#the instrumental of the ballad about friendship plays

[malachitezmeyka]

The beauty of rewatching the same things over and over again is how since you know what happens, you can focus on all the tiny little details. Like the other day I was rewatching d’Artagnan and the Three Musketeers for like the fifth time and realised that right after Athos, Porthos and Aramis decide to go to London, Athos approaches d’Artagnan and asks whether they’re only going to help the queen or if something else is involved, and when d’Artagnan says that the life of the woman he loves depends on it, the previous silence of the background music is replaced by the instrumental of the song d’Artagnan sings when Constance, a.k.a the woman he loves, dies

[koorinokujira]

Transformers thoughts that wouldn't leave me alone - Forgotten melodies of eld

I have a bit of a tendency to overthink my favorite media and make strange associations with other things, and Transformers is no different right now. Those robots are spinning in my head like leftover pasta in a microwave. Anyhow, last night I was thinking about Cybertronian music.

(Ramble incoming! Also I might get stuff wrong, I am still fairly new in the fandom, after all. So please, forgive my potential ignorance.)

Now, there usually isn't that much lore on it from what I've seen, which absolutely sucks and I need more. What I've also noticed is that there often seems to be more of a focus on the musical instruments (which I also definitely need more lore on), rather than vocals. And hoo boy do I have thoughts about that specificallly.

Cybertronians have voice boxes, right? And considering their mechanical anatomy, it's pretty safe to say that they can hold on for way longer than our vocal cords. After all, it's not like a computer or its speakers start breaking down after a few hours of music being played continuously. Of course, such a voice box would be more complex, and there are definitely some more unique ways for it to break or damage, but... I generally like to think they are pretty durable when they are used for speech or song. Which brings me to the concept which I decided to call "mechanical elves", or something to that effect.

Now, what does that even mean? It's simple; I was inspired by the portrayal of elven music in various fantasy media, like J. R. R. Tolkien's works. Songs that reach the deepest parts of your soul in an ancient, ellegant language, voices that sing heartwrenching ballads for hours on end about tragedies that happened millennia ago. And I thought... wouldn't that work for Cybertron? Or at least, Cybertron in its beginnings?

You have a race of giant, mechanical beings, many of which have lived for millions of years. And they do love their music, even if we often have no idea what it's like and get only snippets from their culture. You have people like Blaster, who is literally nicknamed "The Voice" in the IDW1 comics and uses his voice to inspire his fellow Autobots, among other things. Just their voice boxes alone have so much potential, and that just makes me feel stuff, honestly.

Why wouldn't they sing for incredible amounts of time without stopping, at least when the times weren't so complicated just yet?

Did the first Cybertronian who ever hummed a melody feel so much joy that he simply kept going and couldn't stop, before excitedly teaching others? When a friendship started to feel more than it already was, did the night start with a passionate serenade sung by a singular voice, which, as the hours went by, turned into a duet full of affectionate words to one another? When a Cybertronian died for the first time, did his brothers sing for his memory, and to survive the sorrow as they had no tears to weep?

Mechanical voices crying out in raw emotion to let the world know they're there, only for others to answer. Languages and dialects no longer spoken, beautifully haunting melodies long forgotten. And as the time went on, the world started to get more and more quiet, before the old compositions finally gave way to the new ones. Perhaps the Titans who yet live still remember a few notes or words once sung.

All that's left of the beginnings now is a requiem doubling as an ode to hope.

Its words?

"'Til all are one."

[softie-rain]

Sejanus questions!!!! 🥰🥰🥰

What were your initial impressions of him as a character and your thoughts/opinions about him the first time you read Ballad? Did they change over time or were the same since the beginning?

If you could have him meet and interact with any character from the original trilogy, which character would you like to see him interact with? 😊

Which Hogwarts house would you sort him into?

In what ways are you similar to him? What about differences?

He gets along well with The Covey (especially when it comes to his cute little friendship with Maude Ivory--big brother Sej 😍). If he became a Covey member, what do you think his Covey name would be??? What would be his instrument? 👀

I'll be back later with more Q's and headcanons! 🥰

#happysejanusmonth

that's so sweet.omg I can't wait to answer them.

1. I remember being so surprised someone from the Districts was in the Capitol and really wanted to learn more about his character! While reading the book I just really thought he was such a sweet and amazing dude and was so sad when he died ): I distinctly remember saying "I refuse to watch this scene in the movie".

2. I'd love to see him interact with Peeta so bad. I think they'd be such cool besties I swear

3. UHHHHH I LIKE THIS QUESTION. I'd probably say either Gryffindor or Hufflepuff.

4. I really see myself a lot in Sejanus, I'd say the main thing in common is that (irl) I struggle to fit in a lot, which happened especially in high school. But it's also in the bottled up anger coming out all at once, issues with my dad, the witty sarcasm (lol). I also really get attached to anyone who shows me the tiniest sign of attention. A difference might be the relationship with our mothers? Bro idk I have so many issues atp

5. OMG HMMMM Janey Cyan maybe? A reference to his name and The Ballad Of Jane Doe (which I think fits him tbh) plus the colour Blue (: And i think he'd play the piano!

[depressedraisin]

song diaries: damon albarn edition

i thought i'd wait until the end of this week to do this weekly library entry for the music i've been checking out, but you know what? fuck it let's to it today, i've just got too much to say.

so this week i've been on a damon albarn discography expedition. listening to the ballad of darren over and over for like a month and consuming hours worth of concert and interview content has clearly broken something in my brain and this old geezer's music is my new hyperfixation. not complaining though cause there's just SO MUCH. there's like five lifetime's worth of music he's put out in 40 years give or take, and i can't think of one genre he hasn't dipped his toes into. also he's worked with so many SO MANY amazing musicians and artists!!!!! which is always so cool so many new people to discover and get obsessed with <3

now blur and gorillaz on their own are pretty much lifetime achievements but albarn also has such rich body of work outside them as well. i've kinda been familiar with those two for years, my recent forage has mainly been into his non-blur, non-gorillaz music.

here are some highlights i need y'all to be obsessed with just as much as i am:

The Moon Exalted (from the opera Dr Dee, 2011)

did u know damon albarn is an composer of operas as well?! i had no idea! a couple days back i heard him mention working on orchestrating one of goethe's unfinished librettos and i, of course had a very Normal reaction to that. (my obsession with classical music might be sleeping but never dead) so i went checking and learnt he already has 3 opera compositions under his belt. woah.

anyway this piece/song is from the 2011 production dr. dee: based on the life story of some elizabethan magic dude. there's a bunch of traditional elizabethan folk instruments- viola de gamba, lute, shawm, recorder etc etc, the wonderful kora (malian instrument, a blend of lute and harp), the harmonium (literally never saw harmonium being used in any music from the west lol im bengali so i get terribly excited abt this) and the iconic, the legendary tony fucking allen featured on this. the vibes are more folksy, earthy than renaissance-lite which i find pretty cool.

the moon exalted is such a lovely, lovely song though. one of the prettiest things albarn's ever written probably. the kora interlude makes me sob like a baby every single time.

check out this live from his solo concert at the globe theatre:

Go Back (feature on Tony Allen's album Film of Life)

legendary drummer tony allen (i've been listening to afrobeat a bit as well, that's for another day) and albarn has had a long working relationship and friendship. they've worked together on gorillaz, they were in two supergroups together, they worked extensively to champion western african music.

this track is a personal favourite already. wonderful afrobeat elements and tony's distinctive style coupled with some solid jazz keyboard-ing from albarn.

this performance tribute to tony allen makes my heart especially ache (he sadly passed away in 2020). albarn's talked a lot about how much allen meant to him, as a collaborator, mentor and friend, and it's all quite emotional.

This Is A Low (live from Shakespeare's Globe)

listen listen listen i said no blur- but. you gotta listen to this version of this is a low (from Parklife, 1994). he plays quite a bit of blur on the piano for his solo shows but they are kinda a hit or miss tbh. but this one works. for this 2021 solo concert albarn introduced a discordant piano solo in place of graham coxon's rather iconic guitar solo. and omfg it came outta nowhere and hit me straight in the face i love it so much

(don't tell anyone but ipreferthepianosolo)

The Nearer The Fountain More Pure The Stream Flows (from The Nearer The Fountain More Pure The Stream Flows, 2021)

damon albarn has two Solo ™ albums and the second, and lastest, one of these is the nearer the fountain more pure the stream flows released in 2021. initially starting out some sort of an orchestral piece inspired by the changing scenery outside the window of his home in albarn, it eventually ended up becoming this set of very melancholic and intimate set of songs. about so many things: loneliness and our changing relationship with nature and anxiety over life etc etc. post-pandemic feels basically.

it's a deeply emotional listening experience, with sweeping strings at places and gentle piano in others. quite a good showcase of albarn's pianowork imho (u see a pattern here right?). my fav out of them is the title track. the name comes from a john clare poem and it's absolutely stunning.

Mr. Tembo and The Selfish Giant (from Everyday Robots, 2014)

albarn's first solo record, everyday robots of 2014, is up there are one of his best works in my books. it's a set of autobiographical songs inspired by various moments in his life, with elements of triphop, folk and electronica and general themes of isolation and nature/technology etc: which are such quintessentially damon albarn, y'know?

mr. tembo is a adorable lil folksy song about this orphaned baby element he met in tanzania. aaaaannnnd, it features a gospel choir because mr. tembo grew up take care of by forest rangers who listened to a lot of gospel radio. cute.

speaking of the selfish giant........oooffff. big ooooffff. such a gut punching song, goodness. like when i heard the line "it's hard to be a lover when the tv's on" it knocked me out of service for a while.

