music essay

However clever you are, whatever system you think of for trying to understand the world, there's always things which you can never know.

"I talk about my identity openly because of the Indigenous and queer voices that were silenced before me."

“If I can get 10 people in an audience to sing 'love, sweet love' along with me, then I’ve done my job.”

"I had no examples nor understanding of what I was going through, and I definitely never saw an R&B artist who embodied what I was to become."

Mark Borchardt (American Movie) talks his foray into directing music videos.

Since 1987, Swans has been the soundtrack to Jon Mueller's existence.

"In those instants, sloppily crooning alone to 'Forget Me Never,' I knew music had me in a chokehold."

A treatise on the humanity (or, lack thereof) of teaching guitar lessons.

"What must artists working in the tradition of Americana do in order to create work that remains a viable source of love and joy?"

Matt Drenik (Battleme) on what a European tour taught him about American politics.

"At no point do I wish I was only playing music."

The singer recounts her switch from "Pam the secretary" to full-time musician.