#and when patti sings in the background… chills

[tenthsfreezeout]

this is slowly becoming one of my favourite ever bruce songs.

one of the things i think about often is a performance when patti saw this as a sign request i think early in the 2010s? or late 2000s? anyway then she asks bruce to play it, then they both start crying (but do a pretty good job hiding it) while playing and i think it’s because it brought back memories of when they played it back in tunnel of love era and what they felt for each other playing it all those nights… and how far they have come since then. how haunting this song is… wow.

[kyodzuken]

boyfriend headcanons - soul evans

a/n; my soul evans inspired playlist!! https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1YntdhOZPg1wMzYBwymwWR?si=JnHvKUWRSKGghG_dDakXGA

- you and soul started off as friends

- you'd joined the dwma halfway through the year and immediately hit it off with liz and patty

- and inevitably the rest of the group

- you're shy; so seeing this big group of loud - and very talented - weapons and meisters threw you off a bit

- but don't judge a book by its cover bc they were acc vvv warm and welcoming

- 'any friend of liz and patty is a friend of ours!'

- your partner was the first to realize tbh

- you and the gang were playing basketball

- or rather you, patty and your partner sat and watched as the rest played basketball

- when they caught you staring at a certain white-haired weapon a lil too long

- and patty;; being the girl she is;;; brought it up instantly when your partner nudged her shoulder.

- '(y/n)-chan!!! i never took you as a lovey type!'

- you rolled your eyes and denied it

- but they knew

- and so did you

- that night,, maka invited everyone over

- and ofc luck was on your side

- and you were squeezed next to soul during the movie marathon

- and it didn't help your case when he put his arm behind you, resting it on the couch.

- you thanked god it was dark because liz would definitely bully you for how red you were lmfao

- you excused yourself to the bathroom

- nearly shat your pants bc ????? uh????? you were just next to ur crush???

- and he smelt rlly nice wtf y/n snap out of it

- so after composing urself and one too many splashes of water on ur face;;

- you exited the bathroom to see the group sitting down in a game of 7 minutes in heaven

- and you wanted to cry

- you either got stuck with death the kid, literally the worst dude in the entire group (blackstar), crona, or your crush.

- lose/lose situation,,, maybe except crona bc theyre a cutie

- and lowkey you were wishing you picked up a specific hairband

-  and u did lol hahahah

- so u were stuck in this small cramped closet

- and u were so deep in thought

- u barely heard when the poor boy called ur name

- ' uhh,, listen,, this is so uncool of me to say here but,, if you say no i'll just kick you out of my house.'

- jeez ok albino

- 'i like you.'

- you swore you stopped breathing

- wtfwtf????

- did he just???

- nawl

- 'uh... i like you too..' you muttered

- which ended with a 2 minute long makeout session

- his hands travelling somewhere they shouldn't

- before blackstar slammed open the closet doors

- exposing the two of you; lips puffy and hair messed up

- the teasing didn't stop for months lol

- but das okay bc deep down they knew yall were couple goals PLS

- soul has a playlist

- filled w bangers

- and everytime he's over and the playlist starts....

- whew heated makeout sesh

- he definitely has some led lights in his room

- set to red

- wink wonk

- he's the type of boyfriend to always have his hand around your waist

- and y'all are best friends doe

- cue maka getting jealous / mad bc soul started ignoring her lowkey<//3

- deserve

- ANYWAYS you guys are literal SOULmates (hehe)

- you have so many inside jokes

- the group is honestly surprised bc they didn't think you two would get along at first

- soul is the type of boyfriend to have sm memes on his phone

- like you'll text him the most specific scenario ever and he'd have a wendy williams meme for it

- and he teases u,, sure

- but it always comes from a good place yktfv

- soul is the type of boyfriend to hold ur head and give you forehead kisses

- he'd give the best hugs too

- he'd wrap his arms around your torso and place his chin ontop of your head

- whenever ur sad just text him a lil frown face

- he's at ur door in record time

- w takeout, some snacks he possibly stole from maka's stash, and his netflix password

- sometimes you guys just lie there

- basking in each other's presence

- u might hold hands but

- mostly just enjoying each other

- soft rnb or indie playing in the background (peep my soul inspired playlist juicyoh)

- soul isn't good at doing ur hair

- but he'd try

- stupid little braids while u two are watching a movie

- netflix and chill except yall acc chill

- like he literally falls asleep in ur arms awe

- and you'd sometimes ask to do makeup on him if u wear makeup

- put his hair back w a lil hairband as he mutters some shit like

- ' this is SO not cool '

- shut up white boy you love it

- expensive dinner dates are few and far between

- but thats just bc yall are not that kind of couple

- you'd rather just get takeout and watch a good comedy or horror

- you'd be the couple to start a youtube channel

- and it'd be acc funny content like,,

- people would subscribe for the couple and stay for the content

- once you did a fnaf lets play

- soul literally left halfway through bc he got scared

- cue the 'bestfriend vs girlfriend tag w/ maka and y/n'

- if ur a meister

- you've probably tried wielding soul in his weapon form

- let's say,, it didn't go too well,,, and now theres a big mark in a wall in the city

- you and soul would 100% play pranks on blackstar and death the kid

- especially death the kid

- with help from lizzy and patty you'd make the poor boy regret ever introducing you two

- but it's all in good fun and the black haired boy has gotten y'all back multiple times too

- soul loves it when you wear his clothes

- like just seeing u in his hoodie makes him ❤️ 💓 💕 💖 💓  💖💕 ❤️

- one of ur biggest pet peeves tho

- is hes constantly undermining his struggles

- and you sit him down like

- 'babe,, youre important to me,,, you need to tell me if somethings wrong okay???'

- baby bursts into tears

- you and maka are some of the only people he's open to.

- he'd definitely play you piano

- or teach you if you don't know how

- maybe you'll sing along a few times

- when you fight it's usually over silly things

- like maybe maka was being maka and he's stressed so he lashed out

- or you didn't kill the kishin you were meant to and got told off by lord death

- it always ends in apologies;; you two don't really let it get between you

- soul is the type to tuck ur hair behind your ear when making out

- or the type to give u hugs from behind

- like imagine omgomg

- you're just chilling in the hallways at the dwma

- talking to patty

- when soul just

- he just

- ugh hugs u from the back, his head on your shoulder, a soft smile on his face as he kisses your cheek.

- cutie asf y'all r cute cute cute

- all in all

- he rlly does care ab you and you just

- "right back atcha babeyy!!"

- fr though

- y'all are bestfriends but also lovers

- goals af

- manifesting a relationship like that brb

[gleekto]

Summary: College AU/Famous!Blaine and Fanboy!Kurt - Kurt POV

Kurt really doesn’t have time to figure out the dating world between being a freshman at prestigious theatre school, LAADA,  and his active but secret blogging life in the Sing!Fandom. So what if Sing! ended last year? There are still fics to read and actors to follow. Especially the uber talented heartthrob lead, Blaine Anderson. He can act. He can sing. He can even dance. He’s gay. He’s out. And he’s only 24. Kurt is willing to twiddle his thumbs and click refresh until Blaine Anderson’s next project.

He just didn’t expect the next project to be on his roommate Rachel’s new TV show.

Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6, Part 7, Part 8, Part 9

Even Better than the Real Thing (10/13)

Kurt drops the phone as his heart starts to race and panic takes over. He feels like he’s going to throw up. No. He doesn’t have time to throw up. He immediately signs on to tumblr and deletes his blog. Gone. But it’s too late anyways. He calls Mercedes on autopilot. 

“It’s over, Mercedes,” Kurt shakes as he says it. “He knows.”

“What? Who knows what?” But he can practically see the information dawn on her as she says it. “He knows you were a fan? Shit.”

“Yes, specifically, he knows that I was LimaBlaineFan - and I say was because I just deleted.”

“Oh my god, Kurt. How did this happen? Are you okay?”

“No, I’m not okay. And I don’t know. Or I can guess. He surprise visited me and I forgot to close my laptop screen and I must have left him in my room while I was dealing with Rachel and her oat milk,” Kurt puts the pieces together. “Fucking oat milk.”

“So he ended it on the spot?”

“No. God. He didn’t even say anything. He must have  seen something but not much, gone home and read the blog, and then texted me 24 hours later with a terse goodbye.”

“So what did he say?” Kurt sends her the text. “It’s not great,” She agrees. “But that’s not exactly closure.”

“I don’t think I get closure after what I did. Just memories of our night together and of what an idiot I am.” Kurt goes over the whole story with Mercedes - how he obviously wanted to be chill when he met Blaine, didn’t want to seem like a desperate fanboy but just a friend of Rachel’s - which he is! That wasn’t a lie. And he always made sure to give Blaine an out, not to talk too much, but Blaine kept wanting to talk and flirt and - well, as soon as he really started to believe that they were more than friendly acquaintances with a mutual friend, he stopped blogging. But it was too late by that point to say ‘Oh by the way, I was such a big fan of Sing! that I have a blog about it and your name may feature.’ But he knows it’s all an excuse. Blaine told him the first time they met that a fan is not a friend. And he didn’t heed the warning. Or tell the truth.

Mercedes listens to the story she already knows, and affirms and agrees, but unfortunately, can’t really fix a situation that can’t be fixed. Kurt spends the night staring at his ceiling and the next day moping around the house, tired and cranky. He binges Gossip Girl and eats popcorn and texts Mercedes sad face emojis.

Even Rachel notices that something’s wrong when she comes in that evening.  “You’re still in pajamas?” She looks at him quizzically. “And you look like hell.”

“Thanks?”

“And I only point that out because it’s very unlike you.”

“I guess that is actually a compliment.”

“What’s wrong?” Before he thinks of what he’s going to say, Rachel interrupts again. “Wait. Blaine was a wreck today - bags under his eyes, forgot all his lines. Just said he had a rough night. Okay, Kurt. What is going on with you two?”

“Nothing now.”

“Now?”

“It’s not working out, okay?” Rachel starts to say something again but thinks better of it.

“Okay,” She seems to clue in to the fact that he does not want to talk about it. “I’ll go out later to get you a piece of cheesecake from Henry’s.” His favourite cheesecake place. 

“Thank you,” He says sincerely. “Best therapy.”

...

After his cheesecake, which did take his mind off the mess of his life for at least 15 minutes, he moves back to his bedroom for night two of ceiling gazing, when his phone buzzes.

Blaine: So you didn’t respond.

He stares at the message, willing the right response to come to him.

Kurt: I honestly just don’t know what to say. Other than I’m sorry. I guess that’s what I should have said.

Blaine: So you are LimaBlaineFan, right?

Kurt: Guilty. Very guilty.

Blaine: Shit.

Kurt: I know we’re done - it’s my fault. You don’t need to say anything.

Kurt can’t actually bear the idea of Blaine lecturing him on honesty amidst crushing his heart.

Blaine: It is your fault. But we should talk.

Kurt: We should?

Blaine: Meet me at the Coffee Bean tomorrow at 3, okay?

Kurt: Let me check my calendar.

Blaine: Cheeky.

Kurt knows he made him smile despite himself.

Kurt: I’ll be there.

...

Kurt gets to the Coffee Bean half an hour early so he can be sure to be there first. He buys Blaine his favourite medium drip and adds a vanilla almond biscotti. 

“These for me?” Blaine says as he sits down across from Kurt.

“The least I could do.” Blaine rolls his eyes and shakes his head, but he accepts the coffee and cookie. “I’m really sorry. I should have told you.”

“Yeah, you should’ve,” Blaine says and pauses, sipping his coffee. 

“Can I ask you a question?” Kurt starts.

Blaine shrugs. “Go for it.”

“Why did you ask me to meet you for coffee? I mean, after finding out the guy you just -” Kurt gets red despite himself.

“Got naked with,” Blaine fills in.

“Yes - was actually a fan following your career-”

“And my body parts,” Blaine adds and Kurt gets much redder.

“I mean, I think that gives you license to fully ghost me without another word.”

“True,” Blaine nods his head. “But for one, you are my co-star’s roommate-”

“At least that’s true,” Kurt sighs at himself.

“Also, I’m not an asshole.”

“But I probably gave you reason to think that I am one.”

“No - which is the real reason I wanted to talk. The timeline.” Kurt looks at him confused. “Your blog on tumblr. It seems like once we met, you only blogged a few times. And by the time I was interested in you, you stopped posting.”

Kurt nods, giving himself an internal high five for at least one decent choice. “I did. Right after we-”

“Made out all night?” Blaine has got to stop putting these images back into his head in the midst of a break up conversation.

“No. It was before that. After you  - you know we talked in my room-”

Blaine remembers, smiling.  “When I got you to tell me you had never been kissed so I could tell you that you should be.”

“You’re so calculating,” Kurt shakes his head.

Blaine raises his hands in defense. “My intentions were pure, I promise. Besides, I could say the same about you.”

