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April 2, 2021
Note Books - Early Riser
The Note Books series features musicians discussing their literary influences. Previous contributors have included John Darnielle, John Vanderslice, Mark Olson, Mac McCaughan, and others.
Brooklyn quartet Early Riser has emerged as one of the most distinct-sounding bands in the punk scene, blending cello riffs and soaring vocal harmonies with pop hooks and uplifting lyrics. Since the 2017 release of their debut LP, Currents, they've played The Fest and Montreal’s Pouzza Fest, toured with The Homeless Gospel Choir, and opened for The Hold Steady, Anti-Flag, Jonah Matranga, Chris Farren, Spanish Love Songs, and Katie Ellen. They've also solidified their lineup, with founding members Kiri Oliver (vocals/guitar) and Heidi Vanderlee (cello/vocals) joined by Nicole Nussbaum on bass/vocals and Mikey Erg on drums/vocals.
For their second album Vocations on A-F Records, they zeroed in on their strengths and then amplified them, with a fuller sound, four-part vocals, and insightful lyrics that dig into the challenges of life but ultimately focus on the way forward.
In Kiri Oliver's words, here is the Note Books entry from Early Riser:
Early Riser’s second album, Vocations, explores several aspects of being an artist and musician, from finding your purpose to dealing with anxiety, jealousy and power imbalances. The following novels all made a big impression on me through their approaches to similar themes, especially through the lens of gender.
How to Build a Girl by Caitlin Moran
British journalist Caitlin Moran followed up her bestselling memoir How to Be A Woman with this charming coming-of-age novel about a young music journalist finding her way in the scene and in life. I related deeply to the protagonist’s struggles with sexism in the music industry and her long, messy journey toward finding her own voice.
The Female Persuasion by Meg Wolitzer
Meg Wolitzer is brilliant at capturing the nuances of human relationships. This book is set in the world of feminist activism and casts a detailed eye on the dynamics between a college student, her best friend, and the second-wave feminist she idolizes and later works for. Much like a great song, it’s full of specific lines that made me think, “Yes! That’s exactly how that feels!”
The Italian Teacher by Tom Rachman
This novel about a famous painter and the son who grows up in his shadow stayed with me long after I finished it. It raises some big questions about art: Who deserves to create it? Who will be remembered as a great? And who gets to decide?
Trust Exercise by Susan Choi
This 2019 National Book Award winner makes bold statements about abuse and truth but ends ambiguously, leaving many readers (including me) feeling confused and angry. However, it also features the most memorable portrayal of high school theater that I’ve ever come across, echoing my experiences (to a much more extreme extent) with power-hungry directors and the thinly veiled torture exercise that is the Meisner technique.
Fates and Furies by Lauren Groff
This one is a slow burn with a big payoff. It starts as the story of a golden boy who marries the woman of his dreams and becomes a successful playwright. When the book switches to his wife’s perspective halfway through, everything we learned gets turned on its head. It left me with a powerful reminder of why women need to tell their own stories--and what happens when they’re denied that opportunity.
