Eric R. Danton
@erdanton.bsky.social
Writer of Freak Scene, about music in #WesternMass and CT. Bylines in the Boston Globe, Wall Street Journal, Rolling Stone, Paste and more. IWWFJU. Ex-Hartford Courant. Knows it's only rock 'n' roll, but likes it.
https://buttondown.email/freakscene
https://buttondown.email/freakscene
I keep wondering what instrument John Violinist plays
February 12, 2026 at 7:24 PM
I keep wondering what instrument John Violinist plays
Andrew Julien has come a long way from going hands-free at the urinal in the Hartford Courant men's room while flipping through a legal pad to a devoted bag man for Alden
This morning, Executive Editor Andrew Julien, citing a "a highly competitive media landscape," told NYDN staff to expect layoffs.
The first cuts are primarily hitting our National Desk, but we're also losing some metro staffers and more cuts are expected — more than 25% of the unionized newsroom.
The first cuts are primarily hitting our National Desk, but we're also losing some metro staffers and more cuts are expected — more than 25% of the unionized newsroom.
February 12, 2026 at 6:07 PM
Andrew Julien has come a long way from going hands-free at the urinal in the Hartford Courant men's room while flipping through a legal pad to a devoted bag man for Alden
My dad used to joke about wanting to invent "people chow," which you'd pour out of a bag into a bowl and douse with hot water
‘Boy kibble’: why are young men turning to dog food for meal inspiration?
‘Boy kibble’: why are young men turning to dog food for meal inspiration?
The dried food, traditionally for pets, has become an unlikely influence for meal preppers. Some commenters have even claimed the trend could be an antidote to toxic masculinity
www.theguardian.com
February 10, 2026 at 8:15 PM
My dad used to joke about wanting to invent "people chow," which you'd pour out of a bag into a bowl and douse with hot water
Ooh, the Felice Brothers play the Iron Horse in Northampton April 30. Last time I saw them in concert was the Saturday after Election Day in 2016, in Tuners Falls, and the vibe was CATHARTIC.
February 10, 2026 at 3:29 PM
Ooh, the Felice Brothers play the Iron Horse in Northampton April 30. Last time I saw them in concert was the Saturday after Election Day in 2016, in Tuners Falls, and the vibe was CATHARTIC.
"Alt-rock giants Hoobastank"
February 10, 2026 at 2:30 PM
"Alt-rock giants Hoobastank"
What a joyful performance from Bad Bunny. The whole thing felt fresh and spontaneous and fun, and the music-video aesthetic was a cool twist on the concept
February 9, 2026 at 1:42 AM
What a joyful performance from Bad Bunny. The whole thing felt fresh and spontaneous and fun, and the music-video aesthetic was a cool twist on the concept
Reposted by Eric R. Danton
Remember this? www.wbur.org/news/2025/04...
New England Patriots' charter plane flew to Guantanamo Bay
Data from FlightAware show that a plane bearing the Patriots plane's call sign and tail number flew to and from Guantánamo Bay. The Trump administration has used the Navy base at Guantánamo in recent ...
www.wbur.org
February 8, 2026 at 10:06 PM
Remember this? www.wbur.org/news/2025/04...
Got shut out of World Cup tickets, so we're going to see Weird Al instead
February 8, 2026 at 1:08 PM
Got shut out of World Cup tickets, so we're going to see Weird Al instead
Landowner were incredibly intense last night at the Drake in Amherst. Outro sounded great, too, and Slant of Light's new songs came off really well onstage. But Landowner: wow.
February 8, 2026 at 12:54 PM
Landowner were incredibly intense last night at the Drake in Amherst. Outro sounded great, too, and Slant of Light's new songs came off really well onstage. But Landowner: wow.
Freak Scene, serving fans of independent music in Western Mass. and CT for two years now! Why not subscribe for weekly updates?
buttondown.com/freakscene/a...
buttondown.com/freakscene/a...
Freak Scene #104: Landowner Have Some Questions on 'Assumption'
Plus, New Haven's Kevin MF King has been making soundtracks for movies that don't exist
buttondown.com
February 7, 2026 at 7:31 PM
Freak Scene, serving fans of independent music in Western Mass. and CT for two years now! Why not subscribe for weekly updates?
buttondown.com/freakscene/a...
buttondown.com/freakscene/a...
Just a reminder that the best Super Bowl halftime shows are the ones that don't go according to plan:
www.insidehook.com/music/memora...
www.insidehook.com/music/memora...
