#the world tour in question comes to Europe

[vasattope]

~

[gloomwitchwrites]

Tattoo Artist Simon "Ghost" Riley x Female Reader

Chapter Specific Warnings (per the warnings MDNI): canon-typical violence, swearing, angst

Word Count: 3.5k

A/N: Part Twenty-Five of Ink & Needle

Price reveals three possible locations. Task Force 141 infiltrates.

Chapter Twenty-Four // Chapter Twenty-Six

ao3 // main masterlist // ink & needle masterlist

Knuckles pop. Joints crack.

Simon is primed—nerves and muscles alive and firing.

Ready for action.

Ready for blood.

His old life is returning. Not as fragments but through muscle memory. The training never left. It still dwells within him, twisting around tendons and bone like vines strangling a trellis, awakening to revive the man that once was.

"Tell me what you see, Simon."

Captain Price's voice comes from behind, drifting around Simon like lingering cigarette smoke and dirty snow. Silently, Simon observes the spread of information before him.

"These are the possible targets?" asks Simon, his gaze moving from picture to picture.

A small burst of air before the balaclava becomes steam. The abandoned barn they’ve set up shop in is fucking cold even with the generator-backed heaters turned on. But the cold hardly bothers Simon. His bad knee might not like it but the ache is easy to ignore.

On the wall is a massive map of the world. There are pictures of people and places pinned in various locations. Some of the people are crossed out—marked dead. Others are untouched or painted over with a question mark.

"Yes," affirms Price. "Anything familiar?"

Simon shifts his attention away from the wall and to the table in front of him. There are more pictures here—more documents.

A muscle in his neck spasms. "No," growls Simon. "Walsh likely abandoned his old haunts."

Price shrugs. "Maybe. Maybe not."

Two pictures of Walsh stare back at Simon. One is an old photograph from before. Walsh's skin is perfect here—free from burn scars or blemishes. The second photograph is newer but slightly blurry. Walsh wears a black jacket, hood up, face in profile. Even with the burn scars, his face is unmistakable.

"Walsh is prone to paranoia," says Simon, bringing the newest photograph closer. "He had places even I didn't know about."

"That's my point," replies Price. "Walsh trusted you. And yet he still didn't tell you everything."

We are gardens now.

The two of us.

It's easier to forgive an enemy than to forgive a friend.

Simon's fingers twitch with the urge to crush the photograph. Shoving the compulsion down, Simon returns the picture of Walsh to the table. Focusing on the massive board before him, Simon observes each marked location, his mind flipping through the rolodex of information he obtained during his infiltration.

"What makes you think it's one of these three?" asks Simon.

He lightly taps the picture in front of him. It's an aerial photograph of a series of warehouses near the Port of Felixstowe. There are two other ports marked including those of London and Liverpool.

Unease slides like sludge in Simon’s stomach. “Not only are these major ports, two of the three are fucking tourist attractions.” Simon turns on Price, crossing his arms over his chest. “You can tour a naval vessel and then board a cruise ship in a single day at Liverpool. London is the fucking same. Walsh isn’t making moves there.” He points at the picture of Felixstowe. “This is the only plausible of the three. Privately owned. Recent docker worker strikes.” Simon drops his arm. “But I don’t fucking believe that for a bloody second.”

There are other ports marked across Europe and the United States. Walsh likes to move around, never staying in one place too long. Sometimes he’s moving drugs. Sometimes he’s moving weapons. Using the same place of entry is risky with dangerous cargo.

"We have surveillance," replies Captain Price.

Gaz hands Soap a laptop. Johnny takes a seat and taps away at the keyboard, bringing up several video feeds.

"This one is for Felixstowe." Johnny allows the feeds to run for a bit before clicking over to a new set. "Liverpool." He switches again. "And London."

Simon shakes his head, noticing nothing in the grainy footage. "It's too close to home. Too busy. Too regulated."

Price's face remains impassive. “Look closer." He glances at Soap. "Roll them again."

Simon steps up directly next to Johnny's shoulder. Placing one hand on the table, Simon leans in. Johnny pulls up the surveillance feed near Felixstowe first. As it plays, a tiny twist of anxiety curls in his stomach. Are his eyes going to shit?

"You see it now?" asks Price.

"No," says Simon sharply.

Johnny loops the feed and points. "Here, Lt."

