Haunted Air

This rather wonderful book turned up at the Seatman house not so long ago. It would have been very rude not to let it in. It has now taken up residence on the shelf.

Echopet this year

This track was put together by Jez Stevens and myself back in 2013. The idea was to work together as Echopet. Alas we did not really do anything about it. Then a few nights ago we got together to discuss getting Echopet up and running, and have decided to work on some music this Spring and Summer. And maybe even play live later in the year. In the mean time I have an album to finish and release by October, so best I crack on.

Robert Macfarline The eeriness of the English Countryside

A fantastic article from The Guardian by Robert Macfarline entitled The eeriness of the English Countryside. Writers and artists have long been fascinated by the idea of an English eerie – ‘the skull beneath the skin of the countryside’. But for a new generation this has nothing to do with hokey supernaturalism – it’s a cultural and political response to contemporary crises and fears. The starting point for this excellent piece is the M R James Ghost story A View from a Hill and Ben Wheatley's A Field in England. Definitely worth a read.

New Album Tracks Part 2 (Work in Progress)

Even more ideas, work in progress and swift mixes for the next album. The tracks are
I Wish I Wish, Once More with the Whirligig, Broken Folk, Thinking Doing & Moving, Waiting for Mr Fieldpole, My Morning Ritual, Race you to the Top. Now all I have to do is set about releasing it later in the year.

Something for the Autumn (maybe)

If all goes to plan (and it usually does not) and providing its mixed mastered and all the artwork etc is finished. This might be an Autumn release.

Test Transmission Archive Reel 20

Test Transmission Archive Reel 20 by Keith Seatman on Mixcloud

At last Archive Reel 20!!!!! never thought I would in fact get to 20 of these. Who knows might make it to 30. This time round we have music from Seventh Wave, Luther Ingram, Soulless Party, Ariel Pinks Haunted Graffiti, Advisory Circle, Carya Amara, Concretism, Jane Weaver, 10cc and quite a lot more. Anyway a tad busy for the next few months on the new album so I hope to get another Archive Reel to you all in the summer. In the meantime hope you enjoy all this. Until next time.........TATA

THE ACTIVE LISTENER: Nine Questions with Keith Seatman

THE ACTIVE LISTENER: Nine Questions with Keith Seatman: Nine Questions is a new regular feature on the Active Listener, where we ask our favourite artists nine simple questions and get all sorts of answers

Waiting for Les Revenants

Have just recently re-watched the last episode of Les Revenants (The Returned) and I must say how very much I enjoyed the whole series. A while ago I did try to explain the series and why I liked it so much to a friend of mine. So here more or less is my shambolic after a few vodkas explanation of Les Revenants to my friend. "its Zombies, but not really Zombies!! the dead come back to life but they are not daft silly shambling decomposing things. They are just as confused as to why they are all coming back to life. It sort of reminds me of Twin Peaks in places, lots of very long slow conversations that are captivating and intriguing with lots of long pauses and intense facial expressions. Its all set in a French Alpine Village or Town and again like the Twin Peaks intro much is made of the landscapes, lots of vast forests mountains empty roads. Its very dark and bleak. The soundtrack is perfect, its by Mogwai, I will lend it to you (friend still looks interested in what I am saying, and has not walked of or yawned) the whole series is on Netflix, have a look. Its based on the 2004 French film They Came Back which was also called The Returned" Thats more or less what I said to my friend, it was also getting very late by then. I am very much looking forward to season 2 later in 2015.

The Boy from Space BBC Study Series

My Good friend Mr Palmer recently picked up these two BBC study series LPs and very thoughtfully gave one of them (The Boy from Space) to me. The music and spacey sounds for the album were produced by the BBC Radiophonic Workshops John Baker & Dick Mills. Sadly there is not really a lot of music or spacey sounds on this album, but it is still a very enjoyable listen. The Boy from Space was written by Catweazle creator Richard Carpenter.

Late Junction Jan 13th

Only just found out that on Tuesday 13th Jan a tune of mine, Into the Well from the album Around the Folly and Down Hill, was played by Nick Luscombe on The Late Junction (Radio 3) to say I was a tad pleased would be an understatement. The program is only available to listen to on iPlayer for a limited time. Thank you Nick.

THE ACTIVE LISTENER: Keith Seatman "Around the Folly & Down Hill"

THE ACTIVE LISTENER: Keith Seatman "Around the Folly & Down Hill": Reviewed by Nathan Ford I've been mulling this one over for quite some time. While it was apparent almost immediately that this was...

This all looks and sounds very interesting.