The Best Super Bowl Halftime Shows Are the Ones Where Something Goes Wrong
From Left Shark to an infamous wardrobe malfunction, the halftime performances that stay with us all have an element of chaos
www.insidehook.com
February 6, 2026 at 10:11 PM
Just a reminder that the best Super Bowl halftime shows are the ones that don't go according to plan:
www.insidehook.com/music/memora...
www.insidehook.com/music/memora...
Reposted by Eric R. Danton
This week marks the second anniversary of my Freak Scene newsletter, and we cover the upcoming album from Western Mass. minimalist punks Landowner, and the "fake movie" soundtracks of New Haven's Kevin MF King. Check it out:
buttondown.com/freakscene/a...
buttondown.com/freakscene/a...
Freak Scene #104: Landowner Have Some Questions on 'Assumption'
Plus, New Haven's Kevin MF King has been making soundtracks for movies that don't exist
buttondown.com
February 6, 2026 at 1:07 PM
This week marks the second anniversary of my Freak Scene newsletter, and we cover the upcoming album from Western Mass. minimalist punks Landowner, and the "fake movie" soundtracks of New Haven's Kevin MF King. Check it out:
buttondown.com/freakscene/a...
buttondown.com/freakscene/a...
Superchunk's Songs in the Key of Abolish ICE t-shirts are pretty sweet, and proceeds benefit The People’s Laundry Minneapolis and the Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota:
superchunk.bandcamp.com/merch/songs-...
superchunk.bandcamp.com/merch/songs-...
Songs in the Key of Abolish ICE T-Shirt from Superchunk
Songs in the Key of Abolish ICE T-Shirt from Superchunk
superchunk.bandcamp.com
February 6, 2026 at 3:19 PM
Superchunk's Songs in the Key of Abolish ICE t-shirts are pretty sweet, and proceeds benefit The People’s Laundry Minneapolis and the Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota:
superchunk.bandcamp.com/merch/songs-...
superchunk.bandcamp.com/merch/songs-...
Reposted by Eric R. Danton
On #bandcampfriday try Teen Driver- a Western Mass post-punk band that isn't very good at parking. Our entire discography (two EPs) is on special, and bands get 100% of the share today. Help us pay for our upcoming recording sessions; help us keep the wheels spinning. teendriver.bandcamp.com
sessions.help
February 6, 2026 at 2:59 PM
On #bandcampfriday try Teen Driver- a Western Mass post-punk band that isn't very good at parking. Our entire discography (two EPs) is on special, and bands get 100% of the share today. Help us pay for our upcoming recording sessions; help us keep the wheels spinning. teendriver.bandcamp.com
Reposted by Eric R. Danton
Happy 2nd birthday to our local scene newsletter - give Eric a follow if you don't already. Featuring Landowner this week, who, have we mentioned, we play with tomorrow at The Drake.
This week marks the second anniversary of my Freak Scene newsletter, and we cover the upcoming album from Western Mass. minimalist punks Landowner, and the "fake movie" soundtracks of New Haven's Kevin MF King. Check it out:
buttondown.com/freakscene/a...
buttondown.com/freakscene/a...
Freak Scene #104: Landowner Have Some Questions on 'Assumption'
Plus, New Haven's Kevin MF King has been making soundtracks for movies that don't exist
buttondown.com
February 6, 2026 at 2:17 PM
Happy 2nd birthday to our local scene newsletter - give Eric a follow if you don't already. Featuring Landowner this week, who, have we mentioned, we play with tomorrow at The Drake.
This week marks the second anniversary of my Freak Scene newsletter, and we cover the upcoming album from Western Mass. minimalist punks Landowner, and the "fake movie" soundtracks of New Haven's Kevin MF King. Check it out:
buttondown.com/freakscene/a...
buttondown.com/freakscene/a...
Freak Scene #104: Landowner Have Some Questions on 'Assumption'
Plus, New Haven's Kevin MF King has been making soundtracks for movies that don't exist
buttondown.com
February 6, 2026 at 1:07 PM
This week marks the second anniversary of my Freak Scene newsletter, and we cover the upcoming album from Western Mass. minimalist punks Landowner, and the "fake movie" soundtracks of New Haven's Kevin MF King. Check it out:
buttondown.com/freakscene/a...
buttondown.com/freakscene/a...
Reposted by Eric R. Danton
booking monthly weird shows nowadays in poughkeepsie ny for anyone looking to play a low stakes bill in hudson valley get in touch
February 5, 2026 at 7:21 PM
booking monthly weird shows nowadays in poughkeepsie ny for anyone looking to play a low stakes bill in hudson valley get in touch
Reposted by Eric R. Danton
These guys created an AI Spanish-learning app because they weren't getting enough daily practice speaking Spanish. While living in Argentina. Where one of them has a girlfriend who is a native speaker. Truly we live in the dumbest timeline
gazettenet.com/2026/02/04/t...
gazettenet.com/2026/02/04/t...
