Poseidon And The Bitter Bug

It’s been two decades since the Indigo Girls launched their career with their independently released debut album, 1987’s Strange Fire. Now, after entertaining millions with their 10 major-label studio albums (nine on Epic Records and one, 2006’s Despite Our Differences, on Hollywood Records), Emily Saliers and Amy Ray have come full circle with the independent release of their new album, Poseidon And The Bitter Bug, on their new label IG Recordings.

“I am overwhelmingly excited to be independent because it really is where the heart of music sits for me,” says Ray.

“At this point in our career, we don’t need the big corporate label,” Saliers says. “We don’t want it. We got tired of the empty promises and just wanted to do our own thing. It feels liberating and centering, even in the midst of change.”

Despite being tethered to a major label, the Indigo Girls have always felt like an independent band — creating a string of elegantly layered, acoustic guitar-driven folk-rock albums on their own terms, and “remaining a little island of consistency in an aggressively unpredictable industry,” as Billboard magazine put it. That hasn’t changed on Poseidon And The Bitter Bug. These ten songs, five by Ray and five by Saliers, retain the indelible melodies and silvery harmonies that have become their trademark, but they also display the growth of two intelligent, empathetic artists devoted to always evolving in their craft.

Both Saliers and Ray were excited to go back into the studio with Mitchell Froom, who is known for his work with Elvis Costello, Paul McCartney, Los Lobos, and Crowded House, among others.

“Mitchell was able to build a bridge between Emily's songs and my songs more successfully than anyone we've worked with,” Ray says. Adds Saliers: “He likes Amy’s music and he likes my music, which is not the easiest thing to find because we are so different and our songs are different.”

Those differences have made for a long-lasting musical partnership informed by balancing the creative tensions between two very distinct personalities. Saliers and Ray have known each other since elementary school in Decatur, GA, and began performing together in high school. They first appeared on the public’s radar in the late ’80s as part of a folk-pop singer/songwriter revival that also included Suzanne Vega and Tracy Chapman.

Like we said, the Indigo Girls have come full circle. “I feel a great sense of freedom in finally being rid of the major-label world,” Ray says. “It’s been a burden for a while for me. I felt an honesty and sincerity making Poseidon, because I fully believe in independence.”

Leisha Hailey is an actress and musician. She was born in Okinawa, Japan to American parents, and grew up in Bellevue, Nebraska. In 1991, she graduated from the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York City.

Leisha's first major acting role was in All Over Me (1997), a film that's reached lesbian cult status. One of her best-known roles was bisexual journalist, Alice Pieszecki on The L-Word. She has appeared several television shows, including Boy Meets World, Ellen, CSI, and Grey's Anatomy.

Leisha has also had an active musical career, starting with the pop duo The Murmurs, which she formed with her former Academy classmate, Heather Grody. The Murmurs released several albums and toured with Lillith Fair. In 2001, The Murmurs became Gush, and played together until 2004 when Leisha took the part of Alice Pieszecki on The L-Word. In 2005, Leisha founded Marfa Records.

Leisha is currently part of the popular indie electro-pop hybrid duo Uh Huh Her with Camila Grey. They have released an EP as well as a full-length CD and have played to sold-out crowds in L.A., New York, and the U.K.

One of the original founders of Olivia Records and its first recording artist, Meg has been an icon of women’s music for decades. Meg recorded five albums for Olivia including the historic 10th anniversary concert at Carnegie Hall. In 1984 Meg retired from performing in order to serve full time with the SYDA Foundation, a non profit organization that disseminates the spiritual teachings of the Siddha Yoga path.

From 1973 – 1984 Meg dedicated her life to creating music that celebrated all aspects of women’s lives. As a founder of Olivia, she toured the country helping to build audiences in church basements and women’s centers, which eventually led to filling major concert halls all over the country. Due in great part to her efforts, women’s music became a significant cultural phenomenon, enabling women to perform, produce and tour. Her humor as well as her deep compassion and commitment to women were the cornerstones of her concerts and her albums.

