Happy Monday! David here.
Cultural shifts, the internet, and the flattening of the music audience. Music Twitter/X was shook this week when news bled out that Anna Wintour layed off much of the Pitchfork staff with her sunglasses on. The esteemed music publication is being folded into GQ. X was buzzing about her leaving her sunglasses on, but I was buzzing about her quote.
Anna Wintour, chief content officer for Condé Nast, called “a careful evaluation of Pitchfork’s performance.” Wintour called the move “the best path forward for the brand so that our coverage of music can continue to thrive within the company.”
Near this time last year, Condé Nast came up short of target earnings. #Thriving
For someone my age (elder millennial), I’ve watched just about every music and culture publication I enjoy die or be broken down, so sadly it’s just another bad day in the office.
For music fans that means that social media and direct artist-to-fan communication channels will stay the primary means of shaping music trends and tastes for the foreseeable future. That’s a problem. Don’t let the algorithm shape your taste.
Local ticket giveaway
South Carolina faves Easy Honey and The Stews are playing a two-night standon Feb. 1 and 2 at the Music Farm in Charleston. Enter to win tickets here. (password is subscribe)
Podcast
Hunter Park (She Returns from War) and Justin Osborne (Susto) stopped by the studio a before their Columbia show at New Brookland Tavern and we had a quick catchup chat about what we’re all up to. We’ll have them both back on the pod at some point in the future to play a song or two and chat more about their new music. Both released new albums in 2023.
Watch
- Travel Therapy announced the release of their new music video for the track “Friends,” featured on their latest album “Sum Notes.” The video is set to premiere on Tuesday, January 23, but we have a sneak peek for you here. They’re stopping by to be on the pod later this week, so reply to this email and shoot over a question or two.
What’s new?
- “Remember when headliners looked like Chevelle & Three Days Grace? Sometimes less is more.” commented someone on Facebook in response to St. Pat’s lineup reveal. I forgot those years. Here are this year’s headliners. Note the viral Paul Russell, the esteemed War and Treaty, and our Georgia faves, Futurebirds.
- The Albino Skunk Festival 2024 lineup drops Wednedsay morning for the festival happening May 9-11, at the Skunk Farm in Greer, SC. Past performers include Billy Strings (six times), The Avett Brothers, Trampled by Turtles and many more.
Historical Nugget:
There’s a lot packed into this blurb from Scott Padgett sharing on the Rockafella’s Reunion write up in The State newspaper in 2007.
Shows this week:
Upstate
- Radio Room | Wednesday, Jan. 24 | Michael Cera Palin with Daisy Lace, Sitris and Wolfgang Wallace
Midlands
- New Brookland Tavern | Thursday, Jan. 25 | The Runout, Kenny George Band, The Water Kickers
Lowcountry
- The Royal American | Friday + Saturday Jan. 26+27 | Trash Panda, Jack Fortune, Howdy
Encore
Local music calendars are splattered with cover bands. I get it, but I still have lots of thoughts and passionate opinions. Feel free to share yours with me as I work through my upcoming article Shrek Raves vs. Local Bands.
