#Mixed at Soundtrack NYC

[secretwriterpp]

Angel voice

Summary: Pedro Pascal x Reader. Karaoke night with friends.

***this is officially my first fic! I had this story in my mind for so long, I had to write it. I’m not even a good writer and English is my second language, so I’m sorry if it’s a tough read. No beta , I don’t know anyone who could help me with this , any volunteers ? ***

Warnings: RPF. Just friendships. A little flirting. I guess … two idiots falling in love.

For the last few months , you always walked hand in hand with your new bestie Sarah. The friendship was new, but it was intense. You met her on the set of an amazing indie film. She was the main character and you were the supporting one. It was a movie about a love story between two inspiring women. Loving Sarah on screen and in real life was easy, it felt like you knew her your whole life.

Tonight was no different, your hand into hers , you walked on the sidewalk together with some of her closest friends. Oscar and Elvira were walking behind you whispering sweet nothings to each other while Pedro was the leader of the pack , goofing around , pretending to be in an action movie , hiding from imaginary bad guys. The little group of friends kindly accepted you as the new member of their pack as soon as Sarah introduced you to them. Since you just recently moved to NYC, it was great to have people you could count on.

You were lost in your thoughts , feeling the warmth of the summer breeze on your face and bare shoulders. Only hearing the buzzing sounds of the city. You were having a hard time realizing how lucky you were to have them, to be exactly where you wanted to be with your acting career, you felt really emotional at that moment. Maybe it was the fatigue from the long days on set or maybe it was the effect of Sarah’s earlier questionable concoctions she called her special drinks , but you could cry. You were so lost in your own head that you jumped when you heard Elvira joyous exclamation.

- YEEEES! Come on guys! It’s been a hot minute since we humiliated ourselves properly!

You heard Pedro hum a barely perceptible « oh nooooo » while he formed a fake gun with his hand and pretended to shoot himself. You snapped out of your thoughts and looked at what Elvira was so excited about. You were pleased to see that is was a karaoke bar.

Only Sarah knew that you were a good singer. She called you her soft angel when you sang for her on set. Your favorite Pink Floyd songs were the soundtrack of your blooming friendship. Truth is , you tried to succeed as a singer/songwriter a few years ago, but it just didn’t happen. It was for the best though, now you knew it. After realizing you would probably never be a recording artist , you decided to focus on your acting career and it paid off.

When you entered the bar , it was very noisy, a mix of people singing and other simply screeching , people cheering and others having animated conversations. Elvira was fast to find you guys a place to sit. She knew she had to move fast so Pedro wouldn’t have a good reason to convince them to leave and escape his worst nightmare. It wasn’t a secret that he didn’t like Karaoke, he didn’t want to sing and he didn’t want other people to butchered all of his favorite songs . He mimicked his best suffering expression when the girl on stage started to sing sweet home Alabama with her shrieking voice.

You guys were seated in a big white U shaped bench wrapped around an oval table , perfect to accommodate your little group. You were squished between Sarah and Pedro who were having a deep conversation about the last movie they saw together. You were not complaining , being with them was so much fun and you had to admit that being so close to Pedro was not bad either. Since you met him, you had a little crush on him. Nothing serious, nothing you would tell him about , it was just a fun little game to flirt with him. And oh boy was he a flirt. The little smiles he did when you spoke about your recent projects, the way his eyes just lingered on your mouth, his hands touching your skin every chance he get, followed with a cute wink when your eyes would meet his. It was nothing your brain said , but the butterflies in your stomach made you wonder which body part of yours was right.

Nobody really paid attention to the people who were on stage , a few times, when the performer was not as bad , the girls and you would cheer and sing along. You don’t know how many drinks you guys were in when Elvira came around the table to talked to Pedro.

- So , what are you going to sing tonight Pedrito? Pedro lost his smile and rolled his eyes.

Sarah laughed : I really don’t know if Elvira really loves karaoke or if she just like seeing Pedro suffer!

Pedro: She hates me! She hates that her husband calls me his girlfriend , she’s jealous and that’s her way to get her revenge.

Elvira: Oh please P , not everything is about you!

Pedro did his most exaggerated shocked face: Excuse me! ?

Elvira : All I want to do is sing a sexy duet with MY husband. (Emphasis on the MY) She winked at Pedro

Oscar was already putting their name on the list , there was still a few people before it would be their turn. On his way back he grabbed a few shots for all of you.

Pedro turned to help Oscar with the shooter glasses: -Your wife sings like an half dead cat , I will need multiples of these.

Elvira punched Pedro on the arm while you and Sarah giggled at their imaginary love triangle.

Sarah: y/n should sing! She will change your mind about karaoke Pedro. She sings like an angel!

You blushed.

Oscar teased his friend : you should sing his favorite song!

Pedro immediately interrupted him, making no signs with his head and both his arms : oh no! No, no, no, no, no. Do not touch Prince. NO!

Sarah: I know! You should sing Dreams! You have the perfect voice for that song. Anyway, you can’t sing any Pink Floyd songs , those are just for me , plus this bar is not the vibe for that.

- Wow Sarah , are you flirting with me ? I have the voice to cover Stevie ? Please , no.

Even if you wanted to protest the song choice , it was too late. Elvira literally jumped out of her seat and was already adding your name to the list. It’s not that you didn’t want to sing , you loved it , but now the pressure was on. What if they didn’t like how you sing it ? What if Pedro didn’t like it ? The moment you met him, you needed him to like you. Was that how you felt with all your past “little crush”? Once again, you were lost in your spinning mind.

Sarah brought you back to earth : - don’t worry , your voice is magical. She thought you were worried about your skills.

For the next hour, you mostly had to listen to bad singers , it was almost torture sometimes. Fortunately, the alcool was smoothly flowing , making it all more bearable. Even Pedro looked like he was having fun. Every time he laughed he immediately clung to the person who made the joke. Resting his head on their shoulder, reaching out to hold their arm or squeeze their tight just above the knee. You couldn’t help and match his energy, every single thing he said that made you laugh you touched his skin. His wrist, his bicep, his neck. You were too far into your gin tonic consumption to care what people would think of it, what he would think of it.

It was finally Oscar and Elvira’s turn to sing. They chose to sing the Dirty Dancing hit “time of my life”

Pedro was exasperated : damn they are so annoyingly cheesy.

That they were , but it was so adorable at the same time. Their love was radiating on stage. Elvira was indeed a bad singer , half dead cat would not be your choice of words, you were too polite for that. Oscar could hold a note , but he kept messing the lyrics of the song, they both laughed in their microphones when they missed a word. You and Sarah cheered for them like it was the most crucial sport event.

———-–—————————————————

Pedro was genuinely having fun. The running gag was that he hated karaoke, he did , but seeing his friends having fun was way more important to him than his hatred of bad singing. Elvira and Oscar were doing their thing on stage and he was impressed by their lack of self awareness. They massacred that poor song. He cheered for them anyways. They ended their performance by doing a little spinning dance move , it was disgusting how much they loved each other.

Pedro could hear you ask Sarah: Seriously Sarah , this kind of love really exists ? Or is it just for them?

Pedro felt a sting in his heart. He wondered why you didn’t believe it could exist? Wondered if someone hurt you in the past. He wasn’t really a big believer in love with a capital L himself , he didn’t really do relationships, but it wasn’t okay with him that you would have this kind of thoughts, that you would feel that way too. It felt unfair. Since he met you, he felt very protective of you. You were so sweet and kind.

Sarah : I think it exists , but theirs is definitely one of a kind.

Elvira was skipping her way to your table , still on her adrenaline high.

-We slayed it!!! Didn’t we ?

-Pedro pointed his right ear : Sorry , I can’t hear you , my ears are bleeding.

Elvira raised her two middle fingers at him and mouthed a very felt “fuck you P”.

Oscar came to his wife defense: you were perfect my love , I’m the one who forgot entire parts of the song. Pedro is just jealous that I didn’t slow dance with him on stage.

Pedro touched your shoulder : hey y/n ! I think it’s your turn. He watched you get up of your seat and walk towards the stage. You looked relaxed and confident. Maybe she really is a good singer he thought or maybe she’s just too tipsy to be bothered by any of this.

He followed your every step. He didn’t realize before that moment how little you were wearing tonight. Just a tiny lilac summer dress. Your legs, shoulders , cleavage , all exposed under the intense stage lights. Your dress was way too short for you to stand close to the edge of the stage. You were not that drunk, he saw you take a few steps back when you realized some creeps in the front were more than happy to look up your dress. You nodded to the host and the song began to play in the loud room.

