#Sam McCann

[thebowerypresents]

SPRINTS – Music Hall of Williamsburg – September 28, 2024

“I’m sending in the photos from the SPRINTS show a few hours ago. In case you want to include any details, the band played Letter to Self, their new single, “Feast,” and covered “Decepticon” by Le Tigre with guest singer Julia Vassallo of Slow Fiction (Slow Fiction opened the show and are touring with SPRINTS again; the two bands toured together back in March). During the final song of the set, vocalist Karla Chubb got in the crowd and crowd-surfed back to the stage.” —Edwina Hay

Photos courtesy of Edwina Hay | thisisnotaphotograph.com

@thesearenotphotographs

[spilladabalia]

Sprints - Shadow Of A Doubt

[thesearenotphotographs]

SPRINTS at Music Hall of Williamsburg

On Saturday, September 28, 2024, Dublin’s SPRINTS returned to New York City for the second time this year to headline Music Hall of Williamsburg in Brooklyn, NY. They were joined by NYC’s Slow Fiction on this tour again (they were the supporting act for their show at Zone One at Elsewhere back in March) and was a fantastic way to spend a Saturday night. The band played a fiery set and I truly appreciated them taking the stage promptly at 9 and being home two hours later.

I covered the show for Bowery Presents’ “The House List” and the full gallery is now available here. This marked my first concert at MHOW since March 2020, just before NYC shut down for the COVID-19 pandemic.

[sinceileftyoublog]

SPRINTS Interview: Personal to the Bone

BY JORDAN MAINZER

The first great album of the year came out five days into it, belying the post-New Year haze and bitter cold, walloping us into paying attention. Letter to Self, the debut LP from Dublin post-punk quartet SPRINTS, out via City Slang, is a tremendously assured collection of songs that the band describes as "to-the-bone" personal. They're led by singer-songwriter Karla Chubb, whose taut shouts, full-throated yells, and pained but deliberate lyrics match the utter tenseness of the compositions. She sings about her life, and topics ranging from depression and ADHD to sexuality and Catholicism, but without the overt autobiography that can plague even the most well-intentioned writers. Her singing sonically traverses the sinews of Colm O'Reilly's lead guitar riffs and bassist Sam McCann and drummer Jack Callan's brawny rhythm section. Each song is its own journey, and when they end, it feels like you've been holding your breath the whole time.

Though SPRINTS showed promise with their early material, they sound like a complete band with their debut. Working with Gilla Band's Daniel Fox in the studio helped them embrace the charged intensity that makes their live shows so thrilling. Letter to Self begins with "Ticking", the song that's been at the start of their live setlists, on which foreboding guitar, a double-tapped snare, and Chubb's chants build to a false explosion before the full beat truly drops. (Moments like this make it clear that the majority of the band are horror and sci-fi fans, but not necessarily obsessed with jump scares.) "Heavy" builds up similarly, with twangy guitar squalls and trilling drum fills, as Chubb asks pointed questions like, "Do you ever feel like the room is heavy?" before melismatic belting, lamenting that she's "watching the world go round the window beside me." Elsewhere, they combine the frankness of Fontaines D.C. with the cascades of Midwest emo ("Shaking Their Hands") and delve into swirling soundscapes ("Can't Get Enough of It"). As for Chubb, she knows when to scream; at her most full-throated, like on "Shadow Of A Doubt", she's a dead ringer for Courtney Love.

As much as SPRINTS' instrumentation purveys the spirit of their songs, Chubb is a deft lyricist, writing clever rhymes and cutting barbs alike. On "Cathedral", she chides the heartlessness of the Irish Catholic church when it comes to their views on queer folks like her: "He's singing from a hymn sheet, I'm singing for the others / They say I've gone cold while I'm sat drowning in the gutter." "Adore Adore Adore" bemoans the sexist double standards of the music industry, wherein anybody but a straight cisgender male is subject to only love or hate. "Am I everything you wish you had?" Chubb asks, "Or am I everything you detest?" Perhaps best is the album's closer, the title track, where Chubb honors her own ability to conquer trauma, generational and otherwise. "I can shake the leaves of hereditary," she sings, pronouncing the final word "he-re-di-tree" in a cheeky bit of wordplay, continuing, "I don't have to take the path that was carved out in front of me." On Letter to Self, Chubb and SPRINTS in general toss off a world of fear and shame in favor of self-love and acceptance.

SPRINTS plays Schubas on Tuesday night. Back in January, I spoke with Callan about Letter to Self, playing live, horror, and film scores. Read our conversation below, edited for length and clarity, and know the Irish band is excited to be in Chicago mere days after our raucous St. Patrick's Day celebration.

Since I Left You: One of the things I love about Letter to Self is that the instrumentation and the song structures engage the themes just as much as the lyrics do. Can you talk about creating a mood between words and instruments?

Jack Callan: That boils down to the songwriting process. It usually starts with Karla. It could be one riff on guitar or start with lyrics or melody. A lot of the time, and especially with the two opening tracks on the album, "Ticking" and "Heavy", from the get-go, we talked about building a literal feeling of anxiety. That's probably the case for most of the songs. We're trying to match the emotions of the music. The intensity of the song dictates the dynamics. It's quite natural: We all know each other so well.

SILY: As the drummer, specifically, you're at the forefront of toying with our expectations, especially on a song like "Ticking". You think it's going to explode into a rousing moment, but it pulls back. It eventually explodes, but there's a push-pull throughout.

