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Journal
Christmas Party, 2023
Back in Newfoundland
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 married, we made at least one trip each year to see family and friends, and St. John’s soon felt like a second home. And then, Covid. Two years ago, Geri was allowed to visit while I stayed home to care for Bearface. It's more than four years since I was last here.
Anyway, we’re back, and it’s cold. I have a big list of personal project jobs to take care of over the holidays, and I might post a few more updates. At the very least, my annual Year in Music will arrive as ever on New Year’s Eve.
A day trip to Witney
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 rummage; we could enjoy a long overdue catchup with the lovely Jon and Leigh Hicks. We did all of those things. It was a fab day, and after a long drive home, we slept like logs.
Hiroshi Sugimoto
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 contemplating the compression of time and decay in his theatres. It also turned out that I was wrong about his Tussaud’s portraits because, in some cases, they’re unnervingly captivating.
Yoshiki Classical
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 guest appearances from St Vincent, Ellie Goulding and Ai Ichihara, with Yoshiki providing lightweight questions and piano accompaniment like a fashion-forward Jools Holland.
Thanks to Geri and that night at Wembley Arena, I now love X Japan enough to appreciate this evening, but it leaves me itching to hear Toshi screaming out those searing anthems and classic ballads along with Yoshiki and the rest of the band.
Sam Morton
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 lyricism” and I particularly appreciate how familiar memories of growing up in Nottingham ooze from this music — “Hyson Green must I roam”.
I’m very glad I took a chance on Morton’s debut and hope for more. Note that it’s vinyl only, and limited to 300 copies. It's sold out on Bandcamp and Boomkat, but still available (at the time of writing) from Rough Trade.
Previously: Sam Morton on Desert Island Discs.
The Boy and The Heron
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 Hall.
Naturally, there was a lot to love about the movie, but it also lost me on multiple occasions, and I think everyone appreciates that it’ll need repeated viewings. I will say that it’s laced with references to his other movies and employs pretty much every Ghibli trick you can think of. I did enjoy hearing Joe Hisaishi’s theme only a couple of weeks after he played it at Wembley Arena. Anyway, do go and see the film when you can (I think it’s out nationwide on Boxing Day).
BTW, it’s the 8th of October, and the afternoon temp was steady at 25°C. From the bar’s outdoor terrace overlooking the Thames in the intense sunshine, it felt like the hottest day of the year. It was a humid evening, too. I’m not sure the weather’s very well.
New Order
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.
The National
First Direct Arena, Leeds. Another epic setlist from The National packed with old rarities like Cherry Tree, Abel and Available and new treats, including a mesmerising Smoke Detector.
Joe Hisaishi: Music from the Studio Ghibli Films of Hayao Miyazaki
...with the BBC Concert Orchestra and Crouch End Festival Chorus.
Angel Stain
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 and finds beauty in bitterness.
On our first trip, we spent a little time with owner Katsuyuki Tanaka, and I love the photo (the taking of which he instigated) because it disproves the myth that he’s unfriendly — it’s more likely that he doesn’t tolerate arseholes. During our second trip, I attempted to write about that incomparable espresso.
You can pre-order Tokyo on Bandcamp, and I’ll be hosting a Listening Party on Wednesday 4th October at 8:30pm GMT+1. RSVP here.
Insights and Sounds interview
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 art, and a few clues as to what might happen next.
Along with the magazine, the download includes three excellent tracks that Veryan made with field recordings provided by myself and the other interviewees, Jilk and Everyday Dust.
In related news, Caravan Tokyo was featured on the latest episode of Electronic Odyssey, and you can listen back on Mixcloud.
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Tokyo pre-order
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 streaming everywhere. The song remembers the start of our first trip, living out of a custom-built caravan in Omotesando. It recalls the disorienting wooziness of arriving in an unfamiliar place and the rush of excitement as apprehension becomes awe.
The digital and cassette editions are available for pre-order on Bandcamp, and the entire EP with supporting documents arrives on 6th October. Tapes will ship the following day, along with any Kyoto, Osaka and Hiroshima 2nd edition orders (I still have a few copies of each).
Oh, and I’m a big fan of Bandcamp’s new Listening Parties, so I’ll be hosting one for Tokyo on Wednesday 4th October at 8:30pm GMT+1. RSVP here.
EP4 is ready
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 in more detail once the entire EP is out and all cassette orders have been assembled and shipped. But for now, I’m quietly very proud of myself for publicly committing to this series and seeing it through. Site Nonsite is an essential creative outlet for me, and impressing others is not a priority, but I’m delighted that it’s resonated with lots of people and very grateful for the support I’ve received.
I’m developing a live set and already researching two album-length projects, but there’s no rush. I want to spend a few months playing music for fun without the pressure of releasing anything new soon.
A few days in deepest Devon
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.
Mitsune
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.
Kagami: Ryuichi Sakamoto and Tin Drum at MIF
An appropriately glitchy and unexpectedly moving mixed reality performance starring the revered Japanese musician freezes beauty in time and thaws our scepticism.
You, Me, and the Balloons
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 she was way ahead of everyone in the 1960s but largely ignored in favour of much more famous male artists who stole her ideas. Hers is a fascinating story, and it makes me happy that she’s become loved in her lifetime.
You, Me and The Balloons is the first major show at Manchester’s new Aviva Studios, and few artists could tackle such a vast space, let alone fill it with so much fun. Everyone was enjoying themselves, whatever their age, without any pressure to analyse or decode the work. I liked that the artist is present via video performance, speaking from up high like some Kawaii Big Brother. I learned that she’s reciting something about suicide, but it’s in Japanese, so unlikely to spoil anyone’s fun.
Note: we visited Manchester International Festival primarily to see Kagami, and I’ve posted a more detailed review of that experience.
Pulp (last one, promise)
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.
