DiFranco does it her way, plays Stargazers tonight

From the very beginning, Ani DiFranco did things her own way.

With scalp-short hair and a defiant stance, she projected a seriousness and intelligence that could stand up to any argument. She was a feminist icon. And long after folk singers had put away their protest signs, DiFranco sang about injustice, parity and the power of the people to make a difference.

Perhaps most brazenly, DiFrancio created her own label, Righteous Records (later called Righteous Babe Records), in 1989. Then, the run of annual releases from 1990 to 2008 ended until this year, when the release of “Which Side Are You On?” drew rave reviews.

In tunes like the title track, “Amendment” and “J,” DiFranco’s frustrations with the world takes her to deeper places, politically and emotionally. For instance, “If Yr Not” posits that if you’re not getting happier as you get older, “you’re (expletive) up.”

Here, DiFranco talks about the Occupy movement, her daughter and the joys of knowing wise men.

The Gazette: It seems like we’re more cynical than ever about the ability of an everyman to effect change politically, socially. We could use a musical call to action, but can it make a difference?

Ani DiFranco: Oh, sure. These are very hopeful times. I don’t believe the media portrayal that the Occupy movement is a disparate band of infighting extremists. I’ve been there. I see a resonating popular movement in America, Europe, North Africa. I hope (laughs). I hope many things. I’m full of hope these days. I feel it’s really inspiring that people are committing themselves to get the truth out, economically and politically speaking. I hope more and more working Americans realized that “hey, they’re fighting for me.” So make them cocoa. Sign a petition. Get involved. We’ve been uninvolved for too long.

Gazette: You’d been turning out albums pretty consistently until recently. Was it time for a break?

DiFranco: It was time to step back from my work. I had a kid. She just turned 5. Me and my partner, together we decided we both needed to work less and spend time with her while she still wants to spend time with us. So I’m touring as little as I possibly can. I’m working much slower.

That’s been of great benefit for this record. There’s nothing like taking three years to make something for posterity. I’m thrilled about this new album making process

Gazette: Did you have any worries about coming back to find your career effectively over?

DiFranco: I think that was subliminal. “I can’t get off this hamster wheel.” But I stood on stage too many times with nothing to give and that’s no good. That’s the worst.

Gazette: So what was it like to take the stage that first time back?

DiFranco: I don’t really go by pop music rules to record an album and then go on tour. I’ve been playing this album for years. The stage is kind of my workshop. Now that the album is finally out, I’m looking for greener pastures. I’m actually glad that releasing this song — “Which Side Are You On?” — might be a catalyst for conversation.

Gazette: That’s a Pete Seeger song, of course — one of his most famous. What was it like to record it with him? 

DiFranco: It’s just magical to be in a room with him. No matter what you’re doing. He’s one of those people who is truly wise. I find those people to be essential in my life. I learned the song “Which Side Are You On?” for Pete’s 90th birthday party. When I recorded it, my husband had the idea of having Pete play on it. So we conducted a little field recording session in the Sloop Club in Hudson, N.Y., near where Pete lives. We spent a handful of minutes recording the song. Then we played and told stories.

Gazette: You were among the first artists to create their own label and now you represent more than a dozen artists. Things sure have changed in the business.

DiFranco: It sure has. At this point, I feel pretty smart. A lot of people, including myself, thought I was crazy along the way. It takes a lot of years to build something organically and independently that a big record company can do overnight. My decision to be indie was something I struggled with in the day. But I’ve found that it’s a much more solid audience. It’s not based on a hit or a video. It’s based on an ongoing dialogue. It’s richer that way. The fans that come up to me on the street? They’re really wonderful people. They give me great little stories about how my songs have affected their lives. I’m happy with the path that I chose.

Now everybody’s independent, whether they want to be or not.