“I wasn’t calculating! I wasn’t even trying to be your friend, let alone your, you know. I am definitely not sophisticated enough to try to deceive you to get you into bed, god. I was just trying to seem reasonably normal and cool around my roommate’s new co-star who by complete coincidence was my celebrity crush of the last four years. It was way too uncool to reveal my alter ego to you.”

Blaine smiles, probably despite himself. “Can I tell you some of my favourites?”

“Oh god.”

It seems Blaine spent the better part of his evening delving deeply into the fandom mind of LimaBlaineFan, because he had screencapped some of Kurt’s oldest, and cringiest posts.

-Why isn’t he shirtless in that scene? The other guys are shirtless. Roy is hot. And no, I don’t think he’s embarrassed. 

“Well, you are right about that. I’m not camera shy.” 

-Thank God Blaine Anderson has a better fashion sense than Roy. Roy and his loose jeans and sweatpants - how would I even catch a glimpse? But did you see Blaine on that red carpet? Maroon suit, pants so tight. His ass is perfection.

-Blaine’s interview for Pride was perfection. He says we might even catch him out on the dance floors, dancing with some hotties. Maybe then he’ll be shirtless.

And of course, Blaine appreciated Kurt’s hard work on one of his most recent posts - The privileges and pitfalls of playing straight for an out gay actor: Quotes from Blaine Anderson’s interviews.

Kurt lets Blaine read each one, sitting silent in embarrassment and biting his lip through it all. It’s the least he deserves. Just as Blaine finishes his list and Kurt is about to go into profuse apology once again,  they’re interrupted.

A young woman who looks about seventeen scurries quickly up to their table. “Hi. I’m sorry. I know you’re busy. I’m just such a huge fan of Sing! And now That’s So Rachel-” - If that was a fan test, she passed. She knows both shows. That’s a minimum. “Can I get a pic with you?”

“Of course. Thank you so much for watching.” Blaine takes her phone like a pro and angles it so he and the girl are both in it, Kurt trying to avoid being the photobomb in the background. Blaine turns back to him as the girl leaves. 

“I guess that would’ve been me a few months ago.”

“For you, I might have even given a hug. Or the coveted kiss on the cheek. I always try to connect with the gay guy fans.”

“You succeeded?” Kurt tries and Blaine laughs. At least the energy between them is better. Much better. Like he won’t have to hide in a corner if he’s ever at an event with Blaine again or anything like that.

“I guess I did.”

“The first time I met you, you told me that a fan is not a friend.”

“I did.”

“Would you have asked me out if you had known from the beginning?”

“Probably not. Against the rules.”

“That’s what I thought.” There’s an awkward pause - Kurt’s not sure there’s anything else to say and apparently Blaine agrees because he switches the topic to the latest script and his excitement about working with Patti Lupone - who apparently, even gets to slap him. By the time they leave the café, Kurt feels relieved. He’s survived his first break up. Not that they were really together. He doesn’t have the energy to grieve the loss of kissing, and touching, and ironically still not having seen Blaine shirtless (pantless, yes). He’s sure it will hit him like a ton of bricks after he finally gets a real night of sleep, and then he will have Rachel prepare the cheesecake. Again. 

He crawls into bed early that night, grateful the shock and awful adrenaline of the last two days has finally left his body. His phone buzzes as he closes his light and he plans to text Mercedes back to tell her he’ll update her tomorrow. But it’s not Mercedes.

Blaine: Some rules are made to be broken.

[nerianasims]

Billboard #1s 1975

Under the cut.

Elton John – “Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds” -- January 4, 1975

He slowed it down. Of course he did. And he's singing it like every word must be perfectly enunciated so that you can understand how incredibly deep it is. Awful, terrible, ugh. William Shatner's version is actually preferable.

Barry Manilow – “Mandy” -- January 18, 1975

Barry Manilow got a lot of hate when I was a kid in the 80s, and I didn't understand from any first-hand experience because the only song I knew of his was "Copacabana." Now, listening -- he's not bad. Yeah, he's 70s light rock. But he sings with emotion that doesn't sound fake and this song has a beat. I'm not saying I like this song, in which the singer regrets sending away the woman he loves, but it's fine. I find it far more tolerable than any Elton John song on this list.

The Carpenters – “Please Mr. Postman” -- January 25, 1975

The Carpenters' asset was Karen Carpenter's amazing singing. This song does not showcase it. They'd have done better to cover "Will You Love Me Tomorrow" or "One Fine Day." Also the way they redid the music makes it sound more like a light 50s pop song than early Motown. Blech.

Neil Sedaka – “Laughter In The Rain” -- February 1, 1975

This song is about taking walks in the rain with his wife/girlfriend. There's something fake about his singing, and also he doesn't hit the high notes (which aren't that high) right. I'd actually like to hear what Barry Manilow would do with this. It's not terrible, but meh.

Ohio Players – “Fire” -- February 8, 1975

Putting sirens in a pop song is kinda dickish, because you're gonna get people driving in their cars to try to suddenly swerve off the road. Anyway, besides that, this is an Ohio Players song, so it's funk. I don't really know what else to say about it. Maybe it could have been a little faster? I'm a bit bored, and that should never happen with funk.

Linda Ronstadt – “You’re No Good” -- February 15, 1975

There are sure a lot of covers this year. Boomer nostalgia. But Linda Ronstadt put a hell of a lot of effort into this one, unlike the people who did the previous two covers. The song's also a really good one, with an interesting lyrical twist; not only is the singer telling the man who broke her heart that he's no good, but "I broke a heart that’s gentle and true/ Well, I broke a heart over someone like you.” That's some vinegar in the wound. And musically, it's really good rock -- not an ounce of schmaltz anywhere. Excellent song, and I went back to listen to it on repeat when I was done writing for the night.

Average White Band – “Pick Up The Pieces” -- February 22, 1975

It's a funk instrumental. I think this has been on a lot of soundtracks. I find it repetitive and kinda boring.

Eagles – “Best Of My Love” -- March 1, 1975

They're still in love but their marriage is falling apart. The divorce rate in the 70s was very high. People often claim those 70s statistics are the same today, but they very much are not. Anyway, it's not too whiny and he doesn't blame her, but the song is too slow and too light. You could replace the words with a straightforward love song without changing the music, so long as the love song was boring. Yawn.

Olivia Newton-John – “Have You Never Been Mellow” -- March 8, 1975

Wow, shut up Olivia. I can identify with being sick of someone who is wound up like an E string and wanting to tell them to just chill. Hell, I'm that tightly-wound person pretty often, and I do much better when I remember to be mellow when I can. But this song is condescending and superior. "Have you never tried to find a comfort from inside you?" Toxic positivity.

The Doobie Brothers – “Black Water” -- March 15, 1975

I saw the song title and the chorus immediately started up in my brain. This is a song about the Mississippi by people who may never have been east of Las Vegas. "I ain't got no worries/ Cuz I ain't in a hurry at all." Pfft right. But the music of this song is so catchy and fun, that even though I'm not fond of the lyrics, I like the song.

Frankie Valli – “My Eyes Adored You” -- March 22, 1975

This guy used to lead The Four Seasons, but thankfully he doesn't do that horrible falsetto in this one. Ostensibly this song is about how he's thinking about his first crush. I think that's a metaphor, though. I think it's a song worshiping nostalgia and missing childhood. Yuck.

LaBelle – “Lady Marmalade” -- March 29, 1975

Patti LaBelle claimed she didn't know what this song was about. Yeah right. It's about a guy who spent some time with a sex worker on his trip to New Orleans. There's no judgment. It's just a sort of funky, sort of disco-ey, definitely belted song and it’s great.

Minnie Riperton – “Lovin’ You” -- April 5, 1975

Turn it off turn it off turn it off. I hate this song. It's one of the first songs I knew I hated musically, rather than only lyrically. The lyrics are whatever, a 70s love song, but the music -- I can't handle it. It's like sandpaper on my brain.

Elton John – “Philadelphia Freedom” -- April 12, 1975

Elton John's ode to Philly soul. It doesn't work. It's too slow, it's repetitive, and Elton John's no soul singer. He's so boring.

B. J. Thomas – “(Hey Won’t You Play) Another Somebody Done Somebody Wrong Song” -- April 26, 1975

Hey won't you not play that please. It's too slow, and it's without guts or grit. The Muppets sped it up and made it a multi-Muppet honky tonk singalong, which improved it a lot. Also I think Bo Burnham took the idea for "Y'all dumb motherfuckers want a key change?" from Rowlf's "Up a key!" line in the Muppet version.

Tony Orlando & Dawn – “He Don’t Love You (Like I Love You)” -- May 3, 1975

Another cover of a 60s song. Linda Rondstadt is still the only one to do it right. The song itself, when sung by others, is a good one. Not when sung by Tony Orlando. It's like he bleached it. Also I expect him to tell me the slot machines are available all night when he's done.

Earth, Wind & Fire – “Shining Star” -- May 24, 1975

This song is absolutely awesome. It's disco-funk, and yet it's sort of a sermon about self-actualization too. "You’re a shining star, no matter who you are / Shining bright to see what you could truly be.” Compare and contrast with the condescending "Have You Never Been Mellow." This is how you inspire people.

Freddy Fender – “Before The Next Teardrop Falls” -- May 31, 1975

This song is in both English and Spanish. Musically, it sounds like it comes from way before 1975, but that's not a bad thing. The singer is losing his woman to another man, but he tells her if the new man ever hurts her, he'll be there before the next teardrop falls. It's a solid country song.

John Denver – “Thank God I’m A Country Boy” -- June 7, 1975

How much money did John Denver have by this point? He sounds like the typical rich conservative talking about how he's a good ol' down home boy while he's got a condo in New York, a mansion in California, and keeps an official residence in Oklahoma for tax purposes that he never visits. "A-raisin’ me a family and working on the farm / My days are all filled with an easy country charm." Total and absolute bullshit -- farm work is phenomenally hard, not "easy country charm." This song is offensively bad.

America – “Sister Golden Hair” -- June 14, 1975

The singer isn't ready for commitment but can't stop thinking about the woman he's singing to. So he's trying to keep her hangin' on. There's one line that I hate: "Will you love me just a little, just enough to show you care?" How about you show her you care first, you entitled brat? The music's pretty good, but the lyrics bug me.

The Captain & Tennille – “Love Will Keep Us Together” -- June 21, 1975

It has a beat and some bounce at least. She sings about how some girl may come along to try to take him away -- seriously? This silly hat-wearing doof? Okay, that's a problem. Another problem is that she sounds perfectly chipper throughout. She's not worried, but who would be? I think this song struck a chord because of the divorce rate in the 70s. That, along with it having an actual beat of some kind unlike so many other hits of the era, is my theory as to how it got big.

Wings – “Listen To What The Man Said” -- July 19, 1975

There is, of course, nothing wrong with silly love songs. But some of them are not good songs. I usually love to hear a saxophone on a pop song, but this one sounds like it belongs in background music on a TV show. The main melody line is boring. I think it's another song about divorce anxiety: "No matter what the man said/ And love is fine for all we know/ For all we know, our love will grow." Very true. But did you have to be so boring when imparting this message, Paul?

Van McCoy & The Soul City Symphony – “The Hustle” -- July 26, 1975

Doo doo doo da doo doo doo da doo. My dad actually knew how to do the two-person hustle. I think. Anyway, how he showed me to dance is the way the couples are dancing in the Hustle video here. Minus that leg kick. There are almost no words to this song. Just "Do the Hustle" and "The Hustle. Do it." And -- okay! It is an irresistible dance song. I like it, though the piccolo (I think it's a piccolo) gets hard to listen to after a while.

Eagles – “One Of These Nights” -- August 2, 1975

Tom Breihan, whose Stereogum articles I've been using to track these songs, doesn't like the Eagles when they turned to a bit more of a rock direction with this song. This is one of many examples of how he's wrong. Okay, okay, an example of how my taste differs from his, which is one thing that pushed me to do this list. But yes, I really like this song a lot. The guitars are great. The narrator of this song is looking for a girlfriend. Or maybe a friend with benefits. The lyrics are all pretty good, if hardly Stevie Nicks level, but one line stands out: "Oh, loneliness will blind you in between the wrong and the right." It will.

The Bee Gees – “Jive Talkin'” -- August 9, 1975

I made a weird noise that scared my cat when I saw this was the next one. But thankfully, I have a little more time before Barry Gibb's horrible falsetto pierces my brain. This is nonetheless a Bee Gees disco song, which means my butt is firmly planted in my seat and I have no desire to dance whatsoever. It isn't ear-bleeding like their later songs, as the falsetto is absent, but it is terribly boring.

Hamilton, Joe Frank And Reynolds – “Fallin’ In Love” -- August 23, 1975

He's fallin' in love with you again. Or maybe fallin' more in love with you. I dunno. I'm falling asleep.

KC & The Sunshine Band – “Get Down Tonight” -- August 30, 1975

Some dance songs are good listening songs. This one is not. The narrator wants to do a little dance, make a little love, get down tonight. And if you are not there to get down, the song is not for you. Especially how repetitive it gets in the second half. It serves its purpose as a dance song well, though.

