Welcome to Collected.
First transmission: Notes from the Author and a Playlist
Welcome to Collected, my home for sharing stories about music worth discovering. I am a music obsessive. As far back as I have memories, they all include music – the soundtrack and driving force in my life. I’m a musician and performer. I’ve worked professionally in recording studios. I’m a record collector and music curator, but most importantly I’m a fan.
“Collected is a transmitter of discovery moments for music you haven’t heard yet, aimed at sparking the same passion in you that it sparked in me.”
Collected gives me the curatorial authority to write about the the music I love and tell the stories from my unique experiences. Some of you will find Collected because we listen to the same records – I want you to feel seen. But in its purest form, Collected is a transmitter of discovery moments for music you haven’t heard yet, aimed at sparking the same passion in you that it sparked in me.
About the author
I grew up in the suburbs of Dallas, Texas, and currently live in Atlanta, Georgia. These two places, and everywhere in between, are recurring locations in my stories. I’m married and my wife and I have a 12 year old son who has embarked on his own music exploration. They’ll turn up here from time to time too.
At the time of posting this introduction I’m 51 years old. This puts my sweet spot on the musical timeline between 1984-1996 although my taste extends well beyond these years in both directions. I listen to music broadly ranging from left-of-mainstream to the esoteric. Collected will neither appeal to the masses nor alienate the uninitiated – it sits in that interesting space in between.
A few non-negotiable truths
Paul Weller is a god.
My first true love was Depeche Mode.
I generally prefer synthesizers over guitars.
I was eq’d for melancholy music from a very early age.
I sympathize for anyone who’s adolescent soundtrack wasn’t sung by Morrissey.
“just when you least expect it, just what you least expect”
– Neil Tennant, Pet Shop Boys “Love Comes Quickly”
Press Play
Putting a playlist together is an art form to me, a creative expression of balance and flow – unexpected styles, eras and moods, blending and shifting together to create a unique listening experience. There’s no better way for me to share what Collected is about than for you to hear it with your own ears. The first playlist is anchored by foundational artists Pet Shop Boys, The Style Council, and Ryuichi Sakamoto, to name a few, surrounded by recently discovered artists, representative styles, eras and moods that capture the essence of Collected. It’s filled with surprises and detours, and like Neil Tennant sings on Love Comes Quickly, “just when you least expect it, just what you least expect.” I hope you discover something that moves you.
Save the playlist and follow Collected Music on Spotify.
This is just the beginning. The music and stories I have to share have been with me for decades – now they have a home. Stay tuned in.
Liner notes.
If you’re like me, you’ve spent countless hours thumbing through cassette jackets, CD booklets, and LP inner sleeves, reading every word while the music plays. Liner notes are the key to decoding the mystery in the music – or sometimes adding to it. Whether it was lyrics, production credits, or a thank-you list of meaningless names, that bonus information provided a connection to the artist and made the experience deeper. Here are a few words on each track in the Collected playlist, in the order they appear.
Tamaryn “Cranekiss” – LA-based Kiwi whose 2015 release evokes the best of 1980-90’s alternative, dark wave and shoegaze.
The Style Council “A Man Of Great Promise” – See fact #1 above.
White Denim “A Place to Start” – A smooth, shuffling, keyboard groove from Austin, Texas, stylistic chameleons.
Saint Etienne “Glad” – The last stop on a 35 year journey that I’ve been on since day one. Featuring contributions from Chemical Brother, Tom Rowlands, and Doves guitarist Jez Williams, this song is as good as they come.
The Style Council “My Ever Changing Moods” – In my opinion, Weller’s best tune. Indulge me in indulging myself.
Damien Jurado “Call Me, Madame (Non-Smoking Version)” – Out of left field instrumental with a Motown feel from prolific Seattle-based singer songwriter. He’ll get a Collected album feature in the future.
Slowdive “40 Days” – The best song from the best shoegaze band, period.
Chapterhouse “Mesmerise” – Transcendent opening track from non-album EP released in the wake of their monumental debut album Whirlpool. This song is a revelation. More on it to come.
Lloyd Cole “Travelling Light” – A delightfully bright star in the oftentimes dour universe of beloved Commotions front man. One of my favorites of his career.
The High Llamas “Cookie Bay” – An accessible tune from a foundational band featuring Mary Hansen and Laetitia Sadier of Stereolab on lead vocals. Two birds, one stone.
O & The Mo “Make Way For The Sun” – I know very little about this duo from Wellington, New Zealand, but I know I love the hushed, melancholy and surreal sonic landscape they’ve created.
Lords of Lounge “Abigél” – A sublime guitar instrumental, beautifully recorded and performed by Berlin-based virtuosos.
Tindersticks “Stars at Noon” – The Nottingham, England, troubadours wrote a song so beautiful and cinematic (composed as the title track for the 2022 film of the same name) there will be a Collected feature about it.
Ryuichi Sakamoto “Tango” – The perfect introduction to the great Japanese composer Ryuichi Sakamoto highlighting his piano playing, pop production, a rare vocal performance and his penchant for bossa nova.
Pet Shop Boys “Love comes quickly” – An excellent place to start, but literally replace it with any song by Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe. Pet Shop Boys are a desert island duo.
Neggy Gemmy “Mysterious Girl” – FKA Negative Gemini, AKA Lindsey French, this song and the 2025 album it’s included on where my highlight of last year. Seeking inspiration from 1990-93 Saint Etienne and flawlessly executed.
The Clientele “Geometry of Lawns” – A vital blend of 1960s influenced hazy, swirling chamber pop from the band that started my obsession for collecting vinyl 25 years ago.
Pernice Brothers “Discover a Lovelier You” – A lovely instrumental from a lovely album of perfectly crafted indie rock songs.
Candyland “Something To Somebody” – A lost gem from early 1990s London-based alternative dance no-hit-wonders. Remarkably discovered 35 years ago on the airwaves of alternative radio in Dallas.
Diamond Day “Fiction Feel XR (Robin Guthrie Remix)” – Included as an homage to foundational band Cocteau Twins – a young Montreal duo discovered by way of this remix by Cocteau guitar maestro Robin Guthrie.
Satoshi & Makoto “Diverge Grid” – Recently discovered Japanese ambient electronica representative of my love for this style of hypnotic, uplifting instrumental music.
Presence “Act of Faith” – Haircut One Hundred, Prefab Sprout, China Crisis, The Smiths, and James nicely packaged together in this The Cure adjacent, quintessential sounding 1980-90s UK indie rock song.
The Smiths “Half a Person” – See fact #5 above. A keystone tune from my adolescent soundtrack.