Amy Ray is currently on tour in support of her new solo album, Didn't It Feel Kinder, but she's still talking Indigo Girls. The famous lesbian duo are feeling "Closer to Fine" about being dropped by Hollywood Records after their last album, telling Billboard that they are actually relieved to be out of the deal.

"We probably shouldn't have even gone into it," Ray told the music business publication. "But we're excited now because we really feel like being without label is going to be a good thing for us for a while."

With the dedicated fan base they have, the Indigo Girls have will most likely reap more benefits from going it alone. In fact, some of the new songs they've played live have already showed up online — but Ray and bandmate Emily Saliers don't mind.

"Like for us, it's all just getting it out there and building the community," Ray said. "It's fun and like when people were bootlegging shows in the old days." … continue reading

In David Lodge's campus comedy, Changing Places, the characters play a game called Humiliation, in which they take turns admitting their secret literary shame. Each player names the most embarrassing book they've never read, and when one character wins by admitting that he's never read Hamlet, he loses his job. The AfterEllen.com bloggers recently played our own game of Lesbian Pop Culture Humiliation, and when Sarah Warn, Malinda Lo and Trish Bendix read our confessions, we're probably all going to get fired.

To make our impending unemployment worth it, you've got to play along!

My secret lesbian shame is that I've never read or watched any Sarah Waters — not even the naughty bits, which I hear you can swiftly find online. (Gina Vivinetto admits this same lesbian sin.)

Reese DoWitt says the top three most embarrassing lesbian movies she's never seen are Bound, The Incredible Adventures Of Two Girls In Love and Chutney Popcorn.

Dorothy Snarker admits to never having watched a single episode of Bad Girls. (She played it down, though, by saying that she has watched plenty of Helen and Nikki fan videos.) … continue reading

If you had the chance, what would you ask Amy Ray? Perhaps you're a huge Indigo Girls fan and you've always wanted to know what the ladies include on their rider. Or, you love Amy's record label, Daemon Records, and are dying to know how she chooses her artists (she can afford to be picky.)

Luckily, the musician, the woman, and the lesbian legend, Amy Ray, is willing to tell you what you want to know, AfterEllen.com readers (within reason, of course.) We'll be talking to her next week and will be asking her the questions you have for her. Please send your inquiries by Monday, July 21 to trishbendix@gmail.com. We'll sort through them and ask her the most insightful, relevant, and possibly hilarious questions you have. … continue reading

This week on All Access Pass, Andrea Meyerson takes you backstage with the Indigo Girls (Amy Ray and Emily Saliers) for a rare on-camera interview before they perform for thousands of fans at the Long Beach Terrace Theater. The ladies discuss the longevity of their musical duo, their favorite songs and being out queer performers, among other things.

There's also a sneak peak of the IG performing their opening song that night.

To check out the Indigo Girls' tour schedule and new CD, go to www.indigogirls.com.

For more information on Andrea Meyerson, check out www.alloutfilms.com and www.womenonaroll.com.

Last week, some boys at The Onion's A.V. Club compiled a list of “23 Songs That Should Never Be Covered Again.” I thought it would be a fun list, but I found it kind of boring because it was full of songs that have been covered well (“All Along the Watchtower,” “Respect,” “I Heard It Through the Grapevine”) and songs I've never heard covered (“99 Luftballons,” “Come On Eileen”). So I quickly found that I did not care. However, it did get me thinking, and I eventually came up with a list of my own: covers I like even more than the originals.

5. “I Think We're Alone Now,” Tiffany (original — Tommy James and the Shondells)

Don't hate me because I like this song. I love the Tommy James version of the song, and I was never a Tiffany fan. But there's something about her cover (mall performances and all) that is very memorable and — dare I say? — good. My affinity may be influenced by my early college memories surrounding the song, but there's something about her perky, raspy voice that just works. … continue reading

I'm a longtime Anne Murray fan. As an adolescent, I had quite a crush on her. I was even in the habit of giving my mom Anne Murray albums at every opportunity, pretending they weren't entirely for me.

But, as you do with adolescent crushes, I had kind of forgotten about Murray. That is, until AfterEllen.com readers Kara and Andrea (thanks!) told me about her new album, Duets: Friends and Legends.

I cannot believe the track list, especially these gems: … continue reading

In honor of gay pride week, music magazine Blender (it's basically Maxim with occasional ads for cds and guitar strings) has released it's list of the gayest moments in music.

Naturally the list is comprised mostly of men--Elton John, George Michael, Lou Reed, Lance Bass--but there are a smattering of women included. And they're mostly the usual suspects.

1.) t.A.T.u. leading an underwear-clad, back-flipping teen "lesbian" revolution at the 2003 MTV Movie Awards.

2.) "Groom" Madonna kissing her devoted virginal "brides" Britney Spears and Xtina Aguilera at the 2003 MTV Movie Awards.

The brief appearance of Missy Elliott added some additional butchy flavor to the number, and how cute is Queer Eye's Carson Kressley freaking out like a teenage baby dyke over all of the girl-on-girl action?

2003 was a good year for pseudo-lesbianism. … continue reading

Prince's halftime show notwithstanding, I don't think guitars are necessarily phallic. Men have dominated the guitar world (especially when it comes to smashing things and jumping off amp towers), but who says it has to stay that way?

Here are some axe-wielding women who sound as good as they look.

1. Pioneers: Without them, this blog post wouldn't exist.

Wanda Jackson [pictured]
Bonnie Raitt
Nancy Wilson (Heart)

… continue reading