Ned Raggett
@nedraggett.bsky.social
Hi! I write about music at various spots (@thequietus.com, @thewiremagazine.bsky.social, Shfl and my Patreon, also in the past @allmusic.com, @pitchfork.com, @bandcamp.com etc. etc.). Plus podcasting about #Tolkien with friends at @bythebywater.bsky.social
Pinned
Ned Raggett
@nedraggett.bsky.social
· Nov 14
Given the very specific circumstances, I'd either check to see if I'm on drugs or if the baby is on drugs and if the latter find out where I could get some because clearly those are some gooooood drugs.
Well, it's time for some honest to god Bluesky lore.
A year ago, the site was still invite only, and one morning I posted something random and didn't think much about it beyond my own amusement.
This is the story about the #ChristianSkydivingBaby and how it completely took over @bsky.app (1/x)
A year ago, the site was still invite only, and one morning I posted something random and didn't think much about it beyond my own amusement.
This is the story about the #ChristianSkydivingBaby and how it completely took over @bsky.app (1/x)
Reposted by Ned Raggett
Reposted by Ned Raggett
this is the big wrench in the Machines Ain't Music gripe: artists use computers to make music so that human beings can move in ways only humans can do
also as someone who has listened to his fair share of footwork, sometimes the mechanical distortion of an "organic" band's sound actually heightens the feeling of humanity because it results in an extremely human form of expression in dance
DJ Manny - Good Feeling ( Teklife Records )
YouTube video by DJ Earl
www.youtube.com
January 1, 2026 at 5:32 PM
this is the big wrench in the Machines Ain't Music gripe: artists use computers to make music so that human beings can move in ways only humans can do
Reposted by Ned Raggett
anyways I know rock's not dead because I heard this last year
Yoo II avec Nolan Potter, by Yoo Doo Right, Population II & Nolan Potter
5 track album
yoodooright.bandcamp.com
January 1, 2026 at 3:56 PM
anyways I know rock's not dead because I heard this last year
Reposted by Ned Raggett
at this point you'd think people would start noticing the paradox of lamenting that the health of a musical movement they love to depict as being unruly/rebellious/dangerous/scaring your parents should not be contingent on whether these genre's practitioners go 6x platinum
"The limited expectations for 21st-century rock may just have turned out to be freeing. For songwriters, musicians and — with luck — enough fans to support them, rock is far from played out."
Who Says Rock Is Dead? (gift link):
Who Says Rock Is Dead? (gift link):
Who Says Rock Is Dead?
In 2025, rock was still hanging in. As artificial intelligence infiltrates music, the genre’s handmade imperfections are more crucial than ever.
www.nytimes.com
January 1, 2026 at 3:48 PM
at this point you'd think people would start noticing the paradox of lamenting that the health of a musical movement they love to depict as being unruly/rebellious/dangerous/scaring your parents should not be contingent on whether these genre's practitioners go 6x platinum
Reposted by Ned Raggett
This is a great thread 🧵 about how to improve curling 🥌 uptake with the upcoming Winter Olympics.
A curling game takes about 2 and a half hours. A mixed doubles game lasts about an hour.
Because of mixed doubles and 4-person men's and women's, it means curling will be on a lot in the Olympics.
I heard that 40% of ALL TV coverage will be 🥌.
Because of mixed doubles and 4-person men's and women's, it means curling will be on a lot in the Olympics.
I heard that 40% of ALL TV coverage will be 🥌.
January 1, 2026 at 3:46 PM
This is a great thread 🧵 about how to improve curling 🥌 uptake with the upcoming Winter Olympics.
Reposted by Ned Raggett
There is an undeniable shared understanding in humanity. When people see "I hope this year it will happen" there is not a slightest doubt what "it" means.
January 1, 2026 at 5:26 AM
There is an undeniable shared understanding in humanity. When people see "I hope this year it will happen" there is not a slightest doubt what "it" means.
Reposted by Ned Raggett
Contrary to what his cantankerous ass might say, I raise one for Kaleb Horton. This year sucked, I’ll miss the hell out of that man till I too shuffle off, but in the meantime: you are remembered, bud.
January 1, 2026 at 6:50 AM
Contrary to what his cantankerous ass might say, I raise one for Kaleb Horton. This year sucked, I’ll miss the hell out of that man till I too shuffle off, but in the meantime: you are remembered, bud.
