When I published that essay about Chappell Roan on Call Her Daddy last week, I did not expect it to reach so many people. In fact, I am cringing at the minor grammatical errors and things I forgot to hyperlink before it took off! But it was read and shared so much, it landed on the Music homepage of Substack, which is not something I ever thought to even have as a goal but is now kind of the highlight of my career? Part of that is because of me and my words having value, but part of it is people like you who read it and also saw the value in it and shared it, so I really want to say: thank you so much for your support.
When I restarted my newsletter a few months ago, it was because I had just lost my job–it was a freelance marketing gig so it was never that secure, but it was steady, consistent, and reliable, until it wasn’t. I felt like I had made myself so indispensable to that team but I was unceremoniously let go with no warning right before Thanksgiving.
Freelance gigs in writing have been really hard to come by and I have been so discouraged by the state of media–a huge part of what that essay was about!–so I figured, let me give this another shot. If anything, it will help me keep my writing strong, and serve as a portfolio for music-related pitches I want to send to magazines. I have been so down on myself and my career to the point that I have actually been hurting my friends’ feelings with my negative self-talk, but after that outpouring of support, I really can’t help but start to believe in myself again.
I was thinking, God, all I want to do is write. I don’t want to have to become a talking head on TikTok or Youtube to get people to care about my music opinions and engage in lively conversations about music and pop culture! I don’t like talking to my phone camera and I honestly don’t like attention, either. This has been different because the post taking off is an honest and well-thought out essay that requires people to read and engage with it critically to comment on it (except for the one guy who had a dumb comment about Chappell not being an enigma) and not a throwaway tweet or TikTok that would invite attention and opinions from too many people without media literacy.
For the record, I am not going to abandon all of my other job search pursuits because of one post doing well. In fact, the day before my post started blowing up, my horoscope advised me to not make rash career decisions based on one random thing (lolol how did they know!!). But I am feeling inspired and renewed with my dedication to writing and this newsletter, which I really hope to grow.
I wanted to rename my newsletter, revamp and rebrand it. I still do! I wish I had done it before but I honestly didn’t see the point because I didn’t expect to have a post take off. Seeing how much support and readership can be gained on Substack has me reeling! I hope you’ll stick around while I figure out how to bring this newsletter up to my own self-imposed standards.
So, what’s next? I submitted an essay to Hate Read which got rejected, also music-related, that I want to publish. When that submission was rejected, I felt like my one chance to make a name for myself in this space was dead–but I was proven wrong.
I am debating between publishing the version I polished for Hate Read, or publishing the more fleshed out one where I take the lens off the music and place it more on cultural commentary about “girlhood.” If you have any thoughts on which you’d prefer, let me know!
Again, thank you so much from the bottom of my heart.
Also, in honor of Coachella kicking off today, resharing this post I wrote a while ago about my pop music big three, Sabrina, Chappell and Doechii. A huge part of Sabrina and Chappell blowing up was their iconic performances at Coachella. It was where Sabrina debuted “Espresso” and where Chappell sort of debuted “Good Luck, Babe!” – the songs that blasted them into the superstar stratosphere but even without knowing that would happen, both of them invested so much into their performances and it really paid off. I remember watching the livestreams of their performances and others last year so vividly, it’s like I was actually there.
I wonder if any artists performing this weekend will have similar career jumps! I’m a bit embarrassed to admit there aren’t many lesser-known artists on the lineup that I can say I know will blow up soon, I have been lacking a bit in the keeping up with new music department.
However, I will leave you with the artists whose sets I hope to catch on Youtube this time around.
Friday:
The Marías: 8:20 - 9:20 PM PST on the Outdoor Stage
I haven’t done a deep dive into their catalog yet, but I like every song I’ve heard and they’ve been in rotation for me lately. Just so vibey.
Missy Elliott: 9:00 - 9:50 PM PST on the Coachella Stage
It was so sick watching No Doubt perform last year, with Gwen moving around the stage like she was still a 20-year old. Giving 90s-2000s artists these big slots for nostalgic/comeback performances is a good idea in my book, and I feel like Missy probably cooked up something crazy for tonight.
GloRilla: 10:25 - 11:10 PM PST on the Sahara Stage
I woke up with the lyrics “Ass done got a lil' fatter, now these hoes a lil' madder (Okay),” in my head. Queen of adlibs to me!!!
Lady Gaga: 11:10 PM PST on the Coachella Stage
I hope I can stay up for this since that’s gonna be 2 AM on the east coast! I love how much fun she had on her new album and wanna see what she has planned.
Saturday:
Jimmy Eat World: 4:00 - 4:50 PM PST on the Coachella Stage
The early time slot feels a little disrespectful but they’re older so maybe they appreciate it? Lol
Japanese Breakfast: 5:05 - 5:50 PM PST on the Outdoor Stage
Actually haven’t listened to the new album yet so this will be my first intro to it, which I often prefer (live music as first listen).
T-Pain: 5:25 - 6:15 PM PST on the Coachella Stage
I saw him at Firefly in either 2015 or 2016 and he led a random chant cursing out someone or something which was so bizarre. But his music is nostalgic to me!
Charli XCX: 7:15 - 8:10 PM PST on the Coachella Stage
Kind of feel like as the party girl she should have a later slot?
Clairo: 8:15 - 9:10 PM PST on the Outdoor Stage
I still don’t think my soft-spoken queen has the kind of voice and projection for a festival stage but I love her and will be tuning in regardless.
Green Day: 9:05-10:45 PM PST on the Coachella Stage
My original favorite band. They still know how to put on a hell of a show so this should be good!
The Original Misfits: 11:20 PM PST on the Outdoor Stage
Genuinely have no idea how this will sound but looking forward to finding out. Sometimes I get embarrassed about my love of old punk bands for their juvenile, edgy lyrics about rape and murder for shock value but punk totally shaped my music taste at a young age so it will always be special to me.
Sunday:
The Beaches: 3:45 - 4:30 PM PST on the Gobi Stage
Normally I don’t like when anyone I wanna see has an earlier slot at a festival but their music would fit on a Warped Tour bill so I actually think it works, a nice warm-up for the evening!
Underscores: 5:00 - 5:40 PM PST on the Sonora Stage
A dubstep producer/vocalist who simply put, fucking slaps. Saw them at Gov Ball last year and they were on way too early but it was still really fun.
Beabadoobee: 5:25 - 6:15 PM PST on the Coachella Stage
Make fun of her name all you want, but I love the dreamy nature of her music and I think she’s just cool.
Megan Thee Stallion : 8:35 - 9:25 PM PST on the Coachella Stage
She knows how to put on a show so I’m excited!
You can check out the full lineup and schedule here!
If you have any recommendations on who I should tune into that may not be on my radar, please let me know!
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Publish the fleshed out version ♥️♥️