Nostr notes by NHAM

Did somebody say community-led music discovery? We continue to ...

2025-08-30T06:04:39Z

In reply to nevent1q…y8pu
_________________________

Did somebody say community-led music discovery? We continue to publish new releases from indy artists in the Fedi, with over 400 releases promoted since we launched seven months ago: https://nham.co.uk/ 👀

And listening to NHAM radio is also a great way to discover new music: https://nham.co.uk/listen/ 🎧

Also check out our cheat sheet for finding new music in the #Fediverse: https://nham.co.uk/2025/06/how-do-i-connect-with-artists-on-the-fediverse-cheat-sheet/ 📋

#music #MusicDiscovery #FediMusic

[[Read in full on ...

2025-07-22T20:29:04Z

[[Read in full on NHAM]](https://nham.co.uk/2025/07/apophonia-by-roberta-fidora/ )##

Apophonia by Roberta Fidora####

Review by Ash Noodle (npub1vte…qyed)

[Apophonia](https://robertafidora.com/album/2539208/apophonia ) is a 5 track EP released by Roberta Fidora back in 2023. It’s full of catchy synthpop, and songs with a wistful, melancholic, self-aware, left of centre, humorous touch. All the tracks have a cohesive feel, but with a slightly different take on each.

[Shoreliner](https://mirlo.space/robertafidora/release/apophonia/tracks/584 ) could almost be a darkwave remix of a 1980s goth pop rock song, and [Biarritz](https://mirlo.space/robertafidora/release/apophonia/tracks/586 ) drives along with a solid bass sequence and synth string melodies.

All the tracks feel almost like torch songs. I’d love to be in a club and hear danceable tracks such as Biarritz, [Is It Too Late For Fan Clubs?](https://mirlo.space/robertafidora/release/apophonia/tracks/585 ), and Shoreliner popping out of the speakers.

Roberta’s vocals soar in places, and this works especially well in the melancholic minimal atmospheric ballad of [You Live Alone](https://mirlo.space/robertafidora/release/apophonia/tracks/583 ).

As well as the songs themselves there are a couple of great videos for Biarritz (below), and [Is It Too Late For Fan Clubs?](https://tv.gravitons.org/w/t8KHr8ghJPtEy8NWe4XYWx ) featuring a quirky, surreal humour …and puppets. You can find all of her videos over [on her Gravitons Peertube channel](https://tv.gravitons.org/a/ursinewave/videos ).

Roberta asks, “I’m [playing my tiny violin](https://mirlo.space/robertafidora/release/apophonia/tracks/587 ). Will you listen? Will you listen?” Yes, I will! In fact I’ve got this EP on repeat. Such a great set of tracks.

You can [find Apophonia on Roberta’s site](https://robertafidora.com/album/2539208/apophonia ).

And you can [follow Roberta on Mastodon](https://mastodon.social/@RobertaFidora ) (Roberta Fidora (npub1tk7…6cq3)).

#review

Now that @npub1tk7…6cq3 has ported her video archive from ...

2025-07-19T06:57:41Z

Now that Roberta Fidora (npub1tk7…6cq3) has ported her video archive from Youtube to Peertube we have three new-to-NHAM CURXES* videos under the [’Pop’ tag of NHAMtv’s music videos section](https://nham.co.uk/video-tag/pop/ ). 🤩

**CURXES was Roberta’s previous moniker until 2018.*

You can follow any of Roberta’s specific Peertube channels (Roberta Fidora (npub1css…p9wk), Roberta's Short Shorts (npub1pwv…th9c), NeighbourhoodTV (npub1qej…9htp) and CURXES (npub14w7…wg3f)), or simply follow her label’s Peertube account (ursinewave (npub17ct…s0l7)) to receive updates from all of them.

#FediMusic #MusicVideos #Peertube

[[Read in full on ...

2025-07-01T09:45:53Z

[[Read in full on NHAM]](https://nham.co.uk/2025/07/are-you-ready-for-radio-free-fedi-fest/ )##

Are You Ready for Radio Free Fedi FEST?!July is here! And with it comes a month long artists’ streaming series brought to you by radio free fedi (npub1568…d5ss).

At the time of writing 20 shows have been confirmed and it all kicks off tonight with the wonderful Shannon Curtis (npub1jvh…3fyt) playing a special 90 minute show fresh off their 80’s Kids tour.

Every event will be streamed live at [party.radiofreefedi.net](https://party.radiofreefedi.net/ ) and the set times for all of the acts can be found on the same page.

Tomorrow (2nd July) we’ll be streaming a special live NHAM mixtape show, showcasing some of the acts performing throughout the extravaganza, and answering your questions live on stream.

The hangouts at these live streamed events are going to be epic and you can join in however best suits you: whether just quietly enjoying the music or actively mingling along in the live chat, firing off those dazzling Owncast (npub1fqx…5mj3) emojis.

#Fediwave #LiveMusic #LiveStream #radio #RadioFreeFedi #RFFF25

[[Read in full on ...

2025-06-01T07:59:00Z

[[Read in full on NHAM]](https://nham.co.uk/2025/06/next-level-happy-anniversaire-martin-nham-mixtape-12/ )##

Next-level Happy Anniversaire, Martin – NHAM Mixtape 12One of my dearest friends and one of the big sources of musical inspiration to me from a very young age has a special birthday on June 1st so I’m dedicating this mixtape to him.

He was a drummer and songwriter in a band my dad managed when I was a wee boy. After that he formed a new band who had brief britpop stardom with an appearance on The Big Breakfast and quite a following in Japan. Then at the turn of the century he formed a trip-hop outfit who managed to win what was dubbed during the Napster age as the first ever internet Oscars, beating Eminem to an mp3.com streaming number one single and subsequently being flown by helicopter to The Playboy Mansion to collect the Best Music Award. 🤷‍♂️😵

Martin and I have had some great experiences together, not just in music but in football, cricket and life too, so this mixtape is dedicated to you, Martin. And hey you’re never too old to join us in the Fediverse! -The music scene in here is BUZZING and the community is a joyous thing.

As always there is also a radio show version of this mixtape with me chatting between the tracks. That can be [found on Audio Interface](https://www.audiointerface.org/shows/nham-mixtapes/ ) (Audio Interface (npub1g26…p4sl)) from the first Monday of the month as well as occasionally featuring in [NHAM Radio](https://nham.co.uk/listen )‘s Mixtape Monday slot.

[If viewing from the Fediverse you need to [click here to listen to the mixtape on NHAM](https://nham.co.uk/2025/06/next-level-happy-anniversaire-martin-nham-mixtape-12/ )]

1. [Ctrl Alt Del](https://label.nham.co.uk/martin/speed-of-life-part2/ ) by Silverman
All Rights Reserved
The opening track from the third Silverman album, ‘Speed of Life (part 2)’ released in 2002.

2. [Lampadaires](https://knobil.bandcamp.com/ ) by Knobil
All Rights Reserved
Knobil aka Louise Knobil is a double bassist, singer and composer who blends jazz, punk, glitter and French chanson with sparkling, audacious energy. Those of you familiar with the surroundings in the Fedi music scene will surely have come across the wonderfully talented sknob (npub1ke5…4add). Well Louise is his niece. Talent and creativity obviously run in the family. Great video too:

3. [Information Array](https://mirlo.space/robertafidora/release/information-array ) by [Roberta Fidora](https://mastodon.social/@RobertaFidora )
All Rights Reserved
Roberta Fidora (npub1tk7…6cq3)
If you haven’t yet seen the INCREDIBLE animated video for Roberta’s latest single, ‘Here Come The Lucky Ones’ you can [find it on NHAMtv](https://nham.co.uk/watch ). The video for ‘Information Array’ (also brilliant) is in there too. This track is one of my absolute faves.

4. [Assfuck the Boss](https://faircamp.meljoann.com/hr/ ) by [Meljoann](https://topspicy.social/@meljoann/ )
All Rights Reserved
Meljoann (npub1nuu…gjr3)
There’s something of an Alex Cameron vibe to Meljoann’s work. Not necessarily in the actual sound but certainly in the tone. Assfuck the Boss is no exception.

5. [HDYK](https://jam.coop/artists/liotia/albums/let-down-ep ) by [Liotia](https://go.mxtthxw.art/@inpc )
All Rights Reserved
inpc (npub12h7…85xc)
And so to the man I share many a morning with in the Fedi. Matthew Smyth [plays records from his shed every weekday morning between 8am and 9am UK time](https://stream.mxtthxw.art/ ) – That’s 5pm in Pyonyang as I’m sure Matt would like me to point out! He streams [The Kali Mera Show](https://stream.mxtthxw.art/ ) playing records from his collection and chatting via [Owncast](https://nham.co.uk/2025/05/lorenzos-music-podcast-fedi-specials-7-gabe-kangas/ ) where a bunch of us just hang out with him and his cat George as we begin our day. It’s great and you should definitely pop by and join us when you can. Liotia is one of Matt’s music projects alongside Abigail Hubbard.

