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gallavichthings · 3 years

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If you’ve been in the fandom for more than one week, you’ve definitely come across the name of this week’s interviewee: Shamelessquestions on AO3, or @goodkwuestion, as Kay goes by both here and on Twitter, is a household name in this fandom, and rightfully so. With stories that rank among everyone’s favorites, such as Sexual Harassment in the Workplace, Lost in Translation, Pomp and Circumstance. and The Increasingly Poor Decisions of Ian Gallagher, Kay deserves a fandom just for herself, to be honest. I had the privilege to interview them this week and find out a bit more about her relationship with Shameless, Gallavich and fanfiction.

GT: Please tell me a bit about yourself.

K: I'm not great at this, lol. I'm a young black woman. I've been a part of one fandom or another since I was about 12, I think.I'm usually a part of one fandom at a time, because that's how my focus works. I do have grand plans to become a published author one day, though I quickly get overwhelmed by the idea. I'm currently working on a sci-fi original, but recently got sucked back into Gallavich. I'm a clinician and front line worker in "real life," and I hope everyone is staying safe and making good decisions.

GT: You said you've been part of a fandom or another since you were 12. Is that when you started reading and writing fics? What was the first fandom you read or wrote for?

K: Yes, my best friend at the time actually printed out a Kenshin fic for me to read and it blew my freaking mind. The first fandom I ever actually wrote for was a soap opera called "Days of Our Lives." But those were dark times as we do not speak of it, lol. Those stories were horrendous and I've blocked them out.

GT: Kenshin as in Rurouni Kenshin?

K: The one in the very same. I think the pairing was Aoshi/Misato in that story. My first real love was Naruto though, and that's really where it all started for me as an active fandom contributor.

GT: When did you start watching Shameless and what made you ship Ian and Mickey?

K: I started watching Shameless around 2013, I think. And I just fell head over heels for Mickey and Gallavich almost immediately.Mickey's entrance with his brothers is seared into my psyche. I really got into Gallavich when Mickey returned home from juvie, and Ian (Cam, really) was a little older and had matured.Season 3 was my cementing point. Their character portrayals were amazing and unique, and their romance and it's development felt fresh and atypical. I just loved it all.

GT:When did you start writing Gallavich fanfiction? What made you start?

K:I was inhaling fanfiction by the following year and I swear, Mintsauce is like the gateway drug for Gallavich writers.

GT: THEY ARE. Especially back then.

K: Word! I read a fic of hers called The Taste of Familiarity and it jumped into my head to write a tribute fic for it, based on the plight of poor Callum. So The Ballad of Poor Callum Scott was born and that was my entry into Gallavich fanfiction.

GT: Reading good stories is really inspiring, isn't it?

K: So inspiring! Mintsauce's stuff in particular for me back then. This fandom is filled with amazing writers; it's mindblowing.

GT: It is, indeed. There's no shortage of fics, of all kinds.

What's the most fun thing about writing Gallavich?

K: I love how I feel no restrictions when writing them. Ian and Mickey have this wealth of experiences and range that you can put them almost anywhere and it makes complete sense, you know? They're crass and messy, but they're loving, family oriented and have all these poignant moments that can meld seamlessly into almost any scenario I can think up.

GT: And what's the most difficult thing?

K: Dealing with canon.

GT: lol

K: I broke up with Shameless a while back and it's rough writing when you pay attention to some of the nonsense they trot out.

GT: That is very true.

Are you following the last season?

K: Not really. I haven't really bothered with the show since Ian broke up with Mickey on the porch and I officially checked out. I do watch the Gallavich scenes for later seasons though and I'm listening to see if they get their canon happy ending. I think I might watch the season after I get the happy ending guarantee. I'm a sensitive baby. I would not handle it well if they did them dirty.

GT: Do you prefer writing Ian or Mickey?

K: Mickey is my baby, but I do tend to write Ian's POV more.

GT: Why do you think that is?

K: From a romantic standpoint, Mickey fell so hard and is such a sure thing in his love for Ian, I think I end up trying to equalize it a bit in my writing.For other aspects, I think I approach them a little more equally.

GT: What does your writing process look like?

K: I don't do outlines or planning, which makes me feel like a bum sometimes. I think about the story until it runs like a movie in my head, then I just write down what I see. I post a chapter as soon as I finish editing.

GT: You don't outline and you still write those amazing stories? That's incredible. What about research? How much do you research when you write?

K: I research a ton. It can get a little obsessive sometimes, especially when I'm just looking stuff up to make a silly one off statement. In TIPDIG, I ended up spending a significant chunk of time just researching the Ferris wheel for their date, for example. I read newspaper articles about its construction, checked maps, looked up what landmarks you might see from it. I'm trained in medical research; we don't play, lol.

GT: What kind of fics do you write the most?

K: AUs, almost always. Both multichapter and oneshots. I mix genres a lot, but love to incorporate as much humour and sexy times as I can.

GT: Who are your favorite characters aside from Ian and Mickey? Do you write them too?

K: I love Lip and Mandy, and I also have a fondness for Mickey's brothers (that entrance!) even though there isn't really much about them in canon. I haven't written any Shameless fics where Ian and Mickey weren't the center of them, but I do love lots of side characters in my stories.

GT: What's your favorite Gallavich fic that you’ve written so far and why?

K: I'll be obsessed with whatever I'm working on at the time. It's probably the Increasingly Poor Decisions of Ian Gallagher (TIPDIG) tho. It is my most ambitious piece of writing to date. There were a lot of moving parts involved and a lot of stuff to remember and connect. That's the drawback of keeping everything stored in your head.

GT: It's a fandom favorite for sure. But then again, everything you write is.

What are your favorite type of comments to receive?

K: If someone leaves feedback, I'm the happiest camper in the world. I love the ones where people try to reason out wtf is going on and what I'm planning. I love when people flail at me when I drop the angst hammer. I just love it all. Wait, the angst flailing ones might just be my fave, lol.

GT: You mentioned MintSauce... Are there any other writers you admire in the fandom? Or any fics that are your favorite?

K: Duuuuude! I did a whole tribute section of some of my faves at the end of one of my fics.

So Mintsauce is the OG and Spock, omg! Do not wander and Wide-eyed walker by Spock remain part of my holy grail. Exoskeletons, Ruinmynylons, Milominderbinder... I can do this all day.

GT: What are your favorite tropes?

K: Jealousy, hands down. Soulmate and pining

GT: What are some of your fanfiction pet peeves?

K: Crazy long monologues, sex without preparation, being overly descriptive/detailed on things I feel are irrelevant, ooc behaviour.

GT: What’s your favorite season of Shameless? Do you have a favorite episode?

K: I think season 3 remains my fave, for nothing else because it's when I truly fell into Gallavich.

Fave episode is currently the one that introduced me to bridezilla Mickey. Noel ate that. It had to be fun to shoot.

GT: What's your favorite Gallavich scene?

K: That's a hard one to choose. I currently love their reunion at the docks after Mickey escaped from prison. I will always have a soft spot for the dugouts scene as well. The proposal was also good.

GT: If you could go back and change one thing in canon, what would it be?

K: Oh lord, so much. But definitely the porch breakup. That was just a mess for me.

GT: It came out for left field.

Ok, so what's next? Do you have and fic plans?

K: Well I recently came out of Gallavich retirement and I'm currently in the middle of my latest multichap, Old Rules for New Side Pieces. I'm playing it by ear after that. I'm also trying to settle down to get to work on my original books.

GT: Best of luck with that!

K: Thank you!

GT: That was it. Thank you so much for taking the time to do this with me! Any parting words?

K: I just think it's great that you're putting time and effort into talking to fandom contributors. It was fun and I'm sure it's appreciated.

And thanks to those who have read my work, offered support and welcomed me right back. It feels good to be a part of the Shameless fandom again. ♥

#gallavich #ian x mickey #shameless us #mickey milkovich #ian gallagher #gallavich fanfiction #shameless #shameless fanfiction #writer's spotlight #goodkwuestion

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lokiqueenofasgrd · 2 years

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So, I have to admit that over quarantine last year my suite mate really got me into KPOP boy groups (plus KARD, we spent a total of 3 days straight crash coursing the industry and watching MVs) so I wanted to share this with you guys as a sort of get to know me and intro of myself into the KPOP stan world. ( I am new to this and am learning more from my suite mate every day. We made a pact that if I listened to her KPOP she would listen to my “Emo” music. I know there are important things to note about each group and I’m learning those but rn I’m just in it for the stellar music and visuals. I hope you can understand. please don’t come for me if I mess something up!)

Without further a’du, in no particular order, here are my bias’ and fave songs from each group!:

WAYV-

Bias: Ten

Bias wrecker: Yang Yang

(Ten is my overall bias incase you were wondering)

Fave song: Love Talk (listen….it’s a good song okayyyy….but, if you count Low Low then that one is on rotation constantly.)

Monsta X-

Bias: Hyungwon

Bias wrecker: Shownu

Fave song: Love Killa (the music vid is immaculate and I consistently find myself saying…”oh I’m sorry? Did I make you anxious?” On a daily basis)

ATEEZ-

Bias: San

Bias wrecker: Wooyoung

Fave song: Deja Vu (listen…the MV had me feelin some typa way….)

BTS-

Bias: V

Bias wrecker: RM

Fave song: Black Swan (Fake Love is up there though. Fun fact: don’t @ me but I used to highly dislike BTS because all the girls at my school that loved them bullied me and I wasn’t about that life.)

EXO-

Bias: Kai

Bias Wrecker: Xiumin

Fave Song: Call Me Baby (it’s a freakin classic you pull this bad boy or Growl out at a party and it’s on. Fun Fact: I almost ended up in the ER trying to learn this dance.)

Got7-

Bias: Jackson

Bias wrecker: Jay B

Fave Song: NOT BY THE MOON (The MV is *chefs kiss*)

iKON-

Bias: Song

Bias wrecker: Jay

Fave Song: Love Scenario

NCT-

Bias: Ten

Bias wrecker: Jaehyun

Fave Song: Nectar (First Kpop song I ever heard!)

NCT127-

Bias: Jaehyun

Bias wrecker: Jungwoo

Fave Song: Regular (I couldn’t decide between that one or Kick It, which by the way is on my gym playlist)

NCT Dream-

Bias: Jeno

Bias wrecker: Jaemin

Fave Song: Ridin’

NCT U-

Bias: Ten

Bias wrecker: Taeyong

Fave Song: 90s Love (does it really need an explanation??)

Pentagon-

Bias: Yanan

Bias wrecker: Yeo One

Fave song: Daisy (the MV is amazing!!!)

SHINee-

Bias: Taemin

Bias wrecker: Onew

Fave song: Lucifer (it’s a freakin classic)

Stray Kids-

Bias: Felix

Bias wrecker: Bang Chan

(Sometimes Hyunjin, honestly just mesmerized by how pretty and talented he is)

Fave Song: Red Lights (do I even need to explain why?!! Honestly this was hard because I’m a Stay through and through and love everything they put out. But this MV made me scream so bonus points for that I guess)

SuperM-

Bias: Ten

Bias wrecker: Kai

Fave Song: Jopping (it’s just SO easy to dance too I love it)

The Boyz-

Bias: Hyunjae

Bias wrecker: Juyeon

Fave Song: Kiss Me If You Can

TXT-

Bias: Beomygu

Bias Wrecker: Huening Kai

Fave Song: lo$er=lo❤️er (it’s between that one and anti-romantic, no not because of the trend, but honestly they’re in my top groups to listen to! So choosing one was hard! Frost was so good too! i just really love these boys!)

VICTON-

Bias: Hanse

Bias wrecker: Subin

Fave song: Flip A Coin

Solo artists:

KANG DANIEL - PARANOIA (the amount of times I’ve been caught secretively dancing to this in the suite is kinda embarrassing)

Jackson Wang- Bullet To The Heart (I sing this one an unhealthy amount)

Songs that I love but haven’t really grasped on to the group yet:

CIX - Movie Star (it’s catchy)

KARD- GUNSHOT (I LOVE this song sm)

If you have any other recommendations that fit within the theme of my faves I’d love to listen to them! Feel free to leave them! (Please note that I have a really hard time enjoying slow ballads even in the music i regularly listen to so I’m not really looking for those rn.) I can’t wait to meet all the lovely people within the fandoms. So far it’s made my heart full! 🖤

I hope you have a GN everyone. Stay beautiful. I love you all so much more than you know.

Xx -K🖤

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fyexo · 4 years

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200926 SuperM Open Up About The Encouraging Message Behind Their New Album "Super One"

The group's members are some of the most skilled performers in K-pop history; Kai and Baekhyun are from Exo, Taemin is from Shinee, and Lucas, Taeyong, Mark, and Ten are from NCT and its Chinese sub-unit WayV, respectively.

When they join forces as SuperM, however, the result is incendiary — otherworldly vocals mesh with indomitable rapping to create powerful performances that leave viewers reeling long after the group has left the stage. Don't believe me? Just watch the group perform their breakneck power anthem "100" and prepare to feel absolutely exhilarated.

It's been less than a year since their debut, but SuperM has already made history by becoming the first K-pop group to debut at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 album chart with the release of their debut EP SuperM — The 1st Mini Album. It's an achievement that youngest member Mark credits in part to their fans, who banded together from multiple fandoms to support their debut; it was also a great source of inspiration for SuperM to work even harder so their next album would be even better than the last.

Now, SuperM is back with their first full-length album, Super One, out Sept. 25.

AKA, today! With the world currently under lockdown due to the pandemic, it was SuperM's desire to create an album that would give fans encouragement and, according to Kai, "take [them] to a place of hope." The 15-track album still includes the group's signature powerful sound with songs like "One" and "100," but also highlights the softer side of SuperM with tracks like the gospel-infused "Better Days" and funky "Together at Home" too.

We sat down with SuperM in a roundtable interview to discuss their new album, Super One, and how they hope its overall message of coming together will bring comfort to fans around the world during the pandemic.

1. After the release of your first EP debuting at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 200 chart, did you feel any sort of pressure while preparing to release this album?

Mark: It was our first EP release, you know? So to have that No. 1 achievement itself was an honor. It was our first EP as SuperM and to have our fans really combine their strength to support us really felt great, so it motivated us to really work harder on this album. We put double the amount of effort we put in on our last album into this album, so we believe that the quality went up that much as well. We can’t wait for fans to listen to Super One too now.

2. What made you decide to combine two songs together to make your title track "One?" It feels reminiscent of Shinee's song "Sherlock!"

Taemin: When I recorded “Sherlock” with Shinee back in the day, it was one of the first times we were doing this [type of hybrid song creation], so it felt very experimental. At that time, I was a little worried about how it would end up sounding at the end of the recording process, but I think after recording [this kind of song] with “Sherlock,” I was able to see how this song would come to be as “One.” A lot of people might think that mixing two songs together is quite tall of a task, but we were able to do it and I’m really happy with the results.

