Andrew Stafford on Something to Believe In - with Paul Daley

Andrew Stafford's latest is a radically transparent memoir of music, madness and love from the author of the cult classic Pig City. Written with enormous heart and a thumping rhythm, Something To Believe In is an uncompromising, inspiring book for anyone whose life has been saved by rock & roll. Andrew is in-conversation with Paul Daley.

About the Book

A memoir of music, madness and love from the author of the cult classic Pig City. For Andrew Stafford, music was a way up and a way out. There was just one little problem: he couldn’t play. Because those who can do and those who can’t review, he carved out a niche writing about it instead. 

Written with enormous heart and a thumping rhythm, Something To Believe In is an uncompromising, inspiring book for anyone whose life has been saved by rock & roll.

Praise

‘Written with great humanity and girded by a soundtrack to die for, this memoir is a punchy, unputdownable must-read.’ 

- Peter Garrett.

‘A soaring, sweat-soaked tribute to life’s two great miracles: music and waking up each day to hear it.’ 

- Trent Dalton, author of Boy Swallows Universe. 

‘This beautifully written book reminded me of how much music helps us navigate through life, in all its complicated glory.’ 

- Myf Warhurst. 

About Andrew Stafford

Andrew Stafford is a freelance journalist and the author of Pig City: From The Saints To Savage Garden, a musical and political history of Brisbane first published in 2004. Something To Believe In is his second book. 

About Paul Daley 

Paul Daley is a Sydney-based author, journalist, essayist, short story writer and playwright. He has published six non-fiction and fiction books, several of which have been shortlisted in Australian literary awards including the NIB, the Prime Minister’s History Prize and ACT Book of the Year. 

His journalism has been recognised with numerous prizes including two Walkley Awards for Indigenous Affairs journalism and Investigative Reporting, two Kennedy Awards, and the National Press Club Award for Excellence in Press Gallery Journalism. 

His essays appear regularly in Meanjin and Griffith Review. They have also been published in compilations including The Best Australian Science Writing (2016) and The Honest History Book (2017). He co-wrote the two critically acclaimed Hansard Monologues political plays and he writes Postcolonial, a column for The Guardian about Australian national identity, history and Indigenous culture. Allen & Unwin is publishing his second novel, Jesustown.