1944–2024. My Mam was the strongest woman I ever knew. She put me first for fifty years and worked tirelessly to support our family through thick and thin. She encouraged my creativity and always trusted me to follow my path. Funny and sharp until the very end, she died peacefull … | Continue reading
This year’s been full of unexpected challenges, meaning I’ve lost focus in some areas and chosen not to spend energy documenting things. But making music continues to offer a kind of therapy through play, and I’m grateful. Of course, releasing music feels like throwing your loved … | Continue reading
I thought I’d lost my old iPod, but found it in the cellar and got it working again. It’s a delight to find a lovely old playlist on it, currently playing through the Scarlett into Ableton and my ears via my desk speakers. I thought ~2005 might’ve been the last time I’d used it, … | Continue reading
I’ll be making my live debut alongside Nine Is The Level and A Year’s Rain in Witney (Oxfordshire) on Sunday 12th May, 7:30pm (after that afternoon's Pedal Party). If you're curious, there's an accompanying playlist (Spotify/Apple). Tickets are now available! Ambient Witney poste … | Continue reading
A dream project has come to fruition. Last year, I invited several artists to rework music from my Japan EPs, and all agreed. I am indebted to 99LETTERS, Justin Von Strasburg, Karen Vogt, Lardkid, Paul Cousins, Pushkins Prefers, Veryan and Xylander and I can’t wait to share their … | Continue reading
We just travelled from Newfoundland to Nottingham (car, cabs, train, tube and two flights) with an expensive and much-loved acoustic guitar. Geri’s owned a few guitars and has an electric here. I’ve long neglected a cheap studenty Yamaha, but during our latest stay with the in-la … | Continue reading
The archivist in me grows ever more obsessive and I continue to document my music listening stats. My primary streaming service is Apple Music (here’s my lengthy reasoning), and I gathered my Replay stats today.I listened to 5,144 songs (down from last year’s 6,090) and 619 album … | Continue reading
This is my 20th annual roundup, a landmark befitting such a rewarding year in music. But it was a very long year, with hundreds of notable releases making it more challenging than ever to keep up. You can check out all yearlies or go directly to 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, … | Continue reading
Ever eager to leave the house and get some cold fresh air, today we hooked up with our pal Bryan and headed to The Narrows, Blackhead and Petty Harbour. Reply via email | Continue reading
A magical stroll from George’s Pond down through the trees to dramatic Cuckold’s Cove — the freezing cold made bearable by glorious low sunlight. Reply via email | Continue reading
A brutally cold wander around Middle Cove and Flatrock. Reply via email | Continue reading
Geri at Portage on Water Street. Reply via email | Continue reading
I chose not to post here over the last month while busy wrapping up some demanding projects. I also supported Geri through her Christmas market season, fixed some house issues and curated a forthcoming Site Nonsite project.We’ve been back in Newfoundland for a few days. After we … | Continue reading
We made a last-minute decision to drive to Witney in Oxfordshire for a few reasons: we needed a day out; I could finally meet Doug Tolley who was hosting his second Witney Pedal Party (my chance to play with those impressive Chase Bliss machines); we could pop into Truck for a ru … | Continue reading
We enjoyed Hiroshi Sugimoto at Hayward Gallery. It’s worth the admission for his famous seascapes alone (air-con for the mind, like a Georg Guðni horizon or a room full of Rothkos), but there’s so much else of note. I particularly loved examining the details in his dioramas and c … | Continue reading
London again, and a big Friday night for X Japan fans as Yoshiki brought his Classical World Tour to the Royal Albert Hall. From our stageside seats, we enjoyed the superstar’s tender ballads, drum solo and rambling but sincere (and often funny) monologues up close. There were gu … | Continue reading
I love these experimental electronic pop tracks from Samantha Morton (yes, the oscar-nominated actress) and producer Richard Russell for many reasons, not least how bloody good they are. The collaged music foregrounds what the press release calls “Morton’s mainly autobiographical … | Continue reading
