#listening to/watching phantom 25 anniversary....hdhxjsbzjHhgheicjJFBCKDJCNMSMXOEKRISJEICNWMFKSJ

[loverboybrightsideghost]

.

[nilla-wafer]

if I die turn my tweets texts into a book

[theglassfloor]

I posted 893 times in 2021

37 posts created (4%)

856 posts reblogged (96%)

For every post I created, I reblogged 23.1 posts.

I added 46 tags in 2021

#lol - 9 posts

#the hobbit - 6 posts

#bagginshield - 5 posts

#soy yo - 5 posts

#i'm dead - 4 posts

#lotr - 4 posts

#mall - 4 posts

#purdy - 3 posts

#colorful - 3 posts

#btvs - 3 posts

Longest Tag: 122 characters

#and it describes in great detail from his pov all the different parts of a woman's physical appearance he finds attractive

My Top Posts in 2021

#5

Rules: tag 9 people you want to know better.

Tagged by: @chokit-pyrus Thanks ;)

Favorite colors: Blue and red

Currently reading: The Given Day by Dennis Lehane. A novel, based on real historical events. I chose it because I wanted to read something set in the early 1900s, and I had no idea it would be this good! It’s 700 pages, and I’m about ⅔ of the way through it.

Last song: “Beneath a Moonless Sky” from Love Never Dies, the sequel to Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Phantom of the Opera. That was yesterday. I also fell asleep listening to a YouTube video of Kingdom Hearts Traverse Town ambience.

Last series: That I finished? The new Saved by the Bell on Peacock. Before that it was Angel on Hulu, although that was already over a year ago I think. I’m not a big TV watcher.

Last movie: Not too long ago I watched the 1930s film adaptation of the novel Ramona, one of my favorite books. (That’s the one by Helen Hunt Jackson, not Beverly Cleary.)

More recently I watched the 25th anniversary performance of Phantom of the Opera at Royal Albert Hall because Lindsay Ellis talks about it so much. Does that really count as a movie? It’s not the movie, it’s a performance of the stage musical that was filmed.

Sweet, savory, or spicy: Why not all three? Actually, I love sweet stuff.

Currently working on: I have my own universe of interconnected stories that I like to work on from time to time, just as a little bit of self-indulgence, but I’m sort of at a loss as to where to go with it next.

Tagging: @bagginshieldhappiness @bespectacledbookworm @complicatedundertones @drszm @i-have-beards + anyone else who feels like doing it. I don’t have that many mutuals. I need to be more social.

5 notes • Posted 2021-10-28 21:13:16 GMT

#4

I'm watching the movie of Andrew Lloyd Webber's Phantom of the Opera, and exactly 22 minutes in, there's a scene of some of the audience members mingling with the cast and crew backstage, and in the foreground right, Meg passes an effeminate young man who appears to be flirting with an older, bald gentleman with a white mustache. I thought it was cute.

7 notes • Posted 2021-08-25 10:59:46 GMT

#3

So, I just watched Love Never Dies (Andrew Lloyd Webber's sequel to Phantom of the Opera) for the first time, and...I kinda liked it? I'm not saying it's "good", I think I'm just a sucker for any kind of Victorian/Edwardian era melodrama. Plus Lindsay Ellis has talked about it extensively, providing many laughs, and my local library had the DVD to borrow, one dollar for a week, and now I'm richer for having seen it.

14 notes • Posted 2021-11-03 23:34:26 GMT

#2

Addams Family Values, one of my all-time favorite comfort movies, is free with ads on YouTube right now. Even though I've seen it enough times to be able to quote the entire thing, I thought, what the heck, I'll give it fresh watch.

I really should own the damn thing. I used to have it on VHS, taped off of TV, which was how I watched it all the time back in the day.

32 notes • Posted 2021-09-17 21:49:56 GMT

#1

Words cannot describe how wonderful this show is.

36 notes • Posted 2021-04-16 22:52:52 GMT

Get your Tumblr 2021 Year in Review →

[glassprism]

Idk if you‘ve been asked this before but are there any recordings (video and/or audio) that you loved when you first saw/heard it but now don‘t?

Oh yeah! This will mostly be videos, but I’ll try to include a couple of audios.

Canadian cast recording, Wilkinson/Caine/Nease - This used to be one of my favorite cast recordings, first because of its rather different orchestrations compared to the OLC recording, and second because of Rebecca Caine’s voice. But after listening to the cast live, I find the cast recording to be a bit lacking, as pretty much everyone sounds much better in the actual production, though especially Caine (she sounds kind of harsh and throaty in the cast recording) and Nease (who sounds kind of funny on the cast recording but is much more appealing live). I almost never listen to this anymore.

March 13, 2005, World Tour, Little/Raab/Carland - This used to be one of the only videos I had of the World Tour, and it was a pretty nice quality video too. But now I have lots of World Tour videos which are actually complete (this one was only Act One) and IMO with better casts than Marni Raab and Jarrod Carland.

July 16, 2005, Broadway, Panaro/Pitcher/Gleason - This was probably one of the first bootlegs I ever watched of Hugh Panaro! Hilariously, I did not like him but did like Rebecca Pitcher. Now it’s the opposite case, I love Panaro and find Pitcher kind of boring. I have so many better videos of Panaro too that I never open this one up.

February 25, 2006, London, Cammelle/Barrell/Shannon - I used to love this video just for the quality alone - widescreen, great color and details, well shot, etc. But the more I watched it, the more turned off I was by the cast, particularly the pairing of Matthew Cammelle and Rachel Barrell. So now I barely watch it, especially as I’ve found that I prefer Barrell with just about any other Phantom than Cammelle.

August 2, 2007; US Tour, Cudia/Raab/Mills - Another I used to love for its high quality, but now I have videos that are even better than it, and even though John Cudia just gets better with each video, I also prefer him with a different cast, so I don’t watch this much.

October 10, 2007, London, Karimloo/North/Rathgeber - An audio! This was a pretty clear audio and I used to listen to it a lot, but I found that I slightly preferred Leila Benn Harris (who has an equally clear audio with Karimloo, and also a stronger voice) over Robyn North (who is cute and all, but has a very squeaky voice with a slight lisp). So I don’t really listen to this one anymore.

September 9, 2008, London, Karimloo/Beck/Bailey - This was probably one of the first actual bootlegs I got, back when I was in my Ramin-loving phase. I had no clue about the quality of bootlegs and thought this was the greatest one I’d ever watched with the best cast ever! Now all I feel when watching it is annoyance (no zooms or wideshots? Constant diving into the audience? Grainy footage? Get out). Plus I prefer Gina Beck later in her run, and if I want to watch Ramin Karimloo now I’d open up the 25th anniversary concert, so... this is kind of forgotten nowadays.

October 9, 2009, London, Karimloo/Beck/Bailey - Boy, there’s a lot of Ramin Karimloo here. This is the 23rd anniversary of the London production, pretty clear, and used to be the audio I had on my music player, the entire show, which I’d listen to walking back and forth from college classes. (I’m sure I’ve said before that Karimloo dropping his Italian accent in ‘Point of No Return’ at intermittent times was so distracting I almost got hit by a car because I was so focused on him and not on watching the street.) But I have clearer audios now and I find the entire cast kind of shouty and the tempo to be very fast. So I removed it and replaced it with a soundboard of Michael Crawford with Rebecca Caine, and I’m pretty happy with that choice.

[rockrageradio]

DT: MARCH 7, 2019

THE STRAY CATS 40:

BRIAN SETZER, LEE ROCKER AND SLIM JIM PHANTOM

RETURN TO CELEBRATE THEIR 40TH ANNIVERSARY THIS YEAR

WITH NEW ALBUM AND TOUR

ORIGINAL FOUNDING MEMBERS OF THE ACCLAIMED

AMERICAN ROCK AND ROLL TRIO SET OFF SPARKS ON '40,'

THEIR FIRST NEW ALBUM IN 26 YEARS

All revved up and red hot, The Stray Cats are back.

Brian Setzer (guitar, vocals), Lee Rocker (bass, vocals) and Slim Jim Phantom (drums, vocals)--original founding members of the iconic and acclaimed American rock and roll trio--are celebrating their 40th anniversary in 2019 with a new album and tour (*see tour dates below).

The STRAY CATS have titled the album 40. Marking their first new album in 26 years, it will be released May 24 via Surfdog Records and distributed by BMG (CD, vinyl, digital). The song titles alone--including "Cat Fight (Over A Dog Like Me)," "Rock It Off," "Mean Pickin' Mama" and "Devil Train"--instantly let listeners know they're in for a non-stop rocking time.

The first instant grat track, "Cat Fight (Over A Dog Like Me)," is available now with a pre-order of the album. The song is also streaming on Spotify. An exclusive indie-store edition of the album--colored vinyl, with a double-sided 24x12 poster--will arrive on May 24: http://smarturl.it/StrayCats

In addition, The STRAY CATS are releasing an exclusive 12" picture disc with three songs--"Cat Fight (Over A Dog Like Me), "When Nothing's Going Right" and "Rock It Off"--on April 13, Record Store Day.

The STRAY CATS begin their select U.S. dates on August 3 on the heels of June and July overseas shows. Tickets for the shows go on sale Friday, March 8 at 10:00 AM (local time).

The STRAY CATS recorded 40 at Blackbird Studios in Nashville in late 2018 following their first North American shows in 10 years, with four concerts including sold-out headlining shows in Las Vegas and the Pacific Amphitheatre in Costa Mesa, CA before wildly enthusiastic audiences. Still buzzing from the thrill of playing together again and the crowd response, they went into the studio with producer Peter Collins (Rush, Bon Jovi, The Brian Setzer Orchestra) and engineer Vance Powell (Jack White, Chris Stapleton, Arctic Monkeys). There are a dozen original songs that comprise the album.

Here's what the guys have to say:

Brian Setzer: "You have to understand how unique the Stray Cats are. It's me playing an old hollow body guitar, Slim Jim playing two or three drums, and Lee Rocker slapping a stand-up acoustic bass. I get to write new songs and then play them with my buddies. Somehow we created a new and exciting sound with this simple idea. And you know what? A lot of people agree!"

Lee Rocker: "This new album really feels like the first record we did, it's really natural and comfortable. For the recording, we went live--like doing a gig, we recorded in a real, organic way. We were all in one room standing next to each other recording live, with the amps turned up to 10, it captured the undefinable things that happen when a band is great, it captured the magic that takes place and an undefined spark."

