Making a name for herself in the journalism and music industry, Melissa Maerz has seen music journalism change right before her eyes. Much of her work is writing reviews and blogging about music. Her name has inscribed the by lines of some of the country's top magazines.
Maerz graduated from Cornell University with a Bachelor's degree in Literary and Critical Theory. Although she doesn't have traditional training in journalism she said, "critical theory gave me really good analytical tools that helped me shape my arguments in my writing." She also says during her career she has met journalists who have diverse educational back grounds and the best experience comes from working in the field itself.
Maerz started at a weekly alternative newspaper called City Pages (much like the Sacramento News and Review) based out of the twin cities, Minneapolis and St. Paul. She describes her four years at City Pages as "fantastic," and she was able to work with an editor it seems she truly respected.
From here she got a job at Spin magazine which she admits she got partly by luck. Unfortunately, Maerz left Spin after two years because a change of ownership and a conflict of interests. She said, "we got a new editor and I wasn't necessarily happy with the direction the magazine was going in."
So from here she set out to New York Magazine where Mearz launched, edited and co-founded an arts and entertainment blog named "Vulture." Maerz says she loved her job at New York Magazine and it is still one of her favorite publications because they are unmatched in the area of online coverage.
Shortly after her start at New York Magazine she was contacted by Rolling Stone and they made Maerz an offer she couldn't refuse. So she left her position and started work as a senior editor. Unfortunately after almost two years she waslaid off from her position. The long arm of the changing world of journalism seemed to reach everywhere. She, and some fellow editors, waslaid off she said, "It wasn't a personal decision - I was one of the last people hired, so I was one of the first to get let go." CurrentlyMaerz is a freelance writer. She says she loves working from home and not having to report to a boss. Plus she also says she contributes to Rolling Stone more now than she did being under her payroll!
Maerz describes the changing journalism world in detail, especially that which effects the music business. Aside from the obvious factor of a broken economy music magazines are suffering because of other reasons. Just like magazines and news papers people are turning to online sources for their music. Because of illegal downloading bands make less money and have less money to spend on advertising in music magazines. Plus,Maerz says, because there is more access to new music online there is less of a reason for people to rely on the opinion of a music critic. Make no mistake,Maerz doesn't think all of these changes are a bad thing. In fact she thinks these factors force both musicians and music magazines to be more creative. There is nothing wrong with some healthy competition.
It was very interesting to read Maerz's articles from over the years. In fact it was surprising to watch her voice and style change. When she wrote for City Pages it seemed fresh and raw, and dare I say more personal. Don't take this the wrong way; Maerz is a very talented writer. It seems the journey from a small weekly newspaper to the offices of some of the most respected music magazines in the world has put her writ ting in the category of main stream rather than the independent style it once had.
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