Book by Franz Nicolay One of the “Best Music Books of 2024” by Rolling Stone

A book by Franz Nicolay, visiting instructor of music at Bard College, has been included in Rolling Stone’s list of “Best Music and Books of 2024.” Nicolay’s Band People: Life and Work In Popular Music offers a close look at the lives of working musicians, like backup singers and support musicians, whose creative collaboration plays an irreplaceable role in popular music. In interviews and through cultural critique, Nicolay explores how these artists approach their craft and elevates the voices of many freelancers and non-leads members who are often on the sidelines in the music industry. “From cult heroes like guitarist Nels Cline and bassist Mike Watt to band stalwarts like Fugazi bassist Joe Lally and Babes in Toyland drummer Lori Barbero to studio first-calls like drummer Josh Freese and bassist Melissa Auf Der Mar, Band People shows the nuts and bolts of what they do and how they do it,” Rolling Stone writes. “These players out of the spotlight have memorable things to say about every aspect of their trade.”

Post Date: 01-28-2025