Michel Houellebecq, the bête noire of French literature, has just released a single entitled ‘Le Film de dimanche’ (‘The Sunday Film’). It follows on from an album he released in 2000 and has been reviewed positively (available here).
There’s always been a crossover between writers and musicians. Homer’s epics were sung, after all. The list of writers-turned-musicians also includes Nick Hornby, Amy Tan and Patti Smith.
And it cuts both ways. Lately there has been no shortage of musicians turning writers. The rock and roll autobiographies of Keith Richards and Patti Smith have been global bestsellers. Bob Dylan recently signed a multi-million dollar, six-book publishing deal. There’s been a spate of them in Australia too, including memorable reads from Stephen Cummings and Paul Kelly. Next month, Dave Graney publishes his memoirs, 1001 Australian Nights. Indeed, on April 28 Dave will be coming into the Wheeler Centre at lunchtime to deliver a Lunchbox/Soapbox on the topic ‘Social networks and the unknown’.