#ft: nate donovan

[avaxbest]

"Rookie error, Donovan, everyone knows a good cookie can solve everything." If only it were really that easy. "Glad to hear it." And she was, with so much time gone there was almost a relief that came with knowing the people she cared about were doing well. "I always think it's better to be busy than to think things are getting stale. As long as you're not so on your toes it wears you out." Head shook gently at his question. "No, I got my own place. Up in Glenn Estates." It still felt somewhat odd to admit to, the home she now owned such a far cry from the small but cosy house she'd grown up in in Webster Village. Even though she felt no sort of judgement coming from Nate she felt a need to pre-empt it, to make sure he couldn't deem her a bad daughter and make it clear she was doing her best to make up for all that lost time. "We still have dinner together most nights though, when I'm not finishing up work too late anyway." She left out the part where she was still reluctant to be alone, instead continuing on with an offer. "You should come sometime, I'm sure he'd like that."

"Yeah.." he nodded lightly in agreement, "Probably why my last relationship didn't work out." because he didn't get enough baked goods. Nate was merely joking as he made the passing comment, knowing in every single way that he was always the problem. There was a moment in which he thought about breeching that subject of Ava's arrival versus how long she had been away for, but he figured he'd pocket that for later. Growing up with three sisters just made him accustom to the whole time and a place. He chuckled to himself, knowing that Sawyer could chew anyone up and spit them back out again if she wanted to, and truthfully he'd be surprised if Ava was caught in that crossfire. "Busy keeping myself out of trouble," he responds lightly as they moved towards the entrance to the coffee shop, now opening the door for Ava, "You know, work's keeping me on my toes." which wasn't a bad thing. There was also the club in that consideration and yet he didn't feel the need to mention it. "Where're you staying? With your dad or?"

[colemonroe]

WHERE: Sons of Silence Clubhouse WITH: @nathaniel-donovan

There was something about the way Cole kept staring at the glass of whiskey in his hand that made him think he might actually find an answer at the bottom of it. Or maybe that was just wishful drinking, because the closer he got to draining the glass dry, the more lost he felt, and it frustrated him. Lifting the glass, he swirled the amber liquid around, like he was waiting for it to numb his raw edges, but it wasn’t– not really. All of his life, he’d found ways to compartmentalize everything he felt, to shove it down and keep moving, but after confronting the bomber and learning such damning truths, Cole just felt…stuck, like this was the one time he couldn’t push back against all the thoughts and feelings piling up inside his head. Over and over, he just kept seeing the faces of three good men who were dead when it should have been him. Feeling suffocated by it all, like there was nowhere for him to go to escape it, there was that urge to claw his way out of his own skin– little else was working, and the silence all around him had become absolutely deafening. Frustration mounting to a fever pitch, he clutched the glass in his hand and hurled it towards the wall, watching as it shattered into thousands of little fragments.  Unleashing a long, strained sigh, he buried his face in his hands for a moment, slowly breathing in and out, just begging for his mind to stop. Throughout each day, he did everything he could to soldier on, because the people around him couldn’t afford for him not to. But it was in these quiet hours that the way he’d been avoiding his own problems tended to sneak up on him and sink their teeth in deep. Cole didn’t know how long he’d been sat like that, measuring each breath he took, before a knock on his office door had him raising up, hurriedly collecting himself. He’d thought the clubhouse had cleared out hours ago. It was one reason he’d chosen to stay back that night. He’d chalked it up to routes and paperwork that he needed to sort through, but really, Cole just couldn’t bear the thought of bringing anyone else down with him. At least here, in his solitude, he couldn’t do that– or so he’d thought, and now briefly, he wondered if they’d heard the glass shatter against the wall. Clearing his throat, he straightened in his seat, “Come in.”

[ender-yilmaz]

WHERE: The Raven WITH: @nathaniel-donovan

For the first couple of weeks in Tonopah Valley, Ender had simply laid low, his focus primarily being on getting a lay of the land as well as making sure his daughter settled in comfortably. Everything else had fallen second to that, seeing as this move away from Phoenix impacted her most of all. For Ender, it felt like just another job– though that was easy to say considering he hadn’t officially started yet. He wasn’t due at work until the following morning, meaning he still had just a few more coveted hours of freedom. Naturally, he spent those scoping out the town and getting ahead before his first day. After riding around for most of the day, familiarizing himself with the layout of the town, he finally ended that trek inside The Raven, the local gentlemen's club. That wasn’t where his interests settled, though– it was the fact that it was owned by a member of the Sons of Silence, one of the key targets on the ATF’s radar. That alone was enough to get him to drop by, even on a casual basis. Finding himself situated at the bar, Ender ordered a beer– he was off the clock anyway, and this was just an effort on his part to get to know Tonopah, seeing as he’d be stuck here for the foreseeable. “Full house even on a weeknight,” he started, spotting Nate and raising his beer in a mock salute. It was the simplest conversation starter he could think of, but it wasn’t untrue– everywhere he looked, tables were occupied and booze was steadily flowing. Offering up an easy smile, he took a swig from his beer and set the bottle down, taking a seat on the nearest barstool, “What’s your secret?”

[cormoranboone]

who: @nathaniel-donovan where: the clubhouse

There were rumblings in the desert, and it was making Mo uneasy, and he wasn't talking about another god damn sandstorm. A visit to Vegas to shore up partnerships and reintroduce himself as the new president had been uneventful, but he still couldn't loosen the knot in his gut nor could he lose the niggling thought that something was off in his brain. His years as enforcer taught him to trust that paranoia, as most of the time it was a sixth sense for survival. But since ascending to the top of the chain, he knew that his overthinking could easily cause the same feeling.

"You gotta tell me if I'm losin' my fuckin' mind here. It don't seem like anythin' is happening, but it sure as hell feels like it. Or is it just me?"

[reina-santiago]

WHERE: Reaper Crew Auto WITH: @nathanial-donovan

If Reina was going to continue to insist that she didn’t need a new car, she knew she needed to start paying closer attention to the routine maintenance on her twelve year old Jeep Grand Cherokee. With her work schedule being busier than usual lately, she’d been slacking, and the angry reminder lights on the dash refused to let her forget it. Fed up with looking at them, Reina finally scheduled an appointment at Reaper Crew on her day off and was standing in the office, filling out all the paperwork and trying to remember the last time she’d come here. At one point in her life, Reina could have been found on these grounds more often than not, but in recent years, those visits had become few and far between and solely to get maintenance done on her vehicle. Even ten years later, being here without Wes felt odd and it kicked up all sorts of painful memories she didn’t particularly enjoy thinking about, but there was no one else besides the guys at Reaper Crew that she’d trust to work on her car.  Finishing up the paperwork and handing over her keys, Reina turned to go back outside and started straight into Nate Donovan. She screeched to a halt in front of him just to keep from fully spilling into his space and blinked up at him, “Hey, stranger,” she greeted warmly, tucking a few strands of hair behind her ear and grinning softly up at him, “Fancy meeting you here.” Admittedly, since Wes’s death, her car maintenance wasn’t the only thing she hadn’t kept up with the way she should have. She hadn’t dropped all contact, but she certainly hadn’t been as consistent as she once had. It hadn’t felt like a conscious decision– really, putting distance between her and the MC had been more about self-preservation…or at least that was the bullshit she kept telling herself, but even she wasn’t buying it so much anymore. Regardless of what she wanted to call it, it wasn’t fair, and she knew that– especially after the man in front of her had, for all intents and purposes, saved her from herself.

[nelliedecker]

who: @nathaniel-donovan where: the raven

6 months of fucking about was more than enough. Nellie didn't like working, but she did like to be doing something, so when she had heard talk of an open position at the Raven, with her experience, she knew it'd be a good fit, she just had to make sure Nate could see that.

But, she wasn't one for resumes, preferring to take a more...head on approach, so when she saw him, she went in for the kill. "I'm with the club so you know you can trust me. I used to dance, so I know all the tips and tricks so I'll keep your girls happy. I don't mind being the bad guy if you need me to be, I can sew in a girl's weave just as fast as I'll rip it off her head. I can be a real bitch so I'll make sure nothing's happening in the back that'll get you in trouble, but I'll be your bitch, and I'll protect those girls and keep them safe. --- How does that sound?"

Perhaps a precursor would have been helpful.

