The Tonearm
@thetonearm.com
celebrating music journalism
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putting a needle on the cultural wax
an online journal of unexpected music + culture → thetonearm.com
+
putting a needle on the cultural wax
an online journal of unexpected music + culture → thetonearm.com
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The Tonearm
@thetonearm.com
· Mar 20
The Tonearm is an online journal of unexpected music and culture, a shared exploration of what it's like to create cool + meaningful things.
Check out our latest articles + podcasts: www.thetonearm.com/linkinbio/
and don't forget to subscribe to our weekly newsletter, Talk Of The Tonearm ✨
Check out our latest articles + podcasts: www.thetonearm.com/linkinbio/
and don't forget to subscribe to our weekly newsletter, Talk Of The Tonearm ✨
"Boasting an energetic style itself inspired by the Wu-Tang Clan and RZA in its use of diverse creative references, 'The Disciple' dives headfirst into Cilvaringz’s incredible trajectory within the group and the making — and subsequent fallout — of 'Once Upon a Time in Shaolin'."
How the Director of Wu-Tang Clan Doc ‘The Disciple’ Unraveled the ‘Wild’ and Untold Story of Cilvaringz and the ‘Once Upon a Time in Shaolin’ Saga
Joanna Natasegara discusses Sundance doc The Disciple, working with RZA and Cilvaringz to tell the story of Once Upon a Time in Shaolin
variety.com
January 24, 2026 at 12:45 PM
"Boasting an energetic style itself inspired by the Wu-Tang Clan and RZA in its use of diverse creative references, 'The Disciple' dives headfirst into Cilvaringz’s incredible trajectory within the group and the making — and subsequent fallout — of 'Once Upon a Time in Shaolin'."
"Heavily instrumental, featuring Laswell’s deep bass, Material was a funk-rock-prog-jazz-disco-industrial band, one of the major voices in that unique mix that came out of New York in the immediate post-punk years."
Living in Material’s World:
Living in Material’s World:
Living in Material’s World
Bill Laswell's funk-rock-prog-jazz-disco-industrial band came out of New York in the immediate post-punk years.
daily.bandcamp.com
January 24, 2026 at 10:30 AM
"Heavily instrumental, featuring Laswell’s deep bass, Material was a funk-rock-prog-jazz-disco-industrial band, one of the major voices in that unique mix that came out of New York in the immediate post-punk years."
Living in Material’s World:
Living in Material’s World:
As Adrian Sherwood returns to Dub Syndicate's multitrack tapes a decade after Style Scott's tragic passing, he uncovers new artifacts within familiar terrain—the resurrected albums documenting how the partnership of two sonic architects continues to cut through space and time.
Rhythm and Echo:
Rhythm and Echo:
Adrian Sherwood Revisits Dub Syndicate's Golden Era
As Sherwood returns to Dub Syndicate's multitrack tapes a decade after Scott's tragic passing, he uncovers new artifacts within familiar terrain—the resurrected albums documenting how the partnership of two sonic architects continues to cut through space and time.
www.thetonearm.com
January 24, 2026 at 7:45 AM
As Adrian Sherwood returns to Dub Syndicate's multitrack tapes a decade after Style Scott's tragic passing, he uncovers new artifacts within familiar terrain—the resurrected albums documenting how the partnership of two sonic architects continues to cut through space and time.
Rhythm and Echo:
Rhythm and Echo:
"The mythology around that would-be World Renown album has only grown. Demo versions were bootlegged widely, making their way onto YouTube and random Blogspot sites, and World Renown has come to be known as one of the great 'lost' albums of rap’s golden era. But World Renown’s story is not unique."
An Alternate Timeline of ’90s & ’00s Hip-Hop
Scorching shelved records that could have been career-makers.
daily.bandcamp.com
January 24, 2026 at 6:45 AM
"The mythology around that would-be World Renown album has only grown. Demo versions were bootlegged widely, making their way onto YouTube and random Blogspot sites, and World Renown has come to be known as one of the great 'lost' albums of rap’s golden era. But World Renown’s story is not unique."
