Dylan Hicks signed books at The Loft Thursday night, alongside his son, Jackson / Photo by Claude Peck
Dylan Hicks launched his debut novel, "Boarded Windows," at The Loft in Minneapolis with a reading Thursday night. Hicks, also a musician, recorded a full CD of new songs to accompany the novel, which is published by Coffee House Press.
Hicks, who fronted a band in the 1990s, described the music as "procrastinatory" -- a distraction at a time when he was stalled on writing the book. He joked about "bundling" the book and CD, saying he learned about doing that at a marketing seminar "that cost more than my advance against royalties."
Hicks read several scenes from "Boarded Windows," including a set piece from late in the book in which the narrator, his girlfriend and two others celebrate a 21st birthday with drinking, pot smoking and a wild night of dancing at a Minneapolis apartment.
The book launch continues Saturday at Bryant-Lake Bowl in Minnepolis, where Hicks and his old band The Toughies will play more music from the new CD. Showtimes are 7 and 10 p.m.
Hear two songs from the new CD and read Chris Riemenschneider's story about Hicks, the book and the CD here.
