Music
Songwriting, experimental music, etc.
Hands Off!
I don’t usually like to plug things around here, but this is an event that I’m really looking forward to – a whole weekend of theremin fun and goodness. There’s a great line up of concerts and events planned with…
Now It Can Be Told
Just back from a fortnight’s holiday on the emerald isle, refreshed and renewed, to discover the passing of another great. Kurt Vonnegut RIP Of the small group of writers I would categorise as my ‘favourites’, Kurt Vonnegut has always felt…
Next, please
First of all, “Xenochronous Requiem For A Head Laying In A Field In Butler” was used to open this week’s Spellbound show, with host David Vesel commenting on the unlikelihood of chart success if Casey Kasem can’t even pronounce the…
Xenochrony
One of Zappa’s favourite tricks around the “Joe’s Garage” era and beyond was the practice he called “xenochrony” or “strange synchronisation”. This involved him taking a piece of music (often a studio backing track) and overdubbing it with a totally…
Moving Along…
We’ve had two more LB sessions recently; one short acoustic practice throwing ideas for songs around and a long and productive studio-based session. In the first of these we considered some ideas for possible inclusion in any live set we…
Radio Killed the Video Star
We’ve had some very positive feedback about “The Unofficial National Anthem” from a few sources now, which has been quite encouraging, comparing the song, or parts of it, to Syd Barrett, Brian Eno, Pink Floyd, Can, Jethro Tull and others.…
Festive Goodies
Back in the mists of time (1985) the Deserters produced a short run of magazines for those following our music at the time. They featured interviews with members of the band, articles about the music and anything else that happened…
December Will Be Magic Again
We’ve managed to squeeze in a last Lunacy Board session before the end of the year, and I’m pleased to say that it was a bit of a blinder. Having had a few sessions now to settle into what we’re…
Welcome Mr. Wheezy
Since the days of the Green Shed Studios and the big Farfisa organ we had there, I’ve always had a bit of a soft spot for the sound of the organ. Nothing else sounds like a proper pipe organ being…
Scots, Sports and Raw Spirit
Hold onto your hats – this is a long one… Tourist Tat I’ve followed two generations of family working in various parts of the Scottish tourist industry and have therefore been thoroughly steeped for years in views of garish tartans,…
