#still not sure it answers where that song came from too many unknowns but context is context is context
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in absence of a reunion noel interview i'm going back to revisit the great gallagher thaw of late 2014/early 2015 to try to make some sense outta these strange reunion times we are in now.
i've been really curious about this time period for awhile and stockpiling posts with the intention of assembling them in some kind of chronological order. still not quite sure what i'm looking at but it's a bit like find the edge pieces of a puzzle and snapping them together for a frame. you can get a vague idea while understanding much of the pieces are missing to complete the picture. most notably noel is giving interviews at this time while liam is mostly out of the public eye entirely.
assembled them in the queue and looking at them in order now and getting a bit choked up by what we have. even factoring in the normal album press cycle, noel's interviews have noticeable outlier moments during this time. charting his uncharacteristically relaxed calm fondness to emotionally raw moments when mentioning liam, it does look like any attempt at a truce all goes south within a months time (mid february to mid march 2015). coincidence itâs when dead in the water is written and the chasing yesterday is released? of course itâs not lost on me it also is at a period of nostalgia with the 20th anniversaries of their first two albums and part of the buzz about a reunion driven by stone roses reunion. but in the course of the entire feud it sticks out as different. and suggests noel was more invested in a reconciliation than heâd ever be willing to admit.
queuing them up now. when they're done posting i'll link them to the chronological list below to access them easily.
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2014/2015 gallagher timeline
2014 28 february: beady eye cancels coachella gig, manager splits
11 may: liam runs into noel (man city wins the league) 21 october: "we're on good terms." (video) 25 october: "beady eye are no longer." ?? october: "don't give up"
17 november: in the heat of the moment released (do the damage bside) 31 december: "i think liam should make a solo record"
2015 12 january: ballad of the mighty i released (revolution song bside) 4 february: "iâd write him a few songs. i've got a few songs lying around that he'd be good at singing." (also takes a dig at beady eye) 20 february: "[liam] sends me cheeky texts from time to time." (interview) 25 february: "we're alright. i'm a bit concerned that he's starting to grow facial hair....family is family, you don't have to patch it up do you?âŠblood is thicker than mud." (interview) 26 february: dead in the water writing 28 february: recording dead in the water live at RTĂ 2FM radio studios in dublin (after dying of the light which airs 2 march with a live interview)
2 march: chasing yesterday released 14 march: "keeping it in the family" lg tweet with nghfb pass 21 march: "you're already ruining my day talking about him" 24 march: "liam is a very angry man still and as long as he's angry we won't be friends i'm afraid" 2(?) may: "can't be arsed" + lg tweet goad 7-11 may: "busted" lg tweet (in response to AA interview)
11 may: riverman released (leave my guitar alone bside)
26 july: liam playing bold in a pub (video)
28 august: lock all the doors single (hereâs a candle for your birthday cake bside)
21 september: noel wishing liam a happy birthday 5(?) december: "and maybe one day you know we will get back together" (video)
#oasis#gallagher brothers#timeline#gallagher feud#2014 thaw#2015#song origins#dead in the water#did this all outta curiousity about dead in the water writing#since itâs the rare song we have an exact date for#still not sure it answers where that song came from too many unknowns but context is context is context#also possibly related but dont have time to get into all that: weller threatened to break noels legs if he reunites oasis (may 25 2015)#(date of article he admits to the rumor so probably before that)#(same with most interviews linked the dates are of articles as posted but interviews likely days or weeks before#should add liamâs got two ongoing court cases at this time his second divorce and the child support one heâs avoiding as late as march 2#which definitely could have fed into all of this
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Survey #287
âkeep him tied - it makes him well / heâs getting better, canât you tell?â
What are you favorite things to watch on YouTube? I like a pretty big variety now. Iâd say Iâve been mostly into pet YouTubers lately, especially reptile ones. Oh, and WoW stuff. Can you pick out any constellations in the sky without looking them up online? Besides the Little or Big Dipper (idk which is which), nope. Are you religious? If so, what influenced you to start believing God? If youâre not religious, what convinces you there is no God? I wouldnât call myself religious, no. I do believe thereâs some kind of ultimate power, but hell if I know what it is, and I donât actually worship it. I donât believe any âgoodâ god would demand kissing its feet in order for you to end at peace, among a billion other reasons. I believe there is something though because the odds of life and everything is just⊠too perfect. Plus I believe in the paranormal, so to me, there is obviously something beyond the mortal form. Is there any animal out there that genuinely terrifies you? Is this an animal youâre worried about coming across in daily life? I am terrified of ticks and parasites in general. Theyâre fucking disgusting. Maggots will also make me scream. Oh, and then thereâs whale sharks. In my daily life, I wouldnât say thereâs any that I actively worry about crossing paths with. When was the last time you wore make-up? Around Halloween when Summer, me, and another of her friends did a witch-themed photoshoot. It really fucking sucks that it was so dark by the time we were done that the pictures came out absolutely awful. You canât see shit, and of course on camera, I look absolutely awful. Have you ever worn colored contacts? No, but Iâm totally not opposed for a cool photoshoot. Have you seen any of the Disney re-makes (eg. Aladdin or The Lion King)? What do you think of them? Iâve seen a good number, and I really like them. I think The Jungle Book remake was the best of them. How long did it take you to pass your driving test once you started learning how to drive? Ha, I still havenât tried. When was the last time you went out for a formal occasion or event? Do you remember what you wore? Uhhhh⊠I have zero clue. Well, does my last job interview count? I just wore black sweatpants and some kind of formal top. How often do you have the TV on? is it more background noise or are you actually watching things? Yâall know by now that I donât watch TV. Do you like any songs by Elvis Presley? Well of course. âDevil In Disguiseâ is my favorite. Do you ever answer the phone to unknown numbers? Nope. Do you eat anything special for breakfast on Christmas Day? Nah. When you go to theme parks, whatâs your favorite type of ride? I havenât been to a theme park in beyond forever, so idk. Are you afraid of falling in love? Ohhhhh yes. Expecting something to change in the next month? No. e_e What is your biggest worry in life right now? That Momâs cancer will come back. Well, it IS going to eventually flare somewhere else, but no one can estimate when. Could be tomorrow. Could be years. Do you give up easily? It depends. With a lot of things, honestly, yes, because I get upset with my incompetence. What are you listening to? "Going To Hell" by The Pretty Reckless just came on. Is anything bothering you right now? Always. Were you ever made fun of? Yes. Are you currently jealous? Iâve been having episodes of it. Do you find piercings attractive on the opposite sex? I find them attractive on almost all people. Who was the last person you yelled at? I donât know. Probably Mom. What do you say a lot? âMood,â âlmao,â âcanât relate,â âsame,â âoof,â âyikes,â shit like that, haha. What is your favorite place you have traveled? Chicago. Do you like ice cream? Yeah, thatâs my comfort food. Do you like bananas? Yeah, but I donât dare to eat one if I havenât had my heartburn medication, because otherwise I get it BADLY. Do you like Paramore? A handful of their songs, yeah. I donât know a lot though, honestly. Do you plan on getting married? Itâd be nice. Ever been given a promise ring? No. Sexual orientation? Bi. Who do you text the most? Definitely Sara. Do you still talk to the person who hurt you most in life? Why or why not? No, because he wants nothing to do with me. I donât blame him. Have you ever given your number to a complete stranger? Um, no. Well, besides in like, job applications. What color is your keyboard? Black. Your mouse? Mostly black, but it does have this crackled pattern that can glow blue or red. Desktop or laptop? I prefer laptops for mobilityâs sake. Do you like sweet tea? I hate tea. How much sugar do you put in your tea? ^ Have you ever called someone useless? Wow, no. Do you have a wood or glass dining room table? Wood. Do you tend to get attached easily? HOLY GOD OF FUCK, YES. Is Joe Jonas really hotter than Nick? I havenât seen either in god knows how long, but I remember I thought Nick was very cute. Favorite flavor pudding? Chocolate is the only kind Iâve enjoyed. Not that Iâve tried a lot. What are three words used in your area/dialect that many other areas/dialects wouldn't be familiar with? Oh, there are most certainly some, but I canât think of any right now. How do you feel when your partner is talking to an ex? This would depend on a lot of things. What is the most expensive gift you have ever given? Received? Given, Iâm really unsure. I answer enough questions sharing that I donât have my own source of income, so a lot of times, my mom lets me use her money, but there is obviously a ceiling to how much I can use. Received, definitely my Sager laptop Jason got me one year. Do children like you? Iâm always surprised that kids seem to⊠I donât know how the hell to interact with kids, but parents tend to tell me that they do like me. If you found your child's diary would you read it? What if you found the diary of one of your parents? Hell no would I read that shit. Both deserve privacy. Have you ever stalked or killed a wild animal? Fuck no. Name something you are now prepared to reveal about yourself that you weren't ready to talk about in the past? The state of my virginity. Name a talent someone has of which you are jealous: I am soooo envious of talented and actually successful photographers. What would you most likely complain about in a hotel? Probably if the bed sheets seemed dirty. Is it possible to be in love with more than one person at the same time? Probably. Iâm monogamous though, so I really canât say because I havenât experienced this. Do you often feel pressured by others? Society, yes. Should couples live together before marriage? I feel that itâs the better decision, yes. You may not blend well actually sharing the same house. You learn things about your partner. How would you feel attending the wedding of an ex? It would depend on the person. Girt or Sara? I would love to. As a matter of fact, I better be invited lmao. Jason? I couldnât in ten trillion years. Fiction or nonfiction. I strongly prefer fiction. Can you can lie with a straight face? Yes, if itâs something little. Name three things you have experienced that would shock your parents: Probably just sexual stuff. Do you believe in using the silent treatment? No. Iâve sure done it before, but Iâd like to think Iâve grown out of this. Communication is where itâs at. Your most embarrassing thought: *shrug* Your most prejudiced thought: I donât know. I donât think Iâm very prejudiced. A shameful moment for you: The situation w/ Joel. The biggest gamble of your life: Deciding to drop out of college the last time. Who knows if that was a good choice or not⊠Itâs too early to tell. What is your greatest weakness as a friend? Idk off the top of my head, but Iâm sure thereâs something. Do you feel better when you have a tan? Nah, I like being pale. I did go through a period in HS of using tanning lotion on my legs though because I was self-conscious of JUST how pale they were. Do you sometimes enjoy being mean? âI donât think so. Maybe like... in certain contexts. Like being mean in video games can be really fun sometimes, haha. And being a little mean in a kink setting can be fun too.