john | relaxed machinery
@ahalftintoyrobot.bsky.social
I post about what I’m listening to for myself and as an advisor/librarian for SomaFM. Record as Relaxed Machinery and owned a label of the same name. Also, a half tin toy robot.
musician, coffee addict, sql coder, former label owner, mini painter, he/him
musician, coffee addict, sql coder, former label owner, mini painter, he/him
#SomaFM promo email queue
🎧 Twilight Archive - Dusk Line
#downtempo #chill #jazzyambient
I’m totally enjoying this. It’s mellow. It grooves. A wonderful backdrop to my coffee and coding.
Recommended.
twilightarchive.bandcamp.com/album/dusk-l...
🎧 Twilight Archive - Dusk Line
#downtempo #chill #jazzyambient
I’m totally enjoying this. It’s mellow. It grooves. A wonderful backdrop to my coffee and coding.
Recommended.
twilightarchive.bandcamp.com/album/dusk-l...
dusk line, by Twilight Archive
10 track album
twilightarchive.bandcamp.com
January 6, 2026 at 2:49 PM
#SomaFM promo email queue
🎧 Twilight Archive - Dusk Line
#downtempo #chill #jazzyambient
I’m totally enjoying this. It’s mellow. It grooves. A wonderful backdrop to my coffee and coding.
Recommended.
twilightarchive.bandcamp.com/album/dusk-l...
🎧 Twilight Archive - Dusk Line
#downtempo #chill #jazzyambient
I’m totally enjoying this. It’s mellow. It grooves. A wonderful backdrop to my coffee and coding.
Recommended.
twilightarchive.bandcamp.com/album/dusk-l...
☕️ I’m playing catch up a bit with the #SomaFM promos after the Nov/Dec rush at work (always busiest time of year at my healthcare data job) and my dad passing right before Christmas and everything else.
I think I just hit a really good one, but I’m only one track in so I’ll wait a bit to share.
I think I just hit a really good one, but I’m only one track in so I’ll wait a bit to share.
January 6, 2026 at 2:12 PM
☕️ I’m playing catch up a bit with the #SomaFM promos after the Nov/Dec rush at work (always busiest time of year at my healthcare data job) and my dad passing right before Christmas and everything else.
I think I just hit a really good one, but I’m only one track in so I’ll wait a bit to share.
I think I just hit a really good one, but I’m only one track in so I’ll wait a bit to share.
I loved this email from #SomaFM - recapping a bunch of stats.
In the latest from our mailing list, "2025: A Year of Loved Songs" - we give some stats on the music we played last year and what were the songs most loved by listeners:
somafm.com/mailinglist/...
somafm.com/mailinglist/...
SomaFM: Mailing List Archives
Our newsletter is a text-only email newsletter, here is the most recent one.
somafm.com
January 2, 2026 at 6:45 PM
I loved this email from #SomaFM - recapping a bunch of stats.
This made a nice start to my morning
@herbersmusic.bsky.social is a really good human who makes good #ambient
This album has a more happy feeling to me - I love my melancholy ambient, but Ed adds juuuust enough of a smile to brighten the atmosphere.
herbers.bandcamp.com/album/season...
@herbersmusic.bsky.social is a really good human who makes good #ambient
This album has a more happy feeling to me - I love my melancholy ambient, but Ed adds juuuust enough of a smile to brighten the atmosphere.
herbers.bandcamp.com/album/season...
Season Cycle: Winter, by Ed Herbers
7 track album
herbers.bandcamp.com
December 30, 2025 at 9:54 PM
This made a nice start to my morning
@herbersmusic.bsky.social is a really good human who makes good #ambient
This album has a more happy feeling to me - I love my melancholy ambient, but Ed adds juuuust enough of a smile to brighten the atmosphere.
herbers.bandcamp.com/album/season...
