Producer Alex Coletti on Nirvana, Unplugged in New York DVD: "It Feels Right That This Is How Many People Will Remember the Band."

A highlight of Nirvana’s illustrious, short-lived career took place on November 1993 on MTV's Unplugged in New York, where Kurt Cobain and the gang gave one of their most compelling and raw performances ever; just four months shy of Cobain's unexpected death. The accompanying live album pushed over five million copies, reached #1 The Billboard 200 and won a Grammy for Best Alt Music Album in 1996. Alex Coletti, the executive producer of the landmark performance, chatted with PAPERMAG about the new, unedited, features-galore-filled DVD of the performance that came out last week.

Blaire Huntley: What was it like being part of such a groundbreaking moment in music?
Alex Coletti: At the time, we didn't know it would be as groundbreaking as it
was. The entire series had a huge effect on the music industry and really changed how artists could present themselves to a live audience.

BH: What was up with all the covers? Did the band plan to all the Bowie and Meat Puppet songs or was that a production suggestion? AC: We always suggest that the band do a cover and bring a guest, but I did not specifically suggest a song or artists, that all came from Nirvana.

BH: What were they like backstage? Was that grey sweater an MTV choice or did Kurt just know a trend when he saw one?
AC: They were fine backstage. No human sacrifices or anything. It was petty normal. All wardrobe choices were the band’s.

BH: The album was released a year after the performance. Why has it taken so long to come out with the DVD version of this performance?
AC: I have no idea why it took so long to come out on DVD, but it’s worth the wait. The 5.1 audio and the new stereo mixes are stunning, plus without the time constraints of broadcast television, we were able to put every second of the taping on the disc. There's also great footage from sound check where you can see the band trying to figure out arrangements, especially for "Pennyroyal Tea," which Kurt ended up doing solo.

BH: How do you think this Unplugged session has contributed to Nirvana's popularity and continuing legacy? Do you think this was the last great
Unplugged special, especially in light of the album being released
posthumously?
AC: I have mixed feelings. I wish Unplugged were just another milestone in a very long Nirvana career, but that wasn't meant to be. It feels right that this is how many people will remember the band, because I think it shows them at their finest. It’s got a lot of different emotion and colors, and really shows the depth they had.

BH: Do you feel as if Unplugged was a '90s phenomenon? It
seems pretty erratic these days, with about two sessions a season. Can
we expect to see more in the future?
AC: I wish Unplugged were like “Austin City Limits,” where it ran forever, but MTV is constantly evolving. I always wanted to give the show a proper send off, like “The Last Waltz,” but I’m glad we still do them, even if it’s fairly sporadic. Basically, the last few -- Lauryn Hill, Alicia Keys, Bon Jovi -- happened because the artists called and asked if they could.

BH: Who's next up in the line up? Are we more likely to see more indie acts
or do you think the series will gravitate towards the mainstream and pop?
AC: I think calling it a series at this point is an overstatement. As for what’s next, I am not sure, but whatever it is, it won't be what you'd expect.