Grant
@nothingunfinished.bsky.social
@tonemadison.bsky.social writer / editor / misc, film programmer, gamer, vegan. in limbo, on the spectrum.
this regime will literally say and do anything to justify its tyranny. do not comply
A Strategy to End the Trump Regime
YouTube video by Cy Canterel
www.youtube.com
January 26, 2026 at 4:50 PM
this regime will literally say and do anything to justify its tyranny. do not comply
this week, @tonemadison.bsky.social published our fav 20 records of 2025, with writing exclusively by @stevenmps.bsky.social (edited exclusively by me).
particularly appreciate Steven's coverage and inclusion of more left-field, outré work by Alex Kalfayan and M.otherthing
particularly appreciate Steven's coverage and inclusion of more left-field, outré work by Alex Kalfayan and M.otherthing
Tone Madison's favorite records of 2025
A celebration of 20 local releases that defined the year.
tonemadison.com
January 22, 2026 at 5:32 PM
this week, @tonemadison.bsky.social published our fav 20 records of 2025, with writing exclusively by @stevenmps.bsky.social (edited exclusively by me).
particularly appreciate Steven's coverage and inclusion of more left-field, outré work by Alex Kalfayan and M.otherthing
particularly appreciate Steven's coverage and inclusion of more left-field, outré work by Alex Kalfayan and M.otherthing
ngl... I'd wear a "Make America Go Away" hat, as long as it's not in red
January 21, 2026 at 8:56 PM
ngl... I'd wear a "Make America Go Away" hat, as long as it's not in red
for @tonemadison.bsky.social this week, I wrote about a handful of my fav 2025 tunes from Avoidancepolicy + Carl Johnson, Jonathon Millionaire, Mr. Chair, @rockstarelise.com, and @sirsigra.bsky.social.
thx to our music editor @stevenmps.bsky.social for all his essential editorial planning.
thx to our music editor @stevenmps.bsky.social for all his essential editorial planning.
Tone Madison's favorite songs of 2025
A sampling of the local music that helped us get through the year.
tonemadison.com
January 15, 2026 at 3:21 PM
for @tonemadison.bsky.social this week, I wrote about a handful of my fav 2025 tunes from Avoidancepolicy + Carl Johnson, Jonathon Millionaire, Mr. Chair, @rockstarelise.com, and @sirsigra.bsky.social.
thx to our music editor @stevenmps.bsky.social for all his essential editorial planning.
thx to our music editor @stevenmps.bsky.social for all his essential editorial planning.
one of the best things Kim's ever made (with visuals by Kelly Reichardt's longtime DP)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=M8_2...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=M8_2...
This video is a dream. I hope you love it as much as we do. Working with Kate, Laura and Chris was beyond my expectations but everything I knew it could be. ❤️
NOT TODAY
Directed by Kate & Laura Mulleavy with cinematography by Chris Blauvelt
kimgordon.lnk.to/nottoday
NOT TODAY
Directed by Kate & Laura Mulleavy with cinematography by Chris Blauvelt
kimgordon.lnk.to/nottoday
January 14, 2026 at 4:43 PM
one of the best things Kim's ever made (with visuals by Kelly Reichardt's longtime DP)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=M8_2...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=M8_2...
new Luc Besson and Brett Ratner films coming soon to your local AMC
?????? wtf are we doing here
?????? wtf are we doing here
January 7, 2026 at 9:47 PM
new Luc Besson and Brett Ratner films coming soon to your local AMC
?????? wtf are we doing here
?????? wtf are we doing here
regret to inform Timothée Chalamet that he is not "one of the greats" or making his case for goat status with that performance in MARTY SUPREME. distractingly self-conscious. often the opposite of disappearing into a role. thankfully, the film is redeemed by an outstanding supporting cast
January 5, 2026 at 3:10 AM
regret to inform Timothée Chalamet that he is not "one of the greats" or making his case for goat status with that performance in MARTY SUPREME. distractingly self-conscious. often the opposite of disappearing into a role. thankfully, the film is redeemed by an outstanding supporting cast
Reposted by Grant
Help Tone Madison continue to be a "vital resource" for film and arts coverage through your donation during NewsMatch. An anonymous local donor has recently offered to match the next $2,500 contributed by our readers.
