Alex McLean
@slab.org
Researcher + musician based in Sheffield UK https://slab.org/
Co founder of algorave, toplap, algomech, pattern club, strudel, tidalcycles
Part of Then Try This https://thentrythis.org/
Exploring algorithmic patterns https://algorithmicpattern.org/
Co founder of algorave, toplap, algomech, pattern club, strudel, tidalcycles
Part of Then Try This https://thentrythis.org/
Exploring algorithmic patterns https://algorithmicpattern.org/
Pinned
Alex McLean
@slab.org
· Aug 24
Hello! I'm Alex. You can mainly find me over on post.lurk.org/@yaxu
Diving into final rehearsals for this gig in Sheffield this Saturday with the incredible percussionists B C Manjunath and Matt Davies
musicintheround.co.uk/events/sound...
Come over if you're nearby !
musicintheround.co.uk/events/sound...
Come over if you're nearby !
SOUNDS OF NOW: KONNAKOL, DRUM KIT & CODE
SOUNDS OF NOW: KONNAKOL, DRUM KIT & CODE - Music in the Round %
musicintheround.co.uk
November 5, 2025 at 9:56 AM
Diving into final rehearsals for this gig in Sheffield this Saturday with the incredible percussionists B C Manjunath and Matt Davies
musicintheround.co.uk/events/sound...
Come over if you're nearby !
musicintheround.co.uk/events/sound...
Come over if you're nearby !
A bit annoying that free/open source communities are almost all hosted by a closed source platform owned by microsoft AI who use it to IP-wash all those projects by training LLMs.. While also supporting genocide etc. An awful situation that we need to move away from ASAP. [1/2]
October 23, 2025 at 9:52 AM
A bit annoying that free/open source communities are almost all hosted by a closed source platform owned by microsoft AI who use it to IP-wash all those projects by training LLMs.. While also supporting genocide etc. An awful situation that we need to move away from ASAP. [1/2]
Reposted by Alex McLean
"Have you ever watched a very tired person typing" - now in stereo https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MZmuSekEoko
October 7, 2025 at 6:11 PM
"Have you ever watched a very tired person typing" - now in stereo https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MZmuSekEoko
Reposted by Alex McLean
How to imagine computation without the malicious tech of our imperial way of life? I talked about this at a hybrid keynote for ALPACA2025 on „Endosymbiotic Computation“. I am definitely out of practice to talk freely in EN ;-) youtu.be/eRhgtwtkYv8?... thanks @slab.org @federicovisi.bsky.social
Endosymbiotic Computation: Unlearning Alpaca, and Why Dissipation Is Key - Shintaro Miyazaki
YouTube video by Algorithmic Pattern
youtu.be
October 4, 2025 at 7:02 AM
How to imagine computation without the malicious tech of our imperial way of life? I talked about this at a hybrid keynote for ALPACA2025 on „Endosymbiotic Computation“. I am definitely out of practice to talk freely in EN ;-) youtu.be/eRhgtwtkYv8?... thanks @slab.org @federicovisi.bsky.social
Reposted by Alex McLean
Honored to be prominently discussed in this #esolang podcast which raises some of the most critical questions in the space and covers a LOT of material in its nearly two hours
September 29, 2025 at 12:33 PM
Honored to be prominently discussed in this #esolang podcast which raises some of the most critical questions in the space and covers a LOT of material in its nearly two hours
Reposted by Alex McLean
nice #livecoding #algorave documentary from Arté
- ie live music and visuals coding performances
also featuring @slab.org here :)
in German
www.arte.tv/de/videos/12...
in French
www.arte.tv/fr/videos/12...
- ie live music and visuals coding performances
also featuring @slab.org here :)
in German
www.arte.tv/de/videos/12...
in French
www.arte.tv/fr/videos/12...
Tracks - Algorave - Komplette Sendung | ARTE
Sie bestimmen, was ihr auf Social Media zu sehen bekommt, mit wem ihr das nächste Date habt oder auch die Marke eures zukünftigen Turnschuhs… Schwer vorstellbar also, dass Algorithmen aus dem techno-k...
www.arte.tv
September 7, 2025 at 7:48 AM
nice #livecoding #algorave documentary from Arté
- ie live music and visuals coding performances
also featuring @slab.org here :)
in German
www.arte.tv/de/videos/12...
in French
www.arte.tv/fr/videos/12...
