Girl in a Band (10th Anniversary Edition) - by Kim Gordon (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

*THE NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER*

***Updated and expanded with new material from the author and new foreword from Rachel Kushner***?

For many, Kim Gordon is the epitome of cool: vocalist, bassist/guitarist and founding member of Sonic Youth--one of the most successful bands to emerge from the post-punk New York scene--despite being famously reserved.

Ten years ago, Gordon distilled that coolness into her groundbreaking memoir, Girl in a Band, speaking openly about her life. From her childhood in the sunbaked suburbs of Southern California, growing up with a schizophrenic sibling, to New York's downtown art and music scene in the halcyon days of the 80s and 90s and creating Sonic Youth--a band that would go on to pave the way for acts like Nirvana and inspire the Riot Grrrl generation. Girl in a Band is an edgy and evocative portrait of a life in art.

A decade on, Gordon's exploration of the artists, musicians, and writers who influenced her, and of the relationship that defined her life for so long, remains a deeply intimate self-portrait of a woman who became an icon, and whose stature continues to evolve in and grow. With a new foreword by Rachel Kushner and new chapter from Kim herself ruminating on her career as a solo artist and her two 2025 Grammy nominations, her connection to touring after nearly forty years, and the death of her brother Keller.

Review Quotes

"Kim Gordon writes the way she plays. Fiercely, honestly, and with the creative abandon of a singular artist." -- AMY POEHLER, actor, producer, writer

"I've always admired Kim Gordon. She is cool, smart, and dignified. Girl in a Band is a fascinating and honest memoir full of raw emotion and insight." -- SOFIA COPPOLA, filmmaker

"The best thing one of your heroes can do is make you feel heroic yourself. Kim Gordon has done just that in her memoir; it is full of beauty and power, inspiration, kindness, boldness and hope." -- CARRIE BROWNSTEIN, writer, actor, musician CARRIE BROWNSTEIN, writer, actor, musician

"Written with the same cool passion she brings to her lyrics, Gordon delivers a generous look at life inside the punk whirlwind." -- Kirkus Reviews

Everybody loves Kim Gordon. So it's pretty much my bet that everybody will be hanging on the words of anyone who's read her forthcoming memoir (which is reportedly phenomenal). [Ed. note: It's even better than you're probably expecting.] -- Flavorwire

"From beginning to end, the icon chronicles the evolution of music, art, and herself, set in and out of an ever-changing New York." -- Interview

Gordon's career as a musician, artist, critic, performer, producer, and designer spanned the last truly hip era of downtown New York. The names and the nostalgia-for those who remember or who wish they did-are well worth the price of admission. -- Booklist

An intriguing memoir. . . [Gordon's] unique sensibility never fades. -- Publishers Weekly

"heartbreaking, raw, articulate, and inspiring." -- Bust Magazine