Glen Campbell – “Rhinestone Cowboy” -- September 6, 1975

I really like rhinestones. I like sparkly stuff. The narrator of this song does too. He's been trying to get somewhere for a long time and has had it. He's eager to sell out thoroughly at this point. I get it. Oh boy do I get it. And being a rhinestone cowboy doesn't hurt anyone. If I could churn out huge amounts of disposable fiction with a "load of compromising" to make a lot of money, I'd do it in a heartbeat. My 20-year old self would be shocked. But life's hard, and "cringe" isn't harm. Rhinestone Cowboy's good in my book.

David Bowie – “Fame” -- September 20, 1975

And here's a song about how chasing celebrity is maybe not such a great idea. A really bad idea, actually.  "It drives you to crime," for one thing. Yet this is musically not a dour song at all. It's angry but upbeat at the same time. Also brilliant musically, which from David Bowie is "of course." Most excellent.

John Denver – “I’m Sorry” -- September 27, 1975

The narrator is sorry about a breakup. He says he's also "sorry for the way things are in China." That one line makes me side-eye the entire song. Saying that they're sorry for huge things that have nothing to do with them is something abusive people sometimes do. The rest of the song sounds sincere enough though. And boring. Oh, so very boring.

Neil Sedaka – “Bad Blood” -- October 11, 1975

The narrator is telling a guy that the woman he's with is bad and is going to mess him up. And he's angry about it -- not at the woman, but at the guy. I think the narrator wanted the woman and is now calling her an evil bitch to try to turn his supposed friend against her. There's this happy flute in the background that sounds really odd with this deeply nasty song. Also, nastiness should be more interesting than this. It's both mean and boring.

Elton John – “Island Girl” -- November 1, 1975

Did Elton John start all his songs with the same chords? I feel like he did. This doesn't sound like an island song. It sounds like an ad jingle. A racist, sexist ad jingle. Ha-ha isn't it funny that a woman is tall and dark-skinned. The song calls her a "well-worn tire." So, so bad.

KC & The Sunshine Band – “That’s The Way (I Like It)” -- November 22, 1975

I have never understood any lyrics to this song but the chorus, or been curious enough to look them up. I just did. There are very few lyrics in this song besides the chorus, but yep, it's about sex. It's another KC & The Sunshine Band dance song that's great for dancing, and not really meant for anything else.

Silver Convention – “Fly, Robin, Fly” -- November 29, 1975

"Fly, robin, fly/ Up up to the sky" are the lyrics to this song. Over and over again. It's plastic Euro-disco and it is bad. Not danceable, no reason to listen to it, no reason for it to exist. I can only think that large amounts of cocaine were involved in this becoming a hit.

The Staple Singers – “Let’s Do It Again” -- December 27, 1975

It's another sleepy sex song, but this one is by a band with three sisters and their father. Their father sings on this track too. Apparently he didn't want to, and I wish he'd stuck by that, because ew.

BEST OF 1975 -- "Lady Marmalade" by LaBelle and "Shining Star" by Earth, Wind and Fire WORST OF 1975 -- "Island Girl" by Elton John

[shemakesmusic-uk]

This segment features artists who have submitted their tracks/videos to She Makes Music. If you would like to be featured here then please send an e-mail to shemakesmusic@hotmail.com. We look forward to hearing from you!

Bayleigh Cheek

Dallas native Bayleigh Cheek began her love affair with music at an early age thanks to her immersive upbringing. Both parents were in the music scene, exposing her to a variety of sounds ranging from psychedelic and folk to progressive rock and new wave. Some of her personal music influences include Patti Smith, P.J. Harvey, Radiohead, and Angel Olsen. Those influences led to the creation of her EP, Immortals, that was self-released in early 2020 which brought her DOMA nominations for Best New Artist and Best EP. Her latest single is ‘Release Me’. "This song is about what it means to realize you've believed a lie, or false identity of yourself, and the process of becoming free from it and knowing the truth,” explains Bayleigh. “Growing up listening to a range of genres, from psychedelic and folk to progressive rock and new wave, ‘Release Me’ opened my eyes to the world of synths and everything electronics can provide to create a whole new universe of sound. Taking something seemingly fun and cheerful on the outside, and revealing something deeper on the inside. Before I started writing my upcoming debut album, I decided to be more vulnerable, honest and raw. I've hidden behind surrealism, which is still a big part of my art and always will be, but in light of the pandemic, I felt I needed to really let myself be open and not hide anymore. I'm becoming the person I've always wanted to become, and art will always be there as gentle reminders." Listen below.

Bayleigh Cheek · Release Me

Cozy Slippers

Cozy Slippers have released their first new music since 2019’s single ‘A Million Pieces’ b/w ‘Will You Disappear?’ (Kleine Untergrund Schallplatten) and the band’s tour of the United Kingdom. Like everyone else, the Seattle indie band had to adapt to the challenges of 2020 and beyond. ‘When Will When Come?’ is the first release to come from a year’s worth of home recordings done by the band. “We started from scratch. We didn’t have any gear and hadn’t really thought about recording ourselves before. It was so great to escape the stressful outside world for a while by recording and meeting on Zoom to put it all together,” explains vocalist and bassist Sarah Engel. While the band couldn’t be in the same room at the same time, they made use of samples from their prior recordings in order to stamp their sound and personality on the song. “We did whatever we could to get this thing recorded. Some of the vocals I recorded into my phone while sitting alone in my car or late at night when everybody else was asleep. It was a challenge to find space to be creative and alone time to make the recording happen during the past year,” remembers drummer and vocalist Barbara Barrilleaux. The track was mixed by Dylan Wall (Versing, Great Grandpa, and High Sunn).  Lyrically, ‘When Will When Come?’ is a plea from one person to another to embrace life’s messy possibilities -- to live before it is too late. Instead of participating in their own life, the subject of the song stares out a window and fantasizes about pink flamingos.  “I remember the first time I heard Sarah singing the lyrics. I thought the idea of somebody daydreaming about traveling to see flamingos was weirdly sad. Flamingos look cool, but the world has a lot of other things I’d want to see before a bunch of birds. It seemed poignant to have such a relatively small wish and still be unwilling to make it reality,” recalls guitarist Steven Skelton. Listen below.

Cozy Slippers · When Will When Come?

Everstill

New York-based alternative rock band Everstill have released ‘In Your Dreams,’ their first single off their debut album, Longing. Singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Sara Aridi (vocals, bass, guitars, keys) weaves her melodic guitars and haunting vocal harmonies with percussionist Luca Bertaglia’s pulsating drums to evoke sounds that are at once melancholic and euphoric. The group draws from disparate influences and genres including grunge, indie rock, jazz, metal, folk and more. ‘In Your Dreams,’ recalls artists like Warpaint, Wolf Alice and Chelsea Wolfe. Aridi wrote the song — something of a seductive plea to an unknowing crush — in 2015. A year later she met Bertaglia while playing in an alt-prog band, and the pair reconnected in early 2020 to bring her songs to life. They found themselves working on their debut album during the pandemic. Listen to ‘In Your Dreams’ below.

Everstill · In Your Dreams

No Lore

No Lore is unlike any other indie alt-pop duo. It all started when Manila-based visual artist Tita Halaman decided to make music out of her paintings and poetry with her brother Jerald. As an artist, she wants to elevate her audience’s experience by expounding the message of her paintings through the art of words and sound. No Lore’s goal is to continuously release a new song with a painting every month and to publish a book out of it. The band name No Lore comes from the concept of having no formal studies in visual art, music, and poetry. Both Tita Halaman and Jerald are self-taught and everything is D.I.Y. from ideation to audio and video production. New single ‘With Little Light’ is “a song about courage,” explains Tita. “I believe there is no such thing as complete darkness to a soul that thrives to seek for “light” everywhere. With all that’s happening these days, I hope that we can still see hope no matter how little it may seem. Hope prevails if we believe. I’m a visual artist here in the Philippines and my signature style is writing poems at the back of my paintings,” she continues of her creative process. “On top of that, me and my brother Jerald are also into music - we’ve been playing together and learning different instruments since we were kids. No Lore is our attempt to create a layered expression of our emotions. I’d say our songs are my art and poetry, but in sonic form. Every song is inspired by a specific painting of mine and the latter serves as the former’s cover art.” Listen to ‘With Little Light’ below.

Another Nguyen

Ngoc-Anh is a Vietnamese German independent artist from Berlin performing under the name Another Nguyen. She has just released her new single ‘My Friend’ which was entirely written, produced, mixed and mastered by women. She says of the song: “I wrote this song after a friend of mine opened up to me that her long-term partner was physically abusive towards her. Hearing her story was shocking because I had always perceived them as a very happy couple. With this song I want to tell my friend and anyone who has experienced intimate partner violence that "I see you" and "You are not alone". Listen below.

ANOTHER NGUYEN · My Friend

Noni A.

‘20s’ is the new single from the Berlin-based artist Noni A. Written in her bedroom and turned into a chill pop production by her brother, ‘20s’ talks about the aspects in your twenties that happen in the background but are not often addressed. 21-year-old singer-songwriter Noni A was born and raised in Prague in a German-Greek household. In 2020 Noni A. released her debut single ‘Losing Game’, an acoustic pop ballad. Currently based in Berlin, Noni dives into a different sonic direction in her new music. Inspired by the sound of Jeremy Zucker, Audrey Mika and Quinn XCII, Noni A. blends emotionally honest and unreserved lyrics with a clean and minimalist chill pop production. With her new single ‘20s’, Noni A. takes a new sonic direction. '20s' dives into the chill pop scene, including lo-fi elements, more samples, underlined by a strong beat. "I walked into my kitchen one evening and had absolutely no motivation to clean it,” says Noni A. “Apparently when you’re 20 that becomes a regular activity (cheers to my mom for letting me live blissfully unaware of this and cleaning up my stuff too). This realisation of my day-to-day life as a 20-something-year-old turned into the inspiration of '20s'. This song talks about all those things that everyone experiences in their twenties that happen in the background of our lives: moving out of your hometown, adjusting to life on your own, procrastinating (if you say you don't procrastinate, stop lying) and learning how to use your washing machine (in my opinion a straight-up mystery)." Listen below.

Noni A. · NONI A - 20s

Chrissie Huntley

One of Bristol’s most promising new artists, Chrissie Huntley has released her brand new single, ‘Supposed to Be’. Huntley decided to use the time granted by national lockdowns to her advantage. Collaborating with musicians across the globe and transforming her closet into a home studio, Chrissie has spent the past year equipping herself with a brand new body of work to return to the stage with later in 2021. ‘Supposed to Be’ is the first of a series of single releases set for release this year, and is one that the Brit School graduate holds close to her heart: “‘Supposed to Be’ is one of the first songs I ever wrote when I was a teenager and I just got dumped by the guy who I thought was supposed to be “the one”. I think we’ve all been in that position where you know that it’s over, but you just want to hold on and pretend just a little while longer…” Recorded in Bristol with upcoming songwriter and producer Laurence Fazakerley Buglass, the track demonstrates why Chrissie’s effortless vocals have had such an effect on her audience to date. Working with rising producers Jon Will, Gabriel Gifford (Harvey Causon, Maya Law, Lucy Lu) and Peter Beckmann (Gregory Porter, Laura Mvula, Marie Dahlstrom) to bring the song to life; ‘Supposed to Be’ is the perfect balance of collective ingenuity, creativity and talent...  mixed with the exposed, emotional honesty that comes with having your heart broken. “... It’s a very vulnerable track I suppose. It was very raw at the time of writing and I never had any intention of releasing it- it was more like a therapy to me than anything else. But, seven years later and here we are! Releasing this as an introduction to my new sound seemed like the perfect fit, as it holds the part of me that first turned to music at a time where I was struggling, which went on to become the entire premise of my musical journey..." Listen below.

Karen Harding

Weaving enchanting melodies straight from the heart, Karen Harding crafts, intimate heartfelt tracks that help us become ones with ourselves. The kind of one-to-one soul conversations that dig deep into our hearts and wake emotions once thought long gone. She specializes in helping people shed away their insecurities and finally feel again in a special moment of true authenticity. Drawing from a lifetime of experience, the Melbourne-based singer crafts bittersweet melodies that move and inspire. She gorgeously crafts an entire experience with every timeless track she creates. The emerging singer has just  released her debut track ‘I Didn’t Realise’. The heartbreak ballad talks on the struggle of an earth shatteringly painful breakup in a way so intimate it feels like we’re right there with her. It’s a reflective song that navigates us through every raw emotion during the healing process; from processing the pain to finally coming to terms with what’s happened. Truly a breath-taking journey that will leave you with a deep sense of wonder. The song was passionately penned in the peak of Covid-19 on a piano she played growing up. Like much of her music it came to her very organically. She had the chords already laid out and the words just flowed out of her soul naturally. It wasn’t created with the intention of being turned into a record. Rather it was a simple moment of self-expression based on the way she currently felt. The result is something deeply authentic that’s oozing in originality. She worked with acclaimed producer Josh Hennessy of Pivotal Music to bring the project to life. He helped add the magic to this simplistic yet innovative piano and vocal track. Listen below.

