#Rahn Collection

[pickleslice]

this is so important

[big-gay-apocalypse]

new emo band just dropped

// New Mutants Epic Collection: Sudden Death

[jokeroutsubs]

[📝ENG TRANSLATION] The most personal conversation with Nace Jordan of Joker Out: "I wanted to justify being in the band"

Original article written by Alma Rahne for Metropolitan, published 14.11.2024. English translation by @weolucbasu, review by IG 10_anja, proofread by @flowerlotus8

Full article under the cut 👇

Prior to the release of the long-awaited Joker Out's third studio album we had a chat with their member, the bassist Nace Jordan. For him this is an especially huge milestone in his career, as this is the first album after he joined the band in 2022 after the previous bassist Martin Jurkovič left.

When Nace Jordan joined Joker Out two years ago, he probably didn't think he'd experience such a rich musical journey. During this time he performed at Eurovision, their song 'Carpe Diem' won the hearts of foreign audiences like a magnet. This was followed by a long European tour, creating new musical material in London and later in Hamburg. The boys also had a rich festival summer.

(Ph: Primož Lukežič)

The year and a half since it all began with the Eurovision song 'Carpe Diem' and up until today, has been rounded off with a new studio album 'Souvenir Pop' by Nace Jordan, Bojan Cvjetićanin, Kris Guštin, Jan Peteh and Jure Maček. The album will be released on the 15th of November. On it there are a collection of 10 songs in Slovene, English and Serbian.

"From every trip each of us usually takes some kind of memorabilia or a so-called 'souvenir'. That's basically what 'Souvenir Pop' represents," clarifies this time's guest, Nace with whom we talked about the creation of new material and his musical beginnings. We also found out after who his new family member got his name from, what food he eats and for how many years he hasn't been drinking alcohol.

(Ph: Mark Pirc)

Rocker bassist, who doesn't drink alcohol

Nace Jordan grew up in Kranj. Perhaps he was a newbie for most two years ago, but before joining Joker Out Nace had already professionally worked with music for over 10 years. He collaborated with most Slovene performers, including Jan Plestenjak, Samuel Lucas, Katarina Mala... and as he tells he "at least once in his life accompanied all the main Slovene musicians on an instrument."

When he turned 18, he went on a cruise ship where he gained invaluable experience. He always stood up for those who were weaker in school, even if that meant he got the short end of the stick. Likeable and almost always in a good mood, he admits that he also has a bad day sometimes.

(Ph: Nace Jordan's private archive)

"I'm definitely a positive person, but I also have days when I'm the complete opposite of myself and on those days, nothing is good enough, nothing is okay, everything sucks. Actually, the way I'm on stage I'm also privately. When I'm in a bad mood you notice it quickly, because I can't hide it. Which maybe isn't always the best." (smiles)

(Ph: Profimedia)

Alongside music, he's also enthusiastic about cooking, where he transfers his creative approach onto how preparing dishes. He especially likes dishes with polenta and he explores recipes without gluten. A few years ago he even applied to a goulash cooking competition in Kranj with a friend, where they won. He still keeps the medal and the pot at home. Even though he has gotten used to gluten-free food, he explains, with a sparkle in his eyes that he sometimes misses a really "good, freshly baked donut".

During our conversation, Nace confides in us that he hasn't been drinking alcohol for 10 years. If anyone encourages him, to drink something stronger, he playfully declines: "When you have a baby, I will drink to their health." And he stays true to this. He maybe drinks once or twice per year, at a really special opportunity or dinner.

He joined the group without any greater expectations

His integration into the group happened at the speed of light. "When me and Bojan (Cvjetićanin) got together for a drink, he mentioned that Martin is leaving the group and they're looking for a new member. According to him, I was the most appropriate for that and they wanted to meet up with me at their place (practice space), so we could play something together. This was actually before the concert in Križanke (9th September 2022). In the beginning, I was careful, because I've been in situations where I came into a band and we didn't get along. Being in a group isn't easy. Back then I told Bojan: "Let's get together and get a feel for each other." Prior to that, I didn't know the other members. I entered slightly reserved, without any greater expectations," he describes the beginning of his collaboration with the other members of Joker Out.

(Ph: Aleksandra Saša Prelesnik)

"Then we played together a bit. After Križanke, we didn't see each other for a bit, because Kris went to travel in Peru. When he returned, we started practicing again, because we had a performance waiting for us. Martin decided he wouldn't play anymore, I had not yet been an official member of the band, but I did go and play with them." And the rest is, as we like to say, history.

"I wanted to justify being in the band"

The new third album of Joker Out, 'Souvenir Pop' is especially dear to Nace, as it is, as previously mentioned, his first album that he created together with the rest of the band members.

"Maybe I slept a bit worse the final nights when we were finishing up the album. Maybe because of that I was slightly more nervous, because I wanted to justify being in the band and the fact that some new good songs were made. For example, the single 'Carpe Diem', which was accepted greatly, as well as 'Šta bih ja' and 'Bluza', which are amazing songs to me. I also want the same for the other songs on the album. More or less, I felt some kind of pressure that this album has to be really good."

The new album of course has a whiff of foreign countries, as we find songs in two other languages besides Slovene: English and Serbian. But for sure, this album will not have an identical sound as the previous two albums.

