My French book chapter – out now

I was thrilled to receive my hard copy of this new French language book about music criticism in the twentieth century, featuring a chapter written by myself (kindly translated into french by Isabelle Perreault). This book is the first major synthesis devoted to music criticism in the twentieth century. It explores the different types thatContinue reading “My French book chapter – out now”

Litpop: Writing and Popular Music (Ashgate, 2014). Now in print!

It was a wonderful surprise to unwrap my personal hardcopy of this new Ashgate title which arrived in the post today, of which I am the proud author of chapter 6. Ashgate’s poster for the book is attached, and the publisher’s descriptive summary of the book’s contents are reproduced below (note my underlining). For 50% discountContinue reading “Litpop: Writing and Popular Music (Ashgate, 2014). Now in print!”

‘Speaking of Value?’ Forthcoming Conference Paper Abstract

I am delighted to announce that I have another conference paper scheduled for next year, this time to be presented at the ‘Pop-Life:  The Value of Popular Music in the Twenty First Century’ conference to be held at The University of Northampton, 6th and 7th June 2014.  This paper will examine the language by which notions ofContinue reading “‘Speaking of Value?’ Forthcoming Conference Paper Abstract”

Conference Paper in Honour of Simon Frith

Good news!  My paper proposal for the forthcoming conference ‘Studying Music: an International Conference in Honour of Prof. Simon Frith’, to be held at the University of Edinburgh 10th-12th April 2014, has been accepted.  The paper,  provisionally titled ‘Raising stars from the underpass: an examination of Simon Frith’s music journalism in the English quality press from 1982 toContinue reading “Conference Paper in Honour of Simon Frith”

Gijon: research poster

With only a few days left to go before I embark upon my 3-day trip to northern Spain to present my latest research at this years international conference of the International Association of the Study of Popular Music I am pleased to report that my presentation poster is now finished.  In order to preserve the poster longContinue reading “Gijon: research poster”

Making Y Viva España unpopular?

Making Y Viva España unpopular?  An historical examination of the marginalisation of ‘other’ forms of popular music in the English quality news press from 1986 to 1991. “In a recent interview, a long-standing popular music critic from the English quality newspaper The Observer argued “I’m willing to bet that actually the most popular song isContinue reading “Making Y Viva España unpopular?”

Censorship and Music Journalism

Extract from conference paper: ‘Silencing Sounds: an investigation into the censorship of music criticism within the English broadsheet press from 1981 – 2011′. Watching the Media, Edge Hill University, 2011. Censorship is an intrinsic feature of the processes which have shaped, and continue to shape, music criticism within the English quality news press.  Extracts fromContinue reading “Censorship and Music Journalism”

Challenges to London-centric music criticism in the quality press 1981 to 1991

“Evidence drawn from a series of interviews which I conducted with prolific English broadsheet music critics back in 2006 suggests that during the period 1981 to 1991 an intricate melange of factors converged to dramatically alter longstanding preconceptions of London as the epicentre of quality live music performance in England.  Supported further by qualitative andContinue reading “Challenges to London-centric music criticism in the quality press 1981 to 1991”