Microchip Junky + UnMute

G.A.S., growing up, new and old music, the creative process
+ Launch of UnMute - A Two Volume Tribute to Mute Records

July 2017

John Peacey is one of the most prolific and hardworking musicians you're ever likely to meet. Among his many projects, the music and sounds of Microchip Junky are known far and wide. Self-referentially 'Analog Punk', it is electronic synth music with attitude, with moxy, utilising an extensive range of analogue gear along with modern software and VSTs; whichever tools are at hand to sculpt what has become an instantly recognisable sound.

John and I met via the E-Con Republic Facebook group - Electronomicon - and with a growing appreciation of his music, and his approach, over the years, I recently approached him to remix a difficult track - a 'ditty' - for the latest album for The Black Hundred. It ignited further discussion about our approaches, everything about music, and with the both of us putting out new releases within a week of each other, we decided to put some of our discussion into a dual interview. Both starting from the same subset of questions, then expanding upon those with several more once reading each other's answers, gleaning new insight and understanding.

But enough of a setup, all you require is below, in depth and at length. Enjoy.

Microchip Junky Interview by James McGauran / UnMute Interview by Rob Dyer.

James McGauran: What's in a name? Is there a story behind your main artist name Microchip Junky?

John Peacey: I’ve never recorded or released anything under my own name. When I set up my first soundcloud page I was using the name ‘Ebbhead’ (Nitzer Ebb fanboy that I am!). But then others were using Ebbhead01 or Ebbhead2000 etc., and I was being lost in a sea of ebbheads. So I switched, and was recording under the name Indigo Travis for a while (and I’ve no recollection how/why I came up with that). A few years ago I was listening to a song by Robert Marlow called Dogs which includes the line “Evolve from the monkeys and microchip junkies…” It just seemed right for me. I’m a bit of a tech head and a geek and the name kind of implies an obsession with technology. Also, the spelling; junkie would refer to an addict, whereas junky means trashy, and I do like my trashy movies and all things kitsch. So there’s a bit of ambiguity when speaking the word “junky,” which I like.

JM: Where are you from, and/or where are you currently located?

I was born in Stockton on Tees in the north of England, birthplace of railways and the friction match! I lived in London for quite some time and then Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire, before finally returning to the North East 14 years ago when my daughter was born. I’m currently in County Durham. There’s not much of a music scene around here, certainly not for electronic music, although there are 6 musicians/bands in my street, and a studio financed by Stock, Aitken & Waterman just a few doors down!

JM: Tell us a bit about yourself. How long have you been playing music?

Born in 1967 I remember from a very young age my Dad always having the radio playing in the house, and while his taste left a lot to be desired(!) it did give me a passion for listening to music. I was also fortunate to have a friend with an older brother, so I was introduced to (much better) music around the age of 9. I got into punk in 1977, and then electronic music (Jarre/Tangerine Dream/Kraftwerk etc). It was only after hearing Fad Gadget that I decided I needed to buy a synthesizer. So I bought a Jen SX1000 through my mum’s Littlewood’s catalogue. Spent a while just making the most horrendous noise (never occurred to me to actually write a song!). I went on to buy a Soundmaster SR-88 drum machine and a Fostex 4-track and started producing ‘songs’ (for want of a better word).

I have (to this day) perceived my own music as unusual; never wanting to sound like anyone else, and certainly not writing what I would consider to be a conventional piece of music. I studied music at college for about a month, and hated it. I had one guitar lesson and never went back for a second lesson. Yet I would spend hours upon hours making sounds on synths. I was in two bands from the ages of about 16 to 23. One, a four piece, never recorded anything or played live. We would just sit around at a friends place and jam together (make noise). Then I was in a synth duo. We did play live a fair bit, but only in the north east. We were the first band to record in our local studio using only synths and computers (a ZX81 with a self-designed sampling board - seriously lo-fi). We also entered a ‘Band Of The North’ competition and came third out of 500, and got featured in a newspaper! Some of those recordings are lying around the house somewhere. We eventually split when I wanted to write more avant garde/experimental music and my partner was more concerned with his hairstyle!

JM: Is this your only musical project? If multiple, how do they differ?

