'Talking Smack: Honest Conversations About Drugs' book launch at Avid Reader, 21 August 2014
Channel: Andrew McMillen
Date: 2014-08-21

Footage taken at the book launch of 'Talking Smack: Honest Conversations About Drugs' by Andrew McMillen, in conversation with fellow Brisbane author John Birmingham at Avid Reader bookstore in West End, Brisbane, on Thursday 21 August 2014.

More on 'Talking Smack', which was published by University of Queensland Press in July 2014:
 
Of all the creative industries, the starkest and most distinct link between drug use and creativity lies within music. The two elements seem to be intertwined, inseparable; that mythical phrase 'sex, drugs and rock and roll' has been bandied about with a wink and a grin for decades. But is it all smoke and mirrors, or does that cliché ring true for some of our best-known artists?
 
In this fascinating new book, journalist Andrew McMillen talks with Australian musicians about their thoughts on - and experiences with - illicit, prescription and legal drugs. Through a series of in-depth and intimate interviews, he tells the stories of musicians who, like Paul Kelly, bit into the forbidden fruit and avoided choking. This isn't to say that stories of ruin and redemption are avoided - they're not. But, by having conversations about a subject that's rarely discussed in public, and much less often dealt with honestly, McMillen explores the truths of a contentious topic that isn't going away.
 
'Talking Smack' is a timely and thought-provoking must-read, and includes interviews with some of our most successful and creative musicians: Paul Kelly, Wally de Backer (Gotye), Steve Kilbey (The Church), Phil Jamieson (Grinspoon), Tina Arena, Spencer P. Jones (Beasts of Bourbon), Mick Harvey (ex Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds), Lindy Morrison (The Go-Betweens), Ian Haug (Powderfinger), Bertie Blackman, Tim Levinson (Urthboy), Holly Throsby, Jon Toogood (Shihad), and Jake Stone (Bluejuice).

http://talkingsmack.com.au/
 
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Andrew McMillen is a freelance journalist based in Brisbane. His work has been published in Rolling Stone, The Australian, Qweekend, The Monthly, BuzzFeed, Mess+Noise and The Vine. http://andrewmcmillen.com