ANI DI FRANCO on feminism, patriarchy

Saw her in Central Park last night. She was amazing. I highly encourage everyone to go out and purchase Reprieve, her newest, when it comes out.

Check her comments on patriarchy:
The title of veteran singer/songwriter Ani DiFranco`s new album, 'Reprieve,' is both apt and ironic. The 35-year-old was forced off the road last year while recovering from extreme tendonitis in her wrists and hands. But, just as she has throughout her career, she remains restless as a political activist and musician.

To be released on Aug. 8 on DiFranco`s own Righteous Babe label, 'Reprieve' is a "hard look at patriarchy," according to the artist.

"It is kind of weird, in this day and age, to be talking about that particular subject. You`d think instead it`d be about the war or the government infrastructure or the kind of greed from that government that we`re subject to," DiFranco tells Billboard.com. "But I sort of see all these things stemming from this one thing. I think that patriarchy is the root of imbalance, the disease from which all these symptoms manifest."

"I`m not looking for the other extreme, but just for the consciousness of incorporating women into the permanent structure, as an essential ingredient for peace," she continues. "And that doesn`t mean just plugging them into a few seats in Congress, where they may just become part of the system. I`m talking about a permanent change, a part of the language." She laughs. "Is that heavy enough for you?"


She talked a lot about the power of words, and definitions, and how if you looked up feminism in a 1900 dictionary you waould have been like “femi-WHAT?” and we all laughed. “But just look at it now,” she said. Then she laughed about when being asked to “speak for the feminists” in interviews, “like there are a handful of us.” she said. “Like we’re a little club.” All the thousands of people there screamed. Then she talked about the definition of patriarachy she found in Webster’s - “a society controlled by men in which they exploit and use power to their own advantage”. “Hmm...” she said. Implying that even THAT was getting a little outdated, she said, “I simply define patriarchy as a society controlled by men...”

They’re on their way out, ladies! War and abuse are exploding around them in their faces. We will emerge strong, just, wise, and caring!!!

FCW ROCK! I gave out bunched of FCW flyers to cool women at the show....and got to give MY CD to Toshi Reagon, ANOTHER FCW who is a rocker from Brooklyn on Righteous Babe who opened for Ani, and then bought her CD and had her sign it. She was smoking a big huge cigar. It was hot.

LOVE THE LADIES WHO ROCK!

Amy Clarke
Singer/Songwriter, Keyboardist, Producer
ScorpFaery Productions
)O( everything she touches changes )O(