Listening to: A Unicorn Masquerade

"There is a cacophony of birds overhead, and the crisp wind they surf on bites through you as October dies and November rises in its place..."

Self-titled debut experimental electronic EP from A Unicorn Masquerade. 

Of the three songs, track 1, "It lingers," is my favorite.

Click below to listen on Bandcamp.

Click here to watch/listen on YouTube (total length: 11:08)

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 _=/    _./-\/  

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Toad Bread: Attempt 2

Click here for some context and to see Attempt 1

The GF and I decided to re-attempt Nikk Alcaraz's toad bread recipe -- this time following the ingredients and instructions from his newly-posted YouTube video.

We made only slight ingredient adjustments based on what we had on hand.  Here is what we used:

Ingredients

Dough:

100 g  whole milk

100 g water 

14 g granulated sugar 

9 g active dry yeast 

400 g bread flour 

9 g salt 

28 g unsalted butter (softened)

10 g apple cider vinegar 

1 large egg

Egg Wash:

1 egg yolk 

1 tsp water 

~1/2 tsp garlic salt

After proofing the yeast in the warm water & milk, we mixed all the dough ingredients into a ball, then kneaded it for 10 minutes.  Then we let it rise for about an hour and a half, punched it down, and pressed out the air bubbles.  

Then we got to shaping! Starting with a tight egg shape.

(Woah, hand reveal!)

Then, we covered him in plastic wrap for one more 30-minute rise, and he plumped right up:

Then came the egg wash...

And finally, we baked him at 350° for 28 minutes.

Just look at our beautiful boy!

Some excellent photography from my Ghoulfriend

He's quite a bit handsomer than our first loaf, and he tastes SOOOOO much better.  This loaf is fluffier, chewier, and more flavorful.  The garlic salt in the egg wash added a nice subtle hint of umami.  

This recipe was really very easy, too.  Definitely give it a shot if you've thought about making your own.  

Follow-along with Practical Peculiarities' YouTube video or purchase the cookbook: Peculiar Baking.

Happy baking!

A little collage by the gf :)

New Original Song: “The Deer Know What You Did To Me”

The deer know what you did to me. 

I told them everything.

I'd stay out of the woods if I were you.

Click above to stream free on Bandcamp

I'm releasing a new song to mark the beginning of November!  "The Deer Know What You Did To Me" is a drone-y ambient piece intercut with some resampled Native American Flute (played by me).  

This piece is meant to instill different emotions depending on the listener, and is intended to be considered within the context of past wrongdoings.  The song can either be a comfort or a warning:

• If a listener equates themselves with the titular "Me," (i.e. a victim of mistreatment in the particular relationship they have in mind) they may feel encouraged (if with some trepidation) knowing they can always find sanctuary in the woods, where the deer sympathize with their plight.
• But, if the listener finds themselves as the titular "You," (i.e. the perpetrator of abuse against the previous listener) the listener may feel uneasy.  In this case, the song evokes an unsettling feeling, as though walking through the woods at night -- knowing the deer are watching, and that they do not want you here...

I hope you enjoy this track.  Right now, it's free to stream and download on Bandcamp.  If you like it, let me know what you think!