#my twee era

[colinarmistead]

having a lot of fun doodling my little guy Oscar, been holding onto this guy longer then any other character

[proustian-dream]

1990, Spain, Stamp, flexi-disc.

Twee pop.

Flores se mueven a mi paso / me cuentan mil historias / que nunca han ocurrido de verdad // Mira, yo no te estoy mintiendo / cuando te digo esto...

[quarterprioritymidnight]

Dan Smith and Charlie Barnes of 'Bastille' at Belladrum 2023

[edienotsedgwick]

and so now edienotsedgwick the secret Tumblr of Auckland singer-songwriter Edie VC has lived through:

regular show/adventure time era (2014) -> ever after high/monster high/gravity falls/a few other cartoons idgaf about anymore/arrow/the flash era (late 2015-16) -> emo trinity era (2016-17) -> fueled by five/scenemo history + scenecore tumblr microcelebrity era (2017-18) -> britpop stan with weird cottagecore adjacent aesthetic era (2019) -> manics stan era (late 2019-probably early 2023 but the end of the era isn't as defined because msp are still my fave band I'm just out of the hyperfocus stage with them) -> 60s witchcraft woo woo era (2021-2022) -> second emo phase but as a heavier 2nd wave listener and also a spreader of the twee pop agenda era (2023-May this year) -> EXTREMELY GAY sleater-kinney stan era (May 2024-present)

[tatsumi-rin]

Which is worse: the unrealistic romanticising of two dying teenagers - including them fucking in the Anne Frank House as a tasteless metaphor - in The Fault in Our Stars; or any one of the also unrealistic events in It's Kind of a Funny Story, including the small part where the 15 year-old protagonist legitimately thinks a schizophrenic guy - whose voice he already compared to that of Mr Hankey from South Park - suddenly blurting out repeatedly that his mother beat him with hammers out of nowhere and seeming a bit out of sorts is funny? I actually can't tell.

[delicateimage]

I remember with the faintest memory possible (I could’ve been like… 3 omg) being in a blockbuster and getting an ice age board game and I used to chew on the saber tooth tiger piece so much omg… we used the ‘Redbox’ thing that was basically just the like vending machine version of blockbuster but it could never amount to the irl experience of blockbuster methinks, like I’d pay to be able to experience getting stale bagged popcorn and raisinets while renting a Barbie movie. Also omg are you ok I hope everything is well with your ex now bc that sounds like such an awful situation of being unable to control what you say about someone you’re conflicted on personally like hopefully you didn’t damage the relationship, would it help to take a small alcohol break/drinking less even if it’s just a bit while you sort the situation out? Maybe being able to see how you’re able to handle things while sober and in a focused state of mind would aid in being less dependent on drinking, but if it wouldn’t don’t listen to me AT ALLLL and please find guidance in someone who has had experience with liquid substance abuse before and quit, or if you’re ever to the point where you feel like you need something like AA or a call line please don’t hesitate!

Yaoi is like kinda the best thing ever

[aidens-ocean-galaxy]

marauders era girls and their aesthetics (in my opinion)

Lily: light academia, dark academia, and coastal cowgirl

Mary: pink coquette, soft girl, early 2000s, and barbiecore

Marlene: skater girl and grunge

Pandora: mermaidcore and fairycore

Dorcas: whimsigoth

Emmeline: skater girl, dark academia, and acubi

Narcissa: old money and coastal grandmother

Bellatrix: goth

Andromeda: dark academia and normcore

Alice: art hoe, light academia, twee, and elevated indie

Petunia: coastal cowgirl and coastal grandmother

[pedropascalito]

The Last of Us Joel Miller Character Study S1E1: Kitchen Decor Scheme

Joel’s kitchen is homey and functional without being twee and I appreciate this insight into his personality via his home:

This kitchen decor and brown color scheme is so aggressively 90’s and looks like every kitchen I spent time in during that era. (We had two kitchens in my home and the second one we had for convenience never got updated and could have been their filming location.)

The contrasting white pantry doors and white appliances really add the final 90s touch, very believable to still be in place into 2003.

The microwave over the stove was a little fancy for this time, as I recall. Now it's standard practice.

Wrap that watermelon in some Saran Wrap please!

Sarah I know you have bigger problems coming up but the metal spatula on a nonstick pan is stressing me the fuck out. I love that Joel has never corrected her about this.

Tabasco on the table like a good Hill Country/Valley household always has. Love that detail. Cholula would also be appreciated.

And a bay window in the kitchen? Ooh he got money.

Vacuum behind the table is very functional.

You just know it’s only due to Sarah’s efforts that those plants are thriving.

I see medication on the shelf and I’m guessing it’s Joel’s and now I’m stressed he didn’t even have his meds when the world fell apart.

