Simon Collison

Autechre, Space Afrika, MDX / Magazine, London. I'm still trying to make sense of this experience. colly.com/journal/aute...

I’m playing at The Grove in Nottingham next month, supporting Foule, with Oiseaux also on the bill—Thursday 26th November. Doors 7pm. There will be new songs. www.gigantic.com/foule-ticket...

Just received a copy of @scottboms.bsky.social's Lost Memories zine. Returning the gesture with a found memory in my post: colly.com/journal/lost...

Celebrated my 53rd (!) birthday appreciating simple pleasures on Longstone Edge. Check out those stunning birthday bentos made by @gericoady.bsky.social. colly.com/journal/fift...

Posted lots of pics (all edited with @aphera.co) from a recent trip across the South Downs to Goodwood Art Foundation, Chichester, Bognor Regis and Pagham Harbour. colly.com/journal/acro...

This is a good thread from Dan. I’m also collecting music that is, or feels, Tarkovsky in this Apple Music playlist. music.apple.com/gb/playlist/...

I get a blank look every time I mention Andrei Tarkovsky to someone, so maybe one of you will reply and tell me how much you love his films. colly.com/journal/tark...

In 2018, I spoke to tech crowds about an “Internet of natural things” and the desire to connect with nature—there was little interest, I was even mocked, and it was healthier to move on. But here we are, young people using phones to enjoy Blue Tits and bird calls. www.theguardian.com/environment/...

A few people asked, so… Yep, something new is coming next year. An album of personal stories, set within landscapes shaped by politics, society, memory and loss. Some songs are done; others need a little longer. I’m not rushing, because this project means more to me than anything I’ve ever made.

Hello! Long time no post. 🌸 Here's some new work from my residency at the Mokuhanga School in Karuizawa, Japan. This woodblock print features the sumo referee's 'gunbai' fan combined with peonies, my favourite flower. Signed limited edition of 10. www.geridrawsjapan.com/art-prints-m...

Aphera 1.0 is live! 🎉 Download and trial free (no CC required), or grab it now at launch pricing for 50% off for the next two weeks only. We built Aphera to work with your images intentionally, without overwhelming, and to get your creative flow back. This is just the start! aphera.co

Paid my respects to the Major Oak today, in the kind of weather that’s hastened its demise. I expected to feel sad, but something about its exposed knottiness seemed even more majestic. (For context, here's something I wrote last month: colly.com/journal/the-... )

Digging the secret SILO site that’s just appeared (signposted from a weird YT video). A reminder of how fun the web can be at building mystery around other media. Last time I fell into something like this was the site that helped make sense of German time travel show Dark. howdidwelosethisworld.com

Paris and Épernay photo dump. Low-effort pics, but @aphera.co has transformed many. I tried the beta months ago but stalled as it was RAW-focused and I'm no pro; now it supports JPG, so I jumped back in and found my flow immediately. A joy to use, will be indispensable. colly.com/journal/pari...

As predicted, our tree has died after 1,000 years. Old age, yes, but too many hot, dry summers accelerated its demise, despite huge efforts by many good people. As a kid in the 70s/80s, that direct link to Robin Hood was so exciting. I always loved it. www.theguardian.com/environment/...

colly.com/journal/kraf...

Just a reminder: The Guardian entered a strategic partnership with OpenAI a little while back, so any time you see an article like this from them, you can immediately dismiss it as not credible journalism but just Sam Altman getting his money’s worth.

Ranging from minor noises and moving objects, to physical harm and even (in the worst cases) possession, investigators have identified seven stages of poltergeist escalation. I've finally finished a new illustration for the Supernatural Detective's Field Guide 😅

Here we go…

New work: @gericoady.bsky.social and I were asked to design, illustrate and build a site to introduce HappyHQ. It’s an AI service, but I’d highlight their desire to build a web experience through research, iteration, craft, care. We hope it feels like something from the web’s best days. happyhq.com

Back from a week working and walking on the edge of Saddleworth. Nothing restores my positivity quite like spending time on the Pennine moors. colly.com/journal/a-we...

Chills, but especially from 1:40... www.youtube.com/watch?v=6bgh...

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

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...