The Substack Jukebox 🎵🎶🎵

From blues to bagpipes, rock and 13th century tunes... variety is KEY to this column!

The Substack Jukebox 6/1/2026

Hi there, music lovers! This stack is devoted to music and artists outside the mainstream and new versions of your favorites, with a little backstory on the work.

Send us what you love and we’ll try to share them! Thanks for listening and turn it up!

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“Music . . . can name the unnameable and communicate the unknowable.”
― Leonard Bernstein

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From my buddy, Geoff Anderson who writes Sweaty Spice, this is kick ass.

Eric Steckel is only 36 years old and has released 12 albums and counting! A terrific blues artist, he’s clearly he is enjoying every note! TURN THIS UP!!

When you share my columns, I can reach more people. So, hit that SHARE button, pretty please!? 🥰

Ally the Piper. Geoff Anderson (Hey, are you subscribing to Sweaty Spice? You really ought to.) once again brings our attention to this wildly talented musician who has brought the Highland bagpipes into the mainstream. Ally Crowley-Duncan is only 30 years old and graduated with a bachelor of arts in music from Edinboro University. She’s been playing rock, pop, and metal music on the pipes since she was. Lucky us!

The Warning. My most favorite genre is harder rock. And this band is worth noting. The Villarreal Vélez sisters have a helluva story!

They were raised in Monterrey, Mexico. Their obvious talent was encouraged by their parents and at an early age, they received training on piano and other instruments. They also played the video game Rock Band, which helped them decide that rock music was something they wanted to pursue. This piece was released on YouTube in 2014 when they ranged in ages from NINE to FOURTEEN! 🤯 It’s been viewed over 26 million times.

Now fast forward see how they have grown here. This is a year ago, performing in Mexico City. Someone in the comments said “To have the courage to rearrange one of the most iconic songs in history... and to actually pull it off... wow.” I couldn't agree more. I have serious goosebumps watching this. Turn it up!

Finally, Subscriber Sharon asked for this powerful piece. From Google:

Dies irae is a Latin phrase translating to "Day of Wrath," referring to the Biblical Day of Judgment when the world is destroyed and souls are judged. It is a famous 13th-century medieval Latin hymn, historically part of the Roman Catholic Requiem Mass, focusing on themes of apocalypse, death, and divine judgment.

You’ve heard Dies Irae… in the MOVIES! See how this ancient piece of music has been used in everything from ‘Star Wars’ to ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’! (I geek out over stuff like this!) Then listen to the whole thing in its entirety. Amazing! Thank you Sharon!

Summertime is here. Take some time to relax and unwind from the chaos in our world. Maybe some of these selections will help! Did you hear something to add to your playlist? I hope so! Send us your music so we can share new work!

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