The 'Avita' adventure: UMass alums launch AI-powered language-learning app - Daily Hampshire Gazette
Trips to South America helped a pair of lifelong best friends from Northampton realize a love of learning Spanish. Now, they’re turning that passion into an app to help other people learn the language...
gazettenet.com
February 5, 2026 at 1:53 PM
These guys created an AI Spanish-learning app because they weren't getting enough daily practice speaking Spanish. While living in Argentina. Where one of them has a girlfriend who is a native speaker. Truly we live in the dumbest timeline
gazettenet.com/2026/02/04/t...
gazettenet.com/2026/02/04/t...
Reposted by Eric R. Danton
Coming to all streaming sites that aren’t Spotify on Friday.
My first album is a collection of homemade power pop tunes I’ve been making by for the past few years. I hope you enjoy it.
A Painting You Can't Afford To See, by Cheer Captain
14 track album
cheercaptain.bandcamp.com
February 5, 2026 at 3:55 AM
Coming to all streaming sites that aren’t Spotify on Friday.
These guys created an AI Spanish-learning app because they weren't getting enough daily practice speaking Spanish. While living in Argentina. Where one of them has a girlfriend who is a native speaker. Truly we live in the dumbest timeline
gazettenet.com/2026/02/04/t...
gazettenet.com/2026/02/04/t...
The 'Avita' adventure: UMass alums launch AI-powered language-learning app - Daily Hampshire Gazette
Trips to South America helped a pair of lifelong best friends from Northampton realize a love of learning Spanish. Now, they’re turning that passion into an app to help other people learn the language...
gazettenet.com
February 5, 2026 at 1:53 PM
These guys created an AI Spanish-learning app because they weren't getting enough daily practice speaking Spanish. While living in Argentina. Where one of them has a girlfriend who is a native speaker. Truly we live in the dumbest timeline
gazettenet.com/2026/02/04/t...
gazettenet.com/2026/02/04/t...
Who'd have thought a guy famous for stiffing contractors wouldn't pay?
DHS keeps touting a program that offers free plane tickets and “exit bonuses” to immigrants who self-deport.
But last fall, we spoke to a dozen immigrants who said they followed Trump's instructions, yet never received the promised assistance.
➡️ Read their stories: https://propub.li/3Zeb4xF
But last fall, we spoke to a dozen immigrants who said they followed Trump's instructions, yet never received the promised assistance.
➡️ Read their stories: https://propub.li/3Zeb4xF
February 5, 2026 at 2:07 AM
Who'd have thought a guy famous for stiffing contractors wouldn't pay?
Ballerina Farm? Is the milk from ballerinas?
This is bonkers. MAHA 'farmers' with ecoli tainted raw milk admit they really don't know how to make the stuff after all.
"Producing raw milk takes careful planning from a facility and infrastructure standpoint. Unfortunately, we learned this after the fact."
people.com/ballerina-fa...
"Producing raw milk takes careful planning from a facility and infrastructure standpoint. Unfortunately, we learned this after the fact."
people.com/ballerina-fa...
Hannah Neeleman's Ballerina Farm Halts Sale of Raw Milk Due to Bacteria Concerns: Report
Hannah and Daniel Neeleman have paused Ballerina Farm's sale of raw milk following health violations discovered during routine testing. Screenings from summer 2025 showed high levels of coliform, the ...
people.com
February 4, 2026 at 12:15 AM
Ballerina Farm? Is the milk from ballerinas?
Arsonist: We have to figure out who's setting these fires
BERNIE SANDERS: Do vaccines cause autism?
BHATTACHARYA: I do not believe that the measles vaccine causes autism
SANDERS: Nah. Uh uh. I didn't ask measles. Do vaccines cause autism?
BHATTACHARYA: I have not seen a study that suggests any single vaccine causes autism
BHATTACHARYA: I do not believe that the measles vaccine causes autism
SANDERS: Nah. Uh uh. I didn't ask measles. Do vaccines cause autism?
BHATTACHARYA: I have not seen a study that suggests any single vaccine causes autism
February 3, 2026 at 8:06 PM
Arsonist: We have to figure out who's setting these fires
Reposted by Eric R. Danton
Student from alumni relations at my alma mater: "I'm from MA, too, and I can't wait for the Patriots to win the Super Bowl!"
Me: "Let me stop you right there."
Me: "Let me stop you right there."
February 1, 2026 at 9:43 PM
Student from alumni relations at my alma mater: "I'm from MA, too, and I can't wait for the Patriots to win the Super Bowl!"
Me: "Let me stop you right there."
Me: "Let me stop you right there."