A Celebration Of Anidom
After debating whether I should or should not post something here, the number of votes given to the
2-star review of my book tipped my hand. First and foremost, I want fans to know that I didn't
intend to write an "official" story of Ani DiFranco. It was meant more as a celebration of her
achievements and the way her music and image are viewed by a loyal core of fans. Secondly, I
requested, on four separate occasions, a chance to interview Ani herself via Tracy Mann, her
publicist and through Scot Fisher, her manager. Mr. Fisher, while understanding the nature of the
book, flat-out turned me down on each occasion, stating that Ani was "a bit freaked out" by the fact
that someone was writing about her life. My intention was honourable, to celebrate her
achievements and honour her hard work as a role model of DIY ability. Upon refusal, I felt that any
further contact I attempted to make with her coterie of family and workers would put them in an
unfair situation. I would have to get my information via other sources and websites, reference tomes
and newspaper articles were my only other recourse. Also, it should be noted that on three separate
occasions, I requested (via e-mail), specific, non-compormising information from both Ms. Mann
and Ani's Booking Agency who failed to reply after saying they would, or ignored my requests
completely. I spent the better part of three months listening to EVERYTHING Ani DiFranco
recorded and tried to get inside her music lyrically and musically. My views, I feel, are valid and are,
of course, subject to each reader's own interpretations. Everyone views a work of art in different
ways and music is no different. Lastly, about the process by which I chose to include certain fans. I
e-mailed, telephoned and wrote letters to well over 100 fans. I received 25 answers and whittled
them down to the ones I included in the book. Their opinions are as valid as any post on the
anidifranco.net website message board. While I do not feel I was obliged to spell out the (rather
boring) details of how certain people were chosen within the context of the book (and frankly, the
process would just have made readers turn the page with impatience), I resolved to leave that info
to myself. I include that explanation here by way of showing that I seriously attempted to point out
some form of balance with regards to her fans, their ways of life, their experiences of Ani and her
music, their nature. I felt that the people selected represented a good balance. Lastly, I decided to
place Ani's music in context to a broader, historical whole. That's the way I think. And I write the
way I think. By presenting a broader scope of artists operating within the same structures of
music-making as Ani, I hoped readers would get a sense of who she is and what she's all about.
Lastly, loyal fans who worry about making me rich "off" Ani need only remember that I, in turn, am
doing her a service and presenting her music to more people. People who, by reading my book,
may actually go out and see her live or buy her recordings. Besides, as many authors know, you
don't get "rich" in publishing unless your name is Stephen King. Loyal fans are loyal for a reason and
my aim was to present their heroine in as strong a light as possible. Her intense relationship with her
fans, her muse, her life, is heartwarming and refreshing. Would more artists out there were like her.
Thanks for letting me "vent" in this space. Oh, and lastly, enjoy the book. It's meant to be taken as
nothing more than entertaining reading...