iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Bryan Vargas @bryanvargas.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

TV on the Radio on Jimmy Kimmel feat super buddy Smoota on trombone & keys, buddy Jaleel Bunton on guitar, guy I went to college with Tunde Adebimpe, plus Kyp Malone too!

youtu.be

TV On The Radio – Wolf Like Me

YouTube video by Jimmy Kimmel Live

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Bryan Vargas @bryanvargas.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

Stevie Wonder released 4 previously unheard tracks from Songs in the Key of Life today, and yes, Stevie's rejected tracks from this period are superior to some artists' entire catalogs. Thank you Stevie, can't wait to hear more. Carry on then.

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Bryan Vargas @bryanvargas.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

This is easily my new fav guitar instructional video. Thank you @johnmcnicholas.bsky.social for finally setting me (& others) straight as to how to play this song (Seriously, this is AMAZING)

youtu.be

John Cage - 4'33" - Acoustic Guitar Studio Tutorial

YouTube video by John McNicholas Guitar

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Bryan Vargas @bryanvargas.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

Infuriating. Please read and channel that rage towards change and ending this madness.

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Bryan Vargas @bryanvargas.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

Slow Horses is back! Big ups for the Ebo Taylor song over the end credits!

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Bryan Vargas @bryanvargas.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

The Korean movie Hope was simply SUPERB. In a just world, this would have been the hit of the summer. Go see it immediately.

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Bryan Vargas @bryanvargas.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

NEW FAVORITE BAND: Someone please get Hagane to the the US as soon as possible, and please make sure I know about it

youtu.be

HAGANE - 天下五剣 (Official Music Video)

YouTube video by HAGANE

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Bryan Vargas @bryanvargas.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

Possibly the greatest (& clearest) protest message EVER

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Bryan Vargas @bryanvargas.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

The Netflix Mr. T documentary is a bit meh, but it does end with the Gary Bartz/Andy Bey version of Celestial Blues, so there’s that.

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Bryan Vargas @bryanvargas.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

Clearly these bears are just looking for agents to represent their foray into Hollywood films. Someone needs to set up an all-bear Influencer house as soon as possible to help get these bears the fame and fortune they seek and very well deserve

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Bryan Vargas @bryanvargas.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

I am very grateful to have been born in the mid-70s, into a world where Gloria Steinem, & her compatriots, had already begun making the world a better place. I am also forever grateful for that time she & Jane Fonda baked pies on Colbert, one of the best TV moments EVER. Rest in peace Gloria Steinem

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Reposted by Bryan Vargas

Nate Chinen @natechinen.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

Cassandra Wilson was one of our most gifted vocalists, just an unreal talent. Here is my obituary for NPR Music. (I believe I’ll also be on the broadcast later this evening.)

npr.org

Cassandra Wilson, Grammy-winning jazz vocalist, dies at 70

Wilson, who's deep, dark contralto was one of the most distinctive voices in jazz, died on Wednesday in her hometown of Jackson, Miss.

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Bryan Vargas @bryanvargas.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

If you've never heard this amazing version, do yourself a favor and listen to Cassandra Wilson sing Billie Holiday's "Strange Fruit" with Lonnie Plaxico on bass, Graham Haynes on cornet, and Chris Whitley on resonator guitar

youtu.be

Strange Fruit

YouTube video by Cassandra Wilson - Topic

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Bryan Vargas @bryanvargas.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

But here we are, and regardless of her views, her talent spoke volumes, and her music greatly moved and influenced me. I am very sad today at the loss of Cassandra Wilson. May she rest in peace

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Bryan Vargas @bryanvargas.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

I was hurt and disappointed by this news. But the reality is I never knew her personally. I only know the word on the proverbial jazz streets. And the word was not good. So I like many others, lost interest and moved on. (cont)

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Bryan Vargas @bryanvargas.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

Wilson was always rumored to be a challenging person to work with. And when I discovered hew later in life political views, I was aghast. She was a pro-MAGA republican. I could not reconcile this with the same person who sang that amazing version of "Strange Fruit" (cont)

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Bryan Vargas @bryanvargas.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

I managed to see Cassandra Wilson perform three times. Twice leading her own group, and once a collaborative performance with the group Harriet Tubman. All shows were simply amazing. (cont)

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Bryan Vargas @bryanvargas.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

And the way that Cassandra Wilson sang. Her phrasing, her beautiful tone. Blue Light and the follow up New Moon Daughter were two of my fav records in the 90s. I couldn't get enough of them. They helped forged the way I heard music (cont)

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Bryan Vargas @bryanvargas.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

Blue Light 'Til Dawn, and it's follow up, New Moon Daugther featured some of my (newfound) favorite players. Guitarists Brandon Ross & Chris Whitely, percussionists Jeff Haynes & Cyro Baptista, bassist Lonnie Plaxico, violinist Charlie Burnham, Tony Cedras on accordion - to name a few! (cont)

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Bryan Vargas @bryanvargas.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

Cassandra Wilson 's Blue Light 'Til Dawn blew my mind. The repertoire, the delivery, the players. I loved the dominance of acoustic guitars & hand percussion. I loved the idea of expanding the jazz repertoire past the Tin Pan Alley songbook. I loved all of it (cont)

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Bryan Vargas @bryanvargas.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

Back in 93, 18 year old me found a promo copy of Cassandra Wilson 's Blue Light 'Til Dawn in a Hip Hop record store's dump bin for $2. I knew nothing more than the fact that it was getting fave reviews and I snatched it up. This album changed my life (cont)

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Bryan Vargas @bryanvargas.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

Cassandra Wilson, this is a complex one. Thread to follow in a minute.

