Sublime eclectic mayhem. That’s been my playlist project and musical life, one that begins with The Muppet Movie soundtrack and later involves performing hymns, death metal, surf, and bluegrass. I’ve played in theaters, tents, and basements, for multi-stage festivals and squirrel rodeos. I’ve written and recorded music for The Drunken Odyssey. Sublime eclectic mayhem. A warning and a welcome for joyous noise, for those navigating what Beckett called “this bitch of an earth.”

Finishing

Cocooned in glass and wood and brick,
because the heart needs insulation.

Empty-handed, empty-headed.
Can’t catch a break, even with a glove. 

The cake rises.
The icing cracks.

The Icing Cracks
Listen on Tidal. Listen on Spotify.

1. “Mino Di Mama” – Quirino Do Canto
2. “Distocador” – João Cirilo
3. “Ombak, Ombak” – Charif Megarbane, Ali
4. “Green Model” – Joona Toivanen Trio
5. “Giving unknown origin” – Bill Orcutt
6. “Zman – Vertont” – Lipparella
7. “Zipo Tralata” – Damily
8. “Vawo Mpitewo” – Ecko Bazz
9. “Tres Cienaguero” – Ranil
10. “Glow” – Dua Selah, Bon Iver
11. “The Suspended World” – Daniel Bachman
12. “Pliant Plaint” – Marty Ehrlich, Julius Hemphill
13. “Sabor De Guajira” – Bembeya Jazz National
14. “Bare Light Bulb” – Certain Slant of Light

Stephen McClurg (Episode 473 & 666) composes and improvises in Serenity Dagger, The Abdomen, and other projects. Along with session work for mid-Alabama singer/songwriters, he frequently collaborates with musicians across the state adding bass, guitar, and synths to friends’ recordings. He currently writes reviews for Horror DNA and is the substitute low end wrangler for Mobile-based punk rock band Future Hate. You can find out more about his work here.