On the cover of Middle Cyclone, Neko Case's Grammy-nominated 2009 release, she kneels atop her burgundy 1967 Mercury Cougar. It's one of her favorite possessions, but next week she's giving it away, and you can be the lucky new owner. An online raffle is selling tickets for $45 (or two for $75), and Neko's hot ride will be given away to the lucky winner on Friday, March 18. The proceeds from the raffle benefit 826 National, a nationwide program that helps children learn to write (and get published!). We caught up with Case about the charity, the car, and her love of greyhounds.
The Pitch: Where has this car been with you?
Neko Case: I've had it since 2003. It was my regular driving-around-town car in Tucson. It was perfect for that. They do not age. They do not rust. One year, I got to drive it to Austin for South by Southwest. It was amazing. I got to drive it really fast when no one was looking.
What's special about 826 National?
I did a lot of research on charities because I wanted to do something nice, something bigger than a one-off. And I wanted to do something for education. My friend in L.A. got me interested in 826. There's something special about it. This was exactly what I needed when I was a little girl. I needed a safe place to go work on my homework, use my brain, and become a powerful writer. That would have made my life as a kid. There are so many kids out there that need that extra bump. The kids are so rewarded because they get to see their writing in print, and there's nothing greater than a tangible thing, like a book, to give a kid a sense of worth and support. You know, to think, "My brain and my ideas are important." It's so much fun, and it's so inviting and creative. And free.
If you could give the 826 kids any bit of advice, what would it be?
Read as much as you can. Books are the portal to knowing what the rest of the world is like, even if you can't go anywhere yet. Books will take you there. Reading a lot will translate into whatever you want to be.
What are you reading right now?
Reading helps me with my songwriting. There are long stretches of stagnation where I don't know where I'd be without books to help sort it out. Right now I'm knee-deep in the autobiography of Mark Twain. It's great to be lost in his thoughts and his life.
Are you heading out on tour anytime soon?
New Pornographers will be touring in April, and I'm working on solo stuff in May. So that keeps me busy. That and painting the inside of my house.
Will you be unveiling new solo work?
I'm working on it. I don't know what direction I'm taking with it yet. I know it's not a rap album. That's one thing I can't pull off. I'm no Joaquin Phoenix.
What do you like to do with your dogs?*
*Author's note: At this point, Case makes the comment that there are giant dogs (greyhounds) and cats lounging all around her. I have a greyhound as well. Her name is Neko. Things get a little embarrassing.
In the springtime, when the sun comes, they like to walk the trails. I'm sure you know, with former racing dogs or shelter greyhounds, they just get sillier with each year in a new home. They revert to puppies and come out of their shells.
Check out the raffle, which ends Friday, March 18, and includes various other prizes such as signed guitars and a vinyl potluck from Sub Pop, here.
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