Author: Jim Causey

(First aired: May 02 2023)

on this week’s Convergence Zone, songs from the acts touring this spring — like synth pioneer Suzanne Ciani, New Age polymath David Arkenstone, and experimental wizard Arushi Jain

more touring artists — Colloboh with Qu’ran Shaheed, legends like Suso Saiz and Bitchin Bajas, LA acts Classixx and Matthewdavid, and neo-jazz icons Gogo Penguin

also – brand new music from Vancouver’s Noble Oak, Italy’s Jarguna and Seattle cozywave artist Hello Meteor, and a 2021 live excerpt from Howard Givens, Madhavi Devi, and Craig Padilla

Convergence Zone arrives Tuesdays at 10:30pm PDT on 90.7 KSER-FM, 89.9 KXIR-FM, and streaming at kser.org, smart speakers, TuneIn, and all fine internet radio services

first aired: April 25 2023

the creators and fans of contemplative music have always gravitated to explorations of deep space — both in science fiction and through the efforts of astronomy and science. In my generation, many of us first came across space music through the works of Vangelis on the TV documentary Cosmos, hosted by the late great Carl Sagan

on this week’s edition of Convergence Zone, we’re putting the “space” in space music, with a show focused on space exploration, space travel, and plotting the depths of the human imagination in the great void

recent music from Seattle artists Hello Meteor, Terminus Void, and Hello Meteor transport us to Jupiter and to contacts with civilizations beyond our imagination

extended travels to distant stars with ARC, and nearby destinations with Caterina Barbieri and Public Service Broadcasting

Convergence Zone departs to the sky and the sun, the moon and Jupite, and outbound to the Tannhäuser Gate — Tuesday night at 10:30pm PDT

90.7 KSER-FM, 89.9 KXIR-FM, and streaming around the world at kser.org and on other internet radio services

(First aired: April 18 2023)

on this week’s Convergence Zone, we evoke the turbulent mood of spring in the PNW; brand new music from Frore, and from Active Region — and a new reissue of a rare album by Steve Roach and Michael Shrieve; classics from Jean-Michel Jarre, Kitaro, Dead Can Dance, and Michael Hoenig; synthwave and synthpop from Talk Talk, FM Attack, and Japanese Breakfast; …and lots of surprises

10:30pm PDT 4/11/23 – 90.7 KSER | Independent Public Radio

(first aired April 11, 2023)

Tomorrow is Herbie Hancock’s birthday – so of course I’ll play him on Convergence Zone tonight

Tons of new music from Stellarium, style.king.of.the.week, Rudy Adrian, Siren of the Sea, and NAVVI

music for solidarity and reproductive rights with songs by Kristen Roos and Loscil from Hotham Sound’s compilation “Calliope”, raising proceeds for NARAL Pro Choice America

classics by {arsonist}, Steve Roach, Herbie Hancock, and Colin Chin — and some surprises too

10:30pm PDT 4/11/23 – 90.7 KSER | Independent Public Radio

(first aired April 4, 2023)

It’s a time of transition in the Pacific Northwest, from the season of stillness to glimpses of light and warmth.  Celebrated through the ages, whether through the revival of Osiris, the rise of the Aten, the passion of the Christ, or the Hareland Ley feasts of the goddess Ēostre

On this week’s Convergence Zone, we honor these transitions with music for death and rebirth — and we also honor the music of Ryuichi Sakamoto, who died on March 28, 2023 at the age of 71

10:30pm PDT 4/4/23 – 90.7 KSER | Independent Public Radio

I was already contemplating death and resurrection as I produced this week’s episode of Convergence Zone – and then my friend Nick texted me the sad news that Ryuichi Sakamoto had passed away. 

Sakamoto-san’s impact — from his time in Yellow Magic Orchestra, his work in film scores and acting, and his prolific creations as an ambient and neoclassical artist — is impossible to do justice in words, at least as few as I can summon here.  But I can try and share some of his recent pieces, including one produced in part during his time recording as Bastyr University in Kenmore, WA.

His final album, “12”, dropped in January, consisting of solo sketches that Sakamoto-san recorded in his home over the past few years on piano and electronic instruments.  In several, you can hear him breathe as he begins to play.

Hearing Ryuichi Sakamoto breathe and create — on a quiet and cool early Sunday, on the day I was stunned by his death — was painful and exquisite.  I am so grateful for what he left us all.

(first aired March 28, 2023)

recent music from regional artists Terminus Void, Bart Hawkins, and Mount Maxwell

brand new music from Rudy Adrian, Cruel Diagonals, style.king.of.the.week, Altin Gün, Diane Arkenstone, and Gogo Penguin

film music by Lori Goldston and “Everything Everywhere All At Once”

modern classics from Chuck Van Zyl, ST∆ER, Sam Rosenthal, and Mildlife

and more surprises!

10:30pm 3/23/23 – 90.7 KSER | Independent Public Radio

(first aired March 21, 2023)

For Women’s History Month, celebrating female, femme, trans, non-gender-confirming musicians

Honoring the legends Delia Derbyshire, Wendy Carlos, Suzanne Ciani

New music from Rachel Thierren and NAVVI

local music from Grouper, Chromatics, Midday Veil, Mt. Fog, and Patricia Wolf

and more!