At the tail end of 2024 I got the chance to sit down with Matthew Smith – aka Talking with Hands – and talk in-depth about his third full-length record, Organic Machine.

Much to my delight, I got a lot more than just a track-by-track breakdown of the record. Matt divulged his history with music, his songwriting processes, his techniques for challenging himself to stay fresh and so much more. Having worked with Matt on all three of his TWH records – The World and Ourselves, New Public Domain and Organic Machine – it’s really enlightening to finally get such context around Smith himself.

If you’ve not heard Organic Machine yet, let this be your jumping off point! No time like the present. It’s on Bandcamp, Ampwall and streaming. There’s even a handful of vinyl copies still available.

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The podcast is streaming on all the things – Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Overcast and, of course, Spotify. Subscribe anywhere and everywhere.

The very first demo that Talking with Hands – aka Matthew Smith – sent over from Organic Machine was an early version of “Unprofessional Artist.” The song was an immersive atmospheric endeavor with Smith musing on his self-doubts and questioning his drive into the creative process. Even as a non-musician, it was immediately grabbing – as we’ve all had the same doubts.

The final album version isn’t much different from that demo. Smith’s vocals are still buried in the mix, the atmospheres are still immersive but the truly negative thoughts manifest themselves directly through the computer; in this case both  figuratively and literally. It’s the mid-point of the album, ending Side A of the vinyl – a perfect place to pause and contemplate your own creativity.

Fittingly, the video is its own creative journey. A tale told through terminal prompts, ANSI text and interloping antagonists. If “ANSI” is a term that is even remotely familiar to you, I can all but guarantee you’ll love what’s on the other end of that link.

The process of making it was much like much an album; pulling influences from life, from other art and from the rudimentary tools available. I believe it does the song justice and, hopefully, gives you some resonance with your own internal monologue.

Organic Machine is a layered, introspective and thoughtful record. If you haven’t heard anything from it before now, I hope this video can be your introduction to the work, as the song was for me.

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Organic Machine is streaming everywhere. We have a handful of copies remaining of the vinyl and you buy the digital on Bandcamp or Ampwall.

For the second episode of YK WORLD, I attempt to dodge the sophomore slump by sharing my experiences releasing records. Specifically, how to release a record. What steps do I go through? What kind of decision making is involved? What’s it like to release a vinyl record or a cassette? How do you make album art? Lots of questions you may not have ever considered but, after 15 years of doing this, it felt appropriate to share.

YK Records is a small, optimistic, indie but by no means do I claim to be an expert or guru on these subjects. Releasing music can be trial by fire and I hope that by sharing some knowledge, you can avoid as much fire as possible.

This is the blank template Release Planner that I use; feel free to make a copy for yourself.

The podcast is streaming on all the things – Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Overcast and, of course, Spotify. Subscribe anywhere and everywhere.

Please get in touch for anything you’d like to hear covered in a follow-up episode – corrections, additional questions, whatever!

For the first, proper, episode of YK WORLD I decided to take on an uncharacterstic endeavor – talking about me. I don’t generally rattle on about myself but it felt like starting at the beginning was a sensible choice.

“How We Got Here” is forty minutes of context leading up to meeting Ross Wariner – aka Uncle Skeleton – and forging the decision to release Pancho Chumley, the first YK Records release.

The episode is streaming on all the platforms – Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Overcast and, hopefully, Spotify – assuming they don’t remove the episode for copyright violation by playing old songs by Caesar’s Glass Box. That’s a reference you’ll get after you listen. 😉

It is with the utmost pleasure that we announce that Talking with Hands is making their excellent third full-length album, Organic Machine, available on limited edition vinyl. Very limited edition! Only 20 copies of this will exist.

Buy it direct, on Bandcamp or Ampwall. Once they’re gone, they’re gone.*

At its core, Organic Machine is an album about human creativity. We’re overjoyed to be able to put these songs into a physical form that will stand the test of time. Hopefully you’ll snag one!

*we reserve the right to do a second run, so maybe they won’t be totally done. 😉

BIRDCLOUD are raising money to battle breast cancer! Leslie S and Cydney D are two near and dear friends to the Birdcloud family; both of whom have encountered the unfortunate hurdles of battling breast cancer and navigating the expenses of the health care system. We are firmly optimistic they will come out the other side of their treatments physically healthy but the financial burden will require assistance! Proceeds from this auction will be split between the two; helping them to land firmly on their feet post treatment.

