Almost finished part three of my Tokyo roundup. Here’s a preview...

Finally getting around to documenting this trip. Fifteen packed days, so I’m splitting it into three posts — here’s the first. colly.com/journal/retu...

Another time-consuming but deeply rewarding home repair. I love this amp far too much to replace it, and there’s no excuse when there’s a detailed YouTube video of a Turkish chap repairing the very same 44-year-old Technics amp. I came close to despair with the input switches, but I bloody did it.

One for fellow spoolers: WalkmanLand is a database of all 80s/90s portable cassette players (found via @simplebits.com's fine newsletter). My WM-22 still outperforms any modern alternatives and it's lovely to get this much detail. walkman.land/sony/wm-22

Launching a little project today! I spent the last few weeks piecing together an archive of every concert I’ve been to. I grew up in the “show up at a door and hand a guy $5” era, so this was an interesting endeavor. More shows to add soon, too! 🤘 concerts.lynnandtonic.com

Good haul from this Tokyo trip — focused on classic 70s/80s city pop 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. (See ALT text for details)

Happy Setsubun ("seasonal division," the day before spring in the old Japanese calendar). I was half-blind from staring into the sun, but managed to catch a packet of beans, which should help me ward off a few demons.

Many Sakamoto moments on this trip. Watched the Tokyo Melody 4K restoration and also got up close with his Fairlight CMI. The highlight was an afternoon at Sakamoto Library (secret location, strictly no photos). Quietly reading a book that I know he cherished and finding his pen notes was moving.

Spent the day re-recording software piano parts on a lovely Yamaha YU-11 in a tiny Harajuku studio — then went record shopping.

The one I’ve been waiting for. Colly always puts so much effort in to his end of year roundups, and there’s loads here I’ve not listened to, but will be

Here’s my 22nd annual music roundup — bigger and more ridiculously obsessive than ever. colly.com/journal/twen...

A deep one for fellow fans... colly.com/journal/radi...

Yet to come down from last night’s Radiohead gig. We were lucky to get codes and decided we’d stump for vip tickets if that’s all there was, and got front row. I’ve seen them several times, including Glasto ‘97, but last night was perfect, the entire band giving everything. Just… wow. Here’s Jonny…

Side project launch time! This one is for fans of Stars of the Lid & ambient/classical music. I've made a site in @getkirby.com to archive all the live recordings and of act as 'SOTL’ site as none exists. Adam Wiltzie also provided the previously unseen video footage: starsofthelidforever.com

Shocked about Mani. Forever grateful that my teens aligned with the rise of the Roses' in 1988-90, when the summers went on forever. Here's a love letter I wrote back in 2012. colly.com/journal/the-...

Archived a deep Q&A about how I use field recordings and why they mean so much to me. colly.com/journal/comp...

Grand sumo closing ceremony at the Royal Albert Hall. What a treat!

Having a tape stock sale, from now until end of #BandcampFriday. I've found enough EP tapes to create five bundles — all four tapes (without maps or other extras) for £20 Reductions on everything else: Live at Delia’s £6, Remixed £5, Japan Series compilation £7 sitenonsite.bandcamp.com/merch

Some waffle about the Yorke/Donwood exhibition, embracing a loose creative process, and why an album can be "good art". colly.com/journal/this...

Some reflections on the big Goldsworthy show and why I think environmental art creates a necessary dialogue between humanity and nature, inviting us to participate in its cycles, understand its processes, and recognise our place within it. colly.com/journal/andy...

Notes from another short trip: remote landscapes, outdoor experiments, the art of light and space, exploring our universe, meeting owls and eagles, queuing for pâtisserie, and supporting amateur sumo. colly.com/journal/a-fe...

Notes and audio clips from a recent field recording session with Dr. Marcus Headley — revealing the hidden electromagnetic soundscape and capturing the audible world with greater clarity and intention. colly.com/journal/deep...

‘The place is bleached, a dead zone’: how the UK’s most beloved landscapes became biodiversity deserts

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 people working hard to relieve its stress and protect what's left of Sherwood Forest. markavery.info/2025/07/17/r...

I ran into the CAMP residency (“a place to think/work/create/live”) via @colly.com's journal and, after mulling it over for a while, decided to sign up for a week of my own in November. I aim to dedicate it to writing. Really looking forward. colly.com/journal/tag:...