Dreams was one of his favorite songs. He was a huge Fleetwood Mac and Stevie Nicks fan. Normally, he would dread the moment you would open your mouth to sign his favorite lyrics , but right now he was just curious. He was hypnotized by the way you swayed your hips to the beat. Those few seconds at the beginning of the song felt like minutes to him. Right before you parted your lips to sing your first note you looked at him and winked. He felt everything squeeze inside of him, like his heart stopped. He held his breath , hoping he wouldn’t have to lie to you later and pretend he liked your voice. He felt the urge to cover his ears to avoid to deal with that possibility. But then he heard you.

🎶 Now here you go again, you say you want your freedom

His body instinctively relaxed , but he had to listen more , just to be sure.

🎶 Well, who am I to keep you down?

The noise in the bar significantly went down.

🎶 It’s only right that you should play the way you feel it. But listen carefully to the sound of your loneliness.

- No fucking way ! That’s all Oscar could say looking at Sarah with a surprised expression in his face. Elvira was already clapping hard for you.

- Told you guys , an angel.

🎶 Like a heartbeat, drives you mad

That was his favorite lyric in the song , his jaw dropped slightly. Your voice was soft and smooth. It was definitely different from the original singer but it was beautiful. By the time your were at the chorus he was completely lost in your voice. Feeling the beat passing through the speakers and vibrating straight into his chest. The bar was quiet, everyone dropped their beer to drink at your words instead.

~Maybe he likes karaoke he thought , nooooooo, maybe he likes you. ~

It felt like he was gone for so long when you sang the last words.

🎶 Oh oh oh , you’ll know ….

The crowd went crazy when you finished. And then suddenly his feeling flipped and it felt like he didn’t really have time to enjoy your performance , it went by too fast.

——————————————————-

You smiled at your audience and did a little bow before exiting the stage. You were overwhelmed by the crowd’s reaction. You focused on your group of friends , walking back towards them with the biggest smile on your face. You did it , they liked it.

Elvira was the first one jumping in your arms , she was so excited.

-OMG Baby, you should sing for a living , that was amazing . I feel like I should pay you right now.

You laughed, she was exaggerating , but you were grateful for the compliment. Oscar was next, bowing before you.

- I surrender at your talent , queen of karaoke. El and I will give you our crowns.

Sarah sang proud and loud : I TOLD YOU GUYS!!!

Pedro looked at you with his big brown eyes and his bright smile and pulled you close to hug you. He whispered in your ear

- you almost made me cry.

You stayed in his arms for a while, he held you tight, his chin on your head.

The night slowly came to an end, the conversations began to be more sparse and you all agreed that it it was time to go back to your respective apartment. You went to bed feeling proud and feeling loved. You fell asleep trying to remember how it felt to have his arms wrapped around you.

———————————————————

Pedro was lying in his bed , thinking about the night , about how he felt. What he felt wasn’t new to him, but it was something he didn’t feel for a long time. He didn’t let himself feel that way, he never let himself be in situation that could lead him to feeling that way. When did he let his guard down? That squishing feeling inside his stomach, he could not shake it off. He could not be in love ? It was just silly… He could not be in love just because you had the sweetest singing voice he ever heard ? That’s just stupid. He knew it wasn’t just that. Your hips, your lips, your skin, your eyes , your laugh, your smile.

- Fuck.

[meat-wentz]

you mentioned you were indie sleaze, can you talk more about that scene from the 2000's? i want to get into the scene but don't really know where to start and i don't trust tiktok lol.

omg of course. so to preface this i wanna say that there is a natural emo to indie pipeline that existed from around 2006-2008 and i was fully a part of that pipeline. there's a lot of crossover especially as emo evolved into scene and as scene evolved into party scene into indie sleaze. musicians like shiny toy guns, dev, cobra starship, amanda blank, hyper crush, etc were all like natural transitional bands that held little emo hands as they transitioned into indie sleaze. for instance, does he look familiar? well, he's the dear boy from sugar we're going down.

indie sleaze was a mixture of nihilism and hedonism, a general mindset of nothing fucking matters let's destroy ourselves and fucking party. it was like this huge embrace of self-destruction and effacement, but also like a huge embrace for being young and saying fuck it and partying your face off. it glorified the unpolished, ripped stockings and hazy drunk eyes, hair plastered across your face with sweat, smudged makeup, looking like you've made out with everyone in your path and you probably have. it was body paint and underground hipsters and red bull chasers and ketamine bumps and perfect cocktails of pills. it was a bunch of jaded young people rejecting 9-5's and blending the party culture of raves with the rock and roll underground of sleazy clubs in nyc. there's a good documentary on this that follows some of the most notable bands in the nyc scene called "meet me in the bathroom" and it's available on showtime right now. they were the "new" club kid. there was a notable genre exchange, it was super eclectic sonically, ranging from techno and electronica to twangy bass riffs and dirty guitars to more folksy or preppy sounds (you'll see more prep aesthetics leak in particularly towards the latter half as indie sleaze evolved into millennial indie in the late 2000's and early 2010's, like vampire weekend, metronomy, two door cinema club, and chester french). aesthetically, flash photography became huge, rejecting the gloss of the mainstream. decade clashing was huge, drawing inspo from 70's vintage athletic wear, sleek 60's mod, 80's punk, vintage shopping was huge, neon and bright colors and american apparel basics, ironic t-shirts were huge, actually irony laid into the aesthetics and sound HEAVY, because irony indicated you didn't care but you were still fun.

photographers like the cobra snake super well documented the scene and all its most notable scenesters, and misshapes would throw these massive celebrity scattered parties with all the who's-who of musicians. they're two really good places to look into what and who and why and how. you might also want to look into kitsune maison compilations, urban outfitters playlists via the web archive, and ed banger records. soundtracks for shows like gossip girl, skins, and misfits were literally soooooooo influential to me as well.

perhaps the prime examples of what the scene looked like and what parties looked like:

and here are some of my personal favorite indie sleaze mvs that i feel really encapsulate sort of the aesthetics and the draw:

not an official video but literally so influential, my friends and i would pregame to this edit of babel so often its literally embedded in my bloodstream:

here's some gems you might not find in any research:

my favorite musicians at the time were mgmt, metronomy, css, crystal castles, uffie, lcd soundsystem, yeah yeah yeahs, young love, the rapture, hot chip, girls, electric six, bloc party, bright eyes, the virgins, the teenagers, peaches, friendly fires, gorillaz, the xx, franz ferdinand, neon indian and kenna. i do actually have a musical archive @sleazeandscum where i just post songs every once in awhile from the time period. i hope this helps and ty for this question lol it was literally SUCH a formative period in my life and also the beginning of my time as a blogger.

[catharusustulatus]

Questions to ask Joe Keery at Wales Comic Con:

Do you have a favorite song off the new album (Djo 3) you have been mixing so far? If so, can you tell us about it?

Would you ever star in a music video for a different musical artist? Like if Tame Impala called you, would you be in his music video, or would it have to depend on the song?

What was your favorite thing about working with Adam when making Decide?

Who are some directors you’d love to work with next in your career? What kind of movie would you like to make with them?

Is there a genre of film you haven’t made yet you’d love to act in? What is it and why?

What was it like acting opposite Jon when filming Fargo? Did you learn anything from him on set?

What was the hardest thing you did on set when filming Fargo?

If you were going to plan someone’s first weekend trip to NYC, where would you have them go, what would you have them do, and what would you recommend they eat?

If you were stranded on a desert island with one movie, one tv show, one album, and one book, what would you want with you?

Do you have an ideal ending for Steve in mind when you think of season 5?

You filmed four projects back to back in the last year. What was the coolest thing you experienced when filming across so many genres and settings?

You filmed two movies in Italy. How good would you say your Italian is? Would you ever want to be fluent, or fluent in another language?

If you were going to choose one song from the 80’s to be in Stranger Things’ final soundtrack, what would it be?

[insomniac-jay]

The Watchers Cartoon

Inspired by @jasontoddssuper & @honeypotsworld

Four seasons that capture all the arcs from Who Watches the Watchers to Future Is Ours

The show's style would be a mix of the Legion of Superheroes movie and Teen Titans 2003

Opening is brutal by Olivia Rodrigo and ending is Chosen Family by Rina Sawayama bc this is my kingdom and I am king

Soundtrack would consist of rock, hip hop, and pop featuring Megan Thee Stallion, Rina Sawayama, and Paramore

Every season would have a different theme with season 1 having themes of found family

For Gotham, I'd definitely have it be more colorful because of the cyberpunk elements, especially when it comes to residences of the Watchers. A mix of Batman Beyond and TMNT: Mutant Mayhem portrays NYC is the vibe I'd be going for

All the POC characters are voiced by POC. My ultimate voice claim for Vicia is Eve.

