Over their four decades, Indigo Girls’ harmonies and songs have been a staple of concerts and campfire singalongs. But earlier this year, the duo of Amy Ray and Emily Saliers explained that they were facing a new reality. In a video, Saliers said she has two conditions that cause tremors and impact her singing voice and the harmonies that the group is famous for.
“Unfortunately, there is no cure for these, so the honest fact is that my voice will not be what it was,” Saliers said. She added that, “We are doing everything we can to make the songs sound as good as they can possibly sound or ever sound, which includes all the modern digital tools that front-of-house engineers use to help singers sound better.”
The statement brought an outpouring of support from fans and fellow musicians, and the Indigos’ upcoming concert in Medford was a quick sellout. (Tickets remain for their upcoming shows in Northampton, Oak Bluffs and Portland, Maine.) Ray recently spoke with the Globe while en route to her home in Georgia.
Q. When did you notice Emily’s voice changing, and what led to wanting to make this kind of statement?
A. It’s been changing for a few years, and we talked about it earlier on, but my feeling was this is her journey, so I deferred to her. She got to a place where she wanted to be public about what was going on. We were starting rehearsals and deciding what we wanted to keep in the set and take out, so it was a good time to make the announcement. I’m so glad she talked about it publicly. The video speaks for itself. The audience has been super supportive and very energetic, and is singing along a lot. [Emily’s conditions are] progressive but changeable, so there are times we can do certain songs, and times we can’t.
Q. Was there a point where you discussed if this would impact the future of the group?
A. It impacts our future, although how, we don’t know. We had already started pulling back a bit to give us more time at home and be with our kids. I don’t think we’ll ever stop doing events, but maybe there will be a time when we can’t tour as much. … I just did a tour with my band, which is the punk side of country, and Emily has a musical called “Starstruck” that just premiered.
Q. The video mentioned using technological audio tools, which may surprise fans who associate the group with authenticity.
A. We’re not going to do AI! But there are tools that flatten the sound waves a little, so the tremor is not as bad, or the vibrato is more limited. We also have Lucy Wainwright Roche singing, which gives us a lot of support. She’s got a real ability with her voice to find that middle space between us and create an overtone, because she’s one of the Roches and she can do that!
Q. The documentary “It’s Only Life After All” shows how Indigo Girls have been a community as much as a performing group. Do you think that’s impacted how both you and your audience are grappling with this new reality?
A. Our audience is along for the ride, and we’ve grown up with our audience. We have new people who are siblings and kids and grandkids, but there are a lot of people who are also dealing with age and what it means, and mortality. It’s truly a community — everyone is dealing with their own stuff, and I think that’s something you learn from life experience, and that’s why you give people grace. People could be going through something in the checkout line at the grocery that you have no idea about.
Q. Speaking of documentaries, Indigo Girls were a core part of Lilith Fair, which was recently celebrated in the documentary “Lilith Fair: Building a Mystery” and also inspired Olivia Rodrigo’s all-women festival. Do all-women lineups still have a place?
A. They have a bigger role to play today. Sarah [McLachlan’s] point was to encourage other people to continue doing that. The documentary came at a time when she wanted to point out that this is something we still need and can still happen, and that you can do it yourself. We’re in a climate where we’re being bombarded by misogynistic messages. When you do a festival it brings together and energizes everyone — including guys who believe in women. A lot of people are doing this on the underground level, but when there’s something big like what Olivia or Brandi [Carlile] are doing, it gives it even more energy and support.
Q. Activism has always been a big part of what you do. What are the concerts like at this current moment?
A. I want to get the activism across, but I also want a space for people to bear witness to joy and sing together, no matter your political persuasion. We’re not going to do the partisan divide thing. I want people to be aware of the issues and feel the energy and get the strength to take action, but I always want people who just disagree to be together and sing “Closer to Fine.”
INDIGO GIRLS
With Trina Meade & Co. At the Chevalier Theatre, 30 Forest St., Medford, Thursday, Aug. 20, 7:30 p.m. Tickets available on the secondary market.
Interview was edited and condensed. Noah Schaffer can be reached at noahschaffer@yahoo.com