The hottest Music Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Music Topics

’Fast Car‘

Steady • 23998 implied HN points • 11 Feb 24
🎶 Music Music history Music Performance
  1. Tracy Chapman's performance of 'Fast Car' with Luke Combs at the Grammys was a standout and resonated with many fans both old and new.
  2. Chapman's iconic performance of 'Fast Car' at the 1988 Nelson Mandela tribute concert propelled her to new heights, earning her three Grammys.
  3. The song 'Fast Car' continues to have a lasting impact, with Luke Combs' cover reaching number one on the country charts and introducing the song to a new generation of fans.

How Miles Davis Hired John Coltrane

The Honest Broker • 8710 implied HN points • 11 Mar 24
🎶 Music Jazz Artists Narrative Biography Music Industry
  1. Miles Davis hired John Coltrane out of necessity, as his band needed a saxophonist for an upcoming tour.
  2. John Coltrane's musical talent and knowledge of Miles Davis's repertoire impressed during tryouts, leading to his eventual hiring.
  3. Their initial interactions were characterized by Miles Davis's aloofness and Coltrane's uncertainty, but despite difficulties, Coltrane eventually joined Davis's band.

Willie On My Mind

Steady • 24136 implied HN points • 28 Jan 24
🎶 Music Songs Interview Concerts
  1. The song 'Always On My Mind' by Willie Nelson is a classic that many people associate with special moments in their lives.
  2. Willie Nelson turned 90+ years old, had a documentary about his life on Paramount+, and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
  3. The author shares a personal connection with Willie Nelson and wishes him luck on his tours.

9 New Albums I'm Recommending Right Now

The Honest Broker • 7746 implied HN points • 07 Mar 24
🎶 Music Genres
  1. The best music nowadays often comes from small indie labels and self-produced albums, flourishing in unexpected places without massive marketing campaigns.
  2. Exploring different genres, styles, and countries can lead to discovering unique and captivating music experiences.
  3. Homemade albums, like those created in bedrooms or unconventional spaces, showcase raw talent and creativity that defy mainstream radio norms.

Why Is Music Journalism Collapsing?

The Honest Broker • 24402 implied HN points • 18 Jan 24
🎶 Music Journalism Music Industry Streaming platforms Artists
  1. Music journalism faces a crisis with major layoffs and company mergers.
  2. The decline in music journalism mirrors broader issues in the music industry, like layoffs in music companies and streaming platforms.
  3. The root cause of the crisis includes industry focus on old music, passive listening, and AI-generated tracks, leading to a lack of support for new artists.
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A New ’Joy‘ in Jazz

Steady • 13994 implied HN points • 04 Feb 24
🎶 Music Jazz Genre Social media
  1. Samara Joy is a rising star in the world of jazz music.
  2. She has a unique style that blends classic jazz with gospel influences.
  3. Joy is using her social media presence to introduce jazz to a younger audience.

Playing for Change

Steady • 20558 implied HN points • 14 Jan 24
🎶 Music Social Change
  1. A new rendition of John Mayer's song brought together 100 artists from around the world to raise awareness about climate change.
  2. Playing For Change is a global nonprofit that offers arts education to marginalized young people in 17 countries.
  3. Music has positive effects on the brain, enhancing cognition, memory, literacy, creativity, and self-confidence.

Darius Rucker

Steady • 22799 implied HN points • 07 Jan 24
🎶 Music Celebrity Philanthropy Race Success
  1. Darius Rucker is a successful country music artist with a big heart for philanthropy.
  2. He has supported causes like childhood cancer treatment and Musicians on Call.
  3. Rucker's journey in country music breaks stereotypes and highlights progress in the genre.

Driving in Circles

Sarah Kendzior’s Newsletter • 12940 implied HN points • 06 Feb 24
🎶 Music Cultural impact Artists Song analysis Music Industry
  1. Tracy Chapman's song 'Fast Car' holds generational significance, connecting people across time through shared experiences and emotions.
  2. The song 'Fast Car' transcends eras, evolving from a narrative about Reagan-era struggles to a modern anthem of survival and reflection on American society.
  3. Music, like Tracy Chapman's 'Fast Car,' serves as a powerful medium for empathy, reflection, and social commentary, resonating across generations and stirring emotions.

