For me, relaxing and music go hand in hand. So, naturally, I spent quite a bit of my spring break using the art to lull me into as relaxed a mood as I can get into. Here are a few highlights from the week, and, no, Coachella isn't featured. This New Yorker has stayed on her own coast, catching the desired performances on good old YouTube.
Grunge Beginnings
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| Me with Eric Erlandson of Hole |
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| The set-up in Brooklyn's Book Court |
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| Mark Yarm's book |
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| Eric Erlandson and Mark Yarm discussing grunge topics |
I'm a grunge woman. By that I mean some of my favorite bands of all time hail from the era, and I love to wear plaid. So when my fellow grunge-loving friend asked me if I'd like to go to Brooklyn to see former Hole guitarist Eric Erlandson discuss his book Letters to Kurt (yes, that Kurt), I presented her with an enthusiastic "Yes."
The crowd at Book Court in Brooklyn Heights was modest but filled with a palpable energy. Mark Yarm, former senior editor for Blender and author of grunge-stars story filled Everybody Loves Our Town, soon introduced Erlandson. They began by discussing Letters to Kurt, a book of prose poetry inspired by Cobain's suicide twenty years ago and the grunge scene. Yarm then questioned the rocker-writer about his lifestyle in Hole and his lifestyle today. Yarm and the audience threw around the questions concerning the "real" Courtney Love and Kurt Cobain. Erlandson, now a practicing Buddhist, replied sweetly and humorously to these questions. "Do you really want to know what Courtney's like?" he responded to an audience member, and we in turn guffawed. He chose to focus on her high points, like her being an example of a strong woman storming through the business. We could tell that she very well is probably what we'd expect her to be like. A few days later, we were treated to news of her latest Twitter madness.
Eric Erlandson and Mark Yarm inspired me with their ability to combine passions for music and writing, passions I share. I must mention that they were both very pleasant men to meet as well. The night was definitely a successful venture. I look forward to reading both of their books.
Below, I present you with a quick grunge playlist I put together of just some of my favorite songs. I would encourage music-lovers to listen to the entire discography of these bands.
Spring Cleaning
Okay, so perhaps it isn't the most relaxing event, but sometimes a break is the only time you have to clean house. What better way to get it done than by singing your little heart out as you do? This isn't Cinderella. No birds were coming along to help me scrub the floors, but jamming out does seem to help the time fly by.
One of my prime artists to clean to this break was Nerina Pallot. Never heard of her? Do yourself a favor and listen to as much of her catalog as you can. The British singer-songwriter's music is well-constructed and catchy. Her lyrics are effortlessly beautiful, and she can do some wonderful things with her gorgeous voice.
I hope everyone's spring break was as relaxing and musical as mine was. Now it's back to the grind. There is work to be done...and there are albums to be listened to!