[chloeandersonx]

Chloe appreciated the hand squeeze, but it was only then that she realised what she'd said. It dawned on her that this was the first time she was introducing her brother like that. Back home, she didn't need to do that, people already knew. They knew what happened and who she was. So that small gestrue was appreciated, it felt like that little bit of support he was offering her - it gave her strength.

"Thank you." Chloe smiled. "I think I will. Though... I will then have to figure out what to do about my diner... Maybe Nate can take over." She teased, shotting him a quick grin. Emma, on the otherhand, felt so delicate? Every time she spoke, Chloe wanted to give all of her attention, she was just that kind of person. "When it comes to his life? I mean the people in it." She wanted to correct herself, because she understood, that Nate had a life which wasn't easy, which was why they were sitting infront Charlie and Emma in the first palce. "He's got a pretty great support system. Nate has always been loved because.. Well, how can you not? Right?" She grinned, looking back at Nate, as she rested her head in her palm.

"I've known him since I was around nine, I'd say. I used to fancy his best friend Cole. From afar, of course." She laughed. Then, for a moment she thought back to the time where they really had gotten close. Was it that long ago already? "But yeah, around five years ago we had gotten much closer. I think we've only ever had a month where we didn't speak? That was apparently horrible because we've been having Friday movie nights..." She laughed at the mention of their cat play dates, but agreed. "Yeah, and our cats have playdates." She reached over to gently pat the side of his neck. "He's kind of one of the greatest guys I've ever met, so."

Emma, apparently, really wanted to know Chloe, but it didn't scare her. It was easier to talk to people who didn't know everything. Maybe this was exactly the reason why why Nate foundshimself here, too. "Uhm... Well..." She started, bitting the inside of her cheek. She wasn't used to this. "He's adventurous? A bit of a daredevil? He'd be the first person to try something new, even if he didn't know what it was? Even if it could potentially be life threatening, he will always try it at least once. He's.. Uhm..." It wasn't that it was hard, but these were one of the many things she had missed about him. "He loves really hard. He always took care of me no matter what, and was very protective of my and his family. He's also funny, if you get his weird, twisted humour. But he will love you to death and will always make sure you're the most comofrtable." She didn't realise that tears had rolled down her cheeks, and once she did, Chloe jsut laughed. "Oh, gosh I'm so sorry." She brushed them off, shaking her head. "Ignore me, it's just quite raw for me."

Nate looked towards Chloe and smiled, laughing lightly soon after at her joke. As he listened to her introduction he looked away briefly, noting how both Charlie and Emma were drawn to her as she spoke. It wasn't surprising, not when he knew how captivating Chloe could be. As she paused, however, Nate found his attention falling back onto her, his hand reaching for hers underneath the table just to offer a touch of comfort. It had been the first time in a while he had heard her mention her brother, and despite Chloe not really being direct about how she felt, he knew Jasper being missing was something that dragged her down.

As she concluded Emma smiled - her husband laughed and added top marks, just to follow along with her humour. "You feel like such a breath of fresh air... I hope you get back into doing what you love." meaning that she hoped what Chloe was working towards, would pave into a reality for her again. "When I first met Nathan," Emma made a small gesture towards Nate, knowing that it was quite clear who she was speaking of, and yet with the way she called her husband Lee, she always found her hands offering a silent indicator as to what - or who - she was talking about. "I was worried he didn't have anybody as carefree in his life and yet..." she trailed off and looked towards Nate, "How long have you known Chloe?"

"Too long." Nate answered - he jested, chuckling lightly before continuing, "Forever, I think, though we got closer five..." his brows came together lightly, it's a brief thought of if that was correct and still, he wasn't sure but it stuck, "Years ago and now our cats have fuckin' playdates - she literally walks her cat to mine." Nate's tone was light hearted and Charlie was giggling in the background.

Emma only chuckled as she pulled her attention back to Chloe, "Surprised you put up with him," she smiled and then, "Tell us about your brother, what's he like?" She asked and her tone was soft as she does so; knowing that her question was bordering on that line of hitting certain emotions, especially as her brother was missing. She wasn't being nosy, it was more a trait of hers of genuinely caring for certain parts of somebody's history - in this case, Chloe's.

[will-york]

When the York's moved to Tonopah Valley....

William had been a week away from turning twelve years old. He had been anxious about the move, but overall supportive of whatever his father needed to heal. But Simon and Percy could tell how down he was. And so a tradition was born for the young Sagittarius, born at exactly 7am on November 24, 1985. On the morning of his twelfth birthday, at 6am, Percy and Simon stirred Will from bed and they all bundled up and got in the car to drive to Lake Mead. As the sun started to rise close to 7am, they sat on the hood of the car, drinking coffee (or hot chocolate in Will's case) and his father's would cheer as the hour hit, celebrating his arrival into the world, re-defining that day in 1985 for Will all over again.

The morning of Will's 38th birthday was no different, except over the years a few guests had been added to the crew that piled into the car while it was still dark out. As Will got older, he always found himself waking up earlier and earlier on his birthday, preparing more to leave with. What had once been hot chocolate and coffee was now coffee and breakfast sandwiches and whatever pastries could be piled into a box at that time of the morning. This year, like many others, Theo and Chloe were already in the kitchen with Percy and Simon (not that Theo had ever left the house) and they all piled onto him with hugs as soon as they saw him. To be surrounded by love was something that humbled him every day. But especially on his birthday.

There was always a moment during his birthday where he couldn't help but wonder about his birth parents. 38 years later and he still wondered about his first year of life, of what it must have been like when his biological parents held him in their arms. If they thought of him on this day or if it was just another day in November for them. Every year he tried to forget and every year he found the thought lingering in the back of his mind despite how joy filled the day was.

This year would include his usual lunch with Logan, a constant of theirs, a little moment for the two of them to giggle and gossip. A pause in the midst of a full day to enjoy a good meal with someone who brought out the silliest parts of him, the parts that reminded him he really was just some dude on this spinning rock. It was a moment to be reminded that he really did have the most special people in his life.

Which was exactly why the afternoon and evenings were truly for the boys. An afternoon ride through town with Cole and Nate, a dinner they'd never treat themselves too on the regular and mounds of dessert by the time the rest of the guys joined them. All to be rounded out by as many drinks as he could handle at the Outpost, blushing as Beau made a thing of letting everyone in the bar know it was Will's birthday. Which was usually how he got the most free drinks and Beau got a decent profit for the night. Laughter and shoulder pats, big hugs and endless teasing. A true loved filled day, celebrating a man who was trying his hardest to truly reflect that love back on himself.

Which is why in order to continue the good feelings of the day, Will fixed his fingers to inquire whether a certain surgeon was free at that latest of hours so he could enter the next year of his life wrapped up in the kind of warmth he wanted to have with him all the time. And a few other things that didn't need to be put into words.

And yet, Will's mind still wandered to the things that were missing. The people that were missing and he found himself wishing that one day, one year, it would all come back to him. Until then, he would be deeply grateful for what he still had. And my god, was it a whole lot of love.

ft. @logandonovan @theodoreknox @chloeandersonx @nathaniel-donovan @colemonroe @beauaustinsinclair @ianmonts

[jettwalkers]

jett walker >> fixer / cleaner >> skeet ulrich

— BASICS.

Name: Jett Morgan Walker

Nickname: Jay, J

Age / D.O.B.: 58 / March 30, 1965

Gender, Pronouns: Cisman. He/Him

Sexuality: Heterosexual

Ethnicity: White

Hair Color: Black

Eye Color: Dark Brown

Height: 6 ft

Hometown: Tonopah Valley

Residence: Downtown

Occupation: Fixer / Retired NASCAR driver

Affiliation: Sons of Silence

Languages: English, Portuguese, Spanish, Italian

Relationship Status: Divorced

Children: One

— STATS.

Personality Type: ENTP

Moral Alignment: Chaotic Neutral

Positive Traits: Indomitable, Eloquent, Assertive, Cunning, Dominant, Ambitious, Bold, Decisive, Resourceful, Self Disciplined, Confident, Perceptive

Negative Traits: Volatile, Manipulative, Cynical, Rough, Competitive, Vengeful

Mental Health: N/D

— FAMILY .

