Neko Case on Pain, Neglect, Music, and Confidence

The cover of Neko Case’s memoir features a young Neko in a
swimsuit she says she wore for six months straight and she’s
accompanied by a drawing of a big spiky-toothed monster who she
says is there to protect her. The invention of such monsters can
feel necessary when one’s parents are unavailable, simply not
physically present, or, in the case of her mother, faking their
own death only to reappear a year and a half later. Neko talks
about the trauma of her childhood, what music meant then and as
she grew up, and how she’s shouldered and managed the pain ever
since.


Thank you to all our listeners who support the show as monthly
members of Maximum Fun.


Check out our I’m Glad You’re Here and Depresh Mode merchandise
at the brand new merch website MaxFunStore.com!


Hey, remember, you’re part of Depresh Mode and we want to hear
what you want to hear about. What guests and issues would you
like to have covered in a future episode? Write us at
depreshmode@maximumfun.org.


Depresh Mode is on BlueSky, Instagram, Substack, and you can join
our Preshies Facebook group. 


Help is available right away.


The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 988 or 1-800-273-8255,
1-800-273-TALK


Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741.


International suicide hotline numbers available
here: https://www.opencounseling.com/suicide-hotlines