(Ph: Vita Orehek)

"I think that everything that Bojan sings and we play is Joker Out. You can't escape that. But for sure, it doesn't sound the same as the previous albums. We all played those songs so often that you want something different in a while to make the concert more interesting. The song 'Carpe Diem' already doesn't sound the same as the previous album to my ears. Maybe the new album sounds more closely like a combination of 'Carpe Diem', 'Šta bih ja' and 'Everybody's Waiting'. That's the genre we're moving in. But there are definitely some surprises on the album, which caused some doubt in me during the middle stage, where I was wondering if this even fits on the album. But now that I listen to the album as a whole, I actually really like it," he says and is satisfied with the final product.

The order of the songs on the album is placed into a story. "I think that Kris described it very well in an interview. The first part of the album takes place right after Eurovision, this hype (circus, noise), confidence, this kind of power, surreality. The second part of the album represents the time after you've taken a step back and summarised all of this. At the same time, some dark things can come out during that time. The second half is a bit more dark and I think we nicely captured the transition into this," he clarifies.

Album cover taken between the sheets

If their last album covers were in colour, this one is black and white. On it, the boys pose in between the sheets. The picture was taken on the morning of the Eurovision final.

"Maybe none of us is perfect in this picture, but we all agreed that this picture isn't just some visual image, but it also has some kind of energy, which tells us exactly what was happening then. You look at this picture and you see some kind of energy between us, a bit of nervousness..." describes Nace.

Album cover of their new album 'Souvenir Pop'. (Ph: Joker Out archive)

The bassist likes it, if the songs jump from genre to genre on albums. "So you don't get bored, when you listen to it as a whole." Each song carries its own story and a kind of emotional charge. Between the new songs you can find ones that especially touched him.

"The first one that really touched me is for sure 'Carpe Diem', it's our first song together after all. Then the seventh song on the album ('Lips'), because is contains the most of me. Already the idea for it was created on a laptop in bed and not at the place with the band. The creative process alone connected me with it, it for sure is one of the most different, striking songs. When you'll listen to it, you'll see what I mean. The ninth song ('Sonce') is a ballad. When I listen to it, it doesn't matter how I'm feeling at that moment, it always touches me. With that song I like: the topic of the song, the lyrics itself and how Bojan serves it. When I played it to my mum, she got teary-eyed."

(Ph: Nace Jordan's private archive)

They experimented with different instruments on this album. Nace first and foremost plays bass, but recently he also bought a Wurlitzer piano (a type of piano which you plug into electricity). "It's a very dear instrument to me and I finally got to buy it. The same week I bought it, I put it into a new song," excitedly tells the 30-year old, who, for the album, alongside the bass also recorded another guitar, marracas and other pianos and programmed the drums, where there are no acoustic drums.

He often takes on the role of an older brother

In the group Nace takes place of someone who takes care of all the studio things. "I already did this in the past and I felt at home with it. When we were finishing up the album, I took care that the album was be finished on time. The last three weeks before the album was finished, I shared our Producer's Žare Pak's biorhythm which means I was up from 4pm until 10 am." (smiles)

As he is the oldest, turning 30 this year, he often takes on the role of an older brother. With his responsibility and mature approach he takes care of the other members: "Boys, today let's maybe hold back a bit, we have a long weekend ahead of us. Sometimes they make fun of me because of it, but the following day at least one of them is probably grateful." (smiles)

"We encourage each other"

It doesn't happen often that members of a band are also privately good friends. We can say that this certainly isn't true when it comes to Joker Out. As friends they support each other at all moments, go on holiday together, spend their free time together, hang out during social evenings, which creates a unique energy amongst them, which can be felt by the audience at every concert. This friendhsip gives their music additional depth and energy, because of which their fans feel as though they are a part of their story.

(Ph: Damon Baker)

The dynamic between members naturally changes and develops through time. Together they experience new challenges, creative processes and personal transitions, which effects their relationships. Slowly, special bonds are created between them because of this - with some they connect on a deeper emotional level, with some more in a business sense.

"When I feel bad or I want to talk about deeper matters with someone that person will certainly be Bojan. Because he really knows how to get close to a person in that moment and give them good advice. With Kris we are both more business orientated and we have almost daily conversations about what we have to do and what we have to improve. Because of this we often go and grab a coffee and we see each other the most. With Jure you will never just be sitting down, but you have to do another activity as well. A love for keyboards connects me and Jan, we talk the most about music. Jan also often inspires me with his manner of playing," say Nace, who with Jan forms a fantastic guitar duo on stage.

(Ph: Vita Orehek)

Their collaboration is energetic, synchronised and soaked with the right amount of improvisation, which concert goers already feel during the first chords. Their connection is expressed through music, as they can easily communicate through looks alone while playing and improve their performance. This authentic relaxed chemistry between then is something so natural that they have also moved this to the audience.

(Ph: Profimedia)

He takes care of his stamina at night

The Jokers are famous for their dynamic performances, where stamina comes in handy. "It's definitely easier, if you have some stamina. I try to keep it up. Sometimes a bit better, sometimes a bit worse. When I come on stage, I want to support what I'm doing with movement, with my body and to someone in the audience, who is looking at you and wants your attention, I try to give it back tenfold. I try to put myself into the shoes of a fan because I know exactly what I would like. We provide each other with energy, so it's very important that we're in a good mood during our performances. We encourage each other, support each other."

Recently he spends a lot of time at the piano, which relaxes him. As a true Gorenjska local he also loves mountains, but he's recently been running out of spare time. "I like going to the hills very much, but I sadly go so rarely that I'm almost embarassed to say. The walking really relaxes me. I would also like to fish more. Me and Bojan are very amateur fishermen, but that's our common interest."

