#musical advocacy

[weaversweek]

36 "Lean on me" - Red Box

Written by Simon Toulson-Clarke

"This was huge in the mid-80s, but completely forgotten now" - Vernon Kay, completely neglecting that he can play the song into two million pairs of ears.

Part of the UncoolTwo50 project, marking the best singles from 1977-99.

Red Box met when they were students of business studies and surveying at the Polytechnic of Central London. Simon Toulson-Clarke and Julian Close had picked the most dull subjects so that they could have a good time. They were inspired by the exotic melodies and harmonies of African music, and the very traditional idea of a massively catchy tune.

They weren't an overnight success, honing their craft across demos and gigs and Janice Long sessions for much of the early 80s. Eventually, "Lean on me" catapulted the band from nowhere into the top three. It works into the brain after a few listens, and there are so many ways we can sing along, or bang a drum, or join in the harmonies.

"The definition of a great pop song," said Simon in 2019, "is one that has enough immediacy and structural strength that you recognise you're going to like this, then it just keeps growing. Those are the real winners. For Red Box, this came fairly easily – it wasn't the song that was the problem, it was translating how we heard it in our heads on to tape. Writing was easy but recording was trickier."

Red Box had one other big hit single, "For America" with a gibberish chorus; two other singles from their album The Circle and the Square gave Bruno Brookes nothing to do. An attempted comeback in 1990 was stalled by record company incompetence.

For UncoolTwo50, I've filed this as "musical advocacy", alongside Band Aid's "Do they know it's Christmas?" and Eddie Grant's "Electric Avenue" which made my 100-song shortlist.

[mxmorbidmidnight]

Mobility aids don’t make you any less goth. Being unable to attend goth clubs, concerts or style yourself in a gothic way doesn’t mean you’re not goth. When I’m too fatigued to spike my hair into a bats nest or dance to my spooky music I’m still part of this subculture. Using my standard cane with full gothic dress doesn’t “ruin the outfit”, nor do any other physical indications of my disability.

Disabled people belong in the goth subculture.

[ivygorgon]

Welcome, darlings!

I’m Ivy Gorgon, a drag VTuber and naga woman who loves music, RPGs, and lavender purple. Cats are my favorite animal, and I’m passionate about non-partisan political activism.

I use ResistBot, a free service that lets me write letters to elected officials, turning them into petitions others can sign too. See what I have to say about ResistBot here.

Check out all my letters here, or spotlight a few of my favorites:

Election Integrity: Bomb Threats and Foreign Interference Threaten Election 9 so far! Help us get to 10 signers! 📱Text SIGN PQNCWD to 50409

Pro RCV: Implement Ranked-Choice Voting & Election Reforms For Vote Integrity 28 so far! Help us get to 50 signers! 📱Text SIGN PMZPRT to 50409

Pro drag: REDS! Let The Silly People Be Clowns! Protect the American Right to Free Speech! 3 so far! Help us get to 5 signers! 📱Text SIGN PHFSPG to 50409

Pro choice: Abortion as reproductive healthcare is a right, PERIOD. 46 so far! Help us get to 50 signers! 📱Text SIGN PINRVQ to 50409

Pro Palestine: Call your dogs home! - Urgent Action Needed to Stop Humanitarian Crisis in Palestine 12 so far! Help us get to 25 signers! 📱 Text SIGN PNIWKP to 50409

🤯 Liked it? Text FOLLOW IVYPETITIONS to 50409

Want more? Here are a few open letters from other authors:

Project 2025: Defend democracy against Project 2025's authoritarian agenda 57 so far! Help us get to 100 signers! 📱 Text SIGN PNXFDB to 50409

Anti Trump POTUS: Prohibit Felons From Serving as President 46 so far! Help us get to 50 signers! 📱 Text SIGN PDCKKQ to 50409

[schar-aac]

Could I request an emoji for "I need my cat" or "I need my music"? Thank you for your time

"I need my music"

Image: blue headphones with music notes between them and a red exclamation mark above them, indicating a need.

sorry, not doing animals right now!

[tayfabe75]

"This song has become an important song for a lot of our fans. Before we came here, everyone was like, 'You can't go and play Russia. Russia's like, really homophobic, it's like really racist'. No it isn't. No. No it isn't. It's really racist and homophobic everywhere, and I can tell you that, becasue I go everywhere, right? And I know the reason that we're here is because young people anywhere are not representative of their government, right? And we're very aware of that, and when you've got like, a billion people in your country, of course there's going to be a lot of dickheads, do you know what I mean? I know that nobody here, nobody in this room is homophobic - homophobic or racist - that's why we're very happy to be here."