@herbersmusic.bsky.social is a really good human who makes good #ambient
This album has a more happy feeling to me - I love my melancholy ambient, but Ed adds juuuust enough of a smile to brighten the atmosphere.
herbers.bandcamp.com/album/season...
Almost done with all my tickets for Jan 1 - Health Industry is big on massive changes for Jan 1
My dad passed away last week - still processing
🎧 This album is #ambient #deeptechno the Hypnus label is a fave of mine
BLNDR outdid themselves on this
hypnus.bandcamp.com/album/lobser...
My dad passed away last week - still processing
🎧 This album is #ambient #deeptechno the Hypnus label is a fave of mine
BLNDR outdid themselves on this
hypnus.bandcamp.com/album/lobser...
l'Observatoire, by BLNDR
9 track album
hypnus.bandcamp.com
December 29, 2025 at 7:52 PM
Almost done with all my tickets for Jan 1 - Health Industry is big on massive changes for Jan 1
My dad passed away last week - still processing
🎧 This album is #ambient #deeptechno the Hypnus label is a fave of mine
BLNDR outdid themselves on this
hypnus.bandcamp.com/album/lobser...
My dad passed away last week - still processing
🎧 This album is #ambient #deeptechno the Hypnus label is a fave of mine
BLNDR outdid themselves on this
hypnus.bandcamp.com/album/lobser...
Good morning happy people of bsky
I’m continuing my Norite related artists marathon. This artist was on Noritian Mysteries. it’s not bad. #techno #deeptechno
pvnv.bandcamp.com/album/save-r...
I’m continuing my Norite related artists marathon. This artist was on Noritian Mysteries. it’s not bad. #techno #deeptechno
pvnv.bandcamp.com/album/save-r...
SAVE.RESET EP, by PVNV
5 track album
pvnv.bandcamp.com
December 24, 2025 at 3:21 PM
Good morning happy people of bsky
I’m continuing my Norite related artists marathon. This artist was on Noritian Mysteries. it’s not bad. #techno #deeptechno
pvnv.bandcamp.com/album/save-r...
I’m continuing my Norite related artists marathon. This artist was on Noritian Mysteries. it’s not bad. #techno #deeptechno
pvnv.bandcamp.com/album/save-r...
Working this morning. Coffee is needed. It’s been a stressful chunk of days.
🎧 various - Noritian Mysteries (2019)
I really like the Norite label out of Belgium. Some great artists on there
#deeptechno
#hypnotictechno
#techno
norite.bandcamp.com/album/noriti...
🎧 various - Noritian Mysteries (2019)
I really like the Norite label out of Belgium. Some great artists on there
#deeptechno
#hypnotictechno
#techno
norite.bandcamp.com/album/noriti...
Noritian Mysteries, by NORITE
15 track album
norite.bandcamp.com
December 23, 2025 at 2:41 PM
Working this morning. Coffee is needed. It’s been a stressful chunk of days.
🎧 various - Noritian Mysteries (2019)
I really like the Norite label out of Belgium. Some great artists on there
#deeptechno
#hypnotictechno
#techno
norite.bandcamp.com/album/noriti...
🎧 various - Noritian Mysteries (2019)
I really like the Norite label out of Belgium. Some great artists on there
#deeptechno
#hypnotictechno
#techno
norite.bandcamp.com/album/noriti...
In honor of Ken Downie's passing @theblackdog.bsky.social
The Black Dog - Loud Ambient (2025)
theblackdog.bandcamp.com/album/loud-a...
The Black Dog - Loud Ambient (2025)
theblackdog.bandcamp.com/album/loud-a...
Loud Ambient, by The Black Dog
10 track album
theblackdog.bandcamp.com
December 22, 2025 at 6:29 PM
In honor of Ken Downie's passing @theblackdog.bsky.social
The Black Dog - Loud Ambient (2025)
theblackdog.bandcamp.com/album/loud-a...
The Black Dog - Loud Ambient (2025)
theblackdog.bandcamp.com/album/loud-a...
