#sometimes trends make songs mainstream

[heretodestroyou]

the way he is the one with a dark curls and the one with the watercolor eyes

[itwasnotahamster]

- Letters from the Dead - (Part 1)

Langhus, 21 March 1990 | © The Old Nick | Source: Letters from the Dead

The brackets will indicate possible context or corrections (sometimes commentary). - 💜

"Only Black is true, only Death is real!!! Gore is trend! Hello Nick! It's Dead here again. Hey- you're really good at drawing, I use to do some drawing stuff myself. I enclose something of it in this letter. Maybe we together can work something out, maybe even in Metal Destruction…? You asked of releases, if we need some artworks for that... Well we rarely give out much and as for the next release we'll probably have some photograph instead. But if we would need something that you might feel for help us out with I'll tell of it. So what we can use drawings for is for stuff like flyers, ads and letter­pages. So far I have done the drawings for that... well the main reason of that is that we have a (old!) xerox mashine and I'm the one in the band that 'can' draw. It's not so often that I have time left to spend hours or sometimes days by making drawings and too many don't like that kind of drawings I make (but fuck them wimps!). But onto the Deathlike Silence Prod. now. The 2nd edition of the 1st release on DSP. - Merciless is out now, the one you get here as promo. We're looking for distributors everywhere and everybody who can sell 10 (or more) records will receive a copy for free + that 10 records will be cheaper. As soon as this the 2nd ed. has paid, Imperator will go in studio.

Imperators LP will contain 8-10 songs (depending on how many "old demo songs" they'll use - but it'll be new trax as well) and it'll be entitled "The time before time". After that it'll probably be the colombian Masacre as the next release. Masacre will be very soon release a 7- inches with 3 demo songs on the greek label Scene of Love. That's a new started label and I hope they can give out enough copies, not limited ed. of it. Of course we give the bands free hands and they're not bounded to use at all, but I'm thinking of the fact that Masacre is selling so much... Only in Colombia their 1st, and only demo sold 1000 copies ( which is more than our Deathcrush demo has sold worldwide...). We can only press up 1000 copies each time of every edition of DSP, and the first ed. Of Merciless sold out as fast as we could pack and post it. This second ed. we recieved [received] for not a so long time ago will depend on how much stamps we can get, of how soon it'll sell out. In Norway it's very hard to sell records - it's far away from USA or South America and I don't think any real scene exists here. Do you think you can take care of some distribution/selling of DSP releases, or you maybe know someone else who's interested? [True dedication]. I think Merciless will be very easy to sell in Italy. Many zines exists there and we recieve many letters from there also. We also sell other records (given out by various underground labels) but it can be so different of what records of others releases we sell 'cos we usually don't get so many of them, so they sell out so soon. But anyway - I can tell of what we presently have got (except of Merciless)

LP's (£10000 + postage)

Agressor/Loudblast (split LP, France) "Licenced to thrash"

Arakain (Czechoslovakia, speed metal - I do not like this one!) "Thrash the Trash"

Nomed (France)... very boring mainstream... "Like..."

Abomination (USA)

Disharmonic Orchestra/Pungent Stench (Austria, split LP)

Malicious Intent (Canada) "Shades of black"

7's (£5000 + postage)

Asphyx (Holland, Limited ed. 1000 copies) "Mutilating Process"

Atrocity (Germany) "Blue Blood"

Pungent Stench (Austria) "Extreme Deformity"

Disharmonic Orchestra (Austria) "Successive Substitution"

Do not print this in Metal Destruction, I will explain it to you, ok. If you want any of these records above, please tell of how many and of what records so I can see how much the postage will be. Now over to Mayhem. For the first time we've been in studio and recorded 2 songs (first time with this line-up I mean). It'll be released on Chicken Brain Records, a swedish kind of underground label some time in this autumn. It'll be 8-19 other (swedish) bands on it, among them Merciless. I don't know the title of this compilation LP/CD. Our songs that'll be on it are "The Freezing Moon" and "Carnage". The Freezing Moon is a new one and pretty different from our other songs, as example it's a long guitar solo on a very long Doom part on it and that's because we wanted to have a solo at only one track (of our new ones). Carnage was made in '85 (!) so it's really old. It was on the 1st demo/reh - Pure Fucking Armageddon (released in only 100 copies and not available) but with the thought of the very bad sound on it we feeled for playing it again and try to keep the original sound of it. I'll tape these trax for ya but I'm not so sure of if it'll be enclosed in this letter or if I'll put this letter togeather [together] with the Merciless record but anyhow you'll get this tape. You can record it to others if you like to but please don't trade it, and I'll record some else bands too for filling out the rest of the tape. Have you heard of the INCREADIBLY KILLING GREAT band Tormentor from Hungary? Their demo is about 4 years old but it sounds like the Death/Black metal bands of today. We try to find out if they want a deal on DSP. But unfortunately they hardly speak any English at all so it seems like neither them or us understood it... We think of releasing a full-lengtht LP of Mayhem but it seems to take a fucking longtime before we got material enough for it... The only we know about it is a title that MUST be used - De Mysteriis Dom. Sathanas. That was about all future plans I can tell of I guess. I look forward to see Metal Destruction. There's a possibility that we can sell it also, but I can't say if for sure.

About Satanism... well, I'd like to join a very underground and Illful, Evil and Grim Coven. I think you know of the hassles by finding any or getting any contact with a such. I do NOT like what's created by Anton LaVey like 1st Church of Satan. I came in contact with a dude who's a degree in the American Satans Sons - Church of Satan and he explained of it has nothing to do with LaVey at all. I asked of if it does exist in Europe also and of what it is exactly... well he didn't reply. But I heard later thet Satans Sons shall exist in Europe but I still don't know in which countries it is. In Norway it's not much of this, but in Sweden (-I am swedish) that 1st Church shall be in Stockholm (the capital there) and it shall be about 5 churches built by satanic sects, used only by satanists, mostly it's under christian churches - like the one under "Mariakyrkan" (Mary's Church) in the South of Stockholm where the 1st Church of Satan use to hang around at. I know it exists really Dark covens that use human sacrifices and are eating human flesh - them are those I try to find. I do not know much about magic and I can't say I'm a practicer of it 'cos I havn't succed. What is depending on what one can do in magic (all of its kind) is of what books one can get...those are hidden in libraries and so hard to even see... 'cos of course they don't let anyone even see them. You must be a scientist or something like if you would see the microfilms of that kind of books. A great library of many various kinds of magical arts and the Blackest of Black Arts too is the British Museum in London. But it's so damned difficult to get ones claws on those books. One book I really wanna get is De Mysteriis Dom. Sathanas, unfortunately it exists only in one copy... are you practicing any magic and do you know of any covens? Have you seen/heard/felt anything supernatural? I have but I didn't understand much of what that was and I think the most of it was only so-called echoes from the past or the future [I am curious about this]. Do you know anything about astral planes and out-of body travelling? You seem to be into it and I agree about stupid trendmakers so it is something that I feel I can tell you of. I had a weird experience once, I had inner bleedings and it couldn't be found at x-rays so when it continued to bleed and bleed I finally fainted and dropped down the floor 'cos I run out of blood. The heart had no blood left to beat and my veins/artairs were almost emptied of blood. "Tecnically" I was dead. At that moment I fell down (into a door I heard of later) I saw a strange blue colour everywhere, it was transparent so I could, for a short moment, see everything in blue, till something shining white and "hot" surrounded me. What happened later is out of interest, I woke up when some ambulance men came and drove me to a hospital and there the bastards of surgery started to cut me up at the wrong side so I got a huge scar for that. However, it's someone I know who's had many out of body experiences and is using magic of various kinds and knows much more than I do of "supernatural" experiences, that I asked of this 'cos it was so strange about those colours. She told me that the first 'plane' in the astral world has the colour blue. The "earthly" plane has the colour black, then comes a grey one that is very near the earthly one and is easy to come to. The next one further is blue, and then it gets brighter and brighter till it "stops" at a white-shining one that can't be entered by mortals. IF any mortal succee enter it, that one is no longer a mortal and can not come back to the other planes nor back to this earth. After the white plane or level or whatever it goes further with other colour I don't know of, there only spirits and great sorcerers can travel. I was told that the white plane I then entered, without I knew it, was the dead world and I died. But I also got thrown back after a short time which very rarely happens. So of what I've heard of I have some kind of purpose to achieve here."

