The time is approaching for me to leave this site.
I’ve done Invisible Oranges for four and a half years, putting in 30- to 40-hour weeks on it, seven days a week. (I can count on two hands the number of days I’ve taken off from the site.) This is my 1400th post for Invisible Oranges. Given that each post typically takes over three hours of work (a typical album review requires weeks (if not months) of listening, an hour to write, and an hour to edit and lay out), and an interview typically takes over five hours to transcribe, edit, and lay out, I’ve put in well over 5000 unpaid hours on this site. (Our advertising this year might have us breaking even in terms of server and other costs.) I’ve sunk thousands of dollars into this site, and I wouldn’t take a single one back. But eventually it will be time for me to move on.
For four and a half years, I’ve come home from the various jobs that I’ve had and basically worked on the site until exhaustion. I’ve been exhausted for years. What you see on the site is the tip of the iceberg work-wise. I am perpetually hundreds of emails behind, dealing with writers, readers, bands, labels, and publicists. I currently have over 1,290 potential spam comments to moderate.My desktop currently has over 35GB of unheard demos and promos. At conservatively 10 demos and promos per GB, my new releases listening queue is over 350 releases long. I can’t even download releases as fast as they come into my inbox, never mind listen to them.
The result is that I’ve had no personal life for years. That was my choice. But now I’m choosing to have a personal life. September 24th, 2011 will be my last day with this site. (The significance of that date will reveal itself then.)
I would like to leave this site in the hands of the community which it serves. In 2008, I stopped thinking of this site in terms of self-promotion. I have nothing left to prove as a music writer. I’ve been published everywhere that I’ve wanted to be published, and I’ve interviewed most everyone whom I’ve wanted to interview. In fact, I stopped thinking of myself as a writer a long time ago. (Sometimes I become a “writer” to pay the bills, but that has nothing to do with this site. This year I will also stop writing about music altogether.) To me, this site is about sharing music and sparking discussion. The less ego the writer has, the better he/she can transmit ideas and serve the community.
One of the biggest things that’s held this site back is that my day only has 24 hours. I can only listen to so much music, answer so many emails, and dedicate so many hours to this site. Most of what I do is grunt work that other people could do (I would say that actual writing is about 10% of my work for this site).
So it would be cool if members of the community could step forward and help grow this site beyond what I’ve done with it so far. I’m not sure what’s the optimal number (10?) or division of labor. We could work on that over time. This site has many tasks: processing new releases, back end maintentance, social media accounts, calendar functions, dealing with third parties (bands, labels, publicists, vendors, guest bloggers), editing, layouts, and, of course, actual writing. From now until September, I can help train people to do the things that I do. This site’s readers number in the several thousands. If they want this site to continue and grow into what it should be – a good home for underground metal – I think they can do it. Many readers know more than I do, and are very eager to point that out. Maybe they can put their knowledge to use!
I’ve kicked around the idea of turning this site into a full-blown forum. But I don’t think that’s the way the site should go. Without exception, every single metal forum I’ve seen has turned into a morass of negativity hiding behind anonymity. That’s not what metal deserves. Metal deserves a supportive community, and I hope that Invisible Oranges can be the best one it can be.
If you’re interested in helping out with the site in any way, say so in the comments. (Please don’t email me; I am way behind in my inbox.) Also, if you have any ideas as to the site’s operation in the future, please share them. I would love this site to end up in good hands.
. . .
I’ve been interested in a formal contribution to the metal community for a while. Kicked around thesis ideas, thought about writing a book. I’m primarily about analysis and reviews but would would be up for anything. Let me know any requirements and I’ll see if can be of any help.
While I am bummed about you moving on, I completely understand. In the short time (2 years or so) that I’ve read the site, you’ve helped expand my musical tastes immensely and given me some inspiration into starting my own blog that revolves around metal. Thank you, Cosmo, for all that you’ve done. It is truly appreciated, sir!
Now, with that said, I worked in the music industry for around 6 years or so before returning to school last spring to obtain my degree. My expertise: Social media. I’ve been involved in marketing campaigns ranging from arists like Hilary Duff and the Jonas Brothers to Rammstein and Mastodon. I’ve managed myspace, facebook and twitter accounts for artists of various genres as well as dealt with the bullshit of blasting press releases and begging editors for exclusives and placements on their sites. Thanks for reading!
p.s. – I go to many, many shows, and if you’re ever at one that you think I’ll be at, hit me up! I’d love to shake your hand and buy you a beverage of your choice!
I’m really sorry to hear that you’re leaving Invisible Oranges. As I’ve mentioned to you before, Invisible Oranges is my favourite metal blog. I think you’re an absolutely fantastic writer, and I’ve definitely become interested in bands that I wouldn’t have heard had I not read this site. On the other hand, I do understand your decision completely, and really appreciate the hours you’ve put into this site up until now.
I would be interested in helping out. My constraint is that Cambridge University terms are very intense (especially the upcoming Easter term, as I have finals), so I can’t do anything until mid-June when everything is over. I would be interested in doing editing and/or back-end maintenance. As for experience, I’ve done quite a lot of web programming (Computer Science degree, ~6 months of holiday jobs), spent a couple of years as administrator of a forum of ~50,000 members and do a reasonable amount of writing (both fiction and music-related).
Thanks for 4 years of quality music appreciation (if you don’t want to call it journalism), thank you for giving us 6 months warning, and best of luck to you in your new life. Like a favorite band’s break up, I selfishly regret it, but wish you the best. You have inspired many listeners to hear not only new music, but to listen in new ways. I think you’ve spurred more than a few fans to put fingers to keyboard and strive to find their voice, voice always being one of your great strengths. Hugely bummed, but you have much to be proud of and we have much to be grateful for.
Hi, I’m a long time lurker, first time poster.
I’ve been reading for just over a year now Cosmo, thanks for all the effort you have put in to making IO one of the most consistently interesting, entertaining and generally rather awesome metal blogs out there.
Would love to formally contribute to site like this one day, although maybe I’m short on talent. That said, if you desperately need a ‘UK Correspondent’, you know my name.
Well done, your work on this website has been inspiring, informative and plain fun to read. I think having a site dedicated to intelligent, and usually positive, discussion rather than a pissing match based on the number of variations on the word “brutal” has been a breath of fresh air. Lets hope a number of equally distinctive voices step up to the plate. I’d throw my hand up, but I’m pretty new to all this, plus I don’t know how much use you’d have for a West Australian writer, isolation and all. Enjoy you’re spare time dude, sounds like you’ve earned it.
