Simon Smith

In this rapidly evolving AI era, Critical thinking is exponentially accelerating as one of, if not the most important leadership skills. What are you doing to keep up?

Medieval arcane darkness, with a glint of light in the distance.

I’m always on the lookout for interesting websites that open the gateway for budding musicians to learn instruments and their craft. Tonalics is a free website that has MIDI-style instruments laid out inside the web browser so they can be played using your mouse, keyboard, or touchscreen. Each instrument comes with size or scale variations, and besides just jamming on them, you can follow nursery rhymes and public domain songs to get a basic understanding of how the instrument is laid out and plays.

Ana Palindrome is not a solo artist, but an Irish experimental art-pop trio. Newly signed to World of Echo, the trio celebrates with their new single ‘A MAN A CURE’. It paves the way for news about a debut album to follow in early 2027. The single is one of those earworms that mixes simple motifs and melodies with unusual delivery.

Neoclassical compositions with a sprinkle of French curiosity.

Restrained, nimble, and intricate piano music inspired by nature.

Bringing Gaelic and the Scottish Highlands to the NPR Tiny Desk.

Now on their 8th album, Scythe has carved out a poppy chiptune niche for themselves over the years. Most of their output is poppy, bright, and breezy. They use Furnace, a chiptune tracker, to create their music and depending on the settings, Scythe will bring a very specific sound to you. For ‘middle8’, we’ve got a mid-to-late 90s vibe, where the 16-bit and the 32-bit collide.

Tennyson King is a nomadic folk musician whose life and music permeate Hong Kong and Canada. That duality resonates throughout his music. Tennyson blends Western indie-folk with traditional Chinese instruments. Central to his sound is the zhongruan, a plucked Chinese guitar. Depending on the blend, Tennyson’s music can vary greatly, so I’ve included the music videos of the two extremes of his sound.

When someone passes away, the responsibility of managing their estate often falls to family members or friends who may not fully understand the complexities involved. Acting as an executor without professional guidance can expose you to significant legal and financial risks that could have lasting consequences. Understanding these potential pitfalls is crucial before taking on this important role.