MAJOR TOM BROADCASTS

VOLUME XII: New Years, 2026

PLAYLIST- Young Hearts, Run Free!

One of the most cherished gifts from my father was a deep love and understanding for house, electronic, disco and dance music. The beats, samples, and use of discarded digital sounds serve as the sweetest escape and vital connection to the old man as well as the beautiful communities which birthed those art forms held so dear. The tunes enclosed below are believed to be some of dad’s favorites, so I hope you can enjoy them through the power of a groove as he did, and as their creators intended. Love ya! -T

Major Tom broadcasts vol. 12 (Apple Music)

Major Tom broadcasts vol. 12 (Spotify)

---

FILM- ROMEO & JULIET, directed by Baz Luhrmann, adapted from the play by William Shakespeare

---

BOOK- ANGELS IN AMERICA by Tony Kushner

“So maybe a queen could forgive her vanquished foe? It isn’t easy, it doesn’t count if it’s easy, it’s the hardest thing: forgiveness. Which is maybe where love and justice finally meet. Peace, at last …” – Belize.

---

VOLUME XI: November 2025

We all love film and television. Tom was not an exception. His first choice for escapism was always music….or was it writing? An aside: this was a favored debate and we would torture each other often with the theoretical – if you are stranded on a desert island and you must choose between only books to read OR only music for listening…which do you choose? 

Mercifully, film and television provided a genre that offered both mediums as an impetus and Tom was always ready to scrutinize ‘his third love’ as meticulously as any book or playlist. Thus, a playlist comprised of offerings from some of his most beloved composers and lyricists via film and television. Compiled by Heidi. 

“Under the influence of music I really seem to feel what I do not feel, to understand what I do not understand, to have powers which I cannot have.” -Leo Tolstoy, The Kreutzer Sonata

PLAYLIST –

Major Tom broadcasts vol. 11 (Apple Music)

Major Tom broadcasts vol. 11 (Spotify)

---

VOLUME X: October 2025

PLAYLIST –

Major Tom broadcasts vol. 10 (Apple Music)

Major Tom broadcasts vol. 10 (Spotify)

---

FILM – 28 DAYS LATER

---

BOOK –THE COMPLETE MAUS: A SURVIVOR’S TALE

Dad gave me Maus as a Christmas gift when I was in 5th grade. When I would mention that to people, I realized some felt that was too soon for an 10 year old to read Spiegelman’s graphic novel anthology. Dad was eager to share a deep appreciation for many things and sometimes that came at a cost, but one I believe was ultimately worth it. I’ve re-read the book multiple times and I credit it with my appreciation of history through creative story telling. -Adelle

---

---

VOLUME IX: September 2025

PLAYLIST – Who’s Scruffy Lookin’?

This one goes out (as all of them do, really) to Amanda, Caleb, Kayla, and Mr. Malone. Let it be known this crew is cherished and revered beyond what words could say. Gratitude is not enough! -Tess

Major Tom broadcasts vol. 9 (Apple Music)

Major Tom broadcasts vol. 9 (Spotify)

---

SHOW – ANDOR (SEASON 1)

It’s bittersweet knowing how much Dad enjoyed the first addition of this series, and how he would fully embrace the last half of the story, with eerie parallels to today’s tyranny and inspiration drawn from countless rebellions of our reality. Anyways… you reckon they have Lucasfilm in the afterlife?

---

BOOK– THE POWER OF MYTH by Joseph Campbell

Dad questioned everything, dispelled the myths which constrained him, scrutinized the ones impressed upon the world, and cherished those which offered him escape into the worlds of fiction. A.KA, he was a nerd, so naturally he has a physical copy of a PBS interview series.

---

VOLUME VIII: June 2025

Existing in a place of endless wanting…how different it is, wanting without ambition or hopeful acquisition of novelties or expansion into untraveled lands. Wanting from the deep temperate waters of knowing.

Wanting a flame of your fundamental touch, the matchless decibel from your voice vibrating inside my ear, the pure comfort of closeness that my body stumbles to recreate from muscle memories. Wanting what is yours. Wanting what you’ve had, not what you’ve dreamt of, but what was, is and now continues to be, just slightly out of reach.

I will never and forever be alone. To exist here, somewhere that is both vacant and complete. It is wantingness. It is my new country where I toil and rue and rest and delight, but it is not my home. You are my home, my lover Tom. I will ride this wild wantingness untamed into your arms, my love. – Sarah

---

PLAYLIST –

This playlist has two of the last musicians that Tom and I saw in concert together, Allison Russell at the Bluebird in Denver and Cautious Clay at Blue Note in NYC (pictured). My memories of Tom’s enthusiasm at finding Allison Russell and her song Nightflyer is the reason she appears three times on vol. 8. Lou Reed gets two songs here as he was one of Tom’s favored and fundamental lyricists (as well as Nick Cave). Texas’ Say What You Want was playing on the radio waves when we were backpacking through Europe in the summer of 1997. Tom loved it when I embarked on winding explanations that left little room for mystery so I’ll go on.

