An evening with Miki Berenyi - Liverpool

Join us for a fantastic evening with singer, songwriter, guitarist, and author, Miki Berenyi as we hear all about her brilliant new book, Fingers Crossed: How Music Saved Me From Success. The evening will be in conversation with local editor, writer and photographer, Andy Von Pip.

Described as 'an extraordinary life story' by MOJO Magazine, her critically acclaimed autobiography tracks the trials and tribulations of being a female singer-songwriter rising to fame in the 90’s. Much more than your average rock autobiography Miki explores with great honesty how music became the route out from a troubled childhood, marked by neglect, frequent relocation and abuse. Told through frank confession, wry humour and emotional honesty, this is the remarkable, beautifully told story of a trailblazing woman in an often infuriatingly male world.

'Breaks the mould of music memoir' Guardian

'A salutary corrective to a much-mythologised musical era' Observer

'Outstanding' Record Collector

'Utterly engrossing' Red Magazine

'A brilliant and engaging read' Classic Rock

'Intelligent and searingly candid memoir' Grazia

'All other autobiographies should be judged against it' Louder than War

The book begins with her childhood of extremes. From the bohemian lifestyle of her father's social circle to the glamour of her mother's acting career, Miki's young life was a blur of travel, celebrities and private schooling. But frequent relocation, parental neglect and the dark presence of her abusive grandmother resulted in crippling shyness, mental health issues and a vulnerability to exploitation. The route out of this hole was music - a passion shared by schoolmate Emma Anderson. The teenagers began attending gigs together and would eventually go on to form Lush.

Peppered with anecdotes involving a cast of hundreds (including Blur, Sean Connery, Tracey Emin, Pearl Jam and the Red Hot Chili Peppers), this uncompromising autobiography documents Lush's thrilling rise, dispiriting fall and subsequent bounce back, reliving the tours, recording sessions and problematic managers they experienced along the way. But at the heart of the book are Miki's own battles: the conflict between her mouthy public persona and her thin-skinned private identity; the trials of being a woman in an infuriatingly male world; the struggle to find a middle ground between safe indie obscurity and sell-out international success. The memoir also explores Miki's complex relationship with Emma - one that has fluctuated between camaraderie and rivalry over the years - and addresses the most devastating tragedy of all: the suicide of her soulmate, Lush drummer Chris Acland.

Andy Von Pip is owner, editor, writer and photographer for The Von Pip Musical Express blog which features a mix of brand new music, interviews and reviews. Established in 2007 The VPME has featured in the BT Music awards and the Record of the Day music journalism awards, coming runner-up in 2009. Andy has been a member of ‘BBC’s Sound Of' taste-maker panel, appeared on BBC 6 Music, is guest tipper on Amazing Radio, Fresh on The Net Moderator for Tom Robinson and has previously hosted a weekly show on cult U.S. station Strangeways Radio. Andy has also provided content for the BBC, Music Week, The Guardian, Liverpool Echo and hosted a new music column for The Sabotage Times.

Host or Publisher Waterstones Sauchiehall St