Waterloo Sunset (The Kinks cover with Ray Charles, somewhere in the late 90s)

this one's quite a legendary performance. in the early blur days, damon albarn was often talked of as like a successor to sir ray davies, he of the kinks fame and witty observational character studies of english life.

this performance of them duetting the iconic the kinks song waterloo sunset was a passing of the baton moment of sorts. and when davies breaks into parklife in the end- all the feels, man, all the feels.

Mali Music (2002 album)

written in collaboration with afel bocoum, toumani diabaté & friends featuring ko kan ko sata, this album explores- you guessed it- music from mali. now i know next to nothing about mali or west african music really so i'm gonna be using this album as a reference point to learn and research more.

Poison Tree (from the 2018 The Good The Bad And The Queen album, Merrie Land)

the good the bad and the queen is 100% for sure one of the most underrated supergroups ever. i mean paul simonon (the clash), simon tong (the verve), tony allen and albarn- can you imagine the sheer level of awesomeness?!

they have two albums, and it's unlikely they'll ever have another. poison tree from their second album is perhaps my fav tgtb&tq song. merrie land was written about and as a reaction to brexit, and there's feelings of farewell and isolation and desolation prominent throughout. but poison tree also reminds me strongly of blur songs like battery in your leg and sweet song and no distance left to run. so yeah, emo hours.

(*for those uninitiated in blur lore the first two songs albarn wrote for/about graham coxon when he left the band in 2003, and the latter was written about his breakup with justine frischmann in 1998)

On Melancholy Hill (live from Matera, 2019)

blur got a cheat entry, so to balance things out, gorillaz gets one as well. on melancholy hill is a heartbreakingly tender song as it is but solo piano version makes it heartbreaking-lier and tender-er *sniffles*

[spyridonya]

🎶🧡😖 for both of ur bg3 kids please!!

Thank you for asking Romeo! <3

what type of music does your oc like? do they listen to music very often?

Lulu - Always listens to music, turning on a silver to whip her head around to listen to the most common of ballads, the most grand of ars nova. While not quite a good singer - she can carry notes, but her voice a bit reedy - she can play almost any instrument, finding more pleasure with folk music than the trappings of hymns or flourishing composers.

Sophus - Enjoys music, and has exposure to a wider scope of music than most folks on the Sword Coast save the other planar-travelers that like do drop by. Sophus finds he likes the music from Eberron that we'd consider something across late Ragtime or early Jazz. He enjoys music when at a tavern or inn, but won't seek out musicians within the sword coast.

🧡 ORANGE HEART — does your oc tend to prioritize family or friends?

Lulu - Family meant a lot to Soluna growing up, her father was a drow from Ust Natha named Solauefin, which, Lulu was named after by her mother, Abadela. Abedela was a half wood elf who worked in a temple of Ilmater and came to help Solaufein and the other refugees from Ust Natha. Lulu had several friends among the refugees and the children of refugees. Her mother's passing was profound to her, making her decide to go out into the world with the encouragement of friends. She's finding despite her connection to her family, she's a bit too much of a people pleaser and tends to prioritize friends.

Sophus - Friends, simply because he doesn't have known family. He grew up in the Lower Wards and he was barely eight years old when his mother, Florence, died in a fire that he rightly believes were started by fiends. He was taken in by the Harmonium, gaining friends and found family, but never quite settled his heart in the dedication to peace. He begins to see the companions from Nautiloid as friends, though the development of this friendship is slow.

😖 CONFOUNDED FACE — is your oc an introvert, an extrovert, or an ambivert? do they let people in easily, or are they more reserved?

Lulu - Is very much an extrovert, curious as a kitten, and has suffered from set backs.She keeps charging forward with a bright, sweet charm as a way to overcome the prejudice to her drow side.

Sophus - He's ambivert, leaning on reversed. He knows when to step and make himself known to others either as a stern moderator of justice, a man of compassion, or an avenging angel. Sophus gets a little embarrassed when someone is attracted to him, though, and feels self conscious about his burn scars.

[musicverse11]

Vivek’s Top Tracks: A Playlist for Every Mood

Indian music has always been a rich tapestry of diverse cultures, sounds, and traditions. It’s a domain where the old often meets the new, creating magic. Amidst this dynamic landscape, Vivek has emerged as a musician who seamlessly fuses the essence of Indian heritage with modern innovation. With his captivating melodies, humor-infused storytelling, and ability to connect with audiences of all ages, Vivek is redefining what it means to be a music artist in contemporary India.

The Journey of a Rising Star

Born in a small town, Vivek’s musical journey began humbly. Inspired by local folk tunes and Bollywood classics played at family gatherings, he developed an early appreciation for rhythm and melody. But his aspirations didn’t stop at mere appreciation. Vivek wanted to create music that resonated with the heartbeats of millions.

His first breakthrough came in the form of a YouTube video, where he performed a humorous yet touching song about everyday life struggles. The video went viral, not only for its catchy tune but also for its relatability. Audiences appreciated how Vivek addressed real-life issues with wit and authenticity. This marked the beginning of his meteoric rise in the Indian music scene.

Fusing Tradition with Modernity

One of Vivek’s most distinguishing traits is his ability to blend traditional Indian instruments, such as the tabla, sitar, and flute, with contemporary electronic beats and synthesizers. In songs like Suraj Ki Kiranein, he combines the earthy tones of Indian folk with pop rhythms, creating an unforgettable auditory experience.

What makes Vivek’s music special is not just the sound but the emotions it carries. He often draws inspiration from the simple joys and sorrows of life, crafting stories that listeners can connect with. Whether it’s a love ballad or an upbeat celebration of friendship, his songs feel deeply personal yet universal.

Breaking Boundaries with Humor

Humor is a signature element of Vivek’s music. Unlike many artists who stick to conventional themes of love and heartbreak, Vivek isn’t afraid to poke fun at societal norms or highlight the quirks of daily life. His track Padosi Ki Biwi, for instance, humorously explores the nosy tendencies of neighbors while showcasing his musical genius.

This approach has made Vivek immensely popular among younger audiences who appreciate his light-hearted take on serious topics. By intertwining humor with melody, he ensures that his songs are not only entertaining but also memorable.

Milestones in Vivek’s Career

Vivek’s career is dotted with milestones that have cemented his place in the industry. His debut album, Dil Ka Caravan, was a chartbuster, garnering millions of streams within weeks of its release. Tracks like Chandni Raat and Baat Pyaar Ki became anthems for their heartfelt lyrics and innovative compositions.

Collaborations have also played a crucial role in Vivek’s success. He has worked with prominent names in the industry, from renowned playback singers to indie artists. His duet with singer Priya Sharma in Jeevan Ki Patang showcased his versatility, blending classical and contemporary styles seamlessly.

Impact on the Indian Music Scene

Vivek’s rise is not just a personal triumph; it is indicative of a larger trend in the Indian music industry. Artists are increasingly breaking free from formulaic Bollywood tracks, exploring genres like indie pop, folk fusion, and experimental electronic music. Vivek has become a flagbearer for this movement, inspiring a new generation of musicians to take risks and innovate.

Moreover, his music has a cross-generational appeal. While millennials admire his fresh sound, older audiences appreciate his nods to traditional Indian melodies. This ability to bridge the gap between generations has made him a household name.

Challenges and Triumphs

Like every artist, Vivek has faced his share of challenges. Breaking into the competitive Indian music industry required resilience and creativity. Early in his career, he struggled to find platforms to showcase his talent. However, social media became a game-changer. Platforms like YouTube and Instagram allowed him to reach a wide audience without the need for traditional industry gatekeepers.

Critics have occasionally questioned his use of humor, labeling it as a distraction from the depth of his music. But Vivek has embraced such critiques, using them as fuel to create even more impactful songs. His ability to turn challenges into opportunities is one of his greatest strengths.

The Future of Vivek’s Music

The future looks bright for Vivek. With plans to collaborate with international artists and explore genres like jazz and reggae, he aims to take Indian music to global audiences. His upcoming album promises to be a blend of experimental sounds and deeply personal lyrics, reflecting his growth as an artist.

In addition to music, Vivek is also keen on nurturing new talent. He recently announced an initiative to mentor young musicians from underprivileged backgrounds, aiming to give them the opportunities he once struggled to find.

Conclusion

Vivek is not just a musician; he is a storyteller, a cultural bridge, and a pioneer. His music is a reflection of India’s evolving identity, where tradition and modernity coexist harmoniously. By staying true to his roots while embracing innovation, he has redefined what it means to be an Indian artist in the 21st century.

What’s your favorite Vivek song? Share your thoughts in the comments below! If you haven’t already, explore Vivek’s latest tracks on Spotify and follow him on social media for updates on his upcoming projects. Don’t miss out on experiencing the magic of a musician who’s reshaping the landscape of Indian music!