3. What’s your favorite track on the new album?

Baekhyun: “Big Chance” is my favorite. I personally like taking big chances and looking for big opportunities, so just the title itself caught my attention.

Taemin: I would probably say “Wish You Were Here.” I actually think this would’ve been a great title track as well. I personally think all of the members did a great job in recording [this song] and I love how it sounds. This song is actually one that’s more unexpected from SuperM, because audiences usually expect a performance-heavy song and I think the message within it is one that really brings the whole album together and conveys the message that we’re hoping to convey with Super One.

Kai: “Tiger Inside” is one of my favorites because when you listen to it, you just feel energized and you feel that strength coming from the song. And I feel like it’s a song that showcases all of the members really well.

Mark: I honestly really like “Wish You Were Here” as well, but I’m going to say that I really like “Infinity” right now. "One" is a song that combines “Infinity” and “Monster,” but I feel like “Infinity” has its own story and dynamic and you can feel a different side [of it] than you can feel from “One” when you listen to it.

Taeyong: I'll pick “Together at Home,” because I like that message. Overcome this situation and—

Mark: Netflix.

Taeyong: And just Netflix.

Lucas: My personal favorite is “So Long” because the melody is really addictive, like once you listen to it, it hooks you right away. I really think it’s a song that fans will all appreciate.

Ten: “Infinity!” Like Mark said, the dynamics and storytelling were outstanding on that track. Also, I was so lucky that I got to try this rap/vocal kind of style that I had been wanting to try for a long time on “Infinity,” so I enjoyed recording it very much.

4. What is something you learned about yourself while creating Super One?

Baekhyun: One of the new things that I learned while preparing for this album in particular was that we were able to stretch our limits even more. As you know, we released "100," "Tiger Inside," and now we’re releasing the title track “One." Each of these songs has such a great concept and choreography — just putting all of that together was really challenging, to be honest. I think that was something that I learned when we were able to come together as a group and face that together.

5. Given that each member comes from another major group, how do you make sure that each member has their moment to shine on Super One?

Lucas: Visually, we all have different aesthetics that go along with our individual styling and I think that kind of points to each of our charms. In our upcoming music video for “One,” we all had different designs and colors, but it all still stayed connected. I feel like through those points that we give out through our art that it adds a charm for each of us.

6. Super One features a wider variety of musical styles and influences than your first album. How do you feel SuperM’s musical identity has grown with this new album?

Taemin: I would say that while putting together this album, we were able to [bring a greater sense of] harmony between the members than we did initially. Everyone is just so skilled, but with this album, we were able to experiment more and try out these different genres and see how it all comes together.

8. Which song on the album have you personally come to fall even more in love with in time, and what made you fall in love with it?

Ten: I would choose our ballad song “Better Days” because at first when I listened to the song, it sounded kind of old — seriously, it sounds like it’s from the '90s, a very old pop song. But after we recorded, I realized the song goes well with us and the concept we want to release because the lyrics are very healing. I think when you listen to “Better Days” you can get that energy that us together, we can make a better day.

9. SuperM has all of these modes of transportation that are featured throughout your music videos. At a time when we can’t travel and the world is kept apart, what does this represent to you and how do you want it relayed through the album?

Kai: If you look at our past music videos, there are helicopters, tanks, and a lot of cars. I think that goes really well with SuperM’s concept as a group. That’s why those modes of transportation were kind of illustrated through our music videos in our past songs. We can’t really travel right now because of the pandemic and everything that’s going on, but we really hope that, just like these modes of transportation take you somewhere, that this album can be that mode of transportation to take you to a place of hope and to a higher place where everyone can enjoy themselves and be happy.

10. Looking back on all of your journeys so far, what is one event that you considered a failure at the time, but now you feel it ultimately led to your success today?

Taeyong: As artists, when we start out our careers, I can’t help but feel like a lot of the moments that we go through feel like we’re still trying to get there, or like we’re not fully there yet. There are a lot of moments where it might have felt like a failure, but actually everything was a step to build up to what we have now.

Mark: When I first debuted, my hair was very short, so my bangs were above my eyebrow by like four inches and I honestly hated it during my debut. But coming back to it now, I feel like it was alright.

Taeyong: It was cute!

Mark: It was appropriate just for that age, you know! Just for that time in my life.

Ten: Like Mark, mine is the same. During the debut days like “The 7th Sense,” when I saw my own hair, I was like: “This is not going to work out.” But now I miss it so much; I’ve got to get it soon!

Mark: Hair is an important factor for a debut for us!

11. Mark and Taeyong, you both wrote and produced on the last two albums. When you're writing a song like "100" or "Together at Home," what is your creative process like?

Mark: Most importantly, I feel like whenever we have to create or produce something for our raps and rap making, the main theme and the meaning are what’s most important. This particular album, for “100” or any other song, the main meaning for the whole album is to really bring hope and to encourage people that unison is the only way for us to get through this and through all of our problems. So we kind of used that theme, in a way, to interpret each and every song. So for “Together at Home,” we really felt like, we’re all staying together at home, so what are the benefits and what are the goods that we can bring out of this? What are the ways that we can connect through our songs while we stay at home and everything? So I feel like that process worked for every other song and we enjoyed that while making the raps as well.

Taeyong: Also, the most important thing is the performances. This time, Taemin hyung fixed our choreography [so it has] more detail. I think, this time, our performance is really dope and great and untouchable. I think I’m very excited — please look forward to it. Thank you!

12. What is the key ingredient needed to transform a song into a SuperM song?

Kai: Each member's individual charms are a main ingredient, but if I had to add one more spoonful, it would be the producing and direction of our executive producer Lee Soo Man. As you know, SuperM is a group that is really strong with its performances, so that’s a really key ingredient that’s needed when making a SuperM song.

13. And finally, how has SuperM evolved since your debut together?

Baekhyun: With this new album, especially just the process of recording it, we were able to emphasize the message within the album. All of the songs have their own message, but Super One is all about unity and being unified. I think in terms of the sound of the music itself, we wanted to make sure to relay a message of positivity rather than just focus only solely on the performance. This was an album where we were able to focus on the messaging more, so I think we’ve matured in that sense.

Emelyn Travis @ Buzzfeed

#exo #kai #baekhyun #t: interview #200923 #e: interview

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durifmdarchived · 3 years

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base online 1.4 self para.

date: march 2021. character(s) involved: @fmdmaverick (just mentioned in a thought and later about the pets (and they were roommates. oh my god they were roommates)), the furbaby army (kangaroo, peanut butter, moose, finn, angel, & tteokbokki.) mention of @fmdjoosung. about: duri films the “ten things i can’t live without.” basically takes you around his home and shows you the things he can’t live without. a lot them aren’t really technically “things” but it works ig! trigger warnings: n/a. notes: n/a. word count: 1,465.

thinking about the ten things that duri couldn’t leave without felt a bit hard, to say the least. he wasn’t entirely sure if he was able to boil down just ten different things because it felt like there was a lot that he could potentially list off. but, instead, he had to name just ten things, so it actually took him a while to think about before he could even film the video. one thing that kind of sucked, to say the least, was that he couldn’t name kai, considering that could probably be seen as suspicious. so, that removed something from the list that he was creating inside of his head for things that he would be able to list off. but, all he knew that it was in no particular order and was more so what just had come to him. he could only hope that it would make sense. due to the fact that he was indeed filming this in more of a vlog style type of way, he dressed up a lot more casual to welcome viewers into his shared home with his “roommate”. nonetheless, he started the camera to begin his ten things i can’t live without video for base online.

“hello! i’m knight’s duri!” he greets, before bowing towards the camera. “today, i’m going to talk about ten things i can’t live without and show you some of them! this is also in no particular order, just what comes to me!” he explained. “so, welcome to my home!” he said, before giggling softly. he made his way over to where the animals were, tags wagging as duri approached them and recorded them. he got down to their level, giggling softly. “one of the ten things are the pets!” he said. “this one is kangaroo,” he points the shiba inu, “this one is peanut butter,” he points to the frenchie, “and this one is moose!” he says, pointing to the bernedoodle. “we also have finn and angel!” he saiid, pointing to them individually with another giggle. “finn and angel are my roommate maverick’s dogs,” he says. obviously they were also duri’s dogs, but he had to call his boyfriend his ‘roommate’ for... purposes. “we also have another animal in this house... where is she...” he saying, before making noises with his mouth, only to find her by a window. “ah, there she is! my roommate and i rescued her! i named her tteokbokki because i thought she looked like tteobokki,” he explained before giggling once more. he petted the fluffy orange tabby cat, a pur coming from her. he make his way over to the next thing, which was close by, a gallery wall full of family photos. “next on the list is my family!” he said. this was probably an obvious choice, with how much he’s talk about them. he placed himself behind the camera, before showing off photos. he pointed to each photo, telling the camera who was who. explaining a few things, like his parents, why his uncle and aunt raised him. “they really mean a lot to me because they’ve always been there for me and supported me in everything that i’ve done! so, i wouldn’t be able to live without them,” he said, truly getting sappy.

the next place he takes the camera is into the office on the first floor, where all the music equipment is situated. “next on the list is... music!” he said, laughing softly. “ah, music really means a lot to me... i learned so much about music when i was younger and really studied it. i couldn’t live without music... without making music, it really makes me happy, and i hope my music makes people happy too!” he said. which would probably be a bit hard, anyways, since a lot of his ballads probably aren’t technically happy. but, still, maybe hearing his voice did? who knows. “i think that would lead into the next item that i can’t live without,” he said, before picking up an airpods case. “airpods! so i can listen to music!” he said, giggling softly. “i count any type of buds on this part, just because it all counts, right? i really like listening to music... if there was no more music, i don’t know what i would do...” he said, another giggle leaving his lips. “i also keep all my books in here... which is another thing that i can’t live without! i quite like reading, it really keeps my mind going. that’s not an odd choice, right?” he questioned as if the viewers could answer him right now, a laugh soon leaving his lips. he would leave the office to move onto his next set of things, this time, the kitchen.

“the kitchen! my next thing is cooking!” he said. “i’ve always enjoyed cooking and just being in the kitchen, something that i learned from my family. so, i’ve gotten a lot of knowledge on cooking and baking from them,” he said, nodding a bit. “i guess you could guess that right?” he said, giggling once more. he was sure there would be an edit on the screen talking about him being a masterchef, something that editors liked to throw in as a brag. “the next thing is coffee! ah, i love coffee, i can’t be without it,” he said, showing off a coffee machine that duri and kai have in the house. “it really keeps me going all day with busy schedules, or on days when i’m just lounging around at home. i can have coffee at any time!” he nodded confidently. before he’d leave the kitchen, those being the only thing in that room that he could think about when it comes to what he can’t live without. before he’d go for something else, he would pass by the grand piano, showing it. “piano is the next thing that i can’t live without!” he confirmed to the camera. “i can play the piano, guitar, and violin. but, piano is by far my favorite instrument. if anything, i can live without the guitar and violin, but i wouldn’t be able to without the piano. it’s really just my favorite of all time! i really enjoy just sitting down and playing sometimes,” he explained. “you can probably tell how much i like the piano due to my composition of all of my life, right?” he asked, giggling a bit to himself, before heading upstairs.

duri would head to the shared bedroom, which people wouldn’t know is a shared bedroom and just think that it was duri’s room. following after him came tteokbokki, a curious cat that wanted to see what exactly he was doing. duri makes his way over to where he keeps the two dog plushies that he has, the one from his parents, and the one from joosung. he picks up the one from his parents, showing it off to the camera. “this is a dog plushie from my parents, another item that i’m unable to live without. it’s one of the last remaining gifts from them and i brought everywhere with me as a child. on the nights that i have trouble sleeping or days i need more comfort, i reach for this because it’s like they’re with me. so, i always keep this safe, because i can’t live without it,” he explained, clearly getting sentimental, and placing it back in it’s safe spot. tteokbokki was able to reach these things, but she’d most likely never actually touch them. “the second dog plushie is from element’s sun! that one means a lot to me as well, he just got it for me for my last birthday!” he exclaimed, giggling. now, he had one more thing to list off, and he knew what to show. he made his way to the linen closet, where he would show off all the neatly folded blankets. “do you see all the blankets?” he asked. “blankets is the final thing that i can’t live without! i get really cold easily, so having blankets is really essential to me... i also think i have a bad habit of buying them. but, maverick might need some as well or when my niece and nephew stay over, it’s good for that too!” he said with a soft giggle.

he made his way back into the bedroom, where he’d sit down on the bed with the camera pointed at him. “that’s the ten things that i can’t live without! thank you for watching!” he said, giggling softly. he waved bye to the camera, a big smile upon his face, “bye bye!” he says, before ending it with a happy laugh, and shutting the camera off. he’d be sure to give the recording to his manager to give it to base.

#fmdbaseonline1.4 #⌜ self para. ⌝

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ryuukia · 4 years

Text

[Translation] Tsukihana Kagura Cast Presentation: Geppaku (Procellarum)

Merry Christmas everyone~! Working on this was a bit more difficult because, well... life, but at long last, here’s Procella’s cast presentation. Ryota’s already done with Alive so expect me to post those starting next week maybe?

Many, many thanks to Ryota and Chrome for assisting with this and helping with the proofread! Please don’t repost/retranslate/reuse my translations. Likes and reblogs are appreciated!

Nation: the affiliated country’s name Flower name: the name as a dancer Dance technique: the name of each person’s characteristic dance Dance props: the name of the tool used while dancing (there are cases when none are used)

Shimotsuki Shun

“Geppaku, let’s us go ♪”

Nation: Geppaku ※chief

Flower name: Geppaku (Moon Spirit)

Dance technique: Amanotokotachi no Kami

Dance props: Folding fan / Inscription: [Shisoku] (Downfall for everything)

This young man is the lord of the ‘Shimotsuki’ household, a lineage that carved its place into the core of ‘Geppaku’, one of the oldest and most mysterious nations as well as Shikkoku’s other half.

The powers he was born with are so strong that simply his presence can greatly affect his surroundings. Because of that, he spends most of his time in the depths of a palace kept under strong protection (seals) and layers of barriers…… Yet despite his awful situation, he simply answers with “It’s fine, it’s fine ♪” when being asked about it.

He prefers staying indoors as his palace is exceedingly comfortable (his soft, fur futon is his favourite) and if he’s required to go out he can just use a quick technique to do so.

In other words, the seals are pointless. He’s nothing but ‘a shut-in with no desire to work, both of his own volition’. Regardless of all that, his dance is beautiful enough to steal the soul of any person who happens to witness it.

Fuduki Kai

“It’s all right when we from Geppaku receive all the other colors!”