I've been playing
🎧 Chris Russell - Voyager (2022)
I've known Chris for what seems like forever. He's always written good #ambient music - always.
This album is on Exosphere - a @s1gnsofl1fe.bsky.social / @dontyler47.bsky.social Synphaera imprint.
exospheremusic.bandcamp.com/album/voyager
🎧 Chris Russell - Voyager (2022)
I've known Chris for what seems like forever. He's always written good #ambient music - always.
This album is on Exosphere - a @s1gnsofl1fe.bsky.social / @dontyler47.bsky.social Synphaera imprint.
exospheremusic.bandcamp.com/album/voyager
Voyager, by Chris Russell
7 track album
exospheremusic.bandcamp.com
December 22, 2025 at 6:08 PM
I've been playing
🎧 Chris Russell - Voyager (2022)
I've known Chris for what seems like forever. He's always written good #ambient music - always.
This album is on Exosphere - a @s1gnsofl1fe.bsky.social / @dontyler47.bsky.social Synphaera imprint.
exospheremusic.bandcamp.com/album/voyager
🎧 Chris Russell - Voyager (2022)
I've known Chris for what seems like forever. He's always written good #ambient music - always.
This album is on Exosphere - a @s1gnsofl1fe.bsky.social / @dontyler47.bsky.social Synphaera imprint.
exospheremusic.bandcamp.com/album/voyager
Wow, sad news.
It’s with great sadness and a heavy heart that we announce the passing of Ken Downie on 20/12/25. Rest In Peace brother, you will be deeply missed and never forgotten. Our condolences to Sheena and his family.
December 22, 2025 at 11:47 AM
Wow, sad news.
#SomaFM promo queue is an #ambient release from
Nick May - Places: Ambient Works
(Future generations may refer to this as PAW)
Liking so far, only 3 tracks in. First was a bit dense, atmosphere and chaotic-ish. 2nd sublime minimal. 3rd piano & birds.
nickmaymusic.bandcamp.com/album/places...
Nick May - Places: Ambient Works
(Future generations may refer to this as PAW)
Liking so far, only 3 tracks in. First was a bit dense, atmosphere and chaotic-ish. 2nd sublime minimal. 3rd piano & birds.
nickmaymusic.bandcamp.com/album/places...
Places: Ambient Works, by Nick May
8 track album
nickmaymusic.bandcamp.com
December 16, 2025 at 2:28 PM
#SomaFM promo queue is an #ambient release from
Nick May - Places: Ambient Works
(Future generations may refer to this as PAW)
Liking so far, only 3 tracks in. First was a bit dense, atmosphere and chaotic-ish. 2nd sublime minimal. 3rd piano & birds.
nickmaymusic.bandcamp.com/album/places...
Nick May - Places: Ambient Works
(Future generations may refer to this as PAW)
Liking so far, only 3 tracks in. First was a bit dense, atmosphere and chaotic-ish. 2nd sublime minimal. 3rd piano & birds.
nickmaymusic.bandcamp.com/album/places...
Spins today:
Queens of the Stone Age - Songs for the Deaf is a nearly perfect album
Motörhead
Judas Priest
Stabbing Westward (Side 2 from their first two albums)
And more of the artist I mentioned this morning. The Alchemical Theory
☕️
Queens of the Stone Age - Songs for the Deaf is a nearly perfect album
Motörhead
Judas Priest
Stabbing Westward (Side 2 from their first two albums)
And more of the artist I mentioned this morning. The Alchemical Theory
☕️
December 15, 2025 at 8:54 PM
Spins today:
Queens of the Stone Age - Songs for the Deaf is a nearly perfect album
Motörhead
Judas Priest
Stabbing Westward (Side 2 from their first two albums)
And more of the artist I mentioned this morning. The Alchemical Theory
☕️
Queens of the Stone Age - Songs for the Deaf is a nearly perfect album
Motörhead
Judas Priest
Stabbing Westward (Side 2 from their first two albums)
And more of the artist I mentioned this morning. The Alchemical Theory
☕️
I’ve been trying to keep news to a minimum for my own sanity, but damn this was a bad weekend for mass shootings and murders.
