Multi-Instrumentalist, Composer, Sound Practitioner, Songwriter, Music Producer and Bog Woppit. Professionally known as artist 'Earth Tree Healing' (New Age, Spiritual & Instrumental Music) Reiki Practitioner, published Kindle Author 'Claudsville Blogs and Biog of a Bog Woppit.' and Artist at Claudine West Art. Drummer in band 'Stinking Rita'
Music links https://linktr.ee/earthtreehealing
Music library works available on Pond5.
Earth Tree Healing interweaves: Angela Barker Tarot, Crystal Healing, Kinesiology, Guided Meditations, Home and Business Cleansing, Herbal Incense, Workshops, Reiki, Music. https://angelabarkertarot.com/
Echoes of the Tao: Tao Te Ching in Music transforms the teachings of the Tao Te Ching into sound.
81 tracks of accompanying music by me (Earth Tree Healing)
I’d met Alex and David years ago at a ‘meet up talk’ in Nottingham. Something new and literally connective ‘clicked.’ I felt really inspired by their talk about the Tao Te Ching/Wu Wei Wisdom. I approached them for a chat and offered to compose music if they ever required it…. They talk about it in the video below.
This led to David & Alex sending some test tracks of him reading some verses. To me composing along to them. Musically channelling the essence. It was an absolute pleasure. It worked!! And 81 tracks later…here we are.
I’m so very honoured. It’s a wonderful piece of work.
VIDEO: The Tao Te Ching Explained (+ an intro to David’s new collection)
Each of the 81 verses of this classic text are brought to life as Taoist Master David James Lees pairs his unique translation of the Tao Te Ching with original, atmospheric music that embodies the energy, rhythm and intention of each verse and the natural flow of the Tao.
The result is an immersive sound journey that blends Taoist philosophy and mindful awareness. It’s designed to guide you beyond thought and into direct experience: a meeting of word, vibration, and presence.
You can buy The Complete Collection of all eighty-one unique Tao Te Ching verse tracks, or purchase the individual album volumes (Volumes 1, 2 and 3 each contain twenty-seven Tao Te Ching verse tracks) directly from our store.
Echoes of the Tao: Tao Te Ching in Music is:
Taoist Wisdom in Motion: Each verse track expresses the Tao Te Ching’s living energy.
Emotional Harmony: Sound and spoken guidance restore balance and calm focus.
Creative Presence: Ideal for personal reflection, contemplative listening and as a companion to your day.
Whether you listen sequentially or intuitively to the verse tracks, you’ll feel a deepening awareness and a reconnection to the Tao and to your own authentic self (Shen). The music helps cultivate presence, peace, and harmony through the timeless resonance of the Taoist teachings.
“Freyja” by Earth Tree Healing is out now, and it’s absolutely breathtaking.
This single feels like stepping into another realm—gentle piano melodies intertwined with delicate harp and strings create a soundscape that’s both calming and deeply moving. It carries a quiet by rhymical, almost sacred energy, as if it’s telling an ancient story without words.
Perfect for moments of reflection, healing, or simply slowing down and being present.
If you’re looking for something beautiful to lose yourself in today, this is it.
Freyja. Goddess of Love. War. Magic. Freyja isn’t just beauty—she’s power. A fierce Norse goddess who chooses half of the fallen warriors, masters ancient magic, and walks between love and battle like it’s nothing. She reminds us: you can be soft and unstoppable. Channel your inner goddess. Own your desire. Protect your energy.
Freyja and Ragnarök: Love, Loss, and Power in Norse Mythology
In the vast and often brutal world of Norse mythology, few figures shine with as much complexity and intrigue as Freyja—the goddess of love, beauty, magic, and war. While many remember Ragnarök as a tale of destruction and the fall of the gods, Freyja’s presence within this mythic framework offers a deeper, more emotional lens through which to understand both the end of the world and the values of the Norse cosmos.
Freyja is not easily defined. She is at once a symbol of desire and fertility, and a formidable practitioner of seiðr, a powerful and mysterious form of magic associated with fate and transformation. She rides a chariot pulled by cats, weeps tears of gold, and possesses the coveted necklace Brísingamen—an object as radiant as her reputation. Yet beneath these poetic images lies a goddess deeply tied to both life and death.
Unlike many deities associated strictly with war, Freyja shares dominion over the fallen. While Odin gathers half of the slain warriors in Valhalla, Freyja welcomes the other half into her hall, Fólkvangr. This dual role places her at the very heart of conflict and consequence, making her an essential figure in the events leading up to Ragnarök.
Though the surviving myths do not provide a detailed account of Freyja’s fate during Ragnarök, her significance makes her impossible to ignore. As a goddess of love and fertility, she represents everything that stands to be lost in the great destruction—the beauty of the world, the bonds between beings, and the fragile continuity of life. Yet as a goddess of magic and war, she also embodies resilience, knowledge, and the power to endure.
