The hottest Music Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Music Topics

Petula Clark - The other British invasion

Rock 'n' Roll with Me • 459 implied HN points • 02 May 24
🎶 Music Pop Rock History Performance Culture
  1. Petula Clark had a huge impact in the 1960s music scene with several hit songs, showcasing her talent and staying power even at age 91.
  2. She collaborated with songwriter Tony Hatch to create many popular songs and was a top-charting artist, rivaling even The Beatles.
  3. Petula also had a successful career in film and television, gaining recognition for her acting and her efforts to promote inclusivity in entertainment.

Lou Reed

Flow State • 1100 implied HN points • 22 Jan 24
🎶 Music Musician Album Review Meditation
  1. Lou Reed was an iconic American singer, songwriter, and ambient music producer.
  2. His final solo album, 'Hudson River Wind Meditations,' is designed for activities like meditation, yoga, or tai chi.
  3. The album was recently remastered and reissued by Light in the Attic Records.

The Common Listener

Dada Drummer Almanach • 120 implied HN points • 16 Dec 24
🎶 Music Music journalism Artist analysis Cultural Commentary Music history
  1. Music recommendations can be a fun way to explore new sounds. They don't have to follow a strict 'best of' list; just enjoy what you like.
  2. Listening to music should be for your own enjoyment, not just what critics or charts say is popular. Everyone has different tastes.
  3. You can connect music to your personal experiences and moments in life, like what you were cooking or doing at the time.
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Behind the Scenes of Bob Dylan's Farm Aid Surprise

Flagging Down the Double E's • 1827 implied HN points • 26 Sep 23
🎶 Music Music Events Music Performance Music Influence
  1. Bob Dylan made a surprise appearance at Farm Aid, playing with members of Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers.
  2. The performance included '60s classics like 'Maggie's Farm' and 'Positively 4th Street', with Dylan playing guitar on all three songs.
  3. The event was kept secret, with even the Farm Aid crew unaware of Dylan's appearance, creating a buzz in the Dylan world.

Happy Hauntology: A Manifesto

Happy Hauntology • 39 implied HN points • 27 Aug 24
🎶 Music Genres Trends Cultural impact Music theory Soundtracks
  1. Happy Hauntology is a new music genre that blends joyful sounds with the idea of past memories and experiences that never actually happened. It's like creating music that makes you feel nostalgic for vacations you never took.
  2. The genre combines various musical styles, such as exotica and electronica, to create a fun and dreamy listening experience. It aims to evoke a sense of wonder and imagination about magical places.
  3. Unlike traditional hauntology, which focuses on the ghosts of lost futures, Happy Hauntology invites listeners to enjoy the happy memories of fictional, whimsical worlds, often resembling the feeling you get from theme parks.

The Unclassifiable, Unstreamable Eighties Albums of Annette Peacock

Dada Drummer Almanach • 86 implied HN points • 24 Dec 24
🎶 Music Rock Jazz Albums Streaming
  1. Annette Peacock's albums from the eighties aren't available on streaming services or in print. It's hard to find her music today.
  2. Peacock is seen as a rock star due to her unique style and background, but she struggles with self-confidence. She believes bravery and confidence are different traits.
  3. Despite her struggles, Peacock has had an intriguing career with many twists, showing her brave nature in the music industry.

James Taylor: The Creator Series #1

Rock 'n' Roll with Me • 239 implied HN points • 08 Jun 24
🎶 Music Songwriting Performance Music Industry Artist spotlight Cultural influence
  1. James Taylor believes songwriting is more of a mysterious process that comes from within. He says that sometimes, it feels like he's just the first person to hear the songs that were already there.
  2. Performing in front of small audiences helped him grow as a musician. He values those early experiences because they allowed him to test his skills and connect with audiences.
  3. For James, music is not just a job, but a way to connect with a community. He feels that playing music creates a shared emotional experience with the audience, which can be very powerful.

