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The Honest Broker explores the intersections of music, books, arts, culture, and technology, offering critical insights into industry challenges, information authenticity, cultural conflicts, and the impact of social media and streaming services. It advocates for artist empowerment, critiques modern information crises, and evaluates cultural and philosophical progress.

Music Industry Information Crisis Cultural Analysis Media and Journalism Philosophy and Ethics Social Media Technology Impact Creative Process

The hottest Substack posts of The Honest Broker

And their main takeaways

How I Stopped Hating Steely Dan

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.

9 New Albums I'm Recommending Right Now

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.

It's Open Mic Day: Tell Us What You're Doing

8145 implied HN points • 12 Feb 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Creativity Projects Community
  1. It's Open Mic Day at The Honest Broker, a chance for people to share their projects and plans.
  2. The community is encouraged to talk about their creative endeavors, business launches, non-profit work, or anything they need to publicize.
  3. The focus is on supporting each other and spreading the word about various projects and initiatives.

How I Disintermediated My Writing Career

20413 implied HN points • 02 Jun 23
📚 Literature Writing
  1. Disintermediation is bypassing gatekeepers and middlemen to go straight to the audience.
  2. Building a direct relationship with your audience as a creative can lead to more autonomy and satisfaction.
  3. Utilizing online platforms and social media can help in self-publishing and reaching a wider audience, transforming the creative industry.
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In Search of Dupree Bolton

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.

"This Is a Hell of a Statement I'm About to Make—But He Superseded Miles"

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'.

My 60 Favorite Nonesuch Albums (Part 1 of 3)

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.

My 60 Favorite Nonesuch Albums (Part 2 of 3)

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.