ramblings of a professional fangirl
In the past week, from March 16th to March 22nd, I have watched more live music than I had ever had in such a short time frame. That is solely due to current technology and that I'm fortunate enough to be a fan and friend of many musicians who can and are willing to livestream … Continue reading Fandom in the time of COVID19
I am ecstatic to share that the journal article I wrote last year based on my thesis research has just been published in the peer-reviewed Wiley Journal of Popular Culture - Special Issue: "Exploring the Popular Culture and Tourism Place-making Nexus," Volume 52, Issue 6. This is my first full-fledged academic publication, and the entire … Continue reading “How David Bowie Fans Transformed Brixton After His Death”
Wow! The organization SUM Research, which highlights work coming out of the CUNY system, wrote a feature on me and my recent publication in honor of Bowie's birthday! Check it out here: https://sum.cuny.edu/david-bowie-brixton-party-birth-death-valerie-gritsch/
Four years ago last week, David Bowie died. The interview I did with my university, The Graduate Center, CUNY, about my research and publishing with the Journal of Popular Culture is now live!!! You can check it out at my school's website by clicking here!
Below you can find my slides and outline from the presentation I gave at the Fan Studies Network North America academic conference on October 25, 2019, at DePaul University, Chicago, IL in the Agency in Music Fandoms panel. This is part of my MA thesis research, that I am currently working on at the CUNY … Continue reading ‘Something Happened on the Day He Died’: How David Bowie Fans Transformed Brixton at FSNNA19
This was the final paper I wrote for a class at Queens College on a musical subculture in December 2015. I chose to analyze Frank Turner's fanbase, of course, and was fortunate enough to be in a position where not only could I interview Frank himself about the topic but also a number of his … Continue reading ‘This Is My Culture, Man, This Is My Home’: The Many Ways Frank Turner Moves His Fans
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. … Continue reading Presentation: ‘Make Tiny Changes’ at CMCS19
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 … Continue reading Redefining Punk and Finding Community: A Review of Against Me! at Brooklyn Steel, 2017
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 … Continue reading Fan Rituals of Memorializing David Bowie
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 … Continue reading Following David Bowie’s Life in Brixton
Valerie Gritsch 