selections from my week in media [11-17 february 2024]
[listening]
"AOK" / Tai Verdes
"Bang!" / AJR
"Turbulence" / ATEEZ
[reading]
Bookshops & Bonedust by Travis Baldree - cozy fantasy in a D&D-style fantasy setting - loved it
The Red Thread, vol 1-2 by Lazy Sheep - Loved it, although I found it surprising how closely it follows the drama, down to locations, some character looks (Sorn's bad wig looks way better drawn manga style lol), etc. The Win/Team storyline was left out, presumably because of space constraints. Or maybe another series is planned for them later? I also couldn't find any release information for more volumes, so hopefully the series will be finished eventually. I was already considering a rewatch of Until We Meet Again this year, but now I definitely will.
The Wild Geese's Tomb by TheFeelsWhale - MDZS time travel fix-it (LWJ pov)
[watching]
Argylle - Saw the movie in a theater on a date and we enjoyed ourselves a lot. It's completely ridiculous in some ways and highly relatable in others.
Destiny Seeker {finished: 3 stars} - Finished the rest of the series this week. It got off to a rough start, but overall it was much better than I expected. The last episode was a highlight. We got the angst of a separation but were rewarded by the reunion. And then an epilogue with a surprise baby! I loved it.
For Him {finished: 3 stars} - Very disappointed with the direction this show took in the last half. They started out so strong and then *poof* everything was different and too easily resolved, with two episodes left. It's ripe for canon divergence fanfic. The three stars are for: the leads' chemistry (hot like burning), positive therapy portrayal, and the twin thing.
Marry My Husband - I'm only a couple episodes in but I already love whatever is going on with this version of time travel. I'm glad it's almost done airing because I have a feeling when I get back to it I'm going to end up binging it.
Karaoke night, and Booth singing at Brennan "You're an anthropologist aren't you, and I bet you got BONES", and Bones pulling out a handful of bones and throwing them at him like dollar bills.
How tiktok has changed the music industry - and I'm not mad about it...
I was largely inspired to write about this because I have an unhealthy addiction to Katie Gregson Macleod's 'Complex' demo. The line "we won't be together but maybe in the next life" had me falling to my knees.
What stood out most to me was the singer and songwriter's artistic journey and how instrumental social media was in kickstarting her career. Before her 'Complex' video went viral on Tiktok she was a waitress, singing and writing music in her spare time. She mentioned how she has been working towards this moment for years without much success through using more traditional means of recognition. However after her one video reached millions of TikTok users she signed a deal with Columbia Records.
This isn't an isolated incident or a particularly new phenomenon. Years before THERE WAS tikTok, there was Vine and YouTube, with YouTube being the main platform for discovering new artists and providing opportunities for musicians to grow online and establish a following. Justin Bieber remains one of YouTube's greatest success stories and overnight sensations.
What makes the era of TikTok so influential in the music industry is how users can now engage and interact with the music. The app has altered user generated content creation by allowing people to use their favourite songs and sounds alongside their own content.
This goes far beyond it being a traditional social media platform that specializes in discovery. Now content creators, ordinary users and musicians can all collaborate and engage with the art in a more meaningful way.
I am constantly scouring the discover and 'For You Page' for talent and new songs. Here are some of my favourite TikTok finds in the past two years on the app:
1. Pinkpanthers 🌟obviously🌟
Stream their latest song:
2. Katie Gregson Macleod
Stream their latest song:
3. Tai Verdes
Stream their latest song:
4. Sandile M
Visit their page:
4. Lyn Lapid
Stream their latest EP:
5. Vivi Ricon
Stream their latest song:
6. Conan Gray
Stream their latest album:
Just take a listen and feel free to drop any other recommendations:
“If it was my last day on Earth, I wouldn't be in church
I'm sorry, God, but it's my last day in this universe
I need to see birds and buzzin' bees, green grass, evergreen trees
Not seein' people who have been mean to me
And why would I waste my time?
All my favorite people need teary-eyed goodbyes
Talk, laugh, hug and give a bunch of hard high fives
I did my best, man, I gave this thing a good try.”