[bawwsadface]

like northern stars

in february of 2020 i committed to moving to chicago.

never before had i lived outside wisconsin, the state i was born and raised in. freshly 25 and still feeling a very painful sting of losing a relationship with my best friend, i needed to make some kind of lateral move.

i'd recently moved back in with my parents to save up for a chance to take six months of language classes in tokyo. i put in all required documents and miraculously got accepted to the program. but it became evident that my only reason for doing so was to live a life with a romantic partner i no longer had who was also living in tokyo at the time. so i backed out at the last minute.

dejected and defeated, i was now doomed to be a 9-5 lifer at my old job delivering booze in a truck across the state. living in a town that i had no friends left in, and one that was full of traumatic memories constantly triggering me. i recognize this is still a privileged position. that i could've been on the street or completely shit out of luck without a support system. but that doesn't erase the pain of feeling like my life had taken a nosedive while i was in the moment. at the time i was certain that if i stayed in this situation long enough, i'd probably end up dead. if not under the train tracks by my parent's house, then in the back of a dusty warehouse or the cabin of a straight truck. death has always tantalized me, but at 25 i was not ready to meet it.

i got lucky and was able to find an apartment in chicago with a friend who was moving out of his place down there. we spent maybe one month looking for apartments before securing a primo spot in a good neighborhood. we were set to move in march 1st. in the year 2020. god what an omen, looking back. my friendship with this guy would slowly deteriorate over time and fuck up my relationships with just about everybody i knew in the city before eventually crashing out in spectacularly stupid fashion. but whatever, we live we learn. he was never a good friend to me anyway.

but in the week leading up to the move, an interesting music video dropped on youtube. the song Rascal by RMR was all anybody on my social media timelines was talking about for a few days. it's a rap track/piano instrumental ballad, sung in the style of Rascal Flatts' Bless The Broken Road. an aspiring song about the road to coming up and overcoming the hard times. it felt serendipitous to appear at this exact moment in my life.

the pandemic that would come to define 2020 was just about to explode in america. but right before it did, even in the throws of some of the worst shit i've ever experienced in my life, even with trump looking like he was gonna start a war with iran before dipping out as president, even with everything feeling hopeless and scary and undefined, this song... it was a shining light. helping push me toward something greater that i could make materialize right now, with my own hands.

a blistering optimism flowed through me that week. fueled by the energy of making an impulsive life change and the weird viral song that seemed to cement it as the correct move. things definitely changed once lockdown hit. but for a brief moment, i swear, so many other people online flocking to this song felt what i felt. we felt like maybe things were gonna be okay. maybe there was hope. and maybe whatever we were doing was leading us down the right path. i still think about that week of my life. i went to michigan to play a DJ set with my friends on leap day weekend and was bumping this track at every opportunity. before the lockdowns hit i was calling up every friend i had in chicago and going to shows and grabbing a beer with them in celebration. god, i felt unstoppable.

and in just a few short years, it seems like most people have forgotten about this song. RMR went on to make much more standard rap music, and really only peaked in popularity one other time when he got future and lil baby on a remix of one of his songs. i can't knock the man for following his path. hate the game etc. but that single slice of the past that lives in that song is forever crystalized in my memory. something to keep the light burning at a time when everything else felt so dark. something that gave me hope and led me on to whatever future i was gonna make for myself.

i came up and so could you. god bless the broken road.

[ironwitchpainter]

The Ballad of the Parched Pint and the Bloody Boar

And so, as they make their way to Bree, Blorbo shares with them the lyrics to one of the songs that has been composed about their adventure, the ballad of the "Parched Pint" and the "Bloody Boar." It's a tale of unlikely heroes, the power of friendship, and the unyielding force of music in the face of darkness. The words, a testament to their valor, weave a story of laughter and steel, of love and loss, and of the unbreakable bonds formed in the crucible of battle.

The verses speak of the shadows that fell upon the village, the fear that threatened to consume all hope, and the fiery spirit that burned within the hearts of the bards and their newfound allies. The chorus, a rousing call to arms, sings of the night they turned into a dance of defiance, their music a beacon that pierced the gloom.

Blorbo, with a twirl of his lute, begins to sing:

"In a tavern once filled with cheer,

Where laughter and ale flowed without fear,

The shadows fell like a cloak of despair,

But the music of heroes filled the air.

Ah, Blorbo, your words do bring to mind

The night we danced with fate's entwine,

Where shadows fell and darkness grew,

But together, we turned it into a cue.

In the "Parched Pint," where walls did shake,

And the "Bloody Boar" where fear did take,

We played and sang, for our hearts to make,

A bastion of light, for friendship's sake.

Yes, Jenkins, together we did stand,

Against the shadows that reached out their hand,

With melodies bright, and valor's brand,

We turned the tide, across this land.

The goblin watched, his heart alight,

As Gromshka swung, a fiery sight,

And together we fought, through the night,

Guided by music, our beacon so grand.

To Bree we go, our spirits high,

The Prancing Pony, our destination nigh,

Where tales of old and new will fly,

And our music will reach the sky.

We'll share our story, let it unfold,

Of the night we danced so bold,

When the shadows tried to hold,

Our hearts in their icy grip, but we denied.

Let's not forget the goblin's part,

Whose love for Gromshka played a vital chart,

Their bond, a beacon in the dark,

A dance of strength, a work of art.

And Garrick's horn, it did sound so clear,

Their valor in battle had no peer,

Their horn's call, so loud and near,

Gave us the will to face our fear.

Then, as if their voices were one, Blorbo and Jenkins join together in a powerful, harmonious chorus that resonates through the quiet streets of the village, leaving a trail of hope and joy in their wake:

"With instruments of war and cheer,

We danced through the night, no room for fear,

Our hearts and souls alike,

We conquered the shadows with our might.

Our music, it did not cease,

It grew with every beat and peace,

Until the Enemy's retreat,

And the shadows, they were defeated,

In the "Jolly Jester," so bright.

Now we march to Bree's embrace,

Where tales of valor we shall chase,

The Prancing Pony awaits our grace,

In the light of the dawning day's sweet face.

The group, their spirits soaring, sings the chorus once more, their voices weaving together like the threads of fate. This time, however, it's not just the bards and their newfound companions. The villagers, emerging from their homes with the first light of dawn, catch the tune on the breeze. One by one, they join in, their voices swelling until the very air seems to hum with the power of their unity.

The goblin, his eyes shining with joy, adds his own guttural harmony to the mix, while Gromshka's deep, resonant laugh echoes through the streets. The Shadowbreakers, though battle-worn, find themselves smiling as they march alongside the bards, their steps lighter than they've felt in ages. The chorus fills the air, a sonorous declaration of their victory and a promise of the adventures that await them in the lands beyond.

Of course, my dear friends, this is but the first verse of our epic ballad, scribbled on the parchment of our hearts in the heat of battle. Before we take this tale to the wider world, we must refine it, give it the polish that great stories demand. We'll tweak the melody, sharpen the words, and ensure that every note and line rings true to the valor we've shared. Only then will our song be ready to resonate in the hearts of all who hear it, inspiring them to stand against the shadows that lurk in their own lives.

[brightviewblog]

Q+A

Andrew Gagne and Henning Reinholdt are two key members of the local band, Bright View. Gagne is the lead vocalist and Reinholdt maintains the beat on the drums. As well as an additional two members, Declan Rider dually plays the guitar and piano, and Rob Ricz as the bass. Four band members from all different backgrounds, and corners of New England such as Maine, and New Hampshire came together during their freshman year at Endicott College and formed a unique cover band. This band sprouted during their sophomore year at Endicott College when they were eager to transform their friendship into a cohesive band. Gagne started his love for singing when he was in Middle School and looked up to his vocally talented sister, and wanted to be just as great as her. Reinhold formed his love for drumming throughout high school and knew it was a talent that would bleed into his collegiate career. While Gagne is planning on becoming instrumentally fluent just like his bandmates, he is still enjoying mastering his vocal craft and elevating the band with it. The band is also working towards twisting existing music to gain more chemistry and ease into original content. For example, they turned a traditional piano ballad into a rock song through their creativity. This is how Gagne and Reinoldt believe they set themselves apart from existing local bands, as their friendship and passion show through their music. Andrew, Henning, Rob, and Declan have a bright future ahead of them, which is articulated very well in the interview. Looking into the future, Gagne and Reinholdt have plans to study abroad in Ireland for four months in the fall, they both are confident that the band will stay intact and even perform better once they are together again. 

Tell me, how did the band start?

Andrew: Me and Declan last year would come and do like little two-man stuff with just an acoustic guitar and a voice but we always watched other bands and we talked about it a little bit last year… I mean we were friends with Henning and we didn’t really know Rob but we liked the band so we talked about filling in and we just got started this year right away, it’s been fun. 

What are your individual roles for the band? How did you start?

Henning: I play the drums so I hold the beat down for the song and I set the cadence- so if it’s a slower rap song ill probably be playing more tighter, quite sounding drums- or if it’s like a rock song ill be playing more symbols- it’s just about volume and keeping everyone in the same kind of rhythm.

Andrew:  Im just a vocalist- I’m not an instrumentalist right now, its definitely something I want to work towards, but it takes time. It definitely takes time. When I was growing up, my sister was big into the theater, chorus scene.  So me trying to one -up her all the time, I got into it, too, and tried to just be better than her. So it's definitely a huge stylistic change, too, from what I was doing in high school and middle school to what I'm doing now.  when I came when I came into college I'd like swore off music just because I'd been doing it for so long that I was like I was done but I guess it's just the people I start hanging around with drag me back in and I'm still like I'm still off of like where I was in high school was all chorus and theater so I'm off that but it's been fun with the band 

Where do you primarily perform? Do you enjoy performing?