Reached the limit for this one, I will add on!

[lurkingshan]

Since you've watched a lot of kdrama, what are common things you've seen in kdrama that have been consistently ported into K-BL, and what is your assessment of that approach?

Ooh, interesting question. So first, let's acknowledge a few things:

Korean bl is short format, with even the longest shows (Light on Me, The Eighth Sense) not even half the length of a standard kdrama (16-20 hours), and most clocking in around 2-4 hours

Kbl operates under much smaller budgets and significant constraints around casting as compared to mainstream kdrama

Kbl often draws from webtoons and manwha and mostly does not have the kind of auteur writers and directors behind it that you get in kdrama (Hwang Da-Seul is the most consistent creator in genre with Where Your Eyes Linger, Blueming, To My Star)

All that said, there are a few features of mainstream kdrama that have definitely ported over into kbl despite these constraints:

Slick production values and strong use of setting and color: even the cheapest kbls still look decent, and there is always intentionally behind the setting and use of color palettes to set the tone and feel. Korea has a very well-developed film industry and it shows. Color Rush, Semantic Error and Blueming were fantastic examples of this: even within more familiar school romances, the settings felt specific and the use of color to communicate character and themes was striking. I also think often of Our Dating Sim and Choco Milk Shake and the very effective characterization work achieved through design of the apartments.

Sound production and music on point: the home of kpop is not going to be caught sleeping on the OSTs. Nearly every production has original songs and given the leads of these shows are usually idols, they're often the ones on the tracks. And when they use music that is not original, like in The Eighth Sense, it's a very intentional choice to set mood and tone. Korea is not going to let a boy who can't actually sing take the mic (*side eyes Thailand*). To My Star is a great example of memorable OSTs even in a fairly low budget production, and Wish You and Sing My Crush showed us what kbl can do when it decides to bring the full kpop treatment to bear.

A keen understanding of the international audience: kdrama production is a big part of South Korea's explicit goals to take the global media landscape by storm, and kbl is included in that. It's not a coincidence that Korea decided to step up its game in this arena shortly after Thai bl exploded (shoutout to 2gether and pandemic lockdowns). Kbl follows trends and explicitly caters to international audiences in a way jbl does not. The Eighth Sense was basically a case study in marrying kdrama sensibilities and western aesthetics for maximum international attention.

Second leads and valorization of unrequited love: you and I have discussed this one a lot because this is a feature of kdramas that will never die and that kbls also clearly love. Korea loves a one-sided love story and culturally, there is a certain dignity afforded to owning your feelings and being honest with the object of your affection, even when there is no hope of reciprocation. Often second leads don't get the guy/girl because they hesitate or hide their feelings until it's too late: the trope is used to underline the important of honesty and effort as well as providing a catalyst for the main lead to make their move. In Korean culture, the trying is what matters much more than the succeeding. We are meant to like most second leads and see them as honorable and dignified for their sincere feelings toward the protagonist. Second lead syndrome is a thing for a reason. It's also just a cheap and easy way to create drama so you'll often see it in the lower budget kbls. Second leads showed up recently in kbls like The Tasty Florida, Jun & Jun, Oh! Boarding House, Bon Appetit, etc. We also sometimes see kbls playing with the idea of unrequited love in the main pairing that is actually requited, like in Our Dating Sim.

Love triangles: relatedly, Korea loves them a love triangle, and they are uniquely good at doing it well when they want to. Light on Me is a fantastic example of a narrative where you can legitimately see the protagonist liking and ending up with both the main and second lead. And that is rooted in the way the narrative treats Daon with dignity even as it punishes him for his hesitation in reciprocating Taekyung's feelings (see above). When you have a strong second lead who engenders real sympathy with the audience, love triangle excellence is achieved.

Workplace romances: kdrama loves workplace romances, and we have seen kbl start to move into that space recently with shows like Roommates of Poongdock 304, Love Mate, Our Dating Sim, Jun & Jun, and The New Employee. Kdrama workplace romances run the gamut, but they often feature chaebol characters paired with a "normal" aka not wealthy person, and we are starting to see that more in the bl genre as well, as we discussed a bit yesterday. I believe @nieves-de-sugui commented on your post about how the rich/poor romance fantasy trend in recent bl may be coming in from kdrama. I think there's some truth to that, but really it's a foundational romance trope that predates kdrama by literal centuries, and is absolutely rooted in heteronormative patriarchal dynamics that assume men are breadwinners and caretakers for women (translated to seme/uke dynamics in bl). Often in kdrama the chaebol character is unable to live an authentic life due to the demands of filial piety and the expectations tied to their wealth, and I do think that dynamic is ripe for enrichment when you layer on gay identity in a homophobic society. But that requires shows leaving the no homophobia bubble, which few kbls have done.

Physical intimacy squarely in the middle space: comparing to heat levels we see across the spectrum of dramas, I think kdrama and kbl are pretty consistent in that they tend to land right in the middle of the spectrum. It's rare to see straight up dead fish kisses from romantic leads anymore (though it still happens, wincing at Unintentional Love Story), but they are also not going to be serving authentic sex scenes. What you get instead is very pretty open-mouthed kissing that feels more realistic than, for instance, the pure jbl lane, but still polished and aesthetically pleasing. Think Semantic Error, Blueming, Roomates of Poongdock 304, Love Mate, To My Star 2, Jun & Jun. This seems to be where the genre is landing and I don't expect heat levels to get any higher for kbl, as this is right in line with mainstream kdrama. The Eighth Sense offered a less polished version of intimacy that felt right in line with its grittier sensibilities.

So, after that long list, on to your second question: my assessment of this approach is that kbls are doing fairly well for themselves when you consider the constraints they are operating under. Look at a show like Love Tractor stacked up against something like Hometown Cha Cha Cha. These are both based in the classic romance trope of a city slicker coming to the country and falling in love with a humble working person. But where HCCC has 16 hours to build a quasi-enemies to lovers narrative with a rich community of side characters, LT has 3.5 hours to achieve the same thing. So it makes sense that it would fall back on well-worn tropes and story beats it knows the audience will recognize to help save time. These shortcuts help the audience ground themselves and get invested in the stories quickly.

One thing I'll say is that kbl mostly stays in the romcom lane with very occasional ventures into melo, and despite what casual observers think, kdrama actually has a lot more to offer than that. It's a giant world with stories based in every possible genre, tone, and style, and Korean media is particularly adept at embedding romance plots that actually work in all kinds of stories including action thrillers, horror, crime narratives, mysteries, supernatural and fantasy epics. I'd love to see kbl try this, though of course it would require the resources and runtime to do it successfully. Here's hoping they get the chance.

[babieswrld]

The 10 questions post was getting too long and I got tagged 3 times so I'm making my own RIDICULOUSLY long post here so I can answer all of the questions teehee <3

INSTRUCTIONS: Prev asks 10 questions and you answer, then ask 10 new questions and tag ppl!

From @rock-n-macabre

Do you think Severen survived the end of Near Dark and he's probably just chewing on roadkill somewhere until he gets his strength back?

100% Severen's still out there running amuck and causing chaos on the backroads of Oklahoma (Caleb and Mae DO eventually turn him back to being a human and he's rightfully bummed with his average human life so he has an existential crisis, dyes his hair, and drives around drunk in a shitty green valiant he stole until he decides to get naked and tries to fight a tornado and ends up getting his ass saved by a beautiful angry woman and her team of adrenaline junkies and obviously that isn't canon but COULD YOU IMAGINE 💀)

Weirdest song you get stuck in your head?

It widely varies depending on the type of music I'm listening to at the time. Recently however it's been Psycho Killer by The Talking Heads and I mean what an absolute banger of a song but one I cannot sing out loud for fear that people around me would become concerned.

What is an item you wish would become a fad?