Nation: Geppaku

Flower name: Souhaku (Pale)

Dance technique: Wadatsumi (The God of the Sea)

Dance props: Long sword / Inscription: [Seigaiha] (Wave Pattern)

He's the son of a servant who visited the ‘Shimotsuki’ household frequently and is Shun’s childhood friend, the latter happening due to Shun’s wish of wanting to play with him more in his younger days.

He has always had a lot of great accomplishments, and while he plays around with Shun, his ability to use his techniques is exceptional. He has even become a very distinguished person in their nation.

He has a special connection with water and his strong point is a technique he uses to control it.

During the Tsukihana Festival's live broadcast, he and Shun incorporate a combined method that uses his water mirror technique atop a watchtower.

Interview with Shimotsuki Shun (Procellarum)

Q. Please tell us about the highlights of this stage play and your impressions or story behind your partnered dance.

You wouldn’t expect to see me on the stage dancing loosely with a folding fan in my hand, would you? Alright, Shun-sama will show you how serious he is ☆…… Just kidding. The rehearsals brought me the chance to watch and share advice with units that have dances similar to ours, like QUELL and VAZZY. Such exchanges happen often behind the scenes, it’s what makes joint stage-plays fun.

On the other hand, Shu and Takaaki have a lot of experience, they’re without a doubt professionals ♪

Q. In Tsukihana, all 12 nations have their own specialties, but if you could come up with a new specialty for your own country, what would it be?

White tea.

A white tea with a pleasant scent would be perfect. I want to have a tea party with everyone!

Q. Lastly, leave a short message for the fans.

In the innermost parts of a mysterious country, I’m the lovely character who snuggles in soft fur all day. All the Procella members have taken care of their hair and cut their nails with particular attention to detail, you know? ... Just like always? That's right (laughs). Fufufu no fu~♪

Interview with Fuduki Kai (Procellarum)

Q. Please tell us about the highlights of this stage play and your impressions or story behind your partnered dance.

The highlight is the elegant choreography that Shun's great at!

Eh? I seem like I'll be bad at it? No, no. This is where my experience as someone with a lot of ballad songs will shine through! ... Or at least, I hope it does (laughs)!

The song’s got a certain atmosphere to it, so in order to not ruin that I’ll practice until I can show off Fuduki Kai’s beautiful side. Fighting!

Q. In Tsukihana, all 12 nations have their own specialties, but if you could come up with a new specialty for your own country, what would it be?

Panna Cotta.

Holy Cotta.

Q. Lastly, leave a short message for the fans.

This time my role’s a bit more mysterious than the previous ones.

While I do give some sort of advice to the other nations' members, I always do it with a bit of an enigmatic smile on my face (laughs). I’ll do my best!

Haduki You

“Well, I may take things lightly…but at the right moment I won’t lose, y’know?”

Nation: Geppaku

Flower name: Shirahae (White Breeze of the South)

Dance technique: Nanten Sojou (Ascent from the Southern Sky)

Dance props: No props

Ever since ‘Geppaku’ took form, the control of the power spots has been split between day and night.

The ‘Haduki’ household is in charge of the day territories, with You being the third son among the monk brothers.

His carefree character stands out a lot, though he's skillful and well-rounded as someone who has mastery over a wide range of techniques to match the situation.

His childhood friend is Yoru, the only son of the ‘Nagatsuki’ household, a lineage who protects the night territories. Dusk is the point when day is replaced by night, a moment marked by a joint dance between the two sides.

Nagatsuki Yoru

“Would you like to try your luck?”

Nation: Geppaku

Flower name: Jihaku (Innocent heart)

Dance technique: Unjou Roukaku (Celestial Castle)

Dance props: Rabbit mask / Inscription: [Gyokuto] (Moon)

Yoru is the only son of the ‘Nagatsuki’ household, a family who controls the night power spots. He’s a gentle person by nature, just like the darkness of the night which envelops people closely and quietly.

People who have lost their way look for him for some power when they're "down on their luck." He's probably someone who can bring hope to people who find themselves in a dead end.

You from the ‘Haduki’ household is his childhood friend, the two being on good terms even in the present.

Although the dance performed at dusk doesn’t hold any meaning whatsoever, for the two of them it’s more of a tradition. It seems that not performing any dance disturbs their balance.

Interview with Haduki You (Procellarum)

Q. Please tell us about the highlights of this stage play and your impressions or story behind your partnered dance.

I feel like it's both soft and strong. My movements are pretty heavy while Yoru's are pretty gentle and soft. It continues on for half of it and then at the end, our movements will match! I think that's the best way to summarize it. I think our movements are very fitting for a Japanese dance or a [kagura] so please check it out~♪

Q. In Tsukihana, all 12 nations have their own specialties, but if you could come up with a new specialty for your own country, what would it be?

Soft serve or vanilla ice cream.

Q. Lastly, leave a short message for the fans.

I know you've missed me!

Interview with Nagatsuki Yoru (Procellarum)

Q. Please tell us about the highlights of this stage play and your impressions or story behind your partnered dance.

The rabbit mask I have to wear gives off the impression my dance is a light ‘walk on the clouds’...... or at least hypothetically it should be (laughs). For now, walking on top of clouds is still not possible (laughs bitterly). Since this rabbit is most likely to fall from the clouds, all I can do is practice.

Lately, You’s been devoting all his attention to this so I will also do my best and not waste a second until the real performance. I have a special mixed drink to help me with this.

Q. In Tsukihana, all 12 nations have their own specialties, but if you could come up with a new specialty for your own country, what would it be?

Geppaku rice cake.

One that makes use of pure white rice cake.

Q. Lastly, leave a short message for the fans.

This story is about a world far away from here. I’m not wrong to say that even their customs, their food, the landscapes they see, and the words they utter are also completely different.

Being able to draw everyone into the world is important, too, isn't it?

Let’s join together this adventure detached from books!

Minaduki Rui

"May all sins be purified.”

Nation: Geppaku

Flower name: Asagara (Epaulette Tree)

Dance technique: Oharae (Great Purification)

Dance props: Evergreen / Inscription: [Namidafuri] (Falling Tears)

This young man is the son of the ‘Minaduki’ household, a family which apparently invited the mighty ‘Shimotsuki’ on this land a long time ago.

Upon the latter's settlement, a number of power spots took birth on the ‘Geppaku’ territory and the people living there were said to be able to use mysterious techniques.

The role of the ‘Minaduki’ household, who have the power to easily interfere with the ‘Shimotsuki’ household, was to keep the latter in line as well as heal and serve them.

…...Which is what’s written in history books, but now their complicated relationship is over and the households are simply on good terms.

Kannaduki Iku

“Let’s dance until your wish becomes a star shining high in the sky!”

Nation: Geppaku

Flower name: Shirogane (Silver)

Dance technique: Oguchi Makami (T/N: The kanji translates as ‘wide-mouthed wolf’. The name belongs to the Japanese God of wolves)

Dance props: Folding fan / Inscription: [Gyougetsu] (Dawning Moon)

When he was only a child, his parents met an unexpected death and Iku ended up being taken by a Shikkoku warrior who happened to be there. He spent the following 10 years touring each country, earning him a quite unusual personal history.

Although he lacks what some would call a ‘worldly sense,’ and he’s slightly unfamiliar with the ways of the world even among the people from ‘Geppaku’, he turned out to be a capable and valuable person, with general ideas and values.

Iku received a small corner of a room in the ‘Minaduki’ house, assists Rui with work, and puts up with Shun’s selfishness. Moreover, everyone seems to spoil him.

He goes on adventures together with Kai and You, eats Yoru’s meals and then sleeps. For him, those are the highlights of his everyday life.

Interview with Minaduki Rui (Procellarum)

Q. Please tell us about the highlights of this stage play and your impressions or story behind your partnered dance.

The combination of Ikkun and me is, probably, the one with the biggest difference in dance skills among all the units.

But that’s a story about how realistic the two of us are. I’m sure that the Rui who lives within “Tsukihana Kagura” dances as regularly as I play the violin and that he dances well.

That’s why I have no choice but to do my best.

Q. In Tsukihana, all 12 nations have their own specialties, but if you could come up with a new specialty for your own country, what would it be?

Milk pudding.

Q. Lastly, leave a short message for the fans.

Please come and see Geppaku’s good sides, at least once.

We’ll also do a prayer for good luck.

Interview with Kannaduki Iku (Procellarum)

Q. Please tell us about the highlights of this stage play and your impressions or story behind your partnered dance.

When Rui told me at the end of our joint lesson that he’d like to work overtime, I was a bit moved (laughs).

He may say he’s still got a long way to go, but I can see that his stamina is definitely better than before and the way he treats his body has really improved. To me, it doesn’t seem like he gets tired as easily anymore.

No, I also have to practice even more so I won’t lose to him!

Rui~, let’s perform a beautiful dance!

Q. In Tsukihana, all 12 nations have their own specialties, but if you could come up with a new specialty for your own country, what would it be?

Something with a strong milk flavour!

Thick ice cream!

Q. Lastly, leave a short message for the fans.

Although the dancing is the main part, the drama part is also pretty complicated! Archaic words are mixed into the script, and there’s a lot of difficult expressions (oh man…). With a dictionary in hand, I’ll force it all into my brain!

Everyone, make sure you come and see the results of my hard work!

If you like my work and you want to support me, you can now buy me a coffee by clicking right [here]. I also started taking commissions, more details are right [here]. Thank you~

#tsukiuta #tsukihana kagura #procellarum #english translation #pamphlet translation #agf 2019 #shimotsuki shun #fuduki kai #haduki you #nagatsuki yoru #minaduki rui #kannaduki iku

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rivalsforlife · 5 years

Note

reminiscences!

Me, a fool: yeah absolutely I can do the reminiscences there’s like what, one per game

Each game: at least three reminiscence themes

me: ohhhhhhh I may have made a mistake

ANYWAYS, to try and save myself from this grave I dug, I’m going to just… group them together by game because I got 40 Reminiscence themes (no, really) and a lot of them I don’t have strong feelings about. But I will comment on the ones I do care about!

I managed to avoid any major spoilers in the analyses, and I linked to the songs in question, but since they’re Reminiscence themes they may kind of hint at spoilers for some stuff (especially in the comments!) and related videos may have spoilers in them, so just be wary of that if you haven’t played the games I’m talking about.

1 - AAI2: Okay to the surprise of no one I love AAI2. First I have to mention… this isn’t technically a reminiscence theme but it was in the video I watched for most of the reminiscence themes, and that is the Bonds theme, which I ADORE and would absolutely be my favourite if it actually counted. It makes me want to cry thinking about Gregory Edgeworth. It’s pretty much the whole theme of AAI2 summed up in one song. If I listen to it I can kind of picture just random images of the characters spending time with each other, if that makes sense?? The relationships in AAI2 are what makes the game great and this song pretty much encapsulates it.

As for the ACTUAL REMINISCENCE SONGS NOW, I enjoy them! AAI2 has two “big case” reminiscence songs, IS-7 and SS-5, and I like both of them. IS-7 in particular at the faster part I kind of got the sense of something ominous brewing, which is fitting considering IS-7 arguably is what caused the whole series to happen. They also have two songs that are slowed-down, more melancholy versions of Kay’s and Lang’s main themes. I like Lang’s because it still has a bit of a… I want to say jazzy beat to it, even though I’m so unqualified to classify genres of music because I have no innate musical skill, I can’t identify anything? But Lang’s is kind of a “despite being in a low point he’s still determined to follow through with this case” feel which I can appreciate.

2 - AA1: okay so the obvious big Reminiscence song in here is DL-6, which I shouldn’t have to link, we all know it. It’s the song I sometimes hum to myself in elevators when no one’s around because I have a very morbid sense of humour, but if it creeps up on me it gives me instant chills. Like when I was playing the steam port of the trilogy, and it kind of automatically jumps to the next case as soon as you’re done the last one, and I heard the first few notes and yelled and shut my laptop because I wasn’t emotionally prepared for that yet. I can’t judge i objectively, it’s very tied in to Turnabout Goodbyes and Miles’ character arc for me, and that’s my favourite storyline so it goes up here.

AA1 also has the class trial theme, which is a song I actually gasped out loud upon hearing for the first time mostly just because it was something I’d never heard and I was FINALLY GETTING THAT PHOENIX/EDGEWORTH BACKSTORY, which I had been so eager to get to at that time. I really like the whole class trial scene because I love narumitsu, so that definitely helped improve AA1′s rankings here.

3 - DD: so basically there’s a major jump in quality of sound when you get to the DS games, and another when you get to the 3DS games, just because of better technology, so the Dual Destinies songs sound better to me, at least. Wandering Heart is just a genuinely pretty song, Athena’s Trauma Song has a very creepy music-box kind of sound to it which is fitting considering the circumstances, but the third Reminiscence song for the DLC didn’t feel too sad to me? Idk, for some reason I kind of felt like it was something I’d listen to while lounging on a beach. hypothetically. I live in a land-locked area and have never lounged on a private beach but if I could, this would kind of be the thing? But it is pretty, all the songs sound nice.

4- DGS2: I’m not going to spoil anything!! but three of them are pretty standard reminiscence-type songs, with a few notes of leitmotifs of one of the major antagonists in some of them. The last one though, this one, I can’t really talk about for a lot of reasons… but there are a few little details in it nodding to the major antagonist. It has a pretty ominous “all hope is lost” kind of feeling, fitting since the title is “At Ambition’s End”, and idk it kind of encapsulates the feeling I get throughout the entire last case of DGS2?

5- AA4: so the entire AA4 soundtrack kind of has a… different feeling to it in comparison to the other games in the series, and I can’t quite figure out how to put it into words. The entirety of the game actually has a bit of a different vibe in comparison to the others. In this one the reminiscence themes feel more foreboding and ominous to me, as opposed to the just straightforward sad-feeling in lots of the other ones? I can’t quite say what it was, and I don’t feel like listening to everything again, but I liked it. It’s also important to note that the “forgotten legend” reminiscence theme, Phoenix’s, seems to have some piano in it (I think? I am very bad at identifying musical instruments) which, if true, is very funny. because Phoenix can’t play the piano.

6 - T&T: they started putting more effort into the soundtrack starting with this game and it shows. Godot’s Reminiscence theme is the big one, which is appropriately sad for all the Pretty Crappy Stuff That Happened To Godot… and I like the sound of it! Overall T&T had pretty decent Reminiscence songs, but nothing that really stood out to me.

7- SOJ: like DD these songs all sound pretty nice. They sound pretty… but none of them really stood out to me. Although by this point I had been listening for nearly an hour so I might just be burned out?

