On the Hunt for That Perfect Ten
Ride the wave with Linda May Han Oh, Tiberius, Robert Callender, Miguel Zenón, and more. Plus heaps of links, discoveries, and tubular vibes.
Squint and Bear It
For your eyes only: Nick Shoulders! Lōwli! Concept Albums! Geoff Mann! Okkyung Lee! Linda May Han Oh!
An Aspirational String Draws Us Together
Threading the good vibes with Peter Knight, Saintseneca's Zac Little, Adrian Sherwood, Lea Bertucci, and a startling potpourri of glamorous recommendations.
Everything is Everything — Adrian Sherwood's Resistance in Dub
The legendary On-U Sound producer discusses 'The Collapse of Everything,' his first solo album in thirteen years, and why treating the mixing desk as a live instrument remains his most radical act.
Peter Knight and Hand to Earth — Drawn Together by a Thread
The Australian trumpeter discusses 'Ŋurru Wäŋa', the concept of raki that underpins his quintet's practice, and what he learned from his musical relationship with Wágilak song keepers Daniel and David Wilfred.
Tending the Earth with Artistic Plowshares
We're always springing forward, never falling back. Kronos Quartet, Ted Hearne, LXOR, Hirons, Squanderers … plus LP on Fela Kuti.
Kronos Quartet's David Harrington on Listening Through the Storm
The founding member of Kronos Quartet discusses the origins of "Hard Rain," a reimagining of Dylan's nuclear anthem that unites nearly fifty artists across generations and continents, and reflects on five decades of using the string quartet to address the crises that define our moment.
Distant Fuzzy Radio Signals
A rundown of stuff that matters, this week featuring Jeff Parker, Dylan Henner, Funeral Lakes, Aiko Takahashi, and the recording duo of Bill Brennan and Andy McNeill.
Working it Out — Jeff Parker Revisits 'The New Breed'
Ten years after 'The New Breed' merged his love of J Dilla with his background in jazz composition, the Tortoise guitarist discusses mentorship, the practical realities of a music career, and why he makes the records he wants to hear.
Elbow to Elbow, Boisterous but Calm
This week's snazz-fest features amazing musicians Brainwasher, Hampus Lindwall, Shakti, Wes Corbett, and Harrison Argatoff. 100% free of kings.
Organs in the Abyss — Hampus Lindwall Rewires Sacred Tradition
The Paris-based organist's album 'Brace for Impact' pairs the seventy-eight-stop pipe organ at St. Antonius Church with Stephen O'Malley's metal riffs, Xenakis-inspired glissandos, and iPad-based composition software.
Particularly Proud of the Goat Horn
This week, the newsletter introduces a format tweak alongside our (un)usual round-up of irresistible recommendations and The Tonearm's recent features. Huzzah!