6. [Flames](https://submarinebroadcastingco.bandcamp.com/track/flames ) by [Schall und Stille](https://sonomu.club/@stephan )
All Rights Reserved
Schall und Stille (npub1h24…64cc)
Susanne Balg is on vocals on this gorgeous song by Stephan Kleinert’s Schall und Stille. It was recorded on an island in the North Sea as part of a 4-track EP called ‘Biike’ about the tradition of the same name, which is the burning of large bonfires to bid farewell to winter.

7. [Fear the Summers](https://crocutaband.org/fearthesummers/ ) by [Crocuta](https://social.tchncs.de/@crocuta )
All Rights Reserved
Crocuta (npub1wd6…q20n)
From bidding farewell to winter to fearing the summer by German grunge pop duo Crocuta. They nail the vibe of sweltering urban heat in this track.

8. [Cruel](https://alastairleonard.bandcamp.com/track/cruel ) by [Alastair Leonard](https://aus.social/@javantigers )
All Rights Reserved
Alastair Leonard (npub1et5…hxvc)
Beautiful. From a double A side released earlier this year by the songwriter living in Western Australia.

9. [Eternal Return](https://socool.bandcamp.com/album/eternal-return ) by [socool](https://ravenation.club/@socool )
All Rights Reserved
socool (npub1l2e…9u6w)
This one takes me back 20 odd years to when I was listening to The Album Leaf a fair bit. As ever it’s a masterfully put-together piece of music by Emily from Vancouver aka socool.

10. [Hunaja](https://lehto.bandcamp.com/track/hunaja ) by [Lehto](https://mastodon.social/@lehto )
All Rights Reserved
𝗟𝗲𝗵𝘁𝗼✨ (npub1hvr…4qpa)
A sublime blend of funk, breaks and trance in Hunaja, which is Finnish for honey. It comes from the album, ‘Sisu’, released this year.

11. [My Heart Tin](https://secretde.al/my-heart-tin/ ) by [Secret Deal](https://climatejustice.social/@ethicalrevolution )
CC BY-NC-SA 4.0
My apologies that I cannot mix or master but this one’s written especially for your birthday, Martin – in collaboration with my band mate Stefan Bohacek (npub1kqc…7wgd) who masterfully composed the music. Cheers you!

12. [Time is a Blade](https://label.nham.co.uk/martin/archangel/ ) by Silverman
All Rights Reserved
The track from the end of the last millennium that topped the mp3.com streaming charts and earned Martin a music industry Best Music Award. A video performance of the song is below. [I’ve posted a little collection](https://label.nham.co.uk/martin/ ) of some of the tracks from the four bands (well three plus a name-change) Martin was in during my formative years. Those bands were the aforementioned [Silverman](https://label.nham.co.uk/martin/silverman/ ) (1998-2002 + 2016), [Nilon Bombers](https://label.nham.co.uk/martin/nilon-bombers/ ) (mid-late 1990s), [The Kissingers](https://label.nham.co.uk/martin/the-kissingers/ ) (early 1990s) and [Frame by Frame](https://label.nham.co.uk/martin/frame-by-frame/ ) (most of the 1980s and in to the 1990s).

#FediMusic #Hot #mixtape #music #NHAM #NHAMmixtapes #playlist

[[Read in full on ...

2025-05-27T20:02:00Z

[[Read in full on NHAM]](https://nham.co.uk/2025/05/road-with-no-name/ )##

Road With No Name*Serialising the album Pretentious Incongruity by Key 13 (keef (npub1akg…8c0s))*

Pretentious Incongruity: 2020-2024 is a retrospective compilation [looking back at some key milestones](https://blog.key13.uk/pretentious-incongruity-a-key-13-retrospective ) in the first five years of Key 13 as a recording identity.##

Track 18> This collection always had to close with this. Created barely 6 months after I bought my nanoKEY2, it was the first track I created that sounded (if you squint a bit) like it might have been made with real instruments. It’s highly self-indulgent and far too long, but I’m actually quite pleased with this new mix, and as we started the album in 7/8 time, it makes sense to end in 7/8 as well.

> Why did I use a virtual acoustic double bass instead of an electric bass? I have no idea – and it’s just a Logic Pro preset rather than any sophisticated emulation. But I think it works? This track was recorded before I had discovered Ample Sound’s amazing virtual guitars, so it uses an Applied Acoustics Systems (AAS) plugin called Strum GS-2. This uses physical modelling of sound rather than samples, and it’s just not quite as convincing, falling in some not-quite-guitar uncanny valley – but it sounded great to me at the time.

> The original version fades, but when I opened up the project I realised it did actually have an ending, so I kept it this time. I also slowed it down slightly and drastically reduced the mellotron flute sound which was overwhelming before.

> The road in the title, and as pictured in the cover photo, genuinely appears to have no name. We used to walk down it quite a lot during Lockdown as it was quiet and a convenient route to get to more green spaces.

> **Influences**> : > *Caravan*> , > *Camel*– <a rel="nofollow external noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" href="https://blog.key13.uk/pretentious-incongruity-track-notes">From Key13’s Pretentious Incongruity: Track Notes</a>##

Listen##

Support Key 13<li><a rel="nofollow external noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" href="https://mirlo.space/key13/release/pretentious-incongruity">Buy the album</a></li><li><a rel="nofollow external noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" href="https://mastodon.online/@keefmarshall">Follow Key 13</a></li>#PretentiousIncongruity #serialisation

[[Read in full on ...

2025-05-23T09:04:31Z

[[Read in full on NHAM]](https://nham.co.uk/2025/05/lorenzos-music-podcast-fedi-specials-7-gabe-kangas/ )##

Lorenzo’s Music Podcast Fedi Specials: No.7 Gabe Kangas

[](https://www.lorenzosmusic.com/ )Tom from Lorenzo’s Music (Lorenzo's Music (npub10u0…x5et)) meets Gabe Kangas (Gabe Kangas (npub12ct…wxsf)), the maintainer and primary developer of Owncast, free and open-source live video streaming software. Gabe shares the inspiration behind Owncast, which emerged during the pandemic as a response to the challenges musicians faced with mainstream streaming platforms. They explore how Owncast allows users to host their own live streams without relying on big tech companies, offering a self-hosted alternative for artists and creators.

Gabe discusses the technical aspects of setting up Owncast, including server requirements and the cost-effectiveness of hosting your own streams. They talk about the user experience, including how to integrate chat features.

For more information on Owncast and to check out the directory of streams, visit [owncast.online](https://owncast.online/ )

You can also learn more about Gabe’s work at [gabekangas.com](https://gabekangas.com/ )

—

Lorenzo’s Music Website – [https://www.lorenzosmusic.com](https://www.lorenzosmusic.com/ )

#owncast #podcast #streaming

[[Read in full on NHAM]](https://nham.co.uk/2025/04/positive/ )## ...

2025-04-30T20:02:00Z

[[Read in full on NHAM]](https://nham.co.uk/2025/04/positive/ )##

Positive*Serialising the album Status by Meljoann (npub1nuu…gjr3)*:##

Track 14> “I wanted to create the aural equivalent of a comforting, warm, sincere hug. A feedback loop of love, regulating our nervous systems.

> The chorus actually came from a dream. I dreamt I was on the top deck of a bus, and two teenagers were watching a music video on their phones. Their faces looked soothed and happy, and I got a strong urge to make this track. It’s such a difficult world. I would love my tunes to provide relief for others. Other people’s art helps me feel less alone; I hope I can do this for you.” – <a rel="nofollow external noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" href="https://thethinair.net/2025/03/track-by-track-meljoann-status/">Quote by Meljoann in an article for The Thin Air</a>##

Listen##

Support Meljoann<li><a rel="nofollow external noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" href="https://faircamp.meljoann.com/status/14/">Buy the song</a></li><li><a rel="nofollow external noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" href="https://faircamp.meljoann.com/status/">Buy the album</a></li><li><a rel="nofollow external noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" href="https://mustics.com/">Subscribe to Mustics</a> (Essentially Meljoann’s fan club!)</li><li><a rel="nofollow external noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" href="https://topspicy.social/@meljoann">Follow Meljoann </a></li>##

LyricsRelax I am bi-positive
24 hours to witness
S’when I get soft to the top of this
24 hours protected

flex it now, slow it down
cause it’s alright to feel down
I wanna knead your dough
a body’s warm afterglow
perfect sound, ease it up
so you can feel enough now
let’s get you breathing slow
swoon to a soothing repose

Relax I am bi-positive
24 hours to get this
S’when I get soft to the top of this
24 hours protected

Relax I am bi-positive
Not gonna get rejected
S’when I get swing soft to the beat of this
24 hours protected

capsule, a gentle feed
it output soft and sweet
cause you are not alone
I wanna make you a home
soul relief, back it up
we’re gonna print enough seed
I wanna soothe our need
spin up a place to feel free

hyper-fluidic.
(chromosome lickin’.)
quantum harmonic.
(spectrophotremic crushin’)
super-somatic.
(chromatin-wankin’)
supercoiled and cytoplasmic

Relax I am bi-positive
24 hours to get this
S’when I get soft to the top of this
24 hours protected

Relax I am bi-positive
Covenin’ in the collective
S’when I get soft to the tip of this
24 hours protected

bi means two that’s me and you
bi means two that’s me and you
pan means all that’s me and y’all
pan means all that’s me and y’all

it’s hard out there
it’s soft in here
it’s hard in here
it’s soft in here

#serialisation

[[Read in full on NHAM]](https://nham.co.uk/2025/04/esc/ )## ...

