Peter Margasak
@pmargasak.bsky.social
Listening, writing, and sharing—writing for Bandcamp Daily, the Wire, Chamber Music Magazine and petermargasak.substack.com. Sharing with frequencyfestival-chicago.com
A packed edition of the Nowhere Street newsletter with thoughts on Tortoise, Bill Frisell, Philipp Gropper, Achim Kaufmann/Yorgos Dimitriadis/Michael Thieke, and Nicolas Collins & Birgit Ulher. It's free to subscribe. open.substack.com/pub/petermar...
Back in Business
Tortoise, Bill Frisell, Philipp Gropper's Philm, Kaufmann/Dimitriadis/Thieke, and Nicolas Collins & Birgit Ulher
open.substack.com
January 26, 2026 at 3:26 PM
A packed edition of the Nowhere Street newsletter with thoughts on Tortoise, Bill Frisell, Philipp Gropper, Achim Kaufmann/Yorgos Dimitriadis/Michael Thieke, and Nicolas Collins & Birgit Ulher. It's free to subscribe. open.substack.com/pub/petermar...
This week's Nowhere Street looks at some ancient instruments that will sound at this year's CTM Festival from Ellen Arkbro and Lukas De Clerck. It's free to subscribe. open.substack.com/pub/petermar...
Stumbling Towards Equilibrium
Ellen Arkbro & the London Crumhorn Consort, Lukas De Clerck
open.substack.com
January 19, 2026 at 3:20 PM
This week's Nowhere Street looks at some ancient instruments that will sound at this year's CTM Festival from Ellen Arkbro and Lukas De Clerck. It's free to subscribe. open.substack.com/pub/petermar...
The time is ripe for the Boots Randolph revival.
my favorite genre of video
WE GOT MORE VIDEO OF ICE FALLING ON ICE
January 14, 2026 at 4:23 PM
The time is ripe for the Boots Randolph revival.
This week's Nowhere Street newsletter observes Berlin getting back into action, with previews of performances by Ricardo Dias Gomes, Jessika Kenney & Eyvind Kang, and Johannes Fink's Fink Floyd. It's free to subscribe. open.substack.com/pub/petermar...
Breaking the Chill
Ricardo Dias Gomes, Jessika Kenney & Eyvind Kang, Fink Floyd
open.substack.com
January 12, 2026 at 3:36 PM
This week's Nowhere Street newsletter observes Berlin getting back into action, with previews of performances by Ricardo Dias Gomes, Jessika Kenney & Eyvind Kang, and Johannes Fink's Fink Floyd. It's free to subscribe. open.substack.com/pub/petermar...
Reposted by Peter Margasak
Inside The Wire 503/504: Anna Högberg
An exciting future for her group Attack was shelved when caring responsibilities and psychological burnout took hold. Now the Swedish saxophonist is setting out for new horizons with her epic composition Ensamseglaren
www.thewire.co.uk/issues/503/504
An exciting future for her group Attack was shelved when caring responsibilities and psychological burnout took hold. Now the Swedish saxophonist is setting out for new horizons with her epic composition Ensamseglaren
www.thewire.co.uk/issues/503/504
January 12, 2026 at 1:17 PM
Inside The Wire 503/504: Anna Högberg
An exciting future for her group Attack was shelved when caring responsibilities and psychological burnout took hold. Now the Swedish saxophonist is setting out for new horizons with her epic composition Ensamseglaren
www.thewire.co.uk/issues/503/504
An exciting future for her group Attack was shelved when caring responsibilities and psychological burnout took hold. Now the Swedish saxophonist is setting out for new horizons with her epic composition Ensamseglaren
www.thewire.co.uk/issues/503/504
Today's special edition of the Nowhere Street newsletter is part two of my rundown of my 40 favorite albums from 2025. It's free to subscribe. open.substack.com/pub/petermar...
My 40 Favorite Albums of 2025, part 2
Second installment of the list, randomly ordered
open.substack.com
January 9, 2026 at 4:46 PM
Today's special edition of the Nowhere Street newsletter is part two of my rundown of my 40 favorite albums from 2025. It's free to subscribe. open.substack.com/pub/petermar...
Today's special edition of the Nowhere Street newsletter is part one of my rundown of my 40 favorite albums from 2025. It's free to subscribe. open.substack.com/pub/petermar...
My 40 Favorite Albums of 2025, part 1
The year-end rundown, randomly ordered
open.substack.com
January 8, 2026 at 3:36 PM
Today's special edition of the Nowhere Street newsletter is part one of my rundown of my 40 favorite albums from 2025. It's free to subscribe. open.substack.com/pub/petermar...
