iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

vistablogger @sylvianvista.com · 03/10/2026

REMINDER: The latest article features 'Ride', a track substantially recorded during the Secrets of the Beehive sessions, featuring Sakamoto, Jansen, Isham, Torn and more. Also exploring how the song almost led to a David Sylvian/Scott Walker collaboration. Read: sylvianvista.com/2026/09/18/r...

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vistablogger @sylvianvista.com · 11/09/2026

FROM THE ARCHIVE: An article about 'Playground Martyrs' from Steve Jansen's debut solo album Slope, with lyrics written and performed by David Sylvian. Steve was responsible for all the music: piano, synthesisers, samples and string arrangement. Read here: sylvianvista.com/2018/09/07/p...

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vistablogger @sylvianvista.com · 04/07/2026

REMINDER: The latest article features the dobro pieces recorded for Dead Bees on a Cake. Bill Frisell performed 'off the cuff' miniatures and David Sylvian subsequently added vocals. Dobro #5 & #6 were added to the album for vinyl release. Read here: wp.me/p9JX9e-4Dj #davidsylvian #billfrisell

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vistablogger @sylvianvista.com · 19/06/2026

FROM THE ARCHIVE: 'Some Small Hope' sung by Virginia Astley & David Sylvian was written by Virginia & Ryuichi Sakamoto who produced some songs for her album 'Hope in a Darkened Heart'. Ryuichi's studio assistant, Masaki Sekijima, shares his memories. Read here: sylvianvista.com/2019/10/11/s...

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vistablogger @sylvianvista.com · 06/06/2026

REMINDER: The latest article looks back to 'Still Life in Mobile Homes' from Japan's Tin Drum - a record displaying the unique musical styles developed by each of the band members. Now updated with details of the samples incorporated in the track. Link: sylvianvista.com/2026/05/29/s... #japantheband

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vistablogger @sylvianvista.com · 10/05/2026

REMINDER: The latest article explores David Sylvian's 2024 track with Hildur Guðnadóttir, award winning soundtrack composer - including an Oscar for the movie Joker. 'I Measure Every Grief I Meet' features haunting cello from Hildur and Sylvian's voice. Read here: sylvianvista.com/2026/05/01/i...

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vistablogger @sylvianvista.com · 22/03/2026

REMINDER: The latest article explores the wonderful 'Nostalgia' from David Sylvian's album Brilliant Trees. A truly evocative song reflecting on changing times. Recorded during the London sessions, engineer Peter Williams shares his memories. Read here: sylvianvista.com/2026/03/13/n... #davidsylvian

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vistablogger @sylvianvista.com · 21/02/2026

REMINDER: The latest article features 'Bringing Down the Light', the closing track from Sylvian/Fripp's album, The First Day. Hope emerges as the album develops, intensified in this finale. With past quotes from David & Robert about their collaboration. Link: sylvianvista.com/2026/02/13/b...

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vistablogger @sylvianvista.com · 07/02/2026

FROM THE ARCHIVE: 'Darkest Dreaming' closes David Sylvian's album Dead Bees on a Cake. Just Sylvian's voice, his processed guitar/keyboards, and a sample of Djivan Gasparyan's haunting duduk playing from the track 'Mother of Mine'. Beautiful. Link: sylvianvista.com/2019/04/05/d... #davidsylvian

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vistablogger @sylvianvista.com · 31/01/2026

REMINDER: The latest article features 'Weathered Wall' from David Sylvian's debut solo album Brilliant Trees. Berlin was the location for the initial sessions, with Sylvian meeting both Holger Czukay and Jon Hassell for the first time at Hansa Tonstudio. Read here: sylvianvista.com/2026/01/23/w...

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vistablogger @sylvianvista.com · 16/01/2026

FROM THE ARCHIVE: 'Snow White in Appalachia', the story of David Sylvian's meetings in Köln in 2004, of exploratory sessions in Vienna, never-used recordings with Noël Akchoté, and the hand of Christian Fennesz in this highlight from Manafon. Read here: sylvianvista.com/2021/07/23/s... #davidsylvian

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vistablogger @sylvianvista.com · 03/01/2026

REMINDER: The latest article looks at Japan's 'Burning Bridges' from Gentlemen Take Polaroids - which was influenced by David Bowie's albums Low & Heroes. David Sylvian & Steve Jansen met Bowie in '77, the year those albums were released. Read here: sylvianvista.com/2025/12/26/b... #japantheband

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vistablogger @sylvianvista.com · 06/12/2025

REMINDER: The latest article is about 'Wonderful World' by Nine Horses. It was one of the early tracks worked on when David Sylvian & Steve Jansen started writing together in 2002, Keith Lowe joining them in New Hampshire to record upright bass. Read here: sylvianvista.com/2025/11/29/w...

