#full of pirated european dance music

[arlathen]

my older sister was like. late mall goth early scene in the mid-late 2000s. and i thought she was the coolest person on the planet. she was also a weeb, and in addition to the kind of music you'd think of as scene music she also listened to a lot of, like, bubblegum dance? think ddr2 music.

anyway she burned me a CD of her favorite music in, like, 2004 and i had a little cd player that i had on my bed and i'd listen to it on repeat and im like there was a song called hanky panky and i CANNOT remember who it was by. i thought maybe dj sammy. i spent like a half hour searching and it's jenny rom. and i'm having the BIGGEST nostalgia trip right now listening to all these 15 year old jenny rom songs on youtube because they are NOT on spotify.

[tilbageidanmark]

Movies I watched this week (#177):

2 Stanley Donen musicals with Jane Powell:

🍿 I've been worn-out with so many mediocre movies recently, so I decided to open the week with the charming Royal wedding (1951). The nonsensical romantic plot about the bachelor-siblings each falling in love in England, wasn't first rate, and Jane Powell was no Ginger Rogers. But with 2 famous dance numbers, 'The hatrack duet', and 'The rotating room' (Gif Above) and a couple of others, it got me to a good start. Like all musicals from that era, I'm always taken by how subtle is the editing of all these dances, they feel like they're composed of single continuing takes.

With a surprising role to Winston Churchill's actual daughter, Sarah, as the dancing paramour.

🍿 Seven brides for seven brothers on the other hand was impossible to enjoy. A myth-building fantasy of out-dated gender and sexual politics that would never work today. 7 "incel" backwoodsmen, all virgins - and gingers - kidnap 7 wholesome woman, to make them fall in love with them, sung to a happy tune about the literal 'Rape of the Sabine women'. And it all goes down from there. It also feature sub-par musical score, and second-rate dancing numbers, with full-on uninspiring cast. 'Stockholm Syndrome: The movie', and Harrison Butker's Feel-good Guilty Pleasure. 1/10.

🍿

2 more with the original “Joker”, Conrad Veidt:

🍿 The cabinet of Dr. Caligari, a dark, distorted and transgressive story from 1920, the original German Expressionistic horror film. Somnambulism, serial murderer, oppressive authoritarianism and fearful insanity. Played in a distinct visual style, with a suspicious Schopenhauer-looking Dr. Caligari, theatrical rather than a cinematic feel, and a subconscious dread that the little village world we thought we knew, maybe is an insane asylum in disguise. The id of the Weimar Republic, in the years between the end of the first World War, and the Beer Hall Putsch. WOW! 9/10.

🍿 In Michael Powell's childish The thief of Bagdad, Veidt played the evil villain Jaffar in brown-face. Like 'One thousand and one nights' it's a mixed collection of theatrical adventures from the 'mysterious orients', Persia, India, Egypt and Mesopotamia. So basically how England saw the exotic "colonies" at the peak of its empire. It tells of flying horses, magic carpets, giant spiders and a genie in a bottle. Cheesy and kitschy. 3/10.

🍿

After waiting for many months for Alex Garland's semi-controversial Civil war, it finally dropped. But the most radical aspect of the movie is Its Name, the fact that it dared look at the future and call it what it is without sugarcoating it. As a political thriller, the discussion it may foster outside the plot is more interesting than the story of these journalists as they chase after a scoop. I still want to see a movie about the upcoming Civil War of 2027, but this one kind-of-missed the mark. There were two memorable scenes in it, the brutal confrontation of (uncredited!) Jesse Plemons, and the bold execution of the President of the US, as he's begging for his life on the floor. 7/10.

🍿

Miyazaki's re-watches X 4:

🍿 First time re-Watch ♻️: Hayao Miyazaki's romanticized homage to Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, Porco Rosso. Sea pirates of the Adriatic Sea in 1930's Italy, led by a Errol Flynn hero in the 'Red Barron' mold, but who'd been mysteriously transformed into a pig. Miyazaki's fascination with early century European fantasies, as well as his dreams of flying and many steampunk airships. Straight adventure in a Tintin style animation, with familiar Joe Hisaishi score. 9/10.

🍿 When 'The boy and the heron' finally hits here, I may go back and watch all of Ghibli Studio movies once more. Until then, checking out Miyazaki's many shorts, some of which he made for display at their museum. Mei and the Kittenbus (2002) is a cute riff on 'My neighbor Totoro'. (This copy is of poor quality).

🍿 On Your Mark (1995) is a beautiful fairy tale in 'Blade Runner' style about 2 young policemen who are saving a winged girl. A sci'-fi music video. 7/10.

🍿 Yuki's Sun, an early short from 1972, about another strong-willed girl, an orphan who perseveres.

🍿

Otto Preminger's deferential political drama Advise & Consent from 1962, about a senate hearing to confirm Henry Fonda as a secretary of State which develops into a play about conformity of the institutions. Two boogeymen haunt the world of Washington DC, the spectre of communism, and the shame of homosexuality. Cynical and inspired. Also, Charles Laughton's last role. 7/10.

🍿

Life belongs to us (1936) is an unusual documentary: A pure propaganda film commissioned by The French Communist Party in 1936. It was supervised by Jean Renoir, and directed by Jacques Becker and a collective of other filmmakers. Solidarity with the proletariat, and against the exploiting capitalists of the ruling class, as well as fascism, and unabashedly pro-Soviet and pro-Stalin. Historically interesting.

🍿

French photographer Henri Cartier-Bresson was among these co-directing the Communist film above. He also did for the documentary Reunion (1946). It's about the logistical and human aspects of transporting millions of displaced people and POW's after the end of World War 2. Includes footage from Dachau.

🍿

Another Reunion (2024) - this is a new 'whodunit' murder mystery, with 7 youngish characters stuck in a an isolated mansion when one of them is shot to death. They were going for the delightful 'Game Night' vibes (and even had one of the actors in both films). It didn't get great reviews, but I enjoyed it. 7/10.

"So what you are trying to say... is... that the killer is one of us" timestamps at 35:00, exactly 1 hour before the end of the movie.

🍿

I've never been a huge Julia Roberts fan, but in Erin Brockovich she slayed it. With her tits out, short skirts and bimbo heels, her struggling single mother who takes no shit from anybody, spunky, relentless and resolute, she's irresistible and mesmerizing. A terrific feminist role, with Soderbergh's famous yellow filter, and the real Erin Brokovich as the waitress in the beginning. I love everything about it, the rhythm, edit, score and humor. "Scott" the guy at the water board office with his funky pants, mousy Tracey Walter, the 'Happy ending' when the David's win over Goliath for a change.

Also, I haven't been to Hinkley, but spent too much time in Adelanto, another Armpit of a desert hell-hole close by, so the locations were all very familiar. And so good - 10/10. Another of my frequent comfort re-watches ♻️.

🍿

3 earlier works by Steven Spielberg:

🍿 "You ain't getting shit out of me!..."

Spielberg's only comedy 1941, a juvenile orgy of noisy destruction. A nonsensical excuse for exaggerated big budget mayhem, with too much going on but without a single joke which lands. It does have Toshiro Mifune though, and a constipated Slim Pickens. I only re-watched it, because the girl who played the first shark attack victim in 'Jaws', repeated the same role here, and because she just died last week. Otherwise 2/10. ♻️.

🍿 Firelight, Spielberg's very first feature film, made in 1964 when he was 17. Only 3 minutes were ever released of the two hours plus science-fiction. He later used a similar UFO story in 'Close encounters of the third kind'.

🍿 Amblin' (1968), his first completed film shot on 35 mm, about 2 hippy hitchhikers, a boy and a girl, who meet at the desert. This was the film that led to Spielberg being signed for a long term contract with Universal, the youngest person ever.

🍿 Also, Martin Scorsese's first film, What's a Nice Girl Like You Doing in a Place Like This? made in 1963 while still a student. A light New-Wave tale about a writer obsessed with a painting. It was the first collaboration with the then 23-year-old Thelma Schoonmaker, who helped him shape it into a slick story.

🍿

First watch: I've never seen any chapters of the franchise, but after that laudatory New Yorker article about George Miller, I decided to check out his original 1979 Mad Max. Dystopian societal collapse? Near future ecocide? Sign me up. It's a senseless car-culture nightmare world with strutting, beserk gangs of psychopathic Droogs. But it has nice, empty roads driving nowhere, and baby-face Mel Gibson looking innocent and not-yet formed, exacting his revenge.

🍟🍟

“Pretty good bullshit right there.”

Morgan Spurlock's last docudrama Super Size Me 2: Holy Chicken!, an excellent follow-up to his original success. An ironic experiment about the American pastime of consuming fast food, over-eating junk and getting fat. A clever story, showing how the fast food industry had re-branded itself as 'healthier' in recent decades, but stayed as poisonous and corrupt as always. Meanwhile, in a real life installation, he became a chicken farmer himself, and opened a real fried chicken sandwich restaurant in Toledo, OH, to prove his point that marketed 'Health' is fake hype. 8/10.

Interestingly, at the same time as this film in 2017, in the midst of the #MeToo movement, he outed himself, admitted to be a sexual harasser, and self-ended his career.

RIP, Morgan Spurlock!

🍟 🍟

I didn't watch Craig Ferguson's late night show when it was running, but I like his shtick, and his 2017 stand up Craig Ferguson: Tickle Fight is very funny. I found it on the giant Wikipedia list of Netflix Original Stand Up Specials. 9/10.

🍿

The Life of the Jews in Palestine is a fascinating 1-hour documentary from 1913, silent of course, and created by a Jewish Ukrainian-Russian filmmaker to be shown at the 11th Zionist Congress in Vienna that year.

With crystal-clear cinematography, it's a travelogue into an unknown land, full of agriculture, before the introduction of cars, and showing certain harmony before the fuck-ups began. 8/10.

🍿

Spacey Unmasked, a disgusting BBC expos�� about fallen hero, great actor and despicable sexual predator Kevin Spacey. A Harvey Weinstein of the gay type. So his father was a literal Nazi who raped his brother... And yes, creepy Frank Underwood was a Force of Nature....

🍿

4 Way-off left field animated shorts:

🍿 Veter (“Wind”), one of the few wild Armenian films from the Soviet era that I've seen (apart from 'The Color of Pomegranates'). Bizarre permutations at a nuclear test site. An absurdist, post-Chernobyl take on WarGames. Without a dialogue, but with a sudden burst of "We are the world" sung by dinosaurs, with inflated sex dolls and deranged video games. Must be seen to be believed! 8/10.

I wonder what kind of hallucinogenic drugs were available over there around 1988?

🍿 Watching TV, a National Film Board of Canada satire from 1994, about violence on television. 7/10. I’m so glad I never watched TV.

🍿 Tomorrow's Leaves, a beautiful, symbolic poem about nature and sports. My second by the Japanese Studio Ponoc. They were illustrators who had left Ghibli, and it shows.

🍿 The Tale of the Silly Little Mouse, a standard Russian cartoon from 1940. It's about a baby mouse who can't fall asleep. With music by Shostakovich. 1/10.

🍿  

(My complete movie list is here).

[schakira]

whenever i try to learn more about the history of my home countries of somalia and somaliland, there are always mentions of slavery, famine, US/european interventions, pirates, and just wars. and i think that's not very much exemplary of the history of somalia. in fact wars have made it so that i have no clue what existed within my country 100 years before. what about the art? the poetry? the dances? the music? the tapestry, the vases, the architecture, the agriculture, the museums, the love, the love, the love? all of my heritage erased in such a way that i'm forced to view my own country as a foreign concept, and not a land that prospered for years in the past. human beings existed there, and the notion of that is lost due to imperialism and colonialism. i truly despise this, because now people see my country as something dangerous and foul when really... it's normal. i've been there and it's normal. idk it just makes me feel so uneasy when i read or hear about people saying the country is a destroyed area full of civil war and pirates when it hasn't really been like that in decades... people will always refer to african countries as desolate areas devoid of any progress or intellectual people, wether or not that is a fact they checked.

[xiaozeal]

Children | Chibonuunh

Elena...Regal...Twilight...Army...Military...Coronet...hmm...Acid...Valkyries (ty)...hmm...Thanatos...Leviathan...Adam...Eve...Sniper...Precision...Sparrow and Raven...Poseidon...Athena...Eclasty...Prism...and when there's more!~ Love, Distinguish (Kitsugeh), Recognition (Sansuhmnuhn), Latte (Shiguehnun), Xuanjuah, Celestial, Pivon, Pirate, Maroon, Xiu Xin, Xiang Leieh, Migumi Crisin, Scythe, Grimoire , Sex (Xiengshi), Pivotal, Kitenshi (Might)

Yejusen Yuno (YAY MY HIGHER NAME) | Please give my kids the requirements. Thanks!~ (5 of YOUR WISHES CAME TURE YEJUSEN), and also a Psychology Book Requirement: Blink

All Surname | Wei

Requirements

English | University Writing and Critical Thinking Using Literature

Foreign Languages | Spanish, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Khmer (Cambodian)

Mathematics: Calculus 2 (I made it to 5000 A+, Yes, Calculus Based Physics, Chain Rule...)

