Happy International Women's Day! I feel fortunate to have so many inspiring and incredible women in my life, beginning with my mother and sisters. But today, I want to share a little about one of my dearest friends and sisters in music, Ane Diaz. A true “ride or die” Ane has been in my life since the age of 17. I have always looked up to Ane, and her taste in music, fine art, and fashion definitely informed my aesthetic as a young adult. It’s wild to think about, but we’ve laughed and cried together for 33 years. We also toured all over the U.S. of A. playing punk music together. Here’s a photo of us stopping to thrift in New Orleans while on tour with The Causey Way back in 1997-ish.
Rain Phoenix and Ane Diaz, 1997-ish
This year, LaunchLeft will release Ane’s first solo record Despechada, and I’d be lying if I said I didn’t feel like I won the lottery. Having always been a fan and a friend, it has been one of the greatest joys of my creative life to see her make this record and be part of the journey. Ane can do anything when she sets her mind and heart to it, so once she knew what she wanted, she found the best possible team to help bring her vision to life. Starting with her mother, who chose which Venezuelan songs to include, Ane expertly produced an album that I think will not only stand the test of time but also honor the music of her long-lost country. Save the date, March 21st, the first day of spring, we bring you Ane Diaz’s first single “Pueblos Tristes.”
Below is a recent photo of us. (When I saw them side by side, I was struck by the fact that by total coincidence, we are wearing the same colors in both photos some 26 years apart.)
Rain Phoenix and Ane Diaz, 2023