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About this blog
The Synthetic Zen Blog
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Broadcast Announcements (28)
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Original Music (10)
 
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Very Ambient & World Music Show Tonight.

by Hawke posted at 2006-12-16 07:22 last modified 2008-03-14 08:10

I will be playing mostly ambient and world music for tonights show.

Though as usual the more up tempo stuff I will start out with, then play the mellower and mellower music as the show progresses.


This will be a good show, so don't miss it!

Two new show archives, with Tolkien

by admin posted at 2006-12-16 07:22 last modified 2008-03-14 08:01

I've uploaded that last two shows I did this weekend.

Saturday's NEKKID Radio broadcast, and Sunday's KYRS broadcast.

Both have plenty of "sneak peak" pieces of music inspired by J.R.R. Tolkien's works

Category(s)
Website Website

Tonight's show to be mellowish.. .It's finals week...

by admin posted at 2006-12-16 07:22 last modified 2008-03-14 08:01

I've been doing a compressed quarter at the university. 9 weeks of courses compressed into only 4 weeks of days! I don't think I'll do that again, unless I only do it with one class.

Anyhow, it's the final week, so I'm reading a lot...

Tolkien show preview Saturday/Sunday 9-24/9-25 2005

by admin posted at 2006-12-16 07:22 last modified 2008-03-14 08:01

I'm still compiling the actual series of shows dedicated to music inspired by J.R.R. Tolkien and his works.

However, I'm going to do a little preview show next.

Tonight's show I'll be playing around a dozen or so such pieces

Tolkien Music Show #2 coming April 30th!

by admin posted at 2006-12-16 07:22 last modified 2008-03-14 08:01

I will be doing the second show in the series dedicated to music inspired by the works of J.R.R. Tolkien.

If you missed the first show, you can swing by the downloads section for Archived Shows that I did for NEKKID Radio (NR) and download to listen to it at my site http://www.thesyntheticzenshow.com.

Don't miss this second show:

Tolkien Music Broadcast #2 April 30th, 2006!

by admin posted at 2006-12-16 07:22 last modified 2008-03-14 08:01

I gave a heads up a few weeks ago, and now it's less than a week away.

I'll be doing the second show in my series of broadcasts focused exclusively on music inspired by J.R.R. Tolkien's works. I've had a lot of great comments and feedback from the first show, and plenty of people asking, nay, begging for the next show. ;-)

Well, the wait is nearly over...

Tolkien dedication show coming up!

by admin posted at 2006-12-16 07:22 last modified 2008-03-14 08:01

I posted below, but it looks like I'll have to do it next week, I need to cancel my next two shows, too much happening at once. Sorry folks.

In honor of the upcoming MerpCon (Middle-earth role-playing Convention) starting in a few days, the next show, Wednesday 2 am to 4 am July 27th is going to be all music inspired by J.R.R. Tolkien's works (The Silmarillion, the Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings, the Unfinished, Tales, etc.).

Some examples include:

Tolkien Dedication Show #1 archived show available for download!

by admin posted at 2006-12-16 07:22 last modified 2008-03-14 08:01

I just made available for download in mp3 format, the entire J.R.R. Tolkien Dedication Show #1.

Just click the "Downloads" section in the left hand navigation menu of the http://www.synthzen.com website.

The go to the Archived Shows section, and you'll see it there.

Enjoy!

Category(s)
Website Website

The second to last Tolkien music sneak peak!

by admin posted at 2006-12-16 07:22 last modified 2008-03-14 08:01

This Sunday April 30th, the Tolkien music broadcast #2 will be going on air.

Meanwhile, the last several shows I've been slipping in Tolkien-inspired music scattered throughout my shows...

Sunday Feb 4, 2007 Show: Tribute to Dead Can Dance 2. Lots of new/great music!

by Hawke posted at 2006-12-16 07:22 last modified 2008-03-14 08:10

I've tracked down not only a lot of new Dead Can Dance music from their recent tours in the past 3 years, including many songs not on any of their albums outside of these new concerts. But also found other groups that either played with DCD at one point, or have mimicked, or given tribute to DCD.

Don't miss this new Dead Can Dance tribute show, including music from the Dead Can Dance duo; Lisa Gerrard and Brendan Perry. Also music from "Love is Colder Than Death", Cocteau Twins, This Mortal Coil compilation, and more!

