iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Tim Rutherford-Johnson @purlis.bsky.social · 07/10/2026

In many ways, this interview with Ty Bouque has been six years in the making; I'm so proud to be able to share part 1 of it today: purlis.substack.com/p/purposeful...

purlis.substack.com

Purposeful Listening 23

Part 1 of a two-part interview with Ty Bouque, on writing, living in and with music, and his two new books on Liza Lim.

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Tim Rutherford-Johnson @purlis.bsky.social · 07/10/2026

Mark is right here that folding 'music-related research' into Computer Science is a terrible look. Arts research is not maths/sci research for very particular and important reasons: cf the many witless, data-led studies into 'how music works' of recent years.

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Tim Rutherford-Johnson @purlis.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

I'll be interviewing Marcus next week about what it was like to play, hear and listen to one sound for that long; look out for that on the newsletter.

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Tim Rutherford-Johnson @purlis.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

This Friday, saxophonist Marcus Joseph attempts a Guinness World Record for the longest continuous sound produced by a single action, making a soundbowl ring for 24 hours straight. It's an experiment in durational listening too, and you can support it here: www.gofundme.com/f/24-hours-o...

gofundme.com

Donate to 24 Hours. One Bowl. One Sound. Help Make History., organized by Marcus Joseph

On Friday 9 October 2026 World Singing Bowl Day I will attempt somethi… Marcus Joseph needs your support for 24 Hours. One Bowl. One Sound. Help Make History.

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Tim Rutherford-Johnson @purlis.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

This little thing is about to turn one. To celebrate, this month I'll be posting a great interview with Hannah Kendall, a remarkable two-part conversation with Ty Bouque and a new episode of Schubert Dub. And annual subs are half price all month! purlis.substack.com

purlis.substack.com

Purposeful Listening | Substack

Reviews, interviews, essays on music and sound by the author of Music after the Fall. Click to read Purposeful Listening, a Substack publication with hundreds of subscribers.

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Tim Rutherford-Johnson @purlis.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

Madness! Get the train and you could be _in Paris_ by the time your plane takes off.

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Tim Rutherford-Johnson @purlis.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

Was distressing to read this same email this morning. Shudder to think what MES would have thought. The councillor in question is Robin Baxter-Ayling in case you want to confirm his registered interests www.suffolk.gov.uk/council-and-...

suffolk.gov.uk

Robin Baxter-Ayling is the County Councillor for the Harbour electoral division. Party membership: Reform UK. You can contact Robin Baxter-Ayling using the details below.

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Reposted by Tim Rutherford-Johnson

hcmf// @hcmfuk.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

What does it mean to perform vulnerability and who controls the gaze? Kari Watson & Rosie Middleton’s 'A Grammar of Distance' explores masking, identity and agency through voice, electronics and theatrical intervention. Read the full profile: hcmf.co.uk/mask-on-mask-off-rosie-middleton/

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Tim Rutherford-Johnson @purlis.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

London-based fans of Jo Kondo, Japanese music and experimental music in general will want to catch this, GSMD next Tuesday (free!): www.gsmd.ac.uk/whats-on/sat...

gsmd.ac.uk

Satoko Inoue Residency

Renowned Japanese pianist Satoko Inoue joins Guildhall School for a special residency linked to our Composition department.

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Tim Rutherford-Johnson @purlis.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

11-0 today. Missed two because I was still making notes on the previous goalscorers

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Tim Rutherford-Johnson @purlis.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

I think it's two things. 1) there just aren't enough musicians (people) here to generate that critical mass of engagement, and 2) the scrolling model is anathema to music itself, which requires you to stop where you are for a few minutes. (I do miss the conversations though)

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Tim Rutherford-Johnson @purlis.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

I type the word 'music' all the time. Yesterday, I had to type the word 'museum' a few times and my fingers just wouldn't do it.

