#that just perfectly encapsulates californians

[jewishrizahawkeye]

ooh I (fellow Californian) feel very similarly about how 911 does/doesn't deal with wildfires. Because yes, it is worth pointing out that them never being called to real wildfires is absurd. Like, one of my parents works for CalFire in Northern California and still regularly gets sent 6-9 hours southward to fight wildfires. San Bernadino county gets TONS of wildfires and it is completely unrealistic for the 118 to never get called to any of them. And there's so much opportunity there too!

In my head I hope eventually they do a Pioneertown episode where the 118 gets called out for a wildfire but also gets to explore the cool Hollywood cowboy town! Because yeah the show isn't realistic at all for so many reasons but wildfire eps would be FUN and they should DO IT

yes thank you!!!! i don’t think people who haven’t seen wildfires up close or how communities respond understand that everyone does help with them. i literally am from socal and went to college in norcal and talked to the firefighters who visited my job if they knew my uncle and it was fine!! and even if that wasn’t the case… this show has made it clear it’s not grounded in reality, and that’s okay! but since it’s not grounded in reality the 118 can be called to help!! (i mean they were giving tips over the phone to passengers on a plane)

and i completely understand why the writers don’t want to do fires. it’s a very real and sensitive subject to a lot of us. but i also remember when that gender reveal party started a huge wildfire basically every californian was making jokes about it because WE WERE SO PISSED OFF! like, i saw an entire town burn down in college and was friends with people who lost their homes and basically their entire life. i saw the homeless population increase tenfold and people constantly turning blind eyes to them. this past summer another fire, more deadly than the one i experienced, broke out in my college town and i was checking in on my friend everyday until i knew she was safely evacuated.

yes, i understand why the show doesn’t want to do an episode like that. but i also think this show can do it pretty well if they wanted to. this show is really good at handling a lot of disasters and i think it could actually show first hand what it’s like to live through wildfires.

anyway, sorry for the rant but yes you’re right

[obriengf]

24 Crayons || Stiles Stilinski x Reader

Summary: A boy met a girl in the midst of innocence, and formed a friendship that would last the ages. Words: 1.1k Warnings: omg just cuteness to the max Notes: written in third person, remaining chapters set in first person!

part one of TWENTY FOUR - a stiles stilinski series (masterlist)

Innocence was the simplicity of a sunny day; the way the light warmed skin and caught reflections in a twinkling gleam. It was the gentle hum of a small Californian town, filled with buzzing townsfolk in suburban settings and singing birds that found sanctuary in the surrounding wilderness. It was the floral scent of garden-lined sidewalks that was encapsulated within a plethora of beautiful flowers. But most of all, on this very particular day, innocence was the budding friendship between two children on their first day of kindergarten. Brown, doe-like eyes, peered upward as lips jutted out in a pout. They belonged to a young boy as nerves overtook his small body, worried about being alone and away from his parents. His hands were small as they gripped onto the pant legs of his father before cementing his little feet to the pavement below. He was refusing to move; head shaking, frown quivering, cheek rubbing against khaki-coloured material. "Stiles, honey..." A tender voice cooed, a woman with dark brown hair and the sweetest of smiles now moving to crouch to his level. She was among the shining light of the sun, ethereal glows highlighting her frame before a hand with a loving touch cupped the young boy's face. "You'll have the best time, I promise. Once you make some friends, you will love it here." "B-but you and dad are my friends!"

The woman's gaze saddened as they flickered up toward her husband, a mutual conversation of silent expressions and empathy. With a tender pat to her shoulder, the woman stood, instead replaced by a man with kind eyes and a gold badge that glimmered in the light. Stiles' focus moved to the word 'Deputy' as his small finger dragged over the engraving on the golden metal, his sobs quietening only in the slightest.

"Do you want to see the special big boy present we got for your first day, bud?" The man spoke with a gentle tone before being met with a sniffle and hesitant head nod from his son. He was careful as he dug through the spiderman backpack in front of him, his facial features contorting with funny expressions to make Stiles laugh. The sound of happiness made the man sigh with contentment as he pulled out a yellow box - colours, one of every rainbow shade, were lined up perfectly and ready for a creative imagination.