An EGOT for Elton

Steady • 17551 implied HN points • 21 Jan 24
🎶 Music Entertainment Music videos
  1. Elton John joined the elite group of EGOT winners with his recent Emmy win.
  2. Sir Elton's music has been bringing joy for decades, with hits like 'Tiny Dancer.'
  3. A stunning video was created for 'Tiny Dancer,' celebrating the 50-year friendship between Elton John and Bernie Taupin.

"This Is a Hell of a Statement I'm About to Make—But He Superseded Miles"

The Honest Broker • 7846 implied HN points • 09 Feb 24
🎶 Music Streaming Jazz Culture Media Investment
  1. Spotify is facing challenges with fake artists, playlists, and financial losses, raising concerns about the music streaming service's business model.
  2. The shift from macroculture to microculture is evident in the media industry, with traditional legacy outlets experiencing layoffs while alternative platforms like Substack thrive.
  3. There is a trend towards investment firms buying song catalogs, the decline of live music reviews in mainstream media, and interest in the transformative power of sound highlighted through the work of Hans Jenny in 'Cymatics'.

In Search of Dupree Bolton

The Honest Broker • 8245 implied HN points • 05 Feb 24
🎶 Music Jazz Musician Music history Music Industry
  1. Dupree Bolton was a mysterious and talented jazz trumpeter who emerged suddenly on the West Coast jazz scene in the 1950s, made recordings marked by his unique style, but then disappeared abruptly.
  2. Despite his brief career, Dupree Bolton left a lasting impact with his remarkable trumpet playing on records like 'The Fox' and 'Katanga!' alongside saxophonist Curtis Amy.
  3. Researcher Ted Gioia tracked down Dupree Bolton years later in San Francisco, where the musician was playing on the streets, revealing a complex and troubled life story that included struggles with drugs and internal conflict.

What We've Lost in Music Criticism

Freddie deBoer • 8782 implied HN points • 24 Jan 24
🎶 Music Criticism Pop Rock Diversity
  1. Indie rock no longer exists in 2024, with no cool clubs or scene left to produce new albums, showing a cultural shift away from 'indie' music.
  2. The embrace of poptimism in music criticism led to a shift towards conformity and popular music elevation, changing the role of the critic from highlighting underappreciated music to reassuring popular tastes.
  3. Music criticism has lost its diversity and focus on challenging artistic expressions due to the dominance of poptimism, impacting the vibrancy and depth of music discussions.

My 60 Favorite Nonesuch Albums (Part 2 of 3)

The Honest Broker • 3989 implied HN points • 23 Feb 24
🎶 Music Albums Artists Genres Instruments Songs
  1. Nonesuch Records is a unique label that focuses on nurturing creative work and high-quality music rather than just commercial success.
  2. Ted Gioia shares his favorite Nonesuch albums, showcasing a range of artists and eclectic music genres.
  3. Artists like Emmylou Harris and Lake Street Dive found creative freedom and success after joining Nonesuch Records.

An Open Letter to Taylor Swift

The Honest Broker • 38632 implied HN points • 14 Sep 23
🎶 Music Industry Artists Streaming Live Music
  1. The music ecosystem faces various challenges like declining artist incomes, corporatized platforms, and struggling live music venues.
  2. Big players like streaming platforms, record labels, and technocrats may not provide solutions for these challenges.
  3. Taylor Swift is encouraged to lead a new initiative to empower musicians, create fair music distribution, and revitalize the music industry.

My 60 Favorite Nonesuch Albums (Part 1 of 3)

The Honest Broker • 4255 implied HN points • 15 Feb 24
🎶 Music Albums Artists Genres
  1. Nonesuch label is known for maintaining high standards and integrity in releasing music, balancing commerce and artistry effectively.
  2. The list showcases a diverse range of Nonesuch albums, representing various genres and time periods, from Laurie Anderson's 'Big Science' to John Adams' 'City Noir.'
  3. The music by Nonesuch reflects a unique blend of traditional and avant-garde sounds, capturing the essence of different cultures and musical styles.

