Ani DiFranco on Trump, Her New Memoir, Defying Music Moguls & Working with Pete Seeger and Prince

Legendary Grammy-award winning songwriter, guitarist and activist Ani DiFranco has published a new memoir, No Walls and the Recurring Dream, and joins us for an extended conversation about refusing to bow to the power of record companies, and founding her own music label at age 19 in 1990, called Righteous Babe. She has gone on to release 20 studio albums, and sell over 5 million records. Over the years her music has woven together styles ranging from folk to funk, soul to jazz to R and B. She sings of the personal and political, of love, sexuality and loneliness, of sexual abuse and police brutality, and about the perversion of democracy in America. One of the many musicians she worked with, Pete Seeger once, described DiFranco as “the torch bearer for the next generation.” She also discusses Trump, abortion rights and reads a poem she wrote after 9/11.
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Пікірлер: 212

  • @flanigan_a-go-go
    @flanigan_a-go-go5 жыл бұрын

    Yes!!! We love you ANI... VIVA LA REVOLUTION 🤘

  • @Queenie-the-genie
    @Queenie-the-genie5 жыл бұрын

    Dear Annie - I love you. I can't praise you enough. Self Evident (my favorite) being only one of the masterpieces by you that I love...but it is my favorite. After I first heard it following 911, I played it over and over. I wept and I raged and I had hope in all those who wept and raged with me because I knew there were multitudes of us. I was so priviledged to see you and the extraordinary Utah Phillips together at the Kate Wolf Festival. So glad I did not miss that. Pete Seeger was my first musical love and everyhing came later. I found him accidentally, when he was given a show on PBS as soon as he was unblacklisted. It changed everything for me because I found my heart home, my tribe. ❤️❤️❤️

  • @kathysherman4958

    @kathysherman4958

    5 жыл бұрын

    Kate White 9. Z

  • @createinjoy
    @createinjoy5 жыл бұрын

    My eternal love and gratitude to Ani and Amy. Shhhhhh.....hear the train?

  • @andrewpennington2251
    @andrewpennington22515 жыл бұрын

    I made my punk buddy go see you in NY. Have a daughter now. Thank you for fighting so hard

  • @KatieFranks-wy6it
    @KatieFranks-wy6it Жыл бұрын

    Ani is way beyond her time. I will listen to music that got me through Jr high and realize how its relevant to today. Cheers to an artist who was never afraid to be herself and broke through the norms to stand up to everyone and break molds. She will always hold a place in my heart

  • @jamesangusmcaninch
    @jamesangusmcaninch4 жыл бұрын

    I believe she will be remembered as one of the great poets of our time in history. Her lyrics are soul-shaking poetry. Her music stands alone as well. I believe.

  • @JasonMediumO

    @JasonMediumO

    11 ай бұрын

    Her lyrics are incredible. She's a genius. It's sad that she is so intellectually lazy. I'm sure only interacting with her own band and employees doesn't help round out her worldview any.

  • @kendalson7817
    @kendalson78175 жыл бұрын

    Pioneer. Back when major record labels were all powerful she said "I don't need them."

  • @drunkvegangal8089

    @drunkvegangal8089

    5 жыл бұрын

    Jane Siberry did the same in 1996. Sheeba Records. Go Ladies!!

  • @kendalson7817

    @kendalson7817

    5 жыл бұрын

    @@drunkvegangal8089 Yes!

  • @kendalson7817

    @kendalson7817

    5 жыл бұрын

    @@drunkvegangal8089 her poem at the end was very good and moving too.

  • @TheColeTruth

    @TheColeTruth

    4 жыл бұрын

    And she was hugely sucessful without them!

  • @cortesione
    @cortesione5 жыл бұрын

    Omg. Awesome. Thank ypu.

  • @cajhilly
    @cajhilly5 жыл бұрын

    Ani, you move me so deeply and have been a huge inspiration. So good to see and hear you right now. Thank you for being so strong and sharing your talents with us. Love you!

  • @mizb.9170
    @mizb.91705 жыл бұрын

    Yes art first always 💋😘

  • @cortesione
    @cortesione5 жыл бұрын

    Little Plastic Castle and Living in Clip. My faves.

