It is with deep sadness that we say goodbye to fellow TMT writer Brendan Mahoney, who passed away early Sunday morning in a train accident in Brooklyn, New York. He was 24.
Brendan, a graduate of Boston University, had been writing for TMT since 2008. While his tastes were steeped in Bob Dylan, The Fall, Werner Herzog, and Michelangelo Antonioni, Brendan’s critical reach was broad, revealing an intellectual complexity yet emotional palatability that in fact mirrored the very kinds of artists he admired. From his reviews of Glenn Branca’s The Ascension and Q-Tip’s Kammal The Abstract, to his mix of “darkwave” music and interview with Gang Gang Dance, Brendan’s writing gave us insight into the tensions (such as those between the body and the brain, the electronic and the organic, chaos and order, the imaginary and the real, content and form) that not only piqued his interest, but also were his critical targets.
But an analysis of his writing isn’t enough to get a full picture of the kind of person Brendan was. Affable, creative, and eager to try new things, Brendan proved in just a short time how passionate he was, always willing to take time out of his personal life to help TMT through tough times. Sure, his writing may leave the most visible mark on TMT, but it was our personal relationship with Brendan that deepens our appreciation for him. We will miss him tremendously.
Please check out Brendan’s writing here, including his last review for us — a blurb about our #5 album of 2010, Big Boi’s Sir Lucious Left Foot — here.
Tiny Mix Tapes will suspend posting new content today in remembrance of Brendan. Our thoughts are with his family and friends.