"Crayons!" Any prior sense of despair had dissipated as the boy's eyes grew, childlike wonder and jovial sounds now becoming his persona in the way his parents had always known him. The box was grasped with delicate fingers before small arms were thrown behind the father's neck, holding him in a loving embrace.

The man smiled. All surroundings slowly faded as this family of three stood within their bubble of perfection - of love, and purity. Everything was right in the world, and nothing could stand in their way.

Stiles stood off to the side; his senses were on alert, nervousness working through his small frame as he overlooked the large classroom and the many bodies that took up its space. He was too shy to speak to anyone, and he felt as if the room began to close in on him the longer he isolated himself. He dreamed of being back in the arms of his father, to be looking up at his mother's graceful smile that made all the scary moments go away. Everybody seemed to have someone and Stiles had never felt so alone.

It wasn't until he looked across to the far side of the room - past the children playing with their toys, and his new teacher talking to other adults that he didn't know - that he spotted another that seemed as lonely as he did. She had her back turned to him, but he could tell that she was sad by the way her pencil moved slowly over the page in front of her.

Little feet padded with caution as Stiles made his way toward her, the box his father gave him clutched tightly to his chest as a reminder that he was a big boy now and that alone was enough to give him some courage.

He cleared his throat, voice quiet as he peered over her shoulder, "Can I sit with you?"

Her head shot up with surprise to hear another voice, body turning quickly to see a young boy with the biggest brown eyes she'd ever seen. She nodded eagerly, pushing the chair beside her out for him to drop beside her. Stiles felt relief, his smile wide with anticipation as he stuck his hand out - something his father taught him when saying hello to new people. The girl looked at him funny before she smiled too, her hand sliding against his easily.

"Hi, my name is Mieczyslaw!" He spoke quickly, the sound of his name amusing as it came from his young squeaky voice. It didn't make it any easier to understand with the tooth missing from his bottom row, either.

Her head tilted, lashes fluttering as she thought of what he said. The girl hummed, "Mich.. ca.. slor?"

Stiles laughed loudly, his grin growing wider, if even possible. The boy nodded, "Kinda, but it's okay, it's hard to say sometimes."

The girl giggled along with him, her body turning further in her seat until she was facing him front on. "That's a funny name!"

"It's my grampa's name.." He started, shuffling closer to the girl, "But you can call me Stiles! Erry'one calls me that."

"Okay, Stiles. That's a funny name too!" She followed his earlier sentiment as her small hand was thrown toward him, ready for another shake, "I'm Y/n."

He took it gladly, "I like that name, it's pretty. Y/n."

A red hue dusted her cheeks, a mix of excitement and happiness as she found someone to talk to. And he was someone that made her laugh, which she liked most of all.

Stiles wasn't afraid as he put his box of crayons on the table between them, a sense of pride filling him as he saw her eyes widen in amazement. He patted the top, "My dad and mom gave me these."

"Wow! And you got the big box too, with all the good colors!"

Stiles' smile never faltered, and he knew that he liked you straight away. You were going to be a good friend. "Yeah! I haven't opened 'em yet. Did you wanna color with me?!"

That was the beginning of an unbreakable friendship, the first chapter in the lives of you and Stiles Stilinski.

[freeoldiesmusicportal]

The Timeless Charm of Oldies Beach Music: A Nostalgic Journey Through Sandy Tunes

When the sun-drenched shores of summer call, there's a soundtrack that plays in the minds of many: oldies beach music. This genre, rich with melodies that evoke the carefree spirit of sun, surf, and sand, has a unique ability to transport listeners back to simpler times. In this article, we’ll take a stroll down memory lane to explore what makes oldies beach music so enduringly captivating.

The Origins of Oldies Beach Music

This genre draws on a blend of rhythm and blues, rock and roll, and a touch of doo-wop. Artists like The Beach Boys, Jan & Dean, and the Ventures pioneered this sound, creating hits that not only celebrated the beach but also defined a cultural moment. Oldies beach music, often synonymous with the beach boys’ sound of the 1960s, emerged as a distinctive genre that perfectly encapsulated the laid-back vibes of coastal living.