Psychology Requirement: AP Psychology or University Psychology

Social Sciences | Economics, Political Science, Anthropology, Philosophy, History (U.S. History, European History, World History)

Science Requirements | Biology, Chemistry, Physics

Triple Threat | Music (Voice Requirement) Instrument of Choice, Violin, Piano | Dance (Hip-Hop and Ballet) | Acting (Live, such as Production, and Film)

Game Requirements | Dance Dance Revolution | Arcade Games | Carnival Games (AT LEAST ONE WIN from Ring Toss into the Bottle and ONE WIN from the toss into the Giant Jug) | Final Fantasy: VII Completion | Guild Wars ( 5, 20s, with Ascension and Elite Armor, One Elite Armor from Kurzick and One Vabbian Armor, And One Elite Armor from Prophecies) | Beat Prophecies, Factions and Nightfall | Guild Wars 2: Rift Warden Title Requirement, 5 Max Levels (80) with at least ONE Birthday Cake (80) (Deer Rank: 10 Minimum in PvP Arena), World vs. World Requirement (5: Assaulter), Neopets: 1,000,000 Neopoints |Illusen and Jhudora Avatars | Secret Avatars: Get To Mission Level 20, League of Legends: Level 30 Account Requirement, Ragnarok Online: 3rd Class with Transcendence (10 Characters), Mario 64 (255 Stars WITHOUT Looking Up The Strategy Guide), Dynasty Warriors 9 (Unlock Diao Chan SET: Diao Chan, Lu Bu, Duong Zhuo

Swim Requirement: Level 7 Completion with the Certification (There is 10+, The City of Orange) | Competitive Swim

Martial Arts: Tae Kwon Do, Karate, Piguaquan

Leadership/ASB (Board Positions Included) | 4 Year Requirement

Volunteer Hours: 1000 Hours

Steps Requirement: 100,000 Steps

Classes: Honors, AP, IB (Full Diploma)

College Acceptances Requirement: Universities of California (UC) or California State Universities (CSU)

Sport: Volleyball

Bonus | Superlative Tier

Hobbies | 5 Minimum

Cooking Skill Requirement | Cambodian Level

Anime Requirements | Katekyo Hitman Reborn, Sailor Moon, Full Metal Panic, Naruto (First Season Minimum)

Yes, Daddy goes through all of your works, academics especially. Work hard in school!~ Make a lot of friends! Be your best. Finally, learn to grow. Learn from each other. You guys are siblings. Help each other out. Always be there for one another. I taught you guys well! #SiblingSkills Hehehe~

List of Books (Read 12, BLINK is Required of Sythe and Grimore)

Art of War

Eragon

The Romance of The Three Kingdoms

The Da Vinci Code

I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings

Harry Potter

The Hunger Games

The Bad Beginning

Crazy Rich Asians

The Devil Wears Prada

Dracula

China Rich Girlfriend

Rich People Problems

Beyond Good and Evil

Drowned Wednesday

Strawberry Girl

Catching Fire

Mockingjay

The Diary of Anne Frank

Night

The Iliad

Brave New World

One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest

Sons and Lovers

Crime and Punishment

Oedipus Rex

The Most Dangerous Game

The Lottery

Peter Pan

Alice In Wonderland

Two Good Friends (BEST CHILDREN'S BOOK)

The Road

Pride and Prejudice

Frankenstein

Hamlet

Romeo and Juliet

Taming of The Shrew

A Doll's House

The Lion The Witch and The Wardrobe

Holes

By The Great Horn Spoon

Little House On The Prairie

Animal Farm

Charlotte's Web

Brisingr

Eldest

Magic Requirement: Elements (Water Focus)

[widowshill]

DOSSIER : JOSETTE DUPRES

studies in: girls haunting the narrative, the violence in storytelling, the dead wife at the beginning of the movie

FULL NAME: Josette Aimée Dupres-Collins  AGE: 24 (at time of death) BIRTH DATE: July 9, 1774 ETHNICITY: white, French GENDER: cis woman ROMANTIC ORIENTATION: biromantic (interest in women largely unacknowledged as period "female friendship")   SEXUAL ORIENTATION: bisexual (interest in women largely unacknowledged as period "female friendship")   RELIGION: Catholic, mostly. some spiritualism & vodou practice interwoven. not extremely pious, but cherishes the sense of order, routine, and the social environment of church & organized religion in general, as well as the sense of being connected to the dead  SPOKEN LANGUAGE: French and English, a little Italian  CURRENT LIVING CONDITIONS: Collinwood OCCUPATION: heiress, socialite. ghost. 

RELATIONSHIPS

PARENTS: André and Marie Dupres. raised in part by her aunt, the Countess Natalie Dupres, after the death of her mother SIBLINGS: Angelique Bouchard, half-sister (unknown) SIGNIFICANT OTHER: Barnabas Collins (former fiancé, lover); Jeremiah Collins (husband) CHILDREN: none (in the main timeline)

PHYSICAL TRAITS

EYE COLOUR: green HAIR COLOUR: brunette HEIGHT: 5'7″  BODY BUILD: slender TATTOOS + PIERCINGS: no tattoos, ear piercings NOTABLE PHYSICAL TRAITS: in the Maine winters, she bears almost a permanent flush and constant shiver, being far more accustomed to the Caribbean heat. she wears a beauty mark on her right cheek, sometimes in the fanciful shape of a heart or a star, but often simply a circle. her hair is nearly always arranged in the fashionable European style, but has a tendency to fall from its curl especially in humidity.

PERSONALITY

INTELLIGENCE: far more emotionally, and socially, intelligent than academically, though her judgement tends to err due to her optimism in almost everyone. her schooling was primarily in what was necessary for a fine lady: housekeeping, dancing, fashion, flirtation, art (drawing and embroidery), and music (she can play both the harp and the pianoforte). Josette is isolated almost entirely from politics, and remains blissfully unaware of stirring revolution in France and the West Indies, as well as Enlightenment ideals: she can therefore come off as very pretentious and self-absorbed, and aristocratically conservative, which is only partly true. she has a natural humanitarian, pacifist, and compassionate nature that would lead her to support human rights for all people, but you would find her hard-pressed to sacrifice the niceties that result from her father's plantation wealth. LIKES: warmth, Caribbean flowers and greenery, fish, the sea (though mostly the shore), the smell of jasmine, expensive perfume, fashion plates, fine fabrics - especially silks, love, sex, a nice bath, clean linens, sunshine, the French language, French food, the countryside, horses, traveling by carriage, cultivated gardens, the pianoforte, violin, harp, and harpsichord, the compositions of Joseph Bologne, Romance, the novel, the aristocracy, large houses and elegant architecture, polished wood floors, dances, sherry, white wine, bread and cheese, porcelain (especially Sevres), strawberries, raspberries (not blueberries), seafood –– especially shrimp and lobster, chicken, purples, blues, pinks, whites and creams DISLIKES: large cities, industrialism, the cold, politics, war, violence, felt and wool, traveling via sedan chair, English food, hard labor, dirt, loud noises, red meat, whiskey, rum, tobacco, snuff, bronze and iron, oranges, greens, Atlantic travel –– the deep sea in any respect, sea shanties and work songs, pirates and highwaymen, revolutionaries, grave robbers, witchcraft, ink and ink stains, preserved rather than fresh food, insects (especially mosquitos and spiders), most animals (especially large dogs, pigs, and foxes), dense intellectual writings, business, math, excess of patriotism and nationalism (including soldiers/sailors/politicians), Samhain, gluttony, drunkenness, deceit   DISPOSITION: sweet, quiet, genteel. makes no waves personality-wise –– it is only her love affairs that stir the drama, all behind closed doors.  well-bred and everyone can see it, from the way she moves, speaks, and dresses. English is not her first language and she is very much still in the process of learning by the time she arrives in Collinsport, so she's even quieter than her standard around English-speakers: she finds refuge and relief conversing in French

Biography:

Josette was born in Paris, France, the daughter of an heiress and a West Indian plantation owner, André Dupres. At six years old, the family crossed to live in Martinique, where her mother perished as a fatality of the hurricane of 1780. Josette was thereafter raised partially by André, but largely by his sister, the Countess Natalie Dupres, who saw to it that she grew from a hollow-eyed child into an elegant, and eligible, young woman. At 18 years old, André secured her an English tutor, Barnabas: a polite young man that was heir to the Collins family, whose shipyards in Maine had grown even more profitable during and after the American Revolution. Josette swooned over her tutor in the blooms of a first love, and Barnabas fell desperately for her in return: but Barnabas was simultaneously carrying on an affair with Natalie's maid, Angelique, while in Martinique (though unknown to both Barnabas and Josette, André's illegitimate daughter and practicing witch). Josette of course made the better target of marriage, being high-born, accomplished, and virginal, and the two made plans to wed with the promise of mutual wealth on both sides. The engagement was prolonged by the Dupres' return to France, where Barnabas and Josette exchanged letters frequently, and where they both romanticized the affair into notions of a great, passionate love.

In 1795, Josette, along with André, Natalie, and Angelique, voyaged to Maine from France in preparation for the impending nuptials (and so that both families could properly survey one another). This was to be the last glimmer of Josette's earthly happiness. Angelique, jealous that Barnabas now wanted nothing to do with her in favor of his fiancé, set out to interrupt the marriage, and cast a spell on Josette and Barnabas' uncle, Jeremiah (his elder, but not by much), to force the two to fall in love. Jeremiah and Josette absconded together and married, regretted by both in their moments of clarity but ultimately determined to make some shadow of happiness out of it together. Barnabas, furious at his uncle's betrayal (as well as the implications that he had deflowered his fiancé while she was living in his house), challenged him to a duel. Jeremiah was killed, and Josette made a premature widow.

Angelique coerces Barnabas into making her his wife; when he attempts to kill her, however, she curses him with an unknown sickness that will reveal itself as vampirism. Barnabas' father keeps his death a secret (out of fear that the community will think it the plague) and tells everyone Barnabas has departed for England. Unknown to the members of the Collins family, however, Barnabas rises from his grave, intent on being reunited with Josette in his new, undead state. But before Josette can transform into fully-fledged vampirism, a vision (summoned by Angelique) reveals what future awaits her as a member of the living dead, and she recoils from Barnabas in fear, plummeting from the cliffs into the rocks below.

As a ghost, Josette haunts the Old House of Collinwood, the home that was to be gifted to herself and Barnabas as a wedding present. she remains trapped there as a spirit until the prophecy has been fulfilled and a final woman dies off the cliffs of Widow's Hill. Josette looks out for not only the Collins descendants, such as David Collins, but also those who might be harmed by Barnabas' extended cruelty, like Maggie Evans. Victoria Winters she has a particular regard for, and sees to it that she is shielded from all harm, from Barnabas and elsewhere.

[terrorpenned]

DOSSIER : JOSETTE DUPRES

FULL NAME: Josette Aimée Dupres-Collins  AGE: 24 (at time of death) BIRTH DATE: July 9, 1774 ETHNICITY: white, French GENDER: cis woman ROMANTIC ORIENTATION: biromantic (preference for men: interest in women largely unacknowledged as period "female friendship")   SEXUAL ORIENTATION: bisexual (preference for men: interest in women largely unacknowledged as period "female friendship")   RELIGION: Catholic, mostly. some spiritualism & vodou practice interwoven. not extremely pious, but cherishes the sense of order, routine, and the social environment of church & organized religion in general, as well as the sense of being connected to the dead  SPOKEN LANGUAGE: French and English, a little Italian  CURRENT LIVING CONDITIONS: Collinwood   OCCUPATION: heiress 

RELATIONSHIPS

PARENTS: André and Marie Dupres. raised by her aunt, the Countess Natalie Dupres   SIBLINGS: Angelique Bouchard, half-sister (unknown) SIGNIFICANT OTHER: Barnabas Collins (former fiancé, lover); Jeremiah Collins (husband) CHILDREN: none (in the main timeline: in others, Bramwell Collins, or Melanie Collins-Young)

PHYSICAL TRAITS

EYE COLOUR: green HAIR COLOUR: brunette HEIGHT: 5'7″  BODY BUILD: slender TATTOOS + PIERCINGS: no tattoos, ear piercings NOTABLE PHYSICAL TRAITS: in the Maine winters, she bears almost a permanent flush and constant shiver, being far more accustomed to the Caribbean heat. she wears a beauty mark on her right cheek, sometimes in the fanciful shape of a heart or a star, but often simply a circle. her hair is nearly always arranged in the fashionable European style, but has a tendency to fall from its curl especially in humidity.  