Slim Jim Phantom: "We're very, very focused when we get into the studio, it didn't feel like a long time had passed since we had done this, it felt very natural and familiar. We were all in a row with everyone watching each other, so it felt like a gig in the set-up. We really embraced that a little bit for the album, it's like an old way of making records. The modern is meeting the vintage, which has always been our inspiration."

'40' Tracklisting

Cat Fight (Over A Dog Like Me)

Rock It Off

I've Got Love If You Want It

Cry Danger

I Attract Trouble

Three Time's A Charm

That's Messed Up

When Nothing's Going Right

Desperado

Mean Pickin' Mama

I'll Be Looking Out For You

Devil Train

The Stray Cats from L-R: Lee Rocker, Brian Setzer, Slim Jim Phantom

By Russ Harrington

DAY

DATE

CITY/STATE

VENUE

Friday

6/21

Vitoria, Spain

Azkena Rock Festival

Sunday

6/23

Birmingham, United Kingdom

Birmingham O2Academy

Tuesday

6/25

Manchester, United Kingdom

Manchester O2 Apollo

Wednesday

6/26

London, United Kingdom

London Eventim Apollo

Thursday

6/27

London, United Kingdom

London Eventim Apollo

Saturday

6/29

Tilloloy, France

Retro C Trop

Monday

7/1

Amsterdam, Netherlands

AFAS Live

Wednesday

7/3

Berlin, Germany

Columbiahalle

Thursday

7/4

Cologne, Germany

Palladium

Saturday

7/6

Tours, France

American Tours Festival

Sunday

7/7

Belfort, France

Les Eurockeennes

Tuesday

7/9

Stuttgart, Germany

Killesberg

Thursday

7/11

Munich, Germany

Zenith

Saturday

7/13

Aix-Les-Bains, France

Musilac Festival

Thursday

7/18

Pori, Finland

Pori Jazz Festival

Saturday

7/20

Falun, Sweden

Summer Jamboree-Falun

Saturday

8/3

Atlantic City, NJ

Ocean Resort Casino-Ovation Hall

Tuesday

8/6

New York, NY

Pier 17 at South Street Seaport

Tuesday

8/13

Vienna, VA

Wolf Trap

Wednesday

8/14

Huber Heights, OH

Rose Music Center

*Thursday

8/15

Grand Rapids, MI

Meijer Garden

Sunday

8/18

Welch, MN

Treasure Island Casino

*Monday

8/26

Salt Lake City, UT

Red Butte Garden

Wednesday

8/28

Los Angeles, CA

Greek Theatre

*Saturday

8/31

San Diego, CA

Humphrey's

*Note: italicized dates will be on sale at a later date (TBD)

About The STRAY CATS:

The STRAY CATS, the band that put Rockabilly music back on the record charts in the early '80s, scored several big hits on both sides of the Atlantic thanks to a striking visual 1950's style brought "up to date" with exaggerated pompadours and colorful tattoos and as well as genuine musical chops that evoked the best players of rockabilly's original heyday. Formed by guitarist/vocalist Brian Setzer, upright bass player Lee Rocker and drummer Slim Jim Phantom in the Long Island town of Massapequa, NY, in 1979, the trio shared a love for Rockabilly music. After banging around New York for a few months, in the summer of 1980, and seeing a pompadoured kid on the cover of UK magazine NME, they hopped a plane to London where a rockabilly revival movement was just beginning to emerge. Their massive hits and videos include "Runaway Boys," "Rock This Town," "Stray Cat Strut" "(She's) Sexy + 17," and "I Won't Stand in Your Way."

#soundcheckwithgentry #straycats #rock #rockmusic #rocknroll #classicrock

[crazymusicgeek]

Top 5 Phantoms

So, I decided to make my list of my top five actors who have played the Phantom because why not? But I did not realize that it was going to be this hard! There are so many good ones! Anyways, before I start my actual list, I do have two honorable mentions:

Max Niemeyer

Oberhausen: Principal Raoul/Phantom u/s (2016-?) Side Note: I really need a date.

There will be one understudy on my actual list, but I knew I would severely regret it if I didn’t give a shout-out to the amazing German understudy that is Max Niemeyer. First of all, HIS HIGH NOTES!!! Seriously, it’s like he’s a different person when he’s in his falsetto range because he just makes it seem so effortless. Also, his voice in general is just so beautiful. I definitely recommend checking out some audio boots of his Phantom. There are a ton floating around Tumblr. My personal recommendation is his ‘All I Ask Of You (Reprise)’. Gives me chills every time. 

Ben Crawford

Broadway: Principal Phantom (April 16, 2018-present)

Again, there have been no video boots of Crawford yet, so it wouldn’t be fair to judge him solely based on the one audio that I’ve heard. But from what I got to hear, his performance is very solid especially considering this is his first time in the role. And like Max, I LOVE his Final Lair. By the way, if anyone happens to find a somewhat decent video that is NOT NFT (I don’t want anyone to get in trouble), feel free to direct me towards the source.

So, on to the actual list!

Disclaimer: This is just my opinion. I highly respect all five of these actors. If it’s any consolation, this was a very tough decision to make.

#5: Earl Carpenter Principal West End Phantom (2005-2007, Dec. 2011-Mar. 2012) Principal 25th Anniversary Tour Phantom (Oct. 2012-May 2013) This may come as a shock to some people because Earl is one of the most well known Phantoms. It’s not that I absolutely hate his performance, because that’s definitely not the case. I am a huge fan of his ‘Stranger Than You Dreamt It’. Side Note: Yes, I did see the flub where Earl lost his coat. And in all honesty, I think he looks kind of hot without it. Anyways, the reason why Earl is so low on the list is because I honestly think he’s a little overrated. Not as much as Ramin Karimloo (I love you, Ramin, but your Phantom is not THAT good), but he’s among that group of actors. I mean, I love him, but there are plenty of other actors who have played the Phantom that should get a lot more love. But still, I LOVE his ‘Stranger Than You Dreamt It’. Plus, the guy’s got a great voice.

#4: Howard McGillin Broadway: Principal Phantom (1999-July 25, 2009) Longest running Phantom in Broadway history. It would be a crime not to include Howard on the list. If I had made this list about a year ago, he would’ve been #1. But as I’ve gotten exposed to more Phantoms, he’s slowly made his way to #4 because while I love his performance, his voice honestly doesn’t make me think of the Phantom. I mean, it’s not bad, it’s just not the kind of voice that I would expect for the Phantom. Fortunately, his performance often makes up for his voice because it is just so fun to watch! Howard’s Phantom can be really terrifying sometimes! Plus, he’s gay, and considering that I’ll take LGBTQ representation on Broadway any day, he gets a few bonus points from a bisexual Phan. To summarize, performance is great, voice is kind of out of place.

#3: David Arnsperger

Hamburg: Phantom alt. (Dec. 2013-Aug. 2015)

Oberhausen: Principal Phantom (2016-?)

Rule One: The German productions of PotO are almost always breathtaking. If you want to know why I said ‘almost always’, all you have to do is look up the Essen production (especially anything that has to do with Uwe Kröger). Anyways, David Arnsperger is one of the best Phantoms in Germany’s history of the show, if not THE best. If you want to know just how amazing he is, see the post that atruevaljean did two years ago. They do a much better job than I’d probably do. In summary, David has a nice operatic voice and he really brings a lot of great things to his portrayal of the Phantom.

#2: Laird Mackintosh Toronto: Raoul/Phantom u/s (If someone could give me the dates, that would help a lot.) Broadway: Monsieur André/Phantom u/s (Aug. 26, 2013-present) I told you there would be one understudy on this list! Anyways, I put Laird in 2nd place because he NEEDS to be principal (and no, transition periods do not count)! When I saw a bootleg of him and Kaley Ann Voorhees, I couldn’t believe that he was just an understudy because his performance is so unique. Plus, his voice just fits the Phantom so well. Side Note: Another reason why I put Laird in 2nd place is not only is he an amazing singer and actor, but he is also an amazing photographer. Seriously, check out his Instagram. He takes great photos. Plus, he’s also very nice to his fans. Feel free to check out my appreciation post for more details.

#1: John Cudia

Broadway: The Phantom (May 22, 2008-July 30, 2008), (July 27, 2009-Sep. 4, 2010)

For a while, John Cudia and Laird Mackintosh were tied for the #1 spot. It took me a little bit to decide between the two of them. But in the end, John Cudia came out on top. Here’s why:

1. One of the things that I look for in my favorite Phantom is their voice. For my ideal Phantom, they have to sound like a genuine opera singer. John Cudia is a classical singer, and it really shows in his performance. He is wonderful to listen to and his falsetto range is absolutely perfect.

2. Of course, the performance plays a huge part in my judging as well. The way that John moves perfectly captures the Phantom for me, especially in ‘Music of the Night’. And in the ‘Final Lair’, he perfectly balances his violent side with his vulnerable side. Plus, John’s ‘Point of No Return’ gives me chills every single time. I always love the Phantoms who at least try to sound like Piangi.

3. Finally, John is just an amazing human being. I’ve heard stories from my fellow Phans that he is incredibly nice at stage door. Plus, look up some of his Broadway vlogs on YouTube. He’s freaking adorable!

In conclusion, John Cudia takes #1 not because he captures the Phantom’s voice and personality, but also because he is an angel on and off stage. Plus, in my opinion, he is the Phantom.

So, that’s my top five. What are yours? Let me know in the comments and I’d be happy to discuss!

[xwasted-days]

𝖒𝖔𝖇𝖎𝖑𝖊 𝖆𝖇𝖔𝖚𝖙

h. || 25 || she/her || tx

i’m a whole ass mess and a total bi disaster, and i am totally here for a good time, not a long time. i’m a theatre design major so you know i’m extra as fuck. nothing in this whole world will ever, ever, EVER, disappoint me more than the fact that i can’t have/wont be alive long enough for science to advance to the point where i could potentially make morph from treasure planet into a real pet that i could snuggle and love in real life. its like actually devasstating, i’ve cried about it more than once.

random mun trivia:

BIRTHDAY: june 29

ZODIAC SIGN: cancer (sun, moon), sagittarius (rising)

HEIGHT: 5′8

HOBBIES: writing, drawing, crafting, stitching, reading, spamming my friends with stupid tiktoks, and crying over mr. darcy.