The first Nowhere Street newsletter in 2026 looks at Roland Keijser & Christer Bothén, with a preview of Stop Over featuring Brandon Lopez & Fred Moten, Yuhan Su, Kaja Draksler & Irena Z. Tomazin, and Lorenzo Soules with Apparat. It's free to subscribe. open.substack.com/pub/petermar...
No Time to Waste
Roland Keijser, Christer Bothén, Stop Over 4
open.substack.com
January 5, 2026 at 3:29 PM
The first Nowhere Street newsletter in 2026 looks at Roland Keijser & Christer Bothén, with a preview of Stop Over featuring Brandon Lopez & Fred Moten, Yuhan Su, Kaja Draksler & Irena Z. Tomazin, and Lorenzo Soules with Apparat. It's free to subscribe. open.substack.com/pub/petermar...
The final missive from Nowhere Street in 2025 lends an ear to Sophie Agnel, Saviet/Houston Duo, Schnell (w/ Pierre Borel, Christian Lillinger, and Antonio Borghini), and the Christian Marien Quartett). It's free to subscribe. open.substack.com/pub/petermar...
Holiday Pause
Sophie Agnel, Christian Marien Quartett, Saviet/Houston Duo, Schnell
open.substack.com
December 15, 2025 at 3:11 PM
The final missive from Nowhere Street in 2025 lends an ear to Sophie Agnel, Saviet/Houston Duo, Schnell (w/ Pierre Borel, Christian Lillinger, and Antonio Borghini), and the Christian Marien Quartett). It's free to subscribe. open.substack.com/pub/petermar...
Tonight at 7 PM EST (and 1 AM in Berlin!) I’m part of a roundtable hosted by Nate Chinen with Ayana Contreras and Martin Johnson. It’s the annual Year in Jazz discussion that Nate has long organized. It’s free but you need to register here: us06web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...?
Welcome! You are invited to join a webinar: The Gig: The Year in Jazz 2025. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the webinar.
The Year in Jazz: A Critics' Roundtable will take the measure of the music, the artists, and the moments that shaped improvised music in 2025. Hosted by Nate Chinen, it will feature the esteemed criti...
us06web.zoom.us
December 9, 2025 at 2:22 PM
Tonight at 7 PM EST (and 1 AM in Berlin!) I’m part of a roundtable hosted by Nate Chinen with Ayana Contreras and Martin Johnson. It’s the annual Year in Jazz discussion that Nate has long organized. It’s free but you need to register here: us06web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...?
This week's Nowhere Street newsletter considers performances by Kresten Osgood, Evan Parker & Peter van Bergen, Marina Džukljev/Michael Griener/Christian Weber, Asterales, and Yorgos Dimitriadis & Michael Thieke. It's free to subscribe. open.substack.com/pub/petermar...
Ending the Year in a Flurry
Kresten Osgood, Evan Parker & Peter Van Bergen, Asterales, Michael Thieke & Yorgos Dimitriadis
open.substack.com
December 8, 2025 at 2:51 PM
This week's Nowhere Street newsletter considers performances by Kresten Osgood, Evan Parker & Peter van Bergen, Marina Džukljev/Michael Griener/Christian Weber, Asterales, and Yorgos Dimitriadis & Michael Thieke. It's free to subscribe. open.substack.com/pub/petermar...
This week's edition of the Nowhere Street newsletter looks at two albums on the great Ni Vu Ni Connu label from Kai Fagaschinski and Albee Liz, as well as the second album by Merry Peers (the duo of Brad Henkel and Yoshiko Klein). It's free to subscribe. open.substack.com/pub/petermar...
December is for Berliners
Kai Fagaschinski, Liz Allbee, Merry Peers
open.substack.com
December 1, 2025 at 3:52 PM
This week's edition of the Nowhere Street newsletter looks at two albums on the great Ni Vu Ni Connu label from Kai Fagaschinski and Albee Liz, as well as the second album by Merry Peers (the duo of Brad Henkel and Yoshiko Klein). It's free to subscribe. open.substack.com/pub/petermar...
Reposted by Peter Margasak
Searching for the best new contemporary classical music on Bandcamp? You've come to the right place.
The Best Contemporary Classical Music on Bandcamp, November 2025
Our guide to the month‘s crucial contemporary classical work.
daily.bandcamp.com
November 25, 2025 at 5:50 PM
Searching for the best new contemporary classical music on Bandcamp? You've come to the right place.
