Martin Bryant http://www.martinbryant.net Technology and media writer from Manchester, UK Tue, 06 Dec 2016 09:25:26 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=4.6.1 Daily reading recommendations – sign up to my newsletter http://www.martinbryant.net/daily-reading-recommendations-sign-up-to-my-newsletter/ http://www.martinbryant.net/daily-reading-recommendations-sign-up-to-my-newsletter/#respond Tue, 06 Dec 2016 09:25:26 +0000 http://www.martinbryant.net/?p=449 I produce a daily newsletter using Nuzzel. It features between four and 10 links to interesting reads from the past 24 hours.

I cover technology, politics, cultural shifts and more. It includes commentary about each link. As I’ve previously explained, it’s a great way to make sure I read and analyse lots of different material each day.

You can subscribe below.

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Thinking about the future http://www.martinbryant.net/thinking-about-the-future/ http://www.martinbryant.net/thinking-about-the-future/#respond Sun, 10 Jul 2016 14:15:05 +0000 http://www.martinbryant.net/?p=442 The recent EU referendum result has got me thinking about the future and how we make it better for everyone while looking forwards, not backwards. I’ve written a couple of articles on the topic over on Medium.

Feel free to take a look:

Rewiring the UK for the 21st century

The most important thing we can teach children in the 21st century? Hustle

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Look Ma, I’ve released some new music http://www.martinbryant.net/look-ma-ive-released-some-new-music/ http://www.martinbryant.net/look-ma-ive-released-some-new-music/#respond Fri, 13 May 2016 10:10:24 +0000 http://www.martinbryant.net/?p=434 Following on from last October’s 10-track, 10-minute-long album, I’ve released some new The Star Fighter Pilot songs.

I’m working on a new album, but for now you can get two tracks from the album plus a bonus track on Bandcamp

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So, what now? http://www.martinbryant.net/so-what-now/ http://www.martinbryant.net/so-what-now/#respond Mon, 02 May 2016 13:24:20 +0000 http://www.martinbryant.net/?p=428 Now that I’ve left The Next Web, a few people have been in touch asking how best to follow what I’m doing in the future. So, here we go…

Most of my writing will be for Tech North, although exact details of what and where will be sorted out soon as our new content strategy is nailed down.

Other places you can look out for me are

  • Medium (where I’ll write occasional pieces about things that don’t relate specifically to tech in the North of England).
  • A daily Nuzzel newsletter that currently comes out at 10am UK time every day. This features a handful of things you should read that day, complete with personal commentary from me. Take a look and subscribe if you like it.
  • Twitter, which is where my stream-of-consciousness stuff about everything from tech to music to… anything, really, can be found.
  • Snapchat, where my Story shares what I’m up to, whatever that might be. Here’s how to add me there.
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Hit the North: I’m moving on from TNW http://www.martinbryant.net/hit-the-north-im-moving-on-from-tnw/ http://www.martinbryant.net/hit-the-north-im-moving-on-from-tnw/#respond Thu, 07 Apr 2016 11:04:37 +0000 http://www.martinbryant.net/?p=420 Yes, it’s true. I’ve written about the whats and whys over on Medium, but here’s the crux of what I’ll be doing next:

“At the start of May, I’ll be joining Tech North to put my time where my mouth is and telling the stories that are currently going untold. I’ll be digging out the many success stories that the world needs to know about, highlighting issues that need addressing and making sure that no-one can ever say again that the North has nothing worth knowing about or they don’t know how to find out about the technology sector here.”

Read on… and don’t miss Tech North’s own announcement.

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Snap-happy http://www.martinbryant.net/snap-happy/ http://www.martinbryant.net/snap-happy/#respond Thu, 07 Apr 2016 08:31:34 +0000 http://www.martinbryant.net/?p=416 As you may have read, Snapchat finally ‘clicked’ with me recently, and I’m using it a lot.

Follow my Story if you’re so inclined by adding me.

IMG_0701

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My album of 2015: Grey Tickles, Black Pressure by John Grant http://www.martinbryant.net/my-album-of-2015-grey-tickles-black-pressure-by-john-grant/ http://www.martinbryant.net/my-album-of-2015-grey-tickles-black-pressure-by-john-grant/#respond Sun, 27 Dec 2015 14:08:35 +0000 http://www.martinbryant.net/?p=407 Every year I mean to write an ‘album of the year’ post, and this year I’ve managed it. The hotly-contested (well, not really) award goes to ‘Grey Tickles, Black Pressure’ by John Grant.

