#look at me delivering art of writers i like aka what i made this blog for!! | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

rinarecommends · 4 years

Text

Talented Ass Writers: Tumblr (1)

Talented Ass Writers.

As the fan-fiction connoisseur that I am, I see it only fitting that my first official post be a shout out to all the great writers that I’ve discovered, befriended, and thoroughly enjoyed since my arrival on the holy ground that is tumblr.

Now. I’m 22 years old, and I’ve read a lot of fan-fiction in my days, guys, so I’d like to think I know good quality material when I read it. I’ve even dabbled in the writing aspect of it, but we aren’t going to talk about that. I’m more of a reader than a writer, at least when creative writing is concerned. I have ideas, but I can never think them through to where I want them to end up, so alas, I read others works and immerse myself in worlds inside worlds.

For the past year or so, I’ve been heavy into the BNHA fandom, hence the name on my blog. My favorite character is Bakugou Katsuki. As if that wasn’t obvious, but I’m a fan-girl at heart, so I read on multiple platforms including: wattpad, quotev, ffnet, AO3, obscure websites that exist, and of course tumblr, and in this post and the parts that will come later, I will mention lots of authors from different platforms that I think people should know about, in my humble opinion.

I mainly read reader inserts or fics with OC’s, but I’m not going to say that there won’t be some character x character action because in the past, I’ve read plenty of those for several fandoms.

Without Further Ado, Welcome to My “Talented Ass Writers” List, or at least the first part of a yet to be determined number.

* denotes that the fic is NSFW

(Part 1) Tumblr:

@kingexpl0sionmurder - I had to start this list off with my main girl. Steff is not only a talented ass writer, but she’s also a great person and one of my close friends! She currently only has stories for BNHA characters including: Shinsou, Kaminari, Sero, and Todoroki. She writes NSFW and SFW, but she is a 18+ blog.

One of My Favorites: Missed Connection *

@pleasantanathema - This blog is strictly 18+ NSFW content, so this one is for all my deviants, like myself. She writes smut beautifully, and her writing is just amazing. I once requested her to write Jealous!Bakugou, and she delivered. She writes for Haikyuu and BNHA, so pick your poison, and I just want to add that she may or may not be one of the reasons that I thirst, occasionally, over Endeavor.

One of My Favorites: Encounter Series *

@ttetsuro - skyyyyyy! She’s so good!! You may have read her iconic hoof piece on her previous blog! She’s posted a couple of stories on this new blog, and she’s really great at writing! She’s also a genuine ass person, and one of the sweetest people I’ve ever met.

One of My Favorites: Backseat*

@bratwritings - Nat is super talented. Her blog is 18+. She has great creativity, and she is very descriptive in her writing. She writes for BNHA, and the characters she’s wrote for, I think she’s captured them very well!

One of My Favorites: Keeping it Professional*

@bakublossom - I recently discovered her blog! She does regular writings, but I discovered her with her SMAU! Her SMAU & fics are so good!

One of My Favorites: Apartment 204

@lady-bakuhoe - this list is far from complete, but I wanted to go ahead & put Jo on here. If you like to read Fanfiction, I’m sure you’ve stumbled upon one of Jo’s fics. SHE HAS SO MANY GOOOD ONES. I love her writing so much. She has a way with words, and I read a lot, honestly one of the best. She’s not currently writing, but I would definitely recommend checking out her stuff here or on AO3. 18+ only though.

One of My Favorites: I cant pick one. Literally read any of them.

@ikinabi - Red!! The Kiri Stan who made me also kinda thirst for Kirishima! She writes beautifully. I adore her as a writer & as a person! You won’t regret checking her out, especially if you live for kiri & his unbreakable form! 18+.

One of My Favorites: Power*

@gallickingun - Morgan not only writes for my angry boy baku, but she’s also writes (wrote?) for my asshole prince of all Saiyans that I love so dearly, and she’s good at it. That’s why she’s on the list, obviously. She writes smut, spice, fluff, ANGST (I’m still mad about that ending MORGAN 😂) & she does it beautifully. She’s also a really chill person, and you won’t regret checking her out. 18+

One of My Favorites: please, I beg of you.*

@league-of-thots - Jay’s blog is 18+, and she writes for several characters, including Hawks and Natsuo. She’s really good at smut, which I believe is slowly becoming a prerequisite for this list, and her writing, the not smutty parts, is also superb. She also throws in some kinks, and We all secretly like the kinky stuff, you can admit it to me.

One of My Favorites: How Much I Love You*

@rivendell101 - I feel like I keep saying things like “she’s so good,” but they wouldn’t be on this list if they weren’t good. I’m not normally into threesomes, okay, but after reading the way she wrote her todoxreaderxbaku ... I had a change of heart. Her fic is really well done, and I can’t wait to read more of her stuff! 18+.

One of My Favorites: Some like it Hot*

@ichor-and-symbiosis - Don’t get me wrong. I love my heroes, but this is one of my fave villain blogs, specifically Shigaraki. She totally writes for other characters including Heroes and other Villains, but she captures Tomura so well, and she has so many fics! If you want some five finger death punch, AKA Shigaraki, in your life, I would definitely check this blog out! 18+.

One of My Favorites: Mine*

@bnhabadass - Nora’s tumblr name fits her so well because she’s definitely a badass! She writes for a lot of BNHA characters, and her writing is really good! I’ve read some of her work, and I plan on reading more because I haven’t been disappointed yet! 18+.

One of My Favorites: Behind Tent Walls*

@burnedbyshoto - Lyssa! The Todoroki stan of Todoroki stans. She captures Shouto so well in her writing, and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed all of the fics that I’ve read by her. If you love a certain icy hot bastard, I think you’ll like her blog! 18+.

One of My Favorites: House-sitting and Concupiscence*

@cutesuki--bakugou - Sarah is so talented. She writes, obviosuly, but she also DRAWS, and in this house, we stan multi-talented queens. She drew me MMA bakugou, and I will forever be indebted to her, but that’s not why she’s on this list. She’s on here because she’s super great at writing, especially for Baku. She also has great xOC content, but she does xReader as well! 18+.

One of My Favorites: Frigid*

@todourouki - Despite the name, this blog writes for BNHA and Haikyuu! I am partial to the BNHA fandom because it has my angry boy in it, but I do like the Haikyuu fandom, and I feel like it’s growing very rapidly recently. I love this blog’s writing style, and the smut is great! 18+.

One of My Favorites: Studying, but make it Nude*

@ladyexplosionmurder - I’m sorry, but if you write good bakugou stories, you’ll probably end up on this list, or one of my future lists, and this blog writes good bakugou! They don’t have many stories yet, but I’ve really enjoyed what I’ve read so far. This is definitely a blog to watch!

One of My Favorites: Riled Up

@tomurasprincess - Mari writes more darker stuff, but she does it WELL. If you’re into Yandere and things that come with that, I highly suggest checking out her blog! You won’t regret it. 18+.

One of My Favorites: Explosive Consequences*

@hisoknen - Raph also dabbles in the dark arts of the BNHA Fandom, but she also does it beautifully. I highly recommend her as well. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed all of the fics that I’ve read that were written by her. I suggest checking this blog out. 18+.