FAVORITE COLOR: black

FAVORITE BOOK: too many, but i love the black dagger brotherhood series and will fist fight anyone who doesn’t like phury :)

INSPIRATION: depression and social isolation

STORY BEHIND URL: its a fraction of a lyric from the song westwood road by andy black. ‘so i kneel and pray all my wasted days away’

RELATIONSHIP STATUS: the most single person in existence

LIPSTICK OR CHAPSTICK: lipstick, i guess. i don’t wear either very often.

LAST SONG YOU LISTENED TO: e-girls are ruining my life! - corpse feat. savage ga$p. i’m laughing at me, too, don’t worry.

LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED: phantom of the opera 25th anniversary

TOP THREE TV SHOWS: supernatural, teen wolf, true blood. i know they’re all trash, don’t @ me

COMFORT MOVIES/TV SHOWS: anne of green gables (1985), pride and prejudice (2005), aquamarine (2006), the mummy (1999), titanic (1997), nicholas nickelby (2002), practical magic (1998) |||| daria, carnivale, dark angel, scooby doo, dead like me, anne with an e.

[bughead-fic-request]

I would like to thank @leaalda for making these amazing banners.

This is an effort to spread the word about all fan fiction writers in our little fandom. If you would like to be featured or nominate a writer, please contact me. Please reblog this post if you can and check out some of @bughead-is-riverdale work!

1. First things first, if someone wanted to read your stories where can they find them.

I have a Masterlist of all my fics to date, all nicely ordered under headings/ship pairings. You can find it in my bio.

2. Tell us a little about yourself.

I'm 18 and I'm from the U.K. I've just accepted a place to study English Lit at Birmingham Uni in September, I'm so excited! I've always loved reading/writing - starting this blog is something I wish I had done sooner - and I also love theatre. I have a little brother with Down's Syndrome who is the centre of my world, I'm more like his second mum than his older sister because of our 8 year age gap. I'm the 'Mum Friend' of my friendship group, don't be alarmed if I call you 'my love' or 'sweetheart', it's ingrained in my soul.

I'm a hopeless romantic (probably why I'm so invested in Bughead) and I've been with my current boyfriend/best friend for just over 4 years.

3. What do you never leave home without?

My promise ring that my boyfriend bought me for our 4th anniversary. It's an aquamarine stone with tiny diamonds and I never take it off. As I said, I'm a hopeless romantic.

4. Are you an early bird or a night owl?

Definitely early bird, I'd rather not waste the day!

5. If you could live in any fictional world which one would you choose and why?

Cassandra Clare's world of Shadowhunters! I think I would be pretty badass. Besides I would find Julian Blackthorn and marry him.

6. Who is the most famous person you’ve ever met.

Sadly I haven't actually met anyone famous! Recently however I saw both David Tennant in 'Don Juan' and Andrew Scott in 'Hamlet', I was so close to them! Does that count?

7. What are some of your favorite movies/TV?

Aside from Riverdale... I'm a sucker for most period dramas (Colin Firth as Mr Darcy ahhh)! Brooklyn 99 is hilarious and Teen Wolf has always been one of my favourites. With films... Anything with Meryl Streep in it! I'm secretly a huge nerd so 'The Lord of the Rings' as well. Another one of my favourites is 'Dead Poet's Society' because it breaks my heart just to think about it.

8. What are some of your favorite bands/musicians?

Recently I've hated almost everything in the charts. Musicals are my safe haven so Hamilton, Les Mis, The Phantom of the Opera, Kinky Boots, and Rent I will listen to on repeat. I also love Tracy Chapman because of the meaning behind her lyrics and Queen is legendary.

9. Favorite Books?

Jane Austen is my favourite author and 'Pride and Prejudice' is my all time favourite, I read it annually. Please don't talk to me about 'Pride and Prejudice and Zombies', it's an abomination. I also love 'The Book Thief', 'Jane Eyre', and my favourite play is 'Hamlet'. Anything by Cassandra Clare is also fantastic, you're never too old to enjoy YA fiction no matter what people say.

10. Favorite Food?

My mum makes a delicious sausage and bacon pie, I ask for it on my birthday every year.

11. Biggest pet peeve?

Incorrect grammar.

12. What did you want to be when you were little? What do you want to be now?

When I was a kid I wanted to be a queen, and I still want to be a queen. However, I have a back up plan to become a journalist and/or author.

13. What are your biggest fears? Do you have any strange fears?

When I was a kid I watched an episode of Doctor Who that had a werewolf in it. It didn't help that my friends played a prank on me when I was in primary school where they locked me out in the garden on a full moon and grabbed my legs when I tried to crawl through the dog flap, scarred me for life. I still low-key panic in the dark.

14. When you are on your deathbed what would be the one you’d regret not doing?

Not having kids, I'm too family-oriented to not be a mum.

Okay… lets talk about your writing!

15. Which is your favorite of the fics you've written for the Bughead fandom?

I wrote a Soulmate AU called 'Odd One Out' - it's a Jughead x Reader fic but you can always imagine the reader is Betty as she doesn't feature as a character.

16. Which was the hardest to write, in terms of plot?

My 'Guilty?' mini-series, it was my first fic.

17. How do you come up with the ideas for you fic(s)? Do you people watch? Listen to music? Get inspired by TV/movies?

I have a notebook specifically for my blog where I brainstorm ideas. I also bounce ideas off my little sister. Anything particularly romantic I tend to pull inspiration from my own relationship.

18. Idea that you always wanted to write but could never make work?

I've had a Bughead AU 10+ chapter series plan in my head for a long time now but never put pen to paper. The idea of doing a long fic seems quite intimidating, I guess I'm worried that people won't like it and all my hopes/time will be crushed.

19. Least favorite plot point/chapter/moment you’ve written?

I wrote a fic called 'Double Date' by request and I felt that the plot was really weak. I didn't really have much to go at on the request and the person who requested it kept asking me when I would be done while I was in the middle of my A Level exams so it just really stressed me out, writing it felt like a chore.

20. Favorite plot point/chapter/moment you’ve written?

Probably Part 1 of 'Guilty?' because it was my first fic so I felt that I had to really prove myself to the fandom. I got a great response from it though so I was encouraged to keep writing.

21.Favorite character to write?

Jughead, without a doubt.

22. Favorite line or lines of dialogue that you've written?

"AT LEAST YOUR PARENTS WERE SOULMATES!" - 'Odd One Out' Part 1

23. Best comment/review you’ve ever received?

Recently someone told me that they translate some of my fics into Portuguese so their friends could read them and that my writing has helped them improve their English, they were from Brazil.

24. How do you handle bad reviews or comments?

I've never received any hate mail, I don't know how long that will last though. I guess if I did I would either just ignore it or shoot them down with sass, I write for free after all.

25. What is your favorite story you’ve ever written? Any fandom?

Like I said earlier, 'Odd One Out'.

26. What are you reading right now? Both fan fiction and general fiction?

I'm reading 'Lord of Shadows' by Cassandra Clare. Also a fic called 'Wicked Games' by @ariquitecontrary that I'm obsessed with.

27. Do you have an advice for writers that want to get into this fandom but might be scared?

Do not be afraid/self-conscious. I have never received any hate, we are a welcoming fandom. Make sure you tag your writing appropriately so people can find it and reach out to other writers, maybe they will promote your blog. My inbox is always open, I will never fail to reply to you.

[massmurdera]

Best/Worst of 2017

Objectively speaking, 2017 was a tire fire of a year in America and I knew that going in. I’ll leave out the Trump bullshit and how I feel. Americans/people like being outraged, but it gets old to wake up every day in a panic. I did when Deflategate was happening to Tom Brady, but that had no real-world implications. Everyday, I was waking up to check Twitter to see what bad shit was happening. I think I did a solid job cutting it out as best I could and not letting it make me go mad.

It was a mostly boring year and then it picked up towards the very end. I might not feel good about America and where we’re I think we’ heading while holding out hope that this ends soon (I’m naïve and think we’re completely/totally fucked) but I guess I feel all right about where I’m going and how I feel about those close to me in my life. I’m controlling what I can control. Things could be better, but I’m all right. 

TV Funniest go-to show: Desus and Mero Late Night/Politics: John Oliver Favorite TV show (non-Game of Thrones): American Vandal TV SHOW (non-Game of Thrones): 1) Legion 2) Stranger Things 3) Godless 4) Dark 5) Sneaky Pete 6) Mindhunter 7) Marvelous Mrs Maisel 8) Better Call Saul 9) the Deuce 10) Fargo 11) Ozarks 12) 13 Reasons Why 13) Lethal Weapon 14) Riverdale 15) Mr Robot 16) This is Us TV Comedies: 1) American Vandal 2) Big Mouth 3) Nathan for You 4) Rick and Morty 5) GLOW 6) Veep 7) Brockmire 8) Atypical

I’m biased that a family friend of mine co-created American Vandal and his brother is on the show too in a minor role but it REALLY is great. It sounds stupid that older family members scoffed at or were bewildered by, but it’s far smarter social commentary than it appears. It nailed high school so well.

BEST NEW CHARACTERS Funniest: Hormone Monster/Monstress (Big Mouth) Best Jeff Spicoli that should get a spin-off: Dylan and the Wayback Boys (American Vandal) Best Philip Seymour Hoffman: Edward Kemper (Mindhunter) Most fun/crazy role: 1) Aubrey Plaza (Legion) 2) Susan Sarandon (Feud) Perfect role: Marc Maron (GLOW), Nikki Swango (Fargo) Best drunk: Brockmire Sorely Overlooked: Clayne Crawford in Mel Gibson’s role (Lethal Weapon) Star-Making: Katherine Langford (13 Reasons Why); Rachel Brosnahan (Marvelous Mrs Maisel)

DISAPPOINTING FROM GREAT SHOWS: Curb Your Enthusiasm; Fargo; the Americans; Game of Thrones; Silicon Valley; Veep Shows I half-watch but could give up on: Big Little Lies; Feud; Preacher; Runaways; Shameless; the Sinner; SMILF; SNL; This is Us; White Famous WORST Shows: 1) Twin Peaks 2) the Leftovers 3) the Defenders 4) Taboo 5) Top of the Lake Didn’t work but should have: Vice Principals -had moments Absolute Worst: any and all political panel/news shows (Fox News, CNN, MSNBC). Burn them all to the ground.

