Anyone who knows me knows that I love Christmas/ holiday music…in season. So an unChristmasy fuck you to the national retailer I will not name sneaking in Christmas songs with every 3rd or 4th overhead play on October 18. You have crossed the line that already moved to November 1.

Just spent the last hour in FOMO putting together my Open House Chicago itineraries for today and tomorrow. 21 sites today in a clockwise arc through the west, NW and north sides. My desires larger than an actual clock. #OHC2026

Meanwhile, every once in a while, something familiar from decades past will pop up on VOR, and I'll be yes yes fuck yes.

Vintage Obscura Radio@vintageobscura.net · 2d ago

World Domination Enterprises - Asbestos Lead Asbestos [UK, Noise/Post Punk/Punk/Electronic] (1988) mardy and noisy and incredible https://redd.it/pk89yc https://youtu.be/OlhiSIArIkU

After just one play, my new favorite album is Dummy ‘Do You Love The Color Of The Sky?’. Enjoying the hazy electronic 90s vibes.

I feel like I should be taking the location hint most every time. But when I get close enough, I don't think I need it, so I end up with location goose eggs like these. 🏙️ Buildle — 2026-10-15 5,541 / 10,000 · 🔥0 🗺️ 🟨🟨⬜⬜⬜ 📅 🟩🟨⬜🟨🟩 danielkayhertz.com/buildings

14 minute headway on the southbound Red Line at 4:51 pm Wednesday smh. Or about 6 minutes shorter than it took to get my drivers license renewal with RealID at DMV this afternoon.

I couldn't click and read this fast enough. I'm actually disappointed when I'm at a Hideout or Empty Bottle show and I don't hear "tamales tamales" at some point in the evening, even if I'm not having any.

Leor Galil@imleor.bsky.social · 5d ago

Has anyone experienced as much of Chicago’s late-night musical offerings the past few decades as Claudio Velez? I interviewed 16 musicians, DJs, and nightlife workers about the Tamale Guy’s relationship with Chicago music for this Reader oral history.

I probably should have been paying more attention to @everylotchicago.bsky.social but I think that's only covered maybe 40% of the city since I first followed on Twitter. Anyway, I'm getting better at guessing. 🏙️ Buildle — 2026-10-13 7,155 / 10,000 · 🔥0 🗺️ 🟨🟨🟩⬜🟨 📅 🟩🟨🟨🟩🟨 danielkayhertz.com/buildings

Three separate emails in quick succession. P4k seems to think I’ve abandoned and betrayed them somehow, but really I’m just not clicking through to read the paywalled reviews.

More Chicago Marathon from mile 17 in Greektown.

A beautiful Chicago Marathon morning in Greektown.

Took the hint on #3 and it helped. 🏙️ Buildle — 2026-10-11 7,288 / 10,000 · 🔥0 🗺️ 🟨🟩🟨⬜🟩 📅 🟩🟨🟨🟨🟩 danielkayhertz.com/buildings

Welp, I'm grateful for the White Sox unexpectedly playing baseball until October 10. That was not a championship level baseball team. But it was entertaining and distracting in the best ways. And they are not going to surprise anyone next season (if there is a next season).

I was doing so well until the last one. If I was going to use a hint, it would have been that. 🏙️ Buildle — 2026-10-10 6,831 / 10,000 · 🔥0 🗺️ 🟩🟩🟨🟨⬜ 📅 🟨🟨🟩🟩⬜ danielkayhertz.com/buildings

Best one yet. I'm better at age than location. 🏙️ Buildle — 2026-10-09 6,338 / 10,000 · 🔥0 🗺️ 🟨⬜🟨🟨⬜ 📅 🟨🟩🟨🟨🟩 danielkayhertz.com/buildings

Splashes of fall colors and much blue sky sunshine during my noontime walk through York Woods today.

The "look around" didn't help except a bit for the location of the last one. 🏙️ Buildle — 2026-10-08 3,101 / 10,000 · 🔥0 🗺️ ⬜⬜⬜⬜🟨 📅 ⬜⬜🟨🟨⬜ danielkayhertz.com/buildings

Inching into mediocrity. I need to get out more. 🏙️ Buildle — 2026-10-07 5,229 / 10,000 · 🔥0 🗺️ 🟨🟨🟨⬜⬜ 📅 ⬜🟩🟨🟨🟨 danielkayhertz.com/buildings

Yikes, although in my defense I spent half my life in the suburbs. 🏙️ Buildle — 2026-10-06 3,719 / 10,000 · 🔥0 🗺️ ⬜⬜🟩🟨⬜ 📅 🟨🟨🟨⬜⬜ danielkayhertz.com/buildings

Daniel Kay Hertz@danielkayhertz.bsky.social · 2w ago

Look I made you some content danielkayhertz.com/buildings/

I love you, Chicago White Sox.

I have three Blue Line stations closer to me than this one, but I would walk there just so I could see this sign.

Block Club Chicago@blockclubchi.bsky.social · 2w ago

The CTA has unveiled a 1950s neon-style sign at a revamped Blue Line stop. buff.ly/5Ifslf9

8/10 for the song. 10/10 for Tom's write-up. If it's behind a paywall for you, I highly recommend a Stereogum subscription not just for Tom's columns but for a lot of great music writing.

@tombreihan.bsky.social · 2w ago

Alternative Number Ones on the gloriously unlikely story of Chumbawamba, the leftist prankster collective who briefly found huge mainstream success, and "Tubthumping," the very fun song that took them there.

The Dream Syndicate “John Coltrane Stereo Blues,” a highlight of every TDS show I’ve seen over the last 42 years (this was the fifth). That Steve Wynn - Jason Victor guitar interplay…wow.

The Dream Syndicate “How Did I Find Myself Here” at Old Town School of Folk Music

My north side arts tour continues to Old Town School to see The Dream Syndicate play the ‘Medicine Show’ album and other hits. I’m guessing I’m not the only older dude here who heard these songs in July 1984 at the Aragon when TDS opened for R. E. M.

‘The Incomer’ was delightfully odd and reminded me that going to the Orkneys or Hebrides is on my bucket list.

Bob Schaefer@bobszilla.bsky.social · 2w ago

At @musicboxtheatre.bsky.social where both ‘The History of Concrete’ and ‘The Incomer’ are my kind of jams. And the jam I have selected is:

At @musicboxtheatre.bsky.social where both ‘The History of Concrete’ and ‘The Incomer’ are my kind of jams. And the jam I have selected is:

At lunchtime today I took an after-the-rain walk through Bemis Woods with Salt Creek running high and fast, and pop-up marshes among the trees. There are hints of fall color, but two days of rain had most everything lush and green.

Here's an easy add to my #OHC2026 itinerary.

Chicago Architecture Center@chiarchitecture.bsky.social · 2w ago

The Uptown is the largest freestanding theater in North America & remains a breathtaking space despite being shuttered for nearly 5 decades. The J. Geils Band took the Uptown stage for the theater's final concert before it went dark in 1981. Get inside during OHC2026 https://bit.ly/4xQdWQ1

Taps on @starshapedpress.bsky.social sign. Welcome to my favorite month of the year in my favorite city in the world.