Squinting helps but hardly makes things any clearer. "Zoom in."

Johnny pauses the feed and enlarges it enough to give a more focused picture but not enough to render the pixels worthless. From the back of an SUV emerges a man that looks like Walsh. With him is—a woman?

Like a punch to the solar plexus, the wind is knocked out of Simon.

Is that you?

"You see it, Lt?"

"I see it," growls Simon. "Show me the next one."

Johnny repeats each surveillance feed, pausing and zooming in. There is a woman emerging from an SUV in each one, that is unmistakable, but is it you? That part is unclear. The videos aren't distinct enough to show details.

"We think this is her," says Price.

"In three different places?" asks Simon, skeptical.

Hope is a fragile thing. He wants to cling to it, to imagine that this is you he's seeing in all three feeds, but he cannot allow himself to latch onto an idea that may not hold any reality.

The middle of Price's brow creases. "You need to look again, Simon."

Simon slowly straightens himself. All of this feels like a game—Walsh's game.

"The timestamps don't make sense," growls Simon. "They're not even hours apart!"

"Exactly," says Price, stepping closer. "All of them are the same. Except one." Price lightly squeezes Johnny's shoulder. He brings up the first video feed again, the one from Felixstowe. "This one is different," murmurs Price, his gaze focused on the computer screen.

The feed plays and Johnny pauses the image. A small light flicks on in the dark recesses of Simon's mind.

"You see it now, Simon?"

"I see it, Captain."

Of the three, the woman is always alone in the Liverpool and London feeds. In Felixstowe, she isn't. In Felixstowe, there's a man grabbing her upper arm. A man that looks very much like Simon's enemy.

"We don't have confirmation," continues Price, already seeming to know exactly what Simon is thinking.

It doesn't fucking matter if they have confirmation or not. This is a lead. This is something.

"We've already sent recon teams," adds Kyle, breaking his silence.

The pity isn't there anymore. There is only grim determination. They've seen Simon at his lowest, and yet that doesn't matter. They're doing this to take Walsh down but they're also doing it for him.

Gaz glances at the map but he addresses Simon. "Walsh wants us to focus on Felixstowe." He turns attention to Simon. "Which is why we sent recon."

"And recon said different," replies Simon.

Kyle winks. "Exactly."

"Felixstowe is staged." Price moves toward the map. "But Liverpool?" Price turns back to Simon, with a smirk. "Want to know who funded that little transfer for Walsh?"

Walsh has always moved behind the scenes. He always lurks in the dark. Pockets are lined and Walsh obtains what he wants. At its core, big business is greedy. They’ll happily look the other way if they can get what they want and get away with it.

Some of the earlier unease melts, adrenaline replacing the anxiety.

Simon’s question is immediate “Did you bag the fucker?”

“I have a tail on them as we speak.”

“Good,” growls Simon. “Walsh with them?”

“No.”

Even better. It means Simon can deal out his own justice.

Simon exhales, trying to find a sense of calm amongst all this new information. "All I want is Walsh.”

I just want her back.

Simon wants that fucking wanker alive. He wants Walsh to squirm. To suffer. To feed the man his own teeth before making him choke on them.

But even that won’t satiate what Simon truly desires.

You. Only you.

In his arms again. Warm and safe and all his. To know that you will never come to harm again.

Price’s smirk becomes a genuine smile. They’ve been after this man for fucking years, and now Walsh is truly in their grasp.

Nodding toward the map, Price gestures toward it. "Our best guess is this warehouse near the Port of Liverpool."

"Why?" asks Simon. “It’s a haven for tourist.”

“It caters to tourist and occasionally houses the Royal Navy just as much as it brings in and sends out goods.” Price exhales. “It’s busy, yes. But it’s unsuspecting.”

"It's also the only place we've seen Walsh arrive to and leave from," adds Kyle.

Simon shrugs. “Could be a distraction. Make it obvious so we aren’t looking at other possible targets.”

“Could be,” replies Price casually.

“We’ve got him, Lt. And not on surveillance footage.”

"The recon team did," continues Gaz. "Real subtle, too. Like he didn't want to be seen."

Diversion has always been Walsh's specialty. His most devoted followers will do whatever he asks from shooting up a corner store to acting as a body double. The man is a manipulator. A friendly face that says exactly what you want to hear to reinforce your own confirmation bias.