2025-04-28T08:38:00Z

[[Read in full on NHAM]](https://nham.co.uk/2025/04/esc/ )##

ESC*Serialising the album Status by Meljoann (npub1nuu…gjr3)*:##

Track 12> “I don’t think there’s been a sexy slow jam dedicated to FOSS (Free and Open Source Software) before? Well, here it is.

> The answer to the smug question “what’s the alternative?” is: we are already doing it. Mutual aid, dual power networks. Art and technology already have strong traditions of production completely outside capitalism.

> Anyway, please be soothed by this sound-bath. It’s an escape route.” – <a rel="nofollow external noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" href="https://thethinair.net/2025/03/track-by-track-meljoann-status/">Quote by Meljoann in an article for The Thin Air</a>##

Listen##

Support Meljoann<li><a rel="nofollow external noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" href="https://faircamp.meljoann.com/status/12/">Buy the song</a></li><li><a rel="nofollow external noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" href="https://faircamp.meljoann.com/status/">Buy the album</a></li><li><a rel="nofollow external noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" href="https://mustics.com/">Subscribe to Mustics</a> (Essentially Meljoann’s fan club!)</li><li><a rel="nofollow external noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" href="https://topspicy.social/@meljoann">Follow Meljoann </a></li>##

Lyricsi wanna feel it’s mine
that i can stroke that skin
that we got time
we wanna get inside

there is escape route
escape route
we’ve got fire
to do it
exit mind
to do it
but it’s not talked about

there is a key bind
to reach my
style of living
bypassing in it
first it’s digital
then it’s cultural
it started with a sine

i gotta bleed this right
gotta journey through
just another part of you
i wanted to
see what happens tonight
when we’ve escaped our fears
all the time

i wanted to rhinestone get it
island in it
it’s all there
recording

i can run it
i got RAM
memory to jam

i wanted to
find a minute
the quantum qubit
discrete servers
connecting

i can see it
crossing sea
surf is up and out

there is an escape route

#serialisation

[[Read in full on NHAM]](https://nham.co.uk/2025/04/broke/ )## ...

2025-04-26T11:58:45Z

[[Read in full on NHAM]](https://nham.co.uk/2025/04/broke/ )##

Broke*Serialising the album Status by Meljoann (npub1nuu…gjr3)*:##

Track 11> “‘Broke’ is about our lives under capitalism. It’s literally a torch ballad about nothing you do every being enough, you’re just broke all the time. It’s feckin’ tough.

> I appear naked in the video, to make my “content” even more frightening to social media algorithms. I wanted to express openness and vulnerability, and give a sincere fuck-you to Big Tech’s distaste for the human body.” – <a rel="nofollow external noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" href="https://thethinair.net/2025/03/track-by-track-meljoann-status/">Quote by Meljoann in an article for The Thin Air</a>##

Watch##

Listen##

Support Meljoann<li><a rel="nofollow external noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" href="https://faircamp.meljoann.com/status/11/">Buy the song</a></li><li><a rel="nofollow external noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" href="https://faircamp.meljoann.com/status/">Buy the album</a></li><li><a rel="nofollow external noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" href="https://mustics.com/">Subscribe to Mustics</a> (Essentially Meljoann’s fan club!)</li><li><a rel="nofollow external noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" href="https://topspicy.social/@meljoann">Follow Meljoann </a></li>##

LyricsI don’t know what you want
Feels like I’m never enough for you
Because I’m burnt out
I’m a joke
I cost a lot
Use up your coke
And you walk round my house like you’re in love
You’re in love

Tired of your business and I’m
tired of your crew
Sucking on diesel like it’s
not up to you

I can’t win with ya
Wait to be done with ya
I can’t win with ya
Wait to be done with ya

You can’t give me what I need
Too high to ever really feed me
‘Cause I be washed up
On the shore
With a wave
Of applause
When I climbed ev’ry mountain that you bought
Not enough

I can’t win with ya
Wait to be done with ya
I can’t win with ya
Wait to be done with ya

Cause I’m broken
I’m broke again
I’m broken
Broke again
Broken
I’m broke again
We’re broken
We’re broke again
and again

Yet another message!
Yet another message!
Yes another message!

#serialisation

[[Read in full on ...

2025-04-25T11:12:00Z

[[Read in full on NHAM]](https://nham.co.uk/2025/04/imposter-syndrome/ )

The other day, I was listening to an interview of the lead singer-songwriter of a hugely successful band (that I had never heard of, see below), during which he described the difference in his view between a hobbyist and an artist.

The gist of his point was this: hobbyists mainly engage in their hobby *for fun*, while artists make art because they *have to*, are compelled to, even though making art is often an extremely fraught and painful and laborious process riddled with angst, thankfully interspersed with moments of exhilaration.

This struck a chord with me, and got me thinking (again) about the whole notion of what it means to be a “real artist” and more specifically, a “professional artist” or musician.

In a market-driven economy where you have to have something to sell in order to literally *not die*, it’s hard to separate making art from the problem of staying alive making a living.

And so the public, and even artists themselves, tend to think an artists’ worth is measured in sales.

Which is obviously bullshit.

Because the percentage of artists who make a decent living from their art has always been tiny. In the olden pre-internet days for instance, bands used to make pennies on the dollar on record sales, and only once they’d paid off the recording studio and marketing costs fronted by the record labels.

Musicians who have the drive and stamina to find gigs (if they actually can or want to gig in the first place), market promote themselves online and IRL, make throwaway TikTok videos and/or sell *merch* (no comment) in order to eke out a living are worthy of admiration and praise for their dedication and perseverance, but those activities have *nothing* to do with making art, and everything to do with *not starving to death*.

Hopefully, you’ll agree with the following claims: <li>There are tons of “great artists” you have never heard of (see above), sometimes because they toil in total obscurity. </li><li>All of the artists you love and admire were once one of them. </li><li>There are maybe a few true, once in a lifetime “geniuses” out there that we don’t know about because they aren’t geniuses at self-promotion, or are busy herding sheep or harvesting rice or <a rel="nofollow external noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" href="https://inv.nadeko.net/watch?v=wmncZG17Iek">moving furniture</a> or selling truffles*. </li><li>When it comes to emerging from obscurity, inspiration and perspiration count, but probably not nearly as much as <em>sheer luck</em> (as in when and where you were born and in what milieu, and as in pure serendipity). </li>

It follows that there is *absolutely no difference* in terms of *artistic worth* between an artist who makes a living from their art and an artist who makes a living doing something else.

None. Zero. Zilch. Nada.

You can be a hobbyist with or without a day job, but *having a day job doesn’t make you a hobbyist*.

Being *forced* to find a day job sucks, the day job may also suck, and even if it doesn’t, it steals time and energy away from making art which definitely sucks, but that says everything about the society we live in, and absolutely *nothing* about the artist or their art.

Children create art with a passion and without compensation, beyond the feedback they crave, because their basic needs are provided for.

In a post-capitalist solarpunk utopia (or think Ursula K. Le Guin’s *The Dispossessed*, or *Star Trek*), an artist would be someone who chooses to devote most of their free time and energy to making art, without worrying about food and shelter (or Klingons).

Or as Oscar Wilde put it:

> *A work of art is useless as a flower is useless. A flower blossoms for its own joy. We gain a moment of joy by looking at it. That is all that is to be said about our relations to flowers. Of course man may sell the flower, and so make it useful to him, but this has nothing to do with the flower. It is not part of its essence. It is accidental. It is a misuse.*

*Useless* isn’t a pejorative. It’s a badge of honor. It’s what makes art special.

