Tim, Thanks for the nice comment on my page. I listened to the tram song you linked to, and was so amused by your take on all the civic craziness. Good thing we have songs to help us vent! I hope you get your kitchen project finished one of these days. It sounds like it has been more than frustrating, but you have kept your sense of humor. Always a good thing.

BLOG as of 18th September 2022

Our household has been watching all the UK happenings. It's compulsive viewing, surprisingly sad for us, very thought-provoking, and hugely touching. Especially the pomp and history of the Lying in State alongside the stream of people laden with overnight gear, even folding chairs, paying their respects.

I'm not getting any listening done and I'm not getting any writing done and I'm not getting any composing done. Although the #ikeabondage demon has been firmly screwed to walls, fixed to floors and is now serving as the Kitchen Genie, there's still lots of finishing happening. And we're stuck waiting for the insurers to finish so we can refurnish up at Pt Augusta. Thank goodness the insurers are paying the rent too....

As the Queen's life is wrapped up, it's also prompted me to do some retrospect and start getting a lot of the last three years' output into order. Currently up to 4 albums and I hope I can get the lot in embryo if not finished before CDBaby drops its USD$4.99 offer for full distribution.

But...I will try to get my backlog up before 5090 closes, especially the promised collabs. I feel really really guilty about my low level of listening.

BLOG as of 10 Sep 2022
The Queen dies and so do my studio reference speakers. Thanks hugely to my supporters on http:www.patreon.com/timfatchen who continue to prop me up, I can replace the speakers, but not the Queen, obviously....

Just for the record, as I use this as a blog: I first saw the Queen at 4.5yo and still remember (!). We went to the road at the end of Parafield Aerodrome--out in the "country" and only about 10mi out of our little village of Smithfield (South Oz) and watched her plane come in. It was actually a Super Constellation but that didn't stick in the mind but the little Royal Standard that popped out of the cockpit as they touched down did. Then we waved to her from alongside our car as she was driven past in the Governor's Rolls. And that I think is as close as I ever came to the Queen. I guess (given the roads in the area in 1954 and that one in particular), say 10 feet?

BLOG as of 8 Sep 2022
I am feeling angry and evil right now. Not only has Native Instruments discontinued "support" for Absynth, which means I can't activate it once I get a new hard drive or machine, but I also surrendered my heavy truck and motorcycle licence today because of the cost of the yearly medical to keep them (not that they've been used for two decades). And I'm waaaayyyy behind where I intended to be in new music AND listening. Sheesh. Well, the first half was okay...

BLOG as of 31 Aug 2022
The Great KitchenRenovation grinds on: while only ragged remnants of #ikeabondage remain to torment me, there's still lots of finishing and sealing and cleaning up to do. AND we have issues happening again (imagine my surprise) from teh outside world. The Hubris Angel has dropped another large bomb, in retaliation to my delight at actually receiving my new passport five (5) months after applying and paying for it, a local record. Synthetic strings have gone on #jokeviola, so the bad noises are now entirely my playing. But creativity? Nastiness and red rage and a nihilistic desire to burn them all, preferably with dragons, fills my horizons. Just another day at Dunns Mill. Ho hum.

BLOG as of 26Aug 2022
Ho hum...2/3rds of the tiles glued in our epic kitchen rebuild, and tomorrow, tomorrow...it's (wait for it, WAIT for it)...IKEA again this time to furnish the flat being repaired by the insurers after the ceiling flooded and fell in. Supply chains are sooo messy that if we wait until the insurers' repairmen are finished, we won't be able to get half the stuff...Songs? What songs??

I am glad that my song brings back such beautiful memories! Thanks for listening to it.
I hope you be soon in a better state and all your struggle had turned out good!

BLOG as of 24Aug 2022
At least the jig got up. Still in chaos and too much happening, not wholly bad other than waiting 5 months to get a new passport and quickly running out of cash waiting for a property to sell but what the hey. I'm really embarrassed by my lack of listening and commenting, it's just not been possible (I listen at my machine, don't have smartphone). And the promised collabs starting to pile up. September will be busy too. Sigh.

I am doing a bit of research about The Caterpillar Club. My father in law was a member of this prestigious club. My husband and I came across a box of newspaper clippings, and military papers when we cleared out his parents’ house. Now that we are. Starting to clean out our house, we are wondering what to do with all these interesting and important papers that his dad kept for so many. Years.

