Erin Osmon
@erinosmon.bsky.social
Music journalist, critic, author. Teach @ USC. Album notes. Other things. New book about heartland rock due next year via W.W. Norton. Hoosier waving hi in LA.
For the essential Static & Distance newsletter, I reunited with the members of Magnolia Electric Co. + Jennie Benford, Mike Brenner and others, to discuss the making of “What Comes After the Blues.” It’s an album that contains many of Jason Molina’s most beloved and immortal songs.
April 8, 2025 at 8:56 PM
For the essential Static & Distance newsletter, I reunited with the members of Magnolia Electric Co. + Jennie Benford, Mike Brenner and others, to discuss the making of “What Comes After the Blues.” It’s an album that contains many of Jason Molina’s most beloved and immortal songs.
Clem was a joy to work with on the “Blondie: Against All Odds” boxset and he’ll be sorely missed. A monster drummer (“Dreaming,” “Accidents Never Happen,” etc etc etc). Incredible hair. New Jersey to his dang core. Just a real one through and through. RIP a rock god.
April 7, 2025 at 9:13 PM
Clem was a joy to work with on the “Blondie: Against All Odds” boxset and he’ll be sorely missed. A monster drummer (“Dreaming,” “Accidents Never Happen,” etc etc etc). Incredible hair. New Jersey to his dang core. Just a real one through and through. RIP a rock god.
Here’s to the music that gets us through. RIP dear Snock.
April 3, 2025 at 10:41 PM
Here’s to the music that gets us through. RIP dear Snock.
My first cover story for Rolling Stone dropped Friday! I spent 2 days in the Santa Ynez Valley with Lainey Wilson ahead of her performance at the Grammys. We chatted about her new album and tour, her hopes for America, her red-light sauna and more. No paywall. www.rollingstone.co.uk/music/lainey...
March 17, 2025 at 9:14 PM
My first cover story for Rolling Stone dropped Friday! I spent 2 days in the Santa Ynez Valley with Lainey Wilson ahead of her performance at the Grammys. We chatted about her new album and tour, her hopes for America, her red-light sauna and more. No paywall. www.rollingstone.co.uk/music/lainey...
Had an excellent time talking with my hands at the Frazier Museum in Louisville during its celebration of John Prine last week. Prine people are the best people, full stop.
February 18, 2025 at 11:36 PM
Had an excellent time talking with my hands at the Frazier Museum in Louisville during its celebration of John Prine last week. Prine people are the best people, full stop.
Louisville friends! I’ll have copies of my John Prine book for sale tonight at the Frazier Museum. Can’t wait to see you there 💙💙💙.
February 13, 2025 at 7:40 PM
Louisville friends! I’ll have copies of my John Prine book for sale tonight at the Frazier Museum. Can’t wait to see you there 💙💙💙.
“The scientific nature of the ordinary man is to go on out and do the best you can.”
February 11, 2025 at 2:03 AM
“The scientific nature of the ordinary man is to go on out and do the best you can.”
The shelter failed to mention that she’s 33% mini bear
February 1, 2025 at 10:01 PM
The shelter failed to mention that she’s 33% mini bear
I can’t believe she’s gone. I was just listening to Marianne’s sagacious tones in the new Anita doc. RIP to a cultural giantess. I’ll always love her and especially this album.
January 30, 2025 at 7:22 PM
I can’t believe she’s gone. I was just listening to Marianne’s sagacious tones in the new Anita doc. RIP to a cultural giantess. I’ll always love her and especially this album.
Not to pile on, but the next four years are also going to be bonkers when it comes to ivory tower hypotheses about "populism" smh.
January 21, 2025 at 10:40 PM
Not to pile on, but the next four years are also going to be bonkers when it comes to ivory tower hypotheses about "populism" smh.
RIP Toby Myers, the Indianapolis musician who played in Roadmaster and was bassist for John Mellencamp from 1982-1999. He died last night after a battle with lung cancer and a stroke. Here's his entry in the "Scarecrow" tour book circa 1985, which I have because of course I do.
January 17, 2025 at 9:47 PM
RIP Toby Myers, the Indianapolis musician who played in Roadmaster and was bassist for John Mellencamp from 1982-1999. He died last night after a battle with lung cancer and a stroke. Here's his entry in the "Scarecrow" tour book circa 1985, which I have because of course I do.
A funny thing that happens is people leave negative reviews on my “John Prine” 33/13 because they think it’s too short. Don’t tell anyone, but mine is actually over the word count.
January 13, 2025 at 11:52 PM
A funny thing that happens is people leave negative reviews on my “John Prine” 33/13 because they think it’s too short. Don’t tell anyone, but mine is actually over the word count.
Happy birthday, DCB. I hope you’re resting easy.
January 5, 2025 at 8:22 PM
Happy birthday, DCB. I hope you’re resting easy.
I’m proud of a lot of stories I reported this year but am most proud that I filed my manuscript.
December 31, 2024 at 8:03 PM
I’m proud of a lot of stories I reported this year but am most proud that I filed my manuscript.
Yes I interviewed JAMC this year, and wrote a book about heartland rock (with emotional support from Broadcast and the American Analog Set).
December 5, 2024 at 12:47 AM
Yes I interviewed JAMC this year, and wrote a book about heartland rock (with emotional support from Broadcast and the American Analog Set).
My John Prine 33 1/3 book is on sale through Bloomsbury’s site today. Buy it for your dad. Buy it for your partner. Buy it for anyone who loves Chicago or Western KY.
November 29, 2024 at 5:45 PM
My John Prine 33 1/3 book is on sale through Bloomsbury’s site today. Buy it for your dad. Buy it for your partner. Buy it for anyone who loves Chicago or Western KY.
Also thankful that I walked across this bridge today
November 28, 2024 at 10:22 PM
Also thankful that I walked across this bridge today
On this day I am thankful for the 1985 Neil Young-Willie Nelson collab “Are There Anymore Real Cowboys?”
November 28, 2024 at 5:22 PM
On this day I am thankful for the 1985 Neil Young-Willie Nelson collab “Are There Anymore Real Cowboys?”
Book research things: In the fall of 1988 you could see Melissa Etheridge, a rising newbie framed as the next Janis Joplin, open for Bruce Hornsby and the Range for $18.50. At a theater. Who's coming?
November 25, 2024 at 9:40 PM
Book research things: In the fall of 1988 you could see Melissa Etheridge, a rising newbie framed as the next Janis Joplin, open for Bruce Hornsby and the Range for $18.50. At a theater. Who's coming?