“[Kurt] was headed in a direction that was really cool. It would have been his White Album,” said Eric Erlandson, ex guitarist and co-founder of the band ‘Hole,’ to William Goodman of Fuse TV in a recent interview, for the promotion of Erlandson’s book ‘Letters to Kurt,’ a tribute to the late Nirvana frontman.

Eric Erlandson was in the same band as Cobain’s wife, and he was also Kurt Cobain’s friend. Making a clear reference to the Beatles’ ‘White Album,’ Erlandson pictures the magnificence attributed to Cobain’s solo work.

“That’s really what he was going towards, a solo album but working with different people. I was really excited about some of the stuff he was working on. I got to see him play it in front of me. That’s why I was really sad [when he died]. I was like, ‘Oh man, not only are you cutting off a life, but a message to the world, a musical path is just left with… Bush and all this other stuff [laughs]. He was cut short. Who knows where the music would have gone.”

Mysteriously referring to a cover played by Cobain, Erlandson told Goodman “There is one cover… I won’t say what it is. I don’t own the stuff.” He then went on “I just hope that one day it will be released for fans. It’s just so heartbreaking.” When asked if the song would be considered a surprise, taking into account Kurt Cobain’s widespread musical taste, Erlandson said “No, it’s not surprising. It’s a very sweet, just touching song.”

Although with no assurance, the ‘Hole’ guitarist gives a hint about a possible future release “I heard some talk about somebody putting together some raw, rough acoustic thing… and that would be more intimate than the box set [With the Lights Out], because all those little jams you have to throw out [for that box set release]. They presented some [demos] but there is stuff that has not been put out.”

When Goodman referred to one of the demos present in the box, namely “Do Re Mi,” as the musical style possibly explored by Cobain for his solo work, Erlandson replied that the song, indeed, represents the path apparently chosen by Kurt Cobain “Imagine that,” he said. “I’m not in control of things,” while he added, “I just wish something would come together. I think the fans would be a lot happier. If nobody ever hears those songs, except for like three people, then… that’s the way it goes.”

If the existence of this material is real, it is surely desirable that it will be released soon, for the joy of Cobain’s fans and music lovers. The timing of Erlandson’s surprising declaration seems suspicious though. Hopefully this is not simply a marketing strategy aiming to raise some noise around the release of Erlandson’s book, in order to push audiences’ interests and sales.

Hopefully, the image of Kurt Cobain is being used to promote his music and his message, instead of all the commercial interests that followed his tragic death.

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About the author

Veronica Cinti
Italian native, extremely passionate about music in general. Although she appreciates a wide variety of music genres, her strongest field of expertise is Rock music, Grunge and Punk among its styles. Contact the author: veronica.cinti@toonarimedia.com; Follow Veronica on Twitter: @VeronicaCinti

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