STATION IDENT: VOLUME 01 by Zac Bentz (ASCAP), Xero Music

"Long ago, a broadcast network was established across the galaxy. Each of the 78 stations played a unique identification signal across the network once a day as a sort of “hello.”

As the universe inevitably expanded, these stations fell into disrepair. Many maintained their integrity for quite a while, while others quickly became corrupted and haunted. A small number, left to their own devices, came alive only to find something missing, never knowing what had been lost.

These “hello” signals, known as the STATION IDENT, continue to be played as the stations decay. This collection, the first of three, hopes to preserve those signals in whatever state possible, before their inevitable dissolution."

Released January 15, 2019

Listen on Bandcamp

One Weird Trick by Ghost Cop

Track List

1. Leaving the Plaza at Dawn (Part 1) 04:24
2. Accelerate 03:31
3. Enhance 04:55
4. Quiet Test 04:12
5. One Weird Trick 04:56
6. Approaching the City Limits (Part 2) 01:31
7. Forever and Never 05:17
8. Listen to the Sound 04:17
9. Lay Down 04:02
10. Shine 06:52
11. Accelerate STRIPPER™ Remix 05:12

Released November 9, 2018

Listen on Bandcamp | Spotify

The Midnight Orchard by Neville Watson

Track List

1. Interna Externa 02:51
2. Come On In 05:55
3. Anarcho Midnight 05:51
4. Reet Dux 05:54
5. Eine Kleine Emusik 06:03
6. The Returning 03:55
7. Twin Tub 06:15
8. Dee Sides 05:13
9. We Own The Night 03:59
10. 4am In The Trees 05:45
11. Displays Of Brotherly Love 05:02
12. Phosphorescent 06:03

Released November 30, 2018

Listen on Bandcamp

Mutant City Acid by Posthuman

Track List

1. Into Gestalt 08:14
2. Nightride to New Reno 08:26
3. Once Was 08:56
4. Gods of Technology 07:28
5. Junk Bonds 07:33
6. Raid on Kyoto Quarter 03:53
7. Shellworld Industries 05:36
8. Abaskan Control 03:16
9. Transit System Error 07:32
10. Wishmountain 06:27
11. Bonus - Mutant City Stories (Side A) 28:10
12. Bonus - Mutant City Stories (Side B) 30:00

Released November 26, 2018

Listen on Bandcamp | Spotify

“In spaceflight, an orbital maneuver (otherwise known as a burn) is the use of propulsion systems to change the orbit of a spacecraft. The rest of the flight, especially in a transfer orbit, is called coasting.“

—

The end of the year is fast approaching, which has me thinking about the changes a new one will usher in. This time around, it's definitely an opportunity to consider some things and find new focus, as I'm faced with an inevitable change regarding my work situation.

Since early 2017, I’ve been primarily operating in the orbit of Apigee and Google as a contractor, safely coasting along on retainer from one quarter to the next. This is set to change though, as Apigee, having been bought by Google in 2016, will be completely rolled up into Google Cloud by the beginning of next year. When that time comes, they’ll be pulling the plug on Apigee’s current marketing site, and with that, the mission is over and my work there is done.

So it’s time to figure out what comes next.

I’m inclined to stick it out as a freelancer and independent designer, tracking down new work to replace what I’ll lose with this contract. It could be an opportunity to refocus and go after more of the branding and illustration work I enjoy doing. I know I definitely want to get back to writing for Speculative Identities on a regular basis. It’s fun and rewarding, and I think there is a good sized audience out there for it, if I can keep after it long enough for them to find it. Whatever I do, I'll need to reserve time for that.

There are some limits to what I’ve been able to accomplish as a freelancer though. Could I go a step further and launch some kind of studio or collaborative team, pulling together more talent, which would maneuver me into a position where I could go after bigger clients and projects?

Then there’s the question of whether or not I should even stay in Wichita, Kansas, where I’ve been based since I finished up my design degree. I can’t help but wonder if I’ve been hurting myself by not relocating somewhere that would give me direct access to networks of people or organizations I’d want to work with, and who would want to work with me — overall, I've had a hard time finding a home for my work in Wichita. So maybe it’s time to pack it up, and move closer to the action? I could also look for a full-time opportunity somewhere, leveraging all of the UX/UI experience I’ve gained working with Google, to see what that grows into and where it takes me. Or maybe I could make more of an effort to travel in search of work, with my base of operations remaining in Wichita?

These are all things I’ve been kicking around, but I can’t say that I have any solid answers or direction yet. I guess if you’re reading this, I’d ask that you please keep me in mind. I’m on the lookout for new opportunity and putting the word out amongst friends and colleagues. It feels like the future is wide open, and the next thing could come from anywhere.

I’d been thinking about this for awhile — the idea that I should build not just a new portfolio site, but something that could serve as my base of operations online, for both professional and personal purposes. Social media just isn't doing it for me these days. Facebook I ditched years ago. Twitter I still use, but at this point I’m just a lurker. And while I embraced Instagram, I knew it was only a matter of time after Facebook purchased the platform, that I’d be forced to abandon it as well. That time hasn’t come just yet, but it pays to be prepared. And then there was the feeling that something was lost, when all of the blogs and weird personal websites we used to maintain before social media, fell off and burned out.

So a few months back, when I found myself lucky enough to possess resources and bandwidth (if I paused some side projects) to actually create that site I was imagining, I figured it was the time to act.

And I wasn’t the only one thinking along these lines. Coincidentally, about the time I started in on the design of this site, Warren Ellis wrote the following on Morning, Computer: “RSS isn’t dead. Social media works great for link notifications, not so much for complete thoughts or even not-fully-baked considerations. The fields are on fire and being sprayed with liquid shit. Dig your own garden, build your own structures, make your own space.”

So here I am, in something of my own making, with much thanks owed to my friend Rich for the dev assist. My own little island in the net, housing and broadcasting my work and ideas and whatever else I want visitors to find when they come looking for me on the web.