Andrew: So we basically just book all our own gigs, whenever we want to around campus. I mean, we’re definitely interested in expanding it outside of campus, but so far the opportunity just hasn't come for us to. 

Henning: I think it’s like easier when it’s just us playing because we get to put together like a five-song performance rather than wait to play… this band is a lot more fun just because we’re close friends all of us and there's good banter… it makes the music experience a lot cooler. 

What is your musical process? What are the challenges?

Andrew: So far we need to improve our process I think definitely that's one of our areas where we’re all needing to improve because we're all such go-with-the-flow people that will text and say we’ll practice tomorrow but then we just don't feel like it or something comes up. 

Henning: We hold the phone up to the amp and we listen to all of our parts and then everyone kind of gets a feel for it and then we just see how far we can make it playing the song together and then we just play it over and over. 

Andrew: You always start with the skeleton of a song, just the chords and the basic melodies. And then you just try to add like little accents and layers where to make it sound like a little bit more full. 

Have you begun playing original music? 

Andrew: We’re in the process of that right now, I mean as a new band we just kind of tried to do covers to get ourselves started and kind of gain some chemistry. There have been a couple of songs that we changed up the styles. There’s a song called Lou by Richy Mitch and The Coal Miners that was generally like a slower piano ballad type of song, but we tried to rock it out a little more so that it could fit our band style. 

Henning: I think the next step is to write all together, get in a room together, and just all decide what we want it to sound like then we can write lyrics together and stuff- but that's further down the line right now. 

Do you come across any conflicts within the group?

Andrew: Definitely, since were all friends, were not afraid to call each other out. If we weren’t friends then it would be way more awkward. 

Henning: There’d be moments of a little grimace on my face, it’d be these moments of onset tension…it would make shit really hard to finish. Like we would not get through stuff very quickly. 

Are there any lasting details about being in a band youd like to add? 

Henning: Well, I think it's cool because Andrew and Declan have never really been in a band before and for like relatively like new band members, they're very easy to work with and like very talented people so I think it just goes to show that anyone should try music, like you know, it doesn't matter what level you are or if you think you can't sing or whatever.  Andrew:  I was definitely hesitant to jump into it here in front of like everyone that I go to school with every day, but like, I think people just need to understand that it's not that serious. Like, it's purely for fun, so like, just do what makes you happy and get it done.

[pardontheglueman]

Everything Solved at Once: Silent Forum

Kevin McGrath reviews the long-awaited debut album, Everything Solved at Once, from Silent Forum which includes tracks such as ‘Robot’.Silent Forum Promotional Image

Two years ago, Silent Forum released Sanctuary+, a cassette-only compilation issued through Oddbox, that collected together a handful of the band’s essential singles and EP’s recorded between 2015-2017. For die-hard followers of Cardiff’s indie-noir outfit this was a sign of progress, proof positive that the band had left some sort of imprint on the capital’s music scene. At the same time, however, it felt like the end of an era too – despite his captivating stage presence, frontman Richard Wiggins (think Ian Curtis, Samuel T. Herring and Marcel Marceau all rolled into one) remained the best-kept secret in Welsh pop; the band still hadn’t secured a conventional record deal and they were largely absent from the nation’s radio stations too. And all this at a time when fellow Cardiff combo Boy Azooga, playing to an audience of millions on Later…with Jools Holland, seemed to have hit the top jackpot on the first spin of the wheel.

The group’s frustration with the Welsh music establishment was evident on “How I Faked The Moon Landing”, a groovy, six-minute epic that railed against the band’s continued underdog status. Indeed, the song’s key line ‘We’re destined to be a local band not on local radio’, while being laugh out loud funny, was a disarmingly honest appraisal of the group’s prospects. There was a delicious irony, then, in events as they unfolded in the summer of 2018 – a song furiously lamenting a lack of radio exposure was suddenly ever-present across the airwaves. Soon enough, DJs, bloggers and music critics were including the track in their ‘best of 2018’ playlists. The frenetic follow-up single “Robot” reinforced the impression that this was a band on the up and an album deal with Libertino was announced before the summer was out.

While it’s entirely predictable that Everything Solved at Once, Silent Forum’s confidently constructed debut album should kick off with the uber-pop of killer single “Robot”, the pair of tracks that follow thrillingly confound expectations*. “Spin” is a hypnotic maelstrom of fractured guitar licks and soaring vocals, while “Safety In Numbers”, an atypical ballad built around interweaving melody lines, overlapping vocals and an intriguing meditation on friendship (the tune drifts to a close with a roll call of band members and a status update as to their well-being), is a stunning track that speaks to the band’s versatility and ambition. Side 1 (the revival of vinyl means that we can write about albums in these terms once again), concludes with “A Great Success”, a number that surges along on a classic indie-noir riff, before climaxing in a stadium-sized chorus, and the curiously-titled “Credit To Mark Sinker” (a music journalist, if you were wondering), which sees Wiggins channelling his inner Robert Lloyd. Despite an intriguing lyric, it’s probably the least effective track on show here.

The title track kicks off a strong second side; “Everything Solved At Once”, a punchy number with a towering chorus, is reminiscent of early-period Editors and has ‘future single’ stamped all over it. “A Pop Act” is a prequel/sequel to “How I Faked The Moon Landing” and offers further surreal commentary on the band’s struggle to punch a hole in the pop stratosphere – ‘Went back to the Swedish furniture company / returned our flat pack songs / I don’t like my music bland… I like it intense and sad’. The album builds to an edgy finish with three outstanding tracks; “Outmoded”, is a brooding, beast of a track built around a mournful base motif and a shrill guitar; “A Kind Of Blue”,  a song which has been a staple of the band’s live shows for some time, usually sparks into life in a live setting thanks to Wiggins’ strange exhortations during the tune’s extended instrumental break. There are no visual aids to cue our emotional responses here, of course, but the song is a triumph nonetheless, thanks to the pitch-perfect production skills of Charlie Francis. Importantly, the album benefits from a coherent feel throughout, despite the unexpected presence of a trumpet and even a burst of canned applause at one point, which is testimony to Francis’ guidance but also, to the chemistry that exists between comrades-in-arms Oli Richards (bass) Dario Ordi (guitar) and Elliot Samphier (drums). The album closes with the delirious, dance-punk of “How I Faked the Moon Landing”, the song building to a triumphant close as Wiggins defiantly positions the band as outliers – “Why would we want to be like them?” he insists over and over again as the music exhausts itself.

Everything Solved at Once is a black-comedy concept album about life on the fringes of the Welsh music biz, which is something of a first for my record collection and, quite possibly, yours. While pop music has a history of self-referential songs, from “Hey, We’re the Monkeys” to the 80’s frippery of “Ant Music”, Silent Forum push this self-obsession to its limit, with over half of their debut LP (as well as a couple of recent B-sides) devoted to the internal machinations of the band. This may seem to be a chronic case of navel-gazing and part of me does indeed yearn for a return to the intense, anxiety-driven songwriting that gave birth to early band classics such as “Limbo”, the emotionally pulverising “Who’s Going to Side With Me?” and the traumatic epic “Hosanna”.  Wiggins has clearly moved on, though, writing with a self-deprecating sense of humour and a sharp eye for a whip-smart one-liner about his band and, in a curious sub-theme, workplace alienation as experienced by a cluster of ‘data cleansing worker bees’.

Everything Solved at Once catapults Silent Forum straight into the top tier of indie-noir, even as they begin to shift their sound into a more dance-punk oriented direction. In common with other trailblazers of the genre, from The Murder Capital and Fontaines DC to the punkier Shame, Silent Forum make music that thrums with the disquietude of the times. While Indie-noir hasn’t delivered an outright classic album post Joy Division, Everything Solved At Once, a claustrophobic, yet cinematic record, may, in time, rank alongside near misses such as Whipping Boy’s Heartworm (1995) Interpol’s Turn On The Bright Lights (2002), Editors’ The Back Room (2005) or The National’s High Violet (2010).

[notebookmusical]

Hi! I hope you had a very merry Christmas! I think you said you celebrate it. Did you do anything for the holidays or get presents? don't worry..it wasn't late or anything. I just couldn't reply until now. Oh that sucks..I hope you recover in time for the new year.🩷

I think it's already happened with some songs on Fearless cuz she didn't have her accent as much. I agree with Hey Stephen and a few other songs. I realized that I never asked you how you felt about the changes in the Better than Revenge rerecording. Overall I understand the change, and the new lyrics make sense, but still prefer the original lyrics lol. I love her accent too but I never could really tell if it was completely fake or not but her baby voice is cute.

I think if the cuts make sense, I won't really mind but it's not like it's my favorite musical either. The trailer came on yesterday and I told them it was a musical and they said it as a musical will ruin it so I do wonder how regular non theater people will feel about it overall. They always hate or make fun of musicals though and it will make it cheesy or something since my family quotes the original movie all the time. So I feel like the quotes don't translate in the musical as much, and even if Legally Blonde was a little different, the changes made sense of improved it in some way. I listened to the Megan song too and just felt it didn't add much either. I don't know if i will watch it yet, but I've already missed Wonka and Color Purple for this week so I will see if I can watch it this next week. I will probably watch Dicks at some point too, so I'm glad your friend liked it.

