Expanding the knowledge base on exciting musicians, artists, and thinkers—emerging and established—through The Tonearm's insightful coverage.
From his early days with a guitar-shaped flyswatter to his current work with Alisa Rose in Scroggins & Rose, the mandolinist and writer shares stories of musical growth while exploring bluegrass's past and future.
Free jazz meets mysticism, Fourth World aesthetics find new disciples, and forgotten shoegaze gets its due. Welcome to 2025's inaugural collection of essential listening.
The year's most striking performances demonstrated how veteran musicians balance nostalgia and innovation, from Vegas mega-shows to intimate club dates. Lawrence Peryer reflects on some of his live music highlights of 2024.
Spotlight On's Lawrence Peryer shares the year's most compelling reads, including a provocative climate change novel, Lincoln's grief in the cemetery, and fresh insights from legendary producer Rick Rubin.
The OPTO S drummer reflects on her first R.E.M. show, middle school art gigs, and why synths represent her next frontier.
What happens when acclaimed musicians remake holiday music in their own image? These albums show how personal vision can transform and transcend familiar seasonal themes.
After decades backing others in Acoustic Syndicate and beyond, Jay Sanders steps forward with his solo debut, 'Evanescent.'
A quartet channeling New Orleans' experimental spirit, German electronic artists carrying the kosmische torch, a formidable Brooklyn jazz ensemble, and meditative shakuhachi explorations lead this week's essential releases.
Built on Mikey Wells's hook-laden songwriting and propelled by dual synthesizers, Spun Out's 'Dream Noise' pushes past the boundaries of conventional indie rock through a mix of punk attitude and electronic ambition.
Bennett Wood, musician, composer and educator, joins us to mark his debut album as a leader, 'Space in Time'
Today is Record Store Day Black Friday. Let The Tonearm be your guide.
On her latest EP, the Bristol composer constructs immersive sound worlds where processed harps and Gamelan echoes interweave with field recordings from the Ganges, creating musical spaces that feel both precisely engineered and naturally alive.