And to keep rolling with Oscar’s metaphor, you could say that an artist with a day job is a gardener with a day job, while a “professional artist” is a gardener whose day job is working as a florist. I really have a hard time seeing a meaningful difference, even if both arrangements have particular pros and cons. Some “professional artists” will be full-time, full-blown horticulturists or even farmers who have to cultivate (at least in part) whatever will keep their business afloat, while artists with a day job can tend to their flower beds or vegetable gardens without any such market pressure, time and energy permitting of course.

Don’t get me wrong: it took *decades* of music-making for me to get rid of my imposter syndrome and to be able to call myself an artist without adding air quotes, even though (or maybe because) [I never dreamed of fame and glory](https://sknob.fr/faircamp/living-the-dream/ ).

So, freed at last from *market-induced* imposter syndrome, but not from the need to survive, the one extracurricular activity that artists probably *should* be involved in, is *educating the music-loving public*: <li>So they stop confusing fame or notoriety with artistic merit. </li><li>So they stop valuing quantity (of sales, views, plays, followers, etc.) over quality. </li><li>So they stop seeing indie artists specifically as “mere hobbyists” who make “amateur” and presumably crappy art (do I actually need to convince anybody that there’s plenty of crappy “professional” art out there?). </li><li>And ultimately, so they come to realize that <a rel="nofollow external noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" href="https://topspicy.social/@meljoann/114389457513066796">indie artists are in fact the cool kids on the block</a> 😎. </li>

This is a *cultural battle*, that *can* be won, *collectively*, because the tools and infrastructure and public do exist to circumvent toxic intermediaries.

Only then will music lovers be able to entertain the notion of [supporting indie artists](https://indieart.support ) directly on [fair platforms](https://nham.co.uk/2024/05/what-is-a-fair-music-platform/ ) in sufficiently large numbers to make it possible for a lot more artists to make a modest living, or at least enjoy a fancy meal once in a while.

**After finishing the first draft of this post and while searching for a link to the story about how John Cage financed his music-making by finding and selling truffles, I stumbled on this fabulous article that I had totally forgotten about (and had I remembered it, I probably wouldn’t have bothered writing this one 😅) and which I heartily recommend: [Lifers, Dayjobbers, and the Independently Wealthy: A Letter to a Former Student](https://klangmag.co/lifers-dayjobbers-and-the-independently-wealthy-a-letter-to-a-former-student/ ) by Max Alper.*

#article #FairTradeMusic #ImposterSyndrome #IndieMusic

[[Read in full on NHAM]](https://nham.co.uk/2025/04/insatiable/ ...

2025-04-23T13:38:00Z

[[Read in full on NHAM]](https://nham.co.uk/2025/04/insatiable/ )##

Insatiable*Serialising the album Status by Meljoann (npub1nuu…gjr3)*:##

Track 10> “This is my self-indulgent jazz-nerd funk-fest. It’s got time signature changes. It’s got guitar and bass jams. It’s got this one repeating phrase that is so undulating it’s difficult to memorise. I live for geeky challenges like this.

> The lyrics might be too sexy?” – <a rel="nofollow external noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" href="https://thethinair.net/2025/03/track-by-track-meljoann-status/">Quote by Meljoann in an article for The Thin Air</a>##

Listen##

Support Meljoann<li><a rel="nofollow external noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" href="https://faircamp.meljoann.com/status/10/">Buy the song</a></li><li><a rel="nofollow external noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" href="https://faircamp.meljoann.com/status/">Buy the album</a></li><li><a rel="nofollow external noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" href="https://mustics.com/">Subscribe to Mustics</a> (Essentially Meljoann’s fan club!)</li><li><a rel="nofollow external noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" href="https://topspicy.social/@meljoann">Follow Meljoann </a></li>##

Lyricscan you keep it up?
slow?
I’m insatiable

Feel the soft fur, taste the sour
Lick the bottom of the jar
Mix the coconuts, the flour
I got that sound you like

Got the bass that keeps us sane
Grasping all that candy cane
I know that stroke you like
I know that stroke you like

can you keep it up?
slow?
I’m insatiable

Guess you’re waiting for my lines
I deliver, don’t ask why
Hot and heavy, every time

I want the taste of your love
The beat of your heart
The feel of your art
The scent of you
The way you look when you’re…

can you keep it up?
slow?
I’m insatiable

#serialisation

[[Read in full on NHAM]](https://nham.co.uk/2025/04/data-ghost/ ...

2025-04-20T18:38:00Z

[[Read in full on NHAM]](https://nham.co.uk/2025/04/data-ghost/ )##

Data Ghost*Serialising the album Status by Meljoann (npub1nuu…gjr3)*:##

Track 9> “It’s a dreamy journey through digital colonialism, and out the other end. Slipping through the cracks in the algorithm to find a > *real *> community away from social media.

> The video is quite emotional — a nostalgic collage of my entire life as a musician. With permission of our crew, there’s behind-the-scenes footage of a music video shoot from years ago: on a freezing- cold roof of Hendron’s Building, Dublin. It makes me teary to think of the pure vibes that night.

> Warning: guitar solo.” – <a rel="nofollow external noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" href="https://thethinair.net/2025/03/track-by-track-meljoann-status/">Quote by Meljoann in an article for The Thin Air</a>##

Watch##

Listen##

Support Meljoann<li><a rel="nofollow external noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" href="https://faircamp.meljoann.com/status/9/">Buy the song</a></li><li><a rel="nofollow external noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" href="https://faircamp.meljoann.com/status/">Buy the album</a></li><li><a rel="nofollow external noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" href="https://mustics.com/">Subscribe to Mustics</a> (Essentially Meljoann’s fan club!)</li><li><a rel="nofollow external noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" href="https://topspicy.social/@meljoann">Follow Meljoann </a></li>##

Lyricsi got a drop-top file
in the queue for a while
packet lost
for every inch of my love
loss
in every inch of my love

tryna reach core, wander the corridors
probe the inbox, dust on the monitor
touch a keyboard, nobody works here
i got to give it up

yeah,
i got a drop-top file
queued for a while
tortoise crawl
in every inch of my love
lost
in every inch of my love

it’s a jam. we all share a soda pop.
tumble underground, where the data lost
he’s a terminus, so he don’t see us
no power, no puss

i got a drop-top file
just my style
P2P
with every inch of my love
RSS
get every inch of my love

#serialisation

[[Read in full on NHAM]](https://nham.co.uk/2025/04/translate-me/ ...

2025-04-17T17:51:00Z

[[Read in full on NHAM]](https://nham.co.uk/2025/04/translate-me/ )##

Translate Me*Serialising the album Status by Meljoann (npub1nuu…gjr3)*:##

Track 7> “The lyrics of this song contain many actual weird, sexist things that music industry types have said to me – as does ‘Obscure’. They really believe they see the objective truth (which also happens to personally enrich them) and you are just some eejit that needs to be moulded into a sellable product. So, in this song I’m begging them to ‘translate me’ into this hyper-capitalist normative dialect they all speak, so I can make some feckin’ subsistence money.

> Not really, though.” – <a rel="nofollow external noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" href="https://thethinair.net/2025/03/track-by-track-meljoann-status/">Quote by Meljoann in an article for The Thin Air</a>##

Watch##

Listen##

Support Meljoann<li><a rel="nofollow external noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" href="https://faircamp.meljoann.com/status/7/">Buy the song</a></li><li><a rel="nofollow external noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" href="https://faircamp.meljoann.com/status/">Buy the album</a></li><li><a rel="nofollow external noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" href="https://mustics.com/">Subscribe to Mustics</a> (Essentially Meljoann’s fan club!)</li><li><a rel="nofollow external noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" href="https://topspicy.social/@meljoann">Follow Meljoann </a></li>##

LyricsI got a nice kinda
Meat-winder
Beat-grinder
Bricks, mortar
Bluebird fire, nice guy
He speedboat,
I tread water

If I was a guy who don’t need a translator
They do the school for me
They do my business for me
You know those guy with their whims on their fly
Just chilling by that pool

Translate me, baby
Got to translate me baby
I’m not complaining
Got to translate me
Cause I can’t be free

I got a earth-slider
Chin-stroker
Man-eater
Twitch-farmer
Ticket-master
Ad-viewer
Search-poison
Bot war, like Gibsonian

We had to try
Decode the nice guys
Cheap mouth,
cigar hanging out
of the side
Take me to
castle in the sky
So sly, cry
Every time

I got a great image
Stuck to me
Coverage is
Unrevealing
Bird vagina
Gown, evening
Ape performing
Novelty segment
I’m breaking

For you
For you

It bad
Even in translation,
It bad

#serialisation

[[Read in full on NHAM]](https://nham.co.uk/2025/04/run/ )## ...