One of My Favorites: Looking for Trouble*

@mrs-takami-keigo - Ari is a great person whom I connect on with love for an angry explosion boy and makeup and other things, and she’s also.... a great writer! I enjoy reading her fics, and I think others will as well. You should def check her out. 18+

One of My Favorites: Mesmerize*

Part 2 of the list is here

#bnha #rina recommends #my hero academia #bnha x reader #fanfic #what to read #you should trust me bc i know my stuff #I read way too much #so that i can save others time from reading trash #bakugou katsuki x reader #follow me for more #book recommendations #if you ever want a specific kind of story to read #send me an ask and i will give you a recommendation

426 notes · View notes

christopherbragg · 11 months

Text

LIVE IN EVERETT (full blog / my author page) Inspired by out-of-the-way businesses I only knew about because I walked by them, I submitted my first post to Live in Everett back in 2017. It struck a chord with people like me who appreciate the old, weird, fun places that just don't get enough attention. I'm the blog's top producer, with over 100 posts and guides. Note that while I'm not a photographer, I take great photos and most of my posts feature them. Some favorites: Happy Trails to You: Japanese Gulch (first in a long series) Own a Piece of Paradise on Hat Island This Mansion in Everett is Looking for a Home Worth Leaving Town For: Edison Chicken Parade Art with Heart: Shelter Pet Portraits by Seniors at Paws With Cause Hewitt Avenue Arts Update: Lucky Dime and Black Lab Gallery Back for Round 2: Flying Pig

SEATTLE NORTHCOUNTRY I'm very grateful for the opportunities that have come my way from the Snohomish County Tourism Bureau, AKA Seattle NorthCountry. Unlike a lot of writers, I enjoy the listicle format and much of what I've written on this blog uses it.

Restaurants: Fresh, Complex, Vegan-friendly: Mukilteo's Nori Teriyaki Alderwood Meals: Elemental Pizza and BittyFish Sushi The Great PNW Burger Road Trip Meatheads Smokehouse and Beer Works

Nightlife: See a Show at Lucky Dime in Everett

Shopping: The Gift of Themed Getaways Buy Now, Enjoy Later: Experiences as Holiday Gifts Upgrade Your Menu at Home Artisan Goods Shopping for Pets and the People Who Love Them Downtown Everett's Houseplant Haven: Planted

Pride Month Profiles: Paca Pride Guest Ranch Chinook ATV Petrikor Living Catalyst Cafe

TikTok: Lime Kiln Trail Crave 80s/Another Castle Lamb & Co. Storefront Rocket Alley Future of Flight Arlington Art Walk and eagle watching BobaKhan Toys and Collectibles Antiquing in Snohomish Exploring Downtown Edmonds

LAMOUREUX REAL ESTATE Another fun local and listicle-heavy blog from Everett's venerable real estate agency, Lamoureux.

Four Fun Things: Sub Shop #26 in Everett Four Fun Things: Nature Walks Help for the Holidays: Thanksgiving Made Easy Four Fun Things: Holiday Shopping Four Fun Things: Local Art for Your Home Local Hardware Stores: Old-Fashioned Service and Cool Stuff Al Fresco to Go Four Fun Things: Outdoor Activities for Social Distancing Four Fun Things: Summer Car Shows Four Fun Things: Fall Walks

SENDLE Sendle is the only 100% carbon neutral shipping option made for small businesses. I loved working there because small businesses are what make every community unique, and I believe it's important to promote them.

Court Gen Z and Millenials for sweet holiday success Five fun ways to find sanity this peak season On Launching a Carbon Neutral Shipping Service - Starter Story What Google’s algorithm changes mean for small business Need great eCommerce promo ideas? There's a national day for that Do customers really care if your packaging is sustainable? Sendle's 2021 brand campaign: Delivering for small business The secret to tasty produce from your own garden? Composting at home. Introducing Sendle returns, for when regifting isn't an option (includes video) Behind the Brand: The Honest Jones Smarter, authentic, and people-centric: 4 small business trends for 2022 Behind the Brand: Oleu Life Seller-friendly shopping frenzy: get in on the next Afterpay Day Ladies who launch: resources for the next generation of women-owned businesses 3 fashion B Corps keeping your old favorites out of landfill Shipping small stuff? 250g Sendle Pouch is a big deal! 4 easy steps to resize a cardboard box and save big (includes video) How to save time and money with saved sizes from Sendle (includes video) Take the plastic out of Easter for sustainable family fun Don't toss those expired Sendle mailers! They're still useful and fun. Trash into treasure: the future of sustainable packaging Ethical and sustainable Mother's Day gifts to show her you care Earth-friendly ways to revamp your online shopping habit 5 ways to change up your shipping for a happier planet The mighty grizzly bear, a symbol for habitat loss around the world Sendle reveals a grizzly truth this Earth Day Get minimal: reuse packaging and use as little as possible Kobi Co. brings the scents and sounds of luxury to self-care Printer-free Packaging Ideas with Sendle and eBay Australia (video) How to add indigenous place names to shipping labels Surprising sustainability strategies for your small business Sendle Australia's sweet suite of shipping services Happybond: healthy pet nutrition shipped sustainably to your door Brill: instant specialty coffee for a new generation of busy connoisseurs Don't forget Dad! Father's Day gifts for 2022, shipped sustainably War on Waste Weekly: fighting plastic waste with eco-friendly soap Reclaim space and free up money by shipping made-to-order

0 notes

nakanaai · 7 years

Photo

Oh man, where do I begin?

A year ago, I officially began my presence in the Fire Emblem Fates RP community — and here I am, still here, a year later! Only those who have been around for longer than I have remember my old URL KIRAQI — but upon further deepening of Kiragi’s character, was changed to the one I have present day. It’s only been my second experience with a community on Tumblr, my first being in the Osomatsu-san fandom — and I had ditched one of my blogs in said community in favor of Kiragi.

I guess I should start with what I’m thankful for in this introduction. Honestly, there’s a LOT to be thankful for — this community’s kindness, it’s welcome, and the zeal it had ever since I joined to improve many different aspects of myself in the creative aspect. This includes my graphics, writing, musical ability — it’s endless. I joined this community with absolutely no idea how it’d work out — honestly, I thought it would be a lot like the Osomatsu-san community, where the majority of people DREW ANSWERS to asks. I was surprised to find out that the majority of the fandom used their creative writing skills for the most part. I was young — er, younger — when I made the blog, so I had no knowledge of what I was doing, other than the fact that I was here to have fun — I think that’s the most important part to when I joined. As began to roleplay more and more, new glasses were placed upon my face, and I started seeing — well, EVERYTHING differently.

Before this gets too long, I’d like to just say thank you — to YOU. Because it’s likely that if you’re seeing this from my blog, you’re following me — you’re one of those THOUSAND followers that I have accumulated over the past year. Roleplaying is not my priority, as writing in a whole is just a hobby for me, and I always do things in the order and balance that I want — perhaps that’s selfish of me, but this community has allowed me to realize MANY things. Everyone I met was so unique and amazing, and even though I’ve only managed to fully befriend only a fraction of my followers, I cannot wait to see what’s in store for me in the future!

And — oh yes. You didn’t forget, right? Because I didn’t — I told you that I’d make a CELEBRATORY VIDEO. Now, let’s begin this long-ass bias list. | art credit !

NOTE: THIS IS KINDA LONG SO IF YOU HAVE A WRITTEN PORTION OR WANNA FIND UR URL JUST “CTRL + F + (UR URL)” smooch k thnx

@archerofmitrenzi / chase / big bro moist || HOOOO okay where do i begin here — I think I should just start of by saying thank you. because of all the people that i have met through this system, through this community, you’re the one that has helped me out the most emotionally — pulled me through and gave me a good slap in the spine when i needed it — and i definitely acknowledge that about you. i won’t go off rambling about how amazing i think you are, you already know that i think that, but i’d just like to remind you of it — because you’re not someone that i constantly have to validate. you’re strong like that, and i really admire that about you — you’re someone that just needs to be reminded that you’re unconditionally loved, and that is how i want to treat you. i’ll be honest, i was a little intimidated when i first met you — i had no idea what interest you had in me, or why you added me on skype. but i guess i’m just super thankful about that?? befriending you was a risk that i was willing to take — and i’m EXTREMELY glad i did. i really feel a brotherly, platonic love from you — and i’m so glad we share that. i don’t care how often or not we talk, because i’m not afraid to starting conversation with you — you’re really someone that i know wont judge me or anything.

i think that’s what i learned from you, big bro. i learned to be fearless.

