OUR WRITERS
IDA V. ESKAMANI
Writer & Founder
Ida is an Iranian-American from Florida who grew up with the Beatles, and came of age in the pit. She will talk to you about music for as long as you will pretend to listen. She is founder of Bandifesto, a little blog with a big heart. Read her letter to readers.
ALEX WEEDEN
Writer
Orlando, Florida native, sometime political operative and occasional attorney, this is not the Alex Weeden who comes up as Miranda Lambert’s touring guitar player when googled. Unjustly, he is also not found in the index to Elizabeth Goldman’s Meet Me in the Bathroom. Guitar, bass, and (attempted) sitar player, Alex credits music, from Debussy to Spacemen 3, with opening his eyes and ears to how wide, deep and rich the greater world could be and giving him a reason to ramble across a growing swath of it.
ANNA V. ESKAMANI
Writer
Anna V. Eskamani is an Orlando native, feminist, and newly elected State House Representative serving the great people of District 47. When she's not fighting for Floridians everywhere, you can find her taking portrait-mode photos of her cats, reading short poems, and teaching the power of empathy to anyone who will listen. She's an Iranian-American by birth, and a lover of Americana by choice.
CHRIS FURINO
Writer
Chris Furino loves music… like a lot. According to Spotify they listened to 82,000 hours of music last year! Their queer identity, love for the revolution, and overall angsty attitude (they are a very proud Cancer) have led to an eclectic taste in music ranging from indie bands to country queens, and pop divas to Latin Trap stars. They’re excited to take you on a journey about the music moves them!
JONATHAN ALINGU
Writer
Growing up in several places, Jonathan's journey to music as mysterious as his aliases. Michael Jackson and Amy Winehouse are his North Star, and he navigates the music world exploring multiple genres. His trade is in community organizing with Central Florida Jobs with Justice, and when there's time he records his podcast POST GODS and even DJ's and creates music as Velvet Hoop, the Sweet Baby Angel, or Zaddy Long Legs, depending on his mood. Likes: Being creative, comfort, food, and dedication.
MARISSA CORRENTE
Writer
Marissa Corrente was in second grade when she saw her first show, Boston's own New Kids On The Block. Though she didn’t have her glasses yet and couldn’t actually see a damn thing-- she heard everything she needed. Born and raised in Rhode Island, Marissa is a total elections geek; her passion for civics brought her from Orlando to Washington, DC. to make the world a better place, Step by Step as NKOTB would say.
DAVID MORAN
Writer
David Thomas Moran spends the majority of his free time lobbying for singer-songwriter, philanthropist and businesswoman Dolly Parton to be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Other than that and navigating the trials and tribulations of being a Libra, David really doesn't care about music. Unless, of course, it's Dolly. Then yeah...he definitely cares. A lot. PS: He's still bitter about Dolly's 2006 Academy Awards loss for Best Original Song.
PABLO TERRAZA
Writer
Pablo Terraza is an immigrant from Guatemala living in the Midwest who hopes to hold on to his accent till the day he dies. He will be happy to make you a mixtape and will likely guess two to three songs that you will love. He has a habit of tying every experience to a piece of music. He is well aware that this may all just be a simulation.
TRENT JONES
Writer
Growing up in Atlanta, GA, Trent was never much for music. Until suddenly, he was and oh boy, did he dive in hard. He has over 1400 vinyl albums and is afraid he’ll run out of space to keep them at some point. He likes music that evokes feelings and emotions, even if those feelings are sadness or anxiety. It wasn’t until he was thirty that he realized that Loveless by My Bloody Valentine had actual instruments and vocals done by people and not just music created by the Gods.