In 1993, Nirvana broke the mold with MTV Unplugged in New York, a concert that surprised everyone and unveiled a different side of Kurt Cobain and his band.
To honor the 30th anniversary of MTV Unplugged from Nirvana, seven artists from the UK, US, and France (Current Joys, Camille Jansen, Brad Stank, Levitation Room, Casino Hearts, Chris Staples, and Far Caspian) have come together to reinterpret some of the album’s most legendary tracks with A Tribute To Nirvana, The Songs of MTV Unplugged in New York.
Each artist brings their unique style and story to these songs while staying true to their original soul, reminding fans new and old how Nirvana captured the essence of a generation searching for meaning and authenticity.
This tribute captures the raw emotion and energy of Unplugged, infused with a fresh, contemporary sensitivity brought to life by today’s voices and sounds. It’s an homage that doesn’t aim to imitate but rather explores these tracks through a new lens, with honesty and creativity. This record is for longtime fans and those discovering Nirvana for the first time, offering a bridge between eras, connecting the timelessness of rock’s past with its present.
Stripped of amps and artifice, Nirvana’s MTV Unplugged in New York delivered raw, vulnerable rock—a true sonic confession that still resonates today. Thirty years later, this album remains a cornerstone of rock and a source of inspiration for countless musicians.
Check out Brad Stank‘s cover of “All Apologies.”
Label Manager at GM Editions, Vito Messina, offered some insight to NYS Music on the album’s creation.
NYS Music: What was the initial inspiration behind A Tribute To Nirvana, The Songs of MTV Unplugged in New York?
Vito Messina: We wanted to celebrate the 30th anniversary of this iconic album. Last year, we had great success with a tribute album for the 20th anniversary of Room on Fire by The Strokes, featuring French artists. It felt natural to follow up with a tribute that honors Nirvana’s profound impact on both the music world and our generation.
NYS Music: How did you decide which artists would be involved in this project?
VM: We carefully curated a list of over 30 artists, blending indie rock and bedroom pop talents. We also wanted to bring in both UK and US artists, as it’s quite challenging to introduce a project to the Anglo-Saxon market with just French musicians. This international mix added a unique touch and ensured a broader reach.
NYS Music: Can you share some insights into the production process for this project?
VM: We allowed each artist to work with their own original team, which worked well given that everyone is based in different cities. The only brief I gave to the teams and artists was to capture that intimate, unplugged vibe that resonates with MTV Unplugged.
NYS Music: How do you define success for this project, and what do you hope listeners take away from this LP?
VM: For me, success is about giving people the chance to (re)discover this timeless piece of art that defined a generation. It’s an homage that doesn’t seek to imitate but instead reinvents these tracks through a fresh lens, infused with honesty and creativity. This record serves both as a tribute to long-time Nirvana fans and a gateway for those encountering Nirvana for the first time—a bridge between eras, linking the enduring legacy of rock’s past with its vibrant present
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