1 mix tape, 8 albums and 10 book recommendations…(and a podcast to boot)
Hi all (and an extra-enthusiastic *wave* to my new subscribers! Welcome!)
This is a bit of a cheat newsletter. I say it’s a bit ‘cheaty’ because it features lists (and some lists within lists - which I bet even Buzzfeed hasn’t done yet). Lists are a seasoned journalist’s worst nightmare (NB - I am not a seasoned journalist, I just vent sometimes in the comment sections) because lists are taking up the space previously filled with investigative, hard-hitting journalism or emotive human interest stories.
But the truth is, we all love a list. Buzzfeed was definitely onto something and, for many of us, it’s nigh on impossible to scroll past a ‘list’ game on Facebook without copying, pasting and filling in your own responses before publishing it in your timeline.
So I am going to share some music and book related lists. But first, I wanted to share a link to new podcast that I took part in recently - Read All About It. It’s hosted by writer Paul Cuddihy and is a fantastic format (you guessed it, there’s a listicle element to this too!) where you choose your favourite childhood book, your favourite book from your teenage years, the book you’d recommend to anyone, the book you couldn’t be paid to read again and the book you’re currently reading.
I also chat about mental health portrayals in the media and the work I’ve done with Coronation Street.
So, if you’ve got nowt to do on your commute or your lunch break, tune in via the link below and please do share any comments (or add your recommended reads to the comments section of this newsletter - I’d MUCH appreciate that!):
1 mix tape (AKA - The Twenty Seven Club playlist)
If you’ve read my book The Twenty Seven Club you’ll know that I’m a huge 90s fan and my music knowledge is pretty limited to that long lost decade (as the t-shirt says ‘the 90s made us do it’ hence we’ve lost, well, a fair bit of 1990’s memory recall). Anyway, the book is set in 1994 and explores the public and media obsession with the 27 club (the tragic fact that many great musicians died too early at age 27).
It’s a book about mental health and music myths, but there’s also lots of fun and laughter, nostalgia and sweaty gig scenes (and even a fictional cameo from Senseless Things and Right Said Fred). So, if you fancy getting into the mood for reading, or if you’ve read it and fancy re-living the 90s, here’s a little Spotify playlist I made that inspired the book.
Eight Albums
If you’ve not come across this brilliant website before definitely check it out (if you like music that is, if not, well, how are you even reading this?)
The Eight Albums site invites guests to choose some albums (eight to be precise) that have had an impact on their life. It’s great fun and also infuriating trying to get your long list down to eight (because, you know, you have to consider things like will I sound cool if I say this one that’s kind of obscure or will it impress readers to know I like their ‘early stuff’ best and other music wankerdom that we’ve all been guilty of over the years). But seriously, it’s great! And I tried not to be a music wanker when I wrote mine and instead went all-out teenage fan girl.
My Record Store Day music book recommendations
This weekend was another #RSD - where the world unites to celebrate the awesomeness of record shops.
So, as a writer and big music fan I decided to share my favourite music-related books on Twitter. For those of you who aren’t on there (because let’s be honest, Twitter isn’t always a particularly nice place is it) I have listed them all here, along with links to purchase said book (including mine because, you know, marketing and that). Check them out (in no particular order).
1. Backstories by Simon van der Velde
This is a fabulous collection of short stories and it’s a clever format! You not only read the stories, you have to work out which historical (or current affairs) character Simon is writing about. Granted, it’s not all about music, but there are a couple of stars in there, so give it a whirl. Plus, you can keep a copy in your guest bedroom - or your loo - because it’s great to dip in and out of (the book, not the loo).
2. All You Need is Dynamite by Dave Haslam
OK so full disclosure, I haven’t read this yet because it’s not out until August (but you can pre-order below). I have (virtually) met with Dave though and he told me all about this book and it sounds truly fascinating. Part of his series of short format books (there are others on Courtney Love and Sylvia Plath) this explores the end of 60s peace and love and the rise of the Angry Brigade. Well worth a gander!
3. Sing Backwards and Weep by Mark Lanegan
This is a hard-hitting memoir from Mark Lanegan of Screaming Trees that shows the dark, dirty and ugly side of addiction against a backdrop of a music career (and an encounter with Liam Gallagher that, fair play to Liam, features the funniest, most British put down - but you’ll have to read the book to find out).
4. Dead Rock Stars by Guy Mankowski
This book is simply wonderful. It’s a touching and tender coming of age story of family, heartache and music. It explores how the music industry affected young front woman, Emma, and how her brother Jeff, deals with her tragically young death.
5. Hit So Hard by Patty Schemel
Patty Schemel was the drummer of Hole - and I was a huge fan of them back in the early 90s (and still am today!) This is a memoir that charts Patty’s harrowing journey through active addiction and her subsequent road to recovery. It also looks at how the 90s treated ‘a girl in a band’ (spoiler - all feminists prepare to rage!)
6. Dirty Blonde by Courtney Love
Continuing in my relentless fangirling of Hole, this is the diaries of front woman and sheer force of nature, Courtney Love. It gives the reader a peak into the life of the woman behind the music we love. You will keep dipping back into it again and again…
7. Hit Factories by Karl Whitney
This is a great non-fiction journey around the UK from writer Karl Whitney. Think you know your home town’s music scene inside out? Think again! I knew practically nothing before reading the chapter on Hull!
8. Songs in Ursa Major by Emma Brodie
This fictional novel is one of the most atmospheric summer reads…Follow protagonist and singer/songwriter Janey as she finds her big break, enjoys life on the road, falls in love…and, well, you better read it to see what happens next.
9. How to be Famous by Caitlin Moran
If you haven’t read any of Caitlin’s Moran’s novels you must. Having worked as a music journalist from a very young age, she’s hung out with some of the biggest names in music and has used her experiences to inform the fictional character, Johanna. A great read.
10. The Twenty Seven Club by Lucy Nichol
Sorry, I had to finish on my own because if I don’t shout about it, who will? It’s a darkly comic tale of friendship, hope and fandom and it’s had some nice reviews. So if you fancy a giggle, an exploration of anxiety and mental health and a reminisce about all your favourite bands, grab a copy below.
Hope you enjoyed the read (well, the lists!) and that there’s something that you fancy listening to / reading on here.
Please do leave any other recommendations in the comments - new discoveries are always much appreciated!