Rory's Digital Garden

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Me

About

My name is Rory Allen, I am (loading) old. You can email me at rory@hogwild.uk - I like to be emailed and aim to respond to every one that I get!
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I'm in the London Permacomputing Club!
We meet on Mondays at 6:30, @ SET Social, Peckham
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Books

Since 03 Jun 2024 I have read 29 books.

Currently Reading
Fiction
Non-Fiction
Essay/Lecture

READING
Monolithic Undertow: In Search of Sonic Oblivion
Harry Sword
READING
Against Interpretation and Other Essays
Susan Sontag
28 Sep 2026
The Green Book
Muammar Gaddafi
08 Sep 2026
Beyond AI: Infrastructuring the Common Good
Dan McQuillan
23 Jul 2026
Searoad
Ursula K. Le Guin
08 Jul 2026
The Dry Heart
Natalia Ginzburg
07 Jul 2026
The God of Small Things
Arundhati Roy
04 Jul 2026
The Rise of the Network Commons
Armin Medosch
17 Jun 2026
Women and Power
Mary Beard
16 Jun 2026
Stoner
John Williams
10 Jun 2026
Up All Night
Imogen Willets
02 Jun 2026
Uses of the Erotic
Audre Lorde
27 May 2026
Freedom
Jonathan Franzen
18 May 2026
Vulture Capitalism
Grace Blakeley
22 Mar 2026
The Innocent
Ian McEwan
15 Feb 2026
Underworld
Don DeLillo
12 Oct 2025
The Poisonwood Bible
Barbara Kingsolver
12 Sep 2025
End Zone
Don DeLillo
24 Aug 2025
The Establishment
Owen Jones
31 Jul 2025
Crossroads
Jonathan Franzen
13 Jul 2025
The Picture of Dorian Gray
Oscar Wilde
25 Jun 2025
The Catcher in the Rye
J.D. Salinger
10 Jun 2025
The Secret History
Donna Tartt
06 May 2025
The Trading Game
Gary Stevenson
05 Dec 2024
Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead
Olga Tokarczuk
07 Nov 2024
Atonement
Ian McEwan
15 Jul 2024
The Corrections
Jonathan Franzen
08 Jun 2024
For Whom The Bell Tolls
Ernest Hemingway
03 Jun 2024
Fiesta (The Sun Also Rises)
Ernest Hemingway

Gigs

Since the start of 2025 I have been to (loading) gigs. (loading) of those were in (loading), and (loading) were at (loading).

I only count gigs that I saw someone at other than the band I was playing in (if I was playing), so some gigs I played feature but not all.

