Chris Nelson
@chrisnelson.bsky.social
Award-winning writer, bylines @ NY Times, MOJO, MTV, more. Music 🤓. Dylan, Dead, DC punk rock.
📍PNW
📍PNW
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Chris Nelson
@chrisnelson.bsky.social
· Mar 11
The organizational imperative for “growth” — for any kind of org — without some moral underpinning for what that growth is good for has bothered me since I was a kid. I’m not against growth. But explain to me why bigger is better and more is more than more in a way that has integrity
The best meal I make, and it has nothing to do with me. Includes 1.5 pounds of bacon, 2 lbs each of wild shrimp, scallops, and Dungeness crab, 1.25 pounds of hot smoked salmon, probably a pound and a half of chopped clams. Oh, and a quart of half and half
December 31, 2025 at 8:19 PM
The best meal I make, and it has nothing to do with me. Includes 1.5 pounds of bacon, 2 lbs each of wild shrimp, scallops, and Dungeness crab, 1.25 pounds of hot smoked salmon, probably a pound and a half of chopped clams. Oh, and a quart of half and half
@johnnyhoey.bsky.social there’s a doc about your efforts?!?!
December 31, 2025 at 2:57 AM
@johnnyhoey.bsky.social there’s a doc about your efforts?!?!
Curious what folks think about Robin Kelley’s bio of Thelonious Monk. I’m only 50 pages in, but it’s everything I want in a bio. Meticulous research. Rich context. And still very approachable.
December 30, 2025 at 9:48 PM
Curious what folks think about Robin Kelley’s bio of Thelonious Monk. I’m only 50 pages in, but it’s everything I want in a bio. Meticulous research. Rich context. And still very approachable.
Next time I'm in the area, gonna drive by the house in (not quite so little) Lynnwood, WA where Coltrane recorded the Om LP in between dates that yielded Live In Seattle and A Love Supreme: Live in Seattle.
nwmusicarchives.com/label/camelo...
nwmusicarchives.com/label/camelo...
Camelot Records | THE NORTHWEST MUSIC ARCHIVES
nwmusicarchives.com
December 29, 2025 at 10:00 PM
Next time I'm in the area, gonna drive by the house in (not quite so little) Lynnwood, WA where Coltrane recorded the Om LP in between dates that yielded Live In Seattle and A Love Supreme: Live in Seattle.
nwmusicarchives.com/label/camelo...
nwmusicarchives.com/label/camelo...
Reposted by Chris Nelson
i've come around to the utility of the livenation-owned setlist.fm, but i still way prefer a loving fan-made setlist/chronology page. i wrote a bit about why & made a list of a few dozen favorites that i return to often (or just thought were swell). what did i miss? jessejarnow.com/2025/12/a-pe...
December 28, 2025 at 12:39 AM
i've come around to the utility of the livenation-owned setlist.fm, but i still way prefer a loving fan-made setlist/chronology page. i wrote a bit about why & made a list of a few dozen favorites that i return to often (or just thought were swell). what did i miss? jessejarnow.com/2025/12/a-pe...
There are I-don’t-know-how-many newsletters I like but that I’ve unsubscribed to because it’s just too much content to keep up with. One of the many things I miss about magazines is their monthly arrival made them special, and I devoted more time to them accordingly
December 26, 2025 at 2:39 PM
There are I-don’t-know-how-many newsletters I like but that I’ve unsubscribed to because it’s just too much content to keep up with. One of the many things I miss about magazines is their monthly arrival made them special, and I devoted more time to them accordingly
Reposted by Chris Nelson
Jack Smith is calling for the House Judiciary Committee to release the recording of his full closed-door deposition before the panel.
"Doing so will ensure that the American people can hear the facts directly from Mr. Smith, rather than through second-hand accounts."
"Doing so will ensure that the American people can hear the facts directly from Mr. Smith, rather than through second-hand accounts."
December 24, 2025 at 7:10 PM
Jack Smith is calling for the House Judiciary Committee to release the recording of his full closed-door deposition before the panel.
"Doing so will ensure that the American people can hear the facts directly from Mr. Smith, rather than through second-hand accounts."
"Doing so will ensure that the American people can hear the facts directly from Mr. Smith, rather than through second-hand accounts."
Reposted by Chris Nelson
After 12 wildly improbable years of high-flying good times at Sea-Tac Airport, the Sub Pop Airport Store will be closing on Dec. 31, 2025. Before we taxi off for good, come through and take some lovingly curated “junk” home with you.
December 19, 2025 at 2:27 PM
After 12 wildly improbable years of high-flying good times at Sea-Tac Airport, the Sub Pop Airport Store will be closing on Dec. 31, 2025. Before we taxi off for good, come through and take some lovingly curated “junk” home with you.
You know what was about a billion times more reliable than BlueTooth in the car? My circa 1982 Sanyo boombox lying on the front seat.