Reposted by Ned Raggett
And to you and yours.
January 1, 2026 at 8:51 AM
And to you and yours.
Reposted by Ned Raggett
Space needle has a certain Arrival vibe to it this new year's Eve.
January 1, 2026 at 8:20 AM
Space needle has a certain Arrival vibe to it this new year's Eve.
Time for the greatest NYE movie in the form of _After the Thin Man_, Powell/Loy, Jimmy Stewart in James Stewart days, San Francisco, nightclubs at midnight, and 30s comedy/mystery mayhem. Happy New Year all.
January 1, 2026 at 6:52 AM
Time for the greatest NYE movie in the form of _After the Thin Man_, Powell/Loy, Jimmy Stewart in James Stewart days, San Francisco, nightclubs at midnight, and 30s comedy/mystery mayhem. Happy New Year all.
Reposted by Ned Raggett
Some real San Diego royalty here
I'll also add my other favorite thing that happened as 1989 turned to 1990, and this one WAS live -- the mighty Beat Farmers, the full NYE concert broadcast via KGB FM in San Diego (attention @brooklynmarie.bsky.social natch). In memory of Country Dick, Mojo N and huge Beat Farmers fan Kaleb Horton.
January 1, 2026 at 5:00 AM
Some real San Diego royalty here
And it ends with “Truly you have won all the strange things.” *John Williams fanfare plays*
January 1, 2026 at 4:37 AM
And it ends with “Truly you have won all the strange things.” *John Williams fanfare plays*
Reposted by Ned Raggett
Watching hockey for the first time in a year, and I guess I’m a little rusty. When does the sex start?
January 1, 2026 at 3:35 AM
Watching hockey for the first time in a year, and I guess I’m a little rusty. When does the sex start?
Reposted by Ned Raggett
While I ended up catching the B-52's the following June, on New Year's Eve 1989 I was seeing experimental combo Birdsongs of the Mesozoic at a free First Night concert in Boston. First time seeing any members of Mission of Burma (Martin Swope, in this case) perform live.
If you need something later to send this year packing, and in light of the various MTV music-only channels worldwide shutting down, why not when the B-52s put paid to the 1980s as a whole? (This was recorded November 1989 for later broadcast, but hey, you do what you can.)
B 52s - (Live MTV New Years 1990 Full Show)
YouTube video by VHS Music Rarities
www.youtube.com
January 1, 2026 at 3:26 AM
While I ended up catching the B-52's the following June, on New Year's Eve 1989 I was seeing experimental combo Birdsongs of the Mesozoic at a free First Night concert in Boston. First time seeing any members of Mission of Burma (Martin Swope, in this case) perform live.
Reposted by Ned Raggett
I Served the B52s room service around this time in the Tampa hotel where I worked. They were great, but not as memorable as serving Tiny Tim, who was NOT dead. Yet.
If you need something later to send this year packing, and in light of the various MTV music-only channels worldwide shutting down, why not when the B-52s put paid to the 1980s as a whole? (This was recorded November 1989 for later broadcast, but hey, you do what you can.)
B 52s - (Live MTV New Years 1990 Full Show)
YouTube video by VHS Music Rarities
www.youtube.com
January 1, 2026 at 2:30 AM
I Served the B52s room service around this time in the Tampa hotel where I worked. They were great, but not as memorable as serving Tiny Tim, who was NOT dead. Yet.
Reposted by Ned Raggett
Every so often a post like this comes through my feeds and I am forced to remember the time that Country Dick Montana kicked me (accidentally, I suppose) in the crotch during a Beat Farmers show in the 80s in Miami.
I'll also add my other favorite thing that happened as 1989 turned to 1990, and this one WAS live -- the mighty Beat Farmers, the full NYE concert broadcast via KGB FM in San Diego (attention @brooklynmarie.bsky.social natch). In memory of Country Dick, Mojo N and huge Beat Farmers fan Kaleb Horton.
January 1, 2026 at 1:59 AM
Every so often a post like this comes through my feeds and I am forced to remember the time that Country Dick Montana kicked me (accidentally, I suppose) in the crotch during a Beat Farmers show in the 80s in Miami.