I love White Christmas even if it doesn't feel as Christmasy as other Christmas movies. I just finally watched the movie version of Holiday Inn last night, but was familiar with the musical. I also love both! I also count Rent for musicals lol. But mostly I prefer ones where the family is getting ready for or around Christmas like Elf, National Lampoons, and A Christmas Story, and Surviving Christmas. I also have a few new ones I still wanna watch for this year. I was going to send you an ask saying December 24th 9PM Eastern standard time...but then I remembered you've never seen Rent! My sister and I were trying to think of New Year's resolutions in song lyrics and my sister said that from here on in, I shoot without a script..instead of my old shit..would be a good one for me lol. We always try to do a Taylor one too so I'm thinking either Karma or You're on your own kid..make friendship bracelets, take the moment and taste it..you've got no reason to be afraid and I'm gonna try to remember that throughout the year and try new things maybe. I remember I used I got harder smarter in the nick of time..I rose up from the dead..I do all the time as one when rep came out. I mostly just think it's fun, so if you wanna try to think of one, you can.

I finally listened to the Fruitcake EP and I agree..it was so good! All of the songs were mostly different, which is kinda fun. I think it would be hard to think of different types of Christmas songs, but she did such a good job. New years yet might be my favorite or at least the one I can remember the most. What do you think your version of a Christmas song would be? I guess I never asked you if you are musical at all or if you play any instruments. I don't actually, but I do like to sing and sometimes make up songs. That question is just for fun though so no pressure, and I don't really have an answer either.

I think I only read 3 or 4 full books this year. One was the stepping off place that I finished back in January, and that was definitely my favorite. I know I've talked about it already, but I really loved it so much. The other was Mistakes were made which was fine. I just found out the same author has another book out soon and I think I would be interested in reading it, cuz I enjoyed her writing. What about you? The last one was The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes. Do you still plan on reading or watching the movie? I'm still in the middle of a few including Business or Pleasure I hoped to finish by the end of year but I still have like 50 pages. I also skimmed most of Our Year of Maybes. I enjoyed parts of all these but didn't love them. I hope to change my reading habits for next year and definitely finish more..we will see my progress by the end of January. There were a lot of months I didn't read at all, so I'm hoping to change that too. Omg I wish you would have told me you were continuing your Night Circus reread! I could have tried to read a bit more. I just assumed you were taking a break like me lol. I want you to know if you don't finish your Les Mis reread it's also okay..don't stress.

Oh I didn't know you haven't seen them but I actually didn't watch the Office until like 5 years ago. I grew up watching Friends and quote it all the time though! Idk if you mean you just never watched the whole show or that you didn't know it at all. Parks and Recreation is another one of my favs..similar to the Office. I also love Schitt's Creek! But the humor is just different from back then, cuz it's newer. and New Girl is another newer one which is kinda more similar to Friends. Of course How I met your mother is the most similar to Friends...but I prefer Friends the most. I got a Friends calendar for Christmas actually, and also a Taylor one. Cristin Miloti was the mother in that show and was also played the original Girl from Once on Broadway, and I guess I forgot to mention that in my last ask. I knew the Guy actor from another show too, which is Shameless. I think Once was before the shows technically, but I knew them from it by the time I got into Broadway. That version of Falling Slowly just seems different from the movie somehow but I still like it. I would recommend Begin Again cuz I liked some songs.

I loved that dream cuz she gave me some earrings. I only remember three or four titles. But it seemed like the length of a full album cuz a group of four of us were reading off the titles and it was like three each or something. Name someone I love, something to take, watch me, kiss some other person. Possibly fireworks but idk. Some of the titles made me think of a new album but some make me think of rep lol. I wish I remembered more. But it is almost impossible to envision her new album and like I said, I'm sure the titles are way off anyway. I always like knowing song titles and wondering or guessing what a song will be like though. Anyway I hope you feel better! Try to rest as much as you can and hopefully relax the next few days. Sending well wishes for your Wednesday and the rest of your week!

hello friend!! hope you had a lovely holiday + a wonderful new year, if i don't talk to you before then! i do celebrate it! it was a very quiet, lowkey christmas, since i still have the plague but it was very lovely! how was your christmas? do you have any fun new year plans?

my favorite present that i got is a pink scarf that my mom got me — it's super cozy and just so cute!! which, i think by now, is no surprise, since i am A Pink Girl at my core! one of my friends got me a raccoon themed christmas gift, which i also loved — including a raccoon oodie, a raccoon jellycat, and of course, toto got his own raccoon animal too!

with better than revenge, i definitely understand why she changed the lyrics, and i'm glad she was able to create a version of better than revenge she was proud of! i definitely still on instinct sing the old lyrics, but i don't think i particularly prefer one over the other, just that i'm more used to the old ones!

one of my family friends hates musicals and she got tricked into taking her kid (the 15 year old who i affectionately call my younger sister) to wonka and didn't realize wonka was a musical, which was funny! the text i got when she realized did make me chuckle, i'm not going to lie. i haven't watched any of those movies — nor have i watched the eras tour from home! i have it rented, but i just haven't been feeling well enough to sit through a three hour movie unfortunately. but i'm starting to feel a little better so hopefully i'll have time to watch that soon!

i love the holiday inn musical — i think it's so fun! fun fact, the first time i watched the holiday inn movie was at a holiday inn. i went to florida on a work trip in 2019, and my flight home got cancelled and the airlines put me in a holiday inn for the night so i figured it'd be the perfect time to watch holiday inn (even though it was summer) because i liked the musical! i definitely know the rent december 24 9pm reference and usually participate in it on twitter but forgot this year :( it made me feel like a bad theatre kid haha!

i love the idea of doing resolutions in song! i finally wrote out my reading goals for my book blog earlier, but haven't completely finalized my personal resolutions yet. i think the YOYOK one is so good! some other ones i thought of:

innocent — minds change like the weather/ i hope you remember today is never too late to be brand new

starlight — look at you, worrying too much about things you can’t change / you’ll spend your whole life singing the blues if you keep thinking that way

august — to live for the hope of it all

they're not as good as you're on your own kid though, and i'm sure i'm missing something super obvious!

i think fruitcake's EP is so fun and different! like upbeat and a bit sexy and just so fun! it's something i can see myself listening to year-round. i played the piano as a kid (i don't remember a thing now) and took a semester of guitar in high school (was not good at it), but am not musical anymore! sometimes i think about picking something up again, just for fun, but i think i prefer being arts and crafty over being musical. i think if i had to do a christmas song though, it'd probably be something a little more melancholy and slower — kind of how phoebe bridgers' christmas songs sound, i think. what about you?

i still plan on reading tbosas and watching it! but i did not get to reading the hunger games at all this month. but at some point i will do that and then we can discuss 🤍 i did end up finishing the night circus (the original plan was that i'd mail it out this week for book club, but given the plague, i'm pushing it off to next week), and also les mis (although i would not recommend reading the first 50% over the span of 3 months and then reading the last half of it in the span of a week). i think i'm done reading for the rest of the year and am excited for a little bit of a break! and then i think i'll go back to the starless sea in january!

i did watch parks and rec! i've only seen it once, but i watched it in college with one of my friends who said i was very leslie in terms of drive/organization/etc. it's funny you brought once up, because i was listening to once on vinyl today — it's such a good show. i love it so much! there are a lot of shows (friends, HIMYM, gilmore girls) that i think i would've loved if i had watched it when it was first airing, but i've been spoiled on every platform for so many things that i don't think i'd find it fun now! also i am so much worse at watching tv now than i was when i was in school, for some reason!!

that sounds like such a fun dream! i don't usually remember my dreams (but i also have a hard time sleeping so there's that)! do you think ts11 will have a more pop sound? or do you think it'll be something else? i keep seeing clown theories on twitter about new year's day (taylor's version) or a rep announcement on new year's day ... what do you think?

also!! i got your other ask about music! i think i need to do another listen through of the albums before i can pick favorites, so i will save the ask for when i get a chance to do that and then get back to you!!

hope you're doing well, my friend!! 🤍

[garudabluffs]

The Cripple Creek Band - Purple Rain Cover Live

The Cripple Creek Band's cover of "Purple Rain" from their live show at Cache Creek Casino in November 2017.

561 Comments

"Purple Rain was originally intended to be a country song, for Stevie Nicks to sing. But Stevie told Prince after a while she couldn't handle it, so he and the Revolution practice for 6 hours straight until they got it down to the Prince version of Purple Rain we all know. Yep."