Date Venue City I Saw Notes
30 Sep 2026SpannersLondonTiiva, A'Bear, DaylaAmazing set(s) and first time at Spanners with Izzy, Ana, Conall, May & Dexy.
09 Sep 2026Peckham LevelsLondonSteam DownJazz improv band, very very good.
04 Sep 2026Old Blue LastLondonPinch, PeverelistSeasoning!
28 Aug 2026RALLYLondonmark william lewis, Coco & Clair Clair, James K, Smerz, Jump Source, Blood OrangeFirst time going, amazing lineup and had a great time hanging out with Issy, Sasha, Elodie, and Mag. Toss up between Smerz and Jump Source for favourite set, but Coco & Clair Clair win most energetic.
27 Aug 2026The WindmillLondonWish, COBSPlaying with Otala, Wish were fun and the singer had teched for us before! COBS were very nice, using a modular and enthused that I work for ALM...
20 Aug 2026We Out HereDorsetThundercat, Stereolab, Arthur Verocai, Ana Frango Eletrico, HVYWGHT & The Outlook Orchestra, James K, John Glacier, Herbert & Momoko, Lou Hayter, Channel One, DJ Subraru, Brown Excellence, Gilles Peterson, Shy OneJust as good as last year, amazing festival!!
26 Jul 2026Shacklewell ArmsLondonCherry i, PipPlaying with Otala, Cherry i was really awesome, Portishead-like vocals. Pip also really awesome, catchy tunes, some almost hardcore vocals in softer songs but worked really well.
20 Jul 2026Queen Elizabeth HallLondonCaroline, My New Band BelieveOne of the best gigs I've ever been to, enjoyed MNBB much more than at the Windmill and Caroline played one of the best sets I've ever seen.
02 Jul 2026The WindmillLondonFoolTimes seeing them becoming silly - I think now 5 times at the Windmill alone. I won't stop
25 Jun 2026Electric BallroomLondonSnail MailBeen waiting to see her since getting very into her first and then second album at uni (thanks Milky Joes), just as good as expected
29 May 2026The Goods Shed, SVAStroudA bunch of peopleI forgot exactly who we saw but had an amazing time at the first multi-day Seasoning festival
28 May 2026The WindmillLondonFoolContinue to be better every time
06 May 2026SupersonicParisSamuel Dvorin and The Phantom BluePlaying with Otala, these guys were cool and proper post-rocky, American sound that I like, hopefully will play again if they come to the UK
03 May 2026Sebright ArmsLondonEwan Samms, WasabiPlaying with Otala, somehow my first time seeing Ewan play, they're awesome and I'm a sucker for slide guitar. Wasabi were also a really nice watch
01 May 2026The LanesBristolUncle JuniorPlaying with Otala, fun gig and boogied to shit music with the Haal lot afterwards
26 Apr 2026O2 BrixtonLondonBig ThiefI'd been waiting a long time and it was so worth it. Had the best pizza of my life at Theo's Camberwell just before too
25 Mar 2026Eventim ApolloLondonGeese, Westside CowboyWowweeeee. One of the best gigs I've ever been to, wscb deserve everything they've got and more, Geese the same.
20 Mar 2026EarthLondonBuck Meek, KisserBuck Meek !! Amazing set, played joe by the book so i'm happy
14 Mar 2026St Augustine's ChurchBrightonFlip Top HeadLast minute decision to go during a day trip to Brighton with Ana Sienna Sophia and Issy. Lovely to see them and they played better than ever, the venue really suited them.
28 Feb 2026Elephant's HeadLondonFolly GroupPlaying with Otala, first time seeing Folly Group, nice to see Louis again after recording. They're an awesome band and all very nice.
26 Feb 2026Old Blue LastLondonBlue Bendy, CowboyyAaages since I'd seen cowboyy, great to see them playing again. Blue Bendy awesome as always.
24 Feb 2026The WindmillLondonFoolLove these guysss. First time seeing them with Daisy and she's a great addition.
06 Feb 2026Rock CityNottinghamMiles Kane, VillanellePlaying with Otala, Villanelle were pretty funny, Oasis tribute may be too harsh but not far from the truth. Miles Kane was also funny, sadly no TLSP songs...
01 Feb 2026Sebright ArmsLondonCurser, AuntiePlaying with Otala, didn't catch much of Curser but Auntie were really cool. Young and geniune.
31 Jan 2026Rossi BarBrightonContrail, MaidinPlaying with Otala, Maidin were cool, Contrail were awesome, hope to see them/play with them again.
30 Jan 2026The CroftBristolPaper Crowns, NeverlovePlaying with Otala, both supports very enjoyable to watch.
29 Jan 2026HeartbreakersSouthamptonirreversible, Bailey BerrillPlaying with Otala, irreversible is Alex from Divorce Attorney's ambient project, really enjoyed it. Made me feel how I felt watching Godspeed when you're 20 mins in and realise you've been standing completely still and just thinking. Bailey Berrill was really cute, seemed like a bunch of friends playing the singers songs and having a nice time and they were catchy.
01 Dec 2025The RoundhouseLondonCameron WinterWhoah
11 Nov 2025Elephant's HeadLondonTex CrickReally nice. Knew him from a live set with Connan Mockasin but he was even better with a full band
07 Nov 2025The WindmillLondonLittle GrandadI was playing with Fool who knew the band and it was great. Lovely vocal harmonies
31 Oct 2025O2 BrixtonLondonBlack Country New Road, Blue BendyThey were dressed up as Fontaines D.C. for halloween. Great sets from both bands
28 Oct 2025The WindmillLondonMy New Band Believe, Curbside LambsearMNBB were good but CL were my favourite of the night, one of the members of Caroline and another member I think, raw folky electronica
26 Nov 2025The WindmillLondonPink Eye ClubI was playing in Otala, fun gig. PEC fun to dance to
10 Nov 2025Old Blue LastLondonMlekoPlaying with Otala, cool early BCNRy (sorry!). All really nice people
