Yo, Freaks!
New Moon Tunez™, Megalopolis, Funk, Anarchy & Roger the Wasp
Hey gang.
I trust you’ve had an immense, immersive, immaculate and imaginative Imbolc.
In this newsletter: News and a few views.
NEW(ish) MOON TUNE™
The very third New Moon Tune™ is now released (Late! I know!): Freaks! is a rare surviving fragment of the mythical album Land Fill which was conceived then (fittingly) left to rot amidst the insanity following 911. So, going back a bit.
Freaks! is an impassioned rallying cry to idealists, outcasts, oddballs, outsiders, dreamers, misfits, conspiracy activists and trailblazers everywhere, which came from the profoundly naive idea that there is some kind of unity inherent in opposition to the mainstream. Actually, we are divided up very efficiently and effectively. I see that more clearly now, while my idealism (though tempered) remains intact.
Although a little clunky, much of the lyric still resonates, the wistful air of some of the melody (‘summer days goodbye’) nicely juxtaposing the angular rhythm track. A junior me’s version of ‘political’, without much more than “keep dreaming” and “ask questions.” to offer.
‘Why’ will get you a long way, but questions and dreams alone won’t solve this. Much more on that below. Still, I think the heart and intention come across.
The somewhat wacky and minimalist production was surely inspired by Prince. Hard to pull off, but I reckon I got away with it in this case, creating a solid and singular little groove - conceptually congruent with the title (natch). This is unusually electronic for me, but with nice hints of ‘realness’ and some interesting production details - listen closely to the lead vocal and you’ll notice the whole thing (?) is quietly doubled an octave above, giving a subtle but distinct aura of otherness which wouldn't be the same with an octave effect.
All in all, a reasonably satisfying and well executed effort by my younger self. B-. Must work harder.
Come like kids with why
Oh, you freaks better try
The visuals? Thrown together just now. I don’t know what to tell ya. More on that below.
LAST NEW MOON’z TUNE™
Last New Moon’s Tune™, “Watch This! (Does The Sun Really Shine For Me?)”, which I didn’t write much about at the time, was unusual for me. A rambling, largely instrumental, somewhat psychedelic but also down-home and super-chill JJ Cale-ish jam, seasoned with a few choice snippets from Mark Passio’s legendary podcast, ‘What On Earth Is Happening’. For months, I’d been bookmarking particularly inspiring bits of Mark’s show, without knowing exactly why…
The tune evolved around a rhythm guitar part, adding details and sculpting over a few months - a lovely way to work. The very relaxed ‘lead’ guitar is inspired by my evolving pedal board, which is just so much fun... I’m planning to play more electric, which is where my guitar roots reach to. The lyrics just floated in one day, and I was like, ‘okay! It’s a vibe!’
The response to WT!(DTSRSFM?) has been lovely, and I will likely be returning to work this seam soon. I was also really happy with the visuals, which have been an interesting and unforeseen challenge of the New Moon Tunez™ project. It just seems mad to put something on YT without visuals. And, on that note…
VISUAL APPEAL
If you or someone you know is videoish, you can get EXCLUSIVE EARLY ACCESS to the next New Moon Tune™ by entering a FREE COMPETITION to make a video for the song and WIN FREE EXPOSURE for your work! Just message me. I will also be looking for visual complements to the songs on my forthcoming EP (more on this below). So lots of opportunity here. Get in touch!
CASH FLOW
Thank you so much to those who support my work, financially and otherwise. It makes a huge practical and energetic difference. In myself, I’ve never felt so aligned in thought, feeling and action and I think that is showing in my output now. All help directly supports my ability to focus more on creative momentum. Donations of any amount are welcome - one off, and especially regular.
You can arrange that here:
LIFE
I’ve recently spent some time in houses, but as of this week I’m back in my van, and it’s cosy AF. There’s no place like home, and nothing like the sound of rain on a van roof, especially when accompanied by the sublime trio of Robert Glasper, Derrick Hodge and Justin (MF’ing) Tyson. Sure, the tee and some of the quotes the DJ spins in are a little ill-considered. But the playing is absolute chef’s kiss. Hodge’s noodlings at around 11.20 could be my favourite bass playing of all time. Or is it the spaces between…
The wasp ambles across these words. I woke him from a deep slumber earlier while sorting the van. He later stung me on the neck, but, as I was unwittingly harassing him neck first (hard to explain), I mustn’t grumble. I took the shot like strong medicine and… I think it’s working? Wonder if he’ll make it to the summer?? Wonder what he makes of Glasper??? Etc.
