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I've been listening to Rich Ruth's ambient composition's for a number of years now and they continue to expand and explore new territory. This video for "No Muscle, No Memory" is the first single from his upcoming June 2024 release Water Still Flows. Generally, "ambient composition" would summon very gentle, possibly lulling background music but that is not the case with Rich Ruth.
These instrumental tracks are "ambient" in that they create an ambiance - a vibe - but that vibe isn't the equivalent of a relaxing sauna, often it is something writhing and chaotic. I've not heard the entire album yet but given the evolution that has been occurring over the last few years, I have no doubt this will be one to sneak into your regular rotation as soon as it drops.
To be honest, I don't know of anything about the game POOLS nor do I have a way to play Steam games. However, the liminal space / backrooms aesthetic and gameplay that seems to be "look around" is very appealing. It's somehow both hyperrealistic and uncanny valley fake. I hope very long gameplay footage hits YouTube once it is released.
Jon Juarez, Prints
Production designer on Scavengers Reign; incredible art here
Dog Poo Golf
Do not let anyone tell you the Internet has no fun anymore
Octavia Butler and the Pimply, Pompous Publisher
fantastic story about a teenage sci-fi fan that convinced a respected author to contribute a legitimately influential piece about race and science fiction to his single issue zine. He even had the audacity to give her notes.
This is about as confusing as a pre-taped call-in show but stick with me. I've been releasing episodes of my podcast We Own This Town: Music for many years - some years more prolific than others. Today is the release of the 379th episode, which is actually the 365th compiled by me! There were fourteen episodes put together by other folks - excellent episodes but not my episodes. Follow that?
That means, if you so desired, you could listen to one episode of WOTT Music every day for an entire year and get a fresh dose of local music compiled by myself. Gotta say, I'm proud of that!
The episode itself is also a great example of the kind of diversity I love to showcase - some dance music, some indie rock, some hip-hop, some R&B and all points in between. And if that weren't enough, I managed to get Mac Burrus to edit it - the first time I've had an outside editor put together the show.
People say Music Discovery is hard but I disagree - just listen to this show and you'll be all set.
The episode itself is also a great example of the kind of diversity I love to showcase - some dance music, some indie rock, some hip-hop, some R&B and all points in between. And if that weren't enough, I managed to get Mac Burrus to edit it - the first time I've had an outside editor put together the show.
People say Music Discovery is hard but I disagree - just listen to this show and you'll be all set.
Humane AI Pin review: not even close
Another scathing review. This one is based on actual usage and seem like more than fair complaints. Even if this device is not The One, I am hopeful this is the start of a new era of devices.
GQ has been doing a similar series to this where actors break down their most iconic roles but I don't recall ever seeing one where a musician breaks down their iconic tracks. Any excuse I can get to listen to Reznor and Ross talk about their process and stories about how things came to be is great by me.
Stable Audio
there are plenty of options for generating audio with AI but this is the first time I have seen the option for 3-minute compositions. Results were not bad tbh.Promptordle
like Wordle but instead of telling you how many letters you got right, it gives you a vague riddle describing the answer
YouTube decided I needed to see this Magical Cat Compilation from Threadwood Studios and they were right, I did need to see it! It's five minutes and you should put down everything and just watch it with your full attention. The shoe bit is my favorite but I loved the whole thing.
One thing you should probably know about me is that I buy a lot of music on Bandcamp. I'm not saying I've got anywhere close to the largest collection on the service but with 2,707 purchases, I imagine I'm above the average. This is almost entirely because I buy music for my local Nashville music podcast We Own This Town rather than stealing it.* Here's a few recent releases you may want to consider for yourself.
There's a healthy collective of musicians in Nashville that cross pollinate and make a lot of "shoegaze inspired" music. It's never following the genre tropes like a recipe but you can't hear the lo-fi vocals and giant guitars without thinking "shoegaze" in some respect. This latest release from Celltower is such a great example of taking that comfortably familiar sound but owning it as their own. Nothing derivative here, just a fantastic wash of sounds best enjoyed loud.
Thomas Luminoso - "Speed Bug" / "Sugar Pill"
Interestingly enough, Thomas Luminoso is part of the same collective of musicians as Celltower. Similarly, you can hear the underpinnings of "shoegaze" in the deepest DNA of the work but Luminoso is steering it in a much different direction. This is the most confident work I've heard from him yet and I can't say enough great things about the vocal layering, the synth and the pitter patter drums on "Speed Bug." The b-side is wonderfully dark.