PERSONALITY

INTELLIGENCE: far more emotionally, and socially, intelligent than academically, though her judgement tends to err due to her optimism in almost everyone. her schooling was primarily in what was necessary for a fine lady: housekeeping, dancing, fashion, flirtation, art (drawing and embroidery), and music (she can play both the harp and the pianoforte). Josette is isolated almost entirely from politics, and remains blissfully unaware of stirring revolution in France and the West Indies, as well as Enlightenment ideals: she can therefore come off as very pretentious and self-absorbed, and aristocratically conservative, which is only partly true. she has a natural humanitarian, pacifist, and compassionate nature that would lead her to support human rights for all people, but you would find her hard-pressed to sacrifice the niceties that result from her father's plantation wealth. LIKES: warmth, Caribbean flowers and greenery, fish, the sea (though mostly the shore), the smell of jasmine, expensive perfume, fashion plates, fine fabrics - especially silks, love, sex, a nice bath, clean linens, sunshine, the French language, French food, the countryside, horses, traveling by carriage, cultivated gardens, the pianoforte, violin, harp, and harpsichord, the compositions of Joseph Bologne, Romance, the novel, the aristocracy, large houses and elegant architecture, polished wood floors, dances, sherry, white wine, bread and cheese, porcelain (especially Sevres), strawberries, raspberries (not blueberries), seafood –– especially shrimp and lobster, chicken, purples, blues, pinks, whites and creams DISLIKES: large cities, industrialism, the cold, politics, war, violence, felt and wool, traveling via sedan chair, English food, hard labor, dirt, loud noises, red meat, whiskey, rum, tobacco, snuff, bronze and iron, oranges, greens, Atlantic travel –– the deep sea in any respect, sea shanties and work songs, pirates and highwaymen, revolutionaries, grave robbers, witchcraft, ink and ink stains, preserved rather than fresh food, insects (especially mosquitos and spiders), most animals (especially large dogs, pigs, and foxes), dense intellectual writings, business, math, excess of patriotism and nationalism (including soldiers/sailors/politicians), Samhain, gluttony, drunkenness, deceit   DISPOSITION: sweet, quiet, genteel. makes no waves personality-wise –– it is only her love affairs that stir the drama, all behind closed doors.  well-bred and everyone can see it, from the way she moves, speaks, and dresses. English is not her first language and she is very much still in the process of learning by the time she arrives in Collinsport, so she's even quieter than her standard around English-speakers: she finds refuge and relief conversing in French

Biography:

Josette was born in Paris, France, the daughter of an heiress and a West Indian plantation owner, André Dupres. At six years old, the family crossed to live in Martinique, where her mother perished as a fatality of the hurricane of 1780. Josette was thereafter raised partially by André, but largely by his sister, the Countess Natalie Dupres, who saw to it that she grew from a hollow-eyed child into an elegant, and eligible, young woman. At 18 years old, André secured her an English tutor, Barnabas: a polite young man that was heir to the Collins family, whose shipyards in Maine had grown even more profitable during and after the American Revolution. Josette swooned over her tutor in the blooms of a first love, and Barnabas fell desperately for her in return: but Barnabas was simultaneously carrying on an affair with Natalie's maid, Angelique, while in Martinique (though unknown to both Barnabas and Josette, André's illegitimate daughter and practicing witch). Josette of course made the better target of marriage, being high-born, accomplished, and virginal, and the two made plans to wed with the promise of mutual wealth on both sides. The engagement was prolonged by the Dupres' return to France, where Barnabas and Josette exchanged letters frequently, and where they both romanticized the affair into notions of a great, passionate love.

In 1795, Josette, along with André, Natalie, and Angelique, voyaged to Maine from France in preparation for the impending nuptials (and so that both families could properly survey one another). This was to be the last glimmer of Josette's earthly happiness. Angelique, jealous that Barnabas now wanted nothing to do with her in favor of his fiancé, set out to interrupt the marriage, and cast a spell on Josette and Barnabas' uncle, Jeremiah (his elder, but not by much), to force the two to fall in love. Jeremiah and Josette absconded together and married, regretted by both in their moments of clarity but ultimately determined to make some shadow of happiness out of it together. Barnabas, furious at his uncle's betrayal (as well as the implications that he had deflowered his fiancé while she was living in his house), challenged him to a duel. Jeremiah was killed, and Josette made a premature widow.

Angelique coerces Barnabas into making her his wife by threatening the life of his little sister, Sarah. But eventually, Barnabas is able to discover Angelique's witchcraft, and her responsibility for Sarah's illness: when he attempts to kill her, however, she curses him with an unknown sickness that will reveal itself as vampirism. Barnabas' father keeps his death a secret (out of fear that the community will think it the plague) and tells everyone Barnabas has departed for England. Unknown to the members of the Collins family, however, Barnabas rises from his grave, intent on being reunited with Josette in his new, undead state. But before Josette can transform into fully-fledged vampirism, a vision (summoned by Angelique) reveals what future awaits her as a member of the living dead, and she recoils from Barnabas in fear, plummeting from the cliffs into the rocks below.

As a ghost, Josette haunts the Old House of Collinwood, the home that was to be gifted to herself and Barnabas as a wedding present. She protects not only her descendants, such as David Collins and Victoria Winters, but also those who might be harmed by Barnabas' cruelty, as Maggie Evans. She is trapped there as a spirit until the prophecy has been fulfilled and a final woman dies off the cliffs of Widow's Hill.

[hongjoongdaily]

Grammy Exclusive: ATEEZ Are Here To Win The Hearts Of K-Pop Fans

In October 2018, ATEEZ, a new boy band determined to become a group fans could believe in, stepped onto the K-pop scene with their singles "Pirate King" and "Treasure" from their Treasure Ep.1: All To Zero EP.

As K-pop continues to expand in the U.S. with the popularity of BTS and BLACKPINK, thanks in part to the Hallyu, or "Korean wave," that has globalized the genre, ATEEZ have captured the curiosity of U.S. media. MTV said they were "poised to break big in 2019," and Billboard was quick to point out their chart success as their debut album landed on the World Charts, peaking at No.12. 

Although the octet, made up of members Seonghwa, Yunho, Yeosang, San, Mingi, Wooyoung, Jongho, and Hongjoong, are new on the block, the charts back up their potential for mass success. Their second EP, Treasure EP 2 featuring the single "Say My Name," peaked at No. 5 on the Wolrd Albums and went to No. 7 on the Heatseekers Albums chart, which Billboard noted doesn't typically list many K-pop acts. Meanwhile, MTV reports that "Say My Name" saw "upwards of 1.4 million" views on YouTube in two days. 

But rather than focus too much on where they stand compared to veterans K-pop groups, whom they refer to as their seniors, the young band (the oldest member is 21) is humble about being new to the game, even if they've already had a taste of success in the U.S.

"We’re still rookies who lack a lot to even consider competing against other artists," Seonghwa says. "But the reality is that we still have to grow amongst the competition, so we’re earnestly practicing and researching. We’re also strengthening our teamwork by talking amongst ourselves more."

The group looks up to the international Korean acts that paved the way for them and want to follow in their footsteps. For now, ATEEZ are working hard to show fans who they are through group expression, which U.S. followers will get to see live soon when their sold-out tour kicks off in Los Angeles on March 15, a feat within itself this early in their career. 

So, how did ATEEZ end up touring the U.S. so soon? Well, turns out it was their fans, also known as "ATINY," made the tour happen through an online service called MyMusicTaste, which brings fans together to request their favorite artists' concerts, according to MyMusicTaste Head of Marketing and User Communication Sarah Shim.

And the band isn't stopping after their trip to the States; next up, they're embarking on a European tour. Still, despite their seeming ubiquity, not much is known about the driven young band. Chatting with the Recording Academy over email, ATEEZ told us about who they are, who they count as musical influences, what they think about K-pop groups before them, what's next for them, and more.

What's the story behind your name? 

Seonghwa: There’s no specific story behind our name, but I can share the meaning of ATEEZ with you; ATEEZ stands for "A TEENager Z." It means we’re a team that can demonstrate the collective charms and styles of this generation’s teenagers. The name, "ATEEZ," was also created in the hopes that we would become a team that could get many people passionate about. 

What are your musical influences? 

Hongjoong: When I was young, I was greatly influenced by Michael Jackson. I still believe I’m being inspired by him even to this day. Other than musical influences, I’ve recently picked up redesigning old clothes as a hobby. Through this, I’ve been exposed to a lot of different creative elements so I’ve been getting inspiration from that as well. I also get inspired from fan letters we receive from our ATINY. In many ways, I think I’ve been getting inspiration from everything I see and experience in life. 

Mingi: I think I get musically influenced whenever an artist I really like comes out with new music. If that artist took new challenges and incorporated unique elements in their work, I’ll focus on that and try to study it. I also get a lot of musical inspiration from dramas or animations. 

Describe each member in one word: 

Hongjoong on Seonghwa: Seonghwa is a "mom." Moms are people who firmly and steadily lead families, right? Within our team, Seonghwa warmly embraces our members. He also readily tackles difficult tasks or chores other people don’t want to do. That’s why we call him the “Mom of ATEEZ.” 

Seonghwa on Yunho: Yunho is a "beagle" because he’s always overflowing with energy and has the ability to put people around him in a good mood, just like beagles do. I think the word “beagle” and everything it encompasses really matches Yunho. 

Yunho on Yeosang: Yeosang is the embodiment of the word: "pure."

Yeosang on San: San is "HALA HALA." I naturally think of the phrase "HALA HALA" when I think of San because I’ve been finding San’s HALA HALA performances especially charming these days. 

San on Mingi: Doberman... I think Mingi really looks like those sturdy and trustworthy Doberman dogs. 

Mingi on Wooyoung: Full-of-charms. Wooyoung is really charming and he’s really good at expressing it.

Wooyoung on Jongho: Strength. Jongho is the strongest out of ATEEZ so whenever I think of Jongho, I think of the word "strength." Jongho = strength. 

Jongho on Hongjoong: Brain. I feel like Hongjoong-hyung is the brains of our team. He’s good at speaking but more than anything, he’s very logical and great at explaining things. No matter what happens, we feel confident because we have Hongjoong-hyung as our reliable brain. 

Is there any U.S. artists with whom you'd like to collaborate? 

Hongjoong: Post Malone.

Seonghwa: Justin Bieber.

Yunho: Maroon 5.

Yeosang: The Chainsmokers.

San: Shawn Mendes.

Mingi: MAX, Offset, Drake, Joey Bada$$.

Wooyoung: Shawn Mendes.

Jongho: Bruno Mars.

For Americans who are less familiar with the K-pop movement, how would you distinguish yourselves from other acts, like BTS or BLACKPINK?

Hongjoong: Rather than saying how different we are from our KPOP seniors, I’d rather talk about ATEEZ’s current goals and what we consider important when performing.

ATEEZ’s current goal is to follow in the footsteps of our KPOP seniors. What we consider the most important when performing is, "expression." As we have done up to now and will continue to do so in the future, we want to be able to better convey and express our energy directly to our fans. 

You officially formed last year, and competition in the music industry can be fierce. Do you ever experience a sense of competition, and if so, what do you do to combat against it? 

Seonghwa: We’re still rookies who lack a lot to even consider competing against other artists. But the reality is that we still have to grow amongst the competition, so we’re earnestly practicing and researching. We’re also strengthening our teamwork by talking amongst ourselves more. 

K-pop has really exploded the last few years in the U.S. Does this get you more excited for your U.S. tour? 

Hongjoong: Ever since I was really young, I watched videos of our senior artists performing abroad and in the States. Whenever I saw videos like that, I always thought to myself that I would like to stand on those stages as well. I truly believe the reason we, ATEEZ, were able to meet many international ATINYs so quickly after debuting was largely due to the previous hard work of our KPOP seniors. I'm looking forward to our upcoming tour because I feel like I can fulfill my childhood dreams of standing on those international stages through it. 

Jongho: We're able to go on this tour thanks to the road our industry seniors paved for us and due to their hard work. Because they paved the road for K-Pop as a genre, and by virtue—us—K-Pop has been garnering a lot of attention from the world. We were able to attract international ATINYs' interest. We're diligently preparing for our tour in order to follow our seniors' footsteps. To be quite honest, I’m pretty nervous but excited at the same time. ATINY! Please look forward to our stages. 

What is the inspiration behind "Say My Name"? 

Hongjoong: "Say My Name" was a song we were preparing long before we worked on our previous single, "Pirate King," so we had a high level of understanding and anticipation for it. When we write our lyrics, we incorporate many elements to help us more strongly convey our aspirations and ambitions to the listener. We had hidden spellings in the lyrics of “Say My Name," so when read vertically they came together to spell A.T.E.E.Z.  We worked on this song with the goal of solidifying ATEEZ’s name and presence.

Eweossa dureugo jigyeobwa (Wrap around me and watch over me)

Ireum ttak ne geulja yeogida (These four letters, it’s right here)

Ti nage namgyeonwa (Leave it behind so it’s noticeable)

Zoom in here, Cause I’m the Captain

When the bolded letters are read out loud, they sound like E.I.T.Z  (ATEEZ)

What can fans expect on the tour? 

