I’ve always kept screenshots and bookmarks of interesting visual ideas, but I’ve noticed this habit diminishing with each passing year. Now, when I encounter something visually captivating or potentially useful for future reference, I tend to admire without collecting. Enjoying i … | Continue reading

I adore Nala Sinephro’s 2021 debut, Space 1.8, and this year’s follow-up, Endlessness, is almost as captivating. I’ve wanted to see her play live for some time and her mesmerising show at The Barbican didn’t disappoint. A terrible photo, but it’s my photo. It was an experience to … | Continue reading

Delia returned to the intimate By Our Own Hands We Make Our Way for its Fourth Happening. The evening began with ambient bliss from C5&C6, followed by a fascinating talk from Caroline Locke about her sound artworks. Headliners, The Low Drift, performed an evocative set of songs a … | Continue reading

Artwork for Tot/Onyx’s mix. I’m honoured that Tokyo-born, Berlin-based artist Tot Onyx included my song Paper Cranes in her deeply moving Hiroshima/Nagasaki mix, an hour of “Nuclear Age” music remembering the devastating events of August 1945 while also contemplating the present. … | Continue reading

Live at Delia's Third Happening features six fresh arrangements and two new songs and I’m really proud of it. Months of work went into the show and I was unexpectedly happy with everything captured on the night. The recording has been mixed and mastered with great care, and feels … | Continue reading

Hello, RSS-only readers. Forgive the short and frustratingly dull update, but I’m some way into a major refactor of my site and I’m testing two things: 1) that the RSS feed works, and 2) that these RSS-only posts are coming through. I can see the results for myself, so no need to … | Continue reading

On Saturday, I played a 45-minute set at Delia’s Third Happening. The audience, which included many friends old and new, was lovely, and the venue was beautiful. I was extremely nervous, but I did it. The recording needs a little work, but sounds good; I hope to release it later … | Continue reading

Photos from a short trip to Edinburgh, Dundee and Newcastle. Five days encompassing long drives, gigs, exhibitions, architecture, unrivalled baked goods and plenty of rain. Edinburgh Our short trip up North started with a long overdue return to Edinburgh. Highlights included exce … | Continue reading

The Glasshouse International Centre for Music, Gateshead. Having recently rediscovered a radio edit of his epic Rock City gig twenty-two years ago, I was eager to see him again. I was a big fan of DJ Shadow between 1996 and 2006. Endtroducing was the gateway, and I love the 1998 … | Continue reading

Edinburgh Castle. My twelfth show, but not one of the best, thanks to an exceptionally frustrating crowd. We moved twice, but arseholes were everywhere, and the whole vibe was off. 11th July 2024 Edinburgh Castle Support from Beth Atwell. Sea of Love Eucalyptus Tropic Morning New … | Continue reading

Not long now, Nottingham! Join us in beautiful St John’s, Carrington, on Saturday 20th July and witness The Young Vanish perform the Lost in Translation OST, preceded by a 45-minute set from me, captivating songs from Eleanor McGregor and considered selections from Van Allen. Tic … | Continue reading

We went to see Spirited Away at the London Coliseum with good friends. I love the film (although my fave Ghibli will always be Mononoke), and enjoyed the stage reimagining overall. The design was innovative and playful and the Japanese actors were excellent. My highlight was the … | Continue reading

Designers signed their own execution warrants in large part due to uncritical, pandering adoption of design systems. I’m in agreement with Cennydd’s response to Tan Renzu’s post reminding us that our industry’s preference for regurgitating the same increasingly simple patterns wi … | Continue reading

I really enjoyed Irish Wildlife Sounds and the Race to Record Ireland’s Birds, an in-depth Bandcamp Daily article about ornithologist, field-recordist and producer Seán Ronayne, currently in the process of completing a collection of calls and sounds from all known regularly-occur … | Continue reading

It’d been too long since I’d spent several uninterrupted days in my favourite place. And I needed this trip, because opening myself to the valley’s slow time always leaves me recharged and reorientated. I’ve been making things in response to this place since my teens, most notabl … | Continue reading

I enjoyed testing my portable setup during our recent stay in Edale, responding directly to the place. Here’s an excerpt from a sketch I like, layering loops over live birdsong, passing traffic and the steady static of the river. Your browser does not support the video tag. Reply … | Continue reading

I enjoy developing new scenarios for making music. I’ve learned enough over the last few years that now, when I have an idea, I can think it through, gather what I need and make it happen. Today, I tested a USB-powered DAWless (no computer) setup for imminent field trips. I’m pow … | Continue reading

We popped into town for the sold-out Sam Morton release day show at Rough Trade. During the signing, I bonded with local hero Sam about Broxtowe and family loss (she surprised me with the most sincere hug) and chatted with XL boss Richard about his music and why I hope he’ll list … | Continue reading

Nottingham, we’re putting on a show! Join us in beautiful St John’s, Carrington, for a high summer evening of Japanophilia on Sat 20th July. Tickets on sale now. Reply via email | Continue reading

Paul Brändle and Enji at Kings Place. We enjoyed a sunny jaunt to London to see outstanding Munich-based Mongolian singer Enji (full name Enkhjargal Erkhembayar, nickname Ulaan) at Kings Place. Enji’s music straddles Mongolian folk and jazz and is, at times, excitingly inventive. … | Continue reading

Photos 1 & 2 by Jon Hicks. Yesterday, I performed my music in public for the first time — a 35-minute set at Ambient Witney featuring two new ideas and four fresh arrangements. Many months of hard work paid off, and I left encouraged by the positive response. If you're curious, I … | Continue reading

O2 Academy, Birmingham. Having missed out on seeing this bucket list band on several occasions, we finally caught them touring in support of their first album in eleven years. 10th May 2024 O2 Academy, Birmingham Support from Liz Lawrence. Liberty Print Let's Get Out of This Coun … | Continue reading

I heard a scream of swifts high above the park in West Bridgford on 2nd May, but didn’t see them, the sky obstructed by trees. Today, 7th May — five days later and on the same date as last year, I saw the first swifts above our house. Previously: 2023, 7th; 2022, 11th; 2021, 16th … | Continue reading

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