PODCAST:Today, Explained
TITLE:Music’s Pitchfork in the road
DATE:2024-01-26 00:00:00
URL:
MODEL:gpt-4-gizmo
In this episode of "Today Explained," the focus is on the influential music website Pitchfork and its recent layoffs by Condé Nast. Eric Harvey, an Associate Professor at Grand Valley State University and a writer for Pitchfork, opens the show by discussing his experience writing a review for Pink Floyd's "Dark Side of the Moon," which stirred a significant response. The episode delves into the impact and legacy of Pitchfork, highlighting its role in music discovery and its unique review system, which often sparked discussions and controversies.
Craig Jenkins, a music critic at New York Magazine and Vulture, who used to write for Pitchfork, provides insights into what made Pitchfork stand out in the online music journalism landscape. He discusses how Pitchfork carved a niche by covering genres and artists often overlooked by mainstream media and highlights its role in promoting indie music. Jenkins reflects on his time at Pitchfork, mentioning his work on artists like Kendrick Lamar and Drake, and how the website's style and approach evolved over time.
The episode also explores the changing landscape of music discovery with the rise of platforms like Spotify. Ashley Carmen from Bloomberg News discusses Spotify's influence on music consumption, particularly its shift towards algorithm-driven playlists like "AI DJ" and "Discover Weekly." She explains how these personalized playlists are tailored to individual tastes and are designed to keep users engaged with the app. Carmen also touches on the challenges of maintaining editorial independence in the age of algorithmic recommendations and the potential flattening of cultural nuances.
Overall, the episode examines the transition from human-curated music discovery, represented by Pitchfork, to algorithm-driven platforms like Spotify. It raises questions about the future of music journalism, the role of critics in an AI-dominated landscape, and how technological changes are reshaping the way we discover and engage with music.
