FAINT WAVES

You already know about this if you caught my anniversary piece for Slippin’ Away, but I thought I’d do a proper release post now that the single is pretty widely available on your streaming and/or digital retailer of choice. 10 years ago, I released Slippin’ Away, a messy melange of world music-tinged Chillout and Synthpop. I was still figuring things out musically, using a lot of sample packs and loops, many of the songs had minimal structure, and none of them had a single bass line (seriously). I was still trying to find a proper direction for Faint Waves as a project too, despite this, Slippin’ Away proved formative. It was an introduction for many and paved the way for my seminal release, Hideaways, the following year. On this 10th anniversary, I returned to a couple of the songs for the very first time since their original release.

I’m happy to present World Wonder ’26 with B-Side, One More Time ’26. To my ear, these were the most viable to be revisited, and also similar enough to sit together. Both were brass-driven, Afro-caribbean tinged instrumental pieces, one was downtempo and the other uptempo. This single features faithful but slightly more fleshed out remakes of “World Wonder” and “One More Time”, as well as reimaginings that I think were informed by all the Miami Vice I’ve been watching; definitely something Jan Hammer-y happening there.

While this release did come slightly before the “official” anniversary in June, I wanted it out of the way in case I release something new this summer. Speaking of which…

UPDATE.

I don’t know what I’m doing currently, I’m still in that sort of musical freefall that I’ve been in. Even this maxi-single was a pretty spur of the moment thing that wasn’t even on my radar to do about 8 weeks ago. That tends to be how it happens, the spirit will move me a certain direction and that’s what gets done. I do have some things I’ve been working on for like, 3+ years, on and off. I’d like to get a couple of those things finished and released, it’s just putting in that effort, you know. If I make a conscious, concerted decision to do it, I can do it. It just comes down to putting those gears in motion, getting those wheels turning, other nonsense I haven’t said yet. So, there’s your update, I’ve got more music of an undetermined kind and amount that will release at an undetermined time; pretty cool, huh? Jokes aside, I’d like to release my Alternative, Chillwave, Baggy EP that I’ve been working on and teasing for years. I’d also like to put out an expanded EP or LP connected to my City Of Night single from 2024, I’ve spoken with the guitarist on there and maybe we can get something done. I don’t know, time goes by quickly and I’m just doing what I can to make it stand still. All of this is contingent on what I’m moved to actually do, too, like I mentioned. That tricky spirit, he moves in mysterious ways.

Contrary to how unmotivated I might sound, I am doing well currently. Still trying to thread that needle of being fulfilled/productive, without running myself into the ground. I still have good days and bad days, like we all do, the start of this month was a pretty dire valley actually; needless to say, all you can do is ride it out, and you level out sooner or later. Recent days, I’ve just been working a lot and writing here when I can, buying too many Blu-Rays probably, maybe I’ll do a separate article on all the nonsense I’ve picked up. On a similar note though, I have been taking in quite a bit of media lately. I saw Project Hail Mary in theaters (it was really good, a simple, classic sci-fi romp). I’m continuing to intermittently work my way through the Friday The 13th franchise (I recently finished 4: The Final Chapter which is definitely not the final chapter). I started watching the 90’s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle trilogy (I had never seen them, they’re actually pretty good, still have to watch the third and apparently worst film in the trilogy). I also watched Billy Idol’s new documentary, Billy Idol Should Be Dead, it was really good and extremely touching; I’m also one of his biggest fans so your mileage may vary. Last but not least, I’m watching Hacks, Your Friends & Neighbors, and Rooster week to week on TV, while also continuing to work my way through Miami Vice like I mentioned.

I haven’t talked about it here but on the reading side (I’m a slow reader but I try to make it through a few books a year, my record is 8), I only have a few pages left of Salem’s Lot; it’s good and definitely approaches timeless, slow at points but when it moves, it really moves. I’ve read a lot of Stephen King and his work is always enjoyable for the most part, some just cruise by easier than others. I like to read his stuff and then check out any adaptations I haven’t seen (there are a lot). I actually already have my next book picked out, Tender by Mark Childress, from 1990. It’s a fictional rock and roll story that’s essentially an analog for the life of Elvis, it’s quite long too at 500+ pages. I had known about it for a number of years and finally picked it up recently (hardcover for only $13!), pretty excited for that one. I haven’t had many chances to marry my love of music and fiction, in terms of my reading habits, so I was quick to jump on that. I do own a rock and roll horror book called The Kill Riff, but I’ve yet to read it, maybe this is the year.

Maybe this is the year for a lot of things. Maybe this will be our year.

Thanks for reading.

~ FW.

World Wonder ’26 is out now on Bandcamp, Apple Music, Spotify, Tidal, and YouTube.