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Philip Montoro

@pmontoro.bsky.social

Chicago Reader music editor and unionist, amateur drummer, persistent cook. Signal: pmontoro.39 he/him/y'all pmontoro@chicagoreader.com

1,247 Followers  |  1,439 Following  |  497 Posts  |  Joined: 15.12.2024
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Posts by Philip Montoro (@pmontoro.bsky.social)

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More Care to Stay, by dmb the etymology 8 track album

My friends in dmb the etymology dropped their album "More Care to Stay" last month and it's so good. Chicago indie rock that sounds like a forest clearing. "Big Things, Big Mistakes" is the standout.

Buy it on Bandcamp, support Chicago musicians.

05.03.2026 01:38 β€” πŸ‘ 3    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0
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Best improvising tubaist - Chicago Reader β€œCurious creativity is so downplayed in β€˜everyday life,’ with its focus on efficiency and ROI,” she says. β€œBut it's absolutely essential to our humanity.”

The Reader's annual Best of Chicago package is live online! I wrote about the wonderful Beth McDonald, among other things. chicagoreader.com/best-of-chic...

04.03.2026 19:34 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

β€œMany of their commanders are especially delighted with how graphic this battle will be zeroing in on how bloody all of this must become in order to fulfill and be in 100% accordance with fundamentalist Christian end of the world eschatology.”

03.03.2026 03:09 β€” πŸ‘ 582    πŸ” 265    πŸ’¬ 39    πŸ“Œ 43
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The Death of Spotify: Why Streaming is Minutes Away From Being Obsolete Jimmy Iovine just called the Death of Spotify. He might be right.

"The music industry has spent a decade obsessing over how to get a million people to listen to a song once. The next decade will be defined by artists figuring out how to get 1,000 people to care forever."

joelgouveia.substack.com/p/the-death-...

02.03.2026 19:52 β€” πŸ‘ 2    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

The same way you don't want people bombing you and your loved ones is the same exact thing that other people feel where they live.

02.03.2026 17:53 β€” πŸ‘ 1782    πŸ” 482    πŸ’¬ 14    πŸ“Œ 0

Each one of those three missiles costs 33% more than the annual budget of the national park where I work.

28.02.2026 21:19 β€” πŸ‘ 5687    πŸ” 1818    πŸ’¬ 57    πŸ“Œ 28

Oh and "The Lighthouse"!

02.03.2026 05:40 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0

There's "Ed Wood" and the director's cut of "The Mist" . . .

02.03.2026 05:39 β€” πŸ‘ 2    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 2    πŸ“Œ 0

a progressive income tax? sorry kiddo, that betrays a "utopian" desire that can only ever end in tragedy. but a relentless program of constant wars, occupations, and genocides fast and slow, for oil, land, and fulfilling the commands of a blood-hungry god? thats just Adults in the Room doing Policy

28.02.2026 11:46 β€” πŸ‘ 689    πŸ” 205    πŸ’¬ 3    πŸ“Œ 2
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The Chicago real estate firm leasing an empty prison to ICE Highlands Real Estate Investment Trust looks to profit from President Trump's anti-immigrant agenda.

new: highlands reit, a small chicago-based real estate firm, is renting an empty prison it owns in colorado to ice and private prison giant geo group.

highlands is part of a network of private contractors hoping to get a cut of the $45 billion allocated to warehouse immigrants through 2029.

27.02.2026 13:27 β€” πŸ‘ 163    πŸ” 122    πŸ’¬ 3    πŸ“Œ 14
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Why Is The Cook County State's Attorney Prosecuting Nonviolent ICE Protesters? A Block Club investigation found dozens of protesters arrested by state police are still facing criminal charges for minor infractions, such as sitting on a concrete barrier β€” even after Gov. JB Pritz...

They're charged w/ misdemeanors for things like sitting on concrete barriers.

One w/ a felony for allegedly fingerpainting on a barrier.

The feds have dropped similar cases; the Cook County State's Attorney is prosecuting nearly all.
πŸ“ @minabloom.bsky.social

blockclubchicago.org/2026/02/26/w...

26.02.2026 14:59 β€” πŸ‘ 10    πŸ” 10    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

Good morning freaks & geeks! The Chicago Reader Union starts bargaining for our new contract today πŸ€ πŸ”₯ Our members are united, dedicated, & strong. Follow along here & on Instagram (@chicagoreader.union) to learn how you can support us in the weeks to come.

