The hottest Artists Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Music Topics

Two Acclaimed Albums—Heard in a New Light

The Chase • 58 implied HN points • 21 Mar 23
🎶 Music Artists
  1. Two acclaimed albums, Southeastern and Saint Cloud, by Alabama artists dive deep into sobriety themes.
  2. Both Jason Isbell and Waxahatchee openly share their journey to sobriety through their music.
  3. The albums reflect themes of transformation, moving forward, and personal growth rather than dwelling on victimhood and rock bottom experiences.

Empathy No. 125

Empathy: The Remnant Pieces • 58 implied HN points • 22 May 23
🎶 Music Artists
  1. The author attended a surprise music event by Cobalt Sky with a new lead singer, Roderick Butler.
  2. Roderick Butler, previously known for his math skills, surprised with his exceptional singing talent.
  3. The band, with their new vocalist, might be gearing up for a big performance at the Winter Homecoming entertainment event.

"Kicks," Paul Revere and the Raiders (1966)

The Lost Songs Project • 58 implied HN points • 10 Apr 23
🎶 Music Artists
  1. The song 'Kicks' by Paul Revere and the Raiders is considered a cool anti-drug song in rock and roll.
  2. Paul Revere's name was genuinely Paul Revere, and he formed a band that reflected his name.
  3. The band Paul Revere and the Raiders reached #4 on the Hot 100 with 'Kicks' and had 4.2 million streams.

Crop Circles in the Carpet

We're Gonna Get Those Bastards • 5 implied HN points • 05 Dec 25
🎶 Music Artists
  1. Creating art that resonates is a deep desire for many creators. It's about making something that lasts and is remembered over time.
  2. You often need to create a lot before you find the good stuff. Many successful artists have produced thousands of works before hitting it big.
  3. As you age, your creativity might change from raw energy to wisdom, but it can be harder to replicate past successes. The challenge is always to create something great again.
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Cut-ups

Dada Drummer Almanach • 72 implied HN points • 07 Jan 25
🎶 Music Artists
  1. Can was a unique rock band formed in 1968, made up of musicians with diverse backgrounds in classical music, jazz, and even astrology. They aimed to create spontaneous music that broke traditional boundaries.
  2. Their approach involved improvisation and experimentation, often pushing the limits of what rock music could be. This made their albums innovative and influential on many modern artists.
  3. One of the band's interesting practices was to leave their instruments recording in a room to capture unexpected sounds, showing their commitment to spontaneity and creativity in music.

The Romantic Myth of the Tortured Alcoholic Artist

Anxiety Addiction & Ascension • 79 implied HN points • 25 Oct 22
🎭️ Culture Artists
  1. Creativity should not be romanticized as dependent on alcohol and drugs. They can hinder rather than enhance one's work.
  2. The idea of the tortured artist using substances as part of their identity is a harmful myth that can lead to self-deception and hinder creativity.
  3. Using alcohol and drugs excessively can have long-term negative impacts, and moderation and awareness are key to prevent a downward spiral.

Manifesto

Castalia • 139 implied HN points • 13 Sep 22
🎨 Art & Illustration Artists
  1. Productivity in art can be surprisingly high, as shown by Paul Klee who sometimes created 500 works a year. This suggests that making art can be more about the enjoyment and flow of the process rather than just the final product.
  2. There’s a common belief that art needs to be carefully crafted and special, but prolific artists often create works continuously for their own satisfaction rather than for external validation.
  3. Instead of viewing work and leisure as separate, finding joy in continuous creation like Klee did can lead to a more fulfilling life, where making art feels more like living fully rather than just a job.

Interview with Tom Rapp of Pearls Before Swine

Dada Drummer Almanach • 52 implied HN points • 21 Jan 25
🎶 Music Artists
  1. Tom Rapp was not just a musician; he was also a civil rights lawyer who cared deeply about social issues. He infused his conversations with humor and sharp critiques of society.
  2. His music left a lasting impact, especially from the 60s and 70s, showing that he had a unique voice and perspective.
  3. Even after his passing in 2018, people remember him for his faith in fighting for good and his insightful commentary on current events.

May Day

The False Consensus Effect • 39 implied HN points • 01 May 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Artists
  1. The author reflects on personal struggles, like health issues and temptations to drink, while creating art on cardboard.
  2. The text criticizes the disparity in wages between different professions and suggests that teachers and healthcare workers should be paid more.
  3. The author contemplates escaping to a place where they can be supported financially for their art, questioning the pursuit of money and the American way of life.

