Me
🌱 16.12.25 🌿 17.12.25

About

My name is Rory Allen, I am (loading) old. You can email me at rory@hogwild.uk - I like to be emailed and aim to respond to every one that I get!

Currently Into

I have been using Perfectly Imperfect when I feel like scrolling (eventually maybe I won't even have the urge) and it's great, I find myself far more often clicking into something and it inspiring me to do something worthwhile or research something rather than just encouraging people to stick on the feed

Music

Software

This Page
🌱 16.12.25

Concept

I only started learning about digital gardens as a concept a few months after starting to develop hogwild.uk and realised that it was the way to describe what I wanted to do and why I wanted to do it. This page is just a splinter from the main site that's for my more personal messing around. I think it's a really cool idea and I hope more people start to use them to claw back a bit of human interaction from an internet that's increasingly becoming a conversation between LLMs that real people just look at.

Programming

I'm using a Dell laptop (thanks Johnny) running Linux (Debian). I'm using Emacs as my code editor (using web-mode for styling while editing) and just checking the page content in Firefox as I go. I like working without any packages when I'm developing web stuff as much as I can, just pure HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and sometimes PHP. The font I'm using on this page is Google Sans Code, a free to use one that I like a lot

🌱?

I'm using a similar method of labelling my stuff on this page as the writer of the digital gardens article I find the most useful for understanding the idea:
  • 🌱 When I first 'planted' something on the page
  • 🌿 When I last edited a section (if different to planting date)
  • 🌳 Stuff I think is pretty complete and unlikely to change much

Life Story
🌱 16.12.25

  1. Dec 2025

    Sold The Rig :( Gonna miss her but when it didn't start at Den xmas I realised it would just rot there forever if I didn't sell
    Photo of the The Rig on the trailer after being sold
  2. Oct 2025

    hogwild.uk goes live
  3. May 2025

    Move back in with Issy to our new house in Tooting. #aweomse
    Photo of the kitchen of Rory's house in Tooting, London, UK
  4. Dec 2024

    Started working at ALM! Love it!
  5. Oct 2024

    Moved to London to live in a rank shared house (nice room though) but without Issy... :(
  6. May 2024

    Moved in with Issy to Sharrow Lane, Sheffield
    Photo of the lounge of Rory's old flat in Sheffield, UK
  7. Oct 2023

    Played Left of the Dial in Rotterdam (see Rig pic above). Amazing festival and one of the best things we've ever done as a band. Sang Jesse by Geese in the karaoke room and made good use of the open bar for artists, not necessarily in that order... We played 3 sets over 3 days and slept in the rig thanks to the ferry cancellation.
    Photo of Rory's Volvo 940 at a ferry terminal
  8. Sep 2023

    Start at PCL, a pretty dry job but made some nice friends James & Cole and learned about the world of full time work
  9. Jul 2023

    Moved into Thompson World with Ruby, Danny, Itay, and Tom
  10. Jun 2022

    Moved to Sheffield to live with my school friends Johnny & Toby
  11. Jan/Feb 2022

    Started playing with Otala and playing gigs in and around Nottingham a lot more often
  12. Apr 2021

    Started to make synth stuff under the name Allen Synthesis
  13. Dec 2020

    Bought my second car - The Rig. Pictured driving to Rotterdam to play Left of the Dial with my band Otala (at the time Oscar, Charlotte, Jack, Fin, and me) in Oct 2022:
    Cut out photo of Rory's Volvo 940
  14. Aug/Sep/Oct 2020

    Started making music with Oscar under 'Comic Book Sandpaper' (a stupid name we came up with to make sure we didn't encounter the anonymity problems faced by Oscar's previous band Sketch, and probably submliminally because it reminded us of our shared love of Car Seat Headrest)
  15. Jun 2020

    Bought my first car, a 1996 Corsa B in green from Richardsons of Congleton. It had a sunroof and a 16V engine.
    Cutout photo of Rory's Corsa B
  16. Mar 2020

    Pandemic hit, moved home #epicfail
  17. Oct 2019

    Start uni at Loughborough (shithole!!! if anyone in sixth form tells you to "pick based on the course because that's what you're there for, the city comes second", take it with a fat pinch of salt)
  18. Sep 2017

    Start A-Levels. I picked:
    • Computer Science (made a shopping list website with map solving for the fastest route around the shop)
    • Physics
    • Product Design (made a wallace & gromit themed board game with magnetic lasers and pewter playing pieces)
    • Maths (only did this for 1 year AS level)
  19. Sep 2015

    Start GCSEs. I picked:
    • Triple Science
    • Spanish
    • Geography
    • Graphic Products (stupid name for product design DT)
    • Computer Science
  20. Sep 2012

    Finish at Whirley and start secondary school at The Fallibroome Academy
  21. Sep 2005

    Start term at Whirley Primary School. Street view of me, my sister Rowan, and my Dad outside our house in 2009:
    Screenshot of a 2009 Google Street View photo
  22. Sep 2000

