Freelance journalist. Bylines: Rolling Stone, Mixmag, Pitchfork, MTV NEWS, DJ MAG, Pirate Studios , etc. Connect with me hello@ariellenyc.com
URL to IRL: Dirty Bird Is Building a Dance Music Community, One Beat at a Time
I profiled Virginia Beach-based Dirty Bird ahead of his forthcoming Wagenuzik EP. The feature landed on Rolling Stone's front page trending and was pinned top of their music features page.
DJ Premier: how one of hip-hop’s greatest producers stays inspired
For over three decades, DJ Premier has consistently proven himself to be one of hip-hop’s greatest producers. As he releases his new EP, 'Hip Hop 50: Vol 1', celebrating the genre’s 50th anniversary, he speaks to Arielle Lana LeJarde about evolving with the culture and the hip-hop/dance music connection
NYC garage: Swami Sound is evolving garage by bringing it back to its roots
Swami Sound gets in the mix and speaks to Arielle Lana LeJarde about the history of garage and his own take on the sound
“You Can’t Flatten Culture Into A Tagline” NYC Nightlife Collides For Red Bull Culture Clash
Parading a catchphrase of “pierogis meets punk,” Brooklyn’s Warsaw hosted a whole new world on May 19th with Red Bull’s illustrious Culture Clash. Bursting with the best selectors in New York City nightlife, four crews went head-to-head for an evening inundated with tension, dubplates, and a whole lot of shit-talking.
Each corner of the 1,000-cap venue was dedicated to a specific sound system (or DJ crew). Left of the main stage, CORPUS boasted a gritty juxtaposition of metal moshers and chee...
Drake's Detour in Dance Music is Disappointing
I review Drake's latest "dance" album, Honestly, Nevermind, from a dance music critic's perspective.
Sex music: QRTR's blend of emotion and groove is stimulating dancefloors and beyond
Brookyln's QRTR shares a rousing mix and speaks to Arielle Lana LeJarde about musical mantras, respecting homegrown US artists, and her music's power in the bedroom
Listen to Big Boss Vette’s “Heavy”: The Ones
I review St. Louis' emerging Big Boss Vette's newest single, "HEAVY," for Pitchfork: The ones.
A Spitfire, Skateboarding Rapper From Atlanta: This Is Mercury
I interview the magical rapper Mercury on skateboarding, Sailor Mercury, and her second studio album, tabula rasa, for MTV NEWS.
Life On Tour: Wandering With Wakai
Rapper Wakai reportedly hasn’t spent over a month in the same city this year, just how he likes it. Arielle Lana LeJarde digs into why the Louisiana lyricist loves life on the road so much.
Is Brooklyn Still Underground Enough?
With Manhattan hotspots closing down, pushing new crowds into Brooklyn, Arielle Lana LeJarde asks: is Brooklyn still underground enough?
Wakai Sheds Light on Frequencies, Features, and Fresh New Album [Q&A]
Wakai's latest studio album 'To a Dark Boy' is setting the stage for Wakai's rise. I ask him about the connection to the record, his collaborators, and spirituality.
Remembering Virgil Abloh and His Artistic Legacy
I reflect on Virgil Abloh's many creative endeavors after the news of his passing.
FKA twigs Mixtape ‘CAPRISONGS’ is Healing Music
A review on fka TWIGS latest record and why I think it's in the running for album of the year.
We Asked Experts If We Should Still Care About Sample Snitching
I interview Dart Adams, John Morrison, marcus d, and more about the relevance and decline of hip-hop's golden rule.
A Call To Support Queer Artists, Not Just During Pride Month
An op-ed on the performative nature of the dance music scene and my hope to honor its LGBTQ+ history.