The latest contemporary music column is up at Bandcamp Daily w/ music by Anaïs Maviel & The Rhythm Method, Ian Power, Zihua Tan & NO HAY BANDA, Santiago Díez Fischer, Luis Fernando Amaya, Marie Schreer, Ruby Colley, Laura Cetilia, Léo Dupleix, and Jonas Olsson. daily.bandcamp.com/best-contemp...
The Best Contemporary Classical Music on Bandcamp, November 2025
Our guide to the month‘s crucial contemporary classical work.
daily.bandcamp.com
November 25, 2025 at 4:19 PM
The latest contemporary music column is up at Bandcamp Daily w/ music by Anaïs Maviel & The Rhythm Method, Ian Power, Zihua Tan & NO HAY BANDA, Santiago Díez Fischer, Luis Fernando Amaya, Marie Schreer, Ruby Colley, Laura Cetilia, Léo Dupleix, and Jonas Olsson. daily.bandcamp.com/best-contemp...
This week's edition of Nowhere Street includes thoughts on Natural Information Society, [Ahmed], and Bruine (Michael Thieke, Tom Malmendier, and Emilie Škrijelj). It's free to subscribe. open.substack.com/pub/petermar...
On the Road Again
Natural Information Society, [Ahmed], Bruine
open.substack.com
November 24, 2025 at 4:00 PM
This week's edition of Nowhere Street includes thoughts on Natural Information Society, [Ahmed], and Bruine (Michael Thieke, Tom Malmendier, and Emilie Škrijelj). It's free to subscribe. open.substack.com/pub/petermar...
This week's edition of the Nowhere Street newsletter looks at recent music from Das B., Michiko Ogawa, Webber/Morris Big Band, and Craig Taborn/ Tomeka Reid/ Ches Smith. It's free to subscribe. open.substack.com/pub/petermar...
Busy Being
Das B., Michiko Ogawa, Webber/Morris Big Band, Taborn/Reid/Smith
open.substack.com
November 17, 2025 at 3:25 PM
This week's edition of the Nowhere Street newsletter looks at recent music from Das B., Michiko Ogawa, Webber/Morris Big Band, and Craig Taborn/ Tomeka Reid/ Ches Smith. It's free to subscribe. open.substack.com/pub/petermar...
This week's edition of the Nowhere Street newsletter previews performances by Mulatu Astatke, Copenhagen Clarinet Choir, Prague Quiet Music Collective, and Eric Wubbels with Wet Ink Ensemble. It's free to subscribe. open.substack.com/pub/petermar...
The Berlin Gray Beckons
Mulatu Astatke, Copenhagen Clarinet Choir, Prague Quiet Music Collective, Eric Wubbels
open.substack.com
November 10, 2025 at 3:26 PM
This week's edition of the Nowhere Street newsletter previews performances by Mulatu Astatke, Copenhagen Clarinet Choir, Prague Quiet Music Collective, and Eric Wubbels with Wet Ink Ensemble. It's free to subscribe. open.substack.com/pub/petermar...
This month's edition of the contemporary music column at Bandcamp Daily includes sounds from Carrie Frey, David First, Mark Fell, Theo Alexander, Rhodri Davies & Éliane Radigue, Scott Wollschleger, Nick Jozwiak, Travis Laplante, Cheryl Duvall, and early 80s Mexico. daily.bandcamp.com/best-contemp...
The Best Contemporary Classical Music on Bandcamp, October 2025
Our guide to the month’s crucial contemporary classical LPs.
daily.bandcamp.com
November 6, 2025 at 4:02 PM
This month's edition of the contemporary music column at Bandcamp Daily includes sounds from Carrie Frey, David First, Mark Fell, Theo Alexander, Rhodri Davies & Éliane Radigue, Scott Wollschleger, Nick Jozwiak, Travis Laplante, Cheryl Duvall, and early 80s Mexico. daily.bandcamp.com/best-contemp...
This week's Nowhere Street newsletter is late, but it's packed with thoughts on Lucy Railton, Silke Eberhard, Archer, Jean-Luc Guionnet, and Wadada Leo Smith. It's free to subscribe. open.substack.com/pub/petermar...
Berlin Non-Stop
Lucy Railton, Wadada Leo Smith, Silke Eberhard, Archer, Jean-Luc Guionnet
open.substack.com
November 4, 2025 at 4:39 PM
This week's Nowhere Street newsletter is late, but it's packed with thoughts on Lucy Railton, Silke Eberhard, Archer, Jean-Luc Guionnet, and Wadada Leo Smith. It's free to subscribe. open.substack.com/pub/petermar...