â <<<< This. Are you high maintenance? Definitely not. Has anybody ever told you that youâre too young to be in love? I think my dad has, just indirectly. Did you learn anything from the last BIG mistake you made? Yes. Do you have a favorite brand of shoes? Yeah, Converse. Do you like rollercoasters with big drops? Iâm afraid of rollercoasters so have never been on one. Do you have any inside jokes with your parents? Not really. Have you ever thrown a surprise party for somebody? I donât think so? Do you know who your momâs favorite singer is? Oh, sheâs totally obsessed with James Hetfield/Metallica. What year were you born in? 1996. What is your favorite card game? Magic: The Gathering, even though I was never great at it or totally understood all the rules. I just adore the artwork, and I like the detailed tactics behind it. Have you ever tried to surf? Nah. Do you want to learn? Nah. Have you ever had a song dedicated to you? What was it? Letâs not with this. What color eyes does your best friend have? Brown. Have you ever been on a blind date? Nah. Which one of your family members do you wish you could see more often? My brother and his son. I got really close to my nephew the last time they visited for a few days. What room in your house is the messiest? Right now, the extra bedroom that I want to make my dayroom. A lot of our âextraâ stuff is just shoved into there. Have you ever requested a song on the radio? No. Are you proud of your parents? Yes. Have you ever (accidentally or not) set off a car alarm? I think I accidentally have before. Do you have dimples when you smile? Yes, way more prominently on my left cheek though. Do you find graveyards scary? No. Theyâre peaceful to me. Have you ever carved anything into a tree? I donât think so. Do you read those celebrity gossip magazines? Ew, no. Celebs deserve privacy. Do you give or get advice more often? Well considering Iâm in therapy, probably get. Did the last type of shoes you wore have laces? No. Do you like the picture on your license/I.D. card? FUCK no. When was the last time somebody hit on you? Idr. Which one of your friends do you feel most comfortable around? Sara. Whatâs your favorite Thanksgiving food? Just pass me the rolls lmao. Who did you last spoon with? My cat lmao. What was the last video game you played? I donât recall the last console game I played, so does World of Warcraft count, even tho itâs a computer game? When youâre in trouble, do your parents ever âmiddle nameâ you? Ha, my mom will sometimes. Does getting sweaty or dirty bother you at all? If so, has it ever put you off doing exercise? Very much so. I suffer (and I DO mean âsufferâ) from insane hyperhidrosis, so I sweat my ass off if I so much as twitch, if even that. I just hate feeling gross. Have you ever thought about how you want to spend your retirement? No, honestly. Itâs hard for me to imagine even *getting* to retirement. Would you describe yourself as healthy? Why or why not? No. Iâm physically and even more mentally not okay. Do you miss anything about being a teenager? If you are a teenager, whatâs your favorite thing about it? Yeah, some things. Though I really donât even want to think about it. I look back on me being a teen with both wistfulness as well as bitterness. I donât know which is stronger.
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hey, can i have a general shufflemancy for my john scratch timeline? if it helps, i know we played the game and i lived with doc scratch.
i got âbottom of the riverâ by delta rae! now just as a preliminary note, i didnât get too many details aside from the two things you mentioned, so i tried to keep it a bit vague! hope thatâs okay!! ;;
Hold my handOoh, baby, it's a long way down to the bottom of the riverHold my handOoh, baby, it's a long way down, a long way down
my immediate thought is that in the context of the song, doc scratch would be the singer of this verse. i donât know of your feelings toward him, but from this iâm getting that he (at least, appeared to be) attempting to help you toward a goal you werenât completely sure about at the time. he might have deliberately withheld details from you, or tricked you into doing his bidding, but somehow you didnât have any idea what he was really plotting.
If you get sleep or if you get noneThe cock's gonna call in the morning, babyCheck the cupboard for your daddy's gunRed sun rises like an early warning
you might have been pitted against the others, due to doc scratchâs influence. he may have purposefully made you play the game for the unknown purposes stated earlier. this likely might have made you seem untrustworthy to your canonmates at first; the âred sun rises like an early warningâ makes me think dave (or a burgundy blood, if your canonmates were trolls) learned of doc scratchâs ultimate plans and deeply distrusted you. maybe even sowed suspicion of your own intentions among the others? in any case, you werenât really a figure to be distrusted; rather, you were just doing what you thought was right.
The Lord's gonna come for your first born sonHis hair's on fire and his heart is burningSo go to the river where the water runsWash him deep where the tides are turning
probably a reference to caliborn/lord english, if i had to guess. the references to water make me think something happened on roseâs planet (land of light and rain), something that could have killed you. it probably had something to do with caliborn/lord english, which made you finally realize doc scratchâs real intentions for you in playing the game.
And if you fallAnd if you fall...
Hold my handOoh, baby, it's a long way down to the bottom of the riverHold my handOoh, baby, it's a long way down, a long way down
he tried to keep up the façade of being a supportive figure in your session but it was too late. you knew what was inevitably going to happen if you continued to go along with his plan, and you rebelled. your canonmates might not have believed you when you told them everything, but eventually they came around and started to accept you as part of the team and a valuable ally.
The wolves will chase you by the pale moonlightDrunk and driven by a devil's hungerDrive your son like a railroad spikeInto the water, let it pull him under
more than likely, the concept of a sacrifice popped up. (now keep in mind, iâm still a little foggy on canon doc scratch and lord english so please take this next part with a grain of salt!) doc scratch might have suggested to you that you choose one of your own canonmates to essentially âsacrificeâ to lord english, which â according to him â would sate the beast forever. you called bullshit on that and refused to comply with the suggestion. after that â assuming this is all correct so far â he likely became the ultimate target of your team, with english becoming a second priority.
Don't you lift him, let him drown aliveThe good Lord speaks like a rolling thunderLet that fever make the water riseAnd let the river run dry
And I said
i would guess that the reason why you targeted doc scratch was because he, ultimately, was manipulating english and his influence was the root of the peril you and your team faced. again, iâm unsure what your relationship was like but if it was negative in nature, this was more than likely the reason. if you did not kill him, someone else did.
Hold my handOoh, baby, it's a long way down to the bottom of the riverHold my handOoh, baby, it's a long way down, a long way down
Hold my handOoh, baby, it's a long way, a long long long wayHold my handOoh, baby, it's a long way down, a long way down (x2)
these lyrics give me the impression that after the evils were defeated, someone else metaphorically extended a helping hand (dave or the burgundy blood i mentioned earlier would be most likely) to get you back on your feet after the chaos that was your game. iâm not quite sure what you did after that but pendulum readings may provide an answer!
i hope this was helpful!! sorry if some of the details were inaccurate but i did the best with what i had!! ;;
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(pt1) musical dreams - yue yue
- a soulmate au in which soulmates receive dreams randomly on their soulmateâs day. this only happens when youâre in a deep sleep, so you usually donât remember much of it, but youâre determined to find the owner of these memories.
genre : fluff, romance
word count : 2.58k
pt1 | pt2
a/n - this soulmate idea came from a fic i read a really long time ago about haikyuu so it was in a volleyball context. i felt that this would suit yue yue the most, so here we are :>
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There it goes again.
The same laughter and voice youâve been hearing for the past 5 years. The same few people youâve been seeing, but not once have you seen a reflection of their face.
What a bummer.
Today, theyâre sitting at a crossroad. You canât help but wonder what it is theyâre about to do. After all, not everyone just sits at the crossroad like nobodyâs business.
So there they are, sitting there, holding onto something, a microphone stand in front of them. A performer, perhaps? Your suspicion is proven correct as you hear the guitar chords being played on their guitar. You anticipate theyâre voice since it has grown to be one of your most favourite sounds in the world. The way it flows so smoothly has got you swooning.
While enjoying the melody of their voice, you canât help but notice that the surroundings look awfully familiar. Have you been to this particular place before? Mentally, you curse yourself for not being able to recall any details of the area. You were dying to meet your soulmate, but these dreams were not helping.
A particular part of the lyrics stands out to you a lot.
Actually, I am not a bad guy. ïŒć
¶ćźæäžæŻ bad guyïŒ
Meeting you is an accidentïŒéè§äœ æŻæć€ïŒ
Such subtle lyrics have so much meaning, donât you think? You personally believe that your soulmate wouldnât possibly be a bad guy. Who, with such a nice voice and laugh, could possibly be a bad person? Youâve heard of stories where someoneâs soulmate turns out to be really bad and everything just goes wrong for that person, so youâre glad that youâre staying out of the unlucky range.
You finally notice that he has stopped singing. You watch as your point of view rises and that hand that you have seen countless times in your dreams reaching for the microphone.
âThanks for stopping by to listen to me sing, ah, thanks for the support. My name is-â
Thatâs it. You were finally going to learn his name.
âYu-â
You jolt awake, sitting upright in your bed, your hair no doubt an absolute mess. A groan escapes your lips as you ruffle your hair in frustration, making it messier than it already was. Each time you had this sort of dream, you always had to wake up when you were just that close to finding out who your soulmate was. This happened so frequently to a point where you were starting to think that fate didn't want you to find out who your soulmate was. So that you could stay single forever.
Still grumpy at the fact that your dream had been interrupted, you drag yourself off the bed to get ready for the day ahead of you. To you, your work had the most precedence in your mind.
You're rushing down the street to get to your workplace. Soulmate dreams start and end whenever they please, and there was absolutely no way to wake anyone up in the middle of one. Because of this, you woke up a tad bit too late for your taste and were going to be late for work.
In your rush, you bump into someone carrying a guitar on their back.
"Oh my god, I'm so sorry," you mumble as you take off towards the direction of your workplace without bothering to take a look at the face of the person you bumped into. You had a place to be at, and stopping to look at someone would just slow you down. At that exact same moment, your phone rings. You groan silently as you fish the phone out of your pocket. A voice barks at you on the other end.
