Interviewer: Tom Lamont
Interview Subject: Dave Grohl
Program: The Observer, UK-based newspaper
Broadcast Date:  26 June 2011

Dave Grohl is synonymous with the tragic story of Nirvana and its front man Kurt Cobain. Throughout the countless interviews and articles exploring the dark side of Grohl’s life, few have painted him as merely a doting father.

When speaking with Tom Lamont, the audience is privy to Grohl’s family life. The opening conversation between the two creates a sense of normalcy. However, as the article progresses, it becomes obvious that there is nothing normal about Grohl’s life.

The piece, littered with Grohl’s comments, explores the man’s life. The placement of the musician’s words add to the authenticity of Lamont’s words – in a sense Grohl is validating what is written of him.

The interview is one of discovery.  The audience realises that Grohl – a musician and singer who has transcended decades of music – is, in fact, someone who will hire a campervan so he can be with his two girls.

The content discussed adds to the piece’s classification as a must-read article. A very private Grohl recollects playing Smells Like Teen Spirit for the first time in near two decades. Lamont, who describes Grohl as “in a nostalgic mood” encourages him to share the history of the song.

The article balances the present-day Dave Grohl with that of the past. Recounting his history, the reader realises the artist’s turbulent life full of sacrifice and suffering. However, at the end of the piece the audience is given a sense of hope – through Grohl’s conversation with his daughter – that it has not been in vain.

Read the full interview here.

Adria de Fazio is a first-year Bachelor of Media Studies student at La Trobe University.

See the rest of upstart’s list of 50 interviews for journalists here.