Improvements, Refill, and the mix for 5-20-22

The big news is that yesterday we got all new HVAC machinery in the house. Next week we get new windows. Then shortly after, the house gets new siding. According to the city inspector, who comes out to assess for property taxes, the last two comments on the property were “very well maintained but in need of updating”. I take that first part as a compliment.

Today is the last day of finals on campus. It has a distinctly weird vibe. People have stopped by the desk for awkward “see you next fall…?” convos that normally don’t happen. Everyone is shelled out and tired and dead-eyed.

It’s been a grief heavy week. I’ve had to remind myself that grieving is a non-linear process, that sometimes the only thing to do is sit still in the fog until it dissipates or thins enough for you to find you way again. It also means that sometimes all the emotional energy you have drains away, and that hollowness means you did the all the work you can do and you should go get something to refill your inner self again.

Well… I’ve got to get this wrapped up so I can close up the day. Next week I start my summer schedule, so the blog is on hiatus until roughly the middle of September. I’m sure if you email me I can arrange some music for you if needed. Anyway, I’m pulling for ya. We’re all in this together. Until we meet again…

“Big Switch to Stereo”, figure 1, p153 Popular Mechanics Sept 1958

Listen to and/or download this podcast! The Funkomaticjamatron Presents 5-13-22

NOTE: New “The Funkomaticjamatron Presents…” podcasts are generally posted on Fridays. The show archives are around ten shows deep. Beyond that, if the link isn’t active, the mix has been deleted to make way for new material.  Playlist in “Song – Artist – Album” order.

• A Summer Song – Chad Stewart & Jeremy Clyde – Billboard Top 100 Of The 1960s.
• Stay – Maurice Williams & The Zodiacs – Billboard Top 100 Of The 1960s.
• Don’t Get Around Much Any More – Sam Cooke – My Kind of Blues.
• Consider Me Gone – Sting – The Dream Of The Blue Turtles.
• Rhiannon – Fleetwood Mac – Billboard Top 100 Of The 1970s.
• Reach Out I’ll Be There – Four Tops – Billboard Top 100 Of The 1960s.
• Postcards From Paradise – Flesh For Lulu – Postcards From Paradise.
• I Advance Masked – Andy Summers & Robert Fripp – I Advance Masked.
• True Faith – New Order – Bright Lights Big City.
• The Other Side – Public Service Broadcasting – The Race For Space.
• Riders On The Storm – The Doors – Billboard Top 100 Of The 1970s.
• You And I Will Meet Again – Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers – Into The Great Wide Open.
• Take Care – Yo La Tengo – Summer Sun.

Orton Setlist, Old Tapes, and the mix for 5-13-22

This week is another installment of the Setlist Series. While I have seen Beth Orton in concert (Monday, July 24th, 2006, First Ave) this is not a recreation of that set. I tried over and over to build a mix this week, but could only find couplets and nubbins.

I’ve been thinking about the illusion of stasis. Everything is in motion all the time. We are on a rock spinning around a flaming ball in space that itself is spinning around a massive black hole. EVERYTHING is ALWAYS in motion, even if we can’t see it. This leads me to two modes. One is to either deny that change will happen so the thing I am doing goes on as long as it can, even past it being useful. The other is to be aware in the moment that this will end sooner than I would like and to be pre-sad about it. I didn’t say these were good ways to deal with it.

I’ve also been thinking about something I don’t have a title for. The idea that a system is working but you suspect it is about to fail. However, to disrupt that system for inspection is to ensure that system will need (often costly) maintenance. This is a reason people don’t go to doctors I suspect. You know something is wrong, but do you have the reserves to find out how bad it really is?

Listened to a “Radio Lab” on cassette tapes this week. In it, a producer of the show was listening to mix tapes people had made for him in ’86 and recalling the context, specifically the people, that had made them. I have every tape/cd anyone has ever made for me. I don’t know how many mixes I did for specific people, but I am sure it is in the scores. I wonder in the abstract how many of those survive, and who might still have one around in a box somewhere. It’s a strange thing to send bits of yourself off to others. It’s all in motion.

In lighter news, there were orioles at the feeder this morning. What a colorful, cheerful visitor.