Up until late last year everything I’ve recorded (since 2012) has been as Microchip Junky, but having had a wide interest in many styles of electronic music, those influences have always been present. I wanted to write film music, dance music, experimental music etc. I also like how Richard H Kirk (Cabaret Voltaire) writes under so many assumed names (and I’m probably unaware of some of his aliases). So around October last year I started recording under an assumed name. I’d intended to write just a few songs, but that expanded considerably. Including Microchip Junky, I now write under another 10 aliases, with full albums completed by most of these (some of which are already online). I will reveal at some point where these albums can be found, but for now it remains an outlet for me to just release music just for the sake of it. In most cases I’ve been composing and completing these albums within just a week or two.

Other than my aliases I have two ongoing projects; One Thousand Exabytes with Rachel Gaskin-Whitrod, and TWOVOLT with Henri Sizaret. I first worked with Rachel on a cover of Adam & The Ants’ Whip In My Valise and soon afterwards we decided to write material together. I love Rachel’s voice and she’s a very talented lyricist (she writes most of our lyrics). She has also contributed some great tunes to the project. I enjoy working with Henri as we are both meticulous about sound design, both grew up listening to similar music, and he is a perfectionist when it comes to audio processing. I think AkA (Henri) and Microchip Junky both have their own distinct sound, and each compliment the other in the TWOVOLT recordings. 

JM: What is the best thing about music for you? What pushes you to create?

The best thing is that it is just so much fun. Phil Oakey of the Human League once said that synthesisers are the ultimate boys toys, and I would have to agree. I’ve never been one to sit for hours watching TV, and as I’ve been creating music since my early teens, I can’t see that I’m likely to stop any time soon. Its in my blood :) I only started putting my music online in 2012, and one thing that drove me to do that was I wanted some kind of legacy for my daughter, I wanted her to grow up thinking, ‘yeh, my Dad did that.’ What pushes me to create? I don’t know how to answer that. I return home from work and go straight to my studio, and I can be in there 8 or 9 hours every night.

JM: What instruments and/or software do you use in your creative process?

Software: Logic Pro X, Reason, Renoise, Native Instruments Blocks, Flesh, Rounds, Monark, Massive, Reaktor6, Roland System 100, Promars, SH-2, Arturia ARP2600v2, Jupiter 8v2, CS80v2, Modular V, Synclavier V, Oberheim SEM V, Matrix012v2, GForce Oddity, Minimonsta, ImpOscar2, UVS-3200, u-he Beatzille, Podolski, Repro, TyrellN6, Steinberg Retrologue. iOS: Nanologue, Arturia iSEM, Filtatron, Animoog, iVCS3, iMS-20, Thor, Nave, iDS-10, iMini, iPolysix, Cassini, Arctic Keys, ZX Plectrum, Mini Synth, Phonem, Xenon, NLog PRO, miniSynth PRO, Magellan, zMors Modular, Laplace, Yellofier, trictrac, Figure, iKaossilator, Gadget, ReBirth, iElectribe, iElectribe (Gorillaz), FunkBox, DM1, Attack, Impaktor, Sector, MusicIO

Hardware: Roland SH101, MC202, EG101, SH09, SH201, Jupiter 6, JP-08, D10, Scooper, Moog Rogue, Werkstatt-01, Korg Microkorg, Microkorg XL, DDM110, LittleBits, KP3, Kaossilator, Volca Keys, Volca Sample, Volca FM, SQ-1, Monotribe, EA-1, Monotron, Monotron Delay, Doepfer Dark Energy, Oberheim SEM, Gakken SX-150 mkII, Stylophone, Stylophone Beatbox, Bastl Kastle, Jen SX1000, MFB Microzwerg, Nanozwerg, Step64, Novation Ultranova, Clavia Nord Lead 2, Mutable Instruments Shruthi, Dreadbox Erebus, Bleep Labs Nebulophone, DSI MoPho, DSI Evolver, Soundmaster SR88, Casio VL-1, PT80, CZ1000, 1000P, Casiotone 202, Yamaha DX7, CX5M, CS2X, VSS200, PSS390, Synare 3, Teenage Engineering Pocket Operators Rhythm, Sub, Factory, Arcade, Office, Robot, plus various Eurorack modules

JM: How do you approach a new idea/song/piece? What comes first?

Song titles always come first for me. I have a list of a few hundred song titles, so that when I start working on sound or melody, I look through my list and think yeah, this should be called [insert title]. It also helps having a long list of titles, as I can then start grouping them together based on themes or ideas, to form a playlist for a potential album. With regards to my approach to a new piece, I almost always start each studio session in a different way; sometimes I’ll load up some VSTs into Logic and construct a song purely using those software instruments. Other times I’ll maybe connect my Volcas together and hammer out the basics of a song that way. Or I’ll play with the modular or semi-modular synths, where sound alone can sometimes trigger an idea for a melody or song idea. I may start by switching on a synth that I’ve not used for a while. The diversity of equipment and methods helps keep things fresh for me, and I’ve luckily not been struck by creative block, yet. My problem is often the opposite, in that I have so many ideas that I keep jumping from one piece to another. 

