Carrie Brownstein names her favourite Nirvana song
Carrie Brownstein, who rose to fame with the punk rock band Excuse 17, stands among the select few creatives hailing from Seattle who have excelled in various sub-genres of alternative music. Following her initial success with her first band, the guitarist established the immensely talented rock group Sleater-Kinney, known for their nine critically acclaimed studio albums.
For Brownstein, “Music has always been my constant, my salvation,” she once said. “It’s cliché to write that, but it’s true. From dancing around to Michael Jackson and Madonna as a kid to having my mind blown by the first sounds of punk and indie rock, to getting to play my own songs and have people listen, music is what got me through,” she added.
Although she succeeded significantly as a writer and actor, particularly with the Emmy-winning comedy TV series Portlandia, music has consistently been Brownstein’s primary creative outlet. While her ability to craft her own art has undoubtedly been honed through tireless dedication, Brownstein’s success also stems from her innate passion for music.
From a young age, Brownstein had an unwavering connection to music, even if she had no idea why. When discussing Joni Mitchell’s ‘Carey’, she explained: “There’s something strange, when you’re a kid, about a song that says your name. Of course, Joni Mitchell is talking about a man named Carey, but I didn’t know that. I was so drawn to it — the song seemed to recognise me in some way, which set me on an emotional course for looking for validation in songs.”
The musician also described how music knowledge became a signifier of status when she attended college, which coincided with her exposure to one of Nirvana’s most career-defining albums. “When I moved to Olympia to go to college, there was this sort of marketplace where the commodity was musical knowledge,” she said. “That was how people judged and valued each other. I had a friend whose sister worked in Seattle, and he gave me a tape of In Utero well before it came out. It felt like I was carrying around a magic stone all summer.”
All of Brownstein’s favourites showcase her own versatility as a musician. From Betty Davis and Mahalia Jackson to The Slits, Brownstein knows how to spot the most endearing and impactful tracks which hold depth and meaning. Discussing Gang of Four, she said, “The sound of Gang of Four was revelatory for me — even before you hear the lyrics, the acidity of the guitar playing tells you what this band is. ‘Natural’s Not in It’ is about how our own bodies and desires are commodified, and as a female I always felt that. It’s such a catchy rallying cry of revolt.”
When asked about the punk records that have influenced her over the years by NY Mag, Brownstein also referenced some of the most legendary acts, including The Clash, Buzzcocks, Talking Heads, and others. “Over the years, music put a weapon in my hand and words in my mouth,” she explained, “it backed me up and shielded me, it shook me and scared me and showed me the way; music opened me up to living and being and feeling.”