8- AAI: my main issue with AAI as a game is that a lot of the time I’d think “oh wait why was I supposed to care about this again?” and lots of times I heard the Reminiscence things and didn’t really… feel much. Are these songs, objectively, worse in quality than, say, the DL-6 theme? No. But the DL-6 theme is tied to the DL-6 incident which I have strong feelings about, but the events of AAI I never really connected with. I will give props to the last Reminiscence song, Torn Apart Countries, for properly encapsulating what AAI was trying to go for (”taking down an enemy too big for the law” or something like that) because this song is very foreboding and has the feeling of looming over you, I think?

9 - PLvsAA: again, none of the reminiscence themes stood out to me, except for the Legendary Great Fire which did nice things with volume.

10 - DGS: I don’t have anything AGAINST DGS’s reminiscence themes, not at all, it’s just… nothing really stood out to me in these ones. Also some of them don’t really feel like Reminiscence themes… The first one is Ryuunosuke’s memories which really doesn’t sound like a standard Reminiscence theme at all. I think that much like my rankings for SOJ by this point I was getting tired of hearing Reminiscence themes that didn’t really do anything too remarkable…? This one didn’t have any songs that stood out to me, either.

11 - JFA: much like the game itself it has some really good stuff and some stuff that’s just ridiculous. Mimi Miney’s Reminiscence song is very pretty, but the Reminiscence song they use in Farewell, My Turnabout is called the “Steel Samurai Ballad”, so basically a sadder version of the Steel Samurai theme. Which, okay, valid I guess, except:

a) I’m so used to the upbeat Steel Samurai theme that hearing a sad one feels a little jarring

b) The Steel Samurai has pretty much no link to this case. It’s the Nickel Samurai, which I understand is Discount Steel Samurai, but… the fact that Matt Engarde is the Nickel Samurai has pretty much no bearing on this case aside from some murder details, it has nothing to do with the emotional theme of the story, and trying to put “Sad Steel Samurai” over a woman committing suicide or the Bad Ending just… doesn’t sit right with me, you know?

At a certain point these last few ones on the list kind of blur together, I just put them in places arbitrarily for the most part because nothing really stood out exceptionally about their Reminiscence themes? Anyways, those are my opinions.

#asks #soundtrack rankings #ace attorney

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thepuckishrogue · 5 years

Text

Javier Escuella x GN!Reader in: An Interesting Encounter

NSFW ABCs || E is for ‘Experience’

MINORS/AGELESS BLOGS DO NOT INTERACT || 18+ ONLY ||

↞ Previous: One Hell of a Dream || D is for ‘Dirty Secret’

|| m!reader version ||

|| ao3 version | abcs m.list | rdr m.list | writing blog ||

↠ Requested By: No one, naturally. ↠ Reader Gender: Neutral ↠ Content Type: NSFW, obviously. ((MINORS BEGONE!!)) ↠ CWs/TWs: CW for mentions of brothels and all that entails (as in Javier, like every other dude in the gang, has availed himself to their services). Also a CW for Reader being a sex worker. In this story they work at a brothel, meaning they’re a prostitute, so if the thought of that doesn’t sit well with you then avoid the ficlets. ↠ Total WC: 2.2k~

The man that has been holding up the bar’s back end for the better part of the last half hour looks over at you with an air of disinterest that should be off-putting, but there’s something in his glace that says ‘Try a little harder, sweetheart.’

↠ In which a young Javier decides it’s time to get back in the saddle.

Kay, so while I did make a M!Reader version I will not be doing one for F!Readers as while writing this I didn’t really see the need to differentiate between a female and gender neutral reader. Sorry if that disappoints, ladies, but it really do be like that sometimes.

Experience || How experienced are they? Do they know what they’re doing?

He’s had his fair share. I mean look at him. A man that gorgeous? He fucks. He fucks a lot.

I headcanon that when he was back in Mexico his lady-love there was his first and only. Boy was head over heels, writing a new ballad in her honor and subjecting everyone to it every-damn-day, “Mama I luh her!”-levels of enchanted with her. They were each other’s first everything, and like the fumbling teens that they were they learned as they went. By the end of it all Javi was fairly adept at a few things (a natural affinity, I’d say), but most of his knowledge was her-centric, ya know? It wouldn’t be ‘til much later that he learned how to adapt things to his other partners.

After he fled to the US he obviously wasn’t getting any because he was more concerned with his continued survival, but even after Dutch took him in it still took him awhile to get back into the swing of things. This wasn’t because he couldn’t find someone (because lbr—honey ain’t a snacc, he a whole seven course meal), but rather because his lady still held his heart. Now idk what exactly went down between them as I’ve not actually played this game for myself so I’m relying on YT vids/the wiki, and unfortunately I’ve not been able to find any vids where he speaks on it, but from what I’ve gathered there may have been some level of betrayal there. Without getting too deep into my thoughts on that, I will say that despite whatever went on there he was still in love with her, and when Javier Escuella loves he does it with his whole being. It isn’t until he and Abigail become a thing that he realizes that sex doesn’t have to be equated with love.

Now we’re not gonna get into that particular bit of canon right now as it’s only tangentially related to this post. Suffice it to say, while he cared about Abby dearly, he knew he wasn’t in love with her. She was someone safe and trusted, a part of the family they’d both been adopted into, but not so close to him that it felt weird to be with her like that. She was a pretty young thing—bright and kind and brimming with a fire that he found irresistible. She was the first woman in a long while that had stirred any type of reaction in him and he latched on to those feelings and held on tight. Conversely, Abigail never thought she was in love with him either. Javi was the only man in the gang besides Hosea and Arthur that saw beyond her profession. He always treated her kindly, never looked down on her, and most importantly never propositioned her.

What they had was short lived and very… ‘casual’ isn’t the right word– ‘Relaxed’, maybe? What I’m trying to say is there were no real commitments or expectations on either end. They enjoyed each other’s company for a few months before finally doing away with the sexual aspects of the relationship. It’s my canon that they’re still close and that drives John up the fucking wall some days—it also may or may not have something to do with why he ran off after Jack’s birth, but that’s a story for another day.

So yeah, after all that, his sex drive came back online and he was surprised to find that it was just as high as it had been when he was a rowdy kid. It took a bit, but eventually he started actually taking up the guys on their offers of joining them at saloons and brothels—though once they realized just how magnetizing he could be when he turned on the charm they regretted the decision lmao.

Though Abigail certainly taught him a few things, the bulk of his sexual education came from these visits. Those talented workers were more than thrilled to teach him and he was v. eager to learn. Between that and the natural affinity I mentioned before, he can and will have your legs going numb in a matter of minutes.

An Interesting Encounter || WC: 1.5k~

💦 Tags: CW/TW for sex work. Again, Reader works at a brothel, meaning they’re a prostitute, so if the thought of that doesn’t sit well with you then this isn’t the story for you. Other than that I cannot think of anything else that needs a warning, but if I missed something please let me know!

“Heya, handsome—want some company?”

Or maybe that’s just your years of experience talking.

The slight tilt of his head is an invitation to sit, an offer to continue this chase that you’ve unwittingly become a part of. Of course with the trade you ply you’re no stranger to approaching men, but usually even the cockiest among them don’t take much more prodding than a word and a wink—but this man, this man…

It’s clear that he wants to be pursued, to be wanted, to be the sole focus of your desire and dammit if he isn’t drawing you in.

He’s an enigma wrapped up in a very pretty package. Everything, from his crisp white shirt to his polished gold-capped boots speaks of not only wealth but a sense of confidence that you’ve not often seen inside these walls. Arrogance is in a rather unfortunate abundance amongst The Rambling Rose’s clientele, but unlike those men he doesn’t feel the need to tout his accomplishments—be those imagined or otherwise—for validation. He knows who and what he is and the shadow-cast eyes that sit underneath his low slung bowler invites you to find out exactly what that is for yourself.

As you slide onto the high stool next to him the bartender pours you a measure of what he’s drinking—Ripy’s bourbon, you discover as the amber-hued liquid flows over your pallet, top shelf stuff. The sip goes down smooth, but tracking eyes makes the familiar whisper of a burn feel all the more intense. His gaze seems to be fixed on the curve of your lips, and having long since learned to take every advantage presented to you, you decide to put on a bit of a show for the man. Your tongue peeks out to collect an imagined drop on your bottom lip before capturing the thing in a slow scrape of teeth; all the while you keep your own gaze hidden behind lashes as you look down at your now half empty glass. When your eyes do finally cut over to him at your display’s end you find that he’s pushed his hat back to regard you more fully.

“Seems as if you know the fastest way to a man’s heart,” he says with a touch of husk coating his pleasantly accented voice.

The corners of your lips turn up into a smile as you turn in your seat to face him. “There’s no real use for hearts in a place like this, sir, but I could do with a name.”

Your words earn you not only a name—“Javier,” he tells you in a purr that has you biting down on a shiver—but a laugh as well.

You return the courtesy as you prop an elbow on the bar’s top; your head comes down to rest its weight against your waiting hand as you look him over and just as you expect he preens under your conspicuous assessment—a strong jaw, full lips, lush dark locks, and skin rich enough to rival the intoxicating draw of the drink that fills your glasses. Overall he is, without a doubt, one of the most handsome men you’ve ever seen and you can only hope that by your encounter’s end you’ll have a new regular.

For his part the mystery man takes your measure just as readily, and you have to force yourself not to change your relaxed pose. Never before have you ever been this worried about what a patron thought of you with the logic being that they’re here to purchase a service. If you’re not what they’re in the market for there’s no need to be offended, you’ll both just move on to the next, but this man… You know nothing about him aside from his name, which is more than likely a fake as one of his friends is going about calling himself Tacitus fucking Kilgore and that’s a goddamn alias if you’ve ever heard one.

“Like what you see?” he asks after a few moments.

“I do,” you admit, “as do many, many others, I’m sure, but I must say—you look a bit lost, darling. Is this your first time in a bordello?” Given your rough guess of his age it’ll be more than surprising if your words are proven true—But there is indeed a first time for everything, you silently amend when you notice the way his expression falters.

His eyes drop down to his glass and, after draining it of the last of its contents he finally replies with a, “It is, yeah.”

“I see. I take it that your friends are the only reason you’re here now?” His replying nod doesn’t surprise you.

You’d seen the group of men he’d come in with; they varied in age from the distinguished man that looked old enough to be all of their fathers, to the hoarse voiced kid that looked barely old enough to even be in a place like this. One and all they had found someone to pair off with, but Javier had headed straight for the bar—rebuffing advances all the while. This was part of the reason you’d come to him, actually. Aside from the potential chiding you’d get for not at least making an attempt, the Lady of the House has repeatedly told you that you have a gift for seeing into the heart of people. You’ve been known to soften up even the gruffest of patrons before allowing them to harden under your touch once more.

“Sometimes it’s just easier to go with it, you know?” he says, chuckling a bit.

“I do,” you agree, laughing some yourself. “I would ask why you’ve not been in a place like this before, but a man like you has to have potential lovers following after him in droves–” His snort has you stopping short to amend your statement. “Ahh, so there’s just the one then. You know, most of our clients are supposedly madly in love with their other halves, but you seem to be truly so which makes me wonder just why you’re here instead of lying in the arms of the one that you really want…”

“Let’s just say you’re not the first person I’ve met that has no use for hearts.”

Despite his neutral tone his words carry all the sting of a slap and you find yourself internally cringing. So much for my so called ‘gift’…

Fortunately he seems to have come to some sort of terms with his heartbreak, and when he orders another round it’s for two. Years of training has you smoothing over the faux-pas quickly and the following conversation goes much more smoothly. Javier talks a fair bit, and yet he somehow manages to say nothing with any real worth. It’s a skill that courtesans and outlaws alike share, and you have to assume both him and his friends fall firmly into the latter category. Though they’re all just as dapper as he, there’s a roughness about them that cannot quite be shaken off. Of course you don’t give voice to your silent observations, choosing instead to smile and nod and look pretty as is expected.

As the minutes pass into an hour you can feel the eyes of Madam Thorn burrowing into the back of your head. While customer satisfaction is monumental, this is still a cathouse and at the end of the day the goal is to make money—“And we make our money by lying on our backs, not sitting on our asses.”

The memory of her quipping remark is followed closely by yet another phantom reminder:

“Seal the deal or cut him loose.”

That she’s not intervened as of yet is testament to just how much cash their ringleader—one mister Aiden O’Malley—is dropping, but even that has its limits when you could be making more of the stuff with a customer outside of his little party.

The invitation you extend to Javier is a subtle one, and for the first time in a long time you have absolutely no idea how the man across from you will respond—and if the conflicted look in his eyes is anything to go by neither does he. Thankfully your words are easily stepped around, things to be ignored and forgotten if so chosen, and that’s just what you’re ready to do as silence and seconds both stretch on uncomfortably long. But just before you can make your excuses and move on to the next man he catches your hand. Time seems to slow as he draws the thing up to smiling lips; said smile slowly pulls off into a smirk as the effect that his bold move garners registers.

“Lead the way,” he purrs as he urges you to rise with him.

No more words are exchanged as you navigate the throng that separates you from your chambers, though one musing rises above the cacophony that is your jumbled thoughts–

My, but this is going to be interesting…

A/n: So this isn’t exactly the super suave Javier Escuella that we all know and love. In this fic I picture him being still p. young (20-21) and still very much hung up over his ex. Like I said in the HC, him and Abby had become a thing, and while his outlook on love, sex, and romance have shifted this is the first time he’s doing something like this and putting yourself out there like that can be unnerving to say the least. He’s fine when it comes to the chase/flirting, but once things get to the main event he finds himself wavering a bit. The genuine interest Reader has shown draws him in, but the distance they maintain (“There’s no real use for hearts in a place like this, sir…”) helps him reaffirm the disconnect he’s created between what the heart wants and what the body needs. Of course in the end he seals the deal—and with the flair we expect at that. Okay, that’s enough of me defending my characterization to people who more than likely don’t care lmao…

Up next: Sealed with a Kiss || F is for ‘Favorite Position’

“You realize that we’re literally on some Netflix‘n’chill shit, right?” “Hulu.” “Whatever.”

↠ A modern AU in which a glitched out app turns the night into the sweetest of clichés.

© notepadsandtealeaves, 2019 || Please do not repost, translate, or otherwise alter or distribute my works without my express permission. And for the love of god keep it away from Youtube and TikTok lol…

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kpopreviewcafe · 5 years

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EXO – 5th Album Repackage ‘LOVE SHOT’ Review

Love Shot is the repackaged version of EXO’s 5th studio album Don’t Mess Up My Tempo. SM Entertainment made EXO-ls wait months for this album, so I was very happy to see EXO new music again promoting again.

