The hottest Music Industry Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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How Miles Davis Hired John Coltrane

The Honest Broker • 8710 implied HN points • 11 Mar 24
🎶 Music Jazz Artists Narrative Biography Music Industry
  1. Miles Davis hired John Coltrane out of necessity, as his band needed a saxophonist for an upcoming tour.
  2. John Coltrane's musical talent and knowledge of Miles Davis's repertoire impressed during tryouts, leading to his eventual hiring.
  3. Their initial interactions were characterized by Miles Davis's aloofness and Coltrane's uncertainty, but despite difficulties, Coltrane eventually joined Davis's band.

Why Is Music Journalism Collapsing?

The Honest Broker • 24402 implied HN points • 18 Jan 24
🎶 Music Journalism Music Industry Streaming platforms Artists
  1. Music journalism faces a crisis with major layoffs and company mergers.
  2. The decline in music journalism mirrors broader issues in the music industry, like layoffs in music companies and streaming platforms.
  3. The root cause of the crisis includes industry focus on old music, passive listening, and AI-generated tracks, leading to a lack of support for new artists.

Driving in Circles

Sarah Kendzior’s Newsletter • 12940 implied HN points • 06 Feb 24
🎶 Music Cultural impact Artists Song analysis Music Industry
  1. Tracy Chapman's song 'Fast Car' holds generational significance, connecting people across time through shared experiences and emotions.
  2. The song 'Fast Car' transcends eras, evolving from a narrative about Reagan-era struggles to a modern anthem of survival and reflection on American society.
  3. Music, like Tracy Chapman's 'Fast Car,' serves as a powerful medium for empathy, reflection, and social commentary, resonating across generations and stirring emotions.

In Search of Dupree Bolton

The Honest Broker • 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.
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How I Stopped Hating Steely Dan

The Honest Broker • 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.

Release Radar: J Robbins 'Basilisk'

On Repeat by Kevin Alexander • 471 implied HN points • 09 Feb 24
🎶 Music Review Artist profile Music Production Music Industry
  1. J Robbins has released an impressive sophomore record titled 'Basilisk', five years after his solo debut.
  2. Robbins' music in 'Basilisk' showcases a mix of driving rhythms, anthemic choruses, and shinier melodies for an accessible sound.
  3. The album 'Basilisk' represents a departure in lyrics and songwriting style from Robbins' previous work, offering a more personal and adaptable approach to music.

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.

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.

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.

Laneway has levelled up.

Boiler Room • 78 implied HN points • 06 Feb 24
🎶 Music Festival Live performance Music Industry
  1. Auckland's Laneway festival has grown bigger and better than before.
  2. This year's Laneway event featured new and exciting acts, attracting a larger crowd than ever.
  3. The festival's success shows it has firmly established itself as a summer staple, rivaling past music events like the Big Day Out.

Pitchfork’s Dead. Thank god for that!

Sounds Good! • 98 implied HN points • 25 Jan 24
🎶 Music Music journalism Music Streaming Music Industry
  1. The death of music journalism was influenced by various factors like streaming services and changing reader behaviors.
  2. Pitchfork's decline started when they shifted focus from writers to brand and relied heavily on their rating system.
  3. Critics like Bob Lefsetz shed light on modern music journalism challenges, with many expressing disingenuous sentiments about the demise of platforms like Pitchfork.

November 3 2023

S/FJ • 255 implied HN points • 03 Nov 23
🎶 Music Reviews Albums Music Industry
  1. The author worked on a piece about Ryuichi Sakamoto and a review of Teju Cole's work
  2. The new Black To Comm album is described as a nightmare but cathartic
  3. Hive Mind Records issues music from artists outside the English-speaking sphere with a unique perspective

Audio Archaeology, 1973: The Legacy of Jobriath as Morrissey, Numan, Def Leppard Remember

Front Row & Backstage • 393 implied HN points • 08 May 23
🎶 Music Influences Music Industry Documentary Performance
  1. Jobriath was a pioneering openly gay rocker signed to a major label in the 1970s, but faced challenges due to homophobia
  2. Influential musicians like Morrissey, Numan, and Def Leppard have been inspired by Jobriath's music and image
  3. Despite his initial hype and record deal, Jobriath's career struggled due to lack of promotion and personal struggles, leading to his untimely death

Peter Farrelly was a Danfan first

Expanding Dan • 314 implied HN points • 11 Mar 23
🎶 Music Filmmaking Songwriting Music Industry Music history
  1. Peter Farrelly discovered Steely Dan while at a boarding school and was deeply moved by their music, leading to a lifelong appreciation.
  2. Farrelly's interaction with Walter Becker for the 'Me, Myself & Irene' soundtrack showcased his passion for Steely Dan and the importance of their music in his films.
  3. Farrelly reflects on his career, his love for Steely Dan's less popular songs, and the inspiration he drew from creative duos like the Zucker brothers and his unconventional encounters with musicians.

TITAA #46.5: AI "Fakes," Sproings, and Splats

Things I Think Are Awesome • 117 implied HN points • 15 Sep 23
🎶 Music AI Music Industry
  1. There is a controversy around leaked music tracks, with fans unsure if they are real or created by AI.
  2. Fans face challenges in determining the authenticity of leaked music, with some being threatened for suggesting the tracks may be fake.
  3. The situation highlights the complex dynamics between fans, authenticity, and the value of content in the music industry.

06/02/23 - FAQ Answered!

Moly’s Substack • 137 implied HN points • 03 Jun 23
🎭️ Culture Social Dynamics Music Industry
  1. The "hukou" system in China is based on historical practices and plays a significant role in access to public services in modern times.
  2. China's social culture values connections and social gameplay, reflecting in a strong 'guess culture' approach to interactions.
  3. The mainstream music industry and idol groups in China differ from the West, with a shift towards influencers and acting over traditional music careers.

Partying like it's 1999

followfox.ai’s Newsletter • 137 implied HN points • 16 Mar 23
🕹 Technology AI Music Industry
  1. Innovation often comes from unexpected intersections of technologies and fields, like how music sharing led to cryptocurrencies.
  2. Technological progress is a complex web of interactions with surprises and unintended consequences.
  3. The future of AI holds unpredictable surprises and revolutionary advancements, much like the evolution from music sharing to cryptocurrencies.