#the album definitely has a positive message and the spirit of fun continues
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macaronirats · 2 months ago
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Happy danger days birthday
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fyexo · 4 years ago
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200924 20 Questions With SuperM: The K-Pop Supergroup On Their New Album & Becoming ‘Like Family’ With Each Other
Last year, SuperM notched a huge win when their self-titled “mini album” debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 albums chart. The K-pop supergroup -- which consists of members of EXO, SHINee, NCT 127 and WayV -- had generated a huge amount of buzz before releasing a single track thanks to its star-studded lineup, and with the No. 1 bow, SuperM was off to an explosive start.
With Super One, the group’s first full-length out Friday (Sept. 25), SuperM continues its positive momentum. The hopeful, hook-stuffed album allows all seven members of SuperM to shine, while also expanding the group’s pop aesthetic and finding the right balance between singing and rapping. Songs like “Wish You Were Here,” “Better Days” and lead single “100” demonstrate SuperM’s dexterity -- and even though it’s still uncertain when their global fans will be able to see the songs performed live, the collective sounds prepared to put on an eclectic, wide-ranging show with these tracks.
Ahead of their new album’s release, the members of SuperM answered 20 questions about their musical backgrounds, leaning on each other during the pandemic, the highlights of Super One and more:
1. What’s the first piece of music that you bought for yourself, and what was the medium?
BAEKHYUN: An Avril Lavigne CD. I really liked her music when I was young so I remember going to a CD store with my brother to buy her album.
2. What was the first concert you saw?
KAI: I remember I went to my first concert when I was 16 years old. This was Usher’s concert when he came to Korea. Seeing him perform onstage inspired me to work harder towards my dream to become an artist like him. I still can’t forget the energy and the vibe of people around me and remember wanting to perform on a big stage like that.
3. Who made you realize you could be an artist full-time?
TAEMIN: My mom was the first person actually. When I was very young, she saw how much I enjoyed singing and dancing and encouraged me to audition. Since then, I started moving towards my dream to become an artist and performer. She helped me discover my passion at an early age and encouraged me to do what I love, and for that, I’m forever grateful.
4. What’s at the top of your professional bucket list?
TAEYONG: I just want everyone I work with to be happy, and work together for a long time. This includes not just SuperM members, but also the rest of the staff and the team behind the scenes that make it all happen!
5. How did your hometown/city shape who you are?
MARK: I think everyone is influenced by their hometown and where they come from. It’s really special to be a K-pop artist and perform in front of fans in Canada, where I’m from. When we performed in my hometown during the world tour earlier this year, it was such a significant “homecoming” moment for me. Canada always has a special place in my heart.
6. What’s the last song you listened to?
LUCAS: The last song I listened to is Justin Bieber’s new song, “Holy.” It’s a great song to listen to when you are feeling tired. I listen to it on repeat when I’m on the move during the day and it puts me in a good mood.
7. If you could see any artist in concert, dead or alive, who would it be?
TEN: I would choose Michael Jackson, because I always regret that I didn’t get to see him perform onstage live. I look up to him as an artist, and I’d love to see him sing and dance live at one of his concerts.
8. What’s the craziest thing you’ve seen happen in the crowd of one of your shows?
MARK: Well, one thing that happens at every show is how emotional I get seeing the venue packed with our fans. Before going onstage, I always take a peek at the audience from behind the curtain, and it’s hard to describe the exact feeling in words but it feels surreal — too good to be true, almost. Especially for a standing audience, it’s not easy standing for hours straight in a tight space, but their energy never goes down. I never feel tired onstage because of them. It’s still pretty crazy to me to see and feel their energy every time. I miss them!
9. How has the pandemic affected the way you’ve created music in 2020?
BAEKHYUN: The process of creating music, writing and recording songs, was pretty much the same. However, planning the album promotion during pandemic was a little different, since everything had to be done online. We had to think of fun and unique ways to interact with our fans, from creating our own reality show to holding livestream, AR tech-based concerts. We have a lot more creative content in store for our fans, so stay tuned!
10. What was your reaction to SuperM’s mini album topping the Billboard 200 chart last year?
KAI: Everyone was super happy. We put our heart and soul into the album and worked really hard on it, so in a way, we were looking forward to the results. When we saw that the EP hit number one on the chart, it was one of the happiest moments of our career.
11. What’s the biggest difference, creatively speaking, between last year’s mini album and Super One?
TEN: The mini album was more about introducing SuperM and our SMP-style performances, whereas for Super One, it shows more of our different musical styles and really brings out the dynamic qualities that we possess as a group. So, to put it simply, Super One is the completed version/look of SuperM. Also, what was important for us when creating this album was to include a message of hope and deliver that positivity and strength to listeners. Music can really lift your spirits when you’re feeling down, so I hope people find healing and happiness while listening to our music. That would make us very happy.
12. Why did “100” make the most sense as a lead single?
TAEYONG: “100” is all about speed and energy, so it’s the perfect single to showcase SuperM’s power as the opening act of Super One. It also helps convey the message that we are always moving forward at full-speed, giving our 100% in all we do.
13. What’s one song on the album that you suspect will be a big fan favorite?
LUCAS: I think fans will like “Better Days.” It’s a nice ballad song for a great start to your day. It also contains a message of comfort and empathy to help get through these difficult times. We hope our fans can feel the warmth of this messaging through our vocals and fluid rapping.
14. How has the group bonded during what’s been a wild 2020?
TAEMIN: We’ve been through a lot and have always been there for each other through thick and thin so naturally, we’ve gotten very close. They’re like family now. We didn’t have to “try” to become close, it just naturally happened -- as if we were destined to be in the same group.
15. SuperM has been part of a massive year for the global expansion of K-pop. How does it feel to see so many K-pop songs, albums and artists setting records?
MARK: This makes me really proud. I remember growing up in Canada, a lot of people at my school didn’t know K-pop. It was mainly just popular among Koreans. Now, so many people all over the world know about it and K-pop is getting so much attention. I feel honored and proud to be a part of this movement. Bringing the two cultures closer together and building that bridge through music is such a historic moment, and I can’t wait to contribute more to it and create great music for listeners worldwide.
16. What’s your go-to song that you’ve been singing along to lately?
BAEKHYUN: These days, I have Eric Benet’s “Still with You” on repeat, so I’ve been singing this a lot lately. This was one of my favorite songs in high school, and ever since I started spending more time at home, I’ve been revisiting some of my old favorite playlists. They bring me back to that moment when I was in school, aspiring to become an artist.
17. What movie, or song, always makes you cry?
TEN: This always changes, but when I can empathize with the characters in a movie or connect with the emotions in a song, it makes me cry. I recently cried watching the animated film, Grave of the Fireflies. I watched this for the first time when I was young, but re-watching it as an adult touched me in a different way.
18. If you were not a musician, what would you be?
LUCAS: If not a musician, I’d probably be a firefighter – a job that saves other people’s lives is truly inspiring to me. But if not a firefighter, I’d definitely choose a career that make people happy, just like what I try to do now through music and performing.
19. What’s one piece of advice you would give to your younger self?
KAI: I would tell my younger self to take care of yourself and stay healthy, because health is so important! I would also tell him not to be so hard on himself and enjoy the ride as a young teenager. This is the time for having fun and trying different things! Back then, I was so focused on my career and working towards my dreams that I didn’t spend a lot of time doing “regular teenager experiences,” which I wish I did more of!
20. What’s your message to fans who have been supporting SuperM -- and waiting for this album to arrive?
TAEMIN: It’s been almost a year now since our debut, and we are incredibly grateful to have so many fans cheer us on. We put our heart and soul into the album knowing that our fans have been waiting for a long time. While we’re sad that that we can’t meet them in person, we hope they can feel the positive energy through our songs and performances.
Jason Lipshutz @ Billboard
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theoriginalbread · 4 years ago
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Fine Line - Harry Styles Album Review
Go easy on me, I am no professional at writing, reviewing, explaining my thoughts, nor at grammar.
Everything is as objective as possible but some reviews may definitely and will definitely be biased slightly. :-)
Golden - summer. A song filled with incredibly upbeat lyrics that carry a stronger message than they initially and melodically suggest. Catchier than the flu. It takes a hold of the listener and turns their neck to the sunset beyond the meadow and says, “listen.” It fills you with a harmony of “da da da da’s” that encompasses both ears. Tremendous energy.
Watermelon Sugar - summertime in the 90’s. Laid back, funky, but most importantly, short reverb on the voice. California-esque lead guitar. Horns as the perfect level of mid-high tones. Makes you think of delicious watermelons and warm air.
Adore You - the theme of fruit continues, purity. a love letter written to the love of the author’s mind. “I’d walk through fire for you, just let me adore you.” Deep rich bass with the main melody in full motion. A rhythm that keeps the head bobbing, shoes tapping, and shoulders moving. Hopelessly romantic, this author. ‘No need for you to do a thing honey, just let me adore you.’ Incredible. Great distorted guitar tones.
Lights Up - The song is emptier in composition. Short to zero reverb on instruments. Simple, quiet drums. The message of confusion, the absence of sound amplifying this. “Do you know who you are?” “(Shine) step into the light! (Shine) so bright sometimes! (Shine) I’m not ever going back!” A command given by a confused person. Their beliefs of this lover completely flipped around and demanding answers. Just one loose theory but maybe not.
Cherry - another song that sounds lonely, just his voice. Nobody else and a confession. Begging, remorse. Please don’t call anyone what you called me and maybe it was for the better that we split but know I love you and respect you don’t call him what I used to be to you. The longing in the arrangement of the sounds and the addition of the strings to the song add to the melancholic feel of the voice. The upbeat progression overshadowed by the pain. Cherry on top is the voice note at the ending and the silence from him as he speaks his love language of music to her, whilst she speaks. (Personal favorite but I tried to approach this as objectively as I could.)
Falling - there is nothing but me, empty room, and sadness. The piano reverberates throughout the emptiness he feels. “The love letters are many about you, and we’ve run out of excuses to give ourselves.” He feels he might be nothing of notice in their life once they revert to strangers. He was another ordinary guy. He’s scared of himself being the reason the relationship fell apart too. Depression as a song.
To Be So Lonely - the guitar sounds muted and quiet. A moment where the sounds are coming back and the beat returns. Slow and mellow yet still strong. Buzzing strings, tremolo or vibrato on the electric guitar. Strings remain yet sing a new tune of possible hope. “Don’t call me what you used to call me, I need to be alone.” He’s climbing from the bottom of the spiral and has regained his strength.
She - another love letter, in odd form. She’s so important to me that I cannot get her out of my mind. The time being important as a reminder that even the time, numbers on a clock face, means something about her. He delegates the run for coffee like he knows what to do at the simple look of the time because it is for her. He wants to sail away and tell none of his friends because he couldn’t explain how he felt. She’s incredibly impacted his entire life and he doesn’t want anything else. “I don’t know where she is.” Could be that he’s aware of how incredibly romanticized his perception of her is and that he’d rather it anyway. He plays pretend and he doesn’t know where “she” is but he daydreams of her. Incredible guitar solos and yes - there is more than one guitar being played!
Sunflower vol. 6 - a sunflower is beautiful to look at and see and will always be so. you never want to bother one or block it’s sun, you love the shade. An entry in another page of the love letter. The author wants to let their lover know that he’d never think about disturbing her. Very strong melody and backing instruments with a strong and simple drum loop. The electric sound effects adding a touch of whimsy and fun, upbeat.