I have my work (thankfully) to sink into and music and an amazing wife and four chihuahuas to keep me sane. Not really in that order.
And coffee.
I have my work (thankfully) to sink into and music and an amazing wife and four chihuahuas to keep me sane. Not really in that order.
And coffee.
December 15, 2025 at 2:37 PM
I’ve been trying to keep news to a minimum for my own sanity, but damn this was a bad weekend for mass shootings and murders.
I have my work (thankfully) to sink into and music and an amazing wife and four chihuahuas to keep me sane. Not really in that order.
And coffee.
I have my work (thankfully) to sink into and music and an amazing wife and four chihuahuas to keep me sane. Not really in that order.
And coffee.
#deeptechno #minimaltechno #techno
I‘ve been exploring artists who have released on the Norite la al and I’m on this one now - three Italian artists releasing together. It’s very nice so far.
oslated.bandcamp.com/album/egypti...
I‘ve been exploring artists who have released on the Norite la al and I’m on this one now - three Italian artists releasing together. It’s very nice so far.
oslated.bandcamp.com/album/egypti...
Egyptian Secrets [OSL011], by The Alchemical Theory
8 track album
oslated.bandcamp.com
December 15, 2025 at 2:28 PM
#deeptechno #minimaltechno #techno
I‘ve been exploring artists who have released on the Norite la al and I’m on this one now - three Italian artists releasing together. It’s very nice so far.
oslated.bandcamp.com/album/egypti...
I‘ve been exploring artists who have released on the Norite la al and I’m on this one now - three Italian artists releasing together. It’s very nice so far.
oslated.bandcamp.com/album/egypti...
my good friend @louigiverona.bsky.social is having a listening party on Bandcamp tomorrow!
#ambient
louigi.bandcamp.com/merch/journe...
#ambient
louigi.bandcamp.com/merch/journe...
Journeys on Google Earth Listening Party from Louigi Verona
Listening Party from Louigi Verona.
louigi.bandcamp.com
December 12, 2025 at 6:12 PM
my good friend @louigiverona.bsky.social is having a listening party on Bandcamp tomorrow!
#ambient
louigi.bandcamp.com/merch/journe...
#ambient
louigi.bandcamp.com/merch/journe...
I’ve started listening to this today - first two tracks are recommended. (I’m only that far :-) )
#ambient
#ambient
We have a listening party! Come and join us on the 19th for festivities and music from our new Christmas compilation. Several of the artists involved will be online to chat, so mull your wine, gather your family and friends and we'll see you there!
passedrecordings.bandcamp.com/merch/the-gh...
passedrecordings.bandcamp.com/merch/the-gh...
The Ghost Of Christmas Passed Listening Party from Passed Recordings
Listening Party from Passed Recordings.
passedrecordings.bandcamp.com
December 11, 2025 at 5:14 PM
I’ve started listening to this today - first two tracks are recommended. (I’m only that far :-) )
#ambient
#ambient
Morning spin
🎧 Various - Christmas Passed (2022)
Friend sent me a promo for this for #SomaFM consideration for the holiday season and it’s darn good. Ended up playing the entire album. One annoying track but I’m not saying which. ;-)
#ambient
passedrecordings.bandcamp.com/album/christ...
🎧 Various - Christmas Passed (2022)
Friend sent me a promo for this for #SomaFM consideration for the holiday season and it’s darn good. Ended up playing the entire album. One annoying track but I’m not saying which. ;-)
#ambient
passedrecordings.bandcamp.com/album/christ...