I feel like I'm going to sound like SUCH a crotchedy old woman saying this but the rise of "TRINKETS" in mainstream culture, aesthetics, and trends. Don't get me wrong I LOVE bag decorations, I have an ita bag I've been lovingly decorating for like 7 years now and I display all my fun pins and keychains that I've acquired mostly at cons over the years, I love it when people are unafraid to display themselves and their interests/hobbies to the world. However my biggest issue with it is that it has become such an 'in' thing to do right now that MASSIVE amounts of junk are being produced by big name trendy stores and it's frustrating because I know that in several months all of that is going to end up in dumps and landfills and thrift stores. Many of these 'trinkets' and charms are in demand because they are what's most popular and people want to show off having the 'in' thing and I get that...but pls I wish more people would be genuine and true to themselves 😭 okay omg rant about that over

If you had to live in an era, what would you choose?

Even since I was little I have a very cultivated obsession with Ancient Egypt, SPECIFICALLY the late Ptolemaic period and EVEN MORE SPECIFICALLY the era from the beginning of the reign of Cleopatra VII to around 30 AD so I think if I could choose to live in ANY time period it'd probably be that one lol. As for other eras I think it would be interesting to be able to visit I'd say...Tudor England, Qing Dynasty China, and probably like the 70s-80s era just from a fashion standpoint.

Fav genre of music?

I think for the most part my favorite music to listen to falls under the category of dream pop, but I'm also very big into alt and rock because for the most part that is what I grew up listening to.

Fav past time?

I have SO MANY. Basically if it's a creative pursuit I'm interested in it. Film, acting, photography, lighting, but the main one I'd say is probably sewing.

Gators or Crocs?

Crocs!!! Both are fascinating but crocs just look like such funny little guys sometimes hehehe

Possums or Armadillos?

POSSUMS. THEY ARE JUST SO CUTE AND I LOVE THEM SO MUCH???? What majestic babies and they get such a bad rap but they're just trying to vibe!!!!

Tacos or Burritos?

Tacos. There is so much versatility in a taco. Soft shell, hard shell, BOTH??? Sometimes with burritos the filling to shell ratio is off and there's too much filling and not enough lovely tortilla for me to enjoy??? With tacos I can fill it as I please and I can see all of my amazing goodness layers and just UGH, tacos are perfection.

Best Bill Paxton movie?

This answer is going to be SO TYPICAL for me but it has to be Twister. Twister was the first film I ever saw him in and growing up that was one of my favorite films and to this day if it's on TV I will sit and watch it. To me, the movie is masterclass in what a good disaster film can and should be with a super compelling, talented cast.

Next is @we-keep-odd-hours

Thoughts on Eric Red's idea for a Near Dark sequel? (Mae and Caleb's adult, human, daughter has a run in with "kin" of the Hookers.)

I'm not mad at it! I feel like conceivably the concept is interesting and it could be marketable, but for me you'd have to really develop characters to fill the shoes of Jesse, Diamondback, Homer, and especially Severen. I wouldn't want to see outright clones, or 'imitations', but making sure to give their "kin" their own traits, quirks, and personality whilst still feeling like they fit together with the Hookers.

Top five movies with vampires?

Near Dark (1987)

The Lost Boys (1987)

Dracula (1958)

Nosferatu (2024)

Valerie and Her Week Of Wonders (1970)

Oddly enough that was super hard to do because I'm not actually really a vampire girl, like the vampire has to be COMPELLING for me to be interested. Within the horror genre as a whole I'm actually more of thriller/slasher horror girl than I am a paranormal girl.

If YOU were going to pitch a sequel (time machine back to 1987, or else a book/comic/etc) what would you say?

Oh. gosh. HOW MUCH TIME DO YOU HAVE BECAUSE I HAVE FUNNILY ENOUGH THOUGHT SO DEEPLY ABOUT THIS. Actually somewhat similar to Eric Red's idea I wouldn't mind a sequel following the daughter of Caleb and Mae HOWEVER, in my version of events Caleb is actually a single father to their teenage daughter. Mae, realizing how unhappy she is with life decides to leave when their daughter is still really young. The thing about Mae is that she doesn't seem too choked up about the whole murderous vampire thing, I don't think she actually had much of a problem with what she and the other Hookers were doing. I could see Mae becoming a serial killer as a human, in an effort to feel more...her version of normal. I think she'd stick to small towns and backroads, just like the ones she called home with the clan. She doesn't disappear entirely from her daughter's life, but their relationship is super strained even tho Mae does genuinely care about her daughter. Meanwhile I see their daughter growing up as the kind of kid who gets into trouble like...a lot. I'd set this roughly around 2007-2009 ish, let's say their daughter is 15 or 16, and she's in this ANGSTY TEEN PHASE and this girl...dresses like she's straight out of an old Hot Topic ad, I'm talking baby mall goth here and there's probably nothing worse than living in the middle of nowhere Oklahoma as a baby goth...but Caleb is at the very least a supportive dad!! Even if he doesn't quite get it, he's supportive! Their daughter is someone with a fascination for witchy things, and dark things, and the girl might be a little obsessed with the concept of vampires. Anyway YADA, YADA SOME MAGICAL SHIT OR SOMETHING....BUT Jesse, Diamondback, Severen, and Homer are back...and they are out for revenge. Only they are surprised to find that Mae is nowhere to be found and Caleb's weird teenage daughter looks an awful lot like Mae! Hm...So I think they'd go the route of using the kid to get to Caleb. Admittedly I haven't hashed out the other details but I think Mae would somehow find out about their return and she ends up seeking them out, not realizing that they are going after her daughter and idk about an ending for this one but maybe one day it'll come to me lol

Favorite scene that isn't the bar scene?

The scene where they're playing poker in the hotel room and Severen and Jesse draw guns on one another because Jesse caught him cheating, just the whole chaotic vibe of them and Homer smoking and the way Diamond kicks Severen's chair...I love it. I love their fucked up little family and their fucked up closeness.

We know (canon) that Mae was turned around 1982, Jesse around the Civil War, and (kiiiiiinda canon?) Severen in Tombstone in the late 19th century. When/where do you think Diamondback and Homer were from?

I cannot lie I am so deeply in love with the way you write Di and her backstory I genuinely cannot see her as being from any other time than the 20s or 30s, like you just write her so well and so naturally that in my mind that's the exact era she fits with. AS FOR HOMER...I think he's old, like if Jesse's old I think Homer is REALLY old. I have this image in my head of Homer and my brain keeps screaming Salem Witch Trials-era, so like late 1600s roughly. He's OLD and he's tired of being young. As for what exactly he was doing the whole time BEFORE Jesse found him? I'm not sure, but what I am sure of is that I do believe in my heart that he's older than Jesse.

Do you think if Caleb got over his selectively applied human moral code that he would have made an okay vampire, eventually?

Yes. Do I think he'd make a fun vampire??? No, not really, I think it'd take a very VERY long time for him to find joy in it the way Severen does, but yeah I think eventually he would...I CAN say that in my Near Dark/Twister AU, by the time 1995 rolls around he's mostly gotten over it.

Severen: ace/aro spec, or no?

I see it. Love isn't his main objective, sex isn't his main objective. Having fun is his objective and I could honestly see him going either way. The way I've written him thus far is that the sex is more about fulfilling the need to fully possess something, to hold power over something and that's what he gets off on more than the actual physical act itself(he does get off on that too tho just to a lesser extent in what I've wrote). To me he also gives off strong bi energy.

Any scenes that were changed from script to film, or otherwise cut that you wish made it into the movie/were done differently?

If I am remembering correctly following a chase with cops I think in the script Severen jumped out the van to lay down business I JUST WISH WE'D GOTTEN A LITTLE MORE CARNAGE A LITTLE MORE FERAL. Over all tho I'm happy that Di is more of her own woman in the film as opposed to the script where she follows what Jesse says without question.

What would have happened if Loy and Sarah were at literally any other motel that night?

I think eventually Caleb would have accepted his place and his new life. He wasn't exactly happy but he also wasn't like...actively lamenting the entire film and stuff. Maybe down the road as she got older Sarah would have started to look harder into her brother's disappearance maybe and that'd make for a good little story too.

