Why are you reading this right now?
Is it because you know who I am (hi mom!)? Is it because you assume I have something interesting to say? Are you looking for something to guide you? Inspire you? Entertain you?
These are questions that have plagued me since I first started thinking about the role of the journalist, particularly when it comes to my field of music criticism. I write things, put them out for consumption, but what prompts you, the audience, to consume them?
At this year’s Future of Music Policy Summit, I was determined to find out. And the panel on The Future of Music Journalism was just the place.
The panel was diverse and star-studded: Maura Johnston of Idolator, David Malitz of the Washington Post, Mike Riggs of Washington City Paper, Howard Mandel the president of the Jazz Journalists Association, Raymond Leon Roker of URB Magazine, Molly Sheridan of New Music Box, Eliot Van Buskirk of Wired.com, Scott Plagenhoef of Pitchfork, Greg Kot, host of Sound Opinions, and Tom Moon, music critic for NPR. If these folks didn’t know what the future holds, then nobody does.
Well, nobody knows…at least not for sure.
A lot of time throughout the three days of the conference was spent talking about the “musical ecosystem” – how the artists, businesses, and distribution systems could work together. Trying to figure out where the music journalist fits in this day and age is more complicated.
It used to be that the rock critic was there to give a comprehensive view of what is out there – the good and the bad. Records would be praised and panned, features written, and profiles done to give the reader a view of the musical world. These days, given the plethora of voices out there and the sheer volume of music, the mission of the writer has become just to create a path for the reader to follow.
In Van Buskirk’s opinion, “It’s more of a curatorial process, where you’re half way to being a DJ. You only offer music of a certain stripe, saying ‘this is worth checking out.’ It’s moving from a buying recommendation to a taste thing.”
Article comments
1 - Glen Boyd
Great article Claire. I wrote a similiar one awhile back in one of my Rockologist columns that you might wanna check out.
If there is anything more depressing than the state of rock and the state of print journalism, it's the state of rock journalism. The conference you attended seems to offer some optimism for those willing to roll with the changes. Your article makes me wish I'd been there. Well, done.
-Glen
2 - Benjamin Cossel
Hi Claire,
Good article the future of rock journalism closely mirros that of print journalism. I guess depending on how you slice the pie, the web either makes it easier for one to get published or more difficult to seperate yourself from the herd. That said, I love the final piece of advice - don't suck.
3 - cindal lee heart
An amazing article- I second Glen, this makes me wish I had been there. But the conclusion through your article is generously suffice. :)