Richie Assaly
@rdassaly.bsky.social
Writes about music, books and politics.
https://linktr.ee/richieassaly
https://linktr.ee/richieassaly
Pinned
Richie Assaly
@rdassaly.bsky.social
· May 3
Madeleine Thien is the quiet conscience of Canadian literature. Nine years after winning the country’s top book prize, she returns with a stirring new novel
In “The Book of Records,” the outspoken author moves between centuries and perspectives – past and imagined futures – in a prismatic attempt to unearth the very root of thinking.
www.thestar.com
Here's my profile on Madeleine Thien, whose first novel in nearly a decade arrives next week.
We spoke about Hannah Arendt, visiting Palestine, the limits of autofiction and much more.
www.thestar.com/entertainmen...
We spoke about Hannah Arendt, visiting Palestine, the limits of autofiction and much more.
www.thestar.com/entertainmen...
Reposted by Richie Assaly
I love Neil Young because he'll make a song where he mumbles "Got mashed potatoes/Ain't got no T-Bone" over three chords for 9 straight minutes and then insist you listen to it on the most high-resolution audiophile equipment possible. Happy 80th, king.
November 12, 2025 at 6:39 PM
I love Neil Young because he'll make a song where he mumbles "Got mashed potatoes/Ain't got no T-Bone" over three chords for 9 straight minutes and then insist you listen to it on the most high-resolution audiophile equipment possible. Happy 80th, king.
Very excited to check out these (beautiful) new books from @tracepress.bsky.social 🙌🏼
November 12, 2025 at 5:37 PM
Very excited to check out these (beautiful) new books from @tracepress.bsky.social 🙌🏼
This Grind story on the IDF soldiers event, which is very much a media criticism piece, was generating lots of discussion on the Canadaland subreddit.
But looks like a moderator removed it this morning.
www.reddit.com/r/canadaland...
But looks like a moderator removed it this morning.
www.reddit.com/r/canadaland...
November 12, 2025 at 3:42 PM
This Grind story on the IDF soldiers event, which is very much a media criticism piece, was generating lots of discussion on the Canadaland subreddit.
But looks like a moderator removed it this morning.
www.reddit.com/r/canadaland...
But looks like a moderator removed it this morning.
www.reddit.com/r/canadaland...
They don’t make memes like this anymore
November 12, 2025 at 12:30 AM
They don’t make memes like this anymore
An Israeli soldier (who also works with Stephen Harper at a military tech company) claims he "fought off" a group of "masked terrorists" when visiting Toronto last week.
For @thegrindto.bsky.social, @dgrdon.bsky.social breaks down what really happened.
www.thegrindmag.ca/idf-soldier-...
For @thegrindto.bsky.social, @dgrdon.bsky.social breaks down what really happened.
www.thegrindmag.ca/idf-soldier-...
IDF Soldier Manhandles Toronto Students Who Disrupted Event
TMU students protested an off-campus talk from two Israeli soldiers. One IDF soldier, Jonathan Karten, locked several of them into the event space before someone broke a glass door.
www.thegrindmag.ca
November 11, 2025 at 7:10 PM
An Israeli soldier (who also works with Stephen Harper at a military tech company) claims he "fought off" a group of "masked terrorists" when visiting Toronto last week.
For @thegrindto.bsky.social, @dgrdon.bsky.social breaks down what really happened.
www.thegrindmag.ca/idf-soldier-...
For @thegrindto.bsky.social, @dgrdon.bsky.social breaks down what really happened.
www.thegrindmag.ca/idf-soldier-...
“Make no mistake – this was a coup’: the extraordinary downfall of the BBC’s top bosses
www.theguardian.com/media/ng-int...
www.theguardian.com/media/ng-int...
‘Make no mistake – this was a coup’: the extraordinary downfall of the BBC’s top bosses
The whirlwind that started when Deborah Turness came under attack at a board meeting is part of a wider political story, some say
www.theguardian.com
November 10, 2025 at 8:25 PM
“Make no mistake – this was a coup’: the extraordinary downfall of the BBC’s top bosses
www.theguardian.com/media/ng-int...
www.theguardian.com/media/ng-int...
NEW: No Arms In The Arts launches boycott of the Scotiabank Photo Award.
