The Listening Club - 25th October 2026

Greetings folks,

Hope you're doing okay. Sheesh, end of October already? Time doth fly and all that. There's been planty of stuff flying around outside for sure as it's been consistently stormy and rainy all weekend, which has me feeling a little sorry for the several hundred thousand folks that have decended on the city for the glorified trade fair that is Amsterdam Dance Event, and who will be spending the weekend keeping Uber's surge pricing algorithms very busy indeed, to say the least.

Speaking of city fests, second reminder that I'm away in 2 Sunday's time at Le Guess Who? and am still looking for a helping hand to run things here in my absence, so if you can be that helping hand please let me know, thanks! 

Last Sunday we had @soundclamp in the chair, zoning out the assembled in a lovely way with their pick of "Of Psalms" by Date Palms from 2010. Thanks to Mr. S for the pick and for flipping the frisb over to @giflian, who has an extra week to ponder because... 

Yip, #vortex time, innit. And for once, a seasonal topic we haven't (quite) covered, a #SamhaimVortex, so let's look @saucer-wards, where a selection is calling...

...and lo, download's here, stream's below:

CLOCKS HAVE CHANGED FOR US! So we'll be seeing you 20:00 GMT from now until the end of March next year!

The Listening Club - 18th October 2026

Greetings folks,

Running a little late today, for no reason in particular, but you know how it is sometimes, eh? Let's get on...

Last Sunday we had @spiny in the chair, ratcheting up the mood with "An Age Of Chance" by Au-Turn which got the positive attention of the assembled for sure. Thanks to Mr S for the pick and for flipping the frisb over to @soundclamp, who's here with today's intro...

"We’re in our fourth or fifth summer right now, can you believe it? Everything’s fucken upside down and the crazy keeps ratcheting up. Therefore… I think it’s time for some Sunday coming down music. How’s about we blend some East and West. Toss in a little folkways, sprinkle in some kosmische. Let it simmer until it’s just mellow enough. Originally a duo, this was released in 2010 and is long out of print.

Drinking club? Tuck yourself in with a hot cider and get comfy."

Right then, download's here and the stream's below:

See you 20:00 BST (GMT+1) later today.

The Listening Club - 11th October 2026

 Howdy folks,

Hope you're doing good. Pretty soggy here in Amsterdam, as autumn takes a firm hold on the surroundings. Haven't had to turn the heating on yet though, but I think that day is not far off at all. Brr.

Speaking of the changing of the seasons and all that, advance notice that, as always, I'll be toddling off to Le Guess Who? in a few weeks, so will be looking for someone to run things here on Sunday 8th November; I will remind again, but let me know if you can help out, I'd be very grateful.

Last Sunday we had @nessiest in the chair, delivering a solid slice of Oceanic culture in the shape of Marlon Williams' "Te Whare Tīwekaweka" which went down rather well. Thanks to Ness for the pick and for flipping the frisb over to @spiny, who's here with today's intro...

"Good evening fellow listeners.

My pick for this week is from a new band formed by someone from an old band.

This is their most recent album, from last year, they have done a few more EPs since, which I tried to figure out a way to add, but it would have made it too long.

Anyway, I 'discovered' that this project existed while googling what the band members were up to these days, and found a few singles, which were fantastic, then nothing for ages. 

Bandcamp helpfully emailed me with news on this release, which I dutifully bought, and now present to you.

It's somewhat indie leaning, though bandcamp has it tagged 'folktronica',  and as the main member is the guitarist from the 'old band', they have roped in a few other vocalists to help out on a few of the tracks. 

I hope you all enjoy it as much as I do, but if not, thats OK too."

Right then, downdoad's here, stream's below:

Hope to see you on the ol' hashtag at 20:00 BST (GMT+1)

The Listening Club - 4th October 2026

Greetings folks,

Hope you're doing good. Another pretty warm and dry week in Amsterdam, as summer keeps eking out it's last moments to pleasureable effect. Therefore there's been time for customary end-of-season activities, an outdoor meal here and there, some gardening and some neighbourly stooping. All very pleasent indeed. Inside though, one of my server hard drives is playing up, which means scanning and replacing most likely. Glad I spotted the trouble before it spread to the backup. Reminder to keep your stuff backed up folks, it's worth it! 

Last Sunday was the last of the month, and by way of tribute to my own (and probably others') failing memory, a #ForgetfulnessVortex was agreed, which produced a fine and mostly cliche-free selection of tunes. Many thanks to everyone who remembered to chip in a tune or two, and to @akx for the fine mix work. Looking back to normal programming,we see @Nessiest holding the frisb and with this to say by way of introduction to today's pick...

"Some artists have a defined artistic voice, some continuously inhabit different characters in their creative journey. This artist is one of the latter and in this album made a bold move homewards and inwards. It’s a risky move by an international artist for reasons that will become apparent. 

Apparently they have struggled with writers block - this core artistic choice was apparently the way through. I’ve had this album on my le club shortlist a while now and hesitated partly for the reasons that will become apparent. I also hesitated because it’s a newish personal favourite that I have not fully figured out yet.

Personal picks are a risk in listening club, but it’s time. I think this is quality. Hope you enjoy and appreciate the experience. Drinking club? A hoppy IPA, a buttery chardonnay, or a good mug of gumboot black tea."

Right then. Download's here, stream's below:

See you 20:00 BST (GMT+1) later today, whilst we still can!