#alternative timeline album covers

[floatingskull]

[captain-hawks]

hi dee, merry christmas eve eve.

if you’re still taking drabble requests, i propose reuniting with famous ex-bf sae at a hometown xmas party

i don’t forgive you (but please don’t hold me to it) 🎀 itoshi sae x f!reader

4k — 18+, exes to lovers, infidelity (not sae x reader’s relationship), fingering, unprotected p in v, creampie, praise kink, oral fixation, finger sucking, angst with a hopeful ending, playing fast and loose with sae’s timeline, timeskip

a/n: i listened to phoebe bridgers - punisher (the album) on repeat nonstop while writing this. recommended for the vibes!

“I knew you hated me. But I didn’t realize just how much until tonight.”

A voice interrupts the silence on the back porch of the Itoshi household, its owner someone that you’ve spent the better part of the night avoiding. Your tongue caresses the back of your teeth, fingers subtly tightening their grip against the wooden railing. 

It feels like it might snow.

“Since when do you come back here for Christmas? Did you need to come sign some hometown autographs to boost your ego?” you ask, voice dripping with sarcasm as you stare out into the dark backyard, rather than turning your gaze to the ghost now standing beside you. 

Itoshi Sae laughs, and the sound cracks against your ribcage like a whip.

It reverberates against the grooves and fissures that still linger there, ones that might as well have been carved by his own hand. It races through you like a cold wind. It makes your lungs burn. 

You find it difficult to breathe for a moment.

And it takes everything in you to appear as unbothered by it all as you wish you were. As you’d like him to believe. 

“I heard from Rin that you’re working on your master’s degree now.”

That’s not any of your goddamn business, you think to yourself. 

“Rin has a big mouth—and since when are you two on speaking terms?”

Sae shrugs, leaving you to stew for a moment as you try to decide whether or not to be annoyed that Rin neglected to share that pertinent bit of information with you.

To be fair, the nearest object usually becomes a projectile weapon by your hand whenever the mention of Rin even having a brother comes up in conversation though. 

At the very least, you’ve stayed close with one of the Itoshi brothers.

And it’s bad enough that you have to dodge Sae’s stupidly famous name like the plague any time you dare to indulge in any piece of football media for Rin’s sake. Fuck him for being so good. 

(At least, that’s what you try to tell yourself. Rather than believing the alternative—that you’re just pathetically hyper aware of Sae in his absence, of all the space he left behind in your life. That five years later, you’re still slowly bleeding out from something that shattered into so many pieces, you don’t think you’ll ever find the last sliver.)

Inhaling sharply, you finally turn to face him. 

It’s not fair, not really—what the sight of him still does to you, even now. Even after all this time. 

Sae’s hair is tousled in a purposeful way, and his eyes are still as sharp as ever. He’s wearing sleek boots and fitted, dark wash jeans, his upper half covered by a jacket that’s likely as expensive as it appears.

He looks far better than he has any right to while you’re standing out here wearing a silly, ugly Christmas sweater that’s an annual staple of Itoshi holiday parties (your parents have been neighbors with them since you were a kid, so you know the drill by now). 

You try not to think about how you fell in love for the first time with the man standing five steps away from you here, between this dark backyard and the one nestled beside it. Beneath the shade of towering oak trees, in the plush grass on warm summer days with sticky popsicle fingers and sweat-slick skin. 

About how terribly you missed him when he left for Spain.

How you didn’t fully understand what you felt until he came back to Japan after you graduated high school. 

How you fell in love with him all over again. 

How he kissed you for the first time in this very spot, with one hand on your waist and the other cupping your cheek. You remember the way this very railing felt as it pressed into your back, the humid summer air and the buzz of the cicadas and the fireflies that winked in and out of sight around you. 

How you fell a little more in love with him every day over the four years that followed.

And you remember that you were standing here when Sae called you five years ago and told you that he’d cancelled his flight. That he wouldn’t be home for Christmas. 

That he didn’t think things were working anymore.

You couldn’t have disagreed more, but he didn’t give you a chance to argue. 

“Why are you here, Sae?”

He looks out into the darkness beyond in the yard before turning back to you. “Rin said you’re engaged.”

Self-consciously, you tuck the hand adorned with said diamond ring into your pocket. 

Sae’s eyes track the movement. 

“And?”

“That was quick,” he says calmly. 

The anger that rears up inside of you is so quick and sudden, you hardly have a chance to reign it in. 

“We’ve been together for two years. When you know, you know,” you shrug, ignoring the raw feeling at the back of your throat as you push the words out. 

Sae’s quiet for a moment, taking the subtle jab for what it is. “Where is he tonight?”

This time, you don’t hold back. “What, were you hoping to be politely introduced as the reason why I was a fucking emotionally unstable mess when he met me?”

His facial expression flickers. “I’m not going to apologize for not letting you continue to burn yourself out juggling a long distance relationship and a university degree between time zones. For not letting you choose me over your dream internship.”

“So you broke up with me over the phone three days before Christmas and mailed me all of my shit and went radio silent for five years? To show how much you cared about me?”

Sae takes two steps forward, shortening the distance between the two of you with tangible purpose. 

“You would have tried to talk me out of it, to come up with a solution that wouldn’t have worked.”

You nod, voice bordering on a frantic laugh. “So you made the choice for both of us. Because you know best.”

“Do you think I wasn’t hurting?”

Turning away, you wrap your arms around yourself, the cold finally seeping in past the adrenaline pumping through your veins, sinking into your bones in a way that makes you ache. 

“The only thing that could possibly hurt you is football.”

This time, it’s Sae that laughs, but it’s less amused and more self-deprecating now. And without warning, something heavy and warm settles around your shoulders, the musky scent of cologne enveloping you. 

Sae comes to stand in front of you, leaving you wearing his jacket. 

He’s wearing the goddamn stupid, ugly Christmas sweater with a dog on it that you bought for him years ago. 

“You’re wrong,” he says quietly, breath coming out as a white, whispy cloud of condensation. 

You wish you were. 

Ripping off his jacket, you shove it back into his arms before storming back inside, heart on the verge of pounding its way out of your chest and through the slats on the deck to burrow into the dirt below. 

—

You manage to avoid Sae for the next hour or so, mingling amongst other party guests and pointedly ignoring all of the excited chatter about the footballer’s festive homecoming. 

Rin doesn’t push, not in front of everyone, but you can tell by the concerned way he keeps glancing over at you that he’s aware you and Sae have talked. 

It’s only on your way to use the upstairs bathroom, hoping to glean a moment of quiet after your time out on the porch was so spectacularly ruined, that you find yourself distracted. 

There’s a dim light on in Sae’s childhood bedroom. 

And this is where he finds you again, standing frozen in the doorway and staring at the constellations projected on the walls by the small sphere-shaped lamp sitting on the desk in the corner of his room. 

The two of you used to lie on his bedroom floor for hours staring at the stars on his ceiling. 

“Does he make you happy?”

You’re expecting it this time when you hear Sae’s voice.

“Do you feel that’s any of your business?” you ask tiredly. 

He slowly walks past you into the room, sweater and jacket both seemingly discarded downstairs. He’s stripped down to a white t-shirt now, hands stuffed in the pockets of his jeans. 

“I made myself let you go so that you could be with someone who would make you as happy as you deserve. I don’t think I deserve your answer, but I’d like to know.”

You curl your toes against the carpet beneath your feet—just like you used to every time a silly teenage confession for him was trembling on the tip of your tongue. 

Your engagement ring feels cool and heavy on your finger. 

You hate him, hate this. Hate this effortless vice grip he still has on your weak heart. 

“You made me happy,” you tell him, voice hardly above a whisper. 

You hate that you know he made the right choice. 

Sae blinks. 

You would have left everything behind for him—school, your career, your future. 

You were content with weekends spent tangled up in hotel rooms between his games, with failed exams and missed assignments and a life spent in suitcases. 

“Aren’t you dating that model?” you blurt out, scrambling for something. Anything. 

He nods but doesn’t offer anything else. 

“Well, why didn’t you bring her here?” It’s a battle to keep your voice steady. 

“I didn’t want to.”

He—

“What, you didn’t want her to see you jealous if I brought my fiancé?” you joke. 

Sae lets out a huff of air—it might be a laugh.

“Something like that,” he responds quietly, gaze shifting to the window.

“Tell me why you’re here,” you say again.

The sound of voices climbing the stairs floats through the open door, and you step further into the room, pushing it closed and locking it behind you before crossing your arms. You’d rather not be interrupted by his drunk aunts. 

“I wanted to know how it would feel.”

You tilt your head. “How what would feel?”

He gestures to your hand, to the new diamond just hardly glinting in the low light. “Seeing a ring on your finger, knowing I didn’t put it there myself.”

The ground beneath your feet feels marginally less solid as your gut churns and your nerves sway. Your teeth sink into your cheek, pain blossoming as you bite down. 

“And?”

Sae runs a hand through his hair. 

“I hate it.” 

It’s blunt and raw, the way the words slide off of his tongue. And he stares at you when it says it, refusing to break eye contact. You take a step toward him, no reasonable explanation for the movement beyond the fucked up magnetism that still pulls you toward this false promise of true north. 

“Why, would you have gotten me something nicer?”

It’s dizzying, this conversation. The way words keep coming out of your mouth unbidden, filling the gaps in years worth of silence. Stroking a bruise, scraping a scar. 

“You hate gold,” he replies evenly, and your hand subconsciously goes to your neck. To where a silver chain sat for years before you finally tore it off and threw it in an envelope marked with Sae’s address. 

His eyes wordlessly track the movement. 

“Do I?”

He steps toward you, closing the dwindling gap further. And you swear you can feel it—a subtle charge in the air. 

Sae nods, reaching out to lightly take your hand in his. He holds it up to inspect. “And this diamond’s too big. Too square. You like small stones, something vintage.”

He’s right. 

You stare at him, all too aware of the familiar feeling of his skin against your own. 

“You sound confident.”

He knows he’s right. 

And he doesn’t falter. “There’s been a ring sitting in a small, velvet box in the back of my closet for five years. I haven’t forgotten what it looks like.”

A—

Words die feebly in your throat as you weakly croak, “—what?”

Sae sits down on the edge of his bed, looking down at his own hands. “I had it all planned out. I was so fucking nervous, it was ridiculous. And then I woke up that morning and realized that I was being selfish trying to tie you down to me permanently.”