There will be a fight scene with Rina Sawayama's STFU in the background

[ausetkmt]

As we celebrate Black Music Month and LGBT Pride Month, let us pay tribute to the pioneers and trailblazers who gifted the world with the infectious beats of house music. As house music is experiencing a resurgence in the mainstream, it's important to remember where house began -- decades ago in Black queer clubs. Over the years, house music continues to evolve, thrive, and inspire new generations, carrying on the legacy of its roots while pushing boundaries and breaking down barriers.

So, whether you're on a crowded dance floor, grooving in your living room, or listening on your phone, take a moment to appreciate the magic of house, a testament to the enduring spirit of Black musical innovation and a soundtrack for liberation, love, and unity.

DJ MikeQDJ MikeQ was immersed in the ballroom scene in NYC's tri-state area, where vogueing and ballroom battles took center stage. The Newark, New Jersey native DJ'ed at various ballroom events and clubs, eventually becoming the main DJ for HBO Max's hit series Legendary. MikeQ became one of the first house DJs on a major television series. In addition to his DJing prowess, MikeQ founded Qween Beat Productions, a record label that released music rooted in ballroom and vogue culture. No one slays a beat like DJ MikeQ and the people who came before him -- like DJ Frankie Knuckles and DJ Larry Levan -- would certainly be proud. Listen to a MikeQ set from 2022 above.

DJ Paulie PaulPhilly's own DJ Paulie Paul has been spinning for over three decades -- he is the sound of house in the City of Brotherly Love. Originally from North Philly, Paul developed a cult following as a DJ at the legendary Nile house club in the 1990s, including the late-great DJ Donald Stone and another music master gone too soon, DJ George. Known for his seamless mixing and ability to respond to the crowd's energy, Paul crafts unforgettable experiences on the dance floor. From vogue beats to tribal rhythms, if you are in Philadelphia, be sure to catch a DJ Paulie Paul set. In the meantime, listen above. 

DJ Larry LevanIn the 1970s and 1980s, DJ Larry Levan's residency at the Paradise Garage, a legendary nightclub in Manhattan, became an iconic hub for house music enthusiasts. Levan's musical sensibilities extended beyond the DJ booth. He was also an accomplished producer, remixing tracks for artists such as Grace Jones, Inner Life, and Gwen Guthrie, infusing their music with his distinctive touch. Larry Levan's impact on the house music genre cannot be overstated. Though he left this world in 1992 at only 38 years old, his legacy is forever etched in the annals of dance music history. Listen to a vintage mix from 1979.

DJ Ron HardyDJ Ron Hardy is a true pioneer of the Chicago house sound. His distinct style, unyielding passion for music, allowed him to connect to house heads and shape the evolution of house music worldwide. Ron Hardy's name remains synonymous with  the relentless pursuit of sonic exploration that defines the spirit of house music. He passed away in 1992 at 33 years old. Listen to a classic mix from 1986 above.

DJ Frankie KnucklesBorn in 1959, the pioneering DJ began his career spinning soul, disco, and R&B music at clubs in New York City. He relocated to Chicago and was soon coined the Godfather of House.  In 1997, Frankie Knuckles won a Grammy in the Remixer of the Year, Non-Classical category, and in 2004 a street in Chicago was renamed Frankie Knuckles Way. The following year, Knuckles was inducted into the Dance Music Hall of Fame. He passed away in 2014 at 59 years old but his legacy in house music is immortal. Knuckles mastered the resilience, creativity, and cultural significance that this genre represents. Listen to his set from  2013 above. Happy Pride and happy Black Music Month!

[simplynotcapable]

so if Visenya, Baelon, Monty, and Brigit (bringing their chihuahuas/yorkies/whatever Vyper and Winter are if you want, Vyper reads major chihuahua or pomeranian energy to me) all went on one of those multi-day road trips from LA to NYC (or wherever, you pick), how would it go? Who hogs the aux cord? Who gets snack crumbs everywhere? Who is anal about being the one to drive, who tries to avoid driving whenever possible? Anyone get carsick?

this is so funny to think about you have no idea. i've been wheezing for thirty minutes

I'm of the opinion that fics where the dragons are cars are superior to the ones where they're pets, so the road trip is actually happening IN either Vyper/Wynter.

Monty is like an old lady driver because he's terrified of getting into an accident. Exactly at the speed limit or under it at all times, never forgets to use his blinkers, both hands on the wheel, adjusts the mirrors every time he gets in the car.

Brigit? Okay driver. Nothing major. Speeds a little sometimes.

Baelon and Visenya? MENACES.

Baelon's a really good driver, but he also takes turns SO FAST and has such deep animosity towards everyone else on the road that it stresses everybody out. Just "and then this worthless motherfucker, what do they even think they're doing, bitch I WILL HIT YOU WITH THE CAR" and then Brigit's like "bro that is a 76 year old man stopped at a stop sign CALM DOWN"

Visenya's just. Bad. She's terrible. She speeds and she takes curves like a madwoman and she gets distracted playing with the radio and talking, she does not use her blinker and forgets to check her blindspot like 98% of the time. Two fingers on the wheel. Has driven with her knees before while trying to fix her eyeliner. The fact that she has never been in a car crash is entirely because sometimes Baelon just grabs the wheel.

("Fucking--brake lights, slow down!"

"I saw it, Monty, I saw it! God, I passed my test before you, you know, you don't have to act like--"

"Your dad paid the instructor!"

"That was unrelated!")

Brigit has to stop to pee like. So often. Baelon is so aggravated every single time. Usually they stop at like a gas station for her to use the bathroom, and she buys a slushie while she's there which just makes her need to pee again, and it's a vicious, terrible cycle.

Whoever is in shotgun (they take that in shifts) has control of the music, but everyone else is constantly complaining about it.

Monty listens to the weirdest mix of Taylor Swift, jazz, and heavy metal, and no one knows what the fuck they're supposed to do with that.

Visenya plays stupid things because she's annoying, like Yo Gabba Gabba soundtrack type shit, and then will randomly hit them with a weird ass indie band no one has ever heard of but is??? So good???

Baelon likes Nickelback, and he'll just randomly have Disney soundtrack songs on his playlists with no explanation.

Brigit listens to German pop music. She does not speak German. She refuses to elaborate.

They survive solely on junk food and random gas station fruit until they reach their destination, but they're all pretty good about not making too much of a mess. No one gets carsick except Monty--and that's just because he keeps trying to read in the car, he's fine once he gives up. Visenya keeps stealing Baelon's sunglasses. At one point, Brigit forgets her wallet on the gas station counter and they have to double back an hour to pick it up. Monty buys a spray bottle and uses it whenever it's Visenya and Baelon's turn to sit in the backseat because if they start making out it's going to get awkward. Visenya and Monty are always cold but Brigit and Baelon are always hot, so the AC is a knockdown dragout fight. Monty falls asleep and Baelon draws dicks on his arm.

[watching-pictures-move]

Put On Your Raincoats | The Travails of June (Costello, 1976)

You could argue that this is a bit more ambitious for Shaun Costello given the conspiracy plot on top of the usual mix of investigative framing device, NYC street footage and overall scummy ambience, but at a runtime of less than an hour, the results can't help but be undercooked.

You could argue that this is a bit gentler than Costello given that it ends *VAGUE SPOILERS* on a positive note, but the hammering notes on the soundtrack (stolen from something I'm wracking my brain to recognize, as I'm a musical luddite) suggest that these characters aren't out of the woods just yet.

You could argue that Ron Dorfman's heavy use of low angles makes this feel a little more immediate than the average hourlong dirty move, but the grainy washed out transfer I watched this in made everyone look extra strung out and sweaty, so the immediacy was not a net positive.

You could argue that this is worth seeing for John Leslie looking like Groucho Marx, for Shaun Costello playing the least discreet pimp in the world ("You want sex?"), for Sharon Mitchell being the world's worst euphemist ("I guess you could say I'm a call girl"), and for a supposed Washington Post reporter to ask, incredulously, "Amazing, they made you suck two cocks at the same time?" And you'd be exactly right.

