OK. We're approaching the “Ho, Ho, Ho” end of the year. Don't panic.

I have a few things to share this week. Look upon it as a loose smorgasbord containing items of varying importance.

We'll start with something of actual importance. I've written about Shirley Ryder more than a few times over the years, since she has been a hyperactive member of Tauranga's musical community.

She has written, recorded and released several albums, both under her own name and with band-mate Graeme Hardaker as The Shirleybyrds; she has written books; she created a magazine-style internet interview series; even a full concept musical complete with video.   

So if you follow the column you'll know of Shirley. Unfortunately, this latest news is not cheerful: Shirley's ovarian cancer has returned and she has started a Give-a-Little page to raise money for Avastin treatment.

I'm not going to say much here, I just refer you to this excellent piece by SunLive's own Rosalie Liddle Crawford, which has links to the Give-a-Little page: https://sunlive.co.nz/news/332032-fighting-cancer-without-medical-insurance.html?

In less urgent news, I can report that one person has finally discovered how to make money on Spotify! Yep, that deserves an exclamation mark! Japanese ambient composer Michiru Aoyama does it by uploading a new album every day.

Each album lasts 20 minutes and 28 seconds and comprises 8 tracks each 2 minutes 33 seconds long. The latest, as I write this, was 'Ori', from December 11. Before that was 'Bb' from December 10. Inexplicably, 'Loou' from December 9 has only 7 tracks and is thus 17 minutes and 55 seconds long. It's the only exception.

He has been doing this for over two years; income derives from being chosen for the many ambient playlists created by Spotify (such as 'Weightless', 'Ambient Dreamscapes', 'Spa Treatment' and so on). He now makes roughly $5000 a month, following a disciplined routine of composing and creating for nine hours each day followed by two hours of uploading...

And, yes, I checked out a bunch of them. Yes, they are actually all different. And, dare I say it - as far as smooth ambient instrumentals go – not bad.

Last of all, let me return to that “Don't Panic” bit from the start and offer something useful: presents. Presents can be hard. As always I recommend reaching towards music. To do that, I suggest heading to Record Roundabout at The Historic Village.

It really is a music-lovers dream down there, from acres of vinyl and CDs to a simply drool-worthy selection of books and memorabilia. Yum, seriously yum.

More than that, it's the place to go for local music. Nothing identifies a gift as personal like it coming from Tauranga. Tony Pill at Record Roundabout not only has a goodly selection of local music, but he sells it at cost. That's right, no middlemen, every cent goes straight to hard-working Tauranga musicians.

There's music from: John Michaelz and the Black Brothers, Dead Simple, Kokomo, Gary Harvey, Anthony Coulter, Janne Izett and many more...