Next week is likely to be the last before summer hiatus. Plan accordingly.

Infinite baffle speaker build illustration, p127 Mechanix Illustrated Sept 1954

Listen to and/or download this podcast! The Funkomaticjamatron Presents Setlist Series Beth Orton 5-13-22

NOTE: New “The Funkomaticjamatron Presents…” podcasts are generally posted on Fridays. The show archives are around ten shows deep. Beyond that, if the link isn’t active, the mix has been deleted to make way for new material.  Playlist in “Song – Artist – Album” order.

1. Stolen Car – Beth Orton – Central Reservation.
2. She Cries Your Name – Beth Orton – Trailer Park.
3. Heart Of Soul – Beth Orton – Comfort Of Strangers.
4. Moon – Beth Orton – Kidsticks.
5. Stars All Seem To Weep – Beth Orton – Central Reservation.
6. Magpie – Beth Orton – Sugaring Season.
7. Tangent – Beth Orton – Trailer Park.
8. Ted’s Waltz – Beth Orton – Daybreaker.
9. Galaxy of Emptiness – Beth Orton – Trailer Park (Bonus Version).
10. Shadow Of A Doubt – Beth Orton – Comfort Of Strangers.

(An unfocused mind on a Spring day) and the mix for 5-6-22

It is a bona fide Spring day outside! Low about 45F, high about 70F, ample sunshine. That being said, the temp is supposed to skyrocket into the 80sF in just a couple days. Instant summer. That has its own drawbacks. No, I don’t know how to enjoy the moment. It’s something I need to work on (adds it to the pile).

The academic year is winding down around here. Next week is the last week of classes. That means my summer schedule starts soon and with it comes the summer posting hiatus. There will be a couple more posts before the pause for sure so you can look forward to / sigh wistfully as is appropriate to your circumstances.

I was looking at the social calendar the other day and had the firm impression that much of the summer is already scheduled. I’m not sure this is factually true, but the feeling remains. After so much time not having social obligations in the world, this feels a little overwhelming. Will it be fine? All signs point to yes. Does this understanding of previous experiences lessen the kind of strange dread? Signs point to no.

I’m sure there is more to talk about, but I think instead of typing away I am going to go eat my lunch outside. I hope you are well. Please keep wearing your masks. Take care of yourself. Stop doom-scrolling. I think you are great.

Family phonograph build, speaker view, p125 Mechanix Illustrated, Sept 1954

Listen to and/or download this podcast! The Funkomaticjamatron Presents 5-6-22

NOTE: New “The Funkomaticjamatron Presents…” podcasts are generally posted on Fridays. The show archives are around ten shows deep. Beyond that, if the link isn’t active, the mix has been deleted to make way for new material.  Playlist in “Song – Artist – Album” order.

1. Who Am I (Animatrix Edit) – Peace Orchestra – Animatrix: The Album.
2. Confusion The Waitress – Underworld – Second Toughest In The Infants.
3. The Ways Of The Wind (UK 12″ Remix) – P.M. Dawn – The Ways Of The Wind (Single PRCD 6778-2).
4. I’ve Been Thinking About You (Chillside Remix) – Londonbeat & Traumton – Remixes EP.
5. Coming Home – Way Out West – Don’t Look Now.
6. Touch (Four Tet Remix) – Shura – Touch (single).
7. Seeing What’s Next (Kev Frey Remix) – Hollywood Principle & Kev Frey – Rocket League (OGS Vol 2).
8. Music Matters [ft Cass Fox] (Mark Knight Remix) – Faithless – Toolroom Ten.
9. Feeling Weird – The Infinity Project – A Voyage Into Trance.
10. The Vapor Trail Conspiracy – The Crystal Method – unreleased.

Busy, Continuations, and the mix for 4-29-22

This is the busiest week of the term for me. That being said, it is busier than usual. There are strange compressions and unusual waves that are happening at work due to the prolonged nature of the pandemic. As for me, I could really use some time outside and away from screens, some physical (and metaphysical) sunshine.

In doing some routine maintenance it dawned on me that this space is already 9 years old. I really do stick with something once I hit a groove, don’t I.

Is there more to say? Maybe. Probably. Who knows. It’s taken me 90 minutes to get this far so I think for everyone’s sake I’m going to call it ‘good enough’ and go get some lunch.