[breckstonevailskier]

Title: “Decode” (Paramore) Swing Cover by Robyn Adele Anderson Description: I consider fall to be “Twilight Season” so after rewatching all five movies I decided to cover one of the most iconic songs from the soundtrack! Fall also means my 2025 pinup calendars are now on pre-sale!! Order yours today and get 10% off 💋 https://ift.tt/aqVvmkJ For more videos, support me on Patreon! https://ift.tt/FtU9lK3 Check out all my music on your favorite platform! https://ift.tt/rYz5l4f Subscribe to my YouTube channel! https://www.youtube.com/user/AdeleRobyn Find me on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter! https://ift.tt/D1nY5LF https://ift.tt/V3rlHbs https://ift.tt/A0cwtag https://twitter.com/robynadele The Band: Vocals — Robyn Adele Anderson Keys — Lecco Morris Bass — Sean Decker Drums — Rossen Nedelchev Trombone — Jacob Melsha Bari Sax — Dan Pearson - Mix and Master — Tom Jorgensen Audio — Amrish Mahabir Video — Sam Carrion Filmed at Smash Studios NYC Arranged by Robyn Adele Anderson “Decode” (Paramore) Swing Cover by Robyn Adele Anderson All my videos are done live, using one take. YouTube URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JLMn0q_xhQU

[salty-accords]

Let's Talk About... Suicide Squad (2016) | Movie Review

The hit 2016 supervillain film Suicide Squad is a point of contention in DC fan circles. Some loved it for what it was—a Hollywood semi-drama action film centered around the character dynamics of some of DC’s most interesting villains—and some railed against it for what it wasn’t—a deep, thought-provoking action piece that challenges worldviews and character legacies. Some, also, did both—love it for what it is and mourn for what it could’ve been.

So, Let’s Talk About Suicide Squad.

The Summary

Not to be confused with the more recent The Suicide Squad, which is this film’s hit sequel, Suicide Squad is an action-packed, comedic supervillain movie—and the “supervillain” is quite serious. In the whole movie, the only superhero that gets more than a few minutes of screentime is Katana, and all things considered, she plays a fairly small part in the movie.

The film takes place sometime after Superman is killed and buried, circa 2016 in the DC Extended Universe. Several of the universe’s worst villains are off the street, caught by heroes, including Harley Quinn, Deadshot, Killer Croc, Slipknot, Captain Boomerang, and El Diablo—The Enchantress, an ancient interdimensional entity, is also in custody. Amanda Waller, a government agent, arranges them into an elite task force, Task Force X, headed by Colonel Rick Flag. They’re to be an underground unit, known only to those who need to. Waller also keeps the Enchantress’s heart in a box—literally—as an insurance policy, and her trapped brother on a shelf.

When the Enchantress escapes Nick Flag’s sight and frees her brother, it sets off a chain of events for Task Force X’s first mission: work together under Flag and the superhero Katana’s leadership, and deliver their objective, “the only person in [the] city” they aren’t allowed to kill, to safety.

The villains, sans Enchantress, who has all but escaped Waller’s control with the help of her brother, set out to New York City, miniature bombs set in their necks to blow whenever the agents deem needed. As Deadshot says, “[Flag] dies, WE die!”

Their helicopter is gunned down suddenly, crashing them all in the disaster zone of NYC. The villains plot to overtake the unit at large, despite the danger looming at their Colonel’s fingertips and beneath their skulls. Slipknot and Captain Boomerang attempt to escape outright—Slipknot nearly succeeds but his bomb is triggered and he is killed. It’s a fast-paced, brutal scene that hammers into both the audience’s mind and the villains’ how serious their situation is—Waller and Flag own them now.

Meanwhile, the Enchantress and her brother are taking captured humans and turning them into stone-creature minions—think the Stonemen from Game of Thrones mixed with the alien army from the first Avengers movie, and you have the general appearance, mannerisms, et cetera.

Flag and the villains continue to their objective location, Harley causing no small amount of trouble along the way. She smashes in a storefront window to steal a purse, answering Flag’s protest with “We’re bad guys—it’s what we do.” Deadshot, missing his young daughter, who is an under-utilized factor in his motivation, stares longingly at a set of mannequins in winter wear: a father and daughter set up, mirroring the night he was captured by Batman in front of her.

The halfway point of the film finds our villainous heroes just outside their objective—Deadshot rushes in, leading the (slow) charge toward their mission’s end. It’s too quiet, even the soundtrack taking the backseat to the rustle of their clothes and gear. It’s incredibly effective at setting up the punchline for the scene: an elevator’s ding and Harley, illuminated in white light inside, rising above them all (literally), the soundtrack coming to life with a high-energy R&B beat.

After a quick, Harley-centric fight scene, they’re all reconvened and moving forward again. They walk into an ambush—a bunch of minions are waiting in the shadows, nooks and ceiling of an office room (full of cubicles) and the scene explodes, literally, with gunfire and stone chips from the minions. Through it all, El Diablo is inactive, standing to the side and quiet. When they escape the office room to the hallways, Deadshot provokes him into firing (literally) at the opposing group of minions. His glare afterward could scare anyone, and Deadshot’s nervous assurances of no ill-will make it clear that the Man Who Never Misses is no exception. Harley is enthused.

Walking up the stairs to their objective, Harley looks down the spiraling staircases—she flashes back to when she was still Harleen, Joker’s rogue psychiatrist. They were in the ACE Chemicals factory where Joker once fell into the vats below. He now wants her to take a leap of faith—one he only just makes worth it for her. Kehlanie’s Gangsta begins in the background; it’s their wedding, essentially, and Harley takes the leap. Joker, after deliberating, follows.

They make it up to their objective—Flag goes into the safe room; Waller is there, their objective to take home. Waller kills every single one of the agents in the safe room, saying they weren’t “cleared for any it.” The villains, rightfully pissed at being all but collared like dogs, threaten her and Flag—she backs them down with a worse threat: killing all of them thanks to the little bombs in them.

A helicopter is meant to meant them on the roof. No one can make contact with the piloting team. It’s been jacked by none other than Joker, and everyone opens fire. Harley is thrilled. Joker’s in a fancy tux, waiting for her on the bird. He’s kidnapped a scientist that worked on the bombs, and the “professor” disables Harley’s nanite. She runs to Joker, Flag and Waller trying desperately to trigger her bomb.

Waller goes so far as to “commission” Deadshot to kill Harley—his freedom, his daughter, for Harley’s life. He almost takes it, “missing” the shot at the last second. His eyes are glassy. It’s an amazing bit of emotional acting on Will Smith’s part. Waller calls a hit on the hijacked chopper anyway. It hits.

Harley falls from the crashing plane to a rooftop, watching in agony as the plane crashes with her beloved still inside—she thinks he’s dead, and the Task Force X team think she is, too.

They get Waller on a helicopter out of NYC—it’s crashed by the Enchantress’s brother, and she’s captured, the sole survivor of the crash.

Harley, desolate, waits down on the street for the others, playing up her bubbly persona to dissuade hostility from them. She’s thrown away her “Puddin’” choker. It’s awkward but the villains have empathy for her—they get it, and they don’t say anything. They don’t need to.

With Waller in her clutches, the Enchantress begins the final stage of her plan: gather intel on human armies and defenses to destroy the human race and everything we love.

Deadshot finds a binder of classified documents in Waller’s crashed bird. It’s all of her Task Force X information. He demands Flag tell the team everything. He does. The villains are rightfully pissed, as is Katana, and they go into a bar and they have drinks.

El Diablo gives his tragic backstory. A gangster with a soft spot—he had a wife and kids he loved, but his anger was too great when she found out his gang dealings and his power too strong. He lost control and burned the whole family out. He turned himself in. In hindsight, it’s more than a little stereotypical: Hispanic man gets mixed up gangs, rises to power, becomes violent toward his wife when she finds out and tries to get the kids away from it all. He kills them.

Flag eventually joins in the “revelry,” much to Harley’s distaste. He comes clean about his attachment to Dr. June Moone, the Enchantress’s host, and Flag smashes the command panel for their nanites. Then, he gives Deadshot the letters his daughter’s been writing him since he got to jail. It pushes Deadshot over the edge—he agrees to go with Flag to “end this shit” and demands that everyone, his daughter especially, knows what they, the villains, did, what they saved the world from and why.

With nothing better to do, and some goading from Harley, the others follow.

It’s a real build-up action sequence: our great heroes walking toward almost certain doom, epic music pounding behind them. They come up with a plan: get and blow the bomb Flag left under the subway station the first time he tried to take down the Enchantress’s brother.

Killer Croc takes the sewers; everyone else goes through the subway. Diablo is on the fence about fighting with them.

Enchantress, sensing them all inside, floats imaginary futures into their heads: Deadshot, killing Batman; Harley with babies and the Joker as her husband; Flag cuddled in bed with June; Diablo with his kids and wife, safe, lovey—

The vision sets off Diablo. He’s pissed and hurting. Enchantress can’t change what he did, and she can’t take away his people.

Croc and the underground unit are almost the bomb, and Diablo opts in to bully the brother into the right corner. He can regenerate but Diablo can shift into a larger, more durable form—it’s close, but the brother pins him. Flag calls for the bomb to be triggered, per Diablo’s command—the brother is killed, as is Diablo. Still, the Enchantress is ready.

