Emily Saliers, one half of the iconic folk-rock duo Indigo Girls, has candidly revealed that she is battling two incurable medical conditions, cervical dystonia with torticollis and essential tremor, which are significantly impacting her vocal performance ahead of the band's upcoming U.S. tour. Saliers shared this personal news on April 18, explaining that she has been aware of the diagnoses for some time and that the conditions are incrementally worsening.

During a video recorded at tour rehearsals in Atlanta, Saliers expressed her desire to be completely forthcoming with their community. She acknowledged that many fans have already noticed a change in her voice. The first condition, cervical dystonia with torticollis, is a neurological movement disorder where the brain sends signals to tighten muscles, causing her head to twist to the right and become misaligned. This structural issue leads to shaking of the head and makes it impossible for her to hold her head centrally without tremor, directly affecting her throat area critical for singing.

The second and, for Saliers, more challenging diagnosis is essential tremor, a nervous system disorder characterized by involuntary shakes or movements. This condition directly affects all parts of her singing apparatus, including the larynx, pharyngeal muscles, jaw, and diaphragm, which is essential for breath support. The essential tremor prevents her from making the necessary muscular and structural connections for singing. Furthermore, it has introduced an involuntary vibrato, which she describes as "horrible," making her physically unable to hold a straight tone—a signature element of the Indigo Girls' harmonies that fans have come to appreciate.

The Indigo Girls, known for their powerful harmonies and whose albums like "Swamp Ophelia" and "Shaming of the Sun" reached the top 10 on the Billboard 200 in the mid-90s, are Grammy winners who received the best contemporary folk recording award in 1990 for their self-titled album. They are set to commence their U.S. tour on April 24 in Athens, Ohio, with dates scheduled through mid-December.

Saliers is actively pursuing a treatment plan to mitigate her symptoms, which includes therapeutic massage, physical therapy, chiropractic care, acupuncture, and Botox injections in her neck and shoulders. She is also working with a vocal coach specializing in assisting singers with movement disorders. Despite these efforts, Saliers conveyed the difficult truth that there is no cure for these conditions, and her voice will not return to its previous state. She and bandmate Amy Ray, who has been incredibly supportive, are committed to ensuring the songs sound as good as possible, utilizing modern digital tools to enhance vocal performance.

Reflecting on the situation, Saliers, at 62, shared her dismay at the onset of these conditions but also acknowledged it as a natural part of the aging process. The announcement was met with an outpouring of support from fans and industry peers alike. Chely Wright lauded Saliers' authenticity, courage, and grace, while lifelong fan Brandi Carlile, who has covered Indigo Girls' music, expressed profound admiration, stating that fans have an evolved perspective on aging and vulnerability, and pledged unwavering support, encouraging Saliers to continue singing.