THE BETTER-LATE-THAN-NEVER ‘POPKISS’ LAUNCH PARTY (PART TWO)

In November 2015, Bloomsbury Publishing released Popkiss: The Life and Afterlife of Sarah Records, an authorised biography of the cult Bristol-based independent label. It received four-star reviews in Mojo and Record Collector (the latter naming it one of the 20 best music books of the year), and won the 2016 ‘Award for Excellence in Historical Recorded Sound Research: Best History in Record Labels’ from the U.S.-based ARSC (Association for Recorded Sound Collections). It currently holds an aggregate rating of 4.5 (out of 5) on Goodreads.

The release of Popkiss was celebrated, also in November 2015, at London’s Rough Trade East record shop. However, conspicuous in his absence was the book’s author, Michael White. Barely six weeks before he was to fly to London from his home in Vancouver, Canada, he was diagnosed with a rare, physically debilitating medical condition that had the potential to permanently rob him of his livelihood and independence. He could barely walk around the block, let alone fly to another continent.

Fortunately, thanks to rapid diagnosis and access to specialists, Michael has joined a small percentage of people who experienced a near-total recovery from his condition; he has returned to work, and is travelling and enjoying a normal life.

While the success of Popkiss exceeded everyone’s expectations (it sold out of its first edition in a month), Michael has always regretted not being able to attend his own book launch. “It was never about money—I actually lost money writing it,” he says. “The only reward I wanted was a little party in London.”

At long last, that party is happening. In addition to acoustic performances from former Sarah artists Robert Sekula (14 Iced Bears), Paul Stewart (Blueboy), and Harvey Williams, Michael will be interviewed onstage by Guardian music critic—and long-time Sarah fan—Alexis Petridis. Also: a guest DJ, free souvenirs, books for sale (should you not already have one), and a surprise or two!

6pm interview and audience Q&A
7:10pm Rob Sekula
7:50pm Paul Stewart
8:30pm Harvey Williams