He meets your gaze as you stare back at him, dumbfounded. Your knees feel weak.

“You were going to propose?”

Sae nods.

You move to stand in front of him, your socked feet nudging his own. “Did you fly all the way home to finally tell me that?”

He looks up at you. “I don’t know.”

You’re not sure what happens first—the brush of your knees against his own or the spreading of his thighs. But you find yourself between his legs all the same, denim resting against your sheer stockings and the fabric of your skirt.

“What am I supposed to do with this information, Sae?”

His eyes burn through you. 

“Tell me to get rid of the ring. Tell me you want nothing to do with me. Tell me you hate me.”

His words strike like flint against the raw edges of your nerves.

“I hate you,” you tell him, even as you reach out let your fingers ghost along the curve of his jaw.

Sae’s eyes fall shut, and he leans into your touch.

You let your hand slide higher, into the soft locks of his hair. 

His intake of breath is audible.

“I hate that you left me. I hate that you made the choice without me. I hate that you were right, because I never would have come this far in my career, and I never would have gone this far with my education.”

“I’m sorry—” His voice comes out hoarse, and he collapses forward, head pressed against your abdomen.

“I hate that I still love you, even now. Even after all this time.”

Sae’s arms wrap around the backs of your legs even as he mumbles, “Don’t say that.”

You feel like you could catch fire at any moment. 

“Why not?”

He shifts his head, rubbing his face against the bottom edge of your sweater, and the material rides up just enough to expose a sliver of skin. 

“I don’t deserve to hear it.”

You drag your hand to the back of his head, tugging the hair there to tilt his chin upward to meet your gaze once more. Your heart lurches in your chest at the sight before you.

“Probably not, but you decided to kick off honesty hour, so.”

Sae tips his head back downward, his breath hot where his mouth rests against the bare skin above the waist of your skirt.

“I wish you’d tell me not to touch you.”

You shiver. “Should I?”

“Yeah,” he breathes out.

You don’t answer him as every reasonable part of you goes quiet, drowned out by the blood rushing in your ears and the reckless desire that shamelessly shudders its way down your spine.

“And if I don’t?”

It’s pointed this time, the way Sae’s lips press to your stomach in an open-mouthed kiss. 

Logically, you know this isn’t right—standing here between your ex-boyfriend’s legs in the darkness of his childhood bedroom. Not with an engagement ring on your finger. Not when he’s got a girlfriend waiting on him somewhere. Not when this well should be dry, this bridge should be burned.

The bruise should be gone and the scar should be healed.

But—

But you’ve known him more than half of your life.

And for as much as the past five years have hurt—

For as much as you’ve missed him.

For as much as you’ve wanted to forget him.

For as much as you want to hate him.

—you’ve never regretted anything when it comes to Itoshi Sae.

Not once.

You climb onto the bed, straddling Sae’s lap. He reaches up, pointer finger curling beneath your chin as his thumb presses against the edge of your bottom lip.

“I can’t promise I’ll be a good man if you don’t tell me to stop,” he murmurs.

Your pulse quickens, and you part your lips slightly, heat flooding your gut as Sae slides his thumb into your mouth. 

This is a terrible idea.

You flick your tongue against the tip of the digit, and he holds your gaze as he slowly pulls his thumb back out.

“I want you to touch me,” you finally say.

Sae’s other hand, now resting at the base of your spine, slides up your back, stopping once he’s cupping the back of your head. He leans in, forehead resting against your own.

You’re maddeningly aware of every single spot his body is touching yours.

“Say it again.”

You let your nose brush against the side of his as you murmur, “Touch me, Sae.”

It drags all of the air from your lungs—the feeling of Sae’s lips crashing into yours.

His mouth greets you like a long-lost lover, like a dog-eared page. Like worn in soles and the perpetual creak in the step at the bottom of the stairs. 

His lips move with the purpose of car tires down a street you’ve known most of your life. With the muscle memory of feet across a childhood home in the dark. 

Tongue dancing against the seam of your mouth, your lips part for him, desire and longing cresting in equal measure as he grasps your hips and pulls you impossibly closer.

Sae kisses you like he hasn’t kissed you in five years.

He kisses you like no time has passed at all.

He kisses you like he wants to tell you something more between tongues and teeth, between slick saliva and gasping breaths. 

You don’t mean for it to come out so desperate, so needy—the way you breathe out his name when he takes your bottom lip between his teeth and bites and sucks his way to the edge before letting go.

“Sae.”

You hardly have time to register the way the room spins when Sae’s grip on you shifts, your back softly colliding with the mattress as you find him staring down at you. 

“Do you want me to stop?” he asks.

You shake your head, and he moves backward, pushing up your skirt, spreading your legs and settling down between your thighs. In the meantime, you slip off your sweater and toss it aside. Sae watches you do it, watches the way the tight black tank top you’re wearing underneath clings to your body, the way your peaked nipples sit on display through the fabric of your thin bralette. 

The heat that licks within your abdomen flares white-hot when he drags a thumb against your mound, your stockings already damp from the arousal soaking through your underwear.

There’s a slight tug in the material, followed by a ripping sound.

“Really?”

“There was already a hole.”

“You’re lying.”

Sae shrugs, but he doesn’t look sorry about it. “Yeah.”

You don’t have a chance to give him a hard time about ripping your stockings, not when you’re suddenly met with the feeling of two of his fingers sliding through the slick, creamy folds of your bare, soaked slit. 

“Sae,” you whine.

The bed creaks when you buck your hips upward while he circles his middle finger around the outer edges of your fluttering hole.

“You have to be quiet,” he murmurs, staring at you intently as he slowly slides a finger into your tight channel. 

You try to swallow it down, the moan that dangles at the edges of your lips while the slender digit slips deeper into your cunt. But as you tightly grasp the sheets on either side of you, it’s a lost cause when he pulls it out, only to stuff it back in up to the last knuckle. 

Sae’s mouth closes over yours, tongue sliding in past your lips in a messy, spit soaked kiss. You moan into it as he slowly finger fucks you, one digit becoming two, his thumb stroking your swollen, aching clit with each stroke, with every thrust. 

“Always loved how wet you get for me,” he rasps before capturing your tongue between his lips and sucking on it, the sounds nearly as filthy as the slick, creamy squelch of your cunt around his fingers.

You gasp, spine arching, thighs spreading wider as you rock into his touch, hands stretching downward until they brush the stiff press of Sae’s erection against the zipper of his jeans.

He groans into your mouth before pulling back, murmuring against your lips. “Are you sure—”

You squeeze his cock through his pants in return, kissing him again. 

Sae’s exhale is labored as he extricates his drenched fingers from your pussy just long enough to kick off his jeans and boxer briefs, leaving both in a discarded pile on the floor as he climbs back on top of you.

Your soaked panties and stockings are a lost cause by now, not worth the battle of peeling off, not when the torn hole allows him to rub the leaking head of his cock against your slit all the same. Tears of pleasure prick at the corners of your eyes as stares down at you while he eases his shaft into the grip of your cunt inch by inch, until he’s balls deep and your legs are wrapped around his waist tugging him impossibly deeper. 

“Fuck,” he gasps, one hand splayed at the back of your head, the other sliding up your shirt and beneath your bra to palm at your breasts.

Just the sensation of his thumb stroking its way across one of your pebbled nipples alone has you twitching beneath him, cunt grinding against the base of his shaft. Your muscles tremble with pleasure as Sae pulls out of you, only to rock back in. The room echoes with the wet sounds of your pussy swallowing his cock, the accompanying little moans begging to trickle out past your lips silenced by the two fingers he slides into your mouth in turn.

Because Sae hasn’t forgotten any of the little ways to take you apart, not at all.

There’s no apprehension in the way you shamelessly suck on his fingers, a trail of drool spilling out past your lips and dripping down your chin, the arousal churning between your legs going molten. 

“Good girl,” he murmurs—if for no reason other than the fact that he knows what it’ll do to you.

And the way your pussy clenches down on his cock makes it abundantly clear.

The corner of Sae’s mouth lifts, caught somewhere between a smirk and a rueful smile. It’s the satisfaction that he still knows you, that this is more than just muscle memory. 

He knows you like the stars know the night sky.

Like the shore knows the tide.

He kisses you again, languid and deep. Like this means so much more than a quick fuck on a cold December night caught in the throes of the liminal space of his childhood bedroom.

Like this means so much more than finally ending it where it all began.

“I love you,” Sae gasps against your lips as he thrusts into you.

The coil wrapped tightly in your gut unfurls, rapid and quick, and a scorching wave of pleasure washes over you as your cunt spasms and contracts around his length.

“I love you, too,” you choke out, bordering on a sob, and Sae’s fingers brush away the tear that slips down your cheek as he fucks you through your climax.

You can feel when he’s on the verge of pulling out, and you shake your head. His lips crash back into yours with a rough groan as his cock pulses inside of you, spilling rope after rope of thick, hot cum deep in your cunt.

Sae eventually collapses beside you, rather than climbing off of the bed, and he pulls you to his chest. You lie there like that for a moment before slowly sitting up, and he watches you quietly as you raise both hands, grasping your occupied ring finger. The sound of metal clinking against wood echoes in the silence of Sae’s bedroom as you turn to the nightstand before laying back down beside him.

He takes your now-empty hand in his, pressing his lips to the heel of your palm. 

Like the shore knows the tide.

