Computerlove™

Biography:

Matthew Newton is an independent journalist covering society and culture. His work has been featured in a number of national and international publications such as Swindle, Anthem, XLR8R, Juxtapoz, URB, and Next American City. Throughout his career, Mr. Newton's diverse assignments have not only reflected his insatiable desire to document the people, places, and events that influence the world around him, but to tell stories that would otherwise be overlooked. He has conducted in-depth reporting about the lives of traditional Cambodian musicians who survived Pol Pot's "Killing Fields" ("Eve of Destruction," Swindle); documented the work and lives of vanishing American craftsmen ("American Twilight," Swindle); coaxed candid conversations from graffiti artists about their obsession with illegal art ("Writers' Bloc," Pittsburgh City Paper); investigated how rust-belt cities are attempting to use art as a catalyst for social and economic change ("Art Company, Inc.," Next American City); and spoken with survivors of the Jonestown Massacre about their hopes of building a utopia in the jungles of Guyana, and the social fallout following life after Peoples Temple ("Surviving Utopia," Lemon - not yet published).

In addition to long-form narrative journalism, Newton has interviewed and profiled a diverse collection of artists, musicians, and other assorted people of interest. From Ira Glass (host of NPR's This American Life), Icelandic post-rockers Múm, and comedian Patton Oswalt, to legendary Japanese turntablist DJ Krush, renegade artist David Choe, and MoWax Records founder James Lavelle. With a specific interest in documenting music and visual culture, Newton's work delves deeper than your average glossy magazine fare. His conversations often intersect with current events or controversial topics, and lend insight beyond the obvious. Mr. Newton lives and works in the City of Champions (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania - United States). His wife Michelle and son Ethan keep him in check.