Hongjoong: This might be the first time many of our overseas fans will see us perform live. I think when you see our stages in person, it’ll be a whole nother experience from watching us online or through a medium—you’ll be able to witness a much more powerful and engaging performance live. 

Seonghwa: If you watch our performances in person, you’ll be able to more vividly experience and feel ATEEZ’s energy.  

Yunho: You won’t be able to escape our charms after seeing ATEEZ live.

Yeosang: Yeosang’s charms, of course.

San: I think international fans didn’t have many opportunities to see us live yet. When you see us singing and dancing in person, I don’t think you’ll be able to escape ATEEZ.

Mingi: Our performance. You’ll be able to directly feel our energy. We’re practicing really hard so please look forward to it!

Wooyoung: The various charms of our eight members, and our performances. All eight of us have very different charms and strengths. Through this tour, I’d like to show all our colors to our international ATINYs.

Jongho: We've prepared a lot of things to show you. Please look forward to them!

When can we expect a full-length album? What's next for you? 

Hongjoong: It wouldn’t be much fun if I revealed when our full-length album might be released, right? I’ll just say that our album is part of a much bigger picture and story that is continuously being built! I think that’s all I can tell you for now…

We're thinking of this upcoming tour as a starting point and are planning to keep working hard in order to be acknowledged not just in Korea, but abroad as well. We’re also diligently preparing right now in order to meet and be closer to our fans, so you’ll be able to see us more often in 2019. Everyone: Please look forward to it, and please love us a lot! 

[chrysaliseuro2019]

Bizarre Vrsar

Not only did Hotel Marija have a very comfy room its breakfast was vast with many little tempting morsels.

Having spent 2 nights at Novigrad and finding it charming we thought it would be good to see whatever else Istria might offer. The big risk is this might be the benchmark and nothing else will come up to scratch but time to find out.

Randomly picked an inland town off the map about 20 minutes drive. The soil was rich so grapevines and olive trees were aplenty. Arrived at Visnjan as the 1617 clock tower was striking midday. It turned out to be a pretty little town with the bell tower through an arch in a square at the top and a narrow paved street down to the 3 cafes all within thirty metres of each other. The narrow street was lined with old double storey houses two of which had nonnas sitting on the balcony amongst their many pot plants eating lunch. One yelled out ‘Morgen��� clearly not having registered the chiming of 12 o’clock. Perhaps she was excited to see some new faces in town because I reckon this charming little village would not be on the regular tourist circuit.

Also a sturdy but a little neglected church at the end of the narrow street before the cafes. We guessed it was probably built at the same time as the arch and bell tower. The door was closed but the window shutters were open so we could see the paintings on the ceiling and walls which were in surprisingly good condition.

Because we had driven inland we had bypassed Poreč on the coast so we backtracked to it, found a big carpark not far from the centre which took the pain out of trying to interpret the indecipherable restrictions and limitations of European parking metres. Even lucky enough to get one in the shade which was a blessing as the little Fiat’s air conditioning is more a pffff than a blow.

Poreč is a much larger seaside town than Novigrad and plenty of tourists have found it. While the old town hasn’t been ruined by development there are several large complexes on its edge and the beaches teeming with umbrellas and lounges. Historically the Romans were there (of course) then the Venetians took over which was very evident in the buildings which were lovely. There were architectural clues the Venetians had been in Novigrad too.

Poreč’s main attraction the Christian cathedral complex considered the best preserved of its kind. Christians came to Poreč in the first centuries after Christ but Christianity was forbidden. So the priest held holy mass in his home but was later tortured and killed. In 313 Christians were given permission to worship so the first church on the site was built. It was replaced by a church now the Euphrasius Basilica in the 6th century. Also built at that time and still part of the complex were the atrium, bishop’s Palace and the baptistry.

We duly bought our tickets and did the tour of 10 points of interest. The first of which was the bell tower. While only 120 stairs it was stinking hot so we lumbered up. View of Poreč and it’s surrounds was good. Then through the rest of the complex and the museum. It was good without being amazing. Lots of building fragments, artefacts and some bits and pieces of mosaics.

Quick refreshments on the run from the bakery and time to head to the night’s destination. Had booked a place in Vrsar another fishing town, smaller than Poreč but bigger than Novigrad. Found our Air BnB apartment easily enough and we were supposed to be able to park out the front for 15 minutes. So I got out to see if I could move the little locked barrier to be told by the cafe owner that we couldn’t park there. Back in the car to get out of the way of a couple of cars behind us who we’d been holding up for a minute or two by now. Rang the owner who apologised, reset Narelle and once around the block saw us back there with the barrier removed. Apartment on street level up a laneway - always so pleasing not to have to lug cases up stairs. You’ve got to hand it to photographers who can so skilfully make a room barely 4 metres square look roomy on the internet pictures. Still it’s recently renovated and the bathroom excellent.

Parked the car a bit further away down by the water and headed looking for somewhere to settle in for a few hours for a swim and relax. It got me thinking why Europeans get so excited about beaches like Bondi and to a lesser extent StKilda. It’s because there actually is a beach. Here at Vrsar the holiday makers are using up every square metre of small pebbly areas no bigger than our current digs. We along with plenty of others settled for an area under some trees back a little way from the water’s edge. Some housekeeping was required; first scan for dog turds then clear out any pebbles and or pine cones before laying down beach towel. I read and snoozed. Chris blogged.

Tidied up and out for dinner. First of all we passed several 20-something girls sitting at little wooden tables in the street outside our apartment. Equipped with a computer each they were talking on their phones and writing information on lists. I asked the the owner of our apartment the following morning when we went past them again what they were doing. He didn’t know but said a Russian owned the building and the girls only speak Russian. We wondered if they were an example of pesky callers that call from foreign climes trying to scam. Who knows.

Descended a steep hill with what seem liked endless sets of slippery flagstones. We passed a number of red faced puffing people struggling as they heaved themselves up while we gave 100% concentration on not slipping over on the way down. When it was time to go home later we chose an alternative route of a longer footpath without any stairs.

On the way down we passed a couple of young blokes in old fashioned formal clothing and then at the bottom of the hill was another. There was a crowd gathering but we weren’t sure if it was an organised event or a busker. We joined in anyway. Turned out Casanova had been through town and declared it was “A town of fine wine and beautiful women” so it seems these young men do Casanova shows. The young Casanova was very amusing advising the women to leave their husbands home next time, flirting with some of the women saying he had a number of tricks up his sleeve in a very provocative and suggestive way. It was all very light hearted and fun but sadly I wasn’t on the trend of such flirtations as I may have been many years ago. Clearly Casanova thought I was well past my use-by date. After his warm up he started to take his show and followers back towards the hill we had just come down. The choice came down to going back up that hill with Casanova or heading to the wharf for a drink. We chose the latter.

Found a bar where Chris (aka The supercilious Bastard) chose a craft beer The Arrogant Bastard - seemed fitting. Enjoyed watching the throng and while Novigrad was more your Blairgowrie set, Vrsar felt far more like Rosebud.

There was plenty to keep us entertained. A pirate-type boat docked and what seemed liked a surprisingly large number of happy punters for the size of the vessel disgorged to the strangely inappropriate strains of Jose Feliciano’s Feliz Navidad (I want to wish you a Merry Christmas). Still they looked like it they’d had a rollicking good time, Christmas or not.

Another boat caught Chris’ eye. It was the Glassboat but with appropriate movement the GL were hidden by a furled umbrella. We felt due to lack of having one he didn’t qualify going on the Assboat whereas I’m over qualified.

Time for dinner. Initially chose a taverna on the waterfront but after sitting there for 5 minutes and being seemingly invisible we felt it didn’t bode well. So headed a little way back up the hill to a restaurant we’d spotted earlier. Mussels and fish - both ok but Croatian food not a patch on Greek food.

Headed back to our apartment but saw there a music act was on at the cafe just at the front of it. Act was on a break but had a set of 45 minutes to play. So we sat to watch full of anticipation after the 2 nights of very good and excellent music we’d seen in Novigrad. But in hindsight we shouldn’t have had our hopes too high. The only instrument on display was a Hammond-style organ and the banner hanging from the organ said ‘Fantasy Duo’. More nightmare than fantasy. They were a 50 year old husband and wife team, her in a polka dot dress and him in beige Fletcher Jones slacks and a neat shirt. She played the tambourine and swayed. He played the organ and swayed. Unfortunately they both sang. Amongst their repertoire was Strangers In The Night, Una Paloma Blanca, I Just Called To Say I Love You, To Love Somebody and Que Sera Sera plus some Croatian dirges. Chris was willing them to play to the audience, which mainly comprised of Germans, by belting an oompah song. But it wasn’t to be. Just more mundane muzak. I felt like I was listening to an LP from the Brashes $1 Clearance Bin circa 1970. One couple made the best of it and danced. Everyone else talked as if they weren’t there but politely yet briefly clapped at the end of each song. Chris and I found the whole scenario entertaining but probably not in the way the Fantasy Duo hoped. We possibly didn’t conceal our amusement very well because the young hipster waitress (with a very deep voice) came over out of the blue rolling her eyes saying she was sorry we were there for such sad music. She qualified the ‘sad’ as meaning appalling not tear jerking. She made it quite apparent that she wasn’t a fan and said she thought people came along because they thought it was funny. Good to know it wasn’t just us then. It made for a memorable evening.

[star-stuff-in-the-cosmos]

Who Would You Rather?

Bohrap Cast Edition:

Hello again everyone! I’ve been tagged by my dear @sohoneyspreadyourwings 🥰 to answer some important Q’s so here we go.

Prepare to see my indecisiveness in full force!

Who would you rather go to a karaoke bar with?

I mean, I would love to go karaoke some Queen songs with any of the cast, but I guess I have to go with Joe on this one (for reasons «a video» we all know). I would have to have a kickass pajama onesie like his though.

Who would you rather go on a road trip with?

God, this one is really hard. Once again can’t I just go on a really cool road trip with everyone? Idk road trips always seem like a big family thing to me and it would be pretty cool to have their whole found-family group together doing something like this....

Ugh um I’d choose Gwil? He seems like a responsible driver?(lol). And I guess good taste in music is always good for road trips. God I’m bad at this.

Who would you rather attend a sports game with?

Well.. as a few of my friends on here know, baseball is my favorite sport to watch and being from southwestern Pennsylvania the Pirates are my actual babies. That being said due to a certain role and an interest in the sport I’d have to pick Joe again here. Unless he would decide to root against the Bucs’. Sorry Joe.

But on a side note it would be cool to go with either Ben or Gwil to a soccer/football game to gain a more European view on the sport lol

Who would you rather go shopping with?

Damn, is this actually a question? I have to go with either of the two best dressed because I can’t decide (shocker). So that’d be Lucy or Ben. Have you seen some of the award shows? They are both serving us some looks and I would love to emulate an ounce of their style. I don’t think I could afford their style on a broke Uni student’s budget though....

Who would you rather binge watch shows with?

Why must I find every decision so hard? Even shit like this?

Welp I’ve decided to not overthink this one and go with my gut. Gut says Ben. I don’t really know why. He seems like a cool guy to just hang out with. No idea what we’d watch.

Who would you rather go to for advice?

I think I would go to Rami for advice. Despite taking his time with responses in interviews and whatnot he really tends to put his words together well when it counts. He seems like he could give some wise advice

Who would you rather take to go clubbing?

Lucy! I am all for girl power when clubbing! (Could it be bc I have only ever gone clubbing with women?) besides that I just have a feeling it would be a good time.

(Would totally go with Joe though if it was certain that I could get some of his funny drunken dancing on film though lol)

Who would you rather take with you to a haunted house?

Listen, I don’t spook easy, but in a haunted house-type situation I need a calm presence. Last time I did a haunted hayride/farm thing I lashed out in fear because my group left me and I hit someone. I would not like to repeat that. I don’t know who exactly in the cast would be that calm presence, but I’d welcome them. Considering this, I’m going to take a guess and say I’d pick Gwil or Rami for this one

Who would you rather watch a scary film with?

Opposite of my requirements of a haunted house I’d need someone to joke around with in a scary film. I like watching scary films and making fun of them because it calms me down and because the plots are often weird. So I again don’t know who?

I guess I feel like Joe could find ways to joke about stuff in a horror film?? Mostly because he loves to give off those chaotic goofball vibes. So yeah

Thats all folks

Alrighty! So I’ve decided to tag @raf-loves-everything @darcyshire and any mutuals who want to participate!!!