"y/n! Where are you? The meeting with the Director starts in 10 minutes and you've yet to show up in my office! Do you still want your job or not?"
You roll your eyes. "Sorry, I overslept. I'll be there in 5 minutes, with your cup of coffee. Sorry."
"You'd better. The next time this happens, you can kiss your job goodbye."
-
You're walking down the street, earpieces in your ears, heading towards some unknown location. Everything looks higher for some reason, and why is that? You enter a cafe and the cashier gives you a friendly greeting, "Oh hey, Yue! Your usual again?"
Oh right, you're dreaming. No wonder the perspective seems a little off.
"That's right. Give it a little extra kick than usual though, I... didn't sleep much last night," you heard your favourite raspy voice answer.
"And why's that so? Stayed up late writing songs? Watching too many dramas?"
Your soulmate laughs while shaking their head. "No, definitely not. You know me, I'm not like that. It's just... Something's been bothering me lately. I just think too much, don't you think so?"
The cashier guy shrugs. "I guess everyone has that point in their lives where they think too much. Relax, Yue. Whatever's bothering you, I'm sure you'll solve it soon. Or it'll blow over. Whichever comes first," he says as he turns around to start preparing the drink.
"Yue" starts to look around the cafe while idly tapping away at the counter, his fingers drumming along the oak finishing. They observe the customers, who range from couples to working adults to students. Cafes seem to be a popular date location for couples nowadays, huh.
"Here's your coffee, Yue," the cashier guy returns, placing the cup of coffee on the counter. "Yue" grabs the coffee and is about to leave when he adds,"By the way, Ziyang is asking if you'll play here today. Y'know, like you usually do? In your usual spot? Not by the traffic lights, of course."
"Yue" hums as they take a sip of their coffee. "Well, I guess it depends on my mood today. It also depends on how much Ziyang is willing to pay me for this gig. My services don't come free, you know. And he owes me way too many favours."
"So that's a maybe, then?" The cashier guy asks, a tinge of hopefulness hidden in his voice. "Yue" nods. "Alright, I'll let the boss know."
"Yue" waves as he exits the place. You manage to catch a glimpse of the name of the cafe. The sign reads "Espresso Yourself".
Everything goes black.
You sit up on your bed as you review the contents of the dream. For once, the dream actually proved to be useful, since you finally got a clue on who your soulmate might be. You hurry to scribble down the name of the cafe that your soulmate frequents before you started to forget what it was.Â
You had heard about that cafe before and had seen many photos of it on Instagram. It had recently opened a couple of blocks away from your apartment building and was one of the most talked about cafes around. It was a place for anyone to "express themselves", hence the name. Street musicians or bands were often invited to play and sing in the space in the cafe. It's a quaint place - everyone loved it.
Your first thought is to visit the cafe to find out the name of your mysterious performer soulmate "Yue". So much information is presented to you at once - your soulmate's nickname, which cafe they frequent, where they usually perform, heck finding out who they are would be a piece of cake. However, a small part of you still uncertain. Were you ready to find out who they were? To meet them? Were you ready for a relationship at all? What if your soulmate didn't even like you?
Although it is barely before the crack of dawn, your burning queries had to be solved, so you call up your friend who, ever so conveniently, had found his soulmate way before you did. The tone went off at least 5 times before he picked up.
"You better have a good reason for calling me this early in the morning, y/n," a familiar tired out voice speaks from the other side of the call.
"Good morning to you too, Mubo. Isn't it just lovely this morning?"
You hear bitter laughter. "y/n, it's 5am. This morning isn't lovely. If anything, I think you're trying to ask me for a favour."
"I mean, you're not right, but you're not entirely wrong either," you state, fiddling with the hem of your shirt. "More like I need your advice for my ever so colourful love life."
"Darling, your love life is anything but colourful."
You roll your eyes as you flop back onto the bed. "Well no shit, I was being sarcastic, mind you. You, on the other end, seem to be enjoying your colourful love life to the fullest."
Mubo chuckles,"Why yes, of course, I have. Why would I waste having such a wonderful boyfriend?"
A year prior, Mubo had searched for his soulmate endlessly (who yes, turned out to be a guy), and his search did not end in vain. He did find his other half, and the two are living their best gay lives together. Personally, you thought that Qin Fen, Mubo's boyfriend, is a way better friend than Mubo could ever be. At least he didn't try to be snarky towards you 90% of the time.
"I didn't call you to talk about your boyfriend, no matter how much more wonderful he is compared to you," you reply. "I'll go straight to the point. I had one of those soulmate dreams just now and I finally got a clue on who my soulmate could be. I just... need advice on how to approach them. I don't want to seem too eager, or too desperate. What if they don't even want to date? Or if they're not interested in girls???" As you started to list the various worries you were having, more questions started to appear in your mind."
"Oh my gosh, y/n, you need to relax. Make a cup of tea or something, but you need to calm down." Sometimes, underneath all that sarcasm and slight shade throwing, you forget that Mubo could be such a mom. "Listen, darling, meeting your soulmate is easier than you think. Just be natural, and most importantly, be yourself. If they can't like you for who you are, then leave. If they're not interested in you, that's fine. There's plenty of fishes in the sea."
"But-"
"Look, y/n. You're a great person, and your soulmate would be an idiot to be unable to see that. Also, you're not getting any younger, and I'm pretty sure the same goes for your soulmate. If you lose this prime period, you're probably going to be single forever. And I don't wish to see my good friend end up at the club on singles night. No thanks."
A small smile tugs at the corner of your lips. "Aw, Mubo, I think that's the sweetest thing you've ever said to me."
"Oh shut up."
You laugh,"But jokes aside, thanks a lot. I think that your advice was just what I needed." You hear a rustle from the other end of the phone, as well as someone murmuring. You guess that Qin Fen had just woken up.
"Oh, Qin Fen's awake. I guess this is my cue to hang up. Update me on your progress, okay?"
"Sure thing. Thanks again, Mubo."
"Is that y/n?" you hear Qin Fen ask.
Mubo laughs,"Yes. Bye, y/n!"
Silence fills your apartment as the line goes dead. You imagine Qin Fen and Mubo just cuddling each other, even though it is the dead of the night. While you, on the other hand, will sit on your bed, contemplating your life choices and how lonely you are despite your age. How unfortunate. Such is the singles life.
You crawl back into bed and try to sleep off your worries for the upcoming day.
-
You push open the glass door of the cafe and the first thing that hits your nose is the strong aroma of coffee. The interior of the place gives off warm and cosy vibes - from the ivory-coloured walls to the wooden furnishing to the fairy lights that decorate the place - show just how much effort the owner must have put in. You were in love with nearly everything in it.
As you approach the counter, you recognise the teen standing behind it. He was the exact same guy who appeared in your dream but most importantly, he was also the one who seemed to know who your soulmate was. You join the queue and wait patiently for your turn. In the meantime, you look around the cafe and notice that photo frames were hung on the walls. You make a mental note to check out the photographs later on.
"Hello, can I take your order please?" the teen asks, flashing you a smile.
You return the smile and scan the drinks list briefly. Biting your lip, you point at one of the items. "I think I'll just get a caramel macchiato. With extra caramel, if possible?"
He chuckles, noting down your order before passing it on to another employee behind the counter. "You sure like your drinks sweet, huh," he remarks as you move to the side. You shake your head.
"I guess you could put it that way. But one day I'll get diabetes from this habit, just you wait."
You finally get a glimpse of his nametag as he smiles at your joke. "Yeah, I'm sure you will," Ling Chao says.
As he goes on to attend to the next customer in line, you contemplate on whether or not you should ask him about your soulmate. After all, it wasn't too late to back out from your search yet. You look around nervously, but a buzz from your pocket snaps you out of your thoughts. You receive a text from Mubo.
[please ignore the timestamps! theyâre a bit whacked up. also, the âheâ in the text msg refers to you asking ling chao abt âyueâ, not you asking âyueâ abt the soulmate thing.]
"y/n!" Ling Chao calls out your name, that cheeky grin forever on his face. As you reach over to grab the cup from his hands, you steel yourself to ask him your most dreaded question.
"Hey, Ling Chao, right? Right. Um, by chance, do you know anyone who goes by the name of Yue?"
You watch as recognition cross his face. He nods slowly. "Oh, you mean Lao Yue? Yeah, I know him. And why do you ask?"
"Ahahaha, no reason," you laugh nervously, sweat slowly dripping down your brow. Why was it so hot all of a sudden? "I just erh, wanted to know if he would be performing today?"
Suddenly, Ling Chao claps sharply. "Ah, so you're one of his fans," he guesses, the cheeky grin growing wider. "I don't think he's coming down here today. You can try coming back tomorrow evening though. Ziyang has him booked as tomorrow's performer."
You let out the breath that you were unintentionally holding. In order to hide your nervousness, you pretend to laugh lightly. "Ah, I see. Thanks then! I'll be sure to drop by tomorrow evening."
As you start to leave, Ling Chao winks at you. "I'll be sure to let Ge know that you'll be expecting him." A blush creeps onto your cheeks as he says that, and you try your best to hide it from him. Nothing escapes his keen eye though.
You hear Ling Chao's fleeting laughter as you hurry to leave the cafe.
On your way home, you decide to update Mubo on the progress of your mission for love.
authorâs note : how are you finding pt 1? i hope its ok, i spent a really long time trying to get this right :( small clarification - i used the pronoun âtheyâ for yue at first because i feel that before you get to know what exactly is someoneâs gender, you shouldnât assume so therefore use the word they. hope no oneâs confused? pt 2 is coming soon!
masterlist
#min writes#oner#yue yue#idol producer#idol producer imagine#oner imagines#oner imagine#yue yue imagine#idol producer images#oneshot#cpop memes
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The 100 Ask Game
Thanks for the tag @istilldothiseveryday ! This looks fun :)
1. What would you get arrested for on the Ark?Â
Protests? Can you get arrested for that on the Ark?