Vickie Shaw returns to Olivia with her slow paced (she's southern), incredibly endearing, (she's southern), sharp, don't mess with her (she's southern!), comedy. Vickie doesn't have to go far from home for material - as a recovering SoB (Southern Baptist) and out lesbian mother, she's successfully raised two sons (one of whom is married and just gave her a "perfect baby granddaughter"), has a teenage daughter still living at home, and a "husbian" in Sgt. Patch. Yeah there's enough material there to fill a few hours. Vickie has performed in almost every State in the US, and had headlined in too many venues to list here but trust us, this girl's been around.

Julie Goldman deals with the art of stand-up like she's got nothing to lose. Goldman is a crackerjack stand-up comic whose romping pop style and perfect timing allow her to wrest the uproarious from the serious and send her audience careening toward side-splitting bliss. Call it feminist or lesbian humor if you want, but the great thing about Goldman is she transcends all those terms and shows us that we're all in this together. She is very now and an absolute must see.

After a succesful first season of THE BIG GAY SKETCH SHOW on LOGO—Julie is back in Season 2 better then ever. Catch her impeccable impersonations of Liza Minnelli, Kirstie Ally, Suze Orman, Ethel Mertz, and oh so many more anytime you want!

Catch Julie online at www.julie-goldman.com and her brand new comedy attack - JULIE GOLDMAN's OFFENSIVE WOMEN. Eve Ensler (Vagina Monologues and V DAY) has come on to co produce and after a sold out weekend in NYC The Offense will launch again this summer in NYC and LA.

Imagine a cross between Natalie Cole, Diana Krall and Bette Midler. Add a dash of Louis Armstrong and you might get some idea of Suede's unique talents and charm. Think sophisticated pop/jazz, think naughty blues with a sizzling trumpet, think love songs that make you swoon, think funny, think Wow, what a voice! Think sassy, classy and fun!

Suede's latest CD, "Dangerous Mood" was recorded at Bennett (as in Tony) Studios in New York with her own hand picked 14 piece big band to celebrate her first 25 years on her own record label, Easily Suede Music. She tours extensively in the US, Europe and as far away as New Zealand and Australia, to full houses and rave reviews.

This Diva la Difference has appeared on ABC's 20/20, NPR, MTV, and in the film "A Simple Matter of Justice". Her DVD "Suede, Live at Scullers Jazz Club" is currently a PBS special airing on over 50 stations nationally. Her rendition of the Roxanna Ward/Lynn DeFino song "Remember Who You Are" was recently featured on the soap opera, "The Young and the Restless" and is featured on HRC's compilation disc,"Being Out Rocks" with other artists of note such as Sarah McLachlan, Rufus Wainright, k.d.Lang, Harvey Fierstein, Janis Ian, Cyndi Lauper, The B52's and others. She also holds the distinction of being the first and only female member of the world renowned a cappella group The Flirtations, seen in Jonathan Demme's film "Philadelphia." Her recent CD "On the Day We Met" features "Emily Remembers" which became the number 1 song for the year on WJZW jazz radio in Washington, DC.

With a strong belief in the responsibility that comes with any degree of celebrity status, she has helped raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for various causes she supports, including affordable housing, Breast Cancer awareness and research, AIDS funding, Alzheimers Care and research, Animal rights and many others.

And, she is FUN! From unbelievable a cappella to "bring down the house" belting blues, Suede delivers it all with her own unique blend of warmth, wit and musical artistry.

www.suedewave.com

"A great voice, even better enthusiasm and an almost giddy delight at entertaining audiences that, if bottled, would make every anti-depressant on the market obsolete."

- Steppin' Out Arts, NYC

"Precisely elegant phrasing, sheer pizzazz, emotional transparency that's gripping to watch"

- Albany Daily Gazette

"Voices like hers come along maybe once in a generation. A spectacular evening of song and style!"

- New York Times

"A great pop and jazz stylist of all manner of material. Her voice is pure, marvelously musical!"

- San Francisco Examiner

COMIC * ACTOR * WRITER * LECTURER * MODEL

METRO WEEKLY, April 2008, Washington, D.C.'s premier LGBTQ magazine, says it all about HEALING HUMOR featuring comic Karen Williams. Get your copy today and enjoy the insightful commentary from our community's one and only healing humorist!