[heybaetae]

hi kelli i love the gif set you made for jimin's birthday especially the "choose your album" one. is it possible you could give a tutorial or show how you made the effect? or the imessage one too its so cute!! only if you want!!

thanks anon 💛🥺 that's the first gif i started with when i started making the set because i wanted to make sure i could execute it well lol. i can break it down and show you how i made those, but i won't call it a tutorial since it might be messy lol. i also didn't come up with the concepts, so please note that i took inspo from gifs in sets like this, this, this, and this. since i didn't have any templates for these overlays, i referenced those as a guide for making my own.

i'll put this under a read more because it might be long.

we'll start with this one!!

there are three main things going on in this gif that i'll focus on: a playlist overlay, a cross-fade transition between mutliple elements (background gif, album logos, and years), and the "selected album" switching in conjunction with the transition.

i like to organize all my layers into groups and label them so i can find everything easily if i need to make adjustments, so here is what my layers palette looks like for the finished gif.

i'll break down everything starting from the bottom since that's how you build things in photoshop.

the background gif is two gifs with the same amount of frames and similar camera movement because i thought the transition would look cool if the shot was circling around jimin in both gifs. i applied my sharpen and noise settings to each gif's smart layer, then put them both on the same timeline track. next, i dragged the cross fade transition with the fastest speed (0.25 s) onto the timeline between my gifs.

then i added a few adjustment layers to make it black and white with some contrast and grouped those into a folder labeled as "b&w psd" to keep it organized.

now time for the overlay group!

starting with the "player" folder first, here's what's inside.

two smart objects and a text layer.

the "square outline" layer is essentially just a square that i selected with the marquee tool, then applied a new color fill with the fill at 0% opacity. then i added a 2px white stroke to it, which left me with just an outline of a square. i converted that to a smart object.

the "arrows" layer, i just used the eclipse shape tool (no fill, 2px white stroke) and some custom shape arrows inside. i duplicated those shapes, flipped them, then positioned each skip button where i wanted them before coverting them both to a single smart object as well.

then i added my "choose your album" text at the top of the square, selected around it with the marquee tool on the "square outline" layer, and applied a layer mask to erase where the outline cut through it. i made this all as centered as possible and made these three layers the same length as my background gif on the timeline.

onto the "abums" folder, here's what's inside.

i made two 100px by 100px square shapes and positioned them along the bottom line of the big square outline with equal distance between the center and the corners. all i had to do was resize images of jimin's album covers atop each shape. i also clipped levels adjustments to both covers to make them pop.

the "album outline" layers are just duplicates of the square layers with a 2px stroke in alternate colors per that album's color scheme. i referenced album images and used the eyedropper tool for accurate colors.

to make the strokes visible at different times, those two layers are trimmed on the timeline at the very center of the cross fade transition on the background gif to emulate switching between albums. TECHNICALLY, no, i didn't need to keep the shape layers and i could have deleted them after i positioned the covers + added the stroke to a duplicated cover image instead, but i liked having them as a guide.

anyway it looks like this:

next, came the album title logos and extra text! here are the "logos", "outlines", and "years" folders open.

these are all in seperate folders because i stacked each title logo and it's outline back to back on the timeline in order to add the cross fade transition to them into each other along with the background gif. i thought it would look too abrupt if the logos changed without the same transition.

so i found large png files of each of jimin's album title fonts, made them white, and positioned them in the center. i set the blending modes on each of them to "exclusion", then applied a color overlay set to "color" in those same colors i used for the album cover outlines. i then duplicated the logos and changed the fill to 0%, added a 1px white stroke around them and then nudged them a few pixels away from the real ones for that depth look.

i also added the years each album came out too. i trimmed and stacked them accordingly on the timeline and added the same transition between them all as the one on the background gif.

here is what it looks like on the timeline:

then i converted to frames and saved at 0.05 speed and i was done!

as for the imessage gif...

here's what my layers palette looked like:

i made my background gif blurry so it wouldn't distract too much from the smaller gif and the messages, but i still needed it to look clear. i really lucked out with that shot of jimin against a yellow couch with teal detailing on his sleeve because look how well it matches the color theme!!! AND he's making a hand heart??? score.

anyway, it was mostly about spacing all the imessage bubbles so everything was nice and equal. i didn't think i could make the bubbles look good if i made them manually with the shape tool, so i just searched for imessage bubble pngs online at differing lengths and made the ones i used white before converting them to smart objects. i resized them all to 48px in height and positioned them with 15px gaps between each other (10px from the top and bottom edges of the gif, 15px from the sides). i set them each to "exclusion" and added a color overlay to them set to "color" and chose which teal or gray color to use.

then i added my text on top of them.

the "small gif" folder is just a 280px high rounded square shape with my gif and adjustment layers clipped to it. there's a smaller 3px gap between the small gif and text below it just like an iphone displays images sent with text. i completely scored with this gif too since he's already against a yellow background and he's wearing green, so all i needed to adjust were the tones of those colors to get it as close as i could to the muse colors.

that's pretty much it!!! i hope you found this interesting or fun to read. thank you for liking the set and being curious how i made some of it <3

again, i can't take credit for these concepts. i only tried to recreate them to the best of my own abilities.

[theprogrockbstheorist]

BS Theory no. 2: The Gizzverse is a Prank

“Nonagon infinity opens the door/ Wait for the answer to open the door”

Or… does it? If you must know anything about the modern Australian psychedelic, prog, electronic, whatever else “rock” band King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard, you should know that they have a rabid base of devoted fans that have been mapping out the “Gizzverse” for years. This Gizzverse has developed due to the fact that this band has 25 studio albums in a little over a decade of existence and that much of their music is self-referential. It’s also not only the music: many of their music videos harken back to earlier ones, and much of their album artwork, done by close friend of the band Jason Galea, references back to earlier albums. This has convinced their fan base that there must be some connection, some overarching story connecting their albums. They band themselves have hinted towards this as well, stating that their albums take place in different “alternate timelines”. 

But what if they’re just fucking with us?

It’s undeniable that many of their albums have a cohesive theme and perhaps even plot— but most of these are self-contained. Their 2019 thrash metal album, Infest the Rats’ Nest, has a self-contained plot of global warming and superviruses ravaging the Earth, with Mars becoming outpaced for the average Earthling, so a crew sets out for Venus and burns up in the atmosphere. Their 2017 album (or rather, one of five of them), Murder of the Universe has something resembling an overarching plot and definitely an apocalyptic theme, and some say it ties into another one of their 2017 albums, Polygondwanaland, which is also divided into 3 separate suites. But, admittedly, a lot of these are reaches. 

This isn’t to say that there haven’t been SOME albums with confirmed connections: 2022’s albums Made in Timeland and Laminated Denim are anagrams of each other, and explore similar concepts. 2023’s two albums, Petrodragonic Apocalypse (no, I’m not writing out the full fucking name) and The Silver Cord are confirmed to be “yin-yang” albums. A lot of their albums DO deal with similar themes as well: usually with apocalyptic scenarios brought on by environmental factors, most of the time, climate change. So, clearly, there is an underlying theme to many of their albums. 

However, there is one reason why I doubt there’s much more to the “Gizzverse” than speculation: there’s not cohesive thought on what, exactly, constitutes the Gizzverse. None. There’s no established timeline by fans, there’s no sequence of events, there’s not even agreed consensus of albums that are a part of the Gizzverse. The band doesn’t say much about it, either, just that there’s “alternate timelines”. The wording is so vague that that could mean anything, from “we wrote a couple different concept albums exploring issues that are important to us, but are otherwise unrelated” to “we have a full-fledged multiverse with thought-out timelines and recurring characters.” This isn’t to say that there isn’t SOME evidence towards the latter: some of their album covers have recurring motifs, and sometimes similar-looking characters are referenced in their music videos, however that could be just coincidental. Even if it isn’t, I don’t think the Gizzverse is an established canon: I feel like the band is familiar enough with their devoted fanbase to realize that some people love theorizing (definitely not me), and intentionally lead them on a wild goose chase, throwing references to otherwise unrelated works. 

So, in other words, they’re probably fucking with us. There’s really not much evidence to prove that a Gizzverse exists: there’s next to no named characters, and those that are named have plots that resolve within in their own album, such as the Han-Tyumi and Balrog suites from Murder of the Universe. Furthermore, if a prog band, such as Cohered and Cambria or Ayreon, set out to make multiple albums within the same story line, they usually do it with the express purpose of doing so. King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard did not do that. So, even if they do have some sort of multiverse going on, it’s certainly not very fleshed out, making it very open to interpretation. 

One thing to keep in mind from all this is that artists are human to, and sometimes they like to screw with people. We can’t take everything someone says at face value, because sometimes people make jokes, and sometimes people just..lie. Do I really think King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard are pranking their fans with the concept of the gizzverse? I don’t believe they were being serious about having a fully fleshed-out plot or developed “alternate timelines”, but it is true that a lot of their work is conceptual in nature and deals with similar themes, so I can see how it wouldn’t be too much of a stretch for some people.

[strangeispowerful]

Who hogs the covers? (16)

Who randomly brings home a stray puppy/kitten to adopt? (20)

Who is prone to road rage? (26)

What are their tastes in music? (35)

Who wanted to see Oppenheimer; who Barbie? Did they switch opinions after? (37)

sorry its a lot

16. Who hogs the covers?

Haha most definitely Nine. Narrow doesn't mind all too much but ends up huddled behind Nine shivering since he's always the big spoon anyway. He'll try to slowly grab the covers back, trying not to wake him up, and this'll be successful until Nine scoots forward and steals the blankets again. This happens repeatedly throughout the night until they're right on the edge of the bed and it wakes Nine up.. atp he turns around and probably sleeps huddled up facing Narrow lmfao 20. Who randomly brings home a stray puppy/kitten to adopt?

Both of them. Neither of them can handle ads for local animal shelters.. Nine is more likely to be the voice of reason because he's used to being financially frugal. Narrow would want a pet if he could justify having energy and time to care for it, but he simply has too much work. 26. Who is more prone to road rage?

This one is especially silly because Narrow is the only one who can drive at the moment (in narrownine-verse timeline, we're in the middle of the second arc, and Nine is learning to drive since he never really had the chance). Our Narrow also definitely doesn't swear, which makes it ten times funnier when some random car cuts him off and he just. Gently pats his hand on the steering wheel and stares in anger like >:( . Either this, or if he's especially irritated, he'll start ranting in Chinese with Nine just staring like wtf

35. What are their tastes in music?

Nine: Alternative—older alternative, rather than what's considered new alt. Otherwise some bands I can think of are Red Hot Chili Peppers, Interpol, Two Door Cinema Club, The Strokes, Gorillaz, Glass Animals.. has been known to fw Lady Gaga too lol. It's an inside joke between Kay and I that he doesn't hate the Hamilton OBC album. (by which I mean he knows all the words.) (this started as a joke but I don't think it's a joke anymore)

Narrow: At least from my thoughts, more experimental stuff. Probably listens to vocaloid but would be a fan of Kikuo and ironically, probably niru's works. Stuff with a lot of sampling and more contemporary chord structure. Probably likes Bjork. We have a little joke that some of Jack Stauber's songs, Narrow composed in the nwnverse, since we both agree he'd have a similar songwriting style. Hozier is his celebrity crush.. take with that what you will.