Siblings: Bruce "Sonny" Walker, N/D Walker, N/D Walker, N/D Walker

Notable Relatives: Jensen Walker

— BACKGROUND .

born and raised in tonopah valley. He moved to Las Vegas when he was seventeen.

he has always been passionate about motorcycles, but discovered his passion for car racing in Vegas.

jett started driving karts, he recognized it was the craft of racing, learning from control to adapting to the race track for speed. He was skilled and started to attract attention from sponsors.

he entered karting competitions. Different local and national competitions, getting a few good wins under his belt that guaranteed him advancement to racing cars, joining amateur racing competitions.

attended different educational programs pursuing technical and mechanical backgrounds knowledge. Sponsorship and funding allowed him to get his full competition license, building a career racing off-road vehicles and motorcycles.

after getting a NASCAR license, he began competing in the lower-tier series, getting the right kind of networking and catching the attention of team owners, opening doors to opportunities in high levels of NASCAR.

he stopped competing during his mid twenties, returning to Tonopah Valley. Jett was aware of the MC founded by his brother Sonny, joining them as a prospect, receiving his full patch a year later.

he participated in local charity runs. Sonny's vision for the direction the club would take was ambitious, the elder using his military contacts and Jett his old sponsors as a way of obtaining funds for the club's firearms side business.

sons of silence were no longer the same, contaminated by conflicts of interest and thirst for power. His brother stepped down from the presidency due to a health problem that took his life a few years later.

he remained loyal to the club, building new ideals during Michael Monroe’s presidency, whom he deeply respected and would follow until the end. He wasn’t just a leader, he was also a friend.

a dark era followed the death of Michael Monroe, affecting all members of the club in different ways, but all consumed by anger and the burning desire for annihilation against Los Santos.

nowadays, he acts as a fixer ( cleaner ) for the Sons. Also guiding prospects and former members.

— HEADCANONS .

Despite his love for motorcycles, he is also a retired NASCAR driver. Three times winner of NASCAR Cup Series.

Acted as a sponsor for many prospects, in special Nate Donovan.

He and his brother Sonny constantly butted heads. Despite being very loyal to the club, they weren't fond of each other.

Divorced. Has a teenage daughter. Both don't live in town.

Considers himself married to the MC.

Still competing in amateur racings and charity events

Has a rottweiler

[goalhofer]

2023 Minnesota Twins Roster

Pitchers

#15 Emilio Pagán (Greenville, South Carolina)

#17 John Ober (Charlotte, North Carolina)

#18 Maeda Kenta (Tadaoka, Japan)

#20 Chris Paddack (Cedar Park, Texas)

#22 James Jax (Greenwood Village, Colorado)

#41 Joe Ryan (San Anselmo, California)

#49 Pablo López (Cabimas, Venezuela)*

#51 Tyler Mahle (Westminster, California)

#54 Sonny Gray (Smyrna, Tennessee)

#56 Caleb Thielbar (Randolph, Minnesota)

#58 Dylan Floro (Atwater, California)*

#59 Jhoan Durán (Esperanza, Dominican Republic)

#60 Dallas Keuchel (Tulsa, Oklahoma)*

#61 Brock Stewart (Normal, Illinois)*

#62 Oliver Ortega (Nagua, Dominican Republic)*

#66 Jorge Alcalá (Bajos De Haina, Dominican Republic)

#74 Josh Winder (Chesterfield County, Virginia)

#77 Bryson Sands (Tallahassee, Florida)

#87 José De León (Ciudad Isabela, Puerto Rico)*

Catchers

#8 Christian Vázquez (Gurabo, Puerto Rico)*

#27 Ryan Jeffers (Raleigh, North Carolina)

Infielders

#1 Nick Gordon (Orlando, Florida)

#4 Carlos Correa; Jr. (Barrio Velázquez, Puerto Rico)

#11 Jorge Polanco (San Pedro De Macorís, Dominican Republic)

#12 James Farmer (Atlanta, Georgia)*

#13 Joey Gallo (Las Vegas, Nevada)*

#19 Alex Kirilloff (Plum, Pennsylvania)

#23 Royce Lewis (San Juan Capistrano, California)

#39 Donovan Solano (Barranquilla, Colombia)*

#47 Edouard Julien (Quebec, Quebec)**

#64 José Miranda (Ciudad Guaynabo, Puerto Rico)

Outfielders

#2 Michael Taylor (Ft. Lauderdale, Florida)*

#16 Jordan Luplow (Clovis, California)*

#25 Byron Buxton (Baxley, Georgia)

#26 Max Kepler-Różycki (Berlin, Germany)

#38 Matt Wallner (Forest Lake, Minnesota)

#50 Willi Castro (San Juan, Puerto Rico)*

Coaches

Manager Rocco Baldelli (Woonsocket, Rhode Island)

Bench coach Jayce Tingler (Smithville, Missouri)

Hitting coach Rudy Hernández (Turmero, Venezuela)

Assistant hitting coach Derek Shoman (Des Plaines, Illinois)

Assistant hitting coach David Popkins (San Diego, California)

Pitching coach Pete Maki (Woodbury, Connecticut)

Assistant pitching coach Luis Ramirez (Valencia, Venezuela)

Bullpen coach Logan Suggs (Sulphur Springs, Texas)

Bullpen catcher Anderson De La Rosa (Barquisimeto, Venezuela)

Bullpen catcher Connor Olson (Minneapolis, Minnesota)

1B/catching coach Hyun Conger (Huntington Beach, California)

3B coach Tommy Watkins; Jr. (Ft. Myers, Florida)

Quality control coach Nate Dammann (Riverside, California)

Assistant coach Tony Diaz (Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic)

[ambrcsialtm]

THE JANOWITZ KIDS ( ft. friends )

rosie janowitz / daughter of ashley & lenny janowitz / unemployed lawyer.

lj janowitz / son of ashley & lenny janowitz / mechanic.

nate janowitz / son of art janowitz / samcro saa - samlin.

kennie janowitz / daughter of art janowitz / event planner.

ivy donovan / daughter of alison donovan / hacker.

wes janowitz / son of art janowitz / hitman.

carly chomicky / rosie’s best friend / real estate agent.

tatiana lukin / rosie’s best friend / doctor.

[nelliedecker]

~END~

A smile pulled at Nate's expressions, "Well I'm five months sober so..." he trailed off for mere seconds, it was intentional enough to fill in that gap of maybe not finding him a little less sober, "Might find me high on orange juice though." his tone was lighthearted as he spun his response into more of a joke.

He tilted his head ever so lightly either side as he listened, settling with a soft nod as he took in all that Nellie had to say, as well as in combination of feeling that he agreed with her. His initial thought had been not wanting to seem like he'd be forcing a narrative onto anybody that chose to work here - purely because who was he to do that? Yet hearing Nellie only told him that he had been overthinking it - it was as simple as it making sense and giving a good direction for the club to move into. "True. I like it." it'd give Nate something to think about, especially when it came to setting Nellie's idea out into stone.

Nate's brow arched briefly upon hearing his response wasn't one she expected, there was a flicker of curiosity within to ask why and yet he let that ease off for now. "Anytime. You work here, got as much of a say when it comes to this place as I do." which was something he believed wholeheartedly, he felt a business ran and worked successfully when everyone collectively came together. "So, you know.. thank you."

[colemonroe]

WHERE: Outside of License to Grill WITH: @nathaniel-donovan & Kip Austin

“Think I was prob’ly in my twenties the last time I tried the Man versus Food Challenge,” Cole recalled, smirking as he eyed the poster pasted in the window of License to Grill as the three of them neared the restaurant. “Sickest I’ve ever been in my fuckin’ life.” Naturally, he’d signed up on a dare, and he’d made it, completing the challenge within the allotted one hour time frame. But by the time he reached the end of the pile of food that had been thrust at him, he couldn’t even be bothered to celebrate and had spent the next thirty minutes in the bathroom, regretting nearly every bite he’d taken. The food was amazing, of course, but cramming it in all at once, especially after one of his fights, had been a recipe for disaster. “Didn’t even want the damn beers once it was over,” he chuckled before glancing back and tossing a grin over his shoulder at Kip, who trailed a couple paces behind him and Nate, “Whaddya say– feelin’ up for it, prospect?” Turning his attention to Nate, he fired off a conspiratorial look before adding, “That top rocker might depend on it.” Obviously, he was just messing around, but Kip didn’t need to know that. After all, the constant joking and bullshit was part of the prospect experience anyway.

