What is PopTech?
A Curator Of What’s Next.
A Cynicism Evaporator.
A World-Class Imaginarium.
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What’s up?
Dear PopTech Friends and Family,
It is with a heavy heart that we share the news of the passing of our dear friend and iconic musician, Jill Sobule. Jill passed away yesterday morning in a house fire in Minnesota.
Jill is best known for her 1995 Billboard-topping hits “I Kissed a Girl” and “Supermodel,” as well as her Drama Desk acclaimed one woman musical “F*UCK7thGrade.” Of Jill, the NYT wrote, “With a wicked wit and pliant facility for candor, Ms. Sobule is an artist whose talent goes well beyond whom she kisses.”
Jill’s longtime involvement in the PopTech community highlighted her musical genius and her outspoken advocacy on a variety of political and human rights issues including her commitment to L.G.B.T.Q. rights, reproductive freedom, her commitment to equity and her opposition to the death penalty.
Her performance at PopTech 2024 captures Jill’s sense of humor and commitment to never missing a gig. Arriving in DC and learning she had COVID, she holed up in her hotel room and called to say, “Well hell, this show must go on. Can you send Jake over to record my set from here?” Here’s Jill Live From the Hive Hotel during PopTech 2024.
We will let you know of plans to remember and honor Jill as they become available. In the meantime, please consider making a gift in memory of Jill Sobule to The Alain Sylvain Creative Fund, which provides free access to PopTech for young professionals dedicating their careers to many of the issues Jill advocated for.
A loving farewell to our dear friend,
Leetha and the PopTech Team
PopTech 2025 dedicated to the memory of Jill Sobule
PopTech 2025 is set for October 7-9, 2025 at The Studio Theater in Washington, DC. A full program announcement will follow in mid-May. We look forward to welcoming you to our new home, a venue Jill would have loved.
Worth a Watch
Jill first performed at PopTech in 2016: Culture Clash. That year, Wayne Kramer, the lead guitarist of the Detroit-based, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame-inducted MC5 also played. As a surprise, they performed a duet that included an impromptu PopTech theme song.
In true PopTech fashion, Jill and Wayne shared their music and demonstrated the power of using creative mediums to advocate on behalf of others. Wayne passed away in February 2024.
Reading Corner
MindMasters: The Data-Driven Science of Predicting and Changing Human Behavior by Sandra Matz, is a riveting look at what our digital footprints reveal about us, how they’re being used—for good and for ill—and how we can gain power over the data that defines us.
March 2
1230 — 115 PM EST
Reading Corner: The Hype Handbook.
Michael Schein will read from and discuss his recent book, The Hype Handbook: 12 Indispensable…
March 2
1230 — 115 PM EST
Reading Corner: The Hype Handbook.
Michael Schein will read from and discuss his recent book, The Hype Handbook: 12 Indispensable…
March 2
1230 — 115 PM EST
Reading Corner: The Hype Handbook.
Michael Schein will read from and discuss his recent book, The Hype Handbook: 12 Indispensable…