What was your first job as a journalist?
WhatCulture
Have you ever used a typewriter?
I have only used a typewriter when I was really young but only for fun rather than any in-depth stuff.
Who's your favorite fictional journalist?
The romanticized version of Cameron Crowe from Almost Famous. Perfect combo of innocence in the midst of the rock world.
What does it mean to be a journalist?
Having an engaging perspective and being able to express it thoughtfully whether or not someone disagrees with you.
What's the funniest news-related #hashtag you've seen?
Some was talking about Rush pre-Neil Peart period and talked about his arrival as
What's your favorite social network?
Facebook. It's a bit of a dinosaur but that's where I started. I'm also on Twitter and Instagram.
Why did you become a journalist?
I wanted to see if I could have a voice beyond just the music that I was playing. So far, I'm loving every minute of it.
Did you work for your high school newspaper? If so, what did you do there?
Yes. Mainly ended up writing various record reviews and the occasional in-depth article.
What story are you most proud of writing or working on?
College Media Network's Retrospective on the 2000's. It's probably the most in-depth work I have ever done and was an absolute joy to make.
What advice can you offer to aspiring journalists?
Never try to chase the views. Write about what you want to write about because people will recognize that passion
When's the best time to pitch you?
Any time of day really. From early morning to around the evening is prime time.
What's the best pitch you ever got?
WhatCulture gave me a pitch on perfect hard rock albums, which was a blast to listen to and review.
What's the worst pitch you ever got?
Nothing awful. There have been some stuff that were rough around the edges but nothing too appalling.
What's your favorite drink?
Water.
When you're not at a computer, where are you most likely to be?
Reading, playing guitar, listening to music, watching Netflix
Aside from your own, what's your favorite publication to read?
Rolling Stone special editions. The in-depth dives are very engaging even if the other content has fluctuated.
What's the most common misperception about your beat?
I'm normally back into a corner of only rock related material. Aside from that sphere, I can do analyses on rap, pop, and various others.