She triggers her spell, using information from Waller’s hijacked mind to attack key satellites and locations. She engages the Task Force directly, phasing in and out of her physical form as needed to surge against them. She’s strong, and they aren’t stronger. An epic score sings in the background; gunfire explodes and contrasts her flighty embers.

She’s impressed—she offers “mercy.” Anything they want, for total servitude. Harley, the wonderful actress that she is, amps up her ditzy, lovestruck persona to get close to her, and then slink—

Drives Katana’s blade through the Enchantress’s chest, quickly tearing out her heart.

The scene that follows is almost impressive—it begins with Flag passing off another bomb to Killer Croc, then the cinematography slows. Harley tosses her gun to Deadshot; Croc levies the bomb at the whirling spell and the witch standing before it; Deadshot takes aim. The climax of the scene has his daughter, another vision, standing before him, begging him not to pull the trigger, a mirror of when he was caught by Batman—he screams, enraged, and fires. Enchantress reaches for the bomb at the same moment the bullet hits it, blowing the spell and launching her into the stairs beneath.

It’s a longer, more drawn-out sequence than it needs to be, and the slow-motion doesn’t add much. It’s interesting on a first watch, sure, but after that, it’s really not impressive. The shot being slowed down as Deadshot fires lends to the impressive willpower it took him to break the Enchantress’s temptation, but the sequence being slowed prior to that just gives it the impression that this was an easy decision for him, putting it in contrast to the one previous where he faked a miss on Harley. Ironically, once the vision begins, the action feels rushed.

Rick tries to reason with the Enchantress for June’s control back. She insists he just crush her heart and get it over with, basically, and he almost walks away. However, Deadshot calls him back, noticing how the “corpse” begins to move—June swipes away the face of the Enchantress. June and Flag have a heart-felt reconnection, while the villains attempt to wander off in various directions.

Waller quickly bursts their bubble, “cocking” the trigger for their nanites. She reminds them, promptly, that she still owns, and dogs don’t get freedom for tricks—they get treats: 10 years off their prison sentences. They settle for some luxuries—Deadshot gets visitation for his daughter; Croc gets a TV with his favorite music channel; Captain Boomerang gets jackshit for his attitude toward Waller; and Harley gets an espresso machine and…

The Joker! He breaks into Belle Reve and busts her out at the very end of the movie.

There is a hidden scene after the main credits that ties into the larger Batman plots of this universe, and the sequel, but I won’t get into that here. That will be a discussion for my longer video format review, which you’ll be able to find on my YouTube in about two weeks, and Early Access for my Patrons next Thursday (Oct. 17th).

What It Was

By far not the best DC movie I’ve ever watched, even in hindsight—that said, it’s far from the worst. It’s a great mish-mash of characters, and it’s fun. The characters get wacky, and they clash in just the right way; Flag is a great straight man to contrast Harley’s antics, and Deadshot is a great in-between with his sarcastic humor. The acting is honestly fantastic all the way around, except, maybe for one character…

The Joker is a very malleable character, but the way that Jared Leto’s interpretation of the Joker comes off in the movie is a bit too intent on Harley. I don’t think it’s so much a failure on Leto’s part as an actor, though much can be said about him and his… interesting career moves since this project, but it is definitely a writing and cinematography flaw that he pays for. With the clearly abusive and manipulative circumstances of the Joker and Harley’s relationship (and don’t come for me, I love my toxic straight people as much as the next supervillain fan), the devotion and love-sick depression J is shown to have just don’t mesh well in the regular cut. There is a bit more expansion and nuance given in the extended cut, but that’s a conversation for a longer review.

Over all, it’s a good movie. It’s certainly worth the watch if you enjoy a Guardian’s of the Galaxy style movie mixed with DC’s more gritty backdrop. There’s a lot of depth to the emotion of the movie, but most of the characters fall flat in comparison to the main few, those being Harley, Waller, Flag, and Deadshot. Even Katana and Diablo, who are given pretty fleshed out backstories and Diablo is even incredibly important to the plot, are pretty flat in comparison. Diablo, for his part, really just isn’t given enough attention. He doesn’t get enough screentime just dedicated to him, even though he’s one of the only characters with a backstory. It’s really the Harley and Deadshot movie with Waller and Flag guiding them along.

It’s impressive how it handles some of the characters’ emotional drives. Harley is given a lot of depth with her choosing her team over Joker, but there’s also ample energy given toward her dedication to him as a catalyst for her arc—her running out on the rooftop, all of her texts with him, and her backstory ultimately driving her into this situation in the first place. Deadshot, likewise, is given a lot of depth—his little girl is the driving force of his choices. I’m sure if it was just him on the line, he would’ve gone against Waller and Flag at the first provocation, but he has a kid to get back to and he’ll be damned if he doesn’t at least try. That said, it isn’t enough to pit him against the people on his team—that’s the whole reason he fakes out his miss on Harley.

What It Wasn’t

All that said, this isn’t a fantastic movie. It’s fun, it’s good, but it isn’t phenomenal. It certainly misses the mark on a lot of things, and one of those is the pacing and character development. I’ll get more into characters in my extended video review, but taking just Flag, who’s one of the more fleshed out characters other than Deadshot and Harley, there’s a lot of issues with consistency and interpersonal relationships.

The midpoint, where Waller has been collected in NYC, after she’s shot all the FBI agents in front of Flag, he just shrugs it off and soldiers on, like those were a bunch of the Enchantress’s minions. But he spends 75% of the movie railing on the villains, Deadshot especially, for being cowardly, immoral, and murderers. He shrugs it off as ugly necessity, like it’s literal shit on his heel and not people who probably had families. It’s a sudden, jarring introduction to a really hardened, jaded, just bootlicking version of Flag that we don’t really see outside of this scene. There’s a few points, sure, where he takes the hard choice for June’s sake, and for June’s comfort, but he doesn’t do anything at all like that, or pass off anything like that, before that or after. Frankly, it’s sloppy.

It wasn’t the best supervillain movie as far as cinematography or action sequences goes—that actually goes to its sequel The Suicide Squad, which I’ll probably review November or December. There was a lot of potential set up early in the movie for the action sequences, like the use of those toxic, neon colors and the glitchy filter on some of the flashbacks, but they’re set aside in favor of more established techniques, like slow-motion. It doesn’t hurt the film much, but it is disappointing in hindsight. It’s still pretty impressive—the character introductions are insanely fun, especially the “card” screens, and so are the flashbacks. There’s a lot more texture to the cinematography that I’ll discuss in my extended video review, but largely, there’s just a lot of missed potential.

More-over, it wasn’t an emotional masterpiece. Again, there’s a lot of depth in the emotion and the weight of the plot on the main few characters, but overall, there’s a big balance issue with how the emotional texture is divided up between the cast. Katana, Boomerang, Croc, and even Diablo to a large extent, aren’t given much emotional texture, if any at all—for Slipknot, this really isn’t an issue; he’s in the movie for all of ten minutes before he gets his head blown off, so. But this film has a lot of really interesting characters that aren’t utilized being their fighting skills, and it starts to take away from the tone by the time Waller has been retrieved.

Conclusion

Suicide Squad is cool. It’s fun, and it’s goofy and it doesn’t take itself too seriously despite the gritty setting and more intense subject matter it delves into. It touches on trauma, on grief, and on the complexities of humanity but it never really digs at that stuff. It’s great fodder for thought and contemplation, but it does leave the viewer wanting sometimes. Some characters are under-utilized; some suffer because of their legacy; and some are just there to support the more flashy folks.

Some love it, some hate it, but I’d say it’s worth the evening to find out where you land, and definitely worth it to check out The Suicide Squad, which fixed a lot of the issues of this first film.

[djinnewyorkcity]

Travel DJ New York City : Elevating Events with Premier DJ Services

New York City is a vibrant hub of culture, music, and unforgettable experiences. Whether you’re planning a wedding, corporate event, or private party, the right music can transform your event from ordinary to extraordinary. That’s where DJ Zeke comes in, offering premier Travel DJ services that cater to the diverse and dynamic energy of NYC.

Who is DJ Zeke?

DJ Zeke is not just a DJ he is an experience curator. With years of experience in the music industry,DJ Zeke has honed his craft to deliver high-energy performances that keep guests dancing all night long.His extensive knowledge of various music genres and ability to read the crowd ensures that every event is tailored to the specific tastes and vibes of the attendees.

Why Choose DJ Zeke?

Professionalism and Reliability:DJ Zeke prides himself on his professionalism.From the initial consultation to the final track of the night, he works closely with clients to understand their vision and execute it flawlessly.