Art in Response to Pollution

Green Graphic Design • 39 implied HN points • 20 Mar 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Artists
  1. Impressionist artists might have unintentionally depicted air pollution in their paintings.
  2. Plastic pollution can be creatively visualized through art, like popsicles made from polluted water samples.
  3. Art can be a powerful medium to raise awareness about the impact of pollution on the environment, as seen in exhibits mixing animal bones with plastics.

My Favorite Moments from The Eras Tour

The Reclamation Era • 39 implied HN points • 01 Sep 23
🎶 Music Artists
  1. Taylor Swift's music can really resonate with personal transformations, making her songs feel like a soundtrack to life changes.
  2. The Eras Tour featured many of her popular albums, like Folklore and Midnights, which excited fans and created memorable experiences.
  3. Many people find joy and connection through live concerts, which can leave a lasting impact and be worth every penny spent.

My red paintings is an art show.

Two Pages Double Spaced • 13 implied HN points • 16 Aug 25
🎨 Art & Illustration Artists
  1. The art show is called 'My red paintings is an art show' and it's happening from August 28 to August 30 in an apartment.
  2. The paintings are created using only red and white colors, exploring themes of meaning behind those colors.
  3. The event will also showcase a comic called 'Gun Angel' by the artist Aaron Chang, who is the artist's brother.

The Messenger Is the Message

Gideon's Substack • 16 implied HN points • 24 Jul 25
🎨 Art & Illustration Artists
  1. Jack Whitten was an innovative artist who loved to experiment with new materials and techniques throughout his career. His work combined planning with elements of chance, creating unique effects and textures.
  2. Whitten drew inspiration from his life experiences and surroundings, blending influences from Alabama, New York, Greece, and jazz into his art. This rich background helped shape the depth and meaning behind his creations.
  3. Many people have not heard of Whitten despite his significant contributions to modern art. Exhibitions like the one at MoMA help to correct this oversight and highlight the importance of recognizing artists who have been overlooked.

The Merlin Residency and Cloud Hidden, Whereabouts Who Cares?

The False Consensus Effect • 78 implied HN points • 02 Jul 22
🎨 Art & Illustration Artists
  1. The author reflects on the idea of professional artistic residencies and the freedom found in creating without the pressure of external judgment.
  2. The author expresses a desire to escape the societal demands and norms, yearning for a simpler, more authentic existence to create and live by their own terms.
  3. The author plans to disconnect from social media, prioritize personal creative pursuits, and embrace a quieter, more intentional lifestyle away from the noise of constant online updates.

Got to Give It Up

Dada Drummer Almanach • 202 implied HN points • 16 May 23
🎶 Music Artists
  1. Copyright lawsuits in the music industry can have varying outcomes, like with the cases of Marvin Gaye's songs and recent hits.
  2. Ed Sheeran's legal victory in a copyright case highlighted the debate over common elements in music.
  3. Sheeran's argument about pop songs being similar, written quickly, and prone to plagiarism raised questions about the future of AI-generated music and copyright laws.

White Wine in the Sun

God's Spies by Thomas Neuburger • 45 implied HN points • 24 Dec 24
🎶 Music Artists
  1. The song 'White Wine in the Sun' by Tim Minchin is a seasonal favorite for many people. It's a catchy tune that brings joy during the holidays.
  2. There's a recommended version of the song performed on the James Corden show, featuring Bryan Cranston. It's worth checking out to get into the festive spirit.
  3. The message is one of warmth and happiness, wishing everyone a merry and bright holiday season. It's a nice reminder to celebrate with loved ones.

Scheduling Note

God's Spies by Thomas Neuburger • 20 implied HN points • 23 May 25
🎶 Music Artists
  1. There will be a short break in posting due to a friend's illness. Everyone is encouraged to be patient during this time.
  2. The author plans to resume posting next week, so readers can look forward to new content soon.
  3. A bit of music from Cheap Trick is shared for enjoyment while waiting, suggesting a fun way to stay connected.

Water is flowing down your arms; your feet are peeling a tangerine

Eternal Sunshine of the Stochastic Mind • 19 implied HN points • 05 Dec 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Artists
  1. Ballet resembles mathematics, providing a vocabulary of poses and movements like a formal structure in mathematics, enabling endless unique sequences to unfold.
  2. Ballet teaching often uses metaphorical cues to convey precise body positioning, making the basics challenging to teach and learn.
  3. Sensorial metaphors in ballet, like imagining water flowing down arms or peeling a tangerine with feet, enhance mind-body connection and expand awareness beyond just physical movement.

