Nate Sloan quoted on NPR’s Morning Edition
Nate Sloan, a USC Thornton Musicology faculty member, made an appearance on NPR’s Morning Edition on Oct. 7 about Bop Spotter, a box-shaped device programmed to capture the soundscape of a San Francisco neighborhood. According to NPR, the box contains an old phone that logs about 150 tracks each day, including Nipsey Hussle, Celine Dion,… Continue reading Nate Sloan quoted on NPR’s Morning Edition
Dean Jason King quoted by USA Today
USC Thornton Dean Jason King was quoted by USA Today on the history of hype men in hip-hop. In the article, entertainment reporter Naledi Ushe interviewed hip-hop historians, rappers, and hype men themselves to explain the role of the hype man and why the art form has dwindled over time. Because hip-hop “has its roots… Continue reading Dean Jason King quoted by USA Today
Gregg Field featured in CBS Sunday Morning segment on Henry Mancini
USC Thornton Board of Councilors Chair Gregg Field was featured in a new CBS Sunday Morning segment on the late composer Henry Mancini. Field discussed the fame of Mancini’s film and television music, such as the ubiquitous “Pink Panther Theme” and “Moon River” from Breakfast at Tiffany’s. The segment included a recording session of his… Continue reading Gregg Field featured in CBS Sunday Morning segment on Henry Mancini
Dean Jason King talks “Hip Hop 50” with USC News
On Sept. 18, USC News published an article on the “Hip Hop 50” event series presented by the USC Kaufman School of Dance and USC Visions and Voices. USC Thornton Dean Jason King was featured, describing “Hip Hop 50” as an expansive and immersive opportunity for students to learn about the genre. “Hip-hop is rooted… Continue reading Dean Jason King talks “Hip Hop 50” with USC News
Musicologist Nate Sloan quoted on ABC News
Nate Sloan, a USC Thornton Musicology faculty member, was quoted in an ABC News article about the virality of parody songs. The article examined a recent parody song gone viral, “Planet of the Bass” by DJ Crazy Times and Ms. Biljana Electronica, which mimics late 1990s and early 2000s Eurodance music. Sloan theorized that beyond… Continue reading Musicologist Nate Sloan quoted on ABC News
Dean Jason King honors Sinéad O’Connor in NPR feature
In an NPR feature published on August 2, journalist and USC Thornton Dean Jason King honored the music and life of Irish singer Sinéad O’Connor, who died last week at age 56. Drawing on her 1993 performance of “Make Me a Channel of Your Peace,” King described O’Connor as a freedom singer akin to the… Continue reading Dean Jason King honors Sinéad O’Connor in NPR feature
2022-2023 Year in Review
Looking back on a remarkable year at USC Thornton.
USC alumni Travis Chen and Brian Femminella expand SoundMind
In 2021, USC alumni Travis Chen and Brian Femminella built the music therapy app SoundMind to address the growing mental health crisis. The inspiration behind the app? A USC Thornton world music course. According to a Fortune Well article, Femminella took a world music class taught by Thornton musicology professor Scott Spencer, “where he began… Continue reading USC alumni Travis Chen and Brian Femminella expand SoundMind
Patrice Rushen and Joanna Demers featured in Shondaland article on music and time
On Feb. 20, USC Thornton Popular Music program chair Patrice Rushen and Musicology department faculty member Joanna Demers were featured on Shondaland. In the article, Rushen and Demers explained the benefits of nostalgia in music education. Rushen discussed how and why songs live long past their release dates, referencing her 1982 Grammy-nominated R&B single “Forget… Continue reading Patrice Rushen and Joanna Demers featured in Shondaland article on music and time
Fall 2022 Semester in Review
Looking back on an amazing fall 2022 semester at USC Thornton.