JM: With such an insane amount of music gear it is no wonder you're never at a loss to create! 

No doubt some folks would find too much choice overwhelming and never get anywhere, but once you know the gear you obviously have something specific in mind for certain parts, or as you mentioned, sometimes finding a sound is inspiration enough and brings the parts and melodies. As I’m unable to sit at a piano to compose, or strum a guitar (because its beyond me) I have to rely on technology when it comes to songwriting. One of the key aspects for me now when buying new gear is the actual playability or functionality; sometimes I’m not too concerned by the sounds a machine creates (as I can always process them to sound better, or different).

What matters to me is that the machine provides a different way for me to work. For instance with the Teenage Engineering Pocket Operators, they’re fun because they’re so easy to compose and tweak melodies/sounds. Similarly, composing with a kaoss pad - may sound similar to, say, the Microkorg, but its a completely different way of writing … plugging and replugging wires on a semi/modular … playing with drumsticks next to an iPad running Impaktor. One of my favourite basslines that I’ve written was for the track Analog Punk it hits the gut and is unrelenting … and it was a complete accident! I plugged the Nebulophone into my Akai audio interface and recorded directly into Logic, tweaking the (limited) settings on the Nebulophone while sliding the stylus along the metal keyboard. I then sliced a tiny 3 note rhythmic sound from that, looped it and I had the basis of that song. I do know the limitations that my machines have, but sometimes a very basic machine can produce stunning results.

I bought Native Instruments’ Flesh, not because the sounds in there are outstanding, but purely because its functionality is different; its a great instrument for adding layers to samples, changing textures, subtle nuances etc. I do love my analog synths, but I’m certainly no analog snob. Again, part of the fun in composing (for me) is integrating old tech with more modern instruments, mixing VSTs with modulars, or a Volca with a Jupiter. Mix and match, that’s how I’d describe my studio technique. Creative experimentation.

JM: Do you like to collaborate with other artists? In what capacity?

I do like to collaborate, and very rarely turn down requests to collaborate. Unless there is a tight deadline and I’m involved with other projects then I’m always up for a collaboration. In what capacity? I’ve shared stems for people to add to, and vice versa, I’ve remixed and I’ve designed patches/field recordings etc. I’ve been very fortunate to work with so many talented artists over the last couple of years. I have a few new collaborations that are currently ongoing, but highlights of past work have been with Black Marine, Deadkonsumer, FUNT, ManJunk, Meter Bridge, The MAN, Pinky Poet, Vulcan Tea Party, The Black Hundred, Deadlights, Unknown Land, Mangabros, Ghostlike, and Dave Barbarossa (ex Ants drummer). I’ve also remixed Blancmange, Martin Gore, Depeche Mode, David Bowie, Jean Michel Jarre and Visage (in a much less official capacity). 

JM: What are you currently working on? Any upcoming releases scheduled? (Feel free to provide links).

Currently I’m working on a ‘subscription’ album, whereby one song is being released each month (with an extended CD to be issued at the end of the year). This is providing a new challenge for me to write to a shorter deadline and to have each track in a similar style to make the completed album coherent. The album is titled ‘Freq.Show.’ The follow up to the Analog Punk album, titled Adrenaline Rush, was begun last year. A few tracks need some work, and that album will be out later in the year. Analog Punk is being remastered and will be out in August (with two new tracks). This will be a free download. I’m also working on the next EP, titled Turn It Down - which in terms of sound design is poles apart from the Swing EP which is being released on 27th May. What I’m now trying to do is release my ‘typical’ Microchip Junky work through my own bandcamp page, my more ‘radio-friendly’ music through E-Con Records’ bandcamp page, and everything else (the 10 aliases I’m writing under) appears elsewhere.

JM: It’s interesting how you split your releases to either your own Bandcamp or say, via E-Con Records, focusing more on the 'pop' tunes. Across all your releases and collaborations I can see the diversity of your output, yet everything still has what I guess you could call that signature 'MCJ' sound.

