COPPER

A PS Audio Publication

Issue 233 • Free Online Magazine

In This Issue

"Hope is the thing with feathers that perches in the soul, and sings the tune without the words, and never stops at all." – Emily Dickinson

In this issue: We feature reports from B. Jan Montana and Harris Fogel on T.H.E. Show SoCal 2026, now known as The Total Hi-Fi Experience Show. Octave Records latest, All That We Carried from the Squid City Slingers is an upbeat mix of bluegrass, Americana and more. Joe Caplan talks with AI artist Synthography Art, who has some uncommon opinions about the technology. Wayne Robins reminisces about legendary record industry executive Clive Davis. Rich Issacs covers the career of Icehouse, the Australian band deserving of wider recognition. Steve Kindig takes us on a tour of the music of Somalia. Our series on playing in a rock band goes into the recording studio. The Vinyl Beat covers LPs from Genesis, Cal Tjader, the Dave Clark Five, and others.

Ray Chelstowski and your editor give a preview of two exciting upcoming releases: Estado Dorado from One Tribe Nation featuring Living Colour vocalist Corey Glover, and New American Symphonies, featuring the rediscovered, long-lost Trombone Symphony. PMA Magazine offers an article on building a dedicated listening room. In The Audiophile’s Guide, Paul McGowan has advice on buying loudspeakers. Stephan Haberthür reviews the LP discography of the Basel Symphony Orchestra (Sinfonieorchester Basel). PS Audio receives positive reviews of the Aspen FR5 speakers, PMG Signature 512 DAC, and PowerPlant 12. We wrap up the issue with audio jewelry, life enrichment, and the searcher.

******

Contributors to This Issue:
Joe Caplan, Ray Chelstowski, Frank Doris, Harris Fogel, Stephan Haberthür, Rich Isaacs, Steve Kindig, Paul McGowan, B. Jan Montana, Rudy Radelic, Wayne Robins, James Schrimpf, Peter Xeni

Logo Design:
Susan Schwartz-Christian, from a concept by Bob D’Amico

Editor:
Frank Doris

Publisher:
Paul McGowan

Post-publication Nitpicker:
Rich Isaacs

Advertising Sales:
No one. We are free from advertising and subscribing to Copper is free.

Copper’s Comments Policy:

Copper’s comments sections are moderated. While we encourage thoughtful and spirited discussion, please be civil.

The publisher reserves the right to delete comments according to our discretion. This includes: political commentary; posts that are abusive, insulting, demeaning or defamatory; posts that are in violation of someone’s privacy; comments that violate the use of copyrighted information; posts that contain personal information; and comments that contain links to suspect websites (phishing sites or those that contain viruses and so on). Spam will be blocked or deleted.

Copper is a place to be enthusiastic about music, audio and other topics. It is most especially not a forum for political discussion, trolling, or rude behavior. Thanks for your consideration.

– FD

Featured

A Report From The Total Hi-Fi Experience Show SoCal 2026 B. Jan Montana Bluegrass Meets Country, Folk, Jazz and More in All That We Carried by The Squid City Slingers Frank Doris Corey Glover and One Tribe Nation: A Variegated Musical Collective Ray Chelstowski Excursions with Clive: The Late Clive Davis, A Personal History Wayne Robins AI, Art, and Music: A Conversation With Synthography Art Joe Caplan

Show Report

A Report From The Total Hi-Fi Experience Show SoCal 2026

T.H.E. Show SoCal, now known as the Total Hi-fi Experience, is expanding. The focus for the 2026 show has shifted to include a film festival, curated music on vinyl, more large demo rooms, seminars, and T.H.E. Music Festival, where attendees could enjoy a number of acts in the hotel’s largest ball room at no additional charge. These varied from developing musicians to accomplished performers, h...

By B. Jan Montana Read Article →