Presentation: ‘Make Tiny Changes’ at CMCS19

Here's my full presentation from August 30, 2019, at the Centre for Media and Celebrity Studies conference in Times Square, New York City. I was a bit shaky, and emotional, but battled through to talk about how fans of Frightened Rabbit rallied together to raise awareness and funds for mental health initiatives through community-building activities. …

Music Was There

If you’re like me, music has always been in the background. It’s always been lurking underneath whatever else you’re doing. It’s on in the car, it’s on while you’re working, it’s on while you’re relaxing, it’s on as you shop, etc. Music can be inescapable, which I think may add to what makes it so …

Navigating No Man’s Land: The Graveyard of the Outcast Dead

The Cross Bones Graveyard resides in London SE1, and dates back to medieval times. It is believed that up to 15,000 people are buried in the unconsecrated ground. Originally used as a graveyard for "single women" which was coded language for sex workers. They were known locally as "Winchester Geese," as they were licensed by …

Navigating No Man’s Land: Dora Hand

Dora Hand was an American vaudevillian dance hall performer. It is believed that she was born in 1844 on the east coast of United States, and was a descendant of a wealthy Boston family - though none of this is confirmed, sadly. She apparently studied music in Europe, and performed opera in New York City. …

Navigating No Man’s Land: Sister Rosetta

Sister Rosetta Tharpe was born March 20, 1915 in Arkansas, USA. Rosetta was an American singer, songwriter and guitarist. Originally gaining popularity in the 1930s for her gospel recordings that combined spiritual lyrics with a rhythmic accompaniment via electric guitar, she was what many consider the god-mother of rock and roll. In this role, she …

Observations from ‘Baby Driver’

A slightly updated list of things I've noticed in Baby Driver, Edgar Wright's 2017 film. There's also some speculations and questions I have about scenes below. Enjoy and feel free to comment with things you've noticed! When the title appears during the opening credits, there’s a double yellow line like you’d find on a road As …

Redefining Punk and Finding Community: A Review of Against Me! at Brooklyn Steel, 2017

The house lights go down. The attention of almost 1,800 people is instantly captivated. They know what’s next. Suddenly, they hear electronic drumming, and a blue hue light tints the stage. People are screaming and clapping. Those who were at the bar hastily make their way back into the main room of the venue, Brooklyn …

Resistance Through Music, Racial Injustice, and ‘Do The Right Thing’

This is a presentation I made for my Narratives of New York course at the Graduate Center, CUNY inspired by our class viewing of Spike Lee's 1989 film Do The Right Thing. The following is a mix of slideshow screens, videos, and relevant notes. Enjoy. Music and acts of resistance are key to Do The Right Thing. So …

Fan Rituals of Memorializing David Bowie

On April 5th, 2019, I participated in the MALS Lightning Talks. This is an event for Masters students at the Graduate Center, CUNY to showcase their research in three minutes. I spoke about the fandom rituals that memorialize David Bowie in Brixton, his hometown in South London. Watch my speech above, or read the transcript …

Following David Bowie’s Life in Brixton

The main focus of my Masters research is dead celebrities and how fans react to their death and in memorializing them create and shape the narrative of that celebrity's legacy. One of the main celebrities I focus on is David Bowie, and specifically how people interact with him through his hometown of Brixton, a neighborhood …