Sam Machkovech

Sam Machkovech is a freelance arts and tech writer based in Seattle, WA. More

Sam Machkovech is a freelance arts and tech writer based in Seattle. He began his career in high school as a nationally syndicated video games critic at the Dallas Morning News, eventually taking up the mantle of music section editor at Dallas weekly paper the Dallas Observer. His writing has since appeared in Seattle weekly The Stranger, in-flight magazine American Way, now-defunct music magazine HARP, gaming blog The Escapist, and Dallas business monthly Dallas CEO. He currently serves as a games and tech columnist for Seattle web site PubliCola.net, as well as a volunteer tutor at the all-ages writing advocacy group 826 Seattle.
Track of the Day: 'Nora'

Track of the Day: 'Nora'

Listen. More »

Saying Goodbye to Halo

Saying Goodbye to Halo

Halo: Reach, the sixth and possibly final game in the Xbox video game series, is a farewell with the biggest of bangs More »

Video Games Grow Up, From Mortal Kombat to Mickey Mouse

Video Games Grow Up, From Mortal Kombat to Mickey Mouse

This year's Penny Arcade Expo shows how gaming has expanded from a nerdy-boy pastime to mainstream entertainment More »

Penny Arcade Expo: 60,000 Gamers Press 'Start'

Penny Arcade Expo: 60,000 Gamers Press 'Start'

This weekend's festival sets itself apart from other cons by embracing the social, group-centric side of games More »

BitTorrent Sites: How the Internet Makes Us All DJs

BitTorrent Sites: How the Internet Makes Us All DJs

What to do when you can't trust the radio for good recommendations? Take to the Web—just don't call yourself a pirate More »

LIMBO: A Video Game Explores Living With Loss

LIMBO: A Video Game Explores Living With Loss

This new Xbox option wrestles with death and grief without resorting to gimmicks, making it one of the best games of the year More »

Interview: Harvey Pekar on Jazz

Interview: Harvey Pekar on Jazz

The author, who died this week, is remembered for his "American Splendor" comics, but he was also an ardent music fan More »

Death of the Vuvuzela -- and the Novelty Song

Death of the Vuvuzela -- and the Novelty Song

The buzzing horns have dominated the World Cup culture conversation and may soon be forgotten, just like the "Macarena" More »

Eminem: 'Relapse', 'Recovery', and Rebirth

Eminem: 'Relapse', 'Recovery', and Rebirth

The rapper's latest album showcases a new, humble side while offering a quality of music fans haven't heard in years More »

Beyond Gaga: Two Trailblazing Female Singers

The Queen of Pop is less an original than a student of music history. Here, two musicians who actually offer something new More »

Music of 'Lost': Where Have All the Pop Songs Gone?

Music of 'Lost': Where Have All the Pop Songs Gone?

The series' soundtrack once was home to everyone from Patsy Cline to Cheap Trick. What happened? More »

The Internet Says 'No' to The Eagles

The Internet Says 'No' to The Eagles

When Austin City Limits announced the band would be headlining this year's festival, music fans revolted More »

How Record Stores Can Survive the Internet Age

How Record Stores Can Survive the Internet Age

Shops can stay alive by offering dependable advice and opportunities for customers to listen before they buy More »

Do Music-Lovers Still Need Record Stores?

Do Music-Lovers Still Need Record Stores?

A special day honoring independent music shops raises the question: with the Internet, are they still necessary? More »

Return of the Long Album

Return of the Long Album

In an age of singles, mashups, and other short forms of music, three new offerings stand out for their length. Why it's worth taking the time to listen to them More »

The 2 Sides of SXSW

The 2 Sides of SXSW

Journalists flocked to shows by big names like Hole and Stone Temple Pilots, but the real fun was at concerts by lesser-known acts More »

What I Saw--And What I Missed--at SXSW

What I Saw--And What I Missed--at SXSW

With so many bands in one place, great acts inevitably get skipped. Fortunately, every concert has its own special moments. More »

Smokey Robinson at SXSW: From Singer to Label-Owner

Smokey Robinson at SXSW: From Singer to Label-Owner

The legendary Motown performer shared memories from his career in music as well as lessons from his new venture More »

Dancing to Toro Y Moi, SXSW's Worst Kept Secret

Dancing to Toro Y Moi, SXSW's Worst Kept Secret

A festival-goer tries to keep the crowds away from this South Carolinian singer's show, but the concert is packed anyway More »

South By Southwest: Spring Break for Music Lovers

South By Southwest: Spring Break for Music Lovers

Forget the beach—Austin's annual festival is the ideal place to be in March, with hundreds of bands on more than 80 stages More »

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