Purple Rain (bluegrass version) Dwight Yoakam Verse 1:] I never meant to cause you any sorrow I never meant to cause you any pain I only wanted to one time to see you laughing I only wanted to see you Laughing in the purple rain [Chorus:] Purple rain, purple rain Purple rain, purple rain Purple rain, purple rain I only wanted to see you Bathing in the purple reign [Verse 2:] I never wanted to be your weekend lover I only wanted to be some kind of friend Baby, I could never steal you from another It's such a shame our friendship had to end [Chorus:] Purple rain, purple rain Purple rain, purple rain Purple rain, purple rain I only wanted to see you Bathing in the purple reign [Verse 3:] Honey, I know, I know I know times are changing It's time we all reach out For something new, that means you too You say you want a leader But you can't seem to make up your mind I think you better close it And let me guide you to the purple rain [Chorus:] Purple rain, purple rain Purple rain, purple rain Purple rain, purple rain I only wanted to see you Bathing in the purple rain"

"A cover like this and Dwight Yoakam's make perfect sense. It started out as a country song. google "How we made Prince's Purple Rain" Interviews by Michael Hann for The Guardian. Prince played keys on Stevie Nick's Stand Back. Then gave her a 10 minute instrumental. Asked her to write lyrics. She was intimidated by it so turned it down. He let the Revolution play around with it after rehearsals. Wendy played the first few chords and dragged them out. Then they mixed genres for the rest of the song for 6 hrs. There's a reason it was called Prince and the Revolution. He certainly was the driving force but he let them have their input. Dr. Fink his lead keyboard player said the song Delirious came out of playing Elvis and rockabilly songs in rehearsals. Dr. Fink has a classical and jazz piano training and played with him for about 10yrs. "

The 10 Most Memorable “Purple Rain” Covers In A Year Without Prince

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PURPLE RAIN" 17 year old Christone "Kingfish" Ingram (featured on tv show Luke Cage) @ 2016 Winthrop Rhythm & Blues Festival Featuring Jimi Bott on drums, John Mazzocco on Bass and Jim Pugh on Keys.

[companionjones]

How Long?

Pairing: Geralt of Rivia x Reader

Fandom: The Witcher

Summary: Jaskier, drunk as shit, lets it slip that he’s aware of your crush on Geralt. You deny it, but go after Geralt when you find out the Witcher is pushing himself past his limits with his hunting. Can you save him in time?

Warnings: Cursing, canon level violence, head injury

*******

    “How are we feeling tonight, Jaskier?” A smile was playing at your lips as you sat next to him at his table.

    The bard slurred, “I’m feeling fucking fantastic!” Jaskier was very obviously extremely drunk. “For one, I get another night with you away from the big bad White Wolf, and two, I seem to have caught the eye of that lovely lad over there...” Jaskier’s eyes drifted across the room to a young man making about the same flirty gaze in return.

    “I see...” you chuckled, and took a sip from Jaskier’s cup.

    Usually, the bard would’ve had words with whoever stole some of his drink, but he didn’t mind it then because it was you.

    “What about you, dear Y/n?” Jaskier wondered. “I made a comment before about loving that Geralt is gone for the night, but that’s only because he and I got in a bit of a verbal scuffle before he left. I’ll get over it...probably faster than he will, but that’s beside the point. You’re probably feeling his absence a lot more than I am, aren’t you?”

    You blinked at him. “What’s that supposed to mean?” That smile hadn’t left your face.

    His laugh was unmistakably that of a drunken man, but Jaskier was a happy drunk. “You know exactly what I mean...you like him.” He finished in a sing-song tone.

    “Get that silly thought out of your head.” You were entirely aware of how drunk the bard was, so you weren’t taking him too seriously. However, Jaskier was still talking about a secret of yours.

    Of course, the drunken bard didn’t seem to care. Jaskier took out his lute and started to strum a new ballad about the White Wolf’s secret admirer.

    “No.” You swatted away the instrument. “That’s enough of that, thank you.”

    Jaskier laughed again, but he shut up about your desires. “Okay. I’ll give you a break, but only for tonight. Love is meant to be shared! And I’m about to share some of it with my new friend over there. See you tomorrow!...Probably sometime in the late afternoon...” The bard wandered over to the young man, and they had left for the rooms upstairs with the minute.

    Despite the threat of being revealed, you smiled at your friend’s usual flirty behavior. You loved Jaskier just as much as you did Geralt. It was only that what you felt for the Witcher was rooted in romance rather than friendship.”

    “It’s crazy, I tell you.”

    Your thoughts were interrupted by a new patron entering the tavern. “That thing had not been back in town from its hunt for the Cockatrice for more than five minutes when it got wind of the Alghoul hiding out by the mountain. The Witcher looked as if he had just walked out of hell. The freak could barely stay on his own two feet. Five shillings says we’ll never see its sorry face again!”

    That alarmed you, to put it simply. It wasn’t unlike Geralt to keep fighting until he literally dropped from exhaustion, and from the word of that cruel man, it sounded like Geralt wasn’t going to last much longer. You decided to go after the Witcher.

    You found him about thirty minutes after you left the tavern. The beast he was fighting was massive. You witnessed the fight in hiding for a few minutes. Geralt was not doing well. He was barely able to stay alive, let alone defeat the Alghoul.

    At one point, Geralt got knocked down, and he was taking too long to get up. Geralt couldn’t see the beast about to pounce on him to give another blow. One that you thought Geralt couldn’t take. You brought a sword.

    You revealed yourself, and deterred the beast with your weapon.

    Geralt called to you through his pain-filled haze. “Y/n...?” He grew angry as he became aware of what you had gotten yourself into. “What the hell are you doing?”

    “Saving your injured ass,” you growled in response, fighting the Alghoul. Even in Geralt’s state, he was able to slow down the creature enough for you to keep up with it. You were even able to stab the Alghoul through what you thought was its heart. You must’ve been wrong, though, because the beast was still able to toss you across the room.

   “Y/n!” was the last distressed sound you heard from Geralt before the world went black.

   When you awoke, you were back in the tavern you were staying at with Geralt and Jaskier. However, you weren’t in your room. Whose room it was was revealed when Geralt entered. He was holding a bowl of soup and a glass of water.

   He seemed emotionless until he set his cargo down on his nightstand. He gripped the sides of the table, shut his eyes tight, and breathed a deep breath. “That is the stupidest thing you’ve ever done.”

   You were too weak for an actual chuckle. It came out as an exhale through your nose.

   Geralt grunted, “What the fuck could you find humorous now?”

   “I mean, I think I’ve done far dumber decisions in my life, especially since I’ve known you--”

   “I almost lost you!” Geralt suddenly exclaimed. “You tried to fight an Alghoul, Y/n, and I almost lost you because of it.”

   Gritting your teeth, your mood changed drastically, and you spat, “What, and you think it would be better if I lost you? Why do you think I went after you? When I saw you in that crypt, you could barely keep your eyes open. That Alghoul could have killed you if I hadn’t stepped in.”

   He argued, “I heal faster than you! You would have died had I not killed it in time!”

   “For once in your Witcher life, could you try to be grateful for the people who want to help--agh!” You were cut off by a throbbing pain in the back of your head.

   Geralt immediately sat at your side. Concern was painted all over his features.

   You put your hand where the pain was prominent, and when you brought your hand back to see it, there was blood on it.

   The Witcher worried, “You reopened your stitches. I need get the doctor. Stay awake.”

   “No! I mean...wait.” You placed a hand on his arm. “Don’t go yet. I’m...I’m sorry I went after you. I know you hate when I do that. I was just...scared.”

   Geralt looked at you for a moment, then sighed, “I was scared, too, when I saw you there. Even more so when you were knocked out. I...was terrified,” he finished with a chuckle. The Witcher saw the irony in admitting to such a human emotion.

   It didn’t surprise you at all though. It never did. Not even when you first met him. “I’m glad you’re alright.”

   “The feeling’s mutual.” Geralt took your hand in his.

   You looked down at where he was caressing your knuckles with his thumb.

   Geralt continued, “It always has been.”

   Your eyes snapped up to the Witcher, but he was already looking at you. You ducked your head and sighed. It was hard to keep a smile from playing at your lips. That bastard. “How long ago did he tell you?”

   Geralt ducked his head, too.

   Both your gazes were back on your hands.

   He expressed, “Jaskier’s always had a big mouth.”

   You connected eyes with him again.

   He smirked, “He let it slip the day he found out, two weeks ago.”

   Again, you looked down, embarrassed. You tried to cover it up with a chuckle.

   “But I’ve realized since that I’ve loved you long before then.”

   Your heart stopped. You stopped breathing. Suddenly, you Geralt were much closer then you remembered being.

   “Please,” breathed Geralt, “never do anything like that again.”

   “Only if you promise to stop pushing yourself like you did last night...” you whispered.

   He breathed out slowly, but then his lips turned up. “...I promise.”

   “Then, I promise, too,” you smiled.

   A comfortable silence settled over the two of you, however, something was building.

   You decided to cut the tension by saying for the first time out loud to Geralt, “I love you--”

   He almost cut you off by kissing you.

   It was a hard kiss, like it was the most certain thing in the world. It then grew rough with both of you slipping your tongues into each others’ mouths. Geralt even started to lower you onto the bed, but another small cry of pain from you halted everything he was doing.

   Geralt had accidentally touched the open wound on the back of your head. He brought you back to sit upright, and parted from you, even though you gave a small sound of protest. Geralt tried to hide his look of horror at the sight of your blood on his hand.

   “Let’s go see that doctor now, hm?” you offered.

   He grunted, “Please.”

   You gave him a small chuckle, and leaned in to kiss him again before letting him help you out of his bed.