2025-04-16T13:38:00Z

[[Read in full on NHAM]](https://nham.co.uk/2025/04/run/ )##

Run*Serialising the album Status by Meljoann (npub1nuu…gjr3)*:##

Track 6> “We live in a world where billionaires hoard more than any reasonable person would spend in 30 thousand lifetimes, and most of us can barely afford food. Less than 3000 human beings are tanking our presently habitable planet for the other 8 billion of us.

> The track is full of chugging, metal guitars, bell-like synths and industrial beats. Delivering them lyrics through gritted teeth.” – <a rel="nofollow external noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" href="https://thethinair.net/2025/03/track-by-track-meljoann-status/">Quote by Meljoann in an article for The Thin Air</a>##

Listen##

Support Meljoann<li><a rel="nofollow external noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" href="https://faircamp.meljoann.com/status/6/">Buy the song</a></li><li><a rel="nofollow external noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" href="https://faircamp.meljoann.com/status/">Buy the album</a></li><li><a rel="nofollow external noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" href="https://mustics.com/">Subscribe to Mustics</a> (Essentially Meljoann’s fan club!)</li><li><a rel="nofollow external noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" href="https://topspicy.social/@meljoann">Follow Meljoann </a></li>##

LyricsYou know where’s left to run?
Run.
When all your places burn
Run.
No-one’s gonna shelter you.
You paid them, they are not your crew.

We’re all gonna decide
Run.
Your billions never worth our life
Run.
Your spaceship left without you.
You paid them, they are not your crew.

*fair-weather fans not gonna RUN
some of us go along with anything
if who’s in charge is NO-ONE
they will conform with whatever*

You’re still a billionaire
Run.
Can’t spend your paper anywhere
Run.
We’re eating rats without you
You paid us, we are not your crew.

And all your hired guns
Run.
You’re gonna watch them turn
Run.
Them bitches gonna turn on you.
You paid em, they are not your crew.

#serialisation

[[Read in full on NHAM]](https://nham.co.uk/2025/04/secrets/ )## ...

2025-04-09T16:38:00Z

[[Read in full on NHAM]](https://nham.co.uk/2025/04/secrets/ )##

Secrets*Serialising the album Status by Meljoann (npub1nuu…gjr3)*:##

Track 4> “I let myself go full ‘Motown bassline’ for this one. This whole track is pure sugary retro pop.

> The song is about having to keep quiet in a really exploitative situation — such as, for example, the entire music industry — because you have no power.

> The video documents a talk show that goes horribly wrong. It references ‘poverty exploitation’ 90s shows like Ricki Lake and Jerry Springer. When I shot this, I also made a real talk show. Only around 20 absolute heroes have seen it on livestream to date. Keep your eyes on mustics.com — I’ll put it up there, to an audience of potentially billions.” – <a rel="nofollow external noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" href="https://thethinair.net/2025/03/track-by-track-meljoann-status/">Quote by Meljoann in an article for The Thin Air</a>##

Watch##

Listen##

Support Meljoann<li><a rel="nofollow external noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" href="https://faircamp.meljoann.com/status/4/">Buy the song</a></li><li><a rel="nofollow external noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" href="https://faircamp.meljoann.com/status/">Buy the album</a></li><li><a rel="nofollow external noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" href="https://mustics.com/">Subscribe to Mustics</a> (Essentially Meljoann’s fan club!)</li><li><a rel="nofollow external noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" href="https://topspicy.social/@meljoann">Follow Meljoann </a></li>##

LyricsI’m keeping your secrets
For a while
Don’t want to tell on ya
But in time

You’re so shady, baby
Unfortunately for me
You are the king of the world
And I’m just a girl
With all your misdeeds have to parrot your creed, baby
Scandal to say that we
Can’t be reduced to numbers ‘cause we’re all still lumbered with you
Hide the key to all our hearts
Yet I still play the part for your (secrets)

I’m keeping your secrets
For a while
Don’t want to tell on ya
But in time

If everyone in your life
Has to sign an NDA
And if you can’t succeed without your non-compete
Maybe it’s not me that’s so untrustworthy, baby
You say you’re in love
Yet I’m never enough
If you want me to stop
Put your hand in your pocket
Start keeping your promises, well

I’m keeping your secrets
For a while
Don’t want to tell on ya
But in time

You people operate like the mafia
If I want some protection without your rejection
I’m over here messing and I won’t be calling ya

So many details about you are wrong
Too fucking busy to list them in song
This is my house, tell me I don’t belong
Fuck off.

I’m keeping your secrets
For a while
Don’t want to tell on ya
But in time

#serialisation

Reason to visit [NHAM](https://nham.co.uk/ ) No. 3: read views, ...

2025-04-05T11:00:00Z

Reason to visit [NHAM](https://nham.co.uk/ ) No. 3: read views, [REVIEWS](https://nham.co.uk/category/reviews/ ) and interviews! <li>Read <a href="https://nham.co.uk/category/reviews/music-reviews/">event and album reviews</a> by the NHAM editorial team. </li><li>Click through to read external reviews, like those from <a href="https://nham.co.uk/tag/opm/">OPM</a> by <a target="_blank" rel="nofollow external noopener noreferrer" class="u-url mention" href="https://ravenation.club/@etherdiver">@etherdiver</a>;. </li><li>Let artists like <a target="_blank" rel="nofollow external noopener noreferrer" class="u-url mention" href="https://topspicy.social/@meljoann">@meljoann</a>; <a href="https://nham.co.uk/tag/serialisation/"; data-type="post_tag" data-id="2273">guide you through their own music</a>. </li>

And if you feel like telling the world about a song or an album published on a fair platform, let us know: we’ll gladly consider publishing your prose!

#FairMusic #FediArtists #FediMusic #IndieMusic #LiveMusic #NHAM

#FairMusic #FediArtists #FediMusic #IndieMusic #LiveMusic #NHAM

[[Read in full on ...

2025-04-02T16:30:51Z

[[Read in full on NHAM]](https://nham.co.uk/2025/04/rainbow-language-is-for-losers/ )

*Serialising the album Status by Meljoann (npub1nuu…gjr3)*:##

Track 1> “This song is rooted in growing up queer, when rural Ireland was still very much theocratic. I came out in 1996, which is pretty early when you realise being gay was decriminalised in 1992.

> Before it was a song, it was an experimental short story. A leprechaun-like hoarder of gold: to me it represents the power & wealth origins of religious oppression, and situates the whole thing in cultural cringe. The video is the most ‘blasphemous’ thing I’ve ever done (in public, that is). I like to make things appear as ridiculous as they really are: it saps their power.” – <a rel="nofollow external noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" href="https://thethinair.net/2025/03/track-by-track-meljoann-status/">Quote by Meljoann in an article for The Thin Air</a>##

Watch##

Listen##

Support Meljoann<li><a rel="nofollow external noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" href="https://faircamp.meljoann.com/status/1/">Buy the song</a></li><li><a rel="nofollow external noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" href="https://faircamp.meljoann.com/status/">Buy the album</a></li><li><a rel="nofollow external noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" href="https://mustics.com/">Subscribe to Mustics</a> (Essentially Meljoann’s fan club!)</li><li><a rel="nofollow external noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" href="https://topspicy.social/@meljoann">Follow Meljoann </a></li>##

LyricsIn spite of what they all said to me
I’m jogging on with my allergies
I had to run higher, higher to me
I gotta move fire, fire too

He was no bigger than a rat
His hoard of gold was hidden in a hole
Just beyond the sea

I can’t control what you done to me
The fear of when they looked, but didn’t see
Beggars and infanticide
Because your father don’t know how to die

Oh. Ooh.

You said the rainbow
We’re not supposed to know
Under the rainbow
Is where the losers go

You said the rainbow
We’re not supposed to know
Under the rainbow
Is where the losers go

#serialisation

[[Read in full on ...

2025-03-25T12:01:00Z

[[Read in full on NHAM]](https://nham.co.uk/2025/03/how-to-install-and-run-faircamp/ )##

How to Install and Run Faircamp[Faircamp](https://simonrepp.com/faircamp/ ) is a static site generator made by Simon Repp (npub1zx5…d279), which enables any music producer to build a complete website to showcase their music.

Compatible with pretty much any web host Faircamp makes it easy to present your sounds to the world in minutes with no database, no programming and no maintenance required.

However, if you’ve never had experience running a shell command before it may seem a little daunting at first look. That’s where Meljoann (npub1nuu…gjr3)’s article on [How to Install and Run Faircamp](https://meljoann.com/posts/faircamp/ ) comes in super-handy.

First written in 2023 she has kept the article updated for newer releases of Faircamp. Just [read through and follow her guide](https://meljoann.com/posts/faircamp/ ) as you go and you’ll be up and running in no time.

