HippyDave
@hippydave.bsky.social
Professional hippy. Writer, reader, music obsessive. Conservationist & conversationist. Woke AF.
Paging @emilymagpieyeah.bsky.social... I genuinely did a double take when I saw this in the @6music.bsky.social feed. Go you! 😀 (Glad to see you here, btw, may it be everything we still miss about the good old days on Twitter!)
“The Changeling” by Emily Magpie #nowplaying #6music
May 10, 2025 at 2:04 PM
Paging @emilymagpieyeah.bsky.social... I genuinely did a double take when I saw this in the @6music.bsky.social feed. Go you! 😀 (Glad to see you here, btw, may it be everything we still miss about the good old days on Twitter!)
Pink Floyd's "At Pompeii" is at number one in the UK album chart? I am the zeitgeist! 😄
May 9, 2025 at 9:07 PM
Pink Floyd's "At Pompeii" is at number one in the UK album chart? I am the zeitgeist! 😄
@jigsawpieces.bsky.social Happy Birthday old chap! Hope you've had a severely excellent day. 😃
May 6, 2025 at 8:08 PM
@jigsawpieces.bsky.social Happy Birthday old chap! Hope you've had a severely excellent day. 😃
Hmmm. That weird feeling you get when you realise that the dread Tories have finally lost control of your local council after 20 years, but that Reform now have the largest number of seats on it... 😵💫
May 2, 2025 at 9:32 PM
Hmmm. That weird feeling you get when you realise that the dread Tories have finally lost control of your local council after 20 years, but that Reform now have the largest number of seats on it... 😵💫
Exactly this.
Amazing how easily morons are convinced by rich white people who own most of the wealth (and already run the country) that the reason the country is ruined is not the rich white people that run it but the most vulnerable/least powerful in society (refugees, trans people, people with disabilities)
Utterly dispiriting watching Farage and his army of swivel-eyed loons accrue seat after seat in the local election results. I do understand why people are so angry at Labour - I am too - but Farage's tired, reactionary, xenophobic bullshit is not the answer. 🤦
May 2, 2025 at 8:24 AM
Exactly this.
Utterly dispiriting watching Farage and his army of swivel-eyed loons accrue seat after seat in the local election results. I do understand why people are so angry at Labour - I am too - but Farage's tired, reactionary, xenophobic bullshit is not the answer. 🤦
You’re telling me that right wing voters that Labour was trying to appeal to voted for a right wing party anyway and left wing voters decided not to vote for Labour because they’re too right wing now? Who could have possibly predicted this.
May 2, 2025 at 8:08 AM
Utterly dispiriting watching Farage and his army of swivel-eyed loons accrue seat after seat in the local election results. I do understand why people are so angry at Labour - I am too - but Farage's tired, reactionary, xenophobic bullshit is not the answer. 🤦
Exercised my democratic rights earlier this evening. Unlikely to make a difference in a Tory seat so safe that most tactical voting sites just put a shrug emoji next to it, but elections can only be won by showing up. 🗳💚
May 1, 2025 at 9:05 PM
Exercised my democratic rights earlier this evening. Unlikely to make a difference in a Tory seat so safe that most tactical voting sites just put a shrug emoji next to it, but elections can only be won by showing up. 🗳💚
I've been neglecting my blogging, so wrote a monster update tonight. Hopefully it goes some way towards explaining why I've been so quiet here of late...!
open.substack.com/pub/hippydav...
open.substack.com/pub/hippydav...
Through The Singularity
Or: 2025, gimme a break already
open.substack.com
April 26, 2025 at 9:02 PM
I've been neglecting my blogging, so wrote a monster update tonight. Hopefully it goes some way towards explaining why I've been so quiet here of late...!
open.substack.com/pub/hippydav...
open.substack.com/pub/hippydav...
Ah, back in business. All hail the excellent staff at the O2 store in Worcester, who rectified a seemingly intractable problem with my new phone in record time. Had a brief mooch around Worcester, and now waiting for the train home so I can get on with the weekend I was actually planning!
April 26, 2025 at 10:57 AM
Ah, back in business. All hail the excellent staff at the O2 store in Worcester, who rectified a seemingly intractable problem with my new phone in record time. Had a brief mooch around Worcester, and now waiting for the train home so I can get on with the weekend I was actually planning!
Reposted by HippyDave
If you love live music and want to have your voice heard by the government and music industry, please join thousands of music fans in taking this survey before it’s too late cgastrategy.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_...
