That’s a wrap.

I’ve just finished a new novel which is always a strange time. On the one hand it means I can play Skyrim without feeling guilty that I’m not working but on the other there’s a peculiar emptiness that comes from not doing the thing you’ve been doing for so long.

Also when I’m writing I don’t really pay much attention to social media or other stuff (hence my long, long absences of participation) so I emerge, blinking in the light and wondering why this Trump thing is still happening and is everyone still talking about cake.

Anyhow now that it’s done I thought I’d share some of the music I listen to when I’m writing. I can’t work in silence and my family is always around me so it’s normal for me to write with a bit of noise in the background and I choose music that suits my writing, or at least I hope I do.

Angel Olsen.[image error]

All of it but especially her Strange Cacti EP and My Woman.

A lot has been said about Angel Olsen’s style so there’s nothing new I can say. Watch some of her live stuff on YouTube. I think she might be possessed by a very talented spirit. I imagine a studio engineer says, ‘OK Angel we’re ready for you,’ and looks up, ‘Angel? Angel?’ and there’s nothing behind the glass but a strange blue mist that starts to “sing”?

Johann Johannsson

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And in the endless pause there came the sound of bees.

This guy died this year and it’s a terrible loss to the world. His music was practically the soundtrack throughout my work as Robert Lautner and I can’t believe he will not work again. Terrible, terrible that he is gone. I listen to a lot of Icelandic instrumental music.

Big Thief.

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All of it. One of the only recent bands I know that sound just as good, if not better, live than in studio but look like they just met and are all in different bands. Listening and watching Adrianne Lenker and Buck Meek perform is like being invited to spy on someone’s subconscious. You become part of their therapy.

Alex Cameron.

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Funny and brilliant. Makes me happy all the time. He should be emperor of his own island. He looks and talks like that guy you used to know that was always sofa surfing and peaked in high school and you miss him and he still has your sunglasses.