25.02.2026 15:08 β€” πŸ‘ 33    πŸ” 9    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 2
Eliane Radigue - IMA Portrait documentary
YouTube video by straypixel Eliane Radigue - IMA Portrait documentary

RIP Eliane Radigue.

24.02.2026 16:28 β€” πŸ‘ 106    πŸ” 55    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 6
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The Dells started out in doo-wop and kept charting into the 1990s - Chicago Reader The Dells' ambition and versatility kept them in the public ear for decadesβ€”and made them great foils for genius arranger Charles Stepney.

The mighty Dells became the first group to score top 20 R&B hits in five consecutive decades. But the Secret History of Chicago Music is most interested in the gorgeous records they made with genius arranger Charles Stepney in the 60s and 70sβ€”and you should be too! chicagoreader.com/music/the-se...

24.02.2026 16:53 β€” πŸ‘ 3    πŸ” 2    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

I use a lot of em dashes myself, as do many of the writers I edit, so I am not likely to see such punctuation as incriminating in this context!

24.02.2026 16:49 β€” πŸ‘ 4    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0

It sounds like PR speak to me, and I'd like to think the plagiarism machine would not have said "moving forward" twice. It has access to *every* hackneyed phrase humans have ever used!

24.02.2026 16:06 β€” πŸ‘ 6    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0
It has been a long road …
I want to share an update, albeit a painful one for our artists and supporters. The opening of Double Door in the Uptown Wilson Theatre location as previously announced is not moving forward.
Staying true to what made Double Door Double Door matters. This isn’t an ending β€” it’s a pivot. We’re actively exploring other locations and opportunities that better align with our vision. And we think we have found one! This is all in an effort to keep the heart and soul of music and the Double Door moving forward.
In the meantime, we’re keeping the brand alive through pop-ups, collaborations, and special moments. Our first step is a collaboration with Gallery Cabaret in Bucktown.  For almost 40 years Gallery Cabaret has been a haven for artists and musicians looking to showcase their craft in an eclectic neighborhood setting.
We are updating the sound, the music calendar, and the overall vibe that made Double Door the best place to see music, but more importantly, to be part of what makes Chicago’s scene the best in the country.
We will be reopening the bar on March 1st.  Come and see us and check it out.
We hope you’ll stay with us, follow along, and be part of what comes next

It has been a long road … I want to share an update, albeit a painful one for our artists and supporters. The opening of Double Door in the Uptown Wilson Theatre location as previously announced is not moving forward. Staying true to what made Double Door Double Door matters. This isn’t an ending β€” it’s a pivot. We’re actively exploring other locations and opportunities that better align with our vision. And we think we have found one! This is all in an effort to keep the heart and soul of music and the Double Door moving forward. In the meantime, we’re keeping the brand alive through pop-ups, collaborations, and special moments. Our first step is a collaboration with Gallery Cabaret in Bucktown. For almost 40 years Gallery Cabaret has been a haven for artists and musicians looking to showcase their craft in an eclectic neighborhood setting. We are updating the sound, the music calendar, and the overall vibe that made Double Door the best place to see music, but more importantly, to be part of what makes Chicago’s scene the best in the country. We will be reopening the bar on March 1st. Come and see us and check it out. We hope you’ll stay with us, follow along, and be part of what comes next

After years of promising the Double Door will open its uptown venue β€œsoon,” the owners have thrown in the towel

24.02.2026 15:31 β€” πŸ‘ 50    πŸ” 13    πŸ’¬ 8    πŸ“Œ 9
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The Frequency Festival connects a far-flung constellation of sounds - Chicago Reader The 2026 Frequency Festival draws a line through one-bit electronics, Scottish balladry, musically hybrid fictional history, and more.

The Frequency Festival begins tomorrow with a program that includes Tristan Perich's Open Symmetry, a radiant minimalist piece for three vibraphones and one-bit electronics spatialized through 20 speakers. Listen at the link! chicagoreader.com/music/music-...

23.02.2026 18:41 β€” πŸ‘ 4    πŸ” 2    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

CHICAGO: be aware that Tesla is heavily testing its extremely janky "robotaxi" service in your city. We've seen job listings going back months, and now I'm hearing on the ground reports of testing in both regular Teslas (likely facelifted Model Y) and "Cybercab" prototypes.