37. Who wanted to see Oppenheimer; who Barbie? Did they switch opinions after?

Narrow wanted to see Oppenheimer, Nine wanted to see Barbie. They movie hopped, and Narrow cried at both. Nine forced Narrow to play I'm Just Ken multiple times on the way home.

THANKS FOR THE ASKS ANON... made my day.. this was so fun 🥹🥹🥹

[thesakuragarnet]

Hi! (First Post I guess) MASTER LIST LINKED BELOW KEEP READING!

Hello! I'm Sakura_Garnet and I am chronically obsessed with My Hero Academia, specifically the Keeping Up With The Todoroki's subplot. I exclusively write Dabi/Toya Todoroki-centered fanfiction, ranging from angst to fluff to smut and various combinations. I have a few finished fanfictions and a LOT of WIPs, as well as a plethora of "oneshots" for various AU's. The majority of my writing is done on AO3, but I double post a few of my big works on wattpad. I am constantly listening to music, and most of my fics have been inspired by songs and albums. I have so so SO many headcanons for MHA/BNHA, and feel very strongly about DabiHawks/TouKei as you will see from the majority of my writings. I have ADHD and Generalized Anxiety Disorder, and try my best to relay my experiences with these neurodivergencies in a few of my works. My main fic that is my pride and joy is PHOENIX: A Pro Hero Toya Todoroki AU, which covers 14 years of Toya Todoroki's life in an alternate universe (ages 16 to 30 to be exact) . If you do choose to read it, please mind the tags and the AO3 author's notes as it does deal with some heavy content (I tend to max out the tags on the majority of my works bc a bitch is nothing if not thorough). I don't know how much I'll be active on here, but I'm excited!

As always

The Past Never Dies,

<3

Sakura_Garnet

Master List (and my universes) 1 8 + ONLY

(Disclaimer: I curse like a sailor in real life so pretty much all fics have some form of swearing in them in some form or fashion. I tag my fics extensively, please pay attention to the tags listed in each fic as I will not be listing them here. Summaries and taglists will be on the links for each fic <3 fics with a sole focus on sm*t will be labeled smvtfics, but that doesn't necessarily mean that unlabeled ones do not have sm*t in them. Some links will take you to tumblr, but not everything is posted on here, so some will go straight to the AO3 fic.)

DabiHawks

- PHOENIX AU

PHOENIX: A Pro Hero Toya Todoroki AU

Private Hero Training Academy : PHOENIX AU Spinoff

Fire in My Veins

I'm Not Okay, I Promise

Separate Ways

I WANNA BE YOUR SLAVE (I WANNA BE YOUR MASTER) (smvtfic)

The Tape (smvtfic)

Perfectly Good At It (smvtfic)

HONEY (ARE U COMING?) (smvtfic)

Feel The Music (smvtfic)

Forever Valentine (smvtfic)

- THE BOY BORN WITH EVERYTHING (new fix-it longfic postwar/postcanon that retcons everything after ch426; hero!dabi X President!Keigo; AKA my ending for the canon)

-Fantasy AU

Flames of Fate

Your Body Is My Temple (smvtfic)

The Devouring (DEAD DOVE)

-Civilian Social Worker Toya X Pro Hero Hawks AU

It's Dangerous To Go Alone

Pillow Talk (smvtfic)

Grand Gestures

Light as a Feather (smvtfic)

Meet The Todoroki's

Home Late (smvtfic)

But What If You Were Mine Until Our Breaths Gave Out (smvtfic)

-Pro Hero Dabi X Villain Hawks (Talons)

And when he touched him he turned ruby red (smvtfic)

bad idea right (smvtfic)

When we're staring at the ceiling (smvtfic)

Bring Me To My Knees (smvtfic)

-Quirkless College TouKei AU

Pent-Up (smvtfic)

-Quirkless TouKei AU

Silent Night (holiday smvtfic)

-The Mean Girls AU

On Wednesdays We Wear Black

-THE VOID (Not the canon timeline necessarily but something in between)

We Were Just Kids

Easier Than Lying

Distracted (smvtfic)

One Stupid Phrase (smvtfic)

Touch-Starved

I'd Rather Feel Pain Than Nothing At All (smvtfic)

My Eden (smvtfic)

What The Heart Wants

Conjugal Visit (short smvtfic with a LOT of plot)

that one Rihanna song

Flecks of Gold

O*B*S*E*S*S*E*D (smvtfic)

Unexpected Proportions (smvtfic)

TasteBuds (smvtfic)

fixation, psychosis, or a secret third thing (love)

Suffocating In The Afterglow (angst)

Lick Your Wounds

Rays Of Lust (smvtfic)

Tender Love

Shafted (smvtfic)

Dabi X OC

-The FIREPROOF/ANARCHY saga (Dabi X Sakura)

A Mission

FIREPROOF

ANARCHY (apocalypse AU)

-Pro Hero Dabi X Pro Hero Sakura AU

Playing With Fire: A Pro Hero Dabi AU

The Limo Scandal (Pro Hero Dabi X Mirko X Hawks smvtfic prequel)

-Touya X Dusk AU

His Ocean Eyes

First (smvtfic draft)

MISA! MISA! (smvtfic draft)

On the Clock (smvtfic spoiler)

-Pro Hero Dabi X Villain Sakura

Secondary Location

DABI X FEM! READER

Random Villain Fem! Reader X Dabi

Only Stops A Sentence (smvtfic)

Good Graces

Liquid Lust (smvtfic)

Left Behind

The Nightmare (Reverse Comfort)

Support Course Graduate Fem! Reader X Dabi

Crimes Of Passion (smvtfic)

Carnal Addictions (smvtfic)

Deal With The Devil (smvtfic)

Spies AU

Say My F*cking Name (smvtfic)

The Band AU

Music Keeps Us Alive: College Band AU

Cravings (FTM DABI X TWICE SMVTFIC)

Random Dabi-centric (ish) Fics

The League Of Villain Go To Disney: A crackfic mini series for just good vibes (slight DabiHawks)

Birthday (LOV Found Family Vibes) (slight DabiHawks)

Savior Complex (Big Brother Dabi)

Here Be Dragons (Alt. Fantasy AU)

If I Had Been There (Dabi X Magne Angst)

Embers In The Dark (Dabi X Burnin' smvtfic)

[seeminglyranch87]

Taylor & Travis Timeline

February 2024 - part 2

February 16 - The Eras Tour, Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne, Australia N1

Taylor announces bonus track "The Bolter" with an alternate cover for the April 19 release of The Tortured Poets Department.

Red (guitar) & You’re Losing Me (piano)

February 17 - The Eras Tour, Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne, Australia N2

Getaway Car x August x The Other Side of the Door (guitar) & This is me Trying (piano). Had me floored! I was there for this one! The crowd went wild.

Me at Melbourne night 2 - costume Lavender Haze inspired

February 18 - The Eras Tour, Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne, Australia N3

Come Back Be Here x Daylight (guitar) & Teardrops on my Guitar (piano). The way I screamed at the mashup - I was there!!!

I think Taylor is missing her man...

Me at Melbourne night 3 swapping friendship bracelets - costume Karma inspired

February 21 - Taylor Swift & Sabrina Carpenter visit restaurant in Surry Hills, Sydney for dinner

February 22 - Travis Kelce arrives in Sydney, Australia to support girlfriend Taylor Swift on tour. Friend Ross Travis joins him.

Travis & Taylor visit Sydney Zoo petting kangaroos and enjoying time together. Travis' friend Ross later posts an IG reel of him feeding a lion with the encouragement of Taylor. (x)

February 23 - The Eras Tour, Accor Stadium, Sydney, Australia. Rain Show - start delayed due to electrical storm. Opener Sabrina Carpenter is cancelled.

Taylor announces bonus track "The Albatross" with an alternate cover for the April 19 release of The Tortured Poets Department.

How You Get The Girl (guitar), White Horse x Coney Island with Sabrina Carpenter (piano)

Travis attends the Sydney night 1 show with friend Ross Travis. They are joined by Scott Swift, Katie Perry, Rita Ora, Taika Waititi, Baz Luhrmann & others in the VIP tent.

Some moments worthy of mentioning:

Travis looking with adoration at Taylor during the Lover set

Taylor pointing to Travis during Willow singing "that's my man"

Taylor gesturing to Travis during Long Live singing "When they gave us our trophies and we held them up for our town" a cute reference to his Super Bowl win and her Grammys win this month.

Taylor sings "Karma is the guy in the Chiefs" during the song Karma. This is the 2nd time Taylor has changed the lyrics to reference Travis.

Travis dancing and singing to Blank Space, Shake It Off, Ready For It?

Travis fist pumping fans, accepting friendship bracelets and handing out guitar picks

Taylor & Travis kiss (x x) as they leave the venue at the conclusion of the show and spend the late evening cruising around Sydney Harbour together (x)

February 24 - Travis leaves Australia and returns to the USA to attend a Chiefs celebration at XS nightclub in Las Vegas. Travis is seen dancing and singing to Love Story with his team mates.

The Eras Tour, Accor Stadium, Sydney, Australia

Should've Said No x You're Not Sorry (guitar) (x).

New Year's Day x Peace (piano) (x)

I am deceased! It appears that Taylor is preparing us for the themes of The Tortured Poets Department album to be released April 19.

February 25 - The Eras Tour, Accor Stadium, Sydney, Australia

Is It Over Now? x I Wish You Would (guitar) (x)

Haunted x Exile (piano) (x)

February 26 - The Eras Tour, Accor Stadium, Sydney, Australia

Would’ve Could’ve Should’ve x Ivy (guitar) (x)

Forever & Always x Maroon (piano) (x)

Joe is going down April 19.

TMZ release a special: "TMZ Investigates: Taylor and Travis, Ultimate Love Story." (x)

February 28 - Taylor Swift officially becomes the first artist to hit 100 weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Artist 100 chart. She is the most-streamed and top-selling act, and the most heard on radio this week.

February 29 - Mecole Hardman reflects on his game winning catch in the Super Bowl and talks about being on team with Travis Kelce and how his relationship with Taylor affected him (x 42:20)

The wide receiver also referred to hanging out with Kelce, 34, and his famous girlfriend as “so cool.”

