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STNYC: SOUND ADVICE

by Paola C. Messina

Reading about music

People that work in music are often asked, “Do you read music?”

It is a fair question, but in this edition of Sound Advice, I want to get into reading about music.

Reading can open our eyes and ears to new ways of thinking about music-making practices, the lives of those that work in music, and the social implications of music.

Here are some of my favorite books – written by, about, or for music and sound lovers – including brief explanations of why they are important to me.

 

Lester Bangs “Psychotic Reactions and Carburetor Dung” 

One of my first music-related dreams was to be a music journalist. This was, in part, the fault of Cameron Crowe’s film “Almost Famous”, but mainly because of the iconic music journalist and writer Lester Bangs. This collection includes some reviews from Lester Bangs’s time at Creem magazine (which published from 1969 to 1989 on punk rock and new wave movements) and even an unfinished excerpt from a novel called “Maggie May”. His way of describing rock ‘n’ roll culture is unique, unabashed and bursting with all a fiery obsession for music. 

 

David Browne “Dream Brother: The Lives and Music of Jeff and Tim Buckley”

This one in particular is important to me because Jeff Buckley is one of my favorite musicians. To read about the life and experiences of someone you admire in music can sometimes lead to new and unexpected understandings of their work. You have to be especially picky when looking into these kinds of books. There are many ‘unofficial’ and superficial biographies out there that aren’t written well and misconstrue or present false information on the artist/band.  

 

Patti Smith “Just Kids”

I wish I was more familiar with Patti Smith’s music. She is a multi-talented, insightful human and artist. In this book, she writes about her relationship with artist Robert Mapplethorpe, the connection between poetry and music, and offers us a glimpse into what it was like to live as an artist in New York City during the 1970s. There were many struggles, as there are today, and many lessons to be learned, too.

 

Stephen Davis “Hammer of the Gods”

Sometimes reading about a band can transport you to a particular moment in time. Reading this book about Led Zeppelin was like hopping in a tour bus and witnessing a completely unbelievable reality. Which stories are true and which are imagined and exaggerated by Rock ‘n’ Roll mythology?

 

Have a look over other ‘must-read’ lists and find your next subway companion:

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