News & Features » February 2013 » Literary Lions: 15 Questions with Nick Zinner

Literary Lions: 15 Questions with Nick Zinner

Johnny Temple: Who’s the first person that encouraged you to be a musician?

Nick Zinner: My mother.

JT: What is your biggest pet peeve?

NZ: Awkward situations.

JT: What book has given you nightmares, or otherwise appeared to you in dreams?

NZ: Does the Kiss comic book count?

JT: What book are you reading right now?

NZ: Begrudgingly reading James Frey’s Bright Shiny Morning.

JT: What is the worst film adaptation of a great book that you have ever seen?

NZ: Tim Burton’s Alice In Wonderland.

JT: Have you ever been to a town hall meeting?

NZ: No.

JT: Have you ever been to a freak show?

NZ: Possibly.

JT: Who (living) do you wish would invite YOU to dinner?

NZ: Beat Takeshi Kitano.

JT: Who’s your favorite author (or book) that no one’s ever heard of?

NZ: Isabelle Eberhardt.

JT: Who’s your favorite author that everyone’s heard of?

NZ: Murakami.

JT: Do you avoid high school and college reunions or do you embrace them?

NZ: I haven’t been to one yet.

JT: What’s your favorite single syllable word?

NZ: OOF.

JT: If you could make up a word, what would it be? No definitions permitted.

NZ: Fuckedupedness.

JT: What existing word would you prefer had a different definition? State word and redefine.

NZ: Porphyria: A rare lavender hued flower that brings joy to children and animals.

JT: What question would you like to ask of me?

NZ: When is the Soulside reunion?

NICK ZINNER plays guitar in the band the three-time Grammy-nominated rock band Yeah Yeah Yeahs and other collaborative projects. His photos have been exhibited all over the world including solo shows in Tokyo, Berlin, London, and New York, and he contributed photos to Please Take Me Off the Guest List. He lives mostly in New York City.

Posted: Feb 20, 2013

Category: Literary Lions | Tags: Johnny Temple, Literary Lions, Nick Zinner, Please Take Me Off the Guest List, Yeah Yeah Yeahs