He does it all in the name of power and personal superiority.

Simon turns toward Price. "Are we going after that warehouse?"

Price nods. "Tomorrow."

Darkness is a friend.

A companion. A trained beast. A silent killer.

Simon looks into his scope, checking and rechecking the perimeter of the building. Soap has already disabled the surveillance camera on the western side of the building. To the person watching, they're seeing a continuous loop of nothing.

The building itself isn’t one of those boxy metal buildings you find all over the States. This warehouse is old, made from brick and stone, built when ships were still only made of wood. Marked as a historical location, and yet currently closed to the public.

How bloody fucking convenient.

While the night is cold, the port isn’t empty. There are no cargo ships unloading but there’s a docked Destroyer all lit up across the River Mersey. Tourists and locals move along pedestrian areas, and the nearby arena is awash with light as some musical artist performs.

Life moves. Uninterrupted.

As it should be.

And not one of those souls realize what lurks in the dark.

“Soap. We ready to breach?” comes Price’s voice over comms.

Johnny’s answer is laced with slight static. “You have five minutes until the loop ends.”

Price turns back to look at Simon and Kyle, silently pointing in the direction of the door they’re entering the building through. Johnny is on the roof with two members of the recon team sent earlier.

With rifles raised, the trio move silently across the concrete. Price forms the front while Gaz and Simon take the sides and back. They stay on a swivel, watching Price’s rear as he approached the door.

“Three minutes, Captain,” comes Johnny’s voice over comms.

Behind Simon, there’s a clink of metal meeting metal. Something rattles. Then a soft creak as the service door opens.

“We’re in,” replies Price.

Price eases the door open. He keeps his gaze forward, hand coming up to signal that everything is clear. Simon enters behind Price with Kyle on his heel.

“There are three down the hall,” crackles Johnny’s voice over comms.

Price, Gaz, and Simon move silently down the tight hallway. One side is solid brick, the other treated wood. They pass breakers and switches but no doors. There are a few wall hangings but they’re for the workers who would handle the upkeep.

At a tight turn, Price presses himself against the wall. Simon and Kyle crouch as Price eases a small handheld mirror around the corner. There are only a few feet of hallway remaining before it meets a door that says “EXIT.”

“Where are they, Soap?”

A pause. “Just outside the door. Left.”

Price turns the corner and stops at the door. They form a line, switching off night vision. The door opens, and Price is moving. Simon is right behind him, blood roaring in his ears as he follows his captain.

Simon’s finger hugs the trigger.

A muted pop leaves the chamber.

Dark red bursts in the dim light, painting the wall and nearby mounted lamp. The three men never had a chance. They don’t even make a sound as the lead penetrates their heads and explodes in their skulls.

Price’s voice greets Simon in his earpiece. “Clear.”

“Two near the entrance. Follow the lights.”

The building is utterly silent. It’s all exposed brick and pipes. Distantly, Simon hears water dripping, but it is otherwise quiet like a slumbering monster.

Walsh is here. He fucking has to be. Simon senses it in his gut.

Price takes the two out near the entrance, Simon following behind with an extra bullet for each just to make sure.

“We’re coming up on your right, Captain.”

Johnny appears with one member of the recon team. The other remains on the roof, keeping an eye for any incoming vehicles.

“The bunker is through here,” says Johnny, aiming his weapon at the floor.

“The door is in the bloody floor?” asks Kyle.

Johnny crouches, his gloved hand gently probing the wood. They all watch until his hand pauses, his fingers lightly pressing downward.

There’s a hiss, and then Johnny is lifting, revealing a ladder and a dimly lit hall that Simon cannot see the end of.

Price squeezes the shoulder of the soldier from recon. “Keep a lookout here. Radio if you hear or see anything.”

“Yes, sir.”

Price releases his shoulder and descends first. Johnny heads down next followed by Simon and then Kyle.

They’re going in blind. They do not have the plans or layout of this part of the building. The strangest thing is that it looks brand fucking new. It doesn’t make any sense.

Walsh doesn’t build. He utilizes what’s available and goes from there.

There’s only just enough light to see by and there are no doors except the one at the end of the short hall. They might find a maze. They might find a singular room. There could be walking into a trap or nothing at all.

