Sarah Lay
@sarahlay.bsky.social
Local Gov UX/Content Designer. Music writer. Record label owner. Novelist. Working stuff out 💜
Braved the storm last night to head to The Grove in Nottingham. Vom
Vorton great, Bean Weevil amazingly joyous, and I got to play a light up tambourine while faves @pinkopaque.co.uk covered Sugababes Overload. Pretty perfect gig really 💖
Vorton great, Bean Weevil amazingly joyous, and I got to play a light up tambourine while faves @pinkopaque.co.uk covered Sugababes Overload. Pretty perfect gig really 💖
November 15, 2025 at 8:39 AM
Braved the storm last night to head to The Grove in Nottingham. Vom
Vorton great, Bean Weevil amazingly joyous, and I got to play a light up tambourine while faves @pinkopaque.co.uk covered Sugababes Overload. Pretty perfect gig really 💖
Vorton great, Bean Weevil amazingly joyous, and I got to play a light up tambourine while faves @pinkopaque.co.uk covered Sugababes Overload. Pretty perfect gig really 💖
Reflections on yesterday’s brill #lgcnorth:
- things are harder than ever but there is hope
- everything is about people, not technology
- finally a safe space to be cautious rather than evangelical about AI
- collaboration as one public sector is key
More: www.sarahlay.com/2025/11/week...
- things are harder than ever but there is hope
- everything is about people, not technology
- finally a safe space to be cautious rather than evangelical about AI
- collaboration as one public sector is key
More: www.sarahlay.com/2025/11/week...
Weeknote: week ending 14 November 2025 – Sarah Lay
www.sarahlay.com
November 14, 2025 at 12:42 PM
Reflections on yesterday’s brill #lgcnorth:
- things are harder than ever but there is hope
- everything is about people, not technology
- finally a safe space to be cautious rather than evangelical about AI
- collaboration as one public sector is key
More: www.sarahlay.com/2025/11/week...
- things are harder than ever but there is hope
- everything is about people, not technology
- finally a safe space to be cautious rather than evangelical about AI
- collaboration as one public sector is key
More: www.sarahlay.com/2025/11/week...
Reposted by Sarah Lay
We are dead proud of this amazing review of Bringing Back The Humans by @sarahlay.bsky.social 🫶🤖
Check it out eh? 👇
popoptica.com/2025/10/14/p...
Check it out eh? 👇
popoptica.com/2025/10/14/p...
Pink Opaque - Bringing Back The Humans (self-released) - popoptica
Sheffield futurepop duo Pink Opaque release second single Bringing Back The Humans - an anthem against AI and celebrating the quirkiness of people
popoptica.com
October 15, 2025 at 10:07 AM
We are dead proud of this amazing review of Bringing Back The Humans by @sarahlay.bsky.social 🫶🤖
Check it out eh? 👇
popoptica.com/2025/10/14/p...
Check it out eh? 👇
popoptica.com/2025/10/14/p...
Me & Pete share our thoughts about each artist in our new compilation (spoiler: we think they are all great). Thanks to the ace @joyzineuk.bsky.social for the piece
Among The Wildflowers is out now on vinyl, CD & digital!
Among The Wildflowers is out now on vinyl, CD & digital!
TRACK BY TRACK: RECKLESS YES RECORDS - AMONG THE WILDFLOWERS
After a 2-year hiatus co-founders of Reckless Yes records Pete Darrington & Sarah Lay guide us through their compilation 'Among The Wildflowers', packed with tracks by Feral Five, Knitting Circle, & many more.
@recklessyes.bsky.social
After a 2-year hiatus co-founders of Reckless Yes records Pete Darrington & Sarah Lay guide us through their compilation 'Among The Wildflowers', packed with tracks by Feral Five, Knitting Circle, & many more.
@recklessyes.bsky.social
Track by Track: Reckless Yes Records co-founders Pete Darrington and Sarah Lay guide us through their comeback compilation album ‘Among The Wildflowers’ - Joyzine
News of the return of Reckless Yes Records following a two-year hiatus was met with much rejoicing at Joyzine HQ. There are few labels whose ethics and musical taste have aligned quite so neatly with ...
joyzine.org
October 8, 2025 at 5:57 AM
Me & Pete share our thoughts about each artist in our new compilation (spoiler: we think they are all great). Thanks to the ace @joyzineuk.bsky.social for the piece
Among The Wildflowers is out now on vinyl, CD & digital!
Among The Wildflowers is out now on vinyl, CD & digital!
Out tomorrow, but stream today!