JC: Yeah, absolutely, particularly with "Ticking". It's probably one of the oldest songs written on the album. We probably wrote it at the same time as the songs on our second EP. It didn't really sit well with those [songs], but we always knew we were going to come back to it. When we started properly planning for [Letter to Self], we knew it was going to be the opening track because it has such a slow build. You think it's going to kick in, but it doesn't. Live, we start sets with that, and it sets the tone nicely and builds the anxiety.

SILY: One of the most powerful things about Karla's lyrics is that she asks questions. "Do you ever feel like the room is heavy?" You don't know who she's talking to, but as a listener, it almost feels like she's talking to you. How do you feel about that confrontation when playing live?

JC: I think it's incredibly effective. The way Karla writes is very personal and vulnerable, but in a way it's not so specific you know exactly the circumstance what she's talking about.

SILY: The album title Letter to Self reminds me of a diary. It's a cliché album descriptor when writers say that a personal album is "like reading someone's diary," but this one truly is. If I were to pick up somebody's diary without knowing them, it wouldn't make total sense. I might be able to relate to vague feelings, but I wouldn't know the specifics they refer to. Do you think the record achieves an ideal level of abstraction?

JC: Absolutely. A lot of it was about dealing with those emotions or experiences. Since we've started out as a band, Karla's become more comfortable being vulnerable and open in her songwriting. Our first EP had some personal things, and our second EP was about the self and everyday life, but this is more to-the-bone personal. I think that felt very natural to Karla. There's an honesty to it. She's writing about her own experiences and how she feels about them.

SILY: How is playing the songs live from an emotional standpoint? Do you find yourselves in a similar headspace to when you recorded them, or do you let loose?

JC: I think the recording process, especially for Karla, was more taxing emotionally. Before recording, we rehearsed songs a bunch, and we messed around with demos for a while, but because the lyrics are so personal, putting down the tracks in the studio, that's when it hits you that the songs are going to go out into the world and everyone will listen to them. When you're in the studio, and there's no live audience, just us and Daniel Fox, our producer, it just feels a lot closer. By the time you get to the live set, the music isn't just ours anymore. People will interpret it any way they want. The live shows take on a life of their own, as well. It's more about the band at that point. The live shows have a lot of energy, a lot of fun. On stage, we've never really taken ourselves too seriously. We have a bit of a laugh, even when the subject matter is heavy.

SILY: Have the live versions instrumentally or structurally taken on a new life? Do you extend things or change things up at all?

JC: A little bit. Not as much with some of the album tracks yet, because we haven't been playing them as long. It's usually something that happens naturally. Some of the songs from the EPs we play differently. "Literary Mind" was recorded again for the album. It's is way faster than the original recording. We recorded it and started playing it live. How it is on the album is closer to how it is live.

SILY: Do you have a favorite of the Letter to Self songs to play live?

JC: Probably "Cathedral". The start of that song is a bit scary, but the chorus is proper all-out headbanging. We've played it a little bit live, but not for that long.

SILY: I can imagine that's a cathartic song for you to play live. You're just pounding along.

JC: Yeah. Loud and fast.

SILY: What's the story of the cover art?

JC: It was a still taken from the music video for "Adore, Adore, Adore". During the video, there's a scene where Karla has been abducted and wrapped up in gauze. If you look closely, you may notice the thick eyebrows and mustache: I'm one of the abductors. There's a plastic bowl with water in it her head was being dunked into. The photo was taken from underneath.

SILY: Something not everyone would realize just listening to the album is how much all of you--except for Sam--love horror films and sci-fi.

JC: It was definitely a big inspiration for the videos in particular. It was thematically linked to the "Adore, Adore, Adore" video, but also just a bit creepy and weird.

SILY: Over the past 10 years or so, there's been a resurgence of artful horror films that aren't just genre pieces, that deal with a lot of the same themes on this record. They use an aesthetic to explore themes that might be traditionally explored in different genres. Do you have some favorite contemporary horror films?

JC: I'm definitely a big fan of Hereditary and Midsommar. They were a reference point, slightly thematically, and aesthetically as well. Slightly creepy but not slasher horror. Stuff that's unsettling. Especially with the music. It's not jump scares, just that slight feeling of, "I don't feel right about this."

SILY: Have you ever thought about trying film scoring?

JC: I would absolutely love that. I saw the original Suspiria not that long ago that Goblin did the score to. It's super weird. The film's amazing, but the score is incredible as well. When I saw it, I thought, "I could totally see us doing something like this." It would be a lot of fun.

SILY: I know Letter to Self just came out, but are you the type of band constantly coming up with new songs? Or do you have to sit down and dedicate time to it?

JC: There's constantly new stuff knocking around. There are already demos for what could be album 2. Even from [Letter to Self], there are plenty of demos that couldn't make it in the end. You do eventually need to find time to sit down all together and work on stuff. It's increasingly difficult as we're on the road so much, but we need to block in weeks throughout the year so we have time to do it.

SILY: Is there anything you've been listening to, watching, or reading lately that's caught your attention?

JC: I just finished Goodbye to Berlin by Christopher Isherwood. The last book I read was Carmilla by Sheridan Le Fanu, which came out 20-30 years before Dracula. It's similar, with vampires, but there's a lesbian love element to it. It's really good, only 150 pages. A lot of people reckon Bram Stoker stole a lot of his ideas for Dracula from it. There's a lot of what we now think of as vampire lore in it from what we [attribute to] Bram Stoker. There's a castle in vague Eastern Europe [in Carmilla], so he definitely lifted some ideas from it.

