LOS ANGELES – On Monday, March 23rd, at 10 am, a handful of students and professors eagerly filled a University Hall conference room in anticipation of the “Vibe with a Scribe” event, featuring renowned artist and music journalist Vivien Goldman.
Professor Evelyn McDonnell started off the “Vibe with a Scribe” event, introducing guest speaker Vivien Goldman. Goldman has written for countless record labels, worked closely with Bob Marley and the Wailers, and has released her own album. She shared her innumerable experiences with LMU students and faculty, highlighting the shift of journalism in the modern age and the importance of tenacity.
Goldman started off the event by explaining the changes in journalism over the years. Back then, Goldman mentioned a slow-paced movement where a writer’s expectation was 3000 words. Now, in a fast-paced media landscape, Goldman said, “You want to hit [readers] with something meme worthy.”
Now, there’s a lack of space for opportunities to “delve into a scene,” according to Goldman. When working with Bob Marley, the music journalist spoke on how in-depth reporting can expand articles beyond just music.
“[I covered] Bob Marley at that time [and] they tried to kill him,” Goldman said. Even if it’s just a music article, in-depth reporting couldn’t separate the artist from their political environment. “He was caught between different conflicting interests [at the time].”
Her book, ‘The Book of Exodus: The Making and Meaning of Bob Marley and the Wailers’ Album of the Century’, centers around her time with Bob Marley and the Wailers. Although praised for its eclecticism, it represents a larger shift in journalism and the reporter’s experience.
Recent articles around the book critique her reporting as a white woman — something unheard of during her first years in the industry. “They were saying, you know, it was odd that a middle-class white person would be writing all this stuff about black music?” Goldman said. “In [an] article, [they] said Vivian got away with it. But at the time, there was no concept of getting away with it. It was just natural because I didn’t misrepresent myself”.
Even representation in music journalism has grown in recent years. Looking back at her days breaking into the industry, Goldman revealed the lack of inclusivity in the newsroom. “In the office, the guys really were like, Why should we write about women? Women don’t buy music. Women aren’t interested in music”
In spite of these hurdles, Goldman found her resilience and community-building skills to be building blocks for her success. “Building a community with like-minded artists is a way to draw attention to whatever it is you’re finding.”
With a shifting media landscape, Goldman urges young writers to pursue their passions — both in fiery resilience and unbreaking support. “Listen to your inner voice. What is really grabbing you? Where you feel your comments and words can make a difference”.
