James
@moderntuba.bsky.social
Human who licenses music for film/TV, plays the tuba (capably) and the ukulele (less capably), enjoys soundtracks & speculative fiction, and votes. (he/they is a-okay)
Happy Super Bowl Saturday! Enjoy your sports holiday, and please do responsible things. Go team!
Personally, I don’t watch it for sports, music performances, or commercials. I just hope you get the best of the best out of it all.
Personally, I don’t watch it for sports, music performances, or commercials. I just hope you get the best of the best out of it all.
February 7, 2026 at 10:50 PM
Happy Super Bowl Saturday! Enjoy your sports holiday, and please do responsible things. Go team!
Personally, I don’t watch it for sports, music performances, or commercials. I just hope you get the best of the best out of it all.
Personally, I don’t watch it for sports, music performances, or commercials. I just hope you get the best of the best out of it all.
My hero, everybody.
Be kind. Bring joy. Repeat.
Be kind. Bring joy. Repeat.
I took the Colbert Questionert!
Watch the full interview here: youtu.be/HPONVyNiWsU?...
Watch the full interview here: youtu.be/HPONVyNiWsU?...
February 6, 2026 at 6:42 PM
My hero, everybody.
Be kind. Bring joy. Repeat.
Be kind. Bring joy. Repeat.
Finally catching up on Grammys speeches. It’s nice that big name artists have some political stances to share, but how about putting it into your music too? We need protest music on the charts now more than ever.
February 6, 2026 at 3:21 AM
Finally catching up on Grammys speeches. It’s nice that big name artists have some political stances to share, but how about putting it into your music too? We need protest music on the charts now more than ever.
“Read and keep reading.”
I’ll keep being loud about this for a # of reasons, but one of them is to push back on the idea that men appear to be underrepresented in the reader space. Maybe they are statistically (most voracious readers I know present female) but I’m going to keep showing up. #booksky
I’ll keep being loud about this for a # of reasons, but one of them is to push back on the idea that men appear to be underrepresented in the reader space. Maybe they are statistically (most voracious readers I know present female) but I’m going to keep showing up. #booksky
In a time of book bannings, AI, and decreased library funding, the best thing you can do to support books is be very, very loud about them. @mollytempleton.com on how we can help the authors we love:
It's Time to Get Loud About the Books You Love - Reactor
Some ideas to help keep literature and the book community alive.
reactormag.com
February 5, 2026 at 4:37 PM
“Read and keep reading.”
I’ll keep being loud about this for a # of reasons, but one of them is to push back on the idea that men appear to be underrepresented in the reader space. Maybe they are statistically (most voracious readers I know present female) but I’m going to keep showing up. #booksky
I’ll keep being loud about this for a # of reasons, but one of them is to push back on the idea that men appear to be underrepresented in the reader space. Maybe they are statistically (most voracious readers I know present female) but I’m going to keep showing up. #booksky
Yeah, sure, great that assholes on The List are resigning, but I really want to start seeing them behind bars. This isn’t the time for cancel culture, it’s the time for prosecution culture.
Failing that—pitchforks.
(Metaphorically speaking. I don’t condone actual violence.)
Failing that—pitchforks.
(Metaphorically speaking. I don’t condone actual violence.)
February 5, 2026 at 3:57 AM
Yeah, sure, great that assholes on The List are resigning, but I really want to start seeing them behind bars. This isn’t the time for cancel culture, it’s the time for prosecution culture.
Failing that—pitchforks.
(Metaphorically speaking. I don’t condone actual violence.)
Failing that—pitchforks.
(Metaphorically speaking. I don’t condone actual violence.)
Reposted by James
I've told this story on ContrabandCamp but it's worth sharing for BHM because it's one of the greatest stories ever.
A thread.
A thread.
February 4, 2026 at 5:07 AM
I've told this story on ContrabandCamp but it's worth sharing for BHM because it's one of the greatest stories ever.
A thread.
A thread.
Reposted by James
Racists are garbage.
February 4, 2026 at 10:35 AM
Racists are garbage.
I’ve been lucky enough to stay at the ranch multiple times, and I still consider it one of my favorite places in the world. You can feel the magic there like it’s a kind of humidity. Lake Ewok!
Here’s a peek behind the gates of Skywalker Ranch & Skywalker Sound; my work home for the past 25 & a 1/2 years. I do not take it for granted that I get to be creative in a truly magical place
medium.com/@SkywalkerSo...
medium.com/@SkywalkerSo...
Sonic Storytelling: Go Beyond the Gates of Skywalker Ranch to the Heart of Skywalker Sound
Hidden among rolling hills and redwoods, George Lucas’s visionary retreat redefines what filmmaking can be: a creative refuge where words…
medium.com
February 4, 2026 at 3:23 AM
I’ve been lucky enough to stay at the ranch multiple times, and I still consider it one of my favorite places in the world. You can feel the magic there like it’s a kind of humidity. Lake Ewok!
