Yancey Strickler, born November 4, 1978, in rural Virginia, is an American author, entrepreneur, and former music critic. He developed an interest in journalism while attending Giles High School and interned with The Roanoke Times New River Current. Strickler later majored in English and Literary and Cultural Studies at the College of William & Mary. After graduating, he moved to New York City, where he worked as a music journalist for publications including Spin, The Village Voice, and eMusic.