#Blackbird Studios

[jdsoundbite]

The Core Is Getting Soft.19: Good Kit

The Core Is Getting Soft.19: Good Kit

It’s been a few years since I’ve done a post in this series about music production software. I’ve been more interested in learning to use a few pieces of recording hardware I’ve acquired from Overstayer in LA and studying Persian classical music of late. But – there are still some software tools that catch my ear from time to time. My favorite is from a relatively new software developer named KIT…

[emilylorange]

a quick blackbird paint for the BirdWhisperer project (on twitter and bluesky) (original photo by Manfred Richter)

[searchsystem]

Studio Cool / Blackbird / Rendering / 2023

[likeadevils]

I think it might be Begin Again! That was the first song I learned on the guitar and Cadd9 is heaaavvily used in that song in the verse, chorus, and bridge

okay SO last night i mixed up the date she cut her bangs and straightened her hair— i thought it was december 30, which would’ve made begin again almost impossible, but it was december 2! which makes it not only possible, but highly likely!!

(for those who weren’t on for my midnight insanity, i’m trying to figure out where this picture comes from)

[jcahill]

Couple fun STYX memories came up iPhoto memories - always a kick to look back - good to meet new Styx pen pal lol

[aeontriad]

Blackbird Studio

[shondratasha]

I got Magical Mystery Tour back from Jill Rensel Studios. Usually the turnaround at Rensel is 18 months. I had a piece that was in the schedule for July so we swapped it with this one. I love how they painted the motifs from the stitching onto the matte. However, something is bugging me about the framing and I can't put my finger on it. Let me know if you have the same vibe looking at it? I also love how the frame has been painted to look antique or vintage. The stitching is the 6 Blackbird Designs Magical Mystery Tour patterns arranged on one piece by me. It's stitched 1 strand over 1 thread on 28 count natural linen using many of the called for Gentle Arts Sampler Threads and if the pattern called for any other thread, I found a GAST that would work.

[somediyprojects]

Pieces stitched by Lisa Lyons Duffin. Framed by Jill Rensel and Amber Hansen of Rensel Studio.

Blackbird Designs- “ Our Lasting Friendship” ( called for linen, Shepherds Bush thread conversion )

Carriage House Samplings - “Multiplication Sampler”

Scarlett House- “Seeking Refuge”

[sheltiechicago]

Eight Humanoid Forms Congregate in a Glowing Gathering Space in Taipei

Evoking the supple curves of the human body, an installation by artist Ling-Li Tseng (previously) explores the power of connection and community. Created in collaboration with Serendipity Studio for the 2023 Taipei Lantern Festival, “Gathering Pavilion” is comprised of eight figurative forms that lean together with shoulders touching to establish a space with a flower-shaped opening. Each module is made of laser-cut metal with a baked enamel finish, with lights embedded near the base to shine upward and reflect on the material’s surface.

 All photos by BlackBird Imagine Studio, JL

[kinhagamer]

[XBOX GAME PASS] 7 jogos de lançamento próprio para 2023 (Console, PC, Nuvem)

[XBOX GAME PASS] 7 jogos de lançamento próprio para 2023 (Console, PC, Nuvem)

Pra quê vida social? Eu não queria mesmo…. Particularmente estou esperando por Redfall e Starfield. Forza só se eu tivesse um volante (e espaço para usá-lo), Age of Empires já tentei, mas não rolou. E Ara eu quero também! Redfall (Xbox Series, PC, Nuvem) Nossa que assustador, pensando bem quero mais não ^-^”’. Brincadeira quem não quer um fps sobre vampiros? Eu quero. Desenvolvedora: Arkane…

[suthnmeh]

Well, we didn't win the Oscar! But you know, the competition this year was absolutely fierce. And just the fact that Robot Dreams was at the Oscars is wild and I will be forever proud of our little champion baby TwT

So the birds were the first sequence that we started animating, closely followed by the rabbits. I was in charge of three fourths of the sequence, together with my colleage Adèle, who did the remaining fourth. I remember how excited the guys in the director's room were to see the first ever animated shot (the one where momma bird lands and pecks at Robot's feet).