DAMMIT! This is like the only blog i read. truth be told, I’m mentally exhausted just THINKING about how much work goes into this thing (dude…you listen a lot of music…maybe an unhealthy), so I’m happy you’re getting to have a life again.
Aside from the actual reviews, you have a lot of off-topic articles that I find way interesting, and which is the reason I come here. The first post I read was “Dillinger go back ahead of the beat,’ and I totally dug how you broke that down from a musician’s perspective (I’m one myself…it was just nice to see someone write about that).
Those types of articles are what I think give this board its personality. So I’d like to continue reading posts about artwork, musical technique, even working out (I dont work out…but the parallels drawn bt that and music are always interesting). For some reason I’ve been waiting for an article about John Cage as well…
I have nil writing experience, but I’d love to write more of these off-topic articles that dont focus on record/show reviews. And any direction would be much appreciated.
Having said that…thanks again, and good luck in life
Cosmo, you are one of my favourite music writers. For the past two years this blog has introduced me to so many bands that I otherwise probably wouldn’t have heard of and has become a major source for reviews/interviews. I never realised how much of your life you put into this blog but considering the high quality and consistency of insightful, entertaining and informative articles it doesn’t surprise me. I hope someday you get the bug for writing again, whether as a guest blogger or the odd feature in Decibel, as your engaging style and approach to reviewing music is one of the reasons I started writing in the first place.
I’d love to pitch in in some capacity. I have experience writing for blogs and corresponding with bands/publicists and also manage to keep up with new releases (I also have no social life.)
Oh no! You can’t leave us, Cosmo… We’ll change. We’ll get in shape and be nicer. Just don’t leave us!
Many congratulations on what you’ve achieved here, Cosmo. IO has not only been an excellent music filter but the writing has always been entertaining and informative.
Invisible Oranges has been the biggest expander of my music listening in the last couple of years. And even if I don’t like the band being written about, I always read the article as they provoke thought. I’m always hanging out for the next post.
I’d love to help keep IO going. I’m not a musician and I don’t think I have the wealth of metal knowledge that some of the readers have, but I have written for my own blog. And I am happy to do whatever grunt work I can to keep IO alive.
Good luck with your post-IO life. Hope that you have something awesome planned. Hopefully we can read your comments or thoughts from time to time at the new IO.
I don’t know how to do much, but I’d do something…
Awww man. Are you planning on adding a forum as well or just keeping the community aspect in the articles/comments? I’d offer to help myself but I couldn’t do much more than write gig/album reviews.
As with other posters, my experience in running a webpage is fairly limited. However, I fancy myself an adequate writer and would handle reviews at a moment’s notice and articles at slightly more than a moment’s notice. My credentials are not impressive, but I have a massive collection of metal in my possession and would be quite flattered to handle writing for this blog (which, I may add, has been one of my main sources for learning of new music for quite some time). I remain at your disposal for the time being.
I’ve only been reading this site for a few months, but it’s easily my favorite one. As I started paying attention to who writes the reviews in Decibel, I realized your opinion was the one I agreed with most often. So, I’m going to be very sad to see you go.
On the other hand, I’ve been thinking about trying to turn my own blog into a team effort, or joining another team blog, for some time now. Trying to write a post almost every day is quite the undertaking, so I completely get your problem.
I know you’re already familiar with the content on my blog, so I’m guessing you appreciate my opinions and the way I present them. And I know you’ve also seen the work ethic that’s allowed me to post at least three, but usually four reviews a week. I’ve felt a bit constrained by writing my reviews in a way that allows them to be posted to Metal Archives, which is something I do to increase traffic. But I would love the opportunity to cross-post here on a few choice reviews and articles (or just post them here, if that’s not acceptable). Even though I have twins on the way, I don’t see that interfering with my ability to contribute (I listen to the music at work and do most of my writing while on breaks). I have very little programming background, but I’ve got enough to get me by as a writer.
In short, I would love to write for Invisible Oranges.
Grand job. Shame like, but fair enough. Could you maybe just do less? 2 posts a week? I’ll miss it.
Will you keep me updated about Professor though? I’ll never hear anything in Ireland about them if they get back together (or whatever you’d call it). Them demos are savage.
I’ve been reading Invisible Oranges for 3 or more years now… I’ve learned a lot about metal, past and present, and even reunited with an old friend because of this blog (Vincent from HOWL, who I first checked out when IO reviewed their demo). As others have already said, it will be sad to see you go Cosmo.
That said, I’m involved with, and some sort of moderator, on another online metal community, phillymetal.com, and have tech experience, running Wordpress. I’ve done reviews for punk/hardcore zines in the past; Punk Planet, Inside Front, and others… I can edit posts. I’d like to help Invisible Oranges continue.
I’m hoping this is an early April Fools Day joke, but if not, it’s been a great read. I’ve discovered countless bands through this blog and your other writings in magazines. You’re one of the few writers that, if you approve a release, I’ll buy it without listening first.
I’d be willing to help out in any way I can to not only keep this site going, but to keep the integrity top-notch.
On a side note, glad to hear you are getting a personal life. It’s hard to balance it all out and wish you nothing but the best.
Thanks for all you’ve written. September 24th will be a sad day.
Cosmo, I completely understand where you’re coming from. I don’t publish new posts for THKD anywhere near as often as you work on IO, and even still, I can’t help but feel that the metal blogging/journalism game can be just as much of a rat race as my day job. Keeping up w/ 5 million new releases a year, replying to e-mails, promoting, shaking down labels/pr folks/bands for inties and promos, etc is both draining and time consuming. There have been many occasions where I have considered “retiring” from metal journalism altogether and going back to being just another fan.
Yet something compels me to keep going. It could be because I admittedly have it much easier than you. I have always allowed
myself time away from whatever outlet I was writing for and from metal in order to have a “life”. I don’t rely on writing to pay the bills. I’ve never allowed metal or writing to become a job. I’m completely content with the moderate level of recognition I’ve achieved, but I mostly do this for my own satisfaction an no one elses.
Anyway, enough of my rambling. Let me just say thank you for your contributions to the metal community. Thank you on a personal level for giving me many, many helpful pointers on writing. Although my contributions to IO have been minor, I have learned something each and every time I’ve submitted a piece of writing to you. I hope that you’ll share the details of your next venture with us and continue to be at least somewhat involved in the metal community.
I don’t have time to help w/ IO on an administrative level, as I already have my hands full with life and THKD, but I would be honored to contribute to the site on occasion as I have in the past.
I think it’s obvious I’m in although I’m sad you will no longer be our fearless leader. Hit me on email when things cool down. Total respect and friendship as always.
