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THE NEWEST NEWS
Check here to learn what's next from all the Babes in Babe-land.
10/7/2008
ANI ON NPR’S “ETOWN” THIS WEEKIf you’re a regular, workaday Joe Six-Pack, nothing makes you happier than an evening curled up in front of the radio, mug of Ovaltine in hand, polar bearskin rug at your feet, listening to some great American music. So you don’t want to miss "Etown" on NPR, airing from October 8-14. This broadcast will be Part II of a concert taped at the Temple Buell Theater in downtown Denver, in conjunction with the Democratic National Convention.
The concert features performances by Ani, David Crosby & Graham Nash, James Taylor, Irma Thomas and Tom Morello – dare we say a roster of musical mavericks. You can find a participating station near you right here. |
9/30/2008
ANI VIDEO ON BILLBOARD.COMIt’s Red Letter Year release day, kids! And what better way to celebrate than checking out an exclusive Ani interview/performance originally recorded for billboard.com? In the four-minute clip our fearless leader discusses her latest collection of songs, and plays a solo version of one of RLY’s most tender cuts – “Way Tight.” Like the experience of hearing a new Ani album for the first time, this clip is way rad. Watch for a second clip to be posted on billboard.com soon. |
9/25/2008
COME TO THE NINTH WARD FOR A RED LETTER YEAR LISTENING PARTY!For folks in the Buffalo area (or those of you inclined to visit) – RBR will be hosting a very special listening party for Red Letter Year on Tuesday, September 30 from 6:30 – 9:00pm. Come on down to Babeville, listen to the new Ani release and check out the newly-opened Ninth Ward! We’ll have refreshments and a cash bar, contests and free stuff for all of our friends of RBR. In addition, we will be selling copies of Red Letter Year as well as tickets to Ani’s performance in Asbury Hall on November 29.
Hope to see you at our place! The Ninth Ward is located in the basement of Babeville at 341 Delaware Avenue at the corner of West Tupper Street in downtown Buffalo, NY. |
9/22/2008
CHECK OUT ANI'S DAYTROTTER SESSION, LISTEN FOR FREE.Ani recently stopped by the recording studio run by DayTrotter.com, a website dedicated to sharing indie rock performances that you can’t find anywhere else. During her session, Ani cut versions of two tracks from her forthcoming record, Red Letter Year, as well as the Imperfectly chestnut “Coming Up” and the Revelling/Reckoning anthem “Subdivision.”
You can download all of these performances here, and don't forget Red Letter Year hits your favorite indie store on September 30, and it is cooler than the love child of James Dean and Miles Davis.
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9/11/2008
SNEAK PREVIEW OF ANI’S RED LETTER YEARiMeem is featuring Ani’s new studio album Red Letter Year! Stream the full album at www.imeem.com and hear what it sounds like when Ani takes two years to let an album develop! Once you hear it we know you’re going to want to reserve your copy – and we’d love to send one along to you, starting Friday, September 12 you will have your chance to pre-order the CD at the Righteous Babe Store(and get 20% off everything else in the store when you do!).
So make this a Red Letter Year and enjoy!
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8/26/2008
ANAÏS MITCHELL/RACHEL RIES EP COMING OUT ON SEPT 2If you ever want to make somebody your super-BFF times infinity, touring across the U.S. together is a good way to go about it. That’s what happened to like-minded singer/songwriters Anaïs Mitchell and Rachel Ries, who would often perform on stage together during their joint tour, adding harmonies and instrumental accents to each other’s tunes.
So it comes as little surprise that country e.p., a five-song collection of Mitchell/Ries songs, will be released on 7" vinyl and CD come September 2. According to Mitchell, “It’s a snapshot of our friendship – a chance to make music together and to honor some of our friends while we’re at it.”
See the two artists perform together on their upcoming tour, including a September 12 in-store gig at the brand-new Newbury Comics in Boston (North Market Place building at Faneuil Hall).
Making beautiful, DIY music together – that’s what friends are for.
