Three years ago we made a Christmas song. It's a bit melancholy. However you choose to spend the next fortnight, we hope you have a wonderful, peaceful time. See you in 2026. HM x

Finished and prepped Billy Says Goodbye for release. Added a really small synth hook in the final moments, which I quite like. The Placeford songs are all starting to make sense a whole now. Thinking about them as a performed set really changes things..

Initial prototyping of how live sets could work. Trying to do something totally solo that can move easily between live, looped and bits of sequenced material, but with a bare minimum amount of kit.

Spent some time reading up on Subvert.fm which is pushing all my buttons. Started work on some new material.

Some kind words about 'The Bear' from Neil 'The Doc' March of Trust the Doc media in his latest newsletter (now available as a downloadable PDF). > > "...the Brighton-based Midlander is back with The Bear and it is classic HM. A quirky story with its characters set out against a bouncy triplet time backdrop that blends an unusual and unpredictable combination of sounds and sets little instrumental figures off against the vocal melody that is semi-conversational but still makes room for the hook. You can tell that a lot of detailed work and thought went into this track and the consequence is the epic story-based Alt Pop that is so much Hello Midlands’ niche." Check out the full edition here

In excellent Monday news, The Bear just got voted a Fresh on the Net Fresh Fave! Other than that, more mixing and work on the site.

### File under : Yeah! We're delighted and more than a little surprised that the awesome Fresh on the Net has selected 'The Bear' as one of their 'fresh faves' for this week! Being in the company of such fantastic artists, we're humbled to be included. You can read the full reviews here - but suffice to say we're especially happy with being compared to Wood and Coogan. As my father would always say, as a musician, you make a good comedian. Fresh Faves: Batch 582These Fresh Faves were picked by our readers over the weekend - and reviewed by Fresh On The Net’s Neil March and Sherry Sahayaraj this week. You can hear all these tracks in a single Soundcloud playlist here. A word from Del: Thankyou to everyone who submitted a track to the inbox this week! IFresh On The NetTony Hardy

Trying to wrap up another Placeford track. Starting on some new projects. Enjoying the new Bright Eyes EP.

Along with the reboot / resuscitation of this site, started moving things over to Ampwall. Figuring out where and how we want to be is tricky, and exciting.

Uploaded The Bear everywhere and recklessly pre-maturely opened up this site...

### It's not the sort of thing that happens here. A call went out in the middle of the storm to the local police station. The woman claimed she'd seen something terrifying in the night. We've written you a song about this dramatic incident. It's called 'The Bear' and it's out on October 2nd.

Enjoying exploring the new Ghost and (finally?) committing to how it'll work following a good few days of thinking and planning. Added pleasing image of the bear to the masthead.