The Programmers of the Future

Based Meditations • 8 HN points • 12 Mar 24
🕹 Technology Artists
  1. The future of programming may shift towards a focus on creativity and innovation rather than just logic and coding skills.
  2. The impact of AI and automation on the programming industry is uncertain, leading to a potential rise in independent artists creating software.
  3. There is a growing trend of passionate developers moving away from traditional software jobs to pursue artistic endeavors, potentially transforming software development into a form of art.

Over and over, all born into great pain

The Golden Notebooks • 19 implied HN points • 26 Jul 23
🎶 Music Artists
  1. Sinead O'Connor was a sincere and real artist who faced backlash for speaking out against abuse and corruption in the Catholic Church.
  2. She created powerful music and openly addressed personal struggles, motherhood, and societal issues in her work.
  3. Her bravery in challenging authority and advocating for change left a lasting impact, inspiring others to stand up against injustice.

The Grand Tour - Holiday Break

On Looking • 59 implied HN points • 03 Jun 22
🎨 Art & Illustration Artists
  1. The Grand Tour was a historical educational journey undertaken by young men from wealthy families to acquire cultural knowledge through firsthand experiences of classical artworks in Europe.
  2. The author's modern version of the Grand Tour involves networking with fellow artists in New York to create shared experiences and a sense of union beyond online interactions.
  3. The author is considering switching this newsletter to a bi-monthly schedule to dedicate more time to research and writing better essays, focusing on topics like colors, illustration AI, and exposure.

I Saw Taylor Swift and Tori Amos in One Week, And I Have Some Thoughts.

The Reclamation Era • 19 implied HN points • 21 Aug 23
🎶 Music Artists
  1. Attending concerts can have a huge emotional impact, offering a sense of renewal and connection, especially when shared with loved ones. Going to the Taylor Swift concert was a transformative experience for a mother and her daughters.
  2. Music can deeply influence our lives and relationships, helping us feel understood during tough times. The connection between a fan's experience of one artist can be just as meaningful as another's, regardless of mainstream popularity.
  3. Both Taylor Swift and Tori Amos are important artists who have made significant contributions to music in their own ways. It's essential to appreciate and respect different musical journeys and not dismiss what someone else loves.

#46 Design that improves nature

Design Lobster • 119 implied HN points • 14 Dec 20
🎨 Art & Illustration Artists
  1. Design can work with nature to enhance it rather than detract from it.
  2. Consider if the people involved in making a design take pride in their work - it can impact the outcome positively.
  3. Good design solutions often stem from deeply understanding the content of the project.

The prestige recession

The Ideaspace • 47 implied HN points • 21 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Artists
  1. Corporate entities used editorial to add prestige to their offerings.
  2. The decline of cultural criticism reflects a broader shift towards valuing metrics over prestige.
  3. Cultural criticism is evolving and becoming de-professionalized, shifting towards being a hobby or 'content.'

A quick uplifting post in case you can use some inspiration tonight

Tessa Fights Robots • 17 implied HN points • 23 Dec 24
🎶 Music Artists
  1. There's a beautiful song that explores feelings of not belonging and the comforting response of a mother. It tells a touching story of returning home and finding one's place in the world.
  2. The song describes a journey back to joy for a modern man who feels lost and alone. It emphasizes that life is meant to be enjoyed.
  3. Support for creators is important, and they often rely on donations or subscriptions to keep sharing their work. It's a small way to give back and help them continue.

Happy Paintings and Propaganda

The False Consensus Effect • 39 implied HN points • 06 Feb 22
🎨 Art & Illustration Artists
  1. The text discusses the power of propaganda and how it influences opinions and perceptions, emphasizing the impact of repeated messaging.
  2. There is a strong critique of nuclear weapons, highlighting their destructive potential and the author's belief in the urgency of addressing this global threat.
  3. The author expresses skepticism and criticism towards political leaders, particularly focusing on their role in conflict and perpetuation of harmful ideologies.

Generative AI and the death of the artist

Kyle Chayka Industries • 71 implied HN points • 26 Feb 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Artists
  1. Generative AI tools are being used to replicate artists' styles, impacting the livelihood of traditional artists.
  2. The role of the artist is changing as AI allows anyone to easily create art, potentially diminishing the value of artistic skill.
  3. AI is making it possible for people to generate art or music in the style of established artists, leading to a redefinition of what it means to be an artist.