Detail from The Boy and The Heron poster.From New Order in Leeds via a few hours of sleep to any early train for London. Geri had acquired tickets for the first UK showing of Hayao Miyazaki’s new (and perhaps final, this time) film, The Boy and The Heron at the Royal Festival Hal … | Continue reading
First Direct Arena, Leeds. A fine time with the band that changed everything for me, eviscerating memories of a disappointing night at Ally Pally five years ago. New Order changed everything for me when I hit my teens, something I explained during my Designer Discs interview … | Continue reading
First Direct Arena, Leeds, for another epic setlist from The National packed with old faves like Cherry Tree, Available, and Abel and new treats, including a mesmerising Smoke Detector. 23rd September 2023 First Direct Arena, Leeds Support from Soccer Mommy. Deep End (Paul’s … | Continue reading
...with the BBC Concert Orchestra and Crouch End Festival Chorus. This rare event was rescheduled so often (due to the pandemic) that we thought it might never happen. But tonight at Wembley Arena, the genius Joe Hisaishi — with the BBC Concert Orchestra, Crouch End Festival … | Continue reading
With Katsu Tanaka outside Bear Pond in 2016.The second preview song from Tokyo is streaming everywhere. Angel Stain recalls hazy mornings in characterful neighbourhoods like Shimokita and Kichijoji, and the title honours Bear Pond’s famous espresso shot that embraces imperfection … | Continue reading
I was interviewed by electronic musician Veryan for the third issue of her Insights and Sounds magazine. We enjoyed an in-depth discussion covering how I capture sounds and make music, why I’m compelled to document places in such detail, the beauty of Japan, the influence of land … | Continue reading
Enjoying a hazy pale ale in Manchester on my 50th birthday. Photo: Geri Coady. Reply via email | Continue reading
The fourth and final EP in my Japanese Cities series is here. Tokyo paints the city from multiple angles, portraying a welcoming, intimate and culturally ebullient metropolis with leafy neighbourhoods that feel more hushed than hurried.The first preview track, Caravan Tokyo, is s … | Continue reading
The fourth and final EP in my Japanese Cities series is done and distributed. It’ll be available for pre-order on Friday, 1st September, along with the first preview single.It’s been a long and industrious journey with the steepest learning curve, and I’ll write about everything … | Continue reading
One of Geri’s lovely clients invited us to join the team for a relaxed get-together in deepest Devon. It’s a six-hour drive, so we seized the opportunity to enjoy a much-needed mini break. It rained most of the time because this Summer is a disaster, but Devon shines in all w … | Continue reading
We've owned a copy of Mitsune’s second album for some time, and Geri’s friends with one of the shamisen players, so we decided to catch their intimate tour opener in Huddersfield. Mitsune is a shamisen trio based in Berlin with members from Japan, Australia and Germany, accom … | Continue reading
An appropriately glitchy and unexpectedly moving mixed reality performance starring the revered Japanese musician freezes beauty in time and thaws our scepticism. There is, in reality, a virtual me. This virtual me will not age, and will continue to play the piano for years, … | Continue reading
I’ve seen many of Yayoi Kusama’s works in various cities. I originally had mixed views of her art and still struggle to love the overall experience of her phenomenally popular infinity rooms. Over the years, I learned much more about her life and personality and how conceptually … | Continue reading
Our third and final Pulp gig of the Summer. I’ve enjoyed revisting their world and appreciating just how wonderful it is. Every show has been a nostalgic treat, but tonight’s was a triumph. I jump up and down and wave my arms and sing non-stop during these gigs — I can’t help … | Continue reading
Today was a special day in Edale as the local community (and others around the world via livestream) gathered to remember the life and work of Gordon Miller. I cherish memories of my day with Gordon and I’m grateful to his family and fiends for making everyone welcome at today’s … | Continue reading
Any-Space-Whatever installation.I had a few hours to myself in London. Despite feeling a little foggy after too much pogoing during the previous evening’s Pulp show, I enjoyed a little record shopping on Columbia Road, followed by a couple of hazy IPAs at Mikkeller (for purely me … | Continue reading