Aside from her god-awful taste in boys, what's your opinion on Mae?

I love her. I think she's under-utilized and people don't appreciate her strange and off-putting nature!!! To me she gives off the vibe that vampirism wasn't necessarily a hard adjustment for her which makes me wonder what she was like as a human. Maybe she had homicidal tendencies beforehand, maybe she was always interested in death and other macabre things that girls aren't "supposed" to like or think about. Her speech about the stars is deep and impactful, she thinks and she feels very deeply. But she's also very much a teenage girl who's gonna make mistakes and I like that because it makes her feel that much more realistic.

AAAAND FINALLY @hex6rcist

How are you!? I hope your day is going well.

My day is going well!!! It was actually my first day back at my full-time job since taking ill 2 weeks ago so just getting back into the swing of things lol

What are you currently working on? Any little projects of any kind you’re excited to share?

SEVERAL WIPS, which is usual for me 🙃 I tend to jump from one to another depending on my mood of the day, it unfortunately means it takes me FOREVER to finish anything lol. Working on my MAIN Severen/Jo AU as well as a side AU for them which is actually based around reincarnation ideas and coming up with a backstory for Severen which basically answers the question of what he was doing before being turned. On a side project I'm trying to improve my manip skills in photoshop so I might end up sharing some of those as well.

What have you been watching lately? I just finished Righteous Gemstones and I need a new show lol.

Yellowstone actually! I enjoy the vibes of the show even though in my head all I can think of is a tweet someone made about the show being Game of Thrones with cowboys which like...damn they aren't wrong but still!!!

(A Near Dark one because how can I not) what’s your favorite small detail in the movie that other people might overlook?

This is such a small detail but the LIGHTING, the way the night time outdoor scenes are lit. I really like that the lighting is very cool in most scenes which is something I notice I don't see a ton of especially in older movies, I feel like I tend to see a lot of scenes more warmly lit. Also the detail in the patches and pins that are apart of Severen's whole look I LOVE the way it characterizes him as someone who likes taking trophies!!

What blog should I follow right now?

@hauntanelle I LOVE LOVE LOVE the whole vibe of their blog and the photos they post are incredible

Best piece of advice you’ve ever received?

Fake it til you make it. Imposter syndrome is a bitch and I struggle with it every single day and faking that air of confidence instills a sense of confidence in others too strangely enough. I know that I, like many people, am my worst critique and enemy when it comes to my own abilities.

If you could add one fantastical element to the real world and have it be a commonly accepted and known about thing what would it be? (Ie make Santa real)

Aliens. I KNOW THEY'RE REAL I KNOW THEY ARE OUT THERE BUT I WANT EVERYONE ELSE TO BELIEVE TOO.

What’s the last book you didn’t just read, you DEVOURED?

It pains me to admit this but it has been a LONG TIME since I've actually had a chance, much less the patience to sit down and read a book. I used to religiously devour books as a youth, reading was one of my favorite activities and I will thank my mom for fostering that and buying me all of the Warrior Cats books my little heart could ever desire, ALAS...I was diagnosed with tinnitus in 2020 and my reading comprehension has not been the same since. The last book that I completed in a short span of time relative to the number of pages within it was probably Phasma by Delilah S Dawson which is a Star Wars book that featured one of my niche that-is-no-one's-favorite characters hehehe

What are you most passionate about?

Creativity. Pursuing and expressing that creativity. In the age of AI creativity is so important, the human touch that makes things different, personal, meaningful. My dream job(aside from acting which is out of left field for me) is to be a costume designer and with the way AI is being touted I might one day be out of a job. Stay creative and stay flawed, add that thing that only a human can add.

What do you think is your best quality?

I'm gonna creep(haha creep) it real with you, in my head because I am my biggest opp I believe have no good qualities and I am wicked HOWEVER I have been told I'm a good friend. I try to be! I try to be a good listener and even though the answer I have is rarely a constructive or good one I try to offer support where I can lol.

ALRIGHT NOW THAT THIS WAS LONG AS FUCK BECAUSE I RAMBLE AND I ENJOY YAMMERING ON AND ON AND ON MY QUESTIONS ARE GONNA BE BELOW THE CUT <3

So for MY 10 questions and the ppl I tag: YALL DO NOT HAVE TO ANSWER IF YOU DON'T WANT TO I PROMISE BECAUSE I'M BASICALLY RE-TAGGING SOME OF YALL <3

Which supernatural power do you think you'd benefit from the most?

Favorite film from any era that you wish more people have seen?

If you could pick one place in the ENTIRE WORLD to vacation in for two weeks where are you picking?

Favorite song/artist at the moment?

What is your dream 'job'?(aka what would you feel most passionate and happy doing in life)

Which season is your favorite?

Do you have a favorite comfort film/tv show?

What is your favorite era of fashion?

(How can I not ask some Near Dark ones cmon IM ME) If you could crossover ANY other film with Near Dark, what would it be and why?

You can only pick ONE of the Hooker clan to defend you and the rest are hunting you down. Who do you pick, and do you survive the night?

Tagging: @rock-n-macabre @we-keep-odd-hours @hex6rcist @lektricfergus @mrsvansickle04

[bekolxeram]

So I know of (unwillingly) the behavior of certain cast members on social media in the past, here are my two cents:

It's generally a bad idea to dig that far back into someone's social media history.

I'm old, I was there in the early 2010s. Hell, I was raised by the internet because my parents neither had the knowledge of how dangerous it was to give a child unlimited access to the online world, nor did they have the time to actually parent me. The internet was a different place back then, social media was brand new, and people were still grappling with how forever and how integral your online activities were to real life.

Being vulgar was the mainstream, being edgy was the trend. People at best broadcasted every single one of their intrusive thought and ignorant, insensitive joke online, at worst released a successful song called "Transphobic Techno". Before I nuked my Facebook account, sometimes it would remind me of stuff I shared a decade ago, and I couldn't believe the things I tolerated back then.

Don't get me wrong, those things were not okay back then and they're not okay now. But the truth is, for anyone who had a shred of online presence in the 2010s, no matter if it's your fav or your sworn enemy, if you look hard enough, far enough, you'll find something. In my experience, no one's hands are clean, no one come out looking pretty after that search.

I'm not going to tell you what to think, you don't have to be okay with all this, you don't owe them anything, it's just a TV show. But this TV show also tells me sometimes good people act in unhealthy ways because of their environment, trauma, or insecurities. I would much rather take people for who they are at this moment, rather than pick a moment along their journey to portray them in the worst light possible.

With that being said, I'm just not that interested in the actors behind my favorite shows. I avoid interviews because to me they take away some of the magic, but that's just me. If someone is actively spreading hate and bigotry with their platform, or making their work environment hostile, then I would care about it. Until then, I have stuff to do, I have bills to pay, I have a mental breakdown scheduled in a few days so it's not really a path I want to go down.

[iwanthermidnightz]

You Are In Love TV needs to be gatekept from the general public by all means necessary. Like it’s such a beautiful song, and I definitely want people to listen to it and just bask in how beautiful Taylors lyricism is, even on what is considered her most mainstream and “basic” album. And I especially want people to hear it and think about Karlie as nature intended. But, if it blows up as a TikTok song trend or something so help me god I will lose my mind

Sometimes I really do wish that Taylor was the little underground indie artist that I so often feel like she is, before I wake up and realize she’s the most famous living artist in the world. But of course, it’s also so lovely that she gets so much well-deserved praise. I’m so happy that some people have brains that work and can recognize talent

Very much this! yail is one of her best kept unrated songs. It’s gives you that magical rare sparkly feeling when you listen to it. I hope people guard it and protect it 🤍

When I think about how huge Taylor is right now and how she’s getting the much deserved praise I always hope she would it makes me happy. But I still go back to being a teenager and sitting in my room smiling like a fool when she uploaded her charming and hilarious vlogs on youtube or when she tweeted her insanely humorous tweets or her doing all these performances and appearances and was just getting her foot in the door. She captured the hearts of us all. I was instantly smitten and still am. It was like she was our best kept secret (just for a little while).

