Norman Brannon

Talkhouse Contributing Writer Norman Brannon is a musician, writer, and educator in Brooklyn, New York. Best known for his work in bands like Texas Is the Reason, New End Original, 108, Shelter, and Ressurection, Brannon has also maintained a steady, albeit whimsical career in music criticism, worked as a TV presenter on a gay cable network, and has been recognized by his music-loving students while working as a university lecturer. You can follow him on Twitter here.

@normanbrannon

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Talks

Emo: A Personal History in Three Parts — Part 3, 2004–2019

Music

By Norman Brannon | August 13, 2019

Emo: A Personal History in Three Parts — Part 3, 2004–2019

Norman Brannon talks Texas is the Reason, Emo Night, and the genre's lasting legacy.

Emo: A Personal History in Three Parts — Part 2, 1991-2003

Music

By Norman Brannon | July 31, 2019

Emo: A Personal History in Three Parts — Part 2, 1991-2003

On Maximum Rock'n'Roll, hardcore fanzines, and asking Zack de la Rocha of Rage Against the Machine about the last time he cried.

Emo: A Personal History in Three Parts — Part 1, 1987-1990

Music

By Norman Brannon | July 16, 2019

Emo: A Personal History in Three Parts — Part 1, 1987-1990

Norman Brannon (Texas Is the Reason) on "emocore," Ian MacKaye, and emo's origin as an epithet.

Songs of the Summer 2015: Norman Brannon (Texas Is the Reason) Talks Sam Feldt featuring Kimberly Anne’s “Show Me Love”

Music

By Norman Brannon | August 21, 2015

Songs of the Summer 2015: Norman Brannon (Texas Is the Reason) Talks Sam Feldt featuring Kimberly Anne’s “Show Me Love”

A true song of the summer reminds us that while the club is where we are free to be, the reality of life outside won't stay outside for long.

Norman Brannon (Texas Is the Reason) Talks Mac McCaughan’s Non-Believers

Music

By Norman Brannon | May 6, 2015

Norman Brannon (Texas Is the Reason) Talks Mac McCaughan’s Non-Believers

The former Texas Is the Reason member contemplates the legacy of Mac McCaughan and Superchunk, secret emo progenitors.

Norman Brannon (Texas Is the Reason) Talks Charli XCX’s Sucker

Music

By Norman Brannon | December 16, 2014

Norman Brannon (Texas Is the Reason) Talks Charli XCX’s Sucker

An early booster talks Charli XCX's new album. He does not love it.

Norman Brannon (Texas Is the Reason) Talks Basement Jaxx’s Junto

Music

By Norman Brannon | August 27, 2014

Norman Brannon (Texas Is the Reason) Talks Basement Jaxx’s Junto

Basement Jaxx: Still doing their own thing after all these years, even if everyone else is now doing their thing as well.

Norman Brannon (Texas Is the Reason) Talks Big Freedia’s Just Be Free

Music

By Norman Brannon | July 1, 2014

Norman Brannon (Texas Is the Reason) Talks Big Freedia’s Just Be Free

There's this Mannie Fresh interview on YouTube that I've probably watched a million times. Or at least as many times as you need to watch something...

Norman Brannon (Texas Is the Reason) Talks the Soft Pink Truth and the High Camp of Black Metal

Music

By Norman Brannon | June 21, 2014

Norman Brannon (Texas Is the Reason) Talks the Soft Pink Truth and the High Camp of Black Metal

Whenever I talk about my childhood, I feel like most people don't fully grasp the implications of growing up in the Pentecostal church. That's why...

Norman Brannon (Texas Is the Reason) Talks Cher Lloyd’s Sorry, I’m Late

Music

By Norman Brannon | May 30, 2014

Norman Brannon (Texas Is the Reason) Talks Cher Lloyd’s Sorry, I’m Late

At some point in the fall of 2010 I realized that, with the help of the right websites, I could start watching U.K. television in semi-real time.