Ian Arkley’s second solo album two is compellingly converse. Frequently touching on fiercely hunting, it equally remains subtle throughout. two picks up where one left of with bells on thanks to the addition of a dulcimer, lyre and pitched down acoustic guitar for bass. Mastering and layout are by Michael Shaffer of label Opa Loka Records, on which two is released; beyond that, Ian is responsible for all aspects including photographs and artwork. Continue reading
Author: N. P. Ryan
Shorts
A collection of twelve short poems never more than thirty-six words long. From subjects such as friends, middle-age, still being cool despite the former, lies, food, family, cats, being rude, tradition and more!
With thanks to EVJF GREG for use of the image. Continue reading
Dog’s Life
Poetry without comment beyond thanks to Hannah Lim for use of the image. Continue reading
Down and out to sea
Rich Brown wanted to draw a line under what was intended as a lockdown project, and having had enquiries about them, decided a CD—his first physical release—would do exactly that.
Revisiting old songs with a tweak here and there, plus adding three completely new, Down and out to sea contains ten tracks, all of which were recorded, mixed and mastered in Rich’s own home studio; a place that started as a duvet fort and has become something producing sound that one would be hard pressed to realise hadn’t been recorded in a real studio with all the engineering and mastering that goes with it.
Backways Sam
A short story in poetic form about my good friend Backways Sam.
With thanks to Ricardo Esquivel for use of the image (original can be seen in link).
The Worm that Turned
There was once a very popular chain in the UK famous for its Pick and Mix sweet/candy selection. Whether if was famed around the world for it—it wasn’t in origin a UK company—I don’t know. What I do know: this is one of the pest control stories that people hate hearing most.
I’d been paged a message to get a particular branch with bells on. Continue reading
Dark Side of the Lawn
I love the smell of freshly cut grass in the summer. Do you cut yours in a straight line or with a twist like this?
With thanks to Marcel L. for use of the image. Continue reading
That was indeed I
Poetry without comment beyond thanks to Sincerely Media for use of the header image.
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Face It
Poetry on a subject as divisive as Marmite: feet.
With thanks to Toa Heftiba for use of the image. Continue reading
Three Covers One Band
Clue One. The three bands covered: The Paragons/The Nerves/Randy and the Rainbows.
Clue Two. My experiences of seeing them live: in 1982, when I was still at school, my mum—who I get my thing for music from—got us tickets to see this band, only for them to spilt up on the tour before playing the gig. They were my top band at the time; I was totally gutted.
In 1991, I was going to spend a weekend at the Hells Angels’ Kent Custom Bike Show. It turned out that on the same Saturday night, the lead singer of the band was appearing as a solo artist at Wembley, London, on a bill that included the likes of INXS, Jesus Jones and the Hothouse Flowers. Continue reading
N. P. Ryan 