December 18, 2025 at 3:27 PM
You know what was about a billion times more reliable than BlueTooth in the car? My circa 1982 Sanyo boombox lying on the front seat.
Reposted by Chris Nelson
Happy Hanukkah to our friends who celebrate. Rachel Posner, a rabbi’s wife in Kiel, Germany, took this photograph in 1931 -- a potent reminder that fascism must be fought in every generation, even if it's wrapped in an American flag and a red hat.
December 8, 2023 at 1:50 AM
Happy Hanukkah to our friends who celebrate. Rachel Posner, a rabbi’s wife in Kiel, Germany, took this photograph in 1931 -- a potent reminder that fascism must be fought in every generation, even if it's wrapped in an American flag and a red hat.
I don’t think I’ve listened to this Dark Star > Stella > Eyes since the Listen to the River box was new. Lordy be. Love Bobby on DS. Lots of territory traversed. Nice listen on a winter’s day.
relisten.net/grateful-dea...
relisten.net/grateful-dea...
Dark Star -> | 1973-10-30 | Grateful Dead | Relisten
Kiel Auditorium St. Louis, MO, USA
relisten.net
December 14, 2025 at 9:15 PM
I don’t think I’ve listened to this Dark Star > Stella > Eyes since the Listen to the River box was new. Lordy be. Love Bobby on DS. Lots of territory traversed. Nice listen on a winter’s day.
relisten.net/grateful-dea...
relisten.net/grateful-dea...
Reposted by Chris Nelson
Any dentists in Kenosha, WI wanna help out a young autistic girl,?? This child needs 5 root canals due to her autism medicine.
Imma trade you a pair of tickets to our show in Chicago with GNR and a meeting next July
www.gofundme.com/f/help-with-...
Imma trade you a pair of tickets to our show in Chicago with GNR and a meeting next July
www.gofundme.com/f/help-with-...
Donate to My 11 year old autistic granddaughter needs 5 root canals, organized by Shirley Tutor-Perez
My granddaughter Rhiannon will be 11 on 12/20. She has been b… Shirley Tutor-Perez needs your support for My 11 year old autistic granddaughter needs 5 root canals
www.gofundme.com
December 14, 2025 at 5:18 PM
Any dentists in Kenosha, WI wanna help out a young autistic girl,?? This child needs 5 root canals due to her autism medicine.
Imma trade you a pair of tickets to our show in Chicago with GNR and a meeting next July
www.gofundme.com/f/help-with-...
Imma trade you a pair of tickets to our show in Chicago with GNR and a meeting next July
www.gofundme.com/f/help-with-...
Introduce yourself with bands you’ve seen five times or more…
Fugazi
Bikini Kill
Wilco
Dylan
Springsteen
Fugazi
Bikini Kill
Wilco
Dylan
Springsteen
Introduce yourself with five concerts you’ve seen
Phish
Monks of Doom
Elvis Costello
Ween
Space Pussy
(these are the posters over my desk)
Phish
Monks of Doom
Elvis Costello
Ween
Space Pussy
(these are the posters over my desk)
Introduce yourself with five concerts you’ve seen
Arcade Fire
Brigitte Calls Me Baby
Soul Coughing
Wilco
Youssou N’dour
Arcade Fire
Brigitte Calls Me Baby
Soul Coughing
Wilco
Youssou N’dour
November 28, 2025 at 4:54 AM
Introduce yourself with bands you’ve seen five times or more…
Fugazi
Bikini Kill
Wilco
Dylan
Springsteen
Fugazi
Bikini Kill
Wilco
Dylan
Springsteen
I can’t be the only person who reads the phrase, “And it’s not even close” and immediately dismisses the argument at hand, assuming a lack of curiosity or creativity or both
November 26, 2025 at 4:25 AM
I can’t be the only person who reads the phrase, “And it’s not even close” and immediately dismisses the argument at hand, assuming a lack of curiosity or creativity or both
Reposted by Chris Nelson
The number of ways this is disgraceful behavior from the Secretary of Defense is...a lot.
Service members do have a duty to refuse illegal orders
All Americans have a 1st Amendment right to say that out loud.
Service members do have a duty to refuse illegal orders
All Americans have a 1st Amendment right to say that out loud.
Hegseth is now threatening to recall Sen. Mark Kelly to active duty in order to court martial him.
November 24, 2025 at 5:29 PM
The number of ways this is disgraceful behavior from the Secretary of Defense is...a lot.
Service members do have a duty to refuse illegal orders
All Americans have a 1st Amendment right to say that out loud.
Service members do have a duty to refuse illegal orders
All Americans have a 1st Amendment right to say that out loud.