I love there are none of the following in his kitchen:

A big wooden spoon and fork

Baskets of various sizes nailed to the wall

Fake flower sprays

Thick curtains

Wooden word signs

[missingthecold]

Her twee era is my number one inspiration

[olderthannetfic]

The huge wave of new Stranger Things has a kind of subtrend of fics where the author makes a huge deal about how much research they did and what deep cuts all their references to '80s gay and/or metal subcultures are, with extremely varying levels of effectiveness (as per standard for very popular historical setting ships, but I think it's easier for them to hit the uncanny valley for an era when lots of people of my generation were already alive, compared to like historical-era Stucky fic), and I think the biggest cognitive shock out of one of those was when a "let's explore '80s gay culture!" fic also had a character use the phrase "gay panic" to describe recently figuring out he was bi, as if he was already familiar with the modern usage but not any other

--

LOL. Jesusfuckingchrist, writers. Current older queer people hate it when you use that phrase. Less than a decade after Milk's murder, they would not have been using it in this moronic, twee way.

For that matter, you want a dose of ~old queer culture~?

Don't make flailing like a muppet a thing at all.

Fuck that "I'm helpless because too queer" nonsense. When I was A Youth™, I did not see that. Not from my fellow babies and not from the older queer community. Might as well have your characters call themselves "memelords" or talk about fucking horse plinko in your oh-so-historical fic.

The presence of the concept of that panicking in the tumblr sense is itself uncanny valley for me.

[legoflowrs]

HII i was wondering if you could do some hcs like you did for Kyle and Kenny but with Craig?? No pressure ofc! 💗

HEADCANNONS

cw: drug use, drinking, smoking, slight nsfw

AGED UP TO 18 PEOPLE

a/n: hiya! so in the head cannons craig is with tweek but obviously in the relationship ones he’s with reader xx

i’m also in my craig era rn! hope u like this anon <3

Craig Tucker

- I’m a firm believer in Peruvian Craig!

- He was adopted by Laura and Thomas but Tricia is their biological child.

- Struggled a lot with identity issues when growing up because he didn’t know much about his birth family.

- Laura being the angel she is worked extra hard to make sure Craig was in touch with his birth culture. Took him to a lot of events and tried to cook the food to the best of her ability.

- Out of all the families in South Park I think the Tucker family is the healthiest.

- Craig decided to not put a label on his sexuality. He just wants to go with the flow and see where life takes him.

- That being said it took a long time for him to accept he was attracted to guys. He had a lot of internalised homophobia because of the culture in South Park.

- He was petrified when he realised he had feelings for Tweek.

- I think his family were his rock during this time.

- Still flips everyone off. He thinks it’s peak humour (dumbass).

- Plays football 100%

- Dies when he sees that Tweek is cheering for him on the sidelines.

- Has a touch of the tism (lol).

- I think he really struggles to verbalise his emotions so he sticks to physical touch and acts of service.

- I think he’d probably also plays violin he finds it super calming.

- Listens to R&B.

- Goes to the gym a lot it relieves his stress.

- Goes for runs when he can’t go to the gym.

- Gets a job at Tweek bros and all the grandmas love him.

- Tea drinker!! His favourite is chamomile and honey.

- Tries to do some boxing with Tweek. Gets beat up by Tweek.

- Plays Roblox religiously.

- Likes cooking but hates baking.

- Wears slippers in the house like a little meemaw.

- I think he’d sell vapes on the dl lmao.

- HATES school dances but his friends force him to go anyway.

- Might not act like it but would die for his friends, he has a super soft spot for Clyde. They have been bestfriends for years.

- I head cannon he would become a firefighter lol (i have a fic idea in my head like firefighter!craig and paramedic!reader lol).

- Is still super obsessed with astronomy.

- But absolutely hates astrology he thinks it’s so dumb.

- Will go to the planetarium very often.

- Still wears his hat all the time. But in high school learnt to style his hair so started wearing it less often.

- Smokes weed with Kenny.

- Takes his alcohol well but gets super clingy when he’s drunk.

- He would say he hates parties but somehow is always at them.

- He HATES reading.

- Prob had to be tutored by Kyle during high school.

- Kenny pierced his nose.

- Has a good relationship with Tricia even though they bicker a lot. He takes her for ice cream.

- Loves kids but they find him intimidating lol.

- Is really good at calming babies down (meow).

- Royal blue is his favourite colour.

- Got into the bad habit of smoking cigarettes after having a fight with Tweek.

- Would have sleepovers with Tweek often. They make breakfast together 🥹

- He starts doing media in high school and buys a video camera. Makes little montages of his family and friends. Probably makes them for his friends birthdays as well. (this head cannon is inspired by the fic “ladies and gentlemen we are now floating in space” on ao3, go read it bc it changed my life).

- Plays chess.

- Listens to classical music.

- Likes hiking and discovering new trails.

- Guilty pleasure is Dolly Parton!!!!

- Avid milk drinker makes fun of others for drinking alternative milks.

- Grows flowers and gives them to Tweek. It takes ages cause he always forgets and they end up dying.

- Only drinks room temperature water.

- He has so many tattoos that Tweek designed (my head cannon is that Tweek is really good at art).

- Fucker is tall. 6’2!!!

- Is pretty defined from all the physical activity he does.

- When he’s older he rides a motorcycle.

- Exclusively wears converse. All his friends draw and write on them.

Craig in a relationship

- Okay let’s get down to business hehehe.

- Once again my major head cannon is firefighter!craig and paramedic!reader.

- He is super affectionate with you because that’s how he verbalises his love for you.

- Will do little things for you like tie your shoes or refill your water bottle without you asking.

- Absolutely froths when you wear his letterman jacket.