Still need to watch: American Gods; BoJack Horseman; Brooklyn 99; Carmichael Show; Catastrophe; Good Place; Halt and Catch Fire; Handmaid’s Tale; Master of None; Punisher

Overall: the new shows were damn good, but the established great shows were all letdowns.

MOVIES 5 STARS: CLASSIC: 1) Get Out 4 STARS: 2) Free Fire 3) John Wick II 4) Dunkirk 5) Star Wars 6) Logan 3 ½ stars: Brawl in Cell Block 99; Good Time; Logan Lucky 3 STARS RENTALS: WATCHABLE: Atomic Blonde; Baby Driver, Babysitter, Big Sick; Blade Runner 2049; Fate of the Furious; Okja; Shot Caller, Spiderman, Split; War for Planet of the Apes; Wind River; Wonder Woman 2 STARS-DIDN”T LIKE BUT DECENT PARTS: Girls Trip; Guardians of Galaxy 2; Ingrid Goes West; Lego Batman; War Machine Most boring/dumbest critic favorite: Personal Shopper Cool twist made up for okay movie: Split Coolest soundtrack/score: Good Time, Dunkirk Most Over-the-Top Violent: Brawl in Cell Block 99 Overrated: Baby Driver, Wonder Woman Disappointed: Lego Batman

NEED TO CHECK OUT AFTER I READ BOOK: Lost City of Z; It HAVEN”T SEEN: Call Me By Your Name; Coco; Columbus; Darkest Hour; Disaster Artist; Florida Project; Justice League; Lady Bird; Molly’s Game; mother!; Mudbound; Phantom Thread; the Post; Shape of Water; Thor; Three Billboards Outside Ebbing Missouri

I’ve got catching up to do. But I think the year in movies wasn’t good.

Best Documentaries: 1) the Defiant Ones 2) Get Me Roger Stone 3) the Keepers 4) Jim & Andy BEST NETFLIX STAND-UP SPECIALS: 1) Dave Chappelle 2) Patton Oswalt 3) Ali Wong 4) Marc Maron 5) Neil Brennan 6) Bill Burr 7) Rory Scovel 8) Mike Birbiglia

Burr’s my favorite comic and seeing him live he is the best comic alive but it didn’t translate live. And he cut out so much of his best stuff.  Chappelle might be more natural and have a sense of the moment though. Overplayed controversy -outrage over Chappelle’s jokes. Yeah, I don’t think they actually saw his act and just listened, out of context, to the jokes. He’s still as good as it gets. People just want to be outraged and have things be PC. Comics maybe hype that up, but it’s true. Underrated/Lost moment no one saw: Def Jam 25th Anniversary Special wasn’t good but Chappelle’s 7-minute improv off-the-cuff bit is secretly funnier than anything he did in his 2 specials. I don’t think any other comic alive or ever could have pulled that off as smoothly/naturally.

Worst special: Amy Schumer (like her, but she wasn’t ready to be released and nothing worked: felt like she wanted in on Netflix $ guys like Chappelle/Seinfeld were getting. I get the fairness, but uh, Chappelle’s specials felt like an event.

OTHER SPECIALS (comedy album/non-HBO) SOLID: TJ Miller; Joe DeRosa; Kurt Braunholer; Brian Posehn Didn’t totally work for me but I like them: Jerrod Carmichael, Tiffany Hadish

STILL NEED TO CHECK OUT: Ari Shaffir; Jerry Seinfeld; Brian Regan;  Jen Kirkman; Judd Apatow; Hasaan Minaj; Michelle Wolf; Chris Gethard

Just loaded with too much good comedy. It’s never been better with podcasts, Netflix.

Favorite Podcasts: 1) Chapo Trap House 2) Pardon My Take 3) Frotcast 4) Bill Burr 5) Fuck the Chargers 6) Inactives 6) Revisionist History 7) Dollop 8) My Favorite Murder 9) Hound Tall Best Dollop Episodes of the Year: 1) Falling Pilot 2) Falling Pilot 3) Uber 4) Trump 5) Trump part 1 & 2 5) Enron 6) Phantom of the Open Dollop can be hit-or-miss. But the hits? Are as good as podcasting gets for history, comedy, and understanding the times we live in now. They would make for classic movies/docs. but specializes in overlooked, ridiculous stories that may have had massive historical ramifications (Dope Lake, Falling Pilot qualify for that except the ramifications part). Every once in a blue moon, they nail something timely (Enron) or current (Opium; Uber; Trump). They are the calm in the eye of a storm of utter insanity. Best individual episodes: -Bertcast (#217: Dave Anthony/Gareth Reynolds)-funny stand-up stories -Joey Diaz on Rogan/Bertcast -Tom Segura/Bert Kreischer Weight Loss Challenge (Joe Rogan) first episodes of the year)-funny/strangely inspiring. They did another challenge later in the years  -Revisionist History-Miss Buchanan’s Period of Adjustment (Brown v Board of Education)-the unintended and disastrous consequences still felt today of why the decision was awful in a way you didn’t consider. It’ devastating to hear -Crabfeast #292 (Gareth Reynolds) talks about being hired to entertain kids birthday parties for 5 years as a side job while trying to make it in comedy. I love stories of failure/struggle at shit jobs Funniest podcast: 600 Dollar Podcast-bummer it ended Frotcast is my next favorite for humor (Best of 2016/2017 episodes are most accessible rather than just being dropped in). Bill Burr always. Best guest on a podcast: James Adomian as Gorka (Chapo Trap House) Best political: Chapo Trap House (and, yes, I am a Grey Wolf) Best Sports: Pardon My Take Best fan hate/schadenfreude: Fuck the Chargers Most underrated: Butterfly Effect (Jon Ronson)-only 6 episodes 3 hours 30 minutes; does what Malcolm Gladwell does but more long-form on the porn industry History: Dollop (over Common Sense/Hardcore History) Best local radio show/podcast: Matty & Nick Overrated/Lukewarm/Forgettable: Crimetown; S-Town; Pod Save America, Larry Wilmore Crimetown and  S-Town’ are basically just accents. I didn’t like them the way other people did. Pod Save America is for boring people who don’t listen to podcasts and don’t know or bother for better alternatives. They are inoffensive dudes: it’s VERY basic. I think ‘Lovett or Leave It’ is better depending on the panel. Worst: Missing Richard Simmons Other podcasts I enjoy-Binge Mode, Bodega Boys, Dumb People Town, Emotional Hangs, FOFOP, Handsome Rambler (Hannibal Burress), Lovett or Leave It, We’ll See You in Hell Need to check out more-Crab Feast, Cum Town, In the Dark, Mogul Listen to if they have a good guest -Bertcast, Joe Rogan, WTF, You Made it Weird BEST EVENTS: 1) Pats-Steelers AFC Championship  2) Pats-Texans AFC Divisional  2nd half 3) Chance the Rapper: Boston Calling 4) 1975: Boston Calling 5) Thrice/Circa Survive: House of Blues sadly I couldn’t see Thrice or the stage at all in the mezzanine but I wasn’t mad 5) My Favorite Murder: Wilbur 6) Turnover: Royale 7) Hannibal Burress: Boston Calling 8) Frightened Rabbit: Boston Calling 9) Norm MacDonald @ Wilbur Theatre: Netflix taping 10) watching my friend mosh to Converge while I held his sweatshirt

WORST EVENTS: 1) My cousin at Boston Calling -just a disaster I won’t explain, but it was the probably the most disappointing thing that I experienced all year and shit on my weekend with my friend from LA. I basically had to become a babysitter and ditch my friend. 2) Pats-Texans AFC Championship Game -freezing 0 degree cold January game (expected) in the upper 300-level section and ours was the ONLY one not standing for a playoff game. Sat next to two kids under 8. Then someone brought in a newborn fucking baby that, no hyperbole, could not have been more than a month old. Insane. We snuck into the 200-level section at halftime and it ended up being a fucking party and playoff atmosphere that I wanted, expected, and had enjoyed before. 2) Migos  -last minute replacement for Solange: just looked/sounded completely unprepared and they knew it. Crowd didn’t seem to be into it (Boston is mainly white) and didn’t know the lyrics to chant back: when they did so, it failed, and they were laughing it off but knowing it wasn’t a good setting for them. 4) Bon Iver  -I liked his new album but doesn’t translate well live and to festivals. Super boring. Watching white people LOSE their shit to lukewarm Kenny G-esque saxophone solos (5 people playing the sax) was ridiculous.

MUSIC 1a) Brian Fallon-’If Your Prayers Don’t Get to Heaven’ 1b) Brian Fallon-’Forget Me Not’ 2) Menzingers-’˜Lookers’ 3) Lorde-’Perfect Places’ 4) Carly Rae Jepsen-’Cut to the Feeling’ 5) Turnover-’Breeze’ 6) Vallis Alps-’Fading’ 7) Kendrick Lamar-Humble’ 7) Calvin Harris/Frank Ocean/Migos-’Slide’ 9) Night Game-’the Outfield’ 10) Kesha-’Praying’

Album: Menzingers-’After the Party’ New Artist: Khalid Late pass: Turnover Late pass song: Lord Huron-’the Night We Met’

WORST POLITICAL: the chaos that comes with Trump-Waking up everyday in anxiety to check what happened on Twitter in America with politics/everything. It was, objectively, a trainwreck tire-fire. There’s too much news (which he obviously likes, even if it’s bad: he likes the attention and is a cable news addict). So, yeah, I don’t want to just be overloaded with it all the time, so fuck you forever. A year’s worth of shit is dumped every week. Thing is, I don’t hate Trump the most. He’s a stooge and he’s only doing everything the Republicans want anyway. It’s just that he’s such a dunce.

