The hottest Music Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Music Topics

Who is Aja?

Expanding Dan • 628 implied HN points • 16 Nov 23
🎶 Music History
  1. Aja is the enigmatic namesake of Steely Dan's 1977 album.
  2. New information has surfaced about Aja, shedding light on the woman who inspired the album's title.
  3. A reader shared personal insights, including connections to Donald Fagen and the inspiration behind the album.

claire rousay Made an Emo Record. A Real One.

First Floor • 373 implied HN points • 06 Feb 24
🎶 Music Experimental Interview Album Artist
  1. Claire rousay is releasing a new album titled 'sentiment,' which she describes as her 'emo record' with singing, guitars and sadness.
  2. Even though rousay is known for experimental music, her new album represents a shift to a more traditional songwriting approach.
  3. She experiences doubts about her music and worries about how the audience will receive her new pop-focused sound.
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Donato Dozzy

Flow State • 393 implied HN points • 26 Jan 24
🎶 Music Electronic Producer Albums Artists Genre
  1. Donato Dozzy is an Italian electronic music producer known for his subtle kick drums and 'twinkling arpeggios'.
  2. He pursued a doctorate in politics while his music career took off, earning him the nickname 'The Professor'.
  3. His latest LP, 'Magda', and earlier release 'Filo Loves the Acid' showcase his unique sound.

Richard Lewis will not curb his enthusiasm for Steely Dan

Expanding Dan • 373 implied HN points • 02 Feb 24
🎶 Music Interview Comedy Music Industry
  1. Richard Lewis is a dedicated fan of Steely Dan and enjoys their storytelling approach to music.
  2. Larry David, a close friend of Richard Lewis, is likely a fan of Steely Dan, but keeps his musical knowledge private.
  3. Richard Lewis and Larry David have a playful dynamic regarding Larry's off-key singing during breaks while filming Curb Your Enthusiasm.

First Floor #200 – That's a Lot of Newsletters

First Floor • 432 implied HN points • 11 Jan 24
🎶 Music Electronic Journalism New releases Recommendations
  1. First Floor newsletter celebrates its 200th edition without making a big deal about arbitrary milestones.
  2. The newsletter content includes a recap of electronic music news, new release announcements, and track recommendations.
  3. The author highlights notable happenings in the electronic music world, such as industry news, artist spotlights, and new album releases.

Inside Tracks #31: "Rosecrans Boulevard" by Jimmy Webb, 1967-5th Dimension, w/Covers by Johnny Rivers, Gordon Waller, Zumpano

Front Row & Backstage • 412 implied HN points • 18 Jan 24
🎶 Music Songwriting Albums Cover songs Music genres Music Production
  1. Jimmy Webb was a young, talented songwriter recognized by artists and producers in the 60s.
  2. The song 'Rosecrans Boulevard' by Jimmy Webb was covered by various artists like Johnny Rivers and Gordon Waller.
  3. Zumpano, a Canadian power pop band, produced a compelling version of 'Rosecrans Boulevard' in the 90s.

The Eagle who soared with Steely Dan

Expanding Dan • 727 implied HN points • 07 Jul 23
🎶 Music Interview Music history Collaboration
  1. Timothy B. Schmit was a significant figure in both Steely Dan and Eagles, serving as a bass player and backing vocalist in each.
  2. Schmit made his debut with Steely Dan in 1974 and contributed to hits like 'Rikki Don't Lose That Number'.
  3. There was no vocal contribution from Don Henley or Glenn Frey in the Steely Dan song 'FM (No Static at All)', with Schmit being the sole Eagle member on that track.

The New Cue #349 January 15 Bill Ryder-Jones

The New Cue • 412 implied HN points • 15 Jan 24
🎶 Music Songwriting Interview Live performance Music Industry
  1. Bill Ryder-Jones discusses his new album 'Iechyd Da' and the creative process behind it during lockdown.
  2. The album features themes of relationships and personal struggles, with Bill mentioning having three breakdowns during the lockdown period.
  3. Bill Ryder-Jones incorporates samples and revisits characters from previous albums in his latest work, aiming for a more positive and hopeful tone.

Hermanos Gutiérrez

Flow State • 707 implied HN points • 22 Mar 23
🎶 Music Instrumental Classical Folk
  1. Hermanos Gutiérrez are two guitar-playing brothers from Ecuador raised in Switzerland, influenced by a variety of music genres.
  2. Check out their albums: "Eternamente" from 2021 and "El Bueno Y El Malo" from last year.
  3. Enjoy their instrumental music on platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music, Amazon Music, Bandcamp, and Tidal.

