The Tragically Hip go undercover on your coffee table, Fleetwood Mac dream on, The Stray Cats howl, Linkin Park start again, The Hold Steady do it for the kids — and they’re just a handful of the umpteen new titles on the way as we roll into Rocktober. Read all about ’em:
This Is Our Life
By The Tragically Hip
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “This Is Our Life is the story of The Tragically Hip — the definitive account of their incredible journey, as told in their own words. Drawn from hundreds of hours of interviews, Rob Baker, Gord Downie, Johnny Fay, Paul Langlois, Gord Sinclair and the fellow musicians, producers and crew that helped in shaping their story provide the 130,000-word narrative. These words accompany a stunning and layered visual chronicle of The Hip’s evolution, on and off the stage. This Is Our Life spans decades, from their beginnings in Kingston, where all five band members attended the same high school, to the pinnacle of success, culminating in the incredible, bittersweet 2016 concert held in their hometown, broadcast live for an estimated audience of 11.7 million people. The Tragically Hip have made an indelible impact on their nation’s cultural landscape and formed a lifelong bond with fans across the world. This Is Our Life documents how it happened. The band opened their archives, revealing a trove of rare and unpublished material, totalling in over 1,200 pieces. This Is Our Life brims with a wealth of photography, vintage posters, concert tickets, tour passes, handwritten lyrics, setlists, backstage photographs, instruments, album artwork, and much more, all meticulously curated. Here, finally, is the ultimate record of The Tragically Hip, a celebration of their career and ongoing legacy.”
Dreams: The Many Lives of Fleetwood Mac
By Mark Blake
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “An illuminating deep dive into everything Fleetwood Mac — the songs, the rivalries, the successes, and the failures — Dreams evokes the band’s entire musical catalog as well as the complex human drama at the heart of the Fleetwood Mac story. They have had a ground-breaking career spanning over 50 years and includes some of the best-selling albums and greatest hits of the 20th and 21st centuries. But the band’s unique story is one of enormous triumph and also deep tragedy. There has never been a band in the history of music with as much romantic drama, sexual tension, and incredible highs and lows as Fleetwood Mac. Presenting mini-biographies, observations, and essays, Mark Blake explores all eras of their story to explore what it is that has made them one of the most successful bands in history. Blake draws on his own interviews with Mick Fleetwood, Stevie Nicks, Lindsey Buckingham and the late Peter Green and Christine McVie, and addresses the complex human drama at the heart of the Fleetwood Mac story, including the complicated relationships between the band’s main members, but he also dives deep into the towering discography that the band built over the past half-century.”
Howling To The Moonlight On A Hot Summer Night: The Tale Of The Stray Cats
By Christopher McKittrick
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “While new wave pop music was dominating the charts in the early 1980s, one band made up of a trio of throwback-loving musicians from the suburbs of Massapequa, Long Island — singer-guitarist Brian Setzer, drummer Slim Jim Phantom and bassist Lee Rocker — returned rockabilly to the international pop charts as The Stray Cats, releasing such infectious Top 10 singles Rock This Town, Stray Cat Strut and (She’s) Sexy + 17. Over 40 years and many classic studio and live albums later, The Stray Cats still epitomize the spirit of the founding fathers of rock ’n’ roll — a coolness that never goes out of style. Howling To The Moonlight On A Hot Summer Night: The Story Of The Stray Cats tells the full story of the band’s history and catalog as musicians. It not only celebrates The Stray Cats as one of the most successful rock revival groups, but follows their exploits as a throwback act in the years when MTV was new, going on to enjoy long-lived popularity in rockabilly culture across the globe from Massapequa to Memphis and beyond.”
