Hi, I’m Chris Payne and I’m a New York-based culture writer & journalist.

My first book, Where Are Your Boys Tonight?: The Oral History of Emo’s Mainstream Explosion, 1999-2008, is out June 6 on Dey Street Books. You can order it here.

Between 2013 and 2020, I worked as a staff writer at Billboard, where I hosted a longform, interview-based podcast with alternative music artists.

I wrote regularly for Billboard’s magazine and website, covering music festivals like Coachella and Lollapalooza, innovation in the indie sector of the music industry, and the intersection of music and social media.

I’ve interviewed artists like Billie Eilish, Travis Barker, Pete Wentz, Pusha T, Rivers Cuomo, Sam Smith, Run the Jewels, Mitski, James Murphy, Johnny Marr, and Tegan & Sara.

For a sampling of my writing and podcasting, check out the link at the top of the page.