💕⭐️💕⭐️💕⭐️💕⭐️💕⭐️💕⭐️💕⭐️💕⭐️💕⭐️

[haurdwellness]

Listen to natasha bedingfield songs

LISTEN TO NATASHA BEDINGFIELD SONGS CRACKED

Bedingfield then released a handful of stand-alone singles in the mid-2010s and contributed songs to the animated works The Pirate Fairy (2014) and Tangled: Before Ever More (2017) before returning with her fourth solo full-length, Roll with Me, in August 2019. That year, she found the European singles charts with a featured spot on Simple Plan's "Jet Lag." An appearance in the Canadian Top 20 followed for her featured vocal on the Lifehouse song "Between the Raindrops" in 2012. It peaked at number 103 on the Billboard 200, and Bedingfield ultimately fared better with 2011's "Easy," a Top 50 duet with Rascal Flatts, than with any of the her solo singles. After marrying businessman/filmmaker Matt Robinson in early 2009, Bedingfield began writing material for her third studio album.įeaturing production from OneRepublic's Ryan Tedder, Strip Me, saw release in late 2010.

LISTEN TO NATASHA BEDINGFIELD SONGS CRACKED

version cracked the Top Three across the pond. reached number nine in the U.K., while the U.S. plus six new songs - found its way to the States as Pocketful of Sunshine in early 2008. Instead, a reworked version - half of N.B. That album, however, was never released in the U.S. hit singles "I Wanna Have Your Babies" and "Soulmate" (both peaked at number seven) previewed her sophomore outing, N.B. While the album climbed to number 26 in the States, the title track landed in the Top Five of the Hot 100 and earned Bedingfield a Grammy nomination for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance. It also set up her assault on the American pop charts, which began in July 2005 with Unwritten's U.S. The golden reception for Bedingfield's rhythmic pop sound netted her platinum record sales and numerous BRIT awards. chart-topper "These Words," Unwritten debuted at number one on the British album chart upon its release in 2004. Leaving university to sign with BMG, she immediately started working on her first record.īuoyed by advance tracks like "Single" and U.K. In 20, Daniel Bedingfield scored number one hits at home with "Gotta Get Through This" and "If You're Not the One," and it was soon Natasha's turn. It didn't last, but the experience encouraged the Bedingfields to keep pursuing music, and Natasha contributed vocals to the 1997 club track "Refined Intricacy" by Origin. By their teens, Natasha, brother Daniel, and sister Nikola had formed an R&B-based singing group. It reached the Top 40 of the Billboard Independent Albums chart.īorn in West Sussex, Natasha Anne Bedingfield grew up in South London, where she and her siblings were raised around music. Still combining sleek surfaces and danceability with honest emotion, her fourth album and first independent release, Roll with Me, appeared in 2019. Though her third long-player, 2010's Strip Me, didn't fare as well commercially, she achieved platinum status on collaborations with Simple Plan ("Jet Lag") and Rascal Flatts ("Easy") in 2011. kept the British singer on charts around the world. Singles such as "Love Like This" (featuring Sean Kingston) and "Soulmate" from 2007's N.B. number one "These Words" as well as "Unwritten," both Top 20 hits in the U.S. Grammy-nominated singer and songwriter Natasha Bedingfield rose to international stardom in 2004 with an upbeat, R&B-tinged dance-pop that she introduced on her debut album, Unwritten.

[melxncholix]

TAGGED BY:  I honestly cannot remember anymore i’ve had this for months TAGGING:  Anyone who wants to do this thing

THERE IS A BLANK VERSION AT THE BOTTOM

NAME: Gordon Jay Mikaelson NICKNAME(S): Gor by a lot of people; Donnie by his mom AGE: 21 SPECIES: Human

PERSONAL. MORALITY: lawful / neutral / chaotic / good / neutral / evil / true RELIGIOUS BELIEF: Catholic on paper but in practice he’s agnostic leaning towards atheistic SINS: greed / gluttony / sloth / lust / pride / envy / wrath VIRTUES: chastity / charity / diligence / humility / kindness / patience / justice PRIMARY GOALS IN LIFE: At this point, survive his mental illness, but full overarching LANGUAGES KNOWN: English, Italian SECRETS: SAVVIES:

PHYSICAL. BUILD: scrawny / bony / slender / fit / athletic / curvy / herculean / pudgy / average HEIGHT: 5′11 1/2″ WEIGHT: 175 lbs SCARS/BIRTHMARKS: Scars on wrist ABILITIES/POWERS: Guitar, Singing, Sculpting, Painting, Dancing RESTRICTIONS: Crippling self-doubt and depression, anxiety

FAVOURITES. FOOD: Baked Ziti PIZZA TOPPING: Mushrooms   COLOUR: Lilac MUSIC GENRE: Mellow Pop BOOK GENRE: His name is Jared, 19 MOVIE GENRE: Crime Thriller SEASON: Winter CURSE WORD: F*ck SCENT(S): Lavendar

FUN STUFF. BOTTOM OR TOP: Verse, Bottom preference SINGS IN THE SHOWER: Strictly Nirvana LIKES BAD PUNS: Sometimes

NAME: Ryan Anthony Schultz NICKNAME(S): Little Boy Blue; Rye AGE: 19 SPECIES:Human

PERSONAL. MORALITY: lawful / neutral / chaotic / good / neutral / evil / true RELIGIOUS BELIEF: He’s Atheistic SINS: greed / gluttony / sloth / lust / pride / envy / wrath VIRTUES: chastity / charity / diligence / humility / kindness / patience / justice PRIMARY GOALS IN LIFE: To thrive in his lifetime and get his mother away from her husband LANGUAGES KNOWN: English, French SECRETS: He used to be a prostitute, used to be a stripper, was heavily abused by his stepfather, blames himself for the death of his first boyfriend SAVVIES: He’s weirdly well traveled for  his background

PHYSICAL. BUILD: scrawny / bony / slender / fit / athletic / curvy / herculean / pudgy / average HEIGHT: 5′6″ WEIGHT: 110 lbs SCARS/BIRTHMARKS: heavily scarred ABILITIES/POWERS: picks up very easily on new information RESTRICTIONS: extremely self conscious

FAVOURITES. FOOD: Gingersnaps PIZZA TOPPING: Pepperoni COLOUR: Orange MUSIC GENRE: He’s not sure BOOK GENRE: He doesn’t read MOVIE GENRE: he barely knows what movies are, he’s always amazed SEASON: Autumn CURSE WORD: Merde, French for Damn it/Shit or other such exclamations SCENT(S): Tea and cookies

FUN STUFF. BOTTOM OR TOP: Bottom SINGS IN THE SHOWER: He hums tunes but no singing LIKES BAD PUNS: He loves them

NAME: Xavier Dragov NICKNAME(S): Xav AGE: over 1200, physically 18 SPECIES: Vampire

PERSONAL. MORALITY: lawful / neutral / chaotic / good / neutral / evil / true RELIGIOUS BELIEF: Atheist SINS: greed / gluttony / sloth / lust / pride / envy / wrath VIRTUES: chastity / charity / diligence / humility / kindness / patience / justice PRIMARY GOALS IN LIFE: N/A LANGUAGES KNOWN: English, Russian, Indo-European, Latin, Italian, Spanish, French, Chinese SECRETS: He’s a vampire, and he’s killed hundreds of people over the years SAVVIES: He’s personally responsible for the death of a tyrant

PHYSICAL. BUILD: scrawny / bony / slender / fit / athletic / curvy / herculean / pudgy / average HEIGHT: 5′9″ WEIGHT: 165 lbs SCARS/BIRTHMARKS: Scar on his neck  ABILITIES/POWERS: Teleportation, Super-Strength, Transformation, Light Compulsion, Vague Telekinesis (can only move really small things like marbles) RESTRICTIONS: None of his powers work in the daylight, garlic burns but more like an allergic reaction, also religious iconography  have the same effect as daylight

FAVOURITES. FOOD: Members of the clergy PIZZA TOPPING: Salami COLOUR: Red MUSIC GENRE: Garage Punk BOOK GENRE: Mystery MOVIE GENRE: Horror Suspense SEASON: Winter CURSE WORD: сука (pronounced suka [means bitch]) SCENT(S): Iron, rust, and other metallic, bloody smells

FUN STUFF. BOTTOM OR TOP: Top SINGS IN THE SHOWER: Yes LIKES BAD PUNS: He pretends to like them to get to people, but doesn’t care about them

NAME: Paul Emanuel Davis NICKNAME(S): Polly AGE: 19 SPECIES: Human

PERSONAL. MORALITY: lawful / neutral / chaotic / good / neutral / evil / true RELIGIOUS BELIEF: Baptist SINS: greed / gluttony / sloth / lust / pride / envy / wrath VIRTUES: chastity / charity / diligence / humility / kindness / patience / justice PRIMARY GOALS IN LIFE: Write a New York Times best seller LANGUAGES KNOWN: English SECRETS: He’s closeted SAVVIES: He’s gotten published in Brevity

PHYSICAL. BUILD: scrawny / bony / slender / fit / athletic / curvy / herculean / pudgy / average HEIGHT: 5′9" WEIGHT: 176 lbs SCARS/BIRTHMARKS: A birthmark in the shape of Florida on his right pec ABILITIES/POWERS: Can type 85 words a minute RESTRICTIONS: Suffers from writer’s block frequently

FAVOURITES. FOOD: Chicken Caesar Salad PIZZA TOPPING: Chicken and Spinach COLOUR: Pastel Pink MUSIC GENRE: Lofi Pop BOOK GENRE: He likes to read Epistolary novels, like Diary of Anne Frank for structure, but for content he likes Mystery for it’s short chapters and engaging prose MOVIE GENRE: Biopics SEASON: Spring CURSE WORD: Damn SCENT(S): Paper and Fresh Ink

FUN STUFF. BOTTOM OR TOP: Bottom SINGS IN THE SHOWER:  Yes LIKES BAD PUNS: Secretly loves them

NAME: Jessie August LeFleur NICKNAME(S): Auggie AGE: 18 SPECIES: Human

PERSONAL. MORALITY: lawful / neutral / chaotic / good / neutral / evil / true RELIGIOUS BELIEF: Agnostic SINS: greed / gluttony / sloth / lust / pride / envy / wrath VIRTUES: chastity / charity / diligence / humility / kindness / patience / justice PRIMARY GOALS IN LIFE: Find a way to balance the lives both his parents have prepared him for LANGUAGES KNOWN: English, French, Japanese SECRETS: He’s not interested in being in charge of either of his parents’ companies SAVVIES: He really likes his mother’s designs and frequently makes his own

PHYSICAL. BUILD: scrawny / bony / slender / fit / athletic / curvy / herculean / pudgy / average HEIGHT: 5′6″ WEIGHT: 115 lbs SCARS/BIRTHMARKS: Freckles ABILITIES/POWERS: Really good at drafting, both tech designs and fashion designs RESTRICTIONS: He thinks he doesn’t have what it takes to make it in his parents’ industries

FAVOURITES. FOOD: Duck A L'orange PIZZA TOPPING: Supreme COLOUR: Alabaster MUSIC GENRE: Bubblegum Pop BOOK GENRE: Romance MOVIE GENRE: Romcoms SEASON: Spring CURSE WORD: Fuck SCENT(S): Rose

FUN STUFF. BOTTOM OR TOP: Bottom SINGS IN THE SHOWER: Yes, usually San Cisco, occasionally Coure de Pirate LIKES BAD PUNS: yea

NAME: Michael Kearney NICKNAME(S): Mike AGE: over 180 SPECIES: Vampire

PERSONAL. MORALITY: lawful / neutral / chaotic / good / neutral / evil / true RELIGIOUS BELIEF: Irish Catholic SINS: greed / gluttony / sloth / lust / pride / envy / wrath VIRTUES: chastity / charity / diligence / humility / kindness / patience / justice PRIMARY GOALS IN LIFE: Redeem himself in the eyes of his religion LANGUAGES KNOWN: Irish Gaelic, English SECRETS: He’s not out as a vampire; he still keeps tabs on his lost family SAVVIES: He’s Irish and he loves to make friends with strangers

PHYSICAL. BUILD: scrawny / bony / slender / fit / athletic / curvy / herculean / pudgy / average HEIGHT: 5′11″ WEIGHT: 180 lbs SCARS/BIRTHMARKS: Mark on his neck ABILITIES/POWERS: Mild Compulsion, Light telekinesis (stronger than Xavier but not a showoff), Transformation (weaker than Xavier, total showoff), Super Strength RESTRICTIONS: None of his powers work in the daylight, garlic burns but more like an allergic reaction, also religious iconography  have the same effect as daylight

FAVOURITES. FOOD: He likes strong workmen, buff working women, and dancers PIZZA TOPPING: Green Peppers and Red Peppers COLOUR: Green MUSIC GENRE: Jazz BOOK GENRE: Classics MOVIE GENRE: Thriller SEASON: Summer CURSE WORD: Ceanncac (shithead) SCENT(S): Clover

FUN STUFF. BOTTOM OR TOP: Vers-Top SINGS IN THE SHOWER: Very loudly  LIKES BAD PUNS: Loves them

NAME: Juan Guttierez NICKNAME(S): Juanito (by his aunt Elena) Dumbass (by his aunt Elena) AGE: 23 SPECIES: Human