KarenHarding · I Didn't Realise

[sophieakatz]

Thursday Thoughts: Disney On Broadway Concert Series Wish List

For the last four years, guests at the Epcot International Festival of the Arts have been dazzled by Broadway stars. The Disney on Broadway Concert Series, originally a weekend-only event in 2017, quickly adopted a full seven-day-a-week schedule in subsequent years, with star duos trading off performance nights – and what a delight those performances have been! Seeing the artists who brought beloved Disney characters to life on stage, and getting to hear them sing our favorite songs from those shows, is beyond amazing. It’s even more amazing when those performers are not on an album recording, but just a few yards or even feet away from you in the America Gardens Theatre!

I’ve been to several festival performances since they began. I’ve heard Heidi Blickenstaff’s chilling rendition of Ursula’s “Poor Unfortunate Souls,” Alton Fitzgerald-White’s soulful performance of Mufasa’s “They Live In You,” and Steve Blanchard’s enchanting portrayal of the Beast’s “If I Can’t Love Her.” It’s been a delight to watch Gavin Lee tap-dance across the stage to “Step In Time” from Mary Poppins, and for Ashley Brown to teach us how to spell “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious.”

I am, of course, eager for each of these previous performers, and all the others I have not listed here, to return to the Festival of the Arts. However, I can’t help but think about all the other Disney on Broadway musicals I adore. Who else might we have the honor to see and hear at Epcot in future seasons?

Here is my wish list for future Disney on Broadway Concert Series performances – in no particular order!

1. Merle Dandridge – Kala in Tarzan: The Broadway Musical

We’ve had a couple of Tarzan’s actors in the concert series before. Josh Strickland and Kevin Massey certainly have the rock-star voice to deliver Phil Collins’s hits. But for me, the best thing about the Tarzan musical is that Kala herself gets to sing “You’ll Be In My Heart,” rather than leaving it to the male background singer. It’s a gorgeous version of an Oscar-winning song, and it would fill my heart to hear her perform it live.

2. Sierra Boggess – Ariel in The Little Mermaid

Our wonderful Disney on Broadway Concert Series performers keep singing songs from The Little Mermaid – and doing a wonderful job at it, don’t get me wrong. But what if we actually got to see the original mermaid princess sing “Part of Your World” for herself? Sierra Boggess, also known for performing Christine Daaé in productions of The Phantom of the Opera and Love Never Dies, was Broadway’s original Ariel. It would be amazing to have her in Epcot!

3. Michael Arden – Quasimodo in The Hunchback of Notre Dame

Unfortunately, Disney’s stage production of The Hunchback of Notre Dame never made it out of its off-Broadway days. However, this didn’t stop the Paper Mill Playhouse cast from creating a gorgeous studio recording album, and it hasn’t stopped the concert series from using its songs in the show, either! Hearing Michael Arden belt out “Out There” and “Made of Stone” is breathtaking enough in audio alone. Seeing him in person would be a dream come true.

4. Ciara Renée – Esmeralda in The Hunchback of Notre Dame

While we’re at it, why not bring Esmeralda to life in Epcot as well? “God Help The Outcasts” has been at the top of Disney fans’ favorite songs list since it was first sung, and who better to sing it in the Disney on Broadway Concert Series than Ciara Renée, who played opposite Michael Arden in the off-Broadway production!

5. Just about everyone from Frozen: The Broadway Musical

I mean, come on. We all want this. Yes, it’s fun to hear other Broadway stars sing the songs from the Frozen movie in concert. But what about the songs that were written for the stage production? What about hearing Patti Murin sing “True Love”? What about hearing Jelani Alladin sing “Kristoff’s Lullaby”? What about hearing the two of them sing-argue their way through “What Do You Know About Love?” And what about hearing Caissie Levy sing “Monster” and “Dangerous to Dream?” Now that new performers are taking their turn in Frozen on Broadway, let’s send the original stars some invitations to Epcot!

6. Tsidii Le Loka, Josette Bushell-Mingo, or Buyi Zama – Rafiki in The Lion King

I honestly couldn’t decide for this one. Original Broadway Cast, Original London Cast, or international casts – they’re all excellent. I just love “Circle of Life.” I just want Rafiki to get the same recognition Mufasa and Nala have at the Epcot Festival of the Arts. I just want more Disney on Broadway in Epcot, you guys!

Which Disney on Broadway musicals and songs do you like best? Who would you love to see perform at Epcot in 2021? Reblog, retweet, or reply with your Disney on Broadway memories and dreams!

[lalka-laski]

1. Do you bite or lick ice cream? Both 

2. What is home to you? Anywhere with my loved ones 

3. What was the last lie you told? Definitely something minor, I just can’t remember it. 

4. Does everyone deserve the truth? That’s a good question. I guess if an individual seeks/demands the truth then they deserve it. 

5. What is the creepiest toy ever made? FUCKING FURBY

6. Describe a moment in which you did something unacceptable in a bad situation. Where do I even begin? 

7. List two things that are more easily done than said. (No, I didn't mix them up.) Getting out of bed in the morning is actually much easier than I make it out to be. Yet I lay there for ages beforehand agonizing and dreading it. The same goes for working out and going to the gym. It’s all the lead-up that’s worse than the activity itself. 

8. When was the last time you worked really hard to achieve something? Several months ago I was doing some intensive therapy and EMDR to detach myself from traumatic memories. 

9. How many all nighters have you pulled? I’ve never counted, but not many. I love sleep too much. 

10. If humans didn't evolve to laugh or smile, how would we express our happiness instead? Hand gestures maybe? Clapping? Jumping up and down? 

11. How many romantic "things" or "flings" have you had? Again, I’ve never counted. I will say I’ve had far more “flings” than actual relationships though. 

12. What is your paradise? Laying in bed next to my honey, a breeze from an open window chills the room but we’re cozy under the comforter. Our favorite candle is lit (Winter White Woods), and we’re silently reading our books, setting them down only to occasionally sneak a kiss. It’s my personal heaven. 

13. What is your favorite background noise? (Ex. Water dripping, people talking.) Certainly NEITHER one of those, as they both drive me crazy. I like consistent white noise from a fan or AC or something.

14. How many hearts do you think you have broken? Beats me. 

15. What is the most important thing about electronics? What does this say about you? I don’t understand the question 

16. Why do people care about celebrities? Do you care about celebrities? Because they’re wealthier and more attractive than any average person could ever hope to be, and as a society, we prize those qualities. I also think many of us find it to fun to fantasize or live vicariously through beautiful, rich people. And to answer the second part of the question, I do care about celebrities but I try not to conceptualize them and remind myself that they’re still people. 

17. What is the most annoying thing someone can do to you? Walk slowly in front of me in a store/other public place. 

18. Do you overexaggerate? What are the pros and cons of this? I sure do, but I’m working on it. I can be dramatic at times... The pros of this are that situations that worry me are never as bad as I envision them to be. But alternatively, that means things I hype up in my head aren’t as great as I imagine either. 

19. Have you played any instruments before? Which instruments? Well I think every child in American public schools is forced to learn the recorder at some point. After that, I played the clarinet for a few years. Then as a teenager, I took “guitar lessons” with a friend of mine but we never did much guitar playing.... 

20. Do you like taking selfies? Why or why not? I do! I prefer them to any other type of photo because I can control how I look in a selfie. 

21. List 3 things you like about yourself? My friendliness, my empathy, my neatness/organization. 

22. What is the best advice someone has ever given you? I’ve been given lots of great advice over the years. I’m just bad at thinking on the spot... 

23. Do you have what it takes to raise a child? Why or why not? I feel that I do. I have a very strong maternal nature, I love babies/children and I have a lot of experience caring for them. Of course, I know *raising* a child is much different than simply feeding/changing/playing, but I believe much of that is a “learn as you go” type of deal. 

24. How do you cheer yourself up after a bad day? Cleaning helps me relax and feel better about my life. I also love taking hot baths, journaling, reading, vegging out in front of the TV or enjoying a glass of wine or two. 

25. When was the last time you felt awkward? The day I was born and I haven’t stopped since 

26. Are you introverted or extroverted? Or a mixture of both? I’m introverted in the sense that I value quiet and solitude, and I feel most at peace when I’m alone. But I have good social skills and (I think) I’m better at interacting with other people than most self-professed introverts. 

27. What constitutes a good friend? Loyalty, honesty, established trust. Similar interests and sense of humor are important too, IMO. 

28. Would you rather have a lot of friends to hang out with or just one best friend? Just one best friend 

29. In a regular day, what do you not want to hear? Donald Trump, or anything related to him. 

30. What is your dream job? Writer 

31. Is it better to be lazy but smart or hardworking but unintelligent? I like this question! There are success stories from both ends of the spectrum. The optimist in me wants to believe that hard work and grit will take you further than any natural talent will, and in many cases, this is true. However, I also believe in a “work smarter, not harder” approach. Sometimes cutting corners and accomplishing tasks in a more “lazy” way is more innovative. 

32. What is a truth about yourself that others find hard to believe? I’m not an animal person at all. I think because I’m a vegetarian and because I just have a sensitive, compassionate nature, people assume I’m an animal lover. In truth, I’d like most animals to keep their distance from me. 

33. What have you always wondered about the other gender? E v e r y t h i n g. 

34. Which fantasy world would you like to visit the most? Wonderland 

35. Describe the worst friend you have ever befriended. No thank you. Not worth the time. 

36. Imagine that you have switched bodies with someone you don't know. You can't switch back. What do you do? That depends entirely on whose body I get. 

37. If you found the recipe for immortality, would you sell it or would you burn it? Sell it. I’m poor. 

38. What is the most important, applicable class you have ever taken? The most formative class I can remember was 10th grade Advanced English. Prior to that, I was a bookworm and always excelled at reading comprehension in school. But it wasn’t until this class that I learned to deeply and critically analyze texts. To recognize the significance of a single word. To appreciate the power of just one detail of a scene or a story. It was in this class that I realized no element of a text is insignificant.  39. Name the last book you read. Currently reading “The Favorite Daughter” by Patti Callahan Henry 

40. Imagine that you are unable to express emotion. How would this affect your world? I’m an exceptionally emotional person so everything about my life would change. Everything!

41. When was the last time you made the first move? Almost never. It’s just not my style. 

42. What is your opinion on electronic music such as dubstep or trap? It’s not my taste 

43. What was the last movie you watched? I truly can’t remember 

44. Do you like and appreciate your life? I do! 

45. Do you like and appreciate yourself? Again, I do! 

46. When was the last time you cried? Couple days ago 

47. What are you scared of? Almost everything 

48. What is the most embarrassing, cringe-worthy thing you have ever done? I’m not going there... 

49. What are some of your hobbies? Reading, writing, crafting 

50. What is a superficial yet annoying mistake you constantly make? I mess up pronouns in conversation a lot. If I’m talking about 2 or more people, I might mistakenly interchange their pronouns. 

51. Are you a good friend? What makes you a good friend? If not, what makes you a bad friend? I like to think so. Sometimes I’m maybe more distant than I should be and I’m usually not the person to arrange plans. But still, I’m reliable and loyal and I’m always available to lend an ear. 

52. Do you honestly learn from your mistakes? NOPE ha ha ha. 

53. What have you learned the hard way? Most lessons

54. What is the most important thing to have in order to attain happiness? Love. Whether it’s from family, friends or a SO. I need to know I’m loved, appreciated and supported. 

55. Which medium do you use for expressing your artistic emotions? (Singing, writing, etc.) I’m a writer, so the written word is my preferred and most used medium. But I like to dabble in other art forms too: painting, drawing, crafts. And I sing A LOT, which could arguable be a form of emotional expression. 

56. Are you a creative or a logical thinker? Creative 

57. What is the smartest thing you have ever done? Enroll in therapy 

58. What is your ideal meal? Mexican or Mediterranean 

59. What is the worst thing someone could do on a date? Tell me he voted for Trump or really anything of that nature. 

60. Do you like animals? Which kind is your favorite? A very select few. I love rabbits, deer, goats, cats. That might be it... 

61. If you could turn one legal thing illegal, what would it be? Those hidden fees when buying concert tickets online 

62. Do you have any guilty pleasures? Fast food. Really any kind of cheap, junk food that’s void of any nutritional value but tastes so fucking good I can’t resist. 

63. What is the best thing that the internet has ever created? Road work ahead? Uh yeah, I sure hope it does. 

64. Do you like playing video games? Which video games? No, I was never into them. 

65. What is your opinion on beauty in today's society? I’m very happy to see beauty ideals (slowly) expanding to be more inclusive. But we still have a long ways to go

66. Are you a morning person? When do you usually wake up? Well 3/5 days of my work week require me to be up at 5:30 am. I usually cry and cringe when my alarm goes off, and sometimes continue to cry and cringe through my entire morning routine. But I often feel better once I get to work, and I like the idea of having the whole day ahead of me. Sometimes it’s nice being awake before most of the world. 