Sunday, February 4th, 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm (Pacific Time) right after my Tech Talk With Hawke show segment (6:00 pm to 6:30 pm).

Tune in over FM in the greater Spokane area on FM 89.9 or 92.3, or online at www.kyrs.org.

Streetwalkin' (Lyrics)

by admin posted at 2006-12-16 07:22 last modified 2008-03-14 08:01

This piece I composed of my memories and feelings from the multiple times I lived on the streets AND when I was doing well, but saw others I had known, still on the streets.

Ironically, though this is one of my favorite songs, I've not been happy with my singing of it, and I can't seem to find where I've a usable recoding. I may make one shortly, even though I'm still unhappy with my poor vocal capabilities.

UPDATE: I went ahead and made a quick (and very rough) recording of the song and uploaded it to my server in mp3 format.

Category(s)
Original Music Original Music

Special show #1 dedicated to J.R.R. Tolkien

by admin posted at 2006-12-16 07:22 last modified 2008-03-14 08:01

Sunday November 27th, from 4 am to 6 am UTC/GMT (Saturday November 26th, from 8 pm to 10 pm Pacific), I will be doing the first in a series of broadcasts dedicated to music inspired by J.R.R. Tolkien and his works.

It's amazing the vast range (in both styles and quality) of music out there inspired by him.

I'll be playing all style, from classical, baroque, medieval, to rock, death metal, pop, folk, techno, ambient, and much more...

Sitar: A New Instrument added to the ensemble

by Hawke posted at 2006-12-16 07:22 last modified 2008-03-14 08:07

Thanks to a wonderful b-day present (early), I am now the excited new owner of a sitar.

I have quested since 1991 to find a decent one that I could put my hands on (rather than buying online, etc.).

I originally played a sitar back in 1991 when Ernest, a Pakistani fellow who was a co-worker and friend back when I worked as a clerk at 7-11 in Utah (yes, 7-11, usually graveyard shifts), invited me to his house to jam with him.

He had drums, guitar and sitar.

He allowed me to play around with it, and we had fun jamming. I think it was a "single". The one I have now is much more complex, a "double" with a double gourd even. I'm still learning the lingo, and reading the book.

All of which is straight from India originally. The instrument is used, but in very good shape from what I can tell.


I managed to get the primary strings tuned last night, I have not tried to tackle the sympathetic strings yet.

This complex instrument is going to take me years to get the hang of.

I very much look forward to the challenge.

Meanwhile my flute playing is coming along nicely.


So now my collection of instruments for tools of expression of my being include:

  • Yamaha CG-120 Classical Guitar
  • Ovation Celebrity Steelstring acoustic-electric guitar (round back)
  • Fender 12 string steel acoustic guitar (serial number 0000000000045)
  • Samick electric 4 string bass guitar
  • Other miscellaneous guitars
  • Casio keyboard (Details pending) with midi hookups to PC
  • African Djembe drum with real goatskin
  • 3 "regular" size 6 hole Native American wood flutes
  • 1 "double barrel" 6 hole Native American wood flute
  • 1 "huge" 6 hole Native American wood flute
  • Didgeridoo (midsize wooden)
  • Harmonica C key (my chromatic 16 key is still missing)
  • Double gourd, double Toomba? Sitar from India
  • My computers with various composing, capturing, and editing software and hardware.


I"m thinking of putting together some multitracking improv in the near future in my nearly finished basement studio. I haven't done any recording of my own music in far too long, it's been aching to come out and be recorded, I just haven't had enough quiet time to do ti. But with all that's going on/wrong right now, I REALLY need the solace soon.

Cheers for now!

-Hawke

Category(s)
Original Music Original Music

Sci-Fi Music Broadcast at KYRS tonight (Oct 22nd 2006)

by admin posted at 2006-12-16 07:22 last modified 2008-03-14 08:01
For tonight's show I will be playing music from various science fiction sound tracks including:
  • 2001 A Space Odyssey
  • Babylon 5
  • Battlestar Galactic (new and old series)
  • Star Wars
  • Star Trek
  • The Animatrix
  • The Matrix
  • The Matrix Reloaded
  • The Matrix Revolutions
  • Stargate the Motion Picture

Reminder: Tolkien Music Show #1 tonight!

by admin posted at 2006-12-16 07:22 last modified 2008-03-14 08:01

What: Show #1 of the series of music dedicated to J.R.R. Tolkien. Various

music artists that have created songs/music inspired by J.R.R. Tolkien and

his works.

