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February 25, 2020
Chana Porter's Playlist for Her Novel "The Seep"
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 Jesmyn Ward, Lauren Groff, Bret Easton Ellis, Celeste Ng, T.C. Boyle, Dana Spiotta, Amy Bloom, Aimee Bender, Heidi Julavits, Roxane Gay, and many others.
Chana Porter's debut novel The Seep is an auspicious work of speculative fiction, an impressive work of love and loss and optimism.
Booklist wrote of the book:
"Porter’s gripping, subtly hopeful work of literary speculative fiction is shaped by remarkable world-building elements and acute observation of human frailties and impetus."
In her own words, here is Chana Porter's Book Notes music playlist for her novel The Seep:
The Soul Stirrers/Sam Cooke “Come, Let Us Go Back To God”
Tonally, this beautiful song really speaks to the opening of my book— the despair of the world, feeling mired in our problems, and then a savior coming from the sky to heal everything. In this case, it’s an alien intervention. And this religious awakening is not optional.
Minnie Riperton “Come Into My Garden”
I love imagining The Seep as the speaker in this song, promising to take away all of our troubles. You’ll never leave the garden. So lush, intoxicating, creepy, sensual. Also I’m obsessed with Minnie Riperton and I hope you are too.
Kate Bush “The Sensual World”
Speaking of sensual, this song always makes me think of really good sex or being on drugs—both things The Seep appreciate very much. In Seep world I bet Kate Bush would become like a dryad in Scotland or something equally delightful.
Neutral Milk Hotel “Holland, 1945”
Perhaps the best song ever written about reincarnation. I love imaging Anne Frank as “a little boy in Spain, playing pianos filled with flames” It’s also wistful in the way that feels tonally resonant with my book.
Alton Ellis “Breaking Up Is Hard To Do”
The plot of The Seep centers around a very strange kind of divorce. This is such a sweet break-up song! Breaking up is less hard to do when you have the tender crooning of Alton Ellis, the godfather of Rocksteady, keeping you company.
Bill Callahan “Ein Ma Clack Shaw”
Another amazing break-up song. Bill’s lyrics are so evocative, the music shifting and purposive, images tripping over themselves like a strange dream. “Last night I dreamed it was a dream that you were gone/ I woke up feeling so ripped by reality”
Lisel “Mirage”
I absolutely adore Lisel’s new album Angels on the Slope and this music video is so dope. Perfect soundtrack for Trina running around the city looking for a lost boy (but actually running from her own problems.)
Nina Simone “Lilac Wine”
A song about losing yourself, about drinking too much, and lost love! Nina’s voice pouring out like raw honey. An absolute classic, and so fitting for The Seep.
David Bowie “Young Americans”
No spoilers, but this song actually is actually pivotal in the novel. Bowie Forever.
Alphaville “Forever Young”
The Seep can make us forever young, so that’s the obvious connection, but this song is actually pitch perfect in so many ways— the lyrics about creeping dread of nuclear war, combined with the sweet synths and horns. Such a weird yet lovely juxtaposition. Also— have you seen the music video?! It looks like something from early Star Trek— people on some planet are getting ready to jump through a portal. Who art designed that video? I can’t be the only person obsessed with this.
These last two tracks I write to often:
Alice Coltrane “Journey in Satchidananda”
Spiritual Jazz definitely belongs in the world of The Seep. This is the title track from one of my favorite albums of all time— certainly in my top ten. I write to Alice Coltrane all the time. A patron saint of creativity.
Laraaji “Unicorns in Paradise”
I LOVE writing to Laraaji— he’s such a special person and musician. Hearing his loving voice come on at the end of this track, saying “may we be released from the need to perfect any person, place, or thing” always gives me comfort. That guy doesn’t need to be Seeped. He already knows we’re all connected.
Chana Porter is a playwright, teacher, MacDowell Colony fellow, and co-founder of the Octavia Project, a STEM and fiction-writing program for girls and gender non-conforming youth from underserved communities. She lives in Brooklyn, New York, and is currently at work on her next novel.
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