@nenshori / yummy-chi but she’s yume to everyone else bc shes mINE?? || UMM ITS PROBABLY MORE APPROPRIATE FOR ME TO MENTION U IN A BIAS LIST FOR CHRYS BUt I dont care ur my girlfirend and i LOVE YOU?? i know you havent been around the community very much, but i respect to why you would or would not want to be here — out of fear as i know. i’ve already fallen the FUCK in love with seiji, and i absolutely love how you characterized him already — just by the conversations we have, i absolutely adore seiji. we have not even roleplayed too much, but i really fucking like your writing — it’s just so GOOD, and i really really really want to write just as good as you. your art is amazing as well, and i really think that you deserve so much more....as ur girlfriend, its my duty do this after all. so i’m going to try and make things so so so much better for you and so so so much more comfortable for you — that maybe you’ll come here and i can!!!! advocate my girlfriend!!!!!!!! bc i love you so much!!!!!!!

@pulveriizer / momiji || aight, i know we don’t talk too much anymore, but you really deserve to be on this list. you’ve been influential to me even now, even with our situation and how we’ve grown — we didn’t talk too much about our muses in canon, but i definitely had fun talking about the extremely fucked up despair au with you. i just didn’t need to hold back when it came to you, and i could tell you didn’t hold back with me either — and, ultimately, i think that’s what ended “us”. but i’m glad that “us” just became “you and me” — we’re both very different individuals with similar interests. and i find it extremely admirable that you still try to make conversation — I’M the lame one, and i know that. i guess i’m still just a little regretful, still just a little bit angry — but i know that that has to change eventually. i can’t honestly comprehend it all, but i’m glad that your message is delivered in the morning and that you bid me a good day, even if nothing else is catered.

@vvintery / @raimented / nasuga / cosmo || OH COSMO... MY WHITE SINGLE CHRISTIAN DAD... honestly i was a bit intimidated by you at the beginning but??? when u messaged me about me portrayal of kiragi i was just “WHOA!!!!!” because i had never had such a lengthy and well-written review of my portrayal, ever. you honestly give me an unconditional care even though we fight all the time — that’s rlly what i like abt our relationship, just the fact that we can fight and we can totally make up from that if we needed to. you and gwen filled a void in me that i felt for a while when it came to the community, and i can’t express my gratitude. it’s just really nice having a friend like you. not to mention, i love felix and hatsuyuki SO MUCH — i’m so so SO happy we got to share memories with both accounts, and i really hope that we can continue to share said memories in the future.

@hanabari / @cursecut / gwen || OH GWENNY MY LOV.... HONESTLY YOU ALREADY KNOW WHAT I HAVE TO SAY ABOUT YOU (((AKA UR AMAZING))) AND THAT ME AND NASUGA WOULD FIGHT TO THE DEATH WHEN IT COMES TO OUTMATCHING EACH OTHER’S THOUGHTS OF HOW AMAZING YOU ARE.... you’ve honestly gone through SO much as one of my closer friends and i just?? want you to be happy, whether that be while you talk to me and nasu or you play the FUUCKFING JIMMY NEUTRON GAME... yes but anywho, you made so many memories for me??? and i love the connection u, me and nasu had shared .... i jus.... its indescribable. i hope that things look up for you because i know you deserve that, regardless of what you think for yourself or what you think you deserve — I THINK YOU DESERVE THE WORRRRLDDD

@bewitchinqs / bee || AAAAA BEEE.... my be... big sissy bee. you’re the big sister figure — all the lovely people i’ve met, and i’ve grown to look at you as an inspiration as a person, graphic designer, writer — everything to be honest. you’re not just someone that is easy to talk to, you’re someone that is adored and loved in so so SO many ways, by SO MANY PEOPLE, and if i’m being honest, my love for you mayhaps only be a fragment of the whopping amount you receive and DESERVE. however, this doesn’t derive from the fact these are still the feelings i have about you — you’re really just ... whoa!! thats all i can really describe it as. because everything you do i “whoa!!”, and everything in whatever situation is “whoa!!” too. you’re a power figure to me — tbh you could run this whole community bc its in the palm of your hands. you’re just that great with people, and you’ve swayed my heart is well. thank you for being there for me —— thanks for the being the older sister i never had.

@maidfaire / @ofbraveskies / layla || LAYLAAAA... honestly??? if i could name someone dedicated to this community, it would be you. you’re the face i see all the time, and everyone loves you — rightfully so! your portrayal of felicia is much more wonderful and lovely than you take it to be. you’re extremely chill and you care very deeply about everyone in the community — i think that’s amazing to be honest. you’re sort of like that hometown sweetheart when it comes to the fire emblem community — everyone can approach you and you’re just so prominent here that it’s difficult to imagine this place without you. plus, i could never forget how you helped me, even though we aren’t on EXTREMELY CLOSE terms — another individual’s aid always sticks in my mind, and you’re someone that i can go to without being afraid. i think it’s because i know you’re not someone who judges others — i really like that about you!

@epeedelordre / @shir0uji / allison || OH YES ALLISON....ALLIBONBON.....can i just say that i love you?? so much??? being one of the people that’s made me feel wanted and made me feel EXCITED to actually log on and be on kiragi, that’s really really important when it comes to my motivation and my muse. i’ve never told you, or at least, i don’t think i have, but you did play a huge part in how much fun i had in the community — you made my presence feel like i was SOMETHING here, something other than a kiragi. even though your english isn’t good, i still found it really really nice to roleplay and to send you memes — i didn’t care about the quality of your writing, and i still do not. i personally think it’s amazing, because it’s something i can remember and work with. your shiro and your muses shine bright in my memories, and without you, i don’t think i would love this place as much as i do now. thank you for giving me happiness — i hope i had done the same with you.

@spalvingus / @fiiercespear / @bloomiingblade / jenn || aahhh jen ... can i just say that you portray such LOVELY ladies? i really find that your devotion to each and every one of your lady muses, even hinata, is extremely admirable. i can’t even begin to pick up myself and write someone like CAMILLA or HANA or even OBORO ... i look to you when it comes to inspiration to writing powerful female characters. i love how no-nonsense you write each and every one of your muses-- lydia is included in this. i was a bit intimidated by you when you first joined as takumi, but when i learned you were interested in my kiragi headcanons, i was glad to see things later blossomed from there. it’s very special to me when someone cares about what i have to say — i’m also very grateful that you go out of your way liking my ooc even though it’s completely unnecessary. i’m not sure if you know this, but just that being true gives me more motivation to be here, and i don’t think i’d still be as “active” as i am without your support.

@mysticalxwarriors / capri || lemme just say capri ... i couldn’t have loved spending the end of my summer with anyone else. honestly, i don’t know what got over me when i just started being on twitter more and more — but i’m honestly really glad about that? knowing that there was someone i could talk to about percy and kiragi — and we had so much fun, too. i never forget sending a line of never gonna give you up at midnight when you clearly told me not too. it’s just fun to rebel like that — and hey, it was also extremely fun to just know that there was somebody on twitter that i could talk to. and plus, i really love your percy for all he is — and your other muses, too! you’re just so passionate that it’s admirable — i think that’s great tbh. i hope that you’re having fun every day and that life is never boring for you.

