As News Editor at Consequence of Sound, Wren Graves has become a defining voice in modern music criticism. Their work combines deep musical knowledge with innovative storytelling formats, particularly through award-winning crossword puzzles that blend trivia with cultural analysis.
"The best music journalism doesn't just describe sounds—it maps how those sounds travel through culture."
A Wisconsin native and Carnegie Mellon drama graduate, Graves brought theatrical sensibilities to journalism after moving to Chicago in 2009. Early contributions to Uproxx and SB Nation honed their ability to translate complex artistic concepts into engaging narratives. This foundation prepared them for their current role as News Editor at Consequence of Sound, where they've become known for:
Graves' analysis of White's 43-minute guitar opus demonstrates their ability to balance technical musicianship with cultural commentary. The review positions White as both a throwback to analog-era virtuosity and a commentator on modern fragmentation, drawing parallels between the album's raw production and society's craving for authenticity. Through interviews with studio engineers and archival research, Graves traces White's evolution from garage-rock rebel to elder statesman of shred.
This interactive piece exemplifies Graves' innovative approach to music journalism. The puzzle weaves together references to summer anthems, cooling technologies in concert venues, and climate-conscious touring practices. Accompanying commentary reveals how extreme weather impacts festival logistics and artist creativity, showcasing Graves' ability to connect entertainment with environmental realities.
Blending Austin Powers nostalgia with music trivia, this feature demonstrates Graves' mastery of pop culture synthesis. Clues interweave 1990s Britpop references with contemporary espionage thriller motifs, creating a bridge between generations of music fans. The puzzle's accompanying essay analyzes how spy movie soundtracks influence mainstream music trends, complete with streaming data comparisons.
Graves frequently explores how musical trends intersect with broader cultural movements. Successful pitches might examine:
Their crossword series (cited in 8+ articles) demonstrates this approach, merging music history with gaming elements.
Pitches should recontextualize classic genres or technologies for contemporary audiences. Graves' analysis of Trump-era vinyl tariffs ([3]) showed how to make industrial policy accessible through music fandom.
While avoiding dry statistics, Graves excels at humanizing data-driven trends. The Jack White review incorporated streaming patterns, guitar sales figures, and interview quotes to create a multidimensional portrait.
Though not explicitly stated, Graves' work reveals interest in:
Their focus remains on artistic process rather than industry politics. Pitches about chart positions or celebrity feuds consistently go uncovered.
At PressContact, we aim to help you discover the most relevant journalists for your PR efforts. If you're looking to pitch to more journalists who write on Music, here are some other real estate journalist profiles you may find relevant:
