Arend (they/them)

https://musicians.today/@arendleejessurun

I make downtempo folk music to relieve world-weariness. I teach, produce, mix, and master music when I'm not bedbound.

New album #TheTowerOfBabelFalls out now.

I’m nonbinary, autistic, and disabled;
white, of Surinamese-Dutch-Sephardi-Irish heritage;
exvangelical, ietsist or something;
reluctant settler on Tongva land (so-called Los Angeles);
practicing dismantling white supremacy;
hopeful for decolonial futures;
learning.

Spouse of Jessica Gerhardt (she/her) 🍉 (npub1yyw…vqsl). <3

Website: https://arendleejessurun.com
Remix my stuff!: https://arendleejessurun.com/call-for-submissions-the-tower-remixes-and-covers/
Just my toots: Arend (they/them) (npub1yny…94f2)">https://justmytoots.com/Arend (they/them) (npub1yny…94f2)
Digital garden: https://publish.obsidian.md/arendleejessurun

Public Key

npub1yny2kcsgzl660mhn4jdtdg53rdhrej8vvx48aq0r7xyl62ery3dq4894f2

NIP-05 Address

[email protected]

Profile Code

nprofile1qqszfj9tvgyp0ad8ame6ex4k52g3km3uerkxr2n7s83lrz0a9v3jgksprpmhxue69uhhyetvv9ujumt0d4hhxarj9ecxjmntrvdh54

Publishing to

relay.momostr.pink

Author Public Key

npub1yny2kcsgzl660mhn4jdtdg53rdhrej8vvx48aq0r7xyl62ery3dq4894f2

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Last Notes

2026-07-30 22:07:20 CEST

Unfiltered Audio is offering a Linux beta of their new, free BattleFX plugin. Freaky, glitchy delays and reverbs with saturation/wave-shaping.
You've got to "buy" a license from their main products page, but it's $0.
https://www.unfilteredaudio.com/blogs/news/one-battle-after-another-week-3
#LinuxAudio #musicProduction

2026-06-19 19:54:41 CEST

I want to encourage my fellow white people, especially those in the US, to practice reparations by giving to the Black folks around you who are seeking mutual aid, crowdfunding for basic survival needs. This is a way that we can observe and celebrate Juneteenth.
It's also Black Music Month, and as I've written before, every white musician owes a debt of gratitude to Black folks for innovating every music genre. You can't appreciate Black culture while neglecting Black people.

2025-12-08 22:27:48 CET

In just a few short years, my circles went from saying, "listen to disabled people!" to essentially excluding me from their events because they don't practice accessibility. Everyone has been so brainwashed into thinking COVID is over.

2025-11-25 05:42:16 CET

I assume many people here know about it, but openverse.org is a great resource for samplists and collage artists. I've used it for my music and album artworks.
#MusicProduction

2025-11-06 00:51:32 CET

Hey folks, I wanna throw in on this #FediHire thing. I'm a freelance musician based in Los Angeles in need of more work. I teach guitar and voice, and I record, mix, and master music for others.
I got hit with a one-two punch of long-COVID and autistic burnout In 2021. I'm a former church musician, and I'm queer (you can imagine how that might have gone). I've been scraping by for a long time.
1/4
#MutualAid

2025-10-23 19:34:06 CEST

Today, what I wish others understood about my chronic illness (which is something like long-COVID/fibromyalgia/MECFS) is this:
The naive hope that there is a miracle cure is often one that is steeped in ableism.
We would not need to place so much burden on the hope for miracle cures if we instead just created a society that simply accommodates disabled people.
I would have a much easier time being chronically ill if society weren't predisposed to sideline me for being ill.

2025-10-22 20:33:59 CEST

The Dutch colonists, after slavery killed off too many Indigenous people on Surinamese plantations, stole African people to enslave. When Suriname abolished slavery, the Dutch "bought" dirt cheap labor from Javanese workers, whom they also colonized.
Capitalism is crumbling and overlords are clamoring for AI because the first world is running out of slaves.
Contrary to popular belief, industrialization has not made living better.

2025-10-18 23:50:32 CEST

For the love of god, everyone stop using AI to make "anti-fascist" memes.

2025-10-16 22:49:08 CEST

You have to tend your creativity everyday, if you can.
Some take that to mean: "Alright, gotta drag myself to clock in at the creativity factory now. Better come up with a masterpiece today, or boss will get on me."
That's capitalism thinking for you.
Tending a plant doesn't mean just one thing: just watering, for example. That's how you kill a houseplant.
In the same way, stop being so hard on yourself as to make creative practice be this one, narrow-minded thing you've taken it to mean.

2025-10-15 22:58:45 CEST

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lol, literally had the same happen the other day on my laptop I hadn't used in a few months.

2025-10-03 20:46:40 CEST

It's my birthday! And #BandcampFriday! And my album release day! Help me celebrate by giving it a listen and a purchase, if you're so inclined.
#TheTowerOfBabelFalls is an #antifascist #folk album that confronts the hypocrisy of christian nationalism. It also chronicles a bit of my coming out. It's a further development of the #folktronica sound I've been playing with, featuring #NewWave, #DreamPop, and #americana influences. I'm so happy to share it with you.
https://arendleejessurun.bandcamp.com/album/the-tower-of-babel-falls

2025-09-21 00:50:55 CEST

I'm worried for the people of north #Gaza. Please consider giving to the individuals and families who need financial help relocating, as they seek refuge from the genocide. The following campaign is managed by @npub1nv8…za59 and @npub1p09…m5vl.
https://gaza-verified.org/emergency/
#FreePalestine #MutualAid #palestine

2025-09-20 23:30:06 CEST

What we mourn, what incenses us, determines our activism.
For all those beginning their boycott of Disney now, welcome. We hope you'll stay and be further emboldened once you find out that Disney has a long history of normalizing racism and today normalizes the occupation of Palestine.

2025-09-19 20:04:01 CEST

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Works in my book, but I think music and culture writers want a way to differentiate it from the electric folk of the 60s/70s.

2025-09-19 20:01:34 CEST

Too bad folktronica is such a silly word.
It's hard enough trying to thoughtfully marry electronics with acoustic guitar, and then music journalists had to go and do that.

2025-09-09 19:41:13 CEST

Wow, I didn't know people still simp for Apple like this. Have you all forgotten that Tim Cook licks Trump's boots? Did you not know Apple uses blood cobalt from Congo? Down with fascist big tech!
#AppleEvent

2025-09-08 22:14:01 CEST

Are you going to just let them normalize white supremacy? Are you not disturbed by how many people they kill and detain in the name of public safety?

2025-09-05 20:15:12 CEST

It's #BandcampFriday, and I want to remind folks that I'm giving away proceeds from this EP to families and individuals in Gaza, thanks to gazafunds.com and now @npub1p09…m5vl's Gaza Verified project. You can name your price, or you can download for free and give some money to someone in Gaza yourself. :) I hope these songs will renew your hope that one day Palestine will be free.
https://arendleejessurun.bandcamp.com/album/two-anti-war-songs
#FreePalestine

2025-09-05 12:07:04 CEST

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Thank you for doing this, Aral.
@npub1a0q…k02t @npub1tqc…gqzq @npub1nv8…za59 @npub1ffp…8sjv @npub1zxn…0kqm

2025-09-05 03:01:47 CEST

Hey folks, so I'm #chronicallyIll and often bed-ridden, and I could use recommendations for good stories that actually matter, for crying out loud. There's so much slop out there, and all the digging hurts my hands. Perhaps this is asking too much in late-stage capitalism, but is there anything out there that doesn't just normalize all the horrors that we have to contend with? Open to whatever medium: #books, #film, #TV, #games, #music, etc. I could use some good art to lift my soul.

2025-08-20 21:19:25 CEST

Tired: calling albums "albums"
Wired: calling albums "records" 🤯 *airhorn.mp3* *airhorn.mp3* *airhorn.mp3* *wow.mp3* *sophisticated pooh bear.jpg* *vine boom sfx.mp3* *everyone liked that.jpg*

2025-08-02 04:51:41 CEST

I understand today is Bandcamp Friday—I had almost forgotten.
I make dreamy political folk songs. :) All purchases of the following record will be donated to families in Gaza via Gaza Funds.
https://arendleejessurun.bandcamp.com/album/two-anti-war-songs
#FreePalestine #folk #ProtestMusic

2025-07-25 03:09:47 CEST

Using "AI" to create memes for resistance is like taking two steps back, one step forward. Such technology comes at a huge cost to our environment as well as the livelihoods of artists and workers. If you "can't draw" but you want to create your own political cartoon to share, draw some shoddy stick figures, and I'm sure people will find your artistic authenticity endearing.