@ofcoronellas / @northfaire / nero / n || where do i start with nero tbh ... honestly, you’re just a huge inspiration to me? you’re a great person and friend, and you’re so passionate about absolutely everything you do. i saw this when i first met you, and i still see it today onwards. you’re an amazing artist, and an equally amazing writer that i look up to! i really have to hand it to you when it came to just loving kiragi and loving percy and loving pretty much all of your muses, because you deliver justice to all of them that i don’t think anyone else could possibly do. i’m so glad that i got to meet you, considering you’ve just been this huge impact to how i play kiragi and figure out his character— some of his qualities were just thanks to you! you’re such a good person — kind as well. i don’t know how to put it in further words. i do hope that you continue doing what you love, because you’re really good at whatever you choose to do.

@maskedheir / @acerbicsamurai / shira || AHHH SHIRA ... can i just say? i really really love you. i love your devotion to your passions, and i love how you know what’s best for you, etc. i think that’s a really admirable and important part of a person. honestly, like i said, i was intimidated by you when we first met — i thought you didn’t like me, or you didn’t like my kiragi. i was this nooby roleplayer that had no idea what she was doing. i was extremely happy whenever you sent memes to me when i was just a baby, because that gave me interaction with a hisame — and i was craving some interaction with him in my early years. you delivered quite well! speaking of which, i could probably never portray your muses tbh — i just can’t do a grumpy old man, but you do saizo and hisame very well!! plus all your other muses, since you’re so versatile... again, that’s an admirable thing about you. i see how happy you are on saizo and i support what you’re doing and the break you’re on at the moment, but i had to give a shout out to you because you’ve impacted my portrayal of kiragi. you let me have fun, even when i was being a total kid. thanks for that, shira.

@unladylikc / @honorbourne / livi || i’d just like to start off with how gosh darn lovely your support is to me. honestly, it’s not often that i can find kiragi in a good situation (and unique) situation when it comes to ocs — double whammy for the uniqueness. but vivian’s relationship with kiragi is one that sticks out to me as something he has with an original character — it makes me feel like i’m writing him more diverse, like he deserved to be written as. i’d just like to say how much i enjoy kiragi and vivian’s friendship and apprenticeship at that — i’m sure my kiragi would say the same, considering how vivian’s guidance as a teacher is different than most he had learned from. and that’s really huge for me — having a relationship with a muse that doesn’t include the traditional studying and/or hunting scenario. it’s a breath of fresh air that i entirely appreciate. not only this, but i do love what we have going on with say’ri and kiragi as well — kiragi’s youth also bringing a fresh breath of air to say’ri. what i mean to say is, i think it’s important for both mun and muse to get a new experience and a new opportunity for new relationships for their muse — you do just that for me, and splendidly as well.

@bornxsteward / @sonofanohrian / cocoa || cocoa ... i know we’ve had some pRETTY ROUGH BUMPS IN THE ROAD... but oh my gosh. let me just say, you’ve grown SO MUCH since i first talked to you. as a writer, artist, and a person — that’s so so SO important to somebody that’s helped you through hard times, as well as someone who has gone through other victims of your situations and have been mistreated in the end. your changes and your kindness has improved tremendously, and i’m extremely glad with your progress. honestly, i’m really really happy for you! you’re doing such a good job being a dwyer, and you being happy and having fun is something that absolutely everybody deserves. i don’t know why others are blocking you or what you’re doing “wrong”, but i’ll simply say that not everyone has such a broad line of vision for a second chance. i’m so glad that i didn’t give up on you, because you’ve GROWN, and it SHOWS. i noticed that when we started talking again— and i hope that your writing hobby continues on, because i’ll say, you’re a great writer! please continue being extremely amazing.

@crimson-virtue / @ascendancisms / moon || i know you’re not on tumblr much anymore, but not without good reason. still, i really enjoyed your presence while you were here, moon — i didn’t find it weird you wanted to be friends, and i was ecstatic when you made saga. you honestly made me feel like there was still worth in friendship in the community — worth in getting close to someone, worth in getting to know people. i’m pretty sure you were the one to start conversation when we first met in the beginning, but i did love to talk to you — i didn’t care that you made a crapton blogs and a crap ton of muses, too. i was just happy that there was someone that wanted to talk to ME about that sort of stuff. despite all the people in the community, i was the one you talked to about that — and even though there were probably other people, too — you stuck around, even when you left. you scared me that first time, y’know?? i was worried about you suddenly leaving like that. but when someone filled me in, i was glad to know you were just doing what you felt was right for you. i think that’s what makes you an incredible individual.

@retakinglory / @chiisaichiizu / isa || isa... lemme just say, you’re effin GREAT. like. i can’t put it to words tbh. i really love your portrayal of both foleo and shino — like?? i’m so for them?? idk if you know this, but i just don’t like forrest in general — but your portrayal of him, and how serious he is in post-birthright, and how much you develop him is really really REALLY good — so much that i can even tolerate him and LIKE him when it comes to you. plus, you’re so mature and i really want to be at your level when i’m older. i know i’m just a kid, and you’re way out of my range to perhaps think like, but it wouldn’t hurt to be inspired, right? plus, i really liked how we can just back and forth randomly throw our muses at each other. it makes me feel versatile and flexible with my portrayal. that’s a huge thing when it comes to me as a writer, and i’m sure you know that well! thank you for providing me with that experience. you rock.

@duskheir / @tactiumsordine / genesis || GENESIS... you’re SO FUN TBH, i do love talking to you when i get the chance. i know you’re not really on siegbert anymore so i have no idea what blog to tag you in, but since my kiragi has had the most interaction with your siegbert, i decided that would be the most appropriate. but GENESIS OMG... it was just fun to talk to you and joke around? i love to mess around with older people, though, that may kick me in the butt since i might have appeared as annoying — but regardless, it made me feel reassured as well knowing that you were someone i could talk to. i wasn’t afraid or felt burdening to make edits for you at all, because you took them in strides and you took me as a person wholly two. that’s important to me, as a person. plus, like isa, it was fun just to throw our muses back and forth and have a totally uncalled for roleplay. that’s SUPER fun when it comes to me and my muse, so thank you so much for that!

@fellheaven / @rebellefaire / kris || KRIS... I JUST!!! I LOVE YOUR MUSES!!!!! and your aesthetic too like?? holy MOLY.... when it comes to things looking good and looking pleasing to the eye, you’re the first person i think of. honestly. you have such a good eye for that sort of thing!! your eye for beauty can be exchanged back and forth between soft and sweet to hardcore and edgy, and that can be difficult for many people, but you seem to nail that on the spot. that’s what i look up to you for. not only that, you’re just a good person in general and you deserve much more love, appreciation, and free-time. and i lovE your kaze too? like?? he’s so soft help my soul?? AND I LOVE HAJIME, HIS COMPLETE OPPOSITE... ill be real i dont usually like dickhole characters like hajime but when i roleplay with him or see you writing for him it?? makes me feel more determined? especially with kiragi. kiragi feels extremely determined to get close to him, and i share the same feelings.i want to see hajime melt into a soft puddle....maybe one day.

@royal-botanist / @aim--and--reload / nessa || NESSA YOURE LIKE... the popular girl, hmu xoxoo baby doll. JHKJDFGSH IM JOKING, bbut omg, youre just so GOOD?? you’re popular for a very good reason!! you’re inclusive, nice, and you play a very popular muse well! you’re nowhere near intimidating, so you’re sort of like that approachable power figure in the community i suppose? bUT YEAH... other than me rambling about how popular you are, as i said, it isn’t without a good reason. you’re just an approachable, friendly character that everyone can really relate to, including me. and you advocate love for others, which is extremely important when it comes to people i like — it’s something you do without really thinking, and i appreciate you so much for that. your leo is PHENOMENAL, and i laugh everytime you log into nina! YOU JUST HAVE SUCH A REFRESHING SENSE OF HUMOR AND PRESENCE... and everybody is sure to acknowledge that! you’re just that great. i hope that you continue to stick around and take care of everybody. i know that they’ll take care of you in return.