Karen recently filmed her hilarious solo show, "I NEED A SNACK" at the Knitting Factory in Hollywood, California for LOGO TV. Produced by Andrea Meyerson of AllOut Films, this performance piece is likely to become one of the hottest features on the gay network, so look out for it and make sure to tell your friends!

LAUGHING MATTERS, the award-winning feature film starring Karen Williams, made Blockbuster Video's New Releases List -- a first for this genre -- and is shown on HERE and LOGO TV. An audience favorite at film fests, the comedy-documentary showcases Karen’s star quality while intriguing interviews highlight her social activism.

As a solo entertainer, Karen Williams delights SRO audiences from San Francisco to South Beach to Sydney, and is a comic favorite on the renowned Olivia Cruises. Karen is a featured comic in "We’re Funny That Way," the hilarious, internationally-acclaimed film shown regularly on HBO, as well as a nominee for the 1999 GLAMA Award for the irreverent comedy CD, "human beings: what a concept" (Uproar Records).

Comedy writer and former television host of the New York variety show, "In The Life," Williams' humor writings appear in numerous anthologies, including "Joke Stew" (Andrews McMeel Publishing); Revolutionary Laughter" (Crossing Press); "Out in All Directions" (Warner Books); and "Out, Loud & Laughing" (Random House).

For more information and bookings, contact: High End Booking @ HaHA Institute: www.hahainstitute.com, haha@multiverse.com

Raised by a wild pack of Jews, otherwise known as her mother and siblings, Dana Goldberg is a force of nature on stage. From Last Comic Standing at the Tempe Improv to the Fringe Festival in Edinburgh, Scotland, Dana is spreading her quick wit and playful stage presence across the world. Hailed as one of the new "Queer Queens of Qomedy" CURVE Magazine raves, "She's smart, cute, and seriously funny." Girl4Girl in Seattle calls Dana our "triple threat."

Dana has performed at numerous festivals including "We're Funny That Way Comedy Festival" in Toronto, Canada, "The Lesbian and Gay Comedy Festival" in Dearborn, Michigan, "The Comedy Festival" in Las Vegas, Nevada (produced by HBO and sponsored by TBS), "The Fringe Festival" in Edinburgh, Scotland; and is co-producer and host of the Southwest FunnyFest.

Goldberg also performs for mainstream crowds across the country in comedy clubs such as The Tempe Improv, Caroline's on Broadway, Bonkerz Comedy Club, The Comedy Cellar in NYC, and Catch a Rising Star.

Dana continues to combine her gift of humor with humanitarian efforts raising thousands of dollars to fight HIV/AIDS, and joins GLBT communities and organizations across the country to raise national awareness in the fight for equality. She has worked with several national organizations including the Ms. Foundation in NYC, We're Funny That Way Foundation in Toronto, Canada, and Bas Bleu in Phoenix, AZ.

Dana Goldberg is a crowd favorite where ever she steps onto a stage. From Olivia Cruises and resorts to Cocktails and Comedy in Los Angeles, fans are lining up across the country to catch her routine. As the youngest child in a single parent household run by a Jewish mother in which two out of three kids are gay, Dana helps keep most of the comedy venues and half of the psychotherapists in the country in business.

Julie Wolf is a multi-instrumentalist and singer who, besides making music of her own, has established herself as a sensitive, eclectic, collaborative, first-call side player. She has toured and recorded with luminaries in the jazz, folk, funk and rock/pop worlds, including Ani DiFranco (4 1/2 years as DiFranco's keyboardist), Maceo Parker, Bruce Cockburn, Dar Williams, Catie Curtis, Kris Delmhorst, Laura Love, Wayne Horvitz, Robin Holcomb, and jazz singer Rhiannon, among others. She's brought her memorably simple, pure musicality to stages across the world, as well as to a growing number of critically acclaimed recordings.

Preceding the globe trotting touring and recording that has kept her busy for the last decade, Wolf had a seasoned jazz life, having been part of Seattle's jazz community for many years.