$5 gigs, not $10m deals: the story of US punk label Dischord Records | Music - The Guardian →
My all-time favorite record label.
beabadobee - Fake It Flowers Live #livestream - YouTube →
If you are a sucker for 90s-influenced indie rock like Beach Bunny, Soccer Mommy, Snail Mail, and Hatchie you will love this.
QAnon, Conspiracy Theories, and the Rise of Magical Thinking →
Very good explainer on conspiracy theories and thinking.
A Record 76% of Americans Can Vote by Mail in 2020 - The New York Times →
Come on New York. We stick out like a sore thumb.
What ARGs Can Teach Us About QAnon – mssv →
QAnon fascinates me (and confounds and scares me), probably because I enjoyed ARGs in the early 2000s. A good read.
Run The Jewels Return! - Broken Record with Rick Rubin →
A super good conversation.
Kate Tempest – People’s Faces Lyrics →
I learned of Kate Tempest through Joe Talbot’s awesome web show… this song was released in 2019, but it’s so perfect for 2020.
Almost one-third of Florida children tested are positive for the coronavirus | TheHill →
“They are seeing there is damage to the lungs in these asymptomatic children. … We don’t know how that is going to manifest a year from now or two years from now,”
Sounds like in-person school is a good idea.
Is free speech under threat from ‘cancel culture’? Four writers respond - The Guardian →
Professional consequences start off dire for the people who are cancelled en masse by structural racism. At least old white dudes get the respect of being cancelled on a case-by-case basis.
Good responses from all four writers.
Bully - Every Tradition - YouTube →
Another new one from Bully. So good.
Reopening Schools in NJ- Educator Concerns →
An even larger list of questions from teachers. SO many issues. It’s not as simple as “we need to open.”
Free Speech
ending the charade – Fredrik deBoer →
So how can someone object to an endorsement of free speech and open debate without being opposed to those things in and of themselves? You can’t. And people are objecting to it because social justice politics are plainly opposed to free speech. That is the most obvious political fact imaginable today.
Pretty sure no one is against your ability to say things, just that there are consequences for saying things (an even more obvious fact) and that, holy shit, people are finally being held to account for the racist, misogynist, hateful stuff they say (and do) and if enough people feel that way, maybe you finally feel the repercussions. If you feel that forces you to censor yourself or limits your free speech, that is on you. There are plenty of soapboxes for you to spout your bullshit.
BALLEY TV - Episode 3 with Billy Bragg & Arlo Parks →
A great episode of Joe Talbot’s (IDLES) web series where he talks with fellow musicians during the pandemic. Love Billy Bragg!
Dirty Projectors: Tiny Desk (Home) Concert : NPR →
The new songs are so good!
Local educators urge their peers to be actively anti-racist - buffalonews.com →
The kids and I accompanied my wife to the educators rally in downtown Buffalo this evening. Super inspiring. Glad the kids got to see it!
IDLES - GROUNDS (Official Video) - YouTube →
So good. Perfect soundtrack for 2020. Can’t wait for the new album!
Police: Last Week Tonight with John Oliver (HBO) - YouTube →
Crucial. Watch the whole episode.
Senate Votes to Allow FBI to Look at Your Web Browsing History Without a Warrant - VICE →
Sanders and any other Senator who didn’t show up for amendment vote should be ashamed.
Avenue 5 - Airlock Scene - YouTube →
Pretty much America right now.
Seminal punk label Dischord’s entire catalog is now free online →
“Free” is a bold headline, as it’s pay-what-you-can and the money does go to the artists. Definitely worth checking out. Some of my favorite bands of all time.