RIP David Lynch, his sensibility transformed culture, the mix between laughter and horror, letting in so much of the world. if all he did was work on the sound design in Eraserhead his life would have been notable. the book Lynch on Lynch is a bottomless source of inspiration.

Just posted a recap of @[email protected] WARNING: Psychedelic Malian guitar band jams might impact your workday. open.substack.com/pub/newmusicol…

RIP Garth — The Band's last man standing. A true master. I wrote a remembrance for Rolling Stone; thanks to David Browne for the late-game additions. rollingstone.com/music/music-ne…

New Song of the Day #21: Lisa O'Neill feat. Peter Doherty “Homeless in the Thousands” — thoughts on the latest from the powerful Irish singer-songwriter. It could not be more timely. open.substack.com/pub/newmusicol… Lisa O'Neill Music

For Marianne 💛

Thanks to the mighty novelist Hernan Diaz for shouting out my NYC music history Love Goes To Buildings On Fire today in today's The New York Times. Truly humbled. nytimes.com/interactive/20…

“It will be a great day when our schools get all the money they need and the Air Force has to hold a bake sale to buy a bomber” California wildfire relief efforts continue. I wrote about two fine digital benefit albums & bandcamp's all-in fundraiser. open.substack.com/pub/newmusicol…

this got me.

RIP David Johansen. I once interviewed him for the NYTimes; very funny, smart, spiritual (“a Catholic Taoist,” he said w/a phlegmy chuckle). A carved-in-stone New Yorker. Shameful the Dolls never made it into the Rock Hall of Fame. More thoughts below. open.substack.com/pub/newmusicol…

FOLKS Bernie x Neil

Thank you, Coachella. I enjoyed introducing the great claire cottrill tonight. These are tough times. The younger generation has to help lead in the fight to combat climate change, protect women’s rights, and build an economy that works for all, not just the few.

ty coachella <3

This needed to be written. So I wrote it. IYKYK. rollingstone.com/music/music-fe… Rolling Stone

Y’all!! Is that I’m in my forties or that life is just getting so freakin’ gorgeous? I’ve been crying happy tears everyday. It keeps raining dream drops ☔️ and my heart is catching them like fireflies on a hot Tennessee summer night. Thanks so much for these SOLD OUT shows.

Tomorrow (Wednesday) 8p ET / 5p PT I'll be teaching a zoom-style writing class online — focus: music. I've taught writing for decades, always in person, but decided to take the leap. Let's do this. Registration link: open.substack.com/pub/newmusicol…

LIVE AND ONLINE WEDNESDAY NIGHT: Join writer and teacher Will Hermes for this two-hour class, and discover the Five Things He’s Learned about how to articulate and share the emotional impact of songs you love and deepen the listening experience for yourself and your readers.

This evening (Wednesday) 8p ET / 5p PT I'll be teaching a zoom-style writing class online — focus: music. I've taught writing for decades, always in person, but decided to take the leap. It'll be fun. Registration link: myfivethings.com/class/will-her…

War is never inevitable. Weapons can and must fall silent, for they never solve problems but only intensify them. Those who sow peace will endure throughout history, not those who reap victims. Others are not enemies to hate but human beings with whom to speak.