- He loves linking pinkies with you.

- He has a polaroid of y’all in his phone case.

- You guys have sleepovers often!

- You, him and Tweek go on day trips together.

- He’s not the best at consoling you when you’re upset but he really tries

- Y’all play Roblox together.

- He sends you gym gain updates (meow).

- Loves when your head is on his chest, he strokes your hair.

- Y’all always share headphones whenever you go anywhere.

- You are his passenger princess!!!

- He’s pretty experienced with sex. Loves making you feel good!

- Will hold your hand during sex he finds it super intimate.

- Is super insecure that you’ll leave him for someone who’s better at dealing with their emotions.

- I think he might have a tendency to blow up during arguments. He kinda shoves his feelings down so it all comes out during arguments.

- Goes for a run after y’all fight.

- Also head cannon that he will be super protective over you if you’re pregnant 🥹

- Would love to have a mini version of you guys running around.

- Likes to stargaze with you in the back of his truck.

- Y’all go camping together and roast s’mores on the fire.

- You beg him to go midnight swimming. He caves cause he can’t say no to you.

- Bends down to give you kisses.

- Loves holding your waist or hips.

- Holds your face in both his hands and gives you tender kisses on your nose.

- Will literally body slam you on the mattress cause he thinks it’s hilarious.

- You guys and Tweek have movie nights super often.

- When he falls in love he’s in deep.

- Will propose to you under the stars.

- Makes a video of all your friends saying happy birthday and a heartfelt message from him. Makes you cry for hours.

- Will pick you up when he hugs you.

- You braid Tricia’s hair and go get your nails done together.

- His parents adore you. Laura is a second mum to you.

- All in all Craig is super in love with you 10/10 boyfriend.

[pansyfemme]

any new recent indie or tweepop discoveries you've been listening to?? 😼 and do you have any bands you think are underrated or overlooked

recently i've been listening to a lot of more c86 era inclined stuff.. dolly mixture, fat tulips (i love these demos the most tbh) and recently i've been really into snowbirds.. which apperantly. seems to have some acclaim based on articles i've found but it seems like they didn't really get as much documentation.. oh and this is honestly my fault for not getting into them sooner since they're fairly well known but i've been really liking the would-be-goods lately lol.. other stuff i've been listening to is jeanines, which are a current band- i saw them about a month ago opening for the softies and loved them soooo much... umm. free loan investments and the garlands also. sorry thats a lot! aside from that i have been obsessivly listening to the go! team again haha... the thunder, lightning strike! reworks own my entire ass right now.. that's all..

but in terms of underrated stuff for twee.. i think it's hard because underrated for twee means like "ten people like this band but they REALLY like it".. but i still think the maybellines are fucking fantastic. I still think that people don't talk enough about Sean Tollefson's work outside of Tullycraft (Six cents and Natalie is really fantastic). and like. i think i found Laura Watling for the first time on a hhbtm comp and was immediatly like.. so why have i never heard of her or any bands she's in before this is so great. hm. This ep by snoozer is still a fave and I know there are a lot of Seapony fans out there but I don't think they realize that Transmittens is basically the same band with the same members, just a little earlier and with a cuter sound. yayyyy

[bsaka7]

tagged to post my 9 favourite album with commentary by @mathewbaldzal !!!! we r two peas in a pod i think with having a lot to say about some tunes...

in no particular order...

different class (1995) - pulp. this is not my no1 album of all time because i don't have a favorite album of all time, but this album is in part representative of "getting into music" to me. i love 90s britpop, whatever that means for a random american and this is my fav of em all (though i do actually quite rate this is hardcore in pulp's discography). "common people" is one of the songs of ALL TIME. god jarvis's little sing-song sleazyness gets me. really, really, really great classic performance of it at glasto 1995...for some reason "pencil skirt" also always really hits.

home video (2021) - lucy dacus. the newest album on this list by a long shot, but it's had songs in my top5 year end lists since it came out. i've also seen lucy live <3. this album rises above some of the others in similar company (punisher - phoebe bridgers, the boygenius ep, etc) because i never get tired of it. "first time" "hot & heavy" "brando" and "triple dog dare" are nearly always standbys in my listening history. probably gonna be an album-i-listened-to-in-college classic forever...

songs of love and hate (1971) - leonard cohen. maybe none of my favorite leonard cohen songs are on this album, but as a single work, this album stuns me. possibly the most transfixing 44:21 i've ever heard. his lyricism in particular is -- i can't even describe it. the mix with his voice, the sparseness of the instrumentation at time, the harmonies. i'm not a big stories guy but in this, yeah, the songwriting, the stories. i don't think there's another album like this one out there, really.

if you're feeling sinister (1998) - belle & sebastian. the first time i heard this album, i thought i had never heard an album so perfect. i love songs off of it but i nearly always listen to it whole. i love, love, love b&s's early sound (twee, if you will), and stuart murdoch's lyrics really, really shine. this is one of my favorite albums to listen to when i have a headache because it's lovely to just, focus on but not grating at all. i really love "judy and the dream of horses" and "get me away from here i'm dying". really, a beautiful work

rumours (1977) - fleetwood mac. i was sort of scrolling through some of my playlists trying to decide what to put on this list (it's a bit weighted towards stuff that's in rotation now) and i couldn't leave off fleetwood mac (in part to represent the huge part of my music taste that is like. classics 1965-1980). stevie nicks was one of my earlier music obsessions (the OG was the beatles). so many wonderful songs and riffs. i know this was left off the original 12-inch but "silver springs" is one of my favorite songs forever and ever and ever...

