Ed began explaining this Yo La Tengo thing, how he was…
““Ed began explaining this Yo La Tengo thing, how he was listening to a record of theirs, on vinyl he emphasized, and he'd been thinking about a genre of music called shoegaze something about the body language of the shoegazer, the perpetual crumpling or downward slope of the gazer's neck, and then he changed the subject, abruptly, to nettle root—had I ever taken nettle root? I was in a subdued, semi-meditative state, but he repeated himself, louder— Mary, have you ever taken nettle root? —and I said, Um, no , to which he immediately began chanting.””
About This Quote
Source Interview: The New Yorker, “Catherine Lacey on Writing and Music”, 2022
A conversation drifts from music analysis to a sudden, almost ritualistic question about nettle root, illustrating how topics can shift abruptly and how curiosity can become a chant.
In simple terms: The talk jumps from music to a weird question, showing sudden shifts and curiosity.
Key Takeaway
Embrace unexpected turns in dialogue.
Themes
curiosity
conversation
music
ritual
unexpected shifts
Mood
intrigued
playful
reflective
Type
anecdotal
conversational
When to use this quote
- creative brainstorming
- music appreciation
- exploring herbal remedies
- writing workshops
Key Concepts
shoegaze
body language
chanting
spontaneity
Questions to Reflect On
- What makes a sudden topic shift effective?
- How does curiosity influence conversation flow?
A Different Perspective
The abrupt change may confuse listeners and derail focus.