Bookery: Emily Haines Reads Her Father With A Light Droning As A Guest
Sep 1, 2007
Words by Sean Moeller
Illustration by Jeannette Langmead
The immaculate and wonderful Emily Haines reveals in this 10-minute reading (conversation) that one of her father's poems was the unofficial mantra of the Haines household while she was growing up. It was, "In its own momentous way/An uneventful day," and it's just one insightful blurb from the fascinating collection of Paul Haines' poetry, a project that the family has wanted to do for years, but finally got around to four years after his passing. The book -- Secret Carnival Workers -- is an elusive joyride that turns down many surprising avenues and covers a lot of terrain. It would be shocking to find a better collection of odds and ends pieces of exquisite literature released this year for it is a one-stop destination for keen social observations like those of our beloved Richard Brautigan, the modern, modern way of investigating one's own life, the random and rambling earnestness of a Bukowski and jazz scribblings and liner notes that come to us straight from the moments when most groundbreaking artists began to get frisky and sink themselves into solo and collaborative exploration. It's wild to think about it, but this - Paul Haines' eye - is the same kind with which Craig Finn of The Hold Steady looks with when he's writing about horse race betting drug addict girls and partiers of the highest honor. Emily Haines confirms that she is her father's daughter numerous times on her over-to-soon new extended player -- What Is Free To A Good Home? -- a record that is pert and sullen, but always a lofty swirl of optimistic shine. She name drops Bruce Springsteen, Billy Joel, Kurt Cobain and Huey Lewis - talking about needing a new drug and a new drink. There are many instances of a broken down enthusiasm where Haines is asking for alternatives to the drabness that has fallen over what used to be invigorating and alive. She wants to go to hot spots and bars to restore youth perhaps. She makes reference to the fire being snuffed, but occasionally resurfacing and her asking, "When I'm on, will you leave me on?" It feels serious. Then there's another feeling in her father, in a poem published in 1981 - in all capital letters, entitled "PAINT ME! DEDICATED TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA," which reads, "PAINT ME! PAINT ME! I'M A DOG PLAYING CARDS." What a family. - Sean Moeller
"Emily Haines Official Site":http://www.emilyhaines.com
"Last Gang Records":http://www.lastgangrecords.com
"Purchase Paul Haines' Book":http://www.killthe8.com/metric/pages/4287/Emily_Haines.htm