  • @craigbowers4016

    @craigbowers4016

    4 жыл бұрын

    I'd through Dilate in there too.

  • @joshbusby47

    @joshbusby47

    3 жыл бұрын

    "Living in Clip" is overwhelming. I love that album; excellent call!

  • @fedexnman

    @fedexnman

    3 жыл бұрын

    Not a Pretty Girl too .

  • @brandonhill8283
    @brandonhill82835 жыл бұрын

    Great interview democracy now! Ani is such an amazing and interesting person, big fan of hers!

  • @kateuhler7803
    @kateuhler7803 Жыл бұрын

    Ani Difranco is my personal hero. A tour de force. A musical guitar genius and wordsmith. She's amazing. Love her.

  • @SlackKeyPaddy
    @SlackKeyPaddy5 жыл бұрын

    Excellent interview with Ani DiFranco, thanx so much, Amy.

  • @TheAmazingHuman
    @TheAmazingHuman5 жыл бұрын

    Fell a little bit in love. Never really got into this artist's work. So happy I saw this... I'm better for it.

  • @donHooligan
    @donHooligan5 жыл бұрын

    "George W Bush is NOT The POTUS" -Ani "Every tool is a weapon, if you hold it right" -DiFranco

  • @williammckay3790
    @williammckay37905 жыл бұрын

    What a beautiful, shining example of a human being Ani is! I have only seen her perform once- I was loving her music (and had figured out "Untouchable Face" which I sang with my guitar)- and finally got to see Ani LIVE at the Enmore Theatre in Sydney early 2000's....I was absolutely blown away at how amazingly well she plays- Just Ani and maybe 8 different guitars! Definitely in my top 5 concerts ever! PS I Love Democracy now and thankyou so much for your intelligent and sensitive interviews and especially this one! Cheers- Bernard

  • @personalguidancebyangelfir7825
    @personalguidancebyangelfir7825 Жыл бұрын

    Her poetry is as amazing as her songs. Sigh, love that righteous babe

  • @dr.trixiecp5651
    @dr.trixiecp56515 жыл бұрын

    Thoroughly enjoyed this sit down interview with Ani....thank you Amy 🙏❤️

  • @deeliciousplum
    @deeliciousplum Жыл бұрын

    From time to time, I do worry about the intent of Democracy Now! Thoughts churn around my little mind, as like: is being too "radical" an identity which can evoke blinders. Is controversy this generation's clickbait and brand/commodity. Then, I listen to this interview of a loved artist and the connection Ani DiFranco has with Amy Goodman and my worries are slayed. Ani is a living compassionate hero/orator. Much like the artists whose shoulders Ani claims to stand upon, Ani is an artist whose shoulders are where many future generations of heroes and masterful orators will be perched upon and launched from. Thank you Amy Goodman and to Democracy Now! for sharing this discussion. 🌺

  • @gregmock6808
    @gregmock68086 ай бұрын

    Ani is a very important artist in a world filled with a lot of filler pop fluff. I discovered her first record about 15 years ago in a library and had to go buy it as it's still getting played a lot. I'm so glad the younger generation has some vibrant poets and souls to motivate the next wave of curious minds.

  • @relaxingsoundmeditations
    @relaxingsoundmeditations Жыл бұрын

    So inspired by Ani for so many years.

  • @OrganNLou
    @OrganNLou5 жыл бұрын

    What a BRILLIANT woman! I really enjoyed this!

  • @Katfrith222
    @Katfrith222 Жыл бұрын

    Great interview with this inspiring Being. Thanks for your mission, ani ❤

  • @darlenemchugh4517
    @darlenemchugh45175 жыл бұрын

    Good for her I admire her gumption! In the earlier days my husband cut a top 10 record but never received any Commission, because of the record companies conning him into signing over his rights! Big thing to do then! You were just happy they would pay for your room and food and clothes never thinking about the commission from the actual record! Just young and naive at the time! It happened to a lot of artists! So I'm happy to see she had the insight to do what she did! You did good!