He mentions that he also likes to run and swim. "I am the funniest runner in the world, because I run between 11pm and midnight. I often look behind me and also run faster. (laughter) Getting out of the door is the most difficult. I admit, it's sometimes torture, but the satisfaction after I'm finished is then that much greater. Running also helps my mental health a lot."

(Ph: Vita Orehek)

New family member - dachshund Pino

A few months ago, Nace's life was enriched by a new family member, an adorable dachshund named Pino. He was named after the amazing English bassist with Italian roots, Pino Palladino, who performed with Adele, Paul Young, The Who, Nine Inch Nails and others. At first, Pino was a bit shy, but he quickly won his heart over.

"In the beginning I always needed a sitter for him. Now we've progressed so far that he can be home alone a bit longer. It's definitely some kind of additional responsibilty, but he made my life better. When I come home he is very honestly happy to see me. Nothing can replace this feeling. Everyone who has a dog knows this well. He also won a right to the bed, he sleeps with me. I spoiled him a bit much," he honestly admits while laughing.

In the past months Nace's life is being made better by the dachshund Pino. (Ph: Nace Jordan's private archive)

Even though taking care of a dog is an additional responsibilty, Nace is grateful for his new furry friend and the feeling of unconditional love, which can only be understood by those, who have a dog.

For the ending, we were interested in what has been the greatest lecture he has learned in the past year, "Oof, great question. I don't now if I've learned it, but I'm still trying. At the moment when something wasn't going my way, I always wanted to do anything to solve it. Now, I've realised that it's much better to take a step back and look at things from a different perspective and then return."

[supersaiyanjedi14]

For Jedi June, I give you the Old Jedi Order, naturally as a companion to my NJO collection.

Characters under the cut.

Row 1: Yoda, Mace Windu, Ki-Adi-Mundi, Plo Koon, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Saesee Tiin, Shaak Ti, Kit Fisto, Agen Kolar, Depa Billaba, Stass Allie, Anakin Skywalker

Row 2: Oppo Rancissis, Eeth Koth, Adi Gallia, Even Piell, Yarael Poof, Yaddle, Coleman Kcaj, Coleman Trebor, Micah Gillet, Tyvokka, Syfo-Dias, Jocasta Nu

Row 3: Qui-Gon Jinn, Tholme, An'ya Kuro aka The Dark Woman, T'ra Saa, Tera Sinube, Cin Drallig, Anoon Bondara, Ima-Gun-Di, Tsui Choi, Pablo-Jill, Eno Cordova, Sharad Hett, Cere Junda, Feemor

Row 4: Rahm Kota, Hala, Arligan Zey, Ronhar Kim, Voolvif Monn, Foul Moudama, Roron Corobb, Tiplar, Tiplee, "Bob", Jaro Tapal, B'ink Utrila, Baylan Skoll, Jerec

Row 5: Quinlan Vos, Siri Tachi, Luminara Undili, Bant Eerin, K'kruhk, Nejaa Halcyon, Qu Rahn, Kento Marek, Mallie Marek, Kelleran Beq, Ferroda, Roth-Del Masona, Lissarkh, Jazer R'inoka (OC)

Row 6: Aayla Secura, A'sharad Hett, Ferus Olin, Jax Pavan, Bultar Swan, Sian Jeisel, Lorana Jinzler, Tarr Seirr, Ameesa Darys, Falon Grey, Rissa Mano, Serra Keto, Nahdar Vebb, Bardan Jusik

Row 7: Ahsoka Tano, Barriss Offee, Etain Tur-Mukan, Trilla Sundri, Zule Xiss, Tallisibeth Enwandung-Esterhazy "Scout", Whie Malreaux, Cal Kestis, Caleb Dume, Ephalline "F" Kinema, Sha'a Gi, Kalifa, Jinx, O-mer

credit for my pixels here.

@jedijunejune

[transitranger327]

Magic the Gathering has so much good art, I want to know who your favorite artist is. Whether you actively collect them, seek out their versions of cards with lots of variants, or are on the top of your list to sign your cards.

There’s a lot of artists I couldn’t put in a poll, but I tried to have a mix of older and newer artists. Reblog with your faves!

[sensacetionalshady]

@summerstrash

god, I can't remember all of it because I had an intense brainrot session about it like 2 months ago and never again, but basically the plot kinda went like this (keep in mind that I still haven't actually read Alex in the Krakoan era, but I read some stuff in the wiki and extrapolated from there):

Alex goes to therapy after being all depressed and moody in the Summer house after all the Limbo business and Rachel tosses some clothes at him with a business card for some kinda pro-mutant therapist she trusts; after a few session he realizes some of his more toxic/problematic behaviors are bad and that maybe he should be single for a bit longer (and maybe even forever bc I WILL make everyone aromantic) while he apologizes to his exes and also comes clean about his feelings of inadequacy to Scott and etc etc etc basic therapy stuff yk?

