Village Voice Media Inc. proudly announces the promotion of former East Bay Express Music Editor David Downs to the newly created, national position of Web Music Editor, effective Thursday, May 31, 2007. He reports to Bill Jensen, Director of New Media for Village Voice Media.

A Chicago native raised in Southern California, Downs brings with him a decade of journalism experience in hard news, soft news, features and arts writing, as well as editing both online and in daily, weekly and monthly print operations. Most recently, Downs edited and wrote for the highly respected East Bay Express where the Association of Alternative Newsweeklies awarded him First Place in National Arts Feature Writing for his music technology cover story “Roboscalper.” He also spearheaded the launch of the East Bay Express’ music web site, Ear Bud. Downs has also worked for Wired Magazine, the Los Angeles Times, the Onion, the Believer and many other fine international publications.

As Web Music Editor, Downs will assign, write and edit content for the Village Voice Media chain, as well as assist the sixteen VVM papers in online music news production and next-day concert reviews.

“We have foot soldiers on the ground in 16 cities — in the clubs, in the basements, in the alleys,” says Downs. “Village Voice Media online will march on a road of bones.”

Downs will continue to report from San Francisco, where he lives in sin with his girlfriend and their blood red, fighting beta fish, Eddie Van Halen. His girlfriend wants a bigger pet, like a dog. Downs says, “No way.”

Please welcome Web Music Editor David Downs and feel free to contact him directly at david.downs (at) villagevoicemedia.com