Where are you based?
Brooklyn, NY.
Where do you work? What do you do?
I work at City Slang as Associate US Label Manager, helping run the day-to-day office from NYC for independent label, City Slang.
What are you listening to?
Listening to a lot of Sen Morimoto, Tierra Whack, John Martyn and Allah-Las.
How do you discover new music?
I love discovering music through word of mouth, through friends and even just wandering around spots – I’m always the person asking “Excuse me who’s playing right now?” (for better or for worse). Online I just keep my eyes open for who keeps coming up on blogs. When I was younger, I used to be really intense about it and comb through all EOTY lists and listen to everything – I just was so hungry to find good music that was fresh.
What formats do you usually listen to? LP, CD, Cassette, Digital, Streaming Services? Why?
Last time I listened to a CD was Altin Gün in my dad’s car – that was a band I thought he would dig. I still buy cassettes because I think they’re great mementos, especially from live shows. Last album I listened to on vinyl was Imarhan ‘Aboogi’. I like the ritual of it and prefer it, but digital is easy when you just want to have no attention span and flit around albums.
“My frustration with listening to music digitally is I don’t want to end up in an echo chamber of my own music taste. I also think not listening to an album in it’s entirety can take away from the point of someone’s release.”
Where do you do most of your music listening?
I listen to music a lot! At home, working, on the subway, at the gym. It’s a bit ridiculous. I finally invested in some really nice Marshall headphones and that’s been a game-changer for me. I wish my at-home set-up was a bit flashier, but that’s on top of the wish list! Maybe I should drop bigger hints around my birthday…
How do you find and listen to pre-release music?
I tend to be super nosy and ask friends/colleagues what they’re working on and get sent some pre-releases – I genuinely get excited for projects coming out and think that community-building rather than competitiveness is a much more sustainable way to exist in the music industry. Otherwise, I do love catching first listens on radio. Big indie stations like KCRW, KEXP, and even BBC Radio 6 Music offer some really brand-new gorgeous tracks that can just knock you out.
What are your frustrations with listening to music digitally? Any benefits?
My frustration with listening to music digitally is I don’t want to end up in an echo chamber of my own music taste. I also think not listening to an album in its entirety can take away from the point of someone’s release. But of course, that’s less a digital platform’s fault and more my own!
How do you keep track of everything you are listening to?
Playlists, playlists, playlists. When I find a song or artist I gravitate to, I start going down a rabbit hole, creating playlists, getting vinyl, finding a live show until I feel like that itch is scratched. Creating playlists of my current mood helps me revisit music, and also will make a particular time of my life have a soundtrack, which I like. For example, if Jorge Ben is playing, I’m transported to a road trip in Brazil where we just had that CD playing non-stop (yep, CD) and went swimming in rivers and camped under the stars.
Do you tip other people off to new music? How?
I do! Basically by sending folks bands I think they would really like, or that I’m really enjoying via email or text. I’ll also invite people down to shows I think are stellar especially for bands I think are particularly incredible, that’s the power of the Plus One. One day I’ll be organised enough to send around a newsletter – I get them from friends and love the thoughtfulness behind them, plus it’s a great way to explore new music that you might not hear otherwise.
Anything you want to “promote”?
Yes! Listen to everything from City Slang – it’s such a special label home full of good folks with a beautiful roster of artists: KAINA, Sen Morimoto, McKinley Dixon, Softee, Zouj, Sprints, Anna B Savage, King Hannah. Also shouting out other bands I’m lucky enough to work with: Caitlin Rose, Razor Braids, Sean Thompson’s Weird Ears and Nicole Mercedes. Hopefully see you at a show from someone above!