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Tim Rutherford-Johnson @purlis.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

'I wanna hold your hand' -> 'Taxman'

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Tim Rutherford-Johnson @purlis.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

If you've not seen it yet, there is (or soon will be, I'm not sure) another rave in Gramophone ;-)

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Tim Rutherford-Johnson @purlis.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

My profile of Caassandra Miller, for @hcmfuk.bsky.social, is online too. This one was really fun to write hcmf.co.uk/all-in-the-f...

hcmf.co.uk

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Tim Rutherford-Johnson @purlis.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

Not the weirdest of many weird things here; nevertheless, I was surprised to see The Corinthian make an appearance

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Tim Rutherford-Johnson @purlis.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

Now online: my short profile of Michael Finnissy, whose 80th birthday will be celebrated at hcmf// this year, by way of the ten Political Agendas for piano: hcmf.co.uk/timeless-age...

hcmf.co.uk

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Tim Rutherford-Johnson @purlis.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

I'm pleased to announce I am taking up a new role: official match reporter for my son's U15 football team. Just as soon as I can figure out Pitchero ...

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Reposted by Tim Rutherford-Johnson

FT @fucktheory.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

We can’t magically unwind centuries of human devastation, but if we really try to make the Earth healthier nature itself will do most of the work and it will happen faster than we think. We just have to decide to prioritize the well-being of the planet we live on.

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Tim Rutherford-Johnson @purlis.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

Ah, you're getting those, too. Had a couple from an esteemed composer asking for a favour, and honestly couldn't tell if they were real. (I didn't reply, of course.)

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Tim Rutherford-Johnson @purlis.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

BTW, do any of my musicologist friends recognise of these characters; I feel like I should know. (I recognise the style of debate, for sure.)

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Tim Rutherford-Johnson @purlis.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

I've watched that video multiple times now and I'm still not sure what point is being made. To your other point, it was Father Stephen.

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Tim Rutherford-Johnson @purlis.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

This is Michael Johnson, isn't it?

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Tim Rutherford-Johnson @purlis.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

I spent 10 mins hoping the revolving sign would just once spin round to spell out 'CHEESE' but it didn't happen. Like most of the 15,000 I gave up after that.

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Tim Rutherford-Johnson @purlis.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

(Love the absolute balls needed to have a track that most bands that weekend would kill for, and not to have played it even once in its 30+ years of existence.)

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Tim Rutherford-Johnson @purlis.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

Such a pleasure over the weekend to have been part of the first (and only) audience to have heard this Pulp classic live #EOTR #endoftheroad www.youtube.com/watch?v=iD9z...

youtube.com

Deep Fried In Kelvin

YouTube video by Pulp - Topic

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Tim Rutherford-Johnson @purlis.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

And at the other end of the scale: Geese. Awful, utterly baffling why anyone would rate something so mid. A win for the hype machine I guess.

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Tim Rutherford-Johnson @purlis.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

Sorry to have missed CMAT: knew she would tribute Dolly, but we were broken by 5pm and in the event were home and in bed before she came on.

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Tim Rutherford-Johnson @purlis.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

Our 13th #EOTR and last for a while, what a way to finish the streak. Pulp imperial; best show I've seen there in all that time. Angine de Poitrine, Just Mustard, BCUC, GHOSTWOMAN, Colossal Squid, Folk Bitch Trio and caroline among the other highlights. #endoftheroad

A view of sunset clouds over food stalls and lights at the End of the Road festival. In the foreground a couple wearing long neon orange and green coats walk past.

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Tim Rutherford-Johnson @purlis.bsky.social · 27/08/2026

Right? I was thinking yesterday about her donation to Covid vaccine research: how simple it was for her to say 'here's a problem, I have money that can help', and how rare that seems.

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Reposted by Tim Rutherford-Johnson

hcmf// @hcmfuk.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

From rock guitar to Bach, Beethoven + Birtwistle, Anselm McDonnell thrives on contradiction. His music explores politics, landscape + climate change, including hcmf// commission Retrogressive Thaw Slump. Read more + get tickets: hcmf.co.uk/landscapes-and-lyrics-anselm-mcdonnell/