Sundaes "Anyway"
This is the first single from a larger release by Sundaes and I'm quite impressed. Going back into the deep discography of Sundaes, the sounds and techniques they were using back in 2017 were much different. That's the way it should be! It's been really rewarding to hear how this project has blossomed over the years. I love the guitars on this and the instrumental bridge could easily be expanded into 10 hours and I'd listen the entire time.
Celltower - Pegasus 93
There's a healthy collective of musicians in Nashville that cross pollinate and make a lot of "shoegaze inspired" music. It's never following the genre tropes like a recipe but you can't hear the lo-fi vocals and giant guitars without thinking "shoegaze" in some respect. This latest release from Celltower is such a great example of taking that comfortably familiar sound but owning it as their own. Nothing derivative here, just a fantastic wash of sounds best enjoyed loud.
Thomas Luminoso - "Speed Bug" / "Sugar Pill"
Interestingly enough, Thomas Luminoso is part of the same collective of musicians as Celltower. Similarly, you can hear the underpinnings of "shoegaze" in the deepest DNA of the work but Luminoso is steering it in a much different direction. This is the most confident work I've heard from him yet and I can't say enough great things about the vocal layering, the synth and the pitter patter drums on "Speed Bug." The b-side is wonderfully dark.
Sundaes "Anyway"
This is the first single from a larger release by Sundaes and I'm quite impressed. Going back into the deep discography of Sundaes, the sounds and techniques they were using back in 2017 were much different. That's the way it should be! It's been really rewarding to hear how this project has blossomed over the years. I love the guitars on this and the instrumental bridge could easily be expanded into 10 hours and I'd listen the entire time.
* I do play these songs on a podcast without permission, so I'm certainly not throwing shade at anyone that does steal music.
It's possible this is a post likely best suited for the YK Records blog but Matt Glassmeyer (aka Meadownoise) has been playing a number of shows that lean into the improvisational and collaborative. It's certainly based in jazz and other live improv traditions but his instrumentation and style certainly makes it unique. This video is his band playing "Cliff House Kids" - a track from his 2020 album Threeve - tho this live version is quite different! Even if you do not know Meadownoise, this song or anything about any of the text in this post - I still suggest you hit play and see what ya think.
I've had these two tabs open for what feels like forever now and have not taken the proper actions that are described within them. I'm sharing them here not only for my own archival purposes but maybe they'll help someone else out that is looking to get a bit more serious with their AI usage and needs to better comprehend the tools to make that possible.
- Install ComfyUI on MacOS (M1, M2, M3) - Anyone that I've met that is even vaguely serious about using AI for creativity is integrating Comfy UI in their workflow. It's a backend that chains together different processes for a more robust end result than a singular prompt-to-media output. However, the installation instructions can be a bit much if you're just a curious or casual user. This video helps to demystify all that. I'm told.
- Using Comfy UI, EASY Basics - once it's installed, it's also a bit of a hurdle to make sure you're using it properly. This tutorial can help clarify the usage to get things started.
When I worked at KNI, I had the great pleasure of being introduced to Tom Dolan - a graphic designer, musician, artist and all around pleasant thinker. His passion for design - print or web - was infectious and admirable. It still is. He's alive and kicking and churning out more great work than ever. If you are unfamiliar, steer yourself over to his 2022 - 2024 works, dive into the notes and enjoy!
While you're at it, take some time to peruse 22 Truths, Dolan's book on "art and art-making." It's purpose is to provide sharp anecdotes on a path towards making better art. I have a copy and it is certainly worth procuring your own.
Thinking about "making art" is a difficult undertaking for me. I have made countless graphics, album covers, websites, posters, etc but they always strike me as functional, not think pieces. I also believe that making art is a privilege, not one that everyone has and not one that should be taken for granted. To pontificate how to be a better artist often feels self-indulgent.. for me. But I don't think that's actually the case. I am neurotic. I am filled with self-doubt. The process of making art and having tactics to unblock yourself applies to any challenging endeavor, not just "art."
In the same way that Brian Eno's Oblique Strategies isn't really about the recording story or writing music, it's about changing how you think. 22 Truths can serve a similar purpose; a means to an end of unblocking and thinking in a refreshed way.
While you're at it, take some time to peruse 22 Truths, Dolan's book on "art and art-making." It's purpose is to provide sharp anecdotes on a path towards making better art. I have a copy and it is certainly worth procuring your own.