Simon isn’t sure what worries him more.

But you have to be here. Somewhere.

Price counts down starting with three fingers. At one, he raises his rifle and kicks in the door, charging forward. Heartrate spiking, Simon heads in after him, finger tight on the trigger, ready to burst skulls and shatter bone.

The adrenaline peaks, swarming Simon’s senses.

And then it comes crashing down.

As if falling from a great height, Simon is presented with an entirely different outcome.

The firing end of the rifle drifts downward, his gaze focusing on the singular object in the entire room. It’s a box. A metal tackle box like you’d take on a fishing trip. Above it is a bulb hanging from the ceiling. The light it emits is warm and low like it’s been on for years and is just about ready to give out.

Price, Johnny, and Kyle all walk the perimeter of the room.

“It’s solid fucking concrete!” shouts Johnny, his steps increasing as he drags one gloved hand along the wall.

Price slowly spins. “What the fuck is this place?”

“It’s not a storage warehouse,” says Kyle. “There’s nothing here.”

“A hideout, then?” suggests Johnny. “A bunker?”

“Then where’s the bloody bed?” replies Kyle, voice rising slightly. “There isn’t even a table!”

Simon’s focus is narrowing to a pinpoint.

The tackle box is a deep forest green, the handle black, the latch gold.

He takes a step toward it.

“Don’t touch that, Simon.”

Simon ignores Price’s command. He moves closer.

“Simon!”

“Lt! Don’t touch it!”

It’s a game. This is all Walsh’s game.

Simon comes down to one knee beside the tackle box. It’s old—a little banged up. Somehow, he recognizes it.

His gloved thumb brushes over the metal latch.

“Simon!”

It’s Johnny, but Simon is already moving—already releasing the latch and lifting the lid.

Memory resurfaces, and cold dread twists Simon’s stomach. Scratched into the interior of the lid is a name.

It’s Simon’s father’s name.

The tackle box is his father’s, a relic from a time when there was no abuse and no alcohol. Simon remembers going on fishing trips as a young boy carrying this exact box even though he was far too small to hold it properly. He’d always walk leaning to one side due to the weight.

Then it collected dust in a closet as his father became a monster.

But the box isn’t empty.

There are no fishing hooks or plastic dividers. All of that is gone.

In its place is your hair.

Not much, just a cleanly cut portion no larger than Simon’s pinky. It’s neatly tied with red string. Beneath it is a filmy scrap of paper.

The words face him. Clear and obvious.

She’s not here. Try again, friend.

“Simon.”

A crater in the Earth opens up, swallowing Simon whole. He is descending, falling through an endless hell. Spiraling down, down.

“Simon.”

Johnny’s voice is a distant thing. It’s trying to penetrate, to worm inside and pull Simon out but his mind is flipping.

She’s not here.

Your lock of hair is delicately tied, a regretful solace that rings out into Simon’s subconscious.

Try again, friend.

“Simon!”

Following his name is a rattling of gunfire. It’s not distant. Just over his shoulder. In Simon’s earpiece, someone is rattling off a series of numbers and positions, but Simon isn’t paying attention.

You are not here.

You are—elsewhere.

Lost.

In a place where Simon cannot tread.

An instant passes. Then another. The darkness around him transforms, flipping end over end until everything that Simon knows about himself slips away.

You were supposed to be here. He’s supposed to find you. To bring you back.

But this is a task that Simon clearly cannot handle.

Fingers claw up his esophagus, creep over his tongue, and press against his teeth. It emerges, breaking joints, allowing the darkness Simon feels to burst forth and wrap around him, enshrining him in a bloodlust he hasn’t felt in years.

The rifle tip rises. Simon is running on autopilot, allowing Ghost to take over, to consume every ounce of sanity.

Price, Soap, and Gaz are holding down the door, firing at an enemy that Simon cannot yet see.

His feet are not his own. His hands belong to someone else.

Charging forward, the firing end of the rifle explodes. The enemy on the other side are surprised by his sudden appearance. They faulter for a second, their eyes widening slightly in fear. But it’s enough.

It’s enough.

They are cut down, reaching out, hands pressing against the holes in their bodies as blood pools on the floor.

Simon unloads until he’s empty. Reloads. Empties again.

“Simon!”

The rest of his team follow, but Simon is hungry. A blood beast.

