The hottest Music Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Culture Topics

Post to the Host

Garrison Keillor and Friends • 1179 implied HN points • 08 Jan 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Music
  1. Fans share personal stories and experiences with Garrison Keillor, showing deep appreciation and connection with his work.
  2. Garrison Keillor responds to fan messages and comments with wit, humor, and humility, engaging with his audience in a friendly manner.
  3. Audience members express excitement, plans, and hopes for attending Garrison Keillor's upcoming shows, showcasing their anticipation and admiration.

When the Phone Stops Ringing

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 1159 implied HN points • 22 Jun 25
🎭️ Culture Music
  1. Living in New York and having a supportive partner has made life very fulfilling. Enjoying a successful music career is something to be grateful for.
  2. Having muscular dystrophy changed life dramatically, but it also taught important lessons about resilience and asking for help. It's a journey that forced personal growth.
  3. The wheelchair experience has made interactions with others deeper and more empathetic. It highlighted the importance of valuing what you have and understanding different perspectives.

One Day, Tracy Chapman and why we're obsessed with looking back

The Shift With Sam Baker • 838 implied HN points • 22 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture Music
  1. The author discusses the wave of nostalgia that many are experiencing, triggered by events like Tracy Chapman's resurgence and the popularity of 'One Day.'
  2. Nostalgia plays a big role in our fascination with 'One Day,' as it brings back memories of landlines, phone boxes, and waiting for calls that never come.
  3. 'One Day' is praised for its casting, script, pacing, and locations, but its real charm lies in evoking a sense of nostalgia for a time without the distractions of the 21st century.

Time is not a butler

Austin Kleon • 3517 implied HN points • 07 Apr 23
🎭️ Culture Music
  1. Don't stress about finding your own style; focus on creating instead. It's okay if your style evolves over time.
  2. Learning from others doesn't mean copying them; it’s about using reference images to grow as an artist.
  3. Meeting new experiences, like seeing a screech owl or watching unique movies, can inspire your creativity and add joy to your life.

How long is a sitting?

Five’s Substack • 319 implied HN points • 24 May 24
🎭️ Culture Music
  1. A 'sitting' when reading should ideally be about two hours. This time allows readers to enjoy a story without too many breaks.
  2. The writer plans to expand their blog to discuss not just fiction but also film, music, and art. This shows a desire to connect with more topics and audiences.
  3. A recent hospital visit prompted the writer to find calm in music. They discovered a special song that may become part of their wedding, showcasing how important moments can inspire creativity.
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Failing in both directions

Austin Kleon • 3077 implied HN points • 28 Apr 23
🎭️ Culture Music
  1. Thinking about intelligence can be really interesting, especially when it's connected to our bodies. There are ways to have experiences that help us understand this better.
  2. Keeping a weekly review can help you track what you've done and what you want to do next. It’s like having a checklist to keep your thoughts organized.
  3. Sometimes when creating something new, you can only change one part at a time. It’s good to focus on either how it tastes or how it looks, but not both at once.

Welcome to Dinner Music

Culture Study • 2154 implied HN points • 09 Feb 25
🎭️ Culture Music
  1. Algorithms can make discovering new music really hard. They often push mediocre songs and make us passive listeners, which takes away the joy of finding something special.
  2. Creating playlists can be like telling a story. A good playlist has a flow and evokes feelings, unlike algorithm-generated ones that can feel random and uncreative.
  3. Having more music in your life can improve your mood and spark creativity. It’s important to be intentional about listening and to enjoy music in social settings with friends.

Let's Hear Your Ideas For Future Friday Threads!

Culture Study • 692 implied HN points • 15 Aug 25
🎭️ Culture Music
  1. The author is looking for ideas from readers for future Friday Threads. They believe that reader suggestions can lead to engaging conversations.
  2. Friday Thread topics can vary widely, including serious, silly, or meaningful themes. There's room for all kinds of discussions.
  3. Community input is valued, and this process helps the author know what readers want to talk about. It's a chance for everyone to share their thoughts.