[emblem-333]

Naughty or Nice: NBA Edition

The greatest day in the Christian religion is almost upon us, ladies and germs! Ah. Christmas. Gathering around an icy cold, barley used fire place, while your dad plays “The Dark Knight Rises” for whatever reason as you and your siblings gather to open up gifts around an artificial tree. I reach down into my stocking and bring out a lump of black, bumpy coal, It’s ash staining my palm. Last Christmas I was on the “Naughty List” of dear ole Saint Nick. Something about not helping the needy. This year I expect to so up on the infamous list once again… but I don’t want to be alone. So let’s rattle off fellow impure -and some pure teams in the NBA that’ll round out Santa Claus’s records.

Naughty: Oklahoma City

Didn’t see this coming back in September. Sam Presti was on my shortlist to win General Manager of the Year, trading for Paul George, Carmelo Anthony, without giving up much, and signing Russell Westbrook to an extension that saved basketball in the state of Oklahoma. Unfortunately the team’s fallen on hard times since. Westbrook is useless when off-ball and isn’t engaged. Carmelo is old, slow and looks rhythmless. Paul George, the second-best small forward in the East just a season ago, can’t seem to carve out a role and the coaching of Billy Donavan apparently is wasting his talents in such an unimaginative system.

The Thunders woes exclusively are on the offensive side of the court; defensively they’ve played at a nearly elite level: 100.2 Opp/PTS allowed (3rd); 103.7 Def Rtg (2nd), which is shocking when considering the personal change over the course of the summer. Carmelo Anthony in year fifteen is not an ideal option to guard your opponents second best wing player. Anthony’s DRtg sits prettily at 105, the best since 2011-12 with the Knicks.

One of the reasons for the surprising poor start is Donovan’s inability to work his three stars into the offense. Making one of the strengths of Paul George last season, running far less Pick and Roll as the Ball Handler, percentage of time he ran this playtype last season was 17.5%, upped to 23% this season; though his points per possession, 1.01 down to 0.76, and percentile rank, 92nd last season to 39th. What’s more staggering is his decline in the most basic of metrics. On an Indiana team, playing alongside miss-match pieces George’s averages were 46.1 fg%, 39.6 3P%, 23.7 PPG - 6.6 RPG - 3.3 APG - 2 Stocks and his Clutch statistics have fallen substantially, given he wasn’t too good to begin with, last season: 47.6 fg%, 33.3 3P%, 4 PPG - 0.7 RPG - 0.2 APG.

This season: 40.4 fg%, 33.9 3P%, 19.9 PPG - 5.7 RPG - 3.1 APG - 3.1 Stocks; Clutch: 37 fg%, 28.6 3P%, 2.4 PPG - 0.8 RPG - 0.1 APG. George’s never been clutch. Surprise, surprise. But the fall in efficiency is enough to have me shaking in my boots. The way Westbrook’s handled this season has also disappointed me. He’s woeful when off-ball, often indifferent, walking aimlessly around the court after getting rid of the ball.

Like George, Westbrook’s strengths also mysteriously disappeared. For Russ it’s his ability to come up big in the clutch that won him the MVP, 44.6 fg%, 1.9 fta, 85.3 ft%, 6.2 PPG - 1.3 APG - 0.7 RPG - 0.5 TPG ; this season: 33.8 fg%, 0.9 fta, 52.9 ft%, 3.6 PPG - 1.5 RPG - 0.7 APG - 0.4 TPG.

Carmelo’s knees betrayed him some time ago. He isn’t able to get the amount of lift necessary to justify his isolation-heavy style of play, predicated on making long-two point attempts. Witnessing the stagnation of the offense whenever Carmelo just touches the ball, teammates resign to the fact he’s just going to shoot it brings back painful memories of Westbrook’s ball-domination sapping the potential of Victor Oladipo. Currently 15-15, there isn’t a lot to pin your hopes on for anybody who came into the season high on the Thunder. Westbrook’s victorious 2016-17 MVP campaign brought about speculation by many whether he was indeed the right choice, some of the shine is starting to come off the magnificent statistical season this year.

Nice: Victor Oladipo

Anybody who tries to tell you they liked the Paul George return prior to Thanksgiving are liars. Do not believe them. Kevin Pritchard had zero support once the deal became official. Domantas Sabonis, miscast by Donovan in OKC as a stretch big-forward, Nate McMillan deserves props for recasting the Gonzaga product as a pure center, shooting 54.4% from the field, averaging 12.3 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 2 assists per game. Sabonis is the best backup center in the East; a sneaky choice for Sixth Man of the Year.

Shooting guard Victor Oladipo wasn’t respected by those who considered him Smush Parker to Westbrook’s Kobe last season. Despite then career-highs in field goal and three-point. His massive $84 million contract given to him by Presti raised the eyebrow of many. Drafted second overall in a weak draft, from Indiana University, Oladipo entered Indianapolis amidst fanfare. Pritchard loved Oladipo before he even suited up for the Pacers in a game, mostly due to his Indiana roots. This came across to me more as a low profile clown show. When the spotlight was shined on to Indiana, and when we all stopped laughing at them, they weren’t expected to do more than to be in the middle-to-later parts of the lottery. Fast forward to Christmas time, the Pacers are on pace for 42 wins (I think they’ll win 45), despite a piss-poor bench outside of Sabonis. High profile wins over the then-streaking Cleveland Cavaliers, Vic went for 33 points off of 11 of 24 Shooting (Indiana also beat Cleveland on Nov 1), San Antonio, and sneaky good Toronto.

Oladipo in the clutch will save the Pacers from the ashes they’d otherwise be reduced to, 43.1 fg%, 41.2 3P%, 3.2 PPG - 0.8 RPG - 0.4 APG. Against Boston on Monday, Vic was held in check in the first half before exploding for thirty-points in a contest the Pacers absolutely should’ve won if it wasn’t for late-game bungling courtesy of Bojan Bogdanovic. Vic scored 14 points in the final quarter, Boston had no answer for him. Make no mistake Victor Oladipo is the best shooting guard in the East. Better than Bradley Beal. Better than DeMar DeRozan.

He can score in more ways than DeRozan, who’s amazingly been productive despite an utter lack of a jump shot, and isn’t a liability on defense like he and Beal are. For Pritchard to obtain third best shooting guard in a time where the league is seemingly stacked at that position is reason enough for him to be involved in GM of the Year talks. Boy, do I have egg on my face.

Naughty: Washington Wizards

Awful lot of talking the fellas in the D.C area have done since being ousted in the second round by a clumsy Canadian and a five-foot, nine inch point guard suffering immense pain because his hip bone was puncturing his skin. Still, the previous season reignited the John Wall-era, his knees were stable once again, played the best ball of his career. Hopes were high entering the 2017-18 campaign, nice, but the utterly inconsequential trade for backup point guard Tim Frazier and signing of shooting guard Jodie Meeks was welcomed by critics of the Wizards front office, such as myself. The summer prior when the money pit was all too deep not to jump in head first line Scrooge McDuck. Ian Mahimi, Jason Smith and Andrew Nicholson, none worked out. While Smith is serviceable, Mahimi hasn’t produced, and Nicholson was traded by February.

Tim Frazier isn’t a backup point guard on a perennial East-Finalist. Jodie Meeks hasn’t played a quality season since... a long time.

Wall’s knees are made of cotton candy, missed seven-games this season due to discomfort and inflammation in the knee. Given PRP (platelet-rich plasma). I don’t know what that is, but it can’t be good.

Markieff Morris and Marcin Gortat enjoyed the best season of their respective careers. Morris’ points per game is down; rebounds are down; assists are down, as is his field goal percentage. Gortat is thirty-three, will turn thirty-four in February, his field goal percentage fell from 57.9% to 53.5%. The Wizards sit in a tight scramble for the bottom of the playoff picture at 16-14. For all the talk of their belief that the Cavaliers “were ducking” them, I don’t even think the Wizards can beat the Nets two out of three times this season.

The dream fans cling to is a DeMarcus Cousins 0.25 cents on the dollar transaction, one which doesn’t involve Star two-guard Bradley Beal. Despite the 15-16 record causing the murmurs of a potential trading of Superstar Anthony Davis, given the delicate situation of the Pelicans franchise, they’re currently in the eighth seed. Only three-games behind Minnesota for the fourth-seed, the final spot for home-court advantage. Shooter Otto Porter alone provides necessary salary flotsam to obtain Cousins; though his contract provides a 15% trade kicker. And while Porter is a better option to play either forward position than Solomon Hill, if New Orleans stays the course and if by February 8th the are out of the playoff picture and it’s clear their core around A.D & Boogie isn’t good enough then MAYBE the Wizards have a chance. But who’s to say by then the Wizards and Pelicans won’t have the same record by then?