He's doing better and growing his hair out as a symbolic way of showing his growth as a person (and also because his therapist suggested he try to do some permanent modifications to his body by his own choice to make him feel more grounded in his own body, he's very hesitant because he wants to be seen as normal, so he starts out easy with the hair [later on definitely gets some tattoos and piercings and goes to a leather bar to realize hey this is actually fun]) when he gets accidentally referred to as ma'am by some of the younger mutants that don't know who he is and something in his brain *clicks*; he goes home and starts googling what the fuck is going on, asks himself if he's a woman, but doesn't know how to answer that so he goes to his lesbian niece to try and parse these feelings; Rachel suggests he try out some pronouns with her and other trusted people (punches Alex's shoulder and says "At least your name is already unisex, auntie." and Alex actually does really like Rachel calling her aunt)

Anyway, she takes an impulsive leap to go on estrogen to force herself to do a slightly more permanent body mod like her therapist said and, slowly over the course of some months, actually becomes pretty happy about what her body looks like on E; she starts being a little more social and confident and standing up for herself around others and eventually everyone in Krakoa kinda knows that she's Cyclops' sister now

Cut to the 90s X-Factor team having some kinda villain do some wibbly wobbly time shit that brings the whole team from the Krakoan Era back to their time, but it scatters them around the country. X-Factor puts out a government APB for "people that match our exact description except older" to try and get them all in one place so they can send them back into their own time; Lorna and Jamie make their way to X Factor HQ themselves, Guido and Rahne go to Guido's parents' place and then the HQ from there, while Alex has decided to plop herself in a leather bar because while she /could/ go to the HQ, she doesn't know if it's the best idea to show her younger self what she looks like (hell, she wouldn't show herself to who she was half a year ago) and besides, it's not as if they would believe that she is who she says she is

The whole team minus Alex is in X-Factor HQ, the old team is kinda marvelling at how they look when they're older and someone (probably Jamie) points out "alright, now we just need old Alex and you guys can go back to your own time" and the Krakoa team collectively inhales through their teeth and are like "yeaaahhhhhhh about that... there's a reason you haven't found h- ... /Alex/ with that description."; old team is very confused but they refuse to clarify; the time displaced guys take it upon themselves to go and find Alex because they can't exactly give a description without her permission because they would be outing her

I think Lorna would be the one to find her sulking and frowning at a newspaper just reminding herself what happened during this time; she convinces Alex to come to the HQ so they can all go back to their own future, but Alex knows that if a younger her saw the tattoos and hair and clothes and most noticeably boobs that it would seriously disrupt the timeline, or at least /her/ timeline; Lorna agrees but remarks that they can just put some makeup on her and cover her up with clothes and Alex just sighs because she /just/ got to a point where she can be herself freely but now she has to go back to being that insecure and self-censoring man

They probably have like... some telepath (preferably Emma but idk if she's a good or bad guy at this point) come and erase the memories of seeing older Alex after they've sent everyone to their own time. that or the Krakoa era guys convince like.. Hank or someone else to take them back. I don't know, I can't remember the ending

This idea mostly happened because I had a brainstorming session of what trans Alex would actually look like and then it devolved from there. I'm doing some sketches today and will share them once I stop travelling and get wifi because I'm on a bus rn lol

[rushingheadlong]

Click through to see the slides in better quality!

In honor of Jamie Moses's birthday, may I present: A "brief" history of his connections to and involvement with Queen over the years!

Most of the information in this post came from:

Jamie's interview for the OIQFC in 2021

Jamie's interviews for the StageLeft Podcast in 2019

JamieMoses.com

QueenConcerts.com

Some additional information taken from Crystal's Tales and interviews with Spike Edney

Quotes in italics "like this" are direct quotes taken from an interview

[More info and credits below!]

General image credits are as follows:

Most photos of Jamie Moses are by Thilo Rahn

Photos of Jamie performing with The Brian May Band and Queen were mostly pulled from queenconcerts.com; others were screenshots by me

SAS Band photos from their site, queenconcerts.com, and screenshots by me

46664, Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, and Party in the Park photos from Getty Images

All Merlin band images from my collection or screenshot by me, except for one photo of Crystal taken from queenconcerts.com

This presentation template was created by Slidesgo, including icons by Flaticon, infographics & images by Freepik

[spokewar]

pls write me something with obi speaking in ryl to youngling aayla at the temple, bc i'm soft <3

"Rahn fanyo." Despite being nearly fluent in the language, the words felt foreign. He hadn't had the opportunity to speak Ryl in quite some time as its native speakers usually took pity and switched to Basic. The language was broken and incomplete without the subtle movement of twin lekku, and though it did little to help, Obi-Wan attempted to make up for it with small hand movements. "You have nothing to fear, Quinlan will be back soon."

It was a weak comfort, but the most he could offer because it would hardly be any better to say, 'your teacher runs head first into danger all the time and you might want to get used to it'. After all, Obi-Wan had once been in her position; with a teacher who lived impulsively─still learning how to act with a padawan trailing them─yet, he would ensure there be key differences between them. The first, that young Aayla would never be alone. She had an excellent Grand-Master, the rest of his and Quinlan's childless clan to dote over her, and Obi-Wan's own padawan for her to befriend. Although, Anakin had been whisked away for today and she would just have to make do with him and his empty apartment for now.

"He said he'd here by nightfall and you're welcome to stay until then," he spoke again in Ryl and, for a moment, wondered if he and Quinlan ought to be practicing on each other as to not give Aayla any reason to poke fun at them. Or worse, take advantage of their ignorance.

"Or we could find Master Tholme?" His knees cracked as he rose from his position from the floor, placing a hand atop her head as he passed toward the kitchen. Fortunately, Anakin had taught him the importance of having sugary treats on hand and was sure some from Ryloth had made its way into his collection. "I'm assuming your classes are done for today?"