School’s out for summer

Austin Kleon • 2657 implied HN points • 26 May 23
🎭️ Culture Music
  1. School is out for summer, which often brings excitement and new opportunities for students to explore their interests.
  2. Writing and creativity can be daily practices that are done without the pressure of immediate success or failure.
  3. Understanding the complexities and risks of AI is important, as it can affect how we think and make decisions.

Are we doomed or is deliverance possible??

Blackbird Spyplane • 1139 implied HN points • 16 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Music
  1. The TV series 'The Curse' has a brilliant and bizarre finale that attempts and achieves unique things in the TV world.
  2. The show explores themes of cursed culture and the struggle for deliverance from societal decay.
  3. The finale of 'The Curse' leaves viewers debating whether the characters are doomed or have a shot at redemption.

Links #695: Digital twins and anxiety Googles

Links I Would Gchat You If We Were Friends • 579 implied HN points • 23 Mar 24
🎭️ Culture Music
  1. Shrimp Jesus, a meme that has gained popularity on Facebook, has a quirky origin and has been sold as art for years.
  2. AI technology is advancing to create digital twins of human organs, raising questions about lifestyle changes and human-technology relationships.
  3. There is a trend of female influencers spreading health misinformation, which includes promoting unconventional diets and false narratives about birth control.

Playlist Thread #2: Concentration Music

Culture Study • 769 implied HN points • 29 Jul 25
🎭️ Culture Music
  1. Music can help improve focus and concentration. Many people find that certain types of music create a better environment for working or studying.
  2. Asking questions about screen time can open up deeper conversations. It's important to discuss how it affects family time and relationships, not just the duration.
  3. Creating a playlist for concentration could be useful. Sharing and discovering music designed for focus can enhance productivity.

The Listening Bar Edition

Why is this interesting? • 1146 implied HN points • 22 May 25
🎭️ Culture Music
  1. Tokyo has unique listening bars where you can enjoy music played from a bartender's record collection. It's a quiet space where you can truly appreciate the music without distractions.
  2. During a visit, the bartender played several songs featuring the same session drummer, showing the depth of his musical knowledge. Discovering this connection made the experience more meaningful.
  3. You can learn more about a place by returning to the same spot instead of rushing around. Spending time in one place allows you to notice details and understand the local culture better.

Cranking back the years

Brands Mean a Lot • 44 implied HN points • 26 Jan 26
🎭️ Culture Music
  1. Entertainment is leaning heavily on older work instead of new ideas. Big streaming shares and top box office hits now come from catalog tracks, sequels, or established franchises.
  2. Politics is showing a similar pull toward the past, with movements and policies that aim to restore earlier versions of the country and even echo old-style land grabs and authoritarian practices.
  3. These cultural and political retro trends feed each other, encouraging isolationism and slower change that makes ego-driven actions more plausible, even as many people continue to find comfort in older art.

My Internet: Brynn Wallner

Embedded • 963 implied HN points • 12 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Music
  1. Brynn Wallner uses Instagram for work but doesn't feel comfortable keeping up with the online discourse for leisure.
  2. Brynn Wallner appreciates the creative potential of AI but is concerned about its sourcing information without proper fact-checking.
  3. Brynn Wallner enjoys Lana Del Rey's internet presence and follows Leila Rahimi's eclectic music playlists on Spotify.

A terrific, paranoid Irish serial-killer noir set in Northern Ireland, a wild Hong Kong action-comedy classic, and some excellent Balearic jazz

Read Max • 711 implied HN points • 04 Aug 25
🎭️ Culture Music
  1. There's a gripping Irish serial-killer story set in Belfast that fans of dark thrillers might enjoy. It's perfect for those who like intense and twisty plots.
  2. If you're up for some fun, there's a wild Hong Kong action-comedy from the 80s with amazing fight scenes that will keep you entertained.
  3. The music scene is buzzing with fantastic Balearic jazz this summer, so it's a great time to explore some relaxing and jazzy tunes.

The Audacious Round Up

The Audacity. • 766 implied HN points • 11 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture Music
  1. The Audacious Book Club has selected 'Martyr!' by Kaveh Akbar, with an upcoming conversation event you can join on February 27th.
  2. Roxane Gay has launched an essay series called 'Roxane Gay Presents' with Everand and has upcoming events in NYC, including a book launch.
  3. Reading material highlights different topics like the situation in Gaza, job opportunities in various media outlets, and entertainment news like interviews and artist profiles.

