Hey fam,
On July 6, I published a review of the first show back at Neumos. The article received a significant amount of backlash, and I’ve spent the past week or so speaking privately with the bands, the venue, and others involved with the production about their feelings on the matter. I appreciate the public’s patience with me as I went about that work.
Since talking with everyone, I’ve gone through a rollercoaster of emotions. First, I jumped to thinking I’m simply a horrible person (see the “Why [Apologizing] Can Be Hard” section of this article). Next, I felt indignant (“people are telling me I’m not allowed to be negative or angry, but I am!!!!”). Then I oscillated between the two (and several drafts of this statement) until I finally figured out where I stand.
Here’s where I landed: I am allowed to be angry, but this piece was not a proper channel for my anger. My article effectively erased the women and BIPOC that were at the show (both in the bands and in the audience), and I shamed someone simply for being who they are (a white male). The way I expressed my point was hurtful, and I critiqued people instead of their music. I both acknowledge and apologize for these errors.
The opinions expressed in our pieces are no one’s but the writers’s (photographers are also not responsible for written opinions). If anyone ever has a question, comment, or concern about anything we’ve published, my email is always open (as the editor, I assume responsibility for all published content). I’m here to listen, to learn, and to grow, and I take all feedback very seriously. It may take me some time to fully internalize and come to terms with that feedback, but I promise you I care about this community, I am listening, and I will always be honest with you.
I love you all, and I appreciate you holding me accountable. I appreciate the opportunity to grow and learn within this community. And I look forward to that continued path.
If you’d like to learn more about the situation (for example: how and why the show was booked the way it was) and the bands’s thoughts on it, Sarah Pasillas of Antonioni and I sat down together to discuss it. You can listen to our conversation (recorded by Jose Simonet) below.
For anyone who needs it, my email is danray@danstunesseattle.com.
Sincerely,
Dan
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