Stereo coffee table construction plans, p93 Mechanix Illustrated, Jan 1965

Listen to and/or download this podcast! The Funkomaticjamatron Presents 4-29-22

NOTE: New “The Funkomaticjamatron Presents…” podcasts are generally posted on Fridays. The show archives are around ten shows deep. Beyond that, if the link isn’t active, the mix has been deleted to make way for new material.  Playlist in “Song – Artist – Album” order.

1. Anonymous Club – Courtney Barnett – The Double EP: A Sea of Split Peas.
2. Hard to Find – The American Analog Set – Promise of Love.
3. The Mystery Zone – Spoon – Transference.
4. Take Me to the River – Talking Heads – The Best of Talking Heads.
5. Los Ageless – St. Vincent – MASSEDUCTION.
6. Strangeness and Charm – Florence + The Machine – Ceremonials (Deluxe Version).
7. Don’t Tell Anyone – Pornonono – Yes EP.
8. Some Children – Holy Ghost! – Holy Ghost!
9. Suburban Love – Japan – Adolescent Sex.
10. Crystal – New Order – Get Ready.
11. Doom and Gloom – The Rolling Stones – GRRR!
12. To Live and Die in L.A. – Wang Chung – To Live and Die in L.A.

Time, 16k, and the mix for 4-22-22

The weather here in Minnesota continues to disappoint. I’m sure what will happen now is we will go from protracted winter straight into summer. This cuts out my favorite season and it stings.

I was recently reminded of the flaws in thinking when one invokes ‘the good old days’. I’m sure it was something I saw on twitter (which I am trying to be on less these days) and is a position I came to on my own years ago, but it was a good reminder. The old days weren’t that good. The draw of dwelling in The Past is that it is settled and secure. Looking forward is hard and unsettling. I am prone to spending a lot of time in the past when I’m in my head, which is a lot.

Related, I have taken to just saying the following outright when people ask me about things: “Change is hard and bad and makes me grumpy. That is my automatic starting point but I will work to move on from that position”. It helps move conversations forward.

At Easter I got a drive from my Dad that contains 16k family pictures. They are mainly scans of his slide collection ranging from about 1970 to 2000. I haven’t had the time to sit down and look at all the files, but clicking around has revealed some real treasure. I will say that while there have been some immediate and literal “LOL”s, it is a staggering amount of emotional real estate to cover. Many people I had forgotten, more who are gone. The biggest surprise is how often I dwell on wall paper. Its a detail that brings so much rushing back at once. Maybe if you are lucky I’ll share a picture from my skateboarding phase. So a big thanks to my Dad for doing that work. I know it was a massive undertaking. It is wildly appreciated.

Family phonograph build diagram, p122 Mechanix Illustrated, Sept 1954

Listen to and/or download this podcast! The Funkomaticjamatron Presents 4-22-22

NOTE: New “The Funkomaticjamatron Presents…” podcasts are generally posted on Fridays. The show archives are around ten shows deep. Beyond that, if the link isn’t active, the mix has been deleted to make way for new material.  Playlist in “Song – Artist – Album” order.

1. Funk Boutique – The Cover Girls – Techno Dance Classics Volume 2.
2. World Wide Funk – Expansion Union – World Wide Funk.
3. What’s the Name of This Funk (Spider Man) – Ramsey Lewis – Don’t It Feel Good.
4. Give Up The Funk (Tear The Roof Off The Sucker) – Parliament – The Best Of Parliament.
5. Rockhard In A Funky Place – Prince – The Black Album.
6. Uptown Funk (ft Bruno Mars) – Mark Ronson – Uptown Funk (single).
7. Funk 4 Peace – Fort Knox Five – Ten Years of Fort Knox Five.
8. Straight Up Funk – Five – When The Lights Go Out [Single].
9. Play That Funky Music – Wild Cherry – Wild Cherry.
10. Funkytown – Lipps, Inc – Mouth to Mouth.
11. Funk Bomb (Instrumental) – Alfred “Pee Wee” Ellis & The James Brown Orchestra – Motherlode.
12. Cherry-Coloured Funk – Cocteau Twins – Otherness [EP].