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vistablogger @sylvianvista.com · 22/11/2025

FROM THE ARCHIVE: Propaganda's 'A Secret Wish' is celebrating 40 years, so reposting this article about David Sylvian's fleeting involvement with the album: his synth & guitar lines for 'p:Machinery', and a reportedly gorgeous mix of 'Duel'. Read here: sylvianvista.com/2022/07/22/p...

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vistablogger @sylvianvista.com · 16/11/2025

Saw Joan as Police Woman perform last night at a packed EartH in Dalston as part of the London Jazz Festival. The highlight for me was the title track of Joan’s latest album, ‘Lemons, Limes and Orchids’.

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vistablogger @sylvianvista.com · 09/11/2025

REMINDER: the latest article features Lucrecia Dalt's A Danger to Ourselves. David Sylvian is her partner and his 'contribution became fundamental', she says, as inspiration, 'creative mixer', vocalist on the opener and lead guitarist on the final track. sylvianvista.com/2025/11/01/a...

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vistablogger @sylvianvista.com · 18/10/2025

REMINDER: The latest article explores 'Cosa Rara' by Lucrecia Dalt which features David Sylvian, who also co-produced and mixed the song. Recorded at the home they share in New Mexico, the lyric references road trips, Twin Peaks, and car crashes... sylvianvista.com/2025/10/10/c... #davidsylvian

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vistablogger @sylvianvista.com · 27/09/2025

REMINDER: The latest article features 'Alphabet Angel' from David Sylvian's album Dead Bees on a Cake. A gem with vocals by Sylvian and 'pseudo rhodes' played by Ryuichi Sakamoto. The sweet melody is offset by 'discolouration' in the mix. Read here: sylvianvista.com/2025/09/19/a... #davidsylvian

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vistablogger @sylvianvista.com · 06/09/2025

REMINDER: The latest article features 'Blackwater' by Rain Tree Crow, the first we heard of the project by the ex-members of Japan. An atmospheric song with intricate brushed drumming from Steve Jansen & unique atmospheres from Richard Barbieri. Read here: sylvianvista.com/2025/08/29/b...

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vistablogger @sylvianvista.com · 09/08/2025

REMINDER: The latest article features David Sylvian's Steel Cathedrals which he called the 'first step in a new approach for me', opening up the music for guest musicians to respond. The approach was rewarded with beautiful work from Sakamoto, Fripp et al. sylvianvista.com/2025/08/01/s...

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vistablogger @sylvianvista.com · 13/07/2025

REMINDER: The latest article features the new album by Melaine Dalibert & David Sylvian, Vermilion Hours, with exclusive input from Melaine who gives insight into the work and its context - particularly 'Music for the Break of Day'. Read here: sylvianvista.com/2025/07/04/m...

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vistablogger @sylvianvista.com · 29/06/2025

FROM THE ARCHIVE: David Sylvian's Fire in the Forest tour (2003/4) was performed with Steve Jansen & Masakatsu Takagi. A Sylvian & Takagi collaboration track also resulted: 'Exit/Delete'. Back in 2018, Masakatsu told me how the song came about. Link: sylvianvista.com/2018/11/30/e... #davidsylvian

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vistablogger @sylvianvista.com · 21/06/2025

REMINDER: The latest article features 'Bamboo Houses' from the double A side single by David Sylvian & Ryuichi Sakamoto released in 1982. Sylvian remixed the track, adding a new vocal, for his Everything & Nothing compilation in 2000. Read here: sylvianvista.com/2025/06/13/b...

