Before I get into it… since the beginning of the year, I've been dropping hints about a forthcoming project slated for 2024. All will be unveiled come May. For now, enjoy a sneak peek with a few teaser photos. Hint: It's not about music.
Throughout the span of two and a half years, from the moment I signed my book deal in 2020 to its eventual 2022 publication, the question that I fielded most frequently was, "Oh, you're writing a music book?" It's a valid inquiry—I've been immersed in music for as long as I can remember, from my days as a young drummer to my adulthood spent in bands, behind record store counters, and now as a record label guy. It seemed a logical assumption. However, I consistently pushed back, steadfast in my assertion that my book is about family, with music serving as a crucial supporting element.
The many shorter pieces I published between 2016-2020 scarcely touched upon music. Instead, I found myself drawn to sharing narratives about losing my taste and smell from COVID, missing my childhood afro, and walking into a party full of Belgian men wearing blackface. Then in the summer of 2020, I was thrilled to publish an album review of Bad Brains’ seminal 1986 album, I Against I with Pitchfork, arguably the most popular music outlet. Then one year later in 2021, I found myself in the lucky position of writing an essay for Rolling Stone about being one of the fortunate few people in a packed, sweaty club when Nirvana debuted their new song, “Smells Like Teen Spirit” back in 1991.
Before long, my inbox was inundated with requests from publicists, asking me to review albums for Pitchfork or debut singles in Rolling Stone. In reality, my association with these publications was limited to my one-time freelance contributions. Yet, somehow, I found myself labeled as a music writer.
Now that my book has finally reached readers' hands and ears, and amid numerous interviews, podcasts, and personal conversations, music has taken a back seat, validating my initial stance. Don’t get me wrong. I love music writing—some of my best friends are music writers. However, articulating music has always posed a challenge for me, a prerequisite for the craft of music journalism. When I do write about music, I tend to lean into personal connections and emotional resonance, rather than technical analysis or critical evaluation.
All that said… Here are two music pieces I’ve published in the past couple of weeks.
In a feature for Bandcamp Daily, I wrote about the greatest 7” single of all time: Drive Like Jehu's "Bullet Train To Vegas" / "Hand Over Fist." The story is complemented by artwork capturing the essence of '90s me.
And in case you missed it, I recently conducted an interview for The Guardian with three members of my father's 1979 touring band, recounting their extraordinary and terrifying experience opening for Fela Kuti across Nigeria. I can’t believe nobody’s making this into a film yet. It’s been two weeks. Call me.
My memoir is called My Life in the Sunshine. You can order it here, or listen to the audiobook on Spotify.
I hope to see you somewhere soon. Upcoming events are always listed here.
Nabil Ayers / Brooklyn