The Beach Boys: Pioneers of the Genre

No discussion of oldies beach music is complete without acknowledging The Beach Boys. Their harmonious tunes and lyrical themes centred around surfing, car culture, and beach parties became the quintessential soundtrack of the 1960s beach scene. Songs like "Surfin' USA" and "California Girls" remain timeless classics, illustrating the band's unique ability to blend lush vocal harmonies with upbeat rhythms.

The Beach Boys’ influence extended beyond their own hits, as their sound inspired countless other artists and became a defining feature of the genre. Their music captured a sense of youthful exuberance and a romanticized view of the Californian beach lifestyle, leaving an indelible mark on American pop culture.

The Legacy of Jan & Dean

While The Beach Boys were certainly at the forefront, Jan & Dean also played a significant role in shaping the oldies beach music landscape. Known for their catchy tunes and playful lyrics, Jan & Dean produced hits like "Surf City" and "Dead Man's Curve," which complemented and sometimes rivaled the success of their contemporaries.

Their music, characterized by upbeat tempos and vibrant arrangements, was instrumental in popularizing beach-themed rock and roll. Jan & Dean's contributions helped cement the genre’s place in the musical canon and continued to influence future artists.

The Evolution and Enduring Appeal

Oldies beach music didn't fade away with the end of the 1960s; instead, it evolved and found new audiences. In the decades since, the genre has experienced a resurgence in popularity, often finding its way into movies, TV shows, and commercials. The nostalgic appeal of these tunes makes them a popular choice for creating a retro ambiance or evoking the carefree spirit of the past.

Moreover, the genre's influence is evident in contemporary music. Modern artists often pay homage to the classic sounds of oldies beach music, incorporating elements of its style into their work. This blend of past and present ensures that the charm of oldies beach music continues to resonate with new generations of listeners.

Creating the Perfect Beach Playlist

For those looking to create a playlist that captures the essence of oldies beach music, consider including the following classics:

Surfin' USA - The Beach Boys

Surf City - Jan & Dean

Wipe Out - The Surfaris

Misirlou - Dick Dale

Little Deuce Coupe - The Beach Boys

These tracks offer a mix of high-energy surf rock and mellow, sun-soaked vibes, perfect for any beach day or summer gathering.

Oldies beach music is more than just a genre; it's a celebration of a lifestyle and an era defined by sun, sand, and the open road. Its ability to evoke nostalgia and its influence on subsequent musical styles ensure that its charm endures. Whether you’re a long time fan or a newcomer discovering these classic tunes for the first time, oldies beach music promises a timeless escape to a sunlit paradise. So grab your shades, turn up the volume, and let the waves of melody carry you away.

[hereforlou]

15 Inception Fics

Okay, here are 15 (well, 16) Arthur/Eames fics that I love for @mediawhorefics and @statementsue ! Just like the fics in my sterek rec, I haven’t read these in a while, but I remember loving them a lot and I still have them saved. I did one per author, but once again, these authors are all amazing and have written multiple fics in different fandoms. I hope you find some you like/haven’t read ❤️

🎲 Incipit (8k)

Arthur has been his editor from the beginning. Eames says he won't work with anyone else, and what Arthur will never tell him is that he would cut anyone who tried.

🎲 No Discipline of Forgetting (12k)

Arthur forgets; Eames waits.

A story about Arthur and Eames, in Limbo, for a long, long time — and the world they make together.

🎲 Presque Vu (69k)

Or, "on the tip of the tongue." Arthur meets Mal first. He inherits Dom, after. Everything else is on him.

🎲 Antimony (54k)

Dreamshare goes legal, Arthur goes corporate, Eames goes and (against his better judgement) falls in love.

🎲 I've Got Nothing To Do Today But Smile (The Only Living Boy in New York) (19k)

Arthur's a corporate lawyer, Eames owns the coffee shop across the street, and all good love stories start with a quadruple shot latte.

🎲 The Material Life of the Californian Suburb (35k)

Arthur seduces Eames into good.

🎲 Can't Get Enough of You (Baby) (22k)   

Eames vanishes from dreamshare and Arthur goes a little crazy looking for him until he stumbles across him -- with a baby.