Christmas Passed, by Passed Recordings
10 track album
passedrecordings.bandcamp.com
November 21, 2025 at 2:56 PM
Morning spin
🎧 Various - Christmas Passed (2022)
Friend sent me a promo for this for #SomaFM consideration for the holiday season and it’s darn good. Ended up playing the entire album. One annoying track but I’m not saying which. ;-)
#ambient
passedrecordings.bandcamp.com/album/christ...
🎧 Various - Christmas Passed (2022)
Friend sent me a promo for this for #SomaFM consideration for the holiday season and it’s darn good. Ended up playing the entire album. One annoying track but I’m not saying which. ;-)
#ambient
passedrecordings.bandcamp.com/album/christ...
Listening to new one comping up on @spottedpeccary.bsky.social
🎧 Rudy Adrian - Along The Coppermine Ridge
#ambient
Only 3 tracks in so far. Really enjoying the nuances in this.
Releases next week.
rudy-adrian.bandcamp.com/album/along-...
🎧 Rudy Adrian - Along The Coppermine Ridge
#ambient
Only 3 tracks in so far. Really enjoying the nuances in this.
Releases next week.
rudy-adrian.bandcamp.com/album/along-...
Along The Coppermine Ridge, by Rudy Adrian
11 track album
rudy-adrian.bandcamp.com
November 17, 2025 at 2:39 PM
Listening to new one comping up on @spottedpeccary.bsky.social
🎧 Rudy Adrian - Along The Coppermine Ridge
#ambient
Only 3 tracks in so far. Really enjoying the nuances in this.
Releases next week.
rudy-adrian.bandcamp.com/album/along-...
🎧 Rudy Adrian - Along The Coppermine Ridge
#ambient
Only 3 tracks in so far. Really enjoying the nuances in this.
Releases next week.
rudy-adrian.bandcamp.com/album/along-...
I read a great post on @theblackdog.bsky.social facebook on seeing Cabaret Voltaire recently and the joy of that experience.
So I have a small marathon going.
🎧 Eight Crepuscule Tracks
🎧 Code
I spun Tranklements earlier this morning
theblackdog.bandcamp.com/album/trankl...
So I have a small marathon going.
🎧 Eight Crepuscule Tracks
🎧 Code
I spun Tranklements earlier this morning
theblackdog.bandcamp.com/album/trankl...
Tranklements, by The Black Dog
18 track album
theblackdog.bandcamp.com
October 27, 2025 at 2:17 PM
I read a great post on @theblackdog.bsky.social facebook on seeing Cabaret Voltaire recently and the joy of that experience.
So I have a small marathon going.
🎧 Eight Crepuscule Tracks
🎧 Code
I spun Tranklements earlier this morning
theblackdog.bandcamp.com/album/trankl...
So I have a small marathon going.
🎧 Eight Crepuscule Tracks
🎧 Code
I spun Tranklements earlier this morning
theblackdog.bandcamp.com/album/trankl...
Revisiting
TM404 - Syra (2021)
One of Andreas Tilliander‘s aliases…. The track 1998 is the superstar of this release. Dearly love that throbbing, slowly evolving, insistently moving forward sound.
#techno
kontra-musik.bandcamp.com/album/syra
TM404 - Syra (2021)
One of Andreas Tilliander‘s aliases…. The track 1998 is the superstar of this release. Dearly love that throbbing, slowly evolving, insistently moving forward sound.
#techno
kontra-musik.bandcamp.com/album/syra
Syra, by TM404
8 track album
kontra-musik.bandcamp.com
October 23, 2025 at 7:58 PM
Revisiting
TM404 - Syra (2021)
One of Andreas Tilliander‘s aliases…. The track 1998 is the superstar of this release. Dearly love that throbbing, slowly evolving, insistently moving forward sound.
#techno
kontra-musik.bandcamp.com/album/syra
TM404 - Syra (2021)
One of Andreas Tilliander‘s aliases…. The track 1998 is the superstar of this release. Dearly love that throbbing, slowly evolving, insistently moving forward sound.