A lot of us at the studio will remember having doubts when it came to the Blackbird sequence, being one of the least favorite among the team at the time. But that quickly changed, and now it appears to be one of the most memorable according to the public. <3

[hotvintagepoll]

Propaganda

Rosalind Russell (His Girl Friday, Auntie Mame, The Women)—Hugely influential in her role as Hildy in His Girl Friday, Russell is perhaps the greatest influence on the character of Lois Lane. Catty, hilarious and charming, Russell is the blueprint for every sharp tongued transatlantic diva. In The Women she wears a series of incredible fits including a wonderful Schiaparelli dress covered in eyes. Later in her career she was the incredible Queer Icon Mame, a model of bohemian life that still resonates today

Nina Mae McKinney (Hallelujah, Pie Pie Blackbird, The Devil’s Daughter)—One of the first black movie stars, Nina worked with Bill ‘Bojangles’ Robinson, King Vidor, and Paul Robeson. She was the first Black Actress to be signed to one of the major studios, MGM, but her career was stalled by a lack of roles.

This is round 2 of the tournament. All other polls in this bracket can be found here. Please reblog with further support of your beloved hot sexy vintage woman.

[additional propaganda submitted under the cut.]

Rosalind Russell:

She's funny! She's glamorous! She stood up for herself! She took her own initiative to make sure her role in His Girl Friday was funny enough to stand up to Cary Grant!

Funny, fast talking, witty, triple threat, so charming that her husband of 35 years watched her in a movie and decided he needed to meet her and he was going to marry her, and got Cary Grant to arrange a meeting. Grant was best man at their wedding. Was a big supporter and funder of arthritis research and was honoured by Congress for her work in that field.

She’s just so fucking funny. She gave another woman a permanent scar from biting her leg in a scene and this is a story she herself told in interviews. This maybe true maybe not piece of IMDB trivia is never far from my mind: At the wrap party, Rosalind Russell was dancing with George Cukor, when Ernst Lubitsch passed her and said, "If you want more close-ups in the picture, never mind dancing with your director, you'd better dance with Norma Shearer!" Without missing a beat, Russell took Shearer's hand with a wink and danced her across the floor.

Nina Mae McKinney:

Hollywood's first Black vamp, and have you seen her dance? 👀

She has such delicate features and such a delightfully impish smile

[searchsystem]

Studio Cool / Blackbird / Rendering / 2023

[the-writer-in-the-winter-forest]

The Universe Next-door

Summary: While on his "Search for a New Anchor Being" montage, Wade comes across Wolverine and Storm variants who rain on his parade.

A spin on the scene from Deadpool Vol 5 #15 (2013)

Pairing: Storm x Wolverine

Word Count: 980

No Warnings/ Pretty Tame

A/N: Is the humor forced and bad? Mayhaps, but I gave it a try. Please be merciful upon me.

If Wade had known that jumping from one universe to the next in search of a new anchor being would take this much time and painful effort, he would have packed snacks. What situation can't be improved with snacks? This one could use a protein bar or something. Low blood sugar is a bitch! It’s only when the TemPad opens another gate that Wade's nostrils are filled with the oh-so-sweet smell of breakfast foods. 

“Huh, so does the X-Mansion look the same in every universe, or did the studio just not want to pay for another location? I guess it is all about location, location, location.” That might work to his advantage. Besides much of the layout remaining the same, only a few noticeable differences were noticeable: a painting and chachi here and there, different light fixtures, and rugs. 

Wade looks around the halls curiously. “Now, which door leads to the Blackbird? No, no, stay focused. Note to self, though, find universe with easily accessible Blackbird.”

A joyride would have to wait for now; Wade starts to follow where that oh-so-delectable smell came from. A systems crash is now becoming a controlled systems crash. Students move around the dining room, gathering food on their plates and searching for friends to sit and eat with. 

“I don’t think they'll mind if I help myself.”