nebraska (1982) - bruce springsteen. when it comes down to it, this is my favorite springsteen album. i do think his 1975-1987 run of albums is pretty much perfect but nebraska is a masterpiece in a way that i find hard to express in words. there's a sense of sparseness and distance in this work (in part bc of how it was recorded) that i find so utterly compelling i can't even describe. "nebraska" - especially this 1984 live version - is a perfect song to me. perfect. i also like a lot of the stuff that went into inspiring this album (notably flannery o'connor) and well. where it fits into springsteen's narritivization of his own life (dude was in the dumps).

all killer, no filler (2001) - sum41. this pick is a little bit representative of the era of my life where i basically exclusively listened to pop punk but if songs of love and hate is an album that's perfectly drawn out, this is an album that's perfectly compressed. like, the title is correct. this album is fucking TIGHT. i used to listen to it at a job i hated to make the 30-min intervals go by. and it's got such classics...."fat lip"..."motivation..." of course, "in too deep." SO good.

what did you expect from the vaccines? (2011) - the vaccines. maybe this pick is a tiny bit cheesy but it is a perfect encapsulation of the era of alt rock it came from. which i love. i really like the vaccines, i think they're super fun and i did see them in concert finally and they totally lived up to that. "wetsuit" is again...one of my favorite songs of all time. "if you wanna" is a perpetual banger.

age of consent (1983) - new order. again, an album that deserves to be listened to whole, despite how good "age of consent" hits alone ever single time. sometimes i think i like another new order album more than this, but i don't. sumner's voice just out-of-tune ringing out over that sound, that new order sound, the bass, that post-punk club vibe. they're a band that don't sound like anyone else, and this is the album most indicative of that. wow, every time.

a few narrow misses

boxer (2007) - the national. i didn't get the national until one day i did. "slow show." my god. hello.

very (1993) - pet shop boys. it's too simple to say this is an album about gay love because it's so embedded in it's context but. this is an album with so much love. psb are brilliant.

the execution of all things (2002) - rilo kiley. jenny lewis CALL ME. also like. you know "a better son/daughter". there's more.

a thousand suns (2010) - linkin park. i used to listen to this at 6th grade cross-country practice. first band i ever got into on my own. idk.

this is not only my favorite albums but a pretty decent summation of the broad strokes my overall taste. thank you again for the tag!! i enjoyed doing this a lot :). idk who has done this/on what blogs so if u have PLEASEEEEE send it to me i want to see!! i tag @lfcrobbo @upthebrackets @girlfriendline @odegoob @amandaleveille @thelittlebirdthatkeptsomanywarm @kritischetheologie @bright-and-burning @a-corn-field if any of u want to but no presh!!!

[whatstruthgottodowithit]

Because I Liked A Boy [Part Three]

Fandom: Harry Potter [Marauders Era]

Pairing: James Potter x Regulus Black, James Potter x Lily Evans,

Characters: James Potter, Regulus Black, Sirius Black, Remus Lupin, Lily Evans, Barty Crouch Jr, Evan Rosier, Marlene McKinnon, Mary MacDonald, Peter Pettigrew, Fleamont Potter, Euphemia Potter,

Word Count: 1752

Rating: Teen

Summary: I see your face it's clear as day you love her and it shows.

Tags/ Warnings: Hogwarts, Halloween Challenge, Writing Challenge, Song Fic, Marauders Era, Period Typical Attitudes, Coming Out, Abusive Households, Kisses, Angst, Fluff, Regulus is underage, Wedding, Engagements, Lost Love, Christmas

Notes: This is the end of my summer challenge! Hope you've enjoyed <3

Halloween Challenge 2024 // Song Inspo

Part One // Part Two// Part Three

‘Bride or groo-, oh sorry mate didn’t realise it was you,’ Peter said offering Regulus a smile. He’d been hoping to slip in and sit at the back given he wasn’t exactly in the mood to talk to anyone but Remus and Peter were ushers, creating a bottleneck at the door of the church as they chatted to each guest that entered and showed them to their seats. Remus appeared at Peter’s side a moment later the wizened old woman he’d been helping now sitting in the seat, though she didn’t look as though she knew where she was, her eyes wandering around the stone architecture as she sucked heartily on a humbug.

‘Yeah,’ Regulus said eager to get seated, ‘er James’ side I guess.’

‘Right yeah,’ Peter said, producing an order of service for him before he said, ‘right side.’

‘Thanks,’ Regulus nodded curtly though as he moved to get past Remus said, ‘you look nice.’

‘Thank you,’ Regulus said again, glancing down at his wide lapelled all black suit. He wasn’t dressed over the top seeing as it was a half muggle wedding he hadn't wanted to wear dress robe. And since Sirius and Remus had been out of the flat this morning, after spending the night at the Potters, and therefore not able to guide him in how to dress he was happy he hadn't. Remus and Peter were dressed in dark tweed three-piece suits, bottle green ties poking out against stark white shirts. Their outfits looked good if a little boring in comparison to a traditional wizard wedding but he muttered, ‘you too,’ all the same.

