The Poison Pie Publishing House presents:

October 1, 2026
The band entered borderlands between Molossia and Thesprotia, though the mountains made no effort to acknowledge either tribe. Foreigners named this land Epirus, a term that neither man nor mountain here chose to recognize. Exekias, who kept their calendar, belatedly alerted his bandmates to the passing of the solstice several days earlier. They had celebrated with no wine or feasting. Like wild animals, their observance of time was both attentive to the moment and neglectful of high days. "Easy to miss when you're on perpetual holiday," said Papa.

written while listening to:  Marco Parente - La Riproduzione Dei Fiori (Woland, W01, 2011, Italy, cd, discogs.com)

October 2, 2026
Upon an exposed ridge the trail split, one path leading down the slope toward the coast on their left, the other meandering further into the jagged peaks to the east. Papa gathered the band around him. "The peoples of these lands are given to prophecy," he said, "We would do well to get their blessing as we proceed." These words seemed strange to Andromache for she had not thought of Papa Krokodeilos as one who surrendered his fate to the whim of the gods. Everyone else could read in his voice a profound ambivalence.

written while listening to:  Guillaume Gargaud & Jukka Kääriäinen - Radial (Plus Timbre, PT138, 2022, Greece, cd, discogs.com)

October 3, 2026
Papa explained that they approached two sites renowned for prophecy. In the territory of the Thesprotians, a temple of stone and iron stood on the bank of the Acheron river, not three miles inland from the Ionian sea. Named the Necromanteion, this "Oracle of the Dead" granted passage through the gates of Hades. If the rites were carried out as prescribed and the sacrifice deemed worthy, pilgrims could speak to the dead. Orpheus had descended to the underworld at such a site in his attempt to lure his wife back to life with the music of his lyre.

written while listening to:  Raed Yassin - Phantom Orchestra, Sides A & B (Morphine Records, DOSER046LP, 2025, Germany, lpx2, discogs.com)

October 4, 2026
The other soothsaying site lay in the mountainous territory of the Molossians near the remote village of Dodona. It was said to be a secluded shrine of wood and wind, no less powerful a source of divination and, in fact, far more ancient than the Necromanteion of Acheron. The Oracle of Dodona appealed to the band because of its connection to the Earth rather than Hades. However, Papa steered them toward the coast for there he expected a better chance to replenish supplies at the adjacent town, which traded with sea-faring folk.

written while listening to:  Derek Bailey, Tony Bevan, T.H.F. Drenching, Sonic Pleasure & Alex Ward - Limescale (Incus Records, CD56, 2003, United Kingdom, cd, discogs.com)

October 5, 2026
The donkeys did not resent the gentle decline in elevation as the band made their way westward. The path was not well traveled and rocks littered the dirt trail. The wooden cart creaked as it wobbled along but the repairs that had been made in Sparta were solidly done. No one feared for Grandpa Dumpling's safety atop the rig. So they were delivered after a long day to the town of the Ephyra, which stood atop two hills on the far bank of the Cocytus River. Half a mile south, they spied the looming Necromanteion at the juncture with the Acheron.

written while listening to:  Keiji Haino & The Observatory - Authority Is Alive (Ujikaji Records, UJI-017LP, 2020, Singapore, ep, discogs.com)

October 6, 2026
The Cocytus was too deep to ford. Arriving late, the band camped beside the road. Thion and Ion shared a dislike of water and, once unhitched, proceeded to the bank only to drink. Sounds of the hubbub from night market vendors and carousers drifted across the water. The landowner of an estate that grew wheat and barley sent a farmhand to investigate the campfire at his fence. Papa's crocodilian complexion frightened the worker but his peaceful words assured him that they were but traveling musicians who would enter town on the morrow.

written while listening to:  Joëlle Léandre & Rémy Bélanger de Beauport - Jeux de mains (Tour De Bras, TDB900014LP, 2026, Canada, lp, discogs.com)

