Outside Reading #4

Petal Pusher by Lauren Lindeen is progressing rapidly in its plot. After arriving in Minneapolis, Lindeen focuses primarily on songwriting and improving at the guitar. To support herself, at first she works as a cook at the Global Cafe along with Co and some more musician friends. Throughout the novel, Laurie has flashbacks upon significant or sometimes random events. In one situation she was walking with Phyll and Co to a club in uptown to check out the Replacements when her leg completely froze. Lindeen tried to move it, but she could not, and many visits to the doctor diagnosed this condition as multiple sclerosis (MS). This disease caused the aspiring musician to spend many months in recovery even though it affects all of her day-to-day actions. Despite this setback, Lindeen and her band (Phyll-drums, Co-bass, Laurie-guitar and vocals) made attempts to practice and prepare for their first gig. The big performance ended up going horribly along with the next few, and the band's discouragement was not helped by the resignation of a key member, Phyll, who left a devastating note in departure: "I'm out of here, I cant' take it anymore. The drought my soul, like the drought of this summer, unbearable." (Lindeen 58) Following that incident, the remaining members of the band found a new drummer, Vicki, who was also only with Zuzu's Petals (the new name of the band) for a little while. It was with these members that Zuzu's Petals landed a small record label called Susstones. It was expected that the band record a single in order for the label to release a demo, so by pulling together their money and songs, Zuzu's Petals was able to promote a finalized 2 song album with other clubs across the country. Its main incentive being to go on tour, the stars are beginning to line up for Lindeen and her band.