happy new year my friends - let us look forwards with open hearts and clear heads

this occasional society update

it’s been a quite one in the pod. there’s been a fair bit of experimentation but nothing has particularly ‘stuck’ by way of tunes. there’s plenty to look forward to in 2026, but, all in good time.

This month’s music sketch here if you want to check it out.

the next newsletter will be with you 2.2. as ever, if you want anything included in the ‘updates from friends of the society’ section, just let us know.

updates from friends of the society

there are no favourites in the updates, but the launch of The Indie Beat Television in the few days since Xmas has been very special. What a great outlet for independent music and creativity. If you have Roku on your TV, you can also watch via Owncast.

Sine Waves on Sunday show on 4 Jan is a Daphne Oram special, marking 100 years since her birth.

Veryan has been focusing on her wonderful collaboration with Pink Logic recently, but has found time to release a beautiful solo ep Broken Mirrors, just before Xmas.

Even more recently, Gribbles has sneaked out a beautiful tune just a few hours ago (as I type this), the Bertrand Russell quoting Love is Wise.

Also delighted to hear some new dubby goodness from inpc, splonk is as splendid as it’s name suggests.

Closer to home, some time t.o.s’er (ah wait, that’s not good…) singer/songwriter Dan O’Farrell (& The Difference Engine) is finally launching his long awaited fourth album ‘The Fish That Learned To Drown’ on 20 Jan and playing an album launch party at Heartbreakers Southampton on 24 Jan.

Finally, I’ve loved Jo Johnson’s releases this year so it was great to see a final release of the year from her. Flow and Fracture ebbs and oscillates with the same ease as her other releases.

aob - things that have replenished our creative wellspring recently

I’m enjoying digging into This Year : 365 Songs Annotated by John Darnielle.

And, back with Daphne Oram, this episode of 20th Century Radicals about her was an absolute trip and is well worth a listen.