When the lead isn’t enough, he uses his hands.

There are bodies all around him, a trail for Price, Gaz, and Soap to follow.

On he moves, devouring. Slicing and gutting until the blood of his enemies begins to soak into his clothes.

He doesn’t remember ascending. Doesn’t remember resurfacing only to dive right back into the void. With ears ringing and a hint of metal on his tongue, Simon destroys everything in his path.

He is aware of Price, Johnny, and Kyle. They move around him, guns high, picking off everyone they can. Simon moves from enemy to enemy, uncaring of how he kills them. He breaks bones. Breaks teeth. Breaks soul. He stabs and slices, relishing in every anguished sound they make.

It is only when so many have fallen that Simon digs in, wanting to draw out a final blow as if the man before him is Walsh and not a nameless crony. The man sobs, his eyes replaced with Simon’s burrowing thumbs.

“Where is she!” screams Simon. He doesn’t even recognize his own voice. “Where the fuck is she!”

The sob becomes a garbled cry. Bloody. Crimson pools and dribbles from the man’s open mouth.

“Tell me where she is!”

Unresponsive. Dead.

Simon slams the man’s head against the floor.

But it isn’t enough. It will never be enough.

A strangled scream is ripped from Simon as he repeatedly bashes the man’s head into the floor.

Hands are on him, grabbing at his arms, tearing him away. Simon swings, clipping Johnny in the chin.

“Enough!” Price wrestles Simon to his feet, pushing him hard against the wall. “They’re dead, Simon.”

His head pounds, the balaclava moving rapidly into and out of his mouth as he gasps for air.

You’re not here.

You’re not here.

It’s all slipping away. Piercing and sharp and yet so dull that Simon begins to feel numb.

“Simon,” murmurs Price, the middle of his brow creasing.

Try again, friend.

taglist:

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[paperstorm]

Thanks for the tags @heartstringsduet and @corsage! Have a slightly longer snippet than usual to introduce you to a musician AU I am in the very very early stages of working on. ([Band name] redacted only because I haven't settled on one yet 😂 My dumb brain that loves a pun keeps suggesting Strand and Deliver but that's too silly)

-

TK blinks. For a moment, he’s sure he heard wrong. “A tour?”

“Limited American, to start,” Billy says. “And then expanding to Europe if we can, depending on ticket sales.”

With another blink and a dumbfounded shake of his head, TK reiterates, “You want me to go on a world tour? When I literally just got out of rehab?”

Billy frowns. “Oh, is there like … more shit you need to do? With that?”

“I – not, there isn’t …” TK babbles, unable to adequately voice why he’s reacting this way, because really, Billy isn’t wrong. He finished his 30 days. It’s been two weeks on top of that, and he’s stayed away from anything stronger than a regular strength Tylenol for the headache he had last Thursday. He’s not on probation, he’s not being required to do another month in some kind of halfway house. The only thing on his calendar for the foreseeable future is rotting on his couch with a bowl of cereal and binging some sitcom he’s already watched a million times. He doesn’t really have a good reason that he shouldn’t jump right back into work, he just wasn’t expecting it to happen. He hasn’t even reconnected with his band, yet.

“I’m not gonna force you to do anything,” Billy tells him, folding his hands on his desk and looking at TK with a furrowed brow. “If you don’t think you’re ready, we can put all this on hold until you are.”

“But?” TK asks, sensing there’s a big one coming.

Sniffing loudly, Billy’s hands transfer to his keyboard. It clacks noisily in the quiet room as he types, and then he rotates the monitor so TK can see the screen.

The sight that greets him is a Google search of his own name, and as Billy slowly presses the down arrow on his keyboard, TK’s eyes travel over headline after headline – Musician TK Strand seen emerging from upstate drug and alcohol rehabilitation facility, and Lead singer of [band name] checks out of rehab; fans wonder what’s next for the group, and [Band name]’s critically acclaimed album dropped almost eight months ago, here’s why no one’s heard from them since.

He gets stuck for a moment on a particularly cruel one, questioning whether the band will have what it takes to pick up where they left off after a widely publicized relapse derailed what should have been their biggest tour to date.

“The most surefire way to shut all this up, is to get right back on the horse,” Billy says, in a voice that’s serious but not unkind. “You’ve still got an album full of new songs that your fans are dying to hear live, it’s just a few months later than it was supposed to be.”