Canyon Moon - the author uses a calmer tone, back to the beginning of a solid, percussive rhythm with rich, deep acoustic guitar. The chorus returns and he sings so much more like himself. Excitement to return home and to familiar feelings, normalcy. Bright melody, cheery even.
Treat People with Kindness - rejuvenated spirits and the urge to treat everyone with incredible compassion. forgiving those who wronged him and regaining confidence. The solitude isn’t gruesome any longer and he remembers what the day feels like and comes out more gleeful. Tough stuff happens but we continue. Evidenced strongly by the entire choir singing and the strong voice and confidence. A mantra for positivity.
Fine Line - atmospheric, empty, and filled with sorrow and lethargic sounds. the slow, quiet guitar, not refined, as if played in the moment of grief. Beautiful deep bass notes with isolated highs that add depth and a feeling of loss and weightlessness. Falsetto singing to add to the angelic and somber ambience. “We’ll be a fine line.” We could be an example of a good thing or we could move forward in life together as friends. The song is the confession that was written in the middle but sounds amazing at the end. It’s almost as if the final minutes of the song serve as nothing but reassurance that they will live after this pain.
The ending that perfectly encapsulates the constant up and down a person experiences during a break up with someone significant to them. The “we’ll be alright, we’ll be alright” lyric demonstrates the growth and healing the author has done and reveals maturity behind the excuses. Perhaps too late because the relationship has ended romantically, but it doesn’t have to spell the end of a good platonic relationship.
Overall, this album is a strong 9.5/10 in my books. It has all the themes I love to talk and think about. Beautiful sounding vocals and absolutely incredible tunes.
Hope this wasn’t so muddled to understand and will gladly elaborate on anything in my asks!
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Share a Lair 14 || Share the Details
Max was honestly stressed out for nothing. He spent all of this time trying to talk his way up to the news, and whenever he actually finally spit it out, Charlotte was relieved and surely didn’t seem any of the things he’d been afraid about. She laughed a little and said, “I honestly thought that you were about to break up with me moments after your mother posted me dancing and tagged me to it on her page.”
“I’d never break up with you,” he said, then, “Wait, what?” He checked his mother’s birthday album for the twins and sure enough, there was a post of Max dancing around Charlotte, who was way more reserved, but so dang cute! Max loved it and almost went through to read all of the comments, but Charlotte cut into that mission.
“It’s just that sometimes, I can’t tell if you’re as deep into this as I am. You just have so many important things to do. By comparison, I’m kind of relegated to something fun on the side,” she said.
He put his phone into his pocket and sat down next to her, “That’s never been the case for me. Mostly, I haven’t wanted to scare you off, because my feelings for you are SO intense that I have to rationalize and reign myself in, like, “Max, this is NOT the way to handle this. But, I don’t have a huge frame of reference, because I haven’t had many serious relationships and this is only the second time that I’ve been in love…” As soon as he said it, they both gasped. But, while this apprehensive expression poured over his face, hers lit up at the same speed and they looked at each other, both became confused and expressions switched to match the other one’s, then again they both realized that they were inadvertently making statements with their faces and they both started laughing at this. They leaned towards each other, laughing and Charlotte reached out to collect him into her arms and moved him to lay back on her chest.
“I’m in love, too.” She said it very softly and stroked his hair with even more gentleness.
“I feel like a huge weight has been lifted off of me, just being able to admit that out loud, and hearing you say it too, is like… The perfect birthday present.” She kissed the top of his head and hooked her arms under his. He rested his hands on hers and whispered, “Can I spend the night with you?”
“Of course,” she said and rubbed his chest, one of her legs now comfortably wrapping around him, as well. He sat up and she was momentarily missing his body.
But, he turned to face her, hands sliding up her party dress as he stared into her eyes, “No… I meant… I want to spend the night with you, Charlotte…” She shifted to allow him better access beneath her dress and nodded her head, unable to break eye contact with him, as intense as it was. Had that been all that he had been waiting for? To be able to say he loved her? To have her say it, as well? She wasn’t sure. But, that didn’t matter. It was go time! He leaned forward and she leaned back.
“My bed is pretty small,” she whispered. But Max simply extended his hand, and within moments, the spare bed had been slid across the floor, right next to this bed. She smiled. “That was hot.” He just smiled. He loved when she said things like that to him, and he was ready to prove himself to her.
.
Whenever Charlotte came into the “Danger Column,” she was humming joyfully and carrying a ton of stuff with her. “Hey Char, what’s all that stuff?” Jasper wondered.
“Just some things that I got from home over the weekend,” she said. “Sort of officially moving in with Max.” She continued on her way and Jasper squinted his eyes as she set her things on the rolling cart, “I know that they’ll be gone soon, but what we might wind up doing is me living here for however long they’re here, then when it’s time to relocate, I’ll be looking for a place for us outside of Share-A-Lair.”
Jasper nodded his head, then wondered, “Who’ll be gone soon?”
She laughed a little then looked at his genuinely curious face. “Umm.,, the guys, from this site. Or at least Max, will be. Maybe not Henry, if he hasn’t said anything. He’d certainly tell you before he would anybody else, I’m sure.”
“No. He’d probably tell YOU before anybody else. What do you know, Charlotte?”
She fumbled her hands around packing the cart and tried to find something that MIGHT distract Jasper from the suggestion that Henry might be leaving and hadn’t said anything to him. It probably was a misunderstanding on her part, so she definitely didn’t want to add to that fuel, But, there were very few things that could distract Jasper from the subject of Henry, and if her moving in with Max wasn’t enough (hell, that only caused more questions), then she was probably about to open her mouth and insert and poorly constructed lie foot. “I know what it feels like to have thunder coursing through my body.”
“Don’t change the subject. Thunder can’t course throughOHMYGODYOUANDMAXFINALLYDIDIT???” And just like that, she had deterred him away from the Henry subject and she texted Hen a warning about it as Jasper had to know everything, “How’s it shaped? Is it as perfect as we imagined through the gray sweatpants? Can you draw me a sketch of it? Better yet… Did you get pix?”
“I… had already seen it before. Calm down there, Bud…”
“Did you sing Happy Birthday to him like Marilyn Monroe? That’s what I would’ve done.”
“I didn’t. Honestly, it was just really slow and sweet and steamy,” she said, nodding.
“Awwww. You went easy on him. You must really be in love!” Jasper gushed.
She smiled hard enough to hurt her face, “I did!… And, I am. It’s really cool. I haven’t been this close to anybody in a while, and even then, it was you know, just… not like this is.  I’ve never had to take things slowly, and I’ve never had to learn to trust or have someone learn to trust me after the emotional connection. I’ve never had to be patient for a guy to be ready for me and I certainly have never had to go easy on somebody. It’s equal parts centering and exciting!”
“Did you at least warn him that you were a raging ball of aggression in the bedroom?” Jasper asked.
“I am NOT!” She said, then giggled a little, “I mean, I haven’t had any complaints!” She gasped, “You think that I’ll frighten him if he gets Take Charge Char?”
“I think Take Charge Char is far more hot than she is scary, but the scary is a good scary. That “roller coaster ride scary,” not “a bear in the woods while you’re camping” scary. But, more about the di-”
“Naw. I gotta get this stuff to my new place!” She said and began rolling the cart out of the tower, with a huge smile on her face.
.
Henry looked at Max approaching and wondered, “Are you late, or am I uncharacteristically early?”
Max looked at his watch and said, “I’m late…. Wait, why did I look at my watch? OF COURSE, I’m late. Like you’d ever be early.” Henry laughed and rolled his eyes, then heard his phone and checked Charlotte’s text. “Uh uh. Phone away. It’s training time,” Max said, setting his things down.
“You’re one to talk. You were late today!” Henry said, then groaned at the text message, “Your delightful girlfriend just told Jasper that I might be leaving soon. Why would she do that?” Henry had taken to sarcastically using positive words for Char whenever he was irritated by her, to avoid interference from Max, that he was certain could result in either his own derision or demise. Better safe and sarcastic than sorry.
“Have you not talked to Jasper about possibly leaving here?” Max wondered, stretching.
Henry put his phone into his bag and said, “I’ve brought it up a few times that I was probably gonna go on some far off missions with you, but I think that he’s not hearing that I might be leaving soon.”
“Are you SAYING that you might be leaving soon to him?” Max asked.
“Did you SAY it before you told Char over the weekend?” Henry asked right back.
“Are you and Jasper in the same situation and Char and I?” Max wondered.
“No, but… you can’t be pot kettling or whatever.”
“Different situations, Dude,” Max said. “I wanna marry Charlotte someday, but as it stands, she’s technically not my best friend. I mean… That’s a goal, definitely, but it isn’t our reality. You and Jasper have been together your entire lives and he follows you everywhere. Not telling him that somewhere may be another country is a little different from me having anxiety about admitting to a short term girlfriend the same thing… He is gonna come with you, right?”
Henry shrugged his shoulders, “I kinda want him to figure out his own thing. I’ve been doing some soul searching and I realize that while I’ve been putting everybody else first and working on saving other people, Jasper’s been doing the same thing, but for me.”
They continued stretching and Max commented, “Maybe that’s what he wants to do.”
“Maybe. But, I’ll feel better if he has some time to look inside and really determine that, you know? Would you want Charlotte to just pack up and leave and come along with us to Russia?”
“Yes. But, yet again - not the same situation.”
Henry sighed, annoyed and commented, “I am so ready to swing punches at your face now.”
“I am ready to watch you fail to land them.”
.
“Okay. I am ready to do THAT for the rest of my life,” Max said. Charlotte simply laughed. It was nice, but she was certainly sore. She hadn’t had to work her thigh muscles like that before, or at least in a while. She forgot about all of the “additional” that came along with this. It didn’t matter, though. Max was here with her, and he wanted her, and he wanted this. She had no complaints.
He laid in Charlotte’s arms, ready to forsake Russia, the T Force, the Hero League, anything else that dared to come between him and this feeling that he had right now, in this very moment, wrapped up in her, bodies connected, spirits aligned.
“Whether it’s 3 months or 6, I want to be with you, okay?” She whispered.
He nodded. Of course. He wanted to throw a ring on her and pop a baby in her, but that was a bit much for right now, so he just said, “You could move into the lair, if you want. That might give us a little more time together before the changes happen.”
“Wouldn’t you have to run that by Share-A-Lair?” She wondered.
“Running it by them for me includes sending them a message that it’s happening.”
“Oh, so you got it like that, huh?”
“I’m the man.” He kissed her fingertips and asked, “Do you not want to?”
She smiled, “I think that’d be cool. I mean, it’s only for a few months, then you’re off to Russia, so it isn’t like there’s a danger of us growing sick of each other. Besides, I practically live there now and gas to and from for when I’ve gotta come back here is pretty pricey.”
“You think that we’ll grow sick of each other when we’re around each other more?” he wondered. “I can’t imagine ever being sick of you. I imagine you being the main thing that makes me feel well in a very sick world where I have to battle sick people.” She just smiled. He was strumming her skin lovingly with his fingertips and seemed like he had a lot going through his mind.
“Will we be able to visit each other at all? When you’re in Russia?” She asked.
“It’s not final that I’ll be in Russia… but, I will have a lair, hidden beneath the property of my secret identity. If you want, you can certainly visit me, but I don’t know if I’ll be able to leave during the tour.”
“Cool. I’ve never really thought about Russia, but I’m going to look into it. Add it as a place for me to be able to visit a time or two in the next few years… You are only gonna be gone for a few years, right?”
“Three,” he said.
“Yeah, I’ve done this long distance thing for longer before. We’ve got this.”