Ragnarök itself is a story driven not only by violence, but by inevitability. The gods march toward their doom, fully aware of what awaits them. In this context, Freyja’s mastery of seiðr becomes especially poignant. Magic in Norse mythology is often linked to foresight and fate, suggesting that Freyja, like Odin, may have glimpsed the coming end. If so, her role becomes even more profound—not just as a participant in the mythic world, but as a witness to its unraveling.
What makes Freyja particularly compelling is her emotional depth. She is not a distant or purely symbolic figure; she feels, desires, mourns, and seeks. Her tears of gold are more than a poetic flourish—they reflect a world in which even gods experience loss. In the shadow of Ragnarök, this emotional dimension reminds us that the end of the world is not just a cosmic event, but a deeply personal one.
And yet, as with all things in Norse mythology, the story does not end in darkness alone.
Ragnarök gives way to renewal. The world rises again, green and fertile, echoing Freyja’s own domain over life and growth. Whether she survives or not, her essence—love, beauty, and the forces that sustain life—remains woven into the fabric of the reborn world.
Freyja, then, is more than a goddess caught in the storm of Ragnarök. She is a symbol of what makes the world worth saving, and what inevitably returns after even the greatest destruction.
In a myth defined by endings, Freyja reminds us of beginnings.
RAGNAROK — New Album by Earth Tree Healing (Out April 30th, 2026)
On April 30th, 2026, Earth Tree Healing unveils Ragnarok—an empowering original soundtrack that journeys through the mythic heart of Norse cosmology. Blending off-rhythm structures, immersive synth textures, powerful melodies, and moments of delicate beauty, this album is more than music—it is a sonic mythology.
Each track is inspired by a figure, realm, or force within Norse legend, creating a vast soundscape that feels both ancient and otherworldly. From gods and giants to the nine realms themselves, Ragnarok invites listeners into a world of chaos, transformation, and renewal.
Loki The trickster god, Loki is a shapeshifter and master of deception. Neither fully ally nor enemy to the gods, he embodies chaos and unpredictability, ultimately playing a key role in the coming of Ragnarök.
Hel Daughter of Loki, Hel rules over the realm of the dead that bears her name. She governs those who did not fall in battle, presiding over a cold and shadowed existence.
Odin The Allfather and king of the gods, Odin is associated with wisdom, war, and death. He sacrificed greatly for knowledge, even giving one of his eyes, and prepares endlessly for Ragnarök.
Thor God of thunder and protector of humanity, Thor wields his mighty hammer Mjölnir. He is a fierce warrior who stands against giants and chaos, destined to face the serpent Jörmungandr.
Freyja A goddess of love, beauty, magic, and war, Freyja receives half of the fallen warriors into her hall. She is deeply connected to both life and death, embodying emotional and mystical power.
Jormungandr The Midgard Serpent, child of Loki, encircles the world beneath the sea. Its eventual battle with Thor during Ragnarök will bring mutual destruction.
Fenrir A monstrous wolf and another of Loki’s offspring, Fenrir is bound by the gods out of fear. At Ragnarök, he breaks free and devours Odin.
Sleipnir Odin’s eight-legged horse, Sleipnir is the fastest of all steeds and can travel between worlds. He represents movement across realms and the connection between life and death.
Angrboda A giantess and mother of Loki’s monstrous children, Angrboda is a figure of prophecy and wild, untamed power, deeply tied to fate and the darker forces of the cosmos.
Valkyries These warrior maidens serve Odin by choosing which warriors will die in battle. They guide the fallen to Valhalla, shaping the destiny of heroes.
Valhalla The great hall of Odin, where fallen warriors feast and prepare for the final battle. It is a place of honor, strength, and eternal readiness.
Bifrost The rainbow bridge that connects Midgard (the world of humans) to Asgard (the realm of the gods). It is both a path and a boundary between worlds.
Yggdrasil The immense world tree that connects all realms of existence. Its roots and branches stretch across the cosmos, holding together the fabric of reality.
Asgard Home of the Aesir gods, including Odin and Thor. It is a realm of power, order, and divine authority.
Vanaheim The home of the Vanir gods, associated with fertility, nature, and prosperity. It represents balance and harmony with the natural world.
Alfheim A realm of light and beauty, inhabited by the Light Elves. It is often associated with radiance, purity, and subtle magic.
Midgard The world of humans, situated at the center of the cosmos. It is protected by the gods but remains vulnerable to chaos and change.
Jotunheim Land of the giants, beings often in opposition to the gods. It is a place of raw शक्ति, wilderness, and ancient forces.
