Zappagram #1
Pink Floyd reunites to record a song in benefit of Ukraine, Father John Misty and Jack White release new music, and Band of Horses new album is on heavy rotation
Zappagram is the mother of all music newsletters, covering the latest in music news, reviews, interviews, releases, discovery, history, and more.
Making a special guest appearance in your inbox every Monday.
Welcome to the first edition of what I hope will quickly become one of your favorite emails to receive.
I subscribe to several fantastic music newsletters, each of which inspire and educate me. However, I haven’t been able to find a newsletter that combines the all-encompassing deluge of topics presented here. Basically, I created the newsletter I wanted to see in the world in the hope that others will also enjoy the convenience of all this coverage in one place.
I’m grateful to you for subscribing, and I want to know what you think.
Each week, you can simply hit reply and email me with your feedback, music recommendations, interesting links, anything. I encourage you to click the Like and Comment buttons and start a discussion between me, yourself, and other active subscribers. My objective is not only to entertain and inform, but to start a conversation in community with like-minded music lovers.
Let’s do this.
“I like beautiful melodies telling me terrible things.”
― Tom Waits
Recent Essays
The latest music essays by Chris Zappa
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Taylor Hawkins Untimely Death and Grieving His Loss as a Fan
Exploring the emotional bond between musicians and the fans who love and grieve them
Remembering Layne Staley 20 Years On
The Alice In Chains frontman died 20 years ago today
The Joshua Tree Turns 35
U2’s iconic album is a timeless masterpiece
An Introduction to PJ Harvey
Exploring the many sides of a multifaceted artist
Music News
The latest happenings in the world of music
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Last week, the 2022 Grammy Awards ceremony was held in Las Vegas at the MGM Grand Garden Arena, and unlike the recent Oscars event, not a single attendee got slapped. Silk Sonic and Foo Fighters, both deserving of the win, swept their respective categories. See the full list of winners here… [via Billboard]
The annual New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival kicks off April 29 and runs through May 8 with Red Hot Chili Peppers, Stevie Nicks, The Who, Lionel Richie, Erykah Badu, Elvis Costello, Death Cab For Cutie, Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit, The Avett Brothers, Randy Newman, Ziggy Marley, The Black Crowes, and hundreds more scheduled to perform… [via Rolling Stone]
The remaining members of Pink Floyd reunited for the first time in nearly 30 years to record a one-off song “Hey Hey Rise Up” (purchase via your service of choice) with Ukrainian singer-turned-soldier Andriy Khlyvnyuk in an effort to raise money and awareness for the embattled Ukrainian people… [via Stereogum]
London’s Royal Opera House and their composer-in-residence, Oliver Leith, have adapted Gus Van Sant’s 2005 film about Kurt Cobain, Last Days, into an opera by the same name. The concept is an interesting one, but I can’t help but wonder what Cobain himself would think of his life being played out on stage in this particular fashion. [via Consequence]
Jack White had a busier Friday than you did. He released his new album Fear of the Dawn, performed the national anthem for the Detroit Tigers’ opening day, kicked off his new tour in Detroit, and got married onstage during the encore. So, you know, no big deal… [via Variety]
Next month, on May 2nd, Portishead is taking the stage in London for the first time in seven years at a special Ukraine benefit concert at O2 Academy Bristol. For those who are local, you can enter a prize draw for a chance to win a pair of tickets—however, by entering, you will also receive a link to watch a livestream of the event. A worthy cause well worth the price of admission… [via Consequence]
New Music Spotlight
Music-related coolness you should see
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Since Jack White is getting lots of press right now, watch Zane Lowe’s great interview with Jack for Apple Music. They take a very cool tour of Third Man Records in Detroit. [via YouTube]
New Releases
These albums have recently dropped
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- APRIL 1 -
Red Hot Chili Peppers
Unlimited Love [listen]
- APRIL 8 -
Father John Misty
Chloë and the Next 20th Century [listen]
River Whyless
Monoflora [listen]
Jack White
Fear of the Dawn [listen]
Upcoming Releases
These albums are coming soon
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- APRIL 15 -
Flock Of Dimes
Head of Roses: Phantom Limb
Jewel
Freewheelin’ Woman
Swedish House Mafia
Paradise Again
Kurt Vile
Watch My Moves
- APRIL 22 -
Bonnie Raitt
Just Like That
Primus
Conspiranoid (EP)
S. Carey
Break Me Open
Spiritualized
Everything Was Beautiful
- APRIL 29 -
Bloc Party
Alpha Games
The Head And The Heart
Every Shade of Blue
On the Horizon
Upcoming albums with no release date yet
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Butthole Surfers, The Cure, Lana Del Rey, and Todd Rundgren.