*******

Author’s Note: Thank you so much for reading! Fill up that heart and reblog if you liked it. If you would like to read more, I have more Geralt x Reader fics over on my page. You should check it out. Have a nice day, night, or whatever time it is for you! <3 <3 <3

[jaskierswolf]

My dearest darling Wolfie, I saw your idea for game gerlion friends to lovers in @thewitcherbog horny chat and I am here to ask you to write the fic. Pls 💜😘

Tada!! I can't remember if this was exactly what I had planned... but it's what we're getting. Lovingly beta'd by @comfyswitcherblanketfort.

CW: probably rated M? Briefly mentioned masturbation more horny than smutty.

____

A retirement at Corvo Bianco had never been what Geralt expected of his life. He hadn’t been lying when he’d told a young Dandelion that witcher’s never retire, but in recent years between looting caves and haggling for contracts, he’d managed to save quite a bit of coin. He was, objectively, rich. He had the best armour on the Continent, the most deadly swords and crossbow bolts, and thanks to B.B., his house was beautifully decorated, with the exception of the rather garish portrait of his most loyal friend. Yet, he was still gaining more money than he knew what to do with. He’d started investing in merchants and refusing payment but the vineyard brought in a steady income and Geralt had to admit that his life was pretty luxurious these days.

So it wasn’t exactly a surprise when Dandelion had turned up, in fine, brightly coloured silks and the elegantly decorated elven lute from so many years ago. Geralt sometimes wondered whether Toruviel had enchanted her lute. There was barely a scratch and Geralt couldn’t even recall Dandelion ever having to change the lute strings in all the years he’d known the bard. Geralt was no expert but he was pretty sure that you were supposed to change the lute strings.

The sun was shining over the fields of Corvo Bianco, and Geralt felt at peace. Perhaps that was why he was feeling so nostalgic, pondering over the events that had led him to this moment. His life had always been so busy, but with Ciri off touring the multiverse, and Yennefer doing whatever Yennefer did these days now the Djinn wish had been broken, he was… well… bored? He had every Gwent card currently made, and no one would play him. It was just him and the bard, living the bachelor’s life in Touissant.

So was it any wonder that Geralt had started to develop feelings for his friend? Perhaps they’d always been there, clouded by the wish that tied him to Yennefer, or perhaps their newfound domesticity had awoken something in Geralt that he had never expected. Dandelion spent a lot of time in the makeshift study, working on his latest book, but they always ate together and sometimes the bard would even accompany Geralt on his contracts in the fields, for old times sake. After long nights of drinking too much wine or vodka, it wasn’t unusual for the pair of them to fall asleep together, curled up in one bed just like they used to in their youth. Those were Geralt’s favourite nights, because despite his protests of being better alone, he enjoyed the familiar warmth of another body pressed against his, and Dandelion had always been a cuddler.

And as if on cue, the bard burst through the doors onto the patio where Geralt was watching the world go by.

“Ah, Geralt, old friend, there you are. I’ve been looking all over for you!” Dandelion announced with a flick of his wrist. “I was just in town.”

“Dandelion,” Geralt groaned. “Are you trying to get yourself killed?”

“Dear Henrietta will forgive me in time, my friend,” Dandelion winked, his tongue flicking out between his lips, “and until then I have plenty of friends who will offer me shelter if the guards are around.”

“You look like a man sized peacock,” Geralt scoffed. “How the hell does no one see you?”

“Ah, dear witcher, you forget that I used to be a spy,” Dandelion laughed, putting one hand on his hips. “Now, stop interrupting, Geralt, or do you not care about the gift I picked out for you in town today?”

Geralt hummed, knowing that it didn’t really matter whether he cared or not. Nothing would stop Dandelion once he was in the middle of a story. Some things just never changed. “Go on.”

Dandelion beamed, and from behind his back he produced a wooden box. The poet cocked his head as he opened the lid, revealing a set of tiny vials neatly lined up. Geralt almost choked, his breath catching in his throat.

“Oil?” he spluttered. A man such as Dandelion had to know of the more promiscuous uses of oil. Whilst Dandelion had never explicitly said as such, the way he talked of his lovers had always led Geralt to believe that he was rather flexible in his tastes, much like Geralt himself.

The poet blushed as he pulled a single vial from the box, his long lutist fingers wrapping around the glass. “Bath oils, Geralt.”

“Oh, of course,” Geralt cursed internally. Dandelion had bought all sorts of expensive oils and lotions when they had been on the path together, neither of them were shy with their bathing habits and the poet was a highly skilled masseur.

Which was not helping Geralt’s sudden rush of arousal as he remembered the feel of the poet’s hands on his skin. They’d laughed off awkward erections in the past, it was just a thing that happened… but Geralt was starting to wonder what would happen if, for once, they let it happen.

“This one will probably be a bit much for your witcher senses, my friend, but I rather like it,” Dandelion continued, oblivious to Geralt's inner turmoil. “This one,” another vial was plucked from the box, “however, I think you will like, and I managed to buy this,” Dandelion pulled a scroll from his pocket, “from a local mage. It’s supposed to move the water around the tub, like a massage!”

“And you’re telling me this, why?” Geralt sighed, rolling his eyes. As much as he adored his old friend, the man could take his sweet time getting to the point. It was even worse when the poet and Regis got together, Geralt honestly thought he might never know peace again.

“Because, Geralt, I am treating my dearest friend to an extravagant bath time experience!” Dandelion exclaimed with wide arms, almost knocking off his own hat in his enthusiasm. “Friendship and love, art and wine, Geralt. What more could you want in life?”

Love.

No, friendship. Geralt needed to focus on that. How many times had Dandelion called him his friend? Too many to count.

“Assuming you have wine, what’s the art?” Geralt smirked, enjoying the offended noises Dandelion made.

“Geralt, I’ll have you know that-”

“Relax, Dandelion. I’m teasing. So how about this bath then?”

The two men made their way upstairs, peeling off their outer clothes as they strolled past Geralt’s bedroom, and picking up a robe each. Dandelion had filled the room with candles, and there was a soft floral scent hanging in the air, roses, the oil vial that Dandelion had initially held up.

“I thought this one was too much for my ‘witcher senses’?” Geralt scoffed, peering at the magically bubbling water.

“Well, yes, but I did also say I liked this one, and I’ll admit that I got a little carried away. You don’t mind, do you Geralt?”

Geralt shook his head as he stripped off his final layer of clothing and settled into the tub. Dandelion sat in a chair, still wrapped in his robe, and picked up his lute. He plucked idly at the strings until he was seemingly happy that they were in tune, and then he began to sing. Geralt sighed as he sank deeper into the hot water, the enchantment really did feel like a sort of massage as jets of water pulsed against his skin, but he couldn’t help but wonder. The oils, the candles, the romantic ballad…

Was his friend trying to tell him something?

It was time for Geralt to test the waters as it was. He trod the water with his hand, gently splashing to the beat of Dandelion’s song. Normally, he would close his eyes and let the poet’s music fill the room, but instead he was mesmerised by the way Dandelion’s finger caressed the lute strings. Geralt could feel his cock harden as he pondered what other uses his friend’s delicate hands could have, the way they found their mark with such precision. The poet could make any instrument sing to the gods in his hands, Geralt was sure that he was no exception.

“Practicing your fingering?” he asked Dandelion with a tilt of his head.

The strings twanged unpleasantly, making Geralt grimace as the sound reverberated in his head. “I’m sorry, what did you say?”

Geralt smirked. “On your lute.”

“Right, yes, of course,” Dandelion muttered. “I’m just trying to figure out the next verse. I could use a hand, or an ear if you’d be willing to help.”

“I have a hand you could use, or two,” Geralt muttered not really intending for Dandelion to hear him but the poet had sharp ears and he spluttered incoherently as he set down his lute.

Geralt hummed and let his hand drop beneath the water, stroking his cock lazily. He wasn’t really chasing any real pleasure, but it was a good feeling, sending warmth across his skin. The bath, the candles, the song, they had to mean something even in Dandelion’s subconsciousness. The man was an insatiable flirt, and yet never seemed to notice when others’ affections were cast upon him, not unless it was blunt in its honesty.

So Geralt would be blunt.

He closed his eyes as he continued to stroke the length of his cock, the motion causing the water to ripple slightly, but not yet enough to draw Dandelion’s attention. The poet was too busy wittering on about his rhymes, only noticing when Geralt’s breath hitched as he cupped his balls.

“Geralt?”

“Dandelion,” Geralt grunted softly, his pleasure beginning to build from a warm ember to a roaring blaze that burned through him. The poet’s cornflower blue eyes were on him, dark and hungry. His cheeks were flushed rosy, and it seemed his dear friend was finally catching onto what was happening.

“I- I can leave, my friend, if you would prefer…”

“Stay,” Geralt insisted. “This not what you had in mind?”

“Well,” Dandelion laughed. “I had hoped, but I never thought it would actually happen, and well, really I thought it might take a little more convincing. Who knew all I needed all along were a few cheap candles?”

“Just get in the bath, Dandelion,” Geralt growled.

“Okay, okay,” Dandelion said with a roll of his eyes but shrugged out of his robe, allowing Geralt to admire his slender form. The poet’s cock remained soft as he stepped into the water. “So… how long?”

“Hmm?”

“How long have I been more than just a friend to you, Geralt?” Dandelion asked, settling into the water with a soft moan. His hands resting on Geralt’s thighs, fingers drawing patterns on Geralt’s skin under the water.