#Faircamp #resource #software

[[Read in full on ...

2025-03-07T21:42:30Z

[[Read in full on NHAM]](https://nham.co.uk/2025/03/meljoann-x-kristoffer-lislegaard-live-glide-full-of-surprise/ )##

Meljoann X Kristoffer Lislegaard Live Glide Full of SurpriseTonight was a good night.

We tuned in to the Gravitons stream expecting to see Meljoann promote and perform her brand new single, [Data Ghost](https://tv.gravitons.org/w/487hAsHvR4j4m567qhUrTK ). What we got was that plus a whole lot more.

The hyperjack star began her interactive performance to multiple audiences (us Fedizens were tuned in to the [Owncast stream](https://stream.gravitons.org/ )) with the usual crazed interactions between Meljoann and her Meljis. (You know, Meljis: Like ’emojis’ but a collective term for fans of Meljoann.)

She did warn us that her therapist might be calling midway through and before long that fear came to fruition. It wasn’t any old therapist though. Oh, no, it was none other than [Synergy Myers](https://mustics.com/mustics-r-become-boss-waiting-for-that-call/ ), blissfully unaware that she was dishing out her sage advice to Meljoann in the company of her disciples. Mind you it was just as well she was unable to see us because one heckler commented that Ms Myers, ‘really put the sinner in to Synergy’.

The call did Meljoann the world of good. We could see all of her worries evaporate as it went on. So much so that she was then able to gift us shackle-free performances of [Translate Me](https://mirlo.space/meljoann/release/translate-me-single ), [Bye](https://mirlo.space/meljoann/release/bye-single ), [Data Ghost](https://mirlo.space/meljoann/release/data-ghost-single ) and more.

In an attempt to raise awareness for the Scout Hardcastle Memorial Fund, Meljoann (npub1nuu…gjr3) then surprised us all with a previously-unseen video that had been made for the late Mr Hardcastle just prior to his passing. Apparently it hadn’t seen the light of day as, being the perfectionist he was, he was never quite happy with it, but we all lapped it up.

The double surprise of a Synergy Myers appearance and a Scout Hardcastle exclusive prompted Lime Bar (npub166d…xj3f) to question whether this was the first time the two had ever been seen in public together -A conspiracy theory going around [Big Social](https://meljoann.com/posts/delete-meta/ ) thinks they are one and the same- but another audience member soon quashed that by confirming they’d once seen them together in Lucy & Yak in Brighton.

Before we knew it our hour was up but no sooner than we could begin to clap for an encore in came the next surprise. Meljoann offered us the chance to ‘glide’ in to an impromptu live stream of ambient electronic musician [Kristoffer Lislegaard](https://www.kristofferlislegaard.com/faircamp/kristoffer-lislegaard/ ) ([Sgrow](https://www.kristofferlislegaard.com/faircamp/sgrow/ ), [](https://www.kristofferlislegaard.com/faircamp/oy/ )[Øy](https://www.kristofferlislegaard.com/faircamp/oy/ )).

At the click of the button Meljoann and the Meljis were in Oslo where Kristoffer Lislegaard (npub1jlx…tlw0) was sampling the final track from Meljoann’s live set and mixing it with various samples (including voices of passers being picked up by a mic out of his studio window) to create some lovely mellow sounds for us all to chill out to.

Chatting with us as he live sampled sounds from the interior and exterior to synthesize live tracks, Kristoffer made this another really great experience. Despite being from all over the world it felt as though we were in the studio with him helping to hone the drone!

After 90 minutes in the chill zone with Kris there was still space for one last surprise before signing off for the evening. He let us in to a very exciting little secret to do with Autechre, which I can’t repeat here just yet. He will make a public announcement in the coming days/weeks so be sure to [follow his feeds](https://sonomu.club/@lislegaard ) for that.

This was a fabulous Friday night in the Fediverse, gliding from hyperjack to ambient textures, with lush sounds abound all round.

*Keep your eye on [the NHAM Attend page](https://nham.co.uk/attend/ ) which will display future Fedi Live Streams if they’ve been listed.*

#FediMusic #LiveMusic #LiveStream #Music #owncast

[[Read in full on ...

2025-03-01T11:59:00Z

[[Read in full on NHAM]](https://nham.co.uk/2025/03/nonchalant-hares-acknowledge-march-nham-mixtape-9/ )

This is the first mixtape since the inception of NHAM as an online magazine-style music platform for indie artists with a Fedi presence. Hopefully you’ll be glad to hear that the monthly mixes will be continuing in this corner of NHAM while we look to [connect some of the dots](https://nham.co.uk/2025/01/indy-music-ecosystem/ ) in this indie ecosystem and [amplify indie artists](https://nham.co.uk/ ) via the rest of the site.

The radio show version of this mixtape (where you have to put up with me talking a bit too) can be [found on Audio Interface](https://www.audiointerface.org/shows/nham-mixtapes/ ) along with all others going forward since NHAM 8.

1. [Waste](https://crocutaband.org/waste/ ) by [Crocuta](https://social.tchncs.de/@crocuta )
*All Rights Reserved. Used with permission*
Crocuta (npub1wd6…q20n)

Grunge-pop duo from Leipzig, Germany who use only free and open source software in their music production. They manage to combine the clarity of pop with the murkiness of grunge to great effect.

2. [Channel Up](https://soundofthevoid.net/en/music/ ) by [Sound of the Void](https://piaille.fr/@Firesledge )
*CC0 1.0*
Firesledge 🔥🛷 (npub1xm7…n3ug)

Sound of the Void are French psychedelic punk rock trio Alice, Laurent and Marie-Claude. I love their raw sound. It’s the sort of thing you might expect when out in a city like Manchester, casually dipping in and out of the many live music venues. There’s invariably a gem or two like this to be found.

3. [I Wasn’t Even Supposed To Be Here Today](https://lostlemming.bandcamp.com/track/i-wasn-t-even-supposed-to-be-here-today ) by [lostlemming](https://beige.party/@tflynn )
*All Rights Reserved. Used with permission*
Ted Flynn 👽 (npub1zta…lyfk)

Sticking with analogue, taking it smooth and mellow via lostlemming, an instrumental post rock band from Illinois, USA. This gorgeous track comes from their 2022 album, 61 Cygni.

4. [Just Beyond Your Fear](https://teacozy.bandcamp.com/track/just-beyond-your-fear-2 ) by [TEACOZY](https://mastodon.social/@Teacozy )
*All Rights Reserved. Used with permission*
TEACOZY (npub1amj…5spd)

Aussie in Amsterdam, TEACOZY has self-described as a ‘stumbling buffoon compelled to love and make things’, and I love that they’ve made this beautiful thing. It’s neurotic folk that stays with you long after you’ve listened. Small pangs, tickled heartstrings, it resonates.

5. [Umami](https://brickwallunlimitedinc.bandcamp.com/track/umami ) by [Brickwall Unlimited Inc.](https://metalhead.club/@dereisenhofer )
*All Rights Reserved. Permission received*
dereisenhofer (npub12aa…4x73)

AKA Benjamin Eisenhofer AKA Bandstahl AKA flann AKA Horus. The moniker changes but the quality stays the same. Umami is one of four separate Brickwall Unlimited Inc. releases made since Christmas. I found it hard choosing which one to feature but it was the sensational Umami that left me salivating most.

6. [State of Us](https://futurecabaret.com/endless-blue-unexpected-guests/1/ ) by [Endless Blue](https://mastodon.social/@endlessblue )
*All Rights Reserved. Used with permission*
Endless Blue (npub19ge…893p)

Released on Future Cabaret Records, State of Us is an old number unearthed during lockdown 2021. The duo originally formed in Minneapolis in 2003, fusing trip hop and downtempo with blues and jazz roots. Their music tackles themes of relationships, identity, loss, and mental health. In short the State of Us.

7. [Bye](https://mirlo.space/meljoann/release/bye-single ) by [Meljoann](https://topspicy.social/@meljoann/ )
*All Rights Reserved. Used with permission*
Meljoann (npub1nuu…gjr3)

This was dropped last year as the first single from their brand new LP which is out on March 14th. I’ve had a sneak preview of the album and can confirm that the multi-talented king, queen and Prince of hyperjack is back with another absolute beast for us to feast on. The song and album stick two fingers up to billionaire-owned Big Social and capital, proudly proclaiming we can do it without you.

Indeed, Meljoann has set a date when she is going to say Bye, Bye, Bye to everything Meta, and she’s encouraging all of us to [join her and do the same thing at the same time](https://meljoann.com/posts/delete-meta/ ).