Well, that leaves me with zero metal blogs worth reading. (With the exception of TWKD, of course) Thanks so much for the hours put in Cosmo. Hope you find the same sense of fulfillment in your next steps.
I hear you when you talk about having a life. I have been working on my zine for about 3 and a half years and I also work on a spanish blog. Shit fucking kills me and there are days when I just get sick of it and vow to focus on family and work only. But a couple of weeks without Deaf Sparrow make Ignacio a very dull boy.
Any chance that an extended break will help you recharge your batteries?
Cosmo, I just wanted to say thanks for your hard work on this blog over the last four years. I always look to IO for quality writing about metal and have enjoyed the variety of topics and the smart way in which they are addressed. I’ve never felt that this site was “dumbed down” like so many other blogs/zines and for all that I say thank you.
The work done here speaks for itself. Much respect for being able to put it down and move on. I’ll be interested to see how the site evolves, Invisible Oranges has been an invaluable resource and I expect it will continue to be so.
While I will have to say that I’m sad that you will be leaving the site and writing about music, I must say that I am happy to hear that you are going on to something that will make you happy (Hmm, a set date on a Saturday…), or at least making a change in your life that will make you happy.
From your writings I’ve learned about quite a few new bands, and when you’ve written about older bands I’ve been transported back to 7th grade in the late 80’s. This has been an island of sanity in the sea of poorly written, poorly managed and sometimes childish metal sites on the internet.
I’d love to say I could help and keep this going, but like you I have a little time for a life as it is and hopefully by the time September rolls around I will be back in school.
I’m going to enjoy the short time we have left together and I hope for the best for you in whatever you do.
We wish you the best from The Soda Shop!
so are you leaving Decibel as well?
I’d be interested in contributing reviews, interviews, or news posts. You can check out my writing on my website, joehenley.net, or at TaipeiMetal.com, MetalUnderground.com, and at Metal As Fuck. Cheers for your years of dedication to Invisible Oranges.
That’s a bummer, but thanks for all the hard work over the past few years. Heard a lot of great music because of this site. All great things wind down eventually.
Cosmo, such sad news. I tune into this site everyday for the gospel of metal. While other music sites take the most menial holidays off, I can always count on you to post religiously. I would love to help with the site. I appreciate what you said about keeping IO a place for supportive metal reportage. I would be willing to help as a writer, a liaison between third parties, and/or an extra hand with processing new releases and administering the calendar. I could help contribute in that regard. Anything to keep this gem of a site flourishing in the way that it deserves.
Great run on this site, Cosmo. It really is the most consistent daily metal blog on the internet, and, as its editor, you deserve all of the credit in the world for maintaining such a high level of quality. As a human being though, you also deserve to have a life, and I hope you find success and happiness in whatever you pursue next.
I’m starting a new job myself in the fall that will consume most of my time, but I’d be honored to contribute the occasional review or other piece of writing to a reconfigured IO.
Sorry to see you go, man. This site has been one of the few things worth reading, and usually the first thing I click on in the morning.
I’d like to volunteer my services as a writer. I’ve got 20+ years of metal ‘experience’ (or whatever), yet somehow I am literate and somewhat coherent. I’ve done a bit of blog writing before, but never on this scale, and I’d like to give it a shot.
Recently I’ve been thinking about doing something metal related on the internet, like a vlog/blog that’s similar to what the Infidel does (clicky: http://www.youtube.com/user/infidelamsterdam); perhaps in a more formal fashion. My problems are that I don’t really get to shows that often, and to be very blunt, I’m a lazy person, so I don’t know if I could/would add stuff reularly. Part time on the other hand would be probable, because when I do have free time, I don’t have much to do due to the fact that I don’t really have many fun things at my disposal other than those that are music related; so either way my time is going to be devoted to music at least half of the free time.
Cosmo, thank you very much for putting in the time needed to write/maintain a blog that has been truly inspiring in terms of clarity of voice, surprising takes on a well-trodden topic and especially for turning me on to tons of great music. You even managed to relight my taste for Drum and Bass (a little bit at least – the metal part still outweighs pretty much everything else – this blog being to blame for quite a bit of that!).
I can completey understand that it might be time to move on for you and it goes to show that writing at this level is a daunting task. One that most blogs will never achieve.
This being pretty much the only metal-blog that I read (every day), Sept 24th will be a very sad day indeed!
Will you reveal what the future holds for you?
Anyway, thanks again for all the work and inspiration!
PS. Helm should return from retirement, I always enjoyed his well thought-out comments!
I offer up my web dev nerd and comment moderation skillz.
I can’t possibly keep up with all the music you guys listen to, but I would definitely like to support the recently-started “intersection of jazz and metal” column and all the other excellent metal community here.
I would be proud to participate. Invisible Oranges is the only online metal publication I read on a regular basis, and I think the way it’s written and presented is a necessary counterpoint to the painfully “Internet” ethos of sites like MetalSucks. I’ve contributed music writing to a number of other publications and I’m currently the editor of WEEKEND, the entertainment supplement to the Indiana Daily Student at IU. I plan to write professionally for a career after I graduate next May, so my time for this site might vary then, but “Being Cosmo Lee” has been one of my dream jobs for a while now. I’ll keep my eye on this comments section, thanks Cosmo, and godspeed. Can’t wait to hear where life is going to take you.
Cosmo, this site has been great and is one of the sites I check out most frequently. I would be interested in helping out in some capacity when you turn things over. Please feel free to look at my blog cited above.
Reading this blog has always been an enlightening experience. Your interviews/ articles/ reviews were always interesting and had a certain something that other blogs didn’t. Best of luck with whatever you do in the future.
Cosmo,
This saddens me deeply. I remember the first day i read your site:
I was an intern at Ian Christe’s Bazillion Points books, and came begging to me man: ‘teach me, I want to be a music writer!’ He pulled up Invisible Oranges and said “This is Cosmo, he will teach you everything you need to know.”
And you did. I have read every post on this site since January 2009. I now run my own blog, as well as guest blog at NoCleanSinging. I’m also a paid journalist in my hometown. you taught me how to write, not college.
You’re sort of my hero.
I need to help! I need to want, desperately to give back to this site, my digital second home. I will do anything you ask, and anything more you can teach me–indeed what more you can teach me is part of the excitement mixing with the sadness in my veins at this very moment.
BadWolf reporting for duty.