🎲 The Revolution Will Not Be Civilized (62k)

Arthur is the son of the ruler, and an Omega male. Eames is leading the revolution. Which kidnaps Arthur. This is only the start of their problems.

🎲 et les mots croisés (66k)

Sometimes you can be working at cross-purposes and still find yourselves intersecting at just the right angle.

🎲 The One Where They're Stars on HGTV (466k)

Have you ever seen "Love It or List It"? In which Arthur is the real estate agent and Eames is the designer.

🎲 Simple Math (46k)

"So," Eames says slowly, leaning back against the school wall as he idly taps his cigarette. "We've got a problem here."

or, The Fake Boyfriend High School AU

🎲 Pants on Fire (15k)

"Ah," Yusuf says, lifting a reproving hand, "are we calling less than 24 hours of memory loss amnesia now?"

🎲 Late Night Phone Call (14k)

Arthur usually finds blatant fishing for compliments extremely irritating, but in Eames’ case he is reluctantly charmed. In fact, he writes the phrase “reluctantly charmed” into the Eames notebook the moment the words occur to him because they so perfectly encapsulate his entire situation.

🎲 Show Me the Way Home (18k)

“Let me guess,” Eames says, no longer surprised when Arthur appears unannounced at his door.  “You couldn't bear to stay away from my sofa for one more day.”

In which Arthur develops a relationship with Eames' sofa and eventually with Eames himself.

🎲 I Seem to be a Verb (93k)

Notting Hill AU. Arthur owns a quirky hipster science bookstore.  Eames is a world-famous mega-celebrity.  

Clearly this calls for a meet-cute.

This (wonderful) author is already on the list but this fic deserves a Special Mention because there’s one scene that I think about regularly to this day for some reason:

🎲 Breathe Into It (9k)

When Mal leans into his office and asks Eames what he did to his back, he can't exactly say, "the new graphics intern," so he says, "Oh, just stress, love."

[jeremystrele]

What Is An ‘LA Retro Eclectic’ Interior, And How Do I Get It?

What Is An ‘LA Retro Eclectic’ Interior, And How Do I Get It?

Interiors

Lauren Li

Raw timber and bold colours create a feast of textures, materials and surfaces that is key to achieving this bold look! Photo – Laure Joliet. Project – Altadena by Reath Design.

Softly clashing prints and warm materials (such as the ones in the Altadena project by Reath Design) are key to achieving a retro eclectic look. Photo – Laure Joliet. Project – Altadena by Reath Design.

Time and place doesn’t matter, the ‘eclectic’ comes from the hodge-podge cohesion of a collection! Photo – Laure Joliet. Project – Altadena by Reath Design.

Geometric fabric, warm timbers and solid colours…. this project is hitting all the right notes! Photo – Laure Joliet. Project – Altadena by Reath Design.

The Sunseeker motel in Byron Bay is a PERFECT example of this exact aesthetic. Photo – James Tolic. Project – The Sunseeker by

Round windows and vintage lampshades bring out the ‘retro’ side of things. As does the Sarah Ellison Halston console from her SOL collection! Photo – James Tolic. Project – The Sunseeker. Creative consultant – Tory Bauer. Interiors consultant – Julia Ashwood.

A graphic artwork painted right onto the wall in primary colours is a combo of so many key features! This one at The Sunseeker was completed by Lila Theodoros of Studio Muse Muse. Photo – James Tolic. Project – The Sunseeker. Creative consultant – Tory Bauer. Interiors consultant – Julia Ashwood.

The intense patterns and materiality of a crazy paved floor are offset by the slick and solid primary colours in the door and bench seat (the latter by the Fearon Brothers). Photo – James Tolic. Project – The Sunseeker. Creative consultant – Tory Bauer. Interiors consultant – Julia Ashwood.

The Polychrome House by YSG Studio. Photo – Prue Ruscoe. Stylist – Alicia Sciberras. Project – The Polychrome House by YSG Studio.

An artful combination of slate, brick and colourful painted surfaces at this revamped 60s house in Cronulla. Photo – Prue Ruscoe. Stylist – Alicia Sciberras. Project – The Polychrome House by YSG Studio.

