The following are a selection of stories I’ve had published by a variety of publications, from the Chicago Reader to Study Breaks Magazine, ChicagoTalks to Melodic Magazine.
Everywhere Olivia O’Brien goes, there she is
Melodic Magazine
Olivia O’Brien, a razor-sharp songwriter with a propensity for penning sad songs with an icy edge, has spent nearly a decade in the music industry searching for her sound and growing up in the public eye. With the release of her new EP, everywhere i go, there i am, out today, she gets one step closer to defining that sound and artistic identity.
‘Journalism Jobs Crisis: A Call to Action’ event highlights impact of layoffs on journalists of color, women
Gateway Journalism Review
The majority of journalists who were laid off or took buyouts since 2022 were early in their career or in their positions for three years or less, a new report found. The majority were women (68%) and journalists of color (42%), according to the results of a survey from the Institute for Independent Journalists that was funded by the Field Foundation of Illinois.
Jackson Junge Gallery’s fix for an insatiable visual appetite
Chicago Reader
The second annual “TEN by TEN” exhibition offers something for every kind of visitor.
In the studio with Chicago funk-rock band DZ Riley
ChicagoTalks
The band who got their start at Columbia College Chicago shares plans for their upcoming album, and performance at the House of Blues Foundation Room.
Will you accept this rose? Some students say ‘no’ and others ‘yes’ to online dating apps
The Columbia Chronicle
In a culture largely defined by digital interaction, further exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, the use of online dating apps has never been higher.
Students weigh in on AI and its possible impact on the job market
The Columbia Chronicle
Ethical use of artificial intelligence platforms like ChatGPT has been at the forefront of the job industry since its inception in November 2022. This is no different for students close to entering the post-college job market.
Columbia alum Liam Taylor offers escapism, groove in upcoming musical projects
The Columbia Chronicle
Music has led Columbia alum Liam Taylor across the world. The singer now prepares to release a collection of singles, gearing up for a full-length release later this year.
How Britney Spears’ ‘Piece Of Me’ laid the groundwork for Taylor Swift’s ‘Blank Space’
Study Breaks Magazine
Both once deemed American Sweethearts, Spears and Swift’s respective hits lambast the cruel tabloid culture that put them through harsh criticism.
Ryan Beatty brings his almost-holy sonic reveries to Thalia Hall
ChicagoTalks
The singer-songwriter cascaded through his catalog in a syrupy sweet manner, elevating his music with stirring live renditions.
Seniors eager to find their way off merry-go-round of learning disruptions
The Columbia Chronicle
Senior year can be a defining moment for both high school and college students as they celebrate accomplishments and look ahead to what comes next. But amid a cycle of unforeseen disruptions since 2020, the past year has had a déjà vu vibe for some seniors getting ready to graduate from Columbia.
Camila Cabello constructs a catchy yet contrived paradise on ‘C,XOXO’
Melodic Magazine
Cabello’s fourth studio effort C,XOXO stands in all of its scattered, pasted-together glory, featuring a considerable amount of irresistibly catchy club bangers. But the strongest moments on the record cannot distract from the crystal clear fact that Cabello is trying far too hard to redefine herself in a brash, jarring way that can’t help but come off as reductive copies of her clear influences.
Smashed Plastic co-founder Andy Weber’s journey from radio DJ to record pressing plant owner
ChicagoTalks
The founding of Smashed Plastic can in-part be traced back to the early ‘80s when a young Andy Weber gathered around his TV set to watch The Who’s closing date of their 1982 tour. That’s when he quickly recognized the power music had to bring people together.
Columbia student’s wearable art makes splash, Chicago fashion scene under brand name Delyse
The Columbia Chronicle
Kendyl Delyse Johnson, a senior fashion studies major concentrating on merchandising, has spent roughly the last year building up her fashion brand of wearable art pieces under the “Delyse” name.
Normani’s ‘DOPAMINE’ blends experimentation and edge into smooth R&B gold
Melodic Magazine
The singer’s debut album is a culmination of musical and cultural references set to smooth, pop-infused R&B that paints a multidimensional portrait of a star unafraid of sonic constraints and eager to redefine herself.
Avery Heeringa 