2025-06-24 21:59:36 CEST

If you're making music that can even obliquely be considered "protest music," I'd love to help you get it out there by mixing and mastering for cheap (or even free, depending on your financial circumstances).
Art made by conscientious people is very good for the world.
I've already mixed and mastered one protest song from a mutual here on fedi. :) Allow me to help, if you need. Send me a DM or find my email from my website.
#MusicProduction #MutualAid #songwriting #music

2025-06-18 19:11:20 CEST

Anarcho-egoism is an oxymoron.
The egoist cannot be an anarchist because anarchy is the dismantling of all hierarchies. Meanwhile, the egoist is too preoccupied with self-interest to do much good for collective liberation. Ego is the enemy of solidarity.
#philosophy #anarchism #spirituality

2025-06-12 22:56:25 CEST

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Would love to boost this with better alt text.

2025-06-11 21:21:50 CEST

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Congrats! :)

2025-05-31 03:14:49 CEST

Yesterday was sweet.
I picked out a cute outfit.
I went with my partner to her work dinner.
We listened to some kaseko on the drive.
I got to see her beautiful school campus.
I met some cool people.
#3GoodThings

2025-05-29 03:37:31 CEST

This song by @npub1deh…p4la has been on repeat for me. The whole record has a lovely nostalgia for me as a twee pop enjoyer. Thanks for the lovely reminder of such tones.
https://bgmmusic.bandcamp.com/track/they-dont-run-your-life
#NowPlaying #indie

2025-05-22 22:44:28 CEST

Perhaps we can break #hauntology by becoming nostalgic about the present.
#philosophy #spirituality

2025-05-09 22:47:36 CEST

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Ah I see! I hear that, its a deep subject to hodge-podge personal knowledge together. Is there a particular part in the workflow of recording, mixing, or mastering that you're concerned you might have a knowledge gap or something?

2025-05-09 19:57:50 CEST

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Like the process of recording and production? That's a cool idea.

2025-05-09 19:56:03 CEST

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I've also been wanting to make some educational/inspirational videos for musicians and creatives. I know a number of y'all here are DIY musicians. Is there anything re: music production that you're wanting to learn more about?

2025-05-09 19:53:50 CEST

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Now that I've been managing a little better with my chronic illness, and now that Jess and I are finished wedding planning, I've got more time and energy, and I'm a bit antsy to do more of the work I love! Seeking new students and music production clients. :)

2025-05-09 19:52:32 CEST

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I wrote this piece mostly for mixing/mastering clients who ask about loudness, but I hope it will be insightful to you too!
https://arendleejessurun.com/the-problem-of-loudness/

2025-05-09 19:51:21 CEST

New newsletter! In this one: the problem of loudness, accepting new students and recording artists, and fielding requests for educational videos.
https://arendleejessurun.com/newsletter/

2025-05-06 20:27:50 CEST

It's Luigi's birthday today, and this is Merriam-Webster's word of the day lol.
https://s3.us-east-005.backblazeb2.com/musicianstoday/media_attachments/files/114/462/294/487/366/217/original/cc9e15d395caebc0.jpg

2025-04-11 00:55:11 CEST

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If you don't know, this just reads as a delightfully ND synesthete moment. <3

2025-03-08 04:19:18 CET

My biggest #transJoy / #queerJoy of the week has been marrying my love, @npub1yyw…vqsl. Not only that, but we managed to pull off such a large event and convince others to wear a mask to make it COVID-safer for us and everyone.
#CovidIsNotOver #disabilityPride
https://s3.us-east-005.backblazeb2.com/musicianstoday/media_attachments/files/114/124/622/202/416/354/original/a7908e6378d497c2.jpg

2025-03-07 23:17:35 CET

"The white fathers told us, I think therefore I am; and the black mothers in each of us—the poet—whispers in our dreams, I feel therefore I can be free." —Audre Lorde
#womanism #BlackHistory #liberation #antifa #philosophy

2025-03-07 21:42:28 CET

"The woman's place of power within each of us is neither white nor surface; it is dark, it is ancient, and it is deep." —Audre Lorde
#womanism #philosophy

2025-03-07 21:34:17 CET

Autotheory is cool because it "speaks from the I." Because of that, it's a bit less prescriptive than theory tends to be under certain writers. It's honest about the fact that one is theorizing based on their own experience.
#philosophy #theory

2025-02-16 22:04:38 CET

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Norm McDonald as Burt Reynolds: "Yeah I'll uhh take fortunes of tit for 200."
Will Ferrell as Alex Trebek: "That would be Fortunesoft IT..."
Darrell Hammond as Sean Connery: "Well that's not the only thing that's soft now."
WF as AT: "Gentlemen, please!"