I hadn’t realised I had a signature sound until it was pointed out to me about a year ago. And I didn’t know how to take that … does all my stuff sound the same. I felt it was a negative but I was told it was a compliment and that artists strive for a signature sound. You may know I’m a huge fan of the late Fad Gadget. I think I wore the needle out playing his first few albums, but when I first heard his album, Tyranny & The Hired Hand (recorded as Frank Tovey in 1989) I thought, what the hell is that!! I hated it. (There are some great songs on there but its a very different sound to what I’d expected of him). And that got me thinking about sounds and styles of music and does an artist consider they may alienate fans by doing something different. I remember a conversation with a Jarre fan about the exact same thing when he released Zoolook in 1984, the inclusion of sampled sound made that album stand out as being very different to Oxygene or Equinoxe.

But I like many different genres of music, and I like to write different styles of music. I certainly don’t have the fanbase that Fad Gadget or Jean Michel Jarre have and so I’m not too worried about alienating fans!! Its mostly why I enjoy collaborating because it brings something fresh to what I do. The reason I’ve separated some of my recordings across different bandcamp pages is to try and draw a line between different styles. I think most people know what they’re going to hear at my microchipjunky bandcamp page. The two EPs at E-Con Records bandcamp (I feel) are far more accessible, maybe even radio-friendly tracks. I’ve talked about writing under a number of aliases. A number of these recordings have had some airplay without anyone realising it was me … so I’ve maybe achieved what I set out to do, in recording something without that signature ‘MCJ’ sound. 

JM: Unleash your inner geek: What do you love outside of music that has a large impact directly on your music, or helps inform your ideas and approach? Art, history, literature, film, science? Is there specific gear you simply love to use? Go nuts :)

My first love outside of music were the films of John Waters and Russ Meyer, which I discovered as I entered my teenage years. I have no recollection how I got my hands on the uncensored copies of these films but I still treasure them all to this day. I love old trashy B-movies, and I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve seen Pink Flamingos! I used to collect true-crime books and could recall stories about many serial killers with embarrassing precision. These days I don’t read too much, but I do enjoy Neil Gaiman’s work. Specific gear I love to use? Over recent months I’ve used more analog/semi modular synths that hold no presets, such as the Werkstatt, Erebus and Microzwerg. I like the immediacy of these machines where I have to work at building a sound (rather than hitting a button). I can spend a long time getting the sound right, then hook up to the Step64 or SQ1 and record something. And then start all over again.

Last year I played twice in London and once in Rotherham. I also played live on Keith Whitham’s Wired show. The London show in April was the first time I’d been on stage for about 25 years. I made a decision late last year not to play at all this year, not because I didn’t enjoy it, but because I want my next show to be something different. Plans are afoot for shows early next year.

JM: How important is the live performance aspect to your creative output?

For all I enjoy playing on stage, I get more enjoyment creating something in my studio. I’m not a great keyboard player and I’m not a natural born entertainer; I know my limits.

JM: How does your setup differ for performing live from the studio?

Because I’ve had to travel some distance to play the gigs I was forced to travel light. Last time I played I had an ipad, DSI Mopho, DSI Evolver and a USB keyboard… considerably less than my studio kit. 

JM: What are some goals you've set yourself as an artist, short term and long term?

I wanted to write a soundtrack for a movie, and that is now underway, which I’m thrilled about. I would also love to have my work used in computer games. Finally, I would love to release an album on vinyl. Currently I can’t justify that cost, but maybe one day. 

JM: A film soundtrack? Any light you can shed there? How differently are you approaching working to visual cues?

That is a dream of many a musician, I think, myself included. Its a slower process for me, but it is something that I’ve done (for myself) previously. I’ve watched a couple of films (that I’d previously not seen/heard) with no audio, and I’ve then written a complete soundtrack. I’ve completed two of these to date, but they’re just for education/practice for myself. I won’t release them. I do agree that its a dream of many musicians to work in film, and its something I’ve longed to do since I was a teenager. I’m working on a sci-fi film and I enjoy working to visual cues. As I explained above, its all about altering technique and working under different guidelines. I like mixing things up in that way.

JM: How do you judge what of your music is better or worse?