The title track of this repackage album is called Love Shot – this is the first time that EXO have gone for a sexy theme for their title track, and I must say, I really enjoyed it. It’s so different from their last release, Tempo, which shows off EXO’s incredible versatility as artists. I really did enjoy this song; I thought it was catchy, exciting and showcased EXO’s abundant vocal and rapping skills. As a diehard EXO-l, I literally countdown the seconds until EXO release a new song – I must say however that this song did not leave me as floored as Tempo did – unfortunately I thought that it was lacking in texture, and the melodies were a little too simple… Obviously I thought it was great, but I didn’t think it really compared to the wealth of songs that EXO have released previously (maybe I would even say Love Shot felt a little trashy).

Don’t come for me EXO-ls – in my review of Don’t Mess Up My Tempo I literally said that Tempo might be the best song I’d ever heard in my life… I guess I just expected EXO to raise the bar even higher, as they almost always do. Nevertheless, I loved Sehun and Kai’s raps, as well as Baekhyun and Chen’s impressive vocalisations. Of course I loved everything about the music video too, and the choreography blew me away.

I’m thirsting, And with this one glass It’s like I’ll overflow On this dangerous night, It’s the love shot

The next track is called Trauma – it’s an upbeat song with an interesting instrumental. A special commendation must go to Baekhyun, who’s smooth and sexy vocals fit this song’s mood perfectly. I liked how there was several layers of singing, instruments and backing vocals – one of the things that I love about EXO songs in general is how they are so rich in texture – almost every song feels expensive, with the absolute highest production quality.

Surpassing the moment, Making it past the walls that held me in Watch closely, in front of me The traumas of yesterday fall apart

I absolutely adore the final song Wait – it is the perfect EXO ballad, with a simple acoustic guitar strumming away in the background, complementing EXO’s heavenly vocals perfectly. This is the type of song to listen to when you’re lying under the stars with your eyes closed – let EXO sing you to sleep with this perfect tune. EXO ballads are never boring; there are so many vocalisations and harmonies to catch in this song, and each time you hear it, you discover a few more. Chen in particular is on absolute top form in this song. The vocalisations in the ending chorus made my heart burst with happiness – to be honest I literally could not be more effusive about this song.

It looks like it could snow, You can’t be too late (promise me) So I don’t accidentally miss you on my way Now all I do is wait

Although I was a little disappointed with the title track Love Shot, I still really enjoyed this comeback as a whole. I have faith that EXO will continue to make excellent music and keep their title as the crown princes of Kpop. I adore EXO with my whole heart, and really hope they make another album before members start leaving for the military in 2019.

Kpop Review Café’s Album Ranking: 7/10

Read my review of Don’t Mess Up my Tempo here.

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twiststreet · 5 years

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I haven’t really watched movies in 2018, not good ones-- things got kinda all messed up in that last half of 2018, but I should try to make a year-end list anyways since that’s a thing I think is a good exercise. But I missed all the big adult movies-- Cold War, Beale Street, You Were Never Really Here, First Reformed, Sister Brothers, Eighth Grade, Zama, the Favourite or Roma-- boy, I have a lot to catch up on. I might end up having a really great January, I guess. Except that Star is Born-- I’m pretty good not having seen that. No thanks, there.

(The last really great movie I saw was I finally watched Personal Shopper which I thought was terrific, I really like Assayas a lot, but that’s a 2017 movie. Or the first great movie I saw last year was Phantom Thread, but again technically a 2017 movie).

Anyways, here’s what I end up with, with the dregs that are left (though Tumblr is saying one of the movie I saw in 2018 posts is porno according to their advanced filter technology, and I can’t see what it is, so my memory is imperfect)(my favorite movie of 2018 was SSNI-355 Student Nurses Are Gang Banged Together ~ We Were Fucked By Perverted Doctors At A BBQ Party, and I don’t know why Tumblr would have a problem with me saying that):

10. Mission Impossible: Fallout-- After the “oh wow” of it all wears off, I think I like these movies for the reason people who sniff about them hate them-- they don’t have a screenplay that got worked on all that much. They just had 30 pages of a treatment, and then it was time to film so they could hit their relase date-- and it doesn’t really fucking matter because they hired the right people and they were making the right kinda movie for that. The stuff of this kind of entertainment isn’t that complicated and it’s not necessarily helped by overthinking it. There’s a girl who the hero wants to be with but can’t be with-- there’s a bad guy, and the bad guy’s cooler henchman-- there’s a femme fatale and masks and chases and double-crosses within doublecrosses. The things that really matter for these movies-- cool, velocity, glamour, impact-- are so direct and simple and to my mind, wonderful, wonderfully reptile-brain. “What if they hired some poindexter to spray false profundity all over it” is just not an interesting question to ask about them to me-- they've done that-- it was called the Dark Knight-- I don’t give a shit about that movie, by comparison. I’d rather watch this. It’s more fun. It feels more honest.

9. The Night is Short, Walk on Girl-- one of the worst character types in anime (scummy sexless guy who we’re supposed to root for, despite his personality) slightly sours this otherwise effervescent ode to drinking and carousing and the nighttime. Visually woozy, and just... I’ve had good times at night, back when I had good times, so I like that they made a cartoon where that’s the premise, that certain kinds of things can only happen at night. It’s a magical realist take on the One Crazy Night genre which is a genre I’m fond of. The best one, Scorsese’s After Hours, it’s all happening cause the guy wants to get laid and not be stuck in his daily grind, and then things go wrong. It’s simple and clean. This one has some of that quality to it, that simplicity, at least in the opening stretch which is the most winning...

8. The Zen Diaries Of Garry Shandling-- I liked Garry Shandling back when and had a lot of admiration for his TV work, so I enjoyed this documentary about him. It probably smoothed over a lot of rough edges, but the affection to it was nice, understandable. But more, it was just that ... just hearing a guy who wanted to push himself a certain way’s always interesting. I’m probably not one of those guys! It’s probably a relief not to be one of those guys. But it’s just interesting, hearing someone articulate all that and push for a personal vision of how he had to do what he did, at least for me.

7. Isle of Dogs-- the internet discussion around this movie was a bummer, but I just thought it was a really cool visit into Wes Anderson World. The drums; the scene between Chief and the girl dog; there’s a Youtube video about the amount of work that went into stop-motion sushi that’s pretty jaw-dropping. Sure, it’s always a wallow in style, but Anderson’s always got a heart-on-his-sleeve sadness shot through his stuff that I look forward to just as much. He’s never just putting Futura font up there alone-- there’s always a melancholy that I think people are overly dismissive of.

6. Spiderman: Into the Spiderverse-- weeks later, my very high opinion of this really hasn’t diminished much. It’s just... It’s a creation of pop culture (a spiderman animated film-- which just has “Business Decision!” written all over it), using pop culture as part of its bones, as part of its toolset to make a larger case for the importance of pop culture and for an expansive and inclusive vision of what that culture can mean. It’s about an artist who sees a void when he tries to imagine himself in his world, finding a place for himself in a larger pop culture “universe” by daring to imagine that there could be “alternate worlds” than the one he’s stuck in. And it’s a stinging rebuke to the worst kinds of narrow fans who insist on a closed-off vision of what pop culture means and has to mean for its audience, at a time when that debate is very now. While it may not be narratively especially interesting, it’s just so thematically generous besides being visually just such a delight, and comedically a surprisingly entertaining piece. Spiderman is a crappy character, but I think that movie is really fucking a neat piece of work.

5. The Other Side of the Wind-- It’s kind of astonishing this movie exists in a watchable state. But also: it’s kind of good? Or interesting at least. There’s some stuff in it that’s just pointlessly mean and petty-- one character’s just about Welles trying to shit on Pauline Kael. But it’s got a sort of exhausted quality that I find really... I just found it interesting-- everything hip goes stale eventually, and seeing someone who’d gone stale but was still Orson Welles, try to process that angrily-- I’m not sure how else a movie like that could work, which wouldn’t be as distracted by the moment. It works here because so much time has passed, that you can read it in a way that maybe is more how it was meant to be read, perversely. I don’t know. It’s too weird not to rank. The Other Side of the Wind!!!

4. Paddington 2-- it’s just good! I don’t know-- Hugh Grant fucking kills; Brendan Gleeson’s great; Sally Hawkins! The first one’s o-kay, but the second one has scenes where they use the computer graphics to dazzle in more childlike ways that feels so much more fun to me than other CGI spectacle movies. The pop-up book sequence, in particular, I just thought was really something to watch. I saw some of it on an airplane and it stood out on a little airplane screen...

3. Death of Stalin-- just a mean, nasty, heartless movie, for the mean, nasty, heartless times we get to be alive for. The movie’s about a historically interesting period, but besides that, look, read the papers-- we’re a bad people, worse everyday, so seeing a movie about where that leads, what becomes of that, I don’t know, I thought that was pretty fun. Fuck hopepunk.

2. The Ballad of Buster Scruggs-- It’s not my favorite Coens, but it’s just got a bunch of what makes Coens stuff work in it. Done as simply as it is, you really get a clearer look at what makes their stuff work than usual. Especially because they just tell you flat-out in the last one-- “You know the story, but people can't get enough of them, like little children. Because, well, they connect the stories to themselves, I suppose, and we all love hearing about ourselves, so long as the people in the stories are us, but not us. Not us in the end, especially.” They present fools scampering around hiding from death, chasing foolish dreams, hiding from the bleakness of the world, and then death finds them, that bleakness finds them, a darkness awaits. And that’s their movies-- comedies and dramas. If there’s some songs, it’s a pretty good time. They’re my favorite directors going.

1. Support the Girls-- when I think about it, this movie about a breastaurant manager having a bad day is probably the best movie I saw this year, in terms of just... It was just the warmest movie towards people generally. Or well, not people-- women specifically. It’s a love-letter by Andrew Bujalski to working class black women (such a weird thing to write out!!) and just... Without being sugary hope-hope-rah-rah bullshit-- it didn’t end up on on some shitty Vox list of “things that make tumblr morons want to hug themselves” with Discworld and Harry Potter and Brooklyn 99. It’s admiring without sliding into glorifying, or over-sentimentalizing, or faking the underlying exhaustion of it all, how exhausting it all is. Regina Hall gives probably the most likable performance this year, though the Oscars seem almost certain to ignore it. It’s about characters keeping their dignity in an undignified world, in a system that's designed to rob them of that dignity as the basis of its commerce. And it just has the best ending-- one that the experience of seeing and feeling really kinda would beat me trying to describe it in words, the way you want from a movie (provided you feel what it’s trying to get you to feel, which perhaps is a big if). I think it’s a smarter movie than it lets on, but it doesn’t really matter as much as how much more empathetic a movie it is than anything else I can imagine being out there this year...

Worst Movie: look, I saw Sicario 2, but I knew what I was getting myself in for there. I hated Sicario 1, and I think everyone involved in those movies is fucking braindead. So I can’t pretend I was like “Oh no Sicario 2 how could you” because I knew. I knew. So for me, even though Sicario 2 is academically worse, mathematically the worst movie, I’m still going with Duncan Jones’s Mute, starring Paul Rudd and I don’t know who else, assholes, all assholes. Just the most unbearable shit-- hand-me-down visuals from Blade Runner, trying to bring life to some dopey rudderless story about toxic masculinity, but utterly failing to do so. Just a slog. A very unpleasant memory. It’s delusion that it was “saying something” about men and patriarchal violence, was almost as noxiously stupid as imagining it had anything interesting to say about the future or technology or just anything, anything at all. Just bad. Just a bad, unentertaining movie.

#year in review

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massmurdera · 5 years

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2018 best (and some worst)

2018 was the shittiest year of my life personally and I was a trainwreck almost instantly. I was real hopeful going in, but I got my heart broken as badly as I could get (and it somehow just kept getting worse). Ugh. It’s boring to articulate, but it was a never-ending Russian nesting doll of heartbreak, disappointment, and frustration. But I made more positive changes in the last 12 months than I did in the last 12 years. So that’s something.

TV Funniest go-to show: Desus and Mero (wish they didn’t go on hiatus when they left for Showtime) Favorite shows: 1) Big Mouth 2) Atlanta 3) Killing Eve 4) Bodyguard 5) Haunting of Hill House

Other shows I enjoyed: American Vandal; Homecoming; Americans; GLOW; Better Call Saul; Succession; Cobra Kai; Kominsky Method; Corporate Meh: Barry; Sharp Objects; Who Is America?; Daredevil Favorite Comedy specials: 1) Rory Scovel 2) Bert Kreischer 3) John Mulaney

MOVIES 4 ½ stars: Spiderman: Into the Spiderverse; Sorry to Bother You 4 stars: Quiet Place; Hereditary; Mission Impossible: Fallout; Blackkklansman; Deadpool 2 3 ½ stars: To All the Boys…; Incredibles 2; Game Night; Revenge 3 stars (solid rental): Game Night; Upgrade; Revenge; Ant-Man; Hold the Dark 2 ½ stars (OK rental): Black Panther; Avengers Meh: Love Simon; Support the Girls Probably Good but bored the shit out of me: Roma; First Reformed; Eighth Grade Hated: Mandy; Ballad of Buster Scruggs

STILL NEED TO SEE: Bad Times at El Royale; Bodied; Creed 2; Death of Stalin; Favourite; First Man; Free Solo; Green Book; Halloween; If Beale Street Could Talk; Minding the Gap; Solo; Star is Born; Vice; Widows

MUSIC Favorite Records: 1) Brian Fallon-‘Sleepwalkers’ 2) Story So Far-‘Proper Dose’

1975 has great songs but they have too much filler in their records. Damn good songs: Foxing-‘Nearer My God’; Wonder Years-‘Pyramids of Salt’; Thrice-‘Beyond the Pines’ PODCASTS Favorite Podcasts personally: -Filmdrunk Frotcast (Movies/comedy) -Dollop (history PLUS comedy) -Bill Burr’s Monday Morning Podcast (one-man rant from the best comic alive) -Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend (comedy + conversations) -Rewatchables (Movies/comedy) -Bill Simmons (conversations) -Pardon My Take (sports + comedy) -Chapo Trap House (leftist politics + comedy) -Press Box (media)

Intercepted’s takedown of George HW Bush is great. That show and Citations Needed has its moments. I think if you’re a historian/leftist, the best podcasts are Hardcore History or Common Sense (Dan Carlin), Citations Needed, Intercepted, Chapo Trap House, and the Dollop. Dan Carlin is the one you can enjoy if you’re on ANY political spectrum—and the Dollop is not too far behind; that’s truly the most special when it hits.