Protecting nature doesn’t stop us building. The Planning Bill still threatens our most precious habitats. It’s now in the Lords - and it needs to change. Read what happened in the debate 👇 www.rspb.org.uk/whats-happen...

Another week in my favourite place. Wild weather, dizzying deep time, political landscapes, and soggy teens. colly.com/journal/anot...

Driven grouse shooting should be banned entirely and our uplands—drained and burned by the rich for grouse farming—returned to health. Decades of work have failed, so perhaps we should try licensing, but birds of prey will still be killed in appalling ways, and I'll likely never see a Hen Harrier.

Closing in on something.

My recent short residency at @campfr.bsky.social with other musicians and artists was a transformative experience, and the perfect start to this Summer's ACE-funded activity. I preserved a little time each day to reflect and write; here's everything tagged Camp France. colly.com/journal/tag:...

Seeing sound and feeling things: “Being at Camp has actually helped me shed any remaining feelings of inadequacy. I now feel like I too am a legitimate musician, with absolutely nothing to apologise for or doubt.” colly.com/journal/seei...

One for my cycling pals: I just hiked (through the woods) to the top of the famed Col d’Agnes. So many here puffing their way up. Just look at those hairpins!

The new Djrum is utterly captivating.

Happy birthday, @gericoady.bsky.social ❤️

Enjoyed lunch at Session Arts Club, but only thought to photograph the piano and my favourite socks.

The Craft of Carpentry: Drawing Life from Japan’s Forests, at Japan House, London

Some good news: I’ve been awarded Arts Council England funding to expand my field skills and develop conceptual ideas. The highlight will be a short residency at @campfr.bsky.social in the Pyrenees. Then in autumn, I'll resume work on the album and other projects. LOTS to come 😊

Here’s my 21st exhaustive (and exhausting) Year in Music roundup. colly.com/journal/twen...

On a high from Paul McCartney last night. I’ve no idea how he does it. Utterly overwhelming on an emotional level with all that history, and songs that link to my childhood bringing me to tears. Oh, and Ringo joined him on Helter Skelter. Wow.

Seasonal sale: I've dropped prices up to 40% on Japan Series, Remixed and Live albums — downloads and tapes sitenonsite.bandcamp.com/music

I’ve waited a long time to contribute something to @hellogeri.bsky.social’s excellent Cure collection.

Some new items available for pre-order in my shop—including my 2024 Japanese Christmas ornament featuring the beautiful island of Itsukushima (Miyajima)! Ships worldwide from November 28. Reposts hugely appreciated! 🙏 #japan #art #illustration www.geridrawsjapan.com/holiday-shop

Apple Music folks: there’s a fancy new playlist on my profile, featuring songs from this Summer’s shows. Please give it a listen. music.apple.com/gb/playlist/...

It's #BandcampFriday. All four special edition EP #cassettes sold out, but plenty of Japan Series, Remixed and Live albums left. sitenonsite.bandcamp.com/merch

The second run of Live at Delia's cassettes is now in stock. I'm really happy with this release — wanted it to feel like a lovingly made bootleg, and the show sounds warm and intimate on tape. sitenonsite.bandcamp.com/album/live-a...

Music Weekly no.91 — music.apple.com/gb/playlist/... open.spotify.com/playlist/291...

Live at Delia's Third Happening is out everywhere today. Months of work went into these new songs and fresh arrangements, and the show felt like a natural conclusion to the first chapter of Site Nonsite. sitenonsite.bandcamp.com/album/live-a...

Honoured that Tot/Onyx included Paper Cranes on their moving Hiroshima/Nagasaki mix (my first play on NTS). "Making this mix gave me time to reflect on the ongoing genocide and atrocities... It proved that sometimes music can tell stories better than the language." www.nts.live/shows/guests...

Music Weekly no.90 (I’m sharing again after a much needed break; too much good new music to keep it all to myself. Check out my 2024 Faves playlist for the full picture.) — music.apple.com/gb/playlist/... open.spotify.com/playlist/291...

You can now pre-order Live at Delia's Third Happening (digital and cassette) and hear a nine-minute, multi-part rendition of Moss Garden. sitenonsite.bandcamp.com/album/live-a...