"If 'Young Americans,' his previous album, had examined the post-Watergate rottenness infecting the once-great nation he’d recently adopted as his home, then on 'Station to Station' he turns his gaze fully inward upon his own condition, and finds the creeping decay at work there too."
Notions of Decadence: Half a Century of Bowie's Station To Station | The Quietus
Ben Graham considers decadence, the fascination of fascism and David Bowie's half a century old Station To Station
thequietus.com
January 24, 2026 at 4:00 AM
"If 'Young Americans,' his previous album, had examined the post-Watergate rottenness infecting the once-great nation he’d recently adopted as his home, then on 'Station to Station' he turns his gaze fully inward upon his own condition, and finds the creeping decay at work there too."
On her album 'System', Izzy Hagerup, aka Prewn, builds maximalist songs alone in her home studio, using 'self-indulgent' cello and multitracked vocals to convey the gravity of being trapped inside something much bigger than herself.
Prewn Weathers a World Riddled with Systems:
Prewn Weathers a World Riddled with Systems:
Prewn Weathers a World Riddled with Systems | The Tonearm
On 'System', Izzy Hagerup aka Prewn builds maximalist songs alone in her home studio, using 'self-indulgent' cello and multitracked vocals to process the gravity of being trapped inside something much bigger than herself.
www.thetonearm.com
January 24, 2026 at 1:45 AM
On her album 'System', Izzy Hagerup, aka Prewn, builds maximalist songs alone in her home studio, using 'self-indulgent' cello and multitracked vocals to convey the gravity of being trapped inside something much bigger than herself.
Prewn Weathers a World Riddled with Systems:
Prewn Weathers a World Riddled with Systems:
"Verlaine’s works are joining friends. The Lou Reed papers can also be found—via onsite request—at the Library for Performing Arts. Ditto the diaries of Jim Carroll, former downtown fixture and author of The Basketball Diaries."
Which other rock stars live on at the library?:
Which other rock stars live on at the library?:
The NYPL has acquired Tom Verlaine’s archive. Which other rock stars live on at the library?
Patience and Fortitude have a new, freaky playmate. Tom Verlaine, the late livewire best known as frontman for the proto-punk band Television, has left his remaining archive to the NYPL. According …
lithub.com
January 23, 2026 at 11:45 PM
"Verlaine’s works are joining friends. The Lou Reed papers can also be found—via onsite request—at the Library for Performing Arts. Ditto the diaries of Jim Carroll, former downtown fixture and author of The Basketball Diaries."
Which other rock stars live on at the library?:
Which other rock stars live on at the library?:
"Originally published in 2013, Van Dyke Parks, Peter Frampton, Chris Spedding, Bobby Keys and Herbie Flowers revisit the three brilliant and contrary records Harry Nilsson made in the early ’70s."
Harry Nilsson — “He redefined what a song could do”: www.uncut.co.uk/features/har...
Harry Nilsson — “He redefined what a song could do”: www.uncut.co.uk/features/har...
January 23, 2026 at 8:45 PM
"Originally published in 2013, Van Dyke Parks, Peter Frampton, Chris Spedding, Bobby Keys and Herbie Flowers revisit the three brilliant and contrary records Harry Nilsson made in the early ’70s."
Harry Nilsson — “He redefined what a song could do”: www.uncut.co.uk/features/har...
Harry Nilsson — “He redefined what a song could do”: www.uncut.co.uk/features/har...
Deadwrong, by Elujay
from the album A Constant Charade
dsw-elujay.bandcamp.com
January 23, 2026 at 7:45 PM
"[Artist Steve Parker] wanted to create a tribute to this tree that served as a refuge for migratory birds in their area. What he created was a sound sculpture, a record player that could play actual discs with bird songs, a fitting honor to the life and legacy of the tree."