I'll also add my other favorite thing that happened as 1989 turned to 1990, and this one WAS live -- the mighty Beat Farmers, the full NYE concert broadcast via KGB FM in San Diego (attention @brooklynmarie.bsky.social natch). In memory of Country Dick, Mojo N and huge Beat Farmers fan Kaleb Horton.
January 1, 2026 at 1:49 AM
I'll also add my other favorite thing that happened as 1989 turned to 1990, and this one WAS live -- the mighty Beat Farmers, the full NYE concert broadcast via KGB FM in San Diego (attention @brooklynmarie.bsky.social natch). In memory of Country Dick, Mojo N and huge Beat Farmers fan Kaleb Horton.
If you need something later to send this year packing, and in light of the various MTV music-only channels worldwide shutting down, why not when the B-52s put paid to the 1980s as a whole? (This was recorded November 1989 for later broadcast, but hey, you do what you can.)
B 52s - (Live MTV New Years 1990 Full Show)
YouTube video by VHS Music Rarities
www.youtube.com
January 1, 2026 at 1:46 AM
If you need something later to send this year packing, and in light of the various MTV music-only channels worldwide shutting down, why not when the B-52s put paid to the 1980s as a whole? (This was recorded November 1989 for later broadcast, but hey, you do what you can.)
Reposted by Ned Raggett
I keep seeing people circulating this, but how many realize this refers to channels in the UK, Ireland, France, Germany, Austria, Poland, Hungary, Australia and Brazil (and notably not the US)?
MTV isn’t ending, they’re just shutting down the last of their strictly music (and only music) channels.
MTV isn’t ending, they’re just shutting down the last of their strictly music (and only music) channels.
MTV is officially ending all of its music channels.
In honor of that, what's your favorite music video?
In honor of that, what's your favorite music video?
January 1, 2026 at 1:30 AM
I keep seeing people circulating this, but how many realize this refers to channels in the UK, Ireland, France, Germany, Austria, Poland, Hungary, Australia and Brazil (and notably not the US)?
MTV isn’t ending, they’re just shutting down the last of their strictly music (and only music) channels.
MTV isn’t ending, they’re just shutting down the last of their strictly music (and only music) channels.
Reposted by Ned Raggett
New Year's Eve is the hope of something better, tossing the bum old year out on its ass and trying again, and I think that's beautiful
Happy New Year, friends
Happy New Year, friends
January 1, 2026 at 1:41 AM
New Year's Eve is the hope of something better, tossing the bum old year out on its ass and trying again, and I think that's beautiful
Happy New Year, friends
Happy New Year, friends
Reposted by Ned Raggett
Reposted by Ned Raggett
May we all move with fierce love and solidarity in 2026. It's been a brutal year, but I am entering 2026 with more hope than I had at the end of 2024, because the people of my city gave me that hope. I love you, Chicago.
January 1, 2026 at 12:25 AM
May we all move with fierce love and solidarity in 2026. It's been a brutal year, but I am entering 2026 with more hope than I had at the end of 2024, because the people of my city gave me that hope. I love you, Chicago.
Truth. And yes that is Macaulay there in what proved to be a great cameo turn (at least I assume, maybe we'll see more of him).
January 1, 2026 at 1:10 AM
Truth. And yes that is Macaulay there in what proved to be a great cameo turn (at least I assume, maybe we'll see more of him).
Reposted by Ned Raggett
"so much as a gradual realization on his employers' part that Colin was not suitable for gainful employment. I don't blame them. Over the following weeks, I'd learn that Colin was also not suitable for the company of other human beings."
i could’ve sworn i’d written a post about this at some point, and indeed it’s one of my earliest patreon posts! so sit back, reader, with a glass of reasonably priced room temp pinot greezh, and enjoy The Tale of the Man Who Was Maybe Planning to Murder Me
www.patreon.com/posts/342978...
www.patreon.com/posts/342978...
December 31, 2025 at 8:47 PM
"so much as a gradual realization on his employers' part that Colin was not suitable for gainful employment. I don't blame them. Over the following weeks, I'd learn that Colin was also not suitable for the company of other human beings."
Reposted by Ned Raggett
if 2025 was a person i’d slap box them into oblivion before sending their ass packin
December 31, 2025 at 7:39 PM
if 2025 was a person i’d slap box them into oblivion before sending their ass packin