Versatility: Whether you’re looking for the latest hits, timeless classics, or a mix of both, DJ Zeke has an extensive library of music that spans all genres. He is adept at mixing tracks seamlessly to keep the energy high and the dance floor packed.

State-of-the-Art Equipment: Travel DJ uses top-of-the-line DJ equipment to ensure the best sound quality for your event. His setup is both visually appealing and technically advanced, providing a professional and polished look.

Customized Playlists: No two events are the same, and DJ Zeke understands that. He works with clients to create customized playlists that reflect their personal tastes and the atmosphere they want to create.

Services Offered Weddings: Your wedding day is one of the most important days of your life. DJ Zeke ensures that your reception is memorable by providing a soundtrack that reflects your love story.

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Building a Black-Owned Business

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Book DJ Zeke Today

Ready to elevate your event with DJ Zeke’s premier travel DJ services? Contact DJ Zeke today to discuss your event and secure your date. Experience the difference that a professional, passionate, and talented DJ can make in creating an unforgettable event.

[evelyns-nyc-fashion-study-tour]

Blog Post #5: The Museum of Broadway

On Thursday, September 26, 2024, our Study Experience for NYC Fashion Students course visited the Museum of Broadway. As a huge fan of Broadway, I was especially excited about this visit. I’ve been fortunate enough to see many of my favorite shows live, including Wicked, Moulin Rouge, Hamilton, and Phantom of the Opera. The night before the tour, I had the opportunity to watch Little Shop of Horrors, which only furthered my anticipation of seeing the artifacts and learning more insights from these beloved productions.

I was surprised to learn that the Museum of Broadway is a relatively new attraction, having opened on November 15, 2022. It provides a comprehensive look at the history of Broadway and the intricate process of putting on a show, while also showcasing a remarkable collection of costumes, props, and memorabilia from iconic musicals and plays.

One of the most fascinating aspects of the museum for me was its historical timeline, which traces the evolution of Broadway in Times Square into the world-famous theater hub it is today. Our visit began with a video that explained Broadway’s beginnings in New York’s financial district and its gradual movement north through landmarks like Madison Square Park and Bryant Park. Early Broadway performances were more about musical acts than narrative-driven stories, and it was fascinating to see how these early productions, such as Showboat, laid the foundation for today’s modern musicals.

A standout moment from the tour was the West Side Story-themed room. Our guide, Alex, shared several lesser-known facts about the show, one of which really surprised me: West Side Story wasn’t an immediate success when it first premiered. It received mixed reviews, with some audience members walking out and others loving it. The show’s depiction of violence and its connection to real-world tensions were controversial, and its music was considered revolutionary. I also learned that the original conflict in the musical was initially based on religious differences, not race or territory. One of the most memorable parts of the room was seeing letters exchanged between Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim as they worked on the musical’s soundtrack. This deepened my appreciation for the artistry, dedication, and effort involved in creating such an iconic production.

Another highlight of the museum was its impressive collection of costumes, props, and artwork from various Broadway productions. As someone passionate about costume design, I was amazed by seeing the intricate details on display. So many signature character costumes were featured, such as Annie’s red dress and Eliza’s eighteenth-century-inspired gown. Equally impressive were the props, especially the chandelier from Phantom of the Opera, which had been reimagined as a beautiful hanging art installation using the original crystal pieces.

I also loved seeing the museum’s tribute to Al Hirschfeld, the renowned cartoonist known for his playful and iconic illustrations of Broadway scenes, many of which were featured in The New York Times.

Overall, visiting the Museum of Broadway was an enriching experience. It gave me a deeper understanding and appreciation for some of my favorite shows, further highlighting the extraordinary level of detail, creativity, and craftsmanship that goes into bringing a Broadway production to life.

[airadam]

Episode 181 : Still Rollin'.

"Come on and give me my props..."

- Diamond

Fifteen years! We started this ride in June 2009 and here we still are all these years later. Thank you so much for your support, and I hope you'll stay with me for as long as I'm able to keep putting these shows together. The point of this podcast has never been to prioritise new releases, or to only ever look to the past, but a blend of the two. With that in mind, this month's mix certainly has some old personal favourites, a sprinkling of new music, and some obscurities and rarities! Listen, enjoy, and please do spread the word as widely as you can - as I always say, I have a lot of things, but no advertising budget 😆

I was racking my brain trying to come up with cover art that would reference the theme of fifteen...then realised that the infamous "4, 5, 6" combination sums up to that very number!

Mastodon : @airadam@mastodon.me.uk

Twitch : @airadam13

Events : events.airadam.com

Playlist/Notes

The Thryday : Fantastic

The album this was ultimately released on is only available for silly money on the second-hand market, but at least I had this from an old mixtape ("WJLR Radio, Volume 1") to share with you! The Dutch master Nicolay is on production for this North Carolina group who were part of the Justus League family and appreciated by those in the know. This same beat, with the same name, is also on Nicolay's "City Lights" and the "City Lights 1.5" version, but with the rhymes that elevate it so...much harder to get!

[J Dilla] Jaylib : The Red (Instrumental)

You already know! One of the best-loved instrumentals from Dilla's post-Slum career - certainly if the reaction when I drop it in a set is anything to go by - and one that will move your speakers for sure. The original is from the famed "Champion Sound" collaboration between Dilla and Madlib, where each rhymes over the other's production, and now the full set of instrumentals is available, making the deluxe release a 100% must-own.

Jigmastas ft. Mos Def, Mr. Complex, Pharoahe Monch, Shabaam Sahdeeq, and Talib Kweli : Lyrical Fluctuation Remix

This is a true all-star MC roster from the late 90s-early 00s independent scene, with DJ Spinna of Jigmastas on remix duties, bringing a different vibe to Joc Max's original, based on crazy short chops of a classic soul sample and having them cheerfully bounce along. I only got this 2000 release in the last few weeks, but have already played it on Twitch, digitised it, and am now sharing its eternally-fresh energy here!

Ghostface ft. Wigz : Outta The Way

"...in the gym throwing the dumbbells all out of order" - disgraceful conduct... Another usage of the same sample from the "Lyrical Fluctuation" remix, this Anthony Acid beat is more straightforward, with Ghostface and Wigz busting through with the energy of two guys rushing a bank! This was one of the standouts on the 2005 Ghostface and Trife "Put It On The Line" LP, though not released as a single despite the potential.

Mobb Deep : Feel My Gat Blow

The soundtrack to the Saul Williams-starring "Slam" was very much a mixed bag in the vein of many 90s-00s soundtracks, but certainly had a few standouts and otherwise-unreleased cuts from some greats, of which this is one. Havoc's beat sounds like a mix between a medieval court and 90s NYC, and the lyrical content is trademark Mobb.

Redman : Winicumuhround

As much as I love Redman's "Dare Iz A Darkside" album (which, notably, he doesn't - reminds him of a bad time), I had all but forgotten about this track until I pulled the vinyl out for a front-to-back listen recently. Erick Sermon and Redman combine on production to have this one thump along with a killer bassline-lead track, and Red is in fine form on the mic. With the voice of the late Hurricane G appearing as part of the densely-packed hook, this is a Def Squad heater for sure.

Pete Rock : Death Becomes You

Definitely one of my favourite Pete Rock beats of all time, but we had to wait a long time to get an instrumental! The original track was on the soundtrack for the 1993 classic "Menace II Society", but it wasn't until the 2019 release of Pete Rock's "Return Of The SP1200" album that we got this version. Absolutely flawless in the sense that there's not a single thing, as a listener or a DJ, that I would have wanted him to change. 

Roots Manuva ft. Big P, Blackitude, Fallacy, Rodney P, Skeme : Witness The Swords

I'd be willing to bet that while most listeners, especially in the UK, will be very familiar with the classic Roots Manuva single "Witness (1 Hope)", most won't know this! It's a blend of the lyrics from "Swords In The Dirt" from Roots' second LP "Run Come Save Me" and the "Witness" beat, from the same album. As far as I know, the only place to find this one is the 2002 "Extra Yard (The Bouncement Revolution)" compilation on Big Dada Records, which is worth picking up for some quality UK cuts.

Big Boi ft. Cutty : Shutterbugg

As a photographer, I really should dig this one out more! Big Boi co-produces with Scott Storch on this single from his solo debut "Sir Lucious Left Foot : The Son Of Chico Dusty", which was actually a much bigger hit in the UK than in the US, where it somehow didn't even break the top 50 in the R&B charts. It's a hectic-sounding track which unexpectedly takes a sudden quiet break in the second verse - and it's at that point that we move along...