I should prolly leave my email address, lol!
joseph.schafer88@gmail.com
I would love to do some writing here. Album and show reviews maybe some opinion pieces. Music journalism has always been an interest but I’ve always been hesitant to dive in since the medium seems kind of shallow but you’ve always kept me interested with this site and have really brought my understanding, respect and love for metal to a whole new level.
>My desktop currently has over 35GB of unheard demos and promos.
That’s horrifying…
I have rarely posted on IO, but have been a daily visitor for quite some time. I would be more than happy to contribute. I’m a strong writer with a background in music distribution – 15 years spent working at the Evil Empire. I would love to do reviews or other metal related material.
Let me know.
I’m sure I can speak for The Number of The Blog and wish you the very best!
Hail Cosmo,
Pretty much about you has been stated above me and I don’t think I can add something unique about the unique reading experience I’ve got with IO. You’re to me a less verbose and eccentric Starostin and IO his notorious Only Solitaire, while the two’s output are simply amazing (wish I could find a word that’s far more amazing). A fairly loose tie between us is probably the gr-indious Wormrot whom I met in person when they performed in (scratching my head) Vietnam (indeed!)
So, being a VN native, co-running a music site (not so metallic though), having some interviews w/ bands like Be’lakor and Alcest among others, & the entire god forsaken scene here, I am more than glad to give my share, esp anything musically and culturally blended in this far east and perhaps its-tory in which a few of you may be interested.
And like many here, I’d wish to meet you one day and exchange a beer or two. All the best, Cosmo.
Of course I’m in. Cosmo, you’ve been the most important mentor to me in the past 5 years. Without you, I probably wouldn’t have developed as a writer as much as I have. I’ll miss your wit and insight! Here’s to carrying on the torch!
I just found your site maybe two months ago and now I am dissapointed that I did not discover it sooner. Truly yours is the best metal blog out there and I wish you the best in future endeavors. I work full time, have a baby daughter, but I would love to contribute some writing/reviews to this site.
All the best.
I’ve been in front of a blogging community for more than six years, and then I wanted a personal life. So yeah, I know how it feels.
Even though, the news bummed me a lot. You’re the only guy out there writing with passion and bringing original views on metal music – always with respect, never demanding the spotlight, avoiding bad jokes for cheap laughs. Yeah, Cosmo, we should all be thankful to you and be happy your life’s gonna get less music-writing-centric soon; but oh shit, you’re gonna be missed like an old pal..
I’d love to help IO, but I’m afraid my English in just not good enough. But I hope that, somehow, the collective can bring a little of the enlighted views you brought us throughout the years.
Thanks, man.
bloody hell… oh well i guess all good (great!) things must come to an end….or maybe a new era is on the horizon.
i guess thats gonna be a surprise all its own.
good luck on all future endeavors cosmo, and cheers to “growth”
Cosmo, you’ve done more for music fans/writers than you will ever know. To reiterate another readers’ sentiment, IO taught me more about writing than school ever did. Thanks for that and for birthing a metal blog that’s informative, entertaining, and above all, thought-provoking. You deserve a break; let us carry the torch.
Needless to say, I’d love to help.
Thanks so much for dedicating that huge amount of time to doing something off pure passion and interest.
I have always wanted to help with sites such as this, but I am afraid my command of English language does not measure up to what it takes to write here. I have mentioned a couple of times before that English is not my native language (Spanish language is, for whatever it matters), but I think I can contribute in a way or another, depending on the site’s necessities.
Enjoy the spare time you’re going to have from September on.
Thanks for all your years of dedication and hard work, Cosmo, it’s benefitted my own musical education and experience in branching out to areas of metal I probably wouldn’t have considered otherwise. This is by far the best metal blog I know of and it will not be the same without your presence. But if Invisible Oranges can continue without you, and I can contribute anything, I’d be glad to help out.
Cosmo, I’ve wondered daily how you keep this up and the answer apparently is, “with great difficulty.”
Thanks for giving me the forum to present my writing; it’s been a fantastic help and I’ll ALWAYS be happy to keep contributing new Riffage pieces and whatever the hell else I can think of.
Man, can any of you think of another website that hosts heady thought-pieces about metal? Talk about a niche! Hail Cosmo!!! I hope that’s some good news coming in September, too…
I am ready to help out in whatever way I can. The folks above me have already said everything I can say, so I wont say much, but thank you for running the only blog I’ve read religiously since I’ve discovered it.
An idea: perhaps you could create an article submission form and add threaded comments, to put more emphasis on the discussion under the article?
I am a bit shocked, but simultaneously unsurprised. You deserve a break, Cosmo, and even if it’s a more permanent one than I’d like I respect and 110% support your decision– especially after seeing the numbers on how much effort you put into this blog. It’s been a serious lifesaver at work, and I can’t count how many fantastic releases I’ve gotten into because of IO. Thank you so very, very much for your commitment, your humility, and your excellent, crisp prose. You’ll be missed, man.
I would love to do what I can. I have a lot of extra time on my hands.
Cosmo, to know you’re leaving IO makes me as sad as when Faith No More disbanded for the first time (1997? 98?). But having said that, I also feel happy for you. As an above poster said, “(Hmm, a set date on a Saturday…)”. If that means whan I’m guessing, I wish you a lifetime full of happiness.
Would love to help, but english is my second language.
Sad to see you go Cosmo. On the other hand, I am looking forward to checking out your writing on non-musical subjects!
All I can say is, Cosmo, my brother, thank you for giving me an opportunity to occasionally write for the site. I never thought of myself as a writer, and I don’t think I ever will, but you had confidence in my communication abilities. This experience writing for IO has helped grow my communication skills immensely. We’ve stayed at each other’s homes, and those are some of the best times of my life. I will always be indebted to you.
I have only been reading for about 6 months or so, but I love your site and your writing, sad to see you go, but good luck in your future man. Have a good one!
I’ve only posted once in a while here, but read every day. As someone focused on transformative social justice issues in poor and immigrant communities in most of what I do, I have places to go for that part of my brain, but IO has been the reason I came back to metal after years away, and Cosmo, you are the reason for that. Your approach, style, respect for the art form, and ability to throw out deep and thoughtful questions have made me feel like i was engaged in a long conversation with you over the years, and you have contributed to my interest in so many things metal beyond what I grew up listening to. Thank you, thank you, thank you. I think there are a lot of good writers on these pages, so I’ll wait to see what I can contribute to keep this community alive.
Though I don’t know you personally, your voice has come through in all the writing you’ve shared with us. Change is good, and taking control when it feels like it’s time is also a good thing. So I am happy for you – and hope you’ll read and comment once in a while after Sept!