And then before he was caught in any further conversation he brushed past them both and found a seat on a back pew. The church was nearly full by now with people milling around and chatting to those they knew. Regulus slunk down in his seat, leafing through the order of service. There were hymns he didn’t know and a reading he knew to be nauseatingly twee even if it was traditional. If he was being honest with himself he didn’t know why he had come. Well that was a lie he’d come because he’d been unexpectedly invited, though a glance around had told him the majority of the wizarding community had, and because there was no way to explain to Sirius why he didn’t want to attend not when he was done with school and as yet to start his job or have any excuse for not coming.

But as he heard his brother’s laugh catch on the air, bouncing off ancient stone as it wafted towards him, he looked up and found the reason he’d come. James. 

He looked exquisite in his suit, a match to his brother’s and his friends and yet still seeming more alluring on the messy haired boy. He was laughing at something Sirius had said, glee in his eyes as they chatted at the end of the altar. 

Regulus watched him, he was the reason he was here after all. It was time to face the music, to address the turmoil and heartache that had been plaguing Regulus for nearly a year. Except he didn’t stand up and profess his undying love. He didn’t run to James and beg him not to get married. In fact as the music started and Lily started walking down the aisle he didn’t do anything but stare at her. 

She looked radiant. A vision in an elegant white gown, her auburn hair falling around her face in soft waves, highlighting milky skin and radiant green eyes. And as she took her place beside her husband to be Regulus couldn’t help but admit that the pair looked well matched and to his sorrow, radiantly happy. Anyone could see that. As James made vows to his new wife and whisked her off back down the aisle there was no hesitation, nothing but undying love. Nothing but Lily Evans on his mind.

And so Regulus moved through the motions of the day on autopilot. He clapped when they kissed. He sipped champagne as he waited for the wedding party to be done with the photographer. He chatted politely to Remus and thanked Euphemia and Fleamont for their invite, as a gentleman would. He ate the dry chicken and didn’t complain when he was given soup not salad though the temperature in the reception venue was easily knocking into double digits. He even forced a laugh in Sirius’ best man speech and clapped at the end of James’ trying to ignore the bile in his throat as he spoke about their love withstanding anything. And as the pair got up to do their first dance, to a whiny muggle crooner Lily had obviously chosen, Regulus got up out of his seat and stood around the dance floor, watching with the others as they oohed and aahed. 

Though as he watched James spin her around the dance floor, the poise and precision he sported on the quidditch field somehow not translating to ballroom dancing, Regulus couldn’t help but wonder.

Wonder if he could’ve stopped it all. Not even the wedding. Not even by standing up and protesting that they don’t get married. No, long before today, when James had told him he loved him. It was a memory he’d thought of countless times, mostly in the dead of night when his bunk mates were too comatose to hear him crying, and each time he wished he could change it. He wished he could make himself be brave, to say it back.

He wondered if that had been what made James rethink. It was obvious he loved Lily, adored her, but he had loved Regulus too and maybe if Regulus hadn't been too scared to admit he felt the same they wouldn't be standing here at all, on opposite sides of the dance floor

Except he hadn't. He hadn’t said a word, not even when he’d had the chance at his ‘returning to school’ party. He could’ve told them all then. It would’ve meant a flip out from Sirius possibly James too. Lily would’ve been flabbergasted and it would’ve been all around the school before he’d even returned. But he could've done it. 

But he hadn’t. 

He hadn’t told a soul and now there was no changing anything. It was too late.

He would have to live and let live. James Potter was a married man and if he had to admit it Lily made a lovely bride. 

But as other couples started to join them on the dance floor the outpouring of love became too much and Regulus fell back through the crowd until he was up near the marquees exit and when no one was looking he slipped out.

Though the sky was still light it had gotten significantly cooler out here, enough to make Regulus shiver now there wasn’t a mass of bodies around him. He could feel the tears coming, stinging at his eyes but not spilling over as he looked up at the faint crescent moon, present but not being given room to shine due to the sun refusing to dip beyond the horizon just yet. 

Regulus looked at it. He knew how it felt to be a summer's moon, trying so hard to shine when the sun was still around to eclipse you. Although he wasn’t sure who the sun was in this scenario as Lily was just as radiant. Then again just like the sun James touched every inch of his life. He'd never be able to escape him without losing Sirius too which wasn’t an option. So he would have to accept that for now he had to be eclipsed. And maybe one day it would get easier. When autumn fell and the sun started to recede he'd have his time to shine free of encumberments. Because James' life was mapped out for him now. He'd become a father, he’d have his own family, one that held the marauders close but not in one another’s pockets. Remus and Sirius would do the same and Regulus would have no choice but to stand on his own two feet. To shine on his own. 

When he heard rustling, the telltale sound of the marquee flap opening as it allowed laughter and music to float into the silence, he straightened up and furiously brushed the tears away hoping that whoever it was wouldn’t be able to tell he had be crying though as he turned around to check he kind of hoped it would be James coming to find him, that he'd be able to see the hurt he had, that he still, caused.

