The firings at NYC’s Village Voice continued yesterday with influential music critic Robert Cristgau. Read his open letter to friends and fans on the firing after the jump.
"…since I have no intention of giving up rock criticism, all reasonable offers entertained; my phone number is in the book, as they used to say when there were books." (via Gawker)
Dear Friends and Colleagues,
If this comes completely out of the blue, I apologize.
It is now official–Village Voice Media fired me today, "for
taste," which means (among other things) slightly sweeter
severance. This despite the support of new music editor Rob
Harvilla, who I like as a person and a writer. We both believed I
had won myself some kind of niche as gray eminence. So I was
surprised Tuesday when I was among the eight Voice employees
(five editorial, three art) who were instructed to bring their
union reps to a meeting with upper management today. But I
certainly wasn’t shocked–my approach to music coverage has never
been much like that of the New Times papers,
Bless the union, my severance is substantial enough to give me
time to figure out what I’m doing next. In fact, having finished
all my freelance reviews yesterday, I don’t have a single
assignment pending. So, since I have no intention of giving up
rock criticism, all reasonable offers entertained; my phone
number is in the book, as they used to say when there were books.
What I don’t need is a vacation–the three of us just had a great
two and a half weeks, and Nina matriculated at BMCC yesterday.
No need to respond. Forward to whoever you will.
Love,
Bob Christgau