Sucks to hear this, Cosmo, but I understand exactly how you feel. I mean, I can’t keep up with the constant stream of new music, and it’s tough enough keeping up my writing schedule… and this is considering that I do everything from work, where I am fortunate enough to have enough downtime that I can listen to music my whole shift and usually have enough time to run TNOTB. If it weren’t for that, I wouldn’t have time to run TNOTB at all, due to the duties of marriage and parenthood. So, I wish you good luck in all endeavors. IO has always been distinguished by its writing, and whomever replaces you will have some large shoes to fill.
Sorry to see you go. Hopefully the site can continue with the same amount of quality it does now.
Cosmo decides to take the route of Ray Bradbury’s The Murderer and have a real life. Great idea to try to utilize all of the cognitive surplus web 2.0 has to offer. Really puts the part-time armchair socialists, such as myself, on the spot.
Still, I gotta mull it over some more…
Anyways, thanks for the quality and the value.
No Cosmo, no IO IMHO. That said, since my own dodgy IO clone blog fell by the wayside, I can sympathise – even at my more modest post rates it was hard to maintain.
The IO brand should continue though, it’s built up too much momentum. If you need a UK contingent then I’d happily offer my services.
Invisible Oranges is far and away my favorite metal blog–for its wit, sensitivity, imagination, fearlessness, and authority. You’ll be missed, Cosmo, even if the blog continues to thrive without you. That said, if September 24 is what I think it is, you’ve got unassailable reasons for moving on! Wishing much happiness to you in the future.
Thank you for running this site as long as you did. It has been invaluable to me in discovering new music. Otherwise I would just be listening to Iron Maiden and Judas Priest exclusively. I am a long time reader but never posted. Your writing and thoughts on metal is what has kept me returning day after day. I wish you luck in all of your future endeavors.
Sad to see you go. A great, great site. I check it everyday. I look forward to one the hordes taking over.
Thanks again.
This is my first post, as I’ve only been reading IO for a month or two, but it has very quickly become my favorite site, I really enjoy your writing, and the way you and the rest of the community always have intelligent discussions, unlike some of the other metal sites around. You also introduced me to Ludicra, which I am eternally grateful for. I hope that in the future the site is run in the same way it is now, and would be proud to contribute somehow, although I don’t really have any tech skills, I would love to maybe do a review or something. I tend to listen to a lot of prog-metal, so if whoever ends up running the site needs an occasional contributor for that, I’d love to help.
I have only been a reader since December of last year (maybe November) but today, when I came home from school and the very first thing I did was check this website and read this, I realized how much I appreaciate the work you do and how much I enjoy Invisible Oranges. It’s sad to see you go, but I wish nothing but the best for you and hope you have fun with whatever you decide to do after this.
This site has been a daily read for me for a long time. Great job Cosmo, regardless of what the site turns into, you’ll be missed as will the many great topics you posted about over the years.
Although I don’t always like the music you write about, I always like the way you write about it. This is certainly one of the most thoughtful and intelligent metal sites around and your helming of it will be sorely missed. I’m barely able to do a couple of posts a week for MDG due to the demands of work and a young family, so I doff my hat to the incredible amount of work represented by this fantastic site. Gutted to see the curtain is about to fall on your contribution.
Hey Cosmo,
Bummed to see you go, but change is part of life I ’spose. I’ve been an avid IO reader for 6 months now and have absolutely loved the quality and unique nature of every post. You’re an inspiration as a writer and I hope to follow whatever path you choose in the future.
If I could contribute to the site in any way, it would be an honor. My mini resume:
Ran a metal radio show at my university
Interviewed bands including Dark Tranquillity, Primordial, Eluveitie
Interned at The End Records
Currently a writer/moderator at a major online blog (think LOLcats)
Cheers,
Andy
Congratulations on making the right choice for your life. Please don’t read this comment as snark (given our history), I sincerely mean it. And best of luck to Invisible Oranges in achieving its future mutation.
Very sorry to hear this, Cosmo, but it makes sense. I can only imagine how much this thing takes out of you. Though I’ve rarely commented, I’ve visited IO religiously for the past few years, and I’d love to contribute. I’m a freelance magazine writer (I also have experience as an editor) living in SF, and I already do the occasional metal-related piece. I’d like to be a part of whatever comes next.
Thanks,
C
No more roaming the streets at 5am looking for wi-fi connections to update the site? haha…I’ll never forget that post. I thought to myself, “Now that’s dedication!”
Although it saddens me to hear about your eventual exit from Invisible Oranges & metal/music writing altogether (I just discovered Dragged Into Sunlight after your review in this months Decibel!) I’m glad you’re moving on and finally “acquiring” a social life. Maybe now that metal isn’t a job anymore you can start enjoying it on the same level as all the OCD geeks/fiends who frequent your site.
I wouldn’t mind contributing my services to keep Invisible Oranges afloat if needed. Hopefully you won’t be totally AWOL around here even after your official split. Thanks again for everything man.
Cosmo, thanks for expanding my Metal horizons with your intriguing recommendations and insightful analysis. Rarely have I seen a blog, especially a Metal one, that’s so willing to combine sophistication and a unique brand of Metal humour. I’ll continue to throw Invisible Oranges at every opportunity in your name!
Regarding contributions, I’d be happy to do reviews and other quasi-intellectual features along the way. Since I just joined a University Metal band as a vocalist, perhaps I could do a special feature as an insight into the life of the amateur Metal band in the UK?
This news prompted me to post for the first time. I wish you all the best in your personal life, you’ll be sourly missed!
I’d be interested in helping out. I’ve never written anything remotely music-related but have been a metalhead my whole life. I write grants for my day job. While listening to Suffocation. Then I cook dinner listening to Primordial. Then I lift weights. Listening to Ramlord.
Best of luck to you – I’ve always loved reading your posts.
I’ll echo what everyone else said: OUCH. Followed by an immense THANK YOU for an insane commitment to keeping this thing so vital.
A lifetime ago I was a ‘professional’ (paid) writer for a fairly big website, and trying to keep up with the constant demand for content was just miserable. We had to do 2 articles per day, 7 days a week. With a full time job, I was only able to do it for 3 months. How you were able to find the time to write, listen to the necessary music, AND run this whole thing on your own is just incredible. And I thank you sincerely for all the hard work, as this site is a joy to visit day after day.
I can say now that I don’t have the time or energy to contribute to an ongoing IO (beyond this basic capacity as a commenter), but I wish you, and whoever steps up to take the reins, all the best. Congrats on your mystery date in September, whatever it might be.