67. Do you have a favorite Disney movie? Character? Anyone who knows me knows I’m all about Sleeping Beauty/Princess Aurora. I actually love all Princess movies. Oh, and Toy Story. I live for Toy Story. 

68. Would you rather live in the city or in the countryside? The city, I like the convenience of walking anywhere I need to go and/or using public transport. As a non-driver, it’s pretty crucial for me. 

69. Would you rather live near the ocean or in the mountains? The ocean, I suppose. Though neither of those options really speak to me. 

70. What are the best things about winter? COZINESS. I’m talking fireplaces, fuzzy slippers, cozy jammies, lots and lots of blankets! 

71. What scares you most about the future? The uncertainty of it. 

72. What makes you feel old? Modern slang. I have no idea what “kids these days” are saying, and I feel like such a loser when I try to use trendy lingo in conversation. 

73. How many hours do you spend on the computer or phone on average? Majority of my day 

74. What are some of your New Year's resolutions? I don’t make them 

75. What is your life story in 6 words? Making it up as I go. 

76. Describe yourself in one word. Emotional 

77. What bad habits do you do? Worrying, over-thinking, obsessing 

78. What genre of music do you listen to? A variety. But most of my favorites could be categorized somewhere in the realm of rock/alternative/pop rock/soft rock. 

79. Most prominent childhood memory? My earliest memory was the birth of my sister, one day before my third birthday. And I would say it’s one of, if not the most, important memory of mine, considering her significance in my life and the bond we share. 

80. Imagine if you had an older brother. If you already have one, what is it like? If you don't, how would this change your life? I only have sisters, so my life would be VASTLY different if I had a brother. I learned a great deal from my older sister, none of which would’ve been possible if she were a boy. 

81. Spirit animal? Deer

82. Do you believe in horoscopes? To an extent. I think they’re entertaining more than anything, and I do believe they can be used as a tool for self-reflection, goal setting, inspiration etc. 

83. What is the worst advice you've ever been given? Hmm... 

84. List the 3 most important people in your life right now. I’m gonna say “my babies:” Hannah, Aubrie and Samantha. 

85. Favorite memory of your family. Oh there are too many to list! It’s never a dull moment when we’re together... 

86. What do you look for in a relationship? Passion 

87. Do you have a role model? Why or why not? Several 

88. What is your opinion on social media? I’m a fan, but I try to limit my usage or at least be mindful of what I’m consuming. 

89. Are you a pessimist or an optimist? Realist? 

90. List some things that you think are overpriced? Medications of all kinds, feminine products or anything marketed specifically to women, vegetarian foods...  

91. What is your worst memory or creepiest experience? I don’t wanna go there 

92. What superpower would ruin the world? Mind-reading would cause a lot of issues I’m sure. 

93. What is something you swore you would never do when you grew up, but you did anyway? I can’t really think of anything 

95. If you could travel anywhere, where would you go? Poland or Iceland 

96. How do you approach people? That depends on the situation and environment but usually with a “hello” and a smile. 

97. What is your opinion on first impressions? I don’t believe they’re always correct. We all have off days. 

98. What are some things you did as a child that you no longer do? I did a lot more outdoor activities as a kid than I do now.

99. What languages can you speak? English, a little Polish. 

100. What do you think society will be like in 30 years? I’d like to say I can’t imagine it much worse than it is now but I’m not gonna tempt fate 

101. What do you do on your lazy days? Sleep late, stay in bed most of the day, sloth around. 

102. What ended your last relationship? He ended it, although I should have. We had too many differences that made a healthy relationship nearly impossible. And he was emotionally abusive, insulting and manipulative. 

103. Favorite food? Mexican or Mediterranean. I feel like I already answered this, no?

104. What is the most terrifying dream you've ever had? ..... 

105. When was the last time you got seriously angry? I don’t get angry often. I get sad and upset, but not necessarily mad. 

106. What was the last friendship you broke? I can’t recall 

107. Do you have any pet peeves? Several 

108. Who was the last person you gave a hug to? A client this morning 

109. When was the last time you got seriously stressed? I’m easily stressed  so, every day. 

110. What part of your personality do you want to change? My anxiety 

111. Who is the most positively influential person in your life right now? My friends and boyfriend are all equally influential 

112. What is your biggest motivation? Making my family proud

113. What did you want to be when you were little? An author/illustrator 

114. What are some things that you are good at? Writing 

115. What is one thing you want to be good at? Singing. I’m not bad, but I’d like to be *good* 

116. What distracts you the most, especially when you're trying to work? THESE 

117. How important is privacy to you? Quite important. Nothing bothers me more than invasive, prying people. 

118. If you could create one social norm, what would it be? Kindness 

119. What's the craziest lie you've ever told? Uh... probably some ridiculous story I made up while drunk 

120. What story do you like to tell about yourself at parties? I don’t have a “go-to” 

122. What is the stupidest thing you've done to impress someone? Nothing comes to mind 

123. What is your morning routine? It depends on the day. Ideally, I get up and have a nice cup of tea and ease into my day. But more often than not, I hit snooze a hundred times and then end up rushing out the door with my hair unbrushed and my shoes barely on. 

124. What's the last thing you did that is worth remembering? It’s all worth remembering 

125. If karma was coming back to you, would it help or hurt you? Help. I think... 

126. What is your opinion on playing "hard to get?" It’s not my game 

127. What are the pros and cons of straightforward? Honesty is great, but sometimes it can mean hurt feelings. But it’s possible to be truthful while still polite. 

128. What do you consider "leading" someone on? Making plans with no follow-through, flirting with no actual intentions of taking things further (with the knowledge that the other party *would* like that). I don’t know though, I think often men accuse women of “leading them on” when they’re really not. 

129. Are you the friendzoner or the friendzoned? I don’t believe in the friend zone

130. What do you admire most about your friends? Their loyalty to me and refusal to give up on me

131. What do you admire most about your family? See above

132. What is your opinion on "going with the flow?" It’s not my forte 

133. Do you enjoy talking or listening? A healthy combination of both

134. When is it time to end a friendship? When it’s no longer serving you or providing anything positive to your life 

135. What is the worst excuse you've ever come up with? I’d have to think about that

136. If GPA didn't matter, what courses would you have taken? I’m pleased with all the course I took 

137. What are your favorite baby names? Aurora Michelle for a girl. Levi Joseph for a boy. 

138. When was the last time you had a deep conversation with someone? Yesterday 

139. What instantly ruins a conversation? An uninterested participant, someone who only talks but refuses to listen 

140. Biggest turn ons and turn on offs. I feel I’ve already answered this

141. Biggest disappointment. Uh

142. Do you have any self-restraint? Hardly 

143. When did you last do something outside of your comfort zone? Moved into an apartment 

144. Prized possession(s)? My claddagh, a bracelet from Nora, my journal collection, many photographs 

145. What is your opinion on second chances? We all deserve them 

146. Text or call? TEXT TEXT TEXT 

147. What do you like about the 21st century? The internet is pretty great. I couldn’t imagine life without it.

148. What advice would you give to yourself 5 years ago? Focus more on school and less on partying 

149. How organized are you? Quite organized 

150. Favorite mode of transportation. Train

[jenesequoia]

Frozen Broadway Musical Cast Album Listen Reaction

Vuelie/Let The Sun Shine On

The “Do You Want To Build A Snowman” piano trill is different from the movie and I love it

I Immediately love the sisters

“Love and fear"

“Anna!”

The handshake! From the Broadway.com vlog!

“Respect for the crown runs deep.”

“Hearts be warmed”— Sideways foreshadowing

“We will — look — to you.”

A Little Bit Of You

Little Anna’s voice!

“Together, that’s the key”— Foreshadowing

“More magic, please and thank you!”

Her little stubborn angry “Inside to outside!”

The sound effects/orchestra

Do You Want To Build A Snowman

Little Anna's squished into the keyhole voice!

“Conceal it. Don’t feel it. Don’t let it show.”

“No, don’t touch me. I don’t want to hurt you.” Oh, poor Elsa.

Even in the cast recording, the shipwreck is terribly sad.

The transition to Adult Anna.

Patti

“Is there anything I can dooooooooo?”

Elsa’s sad quiet “Do you waaant to build a snooowman?”

For The First Time In Forever

Toooooonyyyyssss

The wig change from the Tonys performance!

“Can’twait”

Elsa’s quiet quick breaths

Anna’s nervous singing

Ensemble hell yeah

Conceal conceal don’t feel don’t let them know

Hans and Kristoff's entrances from the Tonys performance

Hell yeah ensemble

Hans Of The Southern Isles

The violins and trumpet orchestration

“Oooooorrr quooootes what comes ooooouttt of my moouttth”

"Humblest of apologies... serve and please” rhyme

"Miles… Isles” Name reveal rhyme

Queen Anointed

The female ensemble

It suddenly sounds like a processional 

Wowwowowowowow

This arrangement

“Bring to light your power” Foreshadowing!

From “We will look to you” to “We are in your hands"

Dangerous To Dream

Such a smooth transition

“Aaaaaabyyyyssssss"

"I’m not as cold as I seem” Aaaaaawwwwww

Dangerouuuuussssss to dream

The chorus “Ooooh”-ing Vueliele in the background gives me chills

"Secrecy in silence comes at such a cost"

"Pantomime and pageantry” Alliteration

"If I let go of rules who knows how daaaangeroooous Iiiiiiiii’d beeeeeeeeee”

She’s not listening to her own coronation

“Queen Elsa, Of Arrendalle!"

And then the chorus celebrates! 

Holy fuuuuuuuuuucccccckkkk

And then, right into the celebration afterwards!

Wowowowowowowow!

“Father, I did it.” Oh, Elsa!

“Smiling how strange” echoing the notes from "Secrecy In Silence Comes At Such A Cost"

The first “Can’t Be What You Expect Of Me” was to the crowds and townspeople, and the last was to Anna

"Tooooooooo ddddreeeeeeeeaaaaaammmmmm"

Cassie Levy, ladies and gentleman! 

And she’s just getting started

Love Is An Open Door

I love the Hans actor

We already know I love Anna’s actress

Right before they do the first chorus' low “Doooooor”, Anna does a nasaly Rock “With You"

The chorus harmonies are soo pretty

What happens during the dance break? Aaaaaahhhhhh!

“Ow Ow Ow Ow Ow Ow Ow Ow Ow"

Their laughter!

Oh, Anna, sweetheart

Anna Patti’s last “Ooopppppppeeeeeennn”

Reindeers Are Better Than People

Yaaaaaaaaaaasssss Jelani

I wish this had been more of a segment at the Tonys

"Goooooooodddddd niiigggghhhhttttt"

“Biiiiiiittttteeee”

What Do You Know About Love

“Enlighten me” “You frighten me” Rhyme

“You frighten me” foreshadowing! 

“Hellooooo"

“All I’m saying is when you go to climb a mountain, you don’t just jump to the top. There’s scalin’ and scramblin’, and too many steps for countin’ — and the work doesn’t stop!”

This "climbing the mountain" segment in the song is such foreshadowing to later in the song and even later in the show! I love it!

The music break here is gorgeous

“Ohh.”

Scolding Kristoff for “one friend who’s not a deer” when all Anna wanted was her sister

Scalin' and scramblin’ and falling in love

Please tell me they end up in each other’s arms

“And see? You’re nice."

OTP: Guts And Brains

In Summer

"Beeesssss’’’lllll buzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz"

"Summmmmer"

"Cooler I’ll be” Hahaha! Get it?

Tap dance!

The orchestrations here are really pretty and Disney and very Broadway

“Don’t you dare”

Hans Reprise

"Pure and noble"

"Oooooonly the thirteenth son of a king"

"I looooooooovvve herrrrrrr"

“Put your faith in Anna, the way that Anna put her faith in me"

“Honor” & “Anna” Rhyme

Trials” & “Isles” Rhyme

The lyrics are so goooooooooddddd

"Moooore than the thirteenth son of a king"

I’m struck with another Broadway Prince Topher

Let It Go

Cassie Cassie Cassie Cassie Cassie 

Eight times a week

“Triiiieeeedddd"

“Good Girl” was so staccato and sad

“The cold never bothered me anyway..."

This song really builds on Broadway

"Freeeeeeeee"

Her cape and gloves!

Quick change!

I find myself tapping and humming to the background beat

"Frozen fractals"

"Iccccyyyy blaaaaaaaassstt”

“Paaaasssssssssttttttttttttt"

"Iiiiiiiiiiiisssssssssss gooooonnnneeeeeeeee!"

Bring it home, Cassie!

Ice Queen Cassie 

Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

"Rage oooooooooonnnnnn"

“Anywaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy"

Hygge

Huu Gahhhh

“Goooood"

“Latitude" “Attitude” rhyme

“Wooooooddddd"

"Parcheesi"

"Hygge hygge hygge hygge"

“Hi, sir"

"Deaaaaaaatthhhhh —— Ya!"

"Sauna" “Wauna” rhyme!

