The author of the unconventional biography ‘Kurt Cobain: Forever in Bloom’ tells us about her love for tattoo art and why her book was created with purely charitable aims.
Kelly, both your arms are tattooed. How did your relationship with tattoo art develop?
I actually have a side piece that’s made up of Sailor Jerry-style pinup girls and some writing. Over the last year or so, I really wanted something visible on my arms that would make me happy when I looked at it; something that represents my family. Looking down at my tattoos is a nice reminder of what really matters to me.
My left sleeve represents my family, so even when I’m traveling or working, I feel like they’re with me.
Tell me a bit more about your left arm…
As I just said, my left arm is my family piece, representing my husband, my son, and me. We designed it together, incorporating our heartbeats, a celestial theme, stars named after us, their coordinates, and other meaningful locations. We’re still adding more to it.
Now tell me about the right one…
My right arm is my Kurt Cobain piece. It includes “If you read you’ll judge” in Kurt’s handwriting, along with “Love yourself” in his handwriting, his signature (the “Kurdt” spelling he used), and one of the guitars he sketched.
Who is the tattoo artist who has worked on your tattoos so far?
My tattoo artist is Tom Quigley (IG: @tom.quigley.art) at ‘Etched in Ink’ (IG: @etchedininktattoo). Tom is amazing. He’s vegan and uses vegan products, and the studio is incredibly inclusive and accepting. Tom Quigley is a ridiculously talented multi-medium artist, and I’m grateful for his artistry and friendship.
You recently republished – through Skyhorse Publishing – a revised, expanded, and corrected version of your first book, titled ‘Kurt Cobain: Forever in Bloom. The Legacy Beyond Tragedy’. I know this book grew out of a tragic event, but I also believe it stemmed from your love for Nirvana’s music and for the figure of Cobain- viewed without any trace of “celebrity worship” or “hero worship”. Would you like to tell us about it?
I have a profound respect for Kurt Cobain and for Nirvana’s music, but I wasn’t interested in writing a book that sensationalized Kurt. As I got older, I started learning more about Kurt’s ethics and his ethos, and that made me want to understand the person behind the mythology. I also lost someone I loved, Walter, to suicide in 2017. He was a 33-year-old Veteran Marine and a lifelong Nirvana fan. I would never want Walter to be remembered only for the way he died because he lived such a beautiful life. When I think about Kurt, I see a similar problem: his life has been eclipsed by his death. My book honors Kurt, who championed people on the margins, and focuses on the lives he affected.
It’s a celebration of life more than a traditional biography.
I’m not talking about Courtney Love or Frances Cobain, but do you expect to receive any feedback – even via social media – from Krist Novoselic, Dave Grohl, or Pat Smear regarding your book? That would be a wonderful thing for you, but also for Kurt’s own legacy, wouldn’t it?
I think it would be incredible if Krist Novoselic (IG: @thekristnovoselic), Dave Grohl (IG: @davestruestories), or Pat Smear ever read the book or reached out. I didn’t work with Courtney Love (IG: @courtneylove) or Frances Bean Cobain (IG: @thespacewitch), but I was fortunate to speak with other people who were part of Nirvana’s story. Krist, Dave, and Pat – I would love the opportunity to speak with them someday. More than anything, I’d hope they would see that so many people came together to pay tribute to Kurt and to the things he stood for. I hope they read it and feel the Kurt Cobain they knew and loved come through on each page.
Among all the friends of Kurt you met and interviewed, was there anyone who told you about the famous “K Tattoo” (the logo of K Records, the indie label founded in Olympia by Calvin Johnson) that Cobain gave himself on his left forearm, likely between 1990 and 1991?
No one specifically talked to me about the “K” tattoo, although you see it in so many photographs of Kurt Cobain. I actually considered getting it myself at one point. But instead of putting a “K” there, I thought about putting a “W” in honor of Walter.
Will you get any more tattoos in the future?
Absolutely. I’d love to create more tattoos with my family. I’m also a huge fan of ‘NOS4A2’ by Joe Hill (IG: @joe_hill), so I’ve thought about doing something inspired by that whole Charlie Manx aesthetic on my right arm.
I’ve seen you wearing a Shellac T-shirt, and your book contains what is likely the last interview Steve Albini gave before he passed away on that sad day, May 7, 2024. Would you like to get a tattoo related to him?
Yes, I could absolutely see myself doing something to honor Steve Albini. I interviewed Steve shortly before he passed away, on the 30th anniversary of Kurt Cobain’s death. I’ve thought about incorporating quotes from Steve and some of the other people I interviewed for the book. Thurston Moore’s endorsement for my book was just stunning, and I could see working that into a tattoo.
When speaking about Kurt Cobain, he said, “…a raging, heart-struck, beautiful tenor”. I love that.
Of all of them, which is your favorite Nirvana song? The one that helped you the most in life and deserves to be immortalized in a lettering tattoo?
Honestly, I think it’s ‘Sappy’ especially the version of Kurt playing it on guitar by himself. It’s a gut punch of a song. There’s something incredibly poignant and powerful about it, the feeling of being on display without control. Kurt Cobain was so young when he died, and he was so young when he was writing this incredible catalog of songs, each with these hidden meanings.
Last question – Your book supports many charitable causes. Tell us about that…
I donate 100% of my author profits from the book to charity. Anything that helps children and animals is especially important to me. One organization I’ve supported through my writing workshops is Camp Victory in Kurt’s hometown (Aberdeen, WA. Ed), which provides free summer camp to children who are survivors of sexual abuse. I also support Ginnie’s House Children’s Advocacy Center, which assists children who have experienced abuse. I also donate to animal rescue organizations, including OSCAR Animal Rescue and Hollow Creek Farm. Mental health and suicide prevention are also extremely important to me, such as the Society for the Prevention of Teen Suicide. Steve Albini’s wife, Heather Whinna (IG: @heatherinamasfina), founded and runs Letters Charity, and Steve was a major champion of the organization. I’d like to use the book to help support that work as well. They provide direct assistance to families facing urgent financial hardship.
In short, commercial ventures are a far cry from this book of yours…
Yes. This just isn’t a book I could ever imagine personally profiting from in a million years. It was sadly born out of necessity, from the loss of Walter and, of course, Kurt Cobain’s death. I don’t want either of those losses to be in vain. I think it keeps Kurt and Walter’s legacy of love and acceptance at the center, so we can remember the men they were.
Go here if you want to know more about ‘Kurt Cobain: Forever in Bloom’: kurt-cobain-forever-in-bloom