Ars Poetica

Seven Senses • 539 implied HN points • 25 Mar 24
🎭️ Culture Music
  1. Poetry connects us to deeper feelings and the divine. Unlike regular language, it speaks to our soul and can feel more complex or mysterious.
  2. Poetry can take many forms beyond written words, including art, sound, and even scents. This shows how flexible and expressive poetry can be.
  3. Everyday experiences can be tied into poetry, whether it's through textiles or video. This makes poetry a part of our daily lives and interactions.

5 Quick Things #303 ☕️

The Commonplace • 1533 implied HN points • 20 Oct 23
🎭️ Culture Music
  1. The post shares 5 quick things related to date night, Owl, trucking, Parmesan, and the Traditional Latin Mass.
  2. Tsh Oxenreider discusses various topics like virtues, children's books, parenting surprises, Parmesan cheese history, and the Traditional Latin Mass.
  3. The post includes links for further reading, a reader poll on favorite meal, and quick links for creating a Rule of Life, podcasts, ordering books, and joining a Greece trip.

We Contain Multitudes

Seven Senses • 1218 implied HN points • 27 Nov 23
🎭️ Culture Music
  1. Pursuing hobbies is important for self-discovery and can reveal hidden talents and interests. It's a way to connect with ourselves beyond our work.
  2. Many of us fear exploring our diverse interests because we're worried about judgment or not fitting into a certain image. But embracing our contradictions can lead to growth and inspiration.
  3. Engaging in creative activities or hobbies can enhance our artistic expression and help us understand the world better, as seen in the lives of famous creators like Nabokov, Murakami, and Dickinson.

The Bootleg Edition

Why is this interesting? • 1870 implied HN points • 04 Feb 25
🎭️ Culture Music
  1. Bootlegging is now a normal part of the creative world, and it can even help brands grow. Artists and brands are beginning to embrace it as a form of new creativity rather than just a negative copy.
  2. Merchandise and bootleg items have become intertwined, with vintage pieces proving the value of new merchandise. This cycle helps brands to continue creating and offering new products to fans.
  3. Bootlegging often feels more genuine than mass-produced items. Unique, hand-made bootleg items can show a deeper connection and personal touch that many modern products lack.

Love is not mind-reading

Austin Kleon • 3397 implied HN points • 17 Feb 23
🎭️ Culture Music
  1. Love can't read minds, so it's important to clearly communicate what you and your loved ones want. This helps build understanding and happiness in relationships.
  2. Expectations and reality can differ, and it's good to think about how our perceptions may mislead us. Reflecting on these differences can be eye-opening.
  3. Finding your unique voice is key for expression. Everyone has different ways of thinking, speaking, and writing, and recognizing this can help improve communication.

Summer Bummer

Colin Meloy's Machine Shop • 1552 implied HN points • 06 Jun 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Music
  1. The author had plans to work on music in a studio but had to cancel due to a Covid rebound.
  2. Instead of studio work, the author created a mixtape for the readers.
  3. The author is isolating from family, wearing a mask at home, and hoping to recover quickly.

Due North

Black Music and Black Muses • 727 implied HN points • 09 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture Music
  1. Children of famous parents like North West and Blue Ivy inherit both spectacle and talent, performing what they are given.
  2. Grooming and understanding in relationships can hold complexities, influenced by societal norms and individual experiences.
  3. Celebrities like Michael Jackson faced grooming, identity struggles, and the pressures of performance throughout their lives.

Normal is what you can successfully ignore

Austin Kleon • 3137 implied HN points • 03 Mar 23
🎭️ Culture Music
  1. Normal is not just a standard; it's about what we don't pay attention to. If something feels normal to you, it's likely something you easily overlook.
  2. Public speaking can improve with practice and self-assurance. It's important to focus on sharing ideas rather than trying to be perfect.
  3. Connecting with nature and animals can deepen our understanding of life. Reflecting on our relationships with them can lead to interesting insights.

