Key 13

Key 13 – Cosmochelonian

"Is it possible you've been reading Terry Pratchett books while listening to Steve Hillage-era Gong (and maybe a bit of Hawkwind)?" Err.. maybe!

Key 13 – Carousel

Expressing my frustration with an adversarial political system of extremes, where each party gets into power and immediately tears down what the previous one built. I don't believe red and blue are the same - although both are flawed, one is demonstrably far worse than the other both here in the UK and over in the US - but this constant cycle of meaningless rhetoric based on short term popularity…

Key 13 – Synaesthesic Sunset

I used a Python script to generate a midi file with 8 tracks from the cover photo you can see on the release. The lines below the photo on the cover show the pitch of the 8 tracks it produced. Then I instrumented it, arranged it, mucked about with it, added some drums, mixed etc. To be clear: this is not AI generated, it's converting the colours and brightness in the image, read left-to-right,…

Key 13 – Tales of the Unexpected Petunia

Six years ago, in the heart of the Covid-19 lockdown, I sat down one Saturday afternoon and wrote a track from scratch in two hours. It starts off as a very traditional Dorian whistle melody, then for no apparent reason it turns into reggae halfway through. I posted it straight to SoundCloud then pretty much forgot all about it. Fast forward a few years, and the track, Unexpected Petunia, remained…

Key 13 – audius consumed

This will be an evolving album as I get to grips with the Teenage Engineering OP-XY. Expect much simpler tracks than usual, as I work within the limitations of the device. I have no idea where it will lead me, or even if I'll give up on it after a while, so this could be a very random collection. On the other hand, working inside the constrictions of the machine might lead to more consistency, if…

Key 13 – Uncooked 02: 80s Influence

The second in an ongoing series, currently exclusive to this Faircamp site. This selection is chosen to reflect the ongoing influence of 80s music on my musical output. Interestingly, looking at the original release dates, I wrote three of these within a three week period in April 2023, I was obviously in an 80s frame of mind back then. "Uncooked" Releases These are archive tracks that have mostly…

Key 13 – Misaligned Aardvarks

Key 13's winning entry for the 2024 Fedivision Song Contest, representing The Island of Nothing (code NOTH). Lyrics Welcome to the mesmerising tapestry of the African savannah The golden hues of the sunset cast a warm glow upon the vast landscape Zebras graze peacefully and giraffes’ graceful silhouettes traverse the horizon But something here is not quite right As you can see, the aardvarks are……

Key 13 – Sunbeams

Key 13 – Sun • Moon • Stars

These archive tracks from 2023-4 are newly remastered for this compilation by Ordos Mk.0. This should have been released over a year ago, as a companion to Sea • Sky • Clouds but.. motivation.. Anyway you can read the full write up over here . There are videos available for all the tracks . Compositions, music and production by Key 13. Mastering by Ordos Mk.0. Cover photograph by Keith Marshall,…

Key 13 – Sea · Sky · Clouds

These archive tracks from 2021-23 are newly remixed and remastered for this compilation. They feature chilled-out influences including world music, folk, IDM, post-rock and jazz, fused with Key 13's organic, layered sound. Poem "Clouds and Waves" taken from The Crescent Moon by Rabindranath Tagore, read by Anusha Iyer. Public domain audio courtesy of LIbriVox . All other compositions, music and…