And the Band(s) Kept Playing

Doing my best to recalibrate my focus back to the music rather than the apparatus that surrounds it

Reflecting on a Year in Music Writing

"Enjoy or don't!" - Miranda Reinert

The Underrated Albums Edition

Some of the 2023 releases I don't want anyone to miss

Musicians I Listened To at 14 and Suddenly Never Again

Everyone can name the musicians who changed their lives forever, who they go back to often. I'm more interested in the bands I tried, loved, and dropped.

Music & City Planning Don't Mix Easily

Most public planners are looking for ways to create additional monetary value in their cities. That doesn't comport with fostering a sustainable, cutting-edge art scene.

The Required Fall Playlist

Back-to-school, leaves crunching, feelings dislodging, now available on streaming

A Soundtrack to My Car Theft

Milwaukee’s rap scene is on the rise. As the scene emerged, some young Milwaukeeans discovered a fatal flaw in cheap cars. The product? Kia Boys-themed hip-hop.

Kids Should Learn Drone, Too.

Listening to experimental music and thinking to myself: contemporary music education is too narrow and self-serving!

My First Album Review

What I thought of a certain beloved album then, what I think of it now, and the state of "criticism"

I Went To Pitchfork Music Festival Again

I tell all my friends that Pitchfork is an easy festival. It’s in a public park on several transit lines. It’s in a major city where you’re bound to know someone who’ll let you stay in their guest room (or, in my case, their living room)

I've Seen Choir Boy Four Times

Taking a moment to be grateful for the Market Frankford Line

Reacting to "Rush"

I like it! To no one’s surprise, very online gay guys are talking about it on Twitter. In between work calls, I’m reading your tweets (and not saying anything). I think they’re funny! And some of you are really, really serious. I recommend waiting a few hours

streaming

Liam McCay Reassures Me It'll Be Okay

The prolific 18-year-old musician behind sign crushes motorist, Birth Day, hold, and more chats with me about his new album and his curious path to cult status

Electronic Music

10 Albums for 2023 (so far)

My partner co-hosts a podcast about music, the internet, and where those two things intersect called Endless Scroll. Ever heard of it? If you’re here, you probably have.  The fearsome foursome of Endless Scroll just revealed their top ten favorite releases of 2023 so far. Ranking episodes are always

LGBTQ

Gay Wednesday (on Tuesday)

I dangerously and unfairly project my experiences and moods onto music made by gay people for your entertainment, and also I saw Wednesday again

Neighborhood Change

Authentically Roxy

My hometown venue got caught up in The City Authentic paradigm. It kind of sucks.

Music Education

Rock On!

Revisiting my tactile relationship to music in a changing city, part 2.

metal

Devon Discovers Doom

I ran from metal for years. Now, I'm obsessed with extreme doom, and you can be, too.

Music

Planning to Rave

A basic examination of why music gets big in certain cities at certain times.