8. [Digital Dope](https://greymatterhiphop.bandcamp.com/album/digital-dope ) by [Grey Matter](https://s.basspistol.org/@greymatter )
*All Rights Reserved. Used with permission*
Grey Matter (npub1ddh…nnv3)

Speaking of Big Social’s insatiable appetite to consume us while we consume it, here’s a brainy, bangin’ hip-hop offering exploring our modern day addiction to technology and social media.

I found California-based, Chicago MC Grey Matter while [listening to Basspistol Radio](https://nham.co.uk/listen/ ) and was delighted to find they too have begun to dabble in the clearer Fedi waters.

9. [Not Enough (feat. Danny Hailé)](https://mirlo.space/samnabi/release/not-enough-feat-danny-haile ) by [Sam Nabi](https://spore.social/@samnabi )
*All Rights Reserved. Used with permission*
Sam Nabi (npub1dp8…2dlt)

More hip-hop, this time from a Canadian activist and web developer with a keen eye for good tech. Via Tri-Cities Sam Nabi [collects venues, neighbourhoods, studios, artists and stories](https://tricityhiphop.com/ ) that have shaped the hip-hop scene of three cities local to him, enabling fans and artists to draw connections between the art they love, and the places that inspired the art.

10. [Souls Beat Slow](https://music.berdandy.com/drip-drop-ep/ ) by [Berdandy](https://mstdn.games/@berdandy )
*All Rights Reserved. Used with permission*
Berdandy (npub16hj…v2ws)

Andy Berdan is a professional video game developer whose skills are evidently transferrable to neat beats too. It’s that irrepressible garage beat coaxing me in on Souls Beat Slow – it just gets me right there. If anything it makes my soul beat faster, but that’s ok. Let’s just dance.

11. [Had Enough](https://audio.enoent.one/tenonev1-5/4/ ) by [Shin Bone, ENOENT](https://ravenation.club/@ENOENT )
*CC BY-NC-SA 4.0*
ENOENT (npub1k97…xzg5)

”Too odd for normal social media. Too normie for the Fediverse.” That’s how ENOENT describes themself on Mastodon, but the music is evidently not: ENOENT was inundated by DMs praising this track when it was a staple on [Radio Free Fedi](https://nham.co.uk/2025/01/homage-to-fedivision-and-rff/ ), which doesn’t surprise me one bit.

12. [2AM Long Gone](https://oleksiyh.bandcamp.com/track/2am-long-gone ) by [Sitka](https://sonomu.club/@oleksiy )
*All Rights Reserved. Used with permission*
Oleksiy (npub1fsu…6lgc)

2AM Long Gone, Sitka’s first ever release, was part of a Musicians Defend Ukraine fundraiser compilation album which you can [support here](https://systemnapotvora.bandcamp.com/album/ukrainian-field-notes-volume-ii ). It was produced on his modular synth rack, on which he recently performed a live set followed by a Q&A demonstrating how it all works, which is very cool. The set was streamed by Basspistol and they’ve [hosted a recording on their Peertube channel](https://v.basspistol.org/w/nEbwkER2WWzRWBr8BeqrbC ).

#FediMusic #mixtape #Music #NHAM #NHAMmixtapes #playlist

Interesting. I just tried following ...

2025-02-19T07:00:34Z

In reply to nevent1q…vsrx
_________________________

Interesting. I just tried following [@relay](https://cal.gravitons.org ) from a Friendica account and had the same message. It is possible to follow from Mastodon. We’ll have to delve deeper as to why Friendica accounts can’t follow it.

We did look in to it but it sadly appears to be in shutdown mode: ...

2025-02-18T21:02:02Z

In reply to nevent1q…33zu
_________________________

We did look in to it but it sadly appears to be in shutdown mode: https://social.chinwag.org/@mike/113896852893000524

Musicians/Bands: Add Upcoming Events! [[Read in full on ...

2025-02-18T20:00:18Z

Musicians/Bands: Add Upcoming Events!

[[Read in full on NHAM]](https://nham.co.uk/2025/02/musicians-bands-add-upcoming-events/ )

If you’re a musician and you have a live event coming up you can list it in one of two places for it to appear on [our ‘Attend’ page](https://nham.co.uk/attend/ ), which we hope will be a go to place for audiences to look up live music events.

If you’ve got a live stream coming up simply [add it as a new event to the Gravitons calender](https://cal.gravitons.org/ ). The submission will be held in moderation and then go live once approved. Just ensure you give a good description and relevant tags so people get a good idea of the genre/vibe.

If you’ve got a real life gig or set of tour dates coming up you can now add them to your Bandwagon profile and they will automatically be displayed on the [NHAM live listings page](https://nham.co.uk/attend/ ). If you’re a band and don’t yet have a [Bandwagon profile](https://bandwagon.fm/ ) this could be a good excuse to set one up!

Huge thanks to Ben Pate 🤘🏻 (npub17gq…8hhz) at Bandwagon and Meljoann (npub1nuu…gjr3) at Gravitons for setting these calendars up and enabling us to use them.

#bandwagon #LiveMusic #LiveStream

## Indy Music Ecosystem[[Read on ...

2025-01-31T15:17:33Z

##

Indy Music Ecosystem[[Read on nham.co.uk](https://nham.co.uk/2025/01/indy-music-ecosystem/ )]

I’ve been pondering some ideas since a [Mastodon post](https://topspicy.social/@meljoann/113543686931415634 ) by Meljoann (npub1nuu…gjr3) spawned a discussion with a lot of energy as to how all of the listeners, music-makers and platform owners in the (specifically Fedi) indy music space can better support and promote one another.

Naturally lots of people have lots of ideas and there had been good attempts to get some of these down via conversation rooms, group documents etc. until Christmas (and perhaps a general feeling of downbeat from the sunsetting of Radio Free Fedi) seemed to stem the tide.

Then earlier this week keef (npub1akg…8c0s) posted an [excellent article](https://blog.key13.uk/a-new-hope ) on his excitement and hope for the future, based on the first steps of interoperability between Bandwagon and The Indie Beat Radio (TIBR).
*(Platforms developed by Ben Pate 🤘🏻 (npub17gq…8hhz) and MizKirsten (npub1r7c…2mc5) respectively – two people that I know, having spoken directly with them, are building the things they’re building for all of the right reasons).*

Keef’s article has got conversation flowing again and it’s at this point I want to share some of the notes I’ve made. I was going to write it in article format but was finding it hard to find a coherent structure to put many interlinking thoughts together. So instead I’ve [scribbled down some stuff on this whiteboard](https://excalidraw.com/#json=aSAQD6QWDQoaZEYy8UylO,9r5ApzARebzBpilqTse5wQ ).

TLDR; If we can develop the ecosystem which envelopes all of the platforms that currently support indy artists, bringing along all of the good things that Pitchfork, Bandcamp and Spotify combined* did (**discovery**, **distribution** (inc. **attribution**), fair artist **payment**, **consent** and **trust**. *(Thanks Keef for articulating these labels in your post!)*) then I think we could be on to something. **Interoperability** and **community** are key to making that work.

**Pitchfork-wise*: Quality reviews people enjoy reading and feel they can trust.
*Bandcamp-wise*: Radio discoverability, access to previews, full purchases, catalogues, fair artist payment etc.
*Spotify-wise*: Standalone player and ability to create playlists and now-playing queues.

My whiteboard isn’t comprehensive (I’m sure I’ve missed out a lot of initiatives that should be included, apologies!) It’s just down as an illustration of my understanding of things at present. My hope is that it helps develop further progression.

I’ll sign off by saying I share Keef’s optimism and I too feel excited by the prospect of what lies ahead. There’s a lot of work to be done and there will be quite a few technical issues to solve but where there’s a will (and I see a lot of will in this community) there’s a way (and there is a [*******](https://inv.nadeko.net/watch?v=jhjNS0-onm0 ) way!)

Sam

[[⬇ All here 🎧]](https://nham.co.uk/2025/01/indy-music-ecosystem/ )

## Advent Calendar Song #21🎄 Counting down to Christmas with a ...

2024-12-21T07:57:00Z

##

Advent Calendar Song #21🎄 Counting down to Christmas with a musical advent calendar containing 24 songs that have featured in NHAM mixtapes in 2024, today is [Song 21](https://robertafidora.bandcamp.com/track/in-your-neighbourhood-2 ): **In Your Neighbourhood by Roberta Fidora (npub1tk7…6cq3)**

Music group (npub1nsn…uajx)

[[⬇ All here 🎧]](https://nham.co.uk/2024/12/advent-calendar-song-21/ )

#AdventCalendar #Christmas #FediArtists #FediMusic #Music

## Advent Calendar Song #18🎄 Counting down to Christmas with a ...

2024-12-18T07:57:00Z

##

Advent Calendar Song #18🎄 Counting down to Christmas with a musical advent calendar containing 24 songs that have featured in NHAM mixtapes in 2024, today is [Song 18](https://boyscoutaudio.bandcamp.com/track/e-x-i-t ): **E.X.I.T. by Meljoann (npub1nuu…gjr3)**

Music group (npub1nsn…uajx)

[[⬇ All here 🎧]](https://nham.co.uk/2024/12/advent-calendar-song-18/ )

#AdventCalendar #Christmas #FediArtists #FediMusic #Music

RFF Nostalgia [[Read full post on ...

