Apply to write for Cokemachineglow

“I love this site!”

“I hate this site!”

“This site is okay, but doesn’t cover the music I care about!”

“I am such a better writer than these jerks!”

“I hate music criticism!”

All excellent reasons to apply to write for CMG! Let’s get you started on living the dream!

General considerations for all positions:

1. You should know, straight off, that for the time being these are unpaid gigs. The conditional is there because: we’re working on it, but given that revenue depends on content, and content depends on staff commitment, and commitment depends on our and your unpaid time, we’re not in a position yet to say when this might change, or what it might change to. And just to be clear: nobody is getting paid right now, including Scott.

Now, that said…

2. Cokemachineglow is almost exactly big enough to get you advance discs and concert tickets for free, and this is as awesome as it seems. Besides, if you’re not passionate enough about writing music criticism that the idea of, you know, writing music criticism doesn’t seem like enough compensation, you’re probably not a big enough nerd about this stuff to hang with the Glow.

3. In applying, it’s worth considering the present constitution of our staff. We’re not going to turn down talented (young white male) writers interested in writing about indie rock, but we’re not exactly hurting in this department. Offering us a new perspective will certainly make us look more favorably at your application. We’re really interested and committed to expanding the diversity of our staff both in terms of content (we really need girls and boys interested in writing about out, electronic, and world music) and constituency (writing comes first, of course, but we’re also looking to continue to diversify the race, gender, class, and sexuality of our staff).

4. All of this means (we hope) that successful applicants will find themselves as part of a committed stable of writers and critics dedicated to music, writing, and individual expression, working both to share and promote the best music we find meaning in with our readers to interrogate the cultural and social politics of music and music scenes. The absolute number one thing Cokemachineglow wants is writers who challenge and engage the rest of the staff, but who also take it seriously without taking it seriously, if you get what we’re saying.

If you’re still on board, we have several levels of commitment:

1. Staff Writer

Staff writers are normally asked to submit an album review per week. These reviews are due on the Friday of the preceding week, though we’re willing to work with your schedule if this is impossible. Reviews are expected to be 400 words minimum; our maximum (much to the distress of some of our readers) can be much more than that, but only in exceptional circumstances and, normally, only with lead reviews. We try to cap it around 1000. Staff writers are also encouraged to write track reviews, features, concert reviews, and do podcasts. All of these excepting track reviews substitute for a review any given deadline.

Application: e-mail us at writerapp@cokemachineglow.com, attaching at least two samples of your work, 300-800 words in length, preferably at least one a review of an album from this year that our site hasn’t already covered. Also, in our shallow attempt at judging tastes in the quickest (and flawed) manner possible, we also ask that you send us a few short lists (min of 5, max of 15): first, your favorite albums of the ’00s so far; and, second, your favorite records of this year. (Or, if you’re applying too early in the year for this to apply, your favorite records of the year previous.) Also include in the e-mail any information you feel is pertinent. And don’t just throw a bunch of links at us.

2. Staff Contributor

Contributors are normally asked to submit two reviews a month. Otherwise, the position is essentially the same as a Staff Writer, so: see above.

Application: see above.

3. Section Contributors (Track Reviews)

Love writing about music, but hate writing graded reviews or committing so much time? We’ve got another option for you, then:

:: Track Review Contributor: We’d love to beef up our track review section with dedicated track review writers. Track review writers are normally asked to submit 2-3 track reviews a week. With the new database, our track review section can function like a blog. This is an opportunity to present your thoughts on tracks as you hear them without devoting the time and research required of our album review writers. Also worth noting: applying for this position does not preclude you from writing album reviews or other articles necessarily; it simply defines the minimum commitment required from you as a staff member. We are more than willing to hear pitches from staff members not normally working on record reviews.

Application: E-mail us at writerapp@cokemachineglow.com, attaching at least two samples of your work, 100-400 words in length. Both should preferably be new, original, unpublished work of tracks we haven’t yet covered. Again, a couple quick flawed lists: top ten or so albums (or tracks) of this year, and top ten or so albums (or tracks) of the 00s so far.

Impress us and this glamorous lifestyle could be yours!

Editor’s Note: Please realize that we get a lot of applications and not every application will get a response back. If you follow up, we’ll try our best to let you know the status of your application, but generally we only contact successful applicants (normally within two-to-three weeks of applying).