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hi team. i don’t even know where to start this week. we’ve got one of the more eclectic collections of music in our playlist, and there was so much news this week that I have no idea how we’re going to cover it all.

Joni Mitchell followed Neil Young’s lead and unceremoniously put her music back on Spotify. we got an impression for the Broadway adaptation of Illinois by Sufjan Steven’s, AKA every millennial’s favorite sad-boy album. Ben Folds got divorced for the 5th time, officially making him baby-boomer-Taylor-Swift. Kevin Bacon is going to prom. and LIL NAS X ran a HALF MARATHON in DESIGNER SHOES. his need for a wheelchair the next day is not the least bit surprising.

so with all that being said, let’s dive into even more headlines…

headliners

PITCHFORK LIVED AND DIED BY THE INTERNET The Verge
this article is pretty well summed up by one quote: “now, in the streaming era, music is more available than ever — but it’s harder for bands to break through… in theory, this should make music journalism more important than ever for new artists.” agreed. hardcore agreed. more and more, music has transitioned into content. we don’t form connections with what we listen to. we let songs go through one ear and out the other, without question. i am just as guilty of this as anyone else. but the sad truth is that Pitchfork was one of the last publications fighting the good fight, highlighting artistry and what makes some music good and some music trash. now that they are leaving us, who will carry the torch? how do we form deeper connections with music? parsing this would take a whole book to describe. but to start, follow more of your favorite artists’ social media pages, go support artists in person, and maybe start a newsletter idk!

SAME OLD SONG: PRIVATE EQUITY IS DESTROYING OUR MUSIC ECOSYTEM The New York Times
as soon as private equity is mentioned anywhere, my knee-jerk reaction is to sneeze in disgust and yell “to hell with ye!” and while this article argues the same, i’m not quite sure i agree with the premise. to summarize: in the past few years, investment firms like Blackrock have started investing in our favorite catalogs, like that of Whitney Houston, Bob Marley, and Rick James to name a few. this has resulted in more remixes, biopics, TV cameos, super-mega-deluxe albums, etc. fine. whatever. but the argument here is that this is taking away money from independents. to which i say: huh? look. i know. independent artists, time and time again don’t get their fair share. but private equity pooping out a holographic Frank Zappa isn’t to blame. it’s greedy record labels and omnipotent streaming services. so go ahead, Warren Buffet. give me that Beach Boys happy meal!

TIMOTHEE CHALAMET IS BOB DYLAN Pitchfork
who thinks this is gonna work? who thinks this makes sense? i’m a bit late here because the story that i’m about to mention came out before i started this newsletter, but Timmy-boy got exclusive access to never-before-heard Dylan songs in order to prepare for the part, and people were not thrilled. that’s because this is T-Cham we’re talking about. he’s just a kid! what gives him the right!? alas, i think doubting Timbo’s abilities is important here, because we are creating a win-win scenario for ourselves. we either get to say “i told you so” or be pleasantly surprised. so i’m not going to stop talking about it, and neither is the media. so good luck Timborini. may you be like a rolling stone.

really good new albums

“👍really good” to “👍👍👍 really really really good”

💿 AUDIO VERTIGO by Elbow (British stadium pop recorded in a garage apparently)
👍👍 really really good - i’ll always have a soft spot for Elbow but this album has some drum-driven frenetic urgency that is really refreshing to hear from them
⭐ Standout Tracks: “Things I’ve Been Telling Myself for Years” “Lover’s Leap” “Very Heaven”
🎫 Tour Dates

💿 Tigers Blood by Waxahatchee (edgy country)
👍 really good - she has never really hit a chord with me but this most recent album has some great tracks, one featuring MTIG playlist alum MJ Lenderman, so we gotta give some props!
⭐ Standout Tracks: “3 Sisters” “Evil Spawn” “Crowbar”
🎫 Tour Dates

💿 Two Things at Once by Bendigo Fletcher (rockin’ folk rock)
👍 really really good - the band has been hustling and gigging and writing and getting after it since day one, and this album is their most mature sounding to date and it deserves to go big
⭐ Standout Tracks: “Buffalo” “Vetiver” “The World is Dangerous”
🎫 Tour Dates

not new album that is really really really good 👍👍👍

a top rated album that i am bringing back from the dead

💿 Small Steps, Heavy Hooves by Dear and the Headlights (indie emo rock)
👍👍👍 really really really good - every song is a banger and full of emotion, grit, and ROCK and you gotta hear this shit because it will make you feel stuff
⭐ Standout Tracks: “Run in the Front” “Grace” “I Just Do”
🤔 Current Status: broken up

bonus tracks

• they announced the lineup for Lolla. yawn.

• The Decemberists are gettin’ back at it

@searsroar

✨☘️Hapoy St. Pattys day☘️✨