Today is Book Day and there is no better excuse to address the parallel activity that some of the artists who are part of the lineup of Noches del Botánico 2018 develop or have developed at some point in their lives.
Because art knows no limits and, between tours and recordings, there is sometimes time to pour out thoughts and feelings on paper, there are several musicians who have sold books as well as records:
Música inflie y tinta invisible are the memoirs of this essential musician, published in 2015 in English and at español, thanks to Malpaso publishing house, in 2016.
According to its publishers, this book is a "real discovery for those who know Elvis Costello's creations because in its pages they will find both the anecdotes of his existence and the reasons for his constant search for new challenges".
This prolific and virtuoso pianist is also a writing talent. He has already produced three titles, the last one last year. In Instrumental he tackles his biography with all the rawness that his story requires. A troubled childhood with sexual abuse, addictions, suicide attempts... and music as a lifeline; and a driving force through which to hold on to the days.
In Toca el piano he creates a sort of manual for learning to play Bach's Prelude No. 1 in C Major in six weeks. And in Fugas, the most recent of the three, he takes up autobiographical notes, which he describes as a tour diary, to tackle ailments such as anxiety, stress and depression. All titles published by Blackie Books.
Image by Blackie Books.Image by Blackie Books.
The former Talking Head has been able to get a taste for writing and has carved out a career parallel to music that is very rich in literary titles. In español we can find, by the hand of Reservoir Books, Diarios de bicicleta and the last one, Cómo funciona la música.
In the first work, he literally collects his impressions of the cities he has travelled to and experienced on his folding bike. In Cómo funciona la música, he constructs an essay on the impact of technology on music.
The Brazilian artist is a restless pen. Not only for his lyrics, but also for the multitude of written references he has. Several published books, as well as collaborations with the media, conferences and prologues have made him known not only for his songs, but also for his poetic and literary contributions.
He has a published memoir, Verdad Tropical, and a compilation of many of his short written works, on art and culture as well as politics and activism, in El mundo no es chato. They are hard to find, but you can locate some of his books here.
