As soon as I started working at the 'Los Angeles Times,' people warned me not to get too close to artists because it could make it difficult to review their work, and you can never really tell if the 'friendship' is genuine.

Robert Hilburn’s quote reflects the tension between professional journalism and personal relationships. When he began working at the Los Angeles Times, he was warned about becoming too close to artists because such relationships could compromise his ability to objectively review their work. Hilburn acknowledges the challenge of balancing the role of a critic with the potential for personal connections, which could cloud his judgment and make it difficult to separate personal feelings from professional analysis.

The quote also touches on the authenticity of friendships in the context of professional interactions. Hilburn expresses a sense of uncertainty about whether a friendship with an artist can truly be genuine, as it may be influenced by professional dynamics or the desire to maintain a positive relationship for future opportunities. This suggests a deeper concern about conflict of interest and how it might affect the integrity of a critic’s work.

Hilburn’s words reflect the delicate balance that critics and journalists must maintain in their relationships with those they cover. He recognizes that maintaining professional distance is important to uphold the credibility of their work, ensuring that personal bias does not affect their assessments. This dynamic is particularly significant in industries like music, where relationships between critics and artists can become complicated.

The origin of this quote likely comes from Hilburn’s long experience as a music critic and journalist. Over his career, he would have had to navigate numerous interactions with artists while maintaining his objectivity as a critic. His reflection on this challenge highlights the complexities that come with the job, where personal connections with artists could either enrich or complicate the critical process.