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Podcast: New Books in Popular Culture
Episode: Franz Nicolay, "Band People: Life and Work in Popular Music" (U Texas Press, 2024)
Description: A close look at the lives of working musicians who aren't the center of their stage.Secret (and not-so-secret) weapons, side-of-the-stagers, rhythm and horn sections, backup singers, accompanists—these and other “band people" are the anonymous but irreplaceable character actors of popular music. Through interviews and incisive cultural critique, writer and musician Franz Nicolay provides a portrait of the musical middle class. Artists talk frankly about their careers and attitudes toward their craft, work environment, and group dynamics, and shed light on how support musicians make sense of the weird combination of friend group, gang, small business cons...