Heavy Rotation
Great music, new and old, getting lots of play
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ALBUM
Band Of Horses: Things Are Great [listen]
ALBUM
Khruangbin: The Universe Smiles Upon You [listen]
ALBUM
Weyes Blood: Titanic Rising [listen]
SINGLE
Flock Of Dimes: “It Just Goes On” [listen]
SINGLE
Counting Crows: “Goodnight L.A.” [listen]
SINGLE
Windser: “Memory” [listen]
Tour Updates
The latest tour news and announcements
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Father John Misty announced a huge 33-date North American tour starting July 31 running through early October. (Supporting act: Suki Waterhouse)
Dead & Company, the Grateful Dead legacy act, announced a 20-date summer tour kicking off June 11 at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles.
The National announced a 16-date tour kicking off July 19 in Shelburne, VT at Ben & Jerry’s Concerts on the Green.
Interpol & Spoon join forces to kick off their “Lights, Camera, Factions” tour in Asbury Park, NJ which runs from August 25 through September 18 culminating in a 2-night run in Portland, OR. (Interpol starts their North American tour with Tycho beginning April 25 in Dallas.)
Florence And The Machine kick off a 21-date run starting April 29 in Los Angeles at the Los Angeles Theatre, zigzagging across North America and closing out the tour back in L.A. at the Hollywood Bowl on October 14.
On This Date
Musical happenings of historical significance
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April 5, 1980
R.E.M. plays their first ever gig in Athens, Georgia.
April 6, 1965
Frank Black (a.k.a. Black Francis) guitarist/singer for The Pixies, is born.
April 7, 2016
Bruce Springsteen cancels a concert in North Carolina, joining others to condemn a state law rolling back protection for LGBTQ+ people.
April 8, 1991
Massive Attack releases their debut album, Blue Lines.
April 9, 1969
Bob Dylan releases his 9th studio album, Nashville Skyline.
April 10, 1990
Tom Waits sues Doritos for using a Waits sound-alike on radio ads. The jury awarded him $2.475 million in punitive damages.
April 11, 2014
Nirvana is inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame along with KISS, Peter Gabriel, Linda Ronstadt, Cat Stevens, the E Street Band, and Hall & Oats.
Off Topic
May or may not be music-related
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FILED UNDER: OOPS
The suspect accused of shooting Lady Gaga’s dog walker was mistakenly released from jail on Wednesday due to a “clerical error.” [via Rolling Stone]
FILED UNDER: LEGO
I know this has been talked to death, but I have to say that the slap heard ‘round the world is infinitely better when recreated with Lego. [via TikTok]
FILED UNDER: I CAN DIG IT
(Red Hot Chili Peppers’ legendary bassist) Flea’s daughter used his first Grammy as a garden shovel, because…why not. Kids, am I right? [via Consequence]
Thanks for reading! If you enjoyed this newsletter, please share it with others.
Until next week,
CZ
You already know it. This newsletter is brilliant! I admire your ideas and your writing, my friend. I wish you a world of success with this passion project!
Love love love: “I like beautiful melodies telling me terrible things.”
― Tom Waits― Tom Waits