"This Book is Broken: A Broken Social Scene Story"
"This Book is Broken" by Stuart Berman (House of Anansi Press) documents the history of Broken Social Scene. Berman had a unique perspective, having been friends with the nucleus of the group from the get-go, living in the same building that connected the band's founders, Kevin Drew and Brendan Canning as it grew in acclaim. The result is better than a fly-on-the-wall vantage point of how Broken Social Scene came to be, and a forthright and honest account of the highs and lows of being in a dynamic, organic, and many-membered band.
Calling it a daunting task collecting quotes, photos, and assembling the many perspectives into one, cohesive history that encapsulates the band's story is an understatement. Especially when you consider that Stuart was — and still is — friends with the group.
His 'visual and oral history' is as textured and juxtaposed as the band's songs, while adhering to the linear path of time and is what makes this such an engaging read. Berman takes care to discuss not only what was going on within the band at the time, but also what was influencing them externally. The story is fleshed out with quotes from interviews at the time, as well as those reflecting back. And the binding to the whole project is the inclusion of photos, set lists, and artwork — many never seen before outside the circle of the collective.
Stuart took the time to sit down with yours truly, via web chat and discuss the book and some of the questions that were raised by the book:
The book is a compelling and easy read. It documents a very important time period in Canadian music that has given way to the amazing and rich pool of talent that we are now proudly boasting globally. We've reached a place, because of bands like Broken Social Scene, where we're exporting as much music as we're importing. This book serves a document to the shift in thinking, creating and producing that betook the industry and served to put indie artists from Toronto on the global vernacular. And it's all done with little editorializing, and editing to make a more flattering snapshot. The book is forthright, frank, and remarkably honest.
But don't take our word for it, get your own copy and be treated to this important piece of our musical history.
Calling it a daunting task collecting quotes, photos, and assembling the many perspectives into one, cohesive history that encapsulates the band's story is an understatement. Especially when you consider that Stuart was — and still is — friends with the group.
His 'visual and oral history' is as textured and juxtaposed as the band's songs, while adhering to the linear path of time and is what makes this such an engaging read. Berman takes care to discuss not only what was going on within the band at the time, but also what was influencing them externally. The story is fleshed out with quotes from interviews at the time, as well as those reflecting back. And the binding to the whole project is the inclusion of photos, set lists, and artwork — many never seen before outside the circle of the collective.
Stuart took the time to sit down with yours truly, via web chat and discuss the book and some of the questions that were raised by the book:
The book is a compelling and easy read. It documents a very important time period in Canadian music that has given way to the amazing and rich pool of talent that we are now proudly boasting globally. We've reached a place, because of bands like Broken Social Scene, where we're exporting as much music as we're importing. This book serves a document to the shift in thinking, creating and producing that betook the industry and served to put indie artists from Toronto on the global vernacular. And it's all done with little editorializing, and editing to make a more flattering snapshot. The book is forthright, frank, and remarkably honest.
But don't take our word for it, get your own copy and be treated to this important piece of our musical history.
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The book has been available in stores since May 16th, but its official launch is tonight in Toronto at the Arts & Crafts NXNE showcase at The Courthouse (57 Adelaide Street E). The book's publisher, House of Anansi Press has made one copy available to NxEW.ca to give away to one lucky reader. Send an email to "teeterboy3[at]gmail[dot]com" with "BSS Book Giveaway" in the subject line and one randomly drawn winner will get their very own copy of the book!
Labels: arts and crafts, books, broken social scene, Contests, house of anansi press, interviews, reviews, stuart berman
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