Celebrating Punk Rock Karaoke with Bianca Xunise

Please note: this event will be held in person at Glasgow Zine Library.

Come join Chicago-based artist Bianca Xunise to celebrate the release of their book PUNK ROCK KARAOKE. Bianca will read and excerpt from their new book along with discussing the process of the graphic novel creation and what inspired them to tell this story. PUNK ROCK KARAOKE is the explosive new YA graphic novel from Ignatz Award-winning and nationally syndicated cartoonist Bianca Xunise (Six Chix, Be Gay Do Comics), following three friends and their Garage Punk band on their quest to make it big in Southside Chicago’s underground music scene. Drawn from Xunise’s passion for their city and extensive Punk knowledge, PUNK ROCK KARAOKE explores questions about authenticity, the importance of community, and what it means to succeed on your own terms. Complete with a zine-style guide to the real-life Punk icons referenced throughout the story, the book is sure to be a hit with listeners of The Linda Lindas and viewers of Netflix’s Scott Pilgrim Takes Off.
Asked about their inspirations for the project, Xunise said, “PUNK ROCK KARAOKE is a love letter to the diverse and rambunctious underground scene of the DIY music community. I hope that readers fall in love with the same community that allowed me to march to the beat of my own drum and are inspired to create spaces for each other in their own backyards.”
In PUNK ROCK KARAOKE, School is out for summer and Ariel Grace Jones is determined to make it one for the books! Together with their bestie bandmates, Michele and Gael, Ariel believes they’re destined to break into the music industry by singing lead in their garage punk band, Baby Hares. But before they can officially get into the groove, the realities of post grad life start to weigh on this crew of misfits. Ari begins to worry that it’s time to pull the plug on their dreams of making it big.
Just when all hope feels lost, a fellow punk and local icon takes an interest in their talent. It seems like he might be the only one Ariel can rely on as frustrations between bandmates reach at an all-time high, but is he really all he seems? And will Ariel and Michele’s friendship survive the journey?
“Incredibly grounded in its neighborhood and scene, this is a great ride from start to finish.” -Booklist
“A vibrant, inclusive, feminist, punk-rock homage, guide, and coming-of-age story” -Kirkus
“Stole my heart from the first page to the last. Endlessly funny and sincere.” -Tillie Walden, Eisner & Ignatz Award-winning cartoonist

Bianca Xunise is an illustrator, writer, and educator based out of Chicago, Illinois. With two Ignatz Awards under their belt, Bianca enjoys being a voice for those who march to the beat of their own drum and hopes that their comics are comforting to those who feel like they don’t fit in. In 2020, Bianca became the first nationally syndicated non-binary cartoonist (and the second black woman) when they joined the comic strip Six Chix in 2020 as their first black creator. Xunise has also collaborated with Vogue, The Washington Post, The Nib, and Believer Magazine. When Bianca isn’t doodling away, they are usually at an underground DIY punk show dancing with friends by the Chicago riverside. In April 2024 their graphic novel Punk Rock Karaoke (Penguin Teen) debut with rave reviews. Critics are already calling it “...a gripping narrative, relatable situations, and evocative artwork with an aesthetic that oozes with late-1970s zine flair” – Publishers Weekly, STARRED review

Find out more about Bianca.

Please note: we can only issue refunds requested 72 hours before the event.

This event is suitable for all ages. There will be 20 attendees maximum, and the event will feature comfort breaks. During this event, participants will be involved in: Talk / Lecture, Reading, Sharing work that has been created, Visual presentation, Eating/drink, Q&A

This event will take place at the GZL space on Albert Road in Govanhill.

You may be asked to wear a mask at this event.

If you have any questions or access requirements, please get in touch with us via [email protected]

All events will adhere to our safer spaces policy, which you can learn about here.

GZL pledges to support The Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel. As part of this pledge we may participate in strikes called in response to the ongoing genocide in Palestine. If this event falls on a strike day and is cancelled, we will work with event leaders to reschedule the event asap. Participants will also have the option of receiving an immediate refund for any ticket purchases and travel booked to attend.

After booking a ticket, you will be sent several reminder emails from Eventbrite leading up to the event. We will also send emails that share any resources that attendees will need access to, including any required materials.

Please email [email protected] for any queries or issues.

Join the GZL Patreon and support the library on a monthly basis.

Host or Publisher Glasgow Zine Library