Desert Dweller,
Creative Chronicler,
Tune Treasurer
Born from the shutdowns of the COVID pandemic in June 2020, Funk Punk Lives emerged as Sam Ray-Johnson’s lifeline to music amid isolation. From interviewing bands to capturing concerts through photography and video, this Reno music blog became her favorite hobby. For four years, she spotlighted 40 artists near and far, and captured the spirit of the Reno music scene through retelling its stories.
In October of 2024, Sam made the decision to end this project. There were several reasons for this, but this site will remain live as an archive for those wishing to seek information on the Reno music scene. Sam still encourages everyone to continue to support the local bands, musicians and artists that make the Biggest Little City what it is.
She lived at the intersection of counter culture and basic, bohemian and sci-fi, goth and disco, Funk and Punk.