Svartalfheim Home of the dwarves, master craftsmen who forge powerful weapons and magical artifacts, including Thor’s hammer.
Helheim The underworld realm ruled by Hel, where those who die of illness or old age reside. It is a place of stillness and shadow.
Niflheim A primordial realm of ice, mist, and cold. One of the earliest worlds, it represents the frozen origins of existence.
Muspelheim A realm of fire and heat, home to fire giants. Its flames play a crucial role in the destruction during Ragnarök.
Ragnarok The final cataclysm—the fall of gods, the destruction of the world, and its ultimate rebirth. It is both an ending and a beginning.
Ragnarok by Earth Tree Healing is not just an album—it is an experience. A journey through myth, sound, and transformation. With its rich layers of synth, evocative piano, and cinematic depth, it invites you to feel the rise and fall of worlds.
There is something strangely compelling about the idea that the world must end before it can be reborn. In Norse mythology, this idea finds its most powerful expression in Ragnarök—a cataclysm not just of destruction, but of transformation.
Ragnarök is often described as the “Twilight of the Gods,” but that phrase barely captures its scale. This is not a single battle or a moment in time. It is a chain reaction: the unraveling of order, the breaking of sacred bonds, and the final confrontation between gods, giants, and monsters. The world trembles, quite literally, as earthquakes shatter the land and the great wolf Fenrir breaks free from his chains. The serpent Jörmungandr rises from the sea, poisoning the skies. Even the sun and moon are devoured, plunging existence into darkness.
But what makes Ragnarök so fascinating is not just its chaos—it’s its inevitability. Unlike many mythologies where heroes can avert doom, the Norse gods know what is coming, and they face it anyway. Odin seeks knowledge to delay the end, Thor fights knowing he will fall, and countless others step into battle with full awareness of their fate. There is a quiet, powerful dignity in that acceptance.
And yet, Ragnarök is not purely an ending.
After the fires fade and the waters recede, something unexpected happens: the world returns. Green shoots emerge from scorched earth. A new generation of gods rises. Two human survivors, Líf and Lífthrasir, repopulate the world. Life continues—not as it was, but as something renewed.
This duality is what makes Ragnarök timeless. It speaks to cycles we see everywhere: in nature, in history, and even in our personal lives. Things fall apart. Structures collapse. Certainties vanish. But from that destruction comes space—space for rebuilding, reimagining, and beginning again.
Perhaps that’s why Ragnarök still resonates today. It mirrors our deepest fears—the loss of stability, the collapse of the familiar—but also our quiet hope that even after everything burns, something meaningful can grow from the ashes.
In the end, Ragnarök is not just a story about how the world ends.
Opium Ocean by Earth Tree Healing — a beautifully haunting acoustic guitar track with ethereal vocals, that feels like waves of emotion crashing against the shores of your soul. Soft fingerpicked strings shimmer with echoing reverb, creating an intimate yet vast soundscape. It’s minimal, introspective, and atmospheric — like watching a silver tide rise under a moonlit sky, the melody lingering long after it fades.
Track Opium Ocean released on Digital Stores. 2026.
I considered this becoming part of a bigger release.
But I’m currently working on Nordic album Ragnarok.
Then plan to compose and record an acoustic instrumental album later in 2026.
In the windswept halls of Norse myth, Odin stands not as a static god of thunder or harvest, but as a living paradox—warrior and poet, seeker and sovereign, father and forsaker. He is the Allfather, yes, but also the Wanderer, cloaked in mystery and driven by an insatiable hunger for wisdom.
Majestic, fierce, and transcendent. A rhythmical, powerful instrumental track about Odin would channel the ancient might and mysticism of the All-Father — ruler of Asgard, seeker of wisdom, and god of war and poetry.
I composed and recorded Odin on Sunday. ( 12th October 2025)
Autumn carries a kind of quiet, cinematic beauty — a season of transformation that mirrors the creative spirit. The air turns crisp, scented with woodsmoke and fallen leaves. Trees burn gold, amber, and crimson against skies that deepen earlier each day. As dusk settles faster, the world grows still — a gentle darkness that invites reflection rather than fear.
In those long, dark nights and often grey days in the UK, making music feels almost sacred. The hum of a guitar, the warmth of piano keys, or the slow pulse of a synth becomes a dialogue with the quiet outside. Every note seems to glow brighter against the darkness, every rhythm echoing the steady fall of rain or the whisper of wind through bare branches.
There’s magic in the solitude — in candlelight flickering across a desk, in breath misting by an open window, in the hush that allows creativity to bloom. Autumn and night together create a kind of cocoon — where emotions deepen, inspiration stirs, and music becomes a way to hold onto fleeting light.
Watch the full YouTube video.