Thanks for the great reads(and future reads), Cosmo. This site has expanded my metal needs over the past 2+ years. I’ve learned a lot about the metal community because of you. Keep the posts coming until September, man.
Well, Cosmo, I’m sad to see you go. I’ve really enjoyed this blog for as long as I’ve known about it – even if the subject matter of a post wasn’t a real interest for me, it was always an enjoyable read.
I would be happy to help out around here. It would be nice to put my skills I got from my master’s in English (technical and professional communications) to use, as I’m certainly not using it professionally at the moment. I’d say my strongest suit is editing, but I would definitely like to try my hand at album reviews every now and again.
I just recently discovered this blog. I’ve been trolling it for the past 2-3 weeks and it’s been great. I’m a pretty steady reader of Haunting The Chapel and the Deciblog as well. I really enjoy your content here. I find your content is updated insanely frequently which I like. I can check in every day and get something new. The exposure that readers of this blog get to new heavy music is all thanks to you. That in turn should be returned to you also by the bands who you help to expose to new fans through all of this.
I doubt if I could be of any real help for the future of IO, but if there was a way, I’d do it. I listen to music pretty much non-stop, aside from when I’m asleep. I manage a record store. Been in a record store for going on 11 years. I love my job. I don’t read, write, perform music… but I get to surround myself with it. It’s what I do for work, it’s what I enjoy doing at home by myself and/or with friends. It’s what I do on my days off. It’s what I do when I’m cleaning house and when I’m out to get groceries. The stereo’s on or the computer is, or the headphones are in the iPod on the go. Music’s probably the most important thing to me. Blog’s like this help keep me alive. That sounds lame, but it’s true. Through constant discovery of new bands, sounds, songs… I’m left with a feeling of constant development. I’ve got to believe that someone else sees things that way too.
I’ve been reading IO for about a year and would like to see it grow in the future. I’m a writer and photographer and go to a fair amount of shows in SF and out of state/country. Show reviews and band interviews are a possiblity. I also freelance as workshop/events coordinator…means I spend a lot of time on the phone negotiating, scheduling and wrangling things. Hit me up!
Thanks Cosmo- good luck w/ everything!!!
i just wanna say thanks for the support and kind words over the years.
i probably post less in a week than you do in a day and it can wear me out sometimes, so i feel your pain. hopefully you stick around in some sorta editor emeritus role.
I’ve been here too long to walk away now. I’m in it to win it.
Now post a picture of yourself after all those Spartacus workouts to show you didn’t gain a 100lbs from all the snacking during the 1400 posts
but seriously thanks for a great blog really good stuff
Though I completely understand, I hate to see you go. I’ve been reading for some time now and think IO is one of the top blogs out there. Thanks for all your effort through the years.
That being said, I’m a librarian with some knowledge of web markup languages. I have next to no experience dealing with labels and such (I did some reviews for a classical music label, but that basically just consisted of me telling them what I wanted to review and my contact at the label sent the discs), but anything else I can do, be it transcribing or whatever, I’d be more than happy to contribute.
On another note, as I mentioned above, I’m a librarian, and I would like to talk to you at some point about the possibility of preserving the IO archives. I would do all the work on that, I would just want permission and a few details if you get a spare few minutes in the next little while. Thanks again.
…I always wondered what kept you going–industrial strength coffee, sadomasochism, insatiable work ethics..but whatever it was, thanks. At least we still got 6 months or so of your writing and insight. Perhaps we can pull some sort of community thing off. After all, it’s all about the love of this music that drew us here in the first place. That said, I would love to help–my initial thought off the bat was to offer some writing–my second thought was writing about my local scene. I think it would work–many of the people who visit this blog live in different areas of the country, and could report on the local happenings of their individual scenes. I’m not much of a techie, rather a savvy user, so technical stuff is not my strength. Anyway, an idea to work off.
Thanks, Cosmo.
Cosmo (and Cosmo’s minions),
One of two daily digital reads for me…. This caught me off guard (read it this morning, let it sink in over the day), but I frequently mused about the amount of behind the scenes work required to post once, sometimes twice, and even thrice or more a day for years on end. You’ve been the primary contributor to and ringleader of this blog for the entirety of my metallic matriculation thus far. As I’ve always maintained, I’m a latecomer here in Hell, only discovering metal in my late 20s. But you’ve been my Charon, my gatekeeper, for most of the journey. And as I’ve also always maintained, it just isn’t fair the amount of free entertainment and metallectual development you’ve provided over the years. Hopefully the growth you’ve seen in your audience was a source of personal pride and some reward for a job incredibly well done, fearless ferryman. Certainly, the world of underground, challenging metal will lose a champion come this fall. Regardless of the form IO takes in your absence, if at all, it was your taste and refined ear which lent this assortment of 1s and 0s its true identity. That will be gone when you strike your final keystroke.
I don’t have the confidence, expertise, skill or the time to do IO the justice it deserves (or would be expected from its, ahem, demanding readership; heck I like both Watain and Kvelertak — practically a Justin Bieber fan in these parts). I’m glad I was able to read daily and contribute now and again to the comments while this beast was alive. And for the opportunity to meet you, albeit briefly, at Scion. AND, no joke… for the workouts. Ha! Yes indeed. I didn’t know about the Spartacus workouts until you mentioned them and provided perfect scores for sculpting. I used those workouts as the absolute backbone to a workout regimen that eventually landed a couple of photos in ~Men’s Fitness~ just recently. Weird the impact your posts have had on people, eh? I needed an efficient, metal-fueled workout, and what better than one curated by someone who (based on the evidence above) puts efficiency and metal at the forefront of personal development (or, potentially, to the detriment of… glad you’re remedying that!). Mind. Body. Spirit. This blog has addressed them all.
Soak in the praise, Cosmo, and all the other terrifically fine writers who have contributed here. I guess it isn’t eulogy time yet… perhaps we’ve just moved into hospice. Now’s the time to enjoy the spoils of a digital life well lived. Because for all the death and darkness discussed here over the years, IO, to me, was always an affirmation of vibrance… living life at loud volumes, and challenging the notion that despite the fact that each of us individually have countless times been made to feel outcast for loving something others see as repulsive, that we have a community. That we’re not alone. Thanks for letting us hang out at your place, Cosmo. Let me know if you need a place to crash if you’re ever near St. Louis [I don't just mean that as a parting nicety... I'm prepared to follow through]. I’ve only got whey protein, so if you use soy, you’ll have to bring your own.