2026 Books!
Here's a running list of what I've been reading in 2026. This year I began using TheStoryGraph to keep track of my progress and reviews, so I'll be linking out to it.
My goal this year, as it has every year, is to finish 30 books.
Let's go!
Here's a running list of what I've been reading in 2026. This year I began using TheStoryGraph to keep track of my progress and reviews, so I'll be linking out to it.
My goal this year, as it has every year, is to finish 30 books.
Let's go!
February 3, 2026 at 4:01 AM
2026 Books!
Here's a running list of what I've been reading in 2026. This year I began using TheStoryGraph to keep track of my progress and reviews, so I'll be linking out to it.
My goal this year, as it has every year, is to finish 30 books.
Let's go!
Here's a running list of what I've been reading in 2026. This year I began using TheStoryGraph to keep track of my progress and reviews, so I'll be linking out to it.
My goal this year, as it has every year, is to finish 30 books.
Let's go!
Reposted by James
Thus, in sum, furthermore
FUCK NEIL GAIMAN INTO THE SUN
Thank you for your attention to this matter.
FUCK NEIL GAIMAN INTO THE SUN
Thank you for your attention to this matter.
February 3, 2026 at 1:46 AM
Thus, in sum, furthermore
FUCK NEIL GAIMAN INTO THE SUN
Thank you for your attention to this matter.
FUCK NEIL GAIMAN INTO THE SUN
Thank you for your attention to this matter.
Apparently I still followed Neil Gaiman on Insta, but I have now remedied that. I already sold all my possessions related to him & his work, & I certainly don’t care about what he’s gone through or his new book.
If you need me, I’ll be hanging out with the dream kings who aren’t predators.
If you need me, I’ll be hanging out with the dream kings who aren’t predators.
February 2, 2026 at 7:01 PM
Apparently I still followed Neil Gaiman on Insta, but I have now remedied that. I already sold all my possessions related to him & his work, & I certainly don’t care about what he’s gone through or his new book.
If you need me, I’ll be hanging out with the dream kings who aren’t predators.
If you need me, I’ll be hanging out with the dream kings who aren’t predators.
Can we stop pretending music biopics are any good?
Sure, it’s great that some actor can implacably mimic someone, & the music sounds awesome on theater speakers, but the stories are always incredibly inaccurate fantasies approved by artists/estates to build mythology at the expense of truth.
Sure, it’s great that some actor can implacably mimic someone, & the music sounds awesome on theater speakers, but the stories are always incredibly inaccurate fantasies approved by artists/estates to build mythology at the expense of truth.
February 2, 2026 at 5:45 PM
Can we stop pretending music biopics are any good?
Sure, it’s great that some actor can implacably mimic someone, & the music sounds awesome on theater speakers, but the stories are always incredibly inaccurate fantasies approved by artists/estates to build mythology at the expense of truth.
Sure, it’s great that some actor can implacably mimic someone, & the music sounds awesome on theater speakers, but the stories are always incredibly inaccurate fantasies approved by artists/estates to build mythology at the expense of truth.
BUGONIA is nominated for Best Picture, but really it’s just a well-made bad film that is mired in torture p**n w/ a Twilight Zone twist ending I saw from a mile away. Great performances and an interesting premise w/great social commentary that gets squandered. I think I’m done w/Lanthimos films.
January 31, 2026 at 9:01 PM
BUGONIA is nominated for Best Picture, but really it’s just a well-made bad film that is mired in torture p**n w/ a Twilight Zone twist ending I saw from a mile away. Great performances and an interesting premise w/great social commentary that gets squandered. I think I’m done w/Lanthimos films.
Very early on in the Pandemic, John Krasinski self-produced 8 eps of a heartwarming & uplifting YouTube series called SOME GOOD NEWS for no other reason than to try bringing some measure of joy & hope to our fraught lives. It was a lifeline that I’ll never forget. I think about that a lot. #GoodNews
January 31, 2026 at 2:13 AM
Very early on in the Pandemic, John Krasinski self-produced 8 eps of a heartwarming & uplifting YouTube series called SOME GOOD NEWS for no other reason than to try bringing some measure of joy & hope to our fraught lives. It was a lifeline that I’ll never forget. I think about that a lot. #GoodNews
Very sad news about Catharine O’Hara. Got to work with her on a couple of projects, and she was really warm and friendly. What a loss.
January 30, 2026 at 6:37 PM
Very sad news about Catharine O’Hara. Got to work with her on a couple of projects, and she was really warm and friendly. What a loss.