[yzeltia]

FFXIVwrite2023 22. Fulsome

Characters: U'rahn Nuhn, U'rahn Tia, G'raha Tia Expansion: Endwalker Rating: T Notes: CW Nudity

U’rahn looked into the mirror, poking a bit at his arms, flexing in their wake. He frowned a little then dropped his arms and tilted his head at himself in the mirror. Stuck in his house, he’d been left with just U’rahn Tia who was rather limited in his conversation abilities. This left him alone with his thoughts, and they’d begun to spiral.

What if he wasn’t the Warrior of Light? Would his physical prowess have come so easily? Would the huntresses have given him the time day? Would he have had the mettle to keep up with the Scions, let alone as an adventurer?  Would Nyx have still found him enriching?”

“FaThEr. PuT oN cLoThInG,” U’rahn Tia called out, looking up at him.

“Wha? Since when do you care what I’m wearing,” he asked, turning to face his mammet son.

“FaThEr. PuT oN cLoThInG.”

“Okay Okay. In a minute. I’m flexin’ and stuff to make sure I’m…still fit and handsome as ever,” he answered, mumbling the last bit as his ears folded.

As the Nuhn looked back up, his door swung open, G’raha quickly entering.

“Rahn! We have gotten the readings back from Eurospehyne! I have come to collect you-,” the Scion started before going dead silent as his eyes bulged lightly then quickly flitted back to U’rahn’s face.

G’raha shut the door and left as fast and sudden as he arrived, leaving U’rahn to blink in confusion then look down to the mammet, deciding in the future he’d listen better.

[artdecoandmodernist]

Robert Bonfils, En écoutant Satie (Listening to Satie), in Modes et manières d'aujourd'hui: 9e année, 1920 (Paris: Jules Meynial, [1922]), plate 11.

Reproduced from Charles Rahn Fry's copy, now in the Charles Rahn Fry Pochoir Collection, Princeton University Library.

[big-gay-apocalypse]

Thoughts on CATS the musical

// New Mutants Epic Collection: Renewal

[jokeroutsubs]

[ENG translation] Joker Out, the kings of charisma, conquer Europe: "What's happening is incredible!"

Interview with Bojan and Jure. The original article was written by Alma Rahne for Metropolitan, it was published on 29.12.2023. English translation by @varianestoroff, proof read by a member of JokerOutSubs.

Photo: Dean Grainger

Travel to the other side of the world, learn Slovene and queue for the concert from 7 am. The fans are willing to do all this for them. If 2023 was a year of overachievement for Joker Out, get ready for the new wave coming in 2024.

It's been a very successful year for the boys, if not the best year yet. With their Eurovision performance, watched by around 200 million people worldwide, their musical fairytale has begun.

Although they ended up in 21st place, undeserved according to many, they put their joker* to good use. But they have left their mark on Europe, as Eurovision fans voted them kings of charisma just a few days ago.

*The Joker is a playing card found in most modern French-suited card decks, as an addition to the standard four suits. It often acts as a wild card (a card that may be used to represent another card or cards). Here, the journalist creates a pun based on the value of the card and the name of the band.

In life, as with cards, sometimes you have to take risks to win. And Joker Out are definitely the winners, having achieved more out of their 3-minute Eurovision performance than they might have dared to dream of in the first place.

A few days ago, the boys successfully ended their first European tour, where their fans sang out loud in Slovene and started learning the language because of them. It sounds unbelievable, but that's what they achieved this year. Every time we meet - whether for interviews, backstage at gigs or on the street - I notice that despite all their achievements over the last year, they are down to Earth and true to themselves and really enjoy what they do.

Photo: Instagram/Joker Out/Mark Pirc/Vita Orehek

I would dare to say that they are currently the only band in Slovenia that proves that they can break boundaries and impress abroad with their authenticity, perseverance and singing in Slovene. With his consent, I'm going to borrow the words of the fellow journalist Gašper Završnik, a correspondent of Delo in Madrid, who was also at their December concert. He described his impressions and their performance by saying, "Joker Out are to Slovene what the Cervantes Institute* is to Spanish." He later told me that he could not remember such euphoria about a foreign band in Spain.

*The Cervantes Institute is a public cultural institution created with the aim of promoting and teaching the Spanish language and disseminating Spanish and Hispanic culture.

With New Year just around the corner, it's only right to look back and see first-hand how Bojan Cvjetićanin and Jure Maček, members of Joker Out, spent 2023. Before they and the other members Kris Guštin, Jan Peteh and Nace Jordan perform in front of the Slovenian audience for the last time this year on Saturday the 30th of December at Kongresni trg, in this interview they revealed their plans for 2024, talked about life on tour and gave details of their new upcoming single.

How would you describe the year behind you?

Jure: We collected a lot of miles by buying so many plane tickets. We had lots of flights, Bojan would say it was very turbulent. But for me it was quite a hard year.

Bojan: I would say a perfect year. We really seized it to the fullest. I think we have milked 2023 dry. We have done everything, we have really put everything we have in us. We have given every last inch of ourselves, but we have also taken everything we could.

Photo: Vita Orehek

Since you devoted yourselves especially to music and your career, was there any field in which you weren't the best?

Bojan: My garden bed fell apart.

Jure: I don't have a girlfriend.

Bojan: Neither do I. (laughs) We don't have a girlfriend, we don't have money...

Jure: We see our family more rarely.