“When we leave, I’m like, ‘Damn, that’s Taylor Swift,’

Taylor arrives in Singapore before show starting March 2.

Go to previous update -> February 2024 part 1

Go to next update -> March 2024 part 1

Return to the timeline

[bandsanitizer]

I don’t like the idea of regrets or wanting to change things in the past when ultimately it leads you exactly where you are, y’know? but there are times where I think about 5sos and their start and their sound and I wonder how much different their art would be had they’d taken off within the pop-rock/pop-punk scene instead. if they didn’t spend the first half of their career needing to prove they weren’t a “boyband” while also not making a big deal about it either way.

because I think, they’d have been too pop for the genre of a lot of the bands they covered, but at the same time they were a touch too rock influenced and “real instruments” for the pop scene they were invited into. and I think that notion, to start off with the idea that there’s something to prove about who they are as artist… I think it set the tone that has always sort of stuck to the presentation of their music. hence all the self-titles. it’s like this search for self, but applied to the band. there’s the push and pull to the different parts of the industry their influences and leaning have caused and while it makes for interesting music and all the differences in the albums they’ve released, it does make me wonder how they would’ve grown differently as artist had they not been set on their pathway to fame by a louis tomlinson tweet, but more along the lines of them having toured with hot chelle rae.

this isn’t to say I have negative feelings about their whole story, etc. but there’s just the curiousity towards alternate timelines, of parallel universes, of existences that split because of one moment. and while I know there are obstacles and hardships whichever way, I do wonder if they would’ve escaped the very real conflict of trying to discover their sound, or if that same struggle would’ve been just as present, just appearing different.

and it makes me want, so badly, for them to be able to find their sound. as a fan, I do believe they have to an extent—bc there are 5sos songs I’ve heard that do not sound like a 5sos song. and 5sos5 really showcases a sense of the band’s identity that’s been a long time coming. but as each member is still growing and figuring out themselves, there’s also this sense that this isn’t just quite yet their sound? if that makes any sense. like that hint of wfttwtaf in some of the tracks? it’s the feeling that while the band is all four of them coming together, and maybe there’s no need for them to try to hone down a singular Sound together (and I mean they don’t have to LOL), there’s aspect that go “oh that’s a luke track” “that’s a michael track” etc etc not un similar to “oh they listened to all time low” or whatever present in their first two albums. that while naturally you will hear each of them in the music, I’m always excited for the blend of them all in the sonic. and maybe that’s subjective, but to me as great as 5sos5 is and all, there’s part of me that think it’s leading to the next album that just fucking… blows the rest of their discography away.

[starryeyed-seer]

My suncrab playlist is highly restricted because it's only made up of songs on my phone. This is not an art piece. This is not a place of honour. Anyway, bc I'm going Through it, I'm going to make a bold move and talk about it and some silly headcanon shipping stuff. For me. For me.

(This is very long when opened)

I really have been into glass animals lately.

In no particular order here's some songs on my sincrab list and why

-

Hasten To Church (Beedle the Bardcore cover)

a properly committed medieval cover of Take Me To Church. So much of this is, of course, Vibes.

"tis voracious work" is quoted in Creatures of Heaven even.

-

Creatures In Heaven, Glass Animals

Of course duh!!!

What do you think about when you think about love? <3

The song is just very much a "halcyon before the fall" both in the later album and why I named my prequel comic after it.

putting tenderness and love on sol is Difficult. Someone must try.

Also "creatures IN heaven" as the song is = two beings in a perfect place

But "creatures OF heaven" like my comic = two beings in heaven, but who belong to heaven and are beheld to it still.

-

Run Away With Me by Carly Rae Jepson

I think the bazaar listens to this and cries. Not only because of the saxophone intro majesty. Not because it's sad or melancholy. Just because.

The bazaar is the sinner in secret.... but I don't think he's gonna run away when the lights go dark </3

-

Samson by Regina Spektor

Oops, I got really into this song for them??

hello!! The idea of them shedding forms of Importance to exist forgotten and mortal.... <3 yaaaay I love it. Also the idea of hair and divinity I already do with my sol designs. In bible context Delilah sneakily cuts Samson's hair, removing his strength, in this song it is secretly consensual so they can disappear as regular lovers. Consider that. What if baz dragged sol down and the Sun said thank you i was hoping.

-

A tear in space, glass animals

Ive said before I'm not normal about this song. Like all of it I can maniacally apply

Verse one is like. Exactly it in terms of "not sure WTF was going on but the bazaar is down bad". I love my warm suncrab but also dubious ethical secret relationship with no confirmation of reciprocal love.... good stuff. And maybe fear did pull sol from their arms.

Something Something this crab famous cries a lot

I climb inside your walls!! I'm where the spiders go!

Also I do hc the bazaar as specifically aspiring to some idea of ascension or equality to be with the sun, what with the red science, so "shape me into your form/what are you waiting for"..........

-

Maps by Yeah Yeah Yeahs

There's something very pleading about Maps which I have taken to. Most of the song is just this... it's suggested the Sun was courting another star, and I think this is exactly what was circling the Bazaar's thoughts as they carried that message.

Plus as much as the Bazaar is a monomaniac determined to their goal, I doubt they've missed how unpopular the Sun is. Yet it remains focused, anyway, believing this scheme must be worth it. Because others don't know the sun like she does, they don't love him like she does.

-

White Roses, Glass Animals (look I like them a lot! And I LOVE YOU SO FUCKING MUCH the new album has a lot of good tunes for this)

We really don't know jack hell about Sol's personality thoughts and feelings, and barely his actions. So anyway this.

I don't think Sol hates the Bazaar, no matter what he does or doesn't feel for them. But I think part of the Bazaar probably is angry at the Sun, even if she'd deny it. I like the idea of a role reversal in any extreme power difference dynamic like these two. Let the bazaar express pain and let Sol welcome it. Is what I'm saying.

I enjoy the "everlasting in a different moon" considering FL linking moonlight to alternate timelines. Is there a world where their relationship is perfect? Can a god dream?

-

Gold, Imagine Dragons

....I have a diverse taste in music I swear but this list doesn't capture that

I think it's very hard to stay grounded in reality when you control reality. When you can have anything you want (but a crab), that anything eventually becomes meaningless. People chase absolute power like it isn't a trap that kills who you used to be. Etc. Everything you see becomes what you want it to be, what you think it is, and so there is nothing new— only heaven.

I dunno, fun stuff.

-

Origin of Love, MIKA

Okay if you know this song. Yeah it makes no sense to put this on my suncrab list. Yet who stops me? Who dares stand against me?

I put this in because it's vaguely similar to something in my fanfic— "if love is forbidden, why does it exist? If you are god who knows all and is all, then you too are love. If you made me and I love you, then you must know love yourself — how else would I feel it? And if love is not from you, then you are no absolute, no god at all, and love belongs to me. Let me share it. Let me teach you. "

-

Clusterhug, IDKHBTFM

Maybe this is what sol is. A teenage beauty queen. (Of sorts.)

"Only if you'd like me to, I could fall in love with you"

-

Agnes, Glass Animals

This isn't my last glass animals song.

It's a real vibe. "I want to hold you like you're mine..." I don't apply it to anything in particular it just. Yeah.

-

Show Pony, Glass Animals

This is a very Nemesis Bazaar song.

I want it as a mutual happy ship but if the Sun only used the Bazaar for an experiment... the bazaar is one of the only beings that could totally murder Sol. It believes the words on its body would have/still might cause him to die— that's the reason for this whole 7 city scheme. If they wanted revenge, they are in a very good position to enact it.

-

Bedroom Eyes, Studio Killers

This is what the Bazaar's new Message for Sol is gonna be clearly. Don't kill me baby ♡ I love u baby ♡♡♡

Legit just one of my all time fav songs and most listened to on my phone lol

-

a few other songs I won't grab specific lyrics for:

Viva la vida: legally required for all who dream of falls from glory

Plume by caravan palace

Painting roses by Dresses

Yellow Light by Of monsters and men

Hymn for the weekend by coldplay

Holiest by Glass Animals

Young God by halsey (I'm sorry I couldn't resist)

-

.....I really do listen to a lot of music that isn't just. Radio popular bands. Can I put on Second Rendez-Vous by Jean Michel Jarre in. Or is that too obvious a save of face.

Anyway :3c

[selachiixiv]

A very album-cover-y aesthetic shot of my trans/nb characters for TDOV

since I have actual space in this text box, from the left,

Intercessor Androc Chionades - One of my Ascians, he was deeply closeted from even himself as a living Amaurotine (essential headcanon thought: yes, Ancient society/Amaurot were a-okay and good with gender, but if you don't even know how to ask yourself why your skin fits wrong...) and thus hyperfocused on rigidly following the rules and on both legal and botanical studies. When brought into the Ascian fold later on and figured out his gender, the Convocation member he serves, Halmarut, turned him and his direct peers into living roses to preserve their shapes for all of history. Having stumbled into the company of Hyacinthe in the pursuit of Hybris, he wound up meeting his beloved girlfriend, Shrike, and in the wake of the loss of Zodiark, he focuses his time primarily on memorizing laws across Etheirys, particularly Ishgardian property and tax laws because it entertains Shrike to watch him make nobles sweat very loudly.

Doctor Drujan Daemir - That's not his name, and while technically that's not his proper title, he is a former high-ranking medicus, so same difference. With both massive amounts of medical training and formal Hannish alchemy training, he is in the process of becoming a self-built man. An admirable goal, were he in possession of anything resembling a moral compass.

Annette Rivers - A tiny brick wall and formerly a single parent - no longer technically a single parent since she's tracked down her son's father and parenting their ten year old is now a shared responsibility between a small queer village - she is now able to fuck around and figure out what is even what with her gender. She doesn't know where she's going just yet, but she's shifted to she/sir and an attitude of "not sure how much I give a shit about having any gender". Born and raised in the Brume, she's got not an ounce of patience for most nobles, a quick mind for numbers, a quicker gun, and an even quicker snark.

