New Multimedia Site Looks at 90's Music & Culture
1989-1994: For Generation X, it's hard to argue there was a more seminal time in music history. Baby Boomers have the late 60's; we have the early 90's.
Like the generation before us, this era saw the industry tuned upside down. New artists took their influences and made them their own. Albums across all genres were made in basements and are still being listened to 3 decades later.
If one wasn't in a band, you were likely doing something adjacent, like making T-shirts or writing about the scene. It was the creator economy before anyone knew what that term meant.
And for those of us in the middle of it all, it was everything.
Rob Janicke has recently unveiled his latest multi-media site, Generation Riff. (Disclosure: Janicke and I co-edit an online music publication)
Part love letter to the era that defined so many of us, and part archive, Janicke (who himself once ran a record label) takes us on a deep dive through the culture of the time; the pioneers, the stars, the people behind the stars, and of course, gems like this.
I’ll let Rob describe it in his own words:
“Generation Riff was created with you, the reader and 90s music lover in mind. If you're part of the Gen X crew like I am, chances are you grew up listening to punk rock, grunge, alternative, and hip-hop. This music defined us and created a brand new culture around the music. Generation Riff is here to discuss those times in detail via blogs, articles, videos, interviews, podcasts, and eventually a book. Let's bring the past back to life and relive the times, moments, and music that defined us then, and led us to become the people we are now. “
It would've been easy for a site like this to take the easy way: simply running a lot of "On This Day" posts would be valuable for many people, this writer included. Janicke instead over-delivers. Stories behind the stories, first-hand accounts, and more. There are interviews planned, and look for podcast episodes to drop soon as well.
Likewise, it would’ve also been easy for this to devolve into a commercial for a friend’s new endeavor, but this is a site I’d be exploring even if we didn’t know each other. The material is rich, engaging, and frankly relatable. I’d love to know your take on it as well.
Think of it as a backstage pass with the benefit of hindsight.
If you were there, it's a fantastic trip down memory lane. If you weren't, it's a vibrant look at why so many hold this era so dear.
Thanks for being here,
Kevin—
More:
Instagram