A great poet once said, "I didn't choose the thug life, the thug life chose me." That has proven true for me as a music writer, a profession I never sought out, and yet somehow I've managed to clock 10 years as a hustler of the written word. That is a lifetime, in a sense. Or at least a big chapter.
That said, after a decade of writing about music for various publications, including my year here, I am leaving my post as music editor of the Dallas Observer. I'll make my exit next month sometime, but I'll be staying on as a freelance writer, so hopefully you'll see my name in the paper from time to time. I'll just be writing about topics other than music.
Shit, that means we need a music editor. Do you think you can do the job? The ideal candidate should enjoy going out to shows, and should do so frequently. They should have a critical eye, be an experienced editor, and know how to shape a story with those skills. They'll be maintaining the Observer music blog, DC9 At Night, populating it with pieces both local and national in scope, with help from freelancers. They will also be writing and editing pieces for the weekly print edition, and should be well versed in social media.
This is not an easy job, but it is a fun one, and I don't regret moving my life from Austin to Dallas to be part of it. If you've got the skills, stamina and sense of humor to make this job your life, send a cover letter, resume and your three best clips to editor Joe Tone, with "Dallas Observer Music Editor" in the subject line.
