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Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality downloads of XII in XII #08 - "Stereo Night Ash: Music for Relaxation, Meditation, Decastrophizing and Deep Sleep", XII in XII #07 - "Toad Hirer", XII in XII #06 - Children of the Sun 3: A Collection of Cartoon Theme Songs from an Alternate Timeline in Which All Cartoons Are Duck-Themed, XII in XII #5 - Take on a Tank, XII in XII #04 - Horse EP, XII in XII #03 - The 4 Castles of Stelcoaryn, XII in XII #02 - "Snapshots From Beacontown Spring Dance '85", XII in XII #01 - "Quit Forever?", and 25 more.
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STEREO NIGHT ASH
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In the neon-drenched city of Glitchburg, where the nights never slept and dreams were buried deep in the cold, steel hearts of its inhabitants, you found yourself alone in the midst of the ceaseless chaos. The relentless thump of bass from the nightclubs reverberated through your bones, as the never-ending parade of humanity flooded the rain-soaked streets. The city's perpetual insomnia was both a curse and a blessing, a constant party but a restless, relentless burden.
You knew the only way to escape the chaos was to find solace in the one thing that could quiet your mind – Some “Stereo Night Ash”. In a world where sleep was a luxury, a privilege.. and dreams were a distant memory, “Stereo Night Ash” was a glimmer of hope, a promise of some semblance of respite from the never-ending night.
But you were not alone in your quest for sleep. “Mono Night Ash”, a cheaper alternative, had flooded the black-market, but its effectiveness was questionable at best. And you couldn't afford to take chances; you needed the real deal. And so, you ventured into the dark alleys, seeking the elusive and pricey “Stereo Night Ash”.
It was said that the key to making the night ash was to burn something of personal value, something that truly, truly mattered to you. The rarity of such items in this insane city made the product prohibitively expensive, and many had resorted to the cheap, dangerous alternatives.
As you walked through the crowded, neon-lit streets, your heart weighed heavy with the knowledge of what you must sacrifice. You had something of irreplaceable value, a bracelet that held the memory of the one person who had ever truly loved you. Your heart ached at the thought, but the allure of a peaceful night's sleep was too powerful to resist.
You followed the trail of rumours, trash and graffiti, like arrows that pointed to the hidden underworld. You find yourself at the entrance to a building, a door covered in wires and tiny bulbs. As you enter, you look around and it doesn’t take you long to realise. Nothing but accordians. And worse. E-Accordions. You have gone to the wrong place.
Frustrated, you turn around and engage the map in one of your implants. It’s a relatively new installation and you often forget it’s there.
Finally, at the entrance to a seedy nightclub, you found a shady figure in a trench coat and robo-facial grafts, the ominous red glow through the wayfarers from his bionic eye… In a whisper, you uttered some incomprehensible password, and he ushered you into a hidden back room.
There, amidst the haze of cigarette smoke, you found the clandestine market for “Stereo Night Ash”. Shelves were lined with jars of smoky ashes, each labelled with a name, a price, and a promise. The choice was yours, and the agony of your decision weighed upon you. There was no room for error; you needed the purest ash to escape the never-ending night.
You spotted it, a jar labelled "Fikkisssssss" The price was steep, but it was the one. You handed over the coin, and the man behind the counter nodded in understanding. He reached for a vial of dark, precious ashes, sealed it with a red ribbon, and handed it to you.
The moment of truth had arrived. You couldn't help but wonder if this sacrifice would be worth it. The streets outside beckoned you with their chaos, their endless, incessant noise. But you also had hope, and the promise of a restful night spurred you on.
You returned to your cramped, dimly lit apartment, your heart heavy with anticipation. The vial of “Stereo Night Ash” felt like a fragile secret in your hands. You knew that when the time came, you would need to burn it, along with your bracelet, releasing its magic into the air to let it lull you into a deep, dream-filled slumber.
As night descended upon Glitchburg once again, you found solace in the tranquillity of your apartment. The vial sat before you, its contents a beacon of hope in the darkness. I wish there was a less cliche way of putting it. But cliches become cliches for a reason I guess. You struck a match and watched the flames dance, bringing the ash to life.
And you slowly fell.
You lay down on your waterbed, and as the smoke wrapped around you, you closed your eyes. It was as if the world incinerated away, and you were transported to a place of serenity and peace. The music of the smouldering night ash lulled you into a deep slumber, and for the first time in a long while, you dreamed.
In your dreams, you wandered through a world of colour and light, far removed from the oppressive darkness of Glitchburg. You saw the face of your loved one, smiling and beckoning you forward. It was a fleeting moment of happiness, a stolen respite from the relentless night.
Yes. It’s okay. You are not confined by the limitations of the city. By the limitations of your mind. You soar through the skies, feeling the rush of freedom. You explore abandoned buildings, uncovering hidden secrets in the heart of the metropolis. You reunite with long-lost loved ones, sharing moments of warmth and laughter. Dreams are vivid, enticing, a little concerning, and oh so tempting. Don’t worry. I won’t tell anyone. We’re both under this cone of silence for at least another day or so. At least.
As the dreamscape dissolved, you awoke with a sense of profound loss, the memories of the dreams just slip through your fingers like smoke. The “Stereo Night Ash”... it pretty much had done its job, granting you a few hours of precious escape from the chaos of your waking life.
It was a bittersweet respite, for with the dawn, you knew you would have to face the relentless night once more. In a city that never slept, “Stereo Night Ash” was a fleeting glimpse of the tranquility you so desperately craved, a fragile oasis in the concrete desert of Glitchburg.
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Toehider Melbourne, Australia
The work of musician Micheal Mills and artist Andrew Saltmarsh.
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