Oh Mick <3

Times are changing, print is considered dead and my editor continues to say blogs “keep you sharp”. I’ve been freelancing with Sacramento News & Review for two years now, and sometimes, I’m not able to cover all the musicians I’d like to for the paper. Therefore, I’ve decided to start my own music blog right here on my WordPress. After all, I hear blogs keep you sharp.

Many claim music is a huge part of their life. But, for me, music is more than just background noise to pass the time. My “Sleepy Time” playlist on iTunes tucks me in at night and is there to greet me good morning when I awake. While I’m reading a book or writing a story, a constant shuffle of artists floods my ears. When I’m riding my bicycle throughout Sacramento, Tim Kasher and Mick Jagger regularly accompany me on my two-wheeled adventures.

I moved to Sacramento five years ago now and have become quite familiar with the local music scene. Three to four times a week I find myself exploring the various underground venues of my new home. Whether it’s catching the Babs Johnson Gang at the elusive Hub or sitting on an old porch listening to Blvd Park serenade their neighborhood, music truly encompasses my everyday life. So much, that not only do I write massive amounts of music features and blurbs, I also host a bi-weekly, online television segment called “Band Space” for HellaTV. Myself along with a group of local journalists and videographers have teamed up to invade the creative quarters of all local musicians, be sure to tune into HellaTV for all the latest in Sacramento music, food, art, film and fashion; bringing you real culture from the real world.

Through this blog, I’ll be resurrecting some old interviews dating back to my teen journalism days. Days where this determined young journalist tried to independently start her own online music magazine that never quite took off. Although the website never came to fruition, I was able to snag interviews with some impressive musicians including Fat Mike and Melvin of NOFX during the Rock Against Bush Tour, Matt Skiba of Alkaline Trio, Justin Pierre of Motion City Soundtrack and much more. Even to this day, I’m  astonished at how I was granted access onto tour buses, sat-in on tattoo sessions and experienced on-stage front seats witnessing some of the best musical performances of my youth. How did an 18-year-old novice of a  journalist end up getting backstage and into the tour bus of punk rock greats? I, to this day, have no idea. But, what I do know is, I’d like to continue and the do-it-yourself mentality has never done me wrong in the past. So, please, enjoy, read on and share your thoughts because I’d love to read them.

Peace,

Steph