Thinking about "making art" is a difficult undertaking for me. I have made countless graphics, album covers, websites, posters, etc but they always strike me as functional, not think pieces. I also believe that making art is a privilege, not one that everyone has and not one that should be taken for granted. To pontificate how to be a better artist often feels self-indulgent.. for me. But I don't think that's actually the case. I am neurotic. I am filled with self-doubt. The process of making art and having tactics to unblock yourself applies to any challenging endeavor, not just "art."
In the same way that Brian Eno's Oblique Strategies isn't really about the recording story or writing music, it's about changing how you think. 22 Truths can serve a similar purpose; a means to an end of unblocking and thinking in a refreshed way.
16-year old Austin, TX resident Noah Faulkner covers classic New Wave tracks on his pedal steel with his brother (Nate) and his dog (Kara). The videos are entrancing, the covers are great. There's even an NY Times profile on him. Word is out, Pedal Steel Noah is bringing the goods.
There's an EP called Texas Madness that dropped today, April 1st. It's three covers - Joy Division, The Cure, Tears for Fears - and two original tracks. It's streaming as well but you know a Bandcamp bump is always appreciated by anyone.
Palmsy, the fake social network where your posts stay on your device forever
Post whatever, get fake likes from your contact list on content no one has actually seen. Love it.
umbrelOS
an entire operating system built for a home media setup. honestly, it looks great and i am very tempted by it but the possibility of it going belly up because it is VC funded makes me also very hesitant.
John Carpenter on horror classic The Thing
a rather short bit of interview with Carpenter and actor Keith David but insightful and pleasant to read... which you should do
Thanks to the HTML Review (specifically, the Garry Ing essay), I have encountered Evan Roth's All HTML. It's a bizarre looking website that makes zero sense unless you've ever made a website yourself - just View Source and you'll see all the parts laid bare. Fun.
If you see someone complaining that "the web isn't fun anymore" - steer them towards The HTML Review, an online "journal of literature made to exist on the web." Take two seconds to look at Issue 03 and you'll get the appeal - a giant spinning table of contents! It's fun, it's beautiful and it's a portal to even more engaging pieces.
This Forest Void by Hannah Jenkins is a series of small poems that reveal themselves and, if you're patient, rescramble themselves. A Cragislist cacophony from Sarah Chekfa, a video game prologue from Nicholas O'Brien. A View Source essay from Garry Ing. These things require you to spend time with them - it's not a single serving stream of swipe left / swipe right / IG stories / text feeds - but they are distinctly Of The Web. It's great to see and even better to experience.
This Forest Void by Hannah Jenkins is a series of small poems that reveal themselves and, if you're patient, rescramble themselves. A Cragislist cacophony from Sarah Chekfa, a video game prologue from Nicholas O'Brien. A View Source essay from Garry Ing. These things require you to spend time with them - it's not a single serving stream of swipe left / swipe right / IG stories / text feeds - but they are distinctly Of The Web. It's great to see and even better to experience.
I've been listening to Lionlimb, aka Stewart Bronaugh with Joshua Jaeger, since their initial, gorgeous, release Shoo back in 2016. The newest album, Limbo was just recently announced and is set for release in late May.
There's only one song available at this very moment but the album writeup speaks of 70's Italian movie influences, funky basslines, melodramatic strings and "making music that could easily belong on Twin Peaks just as much as a Western cowboy film." I'm in.
There's only one song available at this very moment but the album writeup speaks of 70's Italian movie influences, funky basslines, melodramatic strings and "making music that could easily belong on Twin Peaks just as much as a Western cowboy film." I'm in.
teable: No Code Database
a fusion of Postgres and Airtable. I dont know who needs to see this but maybe its you.
Castlevania ReVamped is a fan made overhaul of the 1986 NES classic into a sprawling Metroidvania type game. Loads of new power-ups, levels, etc etc. Kind of what you'd hope for from a fan remake of a game with 38 years to percolate on ideas. The trailer looks fantastic.
If you, like me, do not have a way to play a game like this, you can always turn to YouTube to passively partake.
If you, like me, do not have a way to play a game like this, you can always turn to YouTube to passively partake.
Lynda! Barry!
a delightful read about creativity and getting out of your own way
It seems a little silly for me to post about an article in The Verge as I imagine anyone still reading this blog is also a fairly ardent reader of The Verge. However, there's a lot of content out there, so maybe you missed it. I did.
