I started 2023 with a rejuvenating, thought-provoking phone conversation with a new friend about pop music, feminism, history, and cultural movements. As the year gets rolling, I’m hopeful it’s a harbinger of more great things to come.
By the end of every year, I’m generally exhausted and ready for a break, so looking back isn’t always top of mind for me. This year was no exception—in fact, I wish the holiday break was twice as long!
But I do like chronicling the writing I did in a given year. So as I watch some truly ridiculous vacation TV (reruns of the original Supermarket Sweep) I wrote up a recap of what my 2022 looked like.
Books
This year, I continued promoting my 33 1/3 book on Duran Duran’s Rio, which was released in May 2021. However, I also had the good fortune of having multiple other book projects come to fruition!
A hardback reissue of the Duran Duran Rio 33 1/3 was released on December 1 (due January 26, 2023 in Australia, however!)
I also started editing books on the 33 1/3 genre series—the first of which, on trip-hop, was released a few months ago
I ghostwrote a book for a marketing thought leader—a rewarding experience that helped me grow as a writer and thinker
I wrote a comic script for a special illustrated version of Tori Amos’ Little Earthquakes
To promote (some) of these books, I continued to have fascinating conversations with dozens of writers. That’s been the most gratifying thing about publishing these books: Being able to connect with and meet so many people from all over the world. Music really does bring people together.
I also worked on multiple other book projects that are in various stages of development. One of these (an illustrated biography on Pink) is up for pre-order, while another (on the best Christmas songs of all time!) is in the editing phase, so more details TBD.
Journalism
Oddly enough, I had more print bylines in 2022 than I can recall—an unexpected development! When I was first starting out in journalism, I had bylines in multiple print magazines, but that’s waned over the years as digital writing took over.
A highlight of this print work was being commissioned to write Duran Duran’s induction essay for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame program—both one of the easiest and most challenging assignments I’ve had!
In addition, I published:
Reviews for Classic Pop magazine on Sheena Easton, Phil Thornalley, Mari Wilson and more
Multiple contributions to Record Collector special editions on Iron Maiden and Thin Lizzy, including reviews of multiple albums by each band and an interview with Midge Ure
The opening essay in a special magazine dedicated to boy bands
An article on Loretta Lynn’s duets for a special on her life
I was also thrilled to contribute more to The Guardian this year. Some of my favorite pieces:
A five-star review of the Beatles’ Revolver special edition reissue
A re-examination of Joni Mitchell in the 1980s
Why Fleetwood Mac’s Rumours remains a vinyl sales juggernaut
How women are reshaping the history of the Beatles
Lists of the best songs by Mark Lanegan and Christine McVie
How My Chemical Romance turned antipathy into triumph
I also published a few favorite pieces at various other outlets:
Salon
an interview with Duran Duran’s Nick Rhodes on Medazzaland
a historical look back at Kate Bush’s The Dreaming
an interview with Mitch Easter on R.E.M.’s Chronic Town at 40
the 50-year anniversary of David Bowie and Roxy Music
an interview with ABC’s Martin Fry
How Harry Styles became a massive star in 2022
Stereogum
A list of the best Kate Bush songs
Interviews with Evan Dando, Chris Barron and Jonathan Davis of Korn
Billboard
NPR
An appreciation of Christine McVie: “Christine McVie brought romantic optimism to Fleetwood Mac”
Variety
An interview with Tears for Fears, promoting their wonderful new album The Tipping Point
A report on the NIVA Conference in Cleveland, detailing the state of indie music venues
A sneak peek at the Beatles’ “Get Back to Let It Be” exhibit at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
Marketing
I’m not as open about doing this kind of writing work, but I’ve long augmented my journalism assignments with both bylined and non-bylined content marketing/branded content work—particularly in the areas of business, employment, economic development, tech and marketing.
This year I’ve:
been commissioned by labels and managers to write biographies for musicians/artists
worked with a client to write copy for a new corporate website
produced SEO-optimized articles on topics like healthcare and marketing
adapted business case studies in comic book form
In particular, I’m also very proud to have produced multiple, SEO-optimized thought leadership hubs for Squarespace that drew on my experience with business, marketing, content production, social media and website design. (All that Geocities work pays off!)
My thought leadership for Squarespace covered topics like:
I’m always open to this kind of work, so feel free to get in touch with any opportunities!
I already feel deep gratitude for the rich and rewarding writing work I get to do every year—and I’m excited for what I already have on tap for 2023, related both to books and journalism assignments.
Thanks for reading and supporting – here’s to a great 2023 full of good tunes, good friends and good fortune!