The hottest Music Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Culture Topics

Battle of the Borders

Bet On It • 120 implied HN points • 01 Nov 24
🎭️ Culture Music Debates Art Performance Immigration
  1. There is a new rap battle featuring Borjas and Caplan, focusing on immigration debates. It's a fun and creative way to explore serious topics like open borders versus immigration restrictions.
  2. The rap includes professional singers and a surprise guest, making it entertaining for viewers. It's designed to be family-friendly and can spark discussions among all ages.
  3. One notable line from the battle suggests that civic knowledge is more about who is teaching in colleges rather than immigration policies. This highlights the importance of education in shaping society.

Confessions of a former hippy

Everything is Light • 471 implied HN points • 06 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture Activism Counterculture Community Beliefs Music
  1. The hippy movement holds beliefs about environmental damage, overpopulation, living without technology, and anti-capitalism.
  2. The author realized that the hippy movement was judgmental and intolerant, despite promoting peace and love.
  3. Leaving the hippy community allowed the author to develop and vocalize their own thoughts outside of the movement's restricted ideologies.

Hallelujah, Leonard Cohen, and a Pulitzer Prize-winning writer's suicide

Subtle Digressions • 136 HN points • 08 Jun 24
🎭️ Culture Music Literature Art History Philosophy
  1. Leonard Cohen's song 'Hallelujah' took him years of struggle and creativity to write. Despite being so personal and deep, it was initially overlooked and rejected by the music industry.
  2. John Kennedy Toole's novel 'A Confederacy of Dunces' faced major rejections before it was finally published and won a Pulitzer Prize, highlighting how valuable work can be ignored until a proper champion finds it.
  3. Success for artists can depend a lot on luck and timing. Sometimes, a great song or book needs just the right person to recognize its worth to achieve success.
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Riding or writing

Austin Kleon • 2537 implied HN points • 02 Dec 22
🎭️ Culture Art Music Literature Writing Creativity
  1. Reflecting on the past year is important, like making a list of 100 things that made it special. It's a good way to remember goals and accomplishments.
  2. We lost several influential artists recently, reminding us of their impact on culture and art. Their work continues to inspire many people.
  3. It’s a good season for reading, with many 'best of' book lists coming out. People share their favorites, which is a great way to find new reads.

Can a Jew Still Love Kanye?

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 908 implied HN points • 24 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture Music Literature Relationships Fashion Books
  1. Eli Lake reviews Kanye West's album, acknowledging Kanye's controversial behavior but praising his musical talent.
  2. Kat Rosenfield discusses the idea of using books as props for image and the divide between actual readers and those who pose with books.
  3. Evan Gardner explores Beyoncé's foray into country music, highlighting her diverse musical influences and questioning the genre boundaries in music.

VFYW: Oh Bloody Run!

The Weekly Dish • 18 implied HN points • 11 Jan 25
🎭️ Culture Community Art Literature Food Music
  1. The search for the right Dollar General store is a tricky puzzle. With over 20,000 locations, finding the right one feels like looking for a needle in a haystack.
  2. Many participants enjoy the challenge of these contests and the thrill of connecting with the community. It's more than just a game; it's about sharing fun experiences and interests.
  3. Clues can often come from unexpected places, like the design of buildings or local features. Paying attention to details, like the style of a post office or street lamp, can lead you to the right answer.

Calvin & Hobbes, Bill Watterson and Art Over Commerce

SatPost by Trung Phan • 106 implied HN points • 09 Nov 24
🎭️ Culture Comics Art Entertainment Media Music
  1. Bill Watterson, the creator of Calvin & Hobbes, chose not to commercialize his work through merchandise. He believed that doing so would devalue the comic and preferred to keep it as pure art.
  2. Watterson stopped drawing Calvin & Hobbes after ten years, feeling that he had said everything he wanted to say. He wanted to leave when the comic was still loved, rather than risk it becoming stale.
  3. Watterson's journey shows that creating art for the love of it, rather than for money, can lead to lasting impact. His decision to not overextend Calvin & Hobbes has kept its legacy alive and well-regarded even decades later.

Nights Without Dreams

Crumpstack • 432 implied HN points • 06 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture Nightlife Subcultures Art Music
  1. The downtown Manhattan scene is divided into two main groups: the 'politicos' and the 'hipsters'.
  2. Sovereign House is a popular spot for Yarvinist DIY-space nightlife.
  3. There is a symbiotic relationship between the 'politicos' and the 'hipsters' in maintaining the scene's allure.

Generative AI Cars Coming Soon

Sector 6 | The Newsletter of AIM • 499 implied HN points • 15 Jan 24
🕹 Technology AI Automotive Innovation Software Music
  1. Mercedes-AMG launched a new car feature called MBUX SOUND DRIVE at CES 2024. This feature lets drivers create music based on their driving actions.
  2. The system uses sensors and advanced software to turn driving dynamics like acceleration and braking into musical sounds.
  3. This technology allows drivers to have a unique and immersive experience while driving, blending music with their driving style.

And then what?

Austin Kleon • 2278 implied HN points • 16 Dec 22
🎭️ Culture Art Literature Music Education Media
  1. It's important to think about what comes next after finishing a big task. Asking 'And then what?' can help guide your next steps.
  2. We often shape ourselves to fit what machines can do. It's surprising how much we adapt to be like technology.
  3. Kids today are pushing back against social media culture. They care less about likes and more about real connections.

Girlhood, mortality hacks and a theory of "Sound Towns"

Links I Would Gchat You If We Were Friends • 618 implied HN points • 10 Dec 23
🎭️ Culture Music Demographics Podcasts Internet culture
  1. Spotify's 'sound towns' feature matches music preferences to specific cities, indicating local listening patterns influenced by demographics.
  2. Research shows that music preferences in cities correlate with factors like race, education, and income, reflecting unique resident mixes.
  3. Spotify Wrapped findings, like matching to college towns, may align with demographics of listeners, such as higher education levels.