The Seeker of Secrets
Odin’s story begins not with conquest, but with sacrifice. To gain the knowledge of the runes, he hung himself from Yggdrasil, the World Tree, pierced by his own spear, Gungnir. For nine nights he dangled between life and death—not for power, but for insight. This act of self-sacrifice reveals Odin’s core: he is not omniscient by birthright, but by relentless pursuit.
He drinks from Mimir’s well, trading an eye for a glimpse into cosmic truth. He sends his ravens, Huginn (Thought) and Muninn (Memory), across the Nine Realms each day, gathering whispers of the world B. Odin’s wisdom is not passive—it is active, costly, and ever-evolving.
The Warrior of Chaos
Though he seeks knowledge, Odin is no stranger to war. He chooses the slain for Valhalla, preparing them for Ragnarök—the twilight of the gods. His wolves, Geri and Freki, flank him in battle, and his eight-legged steed Sleipnir carries him between worlds B. Yet Odin rarely fights directly. He manipulates, inspires, and deceives. He is the god of strategy, not brute force.
The Valknut, a symbol of three interlocked triangles, often marks the fallen chosen by Odin. It speaks to his dominion over life, death, and the liminal space between.
The Keeper of Contradictions
Odin is a god of poetry and sorcery, of kingship and madness. His name—derived from Óðr, meaning “fury” or “ecstasy”—captures this duality A. He inspires skalds with the Mead of Poetry, yet he also stirs berserkers into frenzied battle. He is both the whisper in the poet’s ear and the scream on the battlefield.
This complexity makes Odin deeply human. He is flawed, curious, manipulative, and mournful. He fathers gods like Thor and Baldr, yet often walks alone, disguised as a beggar, testing mortals and gods alike.
Why Odin Still Matters
In a world obsessed with certainty, Odin reminds us that wisdom is born from discomfort. That leadership requires sacrifice. That truth is rarely simple. He is the god of those who ask questions that have no easy answers.
To honor Odin is to embrace complexity—to seek, to wander, to remember, and to forget. He is not a god of arrival, but of journey.
In the shadowed corners of Norse mythology, where frost bites and silence reigns, dwells Hel—the goddess of the dead. Often overlooked in favor of her thunderous uncle Thor or her infamous father Loki, Hel presides over a realm that is neither heaven nor hell, but something far more ancient and ambiguous: the land of the forgotten dead.
Track Hel by Earth Tree Healing: like wind curling through the roots of Yggdrasil. Sparse chimes echo in the distance, evoking the frost-laced silence of the underworld. A slow, pulsing rhythm emerges, mimicking the heartbeat of forgotten souls, steady and solemn.
Layered beneath are ethereal vocal textures—half-whispers, half-sighs—that drift like spirits through mist. The melody is hauntingly beautiful, built on minor scales and modal shifts that suggest both sorrow and serenity. Strings swell and recede like waves of memory, while deep synth pads anchor the listener in Hel’s realm: cold, still, and strangely comforting.
Born of Mischief, Bound to the Dead
Hel is the daughter of Loki, the trickster god, and the jötunn Angrboda, a giantess of chaos. Her siblings are no less fearsome: Fenrir, the monstrous wolf, and Jörmungandr, the world-serpent. While her brothers embody destruction, Hel is a quieter force—her power lies in stillness, inevitability, and the finality of death.
Odin, fearing the potential of Loki’s children, cast Hel into the underworld and gave her dominion over those who die of sickness or old age—those who do not fall gloriously in battle and thus cannot enter Valhalla. Her realm, also called Hel, is a cold, misty place beneath the roots of Yggdrasil, the world tree. It is not a place of torment, but of rest and silence.
The Half-Living Queen
Hel’s appearance is as striking as her domain. She is said to be half alive and half dead—one side of her body vibrant and beautiful, the other decayed and corpse-like. This duality reflects her nature: she is both a goddess and a grave, a caretaker and a captor. She does not seek worship or war. She simply waits.
Unlike other death deities who revel in judgment or punishment, Hel is passive. She does not chase souls; she receives them. Her power is not in violence, but in inevitability. In a mythology obsessed with glory and battle, Hel reminds us of the quiet deaths—the ones history forgets.
Hel in the Myths
Hel’s most notable myth involves the death of Baldr, the beloved god of light. After Baldr is killed, the gods plead with Hel to release him. She agrees—on one condition: if every creature in the world weeps for Baldr, he may return. All do, except one—Loki in disguise. Thus, Baldr remains in Hel’s realm until Ragnarök, the end of the world.
This story reveals Hel’s fairness and her firm grip on fate. She does not bend to emotion or divine pressure. Her realm is governed by rules older than the gods themselves.