5 Quick Things #301 🍂

The Commonplace • 1493 implied HN points • 06 Oct 23
🎭️ Culture Music
  1. In Texas, it still feels like summer but cooler days are coming soon
  2. Learn from St. John Henry Newman to seek truth and be ready to leave comfort
  3. A Gallup poll shows Americans prefer larger families, a delightful encounter with a family of ten

A good assistant to your future self

Austin Kleon • 2857 implied HN points • 24 Mar 23
🎭️ Culture Music
  1. Keeping a diary can help you understand your past and guide your future. It's like having a helpful assistant looking out for you.
  2. Reading multiple books at once can lead to new and exciting ideas. Mixing different subjects creates a richer understanding.
  3. Slow learning is important in a fast-paced world. Taking your time can help you learn better and remember more.

The vibration is the way in

Austin Kleon • 2977 implied HN points • 10 Mar 23
🎭️ Culture Music
  1. Good creativity comes from knowing when to take ideas and when to create something new. It's about making the right choices in what to borrow and what to invent.
  2. Getting to explore exciting events, like SXSW, can be a great way to find new ideas and inspirations. Even without a badge, you can enjoy the vibe and discover new experiences.
  3. Just like flowers, people thrive in different conditions. Some need more nurturing, while others can grow strong anywhere.

Serbian Music and a Humanitarian Topic [i]

Black Mountain Analysis • 727 implied HN points • 05 Feb 24
🎶 Music Music
  1. Serbia will apply a fantastic song for the Eurovision Song Contest titled 'Gnezdo Orlovo'.
  2. Consider donating to the 'Serbs for Serbs' organization for humanitarian projects in Serbia.
  3. The 'Serbs for Serbs' organization aims to support poor Serbian families in need through donations.

Redneck Cosmopolitanism

Justin E. H. Smith's Hinternet • 898 implied HN points • 09 Jun 25
🎭️ Culture Music
  1. Class is complex and doesn't just depend on income; it's about background, education, and feelings of belonging too. People can feel insecure about their class, even if they seem to be doing well.
  2. A person's past and family history can deeply affect their current sense of security and identity. This can create a feeling of always being at risk of losing what they've gained.
  3. Striving for personal meaning and supporting others can help combat feelings of insecurity and give life a richer purpose. It's about finding fulfillment beyond just financial success.

15 things I consumed this week

Maybe Baby • 772 implied HN points • 04 Jul 25
🎭️ Culture Music
  1. Discovering new voices and stories can be enlightening, like the profile of a sound recordist who captures life on Earth. It shows how diverse experiences can connect us.
  2. Celebrating milestones, like weddings, creates a deep sense of joy and community. It's important to cherish moments spent with loved ones.
  3. Consuming a variety of content each week keeps our perspectives fresh and interesting. Trying different articles, ideas, or experiences helps us grow.

"People smile and tell me I'm the lucky one"

Disaffected Newsletter • 1518 implied HN points • 18 Sep 23
🎭️ Culture Music
  1. People feel nostalgic for the past and believe we've lost important values like family and community. The modern world seems to ignore what came before.
  2. There's a sense that music today lacks the beauty and melody of earlier times. Many songs now are more about rhythm and spoken word than actual singing.
  3. Reflecting on the past can help us remember loved ones and their struggles. There’s hope in seeing how family can learn from past mistakes and create better futures.

Preaching to the choir

Austin Kleon • 2837 implied HN points • 17 Mar 23
🎭️ Culture Music
  1. It's important to share ideas and creativity with friends and community. Connecting with others can inspire new thoughts and strengthen relationships.
  2. Reading and listening to influential figures can spark new insights. Ursula Franklin's work on silence and technology is a great example of this.
  3. When you believe in your ideas, it shows. Loving what you create can lead to more meaningful and impactful work.

Lo, a Substack

So Here’s a Thing • 1415 implied HN points • 25 Feb 23
🎭️ Culture Music
  1. The Substack will have a variety of content like writing thoughts, art, music, and recipes, making it an interesting mix for readers.
  2. The author promises not to spam your inbox with multiple emails and aims to be at least the second or fourth most interesting thing you read in a day.
  3. The first substantial post on the Substack is scheduled for tomorrow.