Other: My Favorite Murder; Revisionist History; Matty + Nick; Hound Tall; We’ll See You in Hell; Binge Mode: Harry Potter; Bertcast/Open Tabs; Gladiator: Aaron Hernandez

Re-listening to Walking the Room for the 3rd time; that’s my favorite podcast of all time. Late pass: ‘Embedded’ series on Trump is amazing. Doesn’t come out often but when it does? Fascinating and goes in on Trump stories that don’t get talked about. Podcasts I’d recommend: In the Dark; RFK Tapes; Slow Burn (S2 on Monica Lewinsky scandal is great)

‘In the Dark’ is by far the best. S1 in 2016 I prefer over S2; check out both. Podcasts I’m going to check out: Crimetown: Detroit; Serial S3

Vince Mancini (Filmdrunk/Uproxx) has an annual best list on the best investigative/true crime podcasts each year that are the best lists I’ve seen. Best Dollop Episodes of the Year (must-listens on serious subjects): Donald Trump; the Resnicks: Water Monsters; George HW Bush; John McCain; Wells Fargo; Erik Prince & Blackwater

The above subjects deal with subjects to be genuinely outraged about versus faux things to be outraged about everyday (Russia; Louis CK or what a comic said) and the way the media talks or ignores subjects completely. The way it’s done is so great (Dave reading a topic coldly while his friend interjects with commentary—and then in the end coming together with a South Park-esque take on what the fuck is happening)

Other: Feinstein and the Flag; Levittown: the White Suburb Funniest episode of the Dollop: 1908 New York to Paris Car Race (live w/ James Adomian). Hands down the funniest. Dave purposely saved a great one for the fucking great and underrated James Adomian.

I can tune in and out of some Dollop episodes, but when it goes in on a subject or has a particular guest, you know it’s going to hit.

BOOKS Favorite book: City of Thieves by David Benioff Late pass great: ‘Slaughterhouse Five’ Pretty good: ‘Devil in White City’; ‘Lexicon’ Meh: ‘Sirens of Titan’ Hated: ‘the Bell Jar’

Best twitter follows/online writers: Justin Halpern; Drew Magary; Brian Grubb

BEST EVENTS: 1) Gaslight Anthem 59 Sound 10th Anniversary 2) Boston Calling: the National, Menzingers, Queens of the Stone Age, the Killers 3) Bert Kreischer @ Wilbur: near front row 4) Bill Burr @ TD Garden 5) Pats-Titans playoff game

Biggest regret and disappointment: Moving my ‘ex’ into my friend’s house in January (with the hope that I’d be living there half the time too)—only for her to end up wanting NOTHING at all to do with me that same day after I helped her unpack out of nowhere, threaten suicide in a non-joking manner in front of her new roommates and my friend after a political argument at the end of the first night she moved in, get with someone we work with behind my back almost instantly (a bland and lame cokehead who got busted for cocaine 18 months prior and faced 7 years in jail), try to fuck my friend when I was mid-conversation with them both first time seeing her 3 months after it all ended—and for her to eventually date my friend’s roommate who my friend warned me would try and fuck her but I didn’t take seriously because I thought he wasn’t good looking, tiny, just vaped all day long, and kind of a douche. Cool. Awesome.

I mean, that’s a simplistic breakdown of it all and how I feel about it when I’m angry. It’s more complex and fucked up than that and I could write a book on it to elaborate my thoughts, good and bad. It’s genuinely heartbreaking to articulate it and I withheld that from her: part of the reason why I moved her into my friend’s place (she didn’t know him or anybody) was because I wanted her in my life and didn’t want to lose her. Instead, it felt like I locked myself out of a party, I’m banging on the door and it’s cold outside, but nobody hears me. It’s just that feeling constantly. At the same time, it’s also very simple: she just wasn’t that into me, valued me, gave a damn, respected me, or cared. It’s NOT as angry or mean as it sounds. It just is what it is. Do NOT move the person you’re seeing into a friend’s place. If it doesn’t work out, make sure you can get a clean break. Oh, and probably do NOT date at work if you can until you know one of you is leaving (or, in my case, she leaves 10+ months after it’. I fucked both up and it’s been impossible to move on. Thankfully, she just left work 2 weeks ago and there’s less anxiety, mental work (thinking about her all the time which I still do but it’s not on maximum overdrive) and tiny heartbreaks each day. I mean, I was devastated when she told me she was leaving and there was finality. I miss her and have missed her all this time, but it’s a good thing: there was nothing I was getting out of it. But still: why did she say yes to moving into MY friend’ s place if she was just going to do a 360 heel turn, be an asshole and resentful towards me out of nowhere, never bother seeing the place I moved into/what I did with it?. Just a disaster of my own creation. I like to think in time I’ll get over it all and move on. I highly doubt I’ll ever see or talk to her again. I refuse to ever go back to my friend’s house for a variety of reasons and I had those thoughts even before the Cinco de Mayo party, but definitely after. I just don’t belong there and it hurts. And I know she’s uncomfortable too if I’m there even if she says otherwise.

Best thing personally: my brother got married, his wedding, friends, and my family. It’s cool to see my brother have his life together, be married into an awesome family, and meet a nice girl. I’ve seen my brother have his heartbreaks, but it’s nice to see him finally have peace and consistency. He’s got a really great house near where the Pats play (closer than where we’d park to games), works 4 days a week and makes bank too.

BIGGEST CHANGES I MADE moved out to a place of my own in late January-it’s my uncle’s 3-decker, which he intends to pass on to me. So I’m saving $ by being here and it’s decent. The drawback is that it’s 3rd floor and inhospitable during the summer when it’s an oven with no windows where they should be to put an AC unit in (I just stayed at my parents: I would have toughed it out but I desperately need sleep for school). But yeah, I’m over 30 and needed a place of my own. I’d love to live in Boston, but it’s completely fucking unaffordable unless you work 2-3 jobs.

One annoying thing: my driveway gets egged EVERY day since May. We have fake cameras, but pretty sure it’s the next-door neighbor and not some punk kids on their way to school. It is enraging. Who eggs a house everyday? And it’s literally only my car or the lady next to me, not even close to the street. I keep on looking at the trajectory of the eggs and it’s fucking ridiculous. Luckily, because of school (and because I was away during the summer), the egging doesn’t happen until after 8-10 AM.

I’m 10 minutes from my parent’s place (halfway to my workplace and gym as a cut-off place), 5 minutes from the school I attend, and centrally located to things I want to be (Boston, my brother, Cape Cod, possible job changes or to where I intend to move if I can)… went to school to be an electrician-In school 715 to 1245 Monday-Friday. Pain in the ass schedule and tiring, but a big change. I suck at being handy. Most people are sons of people in the trade or went to trade school. Then there’s me: never picked up a drill or a hammer. But I’m working on it.

I mean, the job IS risky (it’s not an office job) and any job outside of going back to school for a master’s or doctorate to get ahead (I fucking tried!) requires backbreaking manual work that breaks you down in most cases (construction, plumbing and smelling bad to even fixing cars where I hear that breaks your body down). Being an electrician seemed like the least of them all unless you want to be a linesman stuck outside no matter the weather for National Grid or down in manholes—because they pay REALLY well (most people in class actually want those jobs without reservations). I’m fine with being paid pretty well while enjoying myself. I’ll stay away from something monotonous like solar panels or being on a roof all day though.

Jiu-Jitsu-did this for 3 months and loved it. Had to take a break because I can only do weekends and it’s expensive. And I’m too exhausted for 9 AM class come Saturday. After a 6 AM to 12AM schedule M-F, I just completely fucking crash come Saturday. I fully intend on going back and doing yoga too when I finish school in July.

Most people start doing jiu-jitsu because of Joe Rogan. My answer got a laugh. ‘Yeah, I wanted to try something new. Also, I watched John Wick about a 100 times.’

Therapy-post ‘break-up’ I realized I needed help. I spent a month in February not being able to fall asleep (maybe 24 hours sleep in 3 weeks) before I finally got meds. About a million waking nightmares (holy shit that’s a thing). Constantly crying, particularly on the weekends without her, separation anxiety and just anxiety that did not go away at all: a constant weight. We had a Jim-and-Pam relationship at work, even when it was over—but once she started dating my friend’s roommate, she distanced herself more than ever and it was just fake as fuck. I was frustrated with not finding a job to not passing a test that I studied my ass for 3+ months for that would allow me to leave my job AND the girl. They threw in shit that was not on the study guide at all in the test. Blah. I punched a hole through my bedroom wall (like they do in the movies) and fucked up my hand a bit.

But yeah, I’m working on my confidence, following through with my goals, challenging myself, making adjustments, facing fears, getting over my anxiety, relationships. I’m proud of how, even without therapy, I handled the girl who was cold and distant: I was ALWAYS warm and welcoming, had a good attitude about it with her. It wasn’t a point of pride to be that way; I just was. If I was around her, the hurt just kind of all faded, however briefly. In the back of my head I wanted to light her the fuck up for how she was acting or NOT acting, but I just didn’t. But it’s hard. I am depressed all the time, but not nearly as overwhelming as I was. I’m really lonesome—and I want to reach out, but I don’t know to who a lot of the time. I feel left out and it’s hard to maintain relationships, but I am trying. It’s hard at 32 but people fade away. You think you’re wiser and more mature that it won’t happen, but it does. It’s just harder to make friends, I guess. I ruminate all the time and think too much. I’m trying to be mindful and in the moment. But I keep on thinking about all the things I’m NOT doing or the things I’m waiting for to happen. But there’s always going to be that. I am doing a LOT and the changes aren’t coming all at once. I like my therapist (I had one when I was in 5th grade and again when I was 19: I didn’t like them: finding a therapist that fits you is the biggest thing)

I realized a lot of the problems I had were patterns even going back to the heartbreak I felt at 18-20 when I was the worst mess I ever was. It wasn’t the girl who broke my heart, but it was me. I should have been better and stronger far before I met her. I wasn’t really living I don’t think. In some ways, I gave up and was sleepwalking through things. But everything I thought I was past just bubbled to the surface. And I had to get it right, something needed to change, and I needed help.

I withheld my problems from everybody because I didn’t want to be a burden. I especially did NOT want to be depressing but I think I became a burden for the girl who broke my heart. She had nothing to give and she was upset at me for talking to her at work and being cheerful, telling stories, or anything. Secretly, I was a mess and it was painful. In a way, I was denying myself and that made it worse.

Here’s the thing: I don’t think I’m that big of a mess. I might be lonely, but I got a good head, attitude, and people generally like me. I make people laugh easily and without trying. I got a lot going for me and I got support.

Tattoos -got the lighthouse tattoo I always wanted since I was 18. I didn’t believe a tattoo artist could carry out my idea. Liked the tattoo artist so much that I stretched it out into a full sleeve. I want to do more and have some ideas. We’ll see.

Other-new car; collecting board games; got tour posters and Pats memorabilia framed WORST POLITICAL: the chaos that comes with Trump-Well, that hasn’t changed. I’ll hate the GOP/Republicans and that goes without saying. I have some small hope with people like Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez, but I don’t have any faith in the Democratic party at fucking all: they will rather work with Republicans than work with people who actually want to make an actual change. You kind of just realize how shitty a party they and Obama were and how they are bought/paid for and resistant to any meaningful change. We are fucked.

LOOK AHEAD TO 2019: -finishing school in July and starting new career as electrician -cousin’s wedding and going to Las Vegas for a bachelor party (I’m more psyched for the awesome house we are staying in than Vegas itself) -Pats playoff run and possible end of Brady-Gronk: I’m not hopeful, but I’m going to enjoy my favorite Boston athletes of my lifetime. Couldn’t ask for anything more from them. I just wish Bill Belichick did a better job as a GM and not fucking up nearly every draft since 2006 besides 2010 and 2012. They’ve won 5, but feels like Belichick cost the Pats 3-5 more minimum. Every year you have Tom Brady, you’re in the AFC Championship or Super Bowl. Belichick and Patricia mailed in the Eagles Super Bowl on defense. WTF was that? -doing jiu-jitsu, yoga, taking up swimming, continue following through on my gym program: my goal is to delay having a bad back as long as possible. I’m in the best shape of my life by far, so that’s good. I want to cut some of my gut weight out though: when I bend down to put on my work boots, I feel it. -more tattoos? -dating again (I am struggling so BADLY with online dating and need to work on having better pics: I can’t get a single match/date) -looking at buying a condo or home. I’ve got about $100K saved up and just slowly collecting things in my apartment for the big transition. Still would like to see where I end up working. Ideally, I’d love to have a lake house somewhere decent and centralized.

BOOKS: -Don Winslow wrapping up cartel/border trilogy -new Gillian Flynn?!? -Marlon James’ African Game of Thrones trilogy begins -Stephen King

TV 1a) Desus and Mero returns 1b) Game of Thrones final season 2) Veep final season 3) Lovecraft Country 4) Watchmen 5) Stranger Things 6) Good Omens 7) Devs 8) Fosse/Verdon

NEW: City on a Hill; Deadwood movie; Star Wars; Veronica Mars

MUSIC -Boston Callling -new: 1975, Bruce Springsteen

MOVIES: 1) Once Upon a Time in Hollywood 2) John Wick III 3) Us Toy Story IV 4) Fast and Furious: Hobbs and Shaw OTHER: Avengers; Captain Marvel; Glass; It 2; Joker; Lego Movie 2; Spiderman; Star Wars; Under the Silver Lake; Where’d You Go Bernadette; Zombieland 2

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thecinephale · 5 years

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Best Movies of 2018

My favorite movies of the year were rough around the edges. Ambitious, personal works that were messy and real. There were a lot of big films this year that I personally didn't like that much (or at all), but I really love this list of films and I hope you check them out.

Still need to See: Bird Box, Border, Cold War, Custody, Dark River, I Am Not a Witch, On the Basis of Sex, Spider-Man: Into the Spiderverse, Summer '93, The Third Murder, Tyrel, Unsane, Where Hands Touch, Where is Kyra?

Films I didn't prioritize because someone involved has behaved in a way that makes me uninterested in their work: The Ballad of Buster Scruggs, Can You Ever Forgive Me?, The Death of Stalin, The House That Jack Built, A Simple Favor

Really Liked: -Annihilation (dir. Alex Garland) -Blockers (dir. Kay Cannon) -Crazy Rich Asians (dir. Jon Chu) -Destroyer (dir. Karyn Kusama) -Let the Sunshine In (dir. Claire Denis) -Mary Poppins Returns (dir. Rob Marshall) -Mission: Impossible - Fallout (dir. Christopher McQuarrie) -The Rider (dir. Chloé Zhao) -Private Life (dir. Tamara Jenkins) -Skate Kitchen (dir. Crystal Moselle) -We the Animals (dir. Jeremiah Zagar) -You Were Never Really Here (dir. Lynne Ramsay)

Really Really Liked: -Eighth Grade (dir. Bo Burnham) -Happy as Lazzaro (dir. Alice Rohrwacher) -Leave No Trace (dir. Debra Granik) -Love, Simon (dir. Greg Berlanti) -Mary Queen of Scots (dir. Josie Rourke) -Nancy (dir. Christina Choe) -On Body and Soul (dir. Ildikó Enyedi) -Tully (dir. Jason Reitman)

Loved:

10. Black Panther (dir. Ryan Coogler)

Finally. Proof that Hollywood doesn’t have to choose between style, substance, and entertainment. Black Panther was the biggest film of the year and also one of the best. With stunning cinematography by Rachel Morrison, inspired costumes by Ruth E. Carter, and an album of the year worthy soundtrack by Kendrick Lamar, Ryan Coogler has broken through the Marvel machine to make something truly special. And like all the best superhero movies the supporting cast is incredible, Letitia Wright being the obvious standout, along with moral foils Michael B. Jordan and Lupita Nyong'o. This is everything I want from big budget filmmaking and it's such an exciting relief to be reminded that it's possible.