James Taylor's "Fire and Rain" + "You Can Close Your Eyes" with his son Henry Taylor

Rock 'n' Roll with Me • 239 implied HN points • 04 Jun 24
🎶 Music Artists Songs History Performance Culture
  1. James Taylor's song 'Fire and Rain' was inspired by his struggles with addiction and the loss of a friend. He wrote it during tough times in his life.
  2. The song became a huge hit in the 1970s, helping to launch the singer-songwriter movement and leading to James' successful music career.
  3. Over the years, 'Fire and Rain' has been covered by many artists and is considered a classic, recognized for its emotional depth and beautiful sound.

A Thousand Shows Later

Dada Drummer Almanach • 144 implied HN points • 26 Nov 24
🎶 Music Artists Genres Concerts Albums Music culture
  1. Habib Koité is a unique artist who blends different musical styles, but doesn't strictly fit into one genre. He has spent years creating music that reflects his Malian roots.
  2. After the pandemic disrupted his tour plans, Koité finally returned to the stage, performing with a smaller band. This approach highlighted the beauty of his acoustic guitar and brought a different energy to his music.
  3. Over his long career, Koité has evolved as an artist, yet has stayed true to his roots. His music continues to grow while respecting the traditions that inspire him.

Scene creation engines and apprenticeships

Escaping Flatland • 1572 implied HN points • 21 Mar 23
🎶 Music Music Industry Songwriting Music Production
  1. Sweden's success in music is due to scene creation engines and apprenticeships that foster talent development.
  2. The infrastructure in Sweden with public music schools and study circles nurtured a culture of music-making and collaboration.
  3. The tradition of established songwriters mentoring young talent through apprenticeships has been a key factor in Sweden's music industry success.

Spread your tiny wings and fly away

Disaffected Newsletter • 1099 implied HN points • 02 Dec 23
🎶 Music Performance Artistry History Genres
  1. The female contralto voice is very special and beautiful, but it's quite rare. Many famous singers, like Karen Carpenter, have this unique vocal range.
  2. As artists grow older and revisit their earlier songs, they often bring new depth and emotion to their performances.
  3. Anne Murray's recent performance shows how time can enhance a song, making it more meaningful than when it was first released.

Dissecting a Case of Imposter Syndrome

Software Design: Tidy First? • 1612 implied HN points • 02 Feb 24
🎶 Music Imposter syndrome Self-reflection Personal experiences
  1. Imposter Syndrome can make you doubt your own abilities, even when others appreciate your work.
  2. Challenging negative thoughts and focusing on the evidence of your success can help overcome Imposter Syndrome.
  3. Exploring underlying reasons like past experiences or fears can provide insights into dealing with Imposter Syndrome.

Throwing Muses 'Hunkpapa' at 35; A Quick Look at the Band's 1989 Breakthrough Record

On Repeat by Kevin Alexander • 786 implied HN points • 24 Jan 24
🎶 Music Album review Music Influence
  1. Throwing Muses' 'Hunkpapa' album redefined indie rock in 1989 and continues to inspire bands today
  2. The album features intricate lyrics and a distinctive sound that sets it apart from other music of its time
  3. The band's dynamic between Kristen Hersh and Tanya Donelly, along with their commitment to lyrical depth, contributed to their lasting impact on the music industry

Annotated Songs: July July!

Colin Meloy's Machine Shop • 1434 implied HN points • 23 Feb 23
🎶 Music Lyrics Songwriting
  1. The song 'July, July!' was written in 2001 and is based on personal experiences and reflections.
  2. The lyrics of the song contain references to specific places and events in the author's life at that time.
  3. The chorus of the song 'July, July!' pays homage to another band's lyrics and reflects the author's personal relationship experiences.

[untitled]

Not Boring by Packy McCormick • 117 implied HN points • 19 Nov 24
🎶 Music Music technology Music Industry
  1. The app named 'untitled' is designed for music creators to store, edit, and share their work-in-progress music easily. It focuses on making the creative process smoother for artists.
  2. Untitled recently raised $18 million in funding and has gained over 100,000 monthly users, showing that there is a strong demand for tools that support musicians.
  3. The founders believe in creating a unique experience for artists that combines the ease of mobile apps with the depth of traditional music software, aiming to become the go-to platform for all music creation needs.