PERSONAL. MORALITY: lawful / neutral / chaotic / good / neutral / evil / true RELIGIOUS BELIEF: Catholic SINS: greed / gluttony / sloth / lust / pride / envy / wrath VIRTUES: chastity / charity / diligence / humility / kindness / patience / justice PRIMARY GOALS IN LIFE: He wants to get better (in theory) LANGUAGES KNOWN: English, Spanish SECRETS: His suicide attempt is not widely known SAVVIES: He’s kind of a party animal

PHYSICAL. BUILD: scrawny / bony / slender / fit / athletic / curvy / herculean / pudgy / average HEIGHT: 5′10″ WEIGHT: 165 lbs SCARS/BIRTHMARKS: A birthmark on his inner thigh in the shape of a cherry (stemless) ABILITIES/POWERS: Can instantly liven up a party RESTRICTIONS: Sometimes he takes things too far, like jokes

FAVOURITES. FOOD: Mozzarella Sticks PIZZA TOPPING: Sausage COLOUR: Purple MUSIC GENRE: EDM BOOK GENRE: Comic MOVIE GENRE: Superhero SEASON: Summer CURSE WORD: Fuck SCENT(S): The smell of a crowded room  full of hormonal college kids; Warm vanilla

FUN STUFF. BOTTOM OR TOP: Depends on the guy SINGS IN THE SHOWER: Yes LIKES BAD PUNS: Loves them

NAME: Elder Eastman NICKNAME(S): Double E (Gymnastics team), L-ien (by Ella Triq), Alien Avenger AGE: 18 SPECIES: Extra-Terrestrial, lineage from a planet in the Hourglass Nebula

PERSONAL. MORALITY: lawful / neutral / chaotic / good / neutral / evil / true RELIGIOUS BELIEF: Agnostic SINS: greed / gluttony / sloth / lust / pride / envy / wrath VIRTUES: chastity / charity / diligence / humility / kindness / patience / justice PRIMARY GOALS IN LIFE: To protect his family and his city; go to the Olympics LANGUAGES KNOWN: English, Beginner’s Spanish SECRETS: He’s a vigilante protecting the town SAVVIES: He’s an active gymnast

PHYSICAL. BUILD: scrawny / bony / slender / fit / athletic / curvy / herculean / pudgy / average HEIGHT: 5′8″ WEIGHT: 125 lbs SCARS/BIRTHMARKS: He has a scar on his side above his hip from a knifing ABILITIES/POWERS: Appearance modulation (only between his alien and normal selves and various in-between states), Energy manipulation and generation, Hyper Flexibility and agility, elastic skin RESTRICTIONS: Rubber stops him dead in his tracks, dehydrates quickly, needs constant electrolytes

FAVOURITES. FOOD: Pizza PIZZA TOPPING: Anchovy COLOUR: Green MUSIC GENRE: Synthwave BOOK GENRE: Sci-Fi MOVIE GENRE: Sci-Fi SEASON: Autumn CURSE WORD: He doesn’t curse SCENT(S): Cinnamon

FUN STUFF. BOTTOM OR TOP: Vers-Bottom SINGS IN THE SHOWER: Yes LIKES BAD PUNS: Guilty Pleasure

BLANK VERSION

NAME: NICKNAME(S): AGE: SPECIES:

PERSONAL. MORALITY: lawful / neutral / chaotic / good / neutral / evil / true RELIGIOUS BELIEF: SINS: greed / gluttony / sloth / lust / pride / envy / wrath VIRTUES: chastity / charity / diligence / humility / kindness / patience / justice PRIMARY GOALS IN LIFE: LANGUAGES KNOWN: SECRETS: SAVVIES:

PHYSICAL. BUILD: scrawny / bony / slender / fit / athletic / curvy / herculean / pudgy / average HEIGHT: WEIGHT: SCARS/BIRTHMARKS: ABILITIES/POWERS: RESTRICTIONS:

FAVOURITES. FOOD: PIZZA TOPPING: COLOUR: MUSIC GENRE: BOOK GENRE: MOVIE GENRE: SEASON: CURSE WORD: SCENT(S):

FUN STUFF. BOTTOM OR TOP: SINGS IN THE SHOWER: LIKES BAD PUNS:

TAGGED BY:  TAGGING: 

[contrastbalance]

halfway house - sweden in the music industry

At the start of 2012, the European Music Office and Eurosonic Noorderslag helped publish a report based on results gained from analytics company Nielsen, on the top 200 air-played and legally downloaded songs in France, Spain, Germany, the Netherlands, Poland and Sweden. The report showed that Swedish radio stations display the highest level of support for their home-grown artists of all countries investigated: they received 38% of the airplay; however, only 10% use mother-tongue lyrics. Heavy borrowing of English does allude to a higher rate of sales to their home country – 44% of all downloads in Sweden were of Swedish artists. This translation is due to the country being a musical powerhouse looking to globalise further.

Several of the big dance acts that have crossed over into charts in English-speaking countries have been from Sweden which is no surprise given that they are the world’s third largest exporter of music behind the US and UK – in 1999 Sweden’s Ministry of Finance report found that royalties from external territories was higher than that of the US, per capita. Much of this opportunity will have been afforded to them by previous breakthrough acts from the country that performed in English, e.g., ABBA, Europe, Robyn. It’s also home to Max Martin, one of the most prolific pop producers in history; since 1999 he has written or co-written and produced or co-produced 22 Billboard 100 songs, behind only Lennon and McCartney. Sweden has known how to make hits since ABBA cabbage-patched onto foreign screens, some kind of expansive in-house way of working, some kind of socialist Motown production line. Such a number of contributions in singular segments has helped push forward the lifespan of the music industry and the value of consumption, the country’s flatpacking view of technological advancement playing no small part.

Autonomy for Swedish artists to perform to the best of their domestic and global commercial ability is a far cry from the situation in France. In 1994 the country passed a law stating that 40% of all music on French airwaves must not use lyrics in a foreign language. Several of the main radio stations feel the quotas are unfair due to the popularity of French artists like Daft Punk who choose to produce in English, this is why they work. A big part of the globalisation of English-speaking music has been through the easy access over most first world countries to services like Spotify, not subject to any quotas, simply helping people worldwide find what they want to hear, whether they be American or British or otherwise – this was an argument put forward by radio stations to protest the sanctions. In response the SNEP (Syndicate National de l’edition Photographique) and other bodies that defend the quotas have encouraged people to refer to a similar bill passed in Canada in 1971 regarding the protection against dominance from US acts to preserve and expand the local music scene. In the report it was found that only 25% of music on French radio used French lyrics and only 31% were works from home-grown artists.

In 2015, digitally distributed music became the primary revenue stream in recorded music, overtaking sales of physical copies – in percentages digital sales made up 45%, whereas physical were 39%. In 2016 IFPI published a report detailing a 10.2% increase in digital revenues, leaving the figure in the region of $6.7 billion. From a different direction this report shows the clear modernisation when there is also a 45.2% rise in streaming revenue, leaving 2016’s streaming figure at $2.9 billion – in 2014, 80% of Sweden’s recorded music market income came from streaming. This has slowed down the record labels recouping losses in transitioning to the predominantly digital model; they still want to wedge a foot back in the door, and with the size of services like Spotify they can’t beat them so might as well join them.

In 2015 The Verge came across a contract between Sony Music and Spotify from January 2011, two months before Spotify set up in the US, it’s most profitable territory. It was a two-year deal with the option of a one year extension, laying out Spotify’s obligations regarding annual advances to the label, target subscriber numbers and the early calculations for how plays would transfer to royalties.

A particularly dodgy part of the agreement is the Most Favoured Nations clause, saying that Sony must keep its triggered-through-met target advances higher than those for other labels. In section 4(a), Spotify agrees to pay a $25 million advance for the two years of the contract: $9 million the first year and $16 million the second, with a $17.5 million advance for the optional third year to Sony Music. The contract is spread over 42 pages; however, it fails to detail another eyebrow-raising area in the 15% of ad revenue: in 2014 it earned $110 million from this area alone – how is this used? Also with the advance money paid to Sony, whether it is divided as a kitty amongst those who need to have a presence on Spotify, thus earning their advances, or if it’s kept to themselves.

After Taylor Swift’s departure from the platform, many musicians popped up to support her, naming streaming services that paid a shameful price of penny per play, Thom Yorke lamenting a similar and more abrasive expression. This contract shows Spotify cannot be working alone on their endgame. According to its financial disclosures, the majority of Spotify’s revenue, around 80%, has been flowing to the rights holders. Almost a full 10 years after its launch, it’s the widest shoulder-padded middleman in the music industry, yet can’t seem to turn a profit.

There are some powerful industry voices saying labels are by far the main instigator of any shady dealings with service providers. Artist’s royalties from songwriting are a varying part of the debate, changing in importance over genres. In 2014, Pandora won a court case against ASCAP, complaining it couldn’t afford to allocate the agency collecting for songwriters more than the 1.85% it paid their clients at the time due to the fact it was paying labels 49% of its revenue.

Unsurprisingly Sweden’s STIM showed a patriotic and collaborative attitude to help get Spotify off the ground, also the UK’s PRS offered Spotify extremely low rates, which may have started the slippery slope in the seemingly offensively low rate in what artists get paid – those supposed to be in their corner are part of the problem. Artists, publishers and collection societies could feel that getting out of the streaming environment completely would be beneficial, as they wouldn’t really feel the effects of that lost revenue stream, while keeping some exclusivity or possibly partnering up in a more lucrative manner – in the US this is not an option, but Europe is a more democratic operation. One of the key players in the UK industry is the Beggars Group, all of their imprints split all royalties 50/50 with artists – although even they are not free from the subliminal scathing of some of their biggest artists like Mr Yorke and Adele who are more than conservative with uploading to the service. The in-house attitude of Sweden may be part of the problem too, as 2013 saw a number of Swedish artists gearing up to sue Universal and Warners – the other major label not involved in the process was Sony, who was already familiar with Spotify.

Although Spotify have championed ownership to artists, going so far in cases to remove work from the service upon finding out the rights holders weren’t paying their artists, they have not chosen to carry themselves as transparently when the query comes to their own profits. Morals tend to intensify with self-awareness. There is far less label reliance to have music heard through streaming, no packaging with worldwide physical distribution or a traditional marketing plan – the split should be far more even than 90% of the streaming revenues going to the labels, according to the Swedish MU who have supported the artists in their attempts to sue the two majors.

Spotify have also benefited greatly from the country’s standing in the piracy capability league. Daniel Ek is far from small fry in the community of file sharing line peddlers – links with uTorrent gave him access to co-developer Ludvig Strigeus, who has been referenced as the means behind Spotify’s music being heard sooner than when using their competitors after hitting play; a feature that could easily be deemed indispensable in the increasingly impatient senses of the consumer.

Another Swedish contribution to the industry came in 2003 with The Pirate Bay – in 2001 the country’s revenue from recorded music sat at 1.6 billion SEK, in 2008 it was 782 million. In 2008 Spotify was launched, the streams leading to near the billion kronor mark again at 991m SEK. The following year would be breakthrough moment for the industry inside Sweden; the trial and subsequent conviction of The Pirate Bay’s creators, a Europol imposed law forcing ISPs to provide a name of IP address owners thought to be sharing files as if they were Linda’s pictures from Tenerife and the unbelievable burst of Spotify users, due in part to the invite-only basis. An industry that was 60% smaller worldwide since the turn of the century suddenly had a new stream of revenue.

Dr Ola Johansson wrote an article in 2010 where he applied theories of political, social and economic landscapes in Sweden to gain an understanding of why they’re so good at pop. He states that the preternatural creation and admiration of role models date back to sporting greats such as Björn Borg being the country’s first real superstar – ABBA being present at the same time; creating the airy faceless music they did created something similar to a sub-genre of export. The fact that Swedes have the world’s highest percentage of English-as-a-second-language speakers can only help when relating to imports from the two edges of the Atlantic – there are strong cultural and linguistic links between Sweden and the UK/US; nuance is easily picked up and there is a shared priority of melody in production. Modern and minimalist aesthetics have placed the country at the forefront of mainstream trend; their taste in music has verged to more niche trends, giving off cool fumes and making it an attractive touring option. The late 80s and 90s saw more sharing with the outside world made available to consumers – particularly MTV acting as Spotify does now; access on tap, dependable vagueness. The Ford model applied amongst local creatives is also a factor, Johansson believes. He references geographic researches at Uppsala University relating Michael Porter’s theories to the local industry and found perfectly aligned networks of creators and professionals, particularly in the capital. That city can lead to a problem in this domain – it’s too one-dimensional. The entire country has the same population of London and a similar number of grime artists find themselves able to expand into foreign territories to claim their livestock and women. Sounds considered niche in Stockholm’s parameters tend to age well over the course of compiling foreign press kits; historically death metal has been made up of a considerable number of Swedish line-ups, more presently there is a budding and trendy rap scene that has produced artists like Silvana Imam and Erik Lundin who are gaining appreciation home and abroad. 30% of school-aged kids attend government provided extra-curricular music-based programs, this support doesn’t stop when the jobs start. The Swedish Arts Council dishes out an estimated $40 million annually to help support artists, venues and programs; it’s also notable that there is great transparency between funding agencies and artists.