A hard question to answer! I’ve released tracks that have had a lot of radio play, a lot of downloads and even a fair number of sales, but then I can release something similar and its dead in the water. So I certainly don’t judge my music on how many downloads or sales or comments its had. I used to, but even in the few years I’ve been on soundcloud, things have changed so much. Its almost like we can’t give away music now, nobody leaves comments or criticism, good or bad. I judge my music on its own merits; the technical process that was used, and how much of an ear worm it becomes for me. Every now and again I’ll write a bassline that I’ll listen to for hours, or just a sound that blows me away. If I write something that I can’t stop playing for weeks on end … that’s when I think yeh, I did something good. I’ve also listened back to some tracks that I thought were good but the mastering is so horribly wrong. Which then tempts me to go back and redo the whole thing. Its never ending!

JM: What was the first synth you played?

The first synth I ever played was the Jen SX1000. And I bought it before I’d even heard it. Back then (1982/83) I thought all synths did the same thing (how little I knew). All I knew was that I wanted to make noises like Fad Gadget and the early Human League. The Jen is a great synth and I think I made a wise choice - it was also a little cheaper than some of the other machines of that time.

Throughout my mid to late teens I’d travel 30 miles to my nearest synth shop and play for hours in there on some classic hardware. Over time I got to know all the staff in there and they would often let me take gear to test or to borrow for recording sessions. They never hired equipment out, so I was quite privileged to be able to take stuff away (often for weeks on end!). Good old days! Its not the same any more. Now before buying a new synth I watch dozens of youtube tests. Its rare that I visit music shops now.

JM: What was your first concert?

My memory isn’t so great any more. I’m pretty certain it was Gary Numan, supported by Tik & Tok (dare I say the support made more of an impression on me than the headline!). That must have been 1983, but from that moment I was going to gigs maybe 3 or 4 times a week, and now its maybe once a year. I used to jump on a train and head to London (250 miles away) without hotel bookings or concert tickets (long before the internet!!) but I’d always find a gig and a hotel. Loved the spontaneity of it all. There used to be a venue in my hometown that would attract big names so I’d go, whether I liked the band or not. Tickets were maybe 50p or £1. I used to follow tours across the country in the late 80s. I saw every UK Nitzer Ebb show from 1988 onwards - without a doubt THE best live band ever. Maybe its an age thing, but that magic of going to so many gigs has faded for me now. Old fart, right?

Microchip Junky interview by James McGauran first published on The Black Hundred Exchange

UnMute - Interview by Rob Dyer

RD: You've curated the two volume, 48-track compilation UnMute – a tribute to Mute Records. It looks like a mammoth task! How did that come about?

RD: How many of the artists finally included did you know before you announced the project? Has it been a bit of a journey of discovery of new, like-minded artists for you?

I’ve done covers in the past, and have always sought clearance from labels/artists where possible. I emailed Mute and pitched the idea to them. They were happy for us to proceed. Daniel Miller wished us good luck and was intrigued to hear which songs we were going to cover.

RD: You're clearly a huge Mute fan. How easy was it to whittle down all the songs to the ones you eventually covered?

I’ve not whittled down. I haven’t remixed or mastered anything that I received either. I included every track that I received, and purposely left each track untouched, as I wanted each to be a true depiction of the sound of each artist, to portray exactly what each is capable of. Of course, many artists were nervous of submitting material, and unsure of their own capabilities, but I think the compilation is a solid release, and everyone involved should be proud of what they achieved.

When the project was announced I stated that I wanted covers from the early years, 1978 to 1988, what I consider the golden era of Mute. During that period of time I bought absolutely everything that Mute released. We have got one song on the compilation that was released in 1989, but the artist who covered the track is a good friend, and I’m a nice guy :-) so I bent the rules.

RD: What was it about Mute do you think during those 'golden years' that made the label so essential?

I was lucky to have a friend with an older brother, who introduced me to music at a young age. I was 10 years old in 1977 and listened to a lot of punk; The Buzzcocks, The Ants, Sex Pistols etc. I heard The Normal’s Warm Leatherette not long after its release and became totally hooked on the repetitive bass, and even more so with TVOD. I was listening to the early Human League and Ultravox, but The Normal seemed to stand out. Then subsequent releases on the label started appearing in my record collection; Silicon Teens, DAF, Depeche Mode and Fad Gadget.

The label seemed a natural progression (for me) from listening to punk. There was a punk ethos to the label, and it was apparent that everything they released was just outstanding. The fact that it was a fairly small label, at the time, meant that it was possible to collect every release and to follow every band. So although The Human League were great in those early days, their label meant nothing to me. I was as much a fan of the Mute label as I was of each band that were signed to them.

RD: Have you met many Mute artists?