    Born in Macclesfield General Hospital to Dunc and BJ Allen. Had jaundice #fail
    Photo of Rory as a baby

Desert Island Discs ?
🌱 16.12.25

  1. Ry Cooder - Bop Til You Drop album cover

    I Think It's Going To Work Out Fine - Ry Cooder

    This song evokes the feeling its name describes. Ry Cooder can make a guitar sing more soulfully than any words could. I'm not sure the rest of this list is ordered but I know that this is #1 every time.
  2. Little Feat - Sailing Shoes album cover

    Willin' - Little Feat

    I've found America πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡Έ very interesting for most of my life, probably partly thanks to the stories my Dad has told me about his time living in Florida repairing vintage aircraft, and this song reminds me both of him and of the caricature of the USA that I dream(ed) of.
  3. Pavement - Wowee Zowee album cover

    Black Out - Pavement

    Continuing on the imaginary exploration of a country I've never been to, this track feels like the other side of America, watching the slacker skateboard types killing time to avoid the ennui of suburbia.
  4. Wilco - Sky Blue Sky album cover

    Impossible Germany - Wilco

    One of my favourite guitar soloes and seeing it live in Manchester was nothing short of transcendental. I listened to this album (as well as YHF) a lot during the final two weeks of cramming for my final degree coursework, so listening to this reminds me of my breaks, when I'd walk around The Ponderosa and look at the sky blue sky.
  5. Bill Ryder-Jones - West Kirby County Primary album cover

    Tell Me You Don't Love Me Watching - Bill Ryder-Jones

    My friend Johnny put this album on when we were planning a walking expedition, probably soon after it came out so 2015/16, and I've loved it ever since. His voice is so soft and real that he manages to make the questionable narrative of a song like this sound romantic. Also, finally a British artist in the list!
  6. John Denver album cover

    Leaving On A Jet Plane - John Denver

    This one reminds me of going with my Mum and Sister to pick up my Dad from Manchester Airport when he'd been away for work, and also of Scout camps at Barnswood.
  7. Van Morrison - Saint Dominics Preview album cover

    Saint Dominic's Preview - Van Morrison

    This is one of the first songs my girlfriend Issy shared with me when we had just started talking, and one of many that revealed how much we have in common. I listened to this song a lot during the late winter of 2022, walking between my flat in Netherthorpe and hers near the top of The Botanical Gardens.
  8. Jamie xx - In Colour album cover

    Gosh - Jamie xx

    One of my favourite electronic tracks. Listening usually makes me want to make music of my own.

Gigs
🌱 17.12.25 🌿 30.01.26

Since the start of 2025 I have been to (loading) gigs. (loading) of those were in (loading), and (loading) were at (loading).