09 Oct 2025The RoundhouseLondonA.G. Cook, Proc FiskalGreat set, he's such a funny character. Cool visuals and a MIDI piano. Proc Fiskal was similar and great sound but didn't seem to like being on stage...
01 Oct 2025Purple TurtleReadingOyama, KioskPlaying in Otala, first time in Reading, not desperate to return. Both bands really cool though, Oyama nice and scandi sound (icelandic) and Kiosk cool electronic kinda smerzy duo
21 Sep 2025KOKOLondonClipping.Free ticket from my friend & bandmate Charlotte (thanks char). Amazing sound, heavy, bit hard to see and had a hangover but really enjoyed
08 Sep 2025The WindmillLondonHAAL, Allarme, Paper HatsLove HAAL awesome bunch of guys making sick music. Other two were nice as well but didn't see too much of their sets, allarme quite loud and paper hats good as usual
14 Aug 2025We Out HereDorsetNoName, Kokoroko, Nala Sinephro, 4am Kru, MJ Cole, Kaitlyn Aurelia Smith, Ben UFO, Mia Koden, Luke Una, Channel One, Gilles Peterson, Astrid Sonne, Loyle CarnerFirst time going and will definitely be going back. Amazing festival with some of my best friends. Gorgeous weather the whole weekend too!
04 Aug 2025Shacklewell ArmsLondonThat Fog, Frownland2007Playing with Otala, That Fog is Eddie's new project with his girlfriend, I enjoyed it a lot. Frownland was cool but maybe too unstructured for me to get properly into
03 Jul 2025Wembley StadiumLondonLana Del Rey, Addison RaeAwesome, played Venice Bitch one of mine and Issy's favs and Addison was really good, had been listening to her album a lot since it came out
20 Jun 2025O2 BrixtonLondonLCD SoundsystemWent with Issy Mina & Johnny, really great set but SO HOT. Heatwave and no AC, dripping sweat
03 Jun 2025Islington Assembly HallLondonCarolineOne of my fav bands and albuums of the year and completely done justice by the live set. Incredibly respectful crowd, all just listening and enjoying
31 May 2025Paper Dress VintageLondonFoolFirst time meeting Luca and Saul properly from Fool, love those guys and love their music. Good set but sadly only 20 mins
22 May 2025The George TavernLondonMartial Arts, Bloodworm, PorchlightAll 3 as great as usual. Lovely to see Euan again after ages and all the MA lot
04 May 2025Wanderlust FestivalSouthamptonSkydaddy, Terra TwinPlaying with Otala, didn't see as many acts as planned as most were on the other day. Skydaddy great though, Terra Twin were fun
02 May 2025DUSTBrightonBilly. E. MarshPlaying with Otala at a Flip Top Head promoted gig. Love to see those guys and their friend Billy was great, solo acoustic and poetry very enjoyable and moving.
27 Apr 2025The WindmillLondonFoolFirst time seeing Jacob's new other band. They're really good
25 Apr 2025The George TavernLondonOutlander, HAALLovely to see HAAL after they stayed on my floor the night before, great as always. Outlander really cool and post rocky too
20 Apr 2025The WindmillLondonBody OrchestraPlaying with Otala, no full band for BO this time but still really cool, atmospheric
16 Apr 2025The VictoriaLondonPaper Hats, More MoneyPlaying with Otala, all bands good but not a big fan of the venue... Too far out and gig room too soundproofed so nobody comes in from the bar
12 Apr 2025Outer Town FestivalBristolHAAL, Enola GayHAAL great as always + thanks guys for letting us stay! Stayed up with Lilian & Ethan DJing in their attic - fun times
29 Mar 2025The WindmillLondonWestside CowboyThey're great
28 Mar 2025MOTH ClubLondonThe StingraysPlaying with Otala, main band was the guy from yellow days which I wasn't familiar with but it was v fun and I always love being at moth
17 Mar 2025The WindmillLondonMount Palomar, Nixer, BalderdashAll acts greeat, especially MP, proper big beat danceable shit
13 Mar 2025The LexingtonLondonKeg, Known ForPlaying with Otala, great crowd and Keg awesome
11 Mar 2025Sebright ArmsLondonFruit, Van QuanAlways lovely to see the Fruit lot, great set. Van Quan really cool too, bit like cowboyy, would like to see them again
03 Mar 2025Old Blue LastLondonLegss, PorchlightLots of new material from L, really like it, every time they change their sound it seems to be for the better but without losing anything essential to their sound. Porchlight really enjoyable
02 Mar 2025George TavernLondonDeathcrash, Child, The Cowards2 eddie projects both great, Deathcrash were playing under a fake name, amazing to see them somewhere so small
23 Feb 2025George TavernLondonFatberg, Divorce Attorney, Mountain PeaksOtala EP release gig, really fun!
20 Feb 2025The WindmillLondonMartial Arts, Holly HeadLovely to see MA as always, great set from both bands. Not seen HH since we played together in Apr 2023 (same one as with truthpaste), nice to see Joe again
05 Feb 2025The Waiting RoomLondonSamxemmaFinally saw them with Issy, great set. Saw them before they got famous and got the badge to prove it...
01 Feb 2025MOTH ClubLondonBlue Bendy, WebPlaying with Otala, really amazing gig to be able to play. Love Blue Bendy's album a ton
29 Jan 2025The SocialLondonWestside CowboyFirst time seeing them, went with Charlotte, they're incredible. Followed since I saw the members i knew from diekaidie started something new so happy it's come to something this good
27 Jan 2025Old Blue LastLondonHuman ResourcesOtala's IVW gig, fun!
10 Jan 2025George TavernLondonTruthpasteReally like these guys! Been trying to see them since playing together in Apr 2023 and loving their set

