Home Politics Writing Music Writing Culture Writing Video Work Contact
Photo by Elviss Railijs Bitāns on Pexels

Music Writing

Current must-reads

USA TODAY •

The Age of the Rhinestone Cowgirl: How Beyoncé brings glitz to the Wild Wild West

Cowboy hats are everywhere right now. You see them on artsy posters in college rooms. They're a bachelorette must-have. And, perhaps most importantly, a cowboy hat sits atop Beyoncé's blond tresses on the cover of her latest album "Cowboy Carter."

A harbinger of something bigger, the hat signifies a cultural reckoning disguising itself as a fashion moment. Don't look now, but the cowgirl is remaking herself.

My Latest Work

USA TODAY •

Fred Again.. is one part DJ, one part poet. Meet the Grammy best new artist nominee

Fred Again.. is one part DJ, one part poet. Meet the Grammy best new artist nominee

The Recording Academy’s nominations for best new artist runs the gamut of musical genres. From electronica to Americana, bedroom pop to R&B, the nominees represent a class as varied as the industry itself.

Among those artists is Fred Again.., a producer whose emotion-drenched brand of club beats has taken the dance music scene by storm. With tracks that overlay vocalists and poets atop heavy synth, his unique s
USA TODAY •

Ice Spice and everything nice: How the Grammys best new artist nominee broke the mold

Ice Spice and everything nice: How the Grammys best new artist nominee broke the mold

The list for Grammy’s best new artist is out, and 2024’s class is both star-studded and eclectic. Come Feb. 4, artists like Gracie Abrams, a newbie in the sad-girl pop genre, and Victoria Monét, a fresh voice with an old-school sound, will compete for the coveted award.

Also on this list? Ice Spice. The rapper and internet darling has had a whirlwind year – touring with Doja Cat, collabing with Taylor Swift,
USA TODAY •

'Sleepless in Seattle' at 30: Real-life radio host Delilah still thinks love conquers all

'Sleepless in Seattle' at 30: Real-life radio host Delilah still thinks love conquers all

“Sleepless In Seattle,” director Nora Ephron’s iconic take on a drawn-out meet cute hit theaters 30 years ago. The film’s narrative arc revolves around a call-in radio show. Meg Ryan’s Annie Reed stumbles on the station midway through a late-night drive and is immediately enthralled by the story of widower Sam Baldwin, played by Tom Hanks. Baldwin’s son has called into the show to say his dad needs a new w
USA TODAY •

50 years of hip-hop: This NYC landmark wants you to hear it in surround sound.

Hip-hop turns 50 this year and lines to celebrate are around the block. Museum displays, high-profile tributes, documentaries − the music genre born of the Boogie Down Bronx is celebrating half a century in style.

This week, a new exhibit in New York threw its hat in the ring. To mark the dawn of hip-hop in all its industry-making, genre-melding glory Hall des Lumière is putting that history up on the walls (literally.)

The converted bank in downtown Manhattan debuted “Hip Hop Til Infinity" th
USA TODAY •

The kidz are alright: Inside the brightly hued, (slightly) surreal world of KIDZ BOP

The kidz are alright: Inside the brightly hued, (slightly) surreal world of KIDZ BOP

The KIDZ BOP headquarters is light and breezy on a Tuesday afternoon, and the KIDZ (yes all caps, yes with Z) are fresh off taping a Good Morning New York segment.

The children’s ensemble, which has been rocking the airwaves since the early aughts, includes at any given time up to thirteen performers. I am only set to meet four, however, who are in the city doing press and performing a mini-concert in Central