  • @lisastreitfeld5806
    @lisastreitfeld58065 жыл бұрын

    “Fear is an incredible tool of repression.” Truth from an unbeatable duo - the Queen of independent media and the independent artist who defied the Kulturindustrie to embody in her corpus and her body the Emergent archetype of peace through inner balance. Thank you!

  • @queenpiarei
    @queenpiarei6 ай бұрын

    This is such a beautiful interview. I have my own label, too -- and have emancipated myself from my family after my sibling called 911 on me and kicked me out of the house for doing music (at the request of a parent, I substituted-taught a piano lesson when they went off of medication and then my sibling caught me in the act of saying goodbye to the young student). Us female musicians go though all kinds of ridiculous things to avoid the patriarchy music industry. I ended up giving away over 5 million dollars of music instruction books that I wrote after self-teaching myself ukulele -- that was my revenge against those trying to keep me and others from doing music. Music saves lives.

  • @cassandraingram5310
    @cassandraingram53105 жыл бұрын

    I needed this. I needed to hear her voice outside of a record. 🙏🏻❤️ so grateful!

  • @TheAmberGiroux
    @TheAmberGiroux2 жыл бұрын

    Thank you Ani! You have been an inspiration to me since I was a young teen. Best explanation of why we must smash the patriarchy!!

  • @sandrajones1609
    @sandrajones1609 Жыл бұрын

    Go Democracy Divas 🎶✌️❣️💯

  • @davidf6154
    @davidf61545 жыл бұрын

    Thanks to people like Ani,Amy and some others. I’m able to hope its a matter of when not if.

  • @shortyfoden
    @shortyfoden Жыл бұрын

    Omg Thank you Ani ❤️❤️🙏🙏🙏💯💯💯💯💪💪💪💪💪💪

  • @origmnd
    @origmnd10 ай бұрын

    Prince makes everyone quiver in awe..even this babe

  • @genealogiadelamoral
    @genealogiadelamoral5 жыл бұрын

    Thank you thank you thank you two!!! 🙏

  • @rosamariamendoza1466
    @rosamariamendoza14665 жыл бұрын

    She's very interesting!!

  • @aslyswine

    @aslyswine

    5 жыл бұрын

    Rosamaria Mendoza Yes! She really is!

  • @supremeleaderarmy9164

    @supremeleaderarmy9164

    5 жыл бұрын

    Trump 2024

  • @rosamariamendoza1466

    @rosamariamendoza1466

    5 жыл бұрын

    Ryan Whatchamacallit, Huh???????

  • @supremeleaderarmy9164

    @supremeleaderarmy9164

    5 жыл бұрын

    @@rosamariamendoza1466 Ya all

  • @rosamariamendoza1466

    @rosamariamendoza1466

    5 жыл бұрын

    I just got my Masters, so I must not be dumb, so Ryan , what are you trying to say, dude!!!

  • @sharonlennert7317
    @sharonlennert73173 жыл бұрын

    Thank you Ani for your honesty and inspiration. You are so much appreciated from this ordinary buffalo girl. Keep on being so strong and speaking your truth! Sometimes that is all we have.

  • @lot110
    @lot1105 жыл бұрын

    Luv Ani! She speaks truth to power no matter the consequence.💜💜💜

  • @72marshflower15
    @72marshflower152 ай бұрын

    My first love ruined me and left me with Ani’s music to wallow in, lol.. It’s taken me 20 years to recover enough to breathe again..

  • @lisanavarro2641
    @lisanavarro26415 жыл бұрын

    I would love to read her book

  • @breath888
    @breath8885 жыл бұрын

    Big up, Democracy Now! Ani DiFranco had a huge impact on me decades ago, and I'm so happy you interviewed her. She raised my awareness of everything, from queerness and women's treatment to artists I never would have been exposed to. She was always ahead with her fierce independence. Thank you!

  • @Muhdah1972
    @Muhdah19725 жыл бұрын

    Always have admired Ani DiFranco... wonderful to see & hear 💕👍

  • @kataratify
    @kataratify5 жыл бұрын

    I got to see you in Rochester, NY back in the 90s! Refreshing to see you again!! WOOT! Go ANI!!!!