Date Venue City I Saw Notes
30.01.26 Heartbreakers Southampton irreversible, Bailey Berrill Playing with Otala, irreversible is Alex from Divorce Attorney's ambient project, really enjoyed it. Made me feel how I felt watching Godspeed when you're 20 mins in and realise you've been standing completely still and just thinking. Bailey Berrill was really cute, seemed like a bunch of friends playing the singers songs and having a nice time and they were catchy.
01.12.25 The Roundhouse London Cameron Winter Whoah
18.11.25 Heaven London Frankie Cosmos, Babehoven Been listening to them since I was ~15, really happy they played a bunch of oldies including Being Alive which someone shouted out as a request. Babehoven really nice, my friend Jacob made sure we came in time to see their whole set
11.11.25 Elephant's Head London Tex Crick Really nice. Knew him from a live set with Connan Mockasin but he was even better with a full band
7.11.25 The Windmill London Little Grandad I was playing with Fool who knew the band and it was great. Lovely vocal harmonies
31.10.25 O2 Brixton London Black Country New Road, Blue Bendy They were dressed up as Fontaines D.C. for halloween. Great sets from both bands
28.10.25 The Windmill London My New Band Believe, Curbside Lambsear MNBB were good but CL were my favourite of the night, one of the members of Caroline and another member I think, raw folky electronica
26.11.25 The Windmill London Pink Eye Club I was playing in Otala, fun gig. PEC fun to dance to
10.11.25 Old Blue Last London Mleko Playing with Otala, cool early BCNRy (sorry!). All really nice people
09.10.25 The Roundhouse London A.G. Cook, Proc Fiskal Great set, he's such a funny character. Cool visuals and a MIDI piano. Proc Fiskal was similar and great sound but didn't seem to like being on stage...
01.10.25 Purple Turtle Reading Oyama, Kiosk Playing in Otala, first time in Reading, not desperate to return. Both bands really cool though, Oyama nice and scandi sound (icelandic) and Kiosk cool electronic kinda smerzy duo
21.09.25 KOKO London Clipping. Free ticket from my friend & bandmate Charlotte (thanks char). Amazing sound, heavy, bit hard to see and had a hangover but really enjoyed
08.09.25 The Windmill London HAAL, Allarme, Paper Hats Love HAAL awesome bunch of guys making sick music. Other two were nice as well but didn't see too much of their sets, allarme quite loud and paper hats good as usual
14.08.25 We Out Here Dorset NoName, Kokoroko, Nala Sinephro, 4am Kru, MJ Cole, Kaitlyn Aurelia Smith, Ben UFO, Mia Koden, Luke Una, Channel One, Gilles Peterson, Astrid Sonne, Loyle Carner First time going and will definitely be going back. Amazing festival with some of my best friends. Gorgeous weather the whole weekend too!
04.08.25 Shacklewell Arms London That Fog, Frownland2007 Playing with Otala, That Fog is Eddie's new project with his girlfriend, I enjoyed it a lot. Frownland was cool but maybe too unstructured for me to get properly into
03.07.25 Wembley Stadium London Lana Del Rey, Addison Rae Awesome, played Venice Bitch one of mine and Issy's favs and Addison was really good, had been listening to her album a lot since it came out
20.06.25 O2 Brixton London LCD Soundsystem Went with Issy Mina & Johnny, really great set but SO HOT. Heatwave and no AC, dripping sweat
16.06.25 Victoria Park London LIDO - Charli XCX, A.G. Cook, Gessafelstein, Magdalena Bay, Kelly Lee Owens, Bladee, The Japanese House Great weather and acts. Charli really good but annoying af kid fans, they seemed to be having fun once they stood up though so hard to hate. Gessafelstein unexpectedly very enjoyable. J house really nice in the evening lull
03.06.25 Islington Assembly Hall London Caroline One of my fav bands and albuums of the year and completely done justice by the live set. Incredibly respectful crowd, all just listening and enjoying
31.05.25 Paper Dress Vintage London Fool First time meeting Luca and Saul properly from Fool, love those guys and love their music. Good set but sadly only 20 mins
22.05.25 The George Tavern London Martial Arts, Bloodworm, Porchlight All 3 as great as usual. Lovely to see Euan again after ages and all the MA lot
04.05.25 Wanderlust Festival Southampton Skydaddy, Terra Twin Playing with Otala, didn't see as many acts as planned as most were on the other day. Skydaddy great though, Terra Twin were fun
02.05.25 DUST Brighton Billy. E. Marsh Playing with Otala at a Flip Top Head promoted gig. Love to see those guys and their friend Billy was great, solo acoustic and poetry very enjoyable and moving.
27.04.25 The Windmill London Fool First time seeing Jacob's new other band. They're really good
25.04.25 The George Tavern London Outlander, HAAL Lovely to see HAAL after they stayed on my floor the night before, great as always. Outlander really cool and post rocky too
20.04.25 The Windmill London Body Orchestra Playing with Otala, no full band for BO this time but still really cool, atmospheric
16.04.25 The Victoria London Paper Hats, More Money Playing with Otala, all bands good but not a big fan of the venue... Too far out and gig room too soundproofed so nobody comes in from the bar
12.04.25 Outer Town Festival Bristol HAAL, Enola Gay HAAL great as always + thanks guys for letting us stay! Stayed up with Lilian & Ethan DJing in their attic - fun times
29.03.25 The Windmill London Westside Cowboy They're great
28.03.25 MOTH Club London The Stingrays Playing with Otala, main band was the guy from yellow days which I wasn't familiar with but it was v fun and I always love being at moth
17.03.25 The Windmill London Mount Palomar, Nixer, Balderdash All acts greeat, especially MP, proper big beat danceable shit
13.03.25 The Lexington London Keg, Known For Playing with Otala, great crowd and Keg awesome
11.03.25 Sebright Arms London Fruit, Van Quan Always lovely to see the Fruit lot, great set. Van Quan really cool too, bit like cowboyy, would like to see them again
03.03.25 Old Blue Last London Legss, Porchlight Lots of new material from L, really like it, every time they change their sound it seems to be for the better but without losing anything essential to their sound. Porchlight really enjoyable
02.03.25 George Tavern London Deathcrash, Child, The Cowards 2 eddie projects both great, Deathcrash were playing under a fake name, amazing to see them somewhere so small
23.02.25 George Tavern London Fatberg, Divorce Attorney, Mountain Peaks Otala EP release gig, really fun!
20.02.25 The Windmill London Martial Arts, Holly Head Lovely to see MA as always, great set from both bands. Not seen HH since we played together in Apr 2023 (same one as with truthpaste), nice to see Joe again
05.02.25 The Waiting Room London Samxemma Finally saw them with Issy, great set. Saw them before they got famous and got the badge to prove it...
01.02.25 MOTH Club London Blue Bendy, Web Playing with Otala, really amazing gig to be able to play. Love Blue Bendy's album a ton
29.01.25 The Social London Westside Cowboy First time seeing them, went with Charlotte, they're incredible. Followed since I saw the members i knew from diekaidie started something new so happy it's come to something this good
27.01.25 Old Blue Last London Human Resources Otala's IVW gig, fun!
10.01.25 George Tavern London Truthpaste Really like these guys! Been trying to see them since playing together in Apr 2023 and loving their set