Desert Island Discs ?

  1. Ry Cooder - Bop Til You Drop album cover

    I Think It's Going To Work Out Fine - Ry Cooder

    This song evokes the feeling its name describes. Ry Cooder can make a guitar sing more soulfully than any words could. I'm not sure the rest of this list is ordered but I know that this is #1 every time.
  2. Little Feat - Sailing Shoes album cover

    Willin' - Little Feat

    I've found America 🇺🇸 very interesting for most of my life, probably partly thanks to the stories my Dad has told me about his time living in Florida repairing vintage aircraft, and this song reminds me both of him and of the caricature of the USA that I dream(ed) of.
  3. Pavement - Wowee Zowee album cover

    Black Out - Pavement

    Continuing on the imaginary exploration of a country I've never been to, this track feels like the other side of America, watching the slacker skateboard types killing time to avoid the ennui of suburbia.
  4. Wilco - Sky Blue Sky album cover

    Impossible Germany - Wilco

    One of my favourite guitar soloes and seeing it live in Manchester was nothing short of transcendental. I listened to this album (as well as YHF) a lot during the final two weeks of cramming for my final degree coursework, so listening to this reminds me of my breaks, when I'd walk around The Ponderosa and look at the sky blue sky.
  5. Bill Ryder-Jones - West Kirby County Primary album cover

    Tell Me You Don't Love Me Watching - Bill Ryder-Jones

    My friend Johnny put this album on when we were planning a walking expedition, probably soon after it came out so 2015/16, and I've loved it ever since. His voice is so soft and real that he manages to make the questionable narrative of a song like this sound romantic. Also, finally a British artist in the list!
  6. John Denver album cover

    Leaving On A Jet Plane - John Denver

    This one reminds me of going with my Mum and Sister to pick up my Dad from Manchester Airport when he'd been away for work, and also of Scout camps at Barnswood.
  7. Van Morrison - Saint Dominics Preview album cover

    Saint Dominic's Preview - Van Morrison

    This is one of the first songs my girlfriend Issy shared with me when we had just started talking, and one of many that revealed how much we have in common. I listened to this song a lot during the late winter of 2022, walking between my flat in Netherthorpe and hers near the top of The Botanical Gardens.
  8. Jamie xx - In Colour album cover

    Gosh - Jamie xx

    One of my favourite electronic tracks. Listening usually makes me want to make music of my own.