Fandom in the time of COVID19

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 …

Gig Survival Tips For the Chronically Ill

As I’ve mentioned on varying blogs here on the XMR HUB, I have chronic illnesses. Mine are invisible, meaning I look able-bodied even when I feel like I am on death’s door. I know there are many others like me who are obsessed with music and love going to gigs and try to balance that …

‘Something Happened on the Day He Died’: How David Bowie Fans Transformed Brixton at FSNNA19

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 …

‘This Is My Culture, Man, This Is My Home’: The Many Ways Frank Turner Moves His Fans

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 …

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: 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 …

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 …