"Folklore is a vibrant element of 'Britishness' and a living cultural heritage; these beliefs, customs and expressions link the past to the present and help us understand our specific communities and cultures, as well as our shared humanity. Far from being static or an ageing genre, it remains relevant by adapting to new circumstances, with the 'Folk' (people), and the 'lore' (stories) continually informing and influencing each other. At the moment there is no dedicated institution within the UK that specifically explores and celebrates our folkloric culture and heritage in its full richness, including all of our annual customs and traditions. I feel this is a sad state of affairs and points towards a yawning gap within the cultural landscape of Britain. It is my aim that within a few years, this situation will be examined and resolved and there will exist a properly funded new national establishment which will not only impart knowledge and stimulate inquiry, but will also provide aesthetic experiences and kindle individual ambition by strengthening community ties and making visitors aware of the richness of our shared folk-culture in all its manifold forms. At the present time we are in the process of deciding the best way for us to operate and we do not have a building which the public can visit. We are however involved in a series of exhibitions within the UK where visitors can come to gain an appreciation of what will eventually be on offer once we are established. 

Simon Costin (Director, Museum of British Folklore)

Edgar Froese 1944 - 2015

Very sad to hear that Tangerine Dream founder Edgar Froese has passed away.

If it was not for the music of Edgar Froese and Tangerine Dream (at the hight of punk I had copies of Stratosfear and Ricochet, tucked away safely in the not punk box of records) I would never have heard of or listened to Kraftwerk, Can, Neu! Cluster etc.

Froese's Aqua is a fav of mine, NGC 891 is a massive track, if you have 14 mins spare do have a listen. I was very lucky to have seen Tangerine Dream on the UK Cyclone and Force Majeure tours (my friend and I did look slightly out of place though)  but I can not really remember to much about it apart from very large Synths and lasers. So with all that said I will now go and listen to NGC 891 once more. I really think you should as well.

New tunes on Soundcloud (Excerpts)

Here are some tracks that will hopefully end up on the next album, due out sometime later in 2015. When I say later in 2015 I really do mean later. All are rough mixes and work in progress etc. The voices on the track Full Circle are Douglas E Powell and his son Joshua.

More of Doug on the album later.

The tracks are

Theres something outside

Full Circle

Sun in her hand

Made by Sun and Ice

Along the Corridor 1st on the Left Room 2882

Race you to the top

Scarfolk Film Censors Page 187 - 188

I expect that a lot of you are aware of the wonderful world of Scarfolk and all that it entails. If for any reason you are not, then do not fret. With full permission from the head of Scarfolk Council himself, here are 2 extracts from the wonderful Discovering Scarfolk book. The book is very clever well written and bloody funny. If you do not have a copy, best you get one very soon, you could also grab a fridge magnet and a cup to go with it.

Soulless Party & Carya Amara new releases

Two cracking releases out now and available from Bandcamp. 

7 inch Center Label Selection (Part 3)

Only realised today that I had not posted any random 7inch single centers since Oct 2013

the last lot are here and here definitely a case of getting sidetracked and forgetting things.

Anyway here is another random old selection of 7 inch single centers.

The Sparks single was the 1st single that I ever bought myself, and the Ghost Box Listening Center 7inch was the last single I bought, which was a few months ago.

Bandcamp VAT Update (Normal Service Resumed)

Looks like I will NOT be disabling my digital downloads on Bandcamp on 1st Jan 2015. The latest from BC is that they will be dealing with the VAT with regards to downloads. Which is very good news for all the musicians and small independent labels out there. So I looks like when I do get round to finishing the new album it will be on Bandcamp as CD and Download.
On that note......Happy New Year to you all, see you on the other side.
Goodbye for now.

Bandcamp Downloads Now Disabled (Temporarily)

Sadly from Jan 1st 2015 my digital music will no longer be available to download and purchase from Bandcamp. Due to new EU law anyone selling music downloads online has to now pay VAT. I have spent many a sad and dull hour today reading all the FAQs and HMRC docs regarding this and like quite a few others have decided not sell my music as digital downloads on Bandcamp for the time being (might change if it all gets sorted out)
On the plus side all my albums/music will still be on Bandcamp to listen to (stream) and I should add that CD copies of my albums will still be available from Bandcamp (seems the tax issue is all sorted there)

Seasons Greeting to all

Time for a rest now after a very up (new album & music etc) and down (due to illness) year.
Seasons Greetings. Happy Christmas to you all.

Test Transmission Archive Reel 19

Test Transmission Archive Reel 19 by Keith Seatman on Mixcloud

Its the final one of the year and time for be to have a short break and get on with some recording (new album to get to grips with) This time round we have Dolly Dolly, Kate Bush, Graham Bowers, Nurse with Wound, The Lost Trail, Wyrdstone, Oneohtrix Point Never, Douglas E Powell, Black Sabbeth, Collection D'Arnell-Andrea and loads more for your winter listening pleasure. Have a good winter.

Alien Jams. Design a Wave Launch 17/12/14

Alien Jams have a launch party for the new Design a Wave 12in ep

at Power Lunches Hackney on 17th December.

Secret Self 7/12/14

I produced a mix for Simon Heartfield's Secret Self show seanceradio.co.uk (5pm on 7th December). Simon's show is the 1st Sunday of every month.