Nice: Toronto Raptors

Entering the summer of 2017 after being swept by LeBron without breaking a sweat, a tremendous sea change was about to be expected. GM Masai Ujiri decided to run back the previous season’s team, despite the skinny wallet. Choosing to re-sign Serge Ibaka over P.J Tucker. Sign-and-trade Cory Joseph for C.J Miles. Trading DeMarre Carroll, a first round pick and a 2018 second draft pick to Brooklyn for Justin Hamilton - a deal not looking so good now, given Carroll’s resurgence. So far the Raptors are on a wins pace of fifty-seven, good for second best in ESPN’s BPI Playoff Odds. Despite Lowry’s sluggish start to the season of transition, averaging 17.9 points, 7.5 assists, 6.9 rebounds, 45.1 fg% and 41.4% from three-point; help the Raptors offensive rating of 113.4 (4th). Lowry is on a team-friendly three-year, $100 million contract that assures the Raptors aren’t paying an arm and a leg for old and decrepit Lowry.

Second-year center Jakob Poeltl was unglued from the bench and showed some promise, making 89 of his 130 field goal attempts; 74% on attempts taken zero-to-three feet. The production of Poeltl is similar to albatross Jonas Valanciunas, on the second-year of a four-year, $64 million contract; a player-option for 2019, one Jonas will surely pick up given the NBA isn’t clambering for a slow-footed, old school center and certainly don’t want to pay one $17 million.

The Raps are seventh in defensive rating. DeRozan has the highest DRtg of all the team with 107. Rank fifth in eFG%; forces the seventh most turnovers (14.5). On offense the Raptors are fifth in field goal percentage and third in two-point attempts.

An intriguing roster of seasoned veterans on sort-of-nice contracts and prospects. They’re weak in the backup guard and wing positions, if the Raptors still have assets from last season’s gamble they can chase marksman Buddy Hield, bench scorer Tyreke Evans, and even take a big whiff at Marc Gasol and Paul George. The Raptors should be linked to Gasol especially. The Grizzlies have fallen to the bottom of the lottery, if the season were to end today.

Ujiri is an underrated candidate for Executive of the Year. He’s navigated through dangerous waters and came out still on track to win a playoff series and sneak into the East-Finals. The Cavaliers aren’t afraid of Toronto, but maybe it won’t be them they’ll have to face. You never know.

[chpkns]

BEST ALBUMS 2018

Ok here we go again for 2018, shall we?

Hon. Mentions: Negro Swan - Blood Orange; Singularity - Jon Hopkins; Elsewhere - Ryan Hemsworth; Scorpion - Drake; Diplomatic Ties - The Diplomats; Some Rap Songs - Earl Sweatshirt; FM! - Vince Staples; Rally Cry - Arkells; I’m All Ears - Let’s Eat Grandma; Be The Cowboy - Mitski; Kamikaze - Eminem; Ye - Kanye West; KIDS SEE GHOSTS - Kanye West and Kid Cudi; Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino - Arctic Monkeys; Black Panther: The Album - Kendrick Lamar, et al; KOD - J. Cole; Culture II - Migos; Hive Mind - The Internet; God’s Favorite Customer - Father John Misty; Blood - Rhye; Both Ways - Donovan Woods; Songs of the Plains - Colter Wall

10) Swimming - Mac Miller

This one was tough. Malcolm James McCormick’s fifth studio album was barely out three months before he left us. It’s hard to evaluate Swimming in isolation of Miller’s untimely death at age 26. Especially since, in my mind, the album represents something of a turning point for the former frat rapper. Recorded in the wake of Miller’s high profile breakup with Ariana Grande and in the midst of public struggles with addiction, Swimming is full of heartache and soul bearing self-reflection. Sonically, Mac’s airy raps and crooning vocals float over jazzy beats and orchestral accompaniments, with help from Thundercat and Dev Hynes. There’s room for fun as well amid the melancholy - the more upbeat Ladders and What’s the Use? are sure enough to keep a dance floor moving. The worst thing about Swimming is really how good it is, and how it felt like Mac Miller was on the cusp on something great we’ll now never see. 

Highlights: Self Care, What’s The Use?, 2009, Ladders

9) QUARTERTHING - Joey Purp

Chance the Rapper’s Savemoney compatriot Joey Purp is like a breath of fresh air. QUARTERTHING’s 14 tracks, most clocking in at under 3 minutes, come fast and furious like Purp’s (mostly) un-autotuned flow. Joey’s full throated, almost Meek-Mill-esque, delivery gives the album a mixtape-like authenticity - notwithstanding the varied and expert production from the likes of RZA, Knox Fortune and frequent Chance collaborator Nate Fox. The opening 24k Gold/Sanctified, and Hallelujah just two tracks later, feel downright celebratory pairing Purp’s flow behind a blaring big band sound. Others, like Look At My Wrist and Paint Thinner, are Chicago Drill and house inspired, feeling like they’d be right at home in a sweaty club basement. Lyrically, Purp is a classic hip-hop storyteller and street documentarian, drawing from experiences in a former life selling drugs and the violence of his home city. This impressive studio album debut is more than enough to solidify Joey Purp’s place among an exciting new generation of Chicago rappers.

Highlights: 24k Gold/Sanctified (ft. Ravyn Lenae & Jack Red), Godbody (ft. RZA) [Pt. 2], Hallelujah, Look At My Wrist (ft. Cdot Honcho), Karl Malone

8) Golden Hour - Kacey Musgraves

Kacey Musgraves is clearly in the pantheon of artists that can’t release an album without it making this list (I rated Pageant Material #8 in 2015 and Same Trailer, Different Park #9 in 2013... both criminally underrated in retrospect). Musgraves continued to be a revelation with her third album. There was a great Ezra Koenig quote last year, where he talked about seeing Musgraves’ concert and being inspired by the clarity of her music: “from the first verse, you knew who was singing, who they were singing to, what kind of situation they were in”. On Golden Hour, she maintains that clarity, stretching a little more outside the traditional country sound into pop and disco-inspired melodies. I do miss the dry humour and rebellious spirit of the previous two Musgraves outings, I’ll admit. You won’t find any overt weed references here, but Kacey finds plenty of ways to remind us how few fucks she gives about the Nashville country establishment. Golden Hour also shows off some of Musgraves’ strongest songwriting to date - the sprawling Space Cowboy stands out as one of the best singles of the year in any genre. I’m probably in the minority in thinking Golden Hour is not my favourite Kacey Musgraves album, but it’s still one of my favourite albums of 2018.

Highlights: Slow Burn, Space Cowboy, High Horse, Love is a Wild Thing

7) Lush - Snail Mail

It’s about to become clear that there is a “women in indie rock” movement happening on this year’s list. The debut album from 18 year old singer-songwriter Lindsey Jordan is one of the most aptly titled records of 2018. Lush’s indie rock soundscapes are just that. Loud, full and richly textured. Jordan’s crystal clear vocals soar and float above her ringing guitar chords and riffs. The songwriting is perhaps what you’d expect from an 18 year old, full of heartbreak, confusion and teen angst. She does it well though. As the first chorus builds on Heat Wave, Jordan’s voice builds: “And I hope whoever it is Holds their breath around you, 'Cause I know I did”. The album’s standout track for me is Full Control which crescendos to a refrain of: “I'm in full control, I'm not lost, Even when it's love, Even when it's not.” At the same time, Lush exudes a maturity and a nostalgia that hearkens back to Snail Mail’s spiritual predecessors like Cat Power or Fiona Apple. Snail Mail was one of many reasons that 2018 gave me hope that there’s a future for indie rock and “guitar music” generally. I’m very much looking forward to seeing what’s next.

