Author

Steven Spoerl

Tone Madison’s Music Editor from 2020-2025. Writer. Photographer. Musician. Steven created the blog Heartbreaking Bravery in 2013 and his work as a multimedia journalist has appeared in Rolling Stone, Consequence, NPR, Etsy, Maximumrocknroll, and countless other publications.

Steven's Latest Articles

The members of Cult Of Lip pose in Mobius Glen, their studio and practice space. From Left to Right: Ronnie Lee, Hannah Porter, Terrance Barrett, and Emili Earhart. All four members are leaning against a wall, and smiling. Behind them is a window that reveals a wooded area. A stained-glass lamp is lit in the upper right corner. The photo is grainy.
Cult Of Lip’s “Marsha” LP release show is a hard-won celebration
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Music
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October 3, 2023

The shoegaze band will headline a stacked October 7 bill at Crystal Corner Bar.

The cast of "Not Another D&D Podcast," from Left to Right: Emily Axford, Tanner Caldwell, Jake Hurwitz, and Brian Murphy. Axford is sitting on a wooden bar with a row of lights above her, Hurwitz is sitting, legs open, on a chair. Tanner and Murphy are both standing. All four are smiling.
A fantastical escape
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Microtones
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September 29, 2023

Examining the Wisconsin roots, popularity increase, and emotional utility of "Dungeons & Dragons."

Blue County pistol is shown performing live on a decently large stage. Green lights cascade down on the band. From Left to Right: Gunnar Smith, Vincent Dunn, Jasper Nelson, Luis Acosta Jr., and Mac Saunders. Smith and Nelson are both wearing cowboy hats.
Blue County Pistol’s “Under Cold Country” is a perfect autumn listen
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Music
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September 26, 2023

The band's debut EP presents an intoxicatingly modest blend of indie-rock and folk.

A variety of photography equipment is set on a desk and shot from above. A laptop is open to Photoshop's main page in the middle of the image. On the right side of the image, the desk holds a Canon 5D Mark III, two Ultimax lenses, a Canon 50mm f/1.8 lens, two battery chargers and one battery charger adapter, front and rear caps for the lens being used to take the image, a front cover for the camera being used to take the image, a lens hood, and a stack of graded color filters for the various lenses. Beneath the laptop towards the bottom of the desk is a protective slip case for more color-graded lens filters and a microfiber cloth still in its bag. To the left of the laptop are a Maxim MF-IX film camera, two smart multicolor LED floodlights, and Tone Madison's 2022 MAMA Award Trophy. The desk is wooden and the entire image is bathed in a soft brown light. Just off to the right side of the disk, a sliver of a Neewer ring light is shown illuminating the desk and all of the camera equipment.
Photography’s myriad costs produce a conflicted picture
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Microtones
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September 8, 2023

Too many parts of an entire industry remain out of focus.

A photo shows bassist Richard Davis, likely in his late 40s at the time, playing an upright bass. He is shown in side profile, looking intently to the left with an expression of concentration, and his left hand is visible on the neck of the bass.
Madison and the music world mourn Richard Davis, towering bassist and professor
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Music
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September 7, 2023

His impact cuts across multiple decades of modern music, and generations of students.

Jonathon Millionaire tracks their path to financial success
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Music
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September 5, 2023

Big swings and rich history enliven the rock band's latest album.

Cult Of Lip’s current lineup is building a new frontier
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Music
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August 16, 2023

The Madison-based shoegaze act discusses their long, winding history.

Scott Pilgrim throws a red Rickenbacker bass to the right side of the image. He's wearing a yellow-orange Plumtree t-shirt. Stage lights can be seen behind him, as well as his band's drummer.
Blown-out details give “Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World” its staying power
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Film
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August 10, 2023

Edgar Wright's most frenetic film screens the night of August 14 at Memorial Union Terrace.

The loss of two Madison DIY spots illustrates a growing communal need
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Music
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August 8, 2023

Truckers Atlas and Forward Living's summer closures put the value of underground venues into greater perspective.

Three members of the band Vanishing Kids stand shoulder to shoulder in the background. From Left to Right: Jason Hartman, Jerry Sofran, and Nick Johnson. In the foreground, Nikki Drohomyreky kneels, with her eyes closed. She's wearing gold gloves and his her arms stretched out dramatically. Behind the band, who are dimly lit, there is a soft blue light visible in the center of the image, partially shielded by Johnson's shoulder.
Vanishing Kids return with “Spill The Dark”
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Music
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August 2, 2023

The Madison metal band's forthcoming album will be their first in five years.