REPOST: I Will Remove All My Content From Spotify if They Continue to Platform "Wonderful Christmastime" by Paul McCartney

I Might Be Wrong • 13 implied HN points • 26 Dec 24
🎶 Music Artists
  1. The author expresses strong dislike for Paul McCartney's song 'Wonderful Christmastime', claiming it's a terrible piece of music. They feel it negatively impacts their enjoyment of the holiday season.
  2. They argue that by continuing to include this song, Spotify is being complicit in promoting bad music. The author believes a choice must be made between their content and the song.
  3. Despite loving The Beatles, the author finds it disappointing that McCartney created such a song. They hope to disassociate themselves from 'Wonderful Christmastime' out of personal conviction.

Do Not Research: Random Forest: A Reading Room

Do Not Research • 19 implied HN points • 16 Oct 22
🎨 Art & Illustration Artists
  1. ISTANBUL’74 presents _Random Forest_ (A Reading Room) by Jonah Freeman & Justin Lowe with Boo-Hooray
  2. The exhibition in Istanbul includes a site-specific reading room inspired by William S. Burroughs’ _The Electronic Revolution_
  3. The artists focus on language, words, and books as foundations for artistic methods like cut-up, collage, and disruption

The Family Romance of Srijon Chowdhury

Covidian Æsthetics • 10 implied HN points • 25 Jan 25
🎨 Art & Illustration Artists
  1. The Chowdhury exhibition showcased his unique artistic style and family experiences. It's interesting to see how personal stories can influence art.
  2. This exhibition was hosted at the Frye Museum from October 2022 to January 2023. Museums play a big role in bringing artistic expressions to the public.
  3. The exhibition was curated by Amanda Doonan, highlighting the importance of good curation in presenting an artist's work effectively.

Fantastic Builders and Where to Find Them, 4th Installment

Building the Builders • 11 implied HN points • 18 Nov 24
🎶 Music Artists
  1. Sergei Rachmaninoff overcame a deep depression, which lasted three years, after a failed performance of his first symphony. His struggle inspired him to create his famous 2nd piano concerto.
  2. Rachmaninoff dedicated his 2nd piano concerto to his therapist, Dr. Nikolai Dahl, who helped him regain confidence through supportive therapy and hypnosis.
  3. Rachmaninoff's experience shows that personal challenges can lead to great achievements. Instead of being stuck in self-doubt, he learned to move forward and create music he loved.

Open Letter to Russell Brand

Daniel Pinchbeck’s Newsletter • 30 implied HN points • 26 Sep 23
🎭️ Culture Artists
  1. The author suggests Russell Brand should consider a path of radical honesty and atonement to address past wrongs.
  2. Men and women both have complex, multifaceted natures and there should be efforts to understand these complexities better.
  3. Fame and societal rewards can sometimes remove limits on behavior, leading to unhealthy patterns and consequences.

Songwriting in Nowhere

The False Consensus Effect • 19 implied HN points • 29 Jan 21
🎶 Music Artists
  1. Writing what you know doesn't guarantee success in creative pursuits, as demonstrated by examples like Stephen King. People often prefer stories of magic and fantasy over reality.
  2. Creative expression in various forms like painting, sculpture, and music requires a deep connection to the subject matter, but success and financial reward aren't guaranteed.
  3. Songwriting is a personal and cathartic process, and it's essential to engage in it for personal fulfillment rather than for public performance or external validation.

We're already in creative groups, they're just not yet self-aware

The Ideaspace • 8 implied HN points • 14 Mar 24
🎭️ Culture Artists
  1. The internet allows us to build new societies on top of the existing one, with potential to evolve and surpass the physical world.
  2. Creative individuals can form small, flexible groups to align around common visions and goals for economic, spiritual, and creative growth.
  3. Platforms like Metalabel offer spaces for artists to organize and support each other, reclaiming agency and creating their own systems based on shared values.

Creators vs. Artists

The Intersection • 1 HN point • 22 Feb 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Artists
  1. Differentiating between creators and artists involves a deep exploration of generating versus creating, as highlighted through the example of Hayao Miyazaki's unique filmmaking process.
  2. The ethical considerations surrounding AI-generated content raise questions about permission, originality, and the boundaries of creative practices.
  3. The evolution of technology has blurred lines in creativity, introducing complex discussions on fair use, copyright infringement, and the essence of true artistic expression.

The Base Determines The Superstructure

The Seat of Loss • 14 implied HN points • 14 Apr 23
🎶 Music Artists
  1. The history of music and the music industry is influenced by economic factors and technology advancements.
  2. Artists throughout history have adapted to changing conditions, from Chuck Berry's use of new recording technology to modern producers working on digital audio workstations.
  3. The traditional music industry model has shifted, with artists like Drake and Tame Impala showcasing self-sufficiency and adaptability in the face of evolving industry trends.