Crooked

In what I think is a genuine world first I am absolutely delighted to announce that The Friday Project will be publishing the new album by Kristin Hersh as a book.

Yep, you read that correctly, an album being released as a book.

Here's how it works.

Crooked will be a hardback book containing stunning artwork, the lyrics to each track, an essay by Kristin about every song and an exclusive sneak preview of her forthcoming memoir Paradoxical Undressing.

It will be a beautiful object with beautiful content.

And each copy will contain a digital code which you can use to access a treasure trove of online content including:

• the Crooked studio album to download
• full recording stems for each track so that fans can remix them
• track by track audio commentary by Kristin
• exclusive video content
• out-takes from the recording sessions
• a forum enabling fans to interract with Kristin - Q&As, live webchats etc.

This full content is only available by purchasing the book.

Here's a great explanation from Kristin:

“After building the record in public at CASH Music as a truly collaborative project with my listeners, I couldn't bear the thought of releasing just another disposable, dead, plastic CD. I wanted to create a key to a living world: this blooming, tangible object, the Crooked book. The Friday Project, a strange, new kind of publisher, seemed the best possible home for this strange, new piece of media.”

I like the idea that we might be able to restore the physical object to a position of importance in a world where digital downloads rule, to find a way of combining the two and creating something memorable.

I have loved Kristin's music since I was a teenager. I bought Hunkpapa by Throwing Muses when I was 18 and have grown up with her songs, they have formed part of the soundtrack of my life. This will be one of the most exciting things I have done as a publisher.

We publish Crooked on June 10th and aim to make it available in all good bookshops as well as record stores. Kristin will be over in the UK to promote it and play some live dates and she may well be playing the odd acoustic set in a bookshop near you.

Watch this space for more information as and when I have it including links for pre-orders, details of shows, some sneak previews of content and more.

In the meantime, why not pop over to Kristin's website for numerous examples of her loveliness.

Or take a listen to this.

Mississippi Kite is the opening track from Crooked. I think it is rather marvelous.

Comments

[Paul Parkinson]

Yes please, sounds wonderful. How do you get onto the guest list for one of these events?

[Clare Weber]

Great idea!

[Caroline]

Very very exciting and possibly a bit genius!

[Kit Berry]

Well, Scott - your exciting news promised to us on Twitter certainly is exciting! What a brilliant project. I love the idea of the album made flesh. This seems a very clever way of marrying digital and audio content with visual and tangible experiences too. Good luck with it - you could have invented a whole new genre here!

[Eoin]

Great concept, well done. Looking forward to it.

[David Belbin]

Very cool. I was tempted to see Kristin a year ago when she played Burnley Library, interesting choice of venue, where I did all my revision for my final exams, but it was too far to go at the time. Saw her twice with the Muses in the 80's. Great band. The new song sounds good. I'll be buying!

[Scott Pack]

Thanks everyone for such enthusiasm and support. I hope we manage to spread the word about this as it is genuinely very exciting and could be the shape of things to come.

[Stu N]

Fab news, Scott. 'Erself and myself are both fans!

[Annie Clarkson]

Brilliant, I love it. What an innovative idea. Definately my cup of tea, I think I heard Hunkapapa when I was 18 for the first time too, god those were the days. on a side note, she looks so lovely in this clip, you wouldn't think such a raw, gritty voice could come from such a woman in a sweet summery outfit.

[Rachel Green]

What a fabulous concept!

[Nik Perring]

Awesome idea!

[Dan]

Well done Scott - like you, i fell in love with the Muses while a teenager and nothing has diminished that affection over the years. I still want their version of Amazing Grace played at my funeral. I'll be at the front of the queue for Crooked.

[Serge Lescouarnec]

Scott

Fascinating idea

Just wrote about it on 'Serge the Concierge'
http://www.sergetheconcierge.com/2010/03/hardcover-music-kristin-hersh-releases-crooked-as-a-book-on-friday-project.html

Is it just a UK release?

Take care

Serge
'The French Guy from New Jersey'
Twitter: @theconcierge

[Suzanne Kavanagh]

Brilliant! Can't wait.

[Scott Pack]

Thanks Serge, I love 'hardcover music'. We might have to steal that phrase if you don't mind?!

[Serge Lescouarnec]

I don't mind
Glad you liked it.
I had a record store in a previous life and I always liked to play with words and language.
I sometime joke that I have enough material to write a trilogy about my almost 20 years in the restaurant business (my recent past).
A bientot
Serge

[KB]

It's funny how I'm seeing so many say that they became Muses fans with "Hunkpapa"...as I did, too. I saw them open for REM on the "Green" tour and I was like, "Shit, they're good.". I think they were responsible for pointing me in the right direction musically. Kristin has always been a major influence on my creativity as well as a kindred in a lot of ways. I'm really excited for this project. It sounds amazing.

[DJ Kirkby]

What a fabulous idea.

[Mouth]

I still want their version of Amazing Grace played at my funeral