What I mean to say is she has come so far and it’s been one of the highlights of my life to witness and be a tiny part of it. Taylor Swift is girlhood. She’s the epitome of capturing what a moment felt like and remembering it forever. She is and will continue to go down as one of the greatest songwriters of all time. Her artistry and lyricism will stand the test of time and I hope she knows we feel that way about her. She deserves to be celebrated because she gives millions of people pure joy and happiness every day. I feel sorry for those who never get to feel the magic of Taylor Swift.

[oftlunarialmoon]

Going Against the Current – Royals Lesson!

Originally posted to www.onlyfunthings.org on August 29, 2018

Ciao Royals! Today’s lesson is about something that can be difficult- going against the current. It can be hard to do something that doesn’t mesh with the mainstream trends or social norms. Today we’re going to talk about why it’s perfectly fine to go against the norms and how to feel more confident doing your own thing.

Recently I felt pressured to change myself and my blog to fit in with norms. I felt like I had to do things like dress “normal” and make my blog into a place for only serious topics. But I knew deep down that isn’t who I am. (Not that there’s anything wrong with those things. They just aren’t me). And though I felt pressured to change, I knew I just couldn’t change myself so much and be happy.

Truth is, real happiness can come from just being who you are inside. You will only feel miserable if you try to change yourself to meet other’s standards. Be true to yourself, because the real you is amazing and perfect and wonderful just how you are.

But it can be hard to reject these norms being forced on you, and it can be scary to be yourself. How can we build the confidence to be ourselves in a world that tries to break us down?

OFT has some resources on confidence, including:

-How to Have Confidence without Tearing Others Down

-Why You Should Stop Saying “Sorry” For Everything

-5 Ways to Love Yourself

And these may help you in your journey, but today we’re talking specifically about how to combat the pressures of society and your peers to conform.

Tip #1- Surround yourself with friends who love you for who you are.

It can be seriously awful when the criticism you face for being yourself is coming from those close to you, so make sure to surround yourself with people who love you for your true self. Throughout high school I had friends who didn’t really like me for who I was, they tried to change me and make me into what they wanted for me. Some of them liked who I was at first, but later when I grew as a person and learned new things about life, and wanted to change some of my behaviors, they didn’t like me anymore. But now I’ve surrounded myself with loving and supportive peers who support my dreams and platonically love me for who I am. 

Tip #2- Be kind, no matter what.

There will be people who will be judgmental of you even if you are kind, but kindness is truly the way to combat judgement. I admit I have difficulty with this sometimes, like if I’m dressed up in my usual somewhat eccentric fashion and somebody stares at me, I have a hard time making myself smile back instead of glare. It can be very, very hard to combat judgement with kindness. But if you can manage it, in the end you will be happier for it.

Tip #3- Have some music you can turn to.

Music is a powerful thing. And in times of darkness, confusion, sadness, or anything else, I like to turn to music. Some of my favorite songs for building confidence are:

-          Dancing’s Not a Crime by Panic! At The Disco

-          High Hopes by Panic! At The Disco

-          Thunder by Imagine Dragons

-          Whatever It Takes by Imagine Dragons

-          SING by My Chemical Romance

-          Legend by The Score

-          Unstoppable by The Score

-          Higher by The Score

-          Centuries by Fall Out Boy

-          Burn by Ellie Goulding

Remember, inside of you is a brilliant light. Don’t let anyone dim it. Don’t let society’s norms dim your shining, brilliant light. (For more on the topic of a brilliant light inside you that you shouldn’t let dim, check out this article !)

Thank you so much for reading today, royals. I hope you can use this advice to find your way in the ocean of life and not get swept up in the undertow of societal opinion.

Remember to Stay Awesome and Love Yourself!

[coolfire333]

Genuinely really loving the rap/music discourse going around...let's all expand our perspectives a little but for the love of god some of you (not anyone I follow) are literally so stupid

Disclaimer: I am a little worried since it's easy to throw stones at "boring white girl music" which makes me wonder if this is just going to end up dunking on women in a veiled-sexist manner in general a la the "pumpkin spice white girls" trend that was popular a while back that basically was just making fun of women for having harmless fun under the guise that they were "basic white girls"

HOWEVER everyone in the notes of posts that are even slightly rude or poking fun at popular white musicians getting all up and arms because some (likely black) blogger poked fun at their (likely white) precious punk music or girlypop diva are really showing their ass on this one

As someone with a background in music and music history I can confidently say that nearly every popular genre in mainstream music would not exist without the innovations of black (usually American) musicians. And I think that's super neat! Ragtime, jazz, gospel, soul, r&b, blues, rock, pop, hip-hop, rap, all uniquely American genres that came largely, if not entirely, from the ideas of black Americans.

I'm undoubtedly missing some genres (I'm a bit old-school at heart so I don't know what's trendy now or where exactly it came from) but if you're American and on this website, doesn't that give you a form of national pride? That all those years ago people from your country were able to create new musical styles that have, for the most part, persisted and spread around the world? Honestly it brings a tear to my eye sometimes listening to old music and realizing how impactful it was on modern music genres.

Instead of going "ewww I don't like xyz" why not ask a fan of that kind of music why they like it and maybe what recommendations they have for someone who doesn't listen to that genre. And if you really don't gel with a genre for whatever reason, at least treat it respectfully and recognize its impact on the genres of music you do listen to.

"Ohhh but rap is just sex, drugs, and violence," I hear some of you saying. Well, keep in mind that that same critique has been used for pop, rock, jazz, ragtime, and pretty much every other "new" (keyword "black-influenced") art form so you really want to be careful labelling an entire genre as that. Controversy sells, so think about why exactly "mindless" rap might be the rap you're exposed to or most familiar with from the radio instead of more serious or contemplative rap songs.

Also realize that the songs you like probably also discuss drugs, sex, and violence, but perhaps less directly or in a way that's somehow more tolerable for you. Explore why! Why is it ok for (insert genre you like here) to talk about mature or "dark" themes but when rap does it it's suddenly offensive to you.

It's ok to have biases and be working on them! Also, if someone is trying to criticize a group you're part of for being biased, and they're trying to do it respectfully and seriously, don't joke around like "oh LOL that's so me" and don't get overly defensive either. Be serious and respectful back and genuinely listen to what they're saying.

Literally just don't be a jerk to music and art of marginalized communities! Is it really that hard to have respect for other people even if you don't 100% understand the culture from your perspective?

[moth-ink]

Could you do cullens x V reader who turned sometime in the 70s/80s and really likes T rex, queen, and David bowie?

THE CULLENS WITH A 70's/80's V!READER࿐ ࿔*:･ﾟ

A/N: I did a little research but i'm not too educted on that era so I hope this is still good enough! thank you so much for the ask, this was really fun the think about.

🎹EDWARD CULLEN࿐ ࿔*:･ﾟ

-Oh, you know he'd absolutely hate it, on the contrary to the 'golden age' thinkers, he'd view it as one of the worst periods for music.

-His taste is refined and elegant, a hard contrast to the rougher musical imperfection of that time, he'd be slightly calmer towards David Bowie-- but Queen and T-Rex is on his hate list.

-It was nothing but pointless shouting to him, especially hearing it in almost every mind when he walked that time period was his own special type of torture.

-Showing him the more famous songs like 'Bohemian Rhapsody' could get him to soften a bit towards it, pointing out the lyrical and melody genius making him pause for a moment.

-But he's still stubborn as hell, and he refuses to like anything popular or mainstream.

-But at least he understands the need to cling onto the time period you were born in, there's still aspects of the Edwardian era he held onto.

-It'd be especially potent if you missed your human life, wrapping yourself up in the era that reminded you of when you were made of hot flesh and blood.

-If your fashion still reflected the vibrancy, he'd be less than enthused, his time period consisting of mostly darker colours.

-The bold maximalism and lack of modesty makes him uncomfortable.

- He's at least somewhat glad some trends of makeup back then included earthy colors, he'd prefer you ditched the eccentric makeup all together, but he'd take dark browns over vibrant purples and reds any day.