Only it wasn’t James.

It was Sirius who was coming towards him, his suit now dishevelled the drunker he’d gotten though his face was stoic and serious. Remus was standing by the marquee entrance, a sympathetic look on his face. Sirius glanced back at him and nodded as if instructing him to duck back inside, to stand watch of the door. Regulus folded his arms across his chest. He’d faced many a withering stare from his mother and many a thunderous rant from his father without breaking. He’d been screamed at and hexed and had learned to remain quiet and collected knowing any sign of weakness would only anger them further. What he had not faced though was this.

Love. It was plastered all over his brother's face from the way he looked at him knowingly, radiating sympathy. It made Regulus falter, his voice uneven as he asked, ‘what are you doing out here?’

‘Making sure you're okay,’ Sirius said truthfully.

‘I’m fine,’ Regulus lied.

‘Reggie,’ Sirius said quietly and that was all it took to get Regulus to crumble. He found himself moving towards his brother who dutifully opened his arms and wrapped them around him, his hand stroking Regulus’ hair gently.

Even with Sirius being as nice as he was it didn’t take long for the embarrassment to settle in but Regulus couldn’t make himself pull away fearing allowing him to look at the mess he was would only make him feel worse. So with as big of a voice as he could muster he asked, ‘did he…did James tell you?’

‘He didn’t have to,’ Sirius said quietly, ‘I’m so sorry Reggie.’

Regulus inhaled deeply. He could still see the moon, brighter now that the sun had finally dipped beyond the horizon making it shine against an inky blue sky. 

‘Me too.’

[suedesongs]

These Are The Suede Songs 001: Early Recordings

Suede’s early trajectory is often described, especially by the band themselves, as “the world’s longest overnight success”. Four years of slogging the toilets of London, from playing humiliating gigs to, on one occasion, nobody at all, to appearing on the front page of Melody Maker, may sound quick, but in musical terms can feel like a lifetime. This was during the era of musical trends coming and going in rapid succession, a little like fashion microtrends today. Within those four years, Baggy and the Second Summer of Love, The Stone Roses and Spike Island, raves and ecstasy,  made way for American grunge - precisely the opposite, and amongst this cultural shift, quietly grafting their way, were Suede. 

Whilst there aren’t a great deal of surviving bootlegs or demos from this era, I still felt incredibly compelled to cover what I could find in a dedicated post. Research was rather fruitless at times, and I found much of the writing on this period of the band’s career to be marred (cough) by the insistence of male writers to throw all of their energy into a somewhat troubling obsession with what is perceived as the infamous Anderson-Frischmann-Albarn “love triangle”. I took to Twitter (or, blegh, X) to vent my frustrations, and received a reply from my friend Tasha who, much more eloquently than I, expressed how Justine Frischmann is viewed as merely an object in an interpersonal drama, rather than a fleshed out musician in her own right. Are women doomed to simply be accessories to their male counterparts? I find this disheartening when Frischmann is so integral to not only the Suede “story”, but, in my opinion, to what would go on to become the sound we all know, and love.

My analysis will frequently include my personal opinions, and should not be taken as definitive. Where necessary to the discussion of the songs, tidbits of info may be provided in order to “set the scene”. This series should not be used as a biography, but instead an exploration of a body of work. It will be by no means objective. I’m a massive Suede fan. I’ve travelled up and down the country for gigs, queued from as early as 6am for a coveted barrier spot, my cat is (in a roundabout way) named after an obscure Bloodsports-era B Side. I’m a self-professed fangirl. Having said this, I’ll do my best to not let this get in the way. And with all of the preliminaries seen to, we begin with,

Just A Girl (Anderson/Frischmann)

Though credited to Anderson-Butler, this light, airy folk ballad is reportedly the oldest surviving Suede tune, dating far before Bernard Butler joined. The version that appears online, and on the deluxe edition of the debut, is likely a home demo recorded by Brett Anderson and Justine Frischmann. 

Anderson, in his memoir Coal Black Mornings, explains the titular girl, “north of England way”, is a Middlesborough-born Chemistry student called Emily, with whom he shared a flat on Daisy Bank road in Longsight, Manchester, in the year after he moved from Haywards Heath to the rainy industrial Northern city. ‘Just A Girl’ really couldn’t be set in any city other than Manchester. It describes the beginnings of a fond friendship, perhaps more, distinctly against the backdrop of a harsh, wet winter, overlooked by grey skies and red-bricked former warehouses. It’s the first, blushing, awkward flushes of young love. It’s leaving your University lectures at half past three when it’s already pitch dark. It’s when you say something you shouldn’t to the person you fancy after a few drinks. It’s huddling under the covers to stay warm, the excitement of closeness and companionship. 

I typically have a complete, and near visceral, aversion to anything, musically or otherwise, that can be described as “twee”. Just A Girl, I feel, does undeniably dangle its harmonies and lyrical depictions of turning the page of one’s favourite book perilously close to the jaws of this accusation.Yet, I simply cannot bring myself to dislike it. Whilst musically competent, if a little naive, it’s sweet and genuine, and for that, it’s rather lovely. 

