It's like demanding emotional cliche. no thanks!
and anything else getting written off as "not meeting the moment" or "not understanding the stakes", which I personally find so insulting to both music and listeners and the complexity of what people are capable of both expressing and understanding
building on some thoughts in prev posts. I have noticed for years in phoned-in music journalism this tendency to say that if someone is taking on topical songwriting or anything even vaguely addressing politics/society that there must be a certain blistering/frenetic delivery to match its "urgency"
also great choice for a second entry in the column. I'm also really glad to see a column like this in PRINT not video/audio. I find it much more effective to read this sort of analysis than attempt following along w someone explaining it verbally
yesterday I was thinking about why so many record reviews today feel like the writer just read the lyric sheet, w/o actually listening. so I love the concept of this new hearing things column, using accessible music theory to help better understand classic songs:
www.hearingthings.co/townes-van-z...
I liked how Ben Ratliff wrote about this in Run the Song. a book I highly rec, whether you are into running or not
I know it's bc album reviews don't pay well but also, why does anyone want to review a record that they're not actually listening to
why are we still dealing w this style of record review that reads like the critic just read the lyric sheet and album bio, and didn't even listen to the album
thanks to GUNK for running my full interview with
@eonforassembly.bsky.social and @cct4nyc.bsky.social in their newsletter! topics discussed include the need for commercial rent stabilization, universal healthcare as arts policy, why we need to tax the rich and fund NYC libraries & more
for those not in nyc gunk is a monthly show listings zine that has been distributed around the city for 2+ years. it is printed at secret Riso club, a risograph studio/venue in Brooklyn. it is very exciting to me that these things exist & to get to contribute. support your local diy print pubs etc.
thanks to GUNK for running my full interview with
@eonforassembly.bsky.social and @cct4nyc.bsky.social in their newsletter! topics discussed include the need for commercial rent stabilization, universal healthcare as arts policy, why we need to tax the rich and fund NYC libraries & more
rich popular girl villain mode jazz in the background chillin after work
www.youtube.com/watch?v=aVgb...
grab a ticket here! v good gig for a v good cause this Wednesday at the broadway
secure.actblue.com/donate/eonan...
also related note this Nara's room album from 2024 rips narasroom.bandcamp.com/album/glassy...
Feb. headlines episode out now! We read the transcript of Spotify's 2025 q4 earnings call so you don't have to, and dove into what it revealed about the company's current AI aspirations. And we spoke w/ @jillmapes.bsky.social about her essay on the Wasserman exodus
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/c...
out now across various podcast listening platforms !
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/c...
NYC bluesky scrollers: please save the date MARCH 11 & consider coming out to a show I helped book at The Broadway! it's a fundraiser for state assembly candidates @eonforassembly.bsky.social & @cct4nyc.bsky.social who are running to tax the rich, defend & expand rent control & get ICE out of NYC.
so many incredible moments on this but the singer of still house plants doing Don't Let Our Youth Go To Waste w/ damon and Naomi is 😭 gina birch singing Listen The Snow is Falling also backed by stereolab and alabaster deplume😭
damonandnaomi.bandcamp.com/album/whats-...
I co-organized this show with the editors of GUNK, our local diy showpaper, and the lineup includes DJs sets by Purelink, Chelsea Manning, Monday Blue and Simisea plus sets by Sweet Baby Jesus, My Wonderful Boyfriend & Nara's Room
NYC bluesky scrollers: please save the date MARCH 11 & consider coming out to a show I helped book at The Broadway! it's a fundraiser for state assembly candidates @eonforassembly.bsky.social & @cct4nyc.bsky.social who are running to tax the rich, defend & expand rent control & get ICE out of NYC.
I have been alerted that Mood Machine will be on the front page of en.wikipedia.org under "did you know" until 7pm est... excitement
Great info in this episode of @criticallistening.bsky.social about Spotify’s plans for use of generative AI
real question.. how am I supposed to choose what to see at big ears when everything happening at the same time all looks equally incredible
out now on patreon, for subscribers, and everywhere except spotify next week, for the public. thank you for listening & thank you to Jill for joining us!
feb headlines ep of @criticallistening.bsky.social is live! we discuss spotify's recent update to shareholders (aka I read the spotify q4 earnings call transcript so you don't have to) & also chat with @jillmapes.bsky.social about her essay on the wasserman exodus--
www.patreon.com/posts/episod...
loved the new episode of @techwontsave.us about luddite clubs & learning that there's a documentary about them on the way! (and also to hear mention of members ditching streaming to rebuild their music libraries)
Love when two entities owned by Universal Music Group join forces to support the global independent music community.
"I hope to do pointless things every day for the rest of my life" beautiful gunkyard.substack.com/p/day-45ish-...
ya I try to only acquire things on vinyl I know I already love. occasionally will preorder a new release on vinyl. sometimes will listen to something on the listening station at a used record shop & know its a keeper but generally LP collection is smaller & more considered & tapes I'll buy on a whim
as many have pointed out CDs would be a better choice if you're trying to also build a digital library since you can get a USB cd burner for pretty cheap. I usually just get mp3s from bandcamp tho
my thought is that it's nice to have a big collection of tapes or CDs (smaller, cheaper) and a smaller collection of vinyl records. I have a huge sprawling collection of tapes (will buy lots used & to support people at the merch table) & mostly just favs/all-timer records on vinyl