GREAT ETHICAL and HEALTHY FOOD in DEVON!
Exciting news! Neem’z Nosh, my occasional organic café, is looking very likely to ‘pop-up’ at the new Buckfastleigh Community Centre over the coming weekends -just finalizing details.
If you are in Devon, I had absolutely rave reviews last time, and would love to see you there. It’s an awesome new venue with a lovely welcoming vibe and a great café space where I’ll be providing hearty, locally sourced, vegan-friendly nourishment, all set to the greatest music in the known universe: my playlist.
For updates, you’ll need to sign up to the centre’s newsletter here, or follow them on Facebook or Insta.
‘My God that was incredible...’ ‘Best fry-up I've ever had...’ ‘The soup was amazing...’ Etc…
MEGALOPOLIS
I watched Coppola’s ‘Megalopolis’ (twice!) and enjoyed it greatly. I found the widespread criticisms baffling. It seemed people couldn’t handle some conventions being dabbled with and thought it should just be normal, for some reason. There are far weirder films out there. Actually, it’s fairly conventional as a narrative, just in an entertaining dreamy world where things don’t always happen as expected. Is that so difficult?? I loved exploring the world, and the excellent thespians clearly did too. What’s not to love?
More importantly, there’s a rare and sweet optimistic idealism at the heart of the film, summed up in these lines:
Is this society, is this way we're living, the only one that's available to us? And when we ask these questions, when there's a dialogue about them: that basically is a utopia.
We're in need of a great debate about the future. We want every person in the world to take part in that debate.
Sounds like inherent Sovereignty to me.
Very cool.
FORTHCOMING ‘EXTENDED PLAY’ RELEASE!
I am excitedly putting the finishing touches to a brand-new EP! It’s eclectic and kind of poppy, a’la my album ‘Superfruity’, but with better lyrics and twice as funky. Ha. I’m naming it after one of the tracks, ‘You Can Be An Anarchist Too’. Because,
It’s a catchy title, and
It’s True.
One of my many missions is to reclaim the word ANARCH…
(Just glanced down and Roger The Wasp was racing up my chest towards my neck! Back for more!?) In case you’re wondering, I can hardly put him out in the rain, can I?
Anyway. ANARCH = without ruler. Closely aligned with Sovereignty = above rule.
Both these terms encapsulate brilliantly and concisely the essence of the individual’s inherent state, and the conscious state of an enlightened being (otherwise known as a True grown up).
The ‘writing over’ of the TRUE etymological meaning of ANARCH with the OUTRAGEOUS SMEAR of chaos, disorder, etc. is AT AN END. I’m not having it. This word is too important and central to human freedom and the future of our kind. If you are ‘WITH RULER’ (an ‘archeist’? ‘Archic’?), you are, by definition, A SLAVE. Let’s not do that anymore - more on this below. You Can Be An Anarchist Too - the EP - will be hitting shelves, tickling eardrums, and cheering on our magnificent and infinitely valuable species before the next new moon - all being well.
EUROPA NATURAL LAW
Every Sunday evening, for over 20 weeks, I’ve been hosting a live Natural Law-focused roundtable discussion with a strong pool of insightful, knowledgeable and passionate regulars and a steady flow of new participants. In recent weeks, we’ve delved into Objective Truth, Morality, Property, Free Will and the disastrous problem of people following orders rather than conscience. We do our best to focus on what we consider the most pressing things that need to be widely understood in order for humanity to become enlightened and free.
The show has evolved organically from a private forum video chat started in May last year into a prerecorded and then a live broadcast. A lot of knowledge is being expounded through a variety of different perspectives on subjects which are seldom if ever discussed in any media. It’s great stuff.
Tomorrow (tonight?) we tackle what is arguable the functional opposite of anarchism: Statism - a word which many have never heard. It refers to the commonplace and completely groundless belief that the claim of State authority over the individual is a legitimate one. This represents a cornerstone of mental and thereby physical slavery. We will not and CAN NOT get free without peeling away these layers of delusion, ruthlessly and persistently.
Each week we remain laser focussed on the freedom of future humanity. I hope you’ll join us at 7pm GMT.
There is in fact a law, properly so called, which is right reason, which is in accordance with nature, which is diffused among all men, which calls to duty and forbids to sin.
~Cicero
Love
N