2025-02-14 21:30:45 CET

Hey there.
You, dear reader, are likely having a hard time lately.
Everything is not okay, but some of it is, and that's okay.
38 days since the LA fires, a hummingbird who came to visit the porch, asking for flowers again.
The cat made a mess of the room, and the mess made me laugh instead of groan.
And I'll bet most of the time, there must be at least a pinch of happiness in your heart, even in sorrow.
#3GoodThings #transJoy #JoyIsResistance #BreadAndRoses #wholesomepost

2025-02-14 20:20:54 CET

Wisdom does not come with age. It comes with thoughtful recollection and careful reflection.
#spirituality #philosophy

2025-02-12 23:03:01 CET

Does anyone have any good album recommendations on the topic of family dysfunction? I'm really going through it with my folks right now and could use a soundtrack for my feels. 🥲 Also open to other media, like movies, games, etc.
Please give this a boost or point me to a good hashtag, if you would.
#music

2025-01-29 22:02:17 CET

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Too bad the "adults" in question are hurling the label SJW at people willy-nilly, just like they have done for "woke" or "communist."
I remember seeing when SJW became a pejorative on Tumblr, used against those who advocated for queer rights or racial justice, and for a time it did its job scaring me into silence. I could say, "First they came for the SJWs, and I said nothing."

2025-01-29 21:23:16 CET

#anticapitalism requires a change of heart from us all. Let #degrowth be like a return to the simple, ascetic practices of our various spiritual traditions. To #eattherich is to realize the self-destruction of greed. When you eat the rich man in your own heart, you may find we have quite enough. This is where true satisfaction is found. And when this fruit is borne out in our lives, the revolution has been won.
#spirituality #politics #anarchism

2025-01-29 20:14:48 CET

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This is just example of conservative fears. The term SJW was always rooted in juvenoia. That juvenoia has grown as the teens have become adults.

2025-01-24 22:19:03 CET

Stop trying so hard to use your voice. Let your voice use you.
#spirituality #politics #philosophy

2025-01-21 01:24:44 CET

@[email protected] You and I know what you meant with your clever comment. Cope. And while you're at it, gain some emotional intelligence.

2025-01-20 22:39:22 CET

Wishing all anti-racists a very righteously indignant MLK Jr. Day.
Long live his vision of Black liberation from white supremacy.
#antiracism #mlk #mlkday #antifascism

2025-01-18 22:05:10 CET

It's one thing to say the quiet part out loud. It's another to say the loud part quietly. Each of these are the pastime of quite lousy leaders.
#politics #spirituality #philosophy #anarchism

2025-01-15 19:56:59 CET

I could use a pinned #introduction post.
I'm Arend!
I use the words #nonbinary, #trans, and #genderqueer more or less interchangeably to describe myself.
I'm #actuallyautistic (IYKYK we mean "actually" as in self-identifying).
I'm a professional #musician disabled by #longcovid / #fibromyalgia.
I'm still some kinda universalist #christian despite abusers' and homophobes' best efforts.
My politics most closely align with #anarchism. I'm for a #freepalestine, #landback, and #decolonization.

2025-01-14 05:17:27 CET

The present is about integrating the past and the future, tradition and progress.
#philosophy #spirituality

2025-01-05 19:35:32 CET

Once any thought becomes dogmatic, it has long ceased to be revolutionary; it's just establishment now.
#anarchism #philosophy #spirituality

2025-01-03 21:09:36 CET

In a world where you can be any man, be like a #trans man.
#philosophy #spirituality

2024-12-28 06:57:27 CET

The genius of a text is not in its writing, but its reading.
#philosophy #spirituality

2024-12-10 22:30:45 CET

What is the art of recording? It is the art behind recording. The art of recording is recording art: becoming the observer.
#art #philosophy #recording #MusicProduction #fieldrecording

2024-12-09 23:53:50 CET

The people are more "civilized" than the civilization, or rather, the state. Tolstoy says, "as the habits of the people became more civilized, and as power grew more demoralized through lack of restraint," then now has the justification for the state become more illegitimate.
#politics #anarchism #philosophy

2024-12-09 23:52:34 CET

"The #artist is no other than he who unlearns what he has learned, in order to know himself." —E.E. Cummings
#creativetoots #philosophy #art

2024-11-17 04:33:34 CET

Loving @npub1nuu…gjr3's detailed info on making a Faircamp (which is like Bandcamp but possibly better? Still investigating myself). https://meljoann.com/posts/faircamp/