Local author Robert K. Elder’s newest book, “The Mixtape of My Life: A Do-It-Yourself Music Memoir,” encourages readers to explore their song-related memories. Elder, 42, of Oak Park also is the author of “Hidden Hemingway: Inside the Ernest Hemingway Archives of Oak Park.”
Elder previously was a senior editor of the Sun-Times suburban publications, which at the time included Pioneer Press.
In June, Elder answered a few questions for the Oak Leaves about the book, which was released in April, and his music memories.
Q: Tell me about the book. What was the inspiration for this one?
A: More than any other source, music can evoke memory, and bring back times and places better than anything else. For me, it has always been music. … I heard the song “Cherokee Fiddle” by Johnny Lee, and it reminded me of my cousin who had died. It just brought back her life to me in a way that was really palpable. It’s a book of prompts and questions that hopefully make you introspective. I originally wanted a website, and I thought, why don’t I just make it a book? … It was just a different kind of book. Most of my books take three to seven years. This was something that had gestated for a long time. This was fun, because it was more light-hearted.
Q: What songs evoke strong memories for you?
A: The song “Cecilia” by Simon and Garfunkel, not only of being an exchange student in Italy in 1992, but my wife would have dance parties with our kids in the kitchen and would change the lyric about “making love in the afternoon” … doing some Puritanical editing. [laughed] As a music journalist, I interviewed everybody from Marilyn Manson to Garth Brooks. Just this year, I gave all of my music archives to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. It was sort of serendipitous. It’s been lovely to sort of relive those memories, and reclaim my hearing.
Q: What was included in your collection?
A: I gave backstage passes, concert negatives. At a U2 and Rage Against the Machine concert in Eugene, Ore., in the late ’90s, when Rage Against the Machine opened for U2, they threw their set list into the crowd, so I had a crumpled up set list for Rage Against the Machine. I took not just concert shots but portraits, too. Dave Navarro of Jane’s Addiction posed for me. He was a really lovely guy. I had a little 7-inch record you got if you were a member of the Pearl Jam fan club.
Q: Hidden gem of Oak Park or River Forest?
A: I just love that it’s sort of a whole community, a community you can walk everywhere to. We love that new pie place on Harrison Street, Happy Apple Pie Shop. The two other places you will find us are the Economy Shop and One Stop Comics. Oh, and the pool. If we could, we’d have our mail sent there in the summer.
