Steven Horowitz has a Ph.D. in American Studies from the University of Iowa, where he continues to teach a three-credit online course on “Rock and Roll in America”. He has written for many different popular and academic publications including American Music, Paste and the Icon. Horowitz is a firm believer in Paul Goodman’s neofunctional perspective on culture and that Sam Cooke was right, a change is gonna come.
Features
Monday, May 9 2011
Everywhere She Goes: An Interview with Lissie
The Rock Island native got huge in Europe before starting a glorious iTunes-assisted crossover to America, and speaks to PopMatters about what it all means ...
Friday, February 11 2011
"Comfortable Just Being Me": An Interview with Teddy Thompson
With the release of his acclaimed new album Bella, Teddy Thompson talks to PopMatters about the joys of Tom Jones and why he never wants to be compared to Michael Bublé ...
Thursday, October 15 2009
You Only Live Once: An Interview With Nancy Sinatra
"When I die, I already know what my obituary will be, 'Frank’s daughter died with her boots on!' Ha.”
Tuesday, June 2 2009
Songwriting and Social Activism: An Interview With Nellie McKay
"If you keep your opinions and knowledge to yourself, it doesn’t change anything." McKay talks to PopMatters about her current projects, social activism, and philosophy of life in general.
Wednesday, April 8 2009
A Haunted Aura: An Interview with Marianne Faithfull
"I consider myself an artist and suffering has nothing to do with it. Look, I know there are some terrible things happening in the world. That doesn‘t make the world a better place."
Reviews
Monday, February 6 2012
Darrell Scott: Long Ride Home
There’s a drunken fight, a couple grappling in the back seat of a car and other typical Saturday night scenes found outside a bar, but the lyrics give the participants a sense of dignity.
Monday, February 6 2012
Various Artists: World's Funkiest Covers
The people at Cultures of Soul want listeners to remember the nasty edge of funk.
Thursday, February 2 2012
Paul Kelly: Greatest Hits, Songs From the South (Volumes 1 & 2)
While pinning down Kelly’s style is impossible as he’s always changing, his lyrics are always literate and innocently romantic. He may understand love hurts, but that doesn’t stop him from being sucker punched.
Wednesday, February 1 2012
Ran Blake and Dominique Eade: Whirlpool
While pristine collections of the great American songbook have become the contemporary equivalent of sonic wallpaper, no one will confuse this disc for that bland stuff.
Tuesday, January 31 2012
Ruthie Foster: Let It Burn
There was always a gospel element in the way Foster delivered her vocals. She openly emphasizes this aspect of her voice on her latest album.






































