The hottest Electronic Music Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Music Topics

The Plastic People Edition

Why is this interesting? • 1085 implied HN points • 03 Mar 26
🎶 Music Electronic Music
  1. A tiny, dark room with a clean, powerful sound system made listening the main thing, not spectacle.
  2. Because DJs could play new tracks straight from their gear, the club became a fast, real-world test lab where producers heard how songs actually behaved on a serious system.
  3. As a low-pressure counterpoint to big venues, it rewarded restraint and let DJs, producers, and regulars quietly pressure-test music — tracks lived or died by whether they could hold the room.

First Floor #201 – Down the Drain

First Floor • 609 implied HN points • 18 Jan 24
🎶 Music Electronic Music
  1. Pitchfork, a prominent music publication, underwent major restructuring, signaling a dark moment for music journalism.
  2. The recent resurgence of independent newsletters, blogs, and podcasts is linked to the decline of professional music media.
  3. Quality music journalism is in danger, with a need for consumers to support and pay for it to keep it alive.

Memory Lane

Glenn’s Substack • 786 implied HN points • 28 Jun 23
🎭️ Culture Electronic Music
  1. The author reflects on being part of the early blogosphere in the development of the internet.
  2. They engaged in various online activities like creating music and defending electronic music promoters.
  3. Teaching Internet Law led the author to continuously seek new online ventures and stay engaged in the digital world.

Oontz Oontz Oontz

We're Gonna Get Those Bastards • 9 implied HN points • 01 Feb 26
🎶 Music Electronic Music
  1. Long-term dedication and consistent practice can turn a hobby into a real DJ career, moving someone from living-room sets to major venues after many years.
  2. Great DJing is more about curating music and telling a musical story than about technical mixing tricks; building energy and picking the right tracks matters most.
  3. The tools and workflows evolved—from burning CDs and manual keying to Ableton and USB/CDJs—but meticulous preparation and musical integrity stayed essential across all venues and setups.

A Very Special Announcement

First Floor • 393 implied HN points • 28 Mar 23
🎶 Music Electronic Music
  1. First Floor newsletter is becoming a book called 'First Floor Volume 1: Reflections on Electronic Music Culture'.
  2. The book includes updated essays from the newsletter, new material, and a foreword by Martyn, offering a comprehensive look at contemporary electronic music culture.
  3. The book shares insights on electronic music culture, industry challenges, and the future trajectory of the genre.
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First Floor #203 – Looking in the Mirror

First Floor • 176 implied HN points • 01 Feb 24
🎶 Music Electronic Music
  1. Many recent articles have highlighted challenges faced by music journalism, especially in the era of streaming and social media.
  2. Former Resident Advisor editor Ray Philp offers constructive criticism on music reviews and suggests potential improvements.
  3. Music journalists are exploring solutions to industry challenges, such as declining demand for music news and the evolving media landscape.

Show Us Your Screens!

Reboot • 12 implied HN points • 03 Nov 24
🎶 Music Electronic Music
  1. Live coding is when artists use code to make music and visuals in real time. This creates a unique experience where audiences can see how the music is built as it happens.
  2. Algoraves offer a new way of experiencing electronic music, drawing audiences into the creative process. This setting allows for interaction and a feeling of connection between coders and the audience.
  3. Making music with code can challenge traditional music rules. Artists can experiment and create new sounds that aren't limited to typical instruments, leading to innovative musical expressions.

Physics vs Surrealism

Cybernetic Forests • 0 implied HN points • 07 Mar 21
🎨 Art & Illustration Electronic Music
  1. Berenice Abbott used her art to make physics compelling and accessible, rather than using physics to create art.
  2. In the past, there was a fear in the scientific community that public engagement in science would corrupt the purity of science.
  3. Science communication should be seen as a form of research that extends understanding and application of knowledge, not just as PR for scientists.