The dining room went silent as all eyes focused on the strangely dressed visitor helping himself to a large stack of pancakes. Students murmured amongst themselves in disbelief. This couldn't be a new teacher.

“Be not afraid, you beautiful freaks of nature. Don't mind me. I’m just grabbing a quick shnack; then I have to grab another shnack who happens to be one of your hairy custodians, and no, I’m not talking about that hairy blue guy with the glasses. The sofa in the foyer is covered in hair.” He leans into his plate of pancakes. “That hair shall not taint you, my sweet, sweet flapjacks.” 

After a bit of bribery, which entailed kidnapping their history professor, which would guarantee them no more homework, Wade makes his way to the second floor, down the hall, takes a right, and it’s three doors down. 

“Oh my gosh.” He squeals. “I love that band.”

Wade does grant the courtesy of knocking on the door three times before bursting in unannounced. The curtains are closed, the room smells faintly of cigars, clothes lay askew on the floor, and an unmistakable lump lies curled up in bed, buried deep under the covers.

“Oh my. He does sleep like an animal. Hairy and nude.” Wade's body shutters with excitement before skipping over to the curtains. “Ding, dong, my Wolvie is dead. Rub your eyes, get out of bed.” With one motion, the room is flooded with sunlight. “Ooooh, what a beautiful morning!” The lump under the covers only stirs slightly. “Huh, I thought I could summon him with singing. Maybe if I tell him, he can host the Oscars again.”

Wade walks over to the lump, placing a firm smack on his ass before laying down next to him. “You must be like me and need your eight hours of beauty sleep, cuz let’s be honest, it isn't just diet, exercise, and good mental health that keeps thyself oh so lovely. “ No response is given. “Alright,” Wade sighs heavily, getting up from the bed. “Time to get dressed for school.”  Before Wade can feed the impulse to stick a sword up his target's ass, he suddenly feels a tiny droplet of water on his forehead. It would have been of little concern until heavy rain began to fill the room. "Guess ol Charlie needs to fix his pipes."

Wade is pulled from his ramblings when his intended target emerges from the adjoining bathroom with a towel around his waist and slicked-back hair. He freezes upon seeing the uninvited guest. “You ain’t supposed to be here, bub.” He snarls, his claws extended in a flash of light. Wade's eyes widen as he ever so slowly turns his head back towards the bed.

The body under the blankets pulls itself out to reveal a very unpleasant morning-faced, dark-skinned woman with shockingly short, white, spiked hair. “Huh,” Wade looks curiously at the woman. “Gotta admit I love the hair. If it wasn't for the rain, I was gonna assume that the studio just gender and ethnicity bent another Wolverine.” He stares off into the distance, seemingly addressing no one. “Wierd move, guys.”

The weather Goddess sneers at Wade. “Do you know what happens to-”

“Yes, I know what happens to a toad when it’s struck by lightning.” Wade groans. “Man, Bryan Singer did not do you justice. Unless you’re from the new timeline, then Simon Kinberg really did you dirty. And apparently, this fuckin fanfic writer likes callbacks like some musical theater putz.” 

Her smile then turns wicked. “Then you should know what happens next.”

Wade doesn't get a word out before his body receives an agonizing jolt of blazing hot electricity through its system. This was undoubtedly a first for him, and this amount of voltage bleeding through him is a record.

He raises his trembling hand to speak, only to fall straight back onto the floor with a loud thud. “There is a nice tingly feeling all over now.” Wade whispers weakly. "Got it. This one's not up for grabs." He says to Storm. Wade manages enough movement to activate the TemPad and slip through the gateway before the angered Wolverine can stab him through his corneas. Thankfully, he doesn't fall far and lands on something soft. In one quick motion, he returns to a seated position, trying to shake out the remainder of the body tingles. “Well,” He huffs, finally getting back up. That’s certainly a rarity in the fanbase. But those two are getting freaky? Tsk, that girl should know better.”

