David Holmes

David Holmes

Studio 20 2011

Job: Freelance journalist
Location: New York, NY
Hometown: Columbus, OH


What I Do Now

I write about music, tech, and politics for Guardian US, PandoDaily, Stereogum, and others.

Before Studio 20

I was a freelance music journalist.

During Studio 20, I worked directly with…

ProPublica, The New Yorker, The New York Daily News, and The New York Times’ “Local East Village” blog

Final Project Partner

The New York Daily News

Problem I helped solve…

I implemented automated news quizzes and developed a workflow model for algorithmic journalism.

Professional hops since graduating…

I was a freelance technology reporter for Fast Company and the Daily Dot before becoming the East Coast Editor for PandoDaily. I also produced video explainers with my company Explainer Music, for ProPublica, PandoDaily, Mother Jones, and KQED.

Why Studio 20

Studio 20 was perfect for me because I wanted to not only become a better writer, but also to develop my video, audio, and coding skills. The program’s focus on managing projects for newsrooms meant that by the time we graduated, we already had a ton of high-level real world experience. Also, Studio 20 celebrates experimentation and forward thinking in a way that’s crucial for thriving in an industry that continues to undergo dramatic changes.