Music Alternatives. Meet the author: Stephanie Phillips in conversation

In conversation: Stephanie Phillips and Jak Hutchcraft

Afrori Books. 24th November 6.30pm.

We are so excited to partner with our favourite indie record shop Dream records and our friends at Sound Affects to host the incredible Stephanie Phillips! Jak, from Sound Affects, will be chatting with Stephanie about her new book We Were Here and Stephanie will doing an exclusive performance. We hope to see you there!

Stehanie Phillips is  a Midlands-based arts & culture journalist, the author of Why Solange Matters, a non-fiction book analysing the creative journey of Solange Knowles. She is also the singer and guitarist in London-based black feminist punk band Big Joanie. She plays in the solo outfit Stef Fi. She has been involved in the London punk scene for over a decade.

The Book: A reclamation of rock'n'roll for the Black artists who tore up and re-wrote its rules, by musician, arts and culture journalist and die-hard alternative music superfan, Stephanie Phillips. We Were Here promises to rip up our received history of rock 'n' roll and alternative music and repopulate it with the extraordinary Black artists and influential figures who truly steered its course from the 1930s to the present day, including vital figures Sister Rosetta Tharpe, Little Richard, Jimi Hendrix, Tina Turner, Betty Davis, Poly Styrene, Bad Brains and beyond. As well as reflecting on why Black people have continued to be drawn to alternative music despite their ongoing ostracization from it by the white mainstream industry, Phillips argues that there would be no alternative music without Black artists, and that its future lies in the hands of Gen Z Black musicians experimenting with the boundaries of what punk, metal, hardcore and indie could be.

"In Conversation" has grown into a remarkable event series at Afrori Books. Whether it’s a lively auditorium filled with hundreds or a cosy, intimate setting, these events offer a chance to engage with some of the brightest established and emerging authors and creatives from around the globe. These are one-of-a-kind opportunities to hear personal stories and experiences, shared with honesty and openness. At Afrori Books, we’re committed to providing a safe space for Black creatives to tell their stories in their own voices. We’d love for you to join the conversation.

Why Attend?

Exclusive Insight: Gain a deeper understanding around the history and the role Black people played in the music scene
Meet the Author: A unique chance to engage  with an incredible author, have your book signed and hear her perform.
Literary Excellence: Celebrate the best books of the year with fellow book enthusiasts. Our book community is a safe space to meet others.