tonemadison.com/donate/
tonemadison.com/donate/
December 21, 2025 at 4:17 PM
Help Tone Madison continue to be a "vital resource" for film and arts coverage through your donation during NewsMatch. An anonymous local donor has recently offered to match the next $2,500 contributed by our readers.
tonemadison.com/donate/
tonemadison.com/donate/
fav live-streamer clip of 2025
December 31, 2025 at 6:48 PM
fav live-streamer clip of 2025
support Tone Madison so we can persist with unparalleled local coverage of the arts (and incredible interviews just like this). only a few days remain to maximize the impact of your donation through NewsMatch. ty!
tonemadison.com/donate/
tonemadison.com/donate/
"...Okay, we're writing the feral queers in the woods canon, finally."
@millbot.bsky.social talks with @mlfaliveno.bsky.social about queer bodies in rural spaces and much more in their upcoming novel, HEMLOCK, which is out on January 20, 2026, with @littlebrown.bsky.social.
@millbot.bsky.social talks with @mlfaliveno.bsky.social about queer bodies in rural spaces and much more in their upcoming novel, HEMLOCK, which is out on January 20, 2026, with @littlebrown.bsky.social.
Fear and queer hunger in the Northwoods of Melissa Faliveno's "Hemlock"
The new novel from the author of the "Tomboyland" essay collection finds its footing in the dark corners of Wisconsin's forests.
tonemadison.com
December 29, 2025 at 7:34 PM
support Tone Madison so we can persist with unparalleled local coverage of the arts (and incredible interviews just like this). only a few days remain to maximize the impact of your donation through NewsMatch. ty!
tonemadison.com/donate/
tonemadison.com/donate/
I know your "top metal albums of 2025" list isn't serious when it does not include Stephen Knapp's mind-bending Sleep Paralysis project
Sleep Paralysis, by Sleep Paralysis
11 track album
sleepparalysisblackmetal.bandcamp.com
December 28, 2025 at 5:37 PM
I know your "top metal albums of 2025" list isn't serious when it does not include Stephen Knapp's mind-bending Sleep Paralysis project
happy holidays. here's an unreleased pocket recording of Lovely Socialite's cover of Weidorje's zeuhl epic "Elohim's Voyage" live at La Fête de Marquette on 13 July 2024. it was an amazing moment in Madison music fest history. and now you, too, can experience it
www.transfernow.net/dl/20251224p...
www.transfernow.net/dl/20251224p...
December 24, 2025 at 5:02 PM
happy holidays. here's an unreleased pocket recording of Lovely Socialite's cover of Weidorje's zeuhl epic "Elohim's Voyage" live at La Fête de Marquette on 13 July 2024. it was an amazing moment in Madison music fest history. and now you, too, can experience it
www.transfernow.net/dl/20251224p...
www.transfernow.net/dl/20251224p...
finally finished @lizpelly.bsky.social's MOOD MACHINE this past weekend. one of the most inspired and well-considered books I've ever read. please seek it out via your local indie bookstore or library (and stop using Spotify):
roomofonesown.com/search?q=moo...
mpl.linkcat.info/app/search/(...
roomofonesown.com/search?q=moo...
mpl.linkcat.info/app/search/(...
December 22, 2025 at 5:48 PM
finally finished @lizpelly.bsky.social's MOOD MACHINE this past weekend. one of the most inspired and well-considered books I've ever read. please seek it out via your local indie bookstore or library (and stop using Spotify):
roomofonesown.com/search?q=moo...
mpl.linkcat.info/app/search/(...
roomofonesown.com/search?q=moo...
mpl.linkcat.info/app/search/(...
this format always yields some interesting meditations and digressions on the viewing experience and contextualization within film history. appreciate Lance's engagement with me here, even if his opinions are... contentious, lol
Our final "Cinemails" column of 2025 spotlights Joachim Trier's new psychological family drama, SENTIMENTAL VALUE.
@nothingunfinished.bsky.social and Lance Li exchange largely divergent viewpoints—though, their inquiries elicit some unexpectedly intriguing dialogue on its narrative resonance.