Major Tom broadcasts vol. 8 _^(Spotify)

Major Tom broadcasts vol. 8 _{^{(Apple Music}}

---

MOVIE – THE FOUNTAIN

Darren Aronofsky’s visual poem to eternity and mortality was a much loved and spiritual film for Tom and I before Tom’s death. Since June 2024 I’ve returned multiple times to the comfort and reverence that Aronofsky’s film expresses. Death as an act of creation and the road to awe.

---

BOOK – THE BROTHERS KARAMAZOV by Fyodor Dostoyevsky

Number one on the premarital required reading list. Fortunately we had a customarily long engagement so I had plenty of time to finish Tom’s favorite tome. Years later, an adorable 4 & 6 year old Adelle & Tess personalized the cover for their Dad.

---

---

VOLUME VII: April 2025

PLAYLIST – You Always Play Too Much

For those who don’t know my dad, he lived to be definable. He was a man with an incredible sweet tooth, with which he rarely practiced delayed gratification to a masochistic extent. In fact, he was quite self-indulgent with his trademark hyper-pop enthusiasm, married with a constant desire to engage in small talk.  He enjoyed the routine of societally mandated roles, thus, he rarely spoke his mind (especially if his opinions would spark discomfort, ruckus or argument). It was only natural, then, that days with him boasted warm, inviting hugs, words of affirmation; rather than chopping wood for a fireside book-read, he spent his ample free time planning Disney cruises next to poorly engineered space heaters, scrolling for hours on end through socials with full trust in the algorithms and media empires of YouTube and Facebook. Books were, after all, his greatest bore, and were rare in his home as he struggled most with English, as well as Spanish and Mayan Yuatec. When a common leisurely day floated into dinner time, he would deny any spice or salt with his meal, and definitely refused a glass of wine or chilled liquor. Finally, he never ever pulled an emotionally traumatizing, nor ill-timed prank in his life. A true, god-fearing saint this man was. I rue his absence, nor ponder his sacrifices every waking moment. Happy April Fool’s, Vader… -Tess

Major Tom broadcasts vol. 7 _{^{(Apple Music)}}

Major Tom broadcasts vol. 7 _^(Spotify)

---

TV EPISODE – SCAVENGER’S REIGN: Episode 3, “The Wall.”

Dad loved this entire series, but this episode, more so this scene made Dad lean back into his couch (after yet another 12 hour day,) fold his right leg over his knee, slow clap, and say, “that was beautiful.”

---

BOOK – THE RIGHTEOUS MIND by Jonathan Haidt

---

---

VOLUME VI: March 2025

PLAYLIST – Spanish Club

The Spanish Club is comprised of Tom, Sarah and myself and this exclusive group was formed mainly as a way to gossip about other people in their presence (sorry, Joey). Spanish Club lives on via Tom’s Spanish music library. In fact, he titled many of his playlists in Spanish- Anduve, Amanecer, Alma, Chingado, Duende, El Campo, Gente, Lluvia, Orta Cosa, Tranquilo etc… Here are some of my favorite Latin deep cuts and rarities as well as a sprinkle of his more popular choices. Órale vatos. – Heidi

Major Tom broadcasts vol. 6 ^{_{(Apple Music)}}

Major Tom broadcasts vol. 6 ^_(Spotify)

---

FILM – SPANGLISH

---

BOOK – CIEN AÑOS DE SOLEDAD by Gabriel García Márquez

---

---

VOLUME V: February 2025

PLAYLIST

One of the first things I said to Tess after Dad passed was, “everyone else is so boring…I don’t want to talk to anyone else.” I simultaneously laughed and cried while I said that because there were many, many times when I found my Dad’s relentless search for a compelling, profound conversation question quite annoying. He rarely seemed satisfied with any answer I would give to his array of existential queries. He would push and push me, maybe agree with a small part of my responses but always challenge the majority. His disagreements would lead to whole other inquiries, taking us on what felt like an endless search for conclusions that likely didn’t exist. If the conclusion did exist he would be sure to change his mind upon me reaching it, at which point the whole process would repeat itself over again. Dad revelled in this seeking process which was truly a gift to me and everyone around him, but it also pissed me off. Regardless, I think I can admit that his beloved process of seeking answers, the way he conversed, was all an effort to discern the limits of what it means to be human. -Adelle

I love you Dad and miss you forever. – Adelle

Major Tom broadcasts vol. 5 ^{_{(Apple Music)}}

Major Tom broadcasts vol. 5 ^_(Spotify)

---

FILM – THE WORST PERSON IN THE WORLD

---

BOOK – MORTALITY by Christopher Hitchens

---

VOLUME IV: November 2024

PLAYLIST

This list is compiled of every song that caused a verbal duel between me and dad, where either one of us insisted we had reached the artists or albums first, and, therefore, did our family the great service of adding it to the Apple Music archive. While the majority of our fights were conducted over more fundamental frustrations, I look back upon our musical debates fondly -although I’m sure they would cause eye-rolls to anyone else caught in their wake- and I shake my head to remember how in the world my guy truly believed he added some of these before me. Brought to you by the somehow intense yet vacant expression, mid-right above.