#techno
kontra-musik.bandcamp.com/album/syra
I’ve been enjoying this one
Shawn Rudiman - Reality In Quotes (2025)
#techno #ambient
Very nice album. lighter on the beats, more on the atmospheres.
itma.bandcamp.com/album/realit...
Shawn Rudiman - Reality In Quotes (2025)
#techno #ambient
Very nice album. lighter on the beats, more on the atmospheres.
itma.bandcamp.com/album/realit...
Reality in Quotes, by Shawn Rudiman
13 track album
itma.bandcamp.com
October 22, 2025 at 4:00 PM
I’ve been enjoying this one
Shawn Rudiman - Reality In Quotes (2025)
#techno #ambient
Very nice album. lighter on the beats, more on the atmospheres.
itma.bandcamp.com/album/realit...
Shawn Rudiman - Reality In Quotes (2025)
#techno #ambient
Very nice album. lighter on the beats, more on the atmospheres.
itma.bandcamp.com/album/realit...
We received some #SomaFM promo from old friend and #ambient artist @philwilkerson.bsky.social - we’ve bumped into each other around the various forums and networks for years now.
Give Phillip Wilkerson a listen if new to you.
phillipwilkerson.bandcamp.com/album/kieta-ne
Give Phillip Wilkerson a listen if new to you.
phillipwilkerson.bandcamp.com/album/kieta-ne
kieta ne, by Phillip Wilkerson
2 track album
phillipwilkerson.bandcamp.com
October 22, 2025 at 3:31 PM
We received some #SomaFM promo from old friend and #ambient artist @philwilkerson.bsky.social - we’ve bumped into each other around the various forums and networks for years now.
Give Phillip Wilkerson a listen if new to you.
phillipwilkerson.bandcamp.com/album/kieta-ne
Give Phillip Wilkerson a listen if new to you.
phillipwilkerson.bandcamp.com/album/kieta-ne
Next up in fun ambient history is
Vidna Obmana - Crossing The Trail (1998)
projektrecords.bandcamp.com/album/crossi...
Vidna Obmana - Crossing The Trail (1998)
projektrecords.bandcamp.com/album/crossi...
Crossing the Trail - deluxe 20th anniversary edition, by vidnaObmana
8 track album
projektrecords.bandcamp.com
October 15, 2025 at 2:09 PM
Next up in fun ambient history is
Vidna Obmana - Crossing The Trail (1998)
projektrecords.bandcamp.com/album/crossi...
Vidna Obmana - Crossing The Trail (1998)
projektrecords.bandcamp.com/album/crossi...
Listening to this old collab between @robertrichmusic.bsky.social and Steve Roach. Been a long time since I played this one. Released 1990.
Has some utterly sublime amazing tracks and one I don’t care for much. :-)
heartsofspacerecords.bandcamp.com/album/strata
Has some utterly sublime amazing tracks and one I don’t care for much. :-)
heartsofspacerecords.bandcamp.com/album/strata
Strata, by Steve Roach and Robert Rich
10 track album
heartsofspacerecords.bandcamp.com
October 15, 2025 at 1:53 PM
Listening to this old collab between @robertrichmusic.bsky.social and Steve Roach. Been a long time since I played this one. Released 1990.
Has some utterly sublime amazing tracks and one I don’t care for much. :-)
heartsofspacerecords.bandcamp.com/album/strata
Has some utterly sublime amazing tracks and one I don’t care for much. :-)
heartsofspacerecords.bandcamp.com/album/strata
We went on the Michiana Pottery Tour yesterday. Saw so many gorgeous and amazing pieces and a few studios. A very nice time with friends visiting us.
September 28, 2025 at 1:50 PM
We went on the Michiana Pottery Tour yesterday. Saw so many gorgeous and amazing pieces and a few studios. A very nice time with friends visiting us.