Our friends over at Wordsmiths Books have apparently decided not to let up in 2008. After opening the largest independent bookstore in the state of Georgia last year, they quickly forged a path of combining the worlds of various media-books, music, film-and have played host to, honestly, a handful of the best and most memorable performances Atlanta’s seen in recent memory (Final Fantasy was a stand-out, as was One Hand Loves The Other, and let’s not forget the Res birthday bash with Lismore).
Now, apparently not content to horde their little black book, Wordsmiths Books has joined forces with the BabyGotBooks blog-what Gawker would be if it had a little more heart, a little less to drink, actual book reviews and a slightly southern accent-to present *gasp* an actual, honest-to-god reading series in Atlanta. The two combined forces are launching BabyGotBooks Reading Series: BGB Vol I.this Wednesday, Jan 23rd, with Rolling Stone writer Rob Sheffield reading from his memoir of love-via-mixtapes called, fittingly, Love Is A Mixtape. Post-Rob, Atlanta rockers and Res faves The Swear (who, you may recall, Hacks and myself accidentally fell in love with when we showed up way too early for a Subways show) will play set after Rob reads, there’s the promise of free drinks, free coolness and, frankly, the fact that this sort of thing is finally happening in this city is cause enough to celebrate.
As such, I’ve wrangled Tim, head honcho over at BabyGotBooks, to drop a little knowledge on y’all about what it is that’s being accomplished by the intersection of reading and rocking (the two “r”s, along with, well, look at our name…):
If you’ve been a music fan for any appreciable length of time, chances are there are a number of songs that have become hopelessly and permanently associated with specific people, places, and times. For me, the sound of Johnny Marr’s fuzzy opening notes to How Soon is Now will always instantly transport me back to my freshman year of college where the song featured prominently in the background to all sorts of shenanigans. (For the record: I’m old, but the song wasn’t brand new, even back then.) Music, while it can be appreciated alone, is ultimately best enjoyed with a group, whether the focus is specifically on the music or not.
Literature, on the other hand, tends to be solitary. Unless you’re listening to an audio book, you must retreat somewhere alone to enjoy a good book. The best books can be passed around, shared, and discussed, but only after each person goes off and enjoys it alone. Very rarely will two people be seen reading the same book at the same time and pausing to jump up and give each other high fives. “This is AWESOME man.” As much as it should happen, it just doesn’t.
It’s interesting to me that as much as music is shared and universally enjoyed, books about music almost always get it wrong. I think that the problem lies in the specifics. If you write about the coolest music ever, no matter how convincingly, somewhere along the way we’re going to disagree. Probably right about when you start talking about OK Computer. Despite the universal-ness of music, the reasons for our enjoyment of specific songs is still unique to the individual and deeply personal.
Rob Sheffield’s book Love is a Mix Tape gets at the heart of what it is that can make music transcendent. Each chapter of the book begins with the copied insert from a cassette mix tape that he and his wife mad for one another at various times during their relationship. In spite of Sheffield’s street cred as a writer/contributing editor for Rolling Stone, there are some dubious selections here. (Um, Hall and Oates?) In the context of this book, however, the questionable choices can and should be overlooked for the larger point that the book makes.
Sheffield’s wife died unexpectedly of a brain aneurysm just as they were beginning their lives together. A box of tapes that Sheffield is left with provide a conduit for memory, serve as a time machine to a happier past, and ultimately aid healing. The book is really a love letter to the remarkable power of music.
Which is a roundabout way of saying that I hope that you’ll be able to join us for the very first event of the Baby Got Books which will feature Rob Sheffield reading from his remarkable book. Following the reading will be live music from The Swear . The reading will be held at Wordsmiths Books in Decatur, GA (Google Maps). Wordsmiths is located just off Decatur Square and is one block from the Decatur MARTA station. The evening is FREE, and FREE drinks will be provided. If you don’t have the book yet, be sure to support our favorite indie book store by picking up a copy of the book there. Did we mention that the evening is free?
If you make it to the reading, be sure to say find me and say hello.
Thanks for having me over!
Gracias, Tim…but that’s not all, oh no, that’s not all.
Our good friends The Swear have done us the favor/honor of leaking us (without threat of retribution via court or jail!) the first song ready from their forthcoming 2008 album. As such, we’re presenting a kinda-exclusive here, with the newly-polished “History Of Cinema”:
And, folks, there you have it. A convergence of the literary and musical worlds, a realignment of the stodgy feelings of book readings, a perspective on why Reading Series’ matter, and something for you to do Wednesday night if you’re in Atlanta. Also, a new Swear song. In my book, there’s not much better.
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