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

Jonah Parzen-Johnson is pictured leaning against a red door tucked into a red brick building. He's just right of center in the image, wearing a bright yellow jacket. His face is partially covered in shadow, with the shadow of his body being cast onto the door behind him. He is smiling.
Jonah Parzen-Johnson’s restlessness proves inviting
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Music
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March 13, 2024

The virtuosic saxophonist plays at Communication on March 21 with opener Asumaya.

A rectangular collage of film stills in different colors and intensities. A black-and-white image from "Do Not Expect Too Much From The End Of The World" appears at the top left; the top right displays a character close-up from "Red Rooms" in luminescent red; bottom left displays archival footage in "So Unreal" digitally distorted in shades of green and blue; and the bottom right is a table read from "Ghostlight" in a room with a dark background.
A 2024 Wisconsin Film Festival preview in full bloom
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Film
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March 12, 2024

Nine of our writers offer their picks and advice on the annual cinematic rite of spring that runs between April 4 and 11.

Loveblaster's Abby Self (Left) and Marley Van Raalte (Right) play music together in a living room. They are both seated. Self is in soft focus, playing synth, while Van Raalte is closer to the camera, playing acoustic guitar. Both musicians are seated around a table. Behind them is an orange-cream drape.
Loveblaster’s “The Way Things Work” makes the most of its silence
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Music
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March 4, 2024

The duo at the heart of Madison's newest slowcore act takes us inside their history.

A 2x3 grid banner displays the cover art for each of the six releases featured in this roundup. From L to R on top: Frozen Charlotte's "Pretty Thing," Sex, Fear's "Absolved," Friendly Spectres' "Promised Land." On the bottom, L to R, LEADS' "Sheds," Three Hours' "Green Lemon Or Yellow Lime?," Jasper John Maxwell's "Dead Dog."
A roundup of memorable Madison releases from the first two months of 2024
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Music
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March 1, 2024

Folkies, punks, and experimental pop acts all had something to say as the release year began to take shape.

An approximation of a felt tapestry is shown, depicting a mountainous terrain, rolling water, and tall trees, dotted with flowers in an impressionistic style.
Hannah Busse’s new music video is a cross-continental collaboration
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Music
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February 20, 2024

"Playing Dead" fixates on nature's sentience to startling effect.

Lunar Moth perform on the WORT stage at the Willy Street Fair. There's a pale-brick building in the background. To the right of the image, guitarist/vocalist Amber Fasula is playing guitar and smiling while singing into a microphone. She's wearing a sheer white lace flower print shirt and a frayed denim skirt. Behind her to the left of the image, Mac Felckowski sets up a microphone at his drumset. He's wearing a striped button-up shirt and a cowboy hat.
A photo essay of live music in Madison across 2023
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Music
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February 7, 2024

The second volume of our live music photo essay series puts local performances back in focus.

A 5x3 grid displays the album art for all of the releases included in this list as a banner image.
Madison’s musical odds and ends of 2023
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Music
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January 22, 2024

A look back at the year's exceptional musical misfits.

A 5x4 grid displays the album art for all of the releases included in this list as a banner image.
Tone Madison’s favorite records of 2023
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Music
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January 19, 2024

These albums and EPs helped define what 2023 meant for Madison music.

A 5x3 grid displays the album art for all of the releases included in this list as a banner image.
Tone Madison’s favorite music videos of 2023
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Music
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January 18, 2024

A celebration of some local music videos that gave the medium new life.

A 5x3 grid displays the album art for all of the releases included in this list as a banner image.
Tone Madison’s favorite songs of 2023, pt. III
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Music
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January 17, 2024

A small collection of Madison songs that made a genuine impact.