ANTHONY FANTANO

“Your average person understands the horrors of the farming industry and the ethics of killing a sentient being, but doesn’t want to grapple with it because eating animals is just so unquestioned and normalized.”

Anthony Fantano is an American music critic, video producer, and journalist best known for creating the music-related video blog The Needle Drop. He calls himself “the Internet’s busiest music nerd,” a title backed up by his prolific output and ubiquity within the music industry. Since starting The Needle Drop in 2007, Fantano has accumulated over one billion views across platforms and a combined five million subscribers on YouTube.

What first pushed you toward veganism?
Going vegetarian first as I was moving into my college years. Took me a while, but I figured out how to cook with no animal products and just went from there gradually.

Was there a defining moment, or was it a gradual process?
Definitely a gradual process. Eating animal corpses just felt increasingly gross to me over time, and linked up with other vegetarians in college who were already living the life--including my girlfriend--which made transitioning easier.

What ultimately made veganism feel like the right choice for you?
Given that I was driven to vegetarianism for health and ethical reasons, going fully vegan just seemed like the logical conclusion, ya know? Finish the equation.

Has your understanding of animal rights changed since you first went vegan?
I’m always learning, but I wouldn't say my perspective has changed radically. I understand veganism isn't going to be adopted by all people and all cultures, and my goal isn't so much global veganism as much as it's to end the destructive, poisonous, and heavily subsidized factory farms that destroy animals and the environment for no reason. It’s slowly choking us and the planet--not to mention destroying countless animals in the process.

Have your ethical beliefs continued to evolve beyond veganism?
Always, but I’d say my veganism was influenced by social and political beliefs I’d already held. Getting into Howard Zinn and Chomsky at an early age gave me an understanding of Western imperialism and our broad history of human exploitation. From there, it wasn't hard to see humanity's exploitation of the planet and what lives on it as well. That being said, there's a lot of room for progress with regards to veganism and intersectionality, and finding the most functional ways to get people through the reformation of factory farming and adopting plant-based lifestyles. I’m a utilitarian at heart, and anything that pushes people in that direction even a bit further is a net positive. It’s important to remember that "voting with your dollar" isn't a sole solution, though. We need systemic change more than anything when it comes to subsidies and investing in making plant-based options as cheap and as available as possible. And feed those who need it!
You've been openly vegan for years. Have you noticed public attitudes changing during that time?
Yeah, people used to freak out about it a lot more when I was younger. I’ve had people in my personal life convinced I’d die the first year I went without consuming animal products. But when I mention it now, everyone is more or less neutral on it as a topic, and is even open to coming with me to veg spots I like or eating food I’ve cooked.
Have you ever felt pressure to downplay or avoid talking about veganism because of your platform?
Not these days. Sometimes I forget it's not a "normal" thing per se, given how uncontroversial a topic it's become--at least in the circles I run in personally and culturally.
Do you think public figures have a responsibility to speak about issues they care about, even when they're divisive?
Yes, yes, yes, and yes.
You've spent years immersed in music culture. Do you think veganism is more accepted in music communities today than when you first became vegan?
Oh, for sure. Most of the vegans I knew in the music scene back in the day were metalcore XVX dudes and crusty-ass punks. These days, I run into people from all corners of the music world who are vegetarian and vegan. Even total normies. It’s got more crossover appeal than it's ever had from what I can see. Though I can't say I can pinpoint what everyone's source of inspiration is for changing their ways these days. It’s probably not one single place.

Are there any artists or scenes that you think have helped normalize veganism?
Definitely punk and hardcore, that's for sure. Can’t forget dudes like KRS-One, too. There are lots of notable veg and vegan musicians, and I saw a lot of them as a source of inspo during times when the world around me was telling me there's no way I’d be able to function normally and healthily.
As someone whose career revolves around criticism and discussion, how do you approach conversations about veganism with people who disagree?
That’s hard to say. Most of all the "disagreement" I face these days usually comes from online trolls who are usually disingenuous and trying to get a rise out of you for caring or being passionate about something. Taking them to task can mostly be a futile effort since their motives come from a place of nihilism in the first place. It’s a weird place to argue from as it feels like it would be easier to convince your average meathead jock to do meatless Mondays. Mostly because you're asking the troll to learn something as foundational as basic human empathy and even self-esteem.

Why do you think veganism triggers such strong reactions compared to other ethical issues?
Because your average person understands the horrors of the farming industry and the ethics of killing a sentient being, but doesn’t want to grapple with it because eating animals is just so unquestioned and normalized.
What gives you hope for the future of the vegan movement?
That it's slowly becoming more normalized and uncontroversial. That and vegan options are abound in the grocery store these days. It’s pretty easy to transition without even giving it too much thought. Sadly, I think I’ve become a bit jaded over years of divisive internet discourse and have come to believe people--if they are to change their ways--are probably more likely to do so out of self-interest and convenience vs. a genuine empathy for beings they've been conditioned to believe are lesser.
If you could make one argument for veganism that everyone had to honestly consider, what would it be?

It's good for you, buddy…
If someone is on the fence about going vegan, what would you want them to seriously consider?

…and it 's easier than you think.

Your audience includes millions of people from every background. Have you ever seen someone's opinion on veganism change because of something you shared?
Yes, I used to have a vegan primer on hand that I wrote myself, and I’d pass it to people who would e-mail me questions about going vegan. I’ve since lost track of it, though, but I’ve gotten numerous responses from people telling me it helped them change their lifestyle.

Do you think social media has helped or hurt vegan advocacy?

Woof. Hard to say! I know access to information and the internet has definitely changed my views. But, sadly, I feel like I often see viral posts from various vegan and animal rights platforms that only seem to sow division over the issue. Of course, you never know what's happening when people log off, but the outside perception would be that it's giving average Joes the perception that vegans are unreasonable, judgmental monsters who operate purely out of seething hate for others. That and I’ve seen pretty large (raw) vegan influencers in the space build absolutely sycophantic audiences off nothing but lies and intellectual dishonesty. All this is bad and hurts the cause. I don't claim to have the silver bullet answer as to what we should all be doing, but I know there have to be better options than this, and even I could be doing more to wear it on my sleeve.

In your experience, what kinds of vegan messaging actually persuade people, and what tends to push them away?

In my personal life, it's helped a lot to learn to cook and show people how easy making vegan meals can be, and even cooking them to the surprise when my friends take a bite and see it matches their expectations for something based on animal products.

Looking back at when you first became vegan, is there anything you would tell your younger self?
If you're gonna keep lifting...eat more protein / fiber, eat more kale, and learn to make seitan on your own sooner. Shit is so easy, filling, convenient, and versatile.

Final Thoughts:

One album that changed the way you think:

Sunn o))) - Black One
One piece of media everyone should experience:
Lingua Ignota - Sinner Get Ready
One value you'll never compromise on:
Rights for humans, animals.