The ever-changing landscape of the music industry is at fever pitch where profitability is concerned, Sweden is a crucial deciding factor in the next implosion. With the growth in popularity of foreign language music from across Europe in English-speaking countries, keeping the bronze medal will be no easy task. The winner-take-it-all attitude being displayed by the gatekeepers and their international cohorts could easily mean the shutting down of the powerhouse – given the viably expansive infrastructure that objective hit-making afforded them, any falling off would make such a concession all the more disastrous.

https://contrastbalance.blog/

Header image – City Lights by data scientist Ian Anderson and analyst Manish Nag.

ABBA by Kolodyazhniy Sergey on Artfinder.

Silvana Imam by graphic artist Johanna Kallin.

[sumadebaliholidays-blog]

Sunset dinner cruise, This beautiful and luxurious cruise ship offers an amazing promo, the sunset dinner bounty Cruise, which is a dinner package on board. For romantic couples and Honeymooners, of course they will not miss this opportunity during a vacation on the Island of the Gods of Bali. If you want to have fun - a call with your family, you might be able to try a Sea Safari promo pirate cruises promo. Sunset Dinner Bounty Cruise Bali's Sunset Dinner Cruise trip will start from the port of Benoa, Bali. Foreign or domestic tourists who take part in this tour program, will arrive at the location at 5 pm, you will be welcomed with a welcome drink and a flower necklace by a boat staff dressed in traditional Balinese clothing. Amazingly, you will be able to see the beautiful scenery of the sea in the Tanjung Benoa tourist area. Sunset Dinner Bounty Cruise Around 6:00 a dinner event will begin. The Bounty Cruise cruise ship will sail to the middle of the sea. Each tourist will be given 1 coupon that can be exchanged for beer or soft drinks. International menu buffets are served with a variety of choices. Such as salads, soups, various processed seafood, Indonesian food, and other European menus. While enjoying dinner with a romantic atmosphere, you will be entertained with a variety of dances. Such as sexy dancers, cabaret shows, modern dance, and Balinese dance that are most anticipated by foreign or domestic tourists. Professional DJs are also ready to accompany your dinner with a variety of songs and music that are well known in the music industry today. You can also order memorable songs, for example the song Hajimete no Chuu (my firs kiss) so that the atmosphere gets more romantic. The Singer Trio will always accompany you throughout the dinner on the Bounty boat. This Sunset Dinner Cruise promo is often full of orders on Valentine's Day, Eid, Christmas, and before the new year. If you travel to Bali, don't forget to try this one package. Together with your spouse, friends and family, it will certainly be a memorable one while in Bali. Ships that have international standards equipped with restaurants, toilets, locker rooms will. https://www.instagram.com/p/BxbmCkbHWYx/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=12xxsp6b379ji

[piracytheorist]

I decided to take a question meme and just answer all of the questions for myself and anyone who might be interested to learn more about me :) Long so under a cut.

1: Do you sleep with your closet doors open or closed?

Uh... you mean my wardrobe doors? Closed, If you mean bathroom, also closed. If you mean my room's door, open.

2: Do you take the shampoos and conditioner bottles from hotel?

If they're in a pretty package, sure. If not, I may not take them.

3: Do you sleep with your sheets tucked in or out?

Out. If I do try to tuck them in, I'll kick them out without realizing it so it'll be a waste of time to tuck them in.

4: Have you ever stolen a street sign before?

Nope. But I've taken posters from events that have already taken place, because those are thrown away afterwards.

5: Do you like to use post-it notes?

Yes but I'm way too unorganized to actually use them, I always forget.

6: Do you cut out coupons but then never use them?

I... never get coupons?

7: Would you rather be attacked by a big bear or a swarm of a bees?

I know that to escape a bear you have to pretend you're dead. In the same article I read that it also showed how to survive a swarm of bees attack but I don't remember how that one went, so I guess a bear? At least it will probably kill you fast if it gets you...

8: Do you have freckles?

Yep, lots! And I'm proud of them :D

9: Do you always smile for pictures?

Yes, fully, with my cheekbones going up. Unless it's just a random photo a friend may take as I'm doing something random.

10: What is your biggest pet peeve?

Cars that ride by and have awful music at full volume.

11: Do you ever count your steps when you walk?

No, but most of the time I try to step on the tiles.

12: Have you ever peed in the woods?

We are a six-member family that used to do long-hour car rides, and I'm the youngest. OF COURSE I've peed in the woods. However, it's been almost ten years since the last time I had to do this.

13: What about pooping in the woods?

I think I remember doing it only once, and I must have been younger than 8.

14: Do you ever dance even if there's no music playing?

Yep.

15: Do you chew your pens and pencils?

I used to. Now I sometimes let a pencil rest between my teeth, if I'm bored, but I'm not actually chewing them much.

16: How many people have you slept with this week?

LOOOL the only people I've EVER slept with are: my mother, my sisters, and two or three friends, in a complete platonic manner.

17: What size is your bed?

Single.

18: What is your Song of the week?

Sweet Child o' Mine by Guns n' Roses.

19: Is it okay for guys to wear pink?

It's okay for everyone to wear anything they want. Sometimes I may be judging inside but that's my problem I need to solve.

20: Do you still watch cartoons?

I did binge-watch Avatar: the Last Airbender and Legend of Korra, if that's what that's about, and I recently watched Moana.

21: Whats your least favorite movie?

Twilight - I literally cannot watch this thing, the whole filming is so repulsive to me.

22: Where would you bury hidden treasure if you had some?

If it's small and light, inside my pad packages - I've actually hid some banknotes in there once. If it's not, probably in my dirty laundry basket.

23: If you're a girl, bra size? If you're a guy, pants size?

80D in European system. If I'm correct, that's 36D in UK, USA and Canada. Yep, I have big boobs.

24: What do you dip a chicken nugget in?

Geez, we rarely even eat chicken nuggets - I prefer whole schnitzel pieces baked in the oven. But usually it's either ketchup or yogurt.

25: What is your favorite food?

Lol, lots. For now I'll go with pita gyro.

26: What movies could you watch over and over and still love?

Chocolat, Finding Nemo, Treasure Planet, The CS movie except from the nonCS parts, Shrek, Corpse Bride... I'm sure I'm missing a few.

27: Last person you kissed/kissed you?

Look, you're dealing with a grey asexual here, ok? I think it was my mother when she was going back home from visiting me at the beginning of this month.

28: Were you ever a boy/girl scout?

No, though I wished my parents had sent me :(

29: Would you ever strip or pose nude in a magazine?

Nope.

30: When was the last time you wrote a letter to someone on paper?

About a month ago while playing D&D. My character was supposed to tell another character something but because it was personal and he didn't want the other characters to know, I slipped a letter to the player playing the character I wanted an interaction with, containing what my character would have told her.

31: Can you change the oil on a car?

Nope.

32: Ever gotten a speeding ticket?

No, I don't drive. Though once I called the police to give someone a ticket for parking on the sidewalk repeatedly.

33: Ever ran out of gas?

No, but once while I was with my father and we were going to Athens, the car stopped for some reason I can't recall and we had to wait for the track to mow us somewhere where it could be fixed.

34: Favorite kind of sandwich?

Sweet Onion Chicken Terriyaki from Subway.

35: Best thing to eat for breakfast?

Pizza, cold from the previous night.

36: What is your usual bedtime?

Lol. That's not even a thing for me anymore.

37: Are you lazy?

Yeah but I think my psychology issues are making it way worse.

38: When you were a kid, what did you dress up as for Halloween?

We don't have Halloween here, but we do celebrate Carnival. So off the top of my mind, I've dressed up as Snow White (reaaaaaly young), witch, hippie, cat, and then there was that time that I wore everything (shirt, trousers, coat, bag) with the back going on the front. I even brushed my hair to fall onto my face and wore a mask at the back side of my head. The only problem were the shoes -_- I also have a cheap pirate hat that I wear for fun, without a full costume.

39: What is your Chinese astrological sign?

Dog.

40: Are you horny?

Right now? No.

41: Do you have any magazine subscriptions?

No.

42: Which are better legos or lincoln logs?

What the hell are lincoln logs?

43: Are you stubborn?

Yeah but most of the time I keep it all in.

44: Who is better...Leno or Letterman?

What?

45: Ever watch soap operas?

Nah. Though OUAT has turned into a soap opera, hasn't it? To be honest I did watch Days of Our Lives at some point. And then sometimes my grandmother has Bold and the Beautiful, or The Young and the Restless, or maybe some Greek soap operas on when I visit.

46: Are you afraid of heights?

No, but it's not that I've tested it fully. I'd like to try bangee-jumping but I don't know how I may react.

47: Do you sing in the car?

I don't drive, but if I did I would sing.

48: Do you sing in the shower?

Sometimes.

49: Do you dance in the car?

If I did drive, I would only dance while waiting for the light to go green.

50: Ever used a gun?

Only airguns while training shooting, but yes, lots of times.

51: Last time you got a portrait taken by a photographer?

Two years ago, for my passport.

52: Do you think musicals are cheesy?

Yes. Most of them. But then there is that fine line that I can't describe that if not crossed, the musical can be amazing for me. Galavant is an example.

53: Is Christmas stressful?

A little but because I'm around so many people and I need to spend some time alone to recharge my extroversion but I feel bad doing it when the time I have to spend with them is limited in the first place.

54: Ever eat a pierogi?

I don't even know what this is, so no.

55: Favorite type of fruit pie?

I think I'd go with peach. Though this kind of confectionary is not my favourite.

56: Occupations you wanted to be when you were a kid?

Teacher, massage therapist, psychologist, architect...

57: Do you believe in ghosts?

No.

58: Ever have a Deja-vu feeling?

So many times I think I should start writing down whenever I feel them so that I can see if the circumstances are ever the same.

59: Take a vitamin daily?

I try to remember to take a Vitamin C supplement ever day.

60: Wear slippers?

Yep.

61: Wear a bath robe?

No because the climate here is humid af and the robe will never dry out. Otherwise I love them, sometimes even in summer.

62: What do you wear to bed?

Simple cotton pyjamas, and currently leg warmers as well because it's COLD. Never socks, though. My toes need to breathe.

63: First concert?

For non-wide known musicians, it must have been when I was 9, for two Cypriot singers who are very well known and loved in Greece. Widely known, Scorpions in 2009.

64: Wal-Mart, Target or Kmart?

I think I did shop once from Wal-Mart when I was in NY, but I'm not sure. I've never been in any of the others.

65: Nike or Adidas?

Don't care. My requirements are that they're affordable and anatomical.

66: Cheetos Or Fritos?

*regrets choosing this meme* Only Cheetos are available in Greece, so...

67: Peanuts or Sunflower seeds?

Peanuts! Though sunflower seeds are great to pass your time nibbling on something cheap with very few calories.

68: Ever hear of the group Tres Bien?

Nope.

69: Ever take dance lessons?

I took a few months worth of argentine tango.

70: Is there a profession you picture your future spouse doing?

Do I even picture a future spouse, is the question! Though I'd love for them to be into music and all.

71: Can you curl your tongue?

Yep.

72: Ever won a spelling bee?

No.

73: Have you ever cried because you were so happy?

I was touched by Inside Out and Tangled, but I guess this isn't happy exactly... I've also cried from laughter... but I don't think I've ever cried for pure happiness, like meeting relatives or friends I haven't seen in a while.

74: Own any record albums?

No but my mon has some old ones her late father had bought. One of them is Let it Be. We put it on the record player with my sister and danced around as if we were living back when it was first released.

75: Own a record player?

No, but I'd love to.

76: Regularly burn incense?

No.

77: Ever been in love?

I've been infatuated, but it never progressed much (first time the dude wasn't interested, second time he had a girlfriend) so I didn't even get to know them well and I can't call what I had love.

78: Who would you like to see in concert?

Colin O'Donoghue. 😍

79: What was the last concert you saw?

Muse in Athens last July. But after that I was in various other concerts of choirs and little bands here that you probably don't know of.

80: Hot tea or cold tea?

Hot tea.

81: Tea or coffee?

Tea. Coffee causes me to tremble.

82: Sugar or snickerdoodles?

What the hell is a snickerdoodle? *Googles it* A biscuit? Why is it that against sugar... oh. Biscuits, then.

Wow this meme is very American isn't it.

83: Can you swim well?

I can float, move around and sink a little if I want to, but I'm not that good with it. I learnt swimming when I was 11 and I've only practiced about a few weeks per year, some years I didn't even practice at all.

84: Can you hold your breath without holding your nose?

Yes.

85: Are you patient?

I wouldn't say so.

86: DJ or band, at a wedding?

Anything as long as it's not something I hate with the power of a thousand suns and it's not in super ultra full volume. Unfortunately for me, that's how Greek weddings almost always go.

87: Ever won a contest?

There was one singing contest I won when I was in a children's camp some 10 years ago, though not first place.