Major Tom broadcasts vol. 4 _{^{(Apple Music)}}

Major Tom broadcasts vol. 4 ^_(Spotify)

---

FILM – LORD OF THE RINGS: THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE RING adapted from the epic by J.R.R Tolkien

BOOK – VALIS by Phillip K. Dick

While Dad held a great appreciation for every Phillip K. Dick novel he came across, this one in particular exemplifies my dad’s appreciation for the unknowable, the existential, and the inherent irrationality (or insanity) of a conscious. Continuously confused and baffled by our world, I find this particular work of fiction tows the line between escapism and offering an expansive view of time and space, all of which I wish for more of with my Vader. -Tess

---

---

VOLUME III: October 2024

PLAYLIST

A collection of songs from Tom’s playlists (and a few that I’ve added for extra drama, and because I miss haggling with Tom over playlist selection) which evoke nostalgia not just for Halloween but any uncanny and mysterious moment. Songs that call to the dark side of our minds and moons. Brought to you by the more smiley Tippetts on the on the left.

Major Tom broadcasts vol. 3 ^{_{(Apple Music)}}

Major Tom broadcasts vol. 3 ^_(Spotify)

---

FILM – SOMETHING WICKED THIS WAY COMES _{^{adapted from the book by Ray Bradbury}}

Tom and I grew up in Utah during the 80’s, mostly unsupervised in the snug house pictured above. Each autumn of our childhood was steeped in the potential of eerie and unhinged creativity. We were always encouraged to be our strangest selves but especially as the blustery fall lead up to Halloween. Tom was my first ghost storyteller and he enjoyed a jump scare, a lurk, or an ominous side eye. Our Halloween costumes were constructed of found objects, handed down clothing, and custom bespoke pieces that Pamchenko (an endearing nickname Tom bestowed on our mom) would churn out on an old Singer sewing machine. Tom was a calculated trick or treater. Our trick or treat bags were faded pillowcases and Tom’s inevitably bulged with a highly curated and envious candy collection.

It was a tradition for us to read the Halloween Tree by Ray Bradbury: a fantasy novel that explores the origins and traditions of Halloween. 

Eventually Tom and Joe were old enough to walk over to Larsen Video and rent the VHS version of Something Wicked This Way Comes, to ratchet up the spooky vibes. SWTWC is a dark fantasy novel, also by Ray Bradbury, that explores the timeless battle between good and evil, set against the backdrop of a small Midwestern town – maybe a predecessor to Stranger Things? The film version features Jason Robards and was adapted for film by Ray Bradbury. – Heidi  

---

BOOK – THE HALLOWEEN TREE by Ray Bradbury

---

---

VOLUME II: September 2024

PLAYLIST

This month’s soundtrack selection is a collection of some of the earliest songs added to Tom’s iTunes library (as opposed to being burned onto a CD mixtape.) Brought to you by the bowl cut seen above.

Major Tom broadcasts vol. 2 ^{_{(Apple Music)}}

Major Tom broadcasts vol. 2 ^_(Spotify)

---

FILM – BLADE RUNNER (1982 DIRECTOR’S CUT)

---

BOOK – THE IDIOT by Elif Batuman

---

---

VOLUME I: August 2024

PLAYLIST

This is a collection of 24 love songs, all indicative of the years leading up to our 24th anniversary, August 17th, 2000. Brought to you by the enamored one on the left

Major Tom broadcasts vol. 1 ^{_{(Apple Music)}}

Major Tom broadcasts vol. 1 _^(Spotify)

---

FILM – IL POSTINO

BOOK – THE DOUBLE FLAME

A literary Russophile in his teens, Tom’s adoration and pride shifted to Latin America authors after living two years in the Yucatan peninsula. In particular, Mexican authors like Octavio Paz achieved blood relative status.

I read Paz after serving my Mormon mission while I was impatiently waiting for Tom to come home from his mission. Luckily I was enchanted with Paz as well before Tom could add Labyrinth of Solitude to his martial prerequisite reading list (there were only 2 books on that list…to be discussed later). It was within the first few months of being married that Tom introduced me to The Double Flame: Love and Eroticism (euphemism much?).

We celebrated many anniversaries re-reading our favorite parts of Paz’s case for eros and love with historical and philosophical illustrations. Written in the author’s twilight years, this petition for love reflects the champion and critic of a staggering artist and poet. What a treasure. This book is a testament to the transformative potential of love for individuals and society. It is one of Tom’s favorites and also mine. xo – Sarah