October 7, 2026
Late at night, Andromache woke to the deep cry of Megaera calling for help. The terror in the giantess' voice chilled her blood. She heard Mama Chloë instantly reply. In moments both Mama and Papa were on their feet. A great deal of rustling reached Andromache's ears. She dressed to leave the tent when Grandpa bade her wait. "Exekias is having a fit," he explained. While the poor health of Megaera's husband had always been clear, no one had ever mentioned seizures. "There's nothing you can do to help," he whispered, "Come, lie back down."

written while listening to:  Isabelle Duthoit & Franz Hautzinger - Dans le Morvan (Relative Pitch Records, RPR1182, 2024, United States, cd, discogs.com)

October 8, 2026
Of course, Andromache could not simply ignore the plight of her companion yet, when she emerged from the tent, she found Triballos and Hektor standing idly by. Mama had crawled into the tent with Megaera and Exekias. Groans and sounds of thrashing escaped from inside. Papa had already collected her bag of herbs, a bowl of water and a towel. He stood just outside, waiting for his wife to request an item. Andromache called out, "How can I help?" The dwarf answered for Papa, "Stay back, Synder. Let them tend to him and it'll pass. It always does."

written while listening to:  Evan Parker, Barry Guy & Paul Lytton - Concert In Vilnius (NoBusiness Records, NBCD 123, 2019, Lithuania, cd, discogs.com)

October 9, 2026
The fit lasted several minutes, a veritable eternity for all within earshot of the agonized groans. Andromache and Hektor found a way to be useful, re-kindling the fire to warm water. Mama passed a bloody rag out to Papa, who handed it to Andromache. Seeing the anxiety on her face, he said, "He bit his lip, nothing more." She took the rag to the Cocytus and wrung it clean. In the morning, a somber mood hung over the band. Exekias did not emerge from the tent. "Eat," Papa ordered the band as Mama prepared breakfast. "We pay a visit to Ephyra today."

written while listening to:  Tomeka Reid, Kyoko Kitamura, Taylor Ho Bynum & Joe Morris - Geometry of Phenomena (Relative Pitch Records, RPR1200, 2024, United States, cd, discogs.com)

October 10, 2026
Flat-bottomed punts transported people and goods across the Cocytus and Acheron. None could accommodate the donkeys or wagon. Past the confluence of the two rivers the land gave way to a wide and shallow marsh. Larger versions of these ferries carried pilgrims up from the coast to the Necromanteion. The ferrymen and their long poles naturally conjured images of Charon poling the dead to the underworld. Papa concluded that it was too much trouble to bring the donkeys. "Besides," Mama added, "Exekias needs bed rest today."

written while listening to:  Todd Neufeld - Mu'U (Ruweh Records, 005, 2017, United States, cd, discogs.com)

October 11, 2026
While it was natural to assume that Megaera would remain behind, tending to her husband, this was not how things turned out. "Megaera's presence as we walk through town attracts welcome attention," Papa explained, "and her songs are invariably the crowd favorites. We need her with us, if we're to make the most of our visit here." As if on cue, Mama Chloë chimed in, "Why not leave Synder with Exekias? I've shown her how to brew the herbal broth. He'll be in good hands." Thus was the flutist's relative importance in the band made clear.

written while listening to:  Agustí Fernández - Aesthetic of Prisms, disc 6 (Fundacja Słuchaj!, FSR30/2024, 2024, Poland, cdx7, discogs.com)

October 12, 2026
After she had watched the six cross the Cocytus and climb the hill to Ephyra, Andromache entered the tent with Exekias. He lay on his back with a folded blanket under his head. She judged his complexion no more wan than usual. He was awake and glanced over at her. "You are to be my nursemaid," he said to dispel the awkward silence. "I'll do my best," she promised, keeping her tone upbeat in an attempt to convince them both how amenable she was to being left behind. She hid from Exekias her prayer that no fit recurred while Mama was gone.

written while listening to:  Avey Tare - Eucalyptus (Domino, WIGCD393, 2017, United Kingdom, cd, discogs.com)