Worst music moment: 1) Katy Perry dancing w/ Migos, her music videos 2) Taylor Swift album rollout 3) Eminem’s cringe-y Trump freestyle that sounded as bad as Hamilton

Favorite debacles: Uber, Juicero, Fyre Festival Only because I can’t enjoy the Trump presidency debacles since it’s everyday life. Favorite Online Writer: Drew Magary Best health choice: switching to shoes with arch support -I can’t wear any of the major shoes like Nike anymore. I’ve got super flat feet. I was walking around for 2 months feeling like my foot was broken. I was in agony. Instant relief when I got better shoes. Most Confused thought: How the hell is Martin Shkreli the only evil rich asshole to go to jail? Sweetest/Coolest: Remember, Remember the 5th of November and beyond (super dumb inside joke to only person that might read this BS). I’ll leave it at that. I mean, I totally want to write about it, how awesome/funny it is, a phone call I made to my friend that was 12+ years in the making that he didn't expect. But yeah. I’ll just say it’s really sweet and just not jinx it.

Look ahead 2018 MUSIC: 1) Brian Fallon 2) Thrice 3) Chvrches 4) Wonder Years 5) Arctic Monkeys 6) Carly Rae Jepsen 7) 1975 8) Bruce Springsteen 9) Justin Timberlake NEW HBO: 1) Barry-Bill Hader as an assassin 2) Confederacy 3) Mosaic NEW NETFLIX SHOWS: 1) Maniac 2) Altered Carbon OTHER NEW SHOWS: 1) Corporate 2) the Terror 2) Counterpart 3) the Alienist 4) Waco 5) Good Girls  RETURNING TV: 1) True Detective 2) Atlanta SHOWS ENDING: the Americans  BOOKS: 1) Stephen King-’the Outsider’ 2) new Game of Thrones? 3) Michelle McNamara Gillian Flynn is overdue for a new book MOVIES: 1) Death of Stalin 2) Incredibles II 3) Soldado: Sicario II 4) Bodied 5) First Man-Chazzelle 6) Where’d You Go Bernadette-Linklater 7) Predator -Shane Black 8) Halloween -David Gordon Green/Danny McBride 9) Widows -Gillian Flynn/Steve McQueen 10) Creed II 11) Deadpool II 12) Hold the Dark 13) Scarface-Coen brothers 14) Black Panther 15) new ‘Cloverfield’ NEW COMEDY SPECIALS: 1) Bill Burr 2) Chris Rock 3)Tom Segura 4) Bert Kreischer, 5) Mike Birbiglia

Biggest bummer: no Game of Thrones until 2019, but I’d rather they not fuck it up

LOOK AHEAD TO 2018: -moving out of parent’ place in 2 weeks while still saving up to buy a house/condos  -uh, I just turned 31, so that took forever. I have a decent amount of $ saved up to secure a house, but I want a decent one. -brother’s wedding in April -and bachelor party -cousins getting married and engaged -happening in droves -Pats playoff run and maybe the last best stand in the Belichick-Brady era. Brady could easily play 3 more years, be a top 3-5 QB (he still is the best, most durable/toughest, consistent), break every record, but something to be said about going out on top. -Shows/Tours Hoping to see: Boston Calling, Bill Burr, Brian Fallon, Bert Kreischer, Thrice, Chappelle, Pats -Gaslight Anthem reunion shows for 10-year anniversary of ‘the 59 Sound’ AND hopefully coming back again

[angstmongertina]

17. Jubilant (Inktober 2017)

And now for emotional whiplash day 3... :P

The whole thing with Monster of the Opera is from one of Zen’s spaceship thoughts, and also because he would totally sing All I Ask Of You to MC to be romantic, let's be real. (If anyone wants to listen to the music while reading, be my guest. I personally recommend the 25 anniversary recording because I love Ramin Karimloo but feel free to pick your favorite Phantom!)

Carina belongs to @cherieofthedragons and Eunbyeol is mine. :D

For anyone who is interested in a proposal featuring my personal MysMes OTP though honestly, it might just be me lol, it’ll come at some point after Inktober is over so I can write as much as I want to about it (I say, in spite of the fact that this current ficlet is about 2k words).

....if anyone is going to point out the time, I'm just going to point at the word length. :P

AO3 Link || Masterpost

Zen has been a bit too fidgety all day.

Sure, as a musical actor, he’s got near boundless energy, but this is another level entirely; Carina would almost suspect it to be nerves if it isn’t already the closing night for the Monster of the Opera and if Zen hasn’t already brought the house down in every single performance in the past two weeks.

Thanks to Jumin’s finagling, the RFA has the best seats in the entire hall, front and center. When she tried to protest the placement, he only cut her off with his usual cool detachment, though she still suspects she saw something—amusement?—lurking deep in his normally unfathomable gaze.

Beside her, Eunbyeol is nearly vibrating with excitement, clutching the program listing Zen as the titular monster so tightly that she’s not sure whether the paper will even be legible by the time the musical starts.

She leans around her cousin to grin at Jihyun, on Eunbyeol’s other side. “Someone’s eager today. When did she start preparing for this?”

He smirks. “Maybe two hours ago. Maybe earlier? I think she was pestering Hyun about what to wear and what she was and wasn’t allowed to bring at least two days ago.”

“Hey!” She stifles a laugh as Eunbyeol elbows him in the ribs. “Don’t encourage her. I don’t need my cousin and my boyfriend teaming up against me. And I’ll have you know that you can never be too prepared for an exciting night at the theater, especially when it’s The Monster of the Opera.”

Carina’s grin widens. “Yes, yes. We both know it’s the musical you’re excited about and not just because you have a major crush on the Monster.”

“I—What are you talking about? He just has a nice voice…”

Jihyun’s eyes fairly dance with amusement as Eunbyeol’s voice cracks. “Oh, is that why you’ve been counting down the hours for nearly a week? Should I learn to sing and play the organ as well, now?”

“Better start lurking under opera houses as well,” she quips.

“Don’t forget rowing boats across mysterious underground lakes to a secret lair.”

“Writing operas with extremely unsubtle metaphors about sex.”

“Dropping chandeliers on party-goers’ heads.”

“Are you two done?” Eunbyeol’s glaring at both of them now, but is also failing miserably at hiding the way the corners of her mouth twitch, threatening to ruin her look of annoyance.

She opens her mouth to reply in the negative just as the lights dim in the room and Eunbyeol offers her a prim, almost arch, look, sitting up and folding her hands in her lap.

That doesn’t stop her from leaning back across with a stage whisper. “Strangling and hanging people by lasso?”

The sound of Jihyun’s hastily choked back laughter is totally worth the sharp elbow that’s jabbed into her side.

Nonetheless, as the overture begins to sound, she sits back herself, content to enjoy the show and her boyfriend’s performance once more.

It’s always been one of his dreams to play the monster, she knows, and he leapt at the chance to audition for the musical as soon as he heard about it. As she watches the young Kristey and listens for his first appearance, she can definitely appreciate the effort he put in, so much that she had to drag him out at times before he could push himself too hard once more. But in the end, it’s worth it.

“Insolent boy, this slave of fashion, basking in your glory!” His voice rings out, strong and clear and true, and without thinking, she grabs Eunbyeol’s hand, squeezing tightly as he appears in a haze of white mist, dressed all in black and bedecked in the famous white mask.

Even with half of his face covered and the thick caking of stage makeup, he is absolutely stunning, and she can hardly look away as he leads his soprano through the mirror and down to the aforementioned lake, singing all the while, strong and commanding and undeniably irresistible.

The music changes as the pair alight their boat, turning soft and slow, and she can’t help but close her eyes, remembering the tenderness in his voice and the warm arms that wrapped around her whenever he sang that particular song at home, at once alluring and comforting. Just like he himself.

God, but she loves him.

She shakes herself as the tale continues: the first unmasking, the notes that she and Eunbyeol never fail to laugh at, the absurdity of Scarlotta. The comforts and promises between Kristey and her young suitor Rolf. The perceived betrayal at the top of the opera house and very real anguish that roughens Zen’s voice, that screams out of his every motion and is nearly enough to draw tears to her eyes, even as the chandelier falls and the first half comes to a close.

Intermission passes in a blur. As the lights brighten, she vaguely notices Eunbyeol dart out of the auditorium, coat on and hands shoved into her pockets, but Jaehee turns to her with a comment on the intensity of Zen’s acting and, in the ensuing discussion, she forgets all about her cousin’s curious behavior.

She does notice when Eunbyeol returns, dropping into her seat with a sigh of relief just as the lights dim once more. “Where were you?” she hisses, but Eunbyeol only shakes her head, tilting her head towards the curtains with a small, almost mysterious, smile.

When Zen returns to stage during the masquerade ball, there’s something different in his acting now, as though he is throwing himself even more into each note and gesture. As though he is determined to fully embody the Monster, pouring his soul into the role, and win over the girl. As though something is building, sizzling in him, contained only through force of will.

She’s pretty certain that his performance of Point of No Return, even as carnal as it usually is, has never been so electrifying, so utterly seductive. She’s spellbound, cannot look away from the push and pull, the constant friction. The intoxicating chemistry.

Until suddenly, he freezes, his hood gone.

It’s a part of the story and she knows this, but even so, her heart nearly stops in her throat at the raw vulnerability in his gaze, at how he stands, frozen. The pause stretches, each second strangely feeling like an eternity, until, suddenly, Zen’s eyes stray, shifting from his co-star out to the audience. To her.

“Say you’ll share with me one love, one lifetime. Lead me, save me from my solitude. Say you want me with you, here beside you.” At last, he looks away, back to the woman standing across from him, but she can still feel his gaze lingering, impossibly gentle. “Anywhere you go, let me go too…”

She sits, unable to move, hardly noticing as the story moves on, the tension bubbling over. The scream of agony and the descent. The mob and the fight and the kiss. She vaguely senses when Eunbyeol turns away to Jihyun, and wonders briefly whether the sniffling she hears is from him or her or both. But the musical’s end doesn’t sink in until the stage is suddenly dark, light illuminating the single white mask, the audience is on its feet, and an elbow nudges her side, though gently this time.

Almost mechanically, she stands, clapping and watching as the cast files on, one-by-one, to cheers and wild applause. Rolf and Kristey enter, meeting in center stage for an embrace that is met with screams and wolf whistles. And then…

For a moment, she thinks she’s going to go deaf from the sheer amount of noise that heralds Zen’s return to the stage, and she stares in surprise. Unlike all the other curtain calls she’s seen, he’s changed into a suit, his wig and costume, other than the mask that Mel still carries, nowhere to be seen. He takes his bow with perfect elegance, a grin of absolute triumph on his face as he gestures to the rest of the cast and the crew and the pit orchestra, and then he simply stands, hands by his side, while the rest of the cast files silently off stage.

