Michael Franco is a Professor of English at Oklahoma City Community College, where he teaches composition and humanities. An alumnus of his workplace, he also attended the University of Central Oklahoma, earning both a B.A. and M.A. in English. Franco has been writing for PopMatters since 2004 and has also served as an Associate Editor since 2007. He considers himself lucky to be able to experience what he teaches, writing and the humanities, firsthand through his work at PopMatters, and his experiences as a writer help him teach his students to become better writers themselves.
Features
Monday, November 21 2011
Persevering Through the Confusion: An Interview with The War on Drugs
The War on Drugs have always been a highly-regarded band in critical circles, but with this year's Slave Ambient, Adam Granduciel finally started breaking through. As the Album of the Year accolades start to pile up, Granduciel takes PopMatters through the creation of his masterwork step-by-step ...
Tuesday, March 1 2011
"In a Different Place Now": An Interview with Lucinda Williams
In her first ever interview with PopMatters, Lucinda Williams explains how her latest album, Blessed, was shaped by the dueling forces of love and death.
Monday, February 21 2011
None of It Seems Real: An Interview with Tim Booth of James
In an interview that traces the long history of James, Tim Booth reflects on the band’s past, discusses their current project, and drops hints about secret plans for the future.
Tuesday, June 22 2010
Just the Elemental Essentials: An Interview with Tift Merritt
By stripping down her new songs to just the elemental essentials, Tift Merritt has found a confident and assured voice four albums into her career.
Tuesday, September 29 2009
Bulletproof Within the Music: An Interview with David Gray
For his first new album in four years, David Gray decided to go for broke, sacking his entire band, calling up friends like Annie Lennox and Jolie Holland, and -- for the first time in a long time -- no longer being self-conscious about what he's doing, describing himself as feeling "liberated" now ...
Reviews
Wednesday, October 26 2011
Chris Isaak: Beyond the Sun
Chris Isaak makes a pilgrimage to Sun Studio to record the songs of his heroes. The music-loving world smiles.
Friday, April 8 2011
Black Joe Lewis and the Honeybears: Scandalous
If you’ve ever found yourself shaking your head at what passes for modern R&B, blues, and soul these days, Scandalous is the soundtrack to your next party.
Friday, October 1 2010
Brandon Flowers: Flamingo
Let’s hope that Flowers isn’t the next Morrissey, putting out one brilliant album for every three duds.
Thursday, August 26 2010
Isobel Campbell and Mark Lanegan: Hawk
It’s fitting that Hawk comes out in August -- the hottest month of the year in the States -- for it’s one sultry collection of Americana.
Wednesday, May 5 2010
The New Pornographers: Together
Together is another masterstroke from the New Pornographers, one of those rare albums that reminds even the most jaded ear of the joys of pop music.
