An Afghan for Verisimilitude
Wednesday, April 17th, 2002 10:18 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
tamaranthI heart Martin Millar. I went to the launch of his new book, Suzy, Led Zeppelin and Me last night. Instead of the usual 6:30/bookstore/Chardonnay/braying publishing types, it started at 8pm, went on all night for all I know, and was in a credible location (the upstairs bar at the Garage, a notorious London rock venue). Lovely and gloomy, a good mix of people (suits to piercings), a cash bar, and proper music: because how could you launch a book with this title and not have a soundtrack?
And of course a lot of it was Led Zep, starting with Communication Breakdown (I heart Led Zep, too. Have turned into fourteen-year-old. Second childhood come on down!) But Mark and I had fun playing 'spot the track' and remembering our youth. (Very unfair on Petra, who doesn't Do Music the same way). Mott the Hoople! Bowie! Hawkwind! and possibly Captain Beefheart, but we weren't sure.
Martin did two readings from the book, just flipping through apparently at random and commenting as he read: bottle of Becks in one hand, cigarette spiralling smoke in an ashtray propped on (of all things) a music stand. He even donned an afghan waistcoat to convince us of his hippie credentials (it shed like a cat and he took it off because he was too hot). He has a good voice for readings, and despite living in London for years he hasn't lost his Glaswegian accent.
What he read was self-deprecating and almost painfully honest, and at one point had me laughing so hard that I thought I was going to choke on my beer. It hurt.
He didn't remember me but hey, I'm not offended (have cut off most of my hair since I interviewed him eighteen months ago). And despite not remembering me he was most amiable.
I can report that Suzy, Led Zeppelin and Me features not only Scottish fairies but also ancient Greek philosophers. Also Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Janis Joplin and Nefertiti.
And of course a lot of it was Led Zep, starting with Communication Breakdown (I heart Led Zep, too. Have turned into fourteen-year-old. Second childhood come on down!) But Mark and I had fun playing 'spot the track' and remembering our youth. (Very unfair on Petra, who doesn't Do Music the same way). Mott the Hoople! Bowie! Hawkwind! and possibly Captain Beefheart, but we weren't sure.
Martin did two readings from the book, just flipping through apparently at random and commenting as he read: bottle of Becks in one hand, cigarette spiralling smoke in an ashtray propped on (of all things) a music stand. He even donned an afghan waistcoat to convince us of his hippie credentials (it shed like a cat and he took it off because he was too hot). He has a good voice for readings, and despite living in London for years he hasn't lost his Glaswegian accent.
What he read was self-deprecating and almost painfully honest, and at one point had me laughing so hard that I thought I was going to choke on my beer. It hurt.
He didn't remember me but hey, I'm not offended (have cut off most of my hair since I interviewed him eighteen months ago). And despite not remembering me he was most amiable.
I can report that Suzy, Led Zeppelin and Me features not only Scottish fairies but also ancient Greek philosophers. Also Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Janis Joplin and Nefertiti.
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Whole Lotta Love
Date: Thursday, April 18th, 2002 07:42 am (UTC)Claire
Wah!
Date: Friday, April 19th, 2002 03:36 pm (UTC)Wish I was there. Sounded triff.
I have odd feelings for Mr Millar's work: I've still only read the one (Milk) and didn't want to, merely gave in to peer pressure.
Yet now I've gone and bought all of them.
And still not read them. But I feel infinitesimally cooler for at least owning them. Even got a Thraxas one now.
Will read 'em one day. It's not a mood I'm in often...