The Legacy of Hel
In modern times, Hel has often been conflated with the Christian concept of Hell, but they are not the same. Hel’s domain is not a place of punishment—it is a resting place for those who die quietly. She is not evil, but inevitable. Her name survives in language, her essence in archetype.
Hel is the goddess of endings, of the uncelebrated dead, of the quiet truths we fear to face. She is the keeper of memory, the guardian of shadows, and the sovereign of the still.
Hel may not ride chariots or wield hammers, but her presence is felt in every breath that ends, every story that fades, and every silence that follows the storm. She is the goddess who waits—not with malice, but with patience. And in her waiting, she holds the world’s forgotten souls.
When we think of Norse mythology, names like Odin, Thor, and Freyja often come to mind—gods of wisdom, thunder, and love. But lurking in the shadows of Asgard is a figure far more complex, chaotic, and captivating: Loki, the trickster god. Neither wholly good nor entirely evil, Loki is the wildcard of the Norse pantheon—a shapeshifter, a schemer, and a catalyst for both disaster and transformation.
The track Loki by Earth Tree Healing, released in 2026, is a musical tribute to the Norse trickster god.
Watch the video:
The album is being composed and recorded autumn/winter/spring 2025/2026.
Earth Tree Healing is known for ambient and spiritually inspired compositions, so it’s likely that Loki blends atmospheric textures with mystical undertones. Expect a soundscape that evokes transformation, unpredictability, and perhaps a touch of chaos—hallmarks of Loki’s mythic energy.
Loki’s lineage is as tangled as his schemes. Born to the jötunn (giant) Fárbauti and the mysterious Laufey, Loki is technically a giant himself, yet he lives among the Æsir gods in Asgard. His charm, wit, and cunning earned him a place at Odin’s side, but his loyalty was always questionable. Loki is a master of shapeshifting—he’s been a salmon, a mare (yes, he once gave birth to an eight-legged horse), and even an old woman. His identity is fluid, his motives elusive.
Chaos with a Purpose
Loki’s role in Norse mythology is paradoxical. He’s the one who causes problems—and the one who solves them. He cuts off Sif’s golden hair, only to commission the dwarves to forge her a new, magical replacement (along with Mjölnir, Thor’s hammer). He orchestrates the theft of Freyja’s necklace, then retrieves it through trickery. Loki is the god of disruption, but his chaos often leads to creation.
This duality makes Loki more than just a villain. He embodies the unpredictable forces of change, the necessary upheaval that precedes growth. In a world governed by fate (or wyrd), Loki is the agent of the unexpected.
The Road to Ragnarök
Despite his contributions, Loki’s mischief eventually turns malevolent. His most infamous act is orchestrating the death of Baldr, the beloved god of light. For this, he is bound in a cave with a serpent dripping venom onto his face—a punishment that will last until Ragnarök, the end of the world.
At Ragnarök, Loki breaks free and fights against the gods, leading the giants in a final, apocalyptic battle. He faces Heimdall, the watchman of the gods, and the two slay each other. In death, as in life, Loki is both destroyer and destroyed.
Loki Today: From Myth to Meme
Loki’s legacy has endured for centuries, evolving from ancient sagas to modern pop culture. He’s been reimagined in comics, films, and literature—notably as the charismatic antihero portrayed by Tom Hiddleston in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. But even stripped of Hollywood glamour, the mythological Loki remains a compelling figure: a reminder that the line between hero and villain is often blurred, and that chaos, while frightening, can also be a force of renewal.
Loki isn’t just a god of mischief—he’s a mirror reflecting the complexities of human nature. In his laughter, we hear the echoes of our own contradictions. And in his fall, we glimpse the cost of unchecked cunning. He may be bound beneath the earth, but Loki’s spirit lives on—in every twist of fate, every clever trick, and every story that refuses to follow the rules.
A spectral, antlered forest spirit (originating mainly in Windsor folklore but associated with Sherwood in later tales). Said to haunt the forest, especially around the oaks, appearing during storms or misty nights.
Often viewed as a guardian of the wild—part ghost, part ancient nature deity.
With the world filling up on A.I. – (Whilst I still think of the Terminator outcomes and wonder how quickly jobs, manufacturing and dating will be replaced by non humans)
it’s a thing to embrace that is revolutionising some tasks. But taking away one’s own speech, creativity and efforts. I’m intrigued to see where it all leads.
Note – I do not use Artificial Intelligence in the creation and performance of my musical works.
I’ve challenged myself to document, compose and record an album of monuments, folklore and magical places – entirely using acoustic instruments. The title to be imagined.
As of September 27th 2025. When I made this. (Editing the video on iMovie on my phone was time consuming)
I composed, improvised and recorded ‘Herne The Hunter’ with Acoustic Guitars, Native Flute (by Nightstar flutes) and Mandolin. Featuring Bill’s Guitar. His widow said he would have been very happy.