Be on the lookout!

18.02.2026 17:55 β€” πŸ‘ 355    πŸ” 108    πŸ’¬ 11    πŸ“Œ 15
cover of the band Pure Hell’s album NOISE ADDICTION, featuring four glammed-out Black men looking cool as hell

cover of the band Pure Hell’s album NOISE ADDICTION, featuring four glammed-out Black men looking cool as hell

PURE HELL was the first Black punk band. They lasted from 1974-1979, but a falling out with their manager meant their record didn’t come out until 2010. I gave it a listen:

www.lazyandentitled.org?p=162658013

18.02.2026 13:50 β€” πŸ‘ 3031    πŸ” 457    πŸ’¬ 100    πŸ“Œ 31
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RED XEROX, by New Now 12 track album

The forthcoming Hallogallo vinyl compilation I referenced in my November scene feature is now available to pre-order, it comes out next month

18.02.2026 16:51 β€” πŸ‘ 14    πŸ” 8    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 1

Thanks to Leor for writing about the show this weekend, a benefit for The Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights. Also for finding this photo I didn't even know existed.

17.02.2026 19:44 β€” πŸ‘ 9    πŸ” 3    πŸ’¬ 2    πŸ“Œ 0

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Women_i...

It's interesting to look at how Epstein directly, via hundreds of thousands of emails with his pedo buddies in academia, made US academia incredibly hostile to women for *decades*.

How many Emma Noethers never were, even before any of it was put into legislation?

13.02.2026 11:29 β€” πŸ‘ 436    πŸ” 170    πŸ’¬ 3    πŸ“Œ 4
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No SΓ© Discos raises funds for a vinyl release of 80s postpunks Stations - Chicago Reader No SΓ© Discos raises funds for a vinyl release of 80s postpunks Stations, underground music fests pack Valentine’s weekend, and more.

Eighties postpunks Stations never released the tracks they cut with Joy Division producer Martin Hannett in '82β€”and now they've lost their archive in a fire. But till March 8, Chicago's No SΓ© Discos is running a Kickstarter to fund a vinyl record with that material. chicagoreader.com/music/gossip...

10.02.2026 22:06 β€” πŸ‘ 2    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

β€œI’m mad I can’t understand Bad Bunny’s lyrics because they’re not in English”

my brother millions of metalheads around the world have been happily listening to incomprehensible Finnish shrieks and Japanese death grunts since we were teens, you’re just boring and racist

09.02.2026 05:46 β€” πŸ‘ 18221    πŸ” 4515    πŸ’¬ 399    πŸ“Œ 414

The Aadam Jacobs collection ftw

08.02.2026 22:39 β€” πŸ‘ 61    πŸ” 12    πŸ’¬ 3    πŸ“Œ 2

Beware of any Christian movement that demands the government be an instrument of God's wrath but never a source of God's charity, mercy, or compassion.

28.01.2026 03:07 β€” πŸ‘ 443    πŸ” 126    πŸ’¬ 5    πŸ“Œ 2
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Chicago’s greatest postpunk obscurity returns from oblivion - Chicago Reader Forty years ago, Chicago postpunks Stations made a brilliant EP with Joy Division producer Martin Hannett. It was never finished or releasedβ€”until now.

Steve Krakow detailed the whole Stations saga in 2022 for the Secret History of Chicago Musicβ€”from Steve Albini's brief stint in an early version of the band to their final show, at Medusa's in 1989. chicagoreader.com/music/chicag...

06.02.2026 19:35 β€” πŸ‘ 2    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Stations / Ghostland EP VINYL / Produced by Martin Hannett Stations’ unreleased 1982 3-song EP Ghostland, recorded with producer Martin Hannett (Joy Division) finally released with your support.

In 1982, Chicago postpunk band Stations recorded a long-lost EP with Martin Hannett, architect of the iconic sound of Joy Division's Unknown Pleasures. It's finally being released, and No SΓ© Discos is running a Kickstarter to finance the vinyl pressing. www.kickstarter.com/projects/no-...

06.02.2026 19:33 β€” πŸ‘ 13    πŸ” 3    πŸ’¬ 2    πŸ“Œ 0