We All Hate Spotify, Don't We Folks?
This is all ancient history by now, but there was a lot of conversation surrounding abandoning Spotify this past month, largely in part to them providing a platform for Joe Rogan, but also because their platform is pretty inarguably terrible for artists. The Joe Rogan stuff only emphasized their priorities.
Full disclosure: I don't actually pay for Spotify, but I use it. My brother and his wife have a family account that they share, and I mooch like hell, so I don't pay for any streaming service. *shrug*
Ultimately, if you want to ditch Spotify out of protest for them platforming disinformation, I think that's rad. I might do the same if I paid for it! But, like, Neil Young leaving and then doing promo for AMAZON of all places is probably not the answer?
If you really care about supporting artists, I don't think it matters a ton what streaming service you use, since that's not really how most make any money. Tidal probably contributes the most to them, and I may explore putting these mixtapes on Tidal or Apple Music at some point too. But in the meantime, if you DID abandon Spotify, I want to emphasize that ALL of my mixtapes are available on Mixcloud, which you can listen to for FREE. No artists make money because of the streams, but no one's making a cent from your Spotify play either.
I think what really matters is supporting artists directly with concert tickets, merch and music sales. Just buy their records or a t-shirt.
There's no better time or place to do this than Bandcamp Friday, which is when Bandcamp waives their normal fees for artists, so the creators get 100% of the profits. Buy a record March 4th with me, why don't you?
We love music. We love supporting musicians. If we didn't, we wouldn't have this killer mix for you this month with my friend Phil.
And hey, if you like it, why not share the mix or this newsletter with a friend?
March Musings
Created in collaboration with Phil van Hoek for the journey.
A few words from Phil:
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As I sit here and work on the playlist and write up for this newsletter, I found myself stressing. Why was I so excited to work on a playlist with Brady and then start worrying about every single aspect of it? How could I live up to the other playlists and all the great music you’ve all introduced me to? How would people react to the song choices I included? And of course, what was I going to write as my blurb for the email? Folks, here’s how we got the title!
The inspiration of these tracks comes from a general sense of wondering where I’m going in life. Things feel all over the place and so unsure, especially these last few years, and I know I’m not the only one in this network who feels this way. Thankfully things like music have continued to keep me grounded in the face of anxiety and despair. That’s why I find I try to put “journeys” in my playlists so it’s a path I know that’s already paved ahead of me. I then try to push myself to find new or challenging tracks to give a dose of variety and chance that keeps things fresh and exciting. We can’t always be expected to know what’s coming on the horizon. I hope that comes across for you when you listen as well.
As it’s now clearly established, I tend to overthink things. Generally I like to blame that on my general sense of caring too much for impressing people. But as I started putting this together, things started to click. Brady was with me every step of the way, contributing, adjusting and collaborating. Things got easier and I let the vibes take over. What you’re about to hear is the culmination of starting things off high rocking energy and slowly relaxing and winding down, thinking about the journey to get to the end. It might be the end of the party, but we’re still going to have a damn good time.
Anyway, thanks for reading, and I hope you enjoy the tunes! I love nothing more than being involved in a community like this. Keep on rockin’.
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Love you all. Hope you enjoy!
Join Me: Paul McCartney @ MetLife Stadium, Thursday, June 16th @ 8 PM
I unloaded my bank account to buy nosebleed tickets for Paul McCartney this summer. I just have to. You get it, right? I just HAVE to see Paul before I die.
It felt insane to pay $200 per ticket until after it set in that I'd get to see him in concert. If you've never spent too much money to see a legend in concert, might I recommend you treat yourself every once in a while? I've seen Elton John, Billy Joel, Willie Nelson, U2, John Prine, Brian Wilson... every one was a treat in its own way.
Living my concert going life with no regrets means seeing them while I can! Join me!
RIYL: uhhhh... Paul McCartney? The Beatles? Come on, dudes, you get it.
Check out Paul McCartney's "Find My Way (feat. Beck)".
Some Other Things That Phil Loves
(that you might love too!)
Black Country, New Road - This is a band I’ve been screaming about from the mountaintops since their debut album finally came out last year. I know they might not be for everyone, but I truly feel like something important is brewing here.
Big Thief - My first live show since early 2019, I don’t think there is a band right now performing on the same level as this Brooklyn quartet. Oh and they just knocked out another album that is simply fantastic. Go check them out if they’re coming to your town!
Inside Llewyn Davis - Set in the 1960s folk scene in Greenwich Village, this is one of the best Coen brothers movies that I simply cannot get over. Every re-watch floors me and compels me to make everyone in my surrounding vicinity check it out.
Chris Luno - This dude’s YouTube channel is one of my favorite discoveries of the pandemic. Primarily focusing on house music, his early videos spinning vinyl are sublime, and his most recent “calming house mix” has been on heavy rotation as of late.
Also, I love movies! Follow me on the only social media I honestly care about, my Letterboxd!