-TomB
IO is by far my favorite music-focused blog simply due to the diversity of the post subject matter. i don’t come to IO to be turned on to new bands so much as learn about myself, fandom for metal, music-based subculture and its associated politics, and why i might be drawn to a particular breed of music in the first place.
i possess absolutely no journalistic experiences writing about music but am a copywriter by trade and deeply into heavy and extreme metal. i am lucky enough to have some time outside of work and my personal life and therefore am in a position where i could pledge some real man-hours to the quality and future of IO.
i look forward to witnessing (and potentially contributing to) the evolution of this site.
thanks for doing what you do, cosmo.
i´ve been reading this site year and a half ago, and blow me away!!! defenetly the best blog of metal in the planet! good luck y buenas vibras for you cosmo! so… till the end!!!!!!!
GREÑUDOS LOCOS SON MAS CABRÓNES!!!
No one but me, cant save myself for its too laaaaate….Now I cant think, think why I should even tryyyyy. I hear ya man, this shit has got to be rough. Somebody’s got to do it, and I’m glad it was you for awhile man! I’ll just stick to reading and posting every now and again. I guess that’s my job here and I’ll stick to it.
I come to IO for your writing and unique opinion on things. I like to get the Cosmo perspective on hyped albums. I like the in-depth interviews, and the features and musings on the industry.
If I were you I’d find writers with voices and opinions that aren’t necessarily similar to my own, but stand on their own.
I’ve been reading IO since the day it started (seems like a lifetime ago, bud), and it’s been cool to see it grow into what it is today. This is one of the only places online where you can find intelligent discussions about metal music, which says a lot about the readers your writing has attracted over the years (the comments are usually as edifying as the actual posts!). Hopefully the site can remain as an online gathering point for underground metal…it’d be a tragedy if it didn’t. You’ve created something special here, Cosmo.
This is the second time i’ve ever written a comment.
I’m from México and I’ve followed this site for over three years. Needless to say it’s one of mi favorite metal sites, I heard some of my,now favorite bands, for the first time on this blog.
I felt weird reading through this post, but I liked the positive vibe you give in it. So… I just wanted to say thank you. A real, honest, thank you. I would ofer my help… but my inglish is way bad.
While I don’t often comment, I’ve read Invisible Oranges nearly every day for the past 2 years. I read several metal blogs, but IO has hands-down the best writing, most insightful posts, and actually gets in depth with any subject it tackles. The constant quality and depth of the posts is more akin to a magazine than a blog. Thank you, Cosmo, for enlightening me daily on metal. Your work in Decibel is also superb. Enjoy your well-deserved break from music journalism.
I’m incredibly bummed about you leaving, but another fantastic aspect of IO is the community. Comments on this site are actually worth reading. So with all the intelligent metal minds in the IO community, I think perhaps we can continue your legacy.
I would love to help out in any way I can. I am involved in the Baltimore/D.C. metal scene; I could do some kind of local report as someone above mentioned. I’m also a recording engineer so I maybe I could provide some insights into recordings. I do write a little, but it’s only a bit of blogging; no real credentials.
I’ve only been aware of the site for a year or so and it has become one of my favorites to check! It amazes me that quality writing can bring out educated responses from readership;unlike some other sites I look at. The comments are often as enjoyable to read as the pieces themselves. I certainly hope some of the talented folks above me can fill the void and continue the site.
Could you maybe set up one of them yahoo groups or something – send us a mail once a week with a few links to check? Man – I dunno what I’ll do without you. Throw up a list of other blogs that might fill the void maybe? ‘Cosmo recommended’ would mean a lot.
THIS IS SAD!!!
Not much to add that hasn’t already been said, but IO has been my first destination upon booting up my computer at work every day for the last year and a half, and is an integral part of my daily transition into ‘work mode.’ It’ll be interesting to see what the future brings, and I certainly won’t take anything published over the next six months for granted – the quality has been so consistent that I generally just assume there will be something great waiting for to be read every morning on here, and while it’s a bummer to think that might be coming to an end, I certainly wish you all the best in the future. Thanks, Cosmo.
My favorite IO post thus far? Hard to pick one, but the critique of the classic metal singers by the classical singing coach comes to mind.
NOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!
I wish you the best for whatever you’ll be doing next, and hopefully now you’ll be able to just sit down and enjoy listening to some music
Cosmo,
So sad to hear that you’ll be ending your involvement in the site and in writing about music in general. I’ve valued your opinion and insight for the past few years and will miss reading that. I would be more than happy to help maintain this site in many of the aspects suggested. Given I’ve written for you in the past, I’d be happy to continue writing, but am also capable of handeling editing, layout and third party duties. Please keep me in mind! And until September 24th, I will continue to enjoy reading your contributions.
Chase
Hi
I love reading about (and obviously listen to) dark music. If it was possible, I would be honoured to contribute writing about is as well. Far from being the world’s biggest authority on anything, I have some knowledge of the subject matter, European extreme music in general, Norwegian in particular. If I can be of any help, please don’t hesitate to contact me.
Thank you for all the hard work you’ve done so far! Much obliged.
Øystein
I’d hate to see one of my favourite sites go down like this, so I’m available to help in whatever ways I can.
Aw man, I’ve been such a huge fan of this site for years, sad to hear that you’ll be moving on from us Cosmo, but I think the idea of turning Invisible Oranges into a forum could be something good for everyone who reads this site. We’d all still be able to communicate and maybe one day you’ll come back for guest posts etc!
Cosmo, I will be sad to see you go but totally get it and understand. One of my main inspirations for starting Hellbound.ca was reading IO and seeing how well it works. Definitely an inspiration with what we do over there, although I must admit I don’t have the time to dedicate to it what you do over here.
Go out and get a life! You may find later on that you have time again/feel the need to get involved again later on. That’s what I did when I started Hellbound.ca at the ripe young age of 38 (with a wife and 2 kids to boot!). I don’t know if there is anyway I can help at all, but if I can just say the word.
Just a quick thank you for giving me so many interesting reads to kill time with over the past few years, and I’m sure under your mentoring the new protege’s will continue with the same quality material as we are used to.
Cosmo,
This has been one of my go-to blogs for several years now and I’m sad to see you leave. Obviously I’m going to jump at the opportunity to fill even a tiny percentage of your shoes. I’m LA-based and have experience writing/reviewing/interviewing for several metal blogs and websites and The Daily Bruin at UCLA. Writing and metal are my two passions, so I’d be honored to help you out. Thanks for everything you’ve done with IO.
Sad to hear this and I don’t really understand with this has to be a black or white situation to have a decision like this. Anyhoo, looking forward to your drum and bass blog.