Margaritaville

Steady • 24863 implied HN points • 02 Sep 23
🎶 Music Lifestyle Legacy
  1. Jimmy Buffett exemplified the American Dream by creating a successful career around his lifestyle and unique style of music.
  2. Buffett showed that following your own path and being true to yourself can lead to fame and fortune.
  3. His music, fun and full of wordplay, created a loyal community of fans called Parrotheads, who found joy and a sense of belonging in his work.

Raye. Revenge of a late bloomer.

The Common Reader • 1275 implied HN points • 04 Mar 24
🎶 Music Success Talent Exploration
  1. Raye's story shows the importance of persistence and bravery in pursuing your passion, even if it means taking risks and going against the norm.
  2. Late bloomers like Raye may experience a period of exploration before transitioning to a phase of exploiting their talents, which is crucial for achieving success.
  3. The support of networks, hard work, and the courage to make significant changes are key elements that contribute to the success of late bloomers like Raye.

How I Stopped Hating Steely Dan

The Honest Broker • 21177 implied HN points • 26 Jun 23
🎶 Music Music history Music Analysis Music Industry
  1. The author's initial resistance to Steely Dan changed as they discovered the band's depth and artistry.
  2. Steely Dan's music challenged pop banality and conventionality, offering a unique and edgy perspective.
  3. The fusion of jazz elements in Steely Dan's art pop style inspired the author to appreciate skilled studio musicians and rethink elitist attitudes in music.

Morning report

Patti Smith • 11871 implied HN points • 16 Sep 23
🎶 Music Live performance Music Artists Music Events
  1. Patti Smith had a great show in Cincinnati with The National's Homecoming.
  2. She sang 'I Need My Girl' with The National's singer and got a cool hoodie from Dave Willis.
  3. Packing her things, Patti Smith is off to Washington D.C., with Michael Stipe and The Walkman members making appearances.

SIXTY MILE PER HOUR WINDS

Entering The Lung • 2928 implied HN points • 10 Jan 24
🎶 Music Recording
  1. The author experienced a severe blizzard with high winds in Vermont, but power stayed on.
  2. The author expressed gratitude for the supportive community and feedback on a post about serial murderers.
  3. The author shared excitement and anxiety about recording a new music project, while mentioning a studio dog named Coco.

The Fazioli Edition

Why is this interesting? • 542 implied HN points • 12 Mar 24
🎶 Music Musicians Instruments Luxury Recording
  1. Nick Cave's pandemic-recorded album 'Idiot Prayer' showcases the unique and poignant sound of the Fazioli piano.
  2. Fazioli pianos are luxury instruments crafted in Italy, known for their exceptional tonal range and precision.
  3. Each Fazioli piano takes three years to build, reflecting the brand's commitment to combining physics, technology, and artistry.

The Hair Metal Edition

Why is this interesting? • 965 implied HN points • 06 Feb 24
🎶 Music History Rock Crime Music videos
  1. The Hair Metal genre was saved by incorporating crime themes in music videos.
  2. Hair metal bands used crime-related narratives to stay relevant and attract mainstream success.
  3. The Hair Metal Crimewave videos helped to keep the genre around longer than expected by engaging audiences with grit and substance.

From Rubber Soul to Revolver

Justin E. H. Smith's Hinternet • 622 implied HN points • 18 Feb 24
🎶 Music History Revolution Legacy Genres
  1. The author reflects on their childhood fascination with the Beatles and their decision to stop listening to their music after 1965 due to a fear of the band's evolution.
  2. The author delves into a deep analysis of the Beatles' albums, particularly highlighting the transition from 'Rubber Soul' to 'Revolver' and the complexity of the songs.
  3. There's a discussion on the cultural and societal impact of music in the 1960s, especially how artists like the Beatles and Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys brought avant-garde experimentation into mainstream commercial culture.

The Disco Jazz Edition

Why is this interesting? • 904 implied HN points • 02 Feb 24
🎶 Music Discovery Genres Culture Technology
  1. An Indian disco record, Disco Jazz, found a new, enthusiastic audience years after its release due to algorithms and word-of-mouth.
  2. Disco Jazz stands out for its blend of genres and unconventional elements compared to traditional Indian disco music.
  3. The rediscovery of 'Aaj Shanibar' led to increased interest from international DJs, new releases, and proceeds going to the singer for her future music projects.