Thanks to @echoesanddust.bsky.social & @echoesanddan.bsky.social for hosting an exclusive stream of the @recklessyes.bsky.social compilation Among The Wildflowers
Ten incredible artists, a whole range of genres. Vinyl & CD over on Bandcamp!
#newmusicmonday
Thanks to @echoesanddust.bsky.social & @echoesanddan.bsky.social for hosting an exclusive stream of the @recklessyes.bsky.social compilation Among The Wildflowers
Ten incredible artists, a whole range of genres. Vinyl & CD over on Bandcamp!
#newmusicmonday
Exclusive Stream: Reckless Yes compilation Among The Wildflowers
Long time E&D faves, record label Reckless Yes mark their return after a 2 year hiatus with this compilation.
Give the full album an exclusive listen here on Echoes and Dust.
Get this in your ears!
echoesanddust.com/2025/10/excl...
Long time E&D faves, record label Reckless Yes mark their return after a 2 year hiatus with this compilation.
Give the full album an exclusive listen here on Echoes and Dust.
Get this in your ears!
echoesanddust.com/2025/10/excl...
October 6, 2025 at 4:33 PM
Out tomorrow, but stream today!
Thanks to @echoesanddust.bsky.social & @echoesanddan.bsky.social for hosting an exclusive stream of the @recklessyes.bsky.social compilation Among The Wildflowers
Ten incredible artists, a whole range of genres. Vinyl & CD over on Bandcamp!
#newmusicmonday
Thanks to @echoesanddust.bsky.social & @echoesanddan.bsky.social for hosting an exclusive stream of the @recklessyes.bsky.social compilation Among The Wildflowers
Ten incredible artists, a whole range of genres. Vinyl & CD over on Bandcamp!
#newmusicmonday
Time to bring my record label @recklessyes.bsky.social back with this ace (if I do say so) compilation
It’s a privilege to celebrate the DIY music scene with these artists 💖
Pre-orders open now 👇🏻 out 7 October 2025
It’s a privilege to celebrate the DIY music scene with these artists 💖
Pre-orders open now 👇🏻 out 7 October 2025
We’re back and we’ve got something lovely for you! 🌺
Among The Wildflowers is a compilation of the best of the DIY scene and is out on vinyl, CD & digital on 7 October 2025
Pre-orders open: recklessyes.bandcamp.com/album/ry150-...
Among The Wildflowers is a compilation of the best of the DIY scene and is out on vinyl, CD & digital on 7 October 2025
Pre-orders open: recklessyes.bandcamp.com/album/ry150-...
September 7, 2025 at 12:34 PM
Time to bring my record label @recklessyes.bsky.social back with this ace (if I do say so) compilation
It’s a privilege to celebrate the DIY music scene with these artists 💖
Pre-orders open now 👇🏻 out 7 October 2025
It’s a privilege to celebrate the DIY music scene with these artists 💖
Pre-orders open now 👇🏻 out 7 October 2025
Latest #WeekNote:
- pivoting content strategy to meet customers where they are, even though that’s not on your website anymore
- surviving the corporate immune system as an innovator
- finding happiness every day as the years go by fast
www.sarahlay.com/2025/08/week...
#LocalGovDigital
- pivoting content strategy to meet customers where they are, even though that’s not on your website anymore
- surviving the corporate immune system as an innovator
- finding happiness every day as the years go by fast
www.sarahlay.com/2025/08/week...
#LocalGovDigital
Weeknote – week ending 22 August 2025 – Sarah Lay
www.sarahlay.com
August 22, 2025 at 10:46 AM
Latest #WeekNote:
- pivoting content strategy to meet customers where they are, even though that’s not on your website anymore
- surviving the corporate immune system as an innovator
- finding happiness every day as the years go by fast
www.sarahlay.com/2025/08/week...
#LocalGovDigital
- pivoting content strategy to meet customers where they are, even though that’s not on your website anymore
- surviving the corporate immune system as an innovator
- finding happiness every day as the years go by fast
www.sarahlay.com/2025/08/week...
#LocalGovDigital
In my latest #weeknote:
- culture is what we tolerate
- transformation, content strategy, and experiences that aren’t digital by default
- unexpected learning alongside formal study (and a well done to my eldest on his A Level results)
www.sarahlay.com/2025/08/week...
#localgovdigital
- culture is what we tolerate
- transformation, content strategy, and experiences that aren’t digital by default
- unexpected learning alongside formal study (and a well done to my eldest on his A Level results)
www.sarahlay.com/2025/08/week...