Highlights: Pristine, Full Control, Deep Sea, Heat Wave

6) boygenius EP - boygenius

The only thing that ever held me back from including boygenius on this list was my long held view that “an EP is not an album”. Well, since Kanye decided that 7 songs can be an “album” why not 6? Any album that has 6 songs as good as the 6 on boygenius EP would make this list! boygenius is the indie “supergroup” made up of Phoebe Bridgers, Lucy Dacus and the holder of last year’s #3 album on this list, Julien Baker - all accomplished solo acts in their own right. Predictably, the whole is something greater than the sum of its parts. boygenius EP’s six songs are a tour de force amalgam of indie, country and folk (owing to the band’s cross-genre Nashville and Viriginia roots) full of raw emotion and grit. Dacus, Bridgers and Baker seem made to perform, and sing, together. The harmonies on this record make boygenius sound like an indie rock iteration of Destiny’s Child or an edgier, less twangy version of the Dixie Chicks. The songs do not hold back, with high highs and low lows. On Me & My Dog, the soaring chorus evokes an escapist dream: “I wish I was on a spaceship, Just me and my dog and an impossible view”. The emotional highpoint of the record might be Baker and Bridgers’ chorus on Salt in the Wound apexing with: “I’m gnashing my teeth, Like a child of Cain, If this is a prison I’m willing to buy my own chain”. I can’t stop watching live videos of these three - they seem so at home onstage together. As excited as I’d be to see boygenius become more than a side project, I’m equally excited to see what’s next for Bridgers, Dacus and Baker on their own.

Highlights: Me & My Dog, Stay Down, Salt In the Wound, Ketchum ID

5) DAYTONA - Pusha T

YUGH! Amid Kanye’s unhinged tweets, messy, disorganized projects, and Oval Office visits, DAYTONA, the 7 track album he entirely produced for G.O.O.D. Music veteran Pusha T, was one thing that gave us hope that Kanye hadn’t completely lost his touch (or his mind) in 2018. DAYTONA showcases both producer Kanye and King Push at the absolute peak of their talents. It’s amazing, in this era of Xanax-fuelled mumblerap, to think how long we’ve been listening to Kanye and Push do their thing. Lord Willin’ introduced the world to Pusha T in 2002 (alongside his brother Malice, as he then was, as the iconic rap duo Clipse). The College Dropout came out two years later. I still remember buying the CDs and wearing out my discman with both of them. It’s easy to forget that Kanye and Terrence “King Push” Thornton are both 41 years old! There’s something refreshing about two guys in their forties still being able to make a banging rap record about selling drugs and buying expensive shit. Push said DAYTONA was made “for my family...high taste level, luxury, drug raps fans.”  Those fans are well served by DAYTONA. After the beat comes in on album opener If You Know You Know, Push sounds like he’s speaking directly to his day one fans, raising a styrofoam cup to: “This thing of ours, oh, this thing of ours”. The album exudes the bravado of an MC on top of his game confident in the knowledge that he’s spitting bars on a classic. And we can’t forget the incendiary Infrared, the song that touched off a vicious beef between Pusha T and rap’s biggest star, Drake, ending after Push revealed in a diss track that Drake was hiding his son from the world. Almost 20 years on, Pusha T is still ready to go war, still “clickin’ like Golden State” and still wearing the crown as King Push. Long may he reign.

Highlights: If You Know You Know, The Games We Play, Hard Piano (ft. Rick Ross), Infrared

4) Honey - Robyn

I found myself slightly disappointed in Honey at first, largely because my expectations for Robyn’s first album in eight years were based on the high energy electro-pop brilliance of 2010′s Body Talk. What I should have realized is that, if Robyn were going to make another Body Talk, she wouldn’t have kept us waiting this long. Honey is not Body Talk - you won’t find another Call Your Girlfriend or Dancing on My Own among its nine silky smooth tracks. But it is no less brilliant. If I can forget that Beach2k20 exists for a second, it feels pretty darn close to a perfect album. Honey betrays a lighter touch for Robyn, perhaps more in tune with the sound of the moment. A little more euro house and disco tinged, Honey furthers the Swedish songstress’s long evolution away from the pop idol of her late 90′s past. Honey still embodies Robyn’s signature juxtaposition of electronic dance rhythms alongside themes of sadness, loneliness and heartbreak. And songs like Honey and Missing U can still light up any dancefloor. The highlight for me is the slow-building Send to Robin Immediately, which just swells over its Lil Louis sample as Robyn urges the listener into action: “If you got something to say, say it right away. If you got something to do, do what's right for you. If you got somebody to love, give that love today. Know you got nothing to lose, there's no time to waste”. In between albums, and while writing Honey, Robyn lived through the death of a longtime collaborator and a breakup and reunion with a romantic partner. The emotional toll of these experiences seem to shine through. Robyn told the BBC’s Annie Mac earlier this year: “When I wrote this album I think I was quite tired of myself writing sad love songs, but I did anyway and looking back on that now, I think it's OK for things to be sad. Combining it with something that's bright and strong and powerful is a way of finding your way out of the sadness.” 

Highlights: Missing U, Human Being (ft. Zhala), Send to Robin Immediately, Honey

3) Clean - Soccer Mommy

Clean, the impressive debut album from 20 year old Nashville singer-songwriter Sophie Allison, was the first album I heard this year that I 100% knew would be on this list. By the time Your Dog hits at the third track, I was completely enthralled. That song is so goddamn rock and roll with Allison sparing no mercy for the subject shitty boyfriend of the opening verse: “I don't wanna be your fucking dog, That you drag around, A collar on my neck tied to a pole, Leave me in the freezing cold”. Elsewhere, on Still Clean, Allison plays with gruesome animalistic imagery singing of an ex-lover picking her “out your bloody teeth”. There is a warmer side to Clean as well. Scorpio Rising, with it’s “bubbly and sweet like Coca-Cola” softness and lyrics about meeting up after dark and missed calls from your mother definitely remind you that Allison is a self-professed devotee of Taylor Swift’s early work (which should give you another idea of why I love this album). Speaking of T-Swift, the rollicking Last Girl almost mirrors You Belong With Me in describing the crushing insecurity of comparing oneself to a new partner’s ex, somehow pulling off lyrics like “I want to be like your last girl, She's the sun in your cold world and, I am just a dying flower, I don't hold the summer in my eyes” as if that were a totally normal thing to say. Beneath the upbeat riff of Cool, where Allison idolizes the cool girl “with a heart of coal, She’ll break you down and eat you whole” is the understanding that being that person won’t bring her the happiness she seeks. Acceptance of one’s emotions and insecurities is the core theme of Clean - that “You gon’ be like that” (as Allison put it to the Fader) and you’ll be happier once you accept you for you. In many ways, Clean evokes a similar vibe to the Snail Mail and boygenius entries further up this year’s list, as a scrappy “girl with a guitar” indie record and a tongue-in-cheek stage name. That sense of charming honesty is what, I think, makes Clean stand above the other entries on this list.

Highlights: Cool, Your Dog, Last Girl, Scorpio Rising

2) Lamp Lit Prose - Dirty Projectors

The first of our top two is another repeat offender on this list (a previous incarnation of the Projectors’ Swing Lo Magellan had #7 back in 2012 and last year’s eponymous Dirty Projectors was my 2017 #8). I loved every minute of Lamp Lit Prose - it’s almost a 1B for me on this list and was pencilled in at 1 for a time in the drafting process. This album has everything that was good about last year’s DPs record but is, ultimately, tighter, more fun, less weird and less sad. Dave Longstreth appears to have moved on (at least musically) from the emotions he was working through on Dirty Projectors, which was essentially an extended meditation on the breakup of his relationship with Amber Coffman and the band’s upheaval. With Lamp Lit Prose, his “new look” Dirty Projectors (with help from friends like Syd, Rostam and HAIM) have put together something a little more traditional (by Dirty Projectors standards) and a lot more listenable. Longstreth told Exclaim that this album, compared its morose predecessor, “is really about feeling hope again, finding the things that give us hope, that make us feel optimistic and joyful.” Lamp Lit Prose falls somewhere between the twangly, jam band atmosphere of the Projector’s Swing Lo Magellan and Bitte Orca heyday and the more experimental, electronic-infused vibe of the Dirty Projectors released 18 months prior. Longstreth’s guitar riffs are again front and centre, but the voice modulation and distorted electronic sounds are still there, albeit in a more subtle way. Four part harmonies bounce over the jazzy melodies and hopeful lyrics. Where he was mourning a lost love on the last record, here we see Longstreth “in love for the first time ever” on I Found It In U (a salvaged beat from his work on Solange’s last album). On Break Thru, the un-named romantic subject is held up as “an epiphany” with comparisons in quick succession to Archimedes, Fellini and Julian Casablancas. The horn-backed chorus on What Is The Time is the high point of the record for me - the kind of song that makes you want to raise your voice and join in on the hook. All in all, it’s just great to hear this band making fun music again. Lamp Lit Prose is upbeat, creative and simply a joy to listen to. I absolutely loved this album... but just not quite enough to edge out our number 1.