He looked at her and gave her a kiss. “Can we…”
“Again?”
“If it isn’t asking too much…”
“It’s not!” She smiled. “Come here…”
.
Each day, Charlotte came in a little less chipper and a little more sore looking. Jasper smirked every time, until one day, maybe about a week later, he straight up asked, “You can’t handle the D, can you?”
She let out a relieved sigh and a chain of word vomit, “Dude, I can’t even get to the point where I’m at my usual performance level with Max, because whenever we get down to it, his physical superiority and stamina outrun my experience and prowess. What does it matter if you can do fun little tricks, if after a few minutes, you’re ready to pass out, just as he’s getting warmed up? He is a leading world  superhero, with nearly perfect health, and impeccable bodily preoccupation! He can do some GLORIOUS shit with body. I mean, leave you speechless tier. And… I can handle about 10 minutes of him, then I’m just there because if I move, I might collapse. I have GOT to add cardio to my daily schedule!”
Jasper nodded his head, cordially the entire time she was speaking, but as soon as she stopped, he simply asked, “Okay, but how big is it?” She stared at him for a moment before walking away. “Bigger than Henry’s? Surely.” He gasped, “Is it bigger than mine? Are there other personality traits to it? Like a curve or a slightly fatter top? OH! He’s… cut, isn’t he? You know what, you should see if he’ll let you take a photo of it, so we can research.”
“Jasper!” She finally shrieked. “Shut. Up.”
“Right. You’re having a crisis. Here’s a solution! You let him take control until you get your own physicality up. Those are essentially pleasure filled workouts. He’ll like being in charge all the time, at least for a while, then whenever it seems like it’s boring and dull, POW! You’ll hit him with your modulation. He’ll be like… WHAT? There was a higher pleasure setting? Huh?? And you can stay on that level until you gain more endurance, and then, guess what? POW! Another modulation on him.” Jasper shook his head, “But, that’s probably not gonna work.”
“No, no… That’s… I can work with that. My legs haven’t burned this much since I started marathon training in junior high!”
“I forgot that you used to do that!” Jasper said.
“So did my thighs.”
He laughed and said, “RIP Charlotte’s hamstrings.”
“Rude!” she snapped. They looked at each other, “But, accurate.” He laughed again and she tried not to, because it wasn’t funny and she didn’t want to encourage him. But, in spite of herself, she had to laugh a little.
She definitely regretted it when a moment later, Jasper slid a pencil and a piece of paper to her and said, “What if you just sketch it for me? As true to life as possible, please?”
She gave him a small, tight smile, picked up the pencil and said, “Imagine for a moment that this was one…” Then, she snapped it in half with her thumb and threw it down on the table. Jasper gasped as she got up and walked over to her work area in the lab.
“He… He has a pencil one?” He wondered, in horror. She just left it alone. Maybe if he thought that, he’d give it a rest! “I’ve been sweat-fished!” He whined. That sounds disgusting.
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purplesurveys · 4 years ago
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1145
What were your favorite things to draw when you were a lil kid?  I knew I wasn’t an artist the moment I started experimenting with pens and markers, and the only image I liked to keep - and was capable of - drawing on repeat was your usual kid’s portrait of a house with a sun and clouds lmao. I never learned how to draw anything else.
Do you think there is something with or around you, like a spirit, angel, ghost or something else? How does this make you feel?  No, never.
Imagine you’re a stranger looking at yourself. What things would immediately catch your eye?  Probably the way I’m scowling at stranger-me staring at me-me.
When did you feel the most confident in your life? Not sure when I’ve felt the most confident, but I typically feel so whenever I get something I’ve been desiring and working hard for, like getting a job offer or being accepted to my dream college or passing a really difficult exam.
Do you think love is needed to have good sex? For some people, no. For me, loving one another is an absolute must. < Yes, hits the nail on the head for me.
Do you think, or want to, die in the city you currently live in? I don’t think it would matter where I die, as long as it’s not from a terrible freak accident.
What is the strangest thing you have ever encountered?  That time I went to Singapore and a sex toy shop was casually blatantly standing in the middle of Orchard Road for families to stroll pass. It’s not objectively strange, of course, but it was definitely a big culture shock. Putting up sex shops in the Philippines is basically a game of who can find the best spot to hide them in.
Favourite soft drink? I never drink soda, so I don’t have a favorite.
What do you like to put gravy on? Fried chicken or steak.
Have you ever gone canoeing/kayaking?  Yes, in Palawan.
What is one thing you know about your family history you’re proud of?  I come from a line of datus from both precolonial and colonial Philippines. The most exciting part about it is that it technically makes me a princess, or at least our local version of princesses haha. I’m also distantly related to one of the three women who sewed the first Philippine flag.
Who depends on you the most? Kimi and Cooper, surely.
Are you related to anyone famous or historical, if so who?  See two questions above. Coming from my datu ancestors, my relatives also continue to serve in the local government of our family’s province until today. Not that I’m particularly proud of them or show this off whenever I want because they are all very vocal Duterte supporters and regularly engage with him and his family, so *barf*
Would you ever donate a kidney to anyone, and who?  If it ever comes down to it, I’d offer one of mine to my dad, Angela, and either of her parents.
What is the main quality you think makes a great parent? They recognize when they’re wrong and know to acknowledge it and apologize.
What three things do you think of most of each day? Tasks I have to do for work for the day, tasks I have to do for the rest of the week, and financial concerns.
Does/did your high school have pop machines?  No, of course not. Are there schools that are ok with selling soda? :/
Do you know anyone who’s won the lottery?  Not that I know of, but then again these things are shared in secret so there’s always that chance of possibly knowing someone who won the lotto at some point.
Have you ever slept in a water bed? Never slept but I’ve played on one.
How often do you use Flickr?  I haven’t visited that site since I was like 11. Not even sure it still exists.
Who is the last child that you took a photo with?  I think my cousin Toffe, but it was most likely a family photo that the two of us happened to be in. I don’t have a lot of photos with my younger cousins and kids in general.
How often do you wear hats? Never. I always think about getting a bucket hat of my own but I just never go through with it.
Would you ever get a nature tattoo? I never even entertained the thought before. But considering Hayley’s albums and songs have like a million references to flowers, it sounds like a good idea now :)
Is anyone in your family sick at the moment?  My paternal great-grandma was recently confined in a hospital but she’s been discharged. I have a grand-aunt who suffered a mild stroke a couple of weeks ago and is currently recovering.
Where do your siblings work, if anywhere? They are both still studying. If I had to guess, my sister would probably end up in the film, media, or advertising industry, if not a freelance artist.
Where is your favorite place to buy groceries?  If I had the money for it I’d get my groceries at Marketplace, but I’m content with getting ours from SM or Robinsons for now.
Who do you generally talk to the most? Probably my immediate family and my team at work.
Is anyone saved in your phone under a nickname?  Not anymore. I use nicknames on my friends more frequently on Facebook Messenger.
Whose birthday is coming up?  One of my cousins’ birthday is on March 31.
Have you ever ordered from an informercial? No, never.
When, where, and why did a needle last pierce your skin?  Around a month ago when I was embroidering. I usually accidentally prick myself from time to time.
Have you been to an escape room? Was it a success?  Nah, not really my idea of fun. I’m a little weak at problem/riddle-solving :(
How many followers do you have on Instagram? I literally never use my Instagram except to lurk and look for influencers to potentially tap for work. The account was initially my one-photo-a-day-in-2020 dump, but I stopped in April last year and now we’re in 2021 it doesn’t even serve a purpose anymore lmao. But for some reason Bea asked for my account and still followed me (and is the only person following me), which I’m sure she already regrets.
What’s the most recent music video you watched? Thoughts?  Continued the next day. Jessi’s What Type of X. Killed it as always.
Have you ever recorded a cover of a song? Never.
What makeup products are your go-tos?  None.
Are you going to school this year?  No, not anymore. I did that for the very last time in 2020, and I don’t see the point in going back for an MA because I feel like I’m already covered.
What is your favorite water activity? I’ve only ever tried kayaking, but that was a very pleasant memory.
What are your favorite video games? I’m not a super passionate video game fan who’s always up-to-date, but I do have a soft spot for games I bonded on with my family when I was a kid, like Grand Theft Auto (very inappropriate for a kid to be playing, I know lol), Silent Hill, Resident Evil, Mario Kart, and Smash Bros.
Do you like jello? I never got over the texture, so no.
When was the last time you gave someone "the finger?" Not sure when exactly but it happened recently, maybe a week or two ago. I suddenly thought about my ex and flung both fingers around just for myself lol.
Have you ever held a snake?  Yes, I got the chance to hold and take a photo with one on my trip to Bali. I was the only willing one in the family.
Most unique place you’ve ever been to?  Baker’s Hill in Palawan is what I would imagine seeing if I ever took drugs and had a trip of some sort. Most random place ever.
If you were a superhero, what color would your cape be?  Continued from...I don’t even know anymore. Just know it’s been nearly a week since I first started this, lmao. Idk maybe gold.
Have you ever slept out on your porch all night?  We don’t have a porch. We do have a rooftop and I’ve fallen asleep there a couple of times. I only do so when the climate is cold, though.
Do you like horror movies?  Sure, but I haven’t watched any in years. Just have never been in the mood for it for a long while now.
What’s your favorite Coke product?  Blech, I hate soda.
Watergun or water-balloon war?  Water gun. I’ve never been hit by a water balloon but I imagine it hurts?? so I wouldn’t want to experience it if I never had to.
Do you know anyone that’s afraid of elevators?  I know my sister and grandma are claustrophobic but they’re not ~deathly~ afraid of elevators.
Is there anything in your room that belongs to a boyfriend, or a friend of the opposite sex?  I don’t think any of my guy friends have lent me stuff that I got to take home, so no.
Who’s your favorite Beatle?  I was never a fan. I remember pretending to be, back when liking The Beatles made you look all cool and hippy and trendy... but I honest to god just couldn’t get into their music.
Have you ever texted an ex whilst drunk? How’d that go?  Yeah just once, super super way back when I was still thought remaining friends with her was the way to go. It was fine, I didn’t message anything horrific and we were both chill about it the next morning.
Do you have to stand on your tip-toes to kiss your boyfriend?  I don’t have a partner anymore but yeah, I used to. I think? Maybe? I barely remember anymore. I definitely did have to tilt my head up quite a bit, though.
Have you ever been tackle-hugged? I can’t remember if I’ve received one. I’m usually the one who gives them.
Have you ever rejected someone’s kiss before?  I don’t think I’ve been in this situation before.
Is your mood or the overall tone of your day often affected by the dreams you had the night before?  Just for like the first half hour of waking up, especially if it was a nightmare or a triggering dream. The more I wake up the more the dream fades away, and the sillier it feels that I was affected by it.
Do you think that there are any positive aspects or outcomes of suffering from a mental illness? If you have a mental illness, do you think it has changed you for the better in any way?  No. Sugarcoating mental illness doesn’t sit well with me at all. I know I’ve learned to be gentle and understanding towards other people because of the emotional abuse I’ve received in my own relationships, and I absolutely hate that it’s because of mental illness. I shouldn’t have had to learn to be kind because I was treated shittily first.
What is your opinion on celebrity culture and celebrity worship? Have you ever been guilty of putting a celebrity on a pedestal? Do you think it’s somehow more acceptable/understandable to obsess over certain types of celebrities (musicians over YouTubers, say) than others? At what point do you think an obsession like that crosses the line?  I sometimes think it’s silly when fandoms fight and defend their favorites as if they know them personally, but I’m heavily into my fair share of celebrities and I honestly don’t see anything wrong with it. As long as you’re not hurting anyone or doing anything stupid like stalking your favorites, you do you.
