Drowned in Sound

What Great Music Journalists Hear That Algorithms Miss: DiS meets Ilana Kaplan

Aug 5, 2025
Ilana Kaplan, music editor at People Magazine and author of "Nora Ephron at the Movies," dives deep into the art of music journalism. She shares her journey from intern to spotting stars like Billie Eilish early on. The conversation reveals how she successfully introduced unconventional artists like Zola Jesus to mainstream platforms. Kaplan discusses the importance of trust in interviews and how music journalists curate experiences that algorithms can’t replicate, emphasizing the vital role they play in discovering new talent.
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ANECDOTE

Spotting Billie Eilish Early

  • Ilana Kaplan discovered Billie Eilish early by attending a small venue show at Mercury Lounge.
  • She sensed Billie’s unique aesthetic and connection to Gen Z, predicting her eventual success.
ADVICE

Interview Listening Advice

  • Prepare for interviews but allow space for organic conversation.
  • Listen more than talk to uncover artists’ true thoughts and stories.
INSIGHT

Hype Machine vs Algorithms

  • The Hype Machine felt like an organic music discovery point that Spotify now lacks.
  • Algorithmic playlists miss the excitement and human curation that early blog aggregators provided.
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