Art in an Emergency

Seven Senses • 739 implied HN points • 04 Nov 23
🎭️ Culture Art Music Dance Spirituality Healing
  1. Art, like dance and music, helps heal our spirit and emotions. Many cultures have known this for a long time.
  2. Holding on to emotions can cause physical discomfort or pain in our bodies. It's important to process these feelings through creative activities.
  3. Making time to dance, sing, or be still can greatly improve our well-being. Connecting with these activities can revive our energy and joy.

Attack of the 50something women

The Shift With Sam Baker • 838 implied HN points • 29 Jun 23
🎭️ Culture Music Feminism Media Aging Gender
  1. Women over 50 are showcasing their skills and confidence in various fields, challenging the notion that they should be invisible.
  2. Prominent female figures like Sharlene Spiteri, Cate Blanchett, and Jo Whiley are inspiring with their energy and talent at ages 54-57.
  3. The growing visibility of women over 50 in media, entertainment, and other industries may signify the start of a movement towards inclusivity and recognition.

The rise of Manchester’s urban gardens

The Mill • 432 implied HN points • 29 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Community Events Music Literature
  1. The rise of urban gardens in Manchester is transforming disused land into green spaces for the community.
  2. Partnerships between organizations like the National Trust and Sow the City are helping create urban gardening projects across the city.
  3. Efforts to develop more urban gardens are supported by initiatives like the GMCA's green space fund and are essential for improving access to green spaces in Manchester.

Spooky season! 👻

Austin Kleon • 2677 implied HN points • 30 Sep 22
🎭️ Culture Arts Literature Music Film Design
  1. Spooky season is a time for fun and cozy activities like watching scary movies. It's a great way to enjoy the change in the air and get into the spirit of fall.
  2. Reading is highlighted as a wonderful pastime, with recommendations for both fiction and non-fiction books. This can inspire others to dive into new stories or learn something new.
  3. Sharing experiences like interesting events or personal reflections can connect people and spark conversations. It’s a reminder of the joy of community through shared interests.

Donald Fagen: an interview

Expanding Dan • 786 implied HN points • 07 Sep 23
🎶 Music Interview Life Music Tour
  1. Steely Dan is starting a tour with the Eagles at Madison Square Garden.
  2. Donald Fagen answered questions about the tour, memories of Wayne Shorter, favorite albums, and his love for iced tea.
  3. The interview is available to paid subscribers only.

Further Thoughts on Tornetta (and a bit about Veracini)

lawrence’s Substack • 219 implied HN points • 12 Apr 24
💰 Finance Legal Stock Market Earnings Music
  1. Attorneys' fees in legal cases can be substantial, with requests reaching billions of dollars, setting new records
  2. Tesla may face implications in its stock price due to potential sale of awarded shares, creating a significant influence on the market
  3. The _Tornetta_ decision could result in a significant earnings windfall and raises questions about the fundamental duty of a board of directors in improving shareholder value

Which intelligence?

Paola Writes • 471 implied HN points • 07 Jan 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Literature Science Fiction Intelligence Music
  1. Intelligence comes in various forms beyond traditional measures like logical-mathematical or linguistic-verbal.
  2. The definition of human intelligence can be complex, with factors like motivation and self-awareness playing a role.
  3. Efficiency in gaining skills may be a significant factor in measuring intelligence, but human intelligence is complex and cannot be solely defined by efficiency.

The day had just taken a seat

Austin Kleon • 2777 implied HN points • 19 Aug 22
🎭️ Culture Art Literature Music Media Politics
  1. Understanding today's politics can be easier if you look at professional wrestling. It's a surprising connection that many people are finding interesting.
  2. Finding a book that ends perfectly is a joy. Craig Brown's book about The Beatles really nailed its conclusion.
  3. It's important to be kind to yourself, especially when facing challenges. Sometimes, just taking small steps forward can make a difference.

Fishing For Hope In The New Year

Slack Tide by Matt Labash • 167 implied HN points • 05 Jan 25
🎭️ Culture Literature Art Music Traditions Philosophy
  1. Even when times feel tough, we can choose to be optimistic. It's important to keep hope alive, especially at the start of a new year.
  2. Reflecting on the past year helps us appreciate the people we've lost and the wisdom they've shared. Remembering them can offer comfort and perspective.
  3. Traditions, like quiet family gatherings instead of wild parties, can make New Year's more meaningful. Sometimes, a low-key start can feel much better.

Not knowing what’s impossible

Austin Kleon • 2477 implied HN points • 09 Sep 22
🎭️ Culture Literature Art Music Philosophy Film
  1. Sometimes, not knowing what can't be done can lead to amazing creations, just like Orson Welles with 'Citizen Kane'. It shows us the power of ignorance in fostering creativity.
  2. When faced with frustrating or silly ideas, a good response is to explore and contradict them, like what philosopher Mary Midgley did in her writing. It's a way to keep thinking and learning.
  3. Finding joy in our passions, like movies or music, helps us connect with ourselves. Looking back at what we loved as teens can reveal a lot about who we are today.

Ali's Flair in Love and War

Ladyparts • 399 implied HN points • 17 Jan 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Photography Memoir Music
  1. Ali Smith, a former punk rock musician turned photographer and writer, reflects on her past experiences in the East Village and her band Speedball Baby.
  2. Despite her previous wild lifestyle, Ali Smith is now a thoughtful artist, mother, wife, and writer, living a cozy life outside London.
  3. Ali Smith's current interests include discussing her son's school activities, photography assignments, and her husband's career changes.