Steven Spoerl

4 days ago | tonemadison.com | Steven Spoerl

Madison’s relationship to jazz is often confounding. It’s clear there is consistent support for the genre: it’s hard to go a week without having multiple extremely worthwhile jazz shows on Madison’s proverbial books. Where the frustration lies is how insular that programming can often feel to outsiders. If you’re not actively seeking out an artist, it can be hard to know where to look, where to start, or what to prioritize.

1 week ago | tonemadison.com | Steven Spoerl

This is our newsletter-first column, Microtones. It runs on the site on Fridays, but you can get it in your inbox on Thursdays by signing up for our email newsletter. Owning a home in Madison can seem like a pipe dream. Too many non-negotiable aspects need to be as airtight as possible before it’s a responsible consideration. Financial security, job stability, a reasonably high credit score, and a baseline knowledge of home management costs should all factor into the equation.

1 week ago | tonemadison.com | Steven Spoerl

La Crosse-based singer-songwriter Matt Monsoor first released “Sam’s Hill” 25 years ago on his debut album, Comfortably Lost In Greenfield Volume 1. Over the ensuing years, “Sam’s Hill” stuck in Monsoor’s memory.

1 month ago | tonemadison.com | Steven Spoerl

As 2025 clicks into gear, a wellspring of momentum makes itself known. Irrepressible energy can color any genre, but it’s a trait that stands firm as a fundamental pillar of indie-punk. A lot of the submissions that hit Tone Madison‘s inbox over the course of March and April were a flavor of punk, indie-rock, or some combination thereof. ‘Tis the season. Year after year, the emergence of spring generates a sense of propulsive urgency that ultimately reflects back into Madison’s local music output.

1 month ago | tonemadison.com | Scott Gordon |Christina Lieffring |Grant Phipps |Steven Spoerl

Tone Madison will be making some major changes this year. But we’re not going away, nor is our commitment to fiercely independent coverage of culture and politics in Madison. Co-founder Scott Gordon will step down from his role as Publisher and Editor-in-Chief on May 1. After taking some time off, Gordon will continue to contribute to the publication as a writer and reporter.