Amid the sounds of chit-chat, coffee makers, and blenders, “Lost in Your Light” came on over the loudspeakers in Fuel America in Brighton—prompting Maura Johnston to pause her train of thought.
“I love this song,” she said.
“This is the collaboration between Dua Lipa and Miguel, and I love Miguel. I’ve seen him 26 times.”
“I interviewed him once too.”
This one interaction provides a glimpse into the part-time journalism professor’s jam-packed life of listening to, reading about, and writing about music. A freelance writer whose byline frequents Rolling Stone, The Boston Globe, and The New York Times, Johnston travels across state and country lines to watch, interview, and write about musicians—who in the past have included the likes of Dierks Bentley, Kelly Clarkson, and Michael McDonald.
Listening to music is a full-time job for Johnston, who spends around 35 to 40 hours a week jamming. It’s not a new occupation though: ever since she was a kid, Johnston religiously watched MTV and listened to Casey Kasem’s American Top 40 every weekend.
Johnston was never really a TV person—sitcoms didn’t catch her attention, and you probably wouldn’t spot her at the movies. But she was always completely fascinated by music and its ability to surround people and affect their moods.