Departures
Hi everybody.
So, I wanted to let everyone know that I’ve stepped down as eMusic’s Editor in Chief. This was not an easy decision. For the past five years I’ve had the privilege to be part of eMusic’s editorial team, and it’s been the best job imaginable — I got paid to listen to albums, sign bands, and geek out over weirdo indie records everyday with you folks. What part of that isn’t 1000% awesome?
So why leave? Three months ago, a site that I co-founded called Kickstarter launched. It’s a new way for people to raise money for creative and ambitious projects. And it works. While still invite-only, projects have had incredible success — from an 8-bit Kind of Blue covers record to a documentary on the Kinks to a woman sailing around the world all by her lonesome.
Kickstarter is a once-in-a-lifetime chance to devote myself to something that I believe in with all my being. It’s the same spirit that’s guided eMusic Selects: help artists, pay them fairly for their work, and make sure they keep ownership of their art. It’s not rocket science by any means, but it is genuine and sincere and nothing matters more than that.
You won’t escape my idiotic musical taste, though. I’ll still be contributing to 17 Dots and eMusic as an editor at large, so expect continued dissertations on records that no one else cares about. My dear pal Joe Keyes — who I cannot say enough nice things about — will take over running the editorial duties. And of course the incomparable trio of Maris, Jayson and Alex — along with The New Guy Sean Fennessy, who I whole-heartedly endorse — will continue to be the best internet friends you will ever have.
So yeah, that’s pretty much it. I’m thrilled about where Kickstarter could go, and I’m excited to keep writing about records here at 17 Dots. Thanks to everyone for being so supportive and awesome over the years, and I hope that continues. Thanks again.
Yancey
I’m very, very sorry to read this news. Best of luck, Yancey; you will be missed.
Hey man, I’ve not posted a lot, but I sure have read the Hell out of your stuff, and I’ve always appreciated your prompt and genuine responses to our questions. Best of luck to you!
Oh, and I just looked at Kickstarter, very cool stuff.
That 8-bit “Kind of Blue” has been generating buzz in the gaming/chiptune circles for a while, now. Nicely done!
Yeah, everyone should check out Kickstarter — a very, very cool site and idea, and I am super amped for Yancey. And I plan on using it to fund my “180 Gram 2xLP Reissues of Rare Christian Rock Records” very soon.
And, needless to say, it is a drag not to see that motherfucker on a daily basis anymore.
Ditto on what Joe said, minus the part about Christian Rock.
Hey Yancey, best of luck with Kickstarter. As someone who has contributed to a project there (the RAA’s 7′ project, of course), I think it’s an exciting venture that will help out a lot of struggling artists.
I won’t say good-bye, because you’re not completely leaving. I’ll just say “See you around.”
Psssst!
Kickstarter has a Facebook page! Fer updates n stuffz.
- a shamelessly proud coworker
All the best on your trip.
I really liked your opiniated musings.
Rock on, Yancey
Thanks for all the good work, Yancey. I’m glad you’re not gone for good. Best of luck with kickstarter.
Good to know that someone with great taste and lots o’ intelligence is stepping in as ed-in-chief.
YANCEY,
Congrats!!! I have to say that as much as I have enjoyed emusic as a service, eMusic Selects has been my favorite part of the experience, and by far my favorite label discovery of the last year.
I have no doubt that Kickstarter will be phenomenally successful. In last couple of months, I’ve been wondering how much longer you’d be around here, given the potential I’ve seen in Kickstarter. Filmmakers, musicians, artists, and social-entrepreneurs are already celebrating the fun genius of this site. Best of luck!!!
Sean
let’s see…what’s to give you as you carve out a new path follow dreams.
here’s starters: i hereby remove any and all associations that i might have had with you matthew broderick in godzilla. a clean slate is a wonderful thing.
also, i hereby provide you the insight to read personalities on elevators. keep your eye on the young woman who stands suspiciously close to the operating panel…she undoubtedly thinks you’re a creep.
clink.
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Yancey, you will be missed, but I’m glad to hear your new project is going so well. Thank you so much for the Selects program, and best of luck with Kickstarter.
Good luck – your efforts here will be missed, but I look forward to your future contributions and wish you the best with kickstarter.com. I personally think the Kinks documentary looks like a winner!
Godspeed, brother. eMusic will miss you.
I’m pretty excited about the RAA Kickstarter project, and you can expect more Kickstarter contributions from me in the future. So, this isn’t really a goodbye.
I hadn’t seen you post in a while, so I was wondering if something was up. Kickstarter sounded familiar, and then I realized Polyvinyl used it to raise money. Good luck with the project, and I look forward to reading whatever you contribute on eMusic.
@Capt Whiffle: Thanks!
Moving on to do other insanely cool things is awesome. Plus it’s not like we are losing you since you’ll still pop in now and again with musical blurbs.
At the same time, you’ll still be missed. So there.
Thanks and good luck.
All the best, Yancey!
Good luck, Yancey.
Out of curiosity, is eMusic Selects still a going concern?
Thanks for all your hard work. All the best.
Good luck on your new path, though as someone who was always concerend about the emusic customer satisfaction, I personally lost my respect for you when you made no further comments on the recent changes and acted as part of the machine and nothing more, when I expected something different from you – more humanity and care towards subscribers, I guess.
just wanted to say, I’m sure I’m not the only one who appreciated the efforts you made to actively and genuinely engage with the emusic community, both here and on the message boards. While I share curious’ disappointment at the lack of communication during the recent changes from the emusic staff as a whole, I understand it would not have been an easy situation to have been in for a number of you guys. Kickstarter looks like a really worthwhile project, and I wish you every success with it
thank you for the words over the years and good luck! sounds like a great thing to commit to!
Hey Yancey,
Count me as a brand new, instant fan of Kickstarter. Really, really, really great.
Yancey,
Despite your lack of appreciation for Rush, I will miss you. Good luck.
wow. hardly get to know you folks and yo up and leave for something that sounds stupid amazing. best of luck, yancey. i will think of emusic’s former EIC every time I watch “Luck of the Fryrish”
Best of luck, Yancey! Kickstarter is an awesome project – I’m looking forward to participating in one that’s a good fit for me. And hey, don’t be a stranger. I’ve found bands I’ve named as favorites based on your recs.
And Joe! Congrats! I’m really happy to see someone taking over that is just as involved with our little eMu community as Yancey has been. I know I know, it’s all about the music, but when it’s not, it’s all about us!
Best of luck! That Kickstarter site is great, I just took part in that for the first time to support the new RVNG Frkwys series.
and yes, kickstarter is awesome.
May the burritos rise to meet you and may the sucka MCs be at your back.