March 2, 2025 at 10:20 AM
If you love live music and want to have your voice heard by the government and music industry, please join thousands of music fans in taking this survey before it’s too late cgastrategy.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_...
Well, my specialist's appointment this afternoon went very well. Because I have a long history of forming kidney stones, I used to get regular scans, which - understandably - stopped abruptly when Covid hit, but were never re-instated. This has now been done, which is very welcome. 😀
February 25, 2025 at 7:44 PM
Well, my specialist's appointment this afternoon went very well. Because I have a long history of forming kidney stones, I used to get regular scans, which - understandably - stopped abruptly when Covid hit, but were never re-instated. This has now been done, which is very welcome. 😀
A hassle-free train journey and a welcome walk in the sunshine to see a man about some kidney stones. Got here a little early so hanging out in the sun. Roll on Spring!
February 25, 2025 at 2:47 PM
A hassle-free train journey and a welcome walk in the sunshine to see a man about some kidney stones. Got here a little early so hanging out in the sun. Roll on Spring!
I watch the footage of Musk waving a chainsaw around at CPAC earlier, and can only conclude the same kind of blind, dispassionate hatred and nihilism that drives Leatherface drives Musk as well. Both men only know how to destroy; for them it is an end unto itself.
a man is holding a woman in his arms while the sun is setting in the background .
Alt: Leatherface wields his chainsaw, a clip from "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre".
media.tenor.com
February 21, 2025 at 8:27 PM
I watch the footage of Musk waving a chainsaw around at CPAC earlier, and can only conclude the same kind of blind, dispassionate hatred and nihilism that drives Leatherface drives Musk as well. Both men only know how to destroy; for them it is an end unto itself.
One thing's for sure, sitting here listening to a new Mostly Autumn record and sending my thoughts into the ether has left me feeling that any minute, Tim Hall would be joining the proverbial chat. "I hear his voice call / It only seems a moment since we last spoke", indeed.
February 18, 2025 at 5:06 PM
One thing's for sure, sitting here listening to a new Mostly Autumn record and sending my thoughts into the ether has left me feeling that any minute, Tim Hall would be joining the proverbial chat. "I hear his voice call / It only seems a moment since we last spoke", indeed.
#NowPlaying Mostly Autumn, "Seawater". The two-disc limited edition of MA's latest arrived this afternoon, so this is my first listen. As usual, when it's great, it's fabulous; when it's not great, it's... really not. There are few bands who I profess to enjoy that I have such a difficult time with.
February 18, 2025 at 4:29 PM
#NowPlaying Mostly Autumn, "Seawater". The two-disc limited edition of MA's latest arrived this afternoon, so this is my first listen. As usual, when it's great, it's fabulous; when it's not great, it's... really not. There are few bands who I profess to enjoy that I have such a difficult time with.
#NowPlaying Nightwish, "Yesterwynde". Still besotted with this - almost certainly my favourite of the recent trilogy, and the others are all great, so that's not faint praise. Some bemoan that they've left their classic power metal sound behind them and have embraced prog and folk, but not me.
February 14, 2025 at 3:01 PM
#NowPlaying Nightwish, "Yesterwynde". Still besotted with this - almost certainly my favourite of the recent trilogy, and the others are all great, so that's not faint praise. Some bemoan that they've left their classic power metal sound behind them and have embraced prog and folk, but not me.
#NowPlaying Jinjer, "Duél". First listen. Man, they sound like they're on a mission this time. It comes roaring out of the gate, fists flying, before becoming surprisingly varied. "Tumbleweed" - surely one of the hardest-hitting songs about the invasion of Ukraine - is an instant highlight.
February 14, 2025 at 2:07 PM
#NowPlaying Jinjer, "Duél". First listen. Man, they sound like they're on a mission this time. It comes roaring out of the gate, fists flying, before becoming surprisingly varied. "Tumbleweed" - surely one of the hardest-hitting songs about the invasion of Ukraine - is an instant highlight.
#NowPlaying Spiritbox, "Eternal Blue". Another band with a much-anticipated new record on the way ("Tsunami Sea", out next month). This is still the perfect blend of blissful pop and feral metalcore; very interested to see if we get further twists to their sound on the new record.