There are already some allusions to Anderson’s later lyrical themes; the combination of love and tragedy as he laments how “it could have been so different if we’d only had more time”. Anderson, as we’ll explore, is rarely one to write a straight love song. No matter how they may seem, there is always a thread of tragedy, or drama, which underpins the affair and protects against it veering into saccharine territory. 

For a few years now, I’ve cited the “ashtray eyes and bootlace ties” line to be a direct harbinger of some of Anderson’s later lyrics, most likely thinking of 2011's ‘Brittle Heart’,from his solo album Black Rainbows. However, this is in fact, lifted from Ian Drury’s ‘Sweet Gene Vincent’, more directly alluded to with Anderson and Frischmann lamenting how “Sweet Gene Vincent was never that good”.

According to Anderson, on regular rotation on the turntables of himself, Frischmann and Mat Osman around this time, were a band called The Lilac Time. Quoted in David Barnett’s comprehensive biography, Love And Poison, he describes them as “quite light, leftfield pop sort of thing (...) lots of major seventh chords”, and this influence is abundantly clear on ‘Just A Girl’, and would have possibly done even more had it made it to the studio around this time. 

Frischmann’s, when she and Anderson met, record collection was largely comprised of folk music. In an irritating display of arrogance, Anderson insisted that these records would “no longer be listened to '' with him now in the equation. This decision would, of course, prove seminal in the trajectory of Frischmann’s music career in Elastica, as Anderson introduced her to spiky post-punk, however I find this to be rather ironic considering the undeniable folky nature of this particular song.

‘Just A Girl’ would later be re-recorded by Anderson and Richard Oakes, possibly around 1994, though reports of this vary, but not released to the public until a B-side was required for the single ‘Attitude’ in 2003. More on that (much) later, of course. 

Natural Born Servant (Anderson-Butler) 

‘Natural Born Servant’ is the actual first song in our timeline to be written by Anderson-Butler, and sees Suede as close to flirting with Baggy as they ever would. 

As a result, this one comes across as rather trite, not to mention overlong, clocking in at six minutes and twenty seconds. 

During my initial re-listen in my research for this project, I found myself incredibly puzzled as the chugging, Madchester intro spluttered into a half-hearted groove, before realising I’d gotten it entirely confused with a later track, ‘Be My God’. Frischmann shows herself a competent backing vocalist, possibly more so than Anderson. One YouTube commenter, possibly humorously, alludes to him “doing a Phil Oakey”, and there is indeed a resemblance. Anderson’s, however, is more naive, though he can certainly carry a tune and his voice is pleasant and sweet, possibly to the song’s detriment, when one considers the subject matter. 

Much like a large proportion of Suede’s work, ‘...Servant’ sees Anderson dallying with sexual imagery, and more specifically, BDSM imagery. This attempt, however, whilst enjoyable enough, is surprisingly sexless. It’s almost a feat in itself to write about sex in such a decidedly virginal manner, but I’m glad this was a theme he stuck with throughout his lyrics and it hints at greatness yet to come. More interestingly, however, is the use of sexual imagery as a commentary on class struggle. “You’re a natural born servant/this is the time to open your eyes”, can be viewed as a submissive accepting their place, or a working class individual gaining class consciousness and becoming aware of their oppression in society. 

I must say, I’m glad that this was as far as Suede’s relationship with Baggy really went, at least in the recordings I could find and actively listen to. It’s common to speculate of a song like ‘...Servant’ being indicative of a type of “alternate universe” Suede, but I couldn’t disagree more with this. Suede and Baggy just doesn’t work, and they would have always found their sound one way or another. 

Justice (Unknown, possibly Anderson-Frischmann-Butler) 

Surprisingly, this is the only song of this lot that I find myself drawn to the YouTube search bar to listen to out of choice. It’s almost certainly my personal favourite of all of the pieces we’ve covered here.I even found myself lip syncing to the chorus as I wrote this very paragraph! Oddly, I can’t find too much to say about it. It’s a sweet little, possibly even catchy, slice of Jangle pop. One of the thousands of happy-sad breakup songs of the late 1980s and very early 1990s. Anderson likens it to Aztec Camera’s ‘Oblivious’, which is a far, far better citation than the endless Smiths comparisons I once myself fell privy to, which have since become a cliche.  

We again hear Anderson’s vocals not quite having come into themselves yet, there’s a hint of insecurity and hesitancy. They’re so far removed from what we understand as his vocal styling, that one YouTube commenter on the version I found asks if Butler sings vocals. There is present, however, a deep understanding of melody and an undeniable hookiness. I can see myself going back to this one for the odd listen. 

Wonderful Sometimes (Unknown, possibly Anderson-Butler) 

Gary Crowley, the geezer-ish presenter of the Sunday Afternoon show Greater London Radio, was the host of Demo Clash; a competition held each Sunday on the aforementioned radio station. As the title suggests, this was a show where London bands would send in demos, that would go head-to-head in a public vote. As pointed out in Love and Poison, however, this would largely amount to a game of “who has the most mates”. Anderson would later show dismissal, if not outright disdain for ‘Wonderful Sometimes’. In Dave Thompson’s Suede The Next Life, First Time Around, he describes the song as “shit (...) nothing to get interested in. (...) [GLR] was a little local station, and we’re talking about London where everyone’s in a band.” Still, it would end up on a compilation cassette called What The World Is Waiting For compiled by Adrian Gibson, programmer at Powerhaus on Liverpool Road, N1. 

