Elijah is a profound thinker and this conversations draws on his influential grime nights with Stormzy & Skepta, writing about music, DJing and to his Yellow Square instagram posts, which are a form of community-building journalism that act as prods and prompts that agitate thoughts into focus.

DiS021 | S2: The Future of the Music Press EP13

From his experience as a pirate radio DJ to running Butterz label & clubnights to being a musician and artist manager, Elijah considers yellow squares to be a former of journalism and the conversation explores the ecosystem that feeds into it and swirls around it.

In this conversation with Drowned in Sound founder Sean Adams, we discuss mediums and spaces, online platforms and club cultures. The conversation sways from curation as a form of journalism, the YouTube mindset, Twitter, 10 minute or 10 hour radio shows.

We also try to deconstruct the gatekeeper and the creative challenges facing people working in music, journalism and anything that involves publishing online. We also discuss the joy of Tumblr, yow electronic music in the UK clusters around its pirate radio, BBC media structures, and why not all clubs closing is a bad thing.

Quotes out of context:

“What’s the musical equivalent of a community note?”

“Some people say ‘I don’t make any money’. Well, what do you sell?”

“Imagine if a review is all the possibilities that the album lays down”

“It's one bit of work. With all these different mediums, but it’s just the language hasn't adjusted to, to serve that yet, you know what I'm saying?”

“…there's a hundred thousand, ten thousand histories happening at once. And that's like something that music journalism, the box, cannot fully capture.”

“People just think, ‘oh, that's their job to write about music.’ And it's like, no, their job is to sell advertising space wrapped around the coverage of music. That's what magazines have been historically. Right?”

Links

• Eli1ah on Instagram
• Various links: https://linktr.ee/Eli1ah
• YouTube recommendation: Super Eyepatch Wolf
• YouTube recommendation: Nathan Zed

• Make The Ting album
• Eli1ah's Resident Advisor Takeover
• Further reading: "Close The App, Make The Ting": Elijah's Yellow Squares are making a difference by cutting through the noise (DMY)
• Podcast referenced with Bandcamp founder

Please note, this conversation took place in November 2023.

If you're enjoying this podcast, please sign up and support our new newsletter at DrownedinSound.org.

How do you become a magazine editor that can put Kate Bush on the cover? And what’s it like running a genre-specific title in 2023?

In a world where the digital age is rapidly redefining media, Sean Adams (@seaninsound) meets a titan of the magazine world, Jerry Ewing, editor of PROG magazine for a rare interview. From his roots starting a Marillion-inspired fanzine to being at the helm of genre-defining publications such as Classic Rock and Metal Hammer, Jerry's journey is a testament to the enduring power of specialist knowledge and passion-driven journalism.

Episode Highlights:

• The Genesis of a Genre Journalist: Jerry recounts the serendipitous moments that led him from crafting a fanzine to steering the course of iconic music magazines.

• The Art of Magazine-making: Delve into the craft of curating content for a niche audience, the evolution of magazines in the internet era, and the potential resurgence akin to vinyl's comeback.

• Defining the Undefined: What is progressive rock? Jerry challenges the conventional confines, advocating for a broad, idea-driven definition that encompasses the innovative spirit of the genre.

• Adapting to the Beat of Change: The discussion turns to the seismic shifts in media consumption and the strategies for staying relevant in a landscape transformed by technology.

• The Human Touch: Jerry envisions a future where the human element is not just a feature but a proud declaration in magazine-making.

Notable Quotes from Jerry Ewing:

• "Progressive music's reach is quite wide... It's the ideas and the approach to making music that sets them apart."

• "Understanding your readers is crucial... Be comfortable with your readership, and they'll feel comfortable with you."

• "The editor guides the magazine... decides what goes in it, helps point the tone."

• "For our readers, it's the music that matters... They're not interested in sex, drugs, and rock and roll."

• "Communication between human beings is at the root of journalism."

Further Insights:

• From Court Jester to PROG: Jerry's DIY beginnings and the transition from fanzine to professional journalism.

• The Inclusive Vision of Prog: Embracing a wide spectrum from prog metal to experimental indie, Jerry's editorial direction is as diverse as the genre itself.

• The Editor's Role: Setting the tone and creating a dialogue with music aficionados, Jerry's editorial philosophy is about crafting a space for in-depth musical exploration.

• The Vinyl Moment for Magazines: Speculating on the tangible allure of print in the digital age, and the unique value it could regain.

Links:

• PROG Magazine
• Jerry Ewing on Twitter
• Subscribe to Drowned in Sound on Substack

Award-winning reporter Julia MacFarlane explains what the music press can learn from traditional news journalism.

As Drowned in Sound's podcast season looking at the future of music media continues, we wander into the world of international journalism with award-winning reporter Julia MacFarlane. With a wealth of experience reporting on major global events for the BBC to ABC News, Julia shares her unique insights into the art of covering huge stories and the challenges of conveying truth in an age of misinformation.

DiS018 | Season 2: The Future of Music Journalism EP10

Highlights:

• From Beirut to Brexit: Julia discusses her experiences covering critical global events.
• The 'One Decision' Podcast: Learn about Julia's co-hosting experience with former Chief of MI6 Sir Richard Dearlove, where she interviews experts on a range of pressing topics.
• Challenges of Modern Journalism: Julia reflects on the importance of accuracy and impartiality in journalism, especially in high-stakes international reporting.
• Self-Shot Journalism: Julia discusses the challenges and rewards of self-shooting journalism and the necessity of recording events impartially and accurately.
• The Power of Personal Stories: Understand the role of personal narratives in making complex global issues relatable and understandable.

Key Quotes:

• "Recording events as they happen is vital... it's important to have professionals who are trained to record things accurately and impartially." - Julia MacFarlane
• "The BBC was a crucial connection to home and world events for English-speaking families abroad." - Julia MacFarlane
• "In filmmaking, whether you're a solo journalist or part of a team, finding compelling stories and voices is essential." - Julia MacFarlane

Timestamps:

• [02:06] Julia's Background and Career Path
• [14:03] Challenges and Responsibilities in Journalism
• [29:17] Insights from 'One Decision' Podcast
• [34:23] Navigating Journalism in the Digital Age

More:

• For more on Julia MacFarlane's work, check out the "One Decision" podcast and follow her on social media (Linkedin | Instagram | X | Threads).
• Enjoyed this episode? Share it with a friend or leave us a review on Apple or Spotify.
• For updates about Drowned in Sound, subscribe to our Substack newsletter

Hosted and Produced by Sean Adams.