Black Swans

Black Music and Black Muses • 687 implied HN points • 27 Feb 23
🎶 Music Artists History Influence Performance Lyrics
  1. Nina Simone's art was a blend of vulnerability and vengeance in her singing.
  2. Nina Simone's career and music reflected a battle between her desire to be a concert pianist and her role as a diva.
  3. Nina Simone's honesty and self-awareness about her path question the idea of success, sacrifice, and the road not taken.

A Steely Dan horror story

Expanding Dan • 609 implied HN points • 31 Oct 23
🎶 Music Rock Recording Horror
  1. A technical calamity during the making of Katy Lied album haunted Steely Dan's sound in 1975.
  2. Guitarist Denny Dias shared a spooky incident involving a mist and a remix of 'Doctor Wu'.
  3. The mixing process and mastering of the Katy Lied album was plagued by challenges and technical issues that required additional adjustments.

Guns N' Roses, Blink-182, Paramore

Stream N' Destroy • 373 implied HN points • 17 Jan 24
🎶 Music Rock Metal Radio
  1. The post discusses rock music updates and releases from bands like Guns N' Roses, Blink-182, and Paramore.
  2. It highlights recent agency, label, and management signings in the music industry.
  3. The post also covers news about music consumption in 2023, with a focus on rock music's performance.

Welcome to Rock 'n' Roll with Me

Rock 'n' Roll with Me • 179 implied HN points • 15 Apr 24
🎶 Music Rock History Culture Genres Artists
  1. The goal is to celebrate and preserve classic rock music from the 60s and 70s, since it often gets overlooked on radio today.
  2. Ellen wants to share songs that make her and others want to dance, and she will focus mainly on rock but might include other genres too.
  3. She encourages comments and song requests, making it a fun community space for music lovers, while keeping copyright rules in mind.

MUSIC THROUGH MY OFFICE WINDOW

The Nelson George Mixtape • 373 implied HN points • 16 Jan 24
🎶 Music Genres
  1. The Brooklyn music scene has evolved over the years, with hip-hop no longer dominating the neighborhood's sonic landscape.
  2. Genres like Afro-Beats, reggaeton, and classic R&B are now more prevalent in Brooklyn's musical soundscape.
  3. Musical tastes in Brooklyn have become more diverse, reflecting shifts in the population demographics of the neighborhoods.

Spirituals (Interview)

Flow State • 334 implied HN points • 31 Jan 24
🎶 Music Interview Artists Inspiration Projects
  1. Tyler Tadlock's music project Spirituals blends voice memos, digital instruments, and guitar to create beatless dance music.
  2. Tadlock's approach to music-making is organic and inspired by everyday sounds, emphasizing the importance of sounds' relationships.
  3. Tadlock finds inspiration in natural sounds, free improvisation, and underrated musicians like George Cartwright.

The New Cue #351 January 22: MGMT

The New Cue • 353 implied HN points • 22 Jan 24
🎶 Music
  1. The post discusses an interview with the indie-pop band MGMT
  2. The content is available with a 7-day free trial subscription
  3. The New Cue provides access to weekly posts and interviews with various artists

FM3

Flow State • 314 implied HN points • 05 Feb 24
🎶 Music Experimental Instrumental Electronic
  1. FM3 is a duo that created handheld looping "Buddha Machines".
  2. The duo collects samples of traditional instruments like the sheng and matouqin.
  3. Their music is available on streaming services and they have reissued their first edition devices.

Guitar Solos of the Gods

So Here’s a Thing • 629 implied HN points • 05 May 23
🎶 Music Musicians Live Performances
  1. The best guitar solos are the ones that are soulful and relevant to the song, not just flashy technical displays.
  2. Great guitarists like David Gilmour and Prince show mastery not just in what they play, but also in what they choose not to play.
  3. Live performances by musicians like Dire Straits and Prince create magical moments of camaraderie and joy among the performers themselves.

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.

Cowboy Sadness (Interview)

Flow State • 334 implied HN points • 24 Jan 24
🎶 Music Interview
  1. Cowboy Sadness is a trio from New York with a unique music style.
  2. Their music is a mix of ambient sounds, influenced by Pink Floyd and Can.
  3. They are currently working on new music and have plans for the future.

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.