9. The Tale (dir. Jennifer Fox)

The Hollywood Reporter recently published an article about the 16-year-old girl who inspired Woody Allen's Manhattan. The woman, reflecting on her time with the director and known child molester, is unsure how to frame their time together. She was underage and knowing what she knows now about Allen, their affair feels different. But at the time she was in love. Reading this article, I felt overwhelming gratitude for filmmaker Jennifer Fox and The Tale, a painful and important movie about her own teenage love affair, about her own rape. Fox's vulnerability and skill not only make this a great movie, but a truly life-changing experience. There is one moment in particular that uses cinema in a way I've never seen before. This is by no means an easy film to watch, but it's really worthwhile if you can handle it.

8. Dirty Computer (dir. Janelle Monáe & others)

This "emotion picture" available to watch on YouTube strikes such a moving balance between pure joy, harsh reality, and cautious hope. Its very existence is a sign that its optimism is not misplaced. Musicians have become some of our greatest auteurs with voices and stories Hollywood would otherwise ignore. Janelle Monáe along with Chuck Lightning, Emma Westenberg, Alan Ferguson, and Lacey Duke created a film that is at once a sci-fi epic, a visual album, a public coming out, a celebration of queerness/Blackness/femaleness, and an ode to everybody different. This year was bleak and nothing brought me more comfort than this movie, this album, and obsessing over Monáe and star Tessa Thompson's relationship.

7. Good Manners (dir. Juliana Rojas, Marco Dutra)

Come for the lesbian werewolf musical fairy tale genre mashup, stay for the complicated explorations of race, class, and parenthood. This movie is overflowing with so many ideas, cinematically and thematically, it's thrilling to watch it all fit together. It's so rare to watch a movie and have literally no idea where it's going and I will cherish the experience of my first viewing (I literally SCREAMED at one moment in a crowded theatre, seriously) while also hungrily rewatching to unpack everything that's going on. I can't promise it will all work for you, but I can promise you won't be bored.

6. Shirkers (dir. Sandi Tan)

As a teenager Sandi Tan made a feature film with her friends and an enigmatic mentor. Imagined as the start of a Singapore New Wave, their dreams were crushed when the mentor vanished with the film reels. Now decades later, Tan's documentary recalls the experience… with the help of the recovered reels. Part memoir/part mystery/part lost cinema classic, Shirkers is about youthful creativity, exploitation, and so much more. Ultimately this is a portrait of an art form. Within its 95 minutes it encapsulates everything movies can do and everything movies take. It's currently streaming on Netflix and a must-watch for anyone who makes movies or cares about how they're made.

5. Widows (dir. Steve McQueen)

Like a Michael Mann movie if Michael Mann cared about things other than digital cameras, Steve McQueen's cold and stellar heist movie lacks subtlety in all the best ways. Led by Viola Davis this candidate for greatest movie cast ever of all time ever does not disappoint. Everybody is so, so good, and it's thrilling to watch this kind of 1970s American genre film through a point of view that doesn't belong to white men. There's a lot to unpack here, with character, plot, and theme, and I've only seen it once, but that was enough to know that this is a capital G Great movie.

4. The Miseducation of Cameron Post (dir. Desiree Akhavan)

Not every queer person has gone to conversion therapy, but I'd guess most of us have doubted our feelings and our identities. What could have easily been a more serious But I'm a Cheerleader instead finds its own purpose, its own humor, and ultimately exists as a still relevant portrayal of the gaslighting we continue to face for just being ourselves. Chloë Grace Moretz gives one of the best performances of the year as the equal parts cool and vulnerable Cameron and my love for writer/director Desiree Akhavan knows no bounds. NOTE: Sasha Lane plays a character who is disabled and Forrest Goodluck plays a character who is Two-Spirit despite not being so themselves. Considering how good the film is otherwise I dream of a version with a supporting cast who understand the experience of their characters.

3. If Beale Street Could Talk (dir. Barry Jenkins)

Like the masterpiece of a novel it's based on, Barry Jenkins third film is an overwhelming tribute to life in the face of despair. Instead of offering hope, instead of suggesting that being Black in America will someday be easier, Beale Street shows how love, romantic and familial, can provide temporary escape and a reason for being. The entire cast is incredible and gorgeous. Every frame is lush, the score is beautiful, and the moments of joy are as moving as the moments of pain. We are so lucky to be alive while Barry Jenkins is making movies.

2. Shoplifters (dir. Hirokazu Kore-Eda)

I went into Kore-Eda's Palme d'Or winning tribute to chosen family ready to feel grateful for my own chosen family. The friends, mentors, beauticians(!), doctors(!!) who have loved and supported me and made me feel like I wasn't alone these past few years. That happened. But what surprised me was how much it made me appreciate my biological family as well. Like the houses in my favorite TV show of the year, Pose, the makeshift family of Shoplifters ends up being like any other. There are clashing personalities, there are frustrations, there are fights. But more than anything there is care, there is self-sacrifice, there is love. Community is not defined by perfection. Family is not defined by perfection. Kore-Eda has spent much of his career asking the question, "What is family?" and this film provides the least and most satisfying answers.

1. In Between (dir. Maysaloun Hamoud)

I loved my favorite movie of the year so deeply that a one paragraph pitch just won't do. Fortunately, the best site on the entire online, Autostraddle, had me write a gushy review. Read it here or if you're already convinced watch In Between free on Kanopy and then read it: https://www.autostraddle.com/in-between-review-the-super-gay-super-feminist-film-no-ones-talking-about-444114/

Television!

Extremely honorable mentions like how is there so much good TV these all deserve to be in the top ten: BoJack Horseman (S5), High Maintenance (S2), Insecure (S3), Jane the Virgin (S4), Random Acts of Flyness (S1), Sharp Objects, Supergirl (S4), Take My Wife (S2)

10. Killing Eve (S1) 9. Atlanta (S2) 8. The Good Place (S2/3) 7. The Americans (S6) 6. The Bisexual (S1) 5. ACS: The Assassination of Gianni Versace 4. Queen Sugar (S3) 3. Crazy Ex-Girlfriend (S3/S4) 2. Vida (S1) 1. Pose (S1)

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doomandgloomfromthetomb · 6 years

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Meg Baird Interview — 2007

Sunday interview! This one was conducted way back when via email. Dear Companion is still great! In fact, most everything Meg Baird does is great -- have you checked out the Heron Oblivion live LP?! Wow. I also hear rumors of an upcoming collab LP with harpist extraordinaire Mary Lattimore.

With her lovely-from-start-to-finish solo debut Dear Companion (Drag City), Meg Baird takes a break from her duties in the Philadelphia psych-folk collective Espers. The apple doesn't fall far from the tree, though. The ten songs here are deeply rooted in traditional song forms (from age-old British Isles ballads to Appalachian laments), as well as the 60s and 70s singer-songwriter era (from Jimmy Webb to New Riders of the Purple Sage). With a few of Baird's own originals mixed in, Dear Companion stands as one of the best all-acoustic records since Gillian Welch's Time (The Revelator). Mostly comprised of Baird's high, pure vocals and intricately picked guitar, the album conjures up the timeless and universal nature of the best folk music. We chatted with Meg about her inspirations, obscure Canadian folksingers and Bob Dylan's amphetamine-fueled ramblings.

Whether it's performed by the Everly Brothers, Bob Dylan, Norma Waterson, Michael Hurley or by you on Dear Companion, "The Cruelty of Barbary Allen" is one of those songs that always stops me in my tracks. What do you think it is about this 500+-year-old song that gives it such a powerful resonance even today? How did you come to record it for the album?

My version came from an amalgamation of Michael Hurley's version from Sweetkorn and another from a Jean Ritchie recording with a totally different melody — these are my two favorites. I learned this one just for Michael actually. About three years ago, he agreed to try and record a few songs for a few days with Espers during a stop on his spring east coast tour — just to see what happened. This was one of his top recommendations to try so of course I learned it just in case.

Perhaps the resonance of this song is a little bit cumulative? For a contemporary listener, if you've made a decision to actually forgo your healthy cynicism for all the maudlin associations genuinely attached to this sort of material, then you are listening with a pretty well primed imagination. The main storyline here is so straight — two young ones eventually killing themselves over a misunderstanding in a lover's quarrel. But the way each scene unfolds gives us all the vantage point to protest "No, don't do it, it should all work out!" just like we would in any horror film or melodrama. It's a very unifying populist pastime to hope that it will all work out, when we know that it won't. This experience can so easily become twisted into pure manipulation, but here it can feel wonderful — like a chance to just experience a feeling in a spectrum of feelings. The colors in this world seem so vibrant, the perception of history so vibrant. You've made these scenes all yourself, and they seem safe from being diminished by the elements.

Listening to Dear Companion (not to mention your work with Espers) I'm reminded of this old quote from Dylan: "What folk music is... is based on myths and the Bible and plague and famine and all kinds of things like that which are nothing but mystery and you can see it in all the songs … All these songs about roses growing out of people's brains and lovers who are really geese and swans that turn into angels … and seven years of this and eight years of that and it's all really something that nobody can touch ... (the songs) are not going to die." What do you think – is this an accurate summing up of the so-called folk tradition, or was Bob just blazing on amphetamines when he said that?

Probably your last theory about amphetamines is true, but aside from that, this is a pretty adept description of mystery in folk song. Although it is a really amped up, exceptionally urgent description, it also seems in keeping with a tone used very commonly at that time. His urgency especially makes sense with the last line, about how "(the songs) are not going to die." Maybe I agree with this very believably passionate depiction of being moved by this music, but perhaps I don't get to share in his blazing confidence in its immortality.

What/who was the album/song/artist that really turned you on to folk music? What made you think: "I want to do something like this."

I'm sure it is a really long, ongoing series of events, but one flash moment like the one you describe, particularly in relation to straight traditional music, happened when I was 19 (reasonably well-versed in the college radio canon of the time) and my sister Laura took me to a Sheila Kay Adams performance. I certainly did not ever think that I could do anything quite like that, but it literally opened up a world of possibilities of what music and performance can do, in addition to helping me see ways around some of the obstacles that can come up around identity hang-ups concerning audience, format and other limitations sometimes imposed by self-flattery. I got a chance to meet her a few years ago and tried to thank her and tell her about this experience I'd had, but all I did was burst into tears like a crazy person. Hopefully she understood something good in my maligned attempt to communicate my extreme appreciation.

The spare, uncluttered sound of Dear Companion really makes it stand out from much of the music being released today. Was making such an austere record your intention going into the recording process? Do you imagine that your subsequent recordings will continue in this vein, or do you have string sections and trumpets and backup singers in your future?

Sparsity and warmth were definitely guiding intensions. I used overdubs to add some imagination to the record and save it from being too literal. By the final mix, I thought it would be fun to think of vocal and guitar overdubs as my only allowed effects or "tricks" For this reason, I got a great kick out of selecting only one brief moment of Space Echo-drenched electric. With the rest of the record being so spare, it was a really enjoyable method to try and emphasize this effect to its maximum.

I don't know yet how I'll record the songs I'm writing for the next record. I'm sure that I will want to try something new, but seeing now just how clearly I totally over-thought the sparsity issue, I guess that new approach could really take any shape.

I'm familiar with a few of the artists whose songs you cover here – Jimmy Webb, New Riders of the Purple Sage – but Fraser & Debolt are completely new to me. What can you tell me about them and this fantastic song you've included, "The Waltze of the Tennis Players"?

I know very little about Daisy Debolt, Allan Fraser or Ian Guenther much other than that they are Canadian and they made this completely amazing record together that a good deal of people seem to truly love. (I think that the "hit" was their knockout version of "Don't Let Me Down") "Waltze" in particular must be one of the most imaginative songs on the subject of courtship that I have ever heard. The whole record is incredibly tender, raw and earthy; seemingly fueled by the same kind of human will and warmth that keeps a person alive through the winter. Despite how outwardly folky this record is, it has always reminds me a great deal of Dead Moon. A really nice, in-depth fan Web site is maintained for Fraser & Debolt.

Tell me a bit about the recording process for Dear Companion. What did your Espers band mate Greg Weeks bring to the proceedings? Were there songs that you attempted but that didn't make the final cut?

I recorded this album on a few long, spare afternoons during the recording of [Espers'] II. My plan was to prepare madly for the taping sessions and get everything on tape in very early takes. I had been playing some of these songs for years, some only for a month, but all of them required a great deal of rehearsal for these sessions.

Greg brought his incredibly adept engineering ears, great gear sensibility and some really gutsy approaches to the recording levels that wound up having a pretty interesting effect over the whole record itself. It was also great to have someone so talented to bounce tracking ideas off of and to double check on my performance quality. We work together all the time, so of course Greg was able to really help me keep to this goal of recording these songs very quickly and comfortably with little fuss or ramp up time.

I dropped the bridge from "Waltze" because the original creates a level of blasting off that I truly couldn't pull off to any good effect. Among other missed selections, my version of Peter Hammill's "(On Tuesdays She Used to Do) Yoga" will just have to remain mine for private enjoyment.

Now that the album is soon to be out in stores, what are your plans? Are you going to play any solo shows? What's next for Meg Baird!?

I have lots of plans, unfortunately none of them so well formulated to tell you anything specific. I have a very busy imagination, perhaps too busy, and Espers is quite busy at the moment as well. Despite all of this, I definitely am trying to arrange some public performances timed near the release in late May.

#meg baird #espers #heron oblivion #sunday interview

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felicityb-reviews · 6 years

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‘90s 5HINee - Feature Spotlight

Hello, babies!! It's Jace (aka Felicity B), and it's our first SHINee Feature Spotlight!! I am so excited to be doing this, because SHINee was literally the second group that I got super attached to (EXO being the first). And, believe it or not, but Jonghyun was my first bias before I fell into Jinki hell. I'm a sucker for the soft leaders, sis...

Era Spotlight

So!! Today's era that we will be pulling songs from is '90s 5HINee!! I wanted to do this era first, because I absolutely love everything about '90s music. I love Funk, I love RnB, I love New Jack Swing, I love Deep House, I love it all!! And SHINee me something of everything from that era. Once again, these Feature Spotlights are not a Best Of™ list or even my favorites from the albums, necessarily, they're songs I think would fit well together. So no getting mad if your fave isn't here!!

