stereogum

{{Short description|News site and weblog for indie music}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2018}}

{{Infobox newspaper

| name = Stereogum

| image = Stereogum2020.png

| caption =

| type = Online music magazine

| format = Internet

| foundation = {{Start date and age|2002|df=no}}

| chiefeditor = Scott Lapatine

| ceased publication =

| owners = Scott Lapatine

| publisher =

| language = English

| sister newspapers =

| headquarters =

| ISSN =

| website = {{URL|stereogum.com}}

| oclc = 1142733705

}}

Stereogum is a daily Internet publication that focuses on music news, reviews, interviews, and commentary. The site was created in January 2002 by Scott Lapatine.

Stereogum was one of the first MP3 blogs and has received several awards and citations, including the PLUG Award for Music Blog of the Year, Blender{{'}}s Powergeek 25, and Entertainment Weekly{{'}}s Best Music Websites. The site was named an Official Honoree of the Webby Awards in the music category and won the OMMA Award for Web Site Excellence in the Entertainment/Music category. In 2011, Stereogum won The Village Voice{{'}}s Music Blog of the Year.{{cite web |last1=Stabile |first1=Francesca |title=The Winners Of The 2011 Village Voice Web Awards |url=https://www.villagevoice.com/2011/12/07/the-winners-of-the-2011-village-voice-web-awards/ |website=The Village Voice |access-date=4 April 2019 |date=December 7, 2011}}

History

The site was named after a lyric from the song "Radio #1" by the French electronic duo Air.{{cite web|url=https://www.stereogum.com/1823047/qa-airs-jean-benoit-dunckel-on-the-future-of-the-band-working-with-sofia-coppola-and-inspiring-the-name-stereogum/franchises/interview/|title=Q&A: Air's Jean-Benoît Dunckel On The Future Of The Band, Working With Sofia Coppola, And Inspiring The Name "Stereogum"|website=Stereogum|date=14 August 2015|access-date=May 9, 2018}}

In late 2006, Stereogum received an investment from Bob Pittman's private investment entity The Pilot Group.{{cite web |last1=Lauria |first1=Peter |title=Pittman Flips Stake |url=https://nypost.com/2007/12/07/pittman-flips-stake/ |website=New York Post |date=December 7, 2007 |access-date=5 May 2020}} In November 2007, it was purchased by SpinMedia (formerly known as Buzz Media). April 2008 saw the launch of Videogum, a sister site focused on television, movies, and Web videos. Videogum later closed.

In December 2016, Eldridge Industries acquired SpinMedia via the Hollywood Reporter-Billboard Media Group for an undisclosed amount.{{cite web|title=Billboard Buys Spin and Vibe in a Quest to 'Own the Topic of Music Online'|url=http://www.adweek.com/digital/billboard-buys-spin-and-vibe-quest-own-topic-music-online-175229/|website=Adweek|date=December 22, 2016 |access-date=March 10, 2017}}

Stereogum{{'}}s first SXSW event in 2006 was hosted by then-emerging comedian Aziz Ansari and featured a headline performance from Ted Leo. In the years since, Stereogum's events have included sets from Ben Gibbard,{{cite web |last1=Duffy |first1=Robert |title=SXSW Updates Stereogum Brings Ben Gibbard |url=http://www.donewaiting.com/2010/02/24/sxsw-updates-stereogum-brings-ben-gibbard-pure-volume-house-music-for-listeners-more-and-more/ |website=Done Waiting }} Sky Ferreira, Mitski, Beach House, St. Vincent, Deerhunter, Japanese Breakfast, Rico Nasty,{{cite web |title=Superlatives from SXSW Music |url=https://www.austinmonthly.com/superlatives-from-sxsw-music/ |website=Austin Monthly |date=March 19, 2019 |access-date=5 May 2020}} and other popular acts.

Popular musicians have been known to participate in Stereogum{{'}}s active comments section, such as Father John Misty, Weezer's Rivers Cuomo, and Fleet Foxes' Robin Pecknold.

In July 2017, Arcade Fire created the parody site Stereoyum featuring a "Premature Premature Evaluation" of their then-forthcoming album Everything Now.{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/news/arcade-fire-spoof-music-website-premature-premature-evaluation-review-album-2114007|title=Arcade Fire spoof music website with 'Premature Premature Evaluation' review of own album|publisher=NME|date=July 22, 2016|access-date=May 9, 2018}}

In January 2020, it was announced that Scott Lapatine, the site's founder and editor-and-chief, had reached an agreement to purchase Stereogum from the Hollywood Reporter-Billboard Media Group, making it once again an independent publication.{{cite web|url= https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/8548204/billboard-hollywood-reporter-media-group-spin-stereogum-sale|title= Billboard-The Hollywood Reporter Media Group Sells Spin, Agreement in Place for Sale of Stereogum|publisher=Billboard|date=January 16, 2019|access-date=January 16, 2020}}

