About

I am a writer, music nerd, and Ph.D. candidate at the University of Texas at Austin.  In my doctoral work, I investigate how sound, affect, and vibration worked as mediators for the formation of racial, gender, and sexual identity for mid-1980s black American pop stars who were early adapters of digital synthesizer and drum machine music technologies and their audiences.  My research is motivated by a desire to deeply study the points of reference for the ongoing 80s resurgence in indie pop.  I further explore the relationship between sound and identity in a more contemporary—and personal—context on this blog.  I take as points of entry shows I’ve attended or new releases to which I’m listening, combining insights from queer, black, sound, and affect studies with queer and feminist lived experience.  I write from a place of love for music and commitment to social and cultural change.

To see/hear what I’m musically digging, check out my last.fm page!

Check out Bitch Media to read some critically aware music reviews I’ve penned.