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8/15/2008
LISTEN TO ANI’S CITY ARTS & LECTURES INTERVIEW TODAY!Today (Friday, August 15) at 1pm EST, WNED-AM 970 will air Ani’s conversation with Rolling Stone’s Michael Azerrad. Michael interviewed Ani in front of a live audience on April 9, 2008, as a part of the City Arts & Lectures series in San Francisco, CA in celebration of the recent release of her collected book of poetry and artwork entitled Verses. Our local Buffalo, NY friends can listen live on WNED 970AM, or anybody, anywhere can stream the interview by clicking here! |
8/8/2008
ANI PERFORMS AT ETOWN DURING DNCAni DiFranco will perform four songs solo at a special Etown show on August 26 at the Buell Theater in Denver, CO as part of the Democratic National Convention. James Taylor, David Crosby & Graham Nash and more will also be performing. Etown is taped in front of a live audience, then rebroadcast nationally on NPR, community and commercial stations around the globe (date to be determined). Tickets go on sale Tuesday, August 12, check etown.org for details.
Ani returns with her band to Denver for a full concert on Saturday, September 27. Tickets for the Paramount show are available at tickethorse.com. |
8/5/2008
ED HAMELL GOES BLOG-WILDHe’s a fearless, award-winning performer, perpetual road warrior and the bleeding heart Godzilla to Ann Coulter’s Mothra. Now you can add “prolific blogger” to Ed Hamell’s magnificently unconventional resume. The always-incisive, ever-hilarious commentary from the man behind Hamell on Trial can be seen on three different blogs – for the online magazine Blurt, CMJ's website and his own site, hamellontrial.com. You can subscribe to the latter site, and get the latest Ed-umacated observations via e-mail.
Ed’s new DVD / CD deluxe package, Rant & Roll, is out now, making some folks laugh and sing, while others feel very, very uncomfortable.
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7/30/2008
AN ANI CONTEST JUST FOR MOMSInterested in an all-expense-paid trip to see Ani in New York City this November? Feel like sharing your thoughts on parenting in an essay, photo or work of art? Hate it when people write everything in the form of a question?
Well, you’re an ideal contestant for Mindful Mama magazine’s “What does it mean to be a mindful mama?” contest.
Click here for info on the contest and an exclusive video interview with Ani, in which she shares her thoughts on motherhood, the birth of her daughter and the presidential election.
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7/21/2008
ANI’S NEW STUDIO ALBUM, RED LETTER YEAR, COMING OUT IN SEPTEMBERAni’s last album was released in 2006, which kinda feels like a decade ago, given her tendency to spoil us with an album (or two) a year. But never fear, DiFrancolytes, for a brand new Ani record will be released on September 30, 2008. It’s called Red Letter Year, and it’s more than worth the wait. These 12 songs have benefited from a couple years of tender loving care, under the watchful eye of Ani and her co-producer/partner Mike Napolitano. If you’ve caught an Ani show recently, chances are you’ve been treated to a couple of ‘em. This is focused, layered, joyful music, starring the Little Folksinger, her inventive three-piece band and a cavalcade of guest musicians.
“I feel like I’m back again,” Ani shares. “I’m out in the world and back in my happy self, ready to have a party.” Come September, she’ll be passing out the ultimate party favor.
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6/24/2008
ED HAMELL’S RANT & ROLL THREAT LEVEL: REDIf you’re late to the raving-mad-anti-establishment-comedy-storytelling-guitar-string-punishing-folk party that is Ed Hamell – or his nom de plume Hamell On Trial – have we got a package for you. On July 8, RBR releases Ed’s deluxe CD/DVD Rant & Roll, which captures his incomparable one-man show “The Terrorism of Everyday Life” and takes you on the road with the provocative, hysterical, potty-mouthed troubadour.
The CD captures Ed’s Herald Award-winning “Terrorism of Everyday Life” show at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, including a story about how he pissed off John Lennon, an advertisement for a glutton-friendly restaurant called “The Trough,” the tale of his near-fatal car accident, and explorations of what happens when parents who did drugs have inquisitive kids.
The DVD mixes footage from the Edinburgh show and a gig at Babeville, along with interviews, off-the-cuff road segments, DIY animation and Hamell’s own cartoons.
Reserve your copy ofRant & Roll today. It would be un-American to do otherwise.