📚V!BELLA SWAN࿐ ࿔*:･ﾟ

-She'd actually think it's so sick, we already know she likes Linkin Park which isn't that far off, and she's grown fond of QUEEN after hearing it so often from her dad's radio when she was younger.

-Give her all the rants, show her all of your CDS, she'd happily fan with you if you owned some rare, signed photograph or vintage t-shirt she'd lose her shit.

-She feels a little insecure for not being as old and refined as the other vampires, the Cullens having lived decades before her.

-So even if you have a few decades stacked yourself, the fact you're relatively new by vampire standards makes her feel a bit better, especially with your chaotic exposition jarring against the more serious vampires.

-It makes her feel better about having some of her clumsiness remain, not being as eloquent as the others.

🔮ALICE CULLEN:࿐ ࿔*:･ﾟ

-She'd be so happy! despite her small stature and cutesy outfits, I actually think sh'ed quite like your style.

-If you were playing the music in your car, her tiny little pip of a voice would be singing her heart out with you, even if she might not know all the songs.

-She'd be familiar with the more mainstream ones though, out of all the Cullens she follows modern trends the most.

-Although, she'd specifically like David Bowie a lot more for his breaking fashion and calmer music than the likes of T-Rex.

-She'd adore the 70's-80's style, wanting to play around with all the colors and uniqueness of that decade, she's always opted for more maximalist styles anyway.

-It's highly likely she'd even find vintage pieces from your time to show off, begging you to give her a fashion show.

-Personal stylist and makeup artist, describe any look you had, and it's done, even if it's bright green mixed with neon purple-- somehow she'll make it look good.

-She might even dress up with you, creating a synchronized matching outfit to wear to school so everyone knows your together.

-Despite loving that era, she might mix in some more modern elements, can't say she was a big fan of fluorescent green jackets, but you might catch her using a slightly more muted tone of the same clothing item.

-Just don't get it bloody while hunting, or she'll be mad.

🐎JASPER HALE:࿐ ࿔*:･ﾟ

-He wouldn't have that much of an opinion on majority of it, he prefers country music, but he'll still bop along to QUEEN or T-Rex.

-It's all pretty fluid for him, he's seen all trends come and go in his long time alive, so he's come to just accept it as a part of life.

-However, he isn't really a fan of the bright colors, he's a bit on the reserved side.

-He wouldn't ask you to change, but he'd definitely be a little standoffish at the looks you'd get on the street, people wondering why you look like you'd ransacked a rainbow.

-But when he senses how happy it makes you, he'd grow a bit more fond of it.

-He'd always try to find vintage items to bring to you like a crow, especially if it's something like a CD or signed poster.

-If you're showing him the items you already have, he might even bring out a couple of his own in discussion, EXCEPT FOR THAT UNIFORM.

-The anti-war mindset of that era would give him mixed feelings, happy for the search of peace but it also hurts a bit of his service pride.

🐻EMMETT CULLEN:࿐ ࿔*:･ﾟ

-He absolutely loves it, the complete polar opposite of Edward.

-I already think he'd seek out that kind of music on his own, the more hardcore aspects getting him all pumped for when he's about to go out hunting.

-Going deaf in the car as you drive around, QUEEN blasting from the radio until you were sure it was going to crack.

-Show him all the CDS, all the signed autographs.

-If there was any sort of throwback concert featuring songs from that era, he wouldn't hesitate to purchase them for both of you, but if he does, get ready.

-He refuses to go halfway, going all out for the green lighting strikes, bright rocker outfits and his hair sticking up in all different directions to suit the style.

-Isn't afraid to go out in public like that either, his larger stature making him look akin to an extremely muscular clown.

-He loves you, especially when you're crazy.

🥀ROSALIE HALE:࿐ ࿔*:･ﾟ

-She'll pretend to be a lot more annoyed than she actually is, rolling her eyes no matter how fond she might be.

-It's not like she stuck to her era in the same way Edward did, choosing to move on from 20's fashion in favor of more modern alternatives.

-Despite how exasperated she would pretend to be with you, she'd still let you control the playlist when she's working on cars in the garage.

-Her appearance has always been deceptive, looking a lot more feminine than her classically 'masculine' interests, so it wouldn't be far-fetched to assume she'd actually enjoy more punk music.

-One time you even caught her listening to a song on her own time, letting the beat flow through the garage while she was working on an engine.

-She'll pick on your outfits, though.

-It'd be good natured and she'd pretend to be a lot more judgmental than she actually is, but babe do you really need the fluorescent leg warmers and gloves?

-She stills finds it kind of offensive to look at.

-If it's a special occasion and you ask real nice, she might even repair a retro toy from that era.

-Somehow, she'd fix up an old Tomy Tronic 3D as a gift (after having thrown the first attempt against the wall in frustration), pretending like it isn't much of a big deal.

-But the small smile on her face when she sees how happy you are surely is.

🩺CARLISLE CULLEN:࿐ ࿔*:･ﾟ

-He's been alive for a very long time, meaning his taste has become quite versatile over the centuries.

-Although the 70's/80's never stuck much with him, he was still an avid supporter of the rise in anti-war efforts and diversity acceptance.

-He's a lover, not a fighter, and the less brutality of man means less lives taken.

-Although he doesn't mind the music you play, even politely bopping along, he'd never try to turn it on for himself-- opting for classical pieces similar to Edwards.

-That doesn't mean he won't make conversation about the similarities between that era and others in history, the foundations of rock music were actually invented in the 1950's.

-He'd scour the earth for vintage pieces to add to your collection no matter how big or large it is.

-He'd double down on finding records and CDs for you to keep, especially if they're signed in some sort of way.

-He's just a spoiler at his undead heart.

-Fashion usually circles around in a rotation of centuries, old trends resurfacing under the guise of being 'new', and he's seen much stranger things than the 80's.

-His first reaction might be a bit of a blink of confusion, but he'd quickly get over himself and tell you how lovely you look.

-Trends come and they go, and nothing could be worse than when women use to pluck their eyebrows until every hair was removed.

💗ESME CULLEN:࿐ ࿔*:･ﾟ

-Oh, how she'd try so hard, that sweet woman.

-It isn't a surprise she wouldn't opt for harder music, preferring the sweetness of Edwards piano as opposed to hard drums or guitars.

-But she'd never want you to feel like she wasn't interested in what you are into, so she'd mostly just pretend.

-She might feel herself melting at the bass rocking the car but that's okay.

-Despite never turning on that music for herself, she'd never stop you from picking up the aux chord.

-She'd be so confused but would want to support you anyway, always complimenting your outfits and even finding pieces she'd think you'd like, even making a few herself.

-Despite that, she'd be a bit taken aback at the boldness of your outfits, most people in her time dressed dark and modest.

-She might offer you some more muted options but would respect your boundaries if you chose to keep with your current attire, she just wants you to be happy.

-10/10 supporter, but then again, she's just the best.

[9w1ft]

ever since the jaylor break up, i've been seeing a lot of swifties become receptive to gaylorism subtly — for instance, they're more willing to accept when songs radiate queer vibes and they're hopping on the "boyfriend taylor" trend even though that's kind of our joke 🤣 as much as it annoys me a little to see swifties act like they're the pioneers of something us gaylors, kaylors, and related sub communities have come up for years now, i would hate to gatekeep it as that'd create an obstacle in their path to actual gaylorism, you know?

oh dear im sorry anon i went on a free-form tangent that i’m pretty sure isn’t aligned with your ask but i’m gonna keep it anyway because i wrote a lot 😆

i know what you mean about the attitudes and i do agree that sometimes it can feel annoying to see people lift things from tumblr, for example, and then these people get credited for the idea by their peers and they don’t correct or cite sources, which can be awkward

and sometimes i will see people reinvent the wheel when the answers are already available and written better here by all of us.. and i want to be like! come here!! there are some incredible things for you to find here!! you know? i know these feelings can often come off as gatekeeping, and, because i don’t really have any big issue with things spreading like folklore because that can become a haze to hide in, i do agree with you that it’s best not to try to micromanage things in general.