I dunno. I have a very strong personality Iâd probably get into to some kind of trouble politically on the Ark 2. Would you take off your wristband when you landed on the ground?Â
Nah. Iâm very much alike with Clarke in the way I think and as much as I may like to stick my middle finger up at the council if I was sent down on the dropship, I think I would see the value in having the Ark (aka. a functioning society) follow us down to the ground. I would be scared out of my mind of the Grounders - back up would be nice. 3. What would the necklace Finn would make for you look like? (Clarke: deer/Raven: a raven duh..)Â
Probably a mangled mess of metal cause Iâd shut down that shit SO hard
4. If you could resurrect any MINOR character who would it be?Â
Maya. I understand that her surviving doesnât really make any sense and they needed her to die for jasperâs arc or whatever BUT TBH SHE HAD SO MUCH POTENTIAL??? Like, I stanned her team-up with Bellamy so hard; Iâd literally sell my soul to satan for her to be incorporated into the delinquentâs group. Can you imagine her suiting up and going on hunting missions with Harper? Attending Lincoln and Bellâs sparring lessons? Sharing her music with Gina at the bar????? Helping out Abby and Jackson in medical???? Having heart to hearts with Clarke about her mom (and Clarkeâs dad), who both died rebelling against the system??? Cracking jokes with Monty?? imagine if she went up to space with the squad, and what their relationship could have been like then! She could be their medic on board.Â
People always simplify Maya to her relationship with Jasper (and yes they were cute) but SHE COULD HAVE BEEN SO MUCH MORE. She was smart and courageous and selfless - she had fire and wit and strength and i m i s s her.Â
Sheâll never see Earth, never breathe real air, never float on the water, never meet RileyÂ
Weâll never get to see her grow up and it makes me sad
5. Create a squad of 5 characters to go on missions with. Who are they?Â
Raven and Monty because theyâre GENIUSES obviously.
Lincoln and Bellamy so I donât fucking DIE lmao - I know they got my back (my poor boys - both too selfless for their own good)
Clarke cause the Angry Cat game is strong and sheâs got a real knack for not dying even when she should, probably, be 110% dead 6. Minty or Briller?Â
Briller. Tragically, Bryan only started to interest me in 4x02 when they gave him more dimension by visiting farm station.Â
Also ... how can you say no to chickens? 7. What would your name be in Trigedasleng? (example: Octavia=OkteiviaâŠjust make it up!)
Uhhh. Keit? Kayt?Â
What a lame name 8. Thoughts on Finn? Some people hate him, and others love him, so Iâm curious
i donât know him
9. Be honest. How willing would you have been to take the chip without knowing all the horrible things it does?Â
I doubt I would take it. Unknown drug with unknown effects? Sounds pretty sketch. I donât see myself going for that - Iâm a generally skeptical person. 10. What character do you relate to most & What character do you like the least not including the obvious ones like Pike, etcâŠÂ
Definitely relate the most to my INTJ queen Clarke Griffin!Â
And Octavia is probably my least favourite character. I can see why some people like her and the merit in her character arc I guess but tbh she just IRRITATES me to no end - she has certain characteristics that really grate at me. Obviously, some characters are horrible people (like Dr. Tsing ew) but Octavia just infuriates me because of some of her characteristics.
Sheâs not for me. 11. Describe your delinquent outfit. (Would you wear something like Murphyâs jacket with the spikey red shoulder patch or have a trademark like Jasperâs goggles? Be creative, yet practical)Â
Something practical cause Iâm boring.Â
Cargo pants. Ark-issued t-shirt. And a nice warm jacket. The jackets the characters wear on this show are pathetic - they barely look like they keep the wind out. And only Bellamy zips his up. smh vancouver is colder than it looks - all that humidity
As for a trademark thing?Â
Iâd be the only arker with an âI <3 BELLAMY BLAKEâ t shirt probably
12. Favorite type of mutant animal?
Bellamyâs three-headed doggo he hasnât found yet
anyway i still have hope
13. What would your job be on the Ark?Â
I think Iâd follow in Raven/Montyâs paths a bit and go into something mathematical like engineering but knowing myself Iâd probably end up moving into politics later on. I have too many strong opinions to put up with the Ark system lol 14. Would you have willingly pumped Ontariâs heart if Abby asked?
Oh HELL no. Iâd probably throw up all over it. Iâm sorry Clarke. Itâs not like thatâs ACTUALLY how blood transfusions work anyway *intense side-eye at The 100Â âscienceâ* 15. If Lxa wasnât Heda, but sheâs still alive right? then who would make the best commander?Â
None of them. Bellamy x Clarke leadership duo. I donât care about the Grounder commander system - itâs all kinda bs anyway.Â
None of the individual leaders on this show have done a good job. Theyâve always functioned best as a team (which is why I want the Bellarke leader couple back) 16. If you were a grounder, then where would you live and who would be your mentor?Â
I mean I know she went all cray cray and they all died but probably Lunaâs rig. I donât want shit to do with the other clans, who are always warring with each other. And I think Nyko would be a pretty good mentor. Iâd like to learn medicine. 17. How would you act if you ate the hallucinogenic nuts like Jasper and Monty?Â
Letâs be real, Iâd probably start crying about how Bellamy and Clarke are in love and wHy cAnâT tHeY jUSt bAnG aLrEAdY ... and Finn would be real mad about it if he was in charge of picking my ass off the floor like in âDay TripâÂ
ha! I think it would be worth it 18. How would you have dealt with Charlotteâs crime? A more John Murphy approach or Bellamy Blake?Â
I mean ... I definitely wouldnât lead a manhunt to kill a thirteen year old girl so I can say with a lot of confidence that I would NOT follow the Murphy route. Not so sure Iâd just pardon her though. I think the delinquents needed some kind of prison system. Charlotte did murder a kid. Even though she was a child, there probably should have been some kind of consequence for that (though not killing her would be ideal) 19. Who should be the Chancellor, if anyone?Â
Bellamy Blake and Clarke Griffin co-leading motherfucking power couple
I will accept no less in canon. just let me fucking have this
20. Mount Weather had a lot of modern commodities. (example: Mayaâs Ipod)What is the one thing you would snatch while there?Â
Oh, the iPod for sure. I literally donât know if I could live without music. Iâm listening to it ALL the time - Iâm listening to it right now. RAIGN is playing *cries in Bellarke* 21. Do you think youâd have caught the virus spread through camp or would you have been immune like O.ctavia?Â
Iâm a weak ass bitch so probablyÂ
and on the basis that I donât like any of the people who ARE immune then maybe I donât wanna be - whatâs the point of surviving in a world where youâve only got Finn Collins and O.ctavia Blake for company? 22. What would your grounder tattoos look like? Hairstyle? War paint?Â
I want whatever makeup L.exaâs got from Polisephora. You think sheâd share some of that eyeliner? 23. Favorite quote?Â
âShouldnât there be more to life than just surviving?â - Clarke Griffin (2x14)
24. Can you forgive Murphy for his actions? How about Bellamy?
Yeah. I feel like weâre kind of past this point in the plot. Theyâve both showed development and change and I think weâre definitely at a place in the story where both of them are intended as sympathetic characters to the audience. 25. If one of the characters was in the Hunger Games, who would have the best shot at winning? NOOOOO ALREADY SO MUCH DEATH NOOOOÂ
Iâm going to answer this as if all of our characters were thrown into the ring and I have to predict which one would win.Â
I wanna say Octavia because I think sheâs independent and - er -Â determined enough to take out someone she knows if it came down to being the two of them to grant her own freedom and survival. Whereas, someone like Clarke or Bellamy or Kane would probably just nightlock it cause theyâre self-sacrificial af.Â
But then I also think maybe Murphy âcause cockroaches never die (thank you Raven). 26. Least favorite ship? Favorite ship? NOT INCLUDING CL OR BCÂ
Least favourite ship that people actually like? (aka. not something like Clarke and Jaha)
Probably B.echo (as a romantic relationship, not necessarily sexual). Hate to be basic and predictable but I think I would actually die if it were endgame.
FAVOURITE SHIP THAT ISNâT BELLARKE
how dare
If you asked me this a few months ago I would have told ya Niytavia but now that weâve gotten more teasers about Octaviaâs character in Season 5 Iâm not sure if I want her anywhere near her (I like Niylah when sheâs hot, but not cooked, ya feel?)
So maybe Jasper and Raven. Idk. I liked their friendship. Still bitter about Season 4.
I donât really ship anything besides Bellarke that much. Theyâre an anomaly for me. 27. A song that should be included in the next season, like when Radioactive was? If there had to be another guest star like Shawn Mendes on the show, who would you want to make a cameo?Â
Tbh RAIGN goes hard af so anything by her would be pretty lit.Â
I mostly only associate songs I listen to with Bellarke when Iâm applying them to the show so Iâve got like 100+ songs that I would love to use for them but its hard to think of a context where they would fit in with the tone of the show
And I want Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir to cameo. They donât need to say anything - they just need to stare soulfully into each otherâs eyes in the background.Â
... or makeout
Whatever. 28. What would you do if you were stuck in the bunker with Murphy for all that time?Â
Steal the wine. Have karaoke battles. Drunkenly cry because RaVEn iS sO sTrONg and sO gOoD (and he would cry with me - he WOULD).Â
Gossip about Bellamyâs butt.
The possibilities are endless, really.Â
29. Opinion on Emori? Roan?Â
I donât really have a strong opinion on Emori. I feel like our knowledge of her is still so limited. Sheâs still barely interacted with anyone besides Murphy. But Iâm guessing that may change in Season 5. Iâd like to see her interact more with Bellamy, since they both have siblings (and Emori was the disgraced child too, just like O). Not many people can relate in that sense.
I really liked Roan but TO BE HONEST I found him more intriguing in Season 3 than in Season 4. He was literally up there in like my top four or five characters in Season 3 - I was so excited to learn more about him! In Season 4 he didnât have much of a character arc, he was just kind of there to look moody and badass.
But honestly Roan is one of those characters that I donât think was necessarily intended to be funny (as opposed to characters like Jasper and Wick) but his interactions with Clarke, Bellamy, and Echo offered up the occasional piece of comedy gold. He went too soon. Forever mourning the bromance that he and Bellamy could have had.
