Someone on threads just said that Quebecois French is not French. It is not going well and I am here for it.

I went on CBC's Commotion to talk about the best Canadian music of 2025...the picks were pretty darned good! youtu.be/LC9vboR39Ys?...

Thank you for sharing this! This article is perhaps one of my favourites that I have ever written.

My favourite music moment this past year was going to Osheaga with my niece. Read about it here: the-midst.com/osheaga-revi...

I spoke to some smart people and wrote about something I care deeply about…

Have you heard of #aphantasia? I have it - I try to explain it to my friend, who is hyperphantasic... www.youtube.com/watch?v=bdPt...

Yes, it's me, I'm part of the problem, it's me. Yet another person talking about Taylor Swift - but also Madonna and Shania Twain. open.substack.com/pub/touchofa...

I feel like Taylor Swift's attack on CharliXCX is the least brat song in existence. Maybe the least brat anything.

Was it better in the 1990s? substack.com/home/post/p-...

Me talking about how TeacherTok is not helping anyone. www.youtube.com/watch?v=_N52...

Is it just me or did Chappell Roan do a Kate Bush song last summer ("Good Luck Babe") and a Cocteau Twins song this summer ("Subway")?

Posted this on Labour Day - the article that made me a working journalist: Love a reggae beat ’cause it’s so…: Omar Lye Fook open.substack.com/pub/touchofa...

Jeff Buckley is the only answer

Wrote about Wolfgang Tillmans and libraries: open.substack.com/pub/touchofa...

Me talking about Sabrina Carpenter: youtube.com/watch?v=SWMj...

Want to read what I thought about #Osheaga day 1? northerntransmissions.com/osheaga-day-...

Missive from Black Sabbath Bridge open.substack.com/pub/touchofa...

As someone who grew up in a hockey town, I can say that from the moment hockey players show up for a game in those fucking suits, they are respectable young men, and nothing in Canada will change that. Certainly not the testimony of a woman.

I feel like this video about how ICE is becoming Trump's personal militia is essential viewing. I've also just spent time going to some museums in Berlin and it's hard not to make comparisons. Take a look: youtu.be/2Pwu5ZOnh1A?...

It’s amazing how if you respond kindly to a random troll that they get extemely upset. It’s like niceness is their cryptonite.

I loved Rejection.

So a couple years back I wrote a piece about how Quebec TV rules. Here is a list of must-watch programs: 1. Série noire 2. C'est comme ça que je t'aime 3. Feux 4. M'entends tu? 5. Empathie Have any other suggestions?

Ok American friends - does Zohran Mamdani have any chance at all?

It's my birthday today. Tell me why being 49 is great.

Get out there and vote like your national broadcaster and all foreign assistance depends on it. Because it does.

The feeling of the first real warm and sunny spring day in Montreal.

Ok - trying this place one more time. Give me some folks I must follow...

Critical karaoke at #popcon2025

Check out @delcowie.bsky.social talking about Director X and Canadiana in music videos at #popcon2025

And finishing the panel with @touchofallright.bsky.social with “Distinct Society” on music from Quebec and Canada and wider national identity questions especially notable now. #PopCon2025

Boiler Room is $75???

Sigh. I spent years working on a book about King Jammy's (ECW Press) and the sleng teng. But I guess this is the "real" story. I mean, I am glad whenever people listen to 80s dancehall, but I just wish that first hand accounts were given the importance they deserve. www.instagram.com/greensleeves...

My dear friend Jess has a book tube channel - her recommendations are on point. Get an introduction to her here: youtu.be/Ed1YjcZ1RJQ?...

Last week I went to see Molchat Doma and wrote about it. They are very good. (photo by Jessica Andrews) northerntransmissions.com/molchat-doma...

Great piece on Kendrick’s performance - with focus on Serena Williams! Thank you @charleshughes2.bsky.social for the tip: andscape.com/features/gen...?

Please share with me a good essay on Kendrick’s amazing performance!

TIP from me: if you are hosting an event (lecture, panel, etc.), when there is a Q&A, ask the audience first if THEY have Qs before launching into your own. If the audience is mum, THEN ask your Qs. Starting with your own Qs when paying folks are chomping at the bit to speak is just crumby.

@liamhogan.bsky.social so glad to find you here!

Work that USAID and its related partners implement and fund includes some of the most essential work to support the health and well being of communities around the world. It is not a waste of money. What is happening right now is not heartbreaking or sad, its just fucking evil.

Some people love business class, whereas I live for the freak opportunity of getting this for 8 hours. It’s like winning the lottery.

The last time I was in Mitte, it was 1998. I slept on the floor somewhere, was very impressed by the Tacheles gallery, and danced all night at Tresor. I recognize nothing other than street names in 2025. #Berlin

Tell me you’re in Berlin without telling me you’re in Berlin.

BOUNCE LE GROS 4EVA

Presently reading thanks to @krebsverena.bsky.social

German trains are great. Why can’t we have nice trains in Canada????”

VIA Rail casually lets you know that its departure and arrival times are just aspirational.

@depressiondotgov.bsky.social you are my favourite TikTok person. Thank you for doing what you do.

I'm going to Berlin tomorrow. Tell me everything I need to see, do and eat. I know I'm not getting in to Berghain.

Thoughts on Robbie Williams's lack of name recognition in the US: There is something in common with all the ultra famous ppl in the UK who can't make it in the US. I think one thing that encapsulates it is the fact that Spandau Ballet's "True" peaked at #4 in the US, & "Gold" only made it to #29 1/4

David Lynch was one of the first filmmakers to make me realize that weird was not only fascinating, but something to aspire to. Thank you. RIP.