“First you have to dance!” Ahahahahahahaha

What a dance number!

"Excuse Me!” Kristoff! Go Off, I Guess!

“And also you need to relax"

The rhymes!

For The First Time In Forever Reprise

"Standing frozen, in this life I’ve chosen" name drop

In the snow

“Let me go" Elsa nooooooooo

How can Patti’s Anna be determined and nervous AND singing? ACTING.

Where are their Tonys?

The build up!

Oooogghhhhh This Song

"Iiiii Caaaaaaaannnnnn’’’’’ttttttttttt"

Oooogghhhhh

“Frozen Heart” from the movie at the end

Fixer Upper

Pear shaped square shaped weirdness

“Hey” “Take that back”

Honest goods

Was this my favorite movie song?

Desperation for healing hugs

The chorus is so good and rousing

“Guuuuyssss come on”

Costume changes into the wedding outfits?

I’d die to see how Jelani Kristoff looks at Patti Anna in this scene

“Love, true love, love true love true love love love true love"

“But very worth of” Awwwwww

Kristoff Lullaby

“Helplesneess"

Awwwwwwwwwwww

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaw

“Trust, hope, dare, choose to feel and care"

“ 'Til I bumped into you"

"What do I know about love?”

“Yoooou’re what Iiii knoooow about loooooovvveeee..."

Monster

The thin screech electric guitar at the very beginning

Cassie Levy

"Don’t Feel" mantra

The drums in the background

"Is the thing they see the thing I have to be?"

Her breathing placement *breath* “mon—ster” *breath*

"Rampage"

Mens chorus march

"Faaaaaaaarrrr"

“Aliiiiiiiiiiivvvvveeeee"

“Monsteeeerrrrrrrrrrrr"

"Destruction to the stage"

“Father— you know what’s best For Me Mother What If After I’m Gone

"The suuuuuuuuuuuuunnnnn"

"But befooooreeeeeee" 

"I faaaaaaddddddeeeee”

“NOT"

“Toniiiiiiiiiiiiigghhhhtttttttttt"

Flawless Speechless 

Oh my goodness

Oh my goddess

True Love

Patti, sweetie 

Oh no

The “Do You Want To Build A Snowman” piano motif

"I’ve sat alone in this room before"

"Lost and small"

"Desperate heart”

Truuuuueee loooooooooovvvvvveeee"

The high notes here are gorgeous

"Find love"

"It ends as it began"

Truuuuueee loooooooooovvvvvveeee"

Colder By The Minute

Like from the movie prologue

"No wind picked up"

Hans’ moment

"And the storm raged on— and the wind blew fierce"

The repetition

Oh Anna and Kristoff oh no

"Can’t Can’t Can’t Can’t Can’t"

“Get back into the cage” ELSA NO

“No harm will come to you”

"AND THE STORM RAGED ON"

“Kristoff" // “Anna" // “Monster" // “Elsa"

Hans sounds so guttural and gruff here

"And the wind blew soft"

“Storm stood still"

And they’re desperately dying trying to reach each other

And you hear Hans pull his sword and then Anna freezes

Jeez louise

This might be my favorite on the album— a song for the whirlwind animation

Finale

"Is everyone alright?"

Elsa, you’re free!"

"Let it go… let it go, show us what you can dooo..."

"The magic one is you"

“Light of day / sun shine on / warmth” / "Light and love” motif

"The past is in the past"

"Let it goooooooooo"

“Daaaaaaawwwwwwwnnnnnnnn"

"The fear and cold are gone!"

"Let our true love glow, let it gooooooooooooooooo"

Do yoooooooou waaaaant to build a snowmaaaaaaaannnnnn" orchestra

Taaaa Daaaa !!!!

[bsbear]

My impressions from: Concerts, Voice Taping & Gxmas Special

As I promised you all, I will share my impressions from these events so here goes.

Voice Tapings 

I went to the Voice taping for season 12 and was lucky enough to see a few tapings. The tapings are pretty long and is not as organized as it can be tbh. Some observations. Blake is on his phone a lot, probably the most, then Alicia, Gwen, and then Adam.

The coach pitches are longer than what we see on tv. It’s sad that we don’t get to see the unbridged version uploaded online, rather then the narrative that the Voice want to push.

Apollo was there one day, and Blake and Gwen would go back stage often, I am assuming to hang with him a little. He is such a chill little guy. Gwen or the nanny would take him out during breaks. She would have him in her lap. Blake would come over and hang with Apollo and Gwen. Once, the nanny brought Apollo to Blake’s chair as Gwen was getting her make up down. Saw Apollo pat or touch Blake’s face. Apollo also shared his snack with Blake and fed him. It was cute.

When I was there Blake would come over to speak with Gwen or Gwen and Adam. His hand would be by her buzzer and she would have her palm over his hand and just rub his hand and wrist, it was comfortable and sexy. At one point she would also brush her leg against his.

Concerts

I was fortunate to see Gwen and Blake do their duet in Oklahoma and in Irvine, both at their concerts. Chemistry is a cliche word. But when they sing their duet, they are so intent on one another and with cheesy smiles. It was awesome. The crowd loves them. 

Gxmas Special

The gxmas special was pretty cool. It was said to be around 2000 people at the show. I am not sure what the count was but it was pretty packed. I was lucky to get a seat first row so I was really close to Gwen at times, was able to see her family in the middle aisle, and see Blake from the corner, where production people were working.

The MC person that is suppose to warm up the crowd used to do the crowd warm up at the Voice, he is good. Funny and energetic. During one audience break, they had a kiss cam, and it showed Gwen’s parents and they kissed lol. I don’t know if the MC knew who Gwen’s parents were but he came back to ask them questions a few times. Like what was their first day, how did they meet and what makes their marriage last. At some points, Gwen would also thank her family and children. King would also call out to Gwen, mom mom mom at one point. 

They passed out a couple cds and would ask who were Gwen’s biggest fans, Zuma and King would try to get a prize, it was cute. Apollo for the most part was pretty chill, he moved around in his seat a bit and would sometimes play with Dennis and Patty who sat a row behind him. He had a saw toy to play. For a long taping, he was pretty well behaved.

I saw Blake watch Gwen sing like the first 3 songs or so and then didn’t see him again until he came out for their duet. LIke with GAABMH, this duet is more fun and the crowd was loving it. At the end of the duet, Blake and Gwen would wave to the fans and family. Blake waved to the kids in the front roll then Blake and Gwen would walk out with hands on each other’s backs. I didn’t see Blake in my view anymore after that. Maybe he was backstage or somewhere I didn’t see him. He also sounded like he had a little bit of a cold.

Gwen’s outfits were beautiful. Ne-Yo has such a smooth voice live and his dance moves were smooth. Some of the backgrounds they used for the songs were great, so pay attention to that if it’s shown on tv. For the last song, they had fake snow falling down the stage and it was a perfect end to the evening. I really enjoyed the experience and am glad I went.

[theteenagetrickster]

Job Interview: Producer Troy Taylor consults Mayor of R&B, Career-Defining Songs, Whitney Houston & Extra

Three-time Grammy Award-winning Songwriter, Report Developer & Vocal Arranger TROY TAYLOR that commemorates 30 years in the popular music field this year has teamed up with everyone fromBoyz II Men, Brian McKnight ,Tyrese,Whitney Houston, Lionel Richie , Aretha Franklin,

Mary J. Blige,

The O'Jays, Patti LaBelle, Toni Braxton , Trey Songz to Jacquees to call a couple of

. I overtook the hit-making tremendously developer to review the experience, his advocate Mayor of R&B, career-defining tracks, Whitney

Houston & even more ... TERRANCE: This year notes your three decades in the popular music industry. What has the quest felt like hence far? TROY TAYLOR:&It's been actually interesting I would certainly point out in a feeling. I went by means of a separation when I was forty and also I must additionally make that Trey Songz Ready album in the method of going

with that divorce, to ensure that was actually one of the most difficult aspect of it. I began as a partner in a developer duo gotten in touch with The Characters. In 2002, I ventured off by on my own and also started a manufacturing firm,Songbook Amusement.

It is actually been testing but because I enjoyed it so a lot, I've found out how to adapt to transform with the moments. TERRANCE: You have actually an initiative gotten in touch with Mayor of R&B. Speak about that and also the goal. TROY TAYLOR: So I developed this Mayor for R&B as a campaign to dedicate my encounter, my love for music, my affection for R&B to devoting it back to plans, arrangements, bridges. All the traits our company do not listen to in songs today, thus when I place it as a campaign, it just simply suggests dedicating on my own to this age group to reveal them the market value of these changes that creates R&B have the sense that we understand it to become. TERRANCE: What was your innovative involvement in K. Michelle's latest cd,

All Monsters Are Actually Human!.?.!? TROY TAYLOR: Well, some years back I made some of her Gold single people contacted"Can not Elevate A Guy "however ever since, it's resembled one of those points that, K. Michelle recognize that there's certainly not as well many individuals than may control her as well as pull the most ideal away from her without her intimidating all of them off therefore I'm none of those individuals she scares off simply or even in any way. It enables me to pull the very best out of her as well as so she often tends to finish up calling me since she knows I would certainly be able to obtain the most effective out of her.

TERRANCE: Talk about the brand new Dru Mountain single you produced gotten in touch with "What You Need". TROY TAYLOR: So I really Executive Produced the entire cd as well as our experts have a lot of incredible songs

."What You Need"is actually a tune that they experienced would be actually a good tune to start off along with simply off of it possessing the initial Dru Hill type consistency and also audio and it is actually a great track to blend in along with their extremely initial tune"Inform Me". Collectively, they as a matter of fact mix it belong that track, so it is actually just something they experienced will be excellent to start with. I performed a considerable amount of tunes on the project.

TERRANCE: What was it like dealing with Kevin Ross on his singular"Trait Got in touch with Passion". TROY TAYLOR: Well, Kevin is among my proteges actually. He utilized to become my artist when he was authorized to Motown as well as our company simply permitted him vacate, as well as permit him spread his wings out a little bit of bit extra to venture out and also do his very own trait, but he as well as I possess a friendship at the same time, so whenever he needs me I am actually regularly mosting likely to sympathize him. He possessed the tune, however with the method he videotaped it, I thought his vocals needed to be

stronger. TERRANCE: As a recognized Songwriter & Producer in this particular sector, what creates a song great? TROY TAYLOR: What makes a song excellent to me, is actually a tune that has the capability to take you no matter where you require to be when you require to go. If you wan na be actually satisfied, it may make you pleased. A good song ought to create you feel the emotional state of whatever it is actually claiming as well as it should have the capacity to be a soundtrack throughout your day to express whatever emotion you believe. TERRANCE: What are your five career-defining songs you possess created and/or produced? TROY TAYLOR: Certainly not in any type of certain order, it would be actually, of training program"Sugary food Lady"by Tyrese."Neighbors Know My Call"through Trey Songz, considering that there's no track in the background of songs keeping that title."The First Noel ", a Xmas tune that I created for Whitney, considering that it arrives each year. "Merely Came Right Here to Chill" through The Isley Brothers, due to the fact that Ron Isley is actually like some of my beloved, preferred

."Your Passion"by Boyz II Males, since that song was supposed to be actually for my album and also when I heard all of them vocalize, I provided it to all of them. TERRANCE: Which years in popular music you would claim determined you one of the most and why? TROY TAYLOR: It's gon na be actually a cross between the 70's as well as the 80's along with the

80's probably initially given that a bunch of music I grew on in the 70's I remember, however didn't analyze until the 80's. In the 90's I discovered just how a lot I found out coming from the 70's. TERRANCE: Where perform you see R&B entering the future? TROY TAYLOR: I believe it's gon na come back. It's visiting definitely be extra efficient, because the millennial age group is actually growing up currently, so they wish a lot more out of music. They're heading to manage it a little

better, since it is actually going to stand for exactly how they think currently.

TERRANCE: What are your ideas when you believe you do not receive the debt you should within this electronic songs age? TROY TAYLOR: It's worse right now than ever before, considering that there are no CD's or inlays to consider and also read. Thus now I have to turn to performing tags and as much as I do not like tags, I perform understand right now the usefulness of it, is for individuals to know that I worked with that song. I do not essentially like it, yet it's what I need to do. It is actually all portion of transforming along with the moments. TERRANCE: Everybody have their viewpoint of what excellence is actually. Exactly how would certainly you describe it? TROY TAYLOR: Results to me is actually when you're at

the factor where no concern exactly how challenging it acquires, you still discover a technique to smile. That is actually effectiveness. Given that when you can not, no issue when it obtain difficult as well as you can not locate a technique to grin and also to always keep progressing, then you're certainly not effective. When you possess something that you really love and also you are actually productive at it, when hardships come as they perform with everything, you tend to be attracted in the direction of the thought and sensation of results, you know?