BLOG as of 15 Aug 2022
Who would have thought a simple jig (actually 3 of them) would be so hard to write? Still chaos and disgruntlement here, sorry folks,

BLOG as of 13 Aug 2022
To my surprise some instrumentals are coming out and I've actually listened/commented a bit. This is despite ever-increasing chaos at the House of Chaos as we help removalists shift furniture in offspring house to set it up for long-term rental and sort out insurance repairs for a flat and realise suddenly that #ikeabondage is BACK because we need to have the stuff ready to refurnish ASAP and that supply chains mean early ordering in the hope that things appear, not to mention trying to find out what the Oz Passport Office is doing with my new passport after it's been FOUR MONTHS of what should have taken a very few weeks. Dismal dreary but not quite sufficiently wet/cold winter is getting me down.

BLOG as of 27 July 2022
S l o w l y getting back to music but other demands (sigh). Not much listening or commenting (sigh). Macci the Dog feels that serious solo piano work is beast aided by being at rest beneath the keyboard under my feet. I did eventually find the sustain pedal.

I am practicing writing for briefs: but the one seems more depressing than the other(reference songs). Now I am aiming to write THE MOST DEPRESSING LYRICS EVER! so I can move on. They also say negativity is more interesting with more layers than happy

Thank you! Doggo did a good job!

Thank you for listening to my 1st and 6th song 😀

ok you got me...what is CBG? Google thinks it's cannibis(which I am sure will work for practising better... and getting distracted) Thank you for listening. You made me laugh soooo haard now! :-)

Thank you for listening!

Hi Tim, thank you for your great comment on my collaboration with Bill. I hear you.
Regarding my piece, in case you wanted to hear it, it's https://fiftyninety.fawm.org/songs/2444

Thanks Tim. Val said she might, but wasn't sure. If she doesn't, go ahead. We have lots of time.

Thank you so much for your comments on "Buddha In My Bathroom." I am very glad it validates your perception of reality. In fact just this morning I was telling my doctor that little acts of service like that are one of the best things about songwriting, right before he made a note to up my medication.

I would love your music and voice if you are willing!

Funny when I read Flatpack Kitchens I saw Flatpack ‘Kittens’ which now deffo needs writing! 😂

Funny when I read Flatpack Kitchens I saw Flatpack ‘Kittens’ which now deffo needs writing! 😂

Feathered Ape? Ha, I have no memory of that at all, but my memory is notoriously bad, are you sure it was me? 🦍

Hehe, I was thinking that about the number of drinks too... I reckon I'd get a couple of pints in myself. I can't decide if it's more fun to leave that unsaid... anyway, thanks!

ive still got a long way to go and a lot more to do

i was half joking with andrea about that failing in my mission business. actually, i think i am moving along quite on schedule. my only regret is having nothing to leave my daughter except a passel of 1500 songs

Hey, thanks for your comments on my song The Water. That was a very Robert Christgau-esque critique of the song, and I'm very privileged to received such a response. I'm glad you enjoyed listening. I hope you have a great 50/90 :)

might I suggest you read the newspaper better to spot the ghosts who advertise in your neighborhood... thank you for listening! I appreciate it!

I too have restored a few guitars...my current "strat" sound comes from
a 10yr old Red Squire Start......not a major restoration...intonation, plus a switch etc. BUT it was free!
Laying down a track is easier that laying down tile!!
Happy titling!!

Thx Tim (Re: Sonic Tonic)..PS i would love to have a Pacifica..

Thanks for the comment on my collab with Simon!

Those are very encouraging words you left about "Clock Into Our Life", Tim. Thank you, sincerely.

Thank you for your kind words on "The Arrow That Is Not Aimed" and for your very respectful offer to set it. Yes, this is one I will be keeping fir nyself, but I have no doubt you would have created something magical with it. Perhaps we can collaborate on something else down the road.

Tim, I thank you for your thoughtful comment! I particularly smiled at the production remark because I am learning so much and your encouraging words are helpful :) Will catch up with yours soon!! Have a great day!