*Wink*

[beware-of-you-98]

Whenever I mention emily and jj’s tattoos in writing, I feel like I’m in no way consistent with how I describe them but here’s a more coherent idea of what I believe they are, where they are, and what they represent:

They both have 2

They both have a cover up

They both have a simple tattoo

JJ’s are both colored

Emily’s are both nearly black and white

Emily

Emily’s tattoos both represent her survival from ian doyle

The first one is a small one, right on the inside of her right hip near her pelvis

Tsia went with her to get it done in a gritty alleyway studio in the middle of Amsterdam

It’s a simple calligraphy piece that says “marthanóir” roughly translating as “survivor” in Irish

her second tattoo is smack dab in the middle of her chest on her sternum: the blackbird

The bird is poised in mid-flight, poised with both wings spread wide and flanking its body. The tail feathers are spread out and nearly tuck under her breasts

The piece is in full black and white

Except the tiny orange butterfly perched over the bird’s left shoulder that represents the people she lost (it mainly represents tsia, a love lost)

JJ

JJ’s tattoos have different meanings

One is for Ros

The other represents her rising from the ashes in the aftermath of her abduction and torture

She got her first one her freshman year of college

It was given to her by her roommate/gf at the time

It’s a simple gold ribbon on the side of her left ring finger

Her second one is a massive orange and yellow phoenix (this is one I constantly change I feel but hold on)

This one is MASSIVE

It starts at the top of her left thigh, the tail feathers spread out to cover as far as towards her stomach and her lower back

The main body of the bird is tattooed up her ribcage, the flamed wings outspread to her sternum and to her spine

The long, flamed tail feathers of the bird are what cover up her burn scar, the texture blending in

The eyes are the same color as her boys’ birthstones

One eye is opalescent

The other eye is honey colored

[diceriadelluntore]

Storia Di Musica #324 - Alter Bridge, Fortress, 2013

Le scelte musicali di Maggio avranno come filo rosso la presenza di un edificio in copertina. Mi rendo conto che la scelta dell'elemento in comune è di per sé poco discriminante, perché la lista sarebbe lunghissima. Tuttavia con un percorso che ho immaginato a scorrimento di grandezza dell’edificio ne uscirà, spero di non deludervi, una bella selezione. Poi è sempre una buona occasione per scoprire altri dischi rispetto a quelli che ho scelto io. La copertina che inizia questo piccolo viaggio è una casa abbandonata in un deserto, che in maniera piuttosto ironica è stata scelta per descrivere la Fortezza del titolo. Fortress è il quarto album in studio degli Alter Bridge, uscito nel 2013. Gli Alter Bridge nascono agli inzi degli anni 2000, quando si unirono ex componenti di due band, i Creed e i Mayfield Four: dal primo provenivano Il chitarrista Mark Tremonti, il bassista Brian Marshall ed il batterista Scott Phillips facevano già parte dei Creed, insieme al cantante Scott Stapp, fin dal 1997. Dopo la pubblicazione di due album di successo (My Own Prison del 1997 e Human Clay del 1999) Marshall lasciò la band nel 2000, a causa di dissidi con il frontman Stapp: rimasti un trio, i Creed pubblicarono nel 2001 il loro terzo album, Weathered, un altro grande successo rimasto al primo posto per otto settimane consecutive, primato che i Creed condividono con la compilation The Beatles 1. La band divenne inattiva dal 2003 a seguito della conclusione di un tour controverso: in quell'anno, infatti, Tremonti iniziò a scrivere nuovo materiale con l'intenzione di formare una nuova band. Dopo aver richiamato Marshall al basso, il chitarrista decise di contattare il cantante Myles Kennedy, ex membro degli ormai sciolti Mayfield Four, conosciuto qualche anno prima durante un tour in cui l'ex band di Kennedy faceva da gruppo spalla ai Creed. Fu così che nacquero gli Alter Bridge, il cui nome deriva da un ponte, il bridge del titolo, situato presso la casa di Tremonti sulla Alter Road, a Detroit.