An Artist Carved His Dead Oak Into Records That Play Bird Songs - Yanko Design
https://vimeo.com/1154771574?fl=pl&fe=cm One thing that the world has been learning the past few years is that people deal with grief differently. That's why we can never judge how people react to death of loved ones, beloved pets, other living creatures, and even life changes. Artists and creative people in particular sometimes have profound ways of honoring
www.yankodesign.com
January 23, 2026 at 6:45 PM
"[Artist Steve Parker] wanted to create a tribute to this tree that served as a refuge for migratory birds in their area. What he created was a sound sculpture, a record player that could play actual discs with bird songs, a fitting honor to the life and legacy of the tree."
"Transforming their melody into a protest song seemed an obvious answer. 'We aren’t soldiers, and we don’t have an army,' Moller said. 'But we could do something through our music.'"
How a Pro-Greenland Song Became a Protest Anthem (gift link):
How a Pro-Greenland Song Became a Protest Anthem (gift link):
How a Pro-Greenland Song Became a Protest Anthem
www.nytimes.com
January 23, 2026 at 5:32 PM
"Transforming their melody into a protest song seemed an obvious answer. 'We aren’t soldiers, and we don’t have an army,' Moller said. 'But we could do something through our music.'"
How a Pro-Greenland Song Became a Protest Anthem (gift link):
How a Pro-Greenland Song Became a Protest Anthem (gift link):
Elujay explains to The Tonearm's Mariam Abdel-Razek how 'A Constant Charade' channels his graffiti roots, his friendship with the late Angus Cloud, and his belief that R&B thrives when artists keep surprising themselves and their listeners.
I Advance Masked — Into the Deep With Elujay:
I Advance Masked — Into the Deep With Elujay:
The Unmasked R&B of Elujay's 'A Constant Charade'
Elujay explains how 'A Constant Charade' channels his graffiti roots, his friendship with Angus Cloud, and his belief that R&B thrives when artists keep surprising themselves and their listeners.
www.thetonearm.com
January 23, 2026 at 5:02 PM
Elujay explains to The Tonearm's Mariam Abdel-Razek how 'A Constant Charade' channels his graffiti roots, his friendship with the late Angus Cloud, and his belief that R&B thrives when artists keep surprising themselves and their listeners.
I Advance Masked — Into the Deep With Elujay:
I Advance Masked — Into the Deep With Elujay:
"The film has been re-soundtracked live and on record countless times over the last century. That it has been accompanied by everyone from Shostakovich, to Pet Shop Boys, to punks, improvisors and modern DIY collectives has even added to its radical value as the decades have passed."
Rhythmic Cinema: Sonic possibilities and open source soundtracking ensures Battleship Potemkin still connects 100 years on | The Quietus
Eisenstein's Battleship Potemkin is stronger than ever before, a century after its public premiere, thanks to its open source music
thequietus.com
January 23, 2026 at 3:06 PM
"The film has been re-soundtracked live and on record countless times over the last century. That it has been accompanied by everyone from Shostakovich, to Pet Shop Boys, to punks, improvisors and modern DIY collectives has even added to its radical value as the decades have passed."
Reposted by The Tonearm
THANK YOU MINNEAPOLIS youtu.be/Ks0to2QuJtM
HUSKER DU - Love is all around (Mary Tyler Moore Theme)
YouTube video by Thomas J. Foley
youtu.be
January 23, 2026 at 2:51 PM
THANK YOU MINNEAPOLIS youtu.be/Ks0to2QuJtM
"Whether it was Leonard Cohen and William Burroughs embracing Scientology, or Sammy Davis, Jr., and Jayne Mansfield joining the Church of Satan, there was a rich marketplace of spirituality for California bohemians. And, for many, the answer was Pentecostal Christianity."
How the First Ever Christian Rock Album Led to the “Jesus Movement”
1977 As Janet Chastain sat with her parents, watching Jimmy Carter’s inauguration on the living-room TV, she wanted to scream. It wasn’t that she was unhappy that Carter—America’s first evangelical…
lithub.com
January 23, 2026 at 12:45 PM
"Whether it was Leonard Cohen and William Burroughs embracing Scientology, or Sammy Davis, Jr., and Jayne Mansfield joining the Church of Satan, there was a rich marketplace of spirituality for California bohemians. And, for many, the answer was Pentecostal Christianity."
