Rachel: Grandmas and Extra Bones

We sat down with Rachel Davis to explore how Nirvana’s “Sliver” can unlock vivid, deeply personal memories. The conversation turned out to be just as layered and nostalgic as the song itself. Rachel introduced themself by sharing their Grand Junction roots, their work in libraries, their background in art, and their long-time connection to Nirvana. They pulled us into a story that felt both specific and universal: their memories of their grandma. Sliver, or the way Rachel’s family knows the song: “the Grandma Take Me Home song,” for them, is tied to memories of being dropped off at their grandmother Aline’s house, waking up in their parents’ arms, and those small but powerful sensory details like sipping Jones soda and enjoying special grandma treats.

From there, we expanded into a conversation about grunge as a whole, bringing in bands like Pearl Jam and reflecting on how raw, unpolished vocals can communicate vulnerability in a way polished music sometimes can’t—especially when paired with darker lyrics. The discussion naturally unfolded into our own memories, as we swapped stories about grandparents: handmade stuffed animals, carefully saved childhood drawings, long summers in Colorado Springs and Hotchkiss, sleeping in barns, and games with cousins. We talked about the quiet, practical ways grandparents show up too, acknowledging the mix of warmth and strictness that often defines those relationships.

As the conversation continued, it took a lighter, more playful turn. We found ourselves talking about the oddly comforting sensory world of baby animals and infants: their smells, their softness, etc. Somehow the conversation ventured into a very funny “what if” about skeletal body modifications. If you could have extra bones, what extra bones would you choose to have?