Music has a remarkable ability to heal—emotionally, mentally, and even physically. Here’s how it works across different dimensions:
Emotional Healing
Expression and Release: Music gives voice to emotions we struggle to articulate. Whether it’s sadness, joy, anger, or nostalgia, hearing or creating music helps us process and release those feelings.
Mood Regulation: Listening to uplifting or calming music can reduce anxiety and depression, while sad music can offer catharsis and validation during tough times.
Mental and Cognitive Benefits
Stress Reduction: Music lowers cortisol levels, the hormone associated with stress. Slow tempos and soothing melodies can calm the nervous system.
Memory and Focus: Music therapy is used to help patients with Alzheimer’s and dementia recall memories. It also improves concentration and learning in educational settings.
Neuroplasticity: Engaging with music—especially playing instruments—stimulates brain regions involved in coordination, planning, and emotional regulation.
I do love improvising and drumming in our Band Stinking Rita.
Stinking Rita – Barefoot Festival 2025
Physical Healing
Pain Management: Music can reduce the perception of pain by distracting the brain and triggering the release of endorphins.
Heart and Breathing: Rhythmic music can synchronize with heart rate and breathing, promoting relaxation and even aiding recovery after surgery.
Sleep Aid: Gentle music before bed can improve sleep quality by calming the mind and reducing insomnia.
Social and Spiritual Connection
Community and Belonging: Singing in groups or attending concerts fosters connection and shared experience, which is vital for mental health.
Spiritual Uplift: Many cultures use music in rituals and meditation to promote inner peace and transcendence.
Music doesn’t just fill silence—it fills us. Whether through a lullaby, a symphony, or a simple hum, it reaches places words can’t.
Flow state in music is that magical zone where everything just clicks. It’s when a musician becomes so deeply immersed in playing, composing, or even listening that time seems to vanish, self-consciousness fades, and the music feels effortless and alive.
What Defines Flow in Music?
Total Absorption: The musician is fully engaged—mind, body, and soul—with the music. Distractions disappear.
Effortless Execution: Technical skills feel automatic. Fingers move without conscious thought, and ideas flow freely.
Loss of Time Awareness: Hours can pass in what feels like minutes. The musician is “in the moment.”
Merging of Action and Awareness: There’s no separation between the player and the instrument. It’s as if the music is playing through them.
Intrinsic Reward: The joy comes from the act itself, not from external praise or outcomes.
After my 50th Birthday celebrations in Cyprus. We’ve had a busy summer of events and festivals.
In other personal news. We recently saw the brilliant Miriam Margolyes live in Derby. The lady ‘signing’ on stage translating Miriam’s vulgarities was utterly brilliant and hilarious!
Whilst I’m embracing sound therapy, exercise, health good food and meditation more and more. Paramount during menopause.
Reflexology, Acupuncture, Massage, gong baths. Giving my body, mind and soul nourishing experiences pays dividends. And yes I have to work hard to pay for them. (I get Reiki free as trained ‘properly’ in it.)
I’m in love with sound therapy. It was the progression I was designed to embrace. Gong bath addiction is real!!
Whilst friends and acquaintances come and go. The older I get. The more folk pass over. The more I see this world filling up on hatred. I’m never surprised at how disappointed I am a some peoples actions and behaviours. Good riddance.
And folk falsely kiss arse, all in the name of networking and getting a small piece of the pie or to ladder climb.
I find being true to oneself and principles even more important.
The ones that are running and telling the world they are ‘good people’ who aren’t actually free at all. They are full of negativity … in complete denial. Pitiful really.
Is there an argument for joining an argument about something that you have no control over, no ability to change it. Just using social media to spread a sheeple opinion. Would time not be better spent helping others, animals, environment where you are? Doing that little bit that actually makes a small difference.
I observe the egos and self importance. It’s not pretty. I’ve become more humble, less of a dick the more I age. (I still do have my moments) Dare I say I am content at the age of 50.
We recently played the game Uno. One of the funniest nights of arguments I’ve ever had.
Watch!!
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
I don’t enjoy competing. Or playing games. Weird.. but it’s just what I’ve become. I wasn’t always like that.
That is true in my work and music – I don’t compare ‘me’ to anyone else, as I am unique to me. This is my journey alone – I’m just travelling on the same journeys parts of the way with others.
I do enjoy YouTube and audiobooks more than TV nowadays. The Let Them Theory by Mel Robbins, Atomic Habits by James Clear. Breath by James Nestor and The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck by Mark Manson. Have accompanied me on my exercise bike journeys recently.