According to the Discogs listing, the idea was to showcase ten up-and-coming bands who were performing at the venue during this time (from a title like that, go figure). There was additionally a launch night at The Powerhaus, and Gibson was interviewed by Crowley to promote the gig. 

As for the song itself? ‘Wonderful Sometimes’ contains a few witty one-liners, “you couldn’t liven us up with a cattle prod” and “i’ve heard of happy ever after / it was just a joke but you could die laughing” particularly stick out. Personally, I quite enjoy “Do I just love you ‘cause you look quite good”, but that’s because, as a young-ish woman and a passionate fan, this is an accusation I’ve had levelled at me in the past, and I know I’m not the only one! 

‘...Sometimes’ is viewed by many as the holy grail of early Suede recordings, but for something so revered, it’s a decent enough piece of music, but it’s nothing special, even in the context of the other songs we’ve covered. Musically, I try to avoid Smiths comparisons, but here it’s unavoidable as the whiff of William, It Was Really Nothing and even some base notes of Heaven Knows I’m Miserable Now, is enough to give you a migraine. Butler’s playing really is more Marr-ish than Marr, but drenched and sadistically drowned in a wah-wah pedal at times, eliciting a comparison to Fool’s Gold, though, mercifully, this is over much sooner. 

More excitingly is a noticeable shift in Anderson’s vocal styling, now carrying slightly more confidence and having something of a personality. Here, he’s sounding almost like Robert Smith of The Cure, minus the “Robert Smith-isms”. A deliberately but self-consciously Sussex drawl (The Cure, and Smith, were from up the road from Haywards Heath in Crawley), and a slight nasal intonation. 

Ultimately, I don’t so much understand the hype around this one - the reviews on RateYourMusic are unanimously positive, but it’s a jolly tune and, likely because of that, decidedly un-Suede.

[theseasicksailorblog]

Indie Sleaze: 5 item shopping list

My non-negotiable 5 clothing items to live your indie sleaze truth, written as 2000s/2010s fashion historian.

Ballet Flats

Worn by school-teachers and it girls alike, ballet flats have always been a staple in fashion history, especially in the late 2000s and 2010s. For a first time wearer a simple black flat is a safe bet as it can be paired with anything, but if you want to sleaze it up, opt for a metallic or glitter variation. Something to note about indie sleaze fashion is that the more extra it feels, the better it looks, so don't hold back on cool, funky, flats. These can be found in thrift stores, department stores, and all over Amazon.

Metallic Fabric

Since the dawn of rave/party culture, glamorous lamé fabrics have used for just about every article of clothing possible. Cheaper spandex alternatives rose to popularity as The Cobra Snake era partying merged into mainstream. Shiny red leggings paired with a black cropped tank was peak casual 2010s sleaze attire. A great place to find styles like this is Los Angeles Apparel aka American Apparels re-brand. Though they no longer sell the fun colored disco pants and shorts, the lamé collection offers a variety of shiny colorful items with that trustworthy AA quality. Other places to look are party supply stores, poshmark/depop/ebay, rave shops, and of course Amazon.

Ultra Feminine Dresses

One of the most underrated pioneers of indie sleaze fashion is model and t.v. personality Alexa Chung. While Alexa is often grouped with the Twee (shopping list coming soon) and hipster aesthetics of the 2010s her ability to blend soft girlish dresses with last nights makeup allows for an uber sleazy effect. Mini shifts, polka dotted a-lines, and vintage baby-dolls all work as long as you pair them with unkempt hair and grungy tights to keep the edge, bonus points if your dress has a peter pan collar or your tights have rips. You can find these practically anywhere but start at your local thrift store as they usually have large selections of outdated dresses that were popular during this time period. Alternatively look at department stores, vintage/antique markets, and you guessed it Amazon.

Ringer Tee's and Shorts

Before athleisure was an over-saturated mess of "flare leggings" and Lululemon we took inspiration from student athletes everywhere with the iconic ringer tee's and ringer shorts. Getting their name from the contrasting ring of fabric outlining the seams of the article, ringer style pieces were seen everywhere and worn with everything. Both such versatile basics that could be kept casual or dressed up that you might see a ringer tee with a skirt, or ringer shorts with stockings and a blouse. Los Angeles Apparel has great options for both the shirts and the shorts, places like Walmart and Target often carry ringer shorts, and Forever 21 with great ringer tees, and as always Amazon.

Stockings/Tights

It doesn't matter if they're black, white, multicolored, fish-netted, or opaque, stockings always find a way to elevate a basic look and is often what takes an outfit from mainstream to indie sleaze. Don't worry about buying a super nice quality pair as stockings look best with ripping seams and enormous holes. But don't tear them with a fork like those tiktok girls did in 2020, it screams try hard as a real indie sleaze girl would rip them via dancing, curb sitting, and drunken stumbling. Just like the dresses, you can find tights anywhere. However I don't recommend secondhand as they are technically an undergarment and it's hard to ensure the level of cleanliness.

Spacehey saw it first https://spacehey.com/theseasicksailor