BLOG as of 23 July 2022
#Ikeabondage is OVER! The kitchen is IN! and FUNCTIONAL! Cooking even! Does this mean I can now concentrate on 5090??? ...well...no...let us not speak of the pile of derelict stoves, the mountain of junked timber awaiting sawing for fuel (and a break in teh rain), the sundry bits of water and sewer pipe and especially the acres of old melamine shelving now littering the yard, and instead talk of the foot-high lawn, today attacked with whippersnipper and two mowings, just as an indicator of what is left undone...
Still, two songs up including one exorcism...

Thank you Tim for you kind comments on my nostalgic music and collaboration on it with Bill. Your support is very special to us.

You had me at "warm".

*Shivers in Wellingtonian*

Hi Tim,
Thanks for your comments on my Fields of Poppies lyrics. Glad that it struck a chord
Simon

Re: Devil At My Elbow
I love what you have done with the lyrics!! It sounds like and could be the first song in a musical.

Tim, Thanks for taking the time to check out the lyrics to Memories Are Everywhere. I'm glad you especially liked the Chorus.

Re: Devil At My Elbow
Would love to hear what you do with it.
Cheers
Chris

Bill just did my ass song. Have a listen!

BLOG as of 19 July 2022
Macci the Milch Dog refuses to come into the kitchen. Not only does she regard me as a homicidal maniac whenever I pick up a hammer ('cos I hit things with it), but even worse, I invite other homicidal maniacs aka electricians into the kitchen to hit and swear at things. What's a poor dog to do other than sit on the stair upper landing with her beloved spiky ball and ponder how she came to be in such a madhouse? (Hint, answer is a four letter word starting with I and ending with A and having K and E in between...)

18 July 2022
Almost there! Almost there! And some music actually has come into being! (not posted yet). #Ikeabondage coming to an end! A music-room back! But still can't listen yet. At least something will happen...

Thanks for the listen and comments on 'Lonely City' - the mandolin is a new acquisition for me (although I have a useless Washburn in the closet). Adds a nice high end into the mix.

thank you for your comments on the hannibal battle. i agree that a fuller, epic arrangement would be fun. looking forward to hearing more songs from you.

You must be progressing on your construction project if you have time to listen and comment, plus post a new song! Looking forward to hearing more from you. I'm glad you liked Broken enough to make it your first download here! Thanks for the comments on the lyrics. You're right about the Verses being understated compared with the PC and Ch. I'm not sure if that was intentional or not. I think I was more imagining the emotional cacophony the POV was going through, jumping from sadness to anger and back while processing the breakup. Who knows? :)

Kind words ' gratias tibi ago'
Yes brass and those big deeps sound of the timpani scarce the $rap out of you and the the cut of a gladius...ouch!
PS I am a guitar player first...but I think that the piano(and i struggles a little on this one) is the mood setter for this type of song.

I sure hope you are writing a song called Ikeabondage. I was thinking about the way Ikea furniture as a study in entropy last week, when I drove with my sister to pick up two ikea book shelves. We had to unassemble one of them to fit it in her car. Ten minutes of disassembling, four hours of reassembly, with only one or two broken pegs.

BLOG as of 14 July 2022
Almost done with main construction. Electrician on Monday. Then tiling, Waiting on crap strings for teh viola to replace the appalling strigns ti came with. When funds allow or mortgages pay, i can get some decent strings. And perhaps a bow. In teh meantime #rescuebanjo looks at me because although i have the full motorcycle tool kit inside now, i still haven't finished his mechanical repairs. Fee, fie, fiddely-i-o.

BLOG as of 10 July 2022
If we count the dishwasher alcove, there are 13 cabinets in this Ikea kitchen. A quick back-of-envelope ob-com calculation suggests there are somewhere around 666 screws...stop right there, sez I...explains a lot, sez she...

9 July 2022
I won't say the Ikea end is in sight because the Hubris Angel will hear and strike. But we have the plumbing and benchtops in place though not yet secured and there is every possibility that the kitchen will be sorted by beginning of August and then i can 5090. Perhaps. Maybe.

Well, since you have no time now for new songs, I was forced to check out your website to see what kind of music you write. Wow, what a wide range of talent on display. From the haunting Pray for Ukraine to I Don't Get Groundhog Day to the hilarious They Play Sound of Music (In Salzburg, in Winter.) Now I can't wait till you get your kitchen sorted and get back here to entertain us.