Beside her, Eunbyeol is nearly dancing on the spot, clutching at both her and Jihyun so tightly that it’s a wonder that her arm is still getting blood.

Finally, the room quiets enough for Zen to step forward, his eyes roaming across the audience, taking in the crowd.

“I know you’ve all been here for quite a while and I hope none of you are in any rush but just in case, I’ll try to keep this short. As I’m sure at least everyone who has read their programs tonight knows, I’m Zen, and I played the Monster in tonight’s performance. I—”

Before he can continue, the crowd bursts into applause once more, and from her position, she can see the faint blush it brings to his face, the pleasure and confidence that straighten his spine as he waits once more for calm.

“I know it’s unusual for anyone, even the leading role, to stop and give a speech after a performance, but there are a few people I’d like to thank for helping me be where I am today. To all of my fans who have supported me through everything. To my friends, who have in the past few years become like my family, giving advice and telling jokes and sometimes even making things an absolute mess. And…” Slowly, his eyes shift along the row, coming to rest on her, bright and warm and oh so loving. “And to one person in particular.”

He takes a deep breath. “I don’t talk about my past very much, and it’s for a reason that isn’t entirely relevant so I won’t get into here. Suffice it to say that I spent much of my first years as a musical actor living alone, struggling to survive and accepting whatever roles I could get. Acting was, and still is, my entire life. All of my time outside of rehearsals was spent practicing, and I had no social life to speak of. I couldn’t risk my career.

“But then I met someone who could see beyond my exterior, who loves me for who I am and who I was. Who has never wavered in her support, even in the face of scandal, and who stayed even when I couldn’t find myself. And who has been waiting, never complaining when she has to stay in the background. And I don’t want her to wait any longer.”

Suddenly, he gives a little laugh, sharp and nervous. “I know this is the part where I should say something beautifully romantic and moving and bring everyone to tears, but everything I can think of is from some musical or another, and this should be a time of my own words. So I’ll just say that I love you, Carina, for now and forever. I know you’ve said that you’re willing to wait however long it takes, but I’m an impatient man.”

She draws a shaking breath as he lowers himself to one knee on stage, pulling small box out of his jacket pocket. “Carina Lee, will you marry me?”

“Oh my god.” The words barely escape her lips, choking around the sudden lump in her throat, and so quietly that she thinks only Eunbyeol can hear. Before she can try again to speak, a shove on her shoulder sends her moving on numb legs, and the crowds part as she stumbles her way to the stage, to where Zen is still waiting, endlessly patient.

She comes to a stop before him with his face upturned towards her, shining with adoration so clear that her eyes sting with tears and the rest of the room simply melts away. “Carina?”

“Yes. Zen, yes!” Again, the words catch in her throat, but even so, pure bliss crosses his face as he rises to his feet in the still-silent room, taking her hand and sliding the ring onto her finger before lifting her off of her feet entirely, laughing as cheers erupt.

In the uproar, he sets her back on her feet, though his arms remain around her waist, almost as if he never wants to let her go, and she looks up, catching his gaze. “I love you, Zen.”

Her words are not nearly as poetic as everything he said, but as he leans down to capture her lips, she knows that that’s really all they need.

[princessasmosprincess]

The Ultimate Musical Theatre Questionnaire

This is not originally mine, the link is below. I just filled in my answers.

Ultimate Musical Theatre Questionnaire

Some of these will include a Top 5-10…

1. What is your “go-to song” when you’re feeling sad?

 It really depends on what “sad” means that day. If I need a boost of confidence “Watch What Happens (Reprise)” or “Once and for All” usually does it. If I need to get out some anger “I’m Done” from Rocky is a fun one to sing. Comforting songs are good too, like “A Little Fall of Rain”.

 Honestly, playing a cast album like Newsies or Cinderella really lifts my spirits.

 2. What Broadway song do you relate to?

SO MANY!

Watch What Happens ~ Newsies

Santa Fe ~ “

If I Loved You ~ Carousel

Before the Parade Passes By ~ Hello, Dolly!

 3. Favorite female voice? Favorite male voice?

 This one is so hard. Obviously this isn’t a complete list but this is what comes to mind at the moment. 

Female:

Barbara Streisand

Laura Osnes

Laura Benanti

Sierra Boggess

Megan Hilty

Kelli O’Hara

Lea Salonga

Phillipa Soo

 Male:

Jeremy Jordan

Alfie Boe

Ramin Karimloo

Santino Fontana

Aaron Tveit

Christian Borle

Lin-Manuel Miranda

Hugh Jackman

4. What is your favorite show based off the music?

Bonnie and Clyde

Death Takes A Holiday

Meet John Doe

The Secret Garden

Chaplin

Literally anything Rodgers and Hammerstein. Even if I don’t care for the show, I usually love the music. I love the wit behind the lyrics.

 5. An overrated song.

Seasons of Love ~ Rent (I love to hate this one. It’s catchy and fun to sing… SOMETIMES…)

All I Ask of You ~ The Phantom of the Opera (I read the book, I’ve seen the movie, the live tour, and the 25th anniversary, but I just don’t like Raoul...)

I’m Not Afraid ~ Songs for a New World

Sixteen Going on Seventeen ~ The Sound of Music (there are other really great songs in this show!)

Tomorrow ~ Annie

I Feel Pretty ~ West Side Story (I mean, really, this is one of the defining songs of this amazing show? America, Maria, and Tonight are so much better in my opinion).

Green Finch and Linnet Bird ~ Sweeney Todd

 6. An underrated song.

Without You ~ My Fair Lady (everyone always does “Wouldn’t It Be Loverly” and “I Could Have Danced All Night” but I don’t think those two songs are the best in the whole show).

How Can Love Survive ~ The Sound of Music (this one wasn’t in the movie but it is an amazing song. It’s so witty and the tune is beautiful. Actually I did this one as a solo for a cabaret show).

Raise A Little Hell ~ Bonnie and Clyde (This one gives me chills every time)

 7. An overrated musical

Avenue Q ~ I am so tired of hearing about this one, and I don’t like the concept or the music.

Book of Mormon ~ I know there are a few good songs but as a Mormon and as a decent human being I find it offensive… Jk about the decent human being thing, but still, I don’t like this one…

Rent ~ I do appreciate that it’s based off of La Boheme, and that it’s a very revolutionary piece, but I’m tired of hearing about it.

Cats ~ why?

Chicago

Little Women ~ Everyone has Sutton Foster Fever and they need to stop. She’s a great actress, but there are other actresses out there and these songs are played too much.

Into the Woods

Songs for a New World ~ BIG TIME. It really bothers me that the songs I like from this show are less popular than the ones everyone raves about.

You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown ~ Any of the Charlie Brown musicals… I don’t really have a connection and I don’t think the music is particularly clever…

Seussical ~ I’ve been in one full production of this and I also played the Cat in the Hat in a dance recital (that one was actually fun), but I LOATHE this show. It’s very childish, and I get that that’s the point, but it’s really childish. It’s on a similar plane to Charlie Brown in my eyes.

Grease ~ Seriously, the story to this one is terrible. Yeah, go ahead and change yourself for your crush because he’s not man enough to tell his friends and society that your social status shouldn’t matter when you’re in love… Also some of the music gets on my nerves, and I don’t really like the movie either.

A Chorus Line

The King and I ~ Personally not my favorite Rodgers and Hammerstein show. There are some good songs but I like some of their other shows far more.

How To Succeed in Business Without Really Trying ~ Ugh…

Cabaret ~ Another really poignant show but no one really focuses much on the story, they just like the suggestive and scandalous songs.

Pippin

Annie

Oliver

Sweeney Todd

Falsettos ~ Now I know I’m going to get a lot of hate for this one but I still had to say it. It is a really great show and I don’t hate it. It’s just there was so much hype before the Tony’s and so much hate directly after.  I just don’t like how negatively people acted when it didn’t win Best Revival. (I thought that Miss Saigon was going to win but whatever). I just really dislike the hate that goes along with not liking this show. I don’t think the writers would have appreciated that, and I don’t really think the actors would either.

 I’m adding an extra category because there are some shows that are overrated but I still like them a lot...

The Lion King ~ -ish… I still like the show, but everyone raves about it when there are some other really great shows out there.

Hamilton ~ Again, I like the show, but everyone is obsessed…

Dear Evan Hansen ~ I don’t know whether it really deserved to win best musical… But then again the lyrics and staging were really on point.

In The Heights ~ There is so much good about this show but I do think it’s a bit overrated...

 8. An underrated musical

Rocky (I think the music is adorable, but then again I’m a South Jersey girl so Rocky holds a special place in my heart)

Love Never Dies ~ Lots of people hate this but I really like it. This is definitely one that you need to actually see to appreciate it. I really like the character development, if you can get past all of the weird Coney Island stuff. Plus, you know I hate Raoul.

The Scarlet Pimpernel

Dracula

Show Boat ~ This one is a classic but still, it doesn’t get nearly enough attention.

Death Takes A Holiday

Bonnie and Clyde

Meet John Doe

Chaplin ~ I will never get over how CRIMINALLY underrated this one is.

The Woman in White ~ Why doesn’t anyone talk about this?!

 9. How many cast recording albums do you own?

 Technically… I own Newsies, Cinderella, and the celebrity version of Finding Neverland...

 Of course thanks to the library I was able to download quite a bit to my computer so…

Wicked

Beauty and the Beast

The Phantom of the Opera 25th Anniversary

Bombshell ~ Smash, I count this one.

Mary Poppins

South Pacific

 I also have various songs from some different shows.

 10. Do you buy the whole cast recording, even if there are songs you are not fond of?

Depends. I don’t really have that many. If there’s only a few songs I like I’ll just buy the songs separately, but if I like the majority of the album I would definitely buy the whole thing.

 11. What was the first cast recording you owned?

 Newsies, but I think I had some songs here and there before that.

 12. How many playlists do you have on your mp3 or iPod? If just one playlist, how many songs?

 I’ve got at least 5 different Spotify playlists. Usually I listen to songs on Pandora so I can get some new suggestions.

 13. Song that reminds you of someone else?

Beauty and the Beast ~ Technically the movie version but… This was going to be my parents’ wedding song.

The entire album for Show Boat

Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again ~ The Phantom of the Opera

The Love I Meant To Say ~ Smash. Also not really from a show but this one touches my heart so much.

