The Preparation Becomes Deliberate
Friendly ghosts, tone archaeology, the memories of musical instruments, and other grand topics join our usual round of heartfelt recommendations.
Noah Preminger and the Saxophone as a Vehicle for Life
The Boston-area tenor saxophonist refuses to let jazz orthodoxy dictate his artistic path. His latest album, 'Ballads,' reveals how moving through different musical territories deepens what happens within the song.
Falling Into a Mirage of Sound
A dome for whispering ghosts, unsettling sorcery for the ears, and imagining your drum kit as a home office. Also: harps!
Rolling Bones — Sylvie Courvoisier, Mary Halvorson, and the Art of Risk
Courvoisier and Halvorson unveil 'Bone Bells,' their acclaimed third album, and demonstrate how musical risk yields remarkable rewards. Eight new compositions showcase technical prowess while revealing a partnership where composed frameworks serve as springboards rather than constraints.
The Piano as Portal — Phillip Golub's Journey Through 22 Tones
How do you record music that can't be played on conventional instruments? For 'Loop 7,' Golub and Greyfade's Joseph Branciforte devised an ingenious solution involving a digital player piano and meticulous retuning to create the impossible.
'Music Is My Church' — Six Missing's Ambient Refuge
With 'Gentle Breath,' TJ Dumser's ambient project turns improvisation into liturgy, crafting spaces where listeners can step "outside the stream" and find themselves within carefully constructed waveforms.
Unexpected Visitations — Bit Cloudy's Homespun Electronica
'The Visitation Plays' captivates with its sublime combination of meticulous programming and organic flow. Thompson discusses how everyday moments influence an electronic mixture that both welcomes and disrupts expectations.
Locally Sourced, Globally Spread
A call-to-arms for artistic networking. Also, highlights from The Tonearm, a bunch of sonic recommendations, and inspiration for cranking out zines.
Where the Wild Things Are — Jenny Scheinman's 'All Species Parade'
The acclaimed violinist and composer returns to California's Lost Coast, crafting a sprawling double album that celebrates biodiversity with help from an all-star ensemble including Bill Frisell, Julian Lage, and Nels Cline.
When Rebellion Doesn’t Look Like Rebellion
On tones, colors, and contagious statements of example. Also, a slew of terrific stories from The Tonearm HQ and more of our algorithm-defying recommendations.
Hitting the Pavement — Cary Baker's Love Letter to Busking
In 'Down on the Corner,' the veteran music publicist chronicles his four-decade journey from Maxwell Street to global sidewalks, revealing how spontaneous street performances shaped both his life and music history.
Beautiful Collisions — Michael Dorf Stages a Carnegie Tribute to Patti Smith
That scrappy Knitting Factory on Houston Street planted seeds for two decades of tribute concerts that have raised millions for music education. Dorf's persistent courtship of Smith finally bears fruit as an inspiring lineup of performers gathers on March 26 to reinterpret her revolutionary catalog.