It Starts With One: The Legend And Legacy Of Linkin Park
By Jason Lipshutz
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Linkin Park are one of the 21st century’s biggest and most important rock bands. All it takes is a glance at the numbers — 11 Top 40 hits on the Hot 100 and six No. 1 albums on the Billboard 200, over a dozen massive tours, 27 major award wins, 100 million-plus records sold worldwide, over 30 million monthly listeners — to realize there’s no bigger group in recent memory. And yet, despite their enduring legacy, there’s never been a full, comprehensive biography of Linkin Park — until now. In It Starts With One, Billboard’s executive director of music Jason Lipshutz chronicles the innovation and influence of this legendary band, from their childhoods to the moment their paths crossed to the genesis of their iconic first album, Hybrid Theory, and all that followed. Not only were they able to synthesize trends in pop and hip-hop amidst the post-grunge era and nu-metal boom, then constantly reinvent their sound over multiple albums, Linkin Park’s radically vulnerable lyrics also helped usher in a new era of artists (and fans) more open to discussing mental health and prioritizing inclusivity. Fronted by Chester Bennington and Mike Shinoda, who balanced each other out artistically, Linkin Park never shied away from songs that put issues front and center. Tragically, Chester succumbed to his demons in 2017, but the music endures — and in order to truly appreciate the band’s singular power to bring people together, we need to take a closer look at how exactly Linkin Park changed popular music.”
Within You Without You: Listening To George Harrison
By Seth Rogovoy
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “How did the most reluctant member of The Fab Four put his mark on all of their music? This book helps listeners hear how George Harrison shaped the sound of The Beatles and how he carried that sound forward into his solo career Within You Without You is a highly personal exploration of Harrison’s essential contributions to the band and his solo work, as well as his significant role as a Western proponent of Indian music and beliefs. Through close examination of his guitar playing and songwriting both in and out of the band, author Seth Rogovoy demystifies the enigma of this most reluctant of rock stars. Drawing upon the insights of the author — a rock critic and historian of over 40 years standing —as well as those of expert observers including Beatles filmmaker Michael Lindsay-Hogg and English rock singer-songwriters Robyn Hitchcock and John Wesley Harding, among others, this book extensively examines Harrison’s contributions to the musical world. Within You Without You will forever change the way readers hear the music of The Beatles and view Harrison’s role in the group, as well as enhancing appreciation of him as a cultural figure above and beyond his work as a musician.”
Rory Gallagher: The Later Years
By Lauren Alex O’Hagan & Rayne Morales
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Rather than a traditional biography, Rory Gallagher: The Later Years is a series of essays. It consists of six core sections (In the Studio, On the Stage 1985-1991, Introducing the New Rory Gallagher Band, On the Stage 1992-1995, Ireland, Rory In The 21st Century) into which 18 chapters are grouped. Although the book’s focus is squarely on 1985 to 1995, occasionally it also encompasses important earlier achievements in the 1980s that have been overlooked in previous works on Gallagher. Section 1 looks at Gallagher’s three final studio albums: Jinx (1982), Defender (1987) and Fresh Evidence (1990). Section 2 covers the period when Gerry McAvoy and Brendan O’Neill were members of the band. Section 3 provides the first full account of Gallagher’s final band (Richard Newman, David Levy and Mark Feltham), as well as occasional guests. Section 4 tackles the last four years of his touring history including the final tour of 1995. Section 5 is dedicated to his many musical achievements in his homeland, including his 1988 Irish Tour. The book concludes with an epilogue reflecting upon Gallagher’s legacy in the 21st century, particularly amongst a new generation of fans.”
Just Don’t Be A D**khead: And Other Profound Things I’ve Learnt
By Kasey Chambers
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Just Don’t Be A D**khead and Other Profound Things I’ve Learnt is a whirlwind of great stories, rock-solid life lessons and Kasey Chambers at her most heartfelt and honest. From her childhood in the Australian outback to the heights of her chart-topping international success as a singerisongwriter, Kasey has trusted her gut, stuck to her values and learned some hard truths, always while trying to live by the best advice she’s ever received: Just don’t be a dickhead.”
Prince: Icon
By Steve Parke
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “This sumptuous and luxuriously produced volume gathers portraits, album covers, photographs of performances and rehearsals, rarely seen private moments, and candid snapshots of Prince, one of the greatest singer-songwriters of his generation. This collection was curated in consultation with Steve Parke, and its impact is both powerful, and inspiring. With images by renowned and little-known photographers from around the world, close friends, and colleagues, the result is the most opulent visual anthology of Prince that has ever been published. Accompanying personal essays and reflections offer unprecedented insight into what he was like: From memories of the earliest days in Minneapolis to touring the world, each contributor shares their memories and experiences of working with — and knowing — this legendary artist.”
