Simon Smith
@sitorimon.bsky.social
Creator behind Higher Plain Music, Higher Plain Games, I Love Disaster Movies and various other indie creative projects. Content and service designer by day. Indie games / music for the soul.
Been rather unwell across this week, a hangover from getting that bloody flu in December. Slept most of the last 3 days and hopefully will be bouncing back and catching up on publishing articles shortly :)
January 22, 2026 at 11:35 PM
Been rather unwell across this week, a hangover from getting that bloody flu in December. Slept most of the last 3 days and hopefully will be bouncing back and catching up on publishing articles shortly :)
DuckDuckGo running an AI public vote. So far it is looking very comprehensive. 93% say no.
January 20, 2026 at 2:01 AM
DuckDuckGo running an AI public vote. So far it is looking very comprehensive. 93% say no.
Been telling artists for nearly 20 years. Your own websites and email lists are still the highest conversions to purchases, streams, and fan engagement. This has never changed. Social media is useful, but you do not own the rules of engagement. Move fans to an experience you own and craft yourself.
January 20, 2026 at 12:44 AM
Been telling artists for nearly 20 years. Your own websites and email lists are still the highest conversions to purchases, streams, and fan engagement. This has never changed. Social media is useful, but you do not own the rules of engagement. Move fans to an experience you own and craft yourself.
Love. This.
We’re articulating our approach to generative AI so musicians can keep making music and fans can trust the music they find on Bandcamp.
Bandcamp’s Mission and Our Approach to Generative AI
We’re articulating our approach to generative AI so musicians can keep making music and fans can trust the music they find on Bandcamp.
blog.bandcamp.com
January 20, 2026 at 12:38 AM
Love. This.
Demo Disc EP.007 – 20 Indie Games Previewed, I Wishlisted 16!
Puzzles, Racers, Rhythm Battles, 3D Platformers, and some incrementals to boot.
Puzzles, Racers, Rhythm Battles, 3D Platformers, and some incrementals to boot.
Demo Disc EP.007 – 20 Indie Games Previewed, I Wishlisted 16!
Puzzles, Racers, Rhythm Battles, 3D Platformers, and some incrementals to boot.
higherplaingames.com
January 18, 2026 at 10:41 PM
Demo Disc EP.007 – 20 Indie Games Previewed, I Wishlisted 16!
Puzzles, Racers, Rhythm Battles, 3D Platformers, and some incrementals to boot.
Puzzles, Racers, Rhythm Battles, 3D Platformers, and some incrementals to boot.
Introducing… Flesh Produce
Nu-metal meets... 8-bit electronics?!
Nu-metal meets... 8-bit electronics?!
Introducing… Flesh Produce
Nu-metal meets... 8-bit electronics?!
higherplainmusic.com
January 17, 2026 at 11:03 PM
Introducing… Flesh Produce
Nu-metal meets... 8-bit electronics?!
Nu-metal meets... 8-bit electronics?!
Introducing… Lone Assembly
This Swiss quartet command the stage with their blend of darkwave and gothic rock.
This Swiss quartet command the stage with their blend of darkwave and gothic rock.
Introducing… Lone Assembly
This Swiss quartet command the stage with their blend of darkwave and gothic rock.
higherplainmusic.com
January 17, 2026 at 9:26 PM
Introducing… Lone Assembly
This Swiss quartet command the stage with their blend of darkwave and gothic rock.
This Swiss quartet command the stage with their blend of darkwave and gothic rock.
Kate de Rosset – ‘It Will Burn’ Review
Your ambient pop, air sprite energetic boost is here.
Your ambient pop, air sprite energetic boost is here.
Kate de Rosset – ‘It Will Burn’ Review
Your ambient pop, air sprite energetic boost is here.
higherplainmusic.com
January 17, 2026 at 8:42 PM
Kate de Rosset – ‘It Will Burn’ Review
Your ambient pop, air sprite energetic boost is here.
Your ambient pop, air sprite energetic boost is here.
Reposted by Simon Smith
Grok is so much worse than you think.
January 17, 2026 at 8:45 AM
Grok is so much worse than you think.
34 Sport Games: World Edition – Review
Like playing a bland Wii shovelware from 2014.