“They don’t think I’ve got what it takes.” TK nods toward the computer screen.

Billy rotates it back toward himself so TK can’t see it anymore. “They’re wrong.”

“What if they’re not?”

“Only one way to find out.”

“I guess,” TK concedes, swallowing over his dry throat.

“There’s one more thing.”

“Okay.”

“The label suggested it, just so’s you know.”

“God, what?” TK groans, expecting the worst.

“If you agree to this tour, they want to pick your opener.”

“Oh.” TK frowns. It’s not nearly as bad as some of the things he was imagining. “That’s all?”

Pursing his lips, Billy asks, “You heard of Carlos Reyes?”

The name sounds vaguely familiar, but TK doesn’t recognize it well enough to be positive as he asks, “Carlos … wait, that song that’s been all over TikTok? That people are like hoedown dancing to?”

“That’s the one.”

“He’s a country singer,” TK says, stating what surely must be obvious.

“He is,” Billy agrees without further explanation.

“I don’t feel like we’ll have a ton of crossover fans.”

“He is up and coming.”

“Does he even have more than that one shitty song?”

Billy turns to his keyboard again and shows TK the guy’s Wikipedia page. He’s a year younger than TK and handsome in that wholesome, good Southern boy sort of way, complete with a cross necklace glinting against his clearly shaved chest. As Billy scrolls to the bottom, TK’s gaze catches the information that the lead guitarist and bass player for Reyes’s travelling band are a married couple, and TK barely holds in a scoff.

“He has two albums and an EP,” Billy points out. “He just hasn’t really taken off much, until now.”

Annoyed, TK asks, “And the label thinks, what, we can’t put asses in seats anymore without some lame TikTok star? That I can’t?”

“He’s not a TikTok star, he’s a musician with a growing fanbase. And he’s got a reputation that is not, unlike yours at the moment, covered in shit,” Billy explains in a no-nonsense voice.

“Right.” TK huffs and slides back in his chair. “So, that’s what this is. I was high at a Grammy party three months ago and now my name is mud, so the label wants me to bring some Mouseketeer in a cowboy hat along to calm the shareholders down.”

“I doubt they’d put it exactly that way.” Billy exhales and shrugs. “But basically, yeah. That’s the long and short of it. Reyes and his band are good clean fun, whereas people are still circulating pictures of you almost puking on Ariana Grande, so they’re not willing to put up the money for the tour unless you agree to bring him with you.”

“Fabulous,” TK mutters. “What could go wrong.”

“For the sake of your future in this business, you better hope absolutely fucking nothing,” Billy warns, and it still isn’t unkind, but he isn’t joking.

Tagging @theghostofashton @birdclowns @reyesstrand @strandnreyes @cold-blooded-jelly-doughnut

@carlos-in-glasses @actual-sleeping-beauty @thisbuildinghasfeelings @herefortarlos @heartstringduet

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@fifthrideroftheapocalypse @butchreyes @just-inside-her @firstprince-history-huh @captain-gillian

@tellmegoodbye @anactualcaseofthetruth @ironheartwriter @eclectic-sassycoweyes @ditheringmind

@emsprovisions @irispurpurea @nisbanisba @corsage @cheekgirl89

Want to be added or removed from the list? Lmk

[seeminglyranch87]

Taylor & Travis Timeline

May 2024 - Part 2

May 16 - According to ET (x)

The duo traveled via boat to have dinner at Locanda La Tirlindana Restaurant. While on their way to the popular eatery, Swift and Kelce were photographed kissing.

May 17 - Taylor flies to Sweden, Travis flies to KC

ET reveal very interesting article that appears to be warming up the public to the idea that Taylor and Travis are soon to be (or as most swifties believe already are) engaged! (x)

According to ET,

Excitement over a potential engagement between Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce has been brewing and according to ET's source, a proposal might be on the horizon. The source tells ET, "Taylor and Travis are doing amazing, and their loved ones see an engagement coming sooner than later. They make a great match and there's no question about that."

The Eras Tour, Friends Arena, Stockholm, Sweden N1

I Think He Knows x Gorgeous (Travis' version) (guitar), Peter (piano)

May 18 - Kelce Jam (x) Kansas City.

