Sam Chapman

Sam Chapman is a human who lives and writes in Seattle, Washington. After growing up in Spokane and graduating from Pacific Lutheran University, desirous of more widespread awareness of composting and mold, he moved to the big city, and has never looked back. Except sometimes when he has. He enjoys music, eating at Beth’s Cafe and scrapbooking pictures of Patti Smith. He dislikes people who are rude to waiters, sunburns, and how your hands smell after chopping garlic. On top of covering music for Jetspace Magazine, he also posts his thoughts about music and life (but mostly music) on his personal blog.
Le1f Live: I Could’ve Whirled Away Into Forever

Le1f Live: I Could’ve Whirled Away Into Forever

Writing about live music in late 1980s New York, Kim Gordon once offered the observation that, “People pay to see others believe in themselves.” At the risk of disrespecting one of my greatest heroines, I think Ms. Gordon misses the point a bit. The joy of being an...

Three Minutes And Thirty-One Seconds

Three Minutes And Thirty-One Seconds

In music, as in life, beginnings are often the most exciting part. Every song, every album, every concert and performance and dance routine must begin somewhere. It could be the opening guitar riff of Purple Haze, the lazy bass and snare heralding Proud Mary, or...

Make It Stop: The Illegitimacy Of The Grammy Awards

Make It Stop: The Illegitimacy Of The Grammy Awards

I don’t like the Grammys. I’ve known this for years, and I make no secret of it. When an institution bestows an award on the Baha Men but withholds from Patti Smith, Morrisey, Public Enemy, Bjork, Notorious B. I. G., Tupac, and Katy Perry, I have some doubts about...

DoNormaal. She Will Explode.

DoNormaal. She Will Explode.

DoNormaal. Photo by Stacey Jurss via donormaal.com It was 10pm on Saturday night. I got out of my car, waited for my friend to crush her Four Loko can underfoot, and walked into a house show in Fremont. The house was a nondescript two-story outfit that sometimes...

That Song Is A Drag: Top Ten Drag Songs

That Song Is A Drag: Top Ten Drag Songs

We thank you, Mother Ru, in your beneficence, for bestowing upon us another season of the greatest, gayest show on television. In celebration, I’ll be counting down the Top Ten Best Songs released by queens from past seasons of Drag Race.

Who Will Save Queer Hip-Hop?

Who Will Save Queer Hip-Hop?

There is a moment in the video for Wut, by New York rapper Le1f, that I feel we should discuss. In it, Le1f—understated in a jersey, athletic shorts and a gold chain—perches on the lap of a man. The man is muscular and white, his body coated in oil, his face obscured...