This piece - possibly entitled "Indie, rocked or Pitchfork Lived And Died By The Internet - is an insightful rundown on the history of Pitchfork, its influence on music and, most importantly, how the Internet was its ultimate demise.
Spoiler alert: music is much less of a valued commodity now than it was in the 80s and 90s when I was young. Turns out, having access to millions of songs makes you less invested than when you only have 12. I don't know that I see this as dire as the article makes it out to be. More music being available also means it's possible for more people to make music. A process that previously cost thousands upon thousands of dollars can be done with free software now. That's incredible.
The eulogy of Pitchfork has been spread far and wide but it's actually not quite dead yet. They're still publishing. I haven't read it regularly in over a decade so I have no idea how culturally relevant it is to anyone. I always found it intentionally obtuse or willfully antagonistic, sometimes both. From reading the article, it seems that was on purpose.
Regardless of my feelings on it, its place in Internet history and music history is undeniable. The article does a nice job of capturing that.
This piece - possibly entitled "Indie, rocked or Pitchfork Lived And Died By The Internet - is an insightful rundown on the history of Pitchfork, its influence on music and, most importantly, how the Internet was its ultimate demise.
Spoiler alert: music is much less of a valued commodity now than it was in the 80s and 90s when I was young. Turns out, having access to millions of songs makes you less invested than when you only have 12. I don't know that I see this as dire as the article makes it out to be. More music being available also means it's possible for more people to make music. A process that previously cost thousands upon thousands of dollars can be done with free software now. That's incredible.
The eulogy of Pitchfork has been spread far and wide but it's actually not quite dead yet. They're still publishing. I haven't read it regularly in over a decade so I have no idea how culturally relevant it is to anyone. I always found it intentionally obtuse or willfully antagonistic, sometimes both. From reading the article, it seems that was on purpose.
Regardless of my feelings on it, its place in Internet history and music history is undeniable. The article does a nice job of capturing that.
James Webb telescope confirms there is something seriously wrong with our understanding of the universe
I am happy to report that the little we know is actually likely incorrect. There is something satisfying about that tbh.
More Languages Won't Fix The Computing World
a compelling read with a conclusion that is somewhat ironic and unfortunate
If you're not subscribed to Ben's Bites - a daily AI newsletter - you should go subscribe now. Always a morning treat.
They recently linked up this Dan Shipper piece Can a Startup Kill ChatGPT? It's a nice read with plenty of insights worth considering. However, what I really enjoyed about it was the plain and simple reminder of the definition of disruption. These three paragraphs are a nice clip but it really works well within the larger piece. Go read it.
They recently linked up this Dan Shipper piece Can a Startup Kill ChatGPT? It's a nice read with plenty of insights worth considering. However, what I really enjoyed about it was the plain and simple reminder of the definition of disruption. These three paragraphs are a nice clip but it really works well within the larger piece. Go read it.
The word “disruption” is used colloquially to mean any instance where a startup beats an incumbent, but in its original formulation, it meant something specific.
Disruption, as theorized by Clayton Christensen in the early 1990s, is a process by which a startup offers a lower-cost product that performs worse along standard dimensions of performance for a small subset of customers outside of the mainstream. The product gets adoption, though, because it performs better on a new dimension of performance that is important to its niche customer set. Over time, the disruptor improves on standard performance metrics so that it can move up-market to higher-value customers, while maintaining its other advantages.
The startup is able to displace a larger, well-managed incumbent because the latter sees that the startup’s original product is lower cost and lower margin, and generally performs worse. So it looks like a bad business. Therefore, the incumbent fails to react until it’s too late.
The boys over at The Horror Fried Podcast recently covered the 1981 film debut of Eric Weston, Evilspeak. It's brand new to me but take 2 minutes to watch the trailer and I think you'll be as intrigued as I am... Clint Howard conjures a demon from his Tandy TRS-80 to seek revenge on his bullying classmates. If you wanna spoil a bit of it for yourself (like I did), you can watch the conjuring scene. It's like a prophetic, satanic, ChatGPT run through a terminal emulator.. and it's good.
The Wikipedia entry for it reveals that it was banned in the UK (TIL "video nasty") and praised by Anton LaVey. Amusing facts all around.
The Wikipedia entry for it reveals that it was banned in the UK (TIL "video nasty") and praised by Anton LaVey. Amusing facts all around.