@myfrillspaythebills / @theothervonkarmagirl || HAHA OKAY... honestly?? i’ve had so much fun roleplaying with you for the small time that we have been roleplaying!! i think you play your muses well so far, even if i don’t know the ace attorney fandom very well as well as your ocs. i can tell that you’ve fleshed them out in certain areas already and you carry on your roleplays with a steady pace that allows it to really feel like a drawn-out roleplay in favor of something that’s really rushed. which is what i love — it made me want to constantly throw replies back and forth!! and i hardly ever feel that with some roleplays, so having that experience again is a real blessing.

@icetribemaiden / @nohriansunshine / eli || oh eli ... i have nO IDEA WHERE YOU ARE RIGHT NOW, but can i just say that you’re??? a wonderful friend?? and i really enjoy your portrayals. you work so hard to roleplay and write a spectrum of muses, and you aren’t afraid to either. because you roleplayed so many fire emblem muses, you were able to find what you wanted to write and what was most comfortable with you. which is really special to me, to be honest? i’m too scared to make a blog sometimes because i’m afraid i’ll lose the muse too quickly — and then i’ll die midway through, because i don’t want to archive the blog nor do i want to shut it down, because that would mean losing all my memories. i’m glad you don’t have that same fear, and i could honestly learn a thing or two from you — you’re just really good at that.

@gentlexbloom / luna || ahhh luna! i absolutely love you and your portrayal of sakura! i’m sure you already know how great of an author and writer you are — you have so many people that look up to you and love your writing. i’m one of them — it’s just so easy to beat back and forth with the way you write, which can be difficult with some people. your writing isn’t too broad, but it’s not intimidating — it’s approachable, but great. that’s something really unique you behold, which is probably why you have so many followers, too! you’re also extremely sweet and extremely supportive — your likes to my ooc posts don’t get unnoticed. actually, it’s you caring to like those posts that make me feel like i matter as a mun — that goes a long way, and if i could, i would respond to every like you give to every one of my dumb oocs posts just to tell you that i’m really happy that you care to have read whatever i post. that’s very special to me as a mun. i do hope you know that.

@melodiant / mari || MARI... can i just say? i really liked our friendship for how long that it lasted. i have no idea what’s going on in your life, but you’re probably extremely busy and you’re probably extremely caught up in something that restricts you from being here and talking to me. but i totally respect that and YOU for that matter — you’re such a good writer, and for a second gen, too! it makes me feel like that there’s hope for me and my muse, and it also made me feel super thankful to have someone who liked peragi too and was willing to talk to me about the ship when nobody else did. i also think you’re a splendid artist, and i use that one picture of sophie, kiragi, and percy in their orientation shirts as my lockscreen cover for my laptop. i just get reminded of you when i see it — it also makes me look back on what had happened, and it makes me regret not talking to you more. but i hope that you’re happy, wherever you are, whatever you’re doing — you’re amazing.

@eirenarchs / kentaro || kENTAROOOO... i know we don’t talk too much anymore, but i just want to say how much i enjoy your benny for how much you’ve been writing so far. i’m honestly hoping that one day you’ll return to us and you’ll write your amazing benny again, but for now, i can only hope that you’ll be able to at least read this and see what i have to say. honestly?? i’m so happy i’ve been friends with you for as long as we have — i know you’re extremely busy with your school life now, but i hope that things will be able to lighten up sooner or later, and that you and i will be able to talk again.

@clumsiiily / mina || AH YES HI REMEMBER ME??? THE CRAZY GIRL WHO CRIED OVER HER THEME?? — well yes i kept my promise, so here’s my formal special shout out to you. we don’t talk ooc sans that time you helped me, but honestly, such small acts of kindness give me hope for the world. you might not think it was a huge thing, y’know, telling me i just needed to disable a small little thing — but those little things can go a long way. because of you, i was saved from more hours of headache and scanning the internet for answers that were right under my nose. not only that, you play a wonderful sumia from what i have seen from you — absolutely great! it makes me wanna hop back on henry to try and rp —— but all in all, my real point in this is to say that your actions are not wasted. you really ARE kind from what i have experienced — i’m very glad you have a presence on the dash.

Others who have provided me with an enhanced Tumblr experience, whose presence has only improved my position in the community as well as opinion on their muses. Your writing is absolutely phenomenal and I wish to become better friends in the future!

#➽ — ( ⊰ SMILE / ˡᶤᵗᵗˡᵉ ᵃʳᶜʰᵉʳ ᵇᵒʸ ) // SELF PROMO. ❜#BIAS LIST CW —#( AHH YES FINALLY DONE.... )#( THIS IS SO LATE WEEPS!!!!! BUT HERE YOU GUYS GO!!!! ily all. .. )

