I’m Jeff. Hey. You Should Totally Subscribe.

Subscribe to get full access to the newsletter and website. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, you’ll learn about music you either didn’t know about or didn’t want to or both. Bonus! Burning questions answered below.

Why me?

I’m a writer and musician who daylights as a tech nerd. I’ve been playing music (99% as a bass player) since I was a teenager and decided Van Halen was life goals. I played professionally for nearly a decade in the ‘90s with no one you will have ever heard of (with maybe a couple tiny, momentary exceptions). I’ve also written about music, sports and many other topics for publications like the Houston Press, Texas Monthly, the Houston Chronicle, Houstonia Magazine, US Weekly and others.

So, what’s this all about?

I have a very wide musical palette. That’s not a humblebrag because I know others whose interests veer WAY off the path, much more interesting than my own. It’s just that, for most people, the idea of going from rock to jazz to soul to metal to blues to Latin to R&B to pop to old country (no trucks and beers, please) to world music and beyond is weird. But, I’m sure people who are into Gregorian chanting and noise punk would find me incredibly boring.

As such, I end up really loving a lot of things that other people either don’t know or absolutely don’t care about. This Substack is for all that stuff that I like and maybe you will too. Probably not, but you never know.

Each week, I’ll bring you an album or song or artist that I have always loved along with some stories about me and my musical (and not-so-musical) past. Hopefully, you find something of interest to bring you back.

Who am I?

Ah, the universal question. I’m Jeff Balke, a writer, tech nerd, podcaster, musician, photographer and all-around special guy. I have covered sports, technology, music and a crazy number of other topics for several publications (see above). Writing is my side hustle — I own a website development company for my day job.

In addition, I do a weekly sports spot on Houston Matters, a daily radio program on Houston’s NPR/Public Radio station, 88.7 KUHF, and I co-host the BLEAV in Astros podcast with Geoff Blum, Astros TV broadcaster and former third baseman. I’m busy, you guys.

I live in Houston, Texas with my wife, who is much smarter and a MUCH better writer than me, and our three dogs. Yes, I still play music, though not currently in a band — the pandemic sort of derailed that, thanks Obama!

You can check my LinkTree for links to all my stuff. Remember to subscribe and message me with comments/questions/sandwich recommendations. Oh, yeah, I love a good sandwich!