I went to see Spy Kids in the cinema last week. That was a lot of fun. I don't know why they were showing it, but it was a favorite of mine as a kid. I'm going to see Poor Things tomorrow.

[your-divine-ribs]

I’m With the Band Part 30

Words: 2.3k

I’m With the Band Masterlist Main Masterlist

I can do nothing but watch helplessly as Johnny, Dean and Joe make for the door. Joe has a cheeky glint in his eye as he claps Sam firmly on the back as he passes by. "Enjoy yer brekkie mate!" He sniggers, eyes darting to me as he shouts out a goodbye, but I don't reply. I've got my eyes fixed on Johnny, willing him to stop and turn around. Surely he can feel the heat of my angry glare? It must be burning into the back of his skull like a pair of twin laser beams.

If he does he chooses to ignore it, slipping through the open door as Dean holds it open for him and Joe, then their noisy chatter finally gets cut off as it closes behind them, leaving me and Sam alone.

If I could have magically conjured up a rift in the coffee shop floor that I could slide into and hide away then I would. Anything would be better than facing Sam right now.

I consider my options. I could get up out of my seat and make a dash for the door, or I could stay where I am and face the music, actually try and take some responsibility for something for once.

I steal a glance at Sam, watch as his heavy brow furrows into a deep crease, an unreadable expression on his face. I'm half expecting him to turn straight back round and walk away and out the door but he doesn't. He just stands there for a few moments looking at me, and then to my surprise he walks over, coming to a stop at the entrance to my booth.

"I'm guessing by the look on yer face that you didn't know owt about this either?"

"Uh-huh..."

I nervously chew at my bottom lip, wide eyes imploring him for mercy, hoping he's calmed down since he unleashed on me in the kitchen of the hotel suite. My hands are clasped around my coffee cup, fingers anxiously pawing at the ceramic as I surreptitiously try to release some of my pent up, nervous energy.

Then to my complete surprise I note Sam's lips curl up at the edges, a hint of a smile that he doesn't try to hide. "Bloody Bondy," he muses to himself, shaking his head. "Trust him to pull a stunt like this. That's him all over that is. Never could stand to see anyone fighting."

I allow a tiny giggle of relief to slip out. "I had no idea what he was up to... I swear. I'm going to  kill him."

"Aye, and if ya need a hand I'm right here," Sam nods. He steps even closer, sliding into the opposite side of the booth and taking a seat so he's sitting right opposite, facing me.

There's an awkward moment of silence where Sam picks up the menu and starts to scan it and I feel like I should fill the quiet, but I'm not sure how to. On one hand I don't want to dredge everything back up, but on the other I know if I let things simmer, it's just going to make it even more awkward further down the line.

"Sam..." I begin, stopping short when he lowers the menu and his face comes into view.

"I... errr... I just wanted to say..." I pause, taking a deep breath.

Damn, this apologising shit is harder than I thought it would be. He raises his eyebrows, cool blue eyes scanning my face. His expression's unnervingly neutral, not giving anything away. I squirm where you sit, just about to formulate a heartfelt apology into words when a waitress appears to take Sam's order. An exhale of pure relief escapes me as Sam's attention gets diverted. He orders a full English breakfast with all the trimmings... these band guys sure have hearty appetites... and I opt for another coffee, my stomach too tied up in anxious knots to eat.

The waitress eventually leaves and Sam reclines back in his seat, folding his arms across his chest. "So... what did you want to say to me then?"

It's useless, any momentum I'd picked up earlier has now gone, my courage retreated. "Oh yeah," I mumble, eyes darting between Sam's expectant gaze and my empty coffee cup. "I just wanted to know... how the show went... this morning?"

I think I see a tiny flicker of something resembling hopefulness die in Sam's eyes at my avoidance of the situation but I can't be sure. He cracks a small grin nevertheless, amused.

"Yeah, it was good... really good. I wouldn't recommend appearing on live national TV with a stonking hangover though! Reckon I was still a bit pissed to be honest." He chuckles to himself, rubbing his face briskly with his hands. "Christ I feel rough, sure I must look it too."

A quick appraisal of Sam shows that definitely isn't the case. His hair's a little mussed and he has a dark shadow forming on his chin where he's unshaven, but if anything this hint of ruggedness just adds to his overall attractiveness. I can't help the smugness that washes over me as flashbacks of last night flood my mind.

"No... not at all," I hurriedly say, my smile uncharacteristically coy. "You look good... really good actually. I'm sure no one noticed that you'd been on it last night."

Sam laughs again. "Of course they did, but then I reckon the whole world knows exactly what I was up to last night though thanks to you, eh?"

His voice is tinged with sarcasm, his expression pointed, and I feel my confidence shrinking even more. I start talking immediately, my cheeks growing hotter by the second until I feel like I might burst into flames.

"Look Sam... I am so sorry. I swear I never meant those photos to get out. I'm an idiot. I know it's a poor excuse but I was drunk and I didn't think it through. I guess I was just caught up in the moment and excited to be with you..." I pause, sucking in a quick breath, my voice decreasing in volume until it's nothing more than a sulky murmur as I look down at the tabletop, avoiding Sam's eyes. "If I could go back in time and undo everything I would, believe me."

There's quiet for a moment and I glance up, surprised to see Sam watching me with a small smirk curving his lips. "You'd undo everything that happened last night then, would ya?"

"Not everything," I reply quickly, my own smile emerging tentatively. "I definitely don't regret that... not for a second... even if you do."

