firebrandboy

Fortunately, the new wave of Scottish electronica is allowing Firebrand Boy to reach out to more appreciative audiences. Given Scotland’s genetic make-up, it’s a revival Cunningham feels was inevitable:

“There’s some kind of deep rooted self-deprecation in people who’ve grown up in Scotland. So, it makes sense that computers, synthesizers, drum machines and other utilitarian devices are a popular expressive choice. Combine that with long standing pop sensibility and it’s no surprise there’s such a fantastic electronic music scene in Scotland.”

Read the whole interview here.

Probably not the best time given that Facebook‘s privacy procedures have been brought under close scrutiny recently but please ‘like’ the new Firebrand Boy Facebook page by going here. I’ll be updating it with events, releases and developments.

Watching iPlayer
Tidying my desk
Cleaning contact points with isopropyl alcohol
Chatting on IRC
Ordering from Pizza Hut online
Putting cable ties on all the cables under my desk
Listening to my music to find flaws
Going to the city centre with no purpose
Reading threads on 8bitcollective
Going to the cinema on a Friday morning
Making bad hip-hop
Writing lists

Today was spent tidying and mounting potentiometers to my Arduinome.

Bored, stuck and frustrated. Just watch as the LEDs go on and off and relax.

Strathclyde University has recently unleashed plans, which will see the demise of the BA Applied Music (BAAM) course in its entirety. The staff, alumni and current students at the University feel this is a grave mistake as this course is one of the most sought-after music courses in Scotland. Each year it has in excess of over 400 applicants and only around 30 places. Currently the retention rates of the course stand at almost 100%, and graduates who have gone into jobs all stand at 100%. The facts and figures for the course all speak for themselves and until Thursday 4th February 2010 our course had been advised it would not be subject to cuts within the University.

My life would have been very different had I not attended this course. Please sign the petition and show your support for one of the UK’s most comprehensive music courses. More info here.

The prodigious and super-talented VBLANK has ported the Arduinome software to the Bliptronic 5000. This could potentially offer an incredibly cost-effective alternative to the monome. Need to get my hands on one and do some hacking. More info here.

Q) What inspires you?

A) Public transport and electric train harmonies.

Another organ for my collection

My music was used in videos of Jose Olivares‘ Ancient Pixels thesis.