Like playing a bland Wii shovelware from 2014.
34 Sport Games: World Edition – Review
Like playing a bland Wii shovelware from 2014.
higherplaingames.com
January 17, 2026 at 3:25 PM
34 Sport Games: World Edition – Review
Like playing a bland Wii shovelware from 2014.
Like playing a bland Wii shovelware from 2014.
Mitski returns with ‘Where’s My Phone?’ and new album in February
Reclusive rock that lets it all pour out in private.
Reclusive rock that lets it all pour out in private.
Mitski returns with ‘Where’s My Phone?’ and new album in February
Reclusive rock that lets it all pour out in private.
higherplainmusic.com
January 16, 2026 at 11:36 PM
Mitski returns with ‘Where’s My Phone?’ and new album in February
Reclusive rock that lets it all pour out in private.
Reclusive rock that lets it all pour out in private.
Hani Rani’s new album is the soundtrack ‘Sentimental Value’ that extends beyond the film
The soundtrack integrates field recordings from set and tracks not in the movie.
The soundtrack integrates field recordings from set and tracks not in the movie.
Hani Rani’s new album is the soundtrack ‘Sentimental Value’ that extends beyond the film
The soundtrack integrates field recordings from set and tracks not in the movie.
higherplainmusic.com
January 14, 2026 at 10:27 PM
Hani Rani’s new album is the soundtrack ‘Sentimental Value’ that extends beyond the film
The soundtrack integrates field recordings from set and tracks not in the movie.
The soundtrack integrates field recordings from set and tracks not in the movie.
Violin-looping indie pop star Kishi Bashi to celebrate 10th Anniversary of ‘Sonderlust’ with special edition
A personal 10/10 album is getting the expanded demos and b-sides treatment!
A personal 10/10 album is getting the expanded demos and b-sides treatment!
Violin-looping indie pop star Kishi Bashi to celebrate 10th Anniversary of ‘Sonderlust’ with special edition
A personal 10/10 album is getting the expanded demos and b-sides treatment!
higherplainmusic.com
January 14, 2026 at 9:23 PM
Violin-looping indie pop star Kishi Bashi to celebrate 10th Anniversary of ‘Sonderlust’ with special edition
A personal 10/10 album is getting the expanded demos and b-sides treatment!
A personal 10/10 album is getting the expanded demos and b-sides treatment!
Absolutely chaotic start to the week, so my apologies for a lack of written content so far - just about to dive in and start catching up a bit now!
January 13, 2026 at 11:37 PM
Absolutely chaotic start to the week, so my apologies for a lack of written content so far - just about to dive in and start catching up a bit now!
I think about Steam reviews that start with "I really wanted to like this game..." in the same vein as YouTube videos that have to put "my brutally honest review" in the thumbnail.
January 13, 2026 at 2:20 AM
I think about Steam reviews that start with "I really wanted to like this game..." in the same vein as YouTube videos that have to put "my brutally honest review" in the thumbnail.
I mean the latter is very soothed by the former... so...
January 12, 2026 at 5:16 AM
I mean the latter is very soothed by the former... so...
Bits & Bops – Review
The perfect entry-level rhythm action game for the cosy and cute gamer crowd.
The perfect entry-level rhythm action game for the cosy and cute gamer crowd.
Bits & Bops – Review
The perfect entry-level rhythm action game for the cosy and cute gamer crowd.
higherplaingames.com
January 11, 2026 at 11:00 PM
Bits & Bops – Review
The perfect entry-level rhythm action game for the cosy and cute gamer crowd.
The perfect entry-level rhythm action game for the cosy and cute gamer crowd.
Swann’s Song – Review
A gentle and thoughtful discussion about life, death, and the passage of time.
A gentle and thoughtful discussion about life, death, and the passage of time.
Swann’s Song – Review
A gentle and thoughtful discussion about life, death, and the passage of time.
higherplaingames.com
January 11, 2026 at 10:28 PM
Swann’s Song – Review
A gentle and thoughtful discussion about life, death, and the passage of time.
A gentle and thoughtful discussion about life, death, and the passage of time.