I never really got into John Grant’s earlier stuff, and the fact it was on Bella Union, a label I associate with critically acclaimed stuff that I don’t particularly enjoy, didn’t help. But when I saw the cover of ‘Grey Tickles, Black Pressure,’ featuring a demonic-looking Grant posing alongside some ornamental owls, I had to give it a go.

What I discovered was a delightfully varied and inventive collection of songs, complete with grin-inducing, playful lyrics.

“I made a voodoo doll of you, and I gave it some chicken soup”

“You and Hitler ought to get together, you ought to learn to knit and make matching sweaters”

“I’ve got grey tickles and black pressure, I’d rather lose my arm inside of a corn thresher, just like Uncle Paul”

I’m not sure how many songs have been written about learning to deal with the twin pressures of middle age and HIV, but the title track here is almost certainly the only one that manages to be very funny as well as touching.

The album has a more adventurous musical palate than Grant’s earlier work, with piano ballads, synth-funk and rock all getting a look-in. If there’s one thing it’s got in common with all my favourite albums, it’s that it doesn’t sit still – it’s constantly surprisingly you both musically and lyrically.

I’ve listened to ‘Grey Tickles, Black Pressure’ more than any other album this year and you should try it too.

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Editor-at-Large http://www.martinbryant.net/editor-at-large/ http://www.martinbryant.net/editor-at-large/#respond Thu, 22 Oct 2015 17:31:27 +0000 http://www.martinbryant.net/?p=400 News! I’m handing over the Editor-in-Chief reins and becoming The Next Web’s first ever Editor-at-Large.

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The Fiery Furnaces’ Matthew Friedberger has new music (and a $1,000 rhino) on Bandcamp http://www.martinbryant.net/the-fiery-furnaces-matthew-friedberger-has-new-music-and-a-1000-rhino-on-bandcamp/ http://www.martinbryant.net/the-fiery-furnaces-matthew-friedberger-has-new-music-and-a-1000-rhino-on-bandcamp/#comments Fri, 29 May 2015 12:25:56 +0000 http://www.martinbryant.net/?p=382 I don’t really ‘do’ music news but no-one seems to have spotted this, so here I go.

Matthew Freidberger, one half of one of my favourite bands ever, The Fiery Furnaces, has quietly released seven new tracks on Bandcamp under the name MR. FRIED BURGER/NEUE FRIEDBERGER OPER/M. Friedberger.  It’s a ‘mixtape’ (in the hip-hop sense of the word) called ‘MR. FRIED BURGER, I RESUME?’

In addition to the digital release, which has a $9 suggested price, there’s a ‘Plastic rhinoceros, undersized. NOT FOR SALE. Buy not now. Please do not attempt to purchase,’ listed at $1,000. Don’t buy that one, eh?

Screen Shot 2015-05-29 at 13.21.35

Music-wise, there are operatic elements in here – a departure for Friedberger, but something he was teasing back in 2012 – as well as some heavier rock bits and even some early 80s synth pop towards the end. Longtime fans will recognise some of the instrumentation in here, with some familiar synth and strings sounds appearing like old friends. It’s a beautiful little collection all in. And it’s not on vinyl 🙂

I’ve confirmed that the new release was only publicised via an obscure Twitter account that followed me last month, but that intrigued me enough to follow it back. I only noticed today that it had actually tweeted a link to to the release 17 days ago. The official Fiery Furnaces account retweeted it but it seems no journalists have connected the dots and written about it.

So, a low-key release, but it’s good. And you should buy it. And listen to it a lot. I understand there’s more to come from Mr F.

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My new EP – Dishonourable Indignation – is out now http://www.martinbryant.net/my-new-ep-dishonourable-indignation-is-out-now/ http://www.martinbryant.net/my-new-ep-dishonourable-indignation-is-out-now/#respond Fri, 29 May 2015 08:36:34 +0000 http://www.martinbryant.net/?p=386 Yay! I’ve finally got around to releasing my new The Star Fighter Pilot EP. It’s free to stream and download.

The ‘Dishonourable Indignation’ EP was recorded in February this year. For those who don’t know, I used to record and perform as The Star Fighter Pilot between about 2004 and 2009. I gave up when I simply lost interest in making music – it just didn’t thrill me any more.

Last year, I got the bug back – I just don’t have a lot of time to make music given my job. Still, assuming I have time, I’ll expand this EP into a mini-album later in the year.

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