The Riff’s Next Evolution
Clearer guidelines, how to be added as a writer, and more
All music starts with an idea.
Maybe it’s a note; maybe it’s a chord progression. Perhaps it’s a verse that materializes in an artist's mind. Eventually, each of those individual parts comes together and forms a whole; a whole verse, a whole song, a whole idea.
As listeners, we each have our own ideas about music, of course. What we like, what we don't, where we were when we first heard XXXX, and more.
Memories, hot takes, discoveries, opinions.
Ideas we want to share with others.
As a listener who doesn’t play instruments, I feel that writing is another art form I could take on to enhance my intimate connection with music. I wanted a place to share those thoughts with the world.
The Riff was born to be a home for those ideas.
It still is. And there are more of us sharing our thoughts than ever before. Hosting an engaged, vibrant community is this page’s North Star. Our hallmarks are quality writing and quality discussions.
We are blessed with both.
At the same time, readers come first at any publication. When readers are happy, they come back for more. When they return for more, that means more direct support for writers, who produce more quality work. It’s a virtuous cycle.
That’s where we want to be and where we’re headed.
To get there, we’re changing how the page is run.
Many pages focus on having a specific voice. Music — and how we interact with it — is far too subjective for that to work here. At The Riff, you know it when you see it.
That said, a few initiatives are going into effect immediately:
1. The submission guidelines are clearer.
Please give them a quick read.
2. New writers will need to have their first story ready
Everyone is still welcome to join us, but you'll need to have a story ready to go before you can be added as a writer. To be added as a writer, you must complete this form.
3. Inactive writers will be dropped.
This will take some time and be done on an individual basis. To be clear: We recognize some people take breaks. Life is messy. If that’s you, fear not. You’re not who we have in mind.
We’re looking to move away from what’s referred to in some circles as “pub crawls,” where writers rack up as many sites as they can, only to publish once a year… or never.
At the end of the day, these moves are being made with you, the reader, in mind.
Our promise to you is to be the premier music publication on Medium. These changes are a long time in coming and have been largely driven by reader feedback.
We think you’ll love what’s to come.
~Noah, Kevin, & Rob