30. Would you want to be an extra that is killed off in a brutal way?Â
I wanna be Satisfied Girl.
Or Riley. Everyone loves that guy
so ... no? maybe? does it come with the job? 31. A character youâd like to learn more about and get flashbacks of?
CADOGAN. @metastation has ruined me; now I just want more!
Also any of the Eligius crew tbh 32. A character youâd bang?Â
Omg like all of them.
Bellamy and Raven are up there tho.Â
And highkey Bree could get it. She looks like she knows what sheâs doing.
Echoâs hot but i dunno chains and choking arenât really my thing
Anywayyyyy Iâm way too late to the party so I wonât tag anyone but like if you feel like doing this GO AHEAD ! And you can tag me in your post if you want too
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Yorkston/Thorne/Khan Interview: Art Is Emotional

Photo by John Pountney
BY JORDAN MAINZER
The Navarasa, the nine expressions that humans show, or the the nine (nava) emotions or sentiments (rasa) of the arts, is the concept behind the latest collaboration of guitarist James Yorkston, double bassist Jon Thorne, and sarangi player Suhail Yusuf Khan. The trio, who record as Yorkston/Thorne/Khan, released Navarasa: Nine Emotions in January, each song paired with an emotion. The result is more natural than it sounds like it might be. On the surface, as I listened, it certainly appeared that the timbre of many tracks corresponded to the feel of their subsequent emotion. âSukhe Phoolâ's sorrow is reflected in Khanâs weary vocals, and his gentle singing turns into wailing on âThumri Bhairaviââs anger. On the other hand, the upbeat claps of âWaliyan Da Rajaâ reflect its heroism, while gorgeous folk tune âWestlin Windsâ combines a Robert Burns poem sung by Yorkston with vocals from Khan inspired by Muslim devotional chants and Hindustani poet-philospher-musician Hazrat Amir Khusrau. In sequence with the plucks of Yorkstonâs guitar, it sure delivers a sense of wonder. And the laughter of âThe North Carrâ is made possible by the alternating moments of quiet and chaos, as Yorkstonâs guitar and Khanâs sarangi battle. Really, though, the album is less natural than it is spontaneous. Tying the songs into the Navarasa was not the initial plan and only became the idea behind the record after many songs were finished. Whatâs most apparent after learning the context of the record is that itâs one of pure collaboration, an unforced melding of musical traditions. Disgust is an emotion normally shied away from by Indian musicians, but YTK tackles it head-on on traditional tale âThe Shearingâs Not For Youâ, another upbeat feature of interplay between guitar and sarangi. And the standout is âTwa Brothersâ, a traditional Scottish ballad about accidental fratricide. An a capella performance, Yorkstonâs matter-of-fact vocals fail to belie Khanâs percussive vocal expressions; not only does it capture fear, but it mirrors the emotions behind the facts of life.
Navarasa: Nine Emotions is a wonderful record that each listener is bound to react to differently. I was able to ask each band member questions over email about the record, and that each often had a different response to the question, not even touching on something the other one said, is telling of the recordâs true depth. Read their responses below.
Since I Left You: Why did you decide it was the right time to create an album like this, that centers around emotions?
Jon Thorne: We were just writing spontaneously, when it became apparent that the songs seem to express a wide range of emotions. Suhail picked up on this and suggested the Navarasa concept.
Suhail Yusuf Khan: I think all art is emotional, anyway. During the working process of our third album, the theme of Navarasa matched well with our songs, and the three of us resonated instantly with it.
SILY: Were there any specific tracks on which you tried to capture the emotion it was paired with? Were there any on which you specifically tried to stray from it?
JT: The concept was applied after many of the tracks were finished. The songs fit the idea without us having to capture or keep away from anything in particular.
SYK: I don't particularly remember staying away from any of the emotions, but the ones that I thought would be challenging in terms of finding the right sound for were terror (bhayanaka), laughter (hasya), and disgust (bhibhatsya). Regarding the tracks getting paired: There were a few overlaps in the initial stages of composing, but they got cleared as we moved on.
SILY: To what extent did you try to remain faithful to the denotation and connotation of each emotion?
James Yorkston: There was a lightness to it. We didn't try to force anything.
JT: We didnât deliberately try to stay within any confines. Each track grew organically.
SYK: The songs were written first and then assigned to the emotions. This gave us creative freedom. However, as far as the actual 'denotation and connotation' behind the navarasa is concerned, for a better understanding, one has to delve deep into the ancient Indian treatises on arts. In the case of our album, these emotions are used as a direction to take the listener on a journey that is narrated by YTK. Â
SILY: What's the inspiration behind the sequencing of the record? At some points, it feels like the "positive" emotions are grouped together and the "negative" are grouped together.
JY: That's interesting to hear. No, I just sequenced it as I would a mixtape in the old days--just to make the album as a whole a good listen, with each song complementing the one before and hopefully after. After discussion with Jon and Suhail, it took a few attempts, but we got there.
JT: The songs were sequenced according to how well they flowed rather than any particular positive or negative groupings.
SYK: The sequencing was mainly done on the basis of how well the songs transition and flow within themselves.
SILY: What's the inspiration behind the video for "Sukhe Pool"?
JY:Â I'd been listening to Sabri Khan's version of Raag Darbari on YouTube, and the next video that came on was of Indian Classical Dance. I loved the way the dancers were at the front of the stage and the musicians on the sideline. I don't particularly enjoy being in videos, so I suggested it to a friend of mine who works in the Asian dance world, and she put us in contact with some dancers she could recommend. The dancers, of course, being creative people, had ideas of their own, and choreographed a piece so it fit with the feel of the song. Domino were happy to suggest a production team to film it, etc. I think it is a beautiful video. I love it. My part in it was only the initial spark. From then on, a great many creative people helped steer it to where it is today.
JT: James wanted to incorporate physical interpretation of the piece through traditional Indian dance. I think it worked very well. It certainly was an interesting experience on the day watching it unfold.
SYK: âSukhe Phoolâ is based on a story of two lovers being separated from each other, and that's the inspiration we've used for the video as well.

SILY: What's the inspiration behind the album art?
JY:Â I was in Dunfermline, meeting the artist Jonny Hannah, who had designed the cover of my last solo album. On the walls of the cafe were the works of Olga Krasanova. I loved her work, so took a card and kept it in mind for YTK. When I met up with her, I explained the friendship aspect of YTK, how we'd met, how we compose, and I also explained, to my knowledge, the Navarasa, and the concept behind the album. Mostly, though, I asked her to be free with her art, that we were asking her as we loved her art and we wanted her to be her. We see all things like this--be it the covers or the videos--as a collaboration. We are not the clients; we are working in tandem with them.
JT: James sent us a few pieces from different artists, but the work of Olga Krasanova seemed to resonate particularly well with YTK. She sent various pieces, and we selected our favorites. I really love the results. Itâs very striking when on display in record shops.
SYK: It is aligned with the concept of Navarasa, but in a subtle way.
SILY: How are you playing these songs live? Faithfully, or with some improvisation?
JY: There is a lot of improvisation. There has to be, really, partly as Jon's memory is so bad now, he often forgets where he is, let alone where we are in the song.
JT: The songs have a template, but we always stay wide open to improvisation in the moment. The essence may remain the same, but the shape rarely does. We remain faithful to the spirit of them more than the form.
SYK: Ha, who says improvisation doesn't involve faith! Well, to answer your question, YTK's music especially, in certain sections of our songs, applies improvisation. However, we make sure this doesn't interfere with the integrity and the meaning behind our songs. It's hard to explain this in words, and thus, for a lack of better understanding, I encourage you to witness our live performance.
SILY: What's next for Yorkston/Thorne/Khan?
JY: This is under discussion, but there are a lot of ideas that we're musing over...
JT: Hopefully, a fourth album, possibly featuring a range of collaborators. Itâs still being discussed. And more gigs once the world recovers from the trauma of COVID-19. We need to resume the tour that it cut short and re-schedule as many of the festivals that we had, too. Itâs a unique opportunity to explore new and unknown territory musically, and Iâm very much looking forward to the next chapter.
SYK: Another album and a potential tour of the U.S. whenever the world comes out of this pandemic.
Note: You can pick up on Bandcamp a live album released by the band in March (from a 2017 performance in Brussels) and a new compilation of âdemos, duets, covers, and soundtrack workâ from Yorkston.
youtube
#Interviews#yorkston/thorne/khan#james yorkston#jon thorne#suhail yusuf khan#domino#olga krasanova#navarasa#john pountney#navarasa: nine emotions#Hazrat Amir Khusrau#ytk#sabri khan#Raag Darbari#indian classical dance#Jonny Hannah#covid-19 pandemic#covid-19#coronavirus#coronavirus pandemic#bandcamp
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Immortal Reviews' Top 50 Songs Of 2017
2017 is coming to a close, and it's that time of year where we all look back and reflect on the past. We are all different people than we were at the start, for better or for worse. By the same token, music is different than it was at the start of the year. We've watched music change and morph with the times from beginning to the end, and perhaps there's a beauty how specific moments are chronicled in the sound.
From the urgent release of Lorde's 'Green Light' to the heartbreaking tragedy of Linkin Park's 'One More Light,' we have grown and changed with the music throughout the year. This is Immortal Reviews' Top 50 Songs of 2017. Let us know what your favorite songs of the year are in the comments or on our social media!
Click on the links to read our full reviews of the songs/albums in which the songs are found on.
50. Evanescence - 'Imperfection'
Six years after their last record, Evanescence returned with beautiful orchestral reimaginations of previous tracks, as well as some new numbers such as the anthemic and haunting 'Imperfection.'
49. Blackbear - 'anxiety'
Blackbear's Cybersex was laced with many pictures of the state of relationships and interactions, and the wonderfully innocent yet worrysome 'anxiety' tied it all together.Â
48. Meadowlark - 'Paraffin'
While 'Paraffin' was Meadowlark's breakout single last year, it certainly held up it's message. The sweet, melodic indie pop track is infectious in every way, keeping its meaning at its core to tie in with its sweetness.