Pairing two primary colours (red and yellow) with natural materials is a playful yet sophisticated way to incorporate a bold colour scheme into a kitchen design. Photo – Prue Ruscoe. Stylist – Alicia Sciberras. Project – The Polychrome House by YSG Studio.

The Santa Cruz House by Commune Design combines graphic elements with raw timber. Photo – Stephen Kent Johnson. Project – Santa Cruz Beach House by Commune Design.

A more subtle, clean take on the scheme by Commune Design. Photo – Stephen Kent Johnson. Project – Santa Cruz Beach House by Commune Design.

The astoundingly gorgeous (and eccentric!)Flamingo Estate is where the Los Angeles side of a ‘retro eclectic’ scheme comes in! Photo – Courtesy of Flamingo Estate.

The perfect statement, squashy couch or armchair is critical! The fabulous Flamingo Estate in LA encapsulates the retro eclectic look in a perfectly refined way. Photo – Adrian Gaut.

For so long, a classic Californian interior was defined by its earthy textures, beachy vibes or modernist lines. But in 2021, Los Angeles-cool is tapping into a whole different side of its history. Hollywood!

The renaissance of this glitz and glamour era manifests itself in low-slung slouchy sofas, raw-edge log coffee tables and vintage statement pieces. We can freely mix different periods: an 80s couch with a mid-century cabinet, or a Scandinavian armchair alongside a unique resin side table. The time or place of origin don’t matter, it’s the collection that counts!

This dynamic new interior personality combines earthy and bold colours with mid-century design ideas. Natural materials such timber, brass and stone are layered with a bold and unexpected element: a chunky armchair or hand-moulded ceramic lamp. Thoughtful lines and a playful dose of patterns and colour is what makes these spaces so memorable.

Can’t you just picture Eve Babitz swanning through, champagne in hand, en route to Chateau Marmont? Or Joan Didion reclining on a squishy sofa, her tiny frame swallowed up by its large silhouette? Here’s how to get the look!

Retro Surfaces

If anything sums up a retro eclectic vibe, it’s textural flooring. So if you’re thinking of taking up your slate floor – stop! We’re seeing designers use crazy paving, slate and flagstone again because of its natural texture and pattern, and it’s an unexpected complement to timber and brick.

Match it with tropicana prints, shearling furnishings, cane details, leather couches, and terracotta-toned bricks – and you’re well on the way!

Primary Colours

In the 80s, the primary colours (red, yellow and blue) were used all at the same time. Admittedly, this is a really tricky look to pull-off without some careful consideration. One tip is to only use primary colours in pairs – not all three – and use the same level of saturation for each colour.

Graphic Artwork

When in doubt, go graphic! Make a statement with artwork that features solid shapes of bold colour, in naive or geometric designs. Whether it’s an original work on canvas, a print, or a wall sculpture – go for something impactful.

Why hang an artwork on the wall when the wall itself can be the artwork? If opting for a mural, incorporate shapes that talk to other patterns or motifs in the space – such as triangles to match the patterns in a crazy-paved floor.

Chunky Furniture

Chubby seating with curved outlines and a textured fabric (stretched and bunchy vinyl are a classic!) are the soft centrepieces of the room, while hefty pieces hewn from a single piece of material – like a side table made from a boulder or a log coffee table featuring the cross section of enormous tree trunk – anchor the space, with bold and heavy attitude.

Cane or bamboo details add a tropical coastal touch, and are an easy way to bring a soft and desirable clash to the material palette. Sarah Ellison’s velvet Huggy chair or Paloma coffee table are excellent places to start!

