A lot of people love Ani. And they're letting her know all the time, shouting it out at shows and sending elaborate confessions via her PO box. It's a political act to tell your story. Lotta nights I don't feel like telling it, but it's one of my little sacrifices. You have to be upfront about your experiences because watering it down to make it appropriate is counterproductive.
Most people afford themselves a certain amount of distance form their work.
But this is me, this is my character. We all use people in stage as symbols, and I am well aware that I am a symbol for people and that is exacerbated by my honesty. I go over to my co-worker Jess's house and ask her to explain it to me. The new record is about this intense relationship with this guy, and there's just some women that are disappointed that they're not hearing the raw, folkier stuff like Ani DiFranco that was more political and Queer. I think she trades on her sex appeal, and when she says stuff at shows about how her leather pants have a lot of zippers for easy access, I guess she has to deal with what comes back.