Highlights: Break-Thru, That’s a Lifestyle, I Found It In U, What Is The Time

1) ASTROWORLD - Travis Scott

IT’S LIT!!! I would have never predicted that a Travis Scott album would land here at number 1, but here we are. And I feel good about it. ASTROWORLD dominated my listening from its mid-summer release onward and, with each spin, I became increasingly convinced of its greatness. Travis is an artist that I’ve long found perplexing. Insanely popular among his legions of young fans, he embodies so much of the “new rap” ethos, the first genre of music where I’ve started to feel like I might be ‘too old’ to enjoy it. It was clear on his prior outings, Rodeo and Birds in the Trap Sing McKnight, that the talent and creativity was there, but the overall product always seemed messy, disorganized, unpolished. With ASTROWORLD, Scott finally has made his Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy. The album is named for a former Six Flags theme park in Scott’s hometown of Houston that was torn down a decade ago and still sits vacant. Previewing the title of the album, Scott told GQ last year: "They tore down AstroWorld to build more apartment space. That's what it's going to sound like, like taking an amusement park away from kids. We want it back. We want the building back. That's why I'm doing it. It took the fun out of the city." True to his word, the album’s 17 tracks are tied together by an overarching creepy, grimy sound. Listening to ASTROWORLD feels like walking through an abandoned theme park. Even more impressive is how Travis, as curator of the album’s varied guest list, bends the star studded guest appearances to his will, fitting them in perfectly to his dank sonic menagerie. The likes of Frank Ocean, the Weeknd, Swae Lee, Tame Impala and James Blake don’t overpower Scott’s vision but blend into the scenery, their talents employed perfectly by Travis in the role of ringmaster. Newcomers get some shine too, like Scott’s Cactus Jack labelmate Sheck Wes who gets a guest verse on NO BYSTANDERS and a shoutout to his ubiquitous single from Travis on 5% TINT: “We did some things out on the ways that we can't speak, All I know it was "Mo Bamba" on repeat”. And then, there’s SICKO MODE. Why is it that the best Drake song each year invariably comes from someone else’s album, even in a year where Drizzy himself releases a double album? The ASTROWORLD track list, at least initially, left out the featured artists, so hearing Drake’s voice over the opening notes of the album’s third track was the first time most listeners had any indication that the 6ixgod himself would be making an appearance. What a wonderful surprise it turns out to be. SICKO MODE, the album’s best track, feels like three or four different songs as the beat changes form and Travis and Drake pass the mic back and forth. The song’s Tay Keith produced final act (the “out like a light” part) is for my money the best two minutes of hip hop music made in 2018. ASTROWORLD succeeds on its grandeur, vision and consistency. Travis Scott set out to build something big and from the moment the bass kicks in on STARGAZING through to the mellow, string backed denouement of COFFEE BEAN, he succeeds at every turn. ASTROWORLD was 2018′s biggest, most creative, most sonically consistent and most fun album in hip-hop. In my estimation, it’s the best album of the year.

Highlights: STARGAZING, CAROUSEL (ft. Frank Ocean), SICKO MODE (ft. Drake, Swae Lee and Big Hawk), WAKE UP (ft. The Weeknd), CAN’T SAY (ft. Don Toliver)

That’s all folks. Thanks for reading and see ya in 2019.

[jazzworldquest-blog]

CANADA: Canadian Songwriters Honored In US-Based International Songwriting Competition (ISC)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Contact: Candace Avery

International Songwriting Competition

615.251.4441

press@songwritingcompetition.com

www.songwritingcompetition.com

Canadian Songwriters Honored In US-Based International Songwriting Competition (ISC)

Judges Include Lorde, Hardwell, Tom Waits, Nancy Wilson (Heart), Ziggy Marley, Kaskade, The Mavericks, Martie Maguire (Dixie Chicks), Bastille, and More

April 18, 2018 -- The International Songwriting Competition (ISC is pleased to announce its 2017 winners. Created in 2002, ISC is widely recognized as the most prestigious and respected songwriting competition in the world and received more than16,000 entries from almost 140 countries. Prizes include more than $175,000 in cash and merchandise.

The Grand Prize winners this year are Nicholas Miller (better known as Illenium), Annika Wells, Kate Morgan, and Michael Biancaniello for the song “Crawl Outta Love Ft. Annika Wells." The Grand Prize consists of $25,000 in cash (USD) and over $35,000 in additional prizes.

Winners hail from all over the world (61% of this year’s winners come from outside the USA) and range from talented amateurs to seasoned songwriting veterans. The 23 categories include all genres of contemporary music, from Rock to Pop to Country to R&B/Hip-Hop and more.

Canadian songwriters fared extremely well in ISC, garnering four First Places and three Third Places. Canadian winners also received 39 Honorable Mentions.

“This marks the first time in the competition’s history that Canadian songwriters have scored four First Places in categories,” says Candace Avery, ISC Founder and Director. “It takes a lot of dedication and hard work to write great songs, and ISC is honored to throw the spotlight on these talented Canadian songwriters and their achievements.”

Over the years ISC winners have included: Vance Joy, Bastille, Passenger, Kate Miller-Heidke, Lindsey Stirling, Gotye, The Band Perry, Kasey Chambers, Lupe Fiasco, Rachel Bloom, Gin Wigmore, Kimbra, Gregory Porter, Kehlani, For King & Country, and many more.

For a complete list of ISC 2017 winners and to hear the winning songs, go to: https://www.songwritingcompetition.com/winners.

The complete panel of judges includes:

Recording Artists

Lorde; Tom Waits; Ziggy Marley; American Authors; Nancy Wilson (Heart); Martie Maguire (Dixie Chicks); Booker T. Jones; The Mavericks; Sara Evans; Bastille; Keane; Hardwell; Danilo Perez; James McNally (Afro Celt Sound System); Billy Cobham; Gerald Casale (Devo); Natalie Grant Lee-Phillips; ; Krewella; Matt Nathanson; Amadou & Miriam; John Tibbs; Kaskade; John Mayall; Joe Louis Walker; Nicholas Gunn; Ashwin Batish; Lonnie Liston Smith; Walter Trout; Trilok Gurtu; Tommy Chong; and Tony Joe White.

Industry Executives:

Gregg Nadel (President, Elektra Records); Seymour Stein (Chairman/CEO, Sire Records); Daniel Glass (President, Glassnote Records); John Esposito (Chairman/CEO, Warner Music Nashville); John Burk (President, Concord Label Group); Ed Vetri (President, Wind-Up Records); Bruce Iglauer (Founder/President, Alligator Records); Steve Yegelwel (Sr. VP, Island Records); Nate Albert (Executive VP of A&R, Capitol Records); Jacob Edgar (Founder, Cumbancha); Aaron Bay-Schuck (President of A&R, Interscope Records); Mike Easterlin (President, Fueled By Ramen/Roadrunner Records); Josh Bailey (Senior VP of A&R, Word Entertainment); Gordon Kerr (CEO, Black River Entertainment); Richard Stumpf (CEO, Atlas Publishing); Steve Greenberg (CEO, S-Curve Records); Kim Buie (VP of A&R, New West Records); AJ Tobey (Head of A&R, Rough Trade Publishing); Cory Robbins (Founder/President, Robbins Entertainment); Angel Carrasco (Latin Music Consultant); Julie Kertes (Editor/Manager, Hot Diggity Media); Laura Margolin (Publishing, Glassnote Records); Leib Ostrow (Founder/CEO, Music For Little People); Katherine Danes (Co-President, The Children’s Music Network); Claire S. Green (President, Parent’s Choice Foundation); Benjamin Groff (Founder, The Brill Building); Sas Metcalfe (President, Global Creative, Kobalt Music); Golnar Khosrowshahi (President, Reservoir Media Management); Carianne Marshall (Partner, Songs Music Publishing); Tamara Conniff (EVP, Roc Nation); Dara Frank (Head of Comedy Central Records/Viacom); Carl Caprioglio (Founder/CEO, Oglio Entertainment); and Elena Epstein (Director, National Parenting Product Awards).

ISC is sponsored by: AKG By Harman; Berklee College of Music; Celebrity Access; D'Addario; Dark Horse Institute; Disc Makers; Eventric; Gig Salad; JBL Professional by Harman; Lurrsen Mastering; Merch Cat; Musician Wellness; Musician’s Institute; ONErpm; PreSonus; SongU.com; Sweetwater Sound; PAWW Premium Sound; and Tunedly.