If you were to pursue a career in photography and had the opportunity and means to photograph whatever you wanted, what would most like to photograph?  People.
Is there a certain type of clothing (outerwear, activewear, loungewear, etc.) that you enjoy shopping for more than others?  Cute tops.
Are you ever afraid to post your ideas, artwork, photography, etc. online for fear that they will get stolen or not credited?  No, because I am not even creative in the first place and can’t make any form of art to save my life.
When is the last time you did something sexual? Last night.
Who is the last person you showered with, if anyone?  My ex but that would’ve been ages ago. It was super rare that we absolutely had to shower together.
What do you think when you see roadkill on the side of the road?  Sad and kinda disgusted if the guts are out, but also relieved that they don’t have to suffer in pain anymore.
Have you ever had an ex that just didn’t understand that it was over?  Yeah, me. Luckily I came to my senses a few months ago and have felt better and been better ever since.
Are your fingernails currently short or long?  They’re unequal lengths because I’ve been either biting or picking at them over the last few weeks, but for the most part they are long enough to need to be clipped.
Would you rather have big or small dogs?  Big.
What is your favorite sports drink? I don’t drink any of them, so none.
What was the last compliment you gave a guy?  I told my dad the dinner he made tasted excellent.
Does your jaw ever crack, pop, or lock?  I don’t think my jaw has ever made a sound before, hahaha.
Have you ever thought of how you would give your kids “the talk”?  No, but I think it’s also relevant to note that I live in a very conservative country where sexual intercourse is never discussed, especially within families; and that it’s virtually unheard of to hear of people until my generation to have been given the talk. I had to find out all by myself, and I remember being very confused when we were being taught the reproductive system in fifth grade because they only taught about the organs and their functions, and never anything deeper than that.
Luckily the last conservative generation was Gen X, and younger generations have been a lot more open-minded. And if I had to guess, I’m fairly certain Millennial parents would be more willing to give their kids the talk.
Do you ever feel like you’re missing out on something?  I mean, my 20s, thanks to Covid.
Do you ever write/draw on windows that are fogged up?  Yes.
If you were married, and your spouse’s parents became ill, would you let them move into your home? Of course.
Have you screamed in a pillow before?  Probably.
What do you like more, acoustic or electric?  Electric.
Did you actually have a cookie jar?  No.
What’s worse, having someone mad or disappointed in you? Disappointment is more gut-wrenching. I feel more hopeless and helpless when someone feels that way about me.
What do you bite on more, your tongue, lip, or nails?  Definitely my nails. Lip-biting isn’t a habit of mine and I only ever bite my tongue accidentally.
Do you think that knowing when and how you’re going to die would ruin your life?  No. I would find that comforting, actually.
Do you have a favorite bromance? From TV or a movie.  J-Man and Channy’s from Friends.
Do you find flea markets and thrift stores enjoyable?  Sure.
What color is your wallet?  Pink, but I def have to buy a new one soon as I’m still using the one my ex gave me...
Have you ever been somebody's photography subject? No, and I would hate to be. I don’t like being in front of the camera.
Nicki Minaj fan?  I like a lot of songs by her but I’m by no means a fan.
Have you ever seen the Niagara Falls?  Nope but I would love to.
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fortheloversoffilm · 5 years ago
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Frozen 2
Title: Frozen 2 Director: Jennifer Lee & Chris Buck Release: November 22nd, 2019
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Alright, so if you know me at all, you know I’m not a huge fan of Frozen (let’s be real “Let It Go” ruined it for A LOT of us).
SO, upon seeing this 2nd film of the franchise, and enjoying it, I was BAFFLED.
*I also apologize, in advance, for the amount of photos/stills in this -- seriously cannot get over the animation*
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We’ll start negatives and build into the positives, end with a high note, cuz there are FEW issues I had with this film.
One of the first negatives I want to discuss is the storyline.  I wasn’t a big fan of the “no villain” aspect of this.  the argument for the Grandfather being the villain, is valid, but I also don’t think he’s the major issue here, plus it was a troupe I’ve seen MANY times and wanted something different.  It’s that Arendelle is in danger of being destroyed by the forces and spirits of the elements.  But after Hans, who was an excellent villain BTW, it felt like it was missing something.
I also have the issue that this storyline seems kind of out of no where.  We never REALLY met her parents much in the first -- which is why we could be going deeper here, but it didn’t feel necessary.  However, the fact there was NO mention of the Northuldra people (Is this the people of Kristoff’s origin?  Why are they not in the first? How can a whole grouping of people be completely forgotten?  How can Anna remember a portrait of Mattias but never know why he’s there in a portrait?).   I did LOVE the new rendition of the Frozen opening, I thought that was STUNNING, and I loved meeting the Northuldra people, regardless of my issues with where they were in the first film.
There is also the discussion piece of “This is the same as the first film story wise” -- which is a valid discussion, BUTT I would disagree with this based on the lack of a villain like Hans.
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OK, so moving on from “Debbie Downer, just enjoy the movie for what it is.”  THE POSITIVES.
Firstly, I need to SCREAM about how AMAZING this soundtrack was!  Between Kristoff’s power 80s, love ballad and “Into the Unknown” -- I CANNOT.  It was WONDERFUL. Beautiful.  Spectacular.  And Panic! at the Disco’s rendition of “Into the Unknown” leaves me with CHILLS.  LIKE GUYS -- I have to leave a link.  
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wcmHucRKTnI)
I also have to RAVE about how spectacular the animation is.  From the details in costuming to just how REAL the trees look in the flooding scene -- LIKE:
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ANDDDD
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ANDDDDD
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It’s just stunning and beautiful.  The talent, craftsmanship, and beauty that went into these animations were amazing.  I caught myself MULTIPLE times with my mouth open in awe of this animation.
I loved the fun and beautifully designed Spirits of the Enchanted forest as well!  They’re quirky and understandable mad.
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We also need to talk about the vulnerability that is shown by MULTIPLE characters in this film.  They are breaking barriers, stereotypes, etc., all over the place.  This is where I’m gonna dive deep -- so be prepared.
We’ve got Anna, who sings a whole ballad ("The Next Right Thing") about being in pain and feeling sadness and sorrow and still going forward.  She also continues to be strong in her sorrow, and do what is right at the cost of losing everything.  I think that message was powerful in the aspect that she show that fragility is important, but you shouldn’t let it engulf everything that you are capable of doing.  You can move forward from it.
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Then we’ve got Elsa.  She should be extremely happy in the life she has and being freaking QUEEN.  But she isn’t.  She craves for something else, and knows this.  In leaving her royal crown, she is showing that dreams do not have to be those that were put in front of you.  They can be something different than what you’d imagined, pictured, planned out.
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We also have to talk about her hair -- thats a MAJOR symbolism that has happened in film, animation, etc., for a long time (mostly from what I’ve seen in Studio Ghibli films, so I see you nodding at that Disney).  We go from a tight updo braid, to a longer braid in Frozen.  We are sticking with the longer braid in Frozen 2, showing her restraint.  However, we then move to a ponytail -- still restrain, but more free as she moves forward in her journey.  By the end we have FREE FLOWING LOCKS people!  That’s extremely important because it shows her entire freedom.  She is in her element and able to be who she TRULY believes.
Plus the PANTS!! *claps*  We have pants people for both Anna and Elsa!  -- I just really love their pant outfits
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Now Olaf, who has grown to understand feelings and anger, and also to be selfless.  I mean Olaf chooses to encourage Anna to go forward and almost comforts her in his moment of complete despair.  I thought that was beautiful character growth for a comical relief character.
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Now the big one -- Kristoff. We are TACKLING toxic masculinity in this man and I LOVE it.  I mean the man sings a full 80s rock style love ballad, “Lost in the Woods” (as mentioned earlier), with reindeer back up singers!  Like come on!  And we CANNOT pass up the fact he tells Anna “what do you need” and let’s her be her own hero.  That itself was powerful to show they are a TEAM and he is not her “hero” in the typical “knight in shining armor type.”  I also almost SCREAMED when he said “My love is not fragile.”  I am obsessed with it and the fact he directly communicates it with her.  It’s a beautiful moment of trust, love, and understanding on his part.  
***But I still have questions about Kristoff.  Is he Northuldra?  I thought he was an ice person’s son? But then why was he raised by the trolls? I need answers, Disney!
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I honestly do have a lot of questions (was their mom the 5th element before them? I have soooo many Kristoff questions.  I need to see a royal wedding.  What happened with Ryder?), but at entertainment and that “leave the theatre feelings” I truly enjoyed this film.  It was a beautiful show of emotions from all the characters, while also having a BANGER of an album and STUNNING animation.
So if you’re on the fence to see it -- I’d definitely say go for it. <3
_______________________________________________________________________
imdb.com
indiewire.com
bbc.co.uk
youtube.com -- “Into the Uknown” by: Panic! at the Disco
nerdist.com
imgur.com
popsugar.co.uk
thewrap.com
latimes.com
CNBC.com
people.com
usatoday.com
insider.com
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missrkl · 4 years ago
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Descendants of Acts 2
Chapter Seven
Rachel was not happy. Rachel was at home in her monthly pain and she didn’t really want to take painkillers this day. The second day was always the worst. Shedding the lining of her womb was extremely unpleasant. Blood clots and all, bowel change movements, and all sorts of other health problems. Rachel wasn’t a happy bunny. She couldn’t even read the Bible or listen to a sermon. She just wanted to distract herself from the physical pains of life. So she sat curled up in front of the tv with her blanket and hot chocolate. Dark chocolate mind you, 87% cocoa which was known to reduce inflammation and reduce blood sugar. Rachel had her banana lined up for fibre and her porridge and granola and muesli for her bowels. She sat there watching this show called Gossip Girl. Not a very edifying show, but she liked Blair Waldorf, her fashion was classic. Plus she liked that there was a blog that was famous and everyone was really into this blog. Rachel had written Blogs, but nobody had seemed interested in it, not the people who mattered to her anyways. Rachel also liked the love story that played between Blair and the known bad boy Chuck Bass, he only became known to make good choices because of Blair, she was a good influence on him. Without her Chuck Bass would indulge in all the sinful bad pleasures of life trying to drown out his misery of no Blair Waldorf. Rachel could only wish she meant that much to someone, or had such a powerful positive influence and impact on a man in her life like that. Rachel snuggled up closer to her fluffy blanket. She really didn’t want to do anything today. T’was a Sunday as well, she was supposed to be online in church zoom rooms, but she didn’t attend. On top of that, she was bloated and full of gas. No wonder in the Old Testament women with their monthly bleed were treated unclean, she literally felt unclean, physically. She didn’t feel pretty at all, how could she possibly go on zoom and show her face and pretend to be all happy clappy?