88: Ever have plastic surgery?

No, though if I ever did, I would do something to raise my upper eyelids.

89: Which are better black or green olives?

I'd say both. We have a black olive tree in our garden back in my hometown though, so I've eaten way more black than green olives.

90: Can you knit or crochet?

My grandma taught me knitting when I was little but I never bothered practicing. Now it's weird because it's such a trend even guys knit.

91: Best room for a fireplace?

In the center of a room, with a circular sofa around it.

92: Do you want to get married?

..... Eh.

93: If married, how long have you been married?

-

94: Who was your HS crush?

Who was my what?

95: Do you cry and throw a fit until you get your own way?

... No, I'm not five anymore.

96: Do you have kids?

No.

97: Do you want kids?

.... Eh.

98: What's your favorite color?

I like most colours, but I'd say my favourite hues are blue and purple.

99: Do you miss anyone right now?

My family, but mostly my sister and my baby nephew.

[dorenekvance]

Maspalomas Carnival 2020 Complete Guide

Maspalomas Carnival 2020 is THE event of the year in this town located in southern Gran Canaria. Not for nothing, this festivity celebrated every March attracts thousands of local, national, and international visitors. What are the reasons for this?

Along with the warm and open minded Spanish people, Gran Canaria enjoys one of the best climates in the world with more than 300 days of sunshine per year and mild temperatures that result in a never ending spring. Thus, summer isn’t very hot, and winter is far from cold.

But the best has been revealed yet… Can you imagine partying all day long on the streets and being just a couple of minutes on foot from the beach? And not a simple beach, but the stunning Maspalomas Beach! Undoubtedly, this is one of the most famous beaches in Spain.

This isn’t a typical beach, as it has plenty of things to see and do. For instance, walking through its nudist area, practicing water sports like paragliding, getting lost on its famous sand dunes, observing the local fauna at its pond or watching the sunset at its lighthouse.

But first things first. Let’s get to the point and be ready to discover everything about the Maspalomas Carnival 2020 with this new Villa Gran Canaria‘s blog article. Don’t forget to pick your costume and tell your hips to be prepared for a little dancing! Don’t you dare to say that you weren’t warned…

Maspalomas Carnival Origin

Each year, early March (although depending on the year it may cover some days in late February) is the time when the Carnival of Maspalomas is celebrated. It typically has plenty of events, from comparsas (dance troupes) to murgas (music groups), and even drag queens!

But what’s its origin? Carnival is a Christian festive season that occurs before the liturgical season of Lent and typically involves public celebrations, including events such as parades, public street parties and other entertainments, combining some elements of a circus.

However, during the Franco’s regime that lasted for 40 years, Carnival was forbidden all over Spain. When the dictatorship ended and the democratic transition started, there were some signs of openness towards this festivity.

As tourism was on the rise in the Canary Islands due to its amazing natural features, local and regional authorities saw Carnival as an attraction for visitors all over the world. It was during the 80s when the Carnival of Maspalomas started to rise on an international level.

Maspalomas Carnival 2020 Dates

Carnival will be celebrated in Maspalomas between March 5 and March 15. It will be 10 days full of fun that will have the Yumbo Shopping Center as its headquarters.

Carnival of Maspalomas 2020 Theme

This year, the winning poster has been The Metamorphosis by Iñaki Fernández. The artist was inspired by the power of transformation that Don Carnal –the personification of Carnival– has over people.

Therefore, it stars a woman disguised with a colourful dress and a seahorse hat, a microphone in the shape of the Maspalomas Lighthouse and musical notes that give a feeling of movement.

2020 theme will focus on musicals, thus recovering the spirit of historical shows such as Hair, Moulin Rouge, Cats, Fame, Jesus Christ Superstar, Les Misérables or La La Land, among others.

Best Maspalomas Carnival Themes

The Carnival of Maspalomas has always been known by having many original themes and catchy designs. Many of them have been presented through the years, but few of them leave a mark on people’s memory.

Some of its legendary theme worth mention are those from 2015 (19th century Paris cabarets), 2016 (cinema) or 2009 (pirates). Can 2020 Maspalomas Carnival theme match them?

Where will International Maspalomas Carnival 2020 be celebrated?

Both Maspalomas and the neighbouring town of Playa del Inglés, located in the municipality of San Bartolomé de Tirajana in southern Gran Canaria, are home to one of the most famous carnivals in the world.

In case you were wondering, Gran Canaria is one of the Canary Islands, a Spanish archipelago located just 100 kilometres off the northwestern African coast and just a couple hours flight away from the European continent.

How many floats does the Maspalomas Carnival have?

The Great Parade is, probably, the event that attracts most visitors. Thus, every year approximately 100 floats (carrozas in Spanish) take part in it, usually in three groups in order to get more fluidity through Maspalomas and Playa del Inglés.

Maspalomas Carnival Official Program

The next events will be celebrated during the Carnival of Maspalomas 2020.

Maspalomas Carnival Most Important Events

Of course, as there are many events during the Carnival of Maspalomas, not all of them attract the same amount of public. Thus if we’d have to pick some of the most important events those would be.

Carnival Queen Gala

The gala night when the election of the Carnival Queen takes place is one of the Maspalomas Carnival 2020 highlights. She is the crowned star chosen at a gala from various candidates that wear large and stunning and colourful costumes.

Drag Queen Gala

The Drag Queen gala is a tradition that began during the 90s and continued growing larger and more glamorous every year. The objective is finding the best male artist in full drag attire!

Great Parade

The Great Parada (called cabalgata in Spanish) runs over many kilometres trough Maspalomas and Playa del Inglés and attracts hundreds of thousands of people! The cabalgata usually starts at X and goes on forever, so don’t expect a short night!

Burial of the Sardine

The Carnival of Maspalomas ends reluctantly with a final flourish – the Burial of the Sardine. The Entierro de la Sardina is a joyous funeral procession where a giant sardine is toured through the streets and then burned along with a fireworks display at the beach.

Why Going to Maspalomas Carnival

Although the Carnival of Maspalomas is usually behind other Gran Canaria Carnivals such as Las Palmas Carnival, this is the perfect chance to enjoy a unique festivity with an unmatched climate in one of the best tourist destinations in the world.

In short, the only thing that is keeping you away from enjoying a great event in an island also known as a miniature continent by its diversity of landscapes is your will. Come and enjoy the Maspalomas Carnival 2020 to the fullest.

La entrada Maspalomas Carnival 2020 Complete Guide se publicó primero en Villa Gran Canaria | Holiday Rentals | Villas.

Maspalomas Carnival 2020 Complete Guide published first on http://blog.villagrancanaria.com/

[thesinglesjukebox]

KEIINO - SPIRIT IN THE SKY

[6.83]

Gotta have a friend in Jukebox...

David Moore: I am glad that, via Eurovision, the millennial Europop turn to jolly pirate choruses never left us, and I am downright giddy about those sublime thirty seconds of what I have been told is a JOIK BREAK, a phrase that is as good as the thing sounds. I was reminded of a more earnest but still pop treatment of Polish folk I heard this year -- two's a trend, so JOIK BREAK is officially as essential a 2019 music neologism as BORT-POP. [8]

Katie Gill: A memorable Eurovision song is an equal mix of "well-written, amazingly catchy, (preferably) pop song" and "a dose of the unexpected." "Euphoria" had amazingly powerful vocals and Loreen's crab dancing. "Satellite" had a cute, peppy love song, mixed with a bizarrely Cockney accent. "Hard Rock Hallelujah" is a well-crafted, legitimately rocking metal song with people in silly monster make-up. And "Spirit in the Sky" is a fun, catchy, dance-pop song that launches right into an amazingly well-done yet totally unexpected joik phrase in the chorus before plowing RIGHT INTO a joik bridge. It is peak Eurovision, managing to merge some catchy yet by-the-numbers pop with at least one moment of "what? HELL YEAH! what?!?". And this is why the public is right and the judges are wrong and Keiino should have won this year, thank you for coming to my TED Talk. [8]

Alex Clifton: It's been seven months since Eurovision happened and yet my blood still boils that "Spirit In the Sky" was technically beaten by that terrible "Arcade" crap. This won the people's vote, and with good reason--this isn't just a perfect Eurovision song, it's a perfect pop song, full stop. The best pop songs make your body crackle with an energy you didn't even know you had. It's something that starts in your feet, maybe just tapping your toes, but it works its way to your body until the chorus hits and your heart just soars. It's an adrenaline rush, one that makes you lose all sense of where you are because the only thing that matters is the music. And then the joiking starts. I love it when Eurovision entries contain nods to their country's cultural heritage--"1944" was a fine example of this with Jamila's incorporation of a Crimean Tartar folk song--but sometimes they can come off as hokey or forced. The joiking in this song absolutely brings it to the next level, setting my body alight each time I hear it. When pop music makes you feel like you can fly about and do anything, you know you've hit the jackpot. The rest of Europe recognized this; it's a shame that the new and convoluted Eurovision voting system cheated KEiiNO out of what should have been a much-deserved win. [10]

Wayne Weizhen Zhang: A potentially beside-the-point, but still serious question: why wasn't "Spirit in the Sky" included in the Frozen 2 soundtrack? After watching the new movie--I'm an adult, I know, but I'm also directing a musical version of the original Frozen with my Chinese students this year, so I've been thinking a lot about the film franchise--my first reaction was to feel a little disappointed by the music, which while decent, didn't live up to the original's caliber. My second reaction was feeling pleasantly surprised by the fact that Disney actually worked with indigenous Sámi people in northern Europe to when writing the story. (Granted the plot goes something like this: a Disney princess uses her magic ice powers to pay reparations to a group of native people subjugated through environmental warfare.) But "Spirit in the Sky" is a song by an actual Norwegian-Sámi group which tackles of spirituality and environmentalism in real life. It literally includes the lines "I need a hero/I need my light/Her shining lightwaves will break way the night." Sound familiar? In any case, on to the song itself; it's a ridiculously fun, uplifting, bilingual European bosh anthem in the best way possible. I can see why it did so well at Eurovision. [7]

Leonel Manzanares de la Rosa: The song's strength resides in creating a great contrast between its voices. The traditional Sami singing feels not as a mere addition to give it an "exotic" character, but as an essential component that works perfectly with the main female and male vocalists. It's a good song for the stage -- in this case, the Eurovision stage, where I personally consider it one of the top 100 ESC songs of the decade --, but it still struggles as a single because uplifting EDM-pop is already a very tired trope. [6]

Katherine St Asaph: The midpack Eurovision formula of late: you still get to yearn and emote and try very hard for a verse or two, you still get to throw in your traditional folk interlude, as long as the chorus evokes pop that's not-totally-venue-appropriately MOR. For "Spirit in the Sky," it's "Wolves" and "Brooklyn Girls." [4]

Joshua Minsoo Kim: A [6] or [7] during Eurovision, where I'm more forgiving of intriguing but shoehorned elements of traditional music. At any other time of the year, it doesn't rise above mere curiosity. [5]

Iain Mew: The philosophy dictating the song's creation at every stage appears to have been "why not?" Outside of Eurovision and in a less intense competition for attention it eventually gets too much, but it does at least offer a compelling new direction in which to take the drop as a concept. [6]

Alfred Soto: The timbre of the male voices annoys me, but it's part of a listenable example of expert schlock, especially when Alexandra Rotan yells "I am dancing with the fairies now!" as if she saw me scowling at the laptop screen and had just the right thing to change my mind: syncing the percussion and bass like classic Eurodisco. This non-watcher of Eurovision mourns "Spirit in the Sky"'s stopping at sixth place. If you wanna be mad at the Continent, President Trump, here's a reason. [6]

Edward Okulicz: The drop and the joik make the workaday Europop seem monentarily exhilirating, but alas, there are verses, so it can't keep up the cheap thrills for its entire running length.These (hot) dorks looked like such dorks on the Eurovision stage, but it sure was better than the tired gloop the jury went for. [6]

Vikram Joseph: For two minutes, this could be a Eurovision entry by any country, at any time in the last 20 years (but especially sometime in the early 00s, when it would have been a nailed-on pan-Europe EDM smash) - this, coupled with its status as "undeniably a bit of a bop", makes it no surprise that it won the public vote this year. And then there's the bridge, with striking, incantation-like vocals in the indigenous Sami style from the north of Norway, lending the song an otherworldly feel and elevating the final, towering chorus to something close to transcendence. [8]

Scott Mildenhall: "Spirit in the Sky" crystallises the too often ignored fact that, particularly with anything involving public votes, precedents are not the be-all and end-all. Effectively, a song that thoroughly tanked with both viewers and juries -- Saara Aalto's no less ostentatious "Monsters" -- was rebadged into a runaway viewer winner in the space of a year. Admittedly, the points of differentiation are clear. KEiiNO's camp was a much giddier one, and where Aalto had destabilising drops, they had Fred. It's an object lesson in audience appeal, and a reminder that light can shine through. [8]

[Read, comment and vote on The Singles Jukebox]