- ie live music and visuals coding performances
also featuring @slab.org here :)
in German
www.arte.tv/de/videos/12...
in French
www.arte.tv/fr/videos/12...
Reposted by Alex McLean
Just a few days until Alpaca Festival Sheffield !
Three busy days of music, talks and workshops in this new festival exploring algorithmic patterns in the creative arts.
Limited capacity with workshops selling out fast, and concerts+'rave not too far behind.. 2025.algorithmicpattern.org/sheffield/
Three busy days of music, talks and workshops in this new festival exploring algorithmic patterns in the creative arts.
Limited capacity with workshops selling out fast, and concerts+'rave not too far behind.. 2025.algorithmicpattern.org/sheffield/
September 6, 2025 at 10:45 AM
Just a few days until Alpaca Festival Sheffield !
Three busy days of music, talks and workshops in this new festival exploring algorithmic patterns in the creative arts.
Limited capacity with workshops selling out fast, and concerts+'rave not too far behind.. 2025.algorithmicpattern.org/sheffield/
Three busy days of music, talks and workshops in this new festival exploring algorithmic patterns in the creative arts.
Limited capacity with workshops selling out fast, and concerts+'rave not too far behind.. 2025.algorithmicpattern.org/sheffield/
Reposted by Alex McLean
can't wait for this, pattern-based music being my favourite thing.. + nervous excitement: i'm going to try a 'from scratch' kind of set using benny...
Less than two weeks to go until Alpaca festival Sheffield + we just added @jamesholden.bsky.social to the club night full of pattern-based music on the 13th Sept.
It's going to be a special one and if you are nearby I think you should definitely join us.
2025.algorithmicpattern.org/sheffield/
It's going to be a special one and if you are nearby I think you should definitely join us.
2025.algorithmicpattern.org/sheffield/
September 3, 2025 at 10:26 AM
can't wait for this, pattern-based music being my favourite thing.. + nervous excitement: i'm going to try a 'from scratch' kind of set using benny...
Reposted by Alex McLean
Less than two weeks to go until Alpaca festival Sheffield + we just added @jamesholden.bsky.social to the club night full of pattern-based music on the 13th Sept.
It's going to be a special one and if you are nearby I think you should definitely join us.
2025.algorithmicpattern.org/sheffield/
It's going to be a special one and if you are nearby I think you should definitely join us.
2025.algorithmicpattern.org/sheffield/
August 30, 2025 at 2:58 PM
Less than two weeks to go until Alpaca festival Sheffield + we just added @jamesholden.bsky.social to the club night full of pattern-based music on the 13th Sept.
It's going to be a special one and if you are nearby I think you should definitely join us.
2025.algorithmicpattern.org/sheffield/
It's going to be a special one and if you are nearby I think you should definitely join us.
2025.algorithmicpattern.org/sheffield/
Reposted by Alex McLean
This is some of the hardest shit I've seen in my life
August 28, 2025 at 6:42 AM
This is some of the hardest shit I've seen in my life
Less than two weeks to go until Alpaca festival Sheffield + we just added @jamesholden.bsky.social to the club night full of pattern-based music on the 13th Sept.
It's going to be a special one and if you are nearby I think you should definitely join us.
2025.algorithmicpattern.org/sheffield/
It's going to be a special one and if you are nearby I think you should definitely join us.
2025.algorithmicpattern.org/sheffield/
August 30, 2025 at 2:58 PM
Less than two weeks to go until Alpaca festival Sheffield + we just added @jamesholden.bsky.social to the club night full of pattern-based music on the 13th Sept.
It's going to be a special one and if you are nearby I think you should definitely join us.
2025.algorithmicpattern.org/sheffield/
It's going to be a special one and if you are nearby I think you should definitely join us.
2025.algorithmicpattern.org/sheffield/
Reposted by Alex McLean
enjoyed this month's pattern club radio - some amazing music & an interesting (hopeful, inspiring) discussion of human-centered algorithms
www.mixcloud.com/Resonance/pc...
www.mixcloud.com/Resonance/pc...
