Loved this conversation between my friend @whatamimaking.bsky.social and the brilliant Josh Ritter. It’s all about art, joy, and the courage it takes to live openly as a creator. Such a moving listen-full of heart, humor, and humanity. I was bummed to miss Josh last night here in DM.

You will want to stick around for this bonus episode, featuring Pops on Hops regular, @whatamimaking.bsky.social, and his bandmate from The Stick Arounds, Jeff Gower @deer-elk.bsky.social, as we discuss their album "Ways to Hang On" and their upcoming fall tour! open.substack.com/pub/popsonho...

Listen to my two friends talk music. #MusicSky @jdcarroll88.bsky.social with @whatamimaking.bsky.social What Am I Making Podcast: #WAIMPodcast #086: Jon Carroll api.substack.com/feed/podcast...

Round One of our massive tourney rolls on with another eight blistering matchups. This batch of contests features power pop royalty, hair metal heroes, a pair of Elvises duking it out, and more. Come join us. Cheers, Matty C whatamimaking.substack.com/p/bracket-ch...

The pod is back, baby! whatamimaking.substack.com/p/waim-074-d...

You morons, you can't repeat the Gilded Age. That's not how history works--it only goes in one direction. Now let me take a big sip of coffee and make sure no nihilistic young Italians have built homemade weapons with which to assassinate robber barons.

Here's an archived edition of a hugely popular essay on why we own nothing when we listen via streaming. It recounts my ride with a young MSU student and how clearly it displayed the problems with the streaming economy. If you care about artists, I really hope you read this. Cheers, Matty C

A rubicon has definitely been crossed.

It's time for another Tour Diary video. This one features a performance of my tune 'Transit Town' that was originally recorded by my band Harborcoat. Watch the video below and check out the full essay on the performance at the link in the comments below. Cheers, Matty C youtu.be/cW25KbAs9us

If you don’t think this is exactly what we’re up against, then you haven’t been paying attention.

Here is a rundown of ten great films to recommend to your family this holiday season. You can thank me later.

The reason for the season.

New article up on the Substack on the continuing sad state of collegiate athletics.

A guy fired from the White House for having a gambling problem reinserted himself into the "administration," and then tried to forge a presidential directive reversing the entire US post-war defense posture for no particular reason. That is a bit of a story. #TrumpAndPaperworkMan

Million dollar idea: Combine the most successful street racing film franchise of all time and the huge success of Pitch Perfect and what do you get? Fast Pitch & Furious. The new mockumentary on high stakes beer league softball. You're welcome, Matty C

My mother and I were supposed to have the vacation of our dreams. We hardly made it out the door.

Helped Hannah make a quick pot of soup last night for dinner. Spinach, onion, carrot, garlic, jalapeño and chicken broth whipped with an immersion blender and then added rice and roasted shredded chicken. Slightly spicy, warm and nourishing. Damned fine weeknight meal.

Thanks to my pal @mauraquint.bsky.social for the signup code. Hoping this thing is less of a hellscape than the place I just fled.