@nothingunfinished.bsky.social and Lance Li exchange largely divergent viewpoints—though, their inquiries elicit some unexpectedly intriguing dialogue on its narrative resonance.
Evaluating tenderness and depth of family dynamics in "Sentimental Value"
Grant Phipps and Lance Li argue in favor of and against the artistic framework of Joachim Trier's latest psychological family drama.
tonemadison.com
December 16, 2025 at 4:09 PM
this format always yields some interesting meditations and digressions on the viewing experience and contextualization within film history. appreciate Lance's engagement with me here, even if his opinions are... contentious, lol
Grasshopper Film folks, if you're reading: I would *absolutely* buy a FRIENDS AND STRANGERS tee
watch.grasshopperfilm.com/films/friend...
additional thanks to Lewis for inspiring part of this multifaceted essay
watch.grasshopperfilm.com/films/friend...
additional thanks to Lewis for inspiring part of this multifaceted essay
"...I'm a film writer without any film tees. Who am I, and what am I doing with my life?" 🙃
In this week's Microtones, @nothingunfinished.bsky.social looks to @4starvideo.bsky.social's Lewis Peterson and local shop Cosmic Cabin for some help with buying and curating movie-related attire.
In this week's Microtones, @nothingunfinished.bsky.social looks to @4starvideo.bsky.social's Lewis Peterson and local shop Cosmic Cabin for some help with buying and curating movie-related attire.
Movie tee envy
Pondering a shirt collection, and stumbling upon Cosmic Cabin, which has the goods—at least niche ones for cinephiles.
tonemadison.com
December 8, 2025 at 10:06 PM
Grasshopper Film folks, if you're reading: I would *absolutely* buy a FRIENDS AND STRANGERS tee
watch.grasshopperfilm.com/films/friend...
additional thanks to Lewis for inspiring part of this multifaceted essay
watch.grasshopperfilm.com/films/friend...
additional thanks to Lewis for inspiring part of this multifaceted essay
Luke Leavitt was kind to mail me a cassette copy of his new ambient-jazz release earlier this week. please consider picking it up this #bandcampfriday!
lukeleavitt.bandcamp.com/album/concer...
lukeleavitt.bandcamp.com/album/concer...
December 5, 2025 at 9:35 PM
Luke Leavitt was kind to mail me a cassette copy of his new ambient-jazz release earlier this week. please consider picking it up this #bandcampfriday!
lukeleavitt.bandcamp.com/album/concer...
lukeleavitt.bandcamp.com/album/concer...
Reposted by Grant
Put together another compilation of local, largely unreleased music. All proceeds will go towards supporting Tone Madison's independent journalism.
All purchases this month will multiply in value, and all purchases made today will help us net a bit more, thanks to Bandcamp Friday.
Buy if ya can!
All purchases this month will multiply in value, and all purchases made today will help us net a bit more, thanks to Bandcamp Friday.
Buy if ya can!
Today, we're releasing "Resolution," a new Bandcamp compilation that will help fund Tone Madison's future.
"Each track acts as a demonstration of the perseverance inherent to Madison musicians," writes Music Editor @stevenmps.bsky.social.
Read more here: tonemadison.bandcamp.com/album/resolu...
"Each track acts as a demonstration of the perseverance inherent to Madison musicians," writes Music Editor @stevenmps.bsky.social.
Read more here: tonemadison.bandcamp.com/album/resolu...
Resolution, by Tone Madison
30 track album
tonemadison.bandcamp.com
December 5, 2025 at 7:43 PM
Put together another compilation of local, largely unreleased music. All proceeds will go towards supporting Tone Madison's independent journalism.
All purchases this month will multiply in value, and all purchases made today will help us net a bit more, thanks to Bandcamp Friday.
Buy if ya can!
All purchases this month will multiply in value, and all purchases made today will help us net a bit more, thanks to Bandcamp Friday.