February 14, 2025 at 1:20 PM
#NowPlaying Spiritbox, "Eternal Blue". Another band with a much-anticipated new record on the way ("Tsunami Sea", out next month). This is still the perfect blend of blissful pop and feral metalcore; very interested to see if we get further twists to their sound on the new record.
#NowPlaying Lacuna Coil, "Broken Crown Halo". Totally psyched for the new album ("Invisible Empire"), so giving this old favourite a spin in the meantime. This one captures them on the cusp of transitioning to a heavier sound, and it's a great mix of hooky choruses and speaker-trashing riffs. 🤘
February 14, 2025 at 12:15 PM
#NowPlaying Lacuna Coil, "Broken Crown Halo". Totally psyched for the new album ("Invisible Empire"), so giving this old favourite a spin in the meantime. This one captures them on the cusp of transitioning to a heavier sound, and it's a great mix of hooky choruses and speaker-trashing riffs. 🤘
#NowPlaying Nobody's Wolf Child, "Erbsa's Songs Of The Sea". Still thoroughly besotted with this, it's utterly gorgeous. NWC's other singles have been fantastic too, I can't wait for the debut album. I reckon it's going to be pretty special.
February 14, 2025 at 11:45 AM
#NowPlaying Nobody's Wolf Child, "Erbsa's Songs Of The Sea". Still thoroughly besotted with this, it's utterly gorgeous. NWC's other singles have been fantastic too, I can't wait for the debut album. I reckon it's going to be pretty special.
#NowPlaying Deathless Legacy, "Mater Larvarum". Ghost-style occult lunacy, beautifully rendered. Steva has a wonderful voice for this stuff, and the playing is taut and has plenty of heft. Looking forward to the forthcoming "Damnatio Aeterna".
February 14, 2025 at 11:31 AM
#NowPlaying Deathless Legacy, "Mater Larvarum". Ghost-style occult lunacy, beautifully rendered. Steva has a wonderful voice for this stuff, and the playing is taut and has plenty of heft. Looking forward to the forthcoming "Damnatio Aeterna".
Finally managed to listen to the whole of the Dream Theater album, thanks to a cancelled work meeting. Aaargh, it's superb. Unmistakably DT - highly melodic and thoroughly gnarly by turns. A delight for fans like me, highly unlikely to convince those who remain unconvinced. Long may they persist! 😄
February 13, 2025 at 8:48 PM
Finally managed to listen to the whole of the Dream Theater album, thanks to a cancelled work meeting. Aaargh, it's superb. Unmistakably DT - highly melodic and thoroughly gnarly by turns. A delight for fans like me, highly unlikely to convince those who remain unconvinced. Long may they persist! 😄
And whilst I'm moaning, what's going on with this bloody cold? Feels like it's coming back for round three.
God, I'm so tired of winter. I need sun! (And a better immune system, I suppose.)
God, I'm so tired of winter. I need sun! (And a better immune system, I suppose.)
February 12, 2025 at 8:20 PM
And whilst I'm moaning, what's going on with this bloody cold? Feels like it's coming back for round three.
God, I'm so tired of winter. I need sun! (And a better immune system, I suppose.)
God, I'm so tired of winter. I need sun! (And a better immune system, I suppose.)
First World problems: there's a new Dream Theater album out. I adore Dream Theater, and what I've heard of the new record is excellent. Dream Theater records are lengthy. It's been nearly a week and I still haven't got more than 3 tracks in without being interrupted. It's becoming vexing. 😄
February 12, 2025 at 8:17 PM
First World problems: there's a new Dream Theater album out. I adore Dream Theater, and what I've heard of the new record is excellent. Dream Theater records are lengthy. It's been nearly a week and I still haven't got more than 3 tracks in without being interrupted. It's becoming vexing. 😄
I can think of a few worthy four-album runs, but I can't think of any greater than:
The Dark Side Of The Moon
Wish You Were Here
Animals
The Wall
🥰
The Dark Side Of The Moon
Wish You Were Here
Animals
The Wall
🥰
What four-album run is this?
For me, it’s M83’s Dead Cities (2003) — Hurry Up, We’re Dreaming (2011)
For me, it’s M83’s Dead Cities (2003) — Hurry Up, We’re Dreaming (2011)
February 9, 2025 at 7:33 PM
I can think of a few worthy four-album runs, but I can't think of any greater than:
The Dark Side Of The Moon
Wish You Were Here
Animals
The Wall
🥰
The Dark Side Of The Moon
Wish You Were Here
Animals
The Wall
🥰