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6/18/2008
GET A FREE PASS TO ANI’S “GEO SESSIONS”You might think it would be totally tubular to see three Ani shows in a month. Well, we’ve got a proposition that’s even tubular-er – when you buy tickets to three Ani gigs on the July 7-16 leg of her summer tour through Righteous Babe Records, we’ll hook you up with a free pass to Ani’s July 8 “Geo Sessions” in Washington, DC (a limited number of passes are available - first come, first served).
The intimate show will air on Nat Geo Music, National Geographic’s 24-hour music channel, which is devoted to exploring all forms of music and examining the different cultures that inspire them.
On top of this once-in-a-lifetime event, you’ll also receive a free tour t-shirt and a commemorative laminate (that’s right, a laminated piece of paper, just for you).
“This seems too good to be true!” you might exclaim. Well, there is one downside. The National Geographic folks require that you wear shoes in their studio – clearly a result of Big Shoe’s stranglehold on the mainstream media.
For details on this limited time offer, move your concert-going arse [here]. |
6/10/2008
ANI GUESTS ON NEW DR. JOHN RECORDOn Dr. John’s new album, City That Care Forgot released June 3, the pen is mightier than the sword, and the piano is royally pissed at FEMA. Ani contributes to this New Orleans rock legend’s star-studded ode to his hometown – listen for her guitar and backing vocals on the title track, along with guest appearances from Eric Clapton, Willie Nelson and Terence Blanchard. |
6/3/2008
KIMYA DAWSON SET TO OPEN FIVE SHOWS FOR ANIAs of this writing, the pharmaceutical industry has yet to create a drug that treats post-Independence Day depression (if they did, we recommend calling it “Freederol” or “Ameritrex”). In the meantime, Kimya Dawson should work just fine.
See the co-founder of The Moldy Peaches open for Ani on part of the July leg of her tour including July 11 in Richmond, VA, July 12 in Florence, MA, July 13 in Hyannis, MA, July 15 in Danbury, CT and July 16 in New York City.
Her sweet, homemade “anti-folk” songs were the heart and soul of the movie Juno – they should help you get that sour Lee Greenwood taste out of your mouth.
Visit the Ani tour page for more info.
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5/28/2008
ANI TAKES OVER THE WORLD (CAFÉ).On Friday, May 30, you can hear Ani perform a 45-minute set, live on NPR’s World Café. If there was ever a time for her to brainwash our children with satanic subliminal messages, this is it.
The show is broadcast live on WXPN 88.5 FM, starting at 7:00 p.m. Ani will perform from 8:00-8:45 p.m.
The full line-up:
Newton Faulkner: 7:30-7:50 p.m.
Ani: 8:00-8:45 p.m.
The Hold Steady: 9:15-10 p.m.
Dr. John: 10:30-11:30 p.m.
The show is archived at worldcafe.npr.org, so you’ll be able to play it backwards and decipher Ani’s attempts to raise the Dark Lord from his eternal slumber.
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5/28/2008
REGINA SPEKTOR TO PLAY WITH ANI IN PHILLYRegina Spektor is to Ani DiFranco as Martin Van Buren is to _____________?
A. John Tyler
B. James K. Polk
C. William Henry Harrison
D. Millard Fillmore
Answer: C
Spektor, a Russian-born, NYC-based singer/songwriter, is opening for Ani at her July 9 show at the Mann Center for the Performing Arts in Philadelphia – just like President Van Buren warmed up the nation for William Henry Harrison from 1837-1841.
For tickets to see Ani and Regina kick out the jams, Whig Party-style, visit ticketphiladelphia.org.
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5/27/2008
BRUCE “U. UTAH” PHILLIPS (1935-2008)We are deeply saddened to report the passing of a close friend & fellow worker. Utah Phillips, a storyteller in the grand tradition of Woody Guthrie and Pete Seeger, died in his sleep on May 23, 2008. Over the course of his career, Phillips was an inexhaustible performer, stressing the values of oral tradition more than the permanence of the recording studio. Each time he collaborated with Ani on an album (1996’s The Past Didn’t Go Anywhere and 1999’s Fellow Workers), it was a rare, absorbing treat.
Utah’s musical legacy supports the argument that life experience makes for the best art. His songs are informed by his Steinbeck novel-esque past, including a stint in the Korean War, a resulting period that found him riding the rails, trying to make sense of the devastation he had witnessed, a discovery of causes he believed in (pacifism and workers’ rights) and a bid for the U.S. Senate.