[kirwin450-blog]

Food + Dining Diversity in LA Open-Air Markets and its Relation to Social Media: A Visual Story

Los Angeles - a city of dreams and diversity. People from all over the world come to this city to search for opportunity and that creates this perfect mixture of cultures, ideas, and creativity that can be seen from any viewpoint, quite literally, looking out onto the city. Los Angeles has always been one of the most diverse cities in the country and although that can be proven true through the variety of people, it’s also apparent through the eclectic, wide-range of dining and culinary experiences that are constantly at-hand, ready to be offered. After creating a survey about “What Defines The Eating Experience” and having 75 of my peers across the nation at various universities participate, majority said that, among other things, Los Angeles is best known of the outdoor erHere in Los Angeles, the sun shines the majority of the year which enables outdoor eating experiences 

One of the most popular food excursions in Los Angeles are food trucks; but, a certain type of food truck. The most popular food trucks in Los Angeles often fuse two genres of food together to create a perfectly Californian mixture. Kogi is a Korean-Mexican fusion food truck that uses social media sites, Instagram and Twitter, to send location alerts out to their Angeleno followers. Some of the most popular items on the Kogi menu include a Korean Kimchi Quesadilla and the Korean Short Rib Burrito. These food trucks are able to thrive in a city like Los Angeles because with this weather, it’s almost feels mandatory to eat outdoors.

Kogi Food Truck is one of the experts that have caught onto the trend of  microblogging early on. Using social media to get the word out about their product and gaining an immense amount of popularity, Angelenos will stand in extensive queues just to get their hands on these Los Angeles based creations.

Another Los Angeles staple that merges food and social media influence into one is the open-air market, Smorgasburg. (A German word that means a mixture of things - perfect for Los Angeles being as though there is a mixture of things all over this city!) Notice the hashtag and the Instagram plug at the bottom right of the market banner. This just goes to show that the producers of Smorgasburg are very much aware of the marketing power that their attendees have when they hashtag or mention the market on their socials. This evolution of social media and its impact on our daily lives is showing more than ever in the food evolution - and how couldn’t it? As the saying goes: Everyone eats with their eyes! Social media thrives on visual content, so the outdoor markets in Los Angeles are seizing the opportunity in order to capitalize on market power through their consumers by offering up food vendors who sell exciting, aesthetically pleasing goods, and then, reminding attendees to post their exciting food finds online with placing their hashtags and socials on the entrance banner. 

Although Smorgasburg understands the importance of having a strong online presence, it still offers wholesome bonding between family, friends, and fellow Angelenos in the traditional, physical sense. The sunny skies make for a nice day out and the picnic table designed tables suggest togetherness and inclusion amongst civilians. The ability Smorgasburg has to keep people connected while being in an environment where many are simultaneously searching for the next Instagram-worhty food stand is strategic and an aspect to why Smorgasburg helps define the modern day food and dining culture of Los Angeles - this conglomeration of the online and offline world. 

Not only do Los Angeles markets like Smorgasburg focus on the aesthetic of their food vendors, but almost 90% of my survey-takers agree that they are also hyper-aware of making the overall venue an environment that is deemed “Insta-Worthy”. Bright seats, contrasting colors, and a feeling of relaxation and leisure is dispersed throughout the design of this event as a whole. 

All of these food vendors first started off as family-owned companies. The idea of “supporting your locals” and the joy of seeing small businesses thrive is just another aspect of the food culture in this particular city of Los Angeles. And because Los Angeles is so inherently diverse, there are is an array of food vendors all stemming from different cultural backgrounds offering diversity in food selection to the attendants of these weekly markets. 

Not only does Los Angeles bring diversity to the dinner table, but it also brings creative minds to a bustling city hub - and food is no exception to the art. Every single food vendor at these famous LA markets has a product that is creative in its own way. Whether it’s the bright colors, the way it’s presented, or how good it tastes, it’s expected that, if the food is at Smorgasburg, it’s probably “pretty enough” for a selfie. 

So much discussion on food, but even the drinks offer creativity and excitement. This Rambutan Butterflypea Oolong Tea was just one example of the type of artistic beverages yo will find at Smorgasburg LA. 

Another market that resides within Los Angeles County is the famous 626 Night Market, traditionally a market that celebrated food vendors of Asian descent due to its origin in a heavily Asian populated area, but has since branched out representing people of other cultures and backgrounds. Similar to Smorgasburg, 626 is outdoors, popular online, and offers food vendors of creative styles and food menus in order to keep the festival visually on-brand. 