Now it's my turn to watch Sam's reactions, curious as to how his feelings might have changed since last night, wondering whether my big mistake means that any chance of a repeat performance is completely off the cards in the future. He holds my gaze for a moment, pensive like he might be considering the same thing. Then suddenly he's sitting forward and leaning towards me, reaching for my hands and entangling them from the coffee cup that I'm still grasping. I'm stunned but I let him entwine his fingers through mine, our clasped hands coming to rest on the table top in a blatantly public display of affection that shocks me even further.

"I like you Arabella... I really do." He smiles, warm and surprisingly sincere. "I'm not gonna lie, when you're in this industry it's really not hard to find a quick hook-up, some of the lasses... you should see 'em! Proper throwing themselves at me!" He pauses, eyes as wide as saucers. "Me of all people! I'm just a bloody normal lad from Shields an' all. Couldn't pull to save me life at school!"

I giggle at his comical expression. "Well... you are famous now, what do you expect?"

"Exactly... and that's just the problem." He sounds exasperated, although I can't for the life of me work out why.

"I thought that was every guy's dream? To be lusted after by loads of girls? You could probably take your pick."

He sighs. He's still holding on to my hands and I surreptitiously glance around, wondering if anyone's noticed that none other than Sam-fucking-Fender's siting here with me now, holding on to me like he's no intention of ever letting me go.

"Like I said, it's dead easy to find a quick fling, a meaningless shag, but what's not easy to find is a real connection with someone that's more than that... someone genuine who sees past all the fame and shit. Someone you can trust..."

Trust...

The word hangs in the air, stirring up the guilt that's still simmering inside from letting Sam down like I did... but hold on... what's he actually saying here? I'm stunned and mildly anxious, trying to make sense of his words.

"You can trust me Sam, if that's what you're saying. I just fucked up the once, that's all. I wouldn't dream of doing it again, but I don't... umm... I'm not errr.... I'm not looking for anything steady... a relationship..."

What the hell am I saying? I'm aware that a million and one girls would be clamouring to be in my position right now, sitting opposite Sam whilst he talks candidly like this, it's just with words like 'trust' and 'real connections' being bandied about I can't help but feel a surge of panic. It's an instinctive reaction that I can't control, my aversion to commitment putting up automatic barriers.

But I needn't have worried. Sam's smiling again, that boyish grin of his that makes his dimples pop. "Ahh, don't worry love, I'm not actually looking for a relationship either... well not in the conventional sense anyway. I've just split up with my long-term girlfriend, see." His face scrunches a little with something I can't identify... regret maybe. "It were the relentless touring, never being at home, all the interviews and appearances, it just got too much. I couldn't give her what she wanted... what she deserved..."

I recall my conversation with Johnny. "Bondy said you were off women... 'no more lasses for me'... I think that's how he put it. Your words apparently."

Sam chuckles, shaking his head. "Yeah well... that was until last night. It's great on tour with all the lads, they're like me best mates, but I miss a bit of female company from time to time." His smile turns mischievous then, a certain twinkle in his eye that makes my pulse quicken. "I enjoyed last night ya know, I mean like I really enjoyed it."

I smirk back at him, playful and seductive. "Me too."

"Which is why..." he begins, leaning further over the table with a nod of his head, urging me to do the same, secretive. I comply.

"Uh-huh?"

"Which is why I wondered if you wanted to come to some sort of... arrangement..." His voice is low, barely audible, his cheeks stained an adorable shade of pink. "I... errr... I don't usually do this kinda thing, but like I said before Arabella, I like you a lot. You said yourself you weren't looking for anything serious, but you're good fun to be around, you make me laugh, you're... sexy as hell..."

His blush deepens and I find my own cheeks heating up again.

"Arrangement?" I repeat and he nods eagerly, a sense of understanding passing between us both. It's only too obvious what he's asking of me, and I can barely contain my excitement.

"You mean like fuck buddies?"

At that exact moment the middle-aged waitress appears with Sam's breakfast order and my coffee and I brazenly meet her look of distaste with a bold and challenging smirk. Sam withdraws his hands like mine are suddenly scalding hot.

"Jesus Arabella, keep ya voice down, would ya?" He hisses once she's out of ear-shot.

I bite down a giggle at his shocked face, grinning widely. "Well... that's what you mean isn't it?"

His shock quickly gives way to laughter and he shakes his head, amused disbelief. "I was thinking more like... friends with benefits actually. We're gonna be seeing a lot of each other so, ya know, if stuff happens then stuff happens..."

"Friends with benefits?" I echo, trying to keep my cool even though there's a whole host of excited fireworks exploding inside me. I definitely wasn't expecting this when Bondy set me up in the sneaky way that he did. I wonder whether he'd still have done what he did if he'd have anticipated this outcome? Probably not... but who knows with Bondy? The man's an enigma and I've still not succeeded in fully working out his motives.

"So...?"

Sam's hopeful eyes and flushed cheeks bring me back to the present and the still unaccepted offer which hangs in the air between us both. He looks nervous but eager as hell and that fact alone is enough to make me want to climb over the table right now and press my lips against his by way of a binding agreement.

I decide on a more subtle approach though, a sweet smile with an edge of wickedness which Sam quickly reciprocates, and a simple reply. "Sounds good to me... sign me up I guess!"

Sam's wearing an expression like all his Christmases have come at once and he picks up his knife and fork and assesses his plate of food.

"We gotta be discreet though," he tells me, skewering a sausage with his fork and lifting it up. "And ya can't tell any of the Catfish lads, not even Bondy... and not Van... especially not Van..." He shakes his head, looking cautious. "And no more sneaky photos to your mates, okay? It'll just get complicated if people find out."

