Bicycle diaries by david byrne bicycle diaries are a enjoyable collection of thoughts, views, and essays formed by the talking heads founder and frontman david byrne. Bicycle diaries by david byrne goodreads share book. David byrne s new book, bicycle diaries originally published september 23, 2009 at 7. This is a book of david byrnes musings while riding his bicycle in cities around the world. Since the early 1980s, david byrne has been riding a bike as his principal means of transportation in new york city. David byrne is saturdays snl musical guest, marking one of the few times weve seen a classic act take the stage this season. Byrne is best known as the frontman for talking heads and will actually be making his return to the sketch series after 31 years byrne and talking heads made their debut on the show back in 1979, performing take me to the river and artists only during the bands. Bicycling magazines complete book of road cycling skills ed pavelka, 1998 47,924 4.
Bid to buy david byrnes bicycle diaries folding bike on. In his new book, david byrne looks at the world from a pedalpushing, streetlevel perspective. A journey of discovery in ireland by pete mccarthy, its really funny and a bit mad. Byrne s choice was made out of convenience rather than political motivation, but the. Another book cycling unrelated though worth checking out is mccarthys bar. Take a bicycle ride around lower manhattan with music front man david byrne.
Two decades ago, he discovered folding bikes and started taking them on tour. A cofounder of the musical group talking heads, david byrne has also released several solo albums in addition to collaborating with such noted artists as twyla tharp, robert wilson, and brian eno. But in an eclectic, globetrotting ode to his preferred mode of transportation, byrne proves a savvy memoirist and handy prose tinkerer. Along with the regular gear and equipment that goes on tour with any band, david has also had one key component by his side, his montague folding bike.
But the convenience of rolling from neighborhood to neighborhood, party to party, and gallery to gallery on two wheels couldnt be denied, and now, over three decades later, we find byrne has evolved to occupy a unique set of parallel careers. A renowned musician and visual artist presents an idiosyncratic behindthehandlebars view of the worlds cities. Books to read before, during and after a cycle tour. David byrne speakers bureau and booking agent info.
In reality, the bike is nothing more than a background character, there only to get our. David byrne s american utopia sets broadway and boston dates. An utterly unique and personal travelogue from a cult figure in contemporary music. Bicycle diaries by david byrne the frontman of the legendary talking heads is an enchanting travelogue from a cult figure in contemporary music about the author. David byrne on traveling the world by bicycleand getting lost the former talking heads frontman, whos touring the world for his album american utopia, on. The physical sensation is exhilarating, says the cycling enthusiast and musician david byrne thu aug 2009 03. Versatile musician and cyclist david byrne has used a bike as his main means of city transport since the 1980s. A cofounder of the musical group talking heads, david byrne has also released many solo albums in addition to collaborating with such noted artists as twyla tharp, robert wilson, and brian eno. It should come as no surprise to any of his fans that david byrne wasnt going to take the staid conventional route to publishing a book. When he has time off, he uses his bike usually a fullsize folding mountain bike he puts in a suitcase to travel on planes to wander about and explore. Using his fold up bicycle david takes the reader on a trek through american cities like detroit, pittsburgh, new orleans, san francisco, and new york.
Who would have thought a book by david byrne would be so boring. His art includes photography and installation works and has been published in five books. After discovering folding bicycles in the 1980s, talking heads frontman david byrne knew he had stumbled on to something great. Book description bicycle diaries by david byrne the frontman of the legendary talking heads is an enchanting travelogue from a cult figure in contemporary music. Andean ocean 2 by javelin play in popup more info close. David byrne s bicycle diaries is 303 pages of poetic city planning sandwiched between occasionally moving and oftentimes thoughtprovoking stories from cities around the world. Bicycle diaries unabridged bicycle diaries unabridged audiobook, by david byrne. Anyone who grew up listening to david byrnes songs may have trouble adjusting to the pitch of his writing voice. A bike is the worlds most used form of transportation. A few decades back, david discovered folding bicycles and since then hes ridden his bicycle along the side and back roads of many cities, riding, thinking, chatting, living life and seeing how its lived in a wide range of places. He has written widely on cycling, including a 2009 book, bicycle diaries. Initially drawn to cycling by the convenience and sense of liberation it affords, byrne found that it also provided him with a varied. David byrne is an installation artist, author, blogger, recording executive, photographer, film director and powerpoint enthusiast.