Taylor Swift
By Various Contributors
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Taylor Swift is so much more than a pop star: She has more No. 1 albums than any other female performer in history and The Eras Tour has filled stadiums across the world. Her influence on our culture seems to know no bounds. With more than 100 amazing photos, this luxe gift book immerses you in Taylor’s world with smart, insightful text and celebrates the global superstar as a prolific songwriter, powerful storyteller and champion of her empowerment. Throughout the photo-packed pages, Swifties will follow Taylor’s rise to pop icon status through all her eras with interviews from the vault of assorted magazines, along with original essays from noted contributors.”
David Bowie: Rock ‘N’ Roll Chameleon
By Martin Popoff
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, Freddie Mercury — few rock artists garner as much adulation after passing as they did in life. In David Bowie, veteran rock journalist Martin Popoff examines the rocker’s extraordinary life through the lens of 75 significant career achievements and life events, guiding you through all 27 studio albums, as well as a curated selection of earworm singles. From his eponymous 1967 debut LP and ending with Blackstar, released just two days before his death, Bowie is regarded as one of the most influential musicians and performers of the previous five decades, during which he constantly redefined himself. In examining 75 touchstones, Popoff gives you a unique view of Bowie’s career arc from folkie to the breakthrough single Space Oddity to his flamboyant glam-rock alter ego Ziggy Stardust and beyond. Illustrated with live concert and candid offstage photography as well as memorabilia including gig posters, seven-inch picture sleeves, and more, this incredible package also includes a gatefold timeline, making for a stunning tribute to one of the most influential and admired stars in rock history.”
How Women Made Music: A Revolutionary History From NPR Music
By Alison Fensterstock
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Drawn from NPR Music’s acclaimed, groundbreaking series Turning The Tables, the definitive book on the vital role of women in music — from Beyoncé to Odetta, Taylor Swift to Joan Baez, Joan Jett to Dolly Parton — featuring archival interviews, essays, photographs, and illustrations. Turning The Tables, launched in 2017, has revolutionized recognition of female artists, whether it be in best album lists or in the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame. How Women Made Music: A Revolutionary History From NPR Music brings this impressive reshaping to the page and includes material from more than 50 years of NPR’s coverage plus newly commissioned work. A must-have for music fans, songwriters, feminist historians, and those interested in how artists think and work. This incomparable hardcover volume is a vital record of history destined to become a classic and a great gift for any music fan or creative thinker.”
Postcards From Scotland: Scottish Independent Music 1983-1995
By Grant McPhee
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “By 1983, many of Scotland’s post-punk bands had broken up or moved south to chase the major labels in London. That vacuum was filled by an influx of young musicians who were determined to remake the scene in their own image. In this compelling and dynamic oral history, Grant McPhee chronicles the radical transformation of Scotland’s independent music scene from 1983-1995. Including archival photos and drawing from over 100 interviews with the key players of the time, McPhee allows them to set the scene in their own words; including The Cocteau Twins, Shop Assistants, Teenage Fanclub, The Jesus and Mary Chain, Primal Scream and many more. Postcards From Scotland is the definitive story of the radicals, misfits and experimentalists who made independent music what it is today.”
In The Time Of Sky-Rhyming: How Hip-Hop Resonated In Brown Los Angeles
By Jonathan E Calvillo
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Jonathan E. Calvillo explores the rise of hip-hop on the West Coast and the integral role the Los Angeles Latino community had on the movement — and in turn, hp-hop’s impact as it became a space for community, expression, and coping with inequality. Building his narrative around interviews and oral histories, he explores how incoming migrants, locals, and other minoritized populations joined Black Americans in the 1980s to build early underground sites of hip-hop innovation, contributing to the genre’s global expansion. The book details how hip-hop’s deep impact was based in part on the inequality, marginalization, and injustice that many Latinos of this era faced — themes which were addressed in the movement. Many creatives from Brown Los Angeles found their place in early underground expressions of hip-hop, including in breaking, rhyming, DJing, and graffiti elements.”
