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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.
Stripped of amps and artifice, the group 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.
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. Each artist brings their unique style and story to these songs while staying true to their original soul, reminding us 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—a bridge between eras, connecting the timelessness of rock’s past with its present.
We get to sit with Jansen for an exclusive chat to us more about his version.
- What was it about Nirvana’s MTV Unplugged in New York performance that made you want to reinterpret it for this tribute album?
I got contacted by GM Editions to be a part of this project and thought it was a good opportunity to explore songs I hadn’t sung or explored much before. I feel like it landed in my lap at a time where I felt like I could relate to the words and the feelings he emoted through the performance.
- How did you approach recreating your selected song while maintaining its original soul? What was your creative process like?
I watched and listened to the MTV unplugged performance over and over again for a month before I recorded it. It helped get in the mood and feel Kurt Cobain’s voice and his lyrics. Then I just gathered a group of talented guys and asked them if they were down to spend an afternoon recording the song live at the Honeymoon suite studio in Los Angeles. It was a fun and seamless experience.
- For those unfamiliar with your version of “On A Plain” what do you hope listeners take away from your interpretation of the song?
I’m not sure. I guess that I hope they don’t feel like i’m just trying to copy him but moreso just singing a song that felt good to sing with my voice and words that felt right to me.
