Getting a Philip Rees V3 MIDI thru unit

Philip Rees V3
Philip Rees V3

I used to have one of these ages ago and it was incredibly useful. But sadly I got rid of it. Why? Good question, I’m not even sure now. But I needed a new one even though I had the V4 as well. The big difference with the V3 is that it has its own power from a little PP3 (9v) battery inside. That means that it can power devices that draw vampiric MIDI power, such as the two MIDI vampires I’ve got.

All in all a very useful device indeed.

A quick reminder for the SoundLab Play Space coming up soon this month

I’ve posted on this before, but here’s a little reminder. This event will be completely amazing, or at least I hope so anyway. It’s starting to shape up now and really come together. So I plan to be posting a few more details about the event quite soon and show some of the things I’m going to do be doing and showing there, and some of the amazing people who’ll be there.

If you’re interested in attending or being a part of it in some way, then take a look at this page on the SoundLab web site.

Listening to Laurie Anderson’s “Heart of a Dog”

Laurie Anderson Heart of a Dog
Laurie Anderson Heart of a Dog

So just a few first impressions really, after only listening through once.

Firstly, I loved it. It was very story focused. It was funny, and sad, and poignant, and beautiful. I really enjoyed listening to it a lot.

So I’m expecting to really enjoy it on all the subsequent listens too.

Listening to David Sylvian’s music … Manafon

David Sylvian, Manafon
David Sylvian, Manafon

Another problematic album to listen to, but it’s actually very good when you give it a chance and listen to it with focus and care it is well worth it. There’s a huge amount of depth and beauty in these songs. There’s always something new to find in each one, but it does require patience and that’s not always easy. Neither are these pieces, but just because they’re not easy does not mean that they’re not good. They are.

Reminder: SoundLab Play Space is coming up

SoundLab Play Space Leaflet, Cover
SoundLab Play Space Leaflet, Cover
SoundLab Play Space Leaflet, Inside
SoundLab Play Space Leaflet, Inside
SoundLab Play Space Leaflet, Back
SoundLab Play Space Leaflet, Back

I’ve posted on this before, but here’s a little reminder. The event will be completely amazing, or at least I hope so anyway. It’s starting to shape up now and really come together.

If you’re interested in attending or being a part of it in some way, then take a look at this page on the SoundLab web site.

Listening to Blemish again

Blemish cover
Blemish cover

This is a difficult album. Not an easy listen at all. I remember when it first came out, it left a lot of people cold, and I think that back then I wasn’t sure what to make of it either.

Now I find that I actually quite like it. Even the contributions from Derek Bailey, which were very difficult listening. I like the album now. But it does require a more concentrated form of listening. Something more focused. It isn’t the kind of listening that I can do casually.

But I think it’s an album that’s worth listening to every now and then.

So I went to the Abbey Road Red launch, and it was pretty nice actually

Abbey Road Red Launch Event
Abbey Road Red Launch Event

So, last night I was at the launch of Abbey Road Red, a new music tech incubator at the iconic studios. It was a lovely event with some really nice tech companies showing off what they had to offer. Matthew Herbert performed and it was all pretty awesome overall.

To be honest I’m glad to be invited to these kinds of things. It’s nice to be a part of it.