When:

OpenBSD Music Tribute Broadcast!

by Hawke posted at 2006-12-16 07:22 last modified 2008-03-14 08:10

Just last week I received my pre-ordered OpenBSD 4.0, in addition to a t-shirt and a music cd. OpenBSD is freely available open source software, but by buying these items it helps support their continuing development efforts in fighting the good fight.



This week's show plays most of the tracks from their "Best of" "Compilation I" "OpenBSD the Songs 3.0-4.0".

I will make the show archive available for download shortly after broadcast (a couple days delay, in case you miss the live version.

There's lots of useful information in addition to the fun and some great music too!



You can read additional details about the songs and the lyrics and the playlist at:


http://www.openbsd.org/lyrics.html



I will post an update when the show archive is available for download.

This show is as a heads up to (finally) including the new section to The Synthetic Zen Show, the segment: "Tech Talk with Hawke".

Typically I will spend the first 15 minutes or so of the show covering a specific technology topic that impacts your civil rights, privacy, and/or security, etc.

Topics will range widely from how to protect yourself on wireles networks,  the issues caused by the RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America) & MPAA (Motion Picture Association America), spyware, open source versus closed source, security issues, dealing with spammers, hackers, etc.


Listeners will be able to post questions by phone, email, IRC, & IM.

So check it out, give feedback, and enjoy!

-Hawke (aka Dr Z & The Synthetic Zen Show.

Only doing Saturday/Sunday show now...

by admin posted at 2006-12-16 07:22 last modified 2008-03-14 08:01

I fixed my system, and set it up with mirrored RAID1 dual hard drives, so that a single drive failure won't take me down again. Meanwhile, life has been too hectic to do as many broadcasts as I'd love to do.

Next Show, Standard Format... Saturday/Sunday Jan 21/22 2006...

by admin posted at 2006-12-16 07:22 last modified 2008-03-14 08:01

The next show, Saturday/Sunday January 21st/22nd, will be my "standard format".

It will start out with a beat, and slowly get mellower and mellower, as the show progresses.

This means the first 30 minutes will be with a strong beat, techno, dance, heavier rock, pop, punk, funk, etc.

The 2nd 30 minutes will be mellower rock, classic rock, blues, jazz, upbeat new age, etc...

Next Show, Celtic Christmas Eve.

by Hawke posted at 2006-12-16 07:22 last modified 2008-03-14 08:10
The next broadcast with KYRS is on Christmas eve.

The music will be all Celtic music.

Tune in from 6 pm to 8 pm Pacific time.

92.3 FM or 89.9 FM or online at http://www.kyrs.org

Next show: All Dead Can Dance and Lisa Gerard!

by admin posted at 2006-12-16 07:22 last modified 2008-03-14 08:01
The next Saturday/Sunday show (February 11th 8-10 pm Pacific, February 12th Sunday 4am-6am UTC) will be all Dead Can Dance and Lisa Gerard music.

Next Show: All Celtic

by admin posted at 2006-12-16 07:22 last modified 2008-03-14 08:01

For my next show, December 24th/25th. I will be playing all Celtic, Irish, Gaelic, Scottish music.

Some will have Christmas themes, but that will not be the primary focus...

New Version of the Synthetic Zen Website Launched!

by admin posted at 2006-12-16 07:22 last modified 2008-03-14 08:01

I just launched a new version of The Synthetic Zen Website. Finally put it on the application server software I wanted it on instead of the crappy, pitiful, vulnerability-filled php-based crap.

This new systme is python, zope, plone based, and much more to my tastes. Actually object oriented programmers writing the code instead of wanna-be script-kiddies that do php-scripting.

Expect great improvements, better features, and much more coming soon. Cheerio!

Category(s)
Website Website

New segment of show, "Tech Talk With Hawke"

by admin posted at 2006-12-16 07:22 last modified 2008-03-14 08:01
I've just added a new section to the show. "Tech Talk with Hawke". In the middle of each show I will pick a technology topic of interest to many listeners. I will also be setting up forums, FAQs, Definitions, and more to help you out in sorting out all the information related to technology. I've been working with information technology, information security, and computers in one form or another since 1981. I'm currently semi-retired from the computer industry. See www.dev2devportal.com and www.hawkenterprising.com for more information. And of course stay tuned in 24 hours to NEKKID Radio. Topics in the show to be covered include:

New Broadcast Time on Sundays

by Hawke posted at 2006-12-16 07:22 last modified 2008-03-14 08:10

My broadcast time with KYRS on Sundays has changed from Sundays 10 pm to Midnight, to 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm

every Sunday night!



