“The selection of indie music–centric cities is spot-on . . . knowledgeable . . . the book serves as a helpful jumping-off point for readers looking to learn more.” —Publishers Weekly

The American underground music scene is exploding everywhere—not just in New York City and L.A. (although we’ve got those cities covered too!):

In Washington, D.C. . . . Ian MacKaye and Fugazi inspired the straightedge culture, which had kids everywhere drawing black X’s on their hands in magic marker.

In Omaha, Nebraska . . . A young Conor Oberst, aka Bright Eyes, started writing and performing gut-wrenching love songs at the tender age of thirteen.

On Long Island, New York . . . Taking Back Sunday and Brand New battled for emo supremacy and the fragile hearts of a million teenage girls.

From the coauthor of Everybody Hurts: An Essential Guide to Emo Culture comes Wish You Were Here—a combination travel guide and tortured history containing everything you ever wanted to know about your city’s indie scene.

“This book was really fun to read and I actually learned a lot. Wait a minute . . . Does giving a quote for this book mean people will know that I didn’t actually already know this stuff? Lame.” —Hayley Williams, Paramore

“Wish You Were Here knows way too much about the history, minute details, and inner-workings of these 11 punk and indie scenes. I don’t know how Leslie figured out all this stuff, but I’m changing my locks and checking the phone for bugs.” —Tim McIlrath, Rise Against guitarist and lead singer

“Rob Dobi’s spot-on illustrations appear throughout the book as the perfect complement to [Simon’s] enthusiastic and hilarious voice.” —Sacramento Book Review online

© 2024 HarperCollins e-books (Ebook): 9780061872624

Release date

Ebook: 17 January 2024