Sound salvation

"And the radio is in the hands of such a lot of fools trying to anesthetize the way that you feel." ?
-- Elvis Costello, "Radio Radio
Doria Roberts was just a toddler when that British upstart with a skinny tie and acerbic wit spit out those words in 1978. His sentiments, however, ring as true today as they did back then, in the era of Boston, Journey and bloated arena rock. If anything, it's even tougher these days for a defiantly indie artist such as Roberts — brimming with gritty original tunes, a broad resume that includes extensive touring with her own Queerstock festival and a uniquely soulful voice — to squeeze through the armored doors of commercial radio. Though she didn't have Costello in mind when titling her new politically-infused album, radiodoria, her frustrations are similar to the rage he leveled at the industry a full 22 years ago.
Certainly the outspoken Roberts — a "pissed-off, rock 'n' roll, dyke-nigger-bitch," as she proclaims in the album's lead track "Iguana" — isn't what the suits who control the airwaves are hungering for these days.
What's more, Roberts bears the burden of running her own independent Hurricane Doria Records, and in order to keep expenses down, she remains a one-person booking agent and publicity machine, in addition to being an opinionated singer/songwriter. Music, however, is now her only job, ever since she quit menial part-time work, and now her focus rests exclusively on the label's most dedicated signee — herself.
"It's been successful in that I've been able to pay my bills for the past year," she says. "The only downside is that it's a lot of work. I have to do absolutely everything now, and trying not to overextend myself has been a big challenge. But I go on the road as much as I want and I've played in more cities than I've been able to play before when I had a day job."
Much of the hard work has paid off, as audiences are visibly increasing outside of her Atlanta base, particularly in Chicago, upstate New York and even New York City.
Not surprisingly, Roberts hasn't even tried to get her songs and sound — a winning, often electrifying mélange of folk, soul, jazz and rock — on commercial radio. Instead she has directed her efforts to alternative channels where other grassroots artists are finding a conduit for music that's somewhat off the beaten path — the Internet. "You don't need a huge record company behind you since a lot of the [Web] stations take submissions and put you in rotation. There's always college and community radio, but I'm trying out the Internet, as well as low-power radio."
Roberts' new CD — the title of which makes playful use of the anagrams radio and Doria — is especially unlikely to see airplay on traditional outlets due to its prickly subject matter, which touches on such powerful topics as poverty, discrimination, stalking, gun control, murder and the hopelessness of the underprivileged.
"I had decided this past January to be independent because I got frustrated dealing with the major label people that were interested in me," she says. "Most of the meetings I had were more about my image than my music. Once I decided I didn't want to deal with those people, I got kind of cynical and decided to put all these [political] songs that would never see the light of day on a major label, on one CD."
Produced on a shoestring budget — partially generated by pre-selling the album to approximately 100 fans who purchased it on faith before it was even recorded — radiodoria sounds full and vibrant as congas, violin, bass and drums flesh out the primarily acoustic sound.
"I'm learning that just because you don't spend a lot, doesn't mean it has to sound that way," Robert says. "I like things stripped down, especially since I have to travel and sell these CDs, and I travel alone. This year I've been listening to ... a lot of records that are not heavily produced, yet are brilliant. I've learned how to get my emotions on tape, and the art of making an album, and keeping that the priority of what I do. So what you hear on this CD is what I wanted."
The unabashedly heated tunes on radiodoria seem to come from an artist who is mad as hell and won't take it anymore. "Some of the songs are definitely angry," she admits, "but most are me being frustrated with not being able to do anything about these situations. I'm putting it on the line, saying 'This is it. I'm not using any metaphors or pretty language. I'm not going to skirt about the issue or let anyone else define what's coming out of my mouth'."
Elvis Costello couldn't have said it better.
Doria Roberts performs during Five Night Friday at Eddie's Attic, Fri., Dec. 29. Admission is $8. For more information, call 404-377-4976.
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