Additionally, I'm pending approval, but it's all but approved, for a new show on Fridays from Noon to 1 pm called

"Tech Talk With Hawke".



I'll post more information about "Tech Talk With Hawke" when the final approval is in from KYRS.



Cheers!

My First "Gig" in over 15 years!

by Hawke posted at 2006-12-16 07:22 last modified 2008-03-14 08:10
I'll be performing live at Kafka's Coffee Shop in Cheney, WA, Thursday November 2nd, 2006.

I haven't played in front of a live audience (for the fun of it) since the very late 80's earliest 90's at The Java Jive in Sugarhouse (Salt Lake City), Utah.

I was waiting for my ASL (American Sign Language) Study group to show up (I am usually early on Thursdays), so there was a guitar lying around and I started playing it for the fun of it. It's an old beat guitar with dirty, dead, worn out strings and a neck too small for my "ham hands". But I was enjoying playing (quietly I thought) anyway.

Then the manager came up and asked if I'd like to add the amp! I became embarrassed and put the guitar away, but he asked if I'd be interested in coming to jam regularly.

We talked for a while and somehow I ended up agreeing (pleasantly surprised) to come jam just before ASL Study group each week.


So, starting Thursday November 2nd, 2006, I will be performing live from 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm every week at Kafka's Coffe Shop.

I'll be mostly playing my guitar and Native American Wood Flute, but I may over time, if I become less shy, break out the keyboard, didgeridoo (if I can get the hang of the circular breathing trick), Djembe African drum, harmonica, bass guitar, and maybe even (gasp!) sing.


Anyhow if you're at all interested here's the link to Kafka Coffee house website ( http://www.kafkacoffee.com/ ) with directions to the location.

I'll be there even if no one else is. ;-)

This should be fun!

-Hawke

Category(s)
Original Music Original Music

Music download added: Ambient #1

by admin posted at 2006-12-16 07:22 last modified 2008-03-14 08:01

I just added one of my pieces from one of my albums, for download. Ambient #1 from the Zenthetic album (amalgamation of the words Zen and Synthetic)...

Category(s)
Original Music Original Music

More about Dr Z and The Synthetic Zen Show

by admin posted at 2006-12-16 07:22 last modified 2008-03-14 08:01

Since enough people were asking for more information about me, I felt it less redundant to go ahead and post sort of an "About the Synthetic Zen Show" and "About Z" article here. Enjoy. ;)

The Synthetic Zen show fits into two major categories; music and information.

The two categories are sub-categorized into smaller segments under the Music and Information headings.

Music

World Music

Dead Can Dance

Select Film Soundtracks

Synthetic Zen

Missed the Tolkien Broadcast? Do not fret...

by admin posted at 2006-12-16 07:22 last modified 2008-03-14 08:01

You missed the live Tolkien Music Broadcast #2!

Whatever will you do! ;-)

Have no fear, the archived version is here...

Category(s)
Website Website

Live Tolkien Music Broadcast #2, April 30th!

by admin posted at 2006-12-16 07:22 last modified 2008-03-14 08:01

CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO THE TOLKIEN MUSIC BROADCAST

TOLKIEN MUSIC BROADCAST #2

SUNDAY APRIL 30TH, 8:00 PM TO 10:00 PM PACIFIC TIME

(Monday MAY 1ST 3:00 am to 5:00 am UTC)...

Live Interview tonight: Tyler Byers.

by admin posted at 2006-12-16 07:22 last modified 2008-03-14 08:01
I have arranged a special interview for this upcoming show with Tyler Byers. This inspiring young man has just finished his degree in Engineering/Mathematics, works for IBM as a software developer/tester, has just accepted a job with the US Government, has set (and continues to hold) records in various land races, started skiiing at 4 years old, playing basketball at 8, and racing at 9. Been in the Bloosmday races every year for the past 15 years, qualified in the 2003 World championships, and was in the prelims for the 2004 Athens, Greece, Para-Olympics...
Category(s)