  • @gnothiseauton8684
    @gnothiseauton86844 жыл бұрын

    You are 3 years older than me- I found you at 19. There are far too many things to say, but I’m certain you’ll know exactly what all of them are. Thank you Always excited to see and hear what you do next and where you go. You’re guitar, poetry, exploration and integrity are appreciated and immeasurable.

  • @basilpeterson9592
    @basilpeterson95925 жыл бұрын

    When she finished that poem I began to weep......so it goes

  • @mbusch1025

    @mbusch1025

    3 жыл бұрын

    so it goes... 😊✌

  • @aslyswine
    @aslyswine5 жыл бұрын

    Ok... I love her again.

  • @christinahoneycutt9360
    @christinahoneycutt9360 Жыл бұрын

    LoV Ya Ani❣️❣️❣️❣️❣️❣️

  • @chegarland8308
    @chegarland8308 Жыл бұрын

    HoooRaaa. Glad to see that you are still in the U.S. Marines and voicing for the freedom of the world. Fascism should have been long since dead, but we still relive what our ancestors did. And this is what we get....

  • @aaroncarson1770
    @aaroncarson177011 ай бұрын

    "I am a soldier, it's my blood that flows".

  • @jeffersonjcoat
    @jeffersonjcoat5 жыл бұрын

    Fantastic Artist

  • @offintonebula
    @offintonebula3 жыл бұрын

    Damn.

  • @momishka7
    @momishka73 жыл бұрын

    Ani's music saved my life too! We who love her are on that train with her!!! I got a signed copy of her book for my 50th!!!

  • @nancytownsend1656
    @nancytownsend16563 жыл бұрын

    Thank you Ani. Beautiful.

  • @marykayryan7891
    @marykayryan78915 жыл бұрын

    Ani! At your age you should know that EVERY SINGLE FAMILY "has issues."

  • @lisanavarro2641

    @lisanavarro2641

    5 жыл бұрын

    But everyone's individual issues are unique

  • @Julie-go6oc

    @Julie-go6oc

    4 жыл бұрын

    She never says they don't.

  • @baldkea
    @baldkea5 жыл бұрын

    Thank you, thank you, than you. Aroha nui to Ani and DN! for presenting this.

  • @d0ntbeevil
    @d0ntbeevil3 жыл бұрын

    What an amazing lady... ANY DIFRANCO - REBEL WITH A SOUL ... This was refreshing to listen to. It's not about ideologies, it's about BEING, lucid, compassionate, uncomfortably real, finding our voice and speaking out candidly, grounded in conviction, with our own creativity.

  • @dharmabum1230
    @dharmabum12303 жыл бұрын

    Omfg! My hero on Democracy Now ♥️♥️♥️♥️

  • @tonylawrence2448
    @tonylawrence24488 ай бұрын

    I got into Ani .. by an advert for strings in guitar player magazine.. the ad kept there ..who is Ani difranco? . I Bought Litle Plastic castle

  • @TamarChante
    @TamarChante4 жыл бұрын

    Amazing interview! Thank you :) ❤️

  • @AgentRafa
    @AgentRafa5 жыл бұрын

    Comrade DiFranco, you are a wonderful lady:-)

  • @georgetteboone2529
    @georgetteboone25295 жыл бұрын

    That was excellent!!

  • @breath888
    @breath8885 жыл бұрын

    Wow, I totally saw my guitar as my friend as a kid. My dog, my music, and drawing...

  • @auroraboraas
    @auroraboraas3 жыл бұрын

    My goodness, I love her 💖 such an inspiration!

  • @markwilliams3174
    @markwilliams31743 жыл бұрын

    WOW. That was a great interview

  • @woodrow330
    @woodrow3305 жыл бұрын

    It’s about time!!

  • @jennifercamille16
    @jennifercamille163 жыл бұрын

    I've loved Ani for over 20 years. She is such a beautiful writer and musician. 🎶

  • @MrTwenty20video
    @MrTwenty20video5 жыл бұрын

    Awesome poem Ani!

  • @dallasboringnews7157
    @dallasboringnews71574 жыл бұрын

    "The world owes me nothing. We owe each other the world" - ani difranco

  • @davidcameron7276
    @davidcameron72764 жыл бұрын

    Love it.