2024-12-15T20:49:00Z

RFF Nostalgia

[[Read full post on NHAM]](https://nham.co.uk/2024/12/rff-nostalgia/ )

I discovered so many great songs and artists on *Radio Free Fedi*, it’s ridiculous. Here are but a few that delighted me, among so many others, in no particular order.

[Nothing](https://sidesister.bandcamp.com/album/nothing ) by [SideSister](https://musician.social/@elsemusic )
Great arrangement, singing and composition, and there’s even a cool video. What else could you ask for?

[All Of Us](https://www.single-bass.co.uk/songs/all-of-us/ ) by [Single Bass](https://musicians.today/@SingleBass )
Such a great combination of pared down esthetics and perfect songwriting. Goose bumps.

[Loriol](https://johannbourquenez.com/faircamp/johann-bourquenez-loriol/ ) by [Johann Bourquenez](https://masto.bike/@johann )
Johann is an accomplished, awe-inspiring pianist and his album explores a lot of different musical spaces, including drone music. On a piano. You read that right. (Oh and do me a favor, while you’re on his Faircamp site, check out *A Little Sad Waltz* on his [Jamuary 2023](https://johannbourquenez.com/faircamp/johann-bourquenez-jamuary2023/ ) album).

[Forgotten and Then Found](https://unwoman.bandcamp.com/track/forgotten-and-then-found-5 ) by [Unwoman](https://mastodon.social/@unwoman )
I had to stop whatever I was doing every time that harpsichord riff came on the radio. You have been warned.

[F@#$ Money!](https://samdouglass.bandcamp.com/track/f-money ) by [Sam Douglass](https://xoxo.zone/@sdouglass )
This is a delightful two-minute rock song that I never tire of, and the rest of the album also kicks a@#S.

[Allergy Boy](https://fromabasement.com/faircamp/singles/1/ ) by [BGM](https://musicians.today/@bgm )
Songwriting perfection? The lyrics, melody, harmony, arrangements, singing (and the [video](https://musicians.today/@bgm/113886038706524013 )) are just mind-blowingly clever and delicate and beautiful. I want to be BGM when I grow up.

If you like any of these (and how could you not?), go tell the artists, you’ll make their day, trust me. Every compliment counts.

And buy their music if you can. I know I did.

[[⬇ All here 🎧]](https://nham.co.uk/2024/12/rff-nostalgia/ )

#ListenersDigest #RFF

[[Read in full on ...

2024-12-13T21:48:06Z

[[Read in full on NHAM]](https://nham.co.uk/2024/12/lorenzos-music-podcast-fedi-specials-1-meljoann/ )##

Lorenzo’s Music Podcast Fedi Specials: No.1 Meljoann

Tom from Lorenzo’s Music (Lorenzo's Music (npub10u0…x5et)) meets Meljoann (Meljoann (npub1nuu…gjr3)), a multidisciplinary artist from Ireland, now based in Brighton, UK. Tom heard about Meljoann on the federated social platform Mastodon, where he learned about their mutual passion for free and open-source music creation.

They talk about Meljoann’s unique music style, “Hyperjack,” a term they coined to describe their blend of New Jack Swing influences with modern electronic elements using tools like Reaper and a mix of hardware and software synthesizers.

The conversation also explores the challenges and opportunities of releasing music independently in the digital age. Meljoann discusses their use of Fairamp, a self-hosted platform for musicians, and their involvement in the federated music community, including involvement on Radio Free Fedi and Peertube.

Additionally, Meljoann talks about their [new album “Status”](https://faircamp.meljoann.com/status/ ), and their innovative approach to music promotion.

#Faircamp #podcast #RadioFreeFedi

Shannon Curtis Live! Woweee, that was quite the spectacular. ...

2024-10-24T07:02:42Z

**Shannon Curtis Live!**

Woweee, that was quite the spectacular.

The penultimate gig of the ‘Good To Me’ tour, which has been wowing crowds across the United States over the last few months, came live from their very own basement.

Streamed via the Radio Free Fedi video platform this was an opportunity not to be missed for us Fedizens who live overseas or too far away to get to any of the shows.

Many of us who follow Shannon and Jamie on Mastodon have been getting updates of their state-hopping tour and lamenting the fact we are unable to be a part of it, until now. And judging from the live chat there were A LOT of us at the gig, yet we could all share [the best seat in the house](https://climatejustice.social/@ethicalrevolution/113358556098356469 ).

Despite not being connected to any audience feedback during the show, Shannon took time between songs to talk with us, sharing the stories behind them.

The Good to Me album was written in 2021 while Shannon was experiencing near-paralysing anxiety from the fraught state of the world. Namely the pandemic we were locked down in overlapping climate collapse and the rise of fascism.

She turned to her journal to write out her worries and work out ways to summon some power to heal herself, her communities, and the planet. Her quest for self-healing with a world on fire took her through failed coping mechanisms; making peace via radical acceptance; learning to trust her inner truth; and reconnecting to serenity and power.

The Good to Me album is the manifestation of those writings. It and the tour give us listeners inspiration to embark upon our own personal healing. We all face difficulties in different forms. Overcoming them, or at least coping with them, comes from within and Shannon has found a way to share the wisdom to do so thanks to banger after banger of nostalgia-driven, synth-heavy, electro pop.

With master of all things synth, her husband and collaborator Jamie Hill on keys, combined with Shannon’s truly incredible range of voice, plus a lovely light show to boot, this was a real treat served up as a beautiful demonstration of the incredible music scene we have in The Fediverse.

It’s a strong and burgeoning community thanks to the high calibre of artists and a genuinely enthusiastic audience and it feels really exciting to be part of.

Closing out with a couple of covers of 80s classics (which feature on the upcoming 80’s Kids album) Shannon and Jamie bid us farewell after a sublime, emotionally-driven performance. It must be truly breathtaking to be actually present in the arena and part of a live show.

And don’t get me wrong, I still love being in a sweaty crowd and will continue to take opportunity to be part of them, but to be able to just roll straight in to bed after a late gig on a school night was an added bonus. I woke up this morning still buzzing and [wondering if it was all just a beautiful dream](https://climatejustice.social/@ethicalrevolution/113360714950098597 ).

Fortunately it wasn’t and the great news is that the Radio Free Fedi live events scene has plenty more on the horizon.

Having already streamed various events sporadically throughout 2024 (including [sknob unplugged](https://nham.co.uk/2024/08/sknob-smashes-unplugged-performance-for-rff/ ) and [bgm live](https://nham.co.uk/2024/08/beautiful-guitar-man-rocks-out/ )) there is a bumper roster of live events that will be streamed via Owncast (npub1lm6…wvr4) on [party.radiofreefedi.net](https://party.radiofreefedi.net/ ). -Streaming the Radio Free Fedi Comfy Channel when there are no live events, on the bottom of that page you can see a list of upcoming events. I’m reliably informed there are plenty more hangouts, parties and live events set to be added for November too.

Thank you so much to Shannon Curtis (npub1jvh…3fyt), jamie hill🏴‍☠️ (npub1anr…gt7w) and radio free fedi (npub1568…d5ss).

Be sure to visit [shannoncurtis.net](https://shannoncurtis.net/ ) to listen to Good to Me as well as previous (and upcoming!) albums, and hopefully I’ll see you soon at another Radio Free Fedi event!

[⬇️ All here 🎧](https://nham.co.uk/2024/10/shannon-curtis-live/ )

#FediArtists #FediMusic #Fediwave #IndyMusic #live #LiveMusic #Music #RadioFreeFedi #RFF #ShannonCurtis

Nostr notes by NHAM

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[[Read in full on NHAM]](https://nham.co.uk/2025/04/run/ )## ...

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Interesting. I just tried following ...

We did look in to it but it sadly appears to be in shutdown mode: ...

Musicians/Bands: Add Upcoming Events! [[Read in full on ...

## Indy Music Ecosystem[[Read on ...

## Advent Calendar Song #21🎄 Counting down to Christmas with a ...

## Advent Calendar Song #18🎄 Counting down to Christmas with a ...

RFF Nostalgia [[Read full post on ...

[[Read in full on ...

**Shannon Curtis Live!** Woweee, that was quite the spectacular. ...

Shannon Curtis Live! Woweee, that was quite the spectacular. ...