Selected Writing

Game On: What Travis Scott Is Teaching Music Stars About The World’s Biggest New (Virtual) Stage
With his record-setting performance in Fortnite, Travis Scott proved that limitless creative potential — and a captive, merch-mad audience — could make video games the most lucrative new frontier for the live-music business. (click for print PDF)

Tame Impala’s Kevin Parker on His Pop Ambitions: ‘I Want to Be a Max Martin’
Parker used to prefer solitude. But with a long-awaited album, arena shows and ever more star collaborations on the way, he’s owning up to what he really wants: a place at the center of pop music. (click for print PDF)

Alicia Keys: ‘We All Just Need A Little Celebration’
Seventeen years ago, Keys was a Grammy newbie “hanging on for dear life” at her first ceremony. Fifteen awards later, she’s prepping for her second time hosting — and dreaming up new ways to reflect an evolving industry. (click for print PDF)

How Bandcamp Is Changing the Conversation Around Payments in the Streaming Era
Without advertisers or major investors, Bandcamp turned a profit helping musicians at all levels make a living. Now, as payment models in the streaming era come under scrutiny, will its influence grow? (click for print PDF)

Why Kaytranada Thinks We 'Can't Just Ignore the Grammys'
The best new artist nominee is honoring dance music's past with his sophomore album: "It's a project that I made from the bottom of my heart." (click for print PDF)

The A&R Equation
Women are finally rising to the top of the ranks in music’s A&R field. But it’s still an uphill climb.

The Real TikTok Challenge? Turning Influencer Status Into Hitmaker Clout
Like plenty of teens, Charli D’Amelio and Addison Rae first saw TikTok as a fun distraction. Now, they’re powering Hot 100 hits and eyeing an entirely new kind of celebrity — while proving just how much artists and labels need them. This story won best music/arts/entertainment feature at L.A. Press Club’s 2021 National Arts & Entertainment Journalism Awards. (click for PDF)

Discomfort Zone
For an overwhelming number of women, the studio feels like an anything-but-safe space. So artists and executives alike are driving new initiatives to enact real change.