Episode 10: Jennifer Haupt with Charles R. Cross and Nabil Ayers
Jennifer Haupt
Jennifer Haupt is the author of the novel ‘In theShadow of 10,000 Hills’. She's also the editor of ‘Alone Together: Love, Grief, and Comfort in the Time of COVID-19’, awarded the 2021 Washington State Book Award for General Nonfiction. Her work has been published in ‘O, The Oprah Magazine’, ‘Psychology Today’, ‘The Rumpus’, and other publications, and she curates the popular ‘Psychology Today’ blog “One True Thing,” a collection of essays and interviews for authors and readers. ‘Come As You Are’ is her second novel.
Charles R. Cross
Charles R. Cross is the author of nine books, including three New York Times’ bestsellers. His 2001 biography of Kurt Cobain, Heavier Than Heaven, has been published in 30 languages, and was called “One of the most moving and revealing books ever written about a rock star” by the Los Angeles Times. Charles was Editor of The Rocket, the Seattle music magazine, from 1986 through 2000, which was the first magazine to do a cover story on Nirvana. He writes for many newspapers and magazines and lectures on pop culture.
Nabil Ayers
Nabil Ayers has written about race and music for ‘The New York Times’, NPR, ‘Pitchfork’, ‘Rolling Stone’, and ‘GQ’. His memoir ‘My Life in the Sunshine’ was published in June 2022 via Viking/Penguin.
Nabil is the President of Beggars Group US, where he has run campaigns for The National, Big Thief, Grimes, Future Islands, and St. Vincent, as well as reissue campaigns including Pixies’ album ‘Doolittle’, which was certified Platinum in 2019.
At age 25, Nabil and his business partner opened Seattle's Sonic Boom Records store, which they sold to a longtime customer in 2016. As a drummer, Nabil has performed in several bands including The Long Winters and Tommy Stinson. On his own record label, The Control Group/Valley of Search, Nabil has released music by Cate Le Bon, The Killers, PJ Harvey, Patricia Brennan, and his uncle, the jazz musician Alan Braufman.
Nabil lives with his wife in Brooklyn, NY.
About the Episode
Jennifer Haupt is here to talk about her novel, ‘Come As You Are’. Set against a backdrop of Seattle in the early '90s, ‘Come As You Are’ is a compelling love story and family drama that addresses the question: Can we alter our dreams and stories from the past to create a better future for our children?
In the second half of the show, we’re joined by two giants of the real Seattle grunge world: Charles R. Cross and Nabil Ayers. Charles and Nabil share their memories of and insight into that pivotal moment in music history.
Listen to the episode then migrate to the Rock is Lit Vault for the uncut interview with Charles R. Cross and outtakes from the Jennifer Haupt and Nabil Ayers interviews: https://www.christyalexanderhallberg.com/rockislit
MUSIC AND MEDIA THAT APPEAR IN THE EPISODE IN ORDER OF APPEARANCE:
“Come As You Are” by Nirvana (instrumental)
“Piggy” by Nine Inch Nails
“Hurt” by Oliver Tree
“About a Girl” by Nirvana
“Come As You Are” by Nirvana
“Heart-Shaped Box” by Nirvana
“Smells Like Teen Spirit” by Nirvana
“Jesus Doesn’t Want Me for a Sunbeam” by Nirvana
“Something in the Way” by Nirvana
“I Hate Myself and Want to Die” by Nirvana
Audio clip of Kurt Cobain talking about his stomach problems, drug use, suicidal thoughts
“Smells Like Teen Spirit” by Nirvana (Kurt solo), MTV Unplugged
“All Apologies” by Nirvana
“Smells Like Teen Spirit” live at the OK Hotel, 17 April 1991
Clip of Michael Stipe inducting Nirvana into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2014
LINKS:
Jennifer’s website, https://www.jenniferhaupt.com/
Jennifer on Twitter, @Jennifer_Haupt
Jennifer on Instagram, @jenniferhauptauthor
Charles’ website, https://charlesrcross.com/
Nabil’s website, https://www.nabilayers.com/
Nabil on Twitter, @nabilayers
Nabil on Instagram, @nabilayers
Link to Nabil’s ‘Rolling Stone’ article on Nirvana’s OK Hotel show, “The Night Nirvana Changed Everything,” https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/nirvana-smells-like-teen-spirit-first-performance-1154128/
Link to Nabil’s ‘The Stranger’ article on Soundgarden, https://www.thestranger.com/music/2017/05/18/25153388/soundgarden-will-never-be-the-first-seattle-band-anyone-mentions-but-for-me-soundgarden-was-the-first-band-that-changed-everything