Scrolling through her phone whilst the show played on the tv, Rachel represented 90% of the millennials of this day, all gadgets ablaze and short attention spans! Rachel scrolled through her social media and found pastor Gabriel. There he was with his family, all having fun, and his wife beautiful all natural with the green grass and nature all around. Eugh, if only she wasn’t on her monthly bleed then at least she’d feel as clean as his wife looked in the photo. Rachel even scrolled and found Matt, rewatching old posts of him singing and commentaries. Always a powerful smile on her face whenever she did so. She never got tired of rewatching his old stuff. Did she fancy him? She wasn’t sure. Probably not, Rachel reasoned with herself. He just had an aura of joy around him and within him and that always came bubbling to the surface and flooded over onto her whenever she watched him. That didn’t mean she fancied him. It wasn’t like she was turned on by him or anything. The only guy who ever turned her on was there on her screen now, Fabio. Rachel sighed as she scrolled through his new and old photos. Despite having physical attraction to him, Rachel always felt unhappy looking at him, thinking of him, reminiscing about him or even remembering him. Why such a stark contrast between Matt and Fabio? Rachel wasn’t sure. It’s not like she’s used to having to deal with feelings and emotions about guys like this. This was the first time Rachel had socials in this church. Before this church Rachel wasn’t really a socialite despite having been in another church prior to this one. Rachel was always alone. This church was forcing her to be social, she had no idea what she was doing, what she was feeling, what it all meant and everything was just confusing her. Rachel scrolled off Fabio’s page, Eugh, good looking, but their past of socialising online had made her become unhappy with him. Matt must be on some Holy Spirit level that Fabio wasn’t, that must be the only explanation. Rachel continued to watch Gossip Girl. Blair Waldorf and Serena Van Der Woodson played their parts on the screen. Rachel enjoyed their little drama’s, although if any of these church people were to see her now, on her lowest days, watching this stuff, they’d most likely be appalled.
Rachel logged onto her Twitter, she didn’t really like scrolling through Twitter, she just looked at the few people that mattered to her. Like Juliet and Jill and the senior minister of the church and Coventry and the pastor there that she had become a part of them during this pandemic. David then messaged her on the phone saying he wanted to hang out with her even if it was just in the VR world since they lived far apart. Rachel wasn’t really in the mood, should she blow him off? Rachel has been known to blow off socialising when it comes to her monthly times. Wrecked at home and having not washed and the place in a mess. Rachel did not deal well with pain. Rachel sighed. Why did he want to hang out with her now? She knows it’s just VR, she had a character already dressed up, but she wasn’t really in the mood to listen to him chatting, and playing the game felt a lot more like work during times of pain. Rachel ran a hand through her greasy hair, she should really have a shower. If anyone at the church could see her now how aghast they would be. Surely they couldn’t be anything like her, greasy oily, lazy, lethargic, in pain, with a can’t be bothered attitude.
Sighing Rachel got up and had a quick wash. Despite just being on VR she didn’t like to talk to any man, even if there was no viewing, feeling unclean. She liked to feel like a woman, not that she wasn’t a woman when she was unclean, but she wanted to feel beautiful and clean. It just made her feel uncomfortable. Rachel changed the channel to play YouTube worship album and then washed up the dishes and did a little cleanup, just tidied up really, she didn’t like talking to a man and looking at her surroundings to see herself living like an animal. Crossing her legs on the couch Rachel logged in onto the laptop and used her VR headgear to log in. As her character flashed on the screen Rachel came online and David was already waiting for her. David acknowledged her presence and instead of going to the market they decided to go to this special place called the Flower Field, it was basically a park and had some benches and flowers. They decided to sit down on the bench and have a quick chat. David shared about the burdens of his week whilst Rachel listened quietly. Clearly he needed to talk. David talked about the pandemic and how it was affecting him and his family and the stress of it all. Thank God for this VR he said and for her, it really did feel like he was going out despite it just being VR. Virtual worlds was really something. Rachel agreed, she loved it as well. Probably a little bit more than she should. In the real world she had not accomplished very much, didn’t have that many friends, wasn’t very social. Church attendance was the only social she normally had. David and Rachel talked about their day and Rachel omitted from the conversation about her monthly, but shared her weariness and fatigue and physical pains and other problems.
They soon decided to go to the market just for a leisurely day out during the pandemic. David had bought Rachel a bunch of red roses. How sweet! This was her first reception of such a gift and even though it was virtual the kind gesture made her feel beautiful and wanted. Isn’t that all she wanted? To be noticed, to be considered a beautiful woman? To just be a woman? The men in her church had a way of making her feel ugly, unwanted and definitely not a woman. The other women made it worse by wearing dresses and showing legs and limbs that she had no desire in showing. Only once she did, in rebellion to a certain pastor who really peeved her off, some lady from the encounter she had gone on a few months ago walked behind her, worshipped behind her and then told her about her short short shorts. Clearly the pastor had no idea of her inner rebellion or anger at him. That was pastor Gabriel. This wasn’t the first time. Another time she had wanted him to care for her and they was at an evangelistic event at a pub, so she proceeded to buy strong alcoholic drink and swirled it around in her glass for him to be aghast and come over and over tell her to stop it. Did he? No! He didn’t bat an eyelid. What did she have to do to get some attention around here? Anyways..Rachel continued walking around the market trying to forget her many inner frustrations and she found a ring, it had written engraved inside Favour of God. She so wanted that. The description of the ring said that this would bring the favour of God to you and in whatever situation you would find yourself you would find yourself redeemed by the favour of God. Rachel bought it. She definitely needed that.
They decided to visit the Land of Samaria and as they arrived there Rachel had forgotten that their characters were Israelites, this was Descendants of Acts 2 game of the holy Bible and Samaritans and Israelites were sworn enemies. They had entered the Samaritan town and the Samaritan market and were just taking a look and a bunch of Samaritan citizens all filled with rage at their appearance came and surrounded them. They wanted to stone them! Rachel and David, unsure to what to do geared up their weapons unsure as to what to do or what would happen. Rachel was wearing the Favour of God ring and soon the ring was shining and as it shone the people became less angry and soon their anger dissipated as they began to favour Rachel and they was able to pass by the stalls and then go back to their normal territory. David was like ‘thank God for the favour of God. We could have lost a life!’ Rachel laughed and said ‘thank God indeed’. They parted ways and as Rachel logged off she was grateful for the little things in life, especially during this pandemic. Like the VR world and the VR David, even though he was real in another part of the world, even the VIrtual bible school on zoom, even the tv and Netflix and even Gossip Girl. Rachel began wondering if she should edit her character to have the fashion dress sense of Blair Waldorf? Or have the hair or Serena Van Der Woodsen? She made some changes here and there and enjoyed herself, God was a good God indeed. Fellowship in any format had the power to bring healing and Rachel was glad for it. With a more optimistic mindset Rachel found herself having more of the mindset of Christ now, focusing on the things worthy of praise rather than the pain in her body, and indeed the favour of God was present with her even now, in the real world, also known as the tangible presence of God.
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csmith-illustrations · 4 years ago
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Selecting a Track
As stated at the beginning of the module I will be working to design a seven-inch album cover for one of the seven pieces of music provided. To get a vague idea at to what I could potentially explore I have discussed my initial reaction to each track, going over elements I could and forming my own narrative along with potential cover ideas.
Track 1 - "World Leader Pretend” by R.E.M
Has a very repetitive tune    getting 1990’s vibes from this track
Upon listening to it my first impression towards the narrative was that this about person is alone and is struggling with the consequences of mistake he’s made as stated by the first line of lyrics reading “I sit at my table and wage war on myself” but as the song progresses you get the sense that he is determined to go back and correct them.  He continues to mention the barrier/wall that is preventing him from progressing, and he wants to break through it alone, as highlighted by the lyrics “This is my mistake, let me make it good, I raised the wall, and I will be the one to knock it down”
Cover idea: a man facing a wall with a sledgehammer resting on his shoulder, showing that he is going to knock the wall down.
 Track 2 - "Like Eating Glass” by Bloc Party
I wasn’t fond of the lyrics, I didn’t think they made much sense and personally I didn’t think they flowed very well.
First impressions for the narrative is someone grieving from a breakup which I fathom from the lyrics “And it hurts all the time when you don't return my calls, and you haven't got the time to remember how it was” further more the use of repetition with the words “Like eating glass” and “It's so cold in this house” could be a reflection of what they are feeling internally now that they are alone without the warming touch of their partner?
 Track 3 - “Identity” by X Ray Spex
The lyrics flow nicely and there is a lot of repetition which makes it kind of catchy, this also provides a clear idea as to what the narrative/message could be, which I read as being about the issues with self-identity and the labels we are given. If this is the case then the use of the lyrics “When you look in the mirror do you smash it quick, do you take the glass and slash your wrists” leads me to think that this person hates them self, however this doesn’t match up with the positive and upbeat rhythm.
Cover idea: broken mirror fragments with different people reflected in each one, showing how it could be anyone who is struggling with who they are.
 Track 4 - "Planet Hunter” by Wolf Alice
There is something uplifting but also a little tragic about the tune which I like, it’s the closest thing from the list that I would see myself listening to. The lyrics “a brave deviator?” suggests this this about someone who is alone and searching for a place to belong. I get a dystopian cyberpunk vibe from it which is more of a theme I’m into.
Cover idea: a wanted sign but with a picture of a planet as appose to a person, playing of the title “Planet Hunter”
 Track 5 - “The Magic” by Joan As Police Woman
I enjoyed the rhythm of this song, think there’s something uplifting and motivational about it. I’m struggling to identify the narrative but throughout I noted some emphasis on this person’s mentality, specifically with the lyrics “release me from my maze I am makin myself” which to me suggests that this person is losing touch with who they once were. However, with that said the lyrics that stood out to me the most where “the shadow inside of me Is begging for direction to illicit city”. Now since illicit also means forbidden/illegal it could be that this person is living a double life, maybe the temptation and rush of being unlawful is too much to resist, and they are slowly losing themselves in a metaphorical maze, thus hoping for magic to set her free?
Perhaps there is a split personality thing going on with the shadow being a dark reflection of them?
The song also questions “am I a Leviathan?” which is usually associated with an aquatic sea monster although it also refers to anything that is incredibly large or powerful, again this builds on the idea that temptation to be bad is to great.
Cover idea: someone looking awkward and uncomfortable standing against a wall with there shadow projecting across it, the shadow could then be altered to reflect the rebel inside of them. To emphasise the magic element I could do a hooded lady holding a crystal ball (all seeing eye)
 Track 6 - “Trash” by Suede
I’m not sure why but the rhythm reminded me of Christmas music, which isn’t a bad thing, but this clearly isn’t seasonal music. This has some fun-loving element to it which makes me think of a young group of friends who are making the most of life and trying to enjoy every moment. With this in mind I get a bohemian/hippie vibe from it, painting the image of traveling, free spirited people.
 Track 7 - “Love and Death” by Ebo Taylor
The beat to this song feels tranquil and relaxing, and makes me envision traveling abroad to a beach resort, I’m definitely getting an Hawaiian island vibe with the image of someone laying on the beech under the moon light next to a fire.
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onestowatch · 5 years ago
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Hitting Austin City Limits? Discover 13 Ones To Catch
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Austin City Limits caters to a wide audience of Austin locals and international music lovers. Where else can you jam to “Sweet Child O’ Mine” then lose your voice singing along to “Bad Guy” the next day? Packed with tons of local eats and drinks, ACL provides festival-goers with a “keep it weird” experience. 
Every year, ACL transforms Austin’s beautiful Zilker Park into an eclectic live-music oasis for the first two weekends of October. You can catch the adorable Kiddie Limits for the youngsters, and the Barton Springs Beer Hall for those wanting to cool off with a cold one. Whether you want to make your way to the rails for your favorite artists, or sit back and relax and enjoy all seven stages of live music -- Austin City Limits is sure to provide a memorable and unique experience ready for your Instagram feed. With a lineup ranging from festival veterans like Tame Impala, Childish Gambino, and Mumford and Sons, to new-comers like Sam Fender, Madison Ryann Ward, and Sigrid, ACL will have you movin’ n’ groovin’ southern style. We did our homework on some of the 2019 Austin City Limits' best not-to-miss acts so you don’t have to. Happy festing!
