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

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. II
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Music
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January 16, 2024

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

Album art for 15 releases is displayed in a 5x3 grid. All of the releases selected for the article are represented.
Tone Madison’s favorite songs of 2023, pt. I
By , , , &
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Music
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January 15, 2024

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

A plant hangs above a table. An acoustic guitar rests against the table, which is centered. Two yellow chairs are on either side. On the right of the table is a laptop, gold coffee mug on a coaster, and a mouse. On the left end is a synth, drum pad, a pair of drumsticks, and studio headphones. Behind the table are large windows covered in semi-transparent drapes that have a light orange and creme vertical bar pattern. The floor is natural wood.
A year’s worth of the music writing that kept us in tune
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Music
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December 21, 2023

Tone Madison's music coverage in 2023 was driven by understanding and care.

The flyer for Truckers Atlas Is Fucking Dead repeats in a tiled banner. Some iterations of the flyer are only partially visible. The flyer is a multicolored collage that mixes photography with pop art. All of the names of the performers, venue, and door and start times are visible, as are handwritten messages reading "EVEN TRUCKERS ATLAS DIES," "no one turned away for lack of funds," and "a belated goodbye party hosted by nottingham cooperative."
Truckers Atlas is dead, long live Truckers Atlas
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Music
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December 6, 2023

Nottingham Co-Op will host a massive farewell show for DIY venue Truckers Atlas as its proxy.

A black-and-white photo of rock duo Red Pants playing in a practice space. Jason Lambeth plays guitar while standing and looking down to the left of the image. Off to his right is drummer Elsa Nekola. A keyboard is visible at the bottom of the image, slanted towards Lambeth's waist. Both Red Pants members are in dark clothing. A series of Lambeth's visual art adorns the wall behind them.
Red Pants’ Jason Lambeth crafts a beautiful collage
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Music
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December 5, 2023

The songwriter and visual artist guides us through the making of Red Pants' latest album, "Not Quite There Yet."

Def Sonic is shown tuning his acoustic guitar at Mother Fool's during Make Music Madison. He's wearing a red Nike baseball cap and a gray shirt with a blue floral print. Next to him is a makeshift table, created by crates and an iron briefcase, holding up pieces of additional audio equipment.
A trio of ambient acts will perform at Mansion Hill Inn
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Music
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November 27, 2023

The historic North Pinckney hotel continues a reinvigorated commitment to hosting live music on Friday, December 1.

Graham Hunt looks down to the floor as he adjusts a guitar pedal that's out of frame. He's wearing a striped button-up that's unbuttoned at the sleeve and holding a guitar as he kneels down to make the pedal adjustment. The photo is faded, with a twinge of dusty pink.
A pair of Graham Hunt singles drum up excitement
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Music
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November 15, 2023

"Emergency Contact" and "Tashmere Anthill" are testaments to Hunt's evolving artistry.

Sir Roland Hanna smiles wide while playing piano. Hanna's looking to his right, at bassist Richard Davis. The two are perforrming together in an old, faded, and slightly blurry black-and-white photograph.
Ben Ferris brings an important piece of music to the public eye
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Music
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November 13, 2023

The bassist will be joined by an all-star ensemble for the world premiere of a Sir Roland Hanna composition on November 16.

The five members of the indie-pop band LINE lie down in a circle on a patch of green grass. Each of the band members' heads connect in the middle of the frame. All five members are wearing bright, vibrant outfits, and smiling. Each member has flower petals painted in different colors around their right eye.
A collection of artists and artisans are launching the new “Instar” event series
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Music
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November 1, 2023

MQBS and Dad Bods will be among the artists playing at The Rigby on November 11.

Blake Thomas sits on a chair in his house, leaning his right elbow on a table near a blue typewriter. He faces the camera, with his left arm supported by a thin wire chair's back, as he holds the back of his head. He's smiling, wearing a blue-cream plaid flannel and blue jeans. A silver resonator can be seen leaning against the wall behind him. Next to the typewriter on the table sits a white coffee mug, paper, pens, and a few potted plants.
Blake Thomas returns to Madison with a stellar supporting cast
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Music
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October 25, 2023

The formerly Madison-based folk artist headlines The Bur Oak on Wednesday, November 8.