October 13, 2026
Andromache sat beside Exekias for most of the morning. He had few needs other than time for recuperation. In his spasms he had pulled a muscle in his neck, which ached when he moved. He lay still until his back grew stiff and he was forced to shift. She offered to knead the muscle but he declined. After a long bout of silence, he asked, "What are you thinking, Synder?" In fact, Andromache had been trying to come to terms with the band taking Megaera and leaving her. She was embarrassed to admit it but was inclined, when asked, to tell the truth.

written while listening to:  David S. Ware Quartet - Surrendered (Columbia, CK 63816, 2000, United States, cd, discogs.com)

October 14, 2026
Once Andromache confessed that she felt hurt at being left behind, Exekias laughed then groaned for the response tweaked his sore neck. "Welcome to my world," he said more carefully, "I'm married to the star of the band and I shall never be her equal in glamour or allure." His words elicited a bashful smile from his nursemaid. "Ultimately, it's my good fortune, since her voice and cymbals invite a rhythm from my tympanon. I've done nothing to deserve her but reciprocate her love. Happily for me, to be loved is all that my diva desires in return."

written while listening to:  Mike Khoury - For Hind Rajab (Relative Pitch Records, RPRSS052, 2026, United States, cd, discogs.com)

October 15, 2026
His words comforted Andromache and served to facilitate her making peace with the supporting role of her flute in the band. In retrospect, this perspective seemed obvious to her and her initial reaction strange. Yet, it takes time for all of us, not just young people, to process our feelings. She thanked Exekias for his counsel. In the afternoon, the same estate worker who had visited them the night before came again to inspect the camp. Andromache explained that the band had left for Ephyra. She remained with one of their number who had taken ill.

written while listening to:  Corey Wilkes & Abstrakt Pulse - Cries from tha Ghetto (Pi Recordings, PI29, 2009, United States, cd, discogs.com)

October 16, 2026
As dusk fell, Andromache heard the faint strains of music emanating from the town across the river. She opened the tent flap so Exekias too could hear. Listening to the band from afar made her wish she was on stage with them. Turning to Exekias, she found the same longing in his eyes. She retrieved her flute and very softly played along. The band returned late, having convinced a ferryman to make the trip in the dark. Megaera sped directly to check on her husband. Once assured of his well-being, she wrapped Andromache in a grateful, smothering embrace.

written while listening to:  Jeff Gburek - Eyeless: Microtonal Mandolin (Ramble Records, no catalog #, 2024, Australia, digital files, discogs.com)

October 17, 2026
They had finished their shopping during the afternoon in Ephyra and Papa had arranged for their purchases to be delivered by punt early the next day. Shortly after dawn, the ferryman waited while the goods were moved from boat to cart. Papa then announced their interview at the Necromanteion. Six of them climbed into the ferry, this time leaving Megaera to tend to her husband. Andromache rode with the rest of the band through morning fog to the far shore. They followed the river half a mile on foot to a lone structure on a hill rising above the mist.

written while listening to:  Charles Ives - Songs (Nonesuch, 9 71325-2, 1988 (orig. 1976), United States, cd, discogs.com)

October 18, 2026
Several small groups of people milled about the perimeter of the hill upon which the stone temple sat. To Andromache, they looked much like her own party, minus a dwarf and a crocodile. In other words, they possessed the look of those facing some riddle best answered by the dead. To be honest, she was not precisely sure what question Papa would pose, but she supposed it had to do with finding the safest route to Massalia. Attendants serving the priests of the Necromanteion were stationed outside to process pilgrims and collect donations.

written while listening to:  PainKiller - Samsara (Tzadik, TZ 9316, 2024, United States, cd, discogs.com)

October 19, 2026
There was present a married couple, who had sent their son off to war many years earlier and could not bear living any longer without knowledge of his fate. If he had perished, they sought confirmation of his death and desired to bid him farewell a final time. Having spent two days fasting and making offerings of milk and honey, attendants now brought husband and wife a ritual breakfast and plied them with a narcotic wine conducive to passage to the underworld. Since only one could enter, the man stayed behind as an acolyte escorted his wife away.