Stro Elliot : Soul II Stro

...and so we move with a quick transition into another track that not just references but heavily samples the classic "Back To Life" by the UKs own Soul II Soul, a Stro Elliot workout that's just undeniable in its groove. The samples of Caron Wheeler's vocals haunt at times before coming firmly into the foreground, while the drums and bass thump along with an accompanying keyboard line. That Stro Elliot sampled that 1989 classic on his self-titled LP twenty-seven years later is a testament to the power of the original.

Kokane ft. Lil Half Dead : Ghetto Music

When I saw the garage-filmed (high-quality though!) video for this, I kept waiting for the rapping to start - but nope, this is just a funk product from start to finish which, as the track says, will make you want to move! Despite "Da White Album" only being released in 2022, it was apparently recorded back in the early 00s while Kokane was working on Dr. Dre's "2001" LP but shelved for over twenty years. It manages to sound vintage P-funk, 90s G-Funk, and modern all at the same time. Kokane is a real "if you know, you know" artist who has been putting in work for many years, has collaborated with almost everyone you can name, and keeps on bringing the heat!

[Erick Sermon] Tha Truth : Red Lights (U Gotz 2 Chill '96) (instrumental)

If you know me, you know I love Zapp and Roger Troutman, which means that EPMD's classic "You Gots To Chill" single is a firm favourite. On this R&B single from Tha Truth, who only released one album back in 1997, they came out of the gate strong with Erick Sermon on production, reprising his sampling of "More Bounce To The Ounce" and even throwing in the "chill" sample from his original beat. Shout out to DJ Melo D of Beat Junkies, who was the only person I've heard playing this and the one who told me (on Twitch) what it was!

Diamond D, Sadat X, and Lord Finesse : You Can't Front

A great album cut, loved by those in the know, taken from the early 90s classic "Stunts, Blunts, and Hip-Hop". Buckwild and Diamond's production is both clean and still vintage SP-era magic, with Diamond also grabbing the mic to spit a verse between two other greats. Sadat X was the perfect choice to go first, with his unique tone drawing you in immediately, and Lord Finesse brings it home strong.

Common : Dreamin'

For those that have missed the early chatter, here's a sample of the upcoming Common and Pete Rock LP, which promises to channel the specific forms of energy that each artist brought to their 90s work. If this beautifully-produced tale of a dream of a walk with Black greats both living and transitioned is anything to go by, we're in for a treat!

The Kid Daytona : Fly Lullaby

A deep cut from the 9th Wonder production discography, working with a loop that Pete Rock teased us with between tracks on "The Main Ingredient". The Kid Daytona is definitely a grown man now, but this was an early release from the Bronx native on his "The Interlude" mixtape from 2010 - where every track sampled some kind of intro or interlude from another Hip-Hop track. This is exactly the kind of overlooked track I like to throw in for anyone who might have missed it!

Dogg Pound ft. Snoop Dogg, RBX, and The Lady Of Rage : Who Da Hardest?

A grand reunion - would have left it to the last song as it is on the new Dogg Pound "W.A.W.G" album, but it fit so well here sonically that I changed my mind! For a coming together of West Coast legends, the biggest surprise is them bringing DJ Premier in on production, and maybe the most welcome is the featuring of The Lady of Rage, who has been a universally-loved MC since her star turn on "Afro Puffs". It's pretty long, but there's no instrumental outro and I didn't want you to miss out any of the MCs, so you get the whole thing here!

Terrace Martin & James Fauntleroy : Butterfly Effect

"Gotta stop taking life advice from songs" - I'd say that was good advice, but then that's also what you might call a circular problem! We go fully chill at the end of this section, with the undeniable and unmistakable voice and vocal production of James Fauntleroy alongside modern jazz legend Terrace Martin with a track from their joint "Nova" EP.

Marco Polo : Yung Feathers

The man from Toronto with a trademark bit of modern boom-bap on this final instrumental, a track from his "MP on the MP : The Beat Tape Vol.1" release, a great pickup for anyone who appreciates good Hip-Hop production.

M-Beat ft. Nazlyn : Sweet Love

A big switch-up to end the episode, with a vintage UK track - a jungle remake of Anita Baker's 1986 classic "Sweet Love" with Nazlyn on vocals. Even as someone who didn't like jungle when it first emerged, I couldn't deny this one, an absolute classic reworking. I understand it actually sold well - hitting a high of no.18 in the charts back in 1994 - which goes to show that just sometimes, the public at large catches on to some real quality.

Please remember to support the artists you like! The purpose of putting the podcast out and providing the full tracklist is to try and give some light, so do use the songs on each episode as a starting point to search out more material. If you have Spotify in your country it's a great way to explore, but otherwise there's always Youtube and the like. Seeing your favourite artists live is the best way to put money in their pockets, and buy the vinyl/CDs/downloads of the stuff you like the most!

Check out this episode!

[nematanthus]

Album Review: American Beauty/American Psycho- Fall Out Boy

Release Date:

January 16 2015

Tracklist:

Irresistible

American Beauty/American Psycho

Centuries

The Kids Aren't Alright

Uma Thurman

Jet Pack Blues

Novocaine

Fourth Of July

Favorite Record

Immortals

Twin Skeleton's (Hotel In NYC)

Favorite Track:

The Kids Aren't Alright

Least favorite track:

American Beauty/ American Psycho

Album art opinions:

The album art for this one is a boy with a black American flag painted on half his face, really hammering in the "American" portion of the title, besides that however I don't see how the cover really relates to the content of the album at all. It's not a bad cover, but I feel it lacks the symbolism that we've seen in covers up til this point.

Color: 2/10

Recognizability: 1/10

Vibes: 4/10

Total: 2/10

Music opinions/notes:

This album is one that's caused quite a bit of contention in fans of Fall Out Boy. One hand, this album has more "hits" than any other singular album (Irresistable, Centuries, Uma Thurman, Immortals, Favorite Record) relaunching the band into the public eye after their hiatus, while on the other most diehard fans for the band see this as the beginning of their "flop era" with the word "sellout" being thrown around quite a bit too.

This album also gets a lot of hate for being incredibly sample heavy, the most notable being the intro to centuries, sampled from Tom's diner by Suzanne Vega, though I'm not sure why it's an issue for this band to sample when many other notable artists have samples everywhere in their music.

I will say in my personal opinion of the music, it's definitely a step down from the strong return album that was Save Rock And Roll, but overall it's not what I'd consider "bad". Some of the tracks do give the vibe as "background music" like they're meant to be on a movie soundtrack while other things are occurring onscreen (and hey, two of them were), which is personally not my favorite vibe as the songs somehow feel distant from themselves, as if they're not whole as just songs. The songs that do not carry that vibe however are great tracks and the emotional beats on this album are very powerful.

Mix: 8/10

Lyrics: 7/10

Instruments: 4/10

Vibes: 6/10

Total: 6/10

Total Score: 4/10

[anitosoul]

tripreport.011: Home

nostalgia and nerves 🏠

Key Inspirations:

Alternative music [’80’s, ’90’s, late ’00’s/early ’10’s] (Music Genre)

Driving around for fun (Activity)

Suburban sprawl (Societal phenomenon)

Teenage bedroom vibes; you know, like with the colored lights and posters all over the walls (Aesthetic)

Making someone a mixtape (Activity)

Thrift Shopping (Activity)

Estate/garage sales (Activity)

The Home Depot (Store)

Looking back at memorabilia from your high school years (Activity)

Finding your parent’s cool old stuff (Activity)

Home building/improvement (Activity)

Picnics (Activity)

Dogs (Animal)

Outdoor dining (Activity)

Home Tracklist A-Side: The Suburbs

Arcade Fire – The Suburbs

The Shins – Phantom Limb

Young the Giant – Cough Syrup

Youth Lagoon – 17

Frank Ocean – Ivy

The Smashing Pumpkins – Mayonaise

R.E.M. – Half A World Away

Band of Horses – Infinite Arms

Radiohead – No Surprises

The xx – Sunset

M83 – My Tears Are Becoming a Sea

Home Tracklist B-Side: The City

The Cure – Boys Don’t Cry

MGMT – Time to Pretend

Wild Nothing – Chinatown

The Strokes – Automatic Stop

Sonic Youth – Schizophrenia

Pavement – Gold Soundz

Dinosaur Jr. – Outta Hand

Local Natives – Bowery

LCD Soundsystem – All My Friends

The Smiths – I Know It’s Over

The Jesus and Mary Chain – Just Like Honey

Ep011: Home continues on the themes of LLLLL, but in reverse: I was coming to terms with the fact that I was moving back to NYC and leaving Oklahoma, the two places I call home. I was reliving a lot of memories from my days growing up in Tulsa, embracing the nostalgia of high school, and at the same time envisioning a return to my life in NYC, reigniting the momentum of venturing out on my own. I reflected often on what home represented to me, and determined that home was the space and place where I could make moments with the people I love. The songs in this mix are all alternative/indie songs invoking either the nostalgia of youth or the transition to adulthood. The A-side features songs that represent Tulsa and suburban life and the B-side features songs that represent independence and living in the city. 