I reach forward, plucking the sausage off his fork with a cheeky grin, bringing it up to my lips in a blatantly suggestive action which makes his eyes bug out of his head.

"Don't worry Sam... it'll be our little secret. No one needs to know."

I take a big bite.

[wefashionablyfutile]

🌟 McFender 🎸🐊 thought this one up on a v long day of travelling 🤠 2 of my fave musical fellas 🎱 will be selling some bits of this vibe when I launch my online shop this Autumn/Winter ⚘ also wish I could design merch for a living tbh 💥🎫

[imwriting0verhere]

Masterlist

Sam Fender x Reader

One-Shots

Absolute Bliss

What's Meant To Be

Birthday Surprise (angst)

Series

“Love Again”

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Johnny Bond x Reader/OFC

One-Shots

Festival Reunion (smut)

3 a.m. Cuppas

Van McCann x Reader

One-Shots

Van turns 32

Birthday Getaway

Painful Memories

[augustusaugustus]

14.5 Villain

ROBBINS: Seems a fair enough chap, your Mr. Meadows. We had a colonel like him in eight, and he’d always hear you out. Give you the benefit of the doubt. Get it wrong a second time, he’d be crawling all over you. I reckon your chief inspector is a bit like that, isn’t he. BOYDEN: You could say that. ROBBINS: Young Skase, though. I don’t think he’s got the patience to be officer material. BOYDEN: (noise of amusement) ROBBINS: Thought as much.

“Podge” is the same dog owned by the old lady who was mugged in 13.101 “This Land Is Ours”.

McCANN: You’re stretching the rules a bit tonight, aren’t you, Sarge? BOYDEN: Seems like the rules’ve been broken anyway. Shame a nice old boy like that has to end his days like this.

This is The Bill at its best, and Matthew at his best—being a quiet, sympathetic ear to those who need it, even if they’re under arrest. Brilliant writing and acting, including from Geoffrey Chater as Robbins. An episode that really kicks you in the guts.

[catb-fics]

Kinktober Writing Challenge

Hi guys welcome to the shit-show which is my first Kinktober Writing Challenge! 🫣 I didn’t manage to write 31 minifics/headcanons and I still need to finish some off but I’m aiming to get 31 completed at some point (hopefully before October 2024!)

Since these got deleted off Wattpad I’m going to post them on here. The masterlist is under the cut and I’ll link them as I post them.

Thank you for reading lovelies, hope you have a good laugh lol 😘 xxx

Masterlist

1. Bad Girl 🖤 Prof Van (spanking)

2. Inside 🩵 Sam Fender (cock-warming)

3. Secretive ❤️ Red Van (thigh-riding)

4. Burning Desire 🧡 Prof Bond (wax play)

5. Truth 💖 I’m with the Band Van (squirting)

6. Sweet Dreams 💙 Ice Cold Van (somnophilia)

7. Daredevil 🩶 Playing Hard to Get Van (exhibitionism)

8. Borrowed Time 💗 Dad Van (69)

9. Limit 🖤 Prof Van (overstimulation)

10. Confession 💜 Pure Van (corruption)

11. Surrender 🩵 Sam Fender (idk… size kink maybe?)

12. Privacy ❤️‍🔥 Devil Next Door Van (voyeurism)

13. Blade 💙 Ice Cold Van (knife play)

14. Cheat ❤️ Red Van (exhibitionism)

15. The Show 🖤 Prof Van (sex toys)

16. Baby Fever 💗 Dad Van (breeding)

17. Anything ❤️ Red Van (edging)

18. Picture Perfect 💖 I’m with the Band Van (sex tape)

19. Connection 💕 Van McCann (phone sex)

20. Poolside 🩶 Playing Hard to Get Van (nipple play) WIP

21. Incentive 🖤 Prof Van (orgasm denial) WIP

23. High 🩶 Playing Hard to Get Van (stoned sex) WIP

23.

24.

25.

26.

27.

28.

29.

30.

31.

I’m open to suggestions for any of the blank numbers!

Kinktober talk

[pacifymebby]

Born To Die <3

If you want to go on a taglist add yourself by replying to this post x

Intro

🐇Chapter One🍎

🌹Chapter Two🔪

🍬Chapter Three🪽

🐇Chapter Four🍎

🌹 Chapter Five🔪

🍬Chapter Six🪽

🐇Chapter Seven🍎

🌹Chapter Eight🔪

🍬Chapter Nine🪽

[okayohay]

Hello everyone!

My fics are eligible to be part of the Wattpad Watty’s this year, which is exciting and also feels weird to discuss haha. So far, The Only Living Boy In New York (Van McCann fic) has been entered and CLOSER (Sam Fender) has also been given the opportunity for entry!

I’ll be re-editing things these next few days and posting some new content BUT any of you who have read/are reading TOLBINY - feel free to comment on chapters, or vote for chapters as you read them to help increase the chances of TOLBINY being a winner! There was a TOLBINY update last night as well!

I realize how dumb this sounds - asking for votes or for you to read my made up story about Van McCann seems ridiculous and makes me want to shudder, but the support in this community has been overwhelming over the last few years and I am happy that even the “fake” content about Van and the band I’ve shared for the years, along with other fic writers, have kept the community alive before the return of the band a few weeks ago.