Madison Ryann Ward
Saturday Oct 5 & 12 1:45-2:30 Tito’s Handmade Vodka
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Former collegiate volleyball player and Oklahoma native, Madison Ryann Ward will surely leave you teary-eyed with her smooth and sultry voice and heart-wrenching lyrics. With a viral video of her singing Aretha Franklin’s “Chain of Fools,” Ward knew music was her calling. Why does Ward make music? “Just to be honest. And to move people in a way that they’ve never been moved before.” Somehow Madison Ryann Ward has figured out the perfect blend of soulful rhythms with gospel and rap influences in her debut EP, Beyond Me.
Mallrat
Sunday Oct 13 1:15-2 VRBO
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If you’re down to dance to some hip-hop inspired, pure-hearted electro-pop tunes, Mallrat, aka Grace Shaw, is the gal for you. Making her SXSW debut last year, Mallrat is breaking out of her bedroom and blessing the states with her recent singles, “Nobody’s Home” and “Charlie.” She’s supported acts like Maggie Rogers, Post Malone, and Peking Duk, proving her versatility and musical variance. With aspirations to write for artists like Camila Cabello, Dua Lipa, Rihanna, Post Malone, and Beyoncé, Mallrat is well on her way to making her mark.
Koffee
Sunday Oct 6 3-4 T-Mobile
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When you listen to Koffee, you can immediately hear the authentic and down to earth sounds of Jamaica. After accidentally entering in her school’s talent and taking home first place, Koffee figured out she loved being on stage. Her song, “Burning,” took over Jamaica gaining recognition from some of the biggest contemporary reggae stars, leading her to be an international success. Make sure to check out her set to dance off some tacos!
Sam Fender
Oct 4 1:15-2 VRBO
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Fresh off his first album, Hypersonic Missiles, Newcastle’s Sam Fender is well on his way to making his name known in the indie rock scene. With song lyrics decorated with socially conscious messages and cinematic melodies, Fender puts on a show that will leave you motivated and ready for battle and self-reflection. Winning the Brit Awards Critics’ Choice honor, making his U.S television debut on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, and supporting acts like Hozier and Catfish and the Bottlemen, Sam Fender is paving his own lane on this side of the pond.
IDK
Sunday Oct 13 3:15-4 BMI
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Maryland-based rapper, IDK, writes about what he knows best - himself and his own story. Verses about his personal financial turmoil, anxiety, and social commentary. Born as Jason Mills, IDK is paving his own lane with his honest and reflective lyrics that have listeners hanging on to every word. His debut studio album, Is He Real?, is a conceptual collection based around his belief in a higher power where listeners can take a step back and question their own ideas. He delivers an incredibly diverse production to his fans that will leave you wanting more.
Duckwrth
Sunday Oct 6 & 13 1:15-2 PM T-Mobile
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Duckwrth brings vibrantly bold energy to the stage unlike anyone else. As soon as the first beat plays, he captivates the audience with his free-spirited nature and has everyone dancing. Collaborations with artists like Sabrina Claudio, Rico Nasty, Kiana Lede, and Medasin, Duckwrth’s chameleon nature shines bright in every track on his newest EP, The Falling Man. If there’s one thing you do ACL weekend, other than try as much local food as possible, is hit up Duckwrth’s set. 
The Japanese House
Sunday Oct 6 1:15-2 VRBO
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If you need a moment to collect yourself and take a breather, we highly suggest making your way to The Japanese House’s set. London based singer/songwriter, Amber Bain, has figured out how to combine the feeling of floating and reading a love note into a single ballad. There’s a serene simplicity to every song that will perhaps transcend you out of Zilker Park, and into a cloud. Her newest album, Good at Falling, continues the legacy of soft anthems made for dreaming.
LANY
Sunday Oct 6 & 13 7-8 VRBO
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LA-based triad, LANY, have a cult following full of heartbroken but hopeful fans established, but should be checked out by music fans beyond their general demographics. Their sound transports you back to the electronic 80’s days and vibrant 90’s era with jams like “Thru These Tears” and “Thick and Thin.” Their charisma and stage presence transcends to even the farthest fans from the stage. Do your friends a favor, and add LANY to your fest schedule. We know you will love it…so bad.
Mahalia
Friday Oct 11 12:30-1:15 Honda
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English soul singer, Mahalia, has a voice like butter with messages of empowerment and romance. She’s toured with Ella Mai and Ed Sheeran, complimenting their respective sense of storytelling and delicate yet powerful vocals. With achievements like being placed on the BBC Radio 1 Brit List and the envied YouTube’s Ones to Watch roster, it goes to show Mahalia knows what she’s doing and where she’s going. Her set at ACL will definitely not have you missing your ex.
Faye Webster
Sunday Oct 6 1:15-2 PM BMI
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Americana artist and Atlanta native, Faye Webster brings a refreshing approach to folk and bluegrass music. With Aaliyah as her main inspiration, Webster’s genre-bending sound is a beautiful contradiction of traditional and modern music. Her most recent release, Atlanta Millionaires Club, is an intimate and longing collection of tunes carried by her delicate and vulnerable voice. Please, for us, check out this Georgia peach. 
The Band CAMINO
Friday Oct 11 1:15-2 PM
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If you love dreamy rock with the likes of The Killers, LANY, or The 1975, The Band CAMINO are your guys. Jeffrey Jordan, Spencer Stewart, Graham Rowell, and Garrison Burgess make up the Tennessee group. Melodies and lyrics full of messages of personal growth, love, and perseverance, The Band CAMINO has gained attention from artists like Taylor Swift. For a set full of positivity and good vibes, hit up their set.
Dayglow
Saturday Oct 12 3-4 PM BMI
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Based right here in Austin but originally from Fort Worth, Texas, Dayglow, brings a fresh take on indie pop. With a vibrant and textured approach to production, songs like “Can I Call You Tonight?” and “Hot Rod” carry a catchy tune made for fun in the sun. Sloan Struble started the project during his freshman year at the University of Texas, only a few miles away from Zilker Park. Pulling in from the music he found on the internet, Dayglow has made a sound of his own. You can’t beat a hometown set!
Scarypoolparty
Friday Oct 4 2:15-3 PM Honda
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You may have seen his American Idol audition, but Alejandro Aranda was destined for more than the opinions of judges. Hardworking and humble, Aranda continues to mesmerize his audience with thoughtful lyrics that leave his heart on his sleeve. If his brilliant music wasn’t enough, his visuals are just as impressive. They truly paint a picture to the raw emotion of Scarypoolparty’s music. Don’t believe us? See for yourself!
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fyexo · 4 years ago
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200925 SuperM Dives Deeper with Super One
We meet the game-changing and boundary-breaking supergroup everybody needs to know.
There’s a rumble in the ground, a rupture, a star shining in the sky. Like a meteor landing on a quiet plain, SuperM – the Avengers of K-pop – landed in our lives, igniting the industry in unprecedented ways. With K-pop now considered a global phenomenon, how much more innovation is required to demand attention? The answer lies in the Capitol Records and SM Entertainment supergroup: the first K-pop act to debut in the US who immediately stole the show and made music fun again with their record-breaking 2019 introduction. SuperM consists of a diverse group of stars hailing from different groups: Taemin from SHINee, Kai and Baekhyun from EXO, Taeyong and Mark from NCT 127, and Ten and Lucas from WayV. They are the future, the charismatic force managing to both elevate and inspire. With Super One, the group’s first full-length album released on 25th September, they graduate from simply jumping and popping (Jopping!) to invoking the sincere emotions of listeners while simultaneously lighting up the room in the way that only they know how.
Baekhyun – the soulful vocalist, humble leader, and oldest member of SuperM – opens up about their growth: “When we first met, I could tell that the younger members were feeling a little nervous. But aside from working and performing together, we also naturally spent a lot of time together off stage, too.” In fact, their chemistry is palpable: “From sharing the same rooms when we were on tour in the US to shooting a reality show together recently, we made a lot of memories. Now, we’re like close brothers. We feel very comfortable with each other.”
Since joining the supergroup, Baekhyun’s Delight, released in May, became the first album in 19 years by a Korean soloist to sell over 1 million copies. Baekhyun says, “Shortly after completing my solo activities with ‘Candy’ [the lead single], I regrouped with SuperM, and I definitely feel more at ease in a group.” As evidenced by their discography, which fuses elements of hip-hop, pop, and various other genres, “We are always experimenting with different styles and trying to create something new so the synergy that we bring to the stage is very distinct and unique.”
Taemin has found similar success with his solo endeavours, recently releasing his best-selling project to date just this month. His 3rd Korean studio album, Never Gonna Dance Again: Act 1, hit number 1 on several iTunes Top Albums charts including the US and Canada. The graceful performer ponders the importance of embarking on this journey with the rest of SuperM. “Through our individual teasers, we wanted to tell a personal story about our beginnings—from how we developed our dreams to how we got to where we are now. They are reflections of our past that allowed us to become the artists that we are today.” For Taemin personally, who first debuted in SHINee in 2008, “This experience helped broaden my boundaries as an artist and I’m very thankful for that.”
Taemin’s wisdom is apparent in how he interprets his growth, “Although I’ve performed abroad many times before, SuperM was formed with the global market in mind so I took this as a new challenge and a great opportunity for me to learn and grow even more. Through SuperM, I was able to get closer to my international fans and learn more about their cultures. Because of the opportunities I’ve had more recently to perform on a global stage, my stage performances and mannerisms have improved and this has made me a stronger artist.”
Branded as fast-moving and dynamic, there were certain expectations for them to continue on this path. The motifs are intentional, but fitting, and as the endearing Hong Kong rapper Lucas puts it, “‘Movement’ and ‘speed’ for us carries a deep meaning and represents our strength and energy. It also describes how SuperM is always moving forward no matter how difficult the situation may be. There is no better tomorrow if you’re not moving forward.”
Taemin further reflects on this. “I think fans will be surprised to hear mellow, medium-tempo tracks that are not performance-based. Incorporating the performance element is of course one of the most important parts of what SuperM does in our music, but this time, we also wanted to emphasise a message of hope.”
Kai, lead dancer of EXO and Gucci ambassador, who will also be embarking on his solo career soon, shares that “I really want to perform ‘Infinity’ and ‘Monster’. Together, they form our title track, ‘One’. I’m excited to perform ‘One’ as well, but also would love to showcase the two tracks separately, as I think that would bring a different charm on stage.”
The love for this track is echoed by Taemin, an expert when it comes to this fusion of songs as SHINee also had a combination of tracks with 2012’s ‘Sherlock’, a mix of ‘Clue’ and ‘Note’. “With K-pop, you often have a gradual change of genres in one song, but ‘One’ brings together two completely different songs, so it’s fresh—but it still sounds very natural and seamlessly put together.” He adds, “The members’ vocals really stand out through these tracks so I hope fans enjoy!”
B-sides like ‘Together At Home’ and ‘Wish You Were Here’ are like a comfort blanket for fans, suitable for the current world climate. Kai recognises that impact and describes it as intentional, “Music can really lift your spirits when you’re feeling down so I hope people find healing and happiness while listening to our music. That would make us very happy.”
“FROM SHARING THE SAME ROOMS WHEN WE WERE ON TOUR IN THE US TO SHOOTING A REALITY SHOW TOGETHER RECENTLY, WE MADE A LOT OF MEMORIES. NOW, WE’RE LIKE CLOSE BROTHERS. WE FEEL VERY COMFORTABLE WITH EACH OTHER.”