I found myself idealizing the past: I was going to estate sales, flea markets, and thrift stores, activities I loved to do growing up. Finding other peoples’ old stuff connected me to nostalgia for pasts and homes that weren’t my own. My soundtrack to these activities was made up of alternative music from decades past, both lived-in and imagined. I visited old spots, reminiscing on memories I had with different people growing up in Tulsa. I would drive around aimlessly and listen to cassettes I found, recalling moments when friends and I would drive around listening to music because we had nothing better to do. I wondered if the cassettes’ previous owners did the same.

This nostalgia was partially a result of Tulsa slipping away as a home. My sister was back in Chicago for college, my mom had decided to move away, and my dad began preparations to sell my childhood house. I realized that it may be the last time I could spend an extended period of time in Tulsa, living in the house I grew up in. Building the cabin was important to me because it provided a permanence: it was my literal stake in the ground, preserving my connection to Oklahoma. Oklahoma is a home because of the loved ones that live there, but I realized that may not always be the case. If I build this cabin, I thought, I’ll always have a reason to come back.

At the same time, I was excited but nervous about my return to NYC. I didn’t have an apartment anymore, so I spent hours clicking through StreetEasy. It was always a goal to move to lower Manhattan–when I lived in Harlem, I would take the train down and fantasize about what it would be like to be in the action, living within walking distance from my favorite restaurants, shopping spots, and nightlife. With the COVID rent deals, I realized that it could actually be possible. I lucked out and found a good deal for a one bedroom in Chinatown, had a friend check it out, and committed. In a time of uncertainty, this was another grasp for permanence. 

The uncertainty of the COVID era made all kinds of commitment difficult: it affected my relationships, my moving decisions, my career path, and my values. I realized, though, that I couldn’t allow myself to become paralyzed by the fear of losing what I had or disappointed by misaligned expectations. This month taught me to appreciate every moment I have as if it’s my last, because as long as I’m with people I love, I’ll always be home. 

[shakemyassfortomriddle]

spotify masterlist!!!

requests

UPDATED 11/28 here’s all my spotify playlists that apply to super specific scenarios, organized by folders with basic descriptions:

1. what it feels like to date:

john mulaney: what i think it would be like to be in a somewhat healthy relationship with him while he battles sobriety; soft, chill songs with some angst

bill hader: what i think it would be like to be dating him with a frowned-upon age gap; angsty, yet bad-bitch inducing songs

pete davidson: what i think it would be like to be in a toxic relationship with the king of staten island; angst, angst, and more angst

draco malfoy: what i think it would be like to be in a toxic relationship with our slytherin king; angst, angst, and more angst

andy samberg: what i think it would be like to date nice guy/soft boy samberg; super soft lovey songs mixed with the lonely island ofc

any man over 40: what i think it would be like to date one of the many members of the hot men over 40 club in general; little bit angsty but in a good way

steve harrington: stranger things vibes, pov you’re nancy wheeler

IN PROGRESS edward cullen: what i think it would be like to date a vampire bad boy that hates everyone except you

2. movies/shows:

the perks of being a wallflower plot in songs: if perks had a soundtrack it’d be this; suggestion: listen to this playlist NOT on shuffle

charlie’s mixtape: the mixtape he makes for his friends straight from the book

that 70′s show: POV you’re in the front seat of the vista cruiser (just about all the songs featured in that 70′s show handpicked by yours truly)

IN PROGRESS kinda 10 things I hate about you: kat stratford’s morning commute

IN PROGRESS the good place: what i think eleanor shellstrop was listening to in the series finale of the good place

3. mild angst:

laying in a lawn chair on the moon: songs i listen to when i miss the person i used to be

POV you’re the angsty main character: picture the soundtrack playing on a loop in rue’s head from euphoria

spiraling while driving: songs I blast in my car at 12 am with the windows down when I have a perfect view of the NYC skyline while spiraling

living in a dark academia novel: POV you’re running through a castle at dusk in a dress while searching for your lover

4. very specific hyperfixations

freaking out: based around freaks by surf curse. all have similar guitar/rock-ish vibes

TPWK: based around harry styles songs and the feeling i got when listening to golden for the first time. good enough lyrics  to jam to and good enough music to have as background songs :)

5. don’t think

sing me to sleep: idk how to explain this one but i feel like it’s what’s playing on a loop in charlie’s head from perks

walking on mars: variation of my chill playlist featuring bob dylan, arctic monkeys, etc

march 21st: songs that remind me of the first day of spring

stuck in the elevator for an hour: songs you don’t have to pay attention to to know they’re good

the music in the background feels like winning the lottery: songs i listen to with my eyes closed

5. chill:

3am in an empty airport: listening to your airpods as you’re walking through an empty airport late at night thinking everyone you make eye contact with is in love with you

chaotic neutral: similar to laying in a lawn chair on the moon except now you’re on earth

chill: very basic chill songs

6. misc:

dancing in the kitchen: throwbacks, musicals and jams for dancing in the kitchen in an oversized T-shirt with a mug of wine

driving around in a very specific order: you literally need a map to navigate this. mellow indie - punk pop - 5sos/1d - pitbull - 2000s  r&b - throwbacks - disney - musicals - queen - corpse - bo burnham - arctic monkeys - harry styles - doja cat - euphoria soundtrack - zayn - taylor swift

songs my air band would play: dare i say pretty self explanatory

IN PROGRESS grab me a beer from the garage: songs on a dads playlist

throwback

kid cudi to one direction pipeline: no matter what i WILL turn everything back to one direction

no THIS is the wallow: better than spotify themselves baby

👴🏻👴🏻👴🏻👴🏻👴🏻👴🏻👴🏻👴🏻👴🏻👴🏻👴🏻👴🏻👴🏻👴🏻👴🏻👴🏻👴🏻👴🏻

-follow my spotify for more

-drop your Spotify users if you want to be mutuals!

-let me know if y’all have any requests I’m always down to make some more playlists

P.S. if you think the playlists aren’t long it’s just because i was trying to get a lot out, i will be adding to them semi-consistently

tagging people without their consent based on their response to my last post ;) @levenin-dupapillon @xoxogxmbino @epicemneat @fangirling-throughlife @imcryingbuckets @tiredlegoispansexual (did andy samberg just 4 u) @nesthadevils @hermosawellbeokay @tickety-boo-houseplant @ultimateswag4ever @awkwardprotagonist

[supersonicart]

Augustine Kofie’s “State of Mind” at Hashimoto Contemporary NYC.

On view by appointment only starting on April 17th, 2021 at Hashimoto Contemporary in New York City is Augustine Kofie’s solo exhibition, “State of Mind.”

Made over a period of nine months under quarantine, the collection is part of Kofie’s ongoing industrial approach to fine art, which incorporates techniques such as overspray, tape blocking, detailed handwork, deconstruction, and draftsmanship drawn from architecture, graffiti and California car culture.

The particularities of quarantine shaped the process and thus the work itself. Unlike the usual linear development of paintings from start to finish, the State of Mind collection took a much more circuitous route.

“Some of these works were very frustrating to manifest. On the one hand, I had all this extra time, but on the other, it took much longer than usual for things to take shape. Emotionally and tonally, the works run the gamut from angst to harmony. My feelings are in the brushstrokes, the movements, the process of repeatedly adding and taking away, the layers of time it took to complete these paintings,” stated the artist.

The circular form, always prominent in Kofie’s earlier work, appears here to be breaking down.

“Where your eyes want to continue to complete the circle, you are stopped. With painting, I am in control. The pandemic was a stop, an interruption, a loss of control. So these interrupted circles, which break off and take new paths, are life interrupted,” Kofie elaborated.

With art supply stores and estate sales—Kofie’s two primary sources of tools and materials—shut down, a new technique emerged. Three of the works in the collection have a textural wood support, created by collaging found materials from the artist’s archive onto hand-made wood panels. This underlying structure, painted over entirely, comes through nonetheless, adding a hidden layer of meaning, a pentimento that also speaks to our varying, overlapping states of mind this year.

For every solo exhibition, Kofie creates a soundtrack. The music is assembled as part of the work process, which is both sonic and pictorial. This mix blends experimental hip hop with chill wave, including extended, up-cycled sophisto-pop saxophone, 80s synths, new wave breaks, lo-fi telefilm intermissions and poignant dialogue relevant to the exhibition theme and tone.

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