written while listening to:  Hank Mobley Quintet featuring Sonny Clark - untitled (Blue Note, BNJ 61006, 1984 (rec. 1957), Japan, lp, discogs.com)

October 20, 2026
An iron gate barred the entrance to the interior of the temple. The mouth of the opening was lined with stone darkened by votive smoke. From her vantage at the base of the hill, Andromache watched the woman enter, her form disappearing as she descended stairs into the earth. Soon, a middle-aged acolyte approached Papa, seeking names, origin and trade. Of their particular query, no question was asked. The attendant relayed these details to an old man, seated beside the path leading up to the gate. He listened with eyes closed.

written while listening to:  Various Artists - meme (meme, meme000CD, 1998, Japan, cd, discogs.com)

October 21, 2026
The old man rose to his feet. He was garbed in black robes, a priest of Chthonic rites. A staff was handed to him and, with all eyes on him, he slowly crossed the short distance to the band. To Papa Krokodeilos he spoke in a somber tone, "You are those who performed in town last night." Papa nodded. The priest continued, "There are eight in your party yet only six are present. Where are the others?" Papa explained that one companion was ill and remained at their camp, tended to by his wife. "What is the nature of his malady?" inquired the priest.

written while listening to:  Joe Morris - solos bimhuis (Relative Pitch Records, RPR1029, 2015, United States, cd, discogs.com)

October 22, 2026
Papa revealed to the priest that Exekias suffered from epilepsy, drawing only a grunt, as if this news was common knowledge. "Epilepsy is a holy disease, a visitation by the divine, which overwhelms the body of the host," said the priest. "It is an affliction to be addressed not by physicians but holy men. Why did you not bring him?" Papa attempted to explain that they had a different purpose in coming to the Necromanteion and that their companion's fit was only an unhappy coincidence. His choice of words disturbed the black-robed priest.

written while listening to:  Eleonora Kampe - In Anticipation Vol. 3 (self-released, no catalog #, 2024, Estonia, digital files, discogs.com)

October 23, 2026
"Unhappy coincidence!" the old man abruptly cried in a high, shrill voice, surprising everyone within earshot, save the acolyte at his elbow. "I could say the same of your presence here." He continued in a stern tone, "To dismiss the intervention of the gods is the height of mortal hubris." He glared at Papa then each member of the band, settling his gaze last upon Andromache. "You are not to be granted admission to the sacred hall of the Necromanteion. Be gone!" Before any objection could be raised, he turned and paced back to his seat beside the gate.

written while listening to:  Thelonious Monk Quartet with John Coltrane - At Carnegie Hall (Blue Note/Thelonious Records, 0946 3 35173 2 5, 2005 (rec. 1957), United States, cd, discogs.com)

October 24, 2026
The finality of the declaration was abundantly evident; no attempt at negotiation was made. All present silently watched the band turn and retrace their steps along the bank of the Cocytus. Once again outside Ephyra, the same ferryman yet waited on the bank. "Back so soon?" he said, "Wouldn't see you? It happens." Perhaps his words were intended to soothe their mixture of disappointment, anger and chagrin. He poled them across the river. At camp, they did not share the reason that they had been turned away. "The gods are fickle," is all Papa said.

written while listening to:  John Butcher, Florian Stoffner & Chris Corsano - The Glass Changes Shape (Relative Pitch Records, RPR1207, 2024, United States, cd, discogs.com)

October 25, 2026
Exekias insisted that he was well enough to walk but, after the episode at the temple, tempers were short. Papa ordered him into the cart. Exekias exchanged glances with his wife then obediently climbed aboard. They could only guess the cause of Papa's uncharacteristic ire. Megaera lifted Grandpa Dumpling. "You feel lighter every time I pick you up," she said, "Mama, we've got to feed Grandpa bigger portions or he'll soon float away." She carried him an hour. Once the open road calmed their nerves, she put Grandpa in the cart and Exekias walked.