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Bryan Vargas @bryanvargas.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

Coyote Vs Acme was just great and a ton of fun and everybody should go see it in the theaters. If you do we can hopefully get more fun, creative, adventurous movies about standing up to the man

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Bryan Vargas @bryanvargas.bsky.social · 27/08/2026

Rest in peace Peter Cullen. If you're my age, there is always something tremendously comforting in hearing him say "Autobots... roll out!"

youtu.be

Autobots, transform and roll out!

YouTube video by random

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Bryan Vargas @bryanvargas.bsky.social · 27/08/2026

Looking forward to meeting my new neighbor, who must be one of the dumbest rich assholes on Earth, since they bought the ugliest, stupidest, and most offensive piece of property in town. Have fun scrubbing off all the graffiti! Good luck with all the dog poop!

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Bryan Vargas @bryanvargas.bsky.social · 27/08/2026

Ain't nothing wrong - if you wanna watch E.U. Tiny Desk all night long

youtu.be

E.U.: Tiny Desk Concert

YouTube video by NPR Music

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Bryan Vargas @bryanvargas.bsky.social · 27/08/2026

WELL DESERVED AND LONG OVERDUE!

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Bryan Vargas @bryanvargas.bsky.social · 27/08/2026

Infinite mirrors, endless light, and polka dots for days. Thank you Yayoi Kusama, rest in peace

youtu.be

Yayoi Kusama: Infinity Mirrors | Arts | NPR

YouTube video by NPR

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Bryan Vargas @bryanvargas.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

Way back in 1996, I made my college girlfriend head out in a snowstorm to catch a late night showing on the opening night of Muppet Treasure Island. I had bought advanced tickets, convinced it would sell out. She was a good sport about it. Thank you Tim Curry, for this & much more, rest in peace

youtu.be

Professional Pirate

YouTube video by WolfGirl04

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Bryan Vargas @bryanvargas.bsky.social · 25/08/2026

I'm a huge fan of the "Trio" as you can tell. Stumbled across this clip just now, and it is just perfect in every way. RIP Dolly.

youtu.be

Dolly Parton The Sweetist Gift on Dolly Show with Emmylou Harris Linda Ronstadt 1976 77 YouTube

YouTube video by CharmedHourHauntedSong25

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Bryan Vargas @bryanvargas.bsky.social · 25/08/2026

Speechless about Dolly. She meant so much to so many of us. One of the few artists fully recognized by the public for her greatness. So many great songs, so much will be said. This is one of my favorites, a cover yes, but one that is pure perfection. RIP Dolly, we love you

youtu.be

Harris, Parton, Ronstadt on Late Show, March 24, 1999 (full, stereo)

YouTube video by Don Giller

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Bryan Vargas @bryanvargas.bsky.social · 18/08/2026

Very sad at the news that Frank Beard has passed. One of the great drummers of Rock n Roll with the tightest backbeat around. Rest in peace

youtu.be

Jesus Just Left Chicago (2006 Remaster)

YouTube video by ZZ Top - Topic

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Reposted by Bryan Vargas

Transportation Alternatives @transalt.org · 18/08/2026

What if a 45-minute ride were just $3, like the subway or the bus? Join our City Bike Riders Union: 3dollarcitibike.nyc

3dollarcitibike.nyc

$3 Citi Bike — City Bike Riders Union

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Reposted by Bryan Vargas

Transportation Alternatives @transalt.org · 18/08/2026

New York City has the most expensive bike share program in the U.S., with riders entirely footing the bill. Citi Bike receives $0 in public subsidy — the only bike share program in the country that doesn't receive any public funds.

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Bryan Vargas @bryanvargas.bsky.social · 18/08/2026

I really liked the first episode of Lanterns. It's grounded vibe very much in tune with the O'Neil/Adams' 70s Green Lantern/Green Arrow series, which I greatly prefer to the more recent bloated Geoff Johns cosmic odyssey Lantern style. (cont)

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Bryan Vargas @bryanvargas.bsky.social · 17/08/2026

But grateful to be back home with new perspectives on many things. NYC might feel tiny to me now, compared to Beijing!

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Bryan Vargas @bryanvargas.bsky.social · 17/08/2026

So many things I already miss, including my closest pal who lives there, the amazing food, and the very easy to navigate metro systems of both Beijing & Chengdu. Many things however, I’m already glad to be far away from. Glad I don’t have to use Alipay anymore for one!

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Bryan Vargas @bryanvargas.bsky.social · 17/08/2026

Just got back from a ten day trip to China, my first time. So many emotions. Inspiring, and amazing while at the same time, very challenging to say the least. This one will stay with me a while

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Bryan Vargas @bryanvargas.bsky.social · 05/08/2026

Christ this is horrible news. Brooklyn Vegan has been invaluable over the years. We all love music. Surely this doesn’t need to happen? What can we do?

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