The second of three Pulp shows we’ll enjoy this Summer, this one came with all the usual “in a big park” issues (scale, newbies, queues, wind) and lacked the intimacy of Brid, but a lovely evening nonetheless. I don’t have much will or time to write lately, so no deep review. … | Continue reading
Following a topsy-turvy couple of weeks, we enjoyed a sun-soaked return to Hepworth Wakefield. We loved The Art of The Potter (Ceramics and Sculpture from 1930 to Now), a single room packed with exceptional work, notably pieces from Lucie Rie, Barbara Cass, Akiko Hirai, Gabriele … | Continue reading
Diary excerpt from 1998, detailing our day on Kinderscout with ranger Gordon Miller.I was sad to read that Gordon Miller, the celebrated Peak District ranger has died. Back in 1998, during my artist residency at Losehill Hall, Gordon took me and two Polish biologists on an unforg … | Continue reading
Only my second Pulp show, although I’ve had a few encounters with Jarvis (he’s easy to find). Expectations for their second comeback were high, and the opening night didn’t disappoint. No, I don’t really remember the first time, although I was most certainly there and I’ve re … | Continue reading
Teenage Engineering’s products are gorgeous, but I haven’t truly craved anything (not even the OP-1) until now. I’ve been thinking about the new TP–7 field recorder for days. It’s like they made it for me.But no, of course, I can’t justify the price. And my trusty DR-40 works jus … | Continue reading
After several printing obstacles and a lot of scoring, folding and sticking, Osaka special edition cassettes finally shipped today. I only have myself to blame for the ridiculous cost and effort in bringing these projects to life, but it sure is satisfying to see the collection b … | Continue reading
Both [the Tories and the Royal family] depend on networks of power and privilege that are increasingly exposed. They are estranged from the young, and have a common air of pomposity and entitlement that sits awkwardly with the new middle class, along with a seeming inability – or … | Continue reading
Our swifts returned today, 7th May, a sign that “the globe’s still working” and “our Summer’s still all to come” (Ted Hughes’ Swifts). Previously: 2022, 11th; 2021, 16th; 2020, 5th; 2019, 9th; 2018, 7th; 2017, 11th. This year, the warming climate also bought Alpine swifts to our … | Continue reading
As previously noted, I’m having fun with tape loops, and this has informed my recent listening. A highlight is Paul Cousins’ Vanishing Artefacts, a mesmerising album that’s unashamedly honest about its construction. I love the split-screen film, which has convinced me that my nex … | Continue reading
One of the best things about sharing my music is making new connections. Satoshi Sugiyama and Hanae Miki are artists with a modest gallery in Manazuru, a small Japanese port town. They are owned by two adorable cats.Satoshi reached out to thank me for buying his releases on Bandc … | Continue reading
I’m a big fan of Emeka Ogboh’s art and loved his 6°30′33.372″N 3°22′0.66″E album. A new Ableton interview explores his purpose and process, and while the whole piece is interesting, I especially appreciate Ogboh’s thoughts on the danger of exoticising a place through field record … | Continue reading
The Rheinturm and Gehry buildings.We caught the 7:55am train from Gare du Nord and headed through Belgium into Germany. In the early afternoon, we arrived in Düsseldorf, a city we've visited many times; a place that means a lot to us.We return because we love the city, and love B … | Continue reading
Geri on her birthday in Paris.To celebrate Geri’s 40th birthday, we spent a few days in Paris, arriving by Eurostar. Our first day began with coffee at cosy Dreamin’ Man, followed by a dig at the incredible Balades Sonores record shop. Later, after a drink at Mikkeller, we enjoye … | Continue reading
I was intrigued that Paul Smith has directed Musée Picasso’s rehang to mark 50 years since the artist’s death, so we visited while in Paris. And Paul does a good job with the decor, raising smiles with his trademark patterns and sense of fun.However, audiences are increasingly aw … | Continue reading
Osaka, the third EP in my Japanese cities series, is now available. I’ve already written about the first two tracks, so I’ll share some thoughts about the others. Grand Sumo captures a day at the Spring tournament and our chance to see our fave rikishi up close. You’ll hear elder … | Continue reading