Pattern Club Radio - 27 July 2025
Sheffield's Pattern Club presents a monthly selection of pattern-based music alongside discussions and interviews with artists working across heritage and algorithmic arts. For more information visit ...
www.mixcloud.com
July 30, 2025 at 8:14 AM
enjoyed this month's pattern club radio - some amazing music & an interesting (hopeful, inspiring) discussion of human-centered algorithms
www.mixcloud.com/Resonance/pc...
www.mixcloud.com/Resonance/pc...
Reposted by Alex McLean
We recorded our @patternclubsheffield radio show not realising that resonance FM is on a summer break. So we uploaded it here please have a listen! https://www.mixcloud.com/patternclub/pattern-club-radio-24-august-2025/
Mixcloud
www.mixcloud.com
August 22, 2025 at 7:06 PM
We recorded our @patternclubsheffield radio show not realising that resonance FM is on a summer break. So we uploaded it here please have a listen! https://www.mixcloud.com/patternclub/pattern-club-radio-24-august-2025/
Alpaca festival on algorithmic patterns is coming up 12-20 Sept, starting with a huge diversity of top notch pattern-based music + crafts in Sheffield, plus dozens of online talks with watch parties in Barcelona, Berlin, Linz + Sheffield. Full info +tickets: 2025.algorithmicpattern.org
Alpaca 2025 – Algorithmic Patterns in the Creative Arts
2025.algorithmicpattern.org
August 21, 2025 at 12:36 PM
Alpaca festival on algorithmic patterns is coming up 12-20 Sept, starting with a huge diversity of top notch pattern-based music + crafts in Sheffield, plus dozens of online talks with watch parties in Barcelona, Berlin, Linz + Sheffield. Full info +tickets: 2025.algorithmicpattern.org
Reposted by Alex McLean
We're excited to be hosting Alpaca conference from 12-20th September 2025, with a huge range of talks, workshops and performances exploring algorithmic patterns in the creative arts.
Algorithms aren't just about computers, they're also used to make […]
[Original post on social.thentrythis.org]
Algorithms aren't just about computers, they're also used to make […]
[Original post on social.thentrythis.org]
August 12, 2025 at 10:37 AM
We're excited to be hosting Alpaca conference from 12-20th September 2025, with a huge range of talks, workshops and performances exploring algorithmic patterns in the creative arts.
Algorithms aren't just about computers, they're also used to make […]
[Original post on social.thentrythis.org]
Algorithms aren't just about computers, they're also used to make […]
[Original post on social.thentrythis.org]
Reposted by Alex McLean
seeing increasing numbers of people shift their projects away from Github - this announcement makes that choice seem far-sighted.
GitHub is no longer independent at Microsoft, as CEO Thomas Dohmke resigns. GitHub is now moving to Microsoft's AI engineering team, CoreAI, with a new structure for GitHub's leadership team. Details 👇 www.theverge.com/news/757461/...
GitHub is no longer independent at Microsoft after CEO resignation
GitHub will be part of Microsoft’s AI engineering team
www.theverge.com
August 11, 2025 at 4:22 PM
seeing increasing numbers of people shift their projects away from Github - this announcement makes that choice seem far-sighted.
Reposted by Alex McLean
Something has gone very wrong with British politics that almost 500 of people have been arrested at a Palestine Action protest, when we should be standing collectively as a society against the cruelty and devastation on the ground in Palestine www.theguardian.com/world/ng-int...
‘A deadly scheme’: Palestinians face indiscriminate gunfire at food sites
Investigation based on visual evidence, bullets, medical records and testimony appears to show sustained pattern of Israeli shootings
www.theguardian.com
August 10, 2025 at 5:52 AM
Something has gone very wrong with British politics that almost 500 of people have been arrested at a Palestine Action protest, when we should be standing collectively as a society against the cruelty and devastation on the ground in Palestine www.theguardian.com/world/ng-int...
Reposted by Alex McLean
Sheffield! Tickets now available for our festival Alpaca happening 12-14th September.. Join us for some extra patterny concerts, workshops, talks and (of course) algorave. It's going to be a lot of fun, don't forget your tickets: 2025.algorithmicpattern.org/sheffield/
Alpaca Festival Sheffield – Alpaca
2025.algorithmicpattern.org
July 27, 2025 at 1:49 PM
Sheffield! Tickets now available for our festival Alpaca happening 12-14th September.. Join us for some extra patterny concerts, workshops, talks and (of course) algorave. It's going to be a lot of fun, don't forget your tickets: 2025.algorithmicpattern.org/sheffield/
Alpaca - Festival of Algorithmic Patterns in the Creative Arts happening 12-14th September, Sheffield UK!
