Conscious Choice Seattle: Nirvana and Americana

November 2004 | November 3rd and Beyond

Nirvana and Americana

By Vince Darcangelo

In the early ‘90s, Krist Novoselic played bass for Nirvana, the Seattle group that was clearly one of the most popular bands of the decade. While politically active as a musician, in his post-rock-idol life Novoselic has grooved on politics even more.

In September, Novoselic released his first book, “Of Grunge and Government: Let’s Fix This Broken Democracy,” which takes on the issues of political activism and electoral reform. Novoselic is currently on a lecture tour, including Seattle appearances earlier this fall. He is adamant that the Nov. 2 decision is a beginning rather than an endpoint. Here’s a recent give-and-take with the bassist-turned-politico.

EM: In “Of Grunge and Government,” you touch on how musicians can have a role in effecting political change. How did you get involved in politics?

Novoselic: As far as music goes, I like to say that democracy is everybody’s business. Musicians have an edge on other vocations or pastimes because people really look for meaning in music, and I believe that people look for meaning in their politics.

EM: You say democracy doesn’t end on Election Day. What can people do regarding year-round activities?

Novoselic: You just get involved up to your comfort zone, whatever you can take. Just support a lot of these activist organizations. Be another person in the room. It’s a good way to meet people and maybe even build some meaningful relationships.

That’s what democracy’s all about, people getting together. It’s not about any ideological purity. It’s about working with people the best you can in whatever situation you’re willing to work with. The most important thing is to band together.

EM: Where your book really succeeds is the focus not only on the challenges, but the victories. How important is it that activists and artists don’t go too far to either extreme of cynicism and nihilism on one side and empty, rah-rah sloganeering on the other side?

Novoselic: Neither feast nor famine. It’s just finding that balance. Meaningful work takes time. It’s going to be a colossal undertaking. The establishment is not going to like them because it’s going to change things.

EM: Do you have anything to say about any of the backlash that’s come about with so many artists getting involved in this past political season and speaking out?

Novoselic: Well, that’s going to happen. People who are going to respond negatively, they are ideologically motivated. There is that attack-dog reflex. ... Again, democracy is everybody’s business.

If musicians aren’t supposed to speak out, if only politicians and these pundits speak out, then we’ve basically abdicated authority to them. ... I think everybody should say something. Mechanics, hairdressers, truck drivers, on the right or left, whatever. It’s supposed to be the people speaking.

Nobody should tell us who should say what, when or where in the United States, because that’s not what this country’s about.

EM: If people take one message from your book or related speech, what would that be?

Novoselic: Just be positive. Don’t get dragged down by negativity. Don’t let people tell you that things can’t happen or that it’s impossible. Things are gonna change, whether we like it or not. We have to make sure that it’s a positive change, a progressive change.

For more information, visit Novoselic’s website at www.fixour.us.

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