It's Jazzfest Berlin week, but there's always more happening in Berlin. This week's Nowhere Street previews concerts by The Necks, Mattias Hållsten, Jung-Jae Kim/Stephen Flinn/ Sylvain Monchoce, and Hildur Gudnadóttir. It's free to subscribe. open.substack.com/pub/petermar...
It's Jazzfest Berlin Weekend and More
The Necks, Matthias Hållsten, Flinn/Monchocé/Kim, Hildur Guðnadóttir
open.substack.com
October 27, 2025 at 2:50 PM
It's Jazzfest Berlin week, but there's always more happening in Berlin. This week's Nowhere Street previews concerts by The Necks, Mattias Hållsten, Jung-Jae Kim/Stephen Flinn/ Sylvain Monchoce, and Hildur Gudnadóttir. It's free to subscribe. open.substack.com/pub/petermar...
This week's edition of the Nowhere Street newsletter digs into the intense beauty of Anna Högberg's Attack, along with thoughts on new work by Camila Nebbia, Ches Smith, and a trio with Philipp Eden/Frantz Loriot/Marina Tantanozi. It's free to subscribe. open.substack.com/pub/petermar...
Big Sounds for Fall
Anna Högberg Attack!, Exhaust, Ches Smith's Clone Row, Eden/Loriot/Tantanozi
open.substack.com
October 20, 2025 at 2:35 PM
This week's edition of the Nowhere Street newsletter digs into the intense beauty of Anna Högberg's Attack, along with thoughts on new work by Camila Nebbia, Ches Smith, and a trio with Philipp Eden/Frantz Loriot/Marina Tantanozi. It's free to subscribe. open.substack.com/pub/petermar...
Reposted by Peter Margasak
Those with sharp eyes might detect a subtle difference in NYT play last month of an event in one city, w 100,000+ attendees, versus play this morning of some 2500+ events w many millions of attendees, in all 50 states.
See if you can spot it! /s
Then you can find today's story on p A23
See if you can spot it! /s
Then you can find today's story on p A23
October 19, 2025 at 2:35 PM
Those with sharp eyes might detect a subtle difference in NYT play last month of an event in one city, w 100,000+ attendees, versus play this morning of some 2500+ events w many millions of attendees, in all 50 states.
See if you can spot it! /s
Then you can find today's story on p A23
See if you can spot it! /s
Then you can find today's story on p A23
Reposted by Peter Margasak
At the request of the U.S. Department of Justice, a Facebook group used by nearly 80,000 people to report sightings of federal immigration agents in the Chicago area has been taken down by the social media giant Meta, Facebook’s parent company.
Facebook suspends popular Chicago ICE-sightings group at Trump administration’s request
The group, "ICE Sighting-Chicagoland," has been increasingly used in the last five weeks of President Donald Trump’s intense deportation campaign to warn neighbors that federal agents are nearby.
trib.al
October 14, 2025 at 6:32 PM
At the request of the U.S. Department of Justice, a Facebook group used by nearly 80,000 people to report sightings of federal immigration agents in the Chicago area has been taken down by the social media giant Meta, Facebook’s parent company.
D’Angelo “only” made three albums but they all changed the way I have heard music. Each one forced recalibration, simultaneously rooted in tradition and radically altering it. A terrible loss.
October 14, 2025 at 4:55 PM
D’Angelo “only” made three albums but they all changed the way I have heard music. Each one forced recalibration, simultaneously rooted in tradition and radically altering it. A terrible loss.
This week's edition of the Nowhere Street newsletter digs into sounds from Ailbhe Nic Oireachtaigh, Trouble In The East Records, Peepholes, Brad Henkel Quartet, Jorge Espinal, Tashi Dorji, and Ralf Hoyer. It's free to subscribe. petermargasak.substack.com/p/grainy-wit...
Grainy With a Side of Brainy
Ailbhe Nic Oireachtaigh, Peepholes, Brad Henkel Quartet, Jorge Espinal, Tashi Dorji, Ralf Hoyer
petermargasak.substack.com
October 13, 2025 at 2:07 PM
This week's edition of the Nowhere Street newsletter digs into sounds from Ailbhe Nic Oireachtaigh, Trouble In The East Records, Peepholes, Brad Henkel Quartet, Jorge Espinal, Tashi Dorji, and Ralf Hoyer. It's free to subscribe. petermargasak.substack.com/p/grainy-wit...