I've a poem, Anthesis, in today's International Times (IT). ('Anthesis', for those who don't know, is the opening of a flower, or the period of its opening). There's lots more to read in IT, too! internationaltimes.it/anthesis/

Centenarian sax player Marshall Allen recently issued his first solo album, New Dawn. Welsh freeform/experimental music project Llif(T) have released their 9th, Llif(T)9#. Reviews and links in this week's IT: internationaltimes.it/a-new-dawn-a...

You can read my review of Dancing About Architecture, a recent anthology of ekphrastic poetry, here, in this week's International Times: internationaltimes.it/dancing-abou...

You can read my review of Cosmic Light Clusters, the latest Eclectic Maybe Band album, in this week's IT, along with another of an album by Canadian guitarist Brian Ruryk. Loads more to read, too. internationaltimes.it/prepare-your...

You can read my short story, The Retreat, at International Times (IT) this week. A soul-searching billionaire heads to the seaside to take stock of his life. It's a five minute read (there's lots of other stuff to read in IT, too!) internationaltimes.it/the-retreat/

You can read my review of the latest Jumble Hole Clough album, 'Potpourri or Popery?' in this week's IT, along with another of the album 'Bist Du bereit?' by Andrew Levine (theremin) and Karlheinz Essl (electronics). (Review includes links to the albums). internationaltimes.it/are-you-read...

You can read my poem, Aunt Nell, today in International Times. internationaltimes.it/aunt-nell/

Reviews of two recent improv/experimental album releases - one from Discus Music, the other from Raw Tonk Records. internationaltimes.it/keeping-it-t...

Natalie Rak, aka Rak, Poland based street artist #WomensArt #Monday

If you've not seen the short film, Two Exquisite Corpses check out my review of it in this week's International Times. Also reviewed are 3 other albums, including one of US composer David Dunn's environmental pieces from back in the 1970s-80s. (Links included). internationaltimes.it/elemental-mu...

Help Musicians Unhomed by LA Fires The situation in Los Angeles is horrible. While everyone impacted needs support, I'm trying to gather a list of musicians impacted. Donations can be made directly to fundraisers for some. Otherwise, this is a good time to buy their music on Bandcamp or from your…

Chess Zoo xkcd.com/3036

You can read my poem, 'AI Blues' here, in this week's International Times (illustration by Nick Victor). (Click on link, not pic). internationaltimes.it/ai-blues/

A poem for our times, written a century ago. Anna Akhmatova, translated by Stanley Kunitz:

The False Walls label has just released a 4-CD collection of Evan Parker solo sax improvisations (it comes with a 120-page book, too). You can read a review I've written of it in International Times this week here: internationaltimes.it/the-heraclit...

Subs are open for #selectedpoetry throughout December. There’s an exciting new twist, so get your best poems across to us and watch this space for more… thebrokenspine.co.uk/2024/11/30/p...

Absolutely loving this new release by Rhodri Davies @nawr-abertawe.bsky.social on scatterArchive: scatterarchive.bandcamp.com/album/live-w...

My online webzine The Fig Tree has a call for submissions for a special issue with poems about Coal Mining - mining, miners, the communities and the 84-85 strike - submission guidelines are here figtreepoetry.substack.com/p/submission... Please share!

All Jumble Hole Clough's 39 albums are 'name your price'. You can listen download them for free (though, as JHC says, 'contributions are welcome').

You can read my review of three recent free-form music albums here, at International Times (includes Bandcamp links). Loads more to read in IT too! internationaltimes.it/haunting-pre...

Just seen NOPF are seeking event proposals for 2025 - closing date 15th December this year.

I've a poem in #InternationalTimes today. Great illustration by Nick Victor, as usual - and lots more to read, too! Click on the link, but...

I don't often reread crime novels but I make an exception for Fred Vargas. Rereading the Adamsberg series. The characters, the humanity, the insight, the weirdness, the wit... hard to beat.

A profile of Pat Thomas in The Guardian by Stewart Smith. Great article.

Vinyl arrived today from Ni Vu Ni Connu (a Luxembourg label). Lower Marsh and Unlockings. John Butcher (sax), Angharad Davies (violin), Mark Sanders (percussion), Pat Thomas (electronics). I ought to listen to more vinyl. You can't beat the magic of a record going round. nivuniconnu.bandcamp.com

You can read my review of recent free-form music albums here, 'Putting the Free into Free Improvisation', at International Times (includes Bandcamp links). Loads more to read in this week's IT, too - it's the usual mix: reviews, poetry, art, music, ideas, etc. internationaltimes.it/putting-the-...

Today's the day! The Circular Train, Ava Mendoza's (seen here jamming, drinking and mugging w legend Tom Smith) latest jam is out. All the way OUT and available for purchase on bandcamp & streaming on all platforms. avamendozamusic.bandcamp.com/album/the-ci...

I'm not sure how many times I've watched this now... so powerful and inspiring and I need that model right now.

Four reviews of recent albums of free-form music in the latest #InternationalTimes, featuring #JohnButcher, #BurkhardBeins and other artists.