Stories, mixtapes, good grammar, vinyl, used record bins, libraries, thumb pianos, bacon, other people's pets, New Jersey, Maine, and Brooklyn.
Music
Whatever doesn't provoke anger or a general sense of unease and frustration.
We've posted stories about Bob Dylan, the Dresden Dolls, Ryan Adams, the Magnetic Fields, Billy Ocean, Astrud Gilberto, Peter Gabriel, Ghostface, Oasis, Guns'N'Roses, Belle & Sebastian, Nancy Sinatra, Third Eye Blind, the Mountain Goats, Simon & Garfunkel, Carlos Santana, Gene Kelly, the Rolling Stones, and more.
Heroes
Independent book/record store owners, librarians, rockstars, and you.
About me: Most people have a song that’s been ruined. A breakup turns Our Song into The One Song I Can Never Hear Again, I Am Serious, Turn It Off NOW. A crush goes downhill and takes your favorite record with it. A best friend vanishes, leaving you holding the mixtape. Talent show disasters, high school humiliations, family crises... somehow there’s always a song playing in the background.
Ruined Music collects stories about these songs we’ve lost. We also interview bands, musicians, comedians, writers, bloggers and other rad people about their ruined music. We don't like to brag, but we've been featured on MTV News, Stereogum, WNYC, Gothamist, Marie Claire, USA Today, I Am Friends You Are Fuel, the NY Post, Metafilter, Yahoo, the Guardian and the Daily Illini (go Fighting Illini!).
For submission guidelines, click right here. For general questions, feedback, or more information, email info@ruinedmusic.com.
The site began one afternoon in April 2006 when Mary told Bryan her ruined music story over lunch. We skipped dessert and registered the domain because that's how we do.
Who I'd like to meet: People who want to write good short essays about the songs they can no longer stand. People who want to read good short essays about the songs other people can no longer stand.
Mix-makers. Dumpers and dumpees. Record collectors. Record makers. Writers. Graphic artists. (Want to tell your story in pictures plus words? Email info@ruinedmusic.com and we'll figure out logistics.) People who publish on paper or online. College/public radio folks. Funny folks. Pet owners. You.
Hey, great, glad to hear it. Nice concept you've got going here, too. Though I'd like to see the idea expanded to include music that's simply had the living shit played out of it--the entire Led Zeppelin catalogue, for example. You should be able to get behind this, hailing as you do from classic rock hell.
Oh, and: if you think Phil Collins sucks, clearly you've never given a serious listen to "Separate Lives."
rise and shine ruined music! you made me realize i had no ruined music - unless you count the democrats ruining don't stop thinking about tomorrow which sucked to begin with...so thank you! funny idea
xoxox
beth
Thank you for adding Yesterday’s Muse Books as your friend. We hope you will take a moment to visit our website at www.yesterdaysmuse.com. Keep in touch, and keep reading!
Not the kind pushing air in the summertime when the air conditioning breaks, but the all season kind
with his nose pressed against the window of Ruined Music's house, steaming it up and scaring the neighbors and passersby.