47. Björk - 'Losss'
Chaotic yet enchanting in the perfect way only Björk knows how to create, 'Losss' was the culmination of the soulful, industrial dream she explored in Utopia.
46. Foo Fighters - 'The Line'
Concrete & Gold was a big change in pace for Foo Fighters, who sought after a more upfront and grandiose production on this record. At the heart of the band's more driven sound is 'The Line,' an anthem that's truly one for the record books.Â
45. Death From Above - 'Freeze Me'
Death From Above had an interesting year, breaking out from a lot of barriers. Finally able to drop the "1979" label after previous legal drama and breaking through the radio barriers with 'Freeze Me' as their new anthem, the duo's more alternative sound really took them to a new level, without dropping their signature anger and groove.
44. Sam Smith - 'HIM'
Sam Smith made his long-awaited comeback this year, and not without tragedy. 'HIM' battles the struggle of being gay, facing expectations, and trying not to disappoint. It's a hard track to swallow for anyone who's ever been in love, let alone someone who is part of the LGBTQ community. It's a powerful one in the name of love
43. XXXTentacion - 'Save Me'
Many events in the music world of 2017 led to a bigger - and needed - discussion of mental health, a theme that is largely discussed in XXXTentacion's 17. 'Save Me' is a raw track with an inside look on being depressed, and perhaps it should serve as another insight into the big discussion of mental health.Â
We do not condone nor endorse the actions of XXXTentacion, we merely are commenting on the message behind the music.Â
42. The Chainsmokers & Coldplay - 'Something Just Like This'
When you pair Coldplay's anthemic presence with The Chainsmokers' ability to make pop bangers, and you get a beautifully personal track where Chris Martin begs for someone to hit that right connection again. Regardless of what you feel about either band, this track is a wonderful anthem that's bound to hit home somewhere for you, whether it be from the childlike curiosity of wanting to be the best or the idea of searching for that right feeling once more.
41. Vince Staples - 'BagBak'
2017 ushered in a new era of hip-hop with the trap scene, and a lot of music was lost in the need to make useless hype. Vince Staples made sure he didn't follow that trend, 'BagBak' taking the best of this new era of hip-hop and making an incredible anthemic track where the beat and delivery are both just as powerful as the other.
40. Bonobo - 'Second Sun'
Atmosphere in music is and art, and few artists harness it like Bonobo can. 'Second Sun' is the sound of being lost on a foreign planet, wandering aimlessly in awe of the deserts in front of you. You get a lot out of this track, including a sense of insignificance in this wide universe. It's good to get that beautiful knock of reality once in awhile, though.
39. Nadia Reid - 'Te Aro'
Sometimes, emptiness is just as important as layers. Nadia Reid captured the mysterious nature of her home country, New Zealand, in Preservation, 'Te Aro' wonderfully tying together her wonderful storytelling lyrics and minimalist production into one unforgettable track.
38. Sufjan Stevens, Nico Muhly, Bryce Dessner, & James McAlister - 'Jupiter'
Imagine bringing together four of music's smartest minds, and then putting them to work on a concept album involving space. Well, that happened. Sufjan Stevens, Nico Muhly, The National's Bryce Dessner, and James McAlister release Planetarium this year, employing the vast and mysterious nature of space to create a truly beautiful adventure of an album, and 'Jupiter' beautifully captures the essence of it all.
37. Son Lux - 'Dangerous'
Son Lux is no stranger to drama, and 'Dangerous' is a testament to that. The dark synths and frantic production helps 'Dangerous' find its way into a horror setting, yet the drama is still inherently sensual and romanticized all the same.
36. Soen - 'Opal'
Soen's Lykaia took an in-depth look at the most visceral emotions we feel within ourselves, and 'Opal' brought out some of the angriest of those thoughts. Combine powerful passages of intense sonic moments and searching, internal lyrics and the brilliance of Soen really shines thorugh in 'Opal.'
35. SOHN - 'Rennen'
SOHN is the master of atmosphere, and the title track of his new album, 'Rennen,' was all the proof needed for that. The tragic lyrics and vocal layers above the somber piano help make 'Rennen' a dark and heartwrenching track that won't leave your mind any time soon.
34. Zola Blood - 'The Only Thing'
Nothing is more thrilling than dark pop music. Zola Blood's Infinite Games took that sound and morphed it into a brilliant collection of mystifying and dark tracks, 'The Only Thing' being the core of the sound. Sensual at heart yet haunting on its outside, it's an enchanting track from start to finish.
33. All Time Low - 'Drugs & Candy'
All Time Low are the masters of anthems, and 'Drugs & Candy' is one of the finer moments. With nothing but sweet memories and sweeter melodies to back its wonderful atmosphere, 'Drugs & Candy' stands at the center of everything that made Last Young Renegade so fun and powerful.
32. Nothing But Thieves - 'Live Like Animals'
Nothing But Thieves returned with a vengeance this year, their new record Broken Machines taking their sound a step further. 'Live Like Animals' has a much more forward and aggressive drive than a lot of their discography, though with the big choruses and the electronic punches to pair, you won't have to think twice about whether or not that was the right path for them to travel (the answer is yes, it was).
31. Brockhampton - 'Summer'
Brockhampton are a collective of production geniuses, and tha idea is spearheaded by 'Summer.' Hip-hop's boy band created a trilogy of brilliant albums with the three-part Saturation this year, and 'Summer' ended the band's second part of the trilogy. Soulful and pretty in every way, the song is an uplifting and dreamy testament to love and the future.
30. Lorde - 'Green Light'
Lorde was another artist who had to live up to an iconic debut this year, and she blew it out of the park. Lead single 'Green Light' shows maturity in a graceful way, a dark and haunting intro changing into a big pop anthem that channels all sorts of energies. It's a song about overcoming your own anxieties put into the perspective of one night, and there's no one who could've done this better than Lorde (and, of course, the brilliant mind of Jack Antonoff).
29. The Chainsmokers - 'Young'
Say what you will about The Chainsmokers, but its unquestionable that they know how to write some truly catchy songs. Take one of their songs that aren't overplayed ad nauseam and you can find some real gems, like 'Young.' It's another song about millennial love, but there's something familiar in the song's premise: "It's hard when you're young." It's all about the thrill and uncertainty of being in love when you're young, and with beautiful orchestras and wonderful builds to promise, this is a song that shows what the duo are capable of. Perhaps it's better that this one stays a hidden gem, though; we don't want what's good being overplayed to death, too.
28. Halsey - 'Sorry'
Halsey's modern telling of Romeo & Juliet came with a lot of different and interesting messages, but the one that came off the strongest was in 'Sorry.' Take the song out of the context of the record and you have a heartwrenching apology to anyone you've ever loved. It's a track that's hard to swallow for anyone who's ever felt heartbreak before, and it perfectly captures the emotions you feel in the wake of one, or fears the future of one: "So I'm sorry to my unknown lover / Sorry that I can't believe that anybody ever really / Starts to fall in love with me."
27. Incubus - 'Nimble Bastard'
Incubus returned to their anthemic roots this year in 8, with 'Nimble Bastard' holding the helm of it all for them. A badass, taunting intro and giant choruses to follow suit with, Incubus really came back with guns blazing. Everything about 'Nimble Bastard' just screams epic, and it's certainly an awesome ride from start to finish.
26. Mastodon - 'Steambreather'
Mastodon is no stranger to intensity. 'Steambreather' is the sonic representation of an angry demon, stomping impatiently during the choruses before charging and exploding in the massive choruses that anthemically chant, "I wonder who I am... I'm afraid of myself." Every note is like a punch to the face and not a second is wasted to channel every aspect of the nature of anger, every moment of the song brilliant capturing the inner workings of an enraged mind. The ending is just pure madness.
25. Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes - 'Snake Eyes'
The ferocity of rock wasn't captured so perfectly by any other band than Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes this year. 'Snake Eyes' has it all, with thrilling drums, giant riffs, and cavernous vocals to make this alternative anthem not only immense, but also visceral and carnivorous in its nature.
24. David Bowie - 'Killing A Little Time'
Though we lost David Bowie last year, he is long from being forgotten. The posthumous EP, No Plan, was full of interesting outtakes from the Blackstar sessions, one gem being the dark, gritty, and rocking 'Killing A Little Time.' Perfectly capturing the gritty, knowing aspects of Blackstar and injecting some of his own ghastly theatrical presence into it, David Bowie made sure his influence wasn't ready to die out any time soon.Â
23. Brockhampton - 'Team'
Brockhampton isn't the only outfit to make the list twice, but 'Team' is perhaps all the reason you need to see why. The beautiful first part has wonderfully heartbreaking crooning above chill guitars, before the grittier second half comes in seamlessly to bring the conclusion of the Saturation trio to a powerful end. Brockhampton's brilliance is captured in one angelic final track, and definitely serves as a standard for what should be expected of hip-hop.
22. Royal Blood - 'Lights Out'
2017 was undoubtedly the year of important sophomore releases, yet there was not band quite like Royal Blood who so surely blew out all the expectations. Without dropping any of their charm or niche, the band returned with the powerful, upfront, and driven 'Lights Out,' complete with simply giant choruses, enormous low end, and loads of swagger to back one of music's biggest follow ups.
21. Frances - 'Don't Worry About Me'
The feeling of stepping out into the world for the first time is both exhilarating and scary, and also serves as the subject of Frances' Things I've Never Said. 'Don't Worry About Me' is the opening track of the record, capturing those initial insecurities everyone feels when stepping out into the world, and the insecurities the ones who love you feel all the same. It's a track about reassurance, and something to connect to whether or not you're yet to step out into the world or if you've done it a long time ago. It's important to remember where it all started, and 'Don't Worry About Me' promises that even though it's scary, everything will work out in the end; an important sentiment to remember.
