Sponsor

Author

Scott Gordon

Scott Gordon co-founded Tone Madison in 2014 has covered culture and politics in Madison since 2006 for publications including The A.V. Club, Dane101, and Isthmus, and has also covered policy, environmental issues, and public health for WisContext.

Profile pic by Rachal Duggan.

Sponsor

Scott's Latest Articles

A digital illustration shows a map of Madison's central Isthmus, superimposed over a collage-style art piece showcasing urban development in the Soviet Union.
The Madison “uniparty” is not oppressing you, because it’s not real

Local debates aren't what they should be, but they're not being crushed by the far left.

An illustration shows a nondescript man actively drumming in the center of a stage with a blue backdrop and red curtains above. Five women stand on both sides of the stage to the drummer's left and right, surrounding him. The women convey negative, upset emotions through their arm gestures and body language.
As a musician stages his comeback, his accusers ask where the accountability is

Four years after allegations of grooming and sexual misconduct, David Henzie-Skogen is back on the road with Youngblood Brass Band.

A crowd of protestors gather in the street. They include Illinois Congressional candidate Kat Abughazaleh (at the center-right), who shouts into a white and red megaphone. Other protestors carry signs while wearing face masks and eye protection.
Wisconsin’s elected officials need to put themselves on the line

Get disruptive, get arrested, get creative, but don't play along with fascism.

An angled photo shows a row of slim, boxy, similarly designed housing units stretching into the distance. The houses are modest in their appearance, but painted colorfully- including shades of blue, red, yellow, and green at the far end.
The outsides of other people’s homes

Complaints about ugly new housing abound in Madison, but they aren't getting us anywhere.

An illustration shows an enlarged handwritten note that is overlaid with steel horizontal arms of a scanning device. The arms move from the edges towards the center of the image. The smaller, original-sized text of the note is framed at the center of the device and rotated 90 degrees clockwise.
The Dane County Jail scrambles to back up its case for eliminating paper mail

County Supervisors are asking some tough questions about a proposed contract with prison-telecoms vendor Smart Communications.

Tone Madison’s 2024 Annual Report

Assessing our financial standing as we break down the breadth and impact of our work in our 10th year as a publication.

A superimposed collage of various headlines, article text, and illustrations from the Wisconsin Historical Society's LGBTQ History page. Some references include "Wisconsin's Gay History," "LGBTQ+ History," a book jacket for "We Will Always Be Here," illustrations of queer couples, and the pride flag.
Good luck avoiding politics, Wisconsin Historical Society

A missing Pride flag and the impossible neutrality of public institutions.

A black-and-white photo shows the three members of Killdozer posing in loudly patterned button-up shirts. They are crouched and wearing thoughtful expressions.
Die, die, miss “American Pie”

Killdozer's masterful cover of a godawful "classic" endures.

A photo shows copies of a printed small-format publication arranged in a row. They have blue covers printed with an illustration that depicts a police officer standing behind a man. A beam of light emanates from the officer's body-worn camera.
The body camera issue

Our second-ever print edition accompanies our ongoing coverage of surveillance and transparency.

An illustration depicts a weathered doormat made of the Wisconsin state flag, with a pair of jackboots sitting on top of it and bloodstains spreading out from the boots.
Wisconsin’s leaders need to stop being doormats

Lawsuits and stern statements won't cut it—and nothing short of escalated resistance will.