Latest entry in the annals of #Fugazi and #GratefulDead are more similar than you assume: there are pieces of Sand Camels & Glass Camels highlighted in the latest Deadcast (thanks @bourgwick.bsky.social!) that to my ears could find a home on later Fugazi albums
November 21, 2025 at 3:28 PM
Latest entry in the annals of #Fugazi and #GratefulDead are more similar than you assume: there are pieces of Sand Camels & Glass Camels highlighted in the latest Deadcast (thanks @bourgwick.bsky.social!) that to my ears could find a home on later Fugazi albums
This. And, look Dems, you didn't even have to pay Molly an arm and a leg. Nailed it for you in 30 seconds by focusing on values.
Both of these issues are intertwined and I wish democrats would seize on the messaging that all trump cares about is enriching and protecting himself and his billionaire buddies
“Trump approval falls to lowest of his term over prices and Epstein files, Reuters/Ipsos poll finds...the president has been particularly dogged by perceptions he isn't doing enough to help households with everyday expenses”
www.reuters.com/world/us/tru...
www.reuters.com/world/us/tru...
November 19, 2025 at 6:24 PM
This. And, look Dems, you didn't even have to pay Molly an arm and a leg. Nailed it for you in 30 seconds by focusing on values.
Reposted by Chris Nelson
5 headlines tonight on Charlotte Observer’s homepage:
“Manolo's Bakery closes to protect customers”
“Church members flee as federal agents arrive”
“Super G executive describes agents dragging out teen employee”
“Border Patrol questions people at Walmart”
“Border Patrol sweep sparks fear”
“Manolo's Bakery closes to protect customers”
“Church members flee as federal agents arrive”
“Super G executive describes agents dragging out teen employee”
“Border Patrol questions people at Walmart”
“Border Patrol sweep sparks fear”
November 16, 2025 at 4:25 AM
5 headlines tonight on Charlotte Observer’s homepage:
“Manolo's Bakery closes to protect customers”
“Church members flee as federal agents arrive”
“Super G executive describes agents dragging out teen employee”
“Border Patrol questions people at Walmart”
“Border Patrol sweep sparks fear”
“Manolo's Bakery closes to protect customers”
“Church members flee as federal agents arrive”
“Super G executive describes agents dragging out teen employee”
“Border Patrol questions people at Walmart”
“Border Patrol sweep sparks fear”
No interviewer ever needs to ask again, “Back in [time past] could you have ever imagined [significant achievement]?” No, they couldn’t. No insights lie down that road. Don’t waste your question opportunities
November 14, 2025 at 2:32 AM
No interviewer ever needs to ask again, “Back in [time past] could you have ever imagined [significant achievement]?” No, they couldn’t. No insights lie down that road. Don’t waste your question opportunities
Reposted by Chris Nelson
Harm to SNAP recipients, federal workers, and others is real. In a normal democracy it’d make sense to prioritize reducing that harm in the short term.
In a rapidly backsliding democracy, harm is happening no matter what. Preventing authoritarian consolidation is the most harm-reducing move.
In a rapidly backsliding democracy, harm is happening no matter what. Preventing authoritarian consolidation is the most harm-reducing move.
two contradictory ideas that i hold in my head at the same time: 1) i think the threat to both SNAP recipients and federal workers is significant enough now that even bad deals are worth making to prevent further harm, and, 2) everyone who caves now should retire in shame
November 10, 2025 at 2:54 AM
Harm to SNAP recipients, federal workers, and others is real. In a normal democracy it’d make sense to prioritize reducing that harm in the short term.
In a rapidly backsliding democracy, harm is happening no matter what. Preventing authoritarian consolidation is the most harm-reducing move.
In a rapidly backsliding democracy, harm is happening no matter what. Preventing authoritarian consolidation is the most harm-reducing move.
Sheets of sound. Also sheets of sound.
November 9, 2025 at 6:10 PM
Sheets of sound. Also sheets of sound.
Anyone seen the Springsteen movie? I’m a Bruce nerd, and I … did not enjoy it. It’s a great story to tell. But film is a visual medium, and I don’t think I’ve ever seen a film that more ignored the imperative to “show, don’t tell.”
November 8, 2025 at 12:07 AM
Anyone seen the Springsteen movie? I’m a Bruce nerd, and I … did not enjoy it. It’s a great story to tell. But film is a visual medium, and I don’t think I’ve ever seen a film that more ignored the imperative to “show, don’t tell.”
Kept wondering why I keep thinking the name of the so-far awesome show “Shoresy” was “Shoesy,” and realized it’s because of @hamshooz.ooooooooooooooooooooooooooo.ooo
November 8, 2025 at 12:04 AM
Kept wondering why I keep thinking the name of the so-far awesome show “Shoresy” was “Shoesy,” and realized it’s because of @hamshooz.ooooooooooooooooooooooooooo.ooo
Reposted by Chris Nelson
Breaking: A federal appeals court just denied a last-minute bid by the Trump admin to temporarily halt some SNAP funding during the shutdown.
November 7, 2025 at 11:35 PM
Breaking: A federal appeals court just denied a last-minute bid by the Trump admin to temporarily halt some SNAP funding during the shutdown.