70 artists, curators and photographers, including many past winners and nominees, are withdrawing their work ahead of the 2025 nominations.
boycottphotoaward.org
70 artists, curators and photographers, including many past winners and nominees, are withdrawing their work ahead of the 2025 nominations.
boycottphotoaward.org
November 10, 2025 at 1:56 PM
NEW: No Arms In The Arts launches boycott of the Scotiabank Photo Award.
70 artists, curators and photographers, including many past winners and nominees, are withdrawing their work ahead of the 2025 nominations.
boycottphotoaward.org
70 artists, curators and photographers, including many past winners and nominees, are withdrawing their work ahead of the 2025 nominations.
boycottphotoaward.org
November 9, 2025 at 10:51 PM
Reposted by Richie Assaly
lol she got his ass and he knows it
November 9, 2025 at 3:36 PM
lol she got his ass and he knows it
Crazy investigation by @bmussett.bsky.social and Omar Mosleh, who bought cocaine and Oxycodone off Facebook.
Drug traffickers are using the tech giant’s advertising algorithm to reach new (and susceptible) customers.
www.thestar.com/news/investi...
Drug traffickers are using the tech giant’s advertising algorithm to reach new (and susceptible) customers.
www.thestar.com/news/investi...
Facebook ads make it easy for users to get their hands on illegal drugs by mail — and the consequences could be dangerous
Facing allegations of profiting from addiction, Meta says it’s cracking down on the drug posts.
www.thestar.com
November 9, 2025 at 3:30 PM
Crazy investigation by @bmussett.bsky.social and Omar Mosleh, who bought cocaine and Oxycodone off Facebook.
Drug traffickers are using the tech giant’s advertising algorithm to reach new (and susceptible) customers.
www.thestar.com/news/investi...
Drug traffickers are using the tech giant’s advertising algorithm to reach new (and susceptible) customers.
www.thestar.com/news/investi...
Follow @thegrindto.bsky.social and subscribe to the newsletter now.
Doesn’t publish weekly, but print editions are available at 300 locations across the GTA
Doesn’t publish weekly, but print editions are available at 300 locations across the GTA
god, i wish alt-weeklies were still a thing
November 8, 2025 at 8:17 PM
Follow @thegrindto.bsky.social and subscribe to the newsletter now.
Doesn’t publish weekly, but print editions are available at 300 locations across the GTA
Doesn’t publish weekly, but print editions are available at 300 locations across the GTA
Settler violence in the West Bank, supported by the Israeli military, escalated sharply this olive harvest season.
Hundreds of properties damaged, thousands of olive trees vandalized, livestock killed and tortured.
6 Palestinians killed last week alone.
www.ochaopt.org/content/huma...
Hundreds of properties damaged, thousands of olive trees vandalized, livestock killed and tortured.
6 Palestinians killed last week alone.
www.ochaopt.org/content/huma...
November 8, 2025 at 6:35 PM
Settler violence in the West Bank, supported by the Israeli military, escalated sharply this olive harvest season.
Hundreds of properties damaged, thousands of olive trees vandalized, livestock killed and tortured.
6 Palestinians killed last week alone.
www.ochaopt.org/content/huma...
Hundreds of properties damaged, thousands of olive trees vandalized, livestock killed and tortured.
6 Palestinians killed last week alone.
www.ochaopt.org/content/huma...
Reposted by Richie Assaly
I saw Cindy Lee live and learned there's no adjective for an artist who embodies this many vivid, weighted personalities so casually
Cindy Lee Live Review: A Mystical, Triumphant Return
The elusive chanteuse makes a stunning comeback after last year’s canceled tour. The rapt audience inside Chicago’s Empty Bottle was treated to golden oldies, Diamond Jubilee gems, and a pair of unrel...
pitchfork.com
November 6, 2025 at 8:10 PM
I saw Cindy Lee live and learned there's no adjective for an artist who embodies this many vivid, weighted personalities so casually
Brilliant, mesmerizing Cindy Lee show last night. It was only ~53 minutes long but half the audience hung outside Massey afterwards looking completely blissed out.
November 7, 2025 at 2:18 PM
Brilliant, mesmerizing Cindy Lee show last night. It was only ~53 minutes long but half the audience hung outside Massey afterwards looking completely blissed out.
