« older | Main Largehearted Boy Page | newer »
June 9, 2016
Book Notes - Troy James Weaver "Marigold"
In the Book Notes series, authors create and discuss a music playlist that relates in some way to their recently published book.
Previous contributors include Bret Easton Ellis, Kate Christensen, Lauren Groff, T.C. Boyle, Dana Spiotta, Amy Bloom, Aimee Bender, Jesmyn Ward, Heidi Julavits, Hari Kunzru, and many others.
Troy James Weaver’s novel Marigold is Dark, funny, and haunting.
PANK wrote of the book:
"Troy James Weaver’s Marigold speaks to suburban depression and 21st Century existentialism with a fresh new voice."
In his own words, here is Troy James Weaver's Book Notes music playlist for his novel Marigold:
"On GP" by Death Grips
When I started writing what eventually became Marigold I had a very specific type of character in mind. Somebody who would declare their desire to die on the first page yet not turn the reader away. This song embodies that and more, then pushes the idea even further. It is brutal, beautiful, and everything I look for in art.
"Schizophrenia" by Sonic Youth
I've listened to this song at least once a week for the last sixteen years of my life. Therefore any connections that can be made between this song and Marigold are unavoidable. Both are all about mood—a good old-fashion drenching of dread, compassion, defeat, staleness, stagnancy, humor, and love.
"Helicopter" by Deerhunter
I truly believe this is the most beautiful song ever written. It's heartbreaking, in a genuine way. I would like to personally thank Dennis Cooper for writing the story that came to inspire its creation. Thanks, Dennis. Thanks, Bradford. You guys should consider collaborating again sometime. A murdered Russian male prostitute—here's an idea—it's a love song and a farewell to life, an escape with and from the pain that comes from being alive.
"Little Fury Things" by Dinosaur Jr.
This song has a sense of desperation that's nearly unrivaled. Also, who doesn't love this shit?
"In the Clear" by Cap'n Jazz
Marigold was initially named after a lyric from a Cap'n Jazz song. Tim Kinsella is one of my favorite lyricists. He does things with alliteration I didn't think possible. I changed the title from "We Are All We've Done" to "Marigold" after I realized the whole naming-your-book-after-a-lyric thing was way overdone. This is my favorite Cap'n Jazz song, though, and it doesn't even contain the lyrics that eventually transformed into "Marigold." Weird how shit works sometimes, isn't it?
"Mouth Breather" by The Jesus Lizard
Don't get me wrong
He's a nice guy
I like him just fine
But he's a mouth breather
No explanation needed.
"New Chlorine" by Tera Melos
This is the coolest thing I've heard lately. I'm late to the party, though, because the record this song it on is three years old. The song is "New Chlorine." The album is called X'ed Out. Marigold is all about feeling "X'd Out", and the main character needs a bath.
"Like a Prayer" by Madonna
I listen to this song every time I write, even when I write grocery lists.
Troy James Weaver and Marigold links:
Largehearted Boy Book Notes essay by the author for Witchita Stories
also at Largehearted Boy:
Book Notes (2015 - ) (authors create music playlists for their book)
Book Notes (2012 - 2014) (authors create music playlists for their book)
Book Notes (2005 - 2011) (authors create music playlists for their book)
my 11 favorite Book Notes playlist essays
100 Online Sources for Free and Legal Music Downloads
Antiheroines (interviews with up and coming female comics artists)
Atomic Books Comics Preview (weekly comics highlights)
guest book reviews
Librairie Drawn & Quarterly Books of the Week (recommended new books, magazines, and comics)
musician/author interviews
Note Books (musicians discuss literature)
Short Cuts (writers pair a song with their short story or essay)
Shorties (daily music, literature, and pop culture links)
Soundtracked (composers and directors discuss their film's soundtracks)
weekly music release lists
Word Bookstores Books of the Week (weekly new book highlights)