Buy if ya can!
nothing if not depressed lately. but I will say that I have cherished every listen to this sonically restorative record by Takuro Okada 🌅
岡田拓郎(Takuro Okada) - Morning Sun [Full Album]
YouTube video by edible
www.youtube.com
December 2, 2025 at 6:08 AM
nothing if not depressed lately. but I will say that I have cherished every listen to this sonically restorative record by Takuro Okada 🌅
the guys (Matt Blair, Brian Courage, Devin Drobka, Will Greene) killing it at Audio for the Arts last night
November 22, 2025 at 3:34 PM
the guys (Matt Blair, Brian Courage, Devin Drobka, Will Greene) killing it at Audio for the Arts last night
Reposted by Grant
"The sequential rhythms of INERTIA FOLLIES are intermittently anxious and contemplative but persistently thrilling. Credit that to director Chelsea Gaspard's guiding belief in the show's improvised components as 'living and breathing and shifting,'" writes @nothingunfinished.bsky.social. 🎭
The semi-improvised parameters of "Inertia Follies" engender its subtly and radically transformative scenes
The avant-garde performance-art showcase, which involves six local artists, runs for a final weekend—November 20 through 23—at Broom Street Theater.
tonemadison.com
November 19, 2025 at 2:20 PM
"The sequential rhythms of INERTIA FOLLIES are intermittently anxious and contemplative but persistently thrilling. Credit that to director Chelsea Gaspard's guiding belief in the show's improvised components as 'living and breathing and shifting,'" writes @nothingunfinished.bsky.social. 🎭
the best article you'll read this year on the state of gaming and game development in Wisconsin
"Even as MDEV expands, making the industry accessible to newer indie developers remains a key focus of the conference."
@manateemailbox.bsky.social reports from the @wigamesalliance.bsky.social MDEV conference (Nov 7-8), and talks with game developers and industry representatives alike. 🎮
@manateemailbox.bsky.social reports from the @wigamesalliance.bsky.social MDEV conference (Nov 7-8), and talks with game developers and industry representatives alike. 🎮
Amid industry tumult, the 2025 MDEV conference captured Madison as an impending game-development hotspot
On the ground with indie developers and industry representatives at the annual, bustling, two-day showcase of video games.
tonemadison.com
November 19, 2025 at 2:28 PM
the best article you'll read this year on the state of gaming and game development in Wisconsin
this record randomly showed up in my suggested Bandcamp feed last week (under "neo-psychedelia"), and I've had it on repeat ever since. Trance To The Sun's breakthrough in every sense. intoxicating, enveloping, majestically murky production. and this song... just exemplary ethereal wave
The Nun V V, by Trance To The Sun
from the album Venomous Eve (2021 Remaster)
trancetothesun.bandcamp.com
November 14, 2025 at 1:20 PM
this record randomly showed up in my suggested Bandcamp feed last week (under "neo-psychedelia"), and I've had it on repeat ever since. Trance To The Sun's breakthrough in every sense. intoxicating, enveloping, majestically murky production. and this song... just exemplary ethereal wave
Reposted by Grant
The Black Film Festival returns this year—November 12 thru 15—with screenings and discussions at Fountain of Life Covenant Church and @madisonlibrary.bsky.social locations throughout the city.
Film section editor @nothingunfinished.bsky.social takes a closer look at the scope of the programming.
Film section editor @nothingunfinished.bsky.social takes a closer look at the scope of the programming.
In its third year, the Black Film Festival commits to deeper regional representation
The Nehemiah Center and Justified Anger partner with Madison Public Library to honor Black lives and culture November 12 through 15.
tonemadison.com
November 11, 2025 at 2:00 PM
The Black Film Festival returns this year—November 12 thru 15—with screenings and discussions at Fountain of Life Covenant Church and @madisonlibrary.bsky.social locations throughout the city.
Film section editor @nothingunfinished.bsky.social takes a closer look at the scope of the programming.
Film section editor @nothingunfinished.bsky.social takes a closer look at the scope of the programming.
Reposted by Grant
So thankful I got to talk to @fayeparks.bsky.social at @wortnews.bsky.social about what makes @tonemadison.bsky.social special. If you want to support local, journalist-owned news, go to tonemadison.com/donate/
November 11, 2025 at 1:38 AM
So thankful I got to talk to @fayeparks.bsky.social at @wortnews.bsky.social about what makes @tonemadison.bsky.social special. If you want to support local, journalist-owned news, go to tonemadison.com/donate/