33 notes · View notes

callonb · 7 years

Text

GYBurst of Inspiration/Motivation

Where does inspiration come from? - Snacks I recorded a song with Samuel Hawkins recently and that was the first line of his verse. Lately thats been on my mind more and more. Where does my inspiration come from and why cant I always bask in its motivational energies? Seems that my drive comes and goes with the moon phases or as planets enter and leave our orbit. Could be the skys dictating my moods and movements (which i think it does have an effect) or it could be the mass amount of coffee and tea i drink a day. Definitely important factors but not quite the source. My mom definitely motivates me, she believes in everything Im doing and helps every way that she can. Its not financially but sometimes emotional support is more important. Shouts out to Momma B you the realist. Same for my homies and not homies as in people i force myself to be around, cuz having friends is what you do. Actual family that i grew up with and have developed a relationship with, the GYB family. The ones who sat me down years ago and was like dude...... you need to take this rap shit seriously. The ones who are now getting more and more involved with the movement every day, pushing everything to the side and riding along with my dream and making them their own. Everyday the homies are pushing to help me create this vision for you guys as they've adopted it as their own. Like minds on the prize, Shouts out the Layer homies. That only seems to be half of it tho, and Ive never felt this type of fire burning inside me before so what is it? Magazine drama and BS doesn't motivate me, Music doesn't seem to hit me the same way anymore. I used to listen to music constantly, new rap definitely doesn't do it for me.....makes me feel lower. New tv shows dont do it for me im bored with most of the popular shows out. Same for games or just typical activities that people partake in. Partys, drugs, random hook ups...It all seems so blah to me and im completely uninterested. I learned I have to stop feeding my lower self and focus on my higher self and what that part of my being truly wants and thats to CREATE!!! Whenever im around an environment that drives me to create and push myself i perform better. So i guess i just realized what really inspires me, and thats a creative environment. Who is responsible for this? Well I saw the Rotunda Project last weekend at Maiden Alley, a collaborative piece by Fairseas. The Fairseas are a group of musicians named Jeran Simmons, Bobby Dowell, Codie Franklin and Shanden Simmons. I watched them plant this seed years ago and now its a giant tree that you can sit back and marvel in its greatness. The main theme of the film was collaborating with your community. I cant lie ive had many many thoughts of leaving my community to collaborate elsewhere but ive came to a realization recently that it isnt necessary. To my surprise and probably a lot of people around here, there is a bubbling hip hop scene around here that is about to explode. Ive started to invest my time and efforts into this scene now and received nothing but results. Shanden has been a major influence in my artistry because he is always honest, encouraging and persistent....three very important characteristics to have in a creative environment and on top of that has become one of what i would consider my best friends. I look at him as one of my GYBrothers. On to the hip hop scene around here tho..... mysterious person named "A" aka the Hollow Man and he is one of the most promising producers/writers around. His solo stuff is outstanding and the collaboration effort we are working on "A & B: The Empire" is next level. Its been well over a year in the making and will shock most people when they hear the new styles i bring to the tape compared to my previous work. A always challenges me to be very intelligent when I piece together my verses and I like that. He makes me want to grab a dictionary and start reading so I can match his extensive vocabulary.....and maybe I have done that lol. Im the ONLY artist that the mystery man works with at the moment and that hits me now in a way it never has before. Like why me, do I really have something in my music that would make this beyond talented artist spend his time and efforts to make beats for us to collab on and want to include me in everything he does? His beats are above any producer Ive ever heard even in the big leagues of the rap game its crazy but he will prolly have his own GYBlog entry about him eventually. I have to move on before i make this to long lol. Next is JSkrilla, I have met the Skrilla a few times in passing but i dont think we realized what each other really could offer the other. Until i ran into him at the damn ROTUNDA PROJECT.....back around full circle. After that we decided to get together. We showed each other some of our music. I didnt know he made dope beats as well as spit hot fucking fire but he does. We shared our philosophies for our craft and talked hip hop and all sorts of other randomness. Then we picked a beat and wrote a song on the spot. Bar for bar back and forth. J stressed to me it had been a LONG time since he had been able to just sit down and write with another emcee that wasnt intimidated by his ability to write on the spot, or to match his caliber of wordplay and rhyme schemes. To both mine and his delight I delivered. Skrilla really challenged me tho, most artist get so caught up in the main stream BS or conforming to certain concepts and topics in their verses that it had been a while since I had felt pressure when writing to make sure my bars are up to par. Felt good to feel that energy again i had been missing the want to become better and that leads me to the main cause of my motivation and my improvments or just overall attitude change whatever you want to call it. the TRYBE!!!! Snacks, B. James, and Waun D. are the Cerberus of this rap shit. I have a lot to owe to them. GYB and Trybe share the same values as far as what we hope to contribute to the culture of arts and musics and how we hope to impact the hip hop community as well as the communities we all live in. I have done one show with them and have multiple other ones lined up with them. As a matter a fact i cant see myself doing a show with anyone but them from here on out. Once again them as well as JSkrilla could have their own full length blog entry but i digress for the sake of your attention lol. The Trybe challenges me to be a better emcee by making me freestyle. Which if you have been around me doing music ive never been a good freestyler.....UNTIL NOW!!! They have cracked that shell and brought me out of it. Making me partake in their cyphers everytime we get together. Soon Ill be as smooth off the top as i am with the writtens then its over for everyone! Sharpening my skills is not something that other rappers really push you to do. Rap is very competitive and braggadocios so pushing someone to improve and possible be better than you is unheard of. The Trybe doesnt see it that way though, they want us all to grow together. With a shared love for hip hop and me and Snacks shared love for Anime we can talk for hours and hours before we realize we havent done any music lol. Everytime I hear a new Trybe song i feel my artistry being challenged. The message in their music makes me want to really focus on the concepts i present in my music and start challenging my self to pretty much step my game up. Between Skrilla, "A", and TrYbe, everything new I hear makes me question my latest bars which is exactly what I need. Hip Hop is my life and my love and above any amount of money i can potentially make off this art is the desire to be the best emcee to ever grab a mic and thats the same mindset i had when i originally picked up the pen and decided i would be a rapper. Before i saw 8 mile and realized that being a white rapper wasnt necessarily accepted, before all the laughs, all the hate and just general shade i received for my dreams. Being white in this game is a roadblock but for the first time these guys made me realize that i have overcame that hurdle 100 times over. I had a long talk with the Trybe last night and they gave me a boost of confidence that finally fully ignited that fire i had lit but tried to conceal. Im no longer worried about what is cool or what people want. I just want to create and you will more than likely like it because I do have skills that i myself had been sleeping on. I hear these artist like A, Skrilla, and Trybe and i felt underneath them but now i see my self as an equal. We all have different things we bring to the table that compliment each other and its time to put it all together and make it happen. Plus we all just fucking dope and there is no denying. This is my new goal. No more time wasted on what i "think" is the right move. Im going to follow what i KNOW to be the right path and follow my heart. Thats challenging myself with these artist and like minded individuals to always be better. Also as Snacks has said before "move at LIGHT SPEED" thats just what Ill do with my light brothers here. We like some damn warriors of this rap shit waging war against a evil corrupt entity but thats also for a whole separate entry lol But no war of this caliber is complete without a general so shoutout to SirDuke. Ive also recently became friends with this crazy dude and he has shown me in just the short time ive known him more love and support than some people ive known my whole life. He also inspires me because he has dedicated his life to serve and protect (literally) and most importantly LEAD. He has an army of pretty much every hood and every rapper in each of them just waiting for his call. and he is not leading them astray, Shoutout the Kollektiv. Duke is also a talented singer and emcee. He has a show with me tomorrow at the Hangover in Murray MAKE SURE YOU COME TO THAT AND SEE MY NEW ALBUM CONSCIOUS TRAP PERFORMED LIVE starting at 9pm. but yeah Duke is dope and I can appreciate his leadership skills and what he hopes to accomplish in his community by cleaning it up through music. He is rubbing off on my and motivating me to hold that same position with my Layer army of GYB homies ive assembled. Most of them are clueless about the industry and music so its up to me to guide and lead them so they can be their own selves and make it in this world without the middle man down your neck. Im going to wrap this up because it ended up being way longer than i intended but i wanted to also say to my fellow collaborators and friends above all. Wolf, Golden Wrist Banks, Trevell, Dope, Simple, Benji and Angel Mascato. You guys have MAD SKILLS. You guys inspire me too because I hear something different in your music than i hear from most. I want you all to continue to grow and expand your creativity to new levels. Tell YOUR story. The same story is constantly told but how will you tell YOURS in the true challenge. So i encourage you guys like i have been recently, step outside of the norm and do what you truly feel in your heart that you need to, fuck what everyone else wants from you just create the way you feel appropriate. A lot of you are working with Duke regularly and I think he will tell you the same thing I am now. Even if its certain people in your lives holding you back, they gotta go. Surround yourself with positive people that want to grow with you instead of out grow you and you will see the same results. Probably why you guys were all on my latest album, except Trevell im sorry and you should have been but you know the deal homie its all love. Frank.....dammit man just rap lol but anyways ill end it on this note. Getting in touch with that child like mind state and that pureness of love in my heart again. Losing all my intentions to want to be better and out do someone but rather COLLABORATE with like minds in my community has already in return pushed me forward in a lot of ways. Seems almost as if they had been waiting on me this whole time. Its certain that my actions are now speaking louder than my words and everyone is starting to catch on. including myself finally. If you read this far thank you and I love you. Youre more than likely part of the reason why i typed this or why i even continue to do what i do. I trust you guys just as much as you trust ill deliver. Have a great day, maybe you can draw inspiration from this or some of the same people or things that i do! So put down that magazine full of empty content and read something meaningful that you are interested in, turn off the news and watch some anime, stop playing shooter games and play final fantasy, stop eating out and prepare your own meals, dont listen to music just play instrumentals and freestlye every day or just make your own, quit scrolling on facebook and take a stroll around the block, only spend time with those that help you grow rather than keep you low. So much inspiration out there sometimes we just have to break away from what we are used to in order to pull from the experience. Now im really done. and excuse my poor grammer and probably a shit load of spelling errors. That wont ever change, these blog post are run on sentences of my thoughts that pass through my head every day. Sometimes i just take the time to jot them out as they pass. PEACE LOVE AND GYB!!