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Odd Eye (Odd)

Oh, Odd Eye...

I really wanted to avoid the Fan Favorites™ to the best of my ability (which is kind of impossible, considering how beloved this album is), but I simply couldn't do that with Odd Eye. Yes, everyone and their mother fucking loves Odd Eye, but this song represents the best parts of Odd, to me.

Odd Eye is smoky. She's smouldering, sis. She's SHINee at their sexiest. Odd Eye's beat doesn't really do much, but that's exactly what the doctor ordered. The beat is basic, but it gives SHINee the chance to just... SHINE!! I absolutely had to start this list off with Odd Eye, because a) this is a modern interpretation of a '90s RnB midtempo if I'd ever heard one and b) this song just really shows that SHINee are That Group™, sis. Don't get me wrong, I love when SHINee flame broil my wig with all the bells and whistles, but they are just as arresting and breathtaking as a group without them. When will your faves ever be this iconic?!?!?!?

SHIFT (1of1)

See... I really set myself up for failure here, because I said I was trying to avoid the Fan Favorites™, but two songs in and I've already got two in a row, so... WHAT'S THE TRUTH,SIS?!?!?!!

SHIFT is a banger, baby. SHIFT is Deep House at its finest, baby. Play this song around A N Y O N E, and they'd jam/bop. EVEN JUST A LIL!! SHIFT is that powerful, babe.

The instrumentation in this song is just so lush, sis. I wouldn't call the texture of this song sweet (because we associate sweet textures in music with warmth), but it's similar. Everything about this song is just so easy on ears. The intro is, easily, my favorite part of SHIFT. That arpeggio with the e.piano and harmonies on top?!?!?!

It's fucking magical.

The harmonies in this song are unreal. SHINee showed up to the studio with their A-game the day they recorded this. No other group harmonizes like SHINee does in their music (most groups treat harmonizing like a cute trick for concerts), but they really outdid themselves this time around.

So Amazing (1of1)

So Amazing (the special track that isn't really that special) is a New Jack Swing song with lots of funky elements, which is right up SHINee's ally. Idk why it took SM so long to throw a NJS song at SHINee with 1of1 because they fuckin' killed that shit (I will have nothing of you losers saying it sounds too much like a typical NJS track, that's the fucking point of a throwback), but better late than never, sis.

So Amazing is really nice. It's got a really bright texture, but it's also really warm and easy on the ears. These types of uptempos are usually cheesy af, but a) that's the '90s babe and b) that makes So Amazing a great mood lifter. I can play this on those days that aren't "cry in bed all day", but aren't all that good, either. Plus, I love imagining all the silly dances the SHINee members did to the dance break, cause that horn section is so fun and playful.

Savior (Married to the Music)

It's another Deep House song!! But not quite. She's more Funk n RnB than Deep House, but shh... She's still Deep House in my heart.

The first time I heard Savior, I was little thrown off by the chorus. They sound like they're shouting in unison over the beat, but it's not as grating as you'd think it'd be. It's actually a whole lotta fun, if you ask me. And this would be such a great song to perform in concert, because it's high energy af. I wouldn't say this chorus is euphoric (Euphoric EDM usually has a note of sadness in the brightness of it all), but I wanna jump around to it like it is. And that's really all that matters, sis.

Romance (Odd)

Part of me feels like someone is going to be mad at this, but their wig is dusty. So I don't care

Romance is a song that I was hugely let down by on first listen. It, obviously, grew on me (this bitch grew on me like a fucking rash), but Ms Romance sounded way cooler in teaser form. The chorus was annoyingly bright and chipper, Minho's rapping was so off putting (which, to be fair, syncopated rapping is hard for most rappers to pull off, so that was just me being a dick), and the whole thing just felt far too long for how flat sounding it was.

I was not a fan, kids.

But Romance, like the album it was pulled from, grows on you. It seems like too much at first, but the more you listen to it, the more you start to Get It™. This isn't one of my favorite songs from the album, but it's one that I look forward to listening to.

Love Sick (Odd)

Oh my God, Love Sick!! Odd Eye and Love Sick are my top two favorite tracks from Odd, and 90% of the reason I held onto Odd for as long as I did. Odd was not an album I liked on first impact. But it kind of hit that this album couldn't be as bad as I made it out to be, because it has quite a few of my top tier SHINee faves. So me and Odd?!?! We cool now. We fucks with each other.

And yes, I do realize Ms Love Sick is another Fan Favorite™, but she's a damn good song. Y'all got me fucked up if you thought I wasn't adding this.

How does one describe Love Sick?!?!! Firstly, let's discuss these harmonies, baby. Love Sick was always gonna be a favorite of mine (that Groove™, sis), but these fucking harmonies take it to the next level. Y'all, SHINee did not have to snap the way they did on the refrain of this song, but they snatched every single follicle of hair from my wig and used it as kindling for the SM Annual Bonfire. I felt like I was floating the first time I heard this song. Love Sick would have been amazing without these over the top harmonies, but once again, SHINee are not content to do just the bare minimum.

As a whole, Love Sick is bouncy, fun, and there's a bit of melancholy there (the song is about unrequited love, after all), but it's just so Good!!

Don't Stop (1of1)

SHINee decided to get Grown n Sexy™ for the kids, y'all!! Got a bitch outchea trynna find a mans just to slow grind on.

But y'all not trynna hear alladat.

Don't Stop is Love Motion's spiritual cousin. They're more alike in vibes than actual sound (BEG being the Grown n Sexy™ idol group), but I mean... if you ever needed a part two to seduce your mans, baby.

Don't Stop, like Odd Eye, is a '90s RnB midtempo if I'd ever heard one. SHINee's vocal here is far more restrained than it was on Odd Eye (they actually let the beat do some of the work), but I like that. This song is a lot more subtle than Odd Eye is. And how does one even describe the beat?!?! I'm not sure that syncopated really does it justice, but it's not something you hear a lot in K-Pop. One complaint I have about this song is that I wished Key's rap break was just an instrumental section. I don't dislike it to the point where it turns me off from the song, I just think it would've been cool to do a dance break there.

Feel Good (1of1)

Feel Good is appropriately named, because she makes a bitch feel real good. Don't let her trick you with the soft intro and first verse, because the bulk of the song is Groovy™ af, baby. You could dance to this, but I'd prefer to just bop to the beat and make stank faces at the appropriate times.

The rap bits in Feel Good, unlike Don't Stop, are Just Right™. I have very much enjoy Minho's evolution as a vocalist *and* a rapper. Rapping in K-Pop is a concept I've just had to get used to cause so many of these idol rappers are not good by any stretch of the imagination. But if you can give me something that's fun, I've learned to roll with it. I liked Jongin as a rapper (before he became Vocalist Kai™), because he was very aware of the fact that that was not his calling in life, but he made it fun. And Minho gives me a fun verse here. Issa highlight.

Rescue (1and1)

If ballads are not your thing, then I wouldn't be surprised if you skipped the entirety of the 1and1 repackage (and therefore, Rescue). Which is a shame, because SHINee have some of the best ballads in K-Pop, but quite understandable.

But Ms Rescue is not much of a ballad, fam. The intro/first verse might trick one into thinking this isn't gonna be much of a song, but just like Feel Good, the song *really* starts with the chorus. And lemme tell you something - the chorus is F I R E!! You've got a nice little beat going with the prechorus, yes, but the chorus takes it to the Next Level™, sis. You've got thumping 808s, a badass chord progression, and the SHINee Boys™ givin' us That Good Good™. The chord progression is a particular favorite of mine, because it's got this gritty, almost anxious feeling to it. It's perfect for this song.

The first time I listened to Rescue, I made the stankest of faces. This song is just *so* fucking '90s, and it's one of my favorites from the repackage.

Alive (Odd)

So on top of giving us Grown n Sexy™ tracks for seducing bae into our lairs (or den of iniquity, if that's what you prefer), SHINee has also provided us with Alive. A song for... Well, do I really have to say it?!?!?!

Doing the frickle frackle!!

Alive is aggressive, kids. Like, EXO's MAMA aggressive. I was kind of thrown off by it on first listen, which is funny considering how I was very much into Everybody (or more specifically, Jinki with blonde hair and eyeliner singing Everybody). This is the type of song I picture boy bands practicing the stomp routines they receive from the National Boy Band Assembly® upon completion of their lineup.

Because boy bands sho' do love they over the top stomp routines, baby.

Alive starts out with a very loud, very in your face drum pattern that almost sounds like a giant making his way through the hills at night. Then, the verse comes crashing in with equally as loud and frenetic synths and The SHINee Boys™ matching the aggressiveness laid out by beat with a whole lotta attitude. And then, my favorite part of the song, the chorus. Out goes the Kill Bill Sirens frenetic synths and in come the RnB chords and harmonies. Cause God Knows™ these boys can't make a song without some killer harmonies. Bless the Lord almighty.

Wish Upon a Star (1and1)

This song always makes me wanna cry. I still love it, tho. Top 10 favorite ballads.

Wish Upon a Star is a soft classical ballad, if I've ever heard one. But The SHINee Boys™ sure know how to dress these up Just Right™ to make them worth your while. Wish Upon a Star sounds like it belongs in a Disney movie. It's soft and wistful, but sweet in texture, at the same time. I'm not exactly stoked for the SHINee World V concerts that are happening in February, but I hope they sing this song for Jonghyun. It'd be perfect for him.

This song always makes me so happy when I listen to it (despite always making me wanna cry my eyes out), because it really just shows how far SHINee have come as individuals and a band. They've always worked so hard to improve and comeback stronger, and this song is the perfect representation of that. 1and1 was the perfect time to release this song, because that era represents SHINee at their best, to me. Listening to this song makes me really happy, despite how sad I am.

Chocolate (Married to the Music)

Because no SHINee playlist (or album, really) is comeplete without a gay up straight up Funk track. Because SHINee are the K-Pop Kings of Funk. I will accept no other opinions about this.

Chocolate is Funk for the kids. The Actual Kids™, that is. Chocolate gives us those Funky elements we all know and love, but with a modern twist. The verses have an almost dissonant quality to them with how syncopated and off kilter the rhythm track is. I'm not gonna lie, it's definitely something you gotta get used to. But when that chorus/refrain rolls up on you, you're definitely gonna be happy you stuck with Chocolate. As typical with any SHINee song, there's lots and lots of harmonies. SHINee sees these groups only doing 5ths, and is like, "Oh no ma'am, not our gay extra asses".

Chocolate is, to be quite honest, SHINee on auto-pilot. It's SHINee doing what SHINee does best, and that's why we fucks with ha. I've never disliked a Funk song from SHINee, and I never will. These SHINee Boys™ have an understanding about Funk, and know how to make Funk songs Just Right™. It's always a pleasure to hear them make songs like these, especially when they give us a modern twist to go along with it.

Alright guys, that's it for today's list!! Tune in next week for my next Feature Spotlight, featuring songs from SHINee's experimental era. And don't forget to tune in on Wednesday to my Review Roundup of this week's releases!!

Love you guys.

#SHINee #Feature Spotlight #Felicity B

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aceprosecuties · 7 years

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Nahyuta somehow convinces Simon to do a karaoke duet with him so he can show off his boyfriend's awesome singing.

(I’m not sure if you’re referencing this previous post which referenced a great-singing Simon, but I’ve linked it anyway just in case!)

Omg anon I love this and I also wonder exactly how many things Nahyuta would need to bribe Simon with in order to get him to agree to that.

When he does finally get Simon to come to the karaoke bar with him, Nahyuta conveniently neglected to mention just how many people he invited. When the couple walk in, Simon sees Edgeworth, Wright, Klavier, Sebastian, Kay, Ema, Athena, Apollo, Trucy, Maya, Pearl, Franziska (who was visiting her brother), Gumshoe...it seemed as though everyone he was even partially acquainted with was there.

Before Simon can turn around and retreat through the door, Nahyuta is grabbing onto his arm and pulling him towards the crowd. Ema is the one to stand and greet them first; while working together, Nahyuta and her had developed a somewhat close friendship and partnership. He greeted her with a kiss on each cheek, and Simon rolled his eyes. Gavin showed Nahyuta that particular greeting and for some reason Nahyuta had adopted it with his closer friends.

“Are we the last to arrive?”

“Yeah, I was wondering if you guys were even going to show up,” Ema said, crossing her arms and smirking.

“Yes, well someone,” Nahyuta pointedly said, jabbing Simon a bit in the side with his elbow. “Had to be convinced.”

“I wouldn’t have come if I knew everyone was going to be here,” Simon pointed out with a deadpan tone.

Athena bounced up and grabbed onto Simon’s other arm. “Don’t be so glum, Simon! We’re all friends here, aren’t we?”

Simon knew better than to walk into that very obvious trap, so he said nothing. Instead, he let Athena pull him - and by extension, Nahyuta - over to the seats.

He ordered a drink immediately. If he was going to do what Nahyuta requested, he was going to need a bit of liquid courage.

As more drinks were ordered and consumed, the karaoke machine saw more and more action. The first person to get up on stage was unsurprisingly Klavier. The surprising part was that Apollo accompanied him, and they picked an upbeat rock song that everyone knew and sang along with. They weren’t...terrible, but Apollo especially seemed more interested in being loud than being in key.

Trucy dragged Phoenix up with her next, and he looked sheepish and practically mumbled through the entire song. Simon glanced over at Edgeworth, who had an uncharacteristic amused smile on his face while he watched.

Kay dragged Ema and Sebastian, Maya grabbed Pearl, countless people tried to bring Edgeworth up there but all failed.

After his third drink, Simon was feeling pretty buzzed so didn’t resist when Nahyuta pulled him up to the stage.

They settled on a romantic rock ballad, one that they both knew quite well. Nahyuta sang the first part, and no one was surprised to hear that he had quite a nice voice. After all, he was trained to sing hymns to the Holy Mother for years. But it was when Simon finally started singing that people’s jaws dropped and the entire place went silent.

His voice was low and smooth with a bit of vibrato, and he sang perfectly in key. Simon didn’t even notice everyone’s reactions since he was too absorbed into the song, and even turned towards Nahyuta to keep his eyes focused on him.

When they finished the song, Simon stepped off the stage and was practically tackled by Athena.

“Why didn’t I ever know you could sing like that?!”

Simon didn’t really have an answer for her, and looked over at Nahyuta, who looked nothing short of smug when everyone started praising Simon’s voice.

And they all hesitated before getting back up on stage again.

#ace attorney #blackmadhi #simon blackquill #nahyuta sahdmadhi #blackmadhi asks #ema skye #athena cykes #and others!#blackmadhiday #I'm not sure if this is exactly what you wanted #but I hope this is okay!!#<3 #everyone is jelly of simon's voice #and nahyuta loves it #Anonymous #allie answers

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