This is a research paper conducted for my Russian Life and Culture class.  Throughout Western cultural history, music has consistently been an instrument for social change. From the freewheeling Bob Dylan waxing poetic with his harmonica to Public Enemy fighting the power of institutionalized racism, popular music has permitted artists to express their political views and frustrations over catchy hooks, riffs and beats....Read More

This piece was my final project for my comparative literature class. I wrote it three hours before it was due. Being a scholar is hard work.  Madonna. When some people hear the name, images of the holy Virgin Mary appear in their head. According to most Christians, Mother Mary is the woman that every woman should aspire to be. Her purity, innocence and...Read More

Milwaukee math rockers Gauss.  I wrote this piece as part of my JAMS-201 final project in May 2017.  On Friday, April 21, Milwaukee-based punk artists will band together at High Dive to raise money for the homeless. The benefit show, organized by local promoter Peter Woods, will be donating the night's proceeds to the MacCanon Brown Homeless Sanctuary (MBHS), a resource center for...Read More

(I submitted this guide to starting antidepressants to Rookie. Unsurprisingly, it was rejected. I didn't want to waste all my hard work, so here it is for my hoards of blog readers to enjoy.) My panic attacks all begin the same way. I feel a slight pressure in the middle of my chest. I inhale deeply. I exhale forcefully. My thoughts start to...Read More

I’m working on a zine about the women who make the Milwaukee music scene great. I’m looking for submissions! If you are a writer, artist, musician, or any other type of creative, I would love to have your work in the zine. Here are some examples of submissions I am looking for… WRITING -Artist profiles – Write about your favorite female Milwaukee musician....Read More

(I submitted this personal essay to the New York Times' Modern Love column. Unsurprisingly, it was rejected. I didn't want to waste all my hard work, so here it is for my hoards of blog readers (sike). Enjoy.)  It’s a rainy day in Milwaukee. A tall boy and I are in the same record store, both looking to add to our already extensive...Read More

First albums are like noses. Everybody has one. They're essential to bodily functioning. I've always been intrigued by the albums that get young people interested in music. The early stages of my musical development are extremely important to me. Looking back, they played a huge part in setting the tone for my future. I asked my friends to tell me about the albums...Read More