BLOG as of 7 July 2022
Just to add: the replacement benchtop came off the trailer as we turned into our street. Fortunately (?) the damage is minimal and will be covered up by tile work. But...bloody Hubris Angel (we were congratulating ourselves for getting the wretched thing home before the rain...) Looks like a 4 August start for me. Did try the viola this evening and rediscovered that bows should be thoroughly rosined and tightening them is a Good Idea. Sheesh. Meanwhile #rescuebanjo sits there twitching.

6 July 2022
Hi ho and tomorrow back to the dreaded House of Yellow and Blue to buy another benchtop as disasters in fitting the non-yellow-and-blue sink. Get it right next time. Increasingly looks liek my 5090 delays for another fortnight: I would guess early August is when I can kick in...sigh...

Ah, now I understand why we haven't seen you; it's the viola's fault. Hope you break the curse soon!

BLOG as of 5 July 2022
...and two more smoke alarms, terrifying Macci the Milch Dog who has only returned to normality with frequent stairball games. And despite my cruel comments, the Ikea has gone reasonably...until today...when the gasfitter/plumber, a hater of Ikea, arrived, and we could not get the the sink cabinet square in any direction. And one catastrophe leading to another and another and another as the floor disappeared in a litter of cardboard, tools, oxy-acetylene cylinders, and imprecations. Who said Ikea is soulless? It spotted the man and immediately set about him! Andin the midst of this, into the yard drives FedEx...Voila! The viola arrives. And where is 5090 in all this, I fail to hear you asking? Nowhere yet, but it will be. Trust me, I'm now a violist. Cue the jokes.

Hi Tim,
Thanks for the encouragement on the 'old guy' comment. Our kitchen installer hated Ikea too - the back panels are too thin.

BLOG as of 4 July 2022
Help! I'm STILL being held slave by the mighty IKEA kitchen construction! The heat shield on the end cabinet needs refastening! Three more carcasses! Sink to fit! Plumber and gasfitter descends tomorrow! Instruments undusted let alone tuned! Oh woe oh woe! Not helped by stoking the stoves this morning and having one set off the fire alarm. That's the one that also takes your eyebrows off with a backdraft if it's overdamped. Don't like the design but it's Too Late Now. Why do people need prompts for lyrics? Surely their lives have lots of lyrical scope too, being wholly sane and normal like ours here? EDIT: This is clearly going to be THE IKEA 50/90 for me...

Hurry up with that kitchen, Mr Fatchen! 😉

Tim! Looking forward to your music and musings!

Hi Tim! Looking forward to hearing your songs!

Hi, Tim - yes, I will start a banjo forum thread!

Happy 50/90 Tim!

Actually, my wife and I moved back to the States about 10 days ago. Living in sunny Southern California, which is our home, though it hasn't been for 13 years.

Hey thank you for your comment :) That sounds great. FAWM was like a rollercoaster ride, I’m quite sure that 50/90 is more relaxed and I’m looking forward to connect with others :)!

Hello Tim, thank you, I'll try my best. Keep recording your amazing work.

I know, right??! I mean, wth?! Now did I used to play keys/synth years ago, yes, enough to write and engineer in a studio (reel to reel, just a few years ago)... but... the coffee perc / mug / pot would be best suited for me now. I can't even play clarinet anymore. All my injuries well, have my body gone to pot ☕

*waves* hello friend!

BLOG as of 2 July 2022
Help! I'm being held slave laborer in an all-encompassing mighty IKEA kitchen construction which is eating not only the Mill's former kitchen but my life! Macchi the Milch Dog (here on winter leave) believes I've become a homicidal maniac because each time I pick up a hammer I hit something hard and multiple times! (see IKEA above) I haven't touched an instrument in 3 weeks! (See IKEA, above...) She leaves the room when I start swearing, even when I'm not hammering or power chiselling! (see IKEA above). I've bought a student viola which has yet to arrive and which I can't play anyway in retaliation against a cold cruel world! (see IKEA above) #rescuebanjo hates me because I've had to pause practising (see IKEA above), even though I've bought him new shiny bits!!

Just click on your own @id and add a comment to your own MyFawm page! It's working for me ...

What is IKEA without the swearing?
Hope it’s done soon! Happy 50/90!!

Wishing you a great 50/90, Tim!

Happy 50/90! Happy 50/90!!!

Hey :) looking forward to your songs!

Hi Tim, looking forward to your amazing songs and instrumentals.