Mike Barnes
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mikebarnesjourno.bsky.social
Mike Barnes
@mikebarnesjourno.bsky.social
Author of A New Day Yesterday: UK Progressive Rock & The 1970s (2021); Captain Beefheart (2000). Contributor: Prog, MOJO, The Wire, Electronic Sound, Hi-Fi News. Drums and keyboards with Himmel: Music For Massed Fuzz Organs. linktr.ee/mike_barnes
Reposted by Mike Barnes
'Refuge' is an instrumental, largely classical piece from our Hats Off Gentlemen It's Adequate album The Confidence Trick.

It follows the story of my great-grandmother's experiences as a refugee, escaping from racial persecution.
open.spotify.com/track/2rYfBt...
Refuge
Hats Off Gentlemen It's Adequate · The Confidence Trick · Song · 2022
open.spotify.com
August 2, 2025 at 1:12 PM
Reposted by Mike Barnes
There was an actual tapestry. Inside the original double album cover is an image of the needlepoint I worked on when I wasn't playing or singing. You can see where I stitched the words "thank you" before I gave it to Lou.
From "A Natural Woman"
Photo by Jim McCrary
Courtesy Lou Adler / Ode Records
August 2, 2025 at 1:26 PM
Reposted by Mike Barnes
"And once you come to this conclusion you cannot remain silent."

Location: Parliament Square, London (sound on)

youtu.be/WMwqhdVV5as
Yes, it's a genocide
YouTube video by Led By Donkeys
youtu.be
December 4, 2024 at 2:26 PM
Reposted by Mike Barnes
"We cannot continue to participate in the social network feed of a man who proclaims the death of the media and therefore of journalists... X is a platform that no longer serves the public interest at all, but the special ideological and financial interests of its owner and his political allies"
European Federation of Journalists to stop posting content on X
The EFJ represents over 295,000 journalists in 44 countries.
www.thelondoneconomic.com
December 2, 2024 at 3:12 PM
Reposted by Mike Barnes
I've always been baffled by the popularity of Reaction Videos ("Classical Musician Hears Aquatarkus By Emerson Lake And Palmer For The First Time" etc). Whoever imagined there would be such a big audience for 4 minutes of highly performative facial contortions & gurning to a pop music soundtrack
November 22, 2024 at 10:24 AM
Old but good news. I offered to help with The Zombies' Begin Here Festival a week ago – stacking chairs, or pouring out water, perhaps? I ended up interviewing Hugh Grundy (dr), Colin Blunstone (voc) and Chris White (bass) in St Albans Cathedral and steering a Q&A. 'Twas an absolute pleasure.
November 19, 2024 at 9:37 AM