Substacks recommended by Darren Hemmings

Recommended by Darren Hemmings

I write about fandom, community and artist sustainability, drawing on insights from my time at Spotify and Billboard.

Disorderly digging in an algorithmic world. Lesser known, independent & alternative artists. Lazy & hazy vibes. Close your eyes when listening.

Forms + Shapes

By Mike Pelczynski

all things music: thoughts, prose, sounds & bodies of work challenging an industry in-and-outside itself

Mike is one of the smartest thinkers I know. Strongly recommend signing up here for some terrific insights and takes.

- Darren Hemmings

Missed Listens

By Darren Hemmings

Missed Listens celebrates albums we consider to be slept-on classics. Our contributors include people from all over the music industry, stepping up to explain why the album of their choosing is worth your time.

This is my passion project; a weekly post recommending one slept-on classic of an album you should listen to. I'll also be joined by fellow music industry peers, who'll be stepping forward to make their own recommendations too.

- Darren Hemmings

Can't Get Much Higher

By Chris Dalla Riva

The intersection of music and data

Another great read if you work in music.

- Darren Hemmings

Jagged Time Lapse

By Dan Epstein

Writing about Music and Pop Culture that spans the decades

zensounds with Stephan Kunze

newsletter for experimental music and culture

Herb Sundays

By Sam Valenti IV

Weekly music playlists by curators. "Everyone understands the importance of skirting the algorithm, but few know how to accomplish it. Herb Sundays is beautiful in both simplicity and execution" - Philip Sherburne

The Honest Broker

By Ted Gioia

A trustworthy guide to music, books, arts, media & culture by Ted Gioia

Leveling Up

By Jimmy Stone

Insights on music, tech, and investing – for free.

Jimmy's writing on Hipgnosis was what drew me into this newsletter, and since then I've loved his clear thinking on the music space - not to mention his willingness to take a deep dive into topics most would avoid. Essential reading!

- Darren Hemmings

Drowned in Sound

By Sean

Music recommendations, industry insights and advice for musicians features in the newsletter from one of the original music blogs, which was established back in 2000.

MUSIC x

By Maarten

Regular insights about the future of music, media & tech. Team: Maarten Walraven.

Bas has always been a keen thinker in the music space, and he and Maarten bring some incredible thoughts to the table in Music X. Eminently worth reading!

- Darren Hemmings