We all have stories. Stories about love, life, sadness, redemption, you name it. You can meet another person from your hometown and get a completely different perspective on something so familiar to you. Ronen Kauffman’s poignant new memoir New Brunswick, New Jersey, Goodbye, is an example of this for many. Kauffman’s story of growing up in New Brunswick, surrounded by some of the most powerful punk bands of the 90s, and finding himself, will inspire you to take a second look at your own settings and scene. Regardless of it’s New Jersey or not.
Late Night Wallflower recently had a chance to exchange a few words with Mr. Kauffman about his influences, if people fall away from punk and what makes New Jersey so unique.
So what were some of the main influences that led you to write the book? Was there a specific moment that convinced you to go forward with it or was it more of a gradual process?
Well, I love writing – it’s an outlet and in some ways an essential part of who I am. In this case, I realized that I had some really awesome stories to tell – not only because they were interesting stories about people and bands that really made a difference in my life and the lives of others, but because there were themes in those stories that I suspected others might find relatable. At least in my mind, there was something really special about the time and place which serve as the backdrop for my stories.As far as influences, well there are just some books I consider to be special. Glen E. Friedman’s Fuck You Heroes is a photo book, but I am deeply influenced by it. I am influenced by Karl Marx, as well as Malcom Gladwell. I love Aaron Cometbus, Howard Zinn, Alan Moore, and Noam Chomsky. I’m also affected by things that I don’t necessarily like, although my work might be described as having a positive vibe, that doesn’t mean it’s not a retort to some other idea out there. It’s just that I like to stay constructive.
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Tags: Interview, Ronen Kauffman by Matthew
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