Dave Bidini Interviewed by Ian Daffern for Open Book

Journalist Ian Daffern interviewed musician and author Dave Bidini for Open Book. Bidini’s latest book, Around the World in 57 1/2 Gigs (McClelland & Stewart, October 2007), is an account of his “very long road trip, playing solo and finding out about the state of rock ’n’ roll around the world.” In his quest to discover what it’s like to be “just a guy with a guitar,” Bidini traveled to England, Finland, Russia, China, Sierra Leone, and Ghana, and also made trips to Newfoundland and Gananoque in Canada, and to New York City. In his interview with Daffern, Bidini discusses rock n’ roll rebellion in Russia, finding Canadian music in unexpected places, and where the ½ in his title comes from.

Listen to the interview here.

The interview took place at The Roof Lounge at the Park Hyatt in Toronto on September 21, 2007.

Dave Bidini has made a terrific name for himself as a writer with the success of his previous books, The Best Game You Can Name, Baseballissimo, On a Cold Road, and Tropic of Hockey. Bidini wrote and hosted the Gemini Award-winning small-screen adaptation of Tropic of Hockey, called Hockey Nomad, which was first broadcast in January 2003. He has two books out this fall: Around the World in 57 1/2 Gigs (McClelland & Stewart) and For Those About to Write (Tundra Books). He lives in Toronto with his wife, Janet, and their two children.

Ian Daffern got his start as a news producer at Book Television, but has since covered everything from arts and culture to current-affairs. As a journalist he has written for The Globe and Mail, National Post, Toronto Star, Quill and Quire and Books-In-Canada and is a regular contributor to the technology section of Now Magazine. His television work has been seen on the CBC; Vision TV and the Slice network. His documentary Bloom is a Cod! The Bloomsday Centenary about James Joyce ran on Bravo in 2005 and was called "Pure Pleasure" by The Globe and Mail. He is currently a contributing videojournalist for The Globe and Mail as well as a story and creative producer for the Royal Ontario Museum. For more info visit his website www.iandaffern.ca.