A Nice Pair: Elvis Costello

It’s Sunday which means it’s time for A Nice Pair: book and vinyl pairings that go together like summertime and music festivals. Today we’re pairing the book Access All Areas: A Backstage Pass Through 50 Years of Music and Culture by Barbara Charone with the album Armed Forces by Elvis Costello and the Attractions.

The memoir Access All Areas dives into the wild backstage world of rock ’n’ roll, charting Barbara Charone’s journey from fearless music journalist to powerhouse publicist. With stories featuring icons like Madonna, Mark Ronson, and the Foo Fighters, she captures the hustle, humour and heart that fueled her trailblazing career. It’s a bold, behind-the-scenes adventure through decades of pop culture.

Elvis Costello wrote the forward for the book (he worked closely with Barbara Charon as one of her PR clients), so we’re pairing it with his album Armed Forces. It’s a slick and subversive record from 1979 that wraps provocative commentary in pop melodies. With tracks like Oliver’s Army and Accidents Will Happen, it signalled a shift from punk edge to polished new wave, while still packing a lyrical punch.