Then there is the burger to my buns-but her buns are bigger 😉 My Wife Ange. ❤️ with domestics, adventures, twatting about, areas being stuck to freshly varnished toilet seats….loving one another. It’s never boring.
If you want to see some of the things we get up to – Watch our Adventures With Clange YouTube channel.
Then there is Dogman Encounters Radio with Vic Cundiff and other Cryptid explorations. It’s definitely made me think twice about the woods and wilderness!!
The more I seek out the pockets of calm, beauty and happiness. Whilst others delve into the darkness. I revitalise in the light of good things.
Whilst we are currently working through a family tragedy. It reminds us all to get help if depression and suicidal thoughts enter. There is help. You can feel better.
Life flies by in the blink of an eye. Embrace, Enjoy the Energies. Be Kind.
P.s I now live very near Sherwood Forest. Beware the moon!
Whilst composing commissioned meditation work for a client during the depths of winter weather and depressive dark misery, during January 2025. This album baby gestated and birthed!! It kind of ‘piggy backed’ on the work I was doing. I was in a kaleidoscope flow state of ambient, transient mellowness.
Whilst meditating lots (I use the Headspace app daily too) and good exercising habits. I thoroughly enjoyed and really got into the zone. Composing on evenings after my day job work and weekends. Good habits, good productivity and achievement.
Then the bastard lurgy hit, which cumulated with one of the most annoying coughing, violent sudden sneezing, pissing of ones pants… literally infections of recent years!
I can’t thank ‘Tena Lady’ enough! Sponsorship welcome 😉
With chest death rattling crolsh, nose whistling – thinking it’s the cats miaowing in the distance, only to find it’s my snotter playing a penny whistle!
Of all the lurgy viruses I’ve been infected with, our dances with ‘Covid juice’ have been mild in comparison. This one has been a dragged out Fucker!
I thank the Power of Grey Skull for spare rooms and ear bud noise cancelling headphones!
My wife Ange, got it first. Her cough has been louder than a relentless foghorn with jazz hands! Each double tap one over the last 2 weeks has destroyed my very soul! Fortunately she managed to get a Doctors appointment and antibiotics last week. Which nipped hers worst bits of it in the bud! I was very worried for her and her pants too!!
My coughing manifested fully during an NHS conference with hundreds on Thursday… only during the talks mind!! Sucking a constant supply of Jakemans honey and lemon throat sweets. I won’t repeat my ‘gratitude words’ and perfect timing for this!!
Then I go down the list of which one of you gave it to us.. swearing to Ange that next year. We are doing a self imposed lockdown and seeing no one in winter! Yes full drama queen reaction! ‘All about me again’ as she has reflected.
The journey of life, taking responsibility and lessons can be harsh at times.
Samhain 2024 cumulated to a 2am visitation to A&E for me, a very kind, helpful and understanding A&E Doctor. Followed a month of being monged out on opiates, which in my younger years I’d have thoroughly enjoyed.
An irreversible health issue diagnosis of neuropathy followed, it had suddenly reared a very ugly and painful head (that culminated in more Doc and nurse visits, new meds and a harsh lesson in self monitoring my blood sugars better & care with less cake!)
Fortunately I’ve come out the other end feeling a lot better. So far my fingers and feet have settled and instrument playing is not now affected.
I also can’t recommend Acupuncture highly enough. It’s helping my knee arthritis and peri menopause symptoms no end too! (Thanks Bev!)
But when life gives me lemons! Drink with honey and a positive mind set.
I’ve found much joy in making freshly squeezed orange juice on a weekend. Nesting with an open fire and our cats, Figgy and Rambo during the cold winter. With little alcohol intake and more water and herbal teas as a habit. I’m feeling pretty darn good.
I do feel at peace with myself at last. I know where I’m going and where I want to be. I also know that making music makes me feel wholly satisfied. I’m walking my path and life’s purpose. I’m not seeking answers anymore. Just indulging in Dogmen and cryptic witness stories.
I’m also enjoying lots of audiobooks on Audible. Breath by James Nestor is educating, leading me into The Wim Hof Method. Miriam Margolyes ‘This Much is True’ read my her, is a brilliant and hilarious memoir. We have booked to see her live this year too. She is a national treasure!
A multitude of YouTubers. (Cried my eyes out as Occy – Max & Occy died the other day.) I then watched series Earth Abides, which cumulated in more obscene blubbering about the dog FFS!!
Elsa Rhae & Barron
Camper Vibe
Vanwives
Philly and Keely
The Endless Adventure
Eamon & Bec
Just Rowan
Attaché
Betting on Alaska
Trent The Traveller
Eva Zu Beck
Peter Santenello
Trout and Coffee
Ally Marie Brown
Cecilia Blomdahl
Simon Wilson
Travel Beans
Entertainment wise. Thoroughly intrigued and enjoying. It keeps away the awfulness that the daily news brings.