{{anchor|Tom Breihan}} Stereogum senior editor Tom Breihan began writing the column "The Number Ones" in January 2018, in which he reviews, analyzes and provides historical context for every number-one single on the Billboard Hot 100.{{cite magazine |last1=Unterberger |first1=Andrew |title='The Number Ones' Author Tom Briehan on the Book Version of His Chart Column and Why There's 'More Interest in No. 1s Now Than Any Time I Can Remember' |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/chart-beat/tom-breihan-number-ones-stereogum-interview-1235160058/ |magazine=Billboard |access-date=17 July 2023 |date=25 October 2022}} In November 2022, Hachette Book Group published The Number Ones: Twenty Chart-Topping Hits That Reveal The History Of Pop Music, a music history book by Breihan based on his column.{{cite web |title=The Number Ones: Twenty Chart-Topping Hits That Reveal The History Of Pop Music Is Out Now |url=https://www.stereogum.com/2206000/the-number-ones-twenty-chart-topping-hits-that-reveal-the-history-of-pop-music-is-out-now/news/ |website=Stereogum |access-date=17 July 2023 |language=en |date=15 November 2022}}{{cite web |last1=Greene |first1=Jayson |title=Tom Breihan's The Number Ones Tells the Secret History of the Pop Charts |url=https://pitchfork.com/thepitch/tom-breihans-the-number-ones-tells-the-secret-history-of-the-pop-charts/ |website=Pitchfork |access-date=17 July 2023 |date=17 November 2022}} In July 2023, Breihan began a counterpart column available to the site's subscribers in which he reviews the number one singles on the Billboard Alternative Airplay chart.{{cite web |last1=Breihan |first1=Tom |title=The Alternative Number Ones: Siouxsie And The Banshees' "Peek-A-Boo" |url=https://www.stereogum.com/2228731/the-alternative-number-ones-siouxsie-and-the-banshees-peek-a-boo/columns/the-alternative-number-ones/ |website=Stereogum |access-date=4 September 2023 |language=en |date=5 July 2023}}

Album of the Year

class="wikitable" style="font-size:0.95em;line-height:1.5em;"
Year

! Artist

! Album

! Source

2009Animal CollectiveMerriweather Post Pavilion{{cite web |title=Best Album 2009 |url=https://www.stereogum.com/104551/best_album_2009/lists/gummy-awards/ |website=Stereogum |access-date=18 December 2022 |language=en |date=7 December 2009}}
2010Kanye WestMy Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy{{cite web |title=Stereogum's Top 50 Albums Of 2010 |url=https://www.stereogum.com/593442/stereogums-top-50-albums-of-2010/lists/year-in-review/2010-in-review/ |website=Stereogum |access-date=18 December 2022 |language=en |date=8 December 2010}}
2011GirlsFather, Son, Holy Ghost{{cite web |title=Stereogum's Top 50 Albums Of 2011 |url=https://www.stereogum.com/891411/stereogums-top-50-albums-of-2011/lists/year-in-review/2011-in-review/ |website=Stereogum |access-date=18 December 2022 |language=en |date=5 December 2011}}
2012Fiona AppleThe Idler Wheel...{{cite web |title=Stereogum's Top 50 Albums Of 2012 |url=https://www.stereogum.com/1210661/stereogums-top-50-albums-of-2012/lists/year-in-review/2012-in-review/ |website=Stereogum |access-date=18 December 2022 |language=en |date=5 December 2012}}
2013Kanye WestYeezus{{cite web |title=The 50 Best Albums Of 2013 |url=https://www.stereogum.com/1567541/the-50-best-albums-of-2013/photo/ |website=Stereogum |access-date=18 December 2022 |language=en |date=3 December 2013}}
2014Run the JewelsRun the Jewels 2{{cite web |title=The 50 Best Albums Of 2014 |url=https://www.stereogum.com/1721100/the-50-best-albums-of-2014/photo/ |website=Stereogum |access-date=18 December 2022 |language=en |date=2 December 2014}}
2015GrimesArt Angels{{cite web |title=The 50 Best Albums Of 2015 |url=https://www.stereogum.com/1845609/the-50-best-albums-of-2015/lists/ |website=Stereogum |access-date=18 December 2022 |language=en |date=1 December 2015}}
2016BeyoncéLemonade{{cite web |title=50 Best Albums of 2016 |url=https://www.stereogum.com/1912399/the-50-best-albums-of-2016/lists/year-in-review/2016-in-review/ |website=Stereogum |access-date=18 December 2022 |language=en |date=1 December 2016}}
2017LordeMelodrama{{cite web |title=The 50 Best Albums Of 2017 |url=https://www.stereogum.com/1973056/the-50-best-albums-of-2017/lists/year-in-review/2017-in-review/ |website=Stereogum |access-date=18 December 2022 |language=en |date=5 December 2017}}
2018Kacey MusgravesGolden Hour{{cite web |title=The 50 Best Albums Of 2018 |url=https://www.stereogum.com/2023906/the-best-albums-of-2018/lists/year-in-review/2018-in-review/ |website=Stereogum |access-date=18 December 2022 |language=en |date=4 December 2018}}
2019Lana Del ReyNorman Fucking Rockwell!{{cite web |title=The 50 Best Albums Of 2019 |url=https://www.stereogum.com/2066082/best-albums-2019/lists/year-in-review/2019-in-review/ |website=Stereogum |access-date=18 December 2022 |language=en |date=3 December 2019}}
2020Fiona AppleFetch the Bolt Cutters{{cite web |title=The 50 Best Albums Of 2020 |url=https://www.stereogum.com/2108664/best-albums-2020/lists/year-in-review/2020-in-review/ |website=Stereogum |access-date=18 December 2022 |language=en |date=1 December 2020}}
2021The War on DrugsI Don't Live Here Anymore{{cite web |title=The 50 Best Albums Of 2021 |url=https://www.stereogum.com/2169206/the-50-best-albums-of-2021/lists/year-in-review/2021-in-review/ |website=Stereogum |access-date=26 December 2021 |language=en |date=6 December 2021}}
2022AlvvaysBlue Rev{{cite web |title=The 50 Best Albums Of 2022 |url=https://www.stereogum.com/2206970/best-albums-2022/lists/year-in-review/2022-in-review/ |website=Stereogum |access-date=6 December 2022 |language=en |date=6 December 2022}}
2023WednesdayRat Saw God{{cite web |title=The 50 Best Albums Of 2023 |url=https://www.stereogum.com/2243925/best-albums-2023/lists/year-in-review/2023-in-review/ |website=Stereogum |access-date=5 December 2023 |language=en |date=5 December 2023}}
2024Charli XCXBrat{{cite web |title=The 50 Best Albums Of 2024 |url=https://www.stereogum.com/2288841/best-albums-2024/lists/album-list/ |website=Stereogum |access-date=3 December 2024 |language=en |date=2 December 2024}}