#localgovdigital
Weeknote – week ending 15 August 2025 – Sarah Lay
www.sarahlay.com
August 15, 2025 at 12:14 PM
In my latest #weeknote:
- culture is what we tolerate
- transformation, content strategy, and experiences that aren’t digital by default
- unexpected learning alongside formal study (and a well done to my eldest on his A Level results)
www.sarahlay.com/2025/08/week...
#localgovdigital
- culture is what we tolerate
- transformation, content strategy, and experiences that aren’t digital by default
- unexpected learning alongside formal study (and a well done to my eldest on his A Level results)
www.sarahlay.com/2025/08/week...
#localgovdigital
Feels like it’s time to get back into the record game…
Look at some of our past releases, ain’t they beauts 😍
Look at some of our past releases, ain’t they beauts 😍
A few of our beautiful past releases for #NationalVinylRecordDay 😍
Not sure which of our bands are already here to tag them!
Not sure which of our bands are already here to tag them!
August 12, 2025 at 6:47 PM
Feels like it’s time to get back into the record game…
Look at some of our past releases, ain’t they beauts 😍
Look at some of our past releases, ain’t they beauts 😍
A post born of frustration: stop undermining the value of content in your product or services.
Imagine all the content vanished - long-form, mid weight and microcopy all gone. Still think you have a product? I’m not so sure…
www.sarahlay.com/2025/08/we-s...
#contentdesign #localgovdigital
Imagine all the content vanished - long-form, mid weight and microcopy all gone. Still think you have a product? I’m not so sure…
www.sarahlay.com/2025/08/we-s...
#contentdesign #localgovdigital
We (still) need to talk about content – Sarah Lay
www.sarahlay.com
August 12, 2025 at 6:42 AM
A post born of frustration: stop undermining the value of content in your product or services.
Imagine all the content vanished - long-form, mid weight and microcopy all gone. Still think you have a product? I’m not so sure…
www.sarahlay.com/2025/08/we-s...
#contentdesign #localgovdigital
Imagine all the content vanished - long-form, mid weight and microcopy all gone. Still think you have a product? I’m not so sure…
www.sarahlay.com/2025/08/we-s...
#contentdesign #localgovdigital
Second consecutive Weeknote!
This week:
- it’s time: empower us to say no to low value work
- what to learn next (recommendations welcome)
- being vulnerable, being resilient
www.sarahlay.com/2025/08/week...
#localgov #localgovdigital #productdesign #weeknote
This week:
- it’s time: empower us to say no to low value work
- what to learn next (recommendations welcome)
- being vulnerable, being resilient
www.sarahlay.com/2025/08/week...
#localgov #localgovdigital #productdesign #weeknote
Weeknote – week ending 8 August 2025 – Sarah Lay
www.sarahlay.com
August 8, 2025 at 7:34 AM
Second consecutive Weeknote!
This week:
- it’s time: empower us to say no to low value work
- what to learn next (recommendations welcome)
- being vulnerable, being resilient
www.sarahlay.com/2025/08/week...
#localgov #localgovdigital #productdesign #weeknote
This week:
- it’s time: empower us to say no to low value work
- what to learn next (recommendations welcome)
- being vulnerable, being resilient
www.sarahlay.com/2025/08/week...
#localgov #localgovdigital #productdesign #weeknote
Did a somewhat therapeutic blog post pondering on why decent digital basics are still the exception in local government.
www.sarahlay.com/2025/08/is-i...
#localgovdigital #digitaltransformation
www.sarahlay.com/2025/08/is-i...
#localgovdigital #digitaltransformation
Is intention the enemy of action? – Sarah Lay
www.sarahlay.com
August 6, 2025 at 4:42 PM
Did a somewhat therapeutic blog post pondering on why decent digital basics are still the exception in local government.
www.sarahlay.com/2025/08/is-i...
#localgovdigital #digitaltransformation
www.sarahlay.com/2025/08/is-i...
#localgovdigital #digitaltransformation
As both of us at Reckless Yes have birthdays today we thought why not start teasing our return as a record label as part of the celebrations…
So here we go…a sneak peek of something coming soon. Find us on Bandcamp, in the shops and all the usual music places to check out our (149) releases so far
So here we go…a sneak peek of something coming soon. Find us on Bandcamp, in the shops and all the usual music places to check out our (149) releases so far
August 2, 2025 at 12:59 PM
As both of us at Reckless Yes have birthdays today we thought why not start teasing our return as a record label as part of the celebrations…
So here we go…a sneak peek of something coming soon. Find us on Bandcamp, in the shops and all the usual music places to check out our (149) releases so far
So here we go…a sneak peek of something coming soon. Find us on Bandcamp, in the shops and all the usual music places to check out our (149) releases so far
Making a return to open working with a 3 thought Weeknote:
- looking at the whole user experience across many touch points
- finding a place in a system and nurturing communities to support and amplify
- getting out of my own way to get back to open working
www.sarahlay.com/2025/08/week...