1 note · View note

blkwidowsweb · 5 years

Text

A Conversation with Chosen Few Festival Guest DJ, Lori Branch

Lora Branch (aka DJ Lori Branch), is a Chicago native with over 34 years of experience as a local artist, DJ and public health advocate. Lori has been featured in the film, The Unusual Suspects: Once Upon a Time in House Music, and has the honor and distinction of being the first female DJ in Chicago’s historic Dance/House music scene.

Lora has held DJ residences in numerous Chicago venues and has co-produced music for several independent film and television projects. She is also the writer and creator of several public health training videos and public services announcements, the award winning series Kevin’s Room and the recently released documentary 40th: The History of Roberts Temple. Lora is also a co-host the Northwestern University (WNUR) radio program Street Beat in connection with the Chicago Dance Music Archive Project. In 2014 she was inducted into the Chosen Few’s House Music Hall of Fame named for the legendary Frankie Knuckles.

In 2019, Lora was selected as one of the guest DJs for this year’s Chosen Few Festival and Picnic. As part of my Chosen Few Festival Blog Series, I had a chance to chat with Lora about her career, her work as an advocate and playing this year’s festival.

Black Widow: What was your introduction to house music and what made you want to become a DJ?

Lori Branch: I attended Lindbloom High School and that was around the time Disco and Dance Music existed in places like the Warehouse and Paradise Garage. It was before we called it “House Music”. I was hanging around a bunch of closeted gay guys that encouraged me to come to the Warehouse to hear some music. They said this was where it happened! We went and it was magic just like people describe. It was just one of those places where you experienced something you’ve never felt before. It was all the right things at the right time. My friends and I formed a social club, called “Vertigo”. Vertigo was just one of the many social clubs/crews that were around at the time. There was the “Rude Boys”, “The Doctors”, “The Chosen Few”, etc. There were tons of them and they would throw parties for high schoolers, typically from certain high schools, like Lindbloom, Whitney Young, Hyde Park, Kenwood and a few Catholic Schools. Those were schools that drew similar crowds. Vertigo was part of that. In the summer of 1980, I joined the crew as a DJ. My friend, Craig Loftis and I actually learned how to DJ together. We learned from Jose (Louie) Gomez. He showed us the ropes. We bought equipment from the money we made from parties and it kind of just grew from there. I DJ’d with them and was starting to branch out on my own.

Black Widow: I assume you had to learn how to shop for music as well?

Lori Branch: Oh of course! You had to! There was no downloading, you had to get your own or borrow it. It was limited amounts of the music, so it was imperative that you spent quite a bit of time in the record stores looking for music. We would go to Imports, Gramaphone, The Wax Traxed and Used Record Store on the west side…we would go to different places looking for music. We wanted to collect what we heard at the Warehouse. There was a bridge between what was happening at the Warehouse and what was happening at the teen parties. DJs would go to the Warehouse, listen and then go find that music and bring it and play it at the teen parties.

Black Widow: What was it about the art of Dj'ing that drew you to the craft?

Lori Branch: I always had an interest in it. I would play “DJ” at home. I have a huge family and my brother is a musician and we would play “DJ” at home quite a bit. I have a deep affection for dance music. It just touches my spirit in a way that I hadn’t experienced before going to the Warehouse. I knew I wanted to do this. I was inspired by Eric Bradshaw who told me I should do this. He said you should be our DJ, there are no other girls doing this.

Black Widow: How do you feel when you hear the term “Lady DJ” or “Female DJ”?

Lori Branch: It’s a double edged sword. There are advantages and disadvantages. I don’t mind it and I don’t correct people when they say things like, “You’re my favorite Lady DJ or Female DJ”. I take it as a compliment but I do feel like it’s a characterization. It’s like calling you a “Black Writer” or a “Black Female Writer”… you’re a Writer, you know? It is as if you are at the kids table of DJs but thankfully it’s changed a lot over the years. I understand why some embrace and honestly, I think I had some advantages because of it.

Black Widow: Really? How So?

Lori Branch: Wayne Williams would always say to me, we got to get you out there. He was the first to say, let’s do a Female battle of the DJs. There were other guys who were so supportive of me as a DJ. Being a woman who was respected for her craft by some of the guys, helped me…

Black Widow: …it set you apart?

Lori Branch: Yes very much so. I still look at flyers now and see 10 DJs and not one of them is a woman and I’m like really? You can’t have one lady DJ? Especially now, we have so many amazing female DJs all over the world, there’s no reason to have 10 DJs on a party and not one is a woman. That makes no sense to me.

Black Widow: How does your work as a HIV/Aids Advocate intersect with your work as a DJ?

Lori Branch: My entire professional career has been focused on social justice and public health so to have that intersect with my DJ career is fantastic. I’ve always tried to figure out ways to be creative when delivering messages. I’m an artist so I’m always thinking of how I bring that to every element of my life. I’ve found that I can do that in many different ways. One of my other loves is visual production. I’ve done a lot of public service announcements, movies and documentaries and I collaborate and insert house music in those settings. It’s also a platform to cross pollinate. I can talk about how devastating HIV has been especially within the artistic community. When I’m DJ'ing, I try to find ways to intersect as well, like my radio show on WNUR. We talk about social justice and how illness impacts our communities. We talk about a lot of things.

Black Widow: Coming up in a time when not much was known about HIV/Aids had to be extremely impactful.

Lori Branch: We lost so many people. Honestly, I’ve lost almost all of my close friends from that period. Out of 10 guys that I was close with 8 of them are no longer here. These were the faces you would see if you were watching a house music documentary. There were so many young, beautiful people just gone. They were a central part of this culture. They are the reason we have this culture. It was a lot of loss but it empowered me and others to keep going and to keep fighting.

Black Widow: You have a documentary about a young gay man named “Kevin’s Room”. Can you tell me more about your motivation behind creating that?

Lori Branch: This was a series on WCIU and UPN. It was a film series that focused on a group of black gay men dealing with life. I wanted to give form to a community that had been flatly characterized for so long. That diminishing of their humanity helps contribute to so many conditions. If I feel invisible or diminished, If I don’t’ have a sense of who I am, if I don’t have anyone to affirm me and if I don’t see examples of that, then why would I think I’m worth anything? You have these huge rates of depression and suicide and one way to combat that is to create images and to have presence. That documentary and some of my other work is my attempt to do just that. It was a 1st during that time to see fully flushed out characters of black gay men living, loving and having families and such with the stereotypes. Most recently, I’ve completed a documentary on my family’s church where they had Emmett Till’s funeral.

Black Widow: Your career has spanned decades. What do you think are the keys to having success and longevity in this scene?

Lori Branch: You cannot take yourself too seriously! You have to be kind to people. That’s going to give you a lot of opportunities, sometimes more than you can handle. I get more opportunities than I’m able to fulfill and I’d like to think that is because of the relationships I’ve cultivated over my career. You should be generous, nonjudgmental and avoid burning bridges. We have to be thoughtful about how we embrace one another and that goes a long way. I also took a break for a while in the late 80s to finish college and that helped too. When I came back I had a new energy. It doesn’t hurt to take a break every now and then, to refocus and refresh.

Black Widow: I remember speaking with Jamie 3:26 and he said, “Just be cool”! [laughter]

Lori Branch: That’s really it. If you look on social media, the ones who are “just cool”, who are supportive and loving, they are very busy.

Black Widow: Too busy for the nonsense!

Lori Branch: Exactly! [Laughter]

Black Widow: So how do you feel about playing this year at the Chosen Few Festival and Picnic?

