About this podcast
Hi, I’m James and this is my personal journal.
I have difficulty sometimes with words, so I wanted to keep a journal that wouldn’t involve them. Instead I try to communicate by improvising a piece of music every week.
Some call it ambient and post-rock. It has things in common with those, and others. Abstract and impressionist, it changes.
It’s me, recorded most often in a moment and not repeated, it contains all the happy accidents* that occur with this sort of thing. It often has a soothing effect and is meant to be listened to, but can work in the background.
Check out other things I do at strangetextures.com.
Episodes
The newest 20 of 157 episodes
- Bright in the fields · 1 h 1 min · Season 7 Episode 1I fully intend to not talk this season unless I have to. I might do some additional notes episodes, and I suppose I might need to make announcements, but I’d rather not. I’m…
- Additional Notes · 30 min · Season 7Additional notes - an explanation of what’s been happening, why it’s taken a while, and what might be coming next. Content warning - around 18 minutes in I talk a little bit…
- Halloween Special · 1 h 2 min · Season 7Back for a special before Season 7 starts! It’s been a while, and a while longer than I expected. But I think I’m back and heading into another season. Important News - I will…
- Additional Notes · 33 min · Season 6Very talky episode this time as I launch the new album: • Digital copies available on my faircamp site • CD and Vinyl copies are available through elasticStage • Album art…
- Album run-through - Side Two · 59 min · Season 6Time to talk about (and then play), each track in the second half of the album. The album is out now!
- Album run-through - Side One · 58 min · Season 6Now let’s try something more different for me. I’m going to talk about, and then play, each track on the new album. I didn’t want to overload anyone or make the episode too long…
- The Hanging Sky · 60 min · Season 6I thought I’d tell you the story of the Useless Tree as we get into what the new album is about.
- Nethermere (Bonus) · 58 min · Season 6I’m about to release a new album. For a change I thought I’d try talking about it a bit. I’m easing into it with this episode.
- Emulsion of Mabon · 1 h 15 min · Season 6Some news that I think warrants a bonus episode! • I’ve improved the website so you can now get news through email or RSS instead of having to listen to me • I have a track on…
- On, To Another Universe · 59 min · Season 6 Episode 20East Berlin 1961 This is just a blank postcard. The picture is Westminster Abbey. I don’t think I’ll be getting anymore of these, it feels like it’s time to go. Take care folks.
- Additional Notes · 23 min · Season 6Some behind the scenes notes, getting ready to wrap up Season 6, thoughts about social media, and some recommendations. Last episode comes out on Tuesday, and then there will be…
- Through An Ancient Stellar Structure · 1 h 3 min · Season 6 Episode 19Prague 1933 and 1973 If there were a way to abandon words completely, I would be tempted. Perhaps I’ve had a life already, or one still to come, as a mute monk. But it is not…
- And When You're Gone · 1 h 0 min · Season 6 Episode 18Toronto 1906 I met an interesting chap today. All uncomfortable urgency in movement. Ideas burst from him as a force. Like a conduit, desperate musician. They called all…
- Brushed By LIghts · 1 h 1 min · Season 6 Episode 17Paris 1923 Trust me. People come and go. Go mostly. Slip away and go their own separate way. You need to make the most of them while they’re here. Love costs. It takes effort…
- Respect Your Mistakes · 60 min · Season 6 Episode 16Freedonia 1933 It sounds very serious, all this, doesn’t it? There is room in it all for the silly, the fun, the joy. Maybe that should be the focus of my words from now on?…
- Infinite Perception · 1 h 4 min · Season 6 Episode 15Venice 1947 You might also say that my mask and I are equally real. Real and unreal, yin and yang, the mysterious way and the M25. Tribes, belonging, separation. Time and space…
- Badger's Retro Road Trip · 1 h 0 min · Season 6 Episode 14Kembleford 1953 I’ve heard that some people feel more free to be themselves while wearing a mask. I don’t because my mask is a form of controlled behaviour. Removing the mask is…
- Hot Ice · 1 h 2 min · Season 6 Episode 13Turks and Caicos 2014 I have often used my self to control others. Who I present as, how I hide parts and play parts and reflect others, reflect their objectives, ambitions, and…
- Safety Control · 1 h 5 min · Season 6 Episode 12Isle of Man 1999 Does control feel like safety to you? It’s been making me feel less and less safe over the years. The discharge of responsibility without the exercise of…
- Follow the Sausage · 1 h 0 min · Season 6 Episode 11New York State 1830 Sometimes I think the argument goes like this: “if I can’t quickly decide what category to put you in, how can I behave in an appropriate manner rapidly?…