Raye. Revenge of a late bloomer.

The Common Reader • 1275 implied HN points • 04 Mar 24
🎶 Music Success Talent Exploration Exploitation
  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.

"Just Dropped In (To See What Condition My Condition Was In)"

Rock 'n' Roll with Me • 279 implied HN points • 11 May 24
🎶 Music Rock Pop Film History
  1. The song "Just Dropped In" was originally meant to warn kids about the dangers of LSD, showing the weird experiences of an acid trip. Over time, it became associated with fun and comedy, especially with the character of the Dude in 'The Big Lebowski.'
  2. Mickey Newbury, the songwriter, had a unique background as an Air Force veteran turned hippie cowboy. Despite his influence on many famous artists, he never achieved mainstream success like others did.
  3. Kenny Rogers led the First Edition, which blended styles like rock and country. Although they had hits, they struggled to define their identity as a band, leading to their eventual breakup.

Hania Rani

Flow State • 766 implied HN points • 10 Jan 24
🎶 Music Composer Collaboration
  1. Hania Rani is a talented Polish composer and pianist.
  2. She draws influences from Bach, Mozart, and Chopin.
  3. Listen to her works like 'On Giacometti' and 'Inner Symphonies'.

Bob and The Band Take Madison Square Garden

Flagging Down the Double E's • 648 implied HN points • 31 Jan 24
🎶 Music Concerts Bob Dylan
  1. Bob Dylan and The Band had energetic and star-studded concerts at Madison Square Garden in 1974.
  2. The shows were recorded for the live album 'Before the Flood' but only one song from the New York shows made it to the album.
  3. Despite a strained voice and a hectic schedule, Dylan's performances received ecstatic responses from the crowd, leading to multiple encores.

I Was There When Trance Went Bad

First Floor • 668 implied HN points • 23 Jan 24
🎶 Music Electronic Genre Culture
  1. Trance music faced criticism for being bombastic and disconnected from dance music's roots.
  2. The perception of trance went from being reviled to experiencing a resurgence in popularity.
  3. The genre went through a phase of creativity decline in the early 2000s, after enjoying a period of commercial success.

The Beatles Diaries: Celebrating 60 Years and The Feb 9, 1964 Appearance on "The Ed Sullivan Show"

Front Row & Backstage • 589 implied HN points • 09 Feb 24
🎶 Music History Impact Artists Memories
  1. The Beatles made a significant impact on American culture with their first appearance on 'The Ed Sullivan Show' in 1964, influencing a generation of musicians and fans.
  2. The Beatles had a strong sense of identity and confidence in their music, which helped them stand out in the rock 'n' roll industry at the time.
  3. The Beatles' innovative sound, style, and attitude during their 'Ed Sullivan Show' appearance changed the course of pop music history, inspiring many musicians to pursue music careers.

My Favorite Music of 2023

In the Flash • 899 implied HN points • 26 Dec 23
🎶 Music Reviews Recommendations Playlist
  1. The author shares their favorite music of 2023 including a variety of artists and genres.
  2. Music has played a significant role in the author's life, from childhood experiences to discovering new artists and albums.
  3. The post provides links to the Spotify playlist of the best music of 2023 and recommends other music writers on Substack.

Take the Soap out of the Wrapper

Dada Drummer Almanach • 163 implied HN points • 02 Nov 24
🎶 Music Artists Lyrics Performance
  1. Demos are an important part of the music creation process. They can be rough ideas or complete songs, and they help artists shape their final work.
  2. Joni Mitchell's demo for 'Amelia' shows how a simple line can change the feel of a song. Editing and reordering lyrics can make a big difference in how the song tells its story.
  3. Listening to your own demos can be hard, but it’s also a chance to learn. Great artists like Joni Mitchell also spend time refining their work, which is encouraging for everyone.