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Simon Close on Muck Rack

Simon Close

Verified
(He/Him)
Covers:  Music and more
radiator/producer @allofitwnyc | pitches: sclose(at)wnyc(dot)org | Tweets by staff | he/him

Interview

Have you ever used a typewriter?

Yes, twice. The first was already broken. The second one I broke.

What does it mean to be a journalist?

Providing a service and connecting with the public, whether just through trust and honesty, or providing a platform for their stories.

What tools and software do you use to do your job?

DAVID/Easytrack, Audacity (rarely), Google docs etc, sometimes a notebook?

Who do you wish followed you?

Regina Spektor. But she tweeted at me and mentioned me on Instagram once!

What story are you most proud of writing or working on?

Not exactly a story, but really proud of organizing the Public Song Project and the work and research it required

When's the best time to pitch you?

Anytime. We usually pitch stories on Thursday afternoons, so I'll be reviewing my emails Thursday mornings

What's the worst pitch you ever got?

The worst pitches are the out-of-the-blue ones from PR that offer "an expert" to talk about a topic, but never actually name the "expert."

When you're not at a computer, where are you most likely to be?

Does my phone count as a computer? I might be at a concert, a bouldering gym, or walking around Prospect Park.

Aside from your own, what's your favorite publication to read?

I'm a big fan of the music coverage in Stereogum. Also shout out to local newsrooms like The City and Hell Gate

What's the most common misperception about your beat?

We do our research! We see the movies, listen to the albums, read the books. We put a lot of time and thought into our interviews.

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