It wasn’t an easy question to answer. Could he even pin it down? Geralt wasn’t sure.

“Hard to tell, our friendship has never exactly been normal, Dandelion,” Geralt admitted.

Dandelion laughed, leaning forward in the tub, his hands stroking up Geralt’s thigh, the movement forcing the air from Geralt’s lungs. “You know, you’re right, and I think we should celebrate.”

“Celebrate?”

“Mhmm, and how about we start with a kiss?” Dandelion winked, before falling into Geralt embrace with a splash.

[uncleshits]

I WLD LIKE TO HEAR ABT UR MUSICIAN NURSEY PLS

OH BOY ANON WOULD I LOVE TO TALK ABOUT IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!

(first off tho I gotta give MASSIVE props to my beloved AU co-creator @dexnursey who actually had the og idea for this AU and is the real mastermind)

(also this au is my BABY and I’d love to talk about it all day, especially the meanings behind each of the songs if anyone would want to hear about it!! (Butterflies alone has its own essay waiting, trust me))

so basic premise is that Nursey’s senior year he takes a music composition and songwriting class as a way to explore creatively with his poetry and also to just get back into music (lots of rich parents make their kids learn at least the basics of a lot of instruments growing up so he actually has some pretty solid musical skill! (in my head he plays piano, guitar and both forms of bass)).

Dex and him have had an on-again-off-again friends-with-benefits situation since Junior year, so inevitably Nursey is Nursey and gets Feelings! Yikes! and writes a few love songs. BUT unfortunately they never actually established if their FWB relationship was exclusive, and towards the end of senior year Dex hooks up with a guy at a kegster, as a way to try to get over his OWN feeling for Nursey. (and texts Nursey about it at 3:07am).

Nursey (feeling especially betrayed because he was about to give Dex the song “Pancakes for Dinner” as a way to reveal his feelings) breaks off the FWB in a pretty nasty fight, and after graduation him and Dex lose touch completely.

he moves to NYC and continues writing songs (now more sad ballads about being heartbroken and lonely and losing soulmates) and a few months after graduation he releases….

“chill.”, an EP full of sad songs with good lyrics with themes of heartbreak and loneliness, but less polished instrumentals and recording, it has a very “made at home” vibe, but it's good enough that it picks up steam and he actually gains a pretty sizable following in the indie music scene! he’s pretty secretive about the inspiration for his songs, but it's pretty obvious to anyone who’s listened to even one of the songs that he fell pretty hard out of love :(( he also doesn’t share his music with anyone but Chowder and Lardo (who he commissioned to make the art for the cover). he swears them both to secrecy, and releases it all under the name “d.m.n.” to avoid Dex finding out about his music and heartbreak. he abandons all of the love songs he wrote before him and Dex ‘broke up’ and none of them make it onto the EP.

but in the year that follows he works through a lot of his own feelings, and he finishes kinda ‘mourning’ his relationship and friendship with Dex. he writes more songs during this time, and eventually digs up some of his old songs from senior year and reworks them until they end up on his new album...

“freckled” has more themes of missed opportunities and almost mourning, but it also has his love songs for Dex, full of wistfulness, longing and overall excitement and giddiness at being in love.

lyrically, it’s just as good as “chill.”, but the instrumentals are all a lot stronger, with full bands or even orchestras for most of the songs. he records and mixes some of the songs from senior year completely on his own, though, which he says in interviews is to “preserve the unpracticed artist” that he was when he wrote them. (one night, drunk, he tells Chowder that it’s actually because he didn’t want the band to see him cry while he made them).

there's no one real ending, as this is where the AU splits off, with some versions having Dex stumble onto Nursey’s live-stream where he plays the songs and talks about his “unrequited love from college”, some versions where Dex’s sister unknowingly drags him to one of Nursey’s concerts, and so on and so on.

my personal favorite is one where Dex is a fan of d.m.n. (not knowing it’s actually Nursey) because so many of the songs just resonate with him. he ends up going to one of his concerts in NYC and once Nursey comes on stage he gets hit with “holy shit these are all Nursey’s holy shit Nursey was in love with someone holy shit holy shit holy shit” and again it splits into several different endings after that (all of which I’d be DELIGHTED to talk about)

(There’s also eventually a third album I’d love to make if anyone would be interested 👀👀👀)

seriously tho i barely even scratched the surface of this au but its just..... So Good and i could think about it all day

[abluescarfonwaston]

Philia before Eros

He is my dearest friend. Philtatos. Most beloved.  Philia not eros, is the greater love. Friendship over desire.

Friendship is the most important thing. That and love. Oh and wine of course-

Friendship before love.

He sat. Drinking. In the inn destroyed by the djinn. Errdil, the owner, and the mayor, Neville, celebrated. Insurance would cover the destruction it had caused.

“Why would he go back? For that crazy witch? Why, damnit?” He’d wanted to search the crowd for an explanation but he could not. He could not tear his eyes away from the ruins in front of him. That not even a Witcher could have survived. “Chireadan, do you understand?”

“Yes.” Chireadan affirmed. “I do.”

Friendship before love. Friendship before desire.

Course he was the only one who felt that way. All the ballads agreed. Romantic love was far superior to friendship. Familial love was too.

Geralt agreed too.

He tried to fix his hat. That he’d thrown in the mud and stomped while Neville promised to pay handsomely for Geralt saving his miserable town from the djinn. If he survived.

If.

If.

Well he had. So he was going to make sure that half-baked tart paid every coins worth of the statue he had promised to build in Geralt’s memory. Because no one could have survived the building coming down on them.

He had. They were very alive.

The heron’s feather was mud covered and crushed. His hat crumbled and brown with mud.

Philia not eros, is the greater love. Friendship over desire.

The stupid creases wouldn’t come out of the damn hat.  The fucking feather broke halfway and hung pathetically.

Well no one fucking believed that anyway. All his friends from university who promised if we’re still single when we’re thirty we’ll marry and buy a big house for all our instruments. We’ll wander the continent together.

But they didn’t mean it. No one ever fucking meant it. Because romantic love. That kind of love. It was worth more than his house with rooms for each of them. More the wagon they’d ride on between towns in the warm months. Playing together.

No they all fell in love and got married and that always came first. Desire over friendship.

He understood that perfectly. How stupid he was to be the other way. Friendship over desire.

He cursed. The mud smeared as he tried to rub it off. The curses spiraled into every language he knew.

Of course Chireadan understood. They all understood. Desire. Romantic love. Eros. That was worth dying for. Even if you’d only known the witch a few hours. Even if you’d be leaving your best friend behind. Even if.

He threw the hat onto the splintered floor. Took a swig of beer.

But he couldn’t swallow. He squeezed his eyes closed and couldn’t swallow around the mass there.

What is wrong with me?

Let’s make a list shall we?

He spit the beer onto the floor. It wasn’t like the place wasn’t destroyed anyway.

Geralt had someone now. So he would never be more than second chair. The one he thought of after.

“Let’s go on an adventure.” He’d say.

“I have to ask Yennefer first.” He’d respond.

Be happy for him you miserable sack of shit.

Be happy he’s alive.

Stop this pathetic pity party.

Be happy for him.

Be happy you’re being left behind again.

You deserve to be left behind.

If you didn’t want to be you’d be something worth keeping. You wouldn’t cheat on your fiancés. You wouldn’t put think Philia before Eros. You wouldn’t hope your friends stayed single forever so you’d stay the most important thing in their lives.

He pressed his head into the rim of the mug and forced the tears back.

Be happy. He ordered. Be happy.

“There you are.” Came the deep rumble of Geralt’s voice. “Your feather broke.”

The chair next to him creaked as Geralt sat heavily down. The hat in his hand. Dusting it off.

He glanced at it. At his muddy lilac hat in Geralt’s hands. Forced them back to the reflection of the sky in his mug. The ceiling of the tavern having long since collapsed.

“Hm.” He didn’t trust himself to answer more.

“Have to head east. Won’t find any Herons this far from the coast.”

His head jerked up. Staring at Geralt. Terrible, wretched hope building in his chest. “Together?”

Geralt raised an eyebrow at him. “Yes?” Like it was so obvious he was confused why he’d even ask.

He frowned. Reached out, cupping his face.  His thumb ghosting over the discolored skin under his eye. “That’s quite the shiner.”

He smirked. Didn’t pull away. “Yennefer has quite the right hook.”

He clicked his tongue in disapproval. “Well I don’t like that at all.”

The major shifted uncomfortably behind Geralt. His frown soured into a sneer as he let his hand drop. “Off to the coast then.” He smirked. “And you know Major Neville told me earlier he was so grateful you protected the town he’d pay you a fortune in thanks. Isn’t that right Neville?”

He shifted nervously. Cleared his throat. “Well I didn’t say fortune-“

“You did.”

Geralt elbowed him.

“But I’m sure we can work out some recompense for you, certainly, Master Witcher.”

“I’m sure we can.” He smiled harshly at him. The man paled. Remembering his speech about sacrifice, reverence, memory and the statues in the world. Be grateful he survived or I’d have made you worthless little town a tragedy.

Geralt nodded gratefully. Not turning back to see the curse of his face.

Off to the coast then. Together.

For the first time since the djinn reached out to strangle him his lungs filled.

Together.