By Steve Newton
The Tragically Hip has just announced that it will be releasing a book this fall titled This Is Our Life, published by the U.K.-based Genesis Publications and told through the band members’ own words.
It will first be made available for the hardcore Hip freaks as a deluxe hand-crafted book and record boxed set, limited to 1,000 numbered and signed copies–pre-order here for $565 Cdn–before being sold in a hardback bookstore version for 80 bucks on October 1.
“Over the years we discussed the concept of doing a large format book a number of times,” says Hip guitarist Rob Baker in a press release. “There was just such a treasure trove of beautiful photography, live and behind the scenes, plus posters, tickets and personal memorabilia. In the years after our final concert we’ve felt a growing need to tell our own story, in our own words–someone has to get it right!–and if we were going to do this, it had to be with Genesis Publications. Genesis are simply the best in their field at this kind of book.
“This Is Our Life is the true story of five young friends who bonded over their mutual love of all kinds of music,” adds Baker, “and who, over the course of four decades, found ways to continually renew those bonds of friendship and love through music. We shared a dream and that dream became our lives. We explored music, travel and life together. From the very beginnings through to the present day–the albums, the tours, the successes and failures as we saw them–in our own words.”
In case you didn’t know, I had an unauthorized book on the Hip, titled Gord Downie, published in early 2018. But it was only about 30,000 words. This new tome is apparently 100,000 words longer, so if you really like reading, it could be just the ticket.
I know what I want for Christmas!