely puts a certain amount of pressure on us (I get that in my work too). How do you deal with being such a prominent public figure and the pressure that goes along with that?

Ani: hmm.... i just try to tell myself i don't have to be a superhero. i just have to be real. i've learned that, when i struggle and when i fail, those are valuable things to share too.... maybe the most valuable. that's when people can really begin to relate to you as an artist and being!

Cripping Up Sex: That's such a good way of thinking about it! You are a big promoter of people speaking their minds, which I love; however, for the disabled community, because we are often silenced or have people “speak for us” who don’t necessarily understand what we want or need but think they do, this can be difficult. How do you make sure that you’re properly listening to and understanding the communities you advocate for?

Ani: yeah- good question. you're never sure- even when advocating for oneself- one can get it wrong! it's a matter of constant questioning and listening.... and being allowed to make mistakes in the process!

Cripping Up Sex: I so agree. Recognizing that you don't have to get it right every time is so important. Many disabled people don’t have bodily autonomy. We are often “just taken care of” without any input about what we want. When you talk about reproductive rights, I know having control over your own body is a big thing you discuss. Where are some other areas you promote bodily autonomy, and how does that present differently in different scenarios?

Ani: man. i imagine you could teach me a lot about that! i should be asking YOU that question! i work with a lot of people in prison and they have no bodily autonomy. they live in cages, cannot go outside when they want, cannot eat what or when they want. sometimes, being friends with people who are in prison for life makes me feel very very grateful about the freedoms i possess. sometimes it makes me feel i can’t breathe to know there are 2 million people in cages in the US.

Cripping Up Sex: Lol I would be so down to talk more about bodily autonomy and disability! I know queer people, people in prison, and disabled people have a huge stigma against them, and it takes someone almost revolutionary to see past that. We both seem to be ahead of our time, you with talking about queer rights and me talking disability and sex (including queer sex). Both were and are taboo topics and continue to be met with a lot of societal pushback. For example, my workshop got protested by the Christian right (which I think is pretty cool in a weird way). How do you handle many people not being ready for what you have to say?

Ani: HAVING FRIENDS LIKE YOU!

Ani: that's what makes me able to handle it.

Ani: to not be alone in the struggle for voice and inclusion.

Cripping Up Sex: Absolutely! That's why I surround myself with other badass people too!

Cripping Up Sex: What are some ways that you build community?

Ani: protests outside your workshop = amazing. and yes- a sign you've touched a nerve! good work.

Ani: the label- righteous babe records has been a great community builder.

Ani: a way to support artists coming up and make community where otherwise is a pretty solitary folksinger existence.

Cripping Up Sex: Where would you like to see Righteous Babe Records go in the future?

Ani: we have a lot of great artists on the label now/ still and all i want is for it to keep going. to be a leg up for others like me. to be sustainable.

Cripping Up Sex: Awesome. Sounds like a great goal to have. Where would you like to see the feminist movement in general go in the future, and how would you like to see disability be included?

Ani: MORE DIVERSITY EVERY DAY! that's where it needs to go. inclusion inclusion inclusion. that's what the feminist movement has pushed towards since the beginning- a slow and imperfect process but diligent, in comparison to the greater society. i believe feminism can provide the template for the wider patriarchal society to move towards freedom for all.

Cripping Up Sex: YES!! Well, that was my last question. This has been so amazing and one of the many conversations we will have about disability. Is there anything else you would like our readers to know?

Ani: i respect you so much eva. i would just like your readers to know i find you to be an inspiration just like you find me. it is mutual. i want to ask you more about what you've learned, overcoming the obstacles the world has thrown your way- but we will save that for next time!

http://anidifranco.com/

@anidifranco

info@righteousbabe.com