Yes. Years ago I was a guest on the ‘Mute bus’ that used to bring people into the capital to see Mute bands. I got to know a lot of people there. I have an ex who knew Martin Gore so I was lucky to meet him a number of times. I’ve followed Nitzer Ebb on tour from 1988, and got to know Steev Toth, their then tour manager. Being on their guest list and hanging out with Julian Beeston are some of my happiest memories. In the early days of the internet I ran a Nitzer Ebb website (long before what they now have). Bon was aware and I interviewed him for the site. This was later re-printed in Sideline magazine.

In 1988 I was working in a recording studio in my hometown. Erasure, whilst on tour, were recording in studios around the country for b-side tracks on their Chains of Love single. I was lucky to be in the studio when they recorded The Good, The Bad & The Ugly and have met Vince and Andy many times before and after that. I first met Daniel Miller at a Nitzer Ebb gig in Edinburgh, and a few times since. At the Mute hosted event in 2011, Short Circuit I got to meet Boyd Rice, Flood, Moby, Alison Moyet, Komputer, Richard H Kirk, Andy Fletcher, Martin Gore and Daniel again. I’ve met Renegade Soundwave, Angela Conway (A.C.Marias), Alan Wilder, and Bruce Gilbert, Colin Newman and Graham Lewis of Wire.

RD: Any Mute artists you still follow/always seek out live?

RD: You've collaborated with Henri Sizaret of AkA on TWOVOLT. I'm a fan of his work. How did you get together creatively and what about it works for you both?

I was musically stagnant for a number of years before I started adding tracks to soundcloud in 2012. Henri was one of the first who had commented on my first track there, stating “You are mad!” (which I took as a compliment). I was following quite a large number of artists on soundcloud back then, and Henri’s music always stood head and shoulders above most. I was taken by his use of sound; I often hear good songs but they’re let down by weak sounds. Henri had both.

I released my first album, Analog Punk in 2015 and asked Henri to remix one of the songs from that album; Who Stole My Chips. I loved what he did with it; some of my sounds are recognisable in there, but the structure was totally altered. I asked again if Henri would remix another of the Analog Punk tracks; Swire of Tintwistle. I got not one, but four remixes from him. These appear on my Analog Punk Revisited album. 

We were both listed to play The Hope & Anchor in Islington in November 2016. I suggested to Henri that we write just one song together, to play at that show, which he immediately agreed to. That song became Decay. The idea to turn that one song into an extended release quickly followed, and a limited run of 25 CDs, titled Envelope was given away at that concert. We are currently working on a further EP, Zweipunkte and we have also completed a TWOVOLT remix for another artist.

We talked about a TWOVOLT cover on UnMute and the first choice was I Start Counting. Both Lose Him and Letters To A Friend were mentioned. We couldn’t choose one, so we did both. David Baker of I Start Counting says the project sounds ‘exciting’ and he’s ‘honoured’ to have their music covered! Personally, I think the creative process works so well as we both seem to have identical visions for where we want a piece of music to go. I think we both have distinct styles but I think they gel very well. If I send part of a track to Henri I know what I can expect him to return to me. And I think that works both ways. I’ve heard people say that they can hear the Microchip Junky sound within a TWOVOLT recording, but also that of AkA (Henri). So its cool that people can hear each of our contributions in the cumulative result.

RD: What's next for John Peacey? A well-earned rest, or more releases imminent?

I’m so immersed in music (spending a minimum of 8 hours a day in my studio) that I find myself plotting future releases all the time. I’m currently writing and recording an ongoing ‘subscription’ album, whereby one song is being released each month of this year to those that have subscribed. The album is called Freq.Show and an extended CD is being produced for release at the end of the year.

A further album, Adrenaline Rush, is being released later this year, as well as a remastered version of Analog Punk due out this August to celebrate its second anniversary (with a couple of previously unreleased tracks). I’ve started writing and recording using different methods which do not sound like anything I’ve done previously, and for that reason I’ve started releasing music under another 9 assumed names. This idea was inspired by Richard H Kirk and his many pseudonyms. These albums will be revealed later in the year.

Finally, I do plan to continue the UnMute project. Initially with a Volume 3, which will contain remixes of tracks from the first two volumes. There are also tentative plans for an UnMute Festival hopefully in 2018.

Places you may now wish to visit:

microchipjunky.bandcamp.com

twovolt.bandcamp.com

onethousandexabytes.bandcamp.com

chipshopstudio.bandcamp.com

https://soundcloud.com/microchip-junky

unmute-music.bandcamp.com