If you're curious about patterns in music, visual art, juggling, weaving, braiding etc then come and enjoy concerts, talks and workshops and an algorave:
2025.algorithmicpattern.org/sheffield/
If you're curious about patterns in music, visual art, juggling, weaving, braiding etc then come and enjoy concerts, talks and workshops and an algorave:
2025.algorithmicpattern.org/sheffield/
July 27, 2025 at 9:02 AM
Alpaca - Festival of Algorithmic Patterns in the Creative Arts happening 12-14th September, Sheffield UK!
If you're curious about patterns in music, visual art, juggling, weaving, braiding etc then come and enjoy concerts, talks and workshops and an algorave:
2025.algorithmicpattern.org/sheffield/
If you're curious about patterns in music, visual art, juggling, weaving, braiding etc then come and enjoy concerts, talks and workshops and an algorave:
2025.algorithmicpattern.org/sheffield/
Reposted by Alex McLean
it's so wicked to hear @slab.org nerd out about the haskell guts underlying tidalcycles a bit 💙
haskell.foundation/podcast/67/
haskell.foundation/podcast/67/
Alex McLean
Mike and Andres speak to Alex McLean who created the TidalCycles system
for electronic music - implemented in Haskell of course. We talk about
how Alex got into Haskell coming from Perl, how types hel...
haskell.foundation
July 25, 2025 at 8:25 AM
it's so wicked to hear @slab.org nerd out about the haskell guts underlying tidalcycles a bit 💙
haskell.foundation/podcast/67/
haskell.foundation/podcast/67/
People you exclude from your international conference if you decide not to support remote participation, or even stream or record the talks:
- People with caring responsibilities
- People with disabilities
- People with health vulnerabilities
- People with caring responsibilities
- People with disabilities
- People with health vulnerabilities
July 12, 2025 at 10:12 PM
People you exclude from your international conference if you decide not to support remote participation, or even stream or record the talks:
- People with caring responsibilities
- People with disabilities
- People with health vulnerabilities
- People with caring responsibilities
- People with disabilities
- People with health vulnerabilities
There's an ACM design tech conference happening with 100s of people flying in to a conference facility on a remote island to discuss the conference theme of.. how to make their work more ecologically sustainable. In-person participation only, except many couldn't make it due to climate chaos.
#dis25
#dis25
July 7, 2025 at 3:45 PM
There's an ACM design tech conference happening with 100s of people flying in to a conference facility on a remote island to discuss the conference theme of.. how to make their work more ecologically sustainable. In-person participation only, except many couldn't make it due to climate chaos.
#dis25
#dis25
I'm no expert, but some UK-oriented suggestions for things to do in response to ongoing genocide and famine in Palestine:
June 30, 2025 at 11:43 AM
I'm no expert, but some UK-oriented suggestions for things to do in response to ongoing genocide and famine in Palestine:
Reposted by Alex McLean
With some delay, @tidalcycles v1.10.0 is out! Codename 'waffle' https://github.com/tidalcycles/Tidal/releases/tag/v1.10.0
Release waffle · tidalcycles/Tidal
The code name 'waffle' comes from the bonkers three-dimensional fabric that appears from a surprisingly simple two-dimensional weave structure. More info What's Changed This v1.10.0 release has be...
github.com
June 8, 2025 at 5:07 PM
With some delay, @tidalcycles v1.10.0 is out! Codename 'waffle' https://github.com/tidalcycles/Tidal/releases/tag/v1.10.0
Reposted by Alex McLean
Kind of amazing that you can dot a couple of messages like this around the internet https://post.lurk.org/@yaxu/114188134015638878
and then end up with ~40 lovely people hanging out with their computers in the middle of nowhere, what a great thing #errorcamp
and then end up with ~40 lovely people hanging out with their computers in the middle of nowhere, what a great thing #errorcamp
June 9, 2025 at 11:52 AM
Kind of amazing that you can dot a couple of messages like this around the internet https://post.lurk.org/@yaxu/114188134015638878
and then end up with ~40 lovely people hanging out with their computers in the middle of nowhere, what a great thing #errorcamp
and then end up with ~40 lovely people hanging out with their computers in the middle of nowhere, what a great thing #errorcamp