I can't allow this break me, to ensure to me is what effectiveness is. TERRANCE: What was the experience like to win Dove Awards for your recent deal with Donald Lawrence & Koryn Hawthorne? TROY TAYLOR: That's amazing considering that I didn't see that coming given that I am actually an R&B fella, despite the fact that I grew up in Congregation. I carry out, do Gospel music however I still wouldn't have actually anticipated that to happen, to ensure that was

definitely, really excellent. TERRANCE: What was it like teaming up along with Whitney on" Unashamed "for the Merely Whitney ... album? TROY TAYLOR: Well, that was actually a definitely, really exciting track for her if you listen closely to the lyrics. It was a little bit of in advance of it 's time I would state. I likewise teamed up with her on her Christmas time venture which was incredibly

fascinating considering that I was able to audio document while I was partnering with her. I possess a great audio of our team communicating along with one another while I was actually collaborating with her which was actually tremendously funny to hear her in her aspect, only being absurd as well as only being Whitney. The very most essential and also most reputable thing is that it is actually for me only and also nobody worldwide possesses it, therefore in my masterclasses that I do around the globe, I have a segment where I play those sounds for individuals to listen to how she was. TERRANCE: One of my preferred Kenny Lattimore cds is Weekend break. What was it like teaming up with him about that task? TROY TAYLOR: Kenny is my individual. He's one of my closest pals in this particular songs field. Carrying out that venture was actually really excellent since it stretched him vocally. I performed like six tunes on that particular cd. I managed to really, truly, definitely press him right into little a lot more edgier functionalities as opposed to the smooth singing that he is actually made use of to.

" arial", "helvetica", sans-serif;'> TERRANCE: You teamed up with the late Tony Thompson formerly of Hi-Five back in '95 on his solo debut album Sexsational. Why do you assume that cd didn't live up to it is actually possible? TROY TAYLOR: I presume a ton of it concerned his psychological health and wellness. Mental health and wellness had not been a major package in the past, yet he was definitely enduring and had some psychological health issues that decreased him below performing each of things that he required to accomplish to advertise it as well as to be all that he needed to be.&That is actually from my viewpoint coming from at that time from what I observed. I just found an unhappy person that had not been actually right into it as he might've been actually. TERRANCE: One of the exciting points concerning the remake you made for Brownstone got in touch with "I Can't Inform You Why", is actually Maxee performs the lead vocals on the cd model and Nicci performs the top vocals on the single version. What led to that switch? TROY TAYLOR: That is actually an amusing one considering that I seemed like if you know the original Eagles song, it's a rather smooth song and it's rather relaxed. I performed an R&B variation of it, I seemed like Nicci is precisely the diva but I felt like Maximum's vocal fitted better. It became a little bit of political because in order for it to become a solitary as well as to have the Brownstone audio, Nicci will've needed to be actually the lead performer on it consequently for the remix they exchanged all of them out.

TERRANCE: There is actually an SWV gem you produced named "Shock Me". Refer to that. TROY TAYLOR: That is actually a song where I had each one of the group sing on. Of program Coko performs the lead, yet they all possess parts in it, you recognize what I mean? I thought that if you are actually a group as well as you could possibly all sing, then you must all of have parts. The track could finish along with the top vocalist taking it residence, yet despite having like Boyz II Men. Commonly Nate or Shawn would certainly begin it off as well as either will go next and Wanya would deliver it home. To me, that's what a group carries out. TERRANCE: And also talking, exactly how performed you associate with Boyz II Guys? I recognize you dealt with them on their Cooleyhighharmony and II cds. TROY TAYLOR: Once Again, I was an artist on Motown at some aspect dealing with my job. When I met them, I chose I failed to desire to be a performer given that it was extra delightful to become behind the scenes as well as performing what I really love, somewhat to become in face consequently after finding their effectiveness I determined I really did not desire to be a performer any longer. TERRANCE: Are actually there any forthcoming tasks that you are actually working with that you can tell our company regarding? TROY TAYLOR: Well, I'm always cleaning performers. I'm still a large follower of Performer Progression, so I constantly have performers under me who I am actually brushing and also focusing on. The following approaching point is the Dru Mountain job. I have actually been actually dealing with Queen Naija and also I'm operating along with Pink Sweat $, to ensure ought to be awesome. There is actually a tune arriving along with Lil Duval featuring Storage tank & Jacquees and it is actually heading to be actually super hilarious as well as it is actually a truly great R&B file and also gon na be actually really suitable for R&B. TERRANCE: Exists anything not reviewed you would love to show your fans, fans & the audiences? TROY TAYLOR: I 'd claim follow me as well as ready to elect me as your Mayor of R&B. When individuals inquire, what does that indicate? That only simply suggests to help me assist the original elements of what R&B popular music should possess. The reason why it's certainly not in a lot of popular music today is actually due to the fact that the kids do not know just how to accomplish it. They do not recognize how to make improvements. They do not recognize any kind of idea, so they just usually tend to keep it repeating given that it's secure.

This content was originally published here.

[msmelodymonroe]

BLOG:  Music Lessons From a Queen. Performance vs. Experience.

A few weeks ago, I had one of the most gripping live music experiences I have ever had. I frequent music shows - indie and mainstream alike - but this was unlike anything I had ever experienced.  I’ve always heard of people getting chills from seeing artists perform, but I had never experienced it for myself until now.

Her name is STOUT. And I don’t usually hype up other artist to this extent (the extent being that it prompts me to write a whole blog post about it), but I took away so much from her set that I just have to. Simply put, the woman is amazing. Her stage presence is confident and commanding. Her voice is just as strong. Vocally, she’s like the Simone Biles of singers. She can literally sing anything and use her voice however she wants. She’s known for her work as a background singer with Cory Henry and the Funk Apostles, but is now carving out a name for herself as an indie artist.

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I would describe her sound as experimental soul. Think of powerhouse voices like Aretha Franklin, Jennifer Hudson, Patti LaBelle, Whitney Houston, Keke Wyatt and mix in a dash of Prince with just some otherworldly ingredient.

She incorporates a loop machine into her live performance which takes her already divine gift and turns it into a full blown ethereal experience. Not only that, but she’s so sure in her gift that her lack of fear automatically gives the audience permission to be themselves and respond naturally to what they are experiencing.

Which can be a range of things. On the night that I saw her, the audience responded with shouts of praise (similar to what you would experience during the sermon portion in a Black church), complete silence (from being awestruck), laughter, dancing, and for me, chills.

I had a chance to speak with STOUT briefly after the show to thank her and give her props. Her personality is just as beautiful as her voice. I walked away knowing that what I had just experienced was a lesson and would change me as a performer, but I wasn’t quite sure how until now.

The Lesson

What I learned is that there is a difference between performing in front of an audience and creating an experience. And I’ve spent the weeks since experiencing STOUT trying to figure out exactly what that difference is.

As an artist, it’s easy (or not so easy for some) to stand before an audience and sing songs that you’ve rehearsed a hundred times. Recite lyrics that you wrote and could recite in your sleep. Do it exactly as rehearsed. But something else happens when you have the confidence and skill to do the unrehearsed. To create on a whim in front of the audience. To take those awkward silent pauses. To not feel the weight of trying to please the audience.

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Too many times, I’ve stepped on a stage simply with the intention of stepping back off it with the audiences approval. “I want them to like me.” “I want to make them fans”. And I see now that type of thinking is the difference between a performer and an experience.  The two do not have to be mutually exclusive, but for the purposes of this blog, I will address them separately. A performer can put together a set, sing the audiences favorite songs, and create a moment. But an experience is something that changes you, it affects you, it pierces your perception, and alters some part of you so that when you leave the venue, you are not the same person who walked in. This can be through storytelling, it can be through dancing, but it can undoubtedly be through music.  We all know music is powerful and as a musician, I understand the power that I have to create moods, moments, and impressions. But now I understand that I have another power. Not only to be a singer, rapper, and an instrumentalist, but an actual experience.

And that starts way before I step on any stage. It starts within. It starts with what I believe about my gift. It starts with my mission as an artist and it ends with anyone who comes to my shows leaving changed, if they so choose.

My goal in performing is no longer to convert new ears to fans, but to create an unforgettable experience. STOUT is the perfect blue print and I believe these fundamental factors help to guide that process:

1. Intention

When I spoke to STOUT after the show and told her how much her live experience impacted me, she said that it was her intention to connect with the audience that way. I believe this is a key ingredient in creating experience. As an artist, you have to go into it wanting to make a meaningful connection with the people in the room.

2. Spontaneity 

One benefit of being an indie artist is not having a dedicated set list to stick to and I think this can be a magic component for us. We have the opportunity to feel the audience out and just do what we feel in the moment to connect with them. This of course requires somewhat of a mastery of our craft which is just more motivation for me.

3. Authenticity 

Last but not least, this is the secret weapon for any artist. Authenticity is what makes each of us special and unique. To not be our true selves in the delivery of ourselves is to rob ourselves and the audience of a full experience. As an artist, everything I create should come from a place of authenticity. It cannot be replaced and people can feel it.  I am not the same artist that I was before I walked into STOUT’s show. I was shown a new possible that night and now I am on the journey to become and create my own experience. Listen to STOUT’s latest single QUEEN:

Until next time,

Ms. Melody Monroe +*<3 

[joementa]

There Are Two Official Tunnel Of Love Tour Bootlegs (So Far).  You Need To Have Both.

I was in my first really serious romantic relationship when I was 18, and I remember that fall and winter being a particularly difficult time for me.  Luckily I found a nice companion in the album Tunnel Of Love during this time.  I was familiar with it at a very young age but never really identified well with it.  I didn’t understand the topics, and the music was much more chill and relaxed and singer-songwriter-ish, and didn’t have any of the rock ‘n roll and soul sound that’s so prevalent on Bruce’s earlier albums.  The E-Street Band is virtually nonexistent on Tunnel Of Love.  The Big Man doesn’t play a single note on the album.  Those were all of the things that really hooked me into Bruce’s music from a really young age, so I’m not that surprised that it took for me to have a serious romantic relationship in order to understand the album.  

Since then, it’s been an album that I’ve gone to as a constant source of sustenance over the years, especially this time of year.  I love listening to the album in late October through November.  One of my favorite things to do is hop in the car in November, drive towards the beach, and put on this album.  I instantly get into a very reflective mood where I try to put together the pieces and thoughts that I’ve had all year.  Tunnel Of Love is one of the few albums that I turn to that will always help me with that.  

The more I listened to the album in my late teens and early 20s, the more I would imagine what the tour could have been like.  Based on the album, I figured it had to be a very emotional and introspective tour, with the music laid-back and spare, with a chance that the E-Street Band was very underutilized.  Up until then, the only live performances from the tour that I heard were on the essential Chimes Of Freedom EP. Compared with Bruce’s other live releases, it’s very laid-back, and only “Be True” could really be described as having the E-Street Band sound.  

Then in my senior of college, I got my hands on an unofficial bootleg of Bruce’s greatest covers. On it was a live performance of “Sweet Soul Music”, which is definitely one of the best songs ever, right from the Tunnel Of Love Tour.  I couldn’t believe it at first.  For YEARS I had imagined shows with emotionally heavy and difficult songs and themes and vibes, and here was Bruce playing one of the most joyous songs ever, and one that even the youngest kids could understand and get stuck in their heads. I really wanted to hear a full show from the Tunnel Of Love Tour, but I couldn’t easily find one.

That’s all changed now, as not one, but TWO, shows from the Tunnel Of Love Tour have been released as part of the office Bruce archives series.  I’ve spent a lot of time over the past week listening to both shows (April 23, 1988 in LA, and July 3, 1988 in Stockholm, Sweden), and I can tell you that both shows are absolutely essential listening, and are perfect for this time of year.  

And even though these shows are only 4 months apart, they are completely different, so you really do need to get both.  Two things in particularly really stand out in these shows.  The first is that the Tunnel Of Love songs are much more lively and rockin’ than on the album. The E-Street Band is THERE in both of these shows, and doing what they do best.  Songs that don’t have any piano or glockenspiel on the album are full of those instruments in the shows.  The Big Man plays sax riffs that had so much more to the songs.  And the beat and rhythm is much more alive than on the album. Listening to the Tunnel Of Love album and then the songs from album in the LA and Stockholm shows is almost like listening to two different albums.  And not only that, but you get two totally different vibes.  The album is very introspective.  It dares you to use your mind to face reality and find the answers to some of life’s questions.  But then listen to the shows, and the very same songs now demand you to use your body and emotions and feelings to face reality and power through the challenges.

The other thing that stand out in both shows are the horns.  Oh. My.  Lord.  The horns. They’re absolutely incredible. They add so much more to the songs, even the songs that you know by heart have different arrangements and riffs that are fun to hear.  Take a song like “Rosalita”, my favorite song ever (by anyone).  The version from the LA show is totally unlike anything you’ve heard from prior tours, all because of the horns.  Obviously the song isn’t THAT different – it’s still a total rocker, is played towards the end of the show, and the crowd goes nuts for it. But the horns definitely add a different element that’s nice to hear.

