Reconsidering the “Exceptionally” Talented Middle-Aged Man

Fan Responses, Cancel Culture, and Authenticity in Mark Kozelek’s Late-Career Resurgence

Bibliographic Data

ID21836469
AuthorsJack Melton (0000-0002-0526-9813, The University of Melbourne, corresponding author), Jeri Karmelic (0009-0007-5439-3291, MIT University)
Year2025
Volume12
Issue3
Pages113-130
Publication date2025-09-02
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueRock Music Studies (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1940-1159 • E-ISSN: 1940-1167
PublisherInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/19401159.2026.2616100
OpenAlexW7124929088
LanguageEN
References cited36

This research examines fan responses to allegations of sexual misconduct against prolific indie songwriter Mark Kozelek (Sun Kil Moon) on an indie-focused subreddit between 2014 and 2022. Using ethnographic discourse analysis, we have been able to explore the discursive process that produces cancellation, reconsideration, and the shifting understanding of an artist’s authenticity. This paper examines the idea of authenticity as a process through the analysis of fan responses to Kozelek’s late career trajectory, exemplifying that a performer’s status among audiences is never stable, particularly once they are accused of gendered violence

Hollywood · Narrative · Photography · Popular culture · American Jewish Fiction Analysis · Gender, Feminism, and Media · Nostalgia and Consumer Behavior

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