- looking at the whole user experience across many touch points
- finding a place in a system and nurturing communities to support and amplify
- getting out of my own way to get back to open working
www.sarahlay.com/2025/08/week...
Weeknote – week ending 1 August 2025 – Sarah Lay
www.sarahlay.com
August 1, 2025 at 10:14 AM
Making a return to open working with a 3 thought Weeknote:
- looking at the whole user experience across many touch points
- finding a place in a system and nurturing communities to support and amplify
- getting out of my own way to get back to open working
www.sarahlay.com/2025/08/week...
- looking at the whole user experience across many touch points
- finding a place in a system and nurturing communities to support and amplify
- getting out of my own way to get back to open working
www.sarahlay.com/2025/08/week...
Ten years have passed since I wrote the first draft of my novel The Winter Passing.
I’ve since come close to publishing the second book in the series a few times but finally ready to fully commit and share more nonsense I made up in my head with anyone who cares to read it.
Let’s go, I guess
I’ve since come close to publishing the second book in the series a few times but finally ready to fully commit and share more nonsense I made up in my head with anyone who cares to read it.
Let’s go, I guess
July 27, 2025 at 8:32 AM
Ten years have passed since I wrote the first draft of my novel The Winter Passing.
I’ve since come close to publishing the second book in the series a few times but finally ready to fully commit and share more nonsense I made up in my head with anyone who cares to read it.
Let’s go, I guess
I’ve since come close to publishing the second book in the series a few times but finally ready to fully commit and share more nonsense I made up in my head with anyone who cares to read it.
Let’s go, I guess
Had a very good time at Hatch in Sheffield last night for lots of electronic noise pop from the wonderful Eilis Frawley, the ever brilliant Duck, and my new favourites @pinkopaque.co.uk
This info but longer and with added pictures and sounds on Popoptica popoptica.com/2025/06/01/e...
This info but longer and with added pictures and sounds on Popoptica popoptica.com/2025/06/01/e...
Eilis Frawley / Pink Opaque / DUCK - Hatch, Sheffield - live review - popoptica
As part of a UK and Europe tour in support of debut album Fall Forward Eilis Frawley played Hatch Sheffield on 31 May 2025 alongside Pink Opaque and DUCK
popoptica.com
June 1, 2025 at 1:30 PM
Had a very good time at Hatch in Sheffield last night for lots of electronic noise pop from the wonderful Eilis Frawley, the ever brilliant Duck, and my new favourites @pinkopaque.co.uk
This info but longer and with added pictures and sounds on Popoptica popoptica.com/2025/06/01/e...
This info but longer and with added pictures and sounds on Popoptica popoptica.com/2025/06/01/e...
Reposted by Sarah Lay
I lost a dear friend, a most generous soul.
We've all lost a fine blogger, podcaster and community builder.
perfectpath.co.uk/2025/04/16/n...
We've all lost a fine blogger, podcaster and community builder.
perfectpath.co.uk/2025/04/16/n...
Nick Booth (1965-2025)
I was going to write something on Facebook, but Nick was a blogger and so this belongs here. I heard this afternoon that my dear friend Nick Booth died yesterday after a fall at the weekend. ItR…
perfectpath.co.uk
April 16, 2025 at 4:25 PM
I lost a dear friend, a most generous soul.
We've all lost a fine blogger, podcaster and community builder.
perfectpath.co.uk/2025/04/16/n...
We've all lost a fine blogger, podcaster and community builder.
perfectpath.co.uk/2025/04/16/n...
Wrote a few lines about the new single from Electric Pets.
Kowtow! captures the bittersweet moment between holding on and letting go then wraps it in a 60s girl pop meets modern indie rock sound
popoptica.com/2025/03/03/e...
Kowtow! captures the bittersweet moment between holding on and letting go then wraps it in a 60s girl pop meets modern indie rock sound
popoptica.com/2025/03/03/e...
Electric Pets - Kowtow! (Reckless Yes) - popoptica
Electric Pets - the indie rock Derby four-piece fronted by Emma Buckley - release single and music video Kowtow! on Reckless Yes ahead of a new EP later in 2025
popoptica.com
March 3, 2025 at 7:54 PM
Wrote a few lines about the new single from Electric Pets.
Kowtow! captures the bittersweet moment between holding on and letting go then wraps it in a 60s girl pop meets modern indie rock sound
popoptica.com/2025/03/03/e...