  • @gnothiseauton8684
    @gnothiseauton86845 жыл бұрын

    My hero - role model and buddy x

  • @leafnlore2712
    @leafnlore27123 жыл бұрын

    These two women together in a room makes it all worthwhile.

  • @jensbang7329
    @jensbang73293 жыл бұрын

    Love you Ani!!!!

  • @user-km1lw3zn6z
    @user-km1lw3zn6z6 ай бұрын

    told your music could reach millions the choice is up to you.....

  • @BryanBMusic
    @BryanBMusic4 жыл бұрын

    What's the timestamp where she talks about Trump?

  • @southernmermaid2526

    @southernmermaid2526

    3 жыл бұрын

    Just a blip at the end. I was interested in that also and thought the interview ended abruptly. Off to see if I can find her talking about the now.

  • @rosamariamendoza1466
    @rosamariamendoza14665 жыл бұрын

    Thomas Thompson, We learn or discover something interesting every day! Don't we?✌

  • @juliejohnson1461
    @juliejohnson14613 жыл бұрын

    Fully agree. Arts should be the last to go in school.

  • @dmoriarty1976
    @dmoriarty19765 жыл бұрын

    Her father is of Italian decent and her mother is from (Montreal)?

  • @lochnessamonster1912

    @lochnessamonster1912

    5 жыл бұрын

    claude ghendrih That’s what the chuds call virtue signaling. They show their lack of virtue as a sirens call to all the other smoothbrains.

  • @dmoriarty1976

    @dmoriarty1976

    5 жыл бұрын

    @@lochnessamonster1912 y'all some big brains nibbles

  • @southernmermaid2526
    @southernmermaid25263 жыл бұрын

    I loved this, but wish the interview would have continued when she got to the now. 💙😎

  • @TheUkulelegal
    @TheUkulelegal2 жыл бұрын

    America "strutting around" gives more money to charities and people in need around the world than any other country.

  • @lot110

    @lot110

    Жыл бұрын

    And death to other countries

  • @TheUkulelegal

    @TheUkulelegal

    Жыл бұрын

    @@lot110 Aren't we giving Ukraine weapons and money to defend themselves against Russia? Or is that fake news?

  • @claypigin

    @claypigin

    16 күн бұрын

    @@TheUkulelegal and why do you think that is? from the good of their hearts?

  • @pampoovey6722
    @pampoovey67224 жыл бұрын

    ....wow. When she sings 'Emancipated Minor' you feel so upbeat. But to hear it here and having read the book, it feels a little like neglect. In today's terms anyway. Times have changed, but we still need to protect each other.

  • @salleo406
    @salleo406 Жыл бұрын

    All I can say is if I was gestating in her body I would be absolutely terrified.

  • @lennykoss8777
    @lennykoss87773 жыл бұрын

  • @justicesomeday
    @justicesomeday5 жыл бұрын

    😘😘😘💌💝💋

  • @jenniferballinger4350
    @jenniferballinger43503 жыл бұрын

    Love her music. Could sing EVERY SONG. started listening in 96. Thing is I grew up. Still love her music but am a Trump supporter and I believe in Individual thought and expression. The left has zero space for that. I left them long ago

  • @lot110

    @lot110

    Жыл бұрын

    lol bot says what

  • @denisejohnson2960
    @denisejohnson29605 жыл бұрын

    32:50 I just hope that Trump and his posse never hear that Ani and Utah were ANGRY and in love at the US because he would have to tell Ani to leave and go back to her country. Which is HERE!

  • @janisolson1013
    @janisolson10133 жыл бұрын

    💗💗💗

  • @origmnd
    @origmnd10 ай бұрын

    Heterosexual queerness.....LOL....I doubt prince would've liked this term...what is her education...so articulate

  • @annjellobrewno4768
    @annjellobrewno47683 жыл бұрын

    Ani is Italian for "asshole".

  • @lot110

    @lot110

    Жыл бұрын

    smart so smart troll

  • @annjellobrewno4768

    @annjellobrewno4768

    Жыл бұрын

    @@lot110 Not smart. Just observant.