I’m continually adding to my sound therapy practice. The joy of ever expanding experimentation & increased repertoire of tools/instruments. Just creating a new healing vibrational space has been enlightening and healing.
I’m getting more music royalties now. Which really helps reinvesting.
Big thanks to Elixir Strings. They ran a Facebook Xmas competition, where entrants could post their fave string set by them in the comments. I won a set!! Simply winning, and then a being sent a set of my fave strings, I’ve used for years. This was an excellent high five moment that Brucey McBruce Bonus would be proud of!! Sponsorship welcome! 😉
With the mundane chores covered by our robovac and a working dishwasher. More time can be allocated to enjoyment, productivity.
Day job wise – I’m doing a Level 3 apprenticeship standard in Data & Insights for Business Decisions. I’m privileged that the NHS supports such training.
Whilst I love making music. It and creativity is ‘me’ through and through. I do love a bit of day job data crunching and contracting in Procurement. I still have so much to learn though, nearly 2 years into this role. But I can say – it’s my favourite day job I’ve ever done, so far!! I thank my brilliant colleagues and peers for making it a really good experience I get paid to do.
Stinking Rita, our band are sad that our usual rehearsal/ jam space – That Weird Shop in Sneinton, Nottingham has shut. But many shenanigans to look forward to. I love you all!! Xxx
The album pitch!
In a world that moves too fast, tranquility is the rarest luxury. It’s the soft stillness that settles your mind, the calm that quiets the noise, and the peace that fills your soul. Imagine stepping into a space where time slows down—where stress fades, and clarity blooms. Whether it’s through serene landscapes, mindful moments, or calming sounds, tranquility invites you to reconnect with yourself and the present.You deserve a life touched by peace. Embrace tranquility and rediscover what it means to truly breathe.
Tranquil Meditations track listing
Zodiacal Light (Meditation)
Svalbard (Meditation)
Yutori (Meditation)
Alpenglow (Meditation)
Ascension (Meditation)
Divine Journey (Meditation)
Ethereal Sunset (Meditation)
Mangata (Meditation)
Zephyr (Meditation)
Ortus Solis (Meditation)
Hollow Tree (Meditation)
Agartha (Meditation)
Music has really helped me focus on positivity, good mental health and achievement during the month that some are skint and just rest.
Music recharges my batteries. As I set the intentions and channel. Then I recharge in the summer sunshine – which often means going abroad to warmer countries. England’s weather is mostly guaranteed to be overcast and grey. Yes I will be celebrating my 50th year in Cyprus.
Having moved house a couple of times. Firstly – as we needed a bigger space. Sadly that didn’t work out and whilst the property was cheap rent, we ended up having a whole heap of issues. It needed lots of work with fixing its damp and new horrors kept being uncovered! Lesson learned when you move in during a heatwave!! Which didn’t help our health. Disappointingly some folk think they can play being ‘landlady and landlord’ – and basically money grab, without looking after the basic requirements of providing a decent and legally compliant home for people to live in! For all the bullshit people spout. They always get found out and caught out in the end. I have no words for the sheeple that jump on other peoples beef, when they only accept their ‘opinion and truth’ of events. Not the actual reality.
“Beware of jumping on someone else’s bandwagon; you might find yourself fighting a battle that was never yours, only to bear the scars without the reward.” — Unknown
Fortunately – fate is ace! And through going through these challenges. We’ve ended up in the perfect place to live, which we love. This afforded mass dejunking. Which I highly recommend – it’s liberating!!
We moved out of Nottingham. Which we had wanted to do for a while. Plus my day job allows 3 days home working per week, 2 days in the office. So I can commute.
I digress… Back to the music!
I’d previously compiled a few tracks from my repertoire (and edited them down to shorter lengths.) I began composing new ambient, electronic ones.
Less melody, more calm.
And so unexpectedly, an album I had on the back burner was finished. So I’m releasing Tranquil Meditations on 3rd March 2025.
I’m also currently composing and recording album WITCH. Not this weekend, as am still full of this virus. Which is frustrating. But sometimes one has just got to call a time out and rest and recover. Yes it is a tight squeeze fitting all of this in whilst working full time. But I procrastinate less and crack on working hard.
We’ve a busy summer working at festivals/events. I’ll be performing live at a few too. So autumn/winter is my composing time.
If you want to see what we get up to. Check out our Adventures with ClangeYouTube channel. We just bought a van to convert for road trips. ‘Philly Minky’ is her name.
This is still the funniest thing we have done to Ange’s Parents.
Bliss…
Be kind to others and to yourself. Don’t be a Twat like us!
Earth Tree Healing 