Prior to the official album drop with title track ‘One’, several songs were released, each accompanied by their own electric music videos. The single, ‘100’, has lyrics written by youngest member Mark, who explains, “For ‘100,’ I wanted to really bring the energy of SuperM, because my verse opens up the track, and I wanted to really complement the song while emphasising our strength as a group and that we have the capability to be at the top.” The Canadian rapper, whose positive energy is contagious, says, “Taeyong and I also wrote our verses for ‘Together At Home,’ and I think we tried to keep the lyrics closely tied to the overarching message of the album. So for that song, we tried to envision what it’s like to be “together at home”, so staying connected to the fans and our loved ones while we are physically apart.”
Ferocious single ‘Tiger Inside’ was released on 1st September, and NCT leader Taeyong describes it best, “as a hip-hop song with an Asian-themed vibe. One part of the lyrics says, “Wake up the tiger inside” which I think describes SuperM’s energy really well. He eloquently personifies the group through a more artistic lens. “SuperM coming together is almost like a painting created using these different colours, to create a new work of art.”
Though promotions are hectic, Taeyong opens up about life outside of the spotlight, sharing, “I personally spent a lot of quality time with my family and also creating new music.” Mark has also been in tune with his rhythmic side, adding, “I’ve been listening to a lot of the new music that’s been coming out… Recently, Big Sean’s new album and Dominic Fike.”
The fashion of the group ranges from traditional Korean wear to modern hip-hop stylings, reflecting the merging of cultures, sounds, and themes apparent in their music. Lucas took a special liking to the outfits they wore for this comeback. “I wore a black outfit in the ‘One’ music video and it made me feel like a fictional character from a film or a book. I really liked the concept of that look. For ‘Tiger Inside’, I wore this beautiful emerald colour outfit with gold embroidery and intricate Asian-themed details—that was another one of my favourites!”
With everything going on in the world right now, Ten, the multilingual Thai singer and dancing king, says, “Right now, our biggest goal is to interact closely with our fans in the best way possible given the current situation. Even though we can’t meet each other in person, we want our fans to know that we are always thinking of them and that we are always trying to create opportunities to make us feel close.” He mentions ‘Beyond Live’, the platform SuperM spearheaded earlier this year to provide a virtual concert experience for fans.
“We are always thinking of fun and innovative ways to interact with our fans so we are definitely planning on doing many more online promotions that bring us closer together.” He elaborates, also sharing that he’s excited to finally perform songs off of Super One.
This album is a new era for SuperM, whose journey as a group has been far from ordinary but delightfully rewarding. As Baekhyun concludes, “When SuperM was first announced to the public, it may have been odd to see members from different groups come together like this to form a new group. But in spite of that, our fans have always cheered us on from the get-go and we’re incredibly grateful for their support.” SuperM’s awareness of the times they’re in and ability to adapt allow them to be a tantalizing force in the industry.
Though awards and accolades are nice, what makes this group special beyond their obvious talent and charm is the passion, grit, and hard work they put into what they do, and Super One is the ultimate care package and culmination of their gifts. Through music, they remind us that we all have the power to unite together as one no matter where we come from.
Ashlee Mitchell @ TMRW
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carib0us · 6 years ago
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Two Wishes 01: Nico Loves Maki
"But the water and bread here? They just make it worse. Much worse. And .. WE" Maki pointed to herself, then Nico. "Don't need to eat or drink, anyway. Or sleep. Or go to the bathroom. All of that is for the live ones. And you're as dead as it gets, Nico-chan."
Nico woke up in pain, which was a surprise. Not the pain, the waking up part.
It didn't feel like she was in a hospital. When she opened her eyes, she realized she must be still dreaming. She hoped. The sky was smokey browns and reds, as was the barren landscape. She, herself, was lying on hard, baked ground. The dream didn't seem to go away. She saw a faint shadow fall on her. She looked in the direction it came from, and there was her reason for not existing.
Nico couldn't really even remember the last time she'd been exactly happy, but the last straw had definitely been when she found out the latest reason Maki never answered her messages, even to mock them, was that she was inhabiting a drawer in the city morgue. But there she was, in the flesh. Or something like that. Looking at Nico with that amused look she'd gotten so sadly familiar with.
"You got it, Nico-chan," she said.There was something very dark and supernatural about her voice now.
"M-M-maki-chan!" Nico couldn't help yelling.
"N-N-N-Nico no more!" was the response, in a fake-sweet sing-song voice. "Welcome to hell, honey-y. Better get used to it."
Since Nico knew she'd wake up any time now, she wondered why in her dream she'd abandoned her normal attitude towards Maki, which had been to be completely self-denying, while Maki was alive. Maybe, on top of everything else, she was angry at Maki for not caring if she finally overdosed or not.
A day of confused, frightened, increasingly frantic thoughts later, not daring to move from her lying position, Nico realized it didn't matter if she was dreaming; whatever it was wasn't going away.
Maki had come back, and with bread and water, to boot. Which was ... good. Nico had never in her life felt this hungry and thirsty. When Maki got closer to her, she suddenly tossed the bread to the ground, and ground it in with her foot. Then she watered the mess with all of the water in the bottle she'd been carrying, and threw the vessel overhand. It arced out over a cliff and Nico could hear it smash on the way down.
"M-m-m-Maki-chan!" Unfortunately, Nico was again reduced to incoherence.
"N-N-N-Nico!" Maki smirked. "Doing you a favor, honey."
Nico must have made a confused face. Or an angry one. Or both.
"You're oh so hungry and thirsty, right? Of course you are," Maki said, nodding her head and shrugging.
"But the water and bread here? They just make it worse. Much worse. And .. WE" Maki pointed to herself, then Nico. "Don't need to eat or drink, anyway. Or sleep. Or go to the bathroom. All of that is for the live ones. And you're as dead as it gets, Nico-chan."
Nico must have still looked confused.
"Look. Ignore it. Ignore it long enough and it's just like being on a diet and dehydrated. Nothing you can't bear."
To take her mind off the pain and the hunger and the thirst, Nico's mind wandered to the big "why" that had filled her thoughts as she lay back and everything faded to black.
"Why? Why did you .. why did you hate me so much? What did I ever do but love you, Maki?  What did I ever do to you, ever?" If they didn't need to drink, Nico wondered where tears came from here.
"Ah, same old Nico-chan. That's just what the doctors' daughter ordered," said Maki with a laugh. It couldn't be called a nice laugh, though it wasn't a cartoon villain laugh, either. It had a lot of bitterness and cruelty.
"Nico, honey, you mean the note, right? The one for you to read once I was dead? Blablabla, I never loved you, you were always a hateful, ugly, stupid, worthless drag on my time ... let's see .. what else did I say ... oh, you were lucky I took pity on you but you took advantage of it like the dumb little loser parasite you've always been. That letter was a lot of fun."
She looked at Nico with genuine enthusiasm. "Remember when I said the only people that would ever possibly want to f___ you were old, fat lolicons? And that that was why you always missed your dead father so much, because you were horny and ugly and missed his d___? That part made Anju and Erena laugh so hard ... so hard Anju wet herself."
Maybe this was the afterlife hell of confusion. Maybe, because Nico didn't understand a word Maki was saying. Of course, she remembered every hateful, painful, soul-destroying word. But Maki was acting like it was a game. Like it was fun. Why would Nico have ever been devoted to someone who could do that? But as she had the thought, it was followed quickly by another one. Regardless, she had been. She still was. Loving Maki wasn't something you could walk away from, if you were Nico. She thought she heard Maki mumble something, like "Didn't make the sex bad, though, we were so high."
But then Maki looked her in the eye. "The why should be obvious, but I bet it isn't. The point of the letter was to make you kill yourself, Nico. Sheesh. Connect the dots, for once! And it worked, obviously."
"W-Why ..." Nico began.
"I figured hell would be boring, and it is. So if you get to bring just one album, or one pet, or one stuffed animal, you make it your favorite, right? So I decided, 'let's have my favorite chew toy. Her reactions are so cute and hilarious when she's being humiliated, after all.' "
"Not that," Maki continued, holding up a finger for emphasis, "I didn't think of bringing my favorite lover, instead. But it's harder to trick a tough girl like her into dying when you're strung out on heroin and opiate pills than it is a vulnerable and gullible waif with her head already half in the noose. And I guessed the Powers That Be wouldn't let me and Anju f___ the eons away. Plus, that gets old once you've had your thousandth sex partner, to be honest."
Despite herself, Nico had to ask. "Thousandth? You mean, here in ... in ... wherever this is?"
"Nico-chan, does this place look like it has a single's spot? No, I obviously mean while alive, idiot. I beat Anju and Erena to 1000 by only a month. I'm just hotter than them, so I had an advantage." With that she twirled her hair, but in a completely fake and self-satisfied way.
"But .. but .. Nico was ... was the first?"
"Well, yeah, technically. Back when I had no idea what a good lover looked like. Congratulations on acquiring my virtue, Nico-chan - if you use an electron microscope, you might even locate it. Or maybe a telescope, it's so far gone. Let's make a joke in English: it's in Uranus!"
Nico was crying again.
"Oh, she's crying again. This is wonderful. Hey, Nico, did you know you were the most boring person to f___ in all of µ's?"
Nico looked up. It was obvious she was shocked by the news that Maki had slept with all the other girls (as well as the cut about her being Maki's least favorite).
"Oh, come on, Nico! I had every possible kind of sex with about 140 times that many girls and guys, why would I leave them out? They aren't that ugly and boring. Heck, I wouldn't even leave you out of the bottom three-fourths of a percent. That would hardly be school spirit, would it? By the way, Mika, Fumiko and Hideko were excellent. That's because they insisted on always having a foursome. Eventually I learned that a threesome is better than a pair, a foursome is even better, and an orgy is the best. But ..." She looked around.
She looked back at Nico with a wink. "I guess that bit of wisdom is going to go to waste here." And from the look in her eye, he had something else evil to add.
Sure enough: "You wouldn't know about the orgies, come to think of it. After all, you slept through all the ones you went to." And that made no sense, either.
"Ni ... Nico has never been to any orgy and Nico would never ..."
"Well, they're not called that, Nico. Idiot! They're called parties. Remember going to parties with me? We both knew you were a lightweight drinker, right?"
Nico, for a reason she couldn't quite pin down, had a cold feeling.
"Nico, I'll get you a drink, what are you having?" Maki said in a lovey dovey voice.
"Maki, this tastes funny ...." she said in a good, if cruel, imitation of Nico's voice.
"Well, drink it down and I'll have them make the next one better, okay, honey?"
"And then, Nico being a lightweight, she falls asleep, and wakes up at home. Her beloved Maki must have got her there somehow. And Nico is sore all over, but Maki tells her it's because she slept wrong at the party again, and Nico always believes her beloved Maki-chan." She looked at Nico like she was a bug.
"Of course, the guys that were having their way with a cute unconscious girl we told everyone was in middle school didn't mind carrying her to the car, so we could continue everything at my place. So I have to say, getting poor sleepy Nico home wasn't a big sacrifice. The truth is, Nico, it wasn't only the old, bald, fat lolicons that wanted you, they just paid the most for the privilege.”
“Of course …” She added thoughtfully, “They paid a lot more for your siblings, obviously.”
Nico stared at her, uncomprehendingly. “After you were hospitalized, we got your mom lured out on a pretext. We lost track of her somewhere in Central Europe, but I have to assume she’s earning her keep, if she’s still alive, I mean. Pimping out your siblings was lucrative - goodness yes - but it was too much like work for me, Nico. We basically killed time until we got the right buyers. Then I had enough money to keep me high and living in luxury for what turned out to be the rest of my life."