 14. Stephen Sondheim or Andrew Lloyd Webber?

This is a really tough one. I think ALW’s music is a bit more accessible to me and he has many great shows (and some really overrated ones). Stephen Sondheim is also extraordinary, but I like his more melodic songs which can be few and far between. Sondheim is challenging to sing and understand sometimes.

 15. Favorite choreographed number?

 King of New York ~ Newsies

 I’m sure there are others but I can’t think of any right now.

 16. What do you think of shows based around the music of other artists? (i.e. American Idiot, Mamma Mia)

 I like Mamma Mia, and I’ve heard that All Shook Up is really good. If the storyline is as compelling as the music, then I’ll love it.

17. Favorite song cut from a show?

The Truth about the Moon ~ Newsies (I want sheet music so bad!)

One Man ~ Seven Brides for Seven Brothers

 18. Most powerful (vocally) song

Female:

Once Upon A Time ~ Brooklyn

When It All Falls Down ~ Chaplin

 Male:

Who Am I ~ Les Miserables

Raise a Little Hell ~ Bonnie and Clyde

Music of the Night ~ The Phantom of the Opera

 19. Favorite song from your least favorite show.

 I’ll just name one, “Stars and the Moon” from Songs for a New World

 20. No-Dry-Eye Broadway song.

 I cry in almost everything…

Letter from the Refuge ~ Newsies

Santa Fe (prologue) ~ Newsies

Santa Fe ~ Newsies

The entire score to Les Mis

I’ll Be Here ~ Ordinary Days (listen to it and you will bawl your eyes out if you have a soul)

Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again ~ The Phantom of the Opera

When the Phantom sings a reprise of “All I Ask of You” during “Past the Point of No Return”. Also his reprise of “Masquerade” at the end and when he sings, “Christine, I love you…”

Dyin’ Ain’t So Bad ~ Bonnie and Clyde

Hold On ~ The Secret Garden

You Don’t Know This Man ~ Parade

 21. Your favorite Broadway duet

Love Songs

If I Loved You ~ Carousel

Something to Believe In ~ Newsies

 Non-Love Songs

A Little Fall of Rain ~ Les Mis

How Can Love Survive ~ The Sound of Music

Chip on My Shoulder ~ Legally Blonde (can’t actually remember if this is a duet or not…)

 22. Do you reenact/sing in front of the mirror/pretend you’re the character when you’re singing along to a song?

All the time.

 23. Top five Broadway songs.

 Nope, can’t do it.

 24. A broadway song that makes you cringe. (i.e. least favorite)

 I’m Not Afraid of Anything ~ Songs for a New World

Seasons of Love ~ Rent

 25. What shows have you seen?

On Broadway:

Newsies (Once with Jeremy Jordan and once with Corey Cott)

Cinderella

Wicked (With Aaron Tveit when I was 13 and didn’t even know who he was…)

 On Tour/Professional:

Mary Poppins

The Phantom of the Opera

Emma The Musical (I don’t think this one has been on broadway but Colin Patrick Hanlon and Annelise Van Der Pol were in it)

Peter and the Starcatcher

 26. If you could play any role on Broadway, what would it be?

Katherine Plumber

  27. Name some stars you’ve met at the stage door.

Jeremy Jordan, Corey Cott (I chased him down the street before the show…), Andrew Keenan-Bolger, Annelise Van Der Pol, Carpathia Jenkins, Andy Richardson, pretty much the entire OBC from Newsies.

 EXCEPT FOR TOMMY BRACCO...

 28. If you could go up to New York and see any and every Broadway show you want to, what would you go see?

 There are so many shows… Right now maybe Dear Evan Hansen or The Great Comet (if it’s still running…)

 29. Which Broadway star do you want to see live more than anyone else?

Laura Osnes, Hugh Jackman, Neil Patrick Harris, Laura Benanti, Christian Borle, Andy Mientus, Santino Fontana.

 30. Favorite Tony Awards host?

Neil Patrick Harris

 31. Least Favorite Musical

 Any of the overrated ones, but for the sake of time Cats.

32. What is your go-to shower song?

 A crazy patter song like “Watch What Happens” (Newsies)

 Also “I’m Gonna Wash That Man Right Out of My Hair” from South Pacific. My grandmother used to sing this song to me when she gave me baths when I was a toddler and young child.

 33. What does Broadway mean to you?

 It’s my life. I love Broadway and everything about it, and one day I will be performing there.

And I’m too tired to write anymore...

[majornelson]

Xbox Holiday Deals Start Today At The Microsoft Store

Today at X019, our annual global celebration of all things Xbox, we unveiled an extensive set of deals for the holidays. I’m pleased to be here in London surrounded by games and gamers. I’ve got the holiday spirit and there is no better place to get your holiday shopping started than the Microsoft Store.

You can get started right now and save up to 70% off amazing games during the X019 Xbox Flash Sale, including Gears 5 Ultimate. But hurry – these deals are only good for the next 24 hours – starting now!

At X019, we also announced the Xbox Black Friday deals and get ready to save big! These deals will be available November 24 – December 2. Some of my favorites?

*Three months of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate for only $1, including unlimited access to more than 100 great games for PC and console, plus Xbox Live Gold.

*Up to $150 off Xbox One devices and amazing deals on bundles with titles like Gears 5, NBA 2K20, and Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order.

*$20 off select Xbox Wireless Controllers, including special and limited edition controllers.

*More amazing game deals with up to 67% off titles like Gears 5, Forza Horizon 4, Sea of Thieves: Anniversary Edition, State of Decay 2 and more. 

Save up to 67% with the X019 Xbox Flash Sale

The X019 Xbox Flash Sale is one of our best ever. You can start clicking to save nearly 70 percent on select titles, such as Gears 5 Ultimate, Borderlands 3 Super Deluxe, NBA 2K20 Legends Edition, Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Breakpoint Gold Edition and Destiny 2: Shadowkeep Deluxe. Don’t delay though, the X019 Flash Sale ends tomorrow, November 15th at Midnight PST.

X019 Xbox Flash Sale Expires:

Content TitleContent TypeDiscountNotesGears 5 Ultimate EditionXbox One Game30%X019 Flash SaleBorderlands 3 Super Deluxe EditionXbox One Game30%X019 Flash SaleTom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Breakpoint Gold EditionXbox One Game30%X019 Flash SaleEA Sports Fifa 20 Champions EditionXbox One Game20%X019 Flash SaleNBA 2K20 Legend EditionXbox One Game40%X019 Flash SaleMadden NFL 20 Superstar EditionXbox One Game20%X019 Flash SaleDestiny 2 Shadowkeep Digital Deluxe EditionXbox One Game25%X019 Flash SaleAssassin’s Creed Odyssey Gold EditionXbox One Game55%X019 Flash SaleAssassin’s Creed Origins Gold EditionXbox One Game70%X019 Flash SaleCode Vein Deluxe EditionXbox One Game30%X019 Flash SaleControlXbox One Game25%X019 Flash SaleFar Cry 5Xbox One Game75%X019 Flash SaleFar Cry 5 Gold EditionXbox One Game75%X019 Flash SaleFar Cry New Dawn Deluxe EditionXbox One Game50%X019 Flash SaleDestiny 2 ForsakenXbox One Game40%X019 Flash SaleForza Horizon 4 Ultimate EditionXbox One Game50%X019 Flash SaleNHL 20 Deluxe EditionXbox One Game20%X019 Flash SalePlayerunknowns BattlegroundsXbox One Game33%X019 Flash SaleTom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Siege Gold EditionXbox One Game50%X019 Flash SaleRed Dead Redemption 2 Ultimate EditionXbox One Game55%X019 Flash SaleSea Of Thieves Anniversary EditionXbox One Game50%X019 Flash SaleThe Dark Pictures Anthology Man Of MedanXbox One Game33%X019 Flash SaleTom Clancy’s The Division 2 Gold EditionXbox One Game70%X019 Flash SaleWatch Dogs 2 Gold EditionXbox One Game75%X019 Flash SaleMortal Kombat 11 Premium EditionXbox One Game50%X019 Flash Sale

Please note: prices and availability are subject to change and may vary by region.

Amazing Black Friday Deals Coming to Microsoft Store

This Black Friday, the Xbox deals start November 24th at Microsoft Store in the US. But don’t delay, these are limited time offers and some items will sell out fast. You can learn more about the Xbox Black Friday deals on Xbox Wire.

*Xbox Game Pass Ultimate for $1 – This incredible deal gives you 3 months of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate for $1. This includes unlimited access to more than 100 high-quality games for console and PC plus Xbox Live Gold. Even better, members this holiday also get 1 month of EA Access – providing discounts for all digital EA games and access to the Vault to download and play great games from series like Battlefield, FIFA, Mass Effect and more. You also receive 3 months of Discord Nitro, so you can boost your server strength and enjoy bigger downloads on the voice and message app that so many gamers and their friends call home And, you’ll rock 6 months of Spotify Premium so you can listen ad-free, download tracks and playlists for on the go, and enjoy on-demand playback. Restrictions apply, see here for details.

*Xbox One Device savings up to $150 – In the market for a new console? Save big this holiday with up to $150 off Xbox One devices, including $150 off the world’s most powerful console, Xbox One X available at $349.99. Xbox One S starts at $199.99 and the Xbox One S All-Digital Edition starts at $149.99. Or take advantage of incredible deals on bundles with packages that include a console, controller, games, and more. And with bundles around titles like Gears 5, including the Limited Edition Xbox One X, NBA 2K20, and Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order, there is a bundle of joy for everyone for both Xbox One X and Xbox One S.

*$20 off select Xbox Wireless Controllers. You won’t want to miss these savings – with $20 off select Xbox Wireless Controllers, including Night Ops Camo Special Edition, Sport Blue Special Edition, Kait Diaz Gears 5 Limited Edition, Fortnite Special Edition, and Phantom White Special Edition. And if you want to get creative, Xbox Design Lab controllers are $10 off!

*Up to 67% off games. After you load up in our X0 Flash Sale, come back for more on Black Friday with up to 67% off titles like Gears 5, Forza Horizon 4, Sea of Thieves: Anniversary Edition, State of Decay 2 and more.

