Journal notes.
Back in 2018, I was writing articles and speaking to tech crowds about an Internet of Natural Things , trying to convince them that there was an increasing desire to use our devices to connect with nature, a more authentic beauty, and “something real”—but there was little interest. In fact, I was mocked to my face (and behind my back, I learned), and it was healthier for me to move on. But here we…
A few people have asked, so… Yep, there will be new music from Site Nonsite next year. For almost four years now, I’ve been working on an album of personal stories, set within landscapes shaped by politics, society, memory and loss. It sits at the heart of a wider project that connects a lifetime of interests, and I can’t wait to share more. Some songs are completely finished, others need a little…
I watched Interstellar at the cinema and left feeling utterly exhilarated, and I’ve made a point of catching new Christopher Nolan films on the big screen ever since. I didn’t rate Oppenheimer that highly, but I went into The Odyssey cautiously excited. I won’t attempt a lengthy review, partly because I never studied Greek mythology or read the classics, and partly because I need to sit with this…
There are some beautiful moments on Michael Cloud Duguay’s Kingdom Come, Kingdom Go album—a document of place, people, and old church organs. I’m married to a Newfoundlander, so I know places like Cupids, Brigus, and Bonavista pretty well, and can really feel them here. There’s a good piece about the project in The Quietus today, and this recent Guardian article is especially good at…
At the weekend, we walked under the shade of Sherwood Forest and paid our respects to the Major Oak, in the kind of weather that’s hastened its demise. I expected to feel sad, but something about its skeletal knottiness felt no less majestic. For context, here’s last month’s post about our tree being declared dead . Reply via email
For over a decade I’ve traded as Obvious Things , a name that’s only appeared on paperwork. Later this year I’ll finally be launching OT properly as a focused art + design practice, which I’m really excited about. In the meantime, I’ve got space for new projects. I help people look at problems from fresh angles through playful exploration and a wide mix of inputs and cultural context, then turn…
Photos from a few days in Paris and a short stay in Épernay: great food and fine fizz, record shop cats, showcase sumo, la Coupe du monde on the TV, and stifling heat. I didn’t put much effort into taking photos on this trip, but I’ve recently dusted off my old Canon Ixus 105 and enjoyed bouncing between it and my tired iPhone 13. The Ixus is obviously digital, but in the right situations it gives…
The Major Oak in 2014. Last summer, in response to this press release about the Major Oak’s concerning condition (which we’d just seen first-hand) I felt the need to alert others, and posted on Bluesky and Mastodon : The Major Oak means a lot to us in Notts, and it was upsetting to see such poor leaf coverage (due largely to extreme heat and drought) earlier this month. Huge gratitude to the…
David Hockney died last week . We were away, and I’m finally catching up with the tributes. I learned so much from him over the years, most notably about colour, scale, landscape, ways of seeing, identity and attitude. I connected with his paintings at an early age, and discovered the true breadth of his work while at art school. I never missed a TV programme about him, and I especially love David…
The Man-Machine delivers a captivating audio-visual, retro-futurist ode to a connected Europe. Deep techno, joyous melodies, and a touching tribute to Ryuichi Sakamoto. Ahead of the show, I’ve been rereading Kraftwerk: Future Music from Germany by Uwe Schütte, and I’d highly recommend it as a page-turning primer on German electronic music and the importance of Düsseldorf to the early scene. See…
Heaven and hell. Prophecy and revelation. Longing and love. If you’ve ever found comfort in the uneasy warmth of a Boards of Canada record, you’ll be hypnotised by this dizzying transmission. Reply via email
Celebrations in Market Square this afternoon. A rare moment of joy for us long-suffering Notts County supporters: outplaying the Beckham-owned Salford City FC at Wembley yesterday to earn promotion to League One. I just braved the heatwave to enjoy the celebrations. You Pies! Reply via email
Culture is the moat. It’s not craft and it’s not aesthetic. It’s always been culture — lived, relational, contextual. The ability to decode what’s happening right now, to encapsulate it, to communicate it through deep experience. Culture can give birth to something that hasn’t been seen, hasn’t been appropriated, hasn’t been followed to death. This perfect paragraph from Craft Is Not Culture , by…
Three soaring above at 7pm today, 30th April—much earlier than usual. Previously : 2025 , 9th May (but I’d been away for the preceding week); 2024 , 7th; 2023 , 7th; 2022 , 11th; 2021 , 16th; 2020 , 5th; 2019, 9th; 2018, 7th; 2017, 11th. Reply via email
I’ve just spent a week in a beautiful converted barn on the edge of Saddleworth. Nothing restores my positivity quite like being alone on the wild Pennine moors. I was thrilled to find this place. It’s just inside the north-west border of the Peak District National Park, and it’s the last habitable building for miles, with no close human neighbours, a vast array of birdlife, and some funny sheep…