Okay, so we’ve gotten to our first bad episode of STARFLEET ACADEMY. A total snoozer of a filler episode. 🤷 🖖
January 23, 2026 at 6:41 AM
Okay, so we’ve gotten to our first bad episode of STARFLEET ACADEMY. A total snoozer of a filler episode. 🤷 🖖
Couldn’t be more thrilled at the SINNERS nominations. That film has thrill, vibe, and heart backed up by excellence in every class. I want it to win in most categories.
January 23, 2026 at 1:22 AM
Couldn’t be more thrilled at the SINNERS nominations. That film has thrill, vibe, and heart backed up by excellence in every class. I want it to win in most categories.
There are a lot of things I’m sick of in the world, but right now one of them is that we live in a world in which delivery drivers (looking at you FedEx) can just decide they don’t want to deliver at the appointed time & correct address, delaying the delivery significantly.
January 21, 2026 at 9:39 PM
There are a lot of things I’m sick of in the world, but right now one of them is that we live in a world in which delivery drivers (looking at you FedEx) can just decide they don’t want to deliver at the appointed time & correct address, delaying the delivery significantly.
Does #Booksky remember the discussion about whether or not it's okay to cut books in half (ostensibly to make them more portable)? It showed up in my memories & reminded me of a story. 1/
January 21, 2026 at 8:00 PM
Does #Booksky remember the discussion about whether or not it's okay to cut books in half (ostensibly to make them more portable)? It showed up in my memories & reminded me of a story. 1/
Truly, Shakespeare was the Toni Morrison of his day.
Every time I read Morrison’s work, I’m just blown away by her use of language to stir images and emotions, like a poet who is so exacting w/words that each line can only exist within that specific combination or be rendered meaningless. #booksky
Every time I read Morrison’s work, I’m just blown away by her use of language to stir images and emotions, like a poet who is so exacting w/words that each line can only exist within that specific combination or be rendered meaningless. #booksky
January 20, 2026 at 6:33 PM
Truly, Shakespeare was the Toni Morrison of his day.
Every time I read Morrison’s work, I’m just blown away by her use of language to stir images and emotions, like a poet who is so exacting w/words that each line can only exist within that specific combination or be rendered meaningless. #booksky
Every time I read Morrison’s work, I’m just blown away by her use of language to stir images and emotions, like a poet who is so exacting w/words that each line can only exist within that specific combination or be rendered meaningless. #booksky
I only met Roger a few times, and he was always incredibly friendly and full of life.
We had so many friends in common, though, including his daughter Leah, so it’s been really moving reading all their comments and tributes over the weekend. RIP, Roger Allers.
We had so many friends in common, though, including his daughter Leah, so it’s been really moving reading all their comments and tributes over the weekend. RIP, Roger Allers.
Roger Allers, the Oscar- and Tony-nominated animated film director best known for helming 1994’s The Lion King, died Saturday. He was 76.
Roger Allers, ‘The Lion King’ Co-Director, Dies at 76
Roger Allers, the Oscar- and Tony-nominated animated film director best known for helming 1994’s The Lion King, died Saturday. He was 76.
bit.ly
January 19, 2026 at 8:25 PM
I only met Roger a few times, and he was always incredibly friendly and full of life.
We had so many friends in common, though, including his daughter Leah, so it’s been really moving reading all their comments and tributes over the weekend. RIP, Roger Allers.
We had so many friends in common, though, including his daughter Leah, so it’s been really moving reading all their comments and tributes over the weekend. RIP, Roger Allers.
Ruin a band by changing one letter:
Men Without Cats
😞
Men Without Cats
😞
January 17, 2026 at 1:34 AM
Ruin a band by changing one letter:
Men Without Cats
😞
Men Without Cats
😞
STARFLEET ACADEMY has me jumping for joy. It’s fresh, exciting, action-packed, and fun. The ensemble’s chemistry is hot right off the bat, and Holly Hunter RULES as the Captain. Even the music is great. This is a fantastic next step for STAR TREK, and I hope it continues to build on this momentum.
January 16, 2026 at 5:58 AM
STARFLEET ACADEMY has me jumping for joy. It’s fresh, exciting, action-packed, and fun. The ensemble’s chemistry is hot right off the bat, and Holly Hunter RULES as the Captain. Even the music is great. This is a fantastic next step for STAR TREK, and I hope it continues to build on this momentum.
I have feelings about Dave Filoni being appointed head of LucasFilm.
a man in a dark room with the words your journey towards the dark side will be complete below him
Alt: The Emperor from Star Wars: Return of the Jedi in a dark room with the words, “Your journey towards the dark side will be complete.”
So essentially, they’ve completed the transition from sketchy creative leadership to worse.
media.tenor.com
January 15, 2026 at 11:46 PM
I have feelings about Dave Filoni being appointed head of LucasFilm.
Another fun celebrity sighting last night, when John Legend walked past us at Disneyland.
January 12, 2026 at 9:53 PM
Another fun celebrity sighting last night, when John Legend walked past us at Disneyland.