I’ve taken a couple of weeks off from pressuring myself to be constantly online, and to be honest, it felt really good. It was a much-needed reminder of how challenging it is to stay at the forefront of everything, juggling endless notifications and maintaining an always-on presence.

This break gave me space to work on something exciting—a collaborative experiment with Jamie Cornelia. Together, we decided to create a one-of-a-kind physical piece which I shared about in my last post. Jamee is building an incredible company called Science Fair. She’s hacking devices and pushing the boundaries of digital printing to create some truly amazing products. I’ve always wanted to create something tangible, and combining our work felt like the perfect opportunity to explore where art and products could meet around a music project, so this week i wanted to talk a bit more about why.

At the time of writing this I didn’t know what would happen or where this idea would take us, but amazingly the piece found a buyer in in Maarten Walraven, who has been both a fan of my music, a friend and a patron of the Sound of Fractures experiments over the last couple of years.
Searching for Meaning Beyond Streams

As streaming has become a less reliable income source, I’ve been searching for new ways to connect with you and distribute my music. The truth is, while streaming platforms like Spotify have given us easy access and discovery, they’ve also created a black box between artists and their audiences. The algorithms and the sheer volume of content make it difficult to form meaningful connections.

For a long time, I poured an incredible amount of energy into music production, marketing, and promotion, only to feel unfulfilled by the returns. It’s not just about financial stability; it’s also about emotional satisfaction. When you’re dedicated to a craft and not seeing your work resonate on a deeper level, it makes you question what you’re doing.

That’s why this collaboration like this one with Jamie are so important to me. They have given me a new vocabulary, a new way of expressing my creative ideas, and allowed me to present the story behind the music in a completely different way. I’ve realised that I want to offer more than just a digital audio file—I want to create experiences

A Tangible Connection: The Physical Archive

One of the key goals of this project was to extend the life and value of music beyond a stream or a like on social media. I wanted to tell the story of my music in a way that felt personal and immersive, so we created a digital media player. It’s capable of displaying photos, videos, and, of course, playing audio—all within the context of an archive that includes everything related to my latest project.

I dug deep, gathering every piece of the creative journey: the original design drafts, the notes I made while brainstorming ideas, the iterations we went through with the designer and developer, interviews, music videos and all the songs that were works in progress but never made the final cut—it’s all in there. I know there may not be a huge audience for this level of detail, but for those who care, it’s a treasure trove.

It reminds me of the experience of opening a vinyl or CD for the first time—reading through the notes, looking at the pictures, and feeling that physical connection with the music. I wanted people to sit down, take time out, and immerse themselves in the world I’ve created, which is something we don’t do enough of anymore.

Valuing Music as Art

Creating new art around music releases is something I believe we, as artists, don’t do enough of, its something music videos can offer, but me feeling is we need to keep experimenting. It tells an interesting story about who we are, what we believe in, and what’s important to us—even if it doesn’t sell. It’s a communicator, a differentiator, and a signal to the outside world. It’s an invitation to explore more deeply. 

We all know music has a value problem—both for creators and consumers. But I don’t see why we can’t use our creative skills to turn music into a piece of art, to elevate it beyond the digital noise. The abundance of music right now makes it hard for musicians to stand out, but that’s all the more reason to think differently and create something that captures people’s attention in new ways. If all we ever do is share Spotify links, then we’re missing the chance to build a more meaningful relationship with our audience. And let’s be honest, a career solely dependent on streams is unsustainable.

By making this physical piece, Jamee and I are trying to redefine what music can be: a form of art that people can connect with on a deeper, more tangible level. It’s not about exclusivity; it’s about presenting our work with the respect and intention it deserves.

Ultimately, I hope this project inspires others to think outside of the box and find new ways to showcase their creative talents. Music has always been about more than just sound—it’s a story, an experience, and a reflection of who we are. And that’s something worth investing in.