I appreciate you all who have read, liked and commented over the years and even being eligible for this is a huge honor. Appreciate you guys! ♥️

Read and support “The Only Living Boy in New York” here - https://www.wattpad.com/story/322258537?utm_source=ios&utm_medium=link&utm_content=story_info&wp_page=story_details&wp_uname=yelyahb

[rabid-dog-steve-horn]

Cereal Mascot Therapy Session

[vanmccannsfridge]

think this is a good day to bring these back, the best crossover ever

[thesearenotphotographs]

SPRINTS and Slow Fiction at Zone One at Elsewhere

On Friday, March 22, 2024, Dublin, Ireland’s SPRINTS headlined their second show at Zone One at Elsewhere in Brooklyn, NY and were joined by local act, Slow Fiction.

SPRINTS’ debut album, Letter to Self was released by City Slang Records back in January and I have been listening to it often since then. The press release for their first single, “Heavy,” mentioned guitarist/vocalist Karla Chubb being inspired by Bauhaus and PJ Harvey’s Is This Desire? and as a fan of both of these things, I stopped reading the rest of the email and immediately went to check out the video, which I loved. In addition to their music, SPRINTS were one of the Irish bands to withdraw from their SXSW showcases recently, so suffice to say, I was very excited to attend their live show in Brooklyn last night.

For the final three shows of their US tour, SPRINTS were joined by Brooklyn’s Slow Fiction, an indie rock quintet that gave a lovely, moody contrast to SPRINTS highly energetic post punk set that came afterwards. During SPRINTS’ set part of me wished Death by Audio (RIP) still existed here as it would have been a perfect place for them.

Photos of both acts now appear in a gallery on my website here, and may thanks to the members of SPRINTS for being game to have me create portraits of them before the show, and to Lucy, Jeanette and Bianca for their help in making it happen. SPRINTS’ US tour concludes tonight in Washington, DC.

[icouldntfindquiet]

I love that book. 😂

Video // Sam Fender // 🐛 Edit

[your-divine-ribs]

I’m With the Band Part 20

Words: 3.2k

I’m With the Band Masterlist Main Masterlist

"This your room then?" Sam stops just inside the door, looking around in an uncertain fashion.

"Nah, it's Bondy's," I reply, grinning as I see puzzlement cloud his face, nudging him with my elbow. "Of course it's mine, silly!"

"Aah," he chuckles. "That figures. Couldn't see Bondy wearing that to bed I guess."

He nods towards the delicate baby pink silk slip that lies strewn on top of the cotton sheets that I'd slung there earlier when I'd been rummaging through my overnight bag. I'm especially pleased that I bought it with me now. Originally I wondered whether maybe Van would be the one to hitch it up around my hips whilst he pounded into me or maybe Johnny would be running his hands over the silken material, sliding one of the thin straps off my shoulder as he kissed the bare skin there, but this end to the night is entirely unexpected... but very welcome.

"Don't you think pink's his colour then?" I giggle, snatching it up off the bed and holding it against myself.

"Nah, it'll definitely look better on you love."

I can see in his eyes that he's already picturing me wearing it despite the hint of shyness that seems to have afflicted him the moment the hotel room door shut, leaving us both alone for the first time all night.

"Well, let's see then shall we?" I say, immediately tossing the slip back down on the bed and grabbing the hem of my dress, starting to pull it upwards.

"Woah!" Sam exclaims, shielding his eyes with a hand and then whirling around quickly. "You should 'ave given me a warning. I'd have given you some privacy like."

I'm surprised and amused, but it's actually quite pleasant to be in the company of a man who's not pawing at me the first chance that he gets for once.

"Oh don't worry, I'm not shy!"

"Ah can bloody see that!" He replies, chuckling with disbelief, then his laughter dies away and I watch him shift his weight from foot to foot, his hands running over his jeans like he doesn't know quite what to do with them. He's clearly nervous and I feel a sense of empowerment.

"Anyway... what d'ya reckon the lads'll say about me being here... ya know... with you."

My dress has been slipped over my head now and cast into a pile on the floor, and I unclasp my bra which swiftly joins it. I smile to myself about my lack of panties, remembering the reason that I'd shed them in the first place.

"It's not really any of their business, is it?"

"Aye, I know, but they still might not like it. Ya said about 'em looking out for their mate's little cousin an' all. They might think I'm taking advantage of ya or something."

I have to bite back a laugh as I pull the slip on over my head, letting it slide down over my curves. The sumptuous material clings in all the right places and I just know I look good in it without even casting my eye over the mirror that's hanging on the far wall, but when I do finally look I catch Sam's eye in it. It's only then that I realise that despite the gentlemanly gesture of averting his eyes, he's likely been watching me the whole time. He quickly looks down, clearing his throat nervously, but not before I catch the slight flush on his cheeks.

"I'd hardly say you were taking advantage of me, would you?"

I step towards him and he turns around, his eyes quickly running over my frame before they fix on mine.

"Nah... nah, I... err... I guess not, it's just... errr... people might get the wrong idea. The lads... we're all mates like, well, me and Bondy are anyway. We go way back. I don't wanna cause any trouble... any bad feeling."

He stumbles over his words and I think how cute he looks with his shy, slight crooked grin on his lips, his blue eyes wide and eager, his hands darting about animatedly all over the place as he talks.

"Do you always worry about what other people think?" I say, stepping closer still until I'm only a footstep away from him, looking up at him through my lashes. "If you know Bondy well then you'll know how chilled he is, and as for the others... well, they don't need to know anything, do they?"

I reach for his hands and he immediately entwines his fingers through mine, pulling me even closer in a swift motion which surprises me. Despite his cautiousness he's keen, I can tell. I could tell he desired me as soon as he laid eyes on me. Even though he's a famous recording artist with hordes of female fans he's just not used to doing this, picking up a girl and bedding her on the very same night.