I’m currently writing a M.A. dissertation about Heavy Metal and its culture. I’d love to contribute an article or two on the subject and maybe even help out with things like reviews. Incidentally, I finish my degree in September, so I should have a bit of free time to work on this.
I’ve always enjoyed the less childish approach that you take to blogging and I tend to not get pissed off at the things most of the posters say here. I’d hate to see it go away or to turn into a ‘lol u mad?’ pile of internet memes.
Cosmo,
I’m a relatively new reader of your blog but have become a massive fan. Therefore, I’d like to say congratulations and thank you on what you have built I.O to be.
I am trying my hand at blogging and would love to help wit te running of I.O in the future. If you need me to do anything, just drop me a mail.
Norman213
Sorry to see you go, I have always been a fan.
I am a great writer and an administrative wizard and would be honored to step in and assist.
I appreicate all the work you’ve done Cosmo and I’m extremely sad to see your departure. I enjoy to write every now(contect similar to a site like this) and then as practice and I’d love to help in anyway I could. If you need me, or would like to see some of my work feel free to shoot me an email if you have time.
Really wasn’t expecting this, been a long time reader of IO and I’ve always valued your insight into metal. But if it is what needs to be done then I wish you all the luck in the world. I doubt I’d be much use helping out as I don’t have half the skill needed but if it’ll help keep the site alive I’d be more than happy to give it a go.
Good luck with your later pursuits Cosmo. We’ll miss you terribly. Seriously, IO is my favorite metal blog; you just have the best writing style.
I’d help but I think I came on here a little late to volunteer, haha. Either way, I write live reviews for every show I go to, so I would love to post them on here!
First of all, best metal blog ever. Hands down. I have discovered more new bands or artists unfamiliar to me here than anywhere else. Your recent posts have sparked nostalgia in the most awesome of ways.
I consider myself a pretty good writer that, with focus and a bit of self-discipline (practice!), can become a great writer. I’ve fallen behind in my IO consumption so this is clearly late but I wanted to throw it out there. I WAS voted “Best Music Department Member” for my pithy super-quick reviews during my college radio DJ days! You know, the tiny stickers that allowed for two to three sentences…
Anyhow, I am an ad sales guy and live in NYC. I go to way more shows than I should but since I can afford it I feel compelled to support the underground metal. It’s my contribution. I would like to enhance that contribution by adding to this site in some way. Let me know if you feel like “sending” me to a show that I’d probably be going to anyway! Album reviews, shows etc. I’m not a technical guy…I’m a sales guy!
Thanks Cosmo. This site is bad ass.
I recently began studying the music industry, specifically how to start a record label, and I have been looking for an opportunity such as this. I don’t want to make this sound too much like a resume/cover letter, but I’m in graduate school right now, with an expansive background in computer science. I have also worked on a few websites, and I have always loved writing in general. I am willing to take any position with the website, including doing any grunt work that needs to be accomplished.
Sept. 24 is going to be a sad day, but I love what you’re doing Cosmo. Until then, I’ll continue reading this blog religiously!
I am also saddened by the idea that you won’t be doing IO anymore; it’s my favourite metal site, for a number of reasons. I do hope you’ll stay around as a reader and commenter when you’ve left the top job, however.
In my opinion, there are a number of reasons that IO is successful:
1. it is well-written and edited
2. it covers a reasonable range of metal (not the full range, but it doesn’t focus purely on Progressive Atmospheric Blackened Death, to suggest an alternative strategy)
3. it covers new releases, historic material, artists, and metal culture
4. it has few enough articles that each one gets a reasonable chance to receive comments and create dialogue
5. the author of the post generally participates in any conversation that occurs in the comments
I hope that these key features can be retained in any post-Cosmo version of Invisible Oranges.
Wow, thanks for the overwhelming response, everyone! And Matt Vogt, thanks for the detailed suggestions.
I will come up with a systematic cataloguing of the site’s needs, personnel-wise, and then present that to everyone. That’ll take a few weeks, I think.
I’d love to help out any way I can Cosmo!! I’d also like to join the general chorus of “well done with easily one of the best metal blogs on the internet, and good luck with your future plans!”
I will have no reservations in extending the highest caliber of Internet respects that I can express to you, Mr. Lee. Thanks for everything, and all hopes from my corner of the world to your reclaiming of a personal life.
Well, this will be pretty much the worst birthday present ever. Don’t worry, I’m just teasing, it’s just rather curious that the special exit day is on cue with my birthday.
Again, cheers + god luck and good speed to you
Thanks for the years of work, Cosmo. I wouldn’t classify myself as a metal fan, but anything that Cosmo finds interesting enough to write about is well worth reading.
All I want to say is that this site is great. And I can’t even imagine how much work it needs, in order to be that great. Cosmo Lee I like you and I bet you’re a great person and a true metal fan. Your posts have always been inspiring and have in many ways broadened my horizons. I hope the site finaly does not dramatically change; I have always liked how you are direct with comments and everything. I truly appreciate your work and I wanna say thank you. Hope I don’t sound too melodramatic, but I think you really deserve it.
I would love to help out with reviews…I live in a foreign country without much going on, so I have plenty of time on my hands. Let me know.
Just wanted to echo what so many others have said, Cosmo. I’m disappointed, but totally understand. Thanks for keeping the site going for as long as you have.
I must admit this comes as something of a shock to me, but I’d love to help out as well.
I’m sorry to hear you’re leaving the site; but I understand the need for personal time. Reading IO has been a great experience for me since 2007, and you’ve introduced me to more fantastic music than I ever thought possible.
I would be more than happy to contribute to the continuation of Invisible Oranges in any way that I can. You published an article that I wrote about a Dethklok/Mastodon show that I attended (http://www.invisibleoranges.com/2009/10/high-on-fire-converge-mastodon-dethklok-big-four-building/), and I believe that shows you appreciated my writing. I would love to do some more writing for the site, as a means of developing and voicing my opinions and as a way of giving back for 4 years of great work.
I have a strong background in music, and a good understanding of musical theory: I’ve been playing instruments for 20 years, since the age of 4.
Feel free to email me with any questions.
Late in coming to this, but I’d be happy to help out on some editing. I’ve been a professional reporter and editor for more than 15 years, and am a big fan of the site. It would be an honor to contribute.
Hey, although I’ve been following IO for only a few months now, I have been writing album reviews for the No Man’s Land that is Sputnikmusic.com (so far just Dream Death and Meek is Murder). I would like to get involved with IO in any way, shape, or form.
A good read. I will definitely be back.