Lori Branch: I’m super excited! I was thrilled to get the invitation to play this year. I’ve done parties before around the picnic and I DJ’d the picnic 10 years ago but it’s so much bigger now. I always love the opportunity to be on a stage with all of the people I’ve come up with. It always feels like a homecoming or reunion. How can you not be excited about that? It’s a lot of fun!

Black Widow: I’m so looking forward to hearing your play at the Festival and look forward to seeing you!

Lori Branch: Thank you so much! See you at the Picnic!

Until Next Time, see you on a dance floor!

-Black Widow

Definitely catch Lora’s set at this year’s Chosen Few Festival and Picnic on July 6th. You can catch Chosen Few Founder & President, Wayne Williams and House Legend, Robert Williams on Lora’s show, July 10th at 10pm on WNUR 89.5 and WNUR.org. Learn more about Lora and her upcoming projects at www.LoraBranch.com

#Blkwidowsweb #BlackWidowsWeb #ChosenFewDJs #ChosenFewFestival2019 #LoriBranch

0 notes

titoslondon-blog · 6 years

Text

New Post has been published on Titos London

#Blog New Post has been published on http://www.titoslondon.co.uk/when-did-bad-taste-become-good-fashion/

When did bad taste become good fashion?

Full disclaimer: I wrote this article to formulate my own thoughts on camp and kitsch—how the two concepts evolved, where they overlap and how often one is mistaken from the other. In a world of people obsessed with perfecting every tiny detail of their digital footprint, where’s the place for the (nearly synonymous with bad taste) aesthetics of camp and kitsch—especially in fashion? Why are they thought of in the same breath, and, if both are considered below the exacting standards of sophistication, what has brought them back into the sartorialist’s vocabulary?

It all started with Balenciaga’s ironically ugly and overpriced handbags—all worth an eye roll and a can-you-believe-this head shake. The latest, gift-shop poster leather shoppers, made me prod further into the relevance of such print on a $1,790 handbag. The piece is a prime contender for the kitsch camp. And this was not the first time Balenciaga has mocked the It-girl essential with something so painfully garish as a gift-shop poster and whack!—laid it out in the midst of high-brow fashion, perhaps to elicit a reaction; remember the much-memed Blanket Square and the Ikea-inspired Carry Shopper? Demna Gvasalia rarely fails at shocking his audience, but he isn’t the only designer to walk down this road of supposed bad taste.

Tom Ford’s autumn/winter 2018 show bore an overriding ’80s touch—sequinned trousers and jackets aplenty. Take a closer look at the collection and you will see a jumper with the brand’s logo emblazoned in hot-fix rhinestones, not entirely unlike the designer label’s many rip-offs. It’s as though Ford openly challenges you take on a brazenly gaudy wardrobe. Alessandro Michele, current creative director at Gucci who once worked with Ford, has a taste for irreverence himself. From working with Trouble Andrew aka Gucci Ghost on capsule collections to deliberately misspelling the logo of the storied Italian house as ‘Guccy’, Alessandro Michele has long mixed high-brow and low-brow on the runway.

Meanwhile, at Comme des Garçons, Rei Kawakubo married sculptural pieces with Betty Boop and seemingly endless yards of ruffles, lamé and lace. Kawakubo’s work softly approached exaggeration, raising it into a near crescendo of fury.Notorious for not explaining her work to the audience and leaving it to individual perception, the Japanese designer, who was honoured with an exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art last year, took us behind her mindset recently: “Camp is really and truly something deep and new, and represents a value we need. For example, there are so many so-called styles such as punk that have lost their original rebel spirit today. I think camp can express something deeper and give birth to progress.”

What is and isn’t

Here begins our journey of telling one apart from the other. German modernist writer Herman Broch wrote, “The maker of kitsch does not create inferior art, he is not an incompetent or a bungler, he cannot be evaluated by aesthetic standards; rather he is ethically depraved, a criminal willing radical evil.” Broch argued that this depravity, this willingness to go against what’s safe, is what defines kitsch in the first place. “The essence of kitsch is the confusion of the ethical category with the aesthetic category. It is not concerned with ‘good,’ but with ‘attractive’ work; it is the pleasing effect that is most important,” he said. Kitsch is usually the characteristic of a object—the Balenciaga handbag and the Tom Ford sweatshirt are prime examples. Often filed under tacky, something that appeals to a mass audience over those with better taste, it is an aesthetic that one loves to hate.

Camp on the other hand is a term most often used in reference to art, and celebrates exaggeration and lack of pretence. “Camp is esoteric—something of a private code, a badge of identity even, among small urban cliques,” wrote Susan Sontag in her essay Notes On “Camp”. “The hallmark of Camp is the spirit of extravagance. Camp is a woman walking around in a dress made of three million feathers. Camp is the paintings of Carlo Crivelli, with their real jewels and trompe-l’œil insects and cracks in the masonry. Camp is the outrageous aestheticism of Steinberg’s six American movies with Dietrich, all six, but especially the last, The Devil Is A Woman. In Camp there is often something démesuré in the quality of the ambition, not only in the style of the work itself. Gaudí’s lurid and beautiful buildings in Barcelona are Camp not only because of their style, but because they reveal—most notably in the Cathedral of the Sagrada Familia—the ambition on the part of one man to do what it takes a generation, a whole culture to accomplish.”

Camp and kitsch overlap constantly, and despite the literature separating one from the other, what both aesthetic sensibilities succeed in delivering is a sense of pride in subverting the norm. For instance, while Kawakubo’s clothing is a product that can be worn and hence categorised under kitsch, the designer addresses a sensibility that’s not entirely practical and offers the wearer a story, instead of being just another object in their wardrobe.

When bad fashion is in good taste

Why does fashion, an industry deeply vested in correcting aesthetic flaws, even associate with these? The answer is simple. Style is never just about clothing. Fashion is the collective emotion of thinkers and trend spotters reacting to their current environment. Think of RuPaul’s Drag Race—well in its 10th season and taking over Netflix feeds worldwide. Think of the unraveling gender binaries, the strengthening dialogue around inclusivity, and of the pressing need to find one’s identity in the vast, open expanse of social media—however radical it might be. Think of meme accounts like Freddiemade and Siduations, which offer humorous commentary on pop culture fashion. Somewhere in a world full of people hellbent on projecting the most ideal version of themselves, is a counterculture questioning this very chase for perfection. We may not see camp or kitsch in their traditional definitions now, but their presence in the current context can’t be ignored—which is kind of their point.

Sontag wrote, “Camp sees everything in quotation marks. It’s not a lamp, but a “lamp”; not a woman, but a “woman”. To perceive Camp in objects and persons is to understand Being-as-Playing-a-Role. It is the farthest extension, in sensibility, of the metaphor of life as theatre.” Did anyone say Off-White?

1/11

Image: Instagram.com/virgilabloh

“7 year mirror” & “indoor mat” and more works in progress @ikeatoday

Image: Instagram.com/virgilabloh

Gucci Generation #guccighost #trevorandrew

Image: Instagram.com/troubleandrew

They couldn’t help but wonder – is the Pearl Helmet the new Pearl Necklace? Happy 20th, SATC! #gucci #sexandthecity #carriebradshaw #siduations

Image: Instagram.com/siduations

The Gucci Padlock bag in GG motif featuring gold bees, depicted by @ignasimonreal with #Guccy in Comic Sans, a typeface from the 90s. #GucciGift. #GucciCruise18 #AleksandroMichele

Image: Instagram.com/gucci

The North West Face

Image: Instagram.com/freddiemade

Remember when I predicted the future? #freddiemade

Image: Instagram.com/freddiemade

Tom Ford autumn/winter 2018Comme des Garçons autumn/winter 2018Balenciaga autumn/winter 2018Balenciaga tote

The post When did bad taste become good fashion? appeared first on VOGUE India.

0 notes