Matty C | What Am I Making
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whatamimaking.bsky.social
Matty C | What Am I Making
@whatamimaking.bsky.social
I'm a writer, podcaster and designer at whatamimaking.substack.com

I also make music in The Stick Arounds, Harborcoat and as a solo musician under my given name of Matthew Carlson. Learn more about my music at phonophorerecords.com
Reposted by Matty C | What Am I Making
‘The Zelig of Indie Rock’?!? I’ll take it….really nice audio chat about my “how did I get here” weirdo life on the @whatamimaking.bsky.social show. podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/w...
December 8, 2025 at 5:54 PM
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Loved this conversation between my friend @whatamimaking.bsky.social and the brilliant Josh Ritter.

It’s all about art, joy, and the courage it takes to live openly as a creator.

Such a moving listen-full of heart, humor, and humanity. I was bummed to miss Josh last night here in DM.
api.substack.com
November 10, 2025 at 12:49 PM
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You will want to stick around for this bonus episode, featuring Pops on Hops regular,
@whatamimaking.bsky.social, and his bandmate from The Stick Arounds, Jeff Gower @deer-elk.bsky.social, as we discuss their album "Ways to Hang On" and their upcoming fall tour!
open.substack.com/pub/popsonho...
Bonus Episode: Ways to Stick Around
The Stick Arounds and Hummel Hometown Beers
open.substack.com
September 20, 2025 at 2:00 AM
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Listen to my two friends talk music.
#MusicSky
@jdcarroll88.bsky.social with @whatamimaking.bsky.social
What Am I Making Podcast: #WAIMPodcast #086: Jon Carroll api.substack.com/feed/podcast...
api.substack.com
May 5, 2025 at 7:24 PM
Round One of our massive tourney rolls on with another eight blistering matchups. This batch of contests features power pop royalty, hair metal heroes, a pair of Elvises duking it out, and more.

Come join us.

Cheers,
Matty C

whatamimaking.substack.com/p/bracket-ch...
Bracket Challenge: Greatest Debut Album of All-Time - Round One (Part Three)
Round One of our massive tourney rolls on with another eight blistering matchups. This batch of contests features power pop royalty, hair metal heroes, a pair of Elvises duking it out, and more.
whatamimaking.substack.com
January 22, 2025 at 12:12 PM
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You morons, you can't repeat the Gilded Age. That's not how history works--it only goes in one direction. Now let me take a big sip of coffee and make sure no nihilistic young Italians have built homemade weapons with which to assassinate robber barons.
December 9, 2024 at 11:09 PM
Here's an archived edition of a hugely popular essay on why we own nothing when we listen via streaming. It recounts my ride with a young MSU student and how clearly it displayed the problems with the streaming economy.

If you care about artists, I really hope you read this.

Cheers,
Matty C
We Own Nothing
From the archive: A recent rideshare experience confirmed that our digital hellscape is deepening, and that the things we pay for don't buy us much at all.
open.substack.com
December 6, 2024 at 12:00 PM
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A rubicon has definitely been crossed.
December 5, 2024 at 1:46 AM
It's time for another Tour Diary video. This one features a performance of my tune 'Transit Town' that was originally recorded by my band Harborcoat.

Watch the video below and check out the full essay on the performance at the link in the comments below.

Cheers,
Matty C

youtu.be/cW25KbAs9us
Tansit Town Live In Los Alamos
YouTube video by Phonophore Records
youtu.be
December 2, 2024 at 4:16 PM
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If you don’t think this is exactly what we’re up against, then you haven’t been paying attention.
November 30, 2024 at 3:54 PM
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November 23, 2024 at 2:56 PM
January 11, 2024 at 4:10 PM
Here is a rundown of ten great films to recommend to your family this holiday season. You can thank me later.
Ten Great Films For The Whole Family At Holiday Break
A collection of films the entire family can enjoy this holiday season. But these ain't Christmas films.
whatamimaking.substack.com
December 22, 2023 at 1:15 PM
The reason for the season.
December 22, 2023 at 11:58 AM
New article up on the Substack on the continuing sad state of collegiate athletics.
Too Big To Hail
The coverage missing in Michigan football's recent win over Penn State, and why everyone loses.
whatamimaking.substack.com
November 17, 2023 at 1:13 PM
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A guy fired from the White House for having a gambling problem reinserted himself into the "administration," and then tried to forge a presidential directive reversing the entire US post-war defense posture for no particular reason.

That is a bit of a story. #TrumpAndPaperworkMan
“You’re Telling Me That Thing Is Forged?”: The Inside Story of How Trump’s “Body Guy” Tr...
In an excerpt from his new book, Tired of Winning, Jonathan Karl reveals how officials were stunned when a presidential directive pulling troops out of Afghanistan and Somalia landed on their desk. Of...
www.vanityfair.com
November 13, 2023 at 5:29 PM
Million dollar idea:

Combine the most successful street racing film franchise of all time and the huge success of Pitch Perfect and what do you get?

Fast Pitch & Furious.

The new mockumentary on high stakes beer league softball.

You're welcome,
Matty C
November 9, 2023 at 11:48 AM
November 9, 2023 at 11:37 AM
My mother and I were supposed to have the vacation of our dreams. We hardly made it out the door.
The Other Side Of The World Will Have To Wait
How a morass of paperwork and buck passing kept us from going to Southeast Asia.
whatamimaking.substack.com
November 8, 2023 at 2:46 PM
Helped Hannah make a quick pot of soup last night for dinner. Spinach, onion, carrot, garlic, jalapeño and chicken broth whipped with an immersion blender and then added rice and roasted shredded chicken. Slightly spicy, warm and nourishing. Damned fine weeknight meal.
November 8, 2023 at 2:45 PM
Thanks to my pal @mauraquint.bsky.social for the signup code. Hoping this thing is less of a hellscape than the place I just fled.
November 8, 2023 at 2:37 PM