"You're something else Arabella, ya really are," he muses, his eyes glowing with appreciation. "It's just... I don't usually do this kinda thing."

"Don't worry, I won't hold it against you," I smirk.

His lips part to utter a reply, but I don't even give him a chance to form the words. I pull his hands which are still entwined with mine around my waist in one swift motion and push myself up on to my tiptoes at the same time, leaning in to him. Our lips mash together, clumsily at first, our teeth clashing.

"Ah shit!" Sam chuckles and I giggle into his mouth, urging him to just shut up and kiss me.

And he does, his shyness falling away as desire takes over. His lips are soft and pliant, his tongue hesitant at first as it swipes against mine. He lets out a small sigh which travels straight to my core and I release his hands quickly, my own travelling upwards to the nape of his neck, pulling him in, needing him closer.

I hadn't realised at first that we were on the move, but as we kiss Sam's been inching us both backwards. He pulls away as we come to a stop, his hands roaming over my hips, caressing me through the silky material. We're next to the bed, and Sam glances down at it before he looks at me, full of want but there's wariness there.

"Is this alright? I mean, is this what ya want?" He asks.

I nod my head, dropping my hands to his shoulders and firmly exerting pressure, urging him to sit. "Uh-huh, of course it is. I like you Sam... a lot."

"But we've only just met tonight. Don't wantcha to think I'm only after one thing!"

I have to hold in the giggle which threatens to bubble up, surprised and touched by Sam's thoughtfulness, the way he's holding back despite his obvious lust. I'd already clocked the growing bulge in his jeans as I'd pressed myself into him as we'd kissed, I'd noted the eagerness in his eyes. His shyness and hesitance just makes me want him all the more though.

"Look... the way I see it is this is just one night, but who knows from there..."

He sits down on the bed and looks up at me, his hands gently kneading at my hips, the fabric of my slip bunching up. I thread the fingers of one hand through his hair, placing the other under his chin to tilt his face up even more to mine. He really is gorgeous, his chiselled features accentuated by the dim glow of the bedside lamp.

"You're beautiful ya know," he breathes, and he pulls me even closer, angling my hips towards him, his lips puckering up a second before they connect with the silk of my slip just below my navel, before his fingers slide it slowly upwards, exposing me to him. He lets out a shaky breath.

"Really fucking beautiful," he sighs, gazing upon me, planting another kiss on my bare skin this time, his lips dragging over my hip bone, shivering me through.

Then he's scattering small kisses all over my flesh, each one getting closer to his ultimate goal. I realise that I'm holding my breath as he inches closer to my heat, anticipation buzzing through me. Then his mouth is on me as he presses a kiss just above my clit, and he doesn't pull back this time, his tongue darting out to brush against my sensitive nub.

"Sam," I gasp, the hand in his hair tangling in the scruffy curls, my head tipping back as he explores me with his mouth, each movement sending shockwaves of pleasure up my spine.

He's soft and gentle with less of Van's confidence but just as much keenness to please. His hands slide from my hips around to my ass, kneading at my flesh, pulling me closer to him. I moan from the blissful feeling as his tongue flicks over my clit, still sensitive from my previous climax. I know it won't take me long to reach my peak and I push my hips forward, grinding softly against his face. He lets out a small moan, delighted in my eagerness and it sends heavenly vibrations through my core, bringing me closer still.

I breath his name again, which tapers off into an urgent moan as he purses his lips around my clit and starts to suck gently, pulling me impossibly closer like he means to drown in me.

I screw my eyes shut tight, my head lolling back as stars start to burst behind my eyelids, the divine swells of my orgasm starting to wrack my body. I tremble through it, Sam not letting up until my tremors subside, and then I have to pull myself away as the sensitivity takes over.

"Fucking hell," I whisper as he grasps at my hips, pulling me down so I'll straddle him on the bed.

"That alright then?" He cheekily smirks up at me, his lips glistening with my arousal, his eyes bright.

I don't answer with words but press my lips against his, capturing them in a passionate kiss, tasting myself on him. I need more, pushing him back against the bed as we kiss and Sam complies, falling back and taking me with him as I grind myself against the hardness that I can feel straining against his jeans.

"Mmm... want you..." I murmur into his mouth, feeling his lips curve into a smile as he pulls the slip up and over my body. "Wanna ride you."

"Fuck yeah... I want that too."

I can feel his hips twitching beneath me, eager to be inside me so I waste no time in pulling myself into a seated position in his lap, ridding myself completely of my slip and starting to tug at the hem of his t-shirt. He takes over, impatient, sitting up to enable himself to shed his top and I move aside to allow him to unfasten his jeans which quickly get pulled down his legs with his boxers, his hard cock springing free.

I feel desirable and powerful as I gaze down on him, seeing him lying there ready for me, naked and hard for me and enticingly inviting, his expression showing so much lust. It pools in his eyes, a desperate kind of longing as I fix him with a seductive look, eyes roaming over his naked form as I move to straddle his lap once again, wrapping my fingers tightly around his cock.

He lets out a needy groan, bucking himself into my hand, yearning to feel more. Not that I'm planning on making him wait, the anticipation of feeling him inside me spurring me on to hover over him, guiding the tip of his cock to my entrance, sighing loudly as he enters me, the slick from my arousal easing him in as I sink down on to him.

Sam groans from the sensation, his face creasing in pleasure as I come to rest fully in his lap, steadying myself by placing my palms on his chest and leaning forward to plant a lingering kiss on his lips.

