Strange Textures

Very talky episode this time as I launch the new album: Digital copies available on my faircamp site CD and Vinyl copies are available through elasticStage Album art t-shirts are available from Teemill Excellent musicians to check out: attks th drknss C.Circo Kristoffer Lislegaard [ luka prinčič]( https://prin.lu/ ) Meljoann Settoshi Tonami this occasional society Xylander Online places to hang ou...

Time to talk about (and then play), each track in the second half of the album. The album is out now !

Now let’s try something more different for me. I’m going to talk about, and then play, each track on the new album. I didn’t want to overload anyone or make the episode too long so I’ve split in into two episodes - Side One and Side Two. Because I’m old and full of whimsy today.

I thought I’d tell you the story of the Useless Tree as we get into what the new album is about.

I’m about to release a new album. For a change I thought I’d try talking about it a bit. I’m easing into it with this episode.

Some news that I think warrants a bonus episode! I’ve improved the website so you can now get news through email or RSS instead of having to listen to me I have a track on the just released Four Seasons of Bonk Wave Autumn Waves 1 album That track is also on my Broadcast EP and some of that is on the physical media release Connector: Overtime Edition Inspiration for getting the website and words m...

East Berlin 1961 This is just a blank postcard. The picture is Westminster Abbey. I don’t think I’ll be getting anymore of these, it feels like it’s time to go. Take care folks.

Some behind the scenes notes, getting ready to wrap up Season 6, thoughts about social media, and some recommendations. Last episode comes out on Tuesday, and then there will be a break before anything new arrives. The website I mention for Ben Barlett (Vera composer amongst other things): https://www.benbartlett.com/

Prague 1933 and 1973 If there were a way to abandon words completely, I would be tempted. Perhaps I’ve had a life already, or one still to come, as a mute monk. But it is not possible for me at the moment. Instead maybe I could abandon serious words for the majority of time and interactions? After all, if I must mask, why not fit the mask better to my needs and moods? A closer representation of wh...

Toronto 1906 I met an interesting chap today. All uncomfortable urgency in movement. Ideas burst from him as a force. Like a conduit, desperate musician. They called all critics the enemy of human expression and claimed to work for a system that builds laws to ensure that those who fit what society wants are rewarded, while those who do not are left to suffer. I like it. There’s some nihilism ther...

Paris 1923 Trust me. People come and go. Go mostly. Slip away and go their own separate way. You need to make the most of them while they’re here. Love costs. It takes effort and work. Some wise words I’ve collected from a couple of places. Maybe borrowing words from other people could work when I’m struggling for my own?

Freedonia 1933 It sounds very serious, all this, doesn’t it? There is room in it all for the silly, the fun, the joy. Maybe that should be the focus of my words from now on? The quietness stems from the tangle of serious words attempting to describe and communicate things that are ephemeral and shifting. Music handles that much better. Maybe words can do more or similar through humour?

Venice 1947 You might also say that my mask and I are equally real. Real and unreal, yin and yang, the mysterious way and the M25. Tribes, belonging, separation. Time and space, concrete and snow. All different things. Built differently out of different stuff. Yet perceived by me as just things, just Strange Textures of ourselves. Infinite variety of perception being aware of itself.

Kembleford 1953 I’ve heard that some people feel more free to be themselves while wearing a mask. I don’t because my mask is a form of controlled behaviour. Removing the mask is what would give me the freedom. Experiencing that freedom potentially opens me up to ridicule, pain, other people’s judgement. This doesn’t worry me. The potential for not being fully present afterwards, being seduced by t...

Turks and Caicos 2014 I have often used my self to control others. Who I present as, how I hide parts and play parts and reflect others, reflect their objectives, ambitions, and fears. The masks I’ve worn help to blend in, wider it creates tribes, separates us from others while creating a belonging, an influential presence. Maybe being in control of your appearance is the norm. I find it difficult...

Isle of Man 1999 Does control feel like safety to you? It’s been making me feel less and less safe over the years. The discharge of responsibility without the exercise of control can be perilous in more than one direction. But to actually control feels more risky. Perhaps in extreme circumstances it is warranted – I don’t believe in absolutes so have to accept that there could be a place for it. B...

New York State 1830 Sometimes I think the argument goes like this: “if I can’t quickly decide what category to put you in, how can I behave in an appropriate manner rapidly? That would mean I’m at risk in case you are due deference, or I might miss out on a chance of food or sex. Therefore you making it hard for me to judge is a threat for which you must pay.” I think I’d prefer to not judge and t...

It’s the middle of the season, so I thought a little additional notes was called for. Probably the penultimate one in fact, I peek a bit behind the scenes but not too much (unless anyone asks me, why talk about it?). Also I recommend a few things: Gravitons Festival Transverse Tempo The Indie Beat The Neighborhood Listen The Last Frontier

Daylight Station 2047 Of course, following a path that is mysterious, magical, invisible, and possibly imaginary isn’t the easiest thing to do. Words aren’t very helpful either. So I think the best I can do is play some music and offer some pointers. Perhaps pointers about music, art, comedy, thinking, belief are the only useful and free things to provide. After all, the important part is that you...

Oxford 1967 There is no magic in this world, only Love. But I mean, how much more magic would you like? Beyond words, what is there really? In fact, including words, what is there really? Science keeps finding more things reality is made of. When I say Love, maybe I mean mystery. Maybe I mean magic. Maybe there is no name for it, just a movement, a pattern, a path. Maybe just follow the path?

Mengcheng 221 Is closeness a thing? Being close to a lake is very different to being close to a tsunami. If closeness is to mean something, shouldn’t we account for the difference in potential outcome and current impact in some way? The words don’t always carry the story. From a different perspective, words are very unimportant and misleading. I need to go beyond them. Let’s rewatch Parks and Rec...

Wyoming 1994 Not having a tribe has its advantages too. No peer pressure (because no peers). Freedom to identify and associate. No (or fewer) social rules. And having no tribe doesn’t mean no friends, no belonging. It means fewer shortcuts, individuals interacting and getting along together. Who can beat a quiet moment sat in the Sun? Silent. A close partner and favourite pet enjoying a moment of...

Los Angeles 1940 It’s easy to get lost. Actually, historically, or metaphorically. Nietzsche says “Be Hard” (rude), “and what is done for Love is beyond Good or Evil”. That can help me get lost. They say “find your tribe”. In some ways that’s the thing that can keep you found – your tribe. I lost my first tribe, never really fitted in anywhere. Maybe somewhere there is an imaginary tribe of those...

Varna 1897 Just because Love must always be attempted doesn’t mean there are no things that must be fought. It is possible for evil to exist, but it is rare. Much less rare is for people to commit actions perceived as evil. Even less rare are actions that are hurtful, or thoughtless, or uncaring. I stand against these with Love. That’s not to say my methods are limited, but always in tune with the...

Metropolitan Area 1995 Love. Beyond sweeping statements. Beyond talking. There is Love. Expressing it is really the only thing there is. So many ways it can be done, and so many ways it can be withheld. It can be painful to withhold, it fundamentally hurts us. And yet this can be said to hurt less than being open to love, amplifying and transmitting it. Understandable then that we are sometimes cu...