Bojan: See, a great year. (laughs)

Jure Maček, photo by Mediaspeed/Sandi Fišer

Bojan, you mentioned that your biggest goal was to perform at the Sziget festival, which you will do next year. What's next, will you set a new goal?

I told myself that I didn't want new goals to determine success. Let's say, we always had in the back of our minds that this is something that happens and means success. We always saw Sziget as, "You really succeed when you perform on the main stage at Sziget." For us (Jokers) it's the most legendary festival in Europe. And once we conquer that, as far as I'm concerned, there are no more goals that determine success. For me, it's all a plus after that and I want us to make new music, have a good time and enjoy it. Like we are now, with the new single. Every time we record a new song we're going to be happy, listen to it, play it a thousand times and call each other to say how good it is. That's all I want.

Have you ever been to Sziget?

Jure: No, never.

Bojan: Unfortunately not, I had everything ready to go twice. Once I got sick, and the other time we had a concert the day before.

Jan Peteh, photo by Mediaspeed/Borut Cvetko

What do you do when a Joker Out concert coincides with something else you've been wanting to visit or see for a while? Career probably has priority... Is there a bitter aftertaste that night at the concert?

Bojan: Let's not lie to ourselves. It depends on the gig. If it's something that you would love to miss, but you have to do it because it's the whole band's business, not your own, then you might go on stage with a bitter aftertaste.

Jure: We just had a concert in Celje and at the same time my former band Čedahuči had a concert in Kino Šiška. I really wanted to go, but it didn't work out.

Bojan: It really hurts then, but what can you do, that's just the way it is. But it was a great concert in Celje. I got sick, I was on stage with a fever. I would have liked to lie at home, but in the end the concert healed me. I sweated there, I excercised a little and I changed my mindset. I woke up the next day 200 times better.

You've just finished recording a new single. What can you reveal?

Jure: We can say that it is a ballad.I think I can feel it the most out of the all songs so far.

Bojan: I would say it's the most different so far. Maybe as a songwriter I put myself out there most directly, it's quite a therapeutic song.

Where did the inspiration come from?

Bojan: At the end of July, things started happening and inspired me to write this song. The lyrics didn't take long to develop. I wrote the main part when we were in the studio recording the English single 'Sunny Side of London'. That's when this 'jam' happened, which we took as the basis for the song. I had already written the lyrics for the verses and the chorus... I can reveal that the song will be in English (smiles).

Bojan Cvjetićanin, photo by Profimedia

How do you approach songwriting? With the aim of making it a hit?

Jure: No, we all just have to feel the song. That's the most important thing.

Bojan: I think the release of the upcoming single is very brave for a band in our position. Because it's quite possible that it won't be a hit at all. The song is really different... but if people feel the song the way we did, it could be our biggest hit. We really didn't play the 'certainty card'.

Have you ever thought about writing a song using ChatGPT*?

Bojan: No, but we have tested how it works.

*ChatGPT is a chatbot based on artificial intelligence and machine learning, developed by OpenAI and specialised in conversation with a human user.

Fans bring different banners to your concerts, which they make themselves. Is there a sign that you remember the most?

Jure: I'm the furthest away from the audience and I see the least of them (laughs). I don't remember any in particular at the moment. But I have to say that they are really original.

Bojan: They're really sick, because they're so indecent (laughs). I often times couldn't stop myself from laughing in the middle of singing, thinking, 'who thought of that?' But it's really sick, because they hold it up for an hour and wait for me to read it.

Jure: And the people behind them are shouting at them and asking them to move it, because it's blocking their view of the stage (laughs).

Bojan: I think the one that got my attention the most was in Rijeka: "Bojan, why did you invite so many people to our date?" They can be really creative.

Nace Jordan, photo by Profimedia

A fellow journalist from Delo attended your concert in Madrid at the beginning of December and wrote on social media: Joker Out is to Slovene what the Cervantes Institute is to Spanish. Those of us who are involved, connected with Spanish, know that this is a great compliment. Any comment?

Bojan: I saw what he wrote, and as I am also a bit involved with Spanish (smiles), I was very honoured that it came out of his mouth. The concert in Madrid was really excellent. It was an explosion of energy that can only happen by accident, and I am glad that he was at that concert. In fact, what is happening is incredible. We go around Europe and people sing in Slovene for an hour and a half. That is probably something that has never happened before. They are learning phrases in Slovene so that they can say them to us. They bring us textbooks and dictionaries to sign.

Do you feel that you have such a big influence on your fans? Did you ever imagine that your fans would learn Slovene because of you?

Jure: That's so weird. It's like being in a bubble all the time.

Bojan: We are not personifying these people. On stage, we are ourselves, but still an acquaintance. There I am Bojan Cvjetićanin for them, but for myself I am Bojč. I am Bojč when none of the band members take me seriously. Or when they flip me off if I say something stupid. (smiles) When I get home, though, I'm the same Bojč that I was when I was 10 years old. I don't think you can understand that, which is fine. Thank God... I'm still myself on stage, just in a different role.

What is the hardest part of touring?

Jure: Just the journey, the means of transportation - planes.

Bojan: Getting sick.

What is a typical day like for you when you are on tour?