The 3-day market that comes to town every month throughout the summer draws an average of 60,000 people with over 200 participating food vendors. What’s just as astounding as the number of people that attend is the number of people that follow their Instagram, capping in at about 7,600 followers and averaging at about 3,000 likes per post. The dreaminess of Los Angeles palm trees swaying in the cool summer breeze as you immerse yourself in a myriad of dining and eating experiences is definitely a position that most people want to find themselves in.

The fantasy land feel that the general public perceive Los Angeles to be extends past the sunsets and dreamy skies serving as the backdrop to a visually diverse cityscape. These open-air markets add magic to the Los Angeles story as they offer up creative, innovative goodies like these Cookie Shot Glasses with all sorts of eclectic, artistic designs. 

This image encapsulates the Los Angeles dining experience. Creative in its presentation, diverse in its origin of heritage, and aware of the importance of online exposure. This dumpling is uniquely bright in color, celebrating a different culture, and alas, has an Instagram handle in case you decide to post it on your profile and act as free marketing. 

All in all, certain eating and dining experiences in Los Angeles are one-of-a-kind due to its visual and social aspects in the form of environment and presentation. The outdoor setting, the diversity of food, the laid-back feel, these are all contributors to the overall visual aesthetic and impression of The City of Angels that is perpetuated and reinforced through social modes such as online social media platforms.

As the vendors begin to clean their stations and head home for the day, the fellow Angeleno heads home as well, looking up at the palm trees back-lit by a cotton candy sunset and possibly even a cotton candy in their hand. 

[zaraehedderman-blog]

State’s Videos of the Week #21

“OMG! I’ve a jittering case of FOMO RN cos YOLO. Bae, it’s BYOB 4 the Netflix’n’Chill sesh. BRB. K, G2G. TTYL.”*

There are a few reasons why it scares me that this is how a large portion of people are speaking to one another, presently. Shortcuts are no longer exclusive to finding the most time efficient route from one destination to the next. They’ve turned a corner and found a way into our conversational language. It’s sad that we’re losing touch with how we use words and have adapted to an unsavoury dependency of abbreviating almost everything we say. We’ve dumbed down language to avoid overly exerting ourselves and to seem efficient. The constant updating of social media has sped up modern interaction (we want to be the first to tweet about something, we send Snaps to friends that last seven seconds before they vanish) to the detriment of our rapidly depleting vocabulary.

It feels like everything now needs to be immediate, otherwise it loses relevance. This urgency is seen in all aspects of life, food, fashion and especially music. In the case of the latter, musicians and artists put under an unforgiving amount of pressure from record labels, management, critics and fans to produce new material constantly and consistently. If there is more than a two year gap between albums, the band is considered to be on hiatus only to make a comeback with their subsequent release. It’s baffling, and, in truth, unrealistic to place such expectations upon an artist. Just look at Frank Ocean and Bon Iver. They both released albums in 2011 and then went away for a while, taking time before they began work on new material. People became increasingly impatient (a by-product of this culture of urgency) with Ocean, in particular, but when he finally unveiled Blond(e) it was as though the anguish of the five year wait was forgotten in an instant because he had created a masterpiece full of honesty and ingenuity. He didn’t dilute his music because he didn’t succumb to the pressure of rushing or taking shortcuts. Too often are musicians forced into releasing new material when they aren’t entirely ready to because there is popular demand. You can always hear the disconnect between the musician and the music in the playing or the lyrics of those songs, and that transpires to the listener. We need to appreciate the vastness of our brains and be more excited about challenging, and stop looking for, everything to be so instant. Instant coffee isn’t desirable, neither is instant music.

*“Oh my god! I have a jittering case of fear of missing out right now because you only live once. Babe, it is bring your own booze for the Netflix and chill out session. Be right back. Ok, got to go. Talk to you later.”