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vistablogger @sylvianvista.com · 07/06/2025

FROM THE ARCHIVE: 'Visions of China' - tracing the roots of the fascination with China that underpins Japan's classic album, Tin Drum, and its sleeve imagery. Influences adopted into unique and technically ingenious pop music. Read here: sylvianvista.com/2022/12/02/v... #japantheband

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vistablogger @sylvianvista.com · 31/05/2025

REMINDER: The latest article features 'The Last Days of December', the second original piece from the collaboration of David Sylvian & @daifujikura.bsky.social. All the indications are that the lyrics concern the poet Sylvia Plath. Read here: sylvianvista.com/2025/05/23/t... #davidsylvian

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vistablogger @sylvianvista.com · 16/05/2025

FROM THE ARCHIVE: Next month, the new instrumental album by Melaine Dalibert & David Sylvian, Vermilion Hours, will be released. Here's an article from 2021 about their previous work together - including an exclusive interview with Melaine. Link: sylvianvista.com/2021/09/03/y... #davidsylvian

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vistablogger @sylvianvista.com · 11/05/2025

REMINDER: The latest article features David Sylvian's 'Do You Know Me Now?'. Sylvian's affinity for the track was such that he named his retrospective boxset after it, and recorded a video for the song a decade after it was first released. Read here: sylvianvista.com/2025/05/02/d... #davidsylvian

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vistablogger @sylvianvista.com · 19/04/2025

REMINDER: The latest article features Steve Jansen's Slope, in particular the song 'Cancelled Pieces' with vocals from Anja Garbarek & 'great sounding guitar work' from David Sylvian. Also touching on Nina Kinert's lovely reprise of 'Playground Martyrs'. Read here: sylvianvista.com/2025/04/11/c...

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vistablogger @sylvianvista.com · 05/04/2025

FROM THE ARCHIVE: 'Let the Happiness In' from David Sylvian's Secrets of the Beehive is a true gem with its unusual brass orchestration and to-and-fro between vocal and Mark Isham's muted trumpet. Read an article with exclusive input from Mark Isham here: sylvianvista.com/2019/02/01/l...

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vistablogger @sylvianvista.com · 29/03/2025

REMINDER: The latest article is about 'Life Without Buildings'. Japan were a remarkable band, each self-taught member developing a unique musical voice. Their alchemy is showcased on this track, recorded in the run up to the Tin Drum album. Read here: sylvianvista.com/2025/03/21/l... #japantheband

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vistablogger @sylvianvista.com · 14/03/2025

FROM THE ARCHIVE: In 2021 I was privileged to interview Elizabeth Oehlkers Wright about her late husband, poet Franz Wright, & his work with David Sylvian for The Kilowatt Hour & 'there's a light that enters houses with no other house in sight'. Read here: sylvianvista.com/2021/04/09/s...

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vistablogger @sylvianvista.com · 08/03/2025

REMINDER: The latest article features the Sylvian/Sakamoto song 'World Citizen (I Won't Be Disappointed)' - a pop-oriented track featuring Ryuichi's YMO bandmates. Its message of global community is still so very important... Read here: sylvianvista.com/2025/02/28/w... #davidsylvian #ryuichsakamoto

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vistablogger @sylvianvista.com · 15/02/2025

REMINDER: The latest article looks back to David Sylvian's 1986 album Gone to Earth and the contribution of Bill Nelson, who shared various interests with Sylvian at the time. 'Answered Prayers' has a wonderful acoustic solo by Nelson. Read here: sylvianvista.com/2025/02/07/a... #davidsylvian

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vistablogger @sylvianvista.com · 24/01/2025

REMINDER: The latest article explores David Sylvian's 'Late Night Shopping' and the various remixes giving different perspectives on the original. 'In America shopping is a constant, almost automatic activity, you do it even if you don’t need anything.' Read here: sylvianvista.com/2025/01/17/l...

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vistablogger @sylvianvista.com · 04/01/2025

REMINDER: The latest article features 'Silver Moon', the ballad that ends the vocal disc of Gone to Earth. I spoke to Jennifer Maidman who played bass on the song, and Nick Brandt who directed the promo video in the Lake District. Read here: sylvianvista.com/2024/12/26/s... #davidsylvian

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vistablogger @sylvianvista.com · 15/12/2024

REMINDER: The latest article features David Sylvian's reading of poetry by Nils Christian Moe-Repstad for 'I Swallowed Earth for This' from Uncommon Deities. Nils was a remarkable poet with a passion for the combination of poetry and music. Read here: sylvianvista.com/2024/12/06/i... #davidsylvian

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vistablogger @sylvianvista.com · 29/11/2024

FROM THE ARCHIVE: 'A Fire in the Forest' is a stunning track, the perfect combination of David Sylvian's voice & Christian Fennesz's incredible electronics. Including some insights from Christian exclusive to this article. Read here: sylvianvista.com/2021/09/24/a... #davidsylvian #fennesz

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vistablogger @sylvianvista.com · 24/11/2024

REMINDER: The latest article features David Sylvian's most recently recorded sung performance, 2022's 'Grains (sweet paulownia wood)'. Taking a Sakamoto/Alva Noto track, Sylvian overlaid vocal melody & words of tribute for Ryuichi's 70th birthday. Read here: sylvianvista.com/2024/11/15/g...