"You're incredible," he whispers as I pull away. He looks intoxicated by me, and again I feel that empowerment of being desired. All that lust and need and want etched on his features as I begin to move my hips, a slow, steady rotation as I slide myself up and down his length, gasping as I push myself down fully and he hits that sweet spot deep inside.

"Mmm so are you... feels so good."

He feels amazing inside me, his thickness stretching me out, his lean but muscular physique taut beneath my fingers as I press down on his chest to give me more leverage to buck against him. He's grasping my hips, pulling my body down to meet his upward thrusts, grunting and groaning deliciously as he fucks up into me, his eyes never leaving mine, burning into me with so much intensity. I look right back, transfixed by the way the pleasure contorts his features, my own face twisting as I moan and whimper as he hits just the right spot inside me time and time again.

I want him to last, I feel like I could go on all night experiencing this heavenly pleasure, but as I feel his hips stuttering beneath me, his breaths getting harsh and choppy, his fingers digging furrows into my hips, I know that he's close. I buck my hips harder, chasing my own high which I can feel simmering inside, bringing a hand quickly to the apex of my thighs and rubbing my clit in tight, quick circles, mewling in pleasure.

The sight of me grinding on top of him, head thrown back and breasts swaying as I bring myself to my peak is too much for Sam and I feel him start to shudder beneath me, groaning low and deep as he releases warm and wet inside me. His whole body tenses as he curses lowly under his breath.

"Ah fuck," I breathe, hips trembling as he knocks my hand away, replacing it with his own, his fingers dancing expertly over the dewy flesh between my thighs, eager to be the one to tip me over the edge of my own high. I gasp as I fall, the strength of my peak taking me by surprise, the sensitivity heightened by my third orgasm of the night, body shaking as I ride out the swells until I collapse on top of him, panting and breathless, burying my head into the crook of his neck.

We both lie there for a moment, feeling the thundering of each other's heartbeats against our own, bodies still fused, pressed tightly together, our laboured breaths filling the air.

When Sam finally speaks he lets it out on a quick rush of an exhale, full of awe-filled appreciation.

"Wow! That was... fuck... I don't even have the words!"

I can't help the giggle that swells up inside me and bursts free, and I bury my head further into his chest, soaking up his warmth, murmuring that I was just thinking the same. His chest rises and falls with his own laughter, a warm, hearty sound. I ease myself off him gently, feeling the sticky trickle of his release on my inner thighs, loathe to leave him but reluctantly peeling myself away nevertheless.

"Hey, don't go," he pleads, his fingers tightening their grip around my waist, relenting finally as I slide off of him on to the bed, sitting up and reaching for the closest item of clothing which just happens to be his t-shirt, pulling it quickly over my head.

"Don't worry, I won't be long," I assure him, getting to my feet. "Need the loo, that's all. Van went and bagged the master bedroom with the en-suite, typical of him, he always gets in there first."

I roll my eyes, my smile quickly fading as I see a darkness flash in Sam's eyes at the mere mention of Van’s name, cringing inside as my story of him harassing me rolls through my mind. I just know it's going to come back to haunt me, my desperation at the time to get Sam alone impairing my good judgement. Van's smug cockiness in thinking he can satisfy me and claim me as his own is irritating for sure, but he's never pushed it so far that I’ve ever felt uncomfortable in his presence. In fact it's entirely the opposite and I welcome his advances, relishing the game that we both play, thriving on the feeling of being desired. It's what I live for.

Thankfully Sam doesn't pursue it, the clouds clearing quickly as his usual cheeky smile surfaces once more. He peels back the covers, slipping underneath and manoeuvring himself so that he's propped up, leaning back against the headboard. "Well, don't be long, eh? I'll keep the bed warm for ya."

I smile at him as I turn away. I’d wondered whether he'd linger after our tryst or make awkward excuses to slip away, and to be honest I wouldn't have minded either way, but the thought of cuddling up next to Sam sets off an unexpected warm glow inside. It's been a while since I’ve spent the whole night with a guy, my hook ups back home usually cooling before my body heat's even evaporated from the bedsheets. It's what I’ve always wanted before, my interest quickly dwindling when the fire between my legs has been sated, quickly ushering whoever's had the pleasure of my company out of the door before they even have the chance to think about settling.

These indie boys are making me soft...

I try not to dwell on the unwelcome thought as I reach for the door handle, creaking it open slowly before peeping cautiously out. The hotel room's quiet but I can hear muted voices drifting in from the terrace as some party-goers still linger.

There's a clear path to the bathroom so I slip out, closing the door softly behind me, glancing around and freezing when I see a tall figure in black. It's only Benji though, sleepy, drunk expression on his face as he turns to me, raising up a hand.

"Ahh there you are. Van's been looking for you, ya know. Told him you'd probably gone off to bed but he wasn't having any of it."

"Yeah, decided to call it a night. I'm really tired, it just came over me all of a sudden!"

Benji grins lopsidedly. "Must be all that champagne, it's gone right to my head too. Van thinks you've gone off partying in the city with Sam and Dean and all that lot, Joe was on about some club before he left..."

"Just tell him I've had a early night, would you? Don't want him barging into my room when I'm trying to get to sleep."

Benji's attention is taken momentarily as he looks past me, swaying unsteadily as he reaches out to steady himself against the wall. "I'm off to bed too myself before I collapse. You can tell him yourself, he's right there... night Bella."

Oh crap....

My gut clenches as I glance down, realising too late that I’m wearing Sam's t-shirt, bracing myself as I slowly turn around to see Van striding towards me with an eager look on his face.