Kowtow! captures the bittersweet moment between holding on and letting go then wraps it in a 60s girl pop meets modern indie rock sound
popoptica.com/2025/03/03/e...
Reposted by Sarah Lay
Great article about the real riot women musicians of Yorkshire featuring 2 brilliant Reckless Yes artists - Sarah of Duck & Erin of Nervous Twitch
Looking forward to this show and also bringing Reckless Yes back to life as a label in 2025
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Looking forward to this show and also bringing Reckless Yes back to life as a label in 2025
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Yorkshire's real riot women: The female bands keeping punk alive
Ahead of the Sally Wainwright TV show Riot Women, we speak to some of Yorkshire's female punk stars.
www.bbc.com
January 26, 2025 at 12:32 PM
Great article about the real riot women musicians of Yorkshire featuring 2 brilliant Reckless Yes artists - Sarah of Duck & Erin of Nervous Twitch
Looking forward to this show and also bringing Reckless Yes back to life as a label in 2025
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Looking forward to this show and also bringing Reckless Yes back to life as a label in 2025
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Great article about the real riot women musicians of Yorkshire featuring 2 brilliant Reckless Yes artists - Sarah of Duck & Erin of Nervous Twitch
Looking forward to this show and also bringing Reckless Yes back to life as a label in 2025
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Looking forward to this show and also bringing Reckless Yes back to life as a label in 2025
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Yorkshire's real riot women: The female bands keeping punk alive
Ahead of the Sally Wainwright TV show Riot Women, we speak to some of Yorkshire's female punk stars.
www.bbc.com
January 26, 2025 at 12:32 PM
Great article about the real riot women musicians of Yorkshire featuring 2 brilliant Reckless Yes artists - Sarah of Duck & Erin of Nervous Twitch
Looking forward to this show and also bringing Reckless Yes back to life as a label in 2025
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Looking forward to this show and also bringing Reckless Yes back to life as a label in 2025
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Intense emotions, intricate instrumentation, poetic lyrics - latest single A Hole In The Ground from Porridge Radio
New album just a few weeks away now! 🎧
popoptica.com/2024/09/24/p...
New album just a few weeks away now! 🎧
popoptica.com/2024/09/24/p...
Porridge Radio - A Hole In The Ground (Secretly Canadian) - popoptica
Ahead of new album Clouds In The Sky They Will Always Be There For Me, Porridge Radio has released epic single A Hole In The Ground
popoptica.com
September 24, 2024 at 6:50 AM
Intense emotions, intricate instrumentation, poetic lyrics - latest single A Hole In The Ground from Porridge Radio
New album just a few weeks away now! 🎧
popoptica.com/2024/09/24/p...
New album just a few weeks away now! 🎧
popoptica.com/2024/09/24/p...
Big riffs from thick guitars, melodic bass, and gauzy vocal harmonies - shoegaze to start the week 🎧
Ephemeral is the second single from Rain Cloud Nine
popoptica.com/2024/09/23/r...
Ephemeral is the second single from Rain Cloud Nine
popoptica.com/2024/09/23/r...
Rain Cloud Nine - Ephemeral (self- released) - popoptica
Describing their sound as 'dream punk doom pop' London duo Rain Cloud Nine released their second single Ephemeral recently and it's bursting with hazy layers of melody
popoptica.com
September 23, 2024 at 7:06 AM
Big riffs from thick guitars, melodic bass, and gauzy vocal harmonies - shoegaze to start the week 🎧
Ephemeral is the second single from Rain Cloud Nine
popoptica.com/2024/09/23/r...
Ephemeral is the second single from Rain Cloud Nine
popoptica.com/2024/09/23/r...
We’re not far off the second album (in 2 years) from Brighton power pop band ARXX.
Latest single Swim is a joyous, uplifting, emotional statement of solidarity and love for those in a gender journey 🎧
popoptica.com/2024/09/20/a...
Latest single Swim is a joyous, uplifting, emotional statement of solidarity and love for those in a gender journey 🎧
popoptica.com/2024/09/20/a...
ARXX - Swim (Submarine Cat Records) - popoptica
Ahead of the release of their second album Good Boy Brighton power pop due ARXX release single Swim, dedicated to empowering trans people within their gender journeys
popoptica.com
September 20, 2024 at 7:00 AM
We’re not far off the second album (in 2 years) from Brighton power pop band ARXX.
Latest single Swim is a joyous, uplifting, emotional statement of solidarity and love for those in a gender journey 🎧
popoptica.com/2024/09/20/a...
Latest single Swim is a joyous, uplifting, emotional statement of solidarity and love for those in a gender journey 🎧
popoptica.com/2024/09/20/a...