20. Sorority Noise - 'First Letter From St. Sean'
Sorority Noise's sense of tragedy was what made You're Not As _____ As You Think so impactful. At the center of it all is 'First Letter From St. Sean,' a dejected, somber track that has traces of optimism in its sound but screams out in pain. The ominous lyrics chant "I am not alive, I didn't mean to leave you when I died / I was too scared you might be the one to leave / There's so much more to life than the flick of a knife / I am alive 'cause I'm alive inside of this," a clear cry for help but lost under apparent hope that it takes some digging to find that answer.
19. Linkin Park - 'Crawling' (Live)
Linkin Park was amidst one of their best tours in years before Chester Bennington tragically committed suicide this year. With the world holding them up, the band refuesd to let his spirit die and be forgotten. From an incredible memorial show to countless fan-created memorials, Linkin Park and their community made sure his spirit was alive in our hearts. Linkin Park only hit Europe on their One More Light European Tour this summer, and they wanted to share, at least in part, how magically those shows were. The piano version of 'Crawling' the band performed is perhaps one of the most beautiful moments on One More Light Live, stripping down one of the band's classics to reveal the song's more personal tragic nature, millions of fans singing along with Chester the lyrics that meant so much to every one of them. The track doesn't only highlight the incredible voice of Bennington, but just how important the songs they made were to an innumerable number of fans.
18. 10 Years - 'Ghosts'
When you make a jamming track, an element of intensity is important. 10 Years does it perfectly with 'Ghosts,' an explosive track with giant vocals, giant riffs, and everything that excites and thrills you is part of this song. The alternative presence makes this song a staple for any rock radio, and is bound to get you ready to rock and take on anything ahead.
17. Mount Eerie - 'Swims'
There's an unforgiving sense of reality in Mount Eerie's A Crow Looked At Me, an album all about losing the most important person to you to the demon that is cancer. 'Swims' is the saddest, realest moment on the record, where Phil Elverum recounts watching his wife die in his arms. The pain is evident in every note he plays, the lyrics making the story even harder to swallow; the track's title derives from the innocence of a question his daughter asked him: "Today our daughter asked me if mama swims. I told her, 'Yes, she does, and that's probably all she does now.'" Â
16. Starset - 'Back To The Earth'
Nothing's quite as epic as a space epic, and that's the entire premise of Starset's sound. Vessels was the follow up to their giant debut, and it certainly lived up to expectations. 'Back To The Earth' is urgent, grand, and beautiful, sounding like a war being fought in space or the sound of returning home after a long journey into the great unknown. It's almost tragic, but the orchestras in the final, giant explosion of ending help it achieve that triumphant feel.
15. Peter Silberman - 'Maya'
Imagine a perfect sunset where the sun is setting over the sea, the sky violet, scarlet, and blue all at once. Imagine being along on a paradise island, by yourself with nothing but the ambience of the ocean and the warmth of the final rays of sunlight washing over you. That's the atmosphere 'Maya' creates, it's lo-fi sound so familiar and nostalgic yet captured in such a perfect atmosphere that it seems almost too sweet to be real. Not even the sweetest dreams could emulate the perfect sound of this track.
14. Kendrick Lamar - 'DNA.'
Kendrick Lamar is the unquestioned king of hip-hop, and for good reason. There's urgency in his music, often along with comments about the state of society. 'DNA.' is not only delivered in an epic fashion, but delivers a scathing picture of the stigmas that still exist against hip-hop and the daunting state of racism. Take that with an epic beat and unstoppable flow, and it's clear to see why Kendrick owns hip-hop.Â
13. Coldplay - 'A L I E N S'
Coldplay isn't the first band you think of when thinking of artists who make bold statements about society in their music, but they are certainly capable of it. 'A L I E N S' is a beautiful, atmospheric track about the refugee crisis taking over the world right now in the midst of tragedies taking place in the Middle East right now. It's from a refugee's perspective, in their search for a new home in unfamiliar lands once their previous home is gone. It's a very complex track performance wise and an even more powerful track meaning-wise, proving to be one of Coldplay's most unique tracks.
12. Ed Sheeran - 'Supermarket Flowers'
Ed Sheeran's Divide came out at the start of the year, before tragedy struck the industry, yet that didn't stop anyone from releasing heartbreaking tracks about loss. 'Supermarket Flowers' ended his record, a beautiful, piano-driven goodbye to his grandmother. Sheeran gets incredibly intimate about the moments he shared with her and sends her off in an angelic and heartbreaking way. 'Supermarket Flowers' is sure to hit you hard if you've ever lost someone important to you. The song beautifully ends with one final, bittersweet sentiment: "You got to see the person I have become / Spread your wings and I know / That when God took you back / He said, "Hallelujah, you're home."
11. Justin Bieber & BloodPop - 'Friends'
'Friends' wasn't the first jaunt between Justin Bieber and BloodPop; the two previously collaborated on the mega-hit 'Sorry,' so it's a no-brainer that the duo are capable of huge things. 'Friends' is a sweet song about love, Bieber asking almost tragically, "and if it ends, can we be friends?" The song wasn't an enormous hit, but perhaps that's for the best. 'Friends' is a beautiful capturing of that emotion of wanting someone to still be a part of your life, and paired with BloodPop's masterful production, it's a song that has earned a reputation as a hidden pop gem.
10. Paramore - 'Fake Happy'
Paramore's big return came with a surprising new face. Stripped from their angstier past, Paramore's After Laughter explored that inescapable emotion that the good moments are fleeting. There's always that moment after laughing where you realize that moment is no longer there, and perhaps never will be again. The inward searching record revolves around the themes of 'Fake Happy,' where Hayley Williams so honestly cries out, "Oh please, don't ask me how I've been, don't make me play pretend... I bet everyone here is fake happy too."
9. Julien Baker - 'Appointments'
Julien Baker is a tortured soul, and she wore her heart on her sleeve in this year's Turn Out The Lights. A heartbreaking album dealing with every tragedy one can face while walking through life, from heartbreak to addiction to loss, it's perhaps most wonderfully summed up in 'Appointments.' There's little words can do to describe the quiet beauty of the song, though you can perhaps get a full sense of all the tragedy of the song from the sobering lines: "How I disappoint you /Â Suggest that I talk to somebody again / That knows how to help me get better /Â And 'til then I should just try not to miss any more appointments."Â
8. Gorillaz - 'Saturnz Barz'
Gorillaz had a lot to say upon their big comeback, but nothing stood out as grandly as 'Saturnz Barz.' Employing the Jamaican emcee Popcaan to add an element to the song that few songs can claim, Gorillaz explore space with dark melodies and borderline-schizophrenic sounds to back their psychedelic dream.
7. Imagine Dragons - 'Believer'
Imagine Dragons know how to deliver empowering anthems, and 'Believer' may be one of their most powerful tracks to do so yet. The driven percussion and guttural synths support Dan Reynolds' giant vocals and uplifting lyrics, the choruses immense in every aspect of the word. Every chorus gets grander, and every word makes the song's message more powerful. Imagine Dragons are all you'll need to find the power to believe in what you want to accomplish.
6. Brand New - '451'
The art of groove is slowly being lost in alternative rock, yet the perfectionist mind of Brand New's Jesse Lacey managed to bring it back wonderfully in '451.' The bluesy verses lead into truly explosive choruses. Layers upon layers of percussion, guitars, and vocals build the expansive atmosphere of '451,' making it impossible to not get lost in the song's massive sound. The final chorus gets even higher, one final explosion of passion coming out with massive flair.
We do not endorse nor condone the actions of Jesse Lacey, we merely comment on the nature of the music.
5. Arcane Roots - 'Curtains'
Few bands can be so technical yet incredible anthemic like Arcane Roots are. Fully embracing electronica in Melancholia Hymns, 'Curtains' was the first taste of new music from them, and to say it was dramatic is an understatement. The theatrical swells of the synths and Andrew Groves' almost mechanical lyrics eerily overlie the darkness below leads into an epic, crushing breakdown that brings the song out on a massive note. This level of grandiose is only something Arcane Roots are capable of.
4. Thirty Seconds To Mars - 'Walk On Water'
Thirty Seconds To Mars is a band that knows how to take things to the next level. That being said, it's no surprise that the lead single to the band's upcoming album, 'Walk On Water,' is one of the biggest tracks of the year. With confident chanting, a glorious gospel, giant synths, and huge vocals from Jared Leto, 'Walk On Water' is the anthem for any success story. It's the soundtrack of overcoming the highest mountains and rising to the largest occasions.
3. PVRIS - 'What's Wrong'
All We Know Of Heaven, All We Need Of Hell was another album that came out at an important time for me. Major heartbreak is a dangerous thing, and PVRIS beautifully captured the essence of that. 'What's Wrong' was both one of the most impactful songs that I connected with, and at the some time one of the more powerful tracks on the record. It comes with a powerful, yet simple message: it's okay to not be okay. As Lynn Gunn so wonderfully claims in the chorus, "I don't need a metaphor for you to know I'm miserable." It's angry yet anthemic build perfectly pairs with the emotions the song discusses, leading to an all encompassing track that captures everything about that specific emotion, a quality in which only PVRIS are the masters of.
2. Linkin Park - 'One More Light'
To say the loss of Chester Bennington was a tragedy for the music industry is an understatement. On July 20, the world lost a hero. A hero who brought life and hope back into millions upon millions of souls. One More Light was an album about battling depression and the effects it has on relationships and humanity, but unfortunately the world understood that too late. 'One More Light' has become the song of goodbyes this year. It's hard hearing Chester sing, and perhaps it'll never get easier to listen to this song. All the same, there's a reassuring nature in the chorus' heartbreaking lyrics: "Who cares if one more light goes out? Well I do." If we've learned anything about ourselves this year, it's that that sentiment will always reign true, no matter who you are. Chester lives on in our hearts, and his soul will never die.
1.  Linkin Park - 'Sorry For Now'
Linkin Park is on this list three times for a good reason - there's no band with the vision that they have. Regardless of what you think of them, this band has defined everything great about music: evolution. 'Sorry For Now' is a song that means a lot to me personally, and was one of the songs that helped me through the darkest month of my life. After Chester's passing, I couldn't listen to the band's music for weeks, but when I finally came back to this one, I remembered there was still a future ahead of me. Heartbreak, loss, and confidence is interlaced into the beautiful anthemic synths and harmonies of 'Sorry For Now,' showcasing Mike Shinoda's ability to turn anything to gold, show the chemistry that made Linkin Park so impactful, and most of all, why they are and always will be one of the most important bands to ever exist. And to tie that all together, why they'll always be one of my favorite bands.
