Dungeon Synth: the coolest microgenre you've (likely) never heard of

September 1, 2026

I often need music to work. But I don’t need music that will distract me, nor do I need music that bores me. Before 2021, it was an ongoing struggle to find something that struck this balance.

That year, when my need for focus-music was at its height, I came across a micro genre that has since become the soundtrack to my working hours.

A review of the Viola da Gamba

August 5, 2026

One night at Camp FaSoLa this year, a singer from NY sat next to me in the alto section and we got to chatting (as you do).

“I’m going to be in your part of the world next month for my other music cult,” she told me after seeing my home town on my name tag. “The viola da gamba.”

Every year, the Viola da Gamba Society of America (VdGSA) hosts a week-long “Conclave” — a gathering of gambists where they play music together, hear lectures, attend workshops, buy and sell instruments and paraphernalia, and just geek out over a love of early modern music.

I had never seen a viola da gamba in the flesh; and seeing the excitement that lit in me, she encouraged me to sign up last minute for Conclave’s beginner class, which was free for locals.

Why not? I love joining music cults.

Instruments I want but would probably rarely play: the story of my life

July 23, 2026

I suffer from an enormous craving to purchase new instruments. I generally don’t give in because I hate spending money; so I wallow in longing for $1000+ (for ensured quality) string instruments in extended games of unrequited love.

It’s always string instruments, because they’re close enough to the violin (or are cousins to the violin) to convince myself I could, in fact, magically play them upon picking one up. An instant connection.

In reality, each of these instruments comes with their own playing style, history, and repertoire that would break the romantic illusion instantly — except for maybe the Pochette.

But such longing doesn’t die easily. I regularly research makers of these instruments and fantasize traveling to places like Sweden or Oregon to pick one up.

Until the inevitable day that I make these purchase, I wanted write up a little love note to each.