"It began as a mistake. Philip Glass wrote a single piece, Music in Twelve Parts, the title referring to the number of lines of counterpoint in the score. He played it for a friend, who, as he recalls, responded by saying, 'That’s very beautiful; what are the other 11 parts going to be like?'"
“Music In Twelve Parts,” Philip Glass’s Accidental Opus
The composer's 12-part masterwork, composed in the early ’70s, happened by accident.
daily.bandcamp.com
January 23, 2026 at 10:30 AM
"It began as a mistake. Philip Glass wrote a single piece, Music in Twelve Parts, the title referring to the number of lines of counterpoint in the score. He played it for a friend, who, as he recalls, responded by saying, 'That’s very beautiful; what are the other 11 parts going to be like?'"
Spolight On host Lawrence Peryer revisits 2022's most popular episodes, featuring conversations with jam band guitarist Steve Kimock, Nick Mason (Pink Floyd), jazz greats The Headhunters, and more.
Spotlight On Podcast — Looking Back at Year Three:
Spotlight On Podcast — Looking Back at Year Three:
Spotlight On Podcast: Looking Back at Year Three (2022)
On the fifth anniversary of Spotlight On, we look back at year three's most popular episodes, featuring jam band guitarist Steve Kimock, Nick Mason (Pink Floyd), jazz greats The Headhunters, and other art and culture innovators.
www.thetonearm.com
January 23, 2026 at 7:45 AM
Spolight On host Lawrence Peryer revisits 2022's most popular episodes, featuring conversations with jam band guitarist Steve Kimock, Nick Mason (Pink Floyd), jazz greats The Headhunters, and more.
Spotlight On Podcast — Looking Back at Year Three:
Spotlight On Podcast — Looking Back at Year Three:
"In the post-punk era, progressive rock figurehead Robert Fripp and synth pop pioneer Gary Numan would shape the future sound of alternative rock and metal."
Robert Fripp and Gary Numan’s Journeys into Post-Punk:
Robert Fripp and Gary Numan’s Journeys into Post-Punk:
Robert Fripp and Gary Numan's Journeys into Post-Punk » PopMatters
In the post-punk era, progressive rock figurehead Robert Fripp and synth pop pioneer Gary Numan would shape the future sound of alternative rock and metal.
www.popmatters.com
January 23, 2026 at 6:45 AM
"In the post-punk era, progressive rock figurehead Robert Fripp and synth pop pioneer Gary Numan would shape the future sound of alternative rock and metal."
Robert Fripp and Gary Numan’s Journeys into Post-Punk:
Robert Fripp and Gary Numan’s Journeys into Post-Punk:
"As the core members fade away (just Hart and Kreutzmann are still alive among them), the phenomenon continues. Like perhaps no other act, the Dead have evolved into an idea and a songbook."
Bob Weir Is Gone, but the Dead’s Music Plays On (gift link):
Bob Weir Is Gone, but the Dead’s Music Plays On (gift link):
Bob Weir Is Gone, but the Dead’s Music Plays On
A concert honoring the Grateful Dead guitarist showed the durability of the band’s music and culture, even as its members dwindle.
www.nytimes.com
January 23, 2026 at 4:00 AM
"As the core members fade away (just Hart and Kreutzmann are still alive among them), the phenomenon continues. Like perhaps no other act, the Dead have evolved into an idea and a songbook."