My favourite conference is celebrating its 15th year right now in Düsseldorf. I’ve attended several times, both on my own and with Geri, and it’s an event that means a lot to us and many other creative people. I couldn’t be there in person this year, but I was honoured that Marc Thiele invited me and a few others to appear briefly and celebrate with the audience. Alles Gute zum Geburtstag, liebes…
Arriving just as the sun aligned with the roofline. I’ve been to Wembley Arena many times for gigs, but I’d never been inside the iconic Wembley Stadium next door. On Tuesday evening we went to see the England vs Japan friendly, and while the game itself was rubbish, we really enjoyed the overall experience. We’ll be cheering for both teams at the World Cup and wish them luck (especially England,…
Torn Sail at Squire PAC; L-R: Jim Baron, Henry Claude, Huw Costin, John Thompson and Jeff Davenport. John Newling at Beam , 19th February. I’ve known renowned artist John for many years and find his ecological sensitivity very interesting. I loved his note about embedding material—additional layers, text, and so on—into the work that most (or all) won’t see, but which is of great importance to the…
Days 11 to 15. We celebrated a retirement, caught beans for good fortune, and spent three Perfect Days ticking off favourite places and stores. This is Part three, days 11–15. See also Part one, days 1–5 and Part two, days 6–10 Day eleven, Saturday 31st January It’s another beautiful, sunny day. We take a taxi to the Kokugikan and, as we get out, our driver offers us origami paper cranes she’s…
Days 6 to 10 brought several trip highlights, including an outstanding café, trippy outdoor bathing in Karuizawa, and a perfect few hours at Sakamoto Library. This is Part two, days 6–10. See also Part one, days 1–5 and Part three, days 11–15 . Day six, Monday 26th January Another gorgeous day, crisp and breezy and not a cloud in the sky—barely any cloud at all so far this trip. Geri twisted her…
I’ve split my summary across three posts, and this roundup details the first five days. Highlights included lots of sumo, a studio session, and getting to know Ryōgoku. This is Part one, days 1–5. See also Part two, days 6–10 , and Part three, days 11–15 . General notes Passing the Skytree on our way to Lattest. Aside from two days in the mountains, we stayed in Tokyo rather than worry about…
Another time-consuming but deeply rewarding home repair. I love my 43-year-old Technics SU-Z15 amplifier far too much to replace it, and I’ve no excuse when there’s a detailed YouTube video of a Turkish chap repairing the very same amp. I came close to despair with the weird as hell input switches, but I bloody did it. For anyone interested, oxidised contacts were causing crackling when adjusting…
This is a private post, made available via my RSS feed. There’s no public version and no permalink. Please don’t share anything that follows. The great memory of that January afternoon will be the stillness—the way time seemed to slow as I sat reading in that cosy corner of the Sakamoto Library, legs stretched out, a blanket over my knees, the gentle scent of coffee in the air. The small room…
I’ve just returned from my third trip to Japan — my first in almost eight years. I have some general notes and photos to post when time allows. In the meantime, here’s the music haul. I focused on my fave 70s/80s city pop artists and YMO/ Sakamoto , but couldn’t resist the 1978 Japan pressing of The Kick Inside , a 1985 Hounds of Love tape, and that Kid A obi variant. Group 1: Non-Japanese…
Here’s my 22 nd annual roundup : sixty short reviews across five categories, plus shows, stats and playlists. It gets more ridiculous every year, but I do it to myself, I do. Appreciate these roundups? I work on this roundup all year, and the final post takes several days. If you wish to show your appreciation, you can buy my music or buy me a coffee . Thanks :) Check out all yearlies or go…
For this year’s office party (the two of us going for a posh meal), we returned to London’s Session Arts Club , having loved our lunch there in spring . We consumed lots of sharing plates and fine wine, and Geri looked stunning. The next morning, we enjoyed the Hyakkō 100+ Makers at Japan House . I’ve long been drawn to Japanese craft aesthetics, and the display showcased many things I…
My signed copy of Iroha Ni Kompeito. I never expected to see Akiko Yano play live, let alone meet her and get an album signed. In case you don’t know, she’s “the Japanese Kate Bush” who predates Kate Bush. She released her debut in 1976, toured the world with Yellow Magic Orchestra , and married Ryuichi Sakamoto . She’s a legend. It was our good fortune to discover that the closing night of the…
From one of the best seats in the entire arena, I watched my favourite band for the fourth time. Within minutes, I knew this would be my all-time favourite gig. Obviously, skip this if you don’t appreciate Radiohead ; I wrote it for myself and other fans. And if the band’s touring history prompts you to message me about Israel’s apartheid against Palestinians, note that I reference this in the…
...so many things I was taught to rely upon — jobs, industries, institutions, milestones, even seasons — feel like they’re being upended in front of me. When you’re told to expect a certain broad arc to your life, it’s more than a little terrifying when that map’s redrawn as you’re looking at it. I appreciate pretty much everything Ethan writes and could highlight many posts, but The line and the…
I love Jon Hicks’ new side project, Stars of the Lid Forever . It’s unofficial, but surviving member Adam Wiltzie gave Jon his blessing, and even provided some unseen footage. It’s such a wonderful example of what it means to really love music and how rewarding it is to be a fan. Reply via email