The holiday is a great time to be a gamer, or to treat your favorite gamer with the perfect gift. The Microsoft Store has something for everyone – you can easily buy online or visit your local Store to try out the hottest games. You can also take advantage of incredible deals on Gaming PCs powered by Windows 10, saving up to $400 on devices like the Lenovo Legion Y540 15 (i7), Asus ROG Strix G GL531GT (i7) and Acer Predator Triton 500 (i7). Or, just swing by your local Store to play and compete in Gaming Community events – from Fortnite Fridays to Minecraft Mondays to League of Legends Saturday, and monthly events with Gears 5, Halo and Hearthstone, they’ve got something for everyone.

Happy Shopping!

Related: The Biggest Inside Xbox Episode Of The Year Will Be At X019 Major Nelson Radio Podcast Live From Sunday Roast At Microsoft Store Oxford Circus In London Just Cause 4: Reloaded Is Now Available For Xbox One

via Xbox Live's Major Nelson https://ift.tt/32K5K5u

[tileyarded-blog]

TILEYARD EDUCATION IN CONVERSATION: Victor d'Allancé

New Post has been published on https://tileyardeducation.co.uk/tileyard-education-conversation-devialet/

TILEYARD EDUCATION IN CONVERSATION: Victor d'Allancé

We spoke to the UK General Manager of Devialet, a truly innovative and groundbreaking company, who have been paving the way for the speaker of the future.

Fion: What is the ambition of Devialet for sound technology? Could you tell us more about your exclusive patented inventions?

  Victor: “Devialet has one true invention, ADH (Analog Digital Hybrid), and this invention responds to the dream of every audiophile. We try to find a way to combine the clarity of analog amplification with the power of digital computation. Pierre-Emmanuel Calmel, one of our three founders, invented the technology to provide the best sound in the world, which is pure and powerful at the same time. That is how Devialet started.

Around ADH, the core technology, we have quite a few relevant patented technologies, such as: SAM, HBI, EVO, etc. SAM (Speaker Active Matching) is the best way to adapt the sound signal to the acoustic and the physical property of any speaker. SAM is used in both our audiophile system, ‘EXPERT Pro’, and the ‘PHANTOM’ series, which will activate your machine, and optimise the signal, then you’ll get the best sound out of your speaker. We’re the only ones in the world who are able to produce SAM. Devialet is the most innovative company in audio history.

  We have the biggest research team of sound engineers in Europe. They are based in France and commit themselves to produce the best quality of speaker.  Many people tried to copy ‘PHANTOM’ but the thing is, there is so much power running inside the speaker, when our competitors try to copy it, their machines just melt, because it’s so hot. We are the only ones who are able to put 500W-1KW of power inside the speaker and it still works perfectly.

EVO is the system which is always up to date. We’re against the built-in obsolescence of product design, which means the product can only be used in a certain period of time, then becomes unusable. For example, you buy a phone but the manufacturer still wants you to buy a new one, and so your phone is designed to become obsolete after 6 months. We are fighting this, so we create a product which can function for 20 years at least, and that is one of the ambitions of Devialet. As time goes by, you’ll have a lot of updates in ‘PHANTOM’ speakers and in ‘EXPERT Pro’. Every month, our EVO platform will send a quick mail to our clients, suggesting to upgrade their system for free. That is, they can keep having greater functionalities and performance in their Devialet systems and they don’t need to buy another one.

HBI (Heart Bass Implosion) really shows the fact that we’re the only ones who can put so much bass inside one speaker. You have bass and very high frequency in the music, ‘PHANTOM’ speakers can perform both qualities very well because it’s equipped with two woofers whose HBI technology allows extremely low frequencies to be emitted and maintains the ‘air’ of the music at the same time. So, either classical music, Rock’n’Roll or heavy metal, you can play all music genres in one ‘PHANTOM’ speaker.”

Gold Phantom

Fion: Digital media is ubiquitous nowadays, which dramatically changes people’s music-listening behaviour. Has the audiophile market decreased as a result of the digital media boom?

  Victor: “That’s a good question. The answer is no, because the audiophile market has a very strong audience who love to have cables, who love to treat sounds, who love to optimise sound by themselves, and so on, so for the audiophile, ‘PHANTOM’ is like a baby or a toy. The audiophile audience is still there, therefore, this market has never disappeared. The ‘integration market’ is growing massively; while the audiophile market is more stable and it’s still very big because they are passionate people.”

  Fion: How does the audiophile see the ‘PHANTOM’ series?

  Victor: “That’s a very good question. Some of them hate ‘PHANTOM’ because they consider it is too easy to play and they couldn’t change anything, like replacing their own cables or amplifiers, etc. This audience wants the listening experience to be totally customised but from the manufacturer’s perspective, ‘PHANTOM’ speakers and our ‘EXPERT Pro’ system have almost the same quality because they are made from the same technology. Compared to ‘EXPERT Pro’, ‘PHANTOM’ is less expensive, much simpler to use and it takes up less space.”

  Fion: Devialet is a forward-looking company who keeps innovating towards the ‘future sound’. What is the ideal ‘future sound’ for Devialet, and what kind of problems do your team have to solve?

  Victor: “We believe that we can develop the sound technology to change the standard of sound. Our ambition is to bring the true emotions of the sound to the wide audience. People are used to listening to the sound which is not the right one. We listen to sounds via Mp3, Youtube and speakers that don’t do justice to the sound. We believe people deserve to hear music as it’s meant to be heard by the artists. That is why we invest so much in our technology.

Our vision of the ‘tomorrow sound’ is to put our technology inside every single amplifier, from car, TV, telephone, laptop, etc. For instance, people watch TV today, and they hear the sound from the TV speaker. They only get a half the emotions, which means they only have the emotions from the movie but they couldn’t have the emotions from the sound. Devialet is inventing sounds inside cars, inside TVs, inside laptops and inside telephones. We can give people the real emotions. Emotion is the keyword for Devialet and it’s only the beginning of what’s going on.

  Fion: Is it possible to have such high-end technology in any readily available phone?

  Victor: “Not yet, but we’re working on it, and I can tell you that it will happen soon. One of our investors, Foxconn, who manufacture iPhones and iPads in China, gave us some good ideas about how to integrate our technology into mobile devices. The ambition of Devialet for tomorrow is to deliver the best sound everywhere; Public transportation, restaurants and cinemas are also in our consideration to integrate with.”

  Fion: Through the collaborative project ‘hors les murs’ with the partnership of Paris Opera, what kind of listening experiences do you want to bring to the audience indoor and outdoor?

  Victor: “The Opera Paris is another revolution in itself. Opera Paris will celebrate its 350th anniversary in 2019, and it’s the first time that they have a partnership with an external company. A lot of companies have tried to establish a partnership with Opera Paris for many years but we are the only ones who’ve succeeded.

‘‘Hors les murs’ means ‘outside the wall’, so in this collaboration we can stream the indoor live concert of the Opera Paris to the outside world. That is, the emotions of the Opera can go outside of the Opera and travel to your home. For example, if a huge orchestra is playing in the Opera, and you have your ‘PHANTOM’ at home, you’ll be able to listen to it live. Since the sound is so pure, you can just close your eyes and feel like you’re in the Opera. People can use our in-house application ‘Spark’, choose the option of ‘live on Phantom’ then they can enjoy the streaming service worldwide in real-time. They can access these impassioned Opera live concerts on their ‘PHANTOM’ automatically.

Devialet will open a ‘sound discovery area’ at the Palais Garnier in Fall 2017, which displays Devialet’s ‘PHANTOM’ series and welcome visitors to enjoy the refined sound with sophisticated detail and purchase on site.”

  Fion: What are Devialet’s expectations for the bursary candidates? What kind of project you would like to develop with the bursary winner?

  Victor: “We’re very happy to be involved in the partnership with Tileyard Education. First of all, we want to encourage the students, to show our confidence in them and let them know they are not alone. Secondly, we want to to make Devialet known by young talent and make our products more accessible to them. We have four stores in London, and 25 high-end independent retailers around UK and Ireland. Since we’re based in Tileyard, they can discover something new by approaching these revolutionary products, which may give them some creative ideas. Thirdly, we never know how the future will go, so being in touch with the young talent is the way we connect to the future, and we also provide some sound engineering courses for the MA students at Tileyard Education.

For the bursary winner, everything is open. We would offer the ‘GOLD PHANTOM’ to him or her and be very happy to discuss with the winner if there is anything we can do together. My own expectation on each of them is to deliver the best they can deliver. They’re training themselves, learning and educated in the heart of the music community which is a huge privilege for them. I think the vision of Tileyard Education is to let these young musicians have the sensibility of music business. I completely agree with that, so the only thing they should do is to do their best to reach the top, even for those who don’t get the bursary.”   

  Fion: What are the challenges and opportunities that face the music industry over the next five years, and what is Devialet’s response to these challenges?

  Victor: “The music industry has been changing a lot. In 2000, streaming appeared in the market, which made music completely universal, now everybody can access great music around the world instantaneously. Now, this universalisation of music has been done whilst the quality of music has been dramatically reduced. If everyone is given the access of the music freely through the internet, regarding the format issue, the quality of music must go down to satisfy the public. Namely, people have the access of music but in low quality, and Devialet is trying to get it back to the right resolution. So that’s why there are more and more platforms featuring high-resolution streaming, such as Tidal and Qobuz.

I would say the first trend is really to come back to the high-resolution listening experience. The other trend is integration, where everything compacts into one device. Like ‘PHANTOM’, you have everything including the amplifier and the speaker, inside one small box, so this is not just a speaker, but an ‘integrated speaker’ which can amplify the sound signal. Since the new generation wants something very simple, for instance, people just want to play music by iPhone, hence less cables, less boxes and less plugs, it’s easier for them to enjoy music. This is what’s happening now, thus, ‘PHANTOM’ is exactly designed to respond to this expectation from the market. You have everything in one, the music in high quality and it’s very easy to operate.

Lastly, we found that Asia is a massively growing market. Beyond France, we have shops in Germany, US and Asia. Hong Kong, Singapore and Taiwan, where we just opened the new shop in Taipei 101 this summer, is just the beginning. We have huge ambition for Taiwan and Sion in South Africa. Being able to deliver the fully emotional impact of sound to the world, to everyone in daily life, is all Devialet is about.”

  For more information, go to: https://www.devialet.com/en-gb/

Hua-Chun Fan (Fion)