The mix consisted of

Louis & Bebe Baron - Krell Shuttle Ride and_Power Station

Dick Mills (Radiophonic Workshop) - Macrocosm

Pye Corner Audio - Theme Number Six

Bruce Haack - Incantation

Boards of Canada - Dayvan Cowboy

Amon Tobin - Bloodstone

Moon Wiring Club - Activate the Poacher

Michael Bundt - La Chasse Aux Microbes

Kemper Norton - 22.8.99

Alien Jams Nov 30th

Alien Jams w/ Chloe Frieda & Keith Seatman - 30th November 2014 by Nts Radio on Mixcloud

A month or so ago Chloe Frieda who hosts and runs The Alien Jams show on NTS Radio & also the Alien Jams Record Label, invited me back onto the show. I was last on the show way back in February 2014 and had a fantastic time. So I was very much looking forward to it again. This time round I played tunes by The Soulless Party, Simon Heartfield, Alan Hawkshaw, Thomas Leer, The Listening Center and Space Art. I had a fantastic time, and after a very swift post show drink I bid my farewells to Chloe and headed of to find the tube station. Top tip for the day, always check to see if there is any engineering work taking place on the underground.

Its the new one from The Advisory Circle

Very happy chap because the new The Advisory Circle album From out Here dropped through the door. And what a fine album it is to. Some very interesting and creepy stuff here,
Mr Foyster (is full of menace) From out of Here (a tad errie) Triadex Two Five Nine (they are coming to get you) Jessica finds the Beach (Mournful and lovely).
A big old thumbs up for Mr Brooks, and no doubt this will (like as The Crow Flies did) live in my car for a few months for those long and dark winter journeys (I have one coming up in fact, just me and From Out of Here)

 

 

 

 

Alien Jams NTS Radio Sunday 30th

I have been asked back on to the NTS Radio Alien Jams show on Sunday 30th November at 5pm. I have sorted out a nice selection of music/records to play so if you get the chance do tune in for a listen.

This looks fantastic. Unearthing Forgotten Horrors

This looks fantastic. Aderlating, Kemper Norton, Soulless Party, Emily Jones, Septimus Keen. Screenings of Mumsy Nanny Sonny and Girly and Shockwaves, and selections from The Ghost Box Film Retrospective will be shown. Sadly there is no possible way that I can get along for the weekend, so best I check out Hotels ready for next years event.

A Specific Function

Video produced by Jez Stevens

A Specific Function from the Album Around the Folly and Downhill

Out Now Keith Seatman & Douglas E Powell My Morning Ritual

This collaboration came about after I made a visit to Douglas’s recording studio, Twister Valley Records in North Devon to spend the weekend immersed in music, writing and producing field recording’s whilst rambling the countryside and beaches of North Devon. The product of this weekend’s folly was ‘My Morning Ritual’, an electronica scene scape produced by Keith Seatman with words by Douglas E Powell which explores the beauty and ancient rural secrets of the surrounding North Devonshire countryside. I have since recorded another track with Doug and a 3rd might be in the pipeline. All these tunes should be on the next album due out sometime in 2015.
My Morning Ritual is available now on Bandcamp for the mighty price of 80p.

Songs from the Black Meadow OUT NOW

Available from

Amazon

Createspace

The British Esperantist Issue 2

My copy of The British Esperantist turned up today.

Wilson Osborne and his Wife standing where they were

showered with nuts.

What is The British Esperantist????

The Post Office Tower "Its not yours"

I recently found an old Postcard from 1967. 

It reminded me of how much I loved The Post Office Tower when I was growing up. 

For me it really was the future.

"It’s not yours. It was paid for by the British taxpayer, and given to you 

by Margaret Thatcher, and it wasn’t hers to give". 

Tony Benn MP

Test Transmission Archive Reel 18

Test Transmission Archive Reel 18 by Keith Seatman on Mixcloud

Here we are coming into the Autumn, and I have managed to cobble together another mix. But what do we have on this one????? The Elephants Memory, The Peanut Butter Conspiracy, Siouxsie and the Banshees, Justin Hopper, Wendy Craig, The Owl Service, Nino De Luca, Simon Heartfield and loads more. So there you are, and of you go now.

Songs from the Black Meadow. The Launch (more info)

If all goes to plan. I should be there myself.

My Morning Ritual (Excerpt)

Full version of My Morning Ritual available from Bandcamp later in the year.

Coming soon in the Autumn

Coming soon in the Autumn, My Morning Ritual

Music Keith Seatman

Vocals/Words Douglas E Powell
ksa 004
k.s.audio

Firework Art, Mark Fleming

A recent present from my friend Mr Palmer the lovely Firework Art Book

and it is exactly what it says on the back cover and website.

An evocative look at a century of British fireworks and Bonfire Nights, seen through the artwork of their labels, posters and brochures

Copies still available from Amazon.