Jure: After the concert we go straight to the hotel, shower and sleep as soon as possible. Around 2am we fall asleep, and between 4am and 5am we're awake because we have a flight to catch. We have to be at the airport at 7, we have a flight at 8 and we are in the next city, the next country, by 11. Then we go to the concert venue, we get there between 1 and 2 pm. From 2 to 4 we are free, then we go to the hotel to rest a little. Our technicians have it worse, because they start preparing the stage, the sound system. Between 4 and 5 there is the sound check, dinner at 6 and the concert at 8. And the next day we repeat it again. (Smiles)

What about on the tour bus?

Jure: You have your own home on the bus. The day looks similar, except that we shower after the concert backstage and get on the bus when we want, fall asleep and wake up when we want. That is the main difference. Because you're driving overnight and you usually get to the next town at 10 o'clock, wake up, look out the window and you're somewhere else.

Bojan: Usually the tour bus is parked outside the concert venue.

Are your most passionate fans waiting for you outside the bus?

Bojan: That too. Last time I woke up at seven to go to the toilet and look out the window. We had just come from Wroclaw to Poznan and there were 50 people outside and I was still dizzy (laughs).

Jure: It's much easier to travel by bus. When I came back from Poland after a 10-day tour in a tour bus, I joked that I came back so fresh that I could come home at 10 o'clock and say, "Mother, what can I do today?"(Smiles).

Kris Guštin, photo by Profimedia

In your experience, what contributes more to success: talent or hard work?

Bojan: Neither. But many people have gone very far with hard work, even if they didn't have much talent. I would say that hard work is important and surrounding yourself with people who have talent and want the best for you. If you don't have talent yourself.

With the New Year, you are going abroad. What is the main purpose, what will you be doing?

Jure: We're moving to London for two months at the beginning of January. We've rented a house and a garage there, where we'll work and rehearse the new songs. Then in March we go on a European tour for a month. We'll be home for the holidays and then we're going back to England. In mid-April we're going to Germany for a month in the studio and we hope to record the album by mid-May. And then the festival season, the album release and everything that follows.

Bojan: Then soon Merry Christmas and Happy New Year (laughs).

Photo by Vita Orehek

[samasmith23]

I never noticed this before when I originally read the first Marvel Epic Collection of Chris Claremont's New Mutants run, but I recently saw someone arguing suggested that Claremont was utilizing Danielle Moonstar & Rahne Sinclair contrasting reactions to the Brazilian Madri Gras women to code Dani as being bi-sexual or non-straight!

And looking back at it, yeah based on Dani's facial expressions in the fifth panel, there is ZERO heterosexual interpretation of Dani here!

Heck, in a similar vein to Kitty Pryde & Illyana Rasputin, Claremont wrote Dani & Rahne as being really "close" friends in the issues of New Mutants that I read. Just look at this interaction between them in the very next issue where Rahne playfully teases Dani, and Dani is prepared to resort to drastic measures to help cool Rahne down from heatstroke.

Dani is totally in love with Rahne here!

From New Mutants (1983) #7 and #8 by Chris Claremont, Sal Buscema & Bob McLeod.

[roegadynroost]

FFXIVwrite 2023 - 16 Jerk

The journey that resulted in the defeat of Thordan and his Heavensward had come to an end. The threat of the Ascians Igeyorhm and Lahabrea was no more, and Ishgard had once again become a member of the Eorzea alliance. 

Though much work was still left to be done, the danger of Nidhogg once again looming, Steel and the other brave warriors of Bloum were given a bit of time to themselves. She did not question. With Estinien serving as the vessel to the bastard wyrm, it was only a matter of time before things became heated again. She would not squander her vacation. 

So to her small apartment in the Shroud she did return, after a quick stop in Gridania to check with her retainers. Steel, after finding their work in order as usual disappeared to the Lavender Beds for what she hoped would be a week of catching up on rest. 

She set a pot of tea, using herbs from her personal collection, and went to her desk, apprising the papers she had left before her leaving. As nothing seemed to be dire, she took out her journal and penned the most outstanding of her journeys and life events. The sun had long set by the time she began to feel tired, but alas she let herself rest then and only then.

Steel slept in until well past noon the next day, only bothering to rise when there came a knocking at her door. She jolted away immediate, grabbing for her silken dressing gown and going to see who was calling for her. Could it be that the scions needed her already?

No.

The courier was all smiles, though Steel herself was only half awake while she signed his ledger for the delivery. A basket of flowers. When finally alone again she quickly deposited them on her desk. She needed to get breakfast before she dealt with anything more. Brewing herself a cup of tea took no time at all getting out her breakfast was simple enough. Bread with a bit of herbal butter.

Steel plucked the card from the flowers, finding it empty other thank a quickly scrawled signature.

Skah'to Rahn. 

Steel paused mid-sip, finding herself smiling. Though they're gone about their adventures as if naught had happened, she still found herself worrying that she'd overstepped with her Miqo'te friend. 

---

"Well, what are you going to do when playing by their rules gets more of our allies hurt?" Skah'to had chidded, and Steel was quiet for a while. 

"None of us take on the work without knowledge of the risk Skah'to." Steel replied. There was more she wanted to say, but the ordeal was leaving her mentally frazzled. Surely he realized none of them enjoyed the politics right? Save maybe Alphinaud, the boy seemed all to happy to wag his golden tongue at times.

Skah'to chuffed and paced a bit before taking a seat on the chair nearest him that he'd not acosted, tail still wriggling to and fro. At least he wasn't trying to get back inside. Steel took the small victory, her posture softening just a bit. It was quiet, other than the sound of her armour as it clinked with her movements. She'd leaned against the stoop outside the hut. 