Listening to the new Rosalía album
November 7, 2025 at 1:51 AM
Listening to the new Rosalía album
Powerful piece here from @alishamgl.bsky.social, check it out.
The latest documentary from Min Sook Lee paints a stirring portrait of her mother, who died by suicide.
For The Grind, @alishamgl.bsky.social spoke to the Toronto-based filmmaker about confronting her father about his wife's illness.
For The Grind, @alishamgl.bsky.social spoke to the Toronto-based filmmaker about confronting her father about his wife's illness.
The Political Is Deeply Personal in Min Sook Lee’s ‘There Are No Words’
In her powerful new documentary, the Toronto filmmaker returns to translation to confront her father about her mother’s suicide.
www.thegrindmag.ca
November 5, 2025 at 9:55 PM
Powerful piece here from @alishamgl.bsky.social, check it out.
Whoa. Radiohead blocked journalists from reviewing their comeback show after they reported on Palestinian calls to boycott the band.
www.theguardian.com/music/2025/n...
www.theguardian.com/music/2025/n...
November 5, 2025 at 6:28 PM
Whoa. Radiohead blocked journalists from reviewing their comeback show after they reported on Palestinian calls to boycott the band.
www.theguardian.com/music/2025/n...
www.theguardian.com/music/2025/n...
Reposted by Richie Assaly
Featuring a hilarious cast of local comedians and actors, the new short film "Serious Buyers Only" takes aim at Toronto NIMBYs and greedy real estate developers.
Read the review from @rdassaly.bsky.social.
Read the review from @rdassaly.bsky.social.
‘Serious Buyers Only’ Review: Absurd Bidding War Satirizes Toronto’s Housing Crisis
The new short film from director Samuel Larson and comedian Julie Nolke skewers the greedy developers and oblivious NIMBYs driving the city’s housing nightmare. It’s available for free on YouTube.
www.thegrindmag.ca
November 4, 2025 at 2:45 PM
Featuring a hilarious cast of local comedians and actors, the new short film "Serious Buyers Only" takes aim at Toronto NIMBYs and greedy real estate developers.
Read the review from @rdassaly.bsky.social.
Read the review from @rdassaly.bsky.social.
Reposted by Richie Assaly
In Ireland, the government recently committed to establishing a permanent basic income for artists starting in February 2026.
In Canada? Artists' orgs are bracing for huge cuts tomorrow to the meagre programs that exist.
In Canada? Artists' orgs are bracing for huge cuts tomorrow to the meagre programs that exist.
Mark Carney’s 2026 budget could test his promise to rebuild Canada’s creative economy.
Ministers have been told to find 15% in cuts — and the arts sector fears it may pay the price, @tombeedham.bsky.social reports.
www.thegrindmag.ca/canadian-art...
Ministers have been told to find 15% in cuts — and the arts sector fears it may pay the price, @tombeedham.bsky.social reports.
www.thegrindmag.ca/canadian-art...
Canadian Artists Brace for Austerity: ‘Cuts Will Hurt Everyone’
With ministers instructed to reduce spending, Canada’s arts sector fears a major rollback of promised cultural investments. Advocates say austerity could shutter venues, erase jobs — and silence…
www.thegrindmag.ca
November 3, 2025 at 4:44 PM
In Ireland, the government recently committed to establishing a permanent basic income for artists starting in February 2026.
In Canada? Artists' orgs are bracing for huge cuts tomorrow to the meagre programs that exist.
In Canada? Artists' orgs are bracing for huge cuts tomorrow to the meagre programs that exist.
Reposted by Richie Assaly
For our new issue, Brace Belden writes on podcasts, the sickos who make them, and the sickos who listen.
The Hatred of Podcasting | Brace Belden
In 2015, if you said, “I heard it on a podcast,” you were trying to sound smart. In 2025, it’s better to lie.
thebaffler.com
October 28, 2025 at 3:56 PM
For our new issue, Brace Belden writes on podcasts, the sickos who make them, and the sickos who listen.
When the Loblaws self-checkout clerk accuses me of not paying for my potato wedges
November 1, 2025 at 4:05 PM
When the Loblaws self-checkout clerk accuses me of not paying for my potato wedges