The cast album for the critically acclaimed broadway production of david byrne s american utopia. Byrne is fascinated by cities, especially as visited on a trusty foldup bicycle, and in these random musings over many years while cycling through such places as sydney, australia. In his new book bicycle diaries, byrne shares the thoughts, adventures and observations hes experienced while cycling through some of the worlds major cities. The following are my choice of books to read before, during and after a cycle tour. It was a brief overview of the book and i mentioned that byrne has been an avid transportation cyclist since his early days in new york city and that hes taken a bicycle just about. David byrne is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics. David byrne has just published bicycle diaries, which documents his cycle journeys through cities i cycled when i was at high school, then reconnected with bikes in new york in the late 70s. When david byrne began riding a bicycle in lateseventies and earlyeighties new york, he drew funny looks on the street. This book is the compilation of byrne s journal entries as he traveled, recording the sights, sounds, and.
His newly released bicycle diaries out as of sept 2810 is a fully illustrated account of his worldviews that musically extends itself via its companion audiobook. The bicycle fanatic may be a bit disappointed, however, as the twowheeled people mover plays little role in david s book. Since the early 1980s david byrne has used a bicycle as his primary form of transportation, both at home in new york city and while on tour throughout the world. With the release of his book bicycle diaries next month in the u. David byrne on traveling the world by bicycleand getting. Quotations by david byrne, scottish musician, born may 14, 1952. Byrne is a committed cycling campaigner who takes bikes with him as he travels the world, mainly to the cities where his musical and artistic work takes him. Ein fahrrad, neun metropolen david byrne, brigitte jakobeit isbn. In this wideranging memoir, artistmusician and cofounder of talking heads david byrnewho has relied on a bike to get around new york city since the early. In his new book bicycle diaries, byrne shares the thoughts, adventures and observations hes experienced while cycling through some of the. Using his fold up bicycle david takes the reader on a trek through american cities like detroit, pittsburgh, new.
David byrne travels the world with his folding bike, and cycles around almost aimlessly but with an intelligent perception of whats going on around him. Release david byrne tours on montague folding bike. In last years decemberjanuary issue of adventure cyclist, i wrote a bit about david byrne s book bicycle diaries byrne s a writer and a rider. There is nothing particularly earthshaking here, but it is fascinating to observe this obviously brilliant mans open, active, freeranging mind as he considers, well, whatever comes to mind. David byrne, cultural omnivore, raises cycling gear to an. David byrne is a smart, funny, artistic sort of fellow whose talents, inclination and curiosity have led him all over the world.
On his blog at, byrne chronicles his cycling adventures in unidyllic spots like naples and hong kong the worst city for cyclists that i have encountered in the whole world. David byrne tours on montague folding bike cambridge, ma september 17, 2009 david byrne, cofounder of the band talking heads, has been traveling all around the world for years. Talking heads cofounder david byrne has sold a new book, bicycle diaries, to paul slovak at viking. David byrne s wild wild b iking life the art rocker and talking heads founder wants to take you for a ride inside his head. A renowned musician and visual artist presents an idiosyncratic be. Byrne is also known for his activism in support of increased cycling, and for having used a bike as his main means of transport for most of his life, especially cycling around new york, where he has designed innovative bicycle parking racks. A very unusual book, very rambling and lacking in structure but strangely engaging and enjoyable. David byrne generally travels from new york, ny, usa and can be booked for private corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances.