Substacks recommended by Chris Zappa

Recommended by Chris Zappa

The Mixtape

By Michael Elliott

News, reviews, and interviews of music makers and soul shakers.

Center Stage: An Abandoned Albums Podcast

By Keith R. Higgons

"The only music podcast that matters."

Remember The Lightning

By S.W. Lauden

Music • Books • Music Books

Only A Fool Would Say That

By Jim Caligiuri

Music! Politics! There may be dogs.

Gonzo Report

By Chris Zappa

Gonzo Report delivers the news, analysis, and resources you need to fight back against fascism

Listening Sessions

By Robert C. Gilbert

For those looking for thoughtful writing on great music.

On Repeat Records

By Kevin

Ditch the algorithm. Music discovery made easy—curated by someone who remembers when a mixtape could change your life.

Letters by Burk

Learn how to use Medium & Substack in harmony. It's not either or. It shouldn't be. They're perfect companions.

Songletter

We only share the songs that won’t let us go.

The Tim "Napalm" Stegall Substack

By Tim Napalm Stegall

Unfettered punk journalism for human beings, not metrics.

Rock Talk Studio BLAST!!

By Big Rick

The latest rock 'n' roll book buzz and documentary news

Rock Talk Studio is, hands down, the best podcast for the latest reviews on rock n' roll books and docs, and is one of my favorite podcasts overall.

- Chris Zappa

So It Goes

By Stephen Thomas Erlewine

Popular Music, Present and Past

The Vinyl Vagabond Substack

Vinyl Vagabond is where music history, criticism, and memory meet. Long-form essays on albums, artists, and scenes that shaped lives, told with deep research and lived listening.

Dig Me Out

By J Dziak

Every album tells a story. Most never get heard. We dig them out with podcasts exploring heavy 70s, 80s metal, 90s alternative, and 00s rock—forgotten masterpieces, lost classics, and legends that still have something to say.

There are those who love music and write about it, and then there are those who not only love music but live and breathe music. That's J. Dziak and his incredible work on Dig Me Out.

- Chris Zappa

Long Live the ABB: Conversation from the Crossroads

By Bob Beatty/Long Live the ABB

Conversation from the Crossroads of Southern music, history, & culture is an independent project of historian Dr. Bob Beatty, author of 'Play All Night! Duane Allman and the Journey to Fillmore East.' No affiliation/endorsement with the Allman Brothers.

Will Hermes: New Music + Old Music

New music worth hearing. Old music worth remembering. Deep-dive playlists. Record reviews. Books. Concerts. New York City. Lou Reed. Genre-fluid.

This Is a Newsletter!

By Sam Colt

Observational humor, philosophical musings, cultural analysis. Recovering ad copywriter that's touching grass and taking the grillpill. Is life hell on earth? Yeah, of course. But is it also chill? It's pretty chill.

Critical Conditions by Wayne Robins

Storytelling about rock pop music and culture through decades of interviews, reviews, and feature stories, shaken in a blender. Might be Steely Dan, Dylan, Springsteen, Stevie Wonder, boygenius. Might be Laura Nyro, Suzanne Vega, the Ramones.

Auraist. The best writers on Substack.

By Sean

Trusted by 50K+ readers, we pick the best-written books from US and UK new releases and prize shortlists, and publish articles by world-class authors on prose style and AI writing. Plus the satire The Demon Inside David Lynch.

Rock and Roll Girl

By Lori Christian

Former L.A. music industry. Sharing my memoirs spanning over 40 years. BOMP! VOXX Records & Warner Reprise Alumni - The Mo Years.

Lipps Service

By Scott

Music and fashion impresario Scott Lipps, drummer for Courtney Love and owner of The Rebellion Management, sits down for intimate conversations with some of the biggest names in music and pop culture.

OneTrackMinds

By Kristian Brodie

Stories About Life-Changing Songs.

Herizon Music: Newsletter & Podcast

By Thea Wood

Herizon Music: The Newsletter is a music industry publication and podcast spotlighting women's contributions to modern music and industry trends affecting women who work on stage, on air, and behind the scenes.

Fluxblog: Music Blog

By Matthew Perpetua

The longest-running music blog in the game! This newsletter is focused on music curation - reviews of new music, playlists for Spotify/Apple/YouTube covering a wide range of genres and moments in history, and links to other cool things.

of sound and fury

By Nolan Green

I make music, enjoy photography, and love life. I'll share moments of creativity, growth, and reflection. Take a look around—maybe something will resonate."

London Times

By Alex Markham

Adventures in London by a music-loving and London-loving Londoner

The Royal We

By Roddy Bottum

Fiction and pieces of my upcoming memoir, writing, words, opera, noise, crafting, tap dancing, quicksand

VIBES

By Suzy & Simon

VIBES is the musings of Suzy Starlite and Simon Campbell, offering a thoughtful and (hopefully) amusing blend of articles about life, culture, music technology and their art - plus the occasional podcast.

The Gen Z Report

By Ben Ulansey

This publication covers a wide assortment of topics, from AI, technology, politics, and religion to travel, film, dreams, drones, drugs, dogs, music, video games, and writing. You can subscribe to receive updates about only specific topics.

Can't Get Much Higher

By Chris Dalla Riva

The intersection of music and data

If Ever You’re Listening

By Stanley C.

Weekly music essays from a millennial independent music journalist with 10+ years of experience. Here I share tips for early-stage musicians, advice for fellow indie music writers, and analysis of music industry trends for casual music listeners.

This Song Changed My Life

By Grace Lilly

Weekly essays from people around the world about the songs that mean the most to them. Created (and illustrated) by Grace Lilly.

Butch’s Newsletter

By Butch Bastard

Artfully administered inconsequential intel.

Matt Berenson's Newsletter for Music Obsessives

A newsletter about the best bands and songwriters of the last 60 years you may not already know.

Ready for Nothing

By John Strohm

A newsletter about whatever John P. Strohm cares to write about, mostly music business, culture, technology, and stories from my career as a musician and music professional

Musical Chairs

By Steve Bradley

A weekly perspective on music every Friday. Information, inspiration, indignation.

Steve Bradley offers a masterclass in music journalism, with insightful and accessible reviews that capture the essence of the albums and live performances he covers. Musical Chairs is a must-read for any music fan.

- Chris Zappa

Jennifer Finch ❤️s You: newsletter, noise, and notes

FREE: News, Musing, Limited Offerings brought to life by the unapologetic, creative “brainsalad thought leaderSH!P” of Jennifer Finch. Includes the section SH!T MY ROCKSTAR SAYS.

Survival Illustrated

By Jessica Wildfire

Illustrated survival guides.

Jessica Wildfire is one of my favorite writers working today. Insightful, authentic, and compelling, her work is a must-read for anyone requiring a pragmatic, realistic perspective on current events.

- Chris Zappa

Band Practice

By Beebe Sharkey

A semi-monthly newsletter reviewing an eclectic array of new albums. Plus bonus playlists!

New Bands for Old Heads

By Gabbie

New music recommendations for people who don't keep up with new music.

Little Lost Records

On a mission to not suck at words while spreading the word about obscure music and other weekly listens.

Little Lost Records is a great resource for cool music recommendations you won't find anywhere else.

- Chris Zappa

Joe Gore

Musician and writer from San Francisco. Performances: https:///www.youtube.com/@joe_gore Personal site: https://www.joegore.com Other passions: literature, art, history, politics, film, cooking, design, and horror fiction/movies.

Joe Gore is one of the greatest guitarists to ever pick up the instrument, and he's one of my personal favorite players of all time.

- Chris Zappa

Mallie’s Eclectic Playlist

By Mallie Hart

Come on a listening journey with me as we explore my ever growing, ever eclectic, and ever genre and decade hopping personal playlist.

Jus Listen

By Tomerle

life lessons and inspiration

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Recommended by Chris Zappa