Finally Nico had it together enough to protest. “But I … I … always … “
“L-l-l-loved Maki!” Maki said, sneeringly. “Yes, how many times did everyone say that. Nico Loves Maki. Nico Loves Maki. True, but beside the point.”
“How … when …” Nico couldn’t formulate a proper question, but it was as if Maki could read her mind.
“Finally, she arrives at a question I don’t mind answering,” Maki said. Apparently the look of contempt she was giving Nico was a permanent fixture. “Remember our shrine visit, honey-y-y?”
Maybe Nico should learn to enjoy these cold feelings. They were the only ones she could get from now on.
“I bet,” Maki said, sticking the tip of her tongue out of the side of her mouth, “You wished for something like ‘I want to be a better girlfriend! I want to love Maki more each day!”
Bingo. If they hadn’t been so embarrassed, so afraid of being seen and teased by Nozomi, they would have, of course, been at her shrine. But after doing hatsumodethere, They had gone to a shrine they’d noticed on the way, located nearby. It was completely run down, almost abandoned, but in their infatuated state that had made it seem more romantic.
“You know, before I OD-ed, I had it worked out with A-RISE to have your urn repository say 'Yazawa Nico - she was a lousy f___' in advance for when you finally did the right thing. But those other bitches in Mu’s were thwarting it. According to Tsubasa, who can be a real buzz-kill, by the way, they abandoned their efforts and your actual inscription was going to be 'Nico Loved Maki.' Well, at least they acknowledged your master, Yazawa Hachikou. Mine says “F___ you! I had a way better time than you’ll EVER have!” That’s a hint."
A … hint? Nico didn’t get it.
"Poor, innocent, stupid Maki was stressing about you graduating, us splitting up, her medical education, your idol obsession. So she just wished to enjoy your time together, whatever you had, to the maximum."
“But that girl,” and Maki winked at Nico, “didn’t understand what a real maximum is. So, at first, being new to sex, she thought all the f___ing we did was wonderful. All the time with your loving family. Holding hands on the way to school! Ooh, daring!”
“But that,” she continued, “Isn’t miles within what the maximum enjoyment of our relationship turned out to be. I knew from the start I wanted to be in charge. On top. That that made it much hotter. But after a while, how docile you were just became boring. Sex became boring. You became the most boring of all. So I took two different approaches. First, I started cheating on you at every opportunity. That was wonderful fun, and it made everything naughty and hot again. And I started trying to make you do things you really didn’t want to. So, breaking your will over and over again - also hot. But eventually you were like a stuffed toy I had outgrown. That’s when I started making sure you found out about the cheating. Your tears were a real source of pleasure, I can tell you that much.”
That did explain a lot, Nico thought. The ropes tied far too tight. The biting that broke the flesh and once even left a small scar. And the way she stopped hiding her cheating. The humiliation - eventually that was a standard part.
“And of course, I looked at how I could leverage your stupid, pet-like devotion to me to have a good time. Well, that worked out awfully well. And I got Erena and Anju to form a wild-girl gang with me. Tsubasa was pissed, but to appease her we whored out ourselves - and you, of course, Sleeping Beauty - to a few producers and got A-RISE and Tsubasa an inside line on some great venues and opportunities. After that she was see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil. Problem solved.”
Problem solved??? It all sounded like a problem to Nico.
“Maki-chan was not like this all along. Nico’s heart would have known.”
“Nico’s heart is even stupider than Nico, frankly,” Maki said, laughing. “But you’re right, everything changed after our shrine visit. You changed, I changed. It’s almost enough to make you superstitious. Oh, wait, here we are in the afterlife. Maybe I mean, it’s almost enough to clue you in on how reality really works.”
For the first time ever, Maki looked uncertain. “I’m not stupid, contrariwise. The Powers That Be wouldn’t have allowed you to be here with me for no reason. And the hunger and thirst and heat and so on aside, I’ve had it suspiciously easy. You’re probably here because you let your passion for one person make you neglect every other thing and person you cared about, is my guess. Why I’m here is trivial. But at some point, the other shoe is going to drop. It could be you’ll only be here long enough to make me suffer remorse … go back to the weakling I was … and really suffer ...”And throw the bread and water out instead of gloating after you ate and drank it,she thought.
Maki clapped her hand over her mouth. “Oh s__t! It’s already starting. I would never say that in my right mind. I might have even given you hope!” She squared her shoulders. “If that’s what’s happening, I promise I’ll be true to my wish and enjoy myself with you as long as I can, I warn you.” She started to approach Nico, that girl could see out of the corner of her eye. She was still too exhausted and shocked to bother to move.
Nico, meanwhile, had been tormented by the idea that she’d abandoned her dreams and neglected her beloved family, who depended on her, for this sickening travesty of a love relationship. She was looking for something - anything - to cling to to keep a toehold in the realm of sanity.
What was the one thing she knew for sure? It was a sad realization.
“Still … still …” she said. The gesture she made, without lifting her head, was a dull parody of her Nico-nico-nii finger hooks. “Nico loves Maki.”
“Of course you do, honey,” Maki said with an unreadable expression, “and that’s your problem.”
Maki sighed. “Probably a good idea,” she said.
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theseventhhex · 8 years ago
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Incubus Interview
Mike Einziger, Jose Pasillas, Ben Kenney, Brandon Boyd & Chris Kilmore
Photo by Brantley Gutierrez
Multi-platinum alt-rock icons Incubus remain as dismissive of rock’s traditional boundaries as ever, roaming from New Wave pop to dark-hearted electro-blues and a dub/lounge-jazz mash-up on their formidable and aptly named eighth record, ‘8’.The Californians continue to deliver exhilarating and incisive compositions laced with an array of pulsating and diverse soundcscapes. Like no other band, Incubus manages to create a perfectly balanced mix of attentive lyrics, dynamic melodies and experimental material. Soft, hard, love, anger and always authentic… We talk to drummer Jose Pasillas about being patient, the evolution of the band’s live shows and growing vegetables…
TSH: In the lead-up to the band’s latest record entitled ‘8’, you guys had a renewed sense of adventurous spirit with your crafting methods, how crucial was the break you had?
Jose: Firstly, taking time out since our last full-length record was very important, even though we put out an EP; I still think that we took time to recharge and ventured out into our own little projects, which was required to keep things fresh. We were each individually evolving as people, we were also looking back in an introspective way and seeing who we were and what we’re all about now, which was also key in giving us a greater appreciation going into this record. Man, we were just inspired and we had this energy that we hadn’t had in quite some time. It was very present and obvious in the crafting process and lead to a solid body of work.
TSH: Was it particularly pleasing to bring back elements of the band that you naturally gravitated away from?
Jose: Yeah, it was definitely pleasing. You know, I think art in general is this sort of subconscious route and I think for us things are very cyclical in this band. For us, revisiting previous Incubus traits and elements just simply happened naturally. We only really started to notice this aspect when we started playing the music for other people. I guess it goes to show that we’re open to revisiting a previous type of feel and vibe, even though we always have elements of reinventing ourselves. It takes us long to make the right call, however, the energy and inspiration we give each other makes it worthwhile.
TSH: What was the process like in bringing together ‘Glitterbomb’?
Jose: That song was really free-flowing. I brought my best rhythmic fundamentals to the band for the track. I was writing to a simple guitar and bassline, which I prefer. Mike had a couple of beats and parts he’d developed and we built the song up together and collaboratively. There are a few long winded parts in the song, which we tend to fall on at times, ha! I guess sometimes we can be guilty of overplaying, but I feel we got it just right with ‘Glitterbomb’. It’s certainly one of my new favourite songs to play live - even though it’s aggressive, there’s still space to work within.
TSH: What do you admire mostly about ‘Throw out the Map’?
Jose: I just feel that the chorus in that song is super-fun! It kind of reminds of the chorus on ‘Nowhere Fast’. Also, there are a lot of skippy parts on the snare and some quarter notes too, as well as the verses having a four on the floor kick drum and a rambunctious section for the pre-chorus. The song is heavy and aggressive, but not in a metal way, more in a high energy way. Again, it’s another fun song to play live, very much like a journey if you will.
TSH: Moreover, throughout the record, narratives and themes in relation to loneliness, isolation and paranoia come into play…
Jose: Yeah, that’s largely Brandon’s decision to cover these kinds of topics. Brandon is constantly writing poems and stories and the themes you mentioned were playing on his mind - he most probably felt compelled to express them. After all, it’s hard to not talk about so much negativity, considering we’re surrounded by it on a daily basis. Brandon has a pool of stuff to pull from, he’s a deep thinker and very philosophical. I personally appreciate that a lot of these themes are very current and people can relate to them, they are kind of timeless in a way. I feel the album echoes messages of being bent but not broken, as well as getting knocked down and having the agility to get back up.
TSH: There’s also the factor of listeners for countless years connecting with your music and applying it their own lives to overcome obstacles and feel uplifted…
Jose: I feel fortunate that me and my bandmates can use this incredible music tool and allow others to feel such positive results. Music is escapism and I’ve used it all my life to feel content, so I can understand our fans connecting with it too. I’m just glad that our music can help people and allow people to have personal connections. I personally use music to take me to the light or the dark, depending on how I feel. I just hope that as we progress, we continue to make new fans, new connections and inspire those that have stuck with us for all these years.
TSH: How would you sum up the evolution of Incubus’ live offerings?
Jose: Well, for me, it’s the most fun part - bringing these songs to life. We’ve evolved consistently via understanding each other and respecting our audience. The recording process is rewarding in a different way, however, the process of playing live is amazing. We can’t replicate the production when we play live so it’s always a fun challenge to rewrite songs to play live and make it feel and sound great. Performing live is a nightly project for me. Also, Incubus has become really good at being intuitive with one another onstage, which makes for an entertaining live show, for sure.
TSH: What keeps you smiling during the mundane tour moments?
Jose: Touring is not easy, especially when you’re living on a bus with many other individuals. Our company is what keeps us smiling though; we are constantly making each other laugh and just messing around. Essentially, we’re still old neighbourhood friends, and believe me; we’ve got some funny motherfuckers in this band, haha!
TSH: I understand you’ve been growing your own vegetable patch lately, consisting of cauliflowers, brussel sprouts and kale…
Jose: Ha, you know about that! Yeah, you know, this whole growing my own vegetables is a new adventure I’ve been embarking on. It’s my first time growing a little crop of food, but if feels so good man. My daughter learnt a bit of horticulture in school so she’s the one that inspired the idea, therefore we do it as a family.
TSH: Also, does cycling, as well as your own clothing line help to keep you motivated outside of the band?
Jose: Yeah, absolutely. My clothing line is just another outlet for my creativity, which I enjoy a lot and cycling is a meditative process for me. Both outlets bring so much stability to my life and that’s ultimately what it’s all about. I just want to remain upbeat in my spare time, with my loved ones around me. I’ve been through many downs and pitfalls, I’m sure there will be more to come, but I just try to avoid as much negativity as possible and stay upbeat.
TSH: What are the key fundamentals that you hope to maintain with Incubus as you venture ahead?
Jose: I think I speak for everyone in the band when I say that we just really want to continue to write music that we feel is inspiring. Also, it’s important to keep it entertaining for our fans and for us in the band. We always want to be appreciative of what we’ve got and that’s the stream of thought that we hope to maintain and continue to pull from.
Incbubus - “Undefeated (Lyric Video)”
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