So I’ve been subscribing to this technology newsletter since 2017 – which is odd really, as I don’t live in Australia and I’m no longer as focused on tech as I used to be. So why am I continuing to give this guy money?
‘cos it’s fucking great – that’s why! Technology issues are typically global so it’s always interesting to compare how US sources report the news and then compare to Anthony’s rather more “succinct” version. And that’s what I love about it – as he’d say – no bullshit – straight to the point, ethically aligned with my values, hysterically funny at times, and on top of all that he suggests a track to listen to every day – what’s not to like.
I had gotten into the habit of sporadically replying every time he posted a track that I dug and while he already has a The Sizzle playlist on Spotify, I was more intrigued by making a collaboration – which is what we have here – 22 tracks – 11 from Anthony, 11 from me, in alternating order, Anthony went first.
Once it was put together I asked if he’d be up for answering a few questions which you’ll find below.
9 Questions with Anthony ‘decryption’ Agius
What are your upcoming plans and how can people support you?
My plan is to keep doing what I’ve always done, write stuff about computers and put it on the internet! You can support this by visiting https://thesizzle.com.au and grabbing a free trial of The Sizzle.
How important are playlists and streaming services to you?
Just from a practical point of view, playlists are super important so I can quickly access my favourite tunes or a specific mood. I’m a big fan of 10 track playlists. They’re like mini albums of my favourite songs, sometimes in a certain theme, but often just whatever I’m enjoying at that point in time. Streaming services, while easy to hate because of how they little they pay the artists, are pretty damn amazing. Almost every song you can think of at your fingertips for a few bucks a month? It’s way too cheap for the depth of music they provide!
What are you curious about at the moment Why?
Right now I’m into zines and stickers. Yeah, they’re not new, but I’ve made my own lately and its so much fun, not only to make and the technical and creative process behind it, but the joy it brings to people when I had them out at events like conferences and meet-ups. Being internet-only for so long you kinda forget how nice it is to see and hear people’s reactions to your work.
What is a piece of music that has changed you?
Listening to Rage Against the Machine as a teenager in the 90s, listening to the lyrics and looking up some of the things they sing about, probably formed my political views pretty early on. Without that music pushing me to be more inquisitive, I don’t think I’d be as aware of the world as I am.
What wavelength are you on How can other people get on that wavelength?
I’m quite frustrated with Big Tech companies lately, more than usual. I think all you have to do to be on that same infuriated and frustrated wavelength is simply use their products.
What do you think of Nick Cave’s response to an AI generated track “in the style of Nick Cave”?
Nick Cave is 100% correct about AI-generated music. Not only does the song suck, but even if the AI got better at making songs that sound good, it will still lack any humanity and the depth and emotion that any great song has. Thousands of hours of advertising jingles really.
Do you believe music matters Why?
Even in the deepest darkest corners of the world where life sucks on every objective level, they have music. Music has been made for tens of thousands of years. It’s core to the human experience. Asking me if music matters is like asking if life needs oxygen to survive.
Are you optimistic about the future Why?
Lack of action from big business and government on climate change and the shit end of the stick young people seem to have inherited from my parents generation don’t quite make for an optimistic view of the future, but I’m still looking forward to it.
If you were granted a short audience with the omnipotent being and could play them one piece of music – so that they would know who you are (in that moment) – what track would that be?
Carl Sagan prepared us for this with the Voyager Golden Record. He wanted to put Here Comes the Sun by the Beatles on there, but couldn’t get the rights! So I think that’s what I would play for the omnipotent being.
The Sizzle? What the hell is The Sizzle?!
- A brief email newsletter sent every weekday.
- Three no bullshit summaries of the last 24 hours in tech news.
- The freshest Australian computer & electronics bargains.
- Hand crafted by a human, not slapped together by AI.
- $6 a month or $60 a year. No ads, no tracking, no affiliate links.
- Over 1,800 issues since October 2015, sent to over 1,300 paid subscribers.
- Active discussion forum exclusive to paid subscribers.
- Archive of old issues available for free, updated quarterly.
You should probably check it out here
Track Listing
- I Rooted A Girl Who Rooted A Guy Who Rooted A Girl Who Rooted Shane Crawford – TISM
- Gary & Melissa – King Missile
- Flashing Lights – Kanye West
- Breaking The Yoke Of Love – Blaqbonez
- Race for the Prize – 2017 Remaster – The Flaming Lips
- Keep Moving – Jungle
- One Angry Dwarf and 200 Solemn Faces – Ben Folds Five
- Masterslammer – Dizzy Bee
- If You Want Blood (You’ve Got It) – AC/DC
- Ideas Bleed – Shannon Moore
- Don’t Speak – No Doubt
- 2020 – The Herd
- 2020 – SUUNS
- The Mind, Nature and Nurture – Primitive Reason
- How to Disappear Completely – Radiohead
- Let It Go – Peter Broderick
- This New Technology – Midnight Juggernauts
- Ugly – 1996 Remaster – The Stranglers
- Guided By Angels – Amyl and The Sniffers
- I’m Scum – IDLES
- Burn In Hell – Rocket Science
- Nailed It – Infinite Pizza
Playlist image from The Sizzle logo
About the Curators
Anthony "decryption" Agius
Many years ago I started MacTalk, One More Thing and Reckoner. I've contributed to Delimiter, SMH/The Age, Macworld Australia, PC & Tech Authority, Australian Personal Computer, Drive Zero, Wheels/WhichCar and Media Connect/ITJourno over my decade long stint as a tech writer. Reckoner won the 2014 Optus IT Journalism award for best independent media, which I know was a while ago but I'm proud of it.
You may also remember me as the guy who went to New York to buy some iPads or who set up a cryptocurrency mining farm in a shed, or scored a bunch of frequent flyer points off a bank. I used those points on two seperate business class trips around the world and it was heaps of fun.
I talk a lot of shit on Twitter and write boring nerdy long form stuff that nobody pays me for over on my blog decryption.net.au
Andrew
The first visual memory I have is that of the white upright piano in Singapore, Hell and the Dark Forces lived at the bottom, Heaven and the Angels at the top, they would play battles through my fingers and I was hooked.
As a psychology graduate I studied how sound affects human performance.
As a musician I compose instrumental music that stimulates your brain but doesn't mess with your language centers, leaving you free to write creatively without distraction.
As a curator I research how music can improve your life and create flow - I can tell you what music to listen to when studying for a test and why listening to sad music can make you feel better.
As a creator / contributor at musicto I believe that music can make the world better.
What I'm doing now