Utah Phillips will always be known as “The golden voice of the great American Southwest.” And like the precious metal in his nickname, Utah’s legacy will only become more valuable as time carries on.
His family requests memorial donations to Hospitality House, the homeless shelter Phillips started in 2005:
Hospitality House
P.O. Box 3223
Grass Valley, CA 95945
(530) 271-7144
hospitalityhouseshelter.org
For more information on Utah click here. |
5/19/2008
SPECIAL ANI PHILADELPHIA PROMOTION ANNOUNCEDBuy a ticket this week for the July 9 Mann Center show and you might get a chance to attend a Super Secret Ani DiFranco Show.
Purchase tickets to Ani's July 9 show at the Mann Center before 11:59pm EST on Monday, May 26 and enter a drawing to attend an intimate, invitation-only performance by Ani at a super secret location in Philadelphia. The performance will be taped for the Ovation TV series, “Live from the Artists Den,” presented by Grey Goose Entertainment. Twenty lucky people will be invited to the private show, which will take place Thursday, May 29, and you can even bring a friend! We will email the winners details the week of the taping, and they will be added to the guest list.
Rules:
Promotion is limited to one invitation per person, plus one guest. You and your guest must be 18 or older to attend. Travel and accommodations are not included. To enter simply purchase a ticket for the July 9 Ani DiFranco show at the Mann Center at any authorized ticketing outlet. Your email address will be collected upon purchase. Then send an email with your name, age, street address, daytime phone and email address to contest@righteousbabe.com before 11:59pm EST on Monday, May 26. If you have already purchased a ticket you are still eligible – simply email the same information to us at contest@righteousbabe.com. One entry per email address.
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5/13/2008
ANI ON MOUNTAIN STAGEAll the folks who made it to the March 3 Mountain Stage concert witnessed a rare combination of Ani and her band, moe., Big Head Todd and the Monsters, Paul Kelly, and George Stanford each playing a handful of songs for an enthusiastic Athens, OH crowd. Now listeners across the country can hear what transpired on that stage during the Mountain Stage radio show! The show will air between Friday, May 30 and Friday, June 6 (depending on the station). To see if it will be broadcast on a radio station near you click here. Once you know the radio station, make sure you don’t miss the show by calling to get exact air date and time. |
5/9/2008
“PRESENT/INFANT” VIDEO POSTED FOR MOTHER’S DAYSomething for all the Righteous Baby Mama’s on Mother’s Day!
Ani DiFranco’s new DVD, Live at Babeville, features this previously unreleased track "Present/Infant." Inspired by her daughter, Petah Lucia, this song is sure to be included on her new studio album release, Red Letter Year, coming this fall. In the meantime enjoy the motherly glow of Ani with her band on the stage of Babeville in Buffalo, NY.
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5/8/2008
ANI AND FAMILY GRACE THE COVER OF MOTHERING MAGAZINE  Time to hit up your local newsstand, the May – June issue of the “natural family living” magazine, Mothering, features an in depth interview with Ani. Find out about Petah’s birth and the changes she has made in Ani’s life. With beautiful family photos taken especially for the story, this is your introduction to Ani the mom - who just happens to be one heck of a little folksinger!
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5/8/2008
SING OUT! MAGAZINE COVER GIRL, ANI DIFRANCOFolk music magazine, Sing Out!, features a cover story about Ani in their Spring 2008 issue. Focusing on the release of her 2-disc retrospective Canon and her poetry book Verses, this story shows the many faces of Ani throughout the years, her independent journey and her current bliss. Just for fun there’s some talk about her previous collaboration with the purple one too (that’s Prince, not Barney). As an added bonus, Sing Out! includes the sheet music to “Studying Stones” so break out your guitars and capos! |
4/22/2008
ANI’S JUNE TOUR DATESThe April tour is winding down, but come June the party starts back up again bringing Ani and the band (Todd Sickafoose on bass, Allison Miller on drums, and Mike Dillon on Vibes/Percussion) back to the West Coast including Salt Lake City, Flagstaff, Las Vegas and Anaheim. With special guest Martyn Joseph starting the shows off with his unique brand of passionate acoustic songwriting from the UK, these shows are sure to folkdafy your summer. Check out the tour page to find out how to get your tickets! |
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