The Chicks talk returning to live shows, 'Gaslighter,' more

Don't mess with The Chicks.  This country trio has removed the “Dixie” from its name and dug in deep on its latest album, “Gaslighter,” which dropped in the heart of the pandemic. From the scorching title track to the tough but tender closer, “Set Me Free,” the band’s 8th studio album is a rollercoaster of raw emotion fueled by heartbreak. 

It hasn’t been an easy flight for The Chicks. Sisters Emily Strayer (banjo, dobro, guitar, backing vocals) and Martie Maguire (fiddle, mandolin, backing vocals) started the band in 1989 but they didn’t achieve massive success until lead singer/guitarist Natalie Maines came on board in 1995.

The band ran into some controversy in 2003 when Maines told a London crowd that the band didn’t support the United States’ invasion of Iraq and was “ashamed” that then president George W. Bush was from Texas. This created a backlash in the U.S. and caused radio stations to blacklist them.

In 2020, the trio changed its name from The Dixie Chicks to simply The Chicks as a way to disassociate themselves with the Confederate-era South. 

Newsday’s David J. Criblez spoke with The Chicks, prior to their July 2 gig at Northwell Health at Jones Beach Theater, about their critically-acclaimed album from 2020, working with writer/producer Jack Antonoff (Bleachers, fun.) and finally returning to the concert stage.

By David J. Criblez

david.criblez@newsday.comDavidJCriblez

David J. Criblez is a reporter for Newsday's exploreLI, covering entertainment-related events from local music to stand-up comedy to festivals.