Attention music nerds: DCist is expanding our coverage of the local music scene, and we’re looking for a few good music writers to help pitch in and diversify our coverage. Ideal candidates have deep knowledge and appreciation of the local music scene in all genres; not just punk, indie, and rock music. Specifically, we’re looking for writers who are embedded in and can write comfortably and knowledgeably about local hip hop/R&B/soul/go-go, pop, electronic/EDM, folk/country/bluegrass, experimental/noise, metal, or any other genre you think is lacking in our music coverage. At this time, we have enough writers to cover the local indie/rock/punk scene, so please avoid pitching us about that.
What we really want is writers who are eager to cover the artists no one else is writing about, to discuss the scenes that aren’t regularly covered, and to introduce our readers to genres they might not be too familiar with.
We’re looking for writers to help contribute short blurbs to our Weekly Music Agenda (which highlights upcoming concerts in D.C. that readers should go see), along with our new Listen To This column—a bi-weekly look at new music from local artists readers should listen to. Additionally, we’d want writers who are willing to do previews of upcoming concerts and/or the occasional concert review for national touring bands coming through town, interview local artists, and contribute to other features. Most importantly, we want writers who will pitch us on long music-focused features; whether that be a lengthy profile of a local artist/band, a look at how a scene is evolving, a reported analysis of how the ever-evolving city is affecting some musicians, or any other unique story you might have.
Compensation is commensurate with experience and competitive with similar sites.
If this sounds like you, send an email with the subject line “Music Writer” to matt@dcist.com with two to three clips, the genres you’re interested in covering, a list of some of your favorite local artists you think every D.C. resident should be listening to, and a pitch for a music feature. DCist’s Music Editor Tori Kerr will begin contacting people for assignments next week, so please get your application in ASAP!