Devendra Banhart – ‘Saturday Night’ (Nonesuch Records)

The audio for ‘Saturday Night’, surfaced online about a month ago, giving us an initial glimpse of Devendra Banhart’s newly released ninth album, Ape in Pink Marble (our review here). The single was described as overtly sexy and one suitable for those long autumnal evenings spent indoors, the ones where you chill and binge watch Netflix, obviously. ‘Saturday Night’, a lethargic drum pattern and oriental influence marks a completely different sound to the Venezuelan-American singer-songwriter’s previous albums, which were far more folk informed. The video for the song could not be further from what you would expect then, in encapsulating the lusty nature of the tempo. Devendra is accompanied by a dog and a few concerned looking babies in an empty bar. It’s a strange video and slightly uncomfortable to watch because Devendra and the babies look uneasy throughout.

Fake Palms – ‘Holiday’ (Buzz Records)

I love sweets, I have an insatiable sweet tooth. I adore smearing ice cream or melted chocolate on my face in public places for the amusement of my friends. I’m drawn to bold and bright colours. I really like dream-pop and find it immensely invigorating discovering new, independent bands. Naturally, I was instantly attracted to Fake Palms, the Toronto based quartet formed by Michael la Riche. La Riche began Fake Palms in 2011 but it only grew into its current formation last year. They’re definitely a band to follow, especially if you’re feeling a void in good guitar based indie-pop.

Bon Iver – ‘29 Stratford Apts’ (Jagjaguwar)

Last Friday a community of music enthusiasts rejoiced with the timely release of 22, A Million, the follow up to Bon Iver’s five year-old sophomore album, Bon Iver, Bon Iver. This has been an exceptional year for new records, it has also been one brimming with albums by artists that we have been waiting impatiently to hear new material from for five years (Frank Ocean and Bon Iver, coincidentally) and have delivered the strongest releases of the past nine months. Justin Vernon said that he needed to take time away from Bon Iver because at the time of touring their second album there was too much hype surrounding the music. Luckily Vernon didn’t feel like he needed to rush the writing, recording and mastering of a record in quick succession to maintain momentum. Instead, he took his time. He ventured into other projects and collaborations with other artists and then, when the time felt right he started to work on ten songs which would become 22, A Million. The passion and genius of 22, A Million is a testament to how important it is to be aware of your own time and to work at your own pace free from the stressful preoccupation of feeling the need to churn out music for the sake of reminding people that you still exist. Instead, do things because you want to, no matter how long it takes because then it will mean more to you and your audience. That’s how you make something that is timeless.

Drugdealer Feat. Ariel Pink – ‘Easy To Forget’ (Domino)

You can feel free of time when you’re aimlessly driving around or listening to effortlessly good music. You could easily lose a few hours listening to Drugdealer, the latest musical project by Michael Collins who formerly went by the monikers, Run DMT and Salvia Plath, respectively. Collins released The End of Comedy at the start of September and it’s a really enjoyable, very Californian sounding collection of songs featuring his friends and fellow musicians like Ariel Pink. The video perfectly encapsulates the environment of Drugdealer’s sound, a sunny atmosphere with a stoner edge. I cannot recommend The End of Comedy enough, especially if you have an crisp autumn afternoon to wile away.

Notable Mention….

The Weeknd feat. Daft Punk – ‘Starboy’

MTV caused a stir this week when they announced the list of nominations for the upcoming EMAs, which featured The Weeknd’s collaboration with Daft Punk on ‘Starboy,’ being recognised in the Best Video category. The controversy stemmed from the video receiving a nomination despite the fact that it had not been released. Once again, we’re subjected to powerful institutions playing a game to keep record companies happy instead of valuing good work. So, what is it that makes for a worthy video, according to MTV? Well, Abél Tesfaye cautiously moving through a darkened home furnished with an oil painting of Daft Punk reminded me of Justin Timberlake’s ‘Cry Me a River’ video. It was all I could think about. I was waiting for Tesfaye to find himself in the bathroom watching his supermodel girlfriend, Bella Hadid washing away a tiring day at the office in the shower. It isn’t a particularly spectacular or original concept, which is surprising then that it should be selected as a contender for best video, amongst Kanye West, Beyonce and Tame Impala who were the wildcard inclusion. It just shows how eschew the industry is sometimes and how content or originality are irrelevant.

http://state.ie/features/77169

Originally Published on State.ie, October 2016

State’s Videos of the Week was a column I wrote for State.ie from May 2016 - May 2017. It provided a summarised insight into music videos released each week.