here’s the tangent… your ask made me think about how there were similar patterns to this in spring-early summer 2019, as lover promo was rolling out and it (the promo) was markedly optically gayer than rep. i remember seeing an incredible heel turn from some otherwise notoriously hostile swifties, where suddenly they were like yeah maybe taylor is bi, etc. i also remember there being a whole new generation of wide eyed gaylors on tumblr at the time—because taylor was still here—and so many were in my inbox and my friends inboxes asking and researching and it was all good and fun for the most part..

so i will say this from the perspective of someone that has experienced mass onboarding in the past and has seen how it can and cannot work

contemporarily speaking, kaylors can’t really gatekeep gaylorism. because we’re kinda already gatekept from gaylorism by Gaylorism tastemakers. lowercase g gaylorism exists in concept but i think that as it currently stands, it’s actually a pretty on-rails ride that is curated by some that would seek to influence their own worldview onto gaylorism subtly, that positions an onboarding to their benefit. and i don’t think it’s something always done with strategic intentions.. humans tend to want to tell and guide others to what they believe is right, and strive for an environment that works for them as opposed to against them, it’s human nature in a way.. still, Gaylorism presents gaylorism as something objective but, it’s actually done pretty subjectively, imo.

and i haven’t minded standing on the periphery as a kaylor because, one, i think that it’s better in some cases to gatekeep (or keep niche) parts of kaylor because, given it is true, taylor and karlie probably don’t want it going full-on mainstream. at least not right now. so i might see rumors or theories that make up stuff or use incorrect dates or just in general takes that feel so wrong and needing correction but i try to accept it existing as a way for lots of otherwise clever people to be distracted from seeing what kaylors see.

and also, i think it’s best for people interested in kaylor to come to conclusions on the basis of their own research, and at times be incorrect, yes, but for it to be first and foremost something people come to believe of their own volition. because if it’s directed under one tent pole then weird interpersonal dynamics can happen, as is the nature of fandom.. id rather a thousand people have all different slightly incorrect understandings of kaylor but an understanding that is unified by and grounded in love for taylor and karlie, than a thousand people have the same understanding of kaylor but for people’s feelings to be defined by one single source.

and separately, i worry about trying to make kaylor too approachable or to not gatekeep (maybe the word isn’t “not gatekeep” maybe the word is “overshare”) certain ideas because of the sensitivity of the subject matter. if kaylor gets too mainstream then you get a huge wave of people and statistically some of them will inevitably be people that are into kaylor not for the girls but because its the trendy thing to do. that can lead to a disconnect wherein people engage with kaylor as an endeavor for us to analyze and not an idea that is grounded in the lives of real people. and that disconnect can produce frenzied behavior…

sorry i don’t have a good way to tie these feelings together into one conclusion but basically, i don’t think we as kaylors can really gatekeep gaylorism but i think that’s fine and i also think that at times kaylor might benefit from holding back a little and maybe that difference is because of what each thing has as an end game, maybe. if that makes sense.. yeah.

i think what i mean to point out is, i think there has been an influx in people who see gaylorism as a concept without orchestrators, for better or for worse. the word gaylorism didn’t exist even three years ago, and nobody new seems to know why or think about it. for better or for worse.

[gaykey]

well im an older fan and i think this isn’t shinee in that this is following a trend instead of leading one. no matter how much others say it’s actually an homage to this !! well it’s still a hip hop inspired song which many boy groups are doing at the moment. it’s not that it’s shinee they can’t do this kind of song. it just sound to me that shawols are trying to find a reason that this doesn’t sound like it could be an nct song or any other boy group and a reason that they aren’t just doing what all boy groups are doing at the moment. that’s what’s disappointing to me about the song, beside the actual song. shawols hear people say nct and get in defensive mode and are like okay we need to justify this. and shawols are making it so that you have to stockholm yourself into liking it and you can’t voice your disappointment. this has turned to a fandom where you have to be on board with everything they put out. was there an intent to be distinctive in a style that is done by so many other right now? sure. but it’s done in a way that’s been done and is being done. where is shinee in that?

that's fair enough, anon? i said that there were still quite a lot of older fans who didn't like it, and didn't like the direction they were going - that post was specifically about newer fans

it's perfectly fine to just not like the song? like if you just don't like that mainstream inauthentic hiphop sound. i get it. i'm still very much holding strong that this isn't true hiphop - it's pop with 'hop hop style'. my opinion on that hasn't changed.

also i was one of the people that really wasn't into hard at all in the beginning - and people were pissed about it. i was told to stop being negative ect ect -

but i had an open mind, and felt differently after it dropped. that's that.

i am not one of those people that think you have to be onboard with everything they put out at all. there are shinee songs that i think are pretty weak. as is normal with a group with such a long-standing and vast discography.

i don't think i'm trying to find a reason to say this doesn’t totally sound like an nct song either? i just think there's more to it.

the song grew on me, what can i say? is it their best? no. but i'm enjoying it.

i have said numerous times though, that i understand why people don't like it. and that everyone is of course totally entitled to their own opinions. i just enjoy the discussion, so i hope you don't think i'm saying you can't not like it anon. that's not my intention. i just think some people's reasoning is off and voiced why i think that.

lol, maybe i have stockholmed myself into liking it? maybe there's no hope for me, and i'm such trash for shinee, that i'm always gonna be doing somersaults to try and excuse when they have a shitty release?

and to say every boy group is doing the same right now. i guess yeah - but i can't fully comment on that because i don't listen to many other new bgs. i tend to go by 4th gens fans reaction, and even a lot of them are thrown off by hard - sorry but that's so shinee.

not every comeback they've had has been toootally new and diversive of the trends. sometimes they conform to what's popular in order to stay relevant. idk if that's controversial to say but?

we always say shinee does something totally out there and different every time, but it just honestly isn't true.

that's not a bad thing.

anyway yeah - i'm sorry you've having a shitty time in regards to fandom right now. i don't agree with people attacking anyone who has a differing opinion, especially without listening to their reasoning - especially those older fans that are voicing their dislike.

[daz4i]

whats up man. got any opinions or things to share with the crowd? love to hear your thoughts on whatever

HI HELLO FIRST OF ALL MWAH MWAH MWAH THANK YOU 🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤

i started typing a rant in a new post but then i remembered your ask. thank you for giving me an opportunity to ramble 🫡

ok so. inspired by a thread i saw on my dash

i still don't get why so many ppl on this site use electroswing as a punchline and treat it like it's the worst genre and such. like it's one thing to dislike a genre but this one's used in a lot of jokes about bad music and???? i don't get it

i mean. setting aside the whole "just because you personally don't like this music doesn't mean it's bad"/"just because you didn't like the few songs you ran into doesn't mean the whole genre is just these songs" arguments bc that's a given and it's not like people making jokes do it out of some burning hate (usually. i hope). it's just a bit disappointing to see ig 🤔

but i really don't get it. i saw someone in the original thread explain and i didn't get their explanation either. "it's riding a trend that wore off years ago" sometimes people just like a genre so they want to make music in it regardless of popularity?? "it's overproduced" i don't think that's a genre issue i think you just ran into some specific songs that fit this description and decided that's representative of all electroswing. also that's probably smth you can find in some songs in every genre? it's not unique to just this one

ig the core of it all is. why is this some running joke i feel like i'm not in on. i think making fun of people's personal taste is always kinda mean spirited as is but why do ppl keep coming back to hating on electroswing specifically. if the trend wore off years ago then where do you even run into this music if you don't actively look for it. how do you keep finding yourself annoyed by its existence enough to be vocal abt it (it feels like a lot of people are just joining in on the joke without actually knowing anything abt the genre or more than a few songs in it if at all, just bc they wanna be involved)

(i'm ngl i think that's a thing in a lot of. um. for lack of a better word i'll say types of culture? the whole finding one thing and consistently making fun of it even tho it's not uniquely bad. you usually see it in smaller things like for example fans of a game series hating on the most mainstream one, but here it's more general and not even hating on a popular thing 😭 like the average person doesn't even know what that word means. which again makes me repeat that part from the last paragraph, how do you keep finding yourself annoyed by its existence enough to start making memes and jokes about it and having a kneejerk reaction to make fun of every online stranger who mentions liking it)

so tldr my opinion here is. making fun of people's personal taste is mean. and this repeating gag of making fun of this completely harmless thing that people like is annoying. get a new joke 👍

[luceirosdegolados]

It's a new day, and I will say this: upon reflection, Eurovision public votes have always been unpredictable.