L’inizio è del 2004, One Day Remains, che ripulisce moltissimo il suono post grunge dei Creed e nonostante sia un buon successo commerciale è ben lontano dalle vendite della band “primigenia”. Subito però hanno un colpo di fortuna: diventano infatti un gruppo fidato della WWE, la famosa federazione di Wrestling americano. Alcune loro canzoni infatti apriranno i seguitissimi show e una loro canzone, Metalingus, è stata adottata dal wrestler Edge come musica d'entrata. Nel 2005 Save Me farà parte della colonna sonora del film Elektra. Eppure non tutto va per il meglio: la casa discografica premeva affinché si ritornasse al nome Creed, garanzia di maggiore notorietà, e anche a quel suono più sporco. La band aveva tuttìaltra idea e finirono per cambiare etichetta: nel 2007 passano alla Universal con cui pubblicano Blackbird: i testi e le musiche sono spesso a 4 mani tra Kennedy e Tremonti, l’album è molto più coeso e una canzone diviene molto famosa, Blackbird, scritta da Kennedy per un suo amico recentemente scomparso che in una votazione di una rivista inglese, Guitarist, è stata votata nel 2011 quella con il miglior assolo di chitarra di tutti i tempi (che mi sembra una clamorosa esagerazione). Succede una cosa a questo punto: i tre ex Creed si riuniscono con Scott Stapp e pubblicano un nuovo disco come Creed e vanno in tour, Kennedy non sta fermo e collabora con Slash, che in quel momento era il chitarrista dei Velvet Revolver. Qualcuno pensa che il gruppo sia alla fine, ma come un tuono all’improvviso arriva AB III (del 2010): sorta di cupo concpet album sulla fede, è un disco che segna un deciso cambio di prospettiva. Molto più heavy metal, inizia a farsi strada l’estensione vocale portentosa di Kennedy, e da strutture musicali che assomigliano a quell’interessante movimento chiamato progressive metal. È un nuovo grande successo.

Passano anni prima che esca Fortress, tra tour che toccano tutti i continenti, progetti paralleli, solisti, di musicisti che ormai sono diventati molto famosi. Per questo il disco era atteso come una sorta di prova del nove. Dato il titolo, l'album sembra far emergere l'idea che la band sia una sorta di rifugio creativo per i suoi membri, un santuario hard rock dove possono semplicemente suonare e suonare, non importa se al posto di mura possenti c’è solo qualche asse di legno invecchiato dal sole e dal vento. Si parte con Cry of Achilles, che inizia con le note di una chitarra acustica dal sapore flamenco (filone che per qualche anno colpirà in maniera stranissima tutti i grandi gruppi dell’heavy metal, richiamo solo i leggendari Opeth in Persephone, il brano acustico che apre Sorceness del 2016). Micidiale il veloce incedere del singolo Addicted to Pain, mentre in Bleed It Dry salgono in cattedra sia Tremonti con un suadente assolo, che la mirabile ugola di Kennedy. La ballata “alla Alter Bridge” si esprime in Lover e All Ends Well, dal sapore vagamente country. Sono diventati maestri nel costruire canzoni tra riff portentosi degni della vecchia scuola a ritornelli che rimangono subito in mente, come per The Uninvited. Il lavoro di AB III rimane nelle ottime In Peace Is Broken e nella toccante Calm The Fire, pezzo che esprime tutta la bravura vocale di Kennedy. Tremonti presta la sua di voce in Waters Rising, e scatena la sua anima metal in padrone nell’accoppiata Farther Than the Sun / Cry a River e nella lunga e mutevole title track contraddistinta da un pregevole lavoro della chitarra, anche qui a lambire il progressive metal. Fortress è un album trascinante, probabilmente meno creativo del precedente, ma molto più solido. La critica lo capisce e lo designa non solo come il loro miglior lavoro, ma tra i dischi dell’anno.

Gli Alter Bridge, che hanno sempre cercato di non passare per I Creed con un altro cantante, sono diventati, anche grazie alle spettacolari esibizioni dal vivo (suggerisco per i curiosi i Live From Amsterdam e From Wembley Arena) uno dei gruppi di punta di un metal non estremo, ma solido e convincente.