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vistablogger @sylvianvista.com · 18/10/2024

FROM THE ARCHIVE: In 2021 I interviewed Andrea Chimenti about his beautiful duet with David Sylvian from 1996, 'Ti Ho Aspettato (I Have Waited for You)'. Discover how the collaboration came about and how the artists worked together to complete the song. Read here: sylvianvista.com/2021/08/13/t...

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vistablogger @sylvianvista.com · 07/09/2024

FROM THE ARCHIVE: In 1986 David Sylvian travelled to Holger Czukay's studio near Köln to record a vocal for Holger's album Rome Remains Rome. In the end this assignment was never completed but instead they recorded Plight & Premonition. Read more here: sylvianvista.com/2018/05/18/p... #davidsylvian

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vistablogger @sylvianvista.com · 17/05/2024

REMINDER: the latest article looks at Japan's 'Nightporter', an atmospheric and innovative ballad from their album Gentlemen Take Polaroids. The single release in 1982 was immaculately packaged. It's music that evokes strong memories for me. #davidsylvian Read here: sylvianvista.com/2024/05/10/n...

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vistablogger @sylvianvista.com · 12/04/2024

FROM THE ARCHIVE: An article about 'Laughter and Forgetting' from David Sylvian's 1986 album Gone to Earth. The exuberance of the lyric - 'love's my only guide' - is matched by John Taylor's piano & Kenny Wheeler's flugelhorn. A favourite song. Read here: sylvianvista.com/2018/08/24/l...

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vistablogger @sylvianvista.com · 23/02/2024

REMINDER: The latest article is the first of two about Words with the Shaman, David Sylvian's EP from 1985. Sylvian wanted a specific sound, so turned to Nigel Walker to co-produce - who had worked with Japan. Nigel shares some memories. Read here: sylvianvista.com/2024/02/16/a...

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vistablogger @sylvianvista.com · 09/02/2024

FROM THE ARCHIVE: All about 'Come Morning' by Nicola Alesini & Pier Luigi Andreoni from their Marco Polo project, with David Sylvian on vocals. Sylvian remixed the track for his Everything & Nothing compilation moving the bouzouki up in the mix. Read here: sylvianvista.com/2018/06/29/c...

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vistablogger @sylvianvista.com · 02/02/2024

REMINDER: The latest article features 'Bamboo Music', the most commercial song from a double-a sided single released by David Sylvian & Ryuichi Sakamoto in 1982 whilst they were still members of Japan & Yellow Magic Orchestra respectively. Read it here: sylvianvista.com/2024/01/26/b...

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vistablogger @sylvianvista.com · 29/12/2023

FROM THE ARCHIVE: An article on 'The Banality of Evil' by Nine Horses including the story of Robert Fripp's 'lost' session and studio memories from Theo Travis. Tragically Hannah Arendt's phrase which gave the track its title still rings too true. Read here: sylvianvista.com/2020/10/02/t...

Steve Jansen, Robert Fripp and David Sylvian at Eden Studios

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vistablogger @sylvianvista.com · 15/12/2023

NEW ARTICLE: 'Wasn't I Joe?' was the spectacular end to the main set of David Sylvian's 2003/4 A Fire in the Forest tour. A mesmerising rhythmic composition by Sylvian & Steve Jansen with references to art in other genres. An unforgettable live experience! Read: sylvianvista.com/2023/12/15/w...

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vistablogger @sylvianvista.com · 08/12/2023

FROM THE ARCHIVE: An article looking back to 1985 - the inspiration David Sylvian drew from travel, the Japanese documentary 'Preparations for a Journey', and the evocative track of the same title which seems to capture both a physical and inner journey. Read here: sylvianvista.com/2020/10/23/p...

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