Laina Dawes is a pioneering scholar, a seasoned music journalist and a vocal advocate for diversity in heavy metal. Her journey has been significantly shaped by her experiences as a Black woman drawn to a music genre most associated with appealing to a generally white, male audience. 

At Case Western Reserve University, Dawes leaned into her experiences to develop her approach to the Murphy Postdoctoral Scholarship Fellowship in the Department of Music. With her two-year term ending in July, Dawes took the time to reflect on her past and on what comes next. 

For over 20 years, Dawes worked as a freelance music journalist, contributing to various publications including CBC Radio, The Wire, NPR and Metal Hammer. Her expertise in hardrock and heavy metal, coupled with the success of her 2012 book, What Are You Doing Here?: A Black Woman’s Life and Liberation in Heavy Metal, led to her involvement in national projects like the Paramount docuseries Ain’t Nothing but a Good Time.

Being exposed to music both in front of the house and backstage, Dawes brings a unique and vital perspective to the conversation.

“As a Black woman I can demonstrate my musical knowledge because I’ve been a metalhead since I was 8,” Dawes said, “It shows the outside world that this particular genre of music can grow and diversify.” 

Her research at CWRU has sought to break down the boundaries about and why music genres are so tied up in racial identity. She’s taught courses on the “History of American Popular Music” and “Global Popular Music,” the latter being a course she personally developed.

“It’s amazing how many times young people want to do something, but they’re like, well, no other Black person has done it, so I don’t think I’m allowed to do it,” Dawes said, highlighting the importance of visibility and representation.

It’s in this ideation that she’s focused on her second book, which delves into the racial segregation of music genres. This work will challenge long-held assumptions about musical identity and access. Dawes is particularly passionate about promoting extreme heavy metal genres to minority youth.

“My main focus though is really trying to promote more kids of color getting into more extreme heavy metal genres, because of the properties of that music and how it can benefit young people,” Dawes said.

She sees metal music as a powerful outlet for young people facing issues like racism and ostracization, providing a way to process internalized emotions.

“Heavy metal saved my life,” Dawes revealed, and she believes it can offer similar emotional benefits to others.

Besides her new book and continuing to take part in music productions, Dawes is eager to secure a tenure-track position, confident that her unique blend of journalistic experience and academic rigor has prepared her for the next step.

“The catalyst that drew me to music when I was young is still there,” Dawes reflected. “The feelings of isolation and disempowerment are salved by my relationship with rock and roll!”

About the Murphy Postdoctoral Scholarship

The purpose of this Postdoctoral Fellowship is to support research in popular music studies by providing scholars in the early stages of their careers with the time and resources necessary to advance their work. During the course of the fellowship, John P. Murphy Fellows will pursue a research and writing project for two full academic years.

This postdoctoral fellowship is made possible through the generosity of the John P. Murphy Foundation and the Richman Fund for Popular Music Studies at the College of Arts and Sciences at Case Western Reserve University.