For more on Leslie S, visit her GoFundMe.

For more on Cydney D, visit her GoFundMe.

There are two auctions to bid on, both containing very rare items! If you do not wish to bid on Birdcloud vinyl but want to support these two, please click through to their GoFundMe pages above.

AUCTION 1: THE FULL DODE
Contains an unplayed copy of the out-of-print 2xLP Singles Only, the limited run 7″ for DODE (released by Bachelor records and containing a song not streaming anywhere), and a test pressing of the Cool Christmas 7″ (only 5 exist).

AUCTION 2: THE 7″ COLLECTION
This contains a copy of the DODE 7″ and another test pressing from the Cool Christmas 7″. Both are very hard to come by.

Thank you for your consideration and support.

I’m pleased to announce the debut of YK WORLD; a new podcast companion to yk Records. The plan is to use the show as a means of talking about yk releases past, present and future. However, that isn’t the only purpose of the show. No better way to explain it than just by sharing the podcast itself:

The tagline I’m embracing for the moment is “Navigating the gloop of music, tech, and art” but leaving myself plenty of room for worthwhile divergences. While yk artists will be spoken about frequently, I also want to talk about music distribution, physical music pressings, the creative process, et al.

The show will not have a set format; instead it will adhere to whatever format suits the topic best. Some episodes may be 10 minutes, some may be 2 hours. Some may have myself as the host, others may not have my presence at all.

Do me a favor and subscribe on your preferred podcast platform:

• Apple Podcasts
• Spotify
• Amazon Music
• RSS

While I have a list a mile long of topics and guests I plan to have on the show, it’s early days. The format and subject matter of the show will be fungible. Hopefully (ideally), some of the content will come from listeners! If you have something you’d like to hear about on the show, reach out to michael [at] ykworld [dot] show.

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In this first teaser episode I mention “The Nashville 100” playlist from Lance Conzett. If you aren’t following Lance on Instagram, go do that first. Then, follow this playlist and enjoy!

Last October, General Trust released GT1 – a compilation of all of the music released up to that point, along with a cassette only bonus track and a fantastic performance video for “If I Could Change Your Mind.” That closed out the first era of General Trust, now begins the second era.

Breaking the seal on 2025, General Trust unveils “Apologia” – a brand new single available on Bandcamp and Ampwall this week. The track will hit streaming early next week.

The track continues General Trust’s evolution and expansion through dark, foreboding compositions driven by synth and pop sensibilities. Only time will tell how this new era folds but it’s starting off with a gripping offering.

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Also, General Trust is now on Bluesky. Go give a follow while you’re listening to “Apologia.”

Devalued is a podcast about the intersection of art and money. Hosts Michael Ackley and Caroline Bowman have talked with the likes of Steve Albini, Suzanne Cianni, Josephine Foster, Mary Mancini & Kurt Wagner, Tristen and so many more! On a recent episode recording, Ackley got caught up in a work obligation and I got the opportunity to step in as guest host. Swapping Michael for Michael; a classic switcheroo!

In this episode, we speak with WNXP Program Director Jason Moon Wilkins and Event Director Emily Young. They provide a load of great insight about how radio fits into the modern music industry, how they spend a considerable amount of time working to be part of the Nashville community and how artists can benefit from radio in real, practical, ways.

It’s unfortunate that streaming technology seems to rule the headlines these days because radio really does have an incredibly powerful potential to it. The likes of KEXP, WFMU and KCRW come to mind most immediately but WNXP is doing an incredible job as well.

Very appreciative to be part of this conversation and I hope that artists remember to submit their music when it’s ready for release!

It’s safe to say, The Robe had a busy 2024. New music was released throughout the year – monthly singles, an EP, collaborations with J.B. Bennett, holiday songs and more.

To commemorate all that fantastic music, today we’re happy to announce two new compilations: MMXXIV and MRYUCK (2024 BEEZ); a gathering of the A-sides and B-sides (respectively) from the whole year. They’ve been sequenced in a new order by Rollum himself and are now available all over.

MMXXIV: Available on Bandcamp, Ampwall, Nina, Apple Music, Spotify, YouTube Music, Amazon Music and everywhere else!

MRYUCK (2024 BEEZ): Available on Bandcamp, Ampwall, Nina, Apple Music, Spotify, YouTube Music, Amazon Music and everywhere else!

As always, make sure you are following @therobemusic over on Instagram to stay aware of new releases and shows.