July 30, 2019: Matty addresses the inequality in Russia before performing 'Loving Someone' in Moscow. (source 1, 2)

[the-golden-comet]

✨Thankful Thursday✨

Hello writers, artists, musicians, and creative minds alike! 💫

I want to take this day to give thanks to all you wonderful people. As artists, storycrafters, composers, and humans…it can be easy to lose sight of your love and passion when your brain is your worst critic.

I’ve been creating art and stories for a while now, but kept everything private because the Imposter Syndrome side of me kept saying: “I’m not good enough.”

I want to let you all know: That side of you is a bully, only existing to hold you back from your highest potential. For every self-critic your mind creates, manifest a self-advocate to shut them down.

“Yes, I AM good enough. I have important stories, art, music, and culture to share with the world, and I’m not gonna let you dampen my spirits.”

Life gets busy. That’s understandable. I had A LOT going on that kept me occupied since 2014. Now that I’m married, settled into a routine, and activities have slowed down a bit, I can focus on my hobbies again. And man, am I so glad I did.

You are all wonderful. I can’t ever thank you all enough for your kindness, your energy, and your imaginative spirits. Keep writing, keep drawing, keep composing, keep creating, keep inspiring.

The world needs more motivated minds. 💫

[libraryleopard]

deeply obsessed with this album right now

[lydiaxcathh]

Hi so introduction post I guess???

˚ ༘♡ ⋆｡˚

I am 22 and a psychology and sociology major . I have struggled with mental health and open about my experience with autism and eating disorders and am interested in recovery and living a healthier lifestyle. I also have a strong interest in music, photography & writing and alternative subcultures. Want to make more friends!! Lmk🩷

[immaculatasknight]

Rare courageous voice

[haveacupofjohanny]

Selena Quintanilla: Beyond the Public Persona

Unveiling the Selena You Never Knew: A Look Beyond the Stardom Selena Quintanilla remains an icon, a woman who painted her dreams not only in the rhythm of Tejano music but also in the hearts of those she touched. #fridayfeature

Few names shine as brightly in the sweeping landscape of Latin music as Selena Quintanilla’s. Known mononymously as Selena, she left an indelible mark on Tejano music and the hearts of millions. In this Friday feature, I want to venture beyond the glitz of her public persona to uncover lesser-known life stories and weave together a more holistic picture of her life and what she left behind. The…

[captaingimpy]

Dissecting Disability Representation in Media: Insights from 'My Left Foot,' 'Echo,' and 'Music Within'

In the realm of cinematic and television media, the portrayal of disabilities often treads a delicate line between realism and dramatization. This intersection is vividly illustrated in productions like “My Left Foot,” the TV show “Echo,” and the film “Music Within.” As someone who is both neurodivergent and living with cerebral palsy, I approach these portrayals with a critical eye, keenly aware…

[queerineverysense]

❤️ The Heart of Broadway💃

A few weeks ago, I had the absolute privilege of embarking on a journey through the enchanting world of Broadway. From captivating performances of Back To The Future, Hadestown, and Kimberly Akimbo, to inspiring experiences at the talkback for Hadestown and partaking in a rehearsal for Kimberly Akimbo, to poignant reflections at the Museum of Broadway. 

🥀 Hadestown, with its intricate layers of storytelling, resonated with me deeply. It's the kind of art that unveils new truths with every viewing, leaving me (a little teary and) in awe of its profound portrayal of love's complexities and tragedies. To get a glimpse into the actors' profound life journeys and dedicated love for their craft at the post-show talkback session only further solidified my commitment to pursue my own creative passions.

📿Kimberly Akimbo struck a chord in my heart, shedding light on the often overlooked experiences of those of us with disabilities in this pretty nuanced way. I cried the entirety of the second act, and was thoroughly reminded of the urgent need for greater representation and advocacy. This whole trip along with this show has really ignited the call within me toward advocacy with determination to dismantle barriers of misunderstanding (because honestly the vast majority of people really just don’t get it). I honestly will never forget this show or the experiences on this trip...

🚗 While Back To The Future dazzled with its technical prowess and nostalgic charm, my heart is really with narratives rich in depth and substance. Nevertheless, the trip was honestly beyond anything I could have imagined and eye opening in a lot of ways. I am immensely grateful to have had the opportunity to immerse myself in the world of theater, to share these memories and moments with my brother, and to have been able to speak up for those of us with disabilities throughout this trip. ✨

[faithfromanewperspective]

i just opened my second urban design subject and it is so exciting i swear this course is my main source of serotonin i want to eat it

[woundedheartwithin]

I didn’t expect the thing to help me out of my depressive episode to be BTS reels but here we fucking are

[archivist-the-knight]

what do i even say about that ending like im being serious a game should not be this fucking good.

[tayfabe75]

July 29, 2019: The 1975 show solidarity with their LGBTQ fans while performing in St. Petersburg, Russia. (source 1, 2)