  • @nemo-nb3gh
    @nemo-nb3gh5 жыл бұрын

    Is the Allentown neighborhood still cool and hip in buffalo ? or has the endless locally owned storefronts for this that and the other been replaced my franchises like starbucks and mcdonald's ? I hope that cool greek restaurant is still there at the corner of Allen and Elmwood streets . Hope Nietzsche's bar and nightclub still exists

  • @nadinesnoopy
    @nadinesnoopy3 жыл бұрын

    My soul sister from Buffalo, Ny. Buffalo Sate College

  • @Brembelia
    @Brembelia5 жыл бұрын

    Wow. Kewl lady. :)

  • @MICROCLEAN100
    @MICROCLEAN1003 жыл бұрын

    Thank you! Any troll sick enough and false and ignorant and overly sensitive and defensive enough to even feel like a "dislike" is valid, needs real compassionate therapy help! But not from me,. I am sorry but I have lost my patience with destructive bull! Thank you

  • @lochnessamonster1912
    @lochnessamonster19125 жыл бұрын

    Imagine 4 more years of these weirdos in the comment section trolling the internet...That, alone, should be enough motivation to get out and vote blue in 2020. ;)

  • @progressivesupporter8126

    @progressivesupporter8126

    5 жыл бұрын

    Vote Progressive not any blue will do

  • @TheUkulelegal
    @TheUkulelegal2 жыл бұрын

    I admire Ani's talent but must comment on the abortion issue...Ani says, "...abortion I had at 18 and 20, hard, painful, essential (to) my becoming myself, growing into my own skin..." You don't need to kill a baby to "become yourself." It's very sad that your Mom abandoned you to "become herself." How did that work out for her? Science says that the DNA of the fetus is different than the DNA of the mom. The fetus is not "your body." Having a child is the greatest blessing a person can be given and God will bless your "career and dreams" if you follow Him. Proverbs 3:5,6. God forgives women who have abortions. (Romans 6:23) Life is a blessing. Death is a curse.

  • @merrelise33

    @merrelise33

    Жыл бұрын

    There are so many people who can't have children. Wish more women would stop having abortions and chose adoption instead. Everyone deserves the right to life!!!!

  • @lot110

    @lot110

    Жыл бұрын

    U are a nutjob

  • @miltoncat

    @miltoncat

    14 күн бұрын

    I couldn’t have kids, so I guess I didn’t get that greatest gift? Parenthood isn’t the end-all and to say such is very dismissive to those who can’t be parents.

  • @NAIVADA
    @NAIVADA2 жыл бұрын

    Ani is fkn great :-) But @19:00 You can't have capitalism without sexism, racism, elitism. Capitalism is a selective distribution economic system. Selective distribution is the foundation of discrimination, and discrimination is the foundation of racism. Most people seem to have a sense of untargeted discontent in life and how the world is. People who understand the inherent problems of the monetary system have the same discontent, but it is targeted. Racism is intricately linked with capitalism and I think it's a mistake to assume that we can combat racism by leaving capitalism in place.

  • @lot110

    @lot110

    Жыл бұрын

    Her all point is anticapitalist did even listen to the beginning of the interview!

  • @muchidromedary.7368
    @muchidromedary.73683 жыл бұрын

    Definition of bad ass

  • @rosamariamendoza1466
    @rosamariamendoza14665 жыл бұрын

    Ryan W, I try to be open-minded so, I'll give you the benefit of doubt! Peace be unto you!✌

  • @seamuswarren
    @seamuswarren5 жыл бұрын

    Not very Christian of Gospel music publisher “Righteous Records”.

  • @c.c.7687

    @c.c.7687

    3 жыл бұрын

    Yes, how dare they abide by copyright laws. Try creating your own company called 'Righteous Babe Records' and see if the plantation-loving lefty Ani lets you get away with it.

  • @EM-bp5zv
    @EM-bp5zv3 жыл бұрын

    Music pays the bills

  • @shortygreyhannah
    @shortygreyhannah4 жыл бұрын

    Amazing how many words can be said that mean so little and project the opposite of the humble image that she attempts to portray

  • @lot110

    @lot110

    4 жыл бұрын

    As*

  • @carson7419
    @carson74192 жыл бұрын

    I'm so disappointed in you,ani

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