Entries are now open for the 2018 competition. For more information and to enter, go to http://www.songwritingcompetition.com.

For low-res photos of all winners, go to http://www.songwritingcompetition.com/winners

For high-res photos, please contact Candace Avery at press@songwritingcompetition.com

The list of 2017 Canadian winners is as follows:

First Place Winners

“Knock On My Door“ – Faouzia Ouihya (Faouzia) Carman, MB, Canada – Teen

Born in Morocco and raised in the Canadian prairies, Faouzia is a young artist who is wowing audiences and industry alike with her contemporary pop hooks and heart-wrenching lyrics, not to mention a voice that is truly distinctive with a huge range, taking on subtle trills and stylings. Her first single “Knock On My Door” found its way onto regular rotation at Canadian radio, and the follow up “My Heart’s Grave” is already seeing adds in both Canada and her native Morocco. Already a multiple award winner in ISC, as well as the Grand Prize winner of the 2017 Unsigned Only Music Competition, Faouzia is an up-and-coming artistic force whose star just keeps shining brighter.

“Sheep“ – Darrelle London Toronto, ON, Canada – Children's Music

A piano pop singer/songwriter, Darrelle London is known for her clever quirkiness and has performed at festivals such as Lilith Fair, Canadian Music Week, Pop Overthrow, and more. She was named the Toronto Lilith Talent Search winner and the BellMedia Emerging Artist. London has attracted some celebrity supporters along the way, including fellow Canadian songstress Chantal Kreviazuk who discovered her music and collaborated with her on several songs for London’s album Eat A Peach. The celebrity blogger Perez Hilton has also been a vocal champion of her music. Her latest album is a lullaby EP entitled Sing To The Moon.

“This Little Light“ – Jaylene Johnson Winnipeg, MB, Canada – Christian

Jaylene Johnson, is a singer/songwriter based in Winnipeg, MB. Her song, "Fallin'" took second place in the ISC last year in the Christian category. Her work has been heard on network TV shows including “Pretty Little Liars”, “So You Think You Can Dance”, and “Degrassi: The Next Generation”. Co-written songs have been recorded by artists including JJ Heller, Amy Sky, Brian Doerksen and Luke McMaster among others. Her most recent album, Potter & Clay, was nominated for a Juno Award, a Western Canadian Music Award, and several Covenant Awards. Two of her songs earned songwriting trophies at the Covenant Awards this year.

“Untouchable“ – Dylan Edward Roberts (King Dylan) Calgary, AB, Canada – Music Video

The winner of the Music Video category for his stop-motion animation video of the song “Untouchable,” King Dylan (the King didn't give himself that name - it was written in his high school yearbook) is best described as if Blink 182 had a lovechild with Eminem and Lady Gaga's backup dancers. This one-man machine has performed live for thousands across Canada and released a handful of albums and music videos. Previously he played bass guitar in the hard Rock band Broken Ride (Regional Radio Star winners 2013), performed in and produced the hip hop group The DC Show, and played piano for the band Lost In Film at CMW 2014. Dylan has also just finished a new full-length album featuring "Untouchable" and eleven other hard-hitting tracks. The award-winning video utilized over 4,000 photos of legos taken over the course of 450+ hours.

Third Place Winners

“Backroads” – Jimmy Zee (The Jimmy Zee Band) – Vanvouver, BC, Canada Blues

“Never Have Time” – Jared Salte, Bethany Salte (The Royal Foundry) – Sherwood Park, AB, Canada – Rock

“Tequila” – Johnny Simmen, Hunter Leath, Matt McGinn – Toronto, ON, Canada – Country

Honorable Mentions

“A Flat Miner” – Troy Kokol – Calgary, AB, Canada – Comedy/Novelty

“Ambition” – Soul – Toronto, ON, Canada – R&B/Hip-Hop

“Ask Too Much Ft. Spence Holden” – Spencer Heaslip, Spence Milne-O'Neil (Taabu) – Dundas, ON, Canada – EDM (Electronic Dance Music)

“Baby, I Understand” – Kat Goldman – Toronto, ON, Canada – Folk/Singer-Songwriter

“Beautiful Thing” – Aaron Buchholz, Ian Eskelin – Langley, BC, Canada – Christian

“Booger Song” – Tim Machin (Sing Along Tim And The Pacifiers) – Toronto, ON, Canada – Children's Music

“Campfire ” – Dinah Desrochers, Aaron Cadwaladr, Phil Wipper, Jocelyn Hallett (The Kerplunks) – Gabriola Island, BC, Canada – Children's Music

“Chills” – James Barker, Donovan Woods, Travis Wood, Gavin Slate (James Barker Band) – Toronto, ON, Canada – Country

“Ciento Viente” – Roman Smirnov – Newmarket, ON, Canada – Instrumental

“Don't Give Up” – Maggie Szabo, Stefan Lit, Chaz Mason – Dundas, ON, Canada – Pop/Top 40

“Eleven! ” – Dylan Bell, Ed Hanley, Suba Sankaran (Autorickshaw) – Toronto, ON, Canada – Children's Music

“Fall In Love Again” – Chris Graham, Mikalyn Hay (Xtro And Mikalyn Hay) – Toronto, ON, Canada – Teen

“Firetruck Firetruck” – John Donnelly (Rockin' Robin And The Magical Tree) – Delta, BC, Canada – Children's Music

“Freedom” – Ariana Gillis – Vineland, ON, Canada – Folk/Singer-Songwriter

“Gamblin Man” – Richard Tichelman – Surrey, BC, Canada – Teen

“Good Thing Go” – Powell Peebles, Brett Sheroky, Andy Wills (Powell Peebles) – North Vancouver, BC, Canada – Country

“House On Fire” – Don Oriolo, Jason Gleed, Chris Bolger – Toronto, ON, Canada – Rock

“I Don't Want To Lose You” – Luca Fogale – Burnaby, BC, Canada – Performance

“Knock On My Door” – Faouzia Ouihya (Faouzia) – Carman, MB, Canada – Unsigned Only

“Lay It Down” – Jordan St. Cyr, Jaylene Johnson, Ben Calhoun, Taylor Watson – Niverville, MB, Canada – Christian

“Love It Up” – Tyler Lorette, Roberta Quilico – Courtice, ON, Canada – Performance

“Lowdown” – Matt Zimbel, Doug Wilde (Manteca) – Toronto, ON, Canada – Instrumental

“Move On Down The Track” – Spencer Mackenzie, Rich Mackenzie (Spencer Mackenzie) – Ridgeway, ON, Canada – Blues

“My Heart's Grave” – Faouzia Ouihya (Faouzia) – Carman, MB, Canada – Pop/Top 40

“My Heart's Grave” – Faouzia Ouihya (Faouzia) – Carman, MB, Canada – Teen

“Nosotros” – Christopher Alexander Gaitan Valencia (Ness El Digital) – Montreal, QC, Canada – Latin Music

“Roses” – Gus McMillan, Robyn Dell'Unto – (Gus McMIllan) – Toronto, ON, Canada – AC (Adult Contemporary)

“Sanctuary City” – Cat Toren (Cat Toren's HUMAN KIND) – Vancouver, BC, Canada – Jazz

“Sing For Kwanzaa” – Chris McKhool, Richard Bona (Sultans Of String) – Toronto, ON, Canada – World Music

“Summer” – Paula Eve Kirman – Edmonton, AB, Canada – Lyrics Only

“Temptation” – Debra Power – Airdrie, AB, Canada – Blues

“The Pee Song” – Jason Gleed (Redd Butts ) – Toronto, ON, Canada – Comedy/Novelty

“This Little Light” – Jaylene Johnson – Winnipeg, MB, Canada – Unpublished

“Three Words” – Sara Diamond, Austin Tecks, Noah Barer (Sarah Diamond) – Montreal, QC, Canada – Unpublished

“Unsure” – Sara Diamond, Austin Tecks, Noah Barer (Sarah Diamond) – Montreal, QC, Canada – Unsigned Only

“Untouchable” – Dylan Edward Roberts (King Dylan) – Calgary, AB, Canada – Unsigned Only

“What's A Boy Gotta Do” – Sean Thomas – Langley, BC, Canada – Teen

“When You Think No One Loves You ” – David Leask, Daryl Burgess (David Leask) – Mississauga, ON, Canada – Performance

“Worth It” – Wes Mason – Rockwood, ON, Canada – AC (Adult Contemporary)

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