Want to hear all these songs? Check out our official Spotify Playlist:Â
You can check out how we ranked all of our favorite songs of 2017 on the full comprehensive list here. Stay tuned for our Best New Artists and Album Of The Year lists!
#List#Top 50#Top 10#Top 5#Evanescence#Blackbear#Meadowlark#Björk#Foo Fighters#Death From Above#Sam Smith#XXXTentacion#The Chainsmokers#Coldplay#Vince Staples#Bonobo#Nadia Reid#Sufjan Stevens#Nico Muhly#Bryce Dessner#James McAlister#Son Lux#Soen#The National#SOHN#Zola Blood#All Time Low#Nothing But Thieves#Brockhampton#Lorde
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What stories are yours?
When the long-awaited memoir from Flying Nun record label boss Roger Shepherd came out last winter, I sat on my hands for a bit. On the one hand, it was highly relevant to my doctorate on the everyday lives of South Island rock musicians. On the other hand, the going rate for a new local paperback in New Zealand is forty dollars.Â

Cover of Flying Nun founder Roger Shepherdâs 2016 memoirÂ
If the reviews were anything to go by, it seemed to be a pleasant, fast, well-written take on Christchurch and Dunedin in the early 1980s. Only one review took issue with the book, and the comments accused the author of being petty or vindictive for personal reasons. That review stood out the most, but for a different reason. It said the book told the âheartbreakingâ story of Peter Gutteridge.
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Peter very much alive, doing what he does best in the 1988 video for âBuddyâ directed by Stuart Page.Â
Itâs a big word, heartbreaking. Itâs hard to read when your heart did feel like it broke in half the day he died. And every time you remember, a little part of it breaks again.
After reading that review of Roger Shepherdâs memoir I sucked it up and bought a brand new copy for $36.99. It was a source of great hope. It was a beautiful chance to spend time with new pieces of Peter that may have not yet existed.
Roger didnât write much about Peter in the early years of Flying Nun.Â
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The beautifully simple, yet eminently hypnotic bassline at the heart of The Cleanâs âPoint That Thing Somewhere Elseâ was written by Peter at the age of 17Â
There was one comment that made me smile: Roger wrote that Peter was good-looking, talented and smart.Â

Photograph of Peter Gutteridge by Terry Moore, date unknown.Â
The end of the sentence, I liked less. Although Roger hadnât seen Peter in his later years, there was four pages of anecdotal hearsay about the last weeks of Peterâs life. My tongue tasted black bile. I closed the book.
Anthropologists, ethnographers, sociologists and oral historians all stress the importance of reflection. There are so many places where your personal affections can colour what you are writing. The only way to get around that is to admit your bias and be as honest as you can.Â
There was an irony in the distaste as I read passages about Peter written by someone who had a lot more of an impact on his life than I did. After all, Roger was the person who made it possible for Peterâs music to be heard by the masses. What is my place in all of this? How could I feel more ownership than Roger Shepherd?Â
When we played our second show ever at the Crown Hotel in Dunedin in June, I thanked The Biscuits for inviting us on tour, and then thanked Brenda for our name.Â
âIt was easy,â she replied from next to Dave. âPeter Gutteridge.â
Brenda had given us the name âPGXâ as a placeholder when booking the tour after liking a song I wrote about Peter.Â
âI think PGX might stick,â Mary said the morning after our first show.Â
âThe consonants are clack-y,â I agreed.Â
âP-G-X,â we chanted at the same time. Our eyes lit up. We did it again. P-G-X!Â
If you took away the context, PGX was fun and ambiguous and vague. It was better than The Expats. Mary hated that name. The consonants were good, but the context killed it â which as Mary put it went: âHey, want to come see a local gig? Weâre not from around here.âÂ
It wasnât hard to think about Peter when we played The Crown Hotel in Dunedin this winter. I had seen him play there many times. The place is still plastered with Snapper posters. There is a collage dedicated to Peter at the end of the bar.Â
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Peter Gutteridge doing a guest spot in Chris Heazlewoodâs band The Forty Winks at The Crown Hotel in Dunedin in 2012.Â
I thought maybe finishing our first tour would feel elating. Instead finishing with the song about Peter felt like shooting an arrow into the darkness and striking the black vein that runs through Dunedin. It was like ripping open your heart and holding it out still beating. People cheered, a bit. We thanked them. I was a wreck.
âWhat were you expecting?â my bandmates pressed.
I wasnât expecting the black cloud to swallow my heart again three years on as quickly as it did.Â
When we first played the song back at Janeâs Bar in the Christchurch suburb of Linwood back in March, I said, âThis is a song for Peter Gutteridgeâ and one guy in the back cried, âYeah.â
I pointed my finger to the back of the bar. âYes, sir.â I agreed. âThatâs right.â
After the show, a woman clasped my hands and said that she knew Peter, and had been sent to the bar that night to hear my song. Â
In Dunedin, the room is different. Everyone in there has had an experience with Peter. Itâs like the song is like, âHey, remember this guy?â And everyone in the room goes, âYeah, I do.â Real flat. âThanks. Â Thanks for triggering that and dredging it all back up for us.â
Nikolaiâs face was like stone in the front row. Erica walked up to me with tears streaming.Â
Erica and I met seven years back while on tour with the Wellington band Full Moon Fiasco around the South Island. Erica was the VJ; I was there to bear witness.Â

Erica adjusting the spinning wheel that she used for animations on Full Moon Fiascoâs winter 2010 South Island tour, Chicks Hotel, Dunedin, New Zealand, 20 August 2010.Â
That was the band that first introduced me to Dunedin as a band would see it, and the tales of Peter that less than six months later transformed into a friendship in a supermarket.Â
Three months later, Erica and I waded through the tall, wet grass that ran alongside Peterâs house to get close enough to holler through the kitchen window and get him to let us in. Peter wasnât answering his door again, but that was normal. His house was long and thin.Â
Peter was home, and he loved Erica, who also performs under the name Lady Lazer Light. Of course he did. Peter stayed with Erica in Wellington years later, after Danny joined the reformed Snapper and they toured the North Island. At one point, Peter took everyone out on an elaborate quest for a pure source of drinking water after the tap water in Wellington did not appeal to him. Erica had last crossed paths with Peter on the streets of Wellington on her birthday a few months before his death. After he handed her a cross as a birthday present and said, âI canât wear this anymore, but maybe you could,â she worried about him, a bit.
âIâm crying,â was all Erica said.Â
âErica!â I wrapped her in a hug.
âI really liked your song.âÂ
âThank you.â We held each other, my guitar squeezed between us.Â
I told Nikolai about how the song had come into my head as I watched him play at Peterâs memorial.Â
He smiled. âCool.â
We drank pitchers of black Speights until Jones nudged us out at two thirty in the morning.
At our departmental morning tea the following week, Peter Stapleton mentioned that he had seen our set. âYou were great!â
âReally?â I smiled. âThank you. I wasnât sure how the Peter song would go down.â
âIt was mixed,â he admitted. âI knew Peter. I was next to people who played with Peter.â
And who am I? I get it. They have no reason to care for an American talking about one of their friends.Â
Thatâs what we will always be, from the first word we speak, Mary and I agreed. American.Â
âBe careful there,â Winston insisted. âKeep yourself in check. Youâre on their turf.âÂ
âMaybe I shouldnât play the song in Dunedin,â I mused.Â
âOh no, you have to play it,â Winston said. âAlways play it. Thatâs your tribute. Just donât expect everyone to feel the same way that you do about it.â
Earlier this week the policeâs version of the story was released as the inquest into Peterâs death in state care began.Â
This is a sick and twisted world, I thought at the grand photo of Peter below the district court where the inquest was taking place.Â

Phantom Billstickers poster of Peter Gutteridge photographed by Hayley Theyers, in the car park below Albert Street in Auckland, New Zealand, August 2017. And a little bit of Stuart Page, one of Peterâs best friends, in the lower left hand corner.Â
The lines between memory and myth are fuzzier than most people realise. What constitutes honesty when the same thing can be seen as either loyalty or clouding allegiance? Where does that boundary lie in a community that tells its own stories to itself a hundred times before they leave the islands?
Less than three hours after listening to Pure in a backyard in Grey Lynn I was back in Christchurch, heading to the darkroom. Our band originally had a gig, but when Mary and I ended up being the only members in town, we decided to turn it into an open mic night instead.
Rayâs girlfriend Amy had stacked the audience with classmates of hers from NASDA â song and dance theatre students with an average age of about 20. Her theatre background also made her feedback on our performances interesting. Before our Battle of the Bands heat, she talked about entering songs with presence, as an actor would assume a role they were to perform at the theatre.
âBefore you sing a song, think: What do I want to achieve here?â Amy said. âAre you just singing a song, or are you channeling the feelings that you had when you wrote it?â
We only had to play 15 minutes to break the ice. The original plan was to do one or two of our own songs, but also set the tone by returning to some of our first covers.Â
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Who doesnât subconsciously know how to sing the chorus of Poisonâs âEvery Rose Has Its Thornâ, amirite?Â
But we hadnât played those in years. I had forgotten the date the inquest began and raced off earlier in the week, leaving us no time to practice.Â
âWhat if we just did our songs?â I asked with minutes to go. âWeâve played them so many more times. We know those.â
Mary held up a few fingers. âFlowers. Merchant...âÂ
âLetâs do Peter,â I said.Â
âI wasnât sure if it was too soon...â Mary said hesitantly.Â
âNo.â My stare was like ice. âI can do it.â
âAll right,â I said after we rambled through a few songs last night. âThis last one is for Peter Gutteridge. I donât know if that name is familiar to any of you.â
No one said a word.Â
They listened politely.Â
We let it roar.Â
#new zealand#south island#christchurch#dunedin#flying nun#peter gutteridge#music#full moon fiasco#elan vital#lady lazer light
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