They'd spent the rest of their time outside in quiet. Even once Lororito and Dewlala had made to leave, followed by the Raubahn, the traitor Meriel, Pipin and Papashan had made to leave, he didn't look back at them.

Yugiri and Alphinaud apprised them of the situation, Raubahn being reinstated as the General of the Flames. They'd wasted no time in catching up to the others, and going on with their adventurers after that. Once the scheming lalafell was no longer around, it didn't take too long to things to start getting back to how they were, but still it did not sit right with her.

She'd worried about it for a long while. But not anymore.

[folansstuff]

Illyana/Atticus HC's

Peak alt girl/nerdboy couple.

Atticus has seen Illyana’s evolution from ‘clothes given to her by Piotr’, to Mall Goth to her current style.

Similarly Illyana has seen him go from unfashionable nerd to slightly more fashionable nerd.

Atticus has tons of blankets and medicine for when Illyana gets home from a mission. They’ll spend hours patching her up while talking about their days.

Both are big on cuddling. Illyana is the small spoon, Atticus is the big spoon, though Illyana prefers to lie on top of him than cuddle side on.

Atticus’ belly and hair makes him an ideal for cuddling, tbh, which is why Illyana calls him ’Teddy Bear’ all the time. 

Atticus calls Illyana “Princess”, both as an occasionally sarcastic nickname, but mostly as a term of endearment. It’s the only word that really demonstrates what he sees in her.

They’re big into kisses too, they’ll take any opportunity to press a quick kiss to a cheek or the top of the head or something.

The two flirt constantly. Seriously they will spend every moment laying praise on each other. Dani and Rahne started keeping a tally for every time they made their eyes roll. This does not stop when they’re on missions.

Atticus can and will remind everyone in earshot that his girlfriend is the strongest sorcerer in the multiverse. He even said this to Doctor Strange once, which was definitely a call.

Illyana will steal Atticus’ hoodies, and has also started stealing sweatpants, anything to have his scent on her.

They will get absolutely blitzed at parties and smother each other in front of other people, even when Atticus pretends to be nervous about it.

Illyana adores all of Atticus’ little projects, she still has the sweater he made her back when they were both on Cyclops’ X-Men team and wears it all the time.

The two do argue decently often, mostly about the dangers of being a mutant and an X-Men and all sorts of other things. When they do get genuinely upset at each other Atticus is usually the first person to apologize, since Illyana is more likely to stew for several days instead of being straightforward.

Cuddles and snacks always follow.

They’ve both learnt to deal with each others quirks and flaws. Illyana has worked out how to settle Atti’s nerves, and Atticus has become an expert at soothing Illyana’s traumas.

Illyana tried to teach Atticus magic, but never really got anywhere. The guy just wasn’t set up to do all that studying, and he didn’t have her natural affinity for it.

Concert dates are basically the only dates they go on, even in the Krakoan age, and the collection of band memorabilia could fill a closet. Atticus prefers weirder experimental and rock music, and Illyana prefers industrial and punk. The two both love that certain brand of 2000’s rock.

Their first kiss was at an outdoors Strokes concert, which got rained out. But the band kept performing.

Atticus watched Illyana dance her heart out, and swept her up into a kiss. Only for him to slip on some mud and collapse onto the ground. 

She never lets him forget it.

Used to skip classes at Xavier’s to go hang out, usually at Illyana’s behest.

Illyana would sneak into Atticus’ bedroom when she had nightmares, cuddling up to him and talking through her emotional scars.

The two share teaching tips from their time with Strange Academy and various teaching jobs, and will cover each others classes at Akediemos.

Have developed a routine of sitting on the couch, watching terrible TV and chatting the evening away.  

Have become even closer in the Krakoa era, now that they get to share a home and goals all the time.

Illyana is the only person who could convince Atticus to join teams and do superhero work until after the Gala. Even now he stills needs convincing from her to do much of anything. 

The two have been together for a very long time, and are basically inseparable at this point. Fuck with their partner and you’re gonna get your ass kicked. 

[amageish]

I haven’t made a Midnight Suns moveset in a hot minute, but I’ve been on a bit of an X-Men kick lately... and so I thought I’d keep going through the New Mutants and make a concept for Wolfsbane!

Wolfsbane would come with a unique mechanic where her attacks are buffed/debuffed by the state of her teammates, both in reference to the importance of her team in her life and the many, many, many stories where Rahne has intense reactions to being faced with death. Her regular attacks put her in a happy lil' wolf form and are boosted by her teammates being at/near full health, while her heroics have her going full werewolf and just fucking ripping into her foes - spurred on extra hard when her teammates are at lower health levels. Strike a good balance to take full advantage of the character!

For her Legendary Heroic, her three forms (human, werewolf, and full wolf) unite... to play a one-person game of frisbee, a la the opening of New Mutants #4. She attacks foes indirectly in a chain as she runs around excitedly tossing the frisbee back and forth between herself in her werewolf and wolf forms. I am aware that this is incredibly silly and very specific reference, but I think it’s funny and that Rahne deserves a chance to just be a happy wolf after all Marvel has put her through...

In terms of the game's social systems, Rahne has a lot of complicated feelings regarding the Abbey and what it represents given her upbringing... For her Research Project, she gives you extra rewards from collecting things from the Abbey grounds.

Her costumes include her classic New Mutants look and her X-Factor look, as well as a modified base design unique to the game. For her daily outfits, she dresses in a lot of baggy clothing and warm sweaters.