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”
Back in 2014, my friend Hindi and I decided to make a Cornetto Trilogy themed drinking game that we could play during one film, or all three. It's a doozy, and Edgar Wright has said he does "NOT recommend this to anyone" -- so play at your own risk! The “We’re Gonna Make It To … Continue reading My Cornetto Trilogy Drinking Game
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
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 … Continue reading Music Was There
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 … Continue reading Observations from ‘Baby Driver’
Valerie Gritsch 