Music releases

In July 2007, Stereogum released OKX, a tenth anniversary tribute to Radiohead's OK Computer. Cover songs were solicited from fourteen indie rock artists including Doveman, Vampire Weekend, John Vanderslice, David Bazan, Cold War Kids, My Brightest Diamond, Marissa Nadler, Chris Funk of The Decemberists, and Chris Walla of Death Cab for Cutie. The album can be heard free of charge at http://www.stereogum.com/okx.

Other free Stereogum compilation albums include: Drive XV, a tribute to R.E.M.'s Automatic for the People (featuring Rogue Wave, Meat Puppets, Sara Quin, and Dr. Dog); Enjoyed, a tribute to Björk's Post (featuring Liars, Edward Droste, Dirty Projectors, Final Fantasy, and Atlas Sound); [https://stereogum.com/767531/stroked-tribute-to-is-this-it/mp3s/ Stroked], a tribute to The Strokes's Is This It (featuring Real Estate, Owen Pallett, Peter Bjorn & John, and The Morning Benders); [https://www.stereogum.com/mysplice MySplice Vols 1-4]:, an annual mashup collaboration with team9; and [https://www.stereogum.com/10342/stereogum_presents_rac_vol_1-2/news/ Stereogum Presents... RAC Vol. 1], the first release from Grammy-winning producer RAC.

In 2020, as part of a fundraising effort to keep the site operational and independent,{{cite web|url= https://www.stereogum.com/2089484/save-stereogum-crowdfunding-comp/original-albums/|title= Save Stereogum: An '00s Covers Comp|publisher=Stereogum|date=June 29, 2020|access-date=September 9, 2020}} an original 55-track compilation of covers of songs from the 2000s by various artists titled Save Stereogum: An '00s Covers Comp was released as an incentive for donors to the site's Indiegogo campaign.{{Cite web |last=Tan |first=Emily |date=2020-06-29 |title=Ben Gibbard, El-P and More to Help 'Stereogum' |url=https://www.spin.com/2020/06/ben-gibbard-laura-jane-grace-el-p-others-to-help-save-stereogum-with-cover-songs/ |access-date=2023-03-23 |website=Spin}}{{Cite web |last=Curto |first=Justin |date=2020-09-10 |title=How Stereogum Made Its 2000s Covers Compilation |url=https://www.vulture.com/2020/09/stereogum-2000s-covers-compilation-interview.html |access-date=2023-03-23 |website=Vulture}} The campaign totaled over $370,000 in donations.{{cite web|url= https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/save-stereogum-an-00s-covers-comp#/|title= Indiegogo-Save Stereogum: An '00s Covers Comp|publisher=Indiegogo|date=June 29, 2020|access-date=September 9, 2020}} It debuted at #1 on Billboard's Compilation Albums chart and #11 on Billboard's Top Album Sales chart.

References

{{Reflist}}