Odds & Ends

What I Learned Going to 100s of Concerts - Part IV

Recalling my trips to see The Lumineers, The 1975, Paramore, Paul McCartney, and so many more.

Apr 21 •

Chris Dalla Riva

Let Me Be a Sellout

For decades, the worst sin a band could commit was selling out. Now, it's not even possible.

Apr 11 •

Chris Dalla Riva

Recorded Music is a Hoax

I've got bad news. If you enjoyed a musical recording in the last 100 years, you've been deceived.

Mar 14 •

Chris Dalla Riva

What I Learned Going to 100s of Concerts - Part III

Recalling my trips to see Foo Fighters, Kanye West, Harry Styles, and Lil Wayne.

Mar 10 •

Chris Dalla Riva

What I Learned Going to 100s of Concerts - Part II

Recalling my trips to see Bruce Springsteen, Dick Dale, Elton John, Ed Sheeran and so many more.

Feb 11 •

Chris Dalla Riva

You Don't Really Miss Blockbuster

There's a strange Blockbuster-nostalgia trend percolating online. I don't think it makes much sense.

Feb 1 •

Chris Dalla Riva

What I Learned Going to 100s of Concerts - Part I

I spent the last few weeks tracking down every concert that I've ever attended. Here's what I remembered ... and forgot.

Jan 18 •

Chris Dalla Riva

How to Write a Song

I put out a new song today. I want to walk you through how it came to be.

Jan 11 •

Chris Dalla Riva

The State of the Newsletter: 2023

It's the end of the year as we know it ... and the newsletter feels fine.

Dec 24, 2023 •

Chris Dalla Riva

Why Don't I Understand Pop Music Anymore?

After analyzing the results of a survey sent to my readers, I have a better sense for how our taste in art evolves as we age.

Dec 14, 2023 •

Chris Dalla Riva

Nothing is Forever on the Internet

We're often told that the internet is eternal, but web-based media has made music more ephemeral than ever before.

Oct 26, 2023 •

Chris Dalla Riva

I Made This Newsletter, I'm Never Going to Hell

Self-reference is one of the most powerful devices an artist can use in a song. But it can also go horribly wrong.

Sep 28, 2023 •

Chris Dalla Riva

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