Darry - Being a sayaad means all the accompanying shapeshifting capabilities, and she's entirely capable of any of them, but generally she defaults to tiny and femme with a decided lack of attachment to any one way. There's more important things to her life, like figuring out where she belongs culturally having left the one she was born to incredibly far behind her. When I'm not losing track of what I'm doing she's poking experimentally at Xaelic culture to see how well she can find a fit.

Oberon Bloodworth - A bit of a self-fulfillment/spite-fueled character in creation (finding out someone didn't view you as a man will do these things), Oberon is a model (both for artists and for fashion) and the son of Duskwight anarchists who work from the shadows to destabilize Gridanian government. When not busy with either of these he lives out in the middle of fuck-off nowhere, neighboured to a group of kobolds who fled their kin and tempering, together forming an aggressive body to any outsiders to their respective groups that find their way out, especially if they come in a uniform.

Favrielle - one of my longest-lasting characters, Favri's gender fuckery began internally probably a long time before they really thought about it, then WoW implemented those gender swap potions and they canonically began fucking around with those and the thought that it felt right to them to present as either began crystallizing, although they themselves maintained a primarily feminine presentation for some years until shortly after bearing their own child - an experience that also involved absorbing their selves from multiple alternate timelines and the associated power thereof - they shifted presentation drastically. When not ignoring the laws of man and physics alike, Favri parents their younger children, tries to grow ever-more-ridiculously-spicy peppers, leads kink seminars, parades their personal neon sign fiancé around, and sometimes lights people on fire for making exploitive contracts.

("gee Toby", you might say, "you sure do like giving your trans characters an outlaw streak if not an outright OP one or both", and you're right 🥰)

[delivermytuneo6]

Crowdfunding in the Music Industry: Top Platforms for Emerging Artists

Crowdfunding in the music industry has revolutionized the way musicians fund their creative projects. By leveraging the power of community support, artists can bypass traditional gatekeepers such as record labels and directly engage with their audience to finance albums, tours, and other artistic endeavors. However, not all crowdfunding platforms are created equal, and each caters to different needs and goals. This article delves into the top crowdfunding platforms tailored for the music industry, highlighting their unique features, benefits, and tips for success.

Why Crowdfunding Platforms Matter in the Music Industry

The music industry is highly competitive, and access to traditional funding can be challenging for emerging artists. Crowdfunding platforms provide an alternative, democratizing the funding process and empowering artists to take control of their careers. By choosing the right platform, musicians can maximize their chances of success and connect with their fans on a deeper level. Here are the top platforms designed to help musicians achieve their goals.

1. Patreon: Sustained Support Through Membership

Patreon is a subscription-based crowdfunding platform that allows artists to build a steady stream of income. Instead of one-time contributions, fans (called patrons) pledge monthly support in exchange for exclusive perks such as early access to music, behind-the-scenes content, or personalized shoutouts.

Key Features:

Membership Tiers: Artists can create multiple tiers with varying benefits to cater to different levels of support.

Recurring Income: Unlike traditional crowdfunding, Patreon focuses on long-term sustainability.

Community Building: Direct communication tools help foster a closer relationship between artists and fans.

Best For: Musicians who want to cultivate a loyal fan base and consistently release content, such as singles, covers, or video updates.

2. Kickstarter: All-Or-Nothing Campaigns for Big Projects

Kickstarter is one of the most well-known crowdfunding platforms, perfect for funding specific projects such as albums, music videos, or tours. It operates on an all-or-nothing model, meaning artists must meet their funding goal to receive any money.

Key Features:

Project-Based Campaigns: Designed for one-off projects with a clear beginning and end.

Creative Categories: A dedicated section for music projects makes it easier for potential backers to discover campaigns.

Global Reach: Kickstarter’s established reputation attracts backers from all over the world.

Best For: Musicians looking to fund a large-scale project with a clear timeline and deliverables.

3. Indiegogo: Flexibility and Versatility

Indiegogo offers more flexibility than Kickstarter, as it allows for both all-or-nothing and flexible funding campaigns. This means artists can still keep the funds they raise, even if they don’t meet their initial goal.

Key Features:

Flexible Funding: Ideal for artists who may not need to hit a specific target to proceed with their projects.

Customizable Rewards: Artists can offer creative perks to backers, such as signed merchandise or exclusive experiences.

Integration with InDemand: After the campaign ends, artists can continue raising funds through Indiegogo’s InDemand feature.

Best For: Musicians who prefer flexibility in their campaigns or are new to crowdfunding and want to test the waters.

4. GoFundMe: Simple and Straightforward

GoFundMe is a versatile platform primarily known for personal fundraising. While it doesn’t offer the same level of engagement tools as other platforms, its simplicity makes it appealing for musicians looking to raise funds quickly.

Key Features:

No Goal Requirement: Artists can keep all the funds raised, regardless of whether they meet their goal.

Ease of Use: Setting up a campaign is quick and straightforward, with no complex reward structures.

Wide Appeal: Backers don’t need to register on the platform to donate, simplifying the process for supporters.

Best For: Musicians who need emergency funding or prefer a no-frills approach to crowdfunding.

5. PledgeMusic (Currently Unavailable): Lessons from a Platform’s Legacy

Though no longer active, PledgeMusic played a significant role in crowdfunding within the music industry by offering a unique fan-artist collaboration model. Its rise and fall highlight the importance of transparency and accountability in crowdfunding. Many current platforms have adopted similar music-focused features, inspired by PledgeMusic’s approach.

Tips for Choosing the Right Platform

When selecting a crowdfunding platform, musicians should consider the following factors:

Project Scope: Define whether the campaign is for a one-time project or ongoing support. Platforms like Kickstarter are ideal for the former, while Patreon suits the latter.

Audience Preferences: Understand your fan base and their willingness to support monthly memberships versus one-time contributions.

Reward Structures: Choose a platform that allows creative freedom in designing perks that resonate with your supporters.

Fees and Policies: Review the platform’s fees, as they can vary significantly. Some charge a percentage of the funds raised, while others have fixed fees.

Strategies for Crowdfunding Success

Regardless of the platform, a successful crowdfunding campaign requires careful planning and execution. Here are some tips to help musicians maximize their chances:

Set Realistic Goals: Aim for a funding target that is both achievable and sufficient to cover your project’s costs.

Engage Your Audience: Use social media, email newsletters, and live streams to build excitement and encourage contributions.

Offer Meaningful Rewards: Fans are more likely to back a campaign if they feel they’re getting something unique in return, such as signed albums or exclusive concert access.

Provide Updates: Keep backers informed about your progress to maintain their trust and enthusiasm.

Thank Your Supporters: A personal thank-you message or shoutout goes a long way in building lasting relationships.

Conclusion

Crowdfunding in the music industry has opened up unprecedented opportunities for emerging artists to bring their creative visions to life. Choosing the right platform is a crucial step in ensuring a successful campaign. Whether you’re seeking sustained support through Patreon or funding a single project on Kickstarter, each platform offers unique advantages tailored to different needs. By understanding your audience, setting clear goals, and executing a well-thought-out campaign, you can turn your dreams into reality while strengthening your connection with fans.

With crowdfunding, the future of music creation lies firmly in the hands of the artists—and their loyal supporters.

[floatingskull]

[music-industry-updates]

How to Create Stunning Art Tracks on YouTube

Creating stunning Art Tracks on YouTube can elevate your music's appeal and broaden your audience. With YouTube being a significant platform for music discovery and consumption, mastering the art of creating compelling Art Tracks is essential for any musician. This article provides a comprehensive, step-by-step guide to creating and optimizing Art Tracks that capture attention and enhance your music's reach.

Conceptualizing Your Art Track

Understanding Your Song’s Theme: Before you start creating your Art Track, it's crucial to understand the theme and message of your song. Ask yourself what emotions or stories your song conveys. This will guide your choice of visuals and overall presentation.

Brainstorming Visual Ideas: Once you have a clear understanding of your song’s theme, brainstorm visual ideas that can complement it. Think about colors, imagery, and symbols that resonate with your song’s mood. Sketch out rough ideas or create a mood board to visualize your concepts.

Consistency with Branding: Ensure that the visuals align with your overall branding. If you have a specific color palette, logo, or style that you use across your social media and other platforms, incorporate these elements into your Art Track to maintain a consistent brand identity.

Choosing the Right Visuals

High-Quality Images: The visual component of your Art Track should be high-quality and visually appealing. Use high-resolution images to avoid pixelation and ensure a professional look. Album covers, custom artwork, or high-quality photos related to your song’s theme are excellent choices.

Licensed Images: If you’re using images that are not your own, make sure they are properly licensed. There are many sources for royalty-free images, but always check the licensing terms to avoid legal issues.

Custom Artwork: Investing in custom artwork can make your Art Track stand out. Consider hiring a graphic designer or visual artist to create unique and engaging visuals that capture the essence of your music.

Audio Quality

High-Quality Mastering: The audio quality of your Art Track is paramount. Ensure your tracks are professionally mastered to provide the best listening experience. Poor audio quality can detract from the overall impact of your Art Track.

File Format: Use the highest quality audio file format supported by YouTube. Typically, this means uploading in formats like WAV or FLAC to preserve audio fidelity.

Volume Levels: Maintain consistent volume levels across all your Art Tracks to avoid jarring transitions for listeners who might be streaming multiple tracks in a playlist.

Step-by-Step Creation Process

Prepare Your Audio and Visuals: Ensure your audio file is mastered and ready for upload. Select or create the image you will use for the Art Track.

Video Editing Software: Use video editing software such as Adobe Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro, or free alternatives like DaVinci Resolve or Shotcut. These tools allow you to combine your audio and image into a video format suitable for YouTube.

Import Files: Import your audio file and visual into the video editing software. Place the image on the video timeline and extend its duration to match the length of the audio track.

Add Metadata: Add metadata to your project, including the song title, artist name, album name, and any other relevant information. This metadata helps with SEO and ensures your Art Track is properly categorized.

Export: Export your project in a high-resolution format suitable for YouTube, typically MP4 or MOV with H.264 encoding.

Optimizing for Engagement

Metadata Optimization: When uploading your Art Track to YouTube, pay attention to the metadata. Use relevant keywords in your title, description, and tags to improve discoverability. Include the song name, artist name, album name, and genre.

Compelling Thumbnails: Even though Art Tracks feature a static image, creating a custom thumbnail can help attract viewers. Ensure the thumbnail is eye-catching and representative of the music.