The jury is consistetly very stiff and boring (and sometimes has motivations), but the public has a great tradition of both voting for their friends and doing things you wouldn't expect.

At the same time, a lot more people tune in for the grand final than watch semifinals religiously. A lot of things depend on mood, pee breaks, mainstream music and a whole lot of other factors. The public votes with the heart... and that manifests in a million different ways.

It's alright. They go out and sing us a song, and unless it's incredibly terrible or there's a political hot topic happening, the audience claps. It's a party! There are a lot of frills and bones to Eurovision, politics and preference and trends and tradition, but it is just music. So thank you for putting it out there.

On a side note; I'm still annoyed at the festival organization making the whole thing about themselves smh

[sorrel-minis]

Finished the 02 tamers

Copying this directly from my 6:00 am reddit post

So this first set is for 02. They're cousins currently doing the whole foreign exchange student thing. They're pseudo punk kids who have kind of plain names but prefer to go by Puck and Loki. They're also really into music

They notice the main kids having their club meetings a lot and think they seem like a neat bunch. Puck (blonde girl) is the one to suggest they actually get to talking to them instead of just watching. Loki (boy who can see with all that hair) just wanted to wait to be noticed.

Puck is extroverted, always ready to try new things, and makes friends very easily. She's an early adopter of new trends, but abandons them if they feel too mainstream. Her voice is soothing, and she's at the age where she's obsessed with scented lotions and sprays. She always has some to spare. Her main problem is that she talks before she thinks. She thinks out loud a lot, too, and has a habit of unintentionally offending others. It takes her a minute to figure out why. She gets pretty close to Yolei and Kairi, and often initiates "girl days" with them. She likes bonding with them through shopping for clothes and music. She and Daisuke mock each other a lot, but it's all in harmless fun. They really do consider each other

friends.

Loki is introverted and quieter than his cousin. He's shy, and wants to say things, but can never find the words. Loki likes the alternative scene because he thinks emulating his heros will make him more outspoken. He's a fan of stuffed animals, sugary food, and any hairstyle he can use to hide his face. Loki gets alona best with TK. Kairi. and Codv. Don't get him wrong. He loves being around everyone in the group! He just sometimes prefers to stay closest to the calmest ones.

Their Digimon are Serpentinemon and Houndramon. They're both named for songs (Serpentine Fire and Hound Dog, respectively), and have opposite mannerisms. Serpentinemon tends to always screw towards happy, and screams when sad or mad. His emotions are big. Houndramon cries a lot. Tears of joy, confusion, sadness. She is sensitive.

Anywho, their Digi eggs are two halves of a broken one. Something happened with the egg of enthusiasm. It split into the eggs of pep and cheer.

Pep turns Serpentinemon into Jackmon (or Captmon...I just really wanna keep the music theme), cheer turns Houndramon into Alsikemon (Alsike Clover...like... The Clovers...it's a Bring it On reference, you see...)

I got tired of working on this after inking Serpentinemon's evo, so this one is pretty flat.

Let's see how long it takes me to draw the 03 Tamer

[jranimator]

Breaking Down the Trends in Music Streaming

The music streaming industry has become an integral part of our daily lives, offering listeners unlimited access to a world of songs. This digital evolution has not only transformed how we consume music but also created new opportunities for artists and platforms. With millions of songs available at our fingertips, music streaming services are bridging the gap between creators and audiences globally. From subscription plans to innovative artist distribution systems, the industry is continuously evolving, driven by trends that reflect the demands of the modern listener.

Spotify’s Role in Shaping Streaming

Spotify, a pioneer in music streaming, has consistently led the way with its user-friendly interface and global accessibility. Central to Spotify's success is its visionary founder, Daniel Ek, whose remarkable achievements have set benchmarks in the industry. If you're curious about his journey and influence, explore the Spotify founder net worth to understand the financial impact of his innovation. Ek’s foresight has played a key role in redefining how listeners interact with music, blending convenience and personalization seamlessly.

Spotify's algorithm-driven recommendations and curated playlists have set it apart from competitors. Whether you’re a fan of indie tracks or mainstream hits, its ability to deliver a tailored listening experience keeps users engaged. Moreover, the platform’s focus on data analytics and audience preferences has influenced global music trends significantly.

The Growing Appeal of Affordable Subscriptions

While Spotify caters to a broad audience, local competitors like Gaana have made waves in markets such as India, offering competitive features and pricing. A standout feature is the Gaana Plus 1-year subscription free plan, which allows users to enjoy premium benefits without spending a dime. This initiative has made premium services more accessible, especially in price-sensitive regions, and encouraged a wider adoption of legal music streaming.

Affordable subscription models have proven to be a game-changer, expanding the user base while supporting the artists through royalties. Such plans ensure that music lovers can enjoy an ad-free experience while directly contributing to the music ecosystem. As more services compete for attention, these subscription offers are likely to become more innovative, catering to diverse listener preferences.

Empowering Artists with Modern Distribution

One of the most significant advancements in the streaming era is the introduction of efficient artist distribution systems. Services like Orchard Music Distribution have revolutionized how music is shared and monetized. For independent artists, these platforms provide the tools to reach global audiences without relying solely on traditional labels.

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Simplifying Subscription Management

As the number of streaming platforms grows, so does the need for effective subscription management. Many users juggle multiple accounts across services, which can sometimes feel overwhelming. For Gaana users, knowing how to cancel Gaana subscription is essential if they ever wish to switch to a different service. This easy-to-follow guide simplifies the process, ensuring that users can make the transition hassle-free.

Understanding the nuances of managing subscriptions is crucial in an era where users often experiment with various platforms. The flexibility to pause or cancel subscriptions without lengthy procedures is a hallmark of customer-centric platforms. As competition intensifies, services are likely to focus even more on user convenience, offering intuitive subscription management features to retain loyalty.

Spotlight on Spotify’s Most Streamed Artists

One of the most exciting aspects of music streaming is discovering which artists are capturing the hearts of listeners worldwide. Every year, Spotify releases data highlighting the most streamed artist on Spotify, offering insights into global listening habits. These statistics often reflect cultural trends and the evolving tastes of audiences.

Artists like Bad Bunny, Taylor Swift, and Drake have repeatedly dominated these rankings, showcasing their universal appeal. The data also shines a light on emerging talents who are rapidly gaining popularity. For music lovers, these lists serve as a great way to discover new songs and artists that are resonating with listeners globally. For creators, being featured on such lists is a testament to their hard work and the power of digital music platforms.

The Future of Music Streaming

As we look ahead, the music streaming industry shows no signs of slowing down. Innovations in technology, such as AI-driven recommendations and immersive audio experiences, are set to redefine how we interact with music. Platforms will likely continue to focus on personalization, offering features that cater to individual preferences while promoting diverse music genres.

Additionally, collaborations between streaming platforms and artists will become more strategic, with exclusive releases and live virtual concerts becoming the norm. The rise of social media integrations is another trend to watch, as platforms experiment with ways to make music streaming more interactive and community-driven.

The environmental impact of streaming is also gaining attention. As servers and data centers work tirelessly to deliver content, companies are exploring sustainable practices to reduce their carbon footprint. This shift towards eco-friendly operations reflects the broader responsibility of the industry to align with global sustainability goals.

Conclusion

Music streaming has transformed the way we consume and appreciate music, offering unparalleled access to songs and artists from around the world. With platforms like Spotify leading the charge and local competitors like Gaana innovating in their own ways, the industry is becoming more inclusive and dynamic. Services like Orchard Music Distribution empower artists, while user-friendly subscription models and management tools ensure a seamless experience for listeners.

As the trends in music streaming continue to evolve, it’s clear that the future holds even more exciting possibilities. Whether you're a casual listener or an avid music enthusiast, there’s never been a better time to explore the world of digital music.