written while listening to:  Maynard Ferguson - Dues (Mainstream Records, MRL 359, 1972 (orig. 1964), United States, lp, discogs.com)

October 26, 2026
They had achieved their practical purpose in coming to Ephyra, namely the restocking of provisions. Nevertheless, no one declared the visit a success. Their abrupt and seemingly capricious dismissal by the priest had gotten under Papa's skin and continued to resurface, roiling his thoughts. They retraced the path along the road rising as it led them inland toward the mountains. The sun was setting behind them by the time they reached the juncture where they had first chosen to seek out the wisdom of the Necromanteion over that of the Oracle at Dodona.

written while listening to:  Neil Young - Dead Man, sides C & D (Vapor Records, 9 46171-1, 1996, United States, lpx2, discogs.com)

October 27, 2026
At the crossroad, the eight sat around the campfire. The evening was pleasantly cool and the air clean with the ambiguous but pervasive aroma of oak, poplar and sycamore. "Freedom," Papa reminded his companions. By this he meant escape not only from the constraints of unjust governments but also from the arbitrary judgment of clergymen and perhaps even relief from the meddling of the gods. The unspoken question before them was whether to attempt a visit to the Oracle at Dodona or to continue their journey into the wilds without guidance.

written while listening to:  Anthony Braxton - News from the 70s (Felmay/New Tone Records, fy 7005/21750 7005 2, 1999 (rec. 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974 & 1976), Italy, cd, discogs.com)

October 28, 2026
A nightjar, spending the summer in the lower elevations of the Pindus mountains, emerged to hunt at dusk. It perched on a low branch, a silhouette outlined by darkening blue sky, its eye a circular reflection of their fire. As is typical of its kind, this nightjar belted its call at a volume that none could ignore. The rapid rattling of its song alternated between high and low pitches. The band listened without interruption until a passing fly caught the bird's attention. It leapt into flight in hot pursuit, bringing the performance to a close.

written while listening to:  The Tony Williams Lifetime - Emergency!, sides A & B (Polydor, 25-3001, 1969, United States, lpx2, discogs.com)

October 29, 2026
"I am not much for augury," said Triballos to his companions, "but I read in the flight of the nightjar a clear instruction." He called for everyone to claim their instrument. Seated around the campfire, he led them in a concert in which they played the roles of both performer and audience. Having been subject to more than his fair share of exclusion, the dwarf understood that music was an effective palliative in soothing the sting of the outcast. In song the band reminded themselves that they had everything they needed right here.

written while listening to:  David Sylvian - Died in the Wool, disc 2: When We Return You Won't Recognise Us (samadhisound, sound cd ss021, 2011, United Kingdom, cdx2, discogs.com)

October 30, 2026
Prophecies granted by the Oracle at Dodona were issued in a quite different manner and environment than those at the Necromanteion, though still orchestrated by clergy. It was generally understood that a priestess entered a grove of oak, or beech by some accounts, and listened to the rustling of the wind through the leaves. It was also rumored that bronze wind chimes hung from the branches and added clinks and tings to the prophecy. The notion of finding meaning in the sounds of a wild setting naturally appealed to a band of musicians.

written while listening to:  Jerry Goldsmith - Alien Complete Original Motion Picture Soundtrack, disc 1 (Intrada/Universal Music, MAF 7102/B0010185-02, 2007 (orig. 1979), United States, cdx2, discogs.com)

October 31, 2026
Because there was a spite in Papa Krokodeilos that he had neither planted nor nurtured, he resolved to eschew further divination. He made no grand announcement of his decision. Rather, in the morning the band folded up the tents and loaded the cart ignorant of the day's route. When Papa took the first step down the northern road, Mama Chloë fell in beside him. Hektor motioned for Thon and Ion to get moving and they readily obliged. Given the nature of her past experience with the will of the gods, Andromache found no fault with the choice.

written while listening to:  Henryk Górecki - Beatus Vir • Old Polish Music • Totus Tuus (Argo, 436 835-2, 1993, United States, cd, discogs.com)