End Screens and Cards: Use YouTube’s end screens and cards to promote other videos, playlists, or links to your social media and website. This can help retain viewers on your channel and drive traffic to other content.

Interactive Descriptions: Include links in the description to your social media, website, merchandise store, and other relevant platforms. Encourage viewers to follow you and explore more of your content.

Promotion Strategies

Social Media Promotion: Share your Art Tracks across all your social media platforms. Use relevant hashtags, engaging captions, and direct links to your YouTube channel. Create teaser posts and stories to build anticipation before releasing new Art Tracks.

Email Marketing: Use your email list to notify fans about new Art Tracks. Include a direct link to the YouTube video and a compelling call-to-action to watch and share.

Collaborations and Features: Collaborate with other artists or influencers to expand your reach. Featuring on popular playlists or channels can significantly boost your visibility.

YouTube Ads: Consider using YouTube’s advertising platform to promote your Art Tracks. Target specific demographics and interests to reach potential fans who may not discover your music organically.

Analyzing Performance

YouTube Analytics: Utilize YouTube’s analytics to track the performance of your Art Tracks. Monitor metrics such as watch time, audience retention, and engagement rates. Use this data to refine your content and promotional strategies.

Audience Feedback: Pay attention to comments and feedback from your audience. Engage with viewers, respond to comments, and consider their suggestions for future content.

Performance Comparison: Compare the performance of different Art Tracks to identify what works best. Look for patterns in viewer behavior and adjust your strategies accordingly.

Conclusion

A well-crafted Art Track on YouTube can enhance your music's reach and impact, making it a valuable tool for any artist. By following these steps, you can create stunning Art Tracks that engage viewers and expand your audience on YouTube.

[mollybangtheband]

RIP Keith Kozel

(I’m very late in writing this but just couldn’t type up something short, so it took me some time to gather my thoughts. This is very very long, but I have a lot to say - these are stories I’ve told to many others over the years when speaking about music, but never compiled into one place until now - my apologies for the verbosity, but this is for Keith.)

I only spoke with Keith a few times in person, just small talk, and via social media off and on over the years, but his impact on me was much bigger than all of that, as all these stories will prove.

I’ve seen Bowie, Iggy, the Rolling Stones, REM, Flaming Lips, Frank Black and the Catholics and a lot of other legends, etc. etc. - and I’ve never really been into buying most “stuff” in general, but I’ve spent a good amount on seeing shows, all across the country. I’ve seen hundreds and hundreds of bands… but to this day… seeing Keith’s band Superhorse was one of my all-time favorite live performances. Not an exaggeration, not a sympathy vote. I’ve been saying this long before Kieth died.

I’ll admit, I’m not really qualified to do much, but I feel qualified enough to tell you Keith was a rock star. I’m telling you, as far as front men went, besides maybe James Brown or Michael Jackson, or one of those greats that are amazing dancers, Keith could compete with the best of them.

I love the small, old, dirty, intimate venues, where it’s packed and smelly, but magical because of some band and or performer. Those are usually the best in my opinion, and Superhorse playing at the Velvet Elvis is the perfect example of that for me.

Though influenced by hundreds of bands, when I started playing in a band myself I took the most influence from bands like The Dirtbombs, The Velvet Underground, Pavement, The Kinks, The Pixies… and also Superhorse.

Superhorse was chosen for these reasons: Great live show and great instantly catchy relatable tunes.

Maybe other fans won’t agree with me, but seeing Keith in Superhorse felt like seeing Iggy Pop covering Lynyrd Skynyrd songs. The live shows were less southern rock sounding, but the recordings to me, as I could hear Keith’s voice more clearly, sounded a lot like Skynyrd.

(I grew up in small towns in Georgia and I’ve always loved Skynyrd, but by the time I graduated high school I needed a break from them. They were often the soundtrack for obnoxious rednecks in the 80’s and 90’s but by the time I was finishing college and hearing Keith making these southern rock inspired songs I was ready to start listening to Skynyrd again.)

I regret not going to more Superhorse shows, recording more of their shows and taking more pictures etc. I can envision an alternate timeline where I just stayed in Savannah and was a roadie/super fan for band, and I could see myself being quite happy doing that. I always assumed they would go on to have a large discography, numerous music videos etc. It felt like I was watching a band on the brink of making it big.

But to back up a little before I was blown away by seeing Keith perform the first time: Keith worked at a pizza place I used to hangout at called Vinnie Van Go-Go’s. I must’ve seen him there but just didn’t know who he was yet… Being a poor college student Vinnie’s was the cheapest place to go to get decent tasting food (pizza!). I was usually too poor to even purchase anything, but I’d go with friends and eat their crust (always bummed when the friend wanted to eat their crust / my dinner).

But my favorite part was the music they played at Vinnie’s. They had a tape player with dozens (if not many more) cassettes that they’d play. I would frequently check out the collection and mixes and ask what album was playing. I was always making lists of songs and bands and albums to check out. I found out much later that a lot of these were Keith’s cassettes. Even before knowing the man he was already inspiring and influencing me.

Towards my last year or two at school, I finally was able to see this band Superhorse that I’d heard about so often (I kept really busy at school so I had to plan events like this weeks in advance). The show blew me away. Keith even looked like rock star, he looked like he could fit in easily in a British Invasion band or some other group from the 60’s. I had just recently seen The Rolling Stones before this and although they are probably a top five band for me and great live, there was more magic in this show at a small venue in Savannah.

In art schools you’ll always see a bunch of talented artists (Keith had long been out of school by that point btw) but there are a couple of dozen that really truly impressed me. He was one of those people. So he was always on my mind, like how do I become friends with this guy and learn from him?

Also at this time I was in a band called Cho Young and the Davenports. It was a very art -school band that was interesting and creative and weird and fun, but lacking in talent. As musicians we were not great at all. We could fake it and play simple songs but that’s it. We had three super fans and we did open mics and got a lot of compliments and slowly other performers started asking us to play with them, but we were mainly just notorious if anything.

One time one of our band leaders received a mysterious message (which I feel included a gift with it, but I could be wrong, I feel like there was a knock on the door and then someone left the letter and ran off, I don’t recall exactly though). The message had enough clues that after a while we thought we had an idea of some people that could’ve written it. The main part of the letter though was a request for us to write a song about Acorn Squash (maybe that was the gift - and we did write a song and recorded it for our next album, we also performed it as well - The Biggest Baddest Acorn Squash…)… It was a pretty bad song but fun.

At some point we learned that Keith wrote the mysterious letter. By this point I had seen his band Superhorse and knew of him but didn’t know his name. I did know that he was an amazing performer that blew my mind and was as cool as they come (at least on stage, I can’t speak for him otherwise). I remember I asked someone in the band what the guys name was that wrote the letter. The person responded “Keith Kozel” as if I should know the name. The person that said the name wasn’t a fan or hadn’t seen Keith perform but he knew Keith was a local celebrity.

I said “Who is that?” I then found out he was from Superhorse. Kozel - he even had a cool last name. When I found out that one of my idols was not just a fan, but a big fan of my band, I got chills. I was shocked.

Soon afterwards I was chatting with a group of other art students about music and I said “Have y’all seen Keith Kozel’s band? They’re amazing.” Then another guy says “Which one?” I said “Superhorse of course, wait he’s in another band?” The guy responded, “yeah, he’s in GAM. They’re one of my favorite bands.” Other folks chimed in agreeing with the statement.

Of course he would be in two awesome bands (never saw GAM but have seen pictures and videos and listened to the music, the live shows were supposed to be amazing and I’m very sad I missed it).

After this I was able to see Superhorse again and I brought my video camera and recorded it. It’s a great live show that I need to put online sometime. I put it on VHS and frequently would give people a copy. This was early 2000’s and most already were playing DVD’s instead of VHS. As time passed almost no one had VHS, so I had no one to give it to anymore. I would watch the video a lot like it was a famous live show, like it was the Allman Brothers at Fillmore East or something.

Soon after that I had a buddy put the audio from the video camera on CD. I’m pretty sure it was about 80 minutes (or close to that I think). About 20ish songs I would guess. 16 originals and four covers I also made copies of this CD and passed them out for a few years until almost no one listened to CD’s anymore). I didn’t know the song titles, I just guessed, and maybe half the time I got them right (found out once they recorded an album a few years later). I only knew there were four cover songs because he said it at the show. I knew Good Loving was one but I had no idea who wrote it. This live CD one of my favorite albums (and I recorded it!?)…

After this my band (CYaTD) was recording an overly ambitious limited edition (20 copies probably haha) box set before we all left college. We had a surprisingly large amount of recordings. I remember one of the times I went to record one of my parts one of my bandmates was playing some new recordings I hadn’t heard yet. Some folks that weren’t in the band were even recording their own versions of some of our songs. Remember this is before the popularity of streaming music and Spotify so for people to know our songs they had to have a copy of the CD. We made a hundred copies or less and people were actually covering our songs.

My bandmate played a recording of a song and then the vocals came in. Now I can’t describe the feeling, I felt but I’ve never felt this way in my entire life and it kind of short circuited my brain. I was hearing a song, that I helped write, but by a vocalist that to me was a celebrity. It was Keith. Now remember I had been listening to that live Superhorse album so Keith’s voice was very familiar to me. I got chills. It was so flattering to me. It was the best compliment I could ever ask for.

I soon left Savanah and spent almost all of my free time listening to music. I wanted to be an audiophile at the same level as someone like Keith (it took a while but I eventually got there). On the their live album that I recorded there were the four cover songs as mentioned before. During that first year after my last time seeing them I was always curious what the covers were. The internet was around of course but there was no Shazam and most songs (unless really popular) didn’t always have lyrics online.

I think he announces one or two of the covers in the recording but not all four. And the way I found out what they were was interesting to me. I was already a huge Velvet Underground fan and I knew Lou Reed’s album Transformer, but little else of his solo work. I was also a huge fan of the Stones. I knew their hits and their albums before Exile but for some reason only heard Exile once many years prior and couldn’t understand why people loved it so much. I also loved punk but only knew the Ramones and the Sex Pistols and a few other songs. I also love James Brown but only knew the hits. My goal then was to explore these bands (and others) to learn their entire discography.

While listening to a lot of punk I found Sonic Reducer by the Dead Boys, realizing this was one of the four Superhorse covers I heard. One of my all-time favorite songs to this day.