And The Roots Of Rhythm Remain
By Joe Boyd
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “From the legendary producer of Nick Drake, R.E.M., Toots and the Maytals and Pink Floyd and author of White Bicycles: Making Music in the 1960s comes a riveting, world-spanning tour de force illuminating the artists, histories, controversies, and collaborations that shaped global music. Paul Simon told Joe Boyd that when he first heard the accordion flourish that would open his multi-platinum album Graceland, it seemed to proclaim, “You haven’t heard this before!” Yet the 1980s “world music” boom that Simon’s album helped usher in had roots that extended back through the decades and across continents: Tango on the eve of World War I, Latin dance across the ’30s, ’40s and ’50s, reggae in the ’70s, pre-war samba and pre-Beatles bossa nova, Eastern European ensembles filling capitalist concert halls during the Cold War, Indian ragas changing rock ’n’ roll in the 1960s, the folk music–inspired classical composers of the 19th and 20th centuries. In this sweeping history compiled from more than a decade of travel, research, interviews, and deep listening, Boyd sets out to explore centuries of fascinating backstories to these sounds. The one-of-a-kind result is And the Roots of Rhythm Remain: A glorious, symphonic celebration of the music that shapes our world.”
Nova Scotia’s Stars of Song: Portia White, Anne Murray, Carroll Baker, Rita MacNeil, Holly Cole and Sarah McLachlan
By Charlie Rhindress
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Best-selling music biographer Charlie Rhindress presents the lives and music of Nova Scotia’s six most important and successful women singers: Portia White, Anne Murray, Carroll Baker, Rita MacNeil, Holly Cole and Sarah MacLachlan. Rhindress draws on his intimate knowledge of Nova Scotia’s music and his interviews with many of the biggest figures in the Nova Scotian music scene to offer fresh insight into the lives and work of these six stars. His research included extensive conversations with the women he profiles, as well as their families, their friends and the musicians they played with and worked alongside. He offers powerful new insights into how each of them was shaped by and contributed to Nova Scotia’s unique musical heritage.”
Stay Positive: A Children’s Picture Book
By The Hold Steady & David Espinosa Alvarez
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Stay Positive is a charming children’s picture book based on The Hold Steady song of the same name. The title track of the band’s fourth album (released in 2008), Stay Positive is a call to arms to stand strong and persevere during trying times. The song remains a fan favorite and a staplethe band’s live shows. The book follows the path of an adorable armadillo who discovers along the way how music can pull together a disparate cast of characters. It’s also a lesson in tenacity and maintaining a positive attitude when encountering adverse situations. The story ends up in a unified celebration that mirrors the joy of a Hold Steady performance. Singer Craig Finn explains, “Stay Positive has a line that says, ‘The kids at the shows will have kids of their own,’ and it’s true: Each year more Hold Steady fans become parents or grandparents. So I’m thrilled that we’re offering the children’s book version of Stay Positive, which brings THS joy to the whole family.”
John Grant: The Illustrated Lyrics
By John Grant
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “A full colour illustrated book of lyrics by singer-songwriter John Grant, published to coincide with his solo tour of the U.K. and Ireland in October, and his forthcoming new album The Art Of The Lie. Featuring Grant’s own photography as well as lyrics from the albums Boy From Michigan; Love is Magic; Grey Tickles; Black Pressure; Pale Green Ghosts and Queen of Denmark, The Illustrated Lyrics is a beautiful addition to the work of a foremost artist.”
Music Quizpedia: The Ultimate Book Of Trivia
By Aisling Coughlan
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “How well do you know music? This book will put your trivia to the test. Whether you’re a punk rocker, a classical aficionado, or singing along to the top of the charts, music is our universal language. From The Beatles to Whitney Houston, Tupac Shakur to Billie Eilish, it’s impossible not to love music. But how well do we know our modern music history? With questions on your favorite artists, songs, albums, and more, this interactive trivia book is perfect to play with friends and family of all ages. With 450 questions about the most iconic musicians and musical moments of our time, Music Quizpedia will have even the Grammy geeks on their toes.”
