New Dimensions and beyond - Spring 2026
What I've been writing, producing and working on (a.k.a my excuses for not posting more on Substack)
Hey gang!
Thought I would start a regular feature keeping readers abreast of what I’ve been up to, what projects I’m working on and where you can read my writings or other fantastical things I’ve been involved with. I often post on social media these kind of updates, but it’s nice to collect them in a post every so often, both for documenting and to share them with all of youse!
Kicking things off by going back a wee bit, in February, Think Like a Key Music released a newly remastered version of Patto’s 1971 sophomore album Hold Your Fire, which I was honored to write liner notes for, helping to shed light on the band and help give them more of the recognition they so much deserve. And if that artwork looks a bit different to you, it’s because it’s the original U.S. Vertigo Records cover, unique to North America!
LINK to purchase and find out more info: PATTO Hold Your Fire Remaster
On the Tonearm front, I had the pleasure of speaking at length recently with Colin Blunstone about the Zombies, ‘One Year’ and his current musical plans, including the newly released live album of his aforementioned 70s debut album, and an edited version of our conversation is now up for all to read on the site - link below to read:
‘One Year’ and a Lifetime - Colin Blunstone’s Winding Road
Another Tonearm piece of mine went live last week; this time it’s a conversation with my mate Rich Hanscomb about his new musical project, Golden Samphire Band. Hailing from the coastal region of Brighton, England, I spoke at length with Rich about his musical upbringing and influences and how GSB came together. Their debut album, Dream is the Driver, was just released, and it’s quickly becoming one of my fave new releases of the year; they’ve got a striking sound, blending psychedelic and UK folk influences with the distinct vocals of Hannah Lewis. Together, the trio create brilliant music, and I look forward to catching them in performance next time I’m in Brighton. Read the full Tonearm piece below:
Golden Samphire Band's Imagined Albion By The Sea
I’m still producing and hosting my weekly radio show, Anything Goes which airs every Friday starting at 4 PM (Eastern Time) on WESU 88.1 FM, out of Wesleyan University’s freeform and community station in sunny downtown Middletown, Connecticut.
Each week I spend ninety minutes on a musical subject, topic or guest; in the past month we’ve shared the songs of Neil Sedaka, celebrated St. Patrick’s Day with the tunes of the Undertones, and welcomed special guests Colin Blunstone of the Zombies for two weeks as we discussed his career and played his records and welcomed Bid, founding member of the Monochrome Set to discuss their music. And per usual, I’m working up some fantastic shows and exciting guests for the weeks ahead, as we enter our Spring Pledge Drive, when we rely on listeners like you, and you (and even you!) to donate monies to help keep one of the longest continually running freeform stations in the USA bringing independent voices and eclectic music to listeners, and so we can keep on rockin’ over the airwaves.
Speaking of the WESU Pledge drive, I’m pleased to say that I’ve designed (in collaboration with talented fellow board member Katia), new Anything Goes tee shirts and tote bags! They feature my friend ‘60s record listener guy’ who I’d like to think is tuning into Anything Goes every week, digging the sounds! 100% of the profits from all sales of Anything Goes merchandise goes to support WESU 88.1 FM and keep one of the longest-running freeform radio stations on the globe rocking into its 87th year of operation! Please considering purchasing one (or both!) to show your fandom for the show and freeform radio!
LINK to purchase T-shirt: Anything Goes Tee Shirt Spring 2026
LINK to purchase Tote Bag: Anything Goes Tote Bag Spring 2026
In April, Apple Records recording artist Brute Force celebrated the release of his first new studio album in decades. Titled “Doggie Surrender Pose” (you have to see him perform it to get it), many did just that at the Album Release Party show last night (April 26th) at the famed Bitter End nightclub in Greenwich Village in Manhattan. It’s been a lot of work putting this show together, and I couldn’t have done it without the help of the wonderful Richard Barone and great group of folks at the Bitter End. The result was a brilliant evening of Brute Force performing music and comedy to an audience of longtime fans, and new converts. People came from as far away as Boston and Philadelphia just to celebrate the album’s release and see the 85-year young Brute Force perform. And go check out the album if you haven’t already; it’s available on physical media on vinyl LP and CD direct from Brute himself and available on all streaming platforms.
Have a listen to “Everybody’s Got a Secret”, one of the singles off of Brute’s new album:
Meanwhile, I continue to work onward and upwards on an exciting book project, one I’ve been hard at work on for several years now. While I cannot reveal the subject just yet, I will say that I’m collaborating with a legendary artist on their memoirs, which will also be an oral history of their life and career, encompassing stories and memories from others that know them and their music. It’s a wildly eclectic group of interview subjects, which makes the book so fun. Just in the past several weeks, I’ve managed to speak with an iconic radio host and personal hero of mine, and a founding member of a seminal seventies UK punk band for the project, and learned a mighty amount of information. Each little bit of info, each little detail that someone may thing is unimportant, well it can be fascinating to me! (and hopefully readers will agree!)
Keep an eye peeled for more info on that, along with other fun stuff I’m working on, including more writing features, books, record albums, archival projects, radio shows and live appearances. Thanks to everyone who subscribes here to New Dimensions, or subscribes to any of the sites or picks up physical magazines or records. And most importantly, thanks for being friends and for encouraging me creatively, be it recommending music or just conversing here on Substack.