Bob Weir Is Gone, but the Dead’s Music Plays On (gift link):
Bob Weir Is Gone, but the Dead’s Music Plays On (gift link):
Ondi Timoner's rockumentary 'DIG!' follows the Brian Jonestown Massacre and the Dandy Warhols through the '90s music industry, but, as The Tonearm's Bill Cooper explains, its most vital lesson has nothing to do with record labels—it's about the communities and collaborations that sustain bands:
What 'DIG!' Reveals About Building Music Communities
Ondi Timoner's rockumentary follows the Brian Jonestown Massacre and the Dandy Warhols through the '90s music industry, but its most vital lesson has nothing to do with record labels—it's about the communities and collaborations that sustain bands.
www.thetonearm.com
January 23, 2026 at 1:45 AM
Ondi Timoner's rockumentary 'DIG!' follows the Brian Jonestown Massacre and the Dandy Warhols through the '90s music industry, but, as The Tonearm's Bill Cooper explains, its most vital lesson has nothing to do with record labels—it's about the communities and collaborations that sustain bands:
"This music was very different to the rest of the charts – sleek, minimalist, poised, with a hint of jazz, lover’s rock and soul in the percussion and arrangement."
The making of “Your Love Is King” by Sade: www.uncut.co.uk/features/int...
The making of “Your Love Is King” by Sade: www.uncut.co.uk/features/int...
January 22, 2026 at 11:45 PM
"This music was very different to the rest of the charts – sleek, minimalist, poised, with a hint of jazz, lover’s rock and soul in the percussion and arrangement."
The making of “Your Love Is King” by Sade: www.uncut.co.uk/features/int...
The making of “Your Love Is King” by Sade: www.uncut.co.uk/features/int...
"The band doesn’t see nihilism as a dead end but a condition to work within, a way of naming the pervasive sense of helplessness without surrendering to it. 'Our brand of nihilism is very much describing helplessness, but it also tries to embrace whatever form of beauty is possible,' Lau says."
David Boring Return to a World of Horrors
The Hong Kong band return after a 7-year hiatus with a darker, more mechanized sound.
daily.bandcamp.com
January 22, 2026 at 8:45 PM
"The band doesn’t see nihilism as a dead end but a condition to work within, a way of naming the pervasive sense of helplessness without surrendering to it. 'Our brand of nihilism is very much describing helplessness, but it also tries to embrace whatever form of beauty is possible,' Lau says."
"If a Towner piece is delicate origami, a Sunn O))) construction is a room-engulfing Serra, looming over you, eclipsing the light. There’s poetry there too, but it is the poetry of mass and menace, of darkness and decay."
Ralph Towner and Sunn O))) — Kindred extremes:
Ralph Towner and Sunn O))) — Kindred extremes:
Ralph Towner and Sunn O))): Kindred extremes
Acoustic intimacy and amplified sonic weight — superficially opposing but spiritually aligned visions of guitar-as-higher-purpose
darkforcesswing.substack.com
January 22, 2026 at 6:45 PM
"If a Towner piece is delicate origami, a Sunn O))) construction is a room-engulfing Serra, looming over you, eclipsing the light. There’s poetry there too, but it is the poetry of mass and menace, of darkness and decay."
Ralph Towner and Sunn O))) — Kindred extremes:
Ralph Towner and Sunn O))) — Kindred extremes:
Reposted by The Tonearm
Beatbunny's latest rigorously-researched delve into vintage drum patterns solves many mysteries about "You Spin Me Round (Like a Record)", probably the most MAS COWBELL AHORA dance track ever:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=O4rB...
#DeadOrAlive #StockAitkenWaterman
www.youtube.com/watch?v=O4rB...
#DeadOrAlive #StockAitkenWaterman
YOU SPIN ME ROUND - Analyzing the Most ADDICTIVE Beat of the 80s | Drum Patterns Explained
YouTube video by Captain Pikant
www.youtube.com
January 22, 2026 at 5:39 PM
Beatbunny's latest rigorously-researched delve into vintage drum patterns solves many mysteries about "You Spin Me Round (Like a Record)", probably the most MAS COWBELL AHORA dance track ever:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=O4rB...
#DeadOrAlive #StockAitkenWaterman
www.youtube.com/watch?v=O4rB...
#DeadOrAlive #StockAitkenWaterman