Powerful singer/songwriter

Be smart like Sarah Dougher and catch this talented musician

By Bobble Tiki on December 6, 2007

In case there were any doubts, Bobble Tiki is not a lesbian, and he’s not bi-sexual. Bobble Tiki doesn’t claim to know a lot about himself, but if there’s one thing he feels like he has a grasp on it’s his sexual preference. Sure, there was that one time in the early ER years when George Clooney made Bobble Tiki question things, but that was a fluke. Bobble Tiki is 100 percent hetero.

The reason Bobble Tiki mentions this is not because he recently admitted at the Weekly Volcano’s Christmas party that he thinks Tom Brady is perhaps the most doable quarterback in NFL history (objectively speaking), it’s because Sarah Dougher (pronounced ‘Dooger’) will be playing Le Voyeur in Olympia Friday, Dec. 7. The Shondes and guests are also on the bill. Because of her musical endeavors, which Bobble Tiki first took note of when Dougher played in Cadallaca (with Corin Tucker of Sleater Kinney and drummer sts, who previously played with Dougher in the Lookouts), Dougher’s influence as a gay rights activist also comes to mind as Bobble Tiki prepares for what should be a memorable show.

The thing about Dougher (pronounced ‘Dooger’), at least according to Bobble Tiki, is she appeals to a varied array of music fans. Bobble Tiki’s not gay, doesn’t know what it’s like to be gay, and bases everything he knows about homosexuality on the Patrick Swayze movie “To Wong Foo Thanks for Everything, Julie Newmar.” Admittedly, it’s an ignorant view, but it doesn’t stop Bobble Tiki from appreciating Dougher’s singer/songwriter prowess. Bobble Tiki assumes Dougher wouldn’t be heartbroken if it did, but that’s not the point. The point is you don’t have to be gay to dig Sarah Dougher.

Of course, it must also be noted that Bobble Tiki could stand to learn a thing or two about diversity, but Bobble Tiki spends far too much time in front of the boob tube for such things.
Dougher is far more than a musician, and even much more than a gay rights activist. Most descriptions of Dougher (pronounced ‘Dooger’) began with her education background. Dougher packs a master’s degree in comparative literature from the University of Texas and teaches courses in the History of Women in Rock Music and Lyric Poetry in the Women’s Studies department at Portland State University.  What does it all mean?

It means Dougher is smarter than you or Bobble Tiki.

Especially Bobble Tiki.

Sarah Dougher (pronounced ‘Dooger’) is one of the many musicians who’ve shaped indie music as we know it to blossom from the collective of Olympia and Portland. Dougher’s musical career began in 1996 when she self-released a cassette tape titled Handmade Luck.Like many who have called Olympia and Portland home, Dougher has worked and played with too many musicians to recount over the course of her career. Besides her aforementioned tie to Cadallaca and the Lookers, Dougher also played with the Crabs, and has toured and collaborated with the likes of Sleater Kinney and Mary Timony. Dougher made her K Records debut in 1999 with the solo record Day One, a release that’s been called beautiful, brilliant, and minimalistic.  She went on to record solo records for Mr. Lady, a San Francisco based lesbian-feminist independent record label, and after Mr. Lady’s demise, founded Cherchez La Femme, a label with similar ideals. In addition to all of this, Dougher helped organize the Portland Rock and Roll Camp for Girls and is involved with the Portland-based organization PEAR, teaching music to homeless teenagers.

Not only is Sarah Dougher smarter than you or Bobble Tiki, she’s a hell of a lot more productive.

So what is Sarah Dougher? A musician? An activist? A teacher? A scholar?
Turns out she’s all of the above.

And it’s pronounced “Dooger.”

Sarah Dougher, along with the Shondes, will play Le Voyeur on Friday. The show promises to pack plenty of grrl power, but should appeal to even buffoons like Bobble Tiki. A folkstress, a feminist, and a wicked guitarist, Dougher is many things, but always seems to find a way to remain amazing.

Guess what? Bobble Tiki doesn’t care what you do this week because he doesn’t even know you. Surprised? Hopefully, by this point, you’ve come to expect it. If not, something tells Bobble Tiki you’re a wee bit on the delusional side. On the other hand, maybe Bobble Tiki’s just an asshole. Either way, check out www.weeklyvolcanospew.com for Breakfast with Bobble Tiki every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday, and consider yourself lucky. 

[Le Voyeur, with Shondes and Jenny Jenkins, Friday,Dec. 7, 10 p.m., no cover, 404 Fourth Ave. E., Olympia, 360.943.5710]