You don’t choose Kylie, Kylie chooses you: Angela Savage and Kirsten Krauth on editing a new music anthology
Paul Kelly, Nick Cave and now… Kylie Minogue! In Spinning Around: The Kylie Playlist, edited by Angela Savage and Kirsten Krauth, 24 Australian authors write their take on a Kylie song, covering genres of crime, memoir, speculative fiction, poetry and science fiction.
In this article, Angela and Kirsten share their experiences behind curating the latest music anthology.
Why did you choose Kylie as the focus artist for this playlist?
AS: To be honest, we didn’t choose Kylie – Kylie chose us. It was Fremantle Press’s idea. We went along for the ride and I’m so glad we did.
KK: After the Nick Cave anthology, we were keen to focus on an iconic woman, and who else could it be than Kylie! It was only after we settled on her songs that she released her incredible single ‘Padam Padam’, and took the world by storm (again!).
What were you looking for when you compiled your contributor invite list?
AS: I was after talented writers with enthusiasm for the project. Being professional and a pleasure to work with were added bonuses. I am delighted to say that our contributors ticked all these boxes. I’m genuinely thrilled with the stunning line-up of contributors to Spinning Around.
KK: I was keen on writers with original and daring voices, not afraid to experiment and play with different genres. A range of writers with all kinds of styles and experience. The end result? It’s a brilliant mix with lots of surprises! Very funny at times, often with a lightness of touch – and the scary stories still haunt me.
In the introduction to the anthology, you mention Kylie’s collaborative nature, which is fitting for a collection like this. How did you find the collaborative process between each other as editors, and with the other writers?
AS: This is the first collaboration of its kind that I’ve done, and I was a little nervous at first. But Kirsten (KK, as I call her) was easy to work with. We’ve known each other for some years now and I have great respect for KK’s skills and insights – she’s an outstanding editor. We’re very different operators, but I feel like we play to each other’s strengths, which makes for an effective and enjoyable collaboration. And as I mentioned, we assembled a dream team of writers.
KK: I’ve worked with Angela before on The Victorian Writer magazine and have known her forever as good friends, so I was sure we would make a great team. I like to do the hands-on editing and work with writers on the words, the structure and the nuts and bolts, while Angela brings in the bigger picture, skilled relationship building, coordination and boundless enthusiasm. Between us, we seem to know pretty much everyone in the industry and share passion for all the work we set our mind to – along with supporting other writers as much as we can – so it’s been a pleasure and I hope we can do it again!
What’s something you learned about Kylie from this anthology that you didn’t know before?
AS: Two things stand out for me: her incredible work ethic, and the complete absence of diva-like behaviour. Some artists rest on their laurels after they’ve hit the big time. Kylie is still creating, making some of her best work in her fifties. At the start of the project, I would’ve said I liked Kylie. But now, I’m a massive fan. I’ve even got tickets for me and KK to see her in concert in Melbourne.
KK: I really had no idea of the extent of her success. For me, she had some great hit pop songs – but I didn’t know that she’d had hits in five decades, that she had collaborated and experimented with so many interesting artists, her varied work as an actress and fashion icon, that she had written her own songs and how much she is adored internationally. I recently went to the Victoria and Albert Museum in London and there was an exhibit of a replica of her dressing room backstage! I also have become a massive fan and am looking forward to the concert!
What is it do you think that draws people to Kylie and her music after a decades-long career?
AS: For me, Kylie epitomises the kinds of values we like to think of as characteristically Australian: she works hard, she’s totally unpretentious, and family is very important to her; she has a wonderful sense of humour, always willing to take the piss out of herself. And she radiates joy. That’s so attractive!
KK: Her voice and image are instantly recognisable, even though she likes to play with style. She’s always moving forward and changing with the times. She’s unique in the industry and, like Madonna, is a pioneer in pop music – truly inspiring. Her video clips are always exciting to watch. I look forward to what she’s going to come up with next, conceptually. She’s also managed, despite the fame, to be someone who seems kind, self-deprecating and approachable. I met her once when I was a teenager and my heart melted.
