Indigo Girls’ Emily Saliers Opens Up About Voice Changes After Diagnosis
mily Saliers of Indigo Girls has shared that she’s been diagnosed with two movement disorders that are affecting her singing voice.
In a video posted alongside bandmate Amy Ray, Saliers addressed what many fans have already noticed in recent performances. Her voice has changed, and there’s a medical reason behind it.
She has been diagnosed with cervical dystonia, specifically torticollis, and essential tremor. Cervical dystonia causes her head to pull to the right, making it difficult to keep it centered. She explained that even holding her head steady now comes with visible strain, which impacts the entire throat area.
The essential tremor adds another layer. It causes involuntary shaking that affects key parts of her voice, including the larynx, jaw, diaphragm, and pharyngeal muscles. As a result, she said she can no longer hold a straight tone the way she once could, and that her voice now carries a vibrato she didn’t have before.
Saliers was direct about what this means moving forward. There is no cure for either condition, and her voice will not return to what it was.
Still, she and Ray are continuing with their plans to tour. The Indigo Girls are set to begin a nationwide run on April 24, with dates scheduled through November. Rather than canceling, they are adjusting.
Saliers has been undergoing a range of treatments, including physical therapy, acupuncture, chiropractic care, and Botox injections in her neck and shoulders. She is also working with a vocal coach who specializes in movement disorders.
On the performance side, the band is bringing in additional vocal support, including longtime collaborator Lucy Wainwright Roche. They are also using live sound tools to help support her vocals and selecting songs that work best with her current range and control.
Amy Ray emphasized that they are not drastically changing the show, but they are being realistic about what is possible.
Saliers also acknowledged that some songs may not be included in the setlist moving forward, not out of preference but out of necessity. She asked fans for patience and understanding as they navigate this transition on stage.
The response has been immediate, with thousands of messages of support across social media. Fellow artists including Brandi Carlile, Sara Bareilles, and Chely Wright have publicly shared their encouragement.
The message from the band is clear. They are still showing up, still playing, and doing everything they can to make the music sound as strong as possible, even if it sounds different than it used to.