While listening to more obscure soul I found Good Loving by James Brown, another Superhorse cover and one of my favorite songs.

While listening to more Lou Reed I heard Straw Man. I recognized it from Keith singing it and although it’s one of my favorite songs I know that I would’ve never gotten into without hearing Keith’s version. I’m still not a fan of that Lou Reed album and probably would’ve never listened to it again after the first couple of times otherwise. I think a successful cover helps you learn to fully appreciate a song that you otherwise couldn’t, and Superhorse did that with this song…

Then I went out and got Exile on Main Street by The Rolling Stones. I had over the years listened to a few songs from it but it just didn’t click with me yet for some reason. But I was a huge Stones fan and regardless this was near the top of countless lists of essential albums, so I was determined to put in the time to figure it out. My CD player at the time was a small alarm clock with shitty speakers. I put in the CD.

Then Mick sings the opening verse:

“I hear you talking

When I'm on the street

Your mouth don't move

But I can hear you speak”

I’m embarrassed to say that I was 25 years old before I learned this was a Stones song and not a Superhorse song. I know it sounds like I’m obsessing over these covers but I’m talking about them because thanks to Keith and Superhorse, I fell in love with these songs and have derived a lot of joy from listening to them over and over throughout the years. In fact I’ve listened to them very recently.

When I mentioned why I love Superhorse there was one other reason: the songs they covered. A James Brown tune, a Lou Reed tune, a Dead Boys tune and a Rolling Stones tune.

Soul, Punk and more…? I was once again impressed, and long after having seen them live…

(There are very few bands that are great about covers in my opinion, and about choosing mostly obscure ones even by popular performers, which I love (that’s always huge bonus points for me). On my list of bands best at this, I’d probably choose the Dirtbombs, the second being The Detroit Cobras, (and others like Frank Black Francis in his various forms, maybe REM if you listen to the Fan Club Singles, and a few others bands I like) but Superhorse is on that list for me, even with a much smaller output than the other bands.)

Another note I’d like to add is once I was talking about Superhorse - all the way out here in Portland on the opposite end of the country of Savannah Georgia, and a bandmate of mine had seen and met Superhorse near New York. They concurred. “Oh yeah, they’re amazing…”

Something else that is funny to me is during the live recording of theirs that I have he mentions the band members and I remember especially how he said “uh Mister Kevin Rose” and “Bob HOLmen” ( Jim Reed” as well). During COVID times their FB profiles came up in my feed since we both have Keith as a mutual friend (this is two decades after seeing them live). Maybe these rock stars will be my Facebook friend I thought (no response from Holmen, and apologies to the other bandmates, the way Keith said your name was less memorable I guess, ha, and I don’t remember them…). So Jim and Kevin, if you read this far, that is why I requested to be your friend. I have no idea if you’re awesome or awful. We shall see…

Before I finish I want to say that that live Superhorse album, although maybe not sonically up to snuff for some or all remaining Superhorse members, is in my opinion the defining recording of this amazing band. It’s a noisy lofi recording but to me it captures much more than the official albums of Superhorse. There is a rawness to the band and a special something that isn’t on the albums. I think they are good but not the same.

I don’t mean to disparage the album because I do like it and listen to it but I think a sad and yet great thing about Superhorse is that you had to be there to truly experience it. The video and recordings are all great but without being there and someone just sending you a link to a recording, you won’t get it. For those that saw it and know, you know. And as a fan that makes shows exciting and magical! “We must go!” That all being said, I think my recording is the closest I’ve found to getting back to that magic of standing in a packed bar elated as hell having the time of my life.

My dying wish is an official release of this live album (which I hope I can find my copy in storage :/)…

Over the years I tried to always not just support but listen to all Keith’s music, at least of what I could find. When Keith passed I revisited some of his songs. I had heard his song Darkened Highways before, but it sounded like a cover to me and always thought it was.

But apparently it’s not?

That’s how great Keith is. Not just a great performer but a great songwriter as well. I fully believe that in the right time and place and knowing the right people, Keith could’ve been a household name…

“Let the seasons change, let the world rearrange…” - Keith Kozel

[theprogrockbstheorist]

COMPLETE BS Theory  No. 1: The One Rush Timeline Theory

This essay is completely and totally for fun. This basically proposes that every single Rush epic/suite/concept album takes place in a shared universe, the Rush Musical Universe, if you will. This is more of a thought experiment than an actual theory, since I highly doubt that it was the intention of the band to create songs within a single continuum over their 40-year career, but let’s just consider it nonetheless. Now, what exactly is considered on this Rush timeline? For the purposes of this timeline, the songs considered are those that are “highly conceptual”, or part of a larger, conceptual piece. There needs to be a defined plot, and a mostly original story. By this criteria, “The Necromancer” counts because it’s basically self-insert Tolkien fan fiction with an original plot and an original character (By-Tor). However, “Red Barchetta” doesn’t count because it’s heavily based on Richard M. Foster’s “A Nice Morning Drive”, and the plot is basically exactly the same as the short story. So, we are left with these songs:

“By-Tor and the Snow Dog”

“The Necromancer”

“The Fountain of Lamneth”

“2112” 

“Cygnus X-1 Book I: The Voyage”

“Cygnus X-1 Book II: Hemispheres”

All of Clockwork Angels

The good thing is that the majority of these songs are fantasy-themed, so we can throw logic and reason mostly out the window. However, some are sci-fi fantasy (Clockwork Angels, arguably both “Cygnus” books), and “2112” is just straight-up dystopian science fiction. Those are going to be a little harder to fit in, however, it can be done. As for the actual timeline itself, my proposal is that it looks something like this: “By-Tor and the Snow Dog” and “The Necromancer” occur at roughly the same time, as they both feature the same character, Prince By-Tor. They take place in a semi-mythological world, symbolized by By-Tor’s descent into the Underworld in “By-Tor and the Snow Dog”, and by his battle with Tolkien’s Necromancer in “The Necromancer”. Fast forward a couple decades or so, and then we have the events of “The Fountain of Lamneth”, as the song also derives heavily from mythological concepts, such as the Hero’s Cycle, as well as the lack of advanced technology. This puts “The Fountain of Lamneth” sometime in the distant past as well, but most likely after “By-Tor” and “the Necromancer”. Then, fast forward a couple thousand years, and you get Clockwork Angels, which was meant to be an experiment into a society in which Thomas Edison hadn’t popularized electricity, with everything instead being powered through alchemy, with steampunk aesthetics. The events of Clockwork Angels, then, could take place in an alternate version of the 20th Century, which closely resembled the 19th Century. 

This is where the timeline gets confusing and kinda muddled. Firstly, because it’s unclear on whether the technology of the world of Clockwork Angels would allow someone to travel into space, and it’s also unclear on whether they would be allowed to do so. However, both parts of “Cygnus X-1” have really nowhere else to fit on the timeline, as they certainly can’t go any earlier. For the sake of the argument, let’s say that for some reason, one’s life path in the Clockwork Angels society somehow made them an inventor, and they somehow had access to alternate technology that could theoretically let this person build a spaceship (or the equivalent) and travel into a black hole into another universe, THAT is where “Cygnus X-1” and “Hemispheres” would fit in. It would probably be the middle of the transition from Clockwork Angels to “2112”. 

From my extensive covering of “2112”, we know that the end of the war that tears apart the solar system and establishes the Solar Federation happens in 2062. Meaning, there was a war that began sometime earlier, and ended halfway into the 21st Century. The Clockwork Angels society begins sometime in the 1800s, and the album (and the book) ends with the implication that the cycle of Clockwork Angels will continue without the narrator’s intervention, as The Watchmaker (the sort of leader of Clockwork Angels) has invented some sort of alchemy to prolong his life. So, it is safe to say that, perhaps, this society continues until the death of the Watchmaker, which could occur sometime early in the 21st Century. After his death, let’s say a new, even more oppressive regime forms out of the chaos, and with the power of electricity and all of the alchemical discoveries of the Clockwork Angels society, they take over the solar system. Let’s also say that Earth is somehow ruined in the chaos, and this begins a mass exodus to Mars (my very first theory). 

That is the world in which “2112” takes place. It is the final part of the Rush timeline, which is quite fitting in a way. The story fits into a fantasy world, into which technology was finally developed. 

Is this batshit insane? Absolutely. It makes next to zero sense, and most likely wasn’t even on their minds. BUT I am still incorporating this into my belief system, especially after watching that short yesterday. I just felt like posting something that wasn’t related to my current side-project. 

[grindpromotionrecords]

Upon the release of the first full length album ‘Entropic Reflections Continuum: Dimensional Unravel’ it was instantly revealed that VoidCeremony were treading a path few walk. The album proved that Death Metal can be performed with the gliding, controlled chaos and smooth fluidity of a jazz quartet, while still leaving the listener holed up in a dungeon, low on HP, out of spells, and surrounded by deadly demons. ‘Threads of Unknowing” is a journey which resurrects concepts on earlier display and summons evermore progressive and technical compositions. Mastermind and guitarist/vocalist Garrett Johnson and guitar virtuoso Phil Tougas (Atramentus, Chthe’ilist, Worm, First Fragment) share both vocals and lead guitar duties here, while bass god Damon Good (Mournful Congregation, Stargazer) weaves both fretted and fretless bass mastery and drummer Charlie Koryn (Ascended Dead, Hulder) encompasses not only speed and brutality, but a fine mix of precision and improvisation from jazz fusion. The end result is VoidCeremony and their signature sound: Time-melting Death Black Fusion.  With an apt cover painting representing the lyrical and philosophical vision of an ancient and forgotten future, VoidCeremony itself seems to be operating on an alternate Death Metal timeline that once made itself known, but only briefly, and was soon left behind for more commercial appeal. Yet the portal has been re-opened and the merging of these boundless possibilities and directions are now being brought forth directly once again. #voidceremony #threadsofunknowing #20buckspin #metal #death #deathmetal #metalhead #metalmusic #vinyl #vinyladdict #vinyllover #vinylshop #vinylgram #vinylme #vinylpress #vinylrecords #vinylcommunity #vinylwrap #vinylshop #vinyldistribution #grindpromotionrecords (presso Grindpromotion Records Hq) https://www.instagram.com/p/CpDU1lwo3bO/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=