Truckzilla: Monster Truck Mega Ramp Mania – Review
An utterly broken mess that I deeply regret buying at 75% off.
An utterly broken mess that I deeply regret buying at 75% off.
Truckzilla: Monster Truck Mega Ramp Mania – Review
An utterly broken mess that I deeply regret buying at 75% off.
higherplaingames.com
January 10, 2026 at 11:48 PM
Truckzilla: Monster Truck Mega Ramp Mania – Review
An utterly broken mess that I deeply regret buying at 75% off.
An utterly broken mess that I deeply regret buying at 75% off.
Introducing… A Thousand Mad Things
80s synthpop meets modern darkwave so we can all cry on the dancefloor
80s synthpop meets modern darkwave so we can all cry on the dancefloor
Introducing… A Thousand Mad Things
80s synthpop meets modern darkwave so we can all cry on the dancefloor
higherplainmusic.com
January 10, 2026 at 6:02 PM
Introducing… A Thousand Mad Things
80s synthpop meets modern darkwave so we can all cry on the dancefloor
80s synthpop meets modern darkwave so we can all cry on the dancefloor
Tidiane Thiam – ‘Siftorde’ Review
The innate rhythm of desert blues and Sahelian folk will charm your soul.
The innate rhythm of desert blues and Sahelian folk will charm your soul.
Tidiane Thiam – ‘Siftorde’ Review
The innate rhythm of desert blues and Sahelian folk will charm your soul.
higherplainmusic.com
January 9, 2026 at 11:07 PM
Tidiane Thiam – ‘Siftorde’ Review
The innate rhythm of desert blues and Sahelian folk will charm your soul.
The innate rhythm of desert blues and Sahelian folk will charm your soul.
Sir Noggin – Review
A love letter to the Sega Master System.
A love letter to the Sega Master System.
Sir Noggin – Review
A love letter to the Sega Master System.
higherplaingames.com
January 8, 2026 at 8:00 PM
Sir Noggin – Review
A love letter to the Sega Master System.
A love letter to the Sega Master System.
Urgh. I've used Reason to record all my music since around 2010. The absolute last thing I want is AI being forced into my workflow to ruin the joy of my human creativity. Leave this as entirely optional for me, please. Beyond frustrated.
www.reasonstudios.com/news/post/re...
www.reasonstudios.com/news/post/re...
Reason Studios
Today we're pleased to announce that Reason and LANDR are teaming up to redefine the future of music creation. When Reason's journey started in 1994, we set ourselves apart with a creative workflow th...
www.reasonstudios.com
January 8, 2026 at 6:52 PM
Urgh. I've used Reason to record all my music since around 2010. The absolute last thing I want is AI being forced into my workflow to ruin the joy of my human creativity. Leave this as entirely optional for me, please. Beyond frustrated.
www.reasonstudios.com/news/post/re...
www.reasonstudios.com/news/post/re...
Ultimate Racing 2D 2 – Exploring the BTCC 2023 Mod with an AI Championship
Ultimate Racing 2D 2's Steam Workshop is a gift.
Ultimate Racing 2D 2's Steam Workshop is a gift.
Ultimate Racing 2D 2 – Exploring the BTCC 2023 Mod with an AI Championship
Ultimate Racing 2D 2's Steam Workshop is a gift.
higherplaingames.com
January 6, 2026 at 11:44 PM
Ultimate Racing 2D 2 – Exploring the BTCC 2023 Mod with an AI Championship
Ultimate Racing 2D 2's Steam Workshop is a gift.
Ultimate Racing 2D 2's Steam Workshop is a gift.
Introducing… Asher Gamedze
A melting pot of African soul, jazz, and percussive heritage brews a heady concoction of political grooves.
A melting pot of African soul, jazz, and percussive heritage brews a heady concoction of political grooves.
Introducing… Asher Gamedze
A melting pot of African soul, jazz, and percussive heritage brews a heady concoction of political grooves.
higherplainmusic.com
January 6, 2026 at 11:28 PM
Introducing… Asher Gamedze
A melting pot of African soul, jazz, and percussive heritage brews a heady concoction of political grooves.
A melting pot of African soul, jazz, and percussive heritage brews a heady concoction of political grooves.