The horns also open up the opportunity for more soul and Motown in both the music and Bruce’s voice. This is definitely the most soul-influenced that Bruce’s singing voice has been up to that point in his career. Check out his intro to “I’m A Coward”. He sounds like he’s a soul singer in a club in the ‘60’s, introducing his band.  And then there are a TON of great soul covers in both shows.  At the LA show, you’ve got “War”, “Have Love Will Travel”, “Sweet Soul Music”, and “Raise Your Hand”.  The soul covers in the Stockholm show are probably even better. You wouldn’t believe this list if there was a recording to prove that it actually happened: “Boom Boom”, “War”, “Sweet Soul Music”, “Raise Your Hand”, “Quarter To Three” and “Twist And Shout”. Those last four songs were ALL PLAYED IN A ROW TO END THE SHOW.  What?! “Sweet Soul Music” into “Raise Your Hand” into “Quarter To Three” into “Twist And Shout”…to end the show.  Yes, that’s right.  

And then just when you think the Stockholm show couldn’t get better, there are also amazing covers of “Can’t Help Falling In Love” and Dylan’s “Chimes Of Freedom”.  There’s a really beautiful moment at the end of “Can’t Help Falling In Love”, where the horns play the main riff of the song. You need to hear it.  And Bruce’s cover of Dylan’s “Chimes Of Freedom” is excellent.  I would expect nothing less.  It just shows you how great Dylan’s songwriting is.  Bruce’s arrangement is nothing like Dylan’s version.  It almost sounds like a Bruce song.

I could go on all day about both of these shows.  I mentioned the horns, and how different the Tunnel Of Love songs sound.  But there’s so much more that’s worth nothing as well.  Patti’s background vocals fit perfectly with the vibe and sound of the show. It reminds me a lot of how Fleetwood Mac approached their background vocals on some of their rock songs from the Stevie Nicks era.  There’s also A LOT of twang in the guitars.  Bruce’s guitar is SMOKIN’ HOT on the fast rock ‘n roll songs.  Just wait until you hear songs like “You Can Look (But You Better Not Touch)” (either LA or Stockholm) or “Cadillac Ranch” in Stockholm.  Bruce tears it up on the guitar.  It’s got the perfect mix of rock and country and twang.  He would make James Burton proud.  

So.  Bottom line.  Go get both the LA and Stockholm shows from the Tunnel Of Love Tour.  Here is the link to each show:

LA - http://live.brucespringsteen.net/live-music/0,12676/Bruce-Springsteen---The-E-Street-Band-mp3-flac-download-4-23-1988-Los-Angeles-Sports-Arena-Los-Angeles-CA.html

Stockholm - http://live.brucespringsteen.net/live-music/0,18398/Bruce-Springsteen---The-E-Street-Band-mp3-flac-download-7-3-1988-Stockholms-Stadion-Stockholm-SE.html

As for me, I’m going to move on to another Bruce show, this one on November 22, 2009 from the Working On A Dream Tour.  It’s a show in support of another great Bruce winter album, and this one has a few Christmas songs in it.  Just in time to help me get in the spirit.  

[gleekto]

Even Better Than the Real Thing (3/15)

Summary: College AU/Famous!Blaine and Fanboy!Kurt - Kurt POV

Kurt really doesn’t have time to figure out the dating world between being a freshman at prestigious theatre school, LAADA,  and his active but secret blogging life in the Sing!Fandom. So what if Sing! ended last year? There are still fics to read and actors to follow. Especially the uber talented heartthrob lead, Blaine Anderson. He can act. He can sing. He can even dance. He’s gay. He’s out. And he’s only 24. Kurt is willing to twiddle his thumbs and click refresh until Blaine Anderson’s next project.

He just didn’t expect the next project to be on his roommate Rachel’s new TV show.

Part 1, Part 2

Even Better Than the Real Thing (3/15)

LimaBlaineFan: Spoiler alert - My source is back. He is going to be meeting Blaine tonight.

After Wednesday’s official announcement that Blaine Anderson had been cast as Rachel’s musically talented but romantically challenged love interest, Colin Red, on That’s So Rachel, Kurt’s followers jumped again. 331 more this time. It’s the credibility surge - not that he’d ever be a troll. 

Kurt realizes he’s in a potentially problematic position, with one foot venturing into the real life filming world of Blaine Anderson, and his other foot firmly in the fantastical world of fandom. He realizes that he could end up in a conflict of interest,  or with inside information that he clearly can’t share or worse, that he accidentally does. But who’s he kidding? He’s just been gifted a fan’s dream ticket of a non-fandom interaction with his celebrity crush. Yeah there might be consequences, but for now Kurt plans to enjoy having his cake and eating it too.

Kurt puts the finishing touches on his cocktail party outfit - layered blacks and greys for the cool fall day with a perfectly fitted long jacket. Sophisticated without looking like he’s trying too hard to impress very impressive company.

“Kurt, you ready?” Rachel is already halfway out the door as he grabs his phone and notices the red private message alert beside the growing notes on his “my source is going to meet Blaine” post.

MercedesSing!: It’s you, isn’t it? You remember that I know that Rachel Berry is your roommate, right?

Kurt types quickly as he exits the apartment. Can’t talk now with a winky emoji. 

...

The cocktail party for the cast of That’s So Rachel isn’t exactly what Kurt was expecting. With Patti and Barbra, he expected glitz and glamour, unlimited martinis, caviar, and free air pods in an obnoxious swag bag. Instead, there is some nice red wine, hot dogs in a blanket, fried mushrooms on a stick, and a take home cookie with a cartoon face of a smiling Rachel Cherry. Low key and almost relaxed. And he will definitely enjoy biting off Rachel’s head.

Kurt relaxes at the less intense than expected atmosphere, and manages to be an excellent plus one for Rachel’s idols turned TV moms. He and Rachel are so engaged discussing the brilliance of a gender reversed ‘Company’ with Patti, and his own lauded rendition of Rose’s Turn from his high school Glee club, that he almost forgets that Blaine Anderson is coming. Almost. 

When Patti is called over to meet one of the executives, and he and Rachel are left with a cone of appetizer fries in hand by the wine bar, he starts to get nervous. His eyes wander, trying not to search but definitely searching. There’s Jesse St. James who is playing Rachel’s music teacher talking to the showrunner. There are the friendly hair and makeup gang over by the couches. Rachel points out another couple of young women who will be playing Rachel’s friends. But no Blaine Anderson. Kurt tries not to look distracted.

“Rachel, hey!”

Just from the voice Kurt knows.

“Oh Blaine, hi,” Rachel turns around to a smiling and wow really quite perfectly dressed Blaine Anderson, approaching from the back door. 

“Sorry I’m late. I just had to finish up filming before running home for a quick shower.”

“Great to see you. We were just-”

“That is a really great outfit. Especially the shoes.” The words just fall out of Kurt’s mouth as he swings on the balls of his feet. Could he make a more awkward first impression? He apparently can’t keep his mouth shut when it comes to red shiny shoes perfectly matched with a soft red cardigan, skinny tie and jeans that fit just so. Somehow Blaine is even more warm and gorgeous in-person and wow, does he have style. Which Kurt appreciates - unfortunately, out loud.

“Oh. Thank you.” Blaine looks slightly surprised but not put off by Kurt’s over enthusiasm. “I could say the same to you,” Blaine grins now, eyeing Kurt’s grey sweater-blazer, which does look great, Kurt admits. He feels like the fanboy at Comicon. “I don’t believe we’ve met,” Blaine says. “I’m Blaine Anderson.” He extends his hand.

I know, Kurt thinks, smiling dumbly. I know. “I’m Rachel’s roommate.” Kurt shakes his hand - warm, soft, firm. Of course he would have a firm handshake. Kurt keeps smiling, hoping he’s being polite, but there’s an awkward silence.

“Kurt,” Rachel adds. “This is my roommate, Kurt Hummel.” Great. He forgot to say his name. Nothing like a first impression.

“It’s nice to meet you, Kurt.” He knows that people in fandom who have had the luck to meet Blaine in person have said it, but he can now verify that Blaine really is good at that eye contact thing. His eyes are focused right on him and Kurt is sure he will drown. Kurt nods, trying not to seem like he’s staring. “How did you two meet?”

Rachel looks at Kurt, waiting for him to speak, probably because Blaine is looking at him, and not at Rachel. When he doesn’t say anything, Rachel eventually chimes in. “We went to high school together in Lima, Ohio-”

“The thriving metropolis,” Kurt manages to snap out of his stupor to give a shout out to his hick hometown. Blaine nods, laughing. He’s still looking at him.

“I know what you mean.”

“You do?” 

“I’m from Ohio, too. Westerville.” Kurt knows that. “Not exactly the best place for a wannabe actor to grow up.” Blaine went to the prestigious Dalton Academy - also known as the gay Hogwarts of the Midwest. And he is absolutely not going to ask him about that.

“Fair,” Kurt replies, still smiling like a starstruck fanboy. He is a starstruck fanboy. And before Blaine notices, or worse, before he says something stupid, he figures he should exit while he’s ahead - leaving no damage in case they actually do meet again. “It was nice to meet you, Blaine and I’ll leave you two to talk shop. My glass is empty and  I’m going to get another red while the line is short.”

Kurt takes a deep breath while he waits in line. Conversation completed and no harm done. Rachel and Blaine are talking animatedly about something or other and he has a moment to breathe as he makes his way to the bartender, “Merlot, s’il vous plait?”

“You speak French?” Kurt turns to see a once again grinning Blaine Anderson, who has somehow appeared behind him in line. What? 

“Me?”

Blaine gives him a quizzical look. “You did just speak French to the bartender, right?”

“Oh! Oh yeah, of course. I don’t really speak. I just took French in high school.”

“A Corona please,” Blaine asks the same bartender as Kurt turns to walk away, red wine in hand, “Hey Kurt. Wait up.” Kurt freezes. Okay. “Cheers,” Blaine says as he chinks his beer bottle to Kurt’s wine glass. “Sometimes it’s nice to just have a drink and chill at these events, you know?” Blaine leans into him so he can hear what he’s saying in the noise of the crowd. “It’s a lot of industry people and a lot of being on. They’re great. Don’t get me wrong. But it takes a lot of focus to say all the right things to Patti Lupone.”

“Oh my god, I know. I just met her.” Kurt agrees. “I’m studying at LAADA so Rachel wanted to make sure I made the connection-”

“You’re at LAADA? That’s awesome. Such a great school,” Blaine knocks into his side.  “You know if I hadn’t gotten my part on Sing!-” Kurt keeps his face neutral, “I would have gone into musical theatre. Did you do Glee Club with Rachel?”

“She’s already told you about Glee?” Kurt says.  “Guilty. We weren’t exactly the top of the social pyramid at a football crazed school in Lima, Ohio.”

“I was in Glee club in Westerville, too, way back when. Dalton Academy?”

“Oh yeah,” Kurt nods nonchalantly. “The Warblers, right? I think we competed against them a couple of times two years ago.”

“Yeah,” Blaine nods fondly. “We were strangely revered by the boys at the school but Dalton was still very much an old boys’ club in the middle of Ohio. It’s not the progressive mecca some may think it is.”

“I may have heard a rumour-” Kurt pauses.

“Yeah, no. It’s not the gay Hogwarts,” Blaine makes quotation marks with his fingers. “Not when I was there at least. I was out but I never had a boyfriend until I moved to LA.” How can he be having this conversation? “But then I got Sing! and you know, dating wasn’t so easy.”

“It wasn’t?” Because Kurt is pretty sure that there would be boys literally lining  up for a chance at a date with fandom’s most eligible sweetheart.

“No,” Blaine shrugs. “It’s really hard to meet people when you’re on a show like that, you know? Constantly in the spotlight, or in the selfie camera. It becomes hard to distinguish between fan and friend.” Kurt’s eyebrows rise. “And with that schedule on Sing!  - I was too busy for anything serious, anyways.” Kurt nods keeping his face as flat as possible while his heart beats out of his chest, hoping Blaine can’t hear it over the background music. “I should apologize. I’m doing all the talking. What about you, Kurt? Do you have a boyfriend?”

What.

“Who me?” Kurt is taken aback. The combination of the very chill and bizarrely intimate conversation he’s having with Blaine Celebrity-of-My-Dreams Anderson, while being casually asked about his (non-existent) love life, the assumption that he’s gay and could be taken so obvious and ordinary, makes him feel like he’s in the Twilight Zone. He is in the Twilight Zone - he is talking about his love life with Blaine Anderson. He needs to compose himself. “Oh no. No no. Like you said, small town Ohio is not exactly a gay mecca. Just swinging and single,” Kurt says awkwardly. He knows he’s beet red but Blaine bites his lower lip and his smile gets wider. 

“Blaine!” Jesse St. James from across the room, beckons him over. “Come here. Meet Joan Silver - she’s the executive producer.” Blaine looks up at the ceiling and sighs.

“I’m being summoned,” Blaine says and Kurt nods, still feeling surreal. Blaine reaches out and squeezes Kurt’s upper arm, “Really nice to meet you,” He winks,  “Rachel’s roommate.”