The Eras Tour, Friends Arena, Stockholm, Sweden N2

Guilty as Sin (guitar) & Say Don't Go x Welcome to New York x Clean (piano)

Taylor is that a love bite? ;-)

Access Hollywood ask Travis what his favourite era is (x)

 “Oh, I’m a big ‘1989’ era, but I’m not going to lie I might be a little biased towards ‘The Tortured Poets Department,’ just little bit,”

Travis is also asked what Taylor Swift song he'd include in Kelce Jam?

"Oh, that's a good one. Golly, So High School might be the only one that's just jumping into my mind right now. I think everyone could get fired up for that one. There are so many. The Man is my niece's favourite, so we can always go with The Man."

E! online. (x)

After the Kansas City Chiefs tight end enjoyed a romantic trip to Italy with girlfriend Taylor Swift, he couldn't help but rave about the experience—especially when it came to the "unbelievable" food. As he told reporters on the red carpet at his Kelce Jam concert in Kansas on May 18, his favorite meal during the getaway was a butter ravioli dish, which he called "amazing." Taylor and Travis' vacation—which included a sweet boat ride in Lake Como—clearly left an impression on the NFL star, who noted that the locale was "beautiful." He added, "It's the best food and the best views in the world." But as for Travis' favorite part of his entire Europe trip? That would be his experience at Taylor's Eras Tour concert in Paris on May 12 alongside Bradley Cooper and Gigi Hadid.  "Taylor's shows are unbelievable," he told reporters. "If you haven't been to them, you gotta try them." And while Taylor's latest stop in Stockholm, Sweden, meant she wasn't able to attend Kelce Jam, the Grammy winner was able to show her support in other ways, according to Travis. He recalled that she told him to "go out and have fun."  "She wishes she was here, I know that," he shared on the red carpet, "but she's got a lot of people she's performing for."

May 19 - The Eras Tour, Friends Arena, Stockholm, Sweden N3

Message In A Bottle x How You Get The Girl x New Romantics (Max Martin Medley) (guitar) & How Did It End? (piano)

Go to previous update -> May part 1

Go to next update -> May part 3

Return to the timeline

[jokeroutsubs]

[ENG SUB] Bojan Cvjetićanin on Radio Sova (13.11.2024).

In this interview, Bojan talks about the new album ‘Souvenir Pop' and answers some questions fans asked.

Transcript, translation and subtitles by IG marija_rocen, @moonlvster and IG irenalemajic, proofread by IG GBoleyn123.

Full video and transcript below the cut👇

Host: Dear listeners, it's 8:30 p.m., you're listening to Radio Sova, a student-run show on Radio Rijeka. As we announced earlier, on the phone with us today is Bojan Cvjetićanin, the frontman of the popular Slovenian band Joker Out. Bojan, good evening and welcome.

Bojan: Good evening, thank you.

This week is a big week for Joker Out, in a little over 48 hours your new third studio album 'Souvenir Pop' comes out. I bet you're excited, but are you nervous about how your fans, and also the general public, will react to the album?

I have to admit that I am, I'm a little nervous. When you're releasing an album, I think it feels like the first time. So, even though it's our third one, let's say it's the first one this year and I'm nervous to the max.

The album is called 'Souvenir Pop'. Why that name and what does it represent?

You know, this year and a half since Eurovision ended has been really, like, interesting, to say the least. And a lot of things happened to us, a lot of new people, a lot of new places, feelings. So all of those things we brought home instead of fridge magnets, let's say, those are our souvenirs. So we said that 'Souvenir Pop' is kind of the name that best encompasses everything that happened in that period.

One of the songs on your newest album is 'Carpe Diem', the song with which you represented Slovenia at Eurovision in 2023 and the song which, you could say, opened a lot of doors for you. Your popularity has expanded from our region to Europe, but also to the entire world, which was confirmed by many sold out concerts around Europe. How much did the fact that you spent almost the entire last year and the start of this year on tour influence the creative process of creating the new album? How different was it to write and record 'Souvenir Pop' from 'Umazane misli' and 'Demoni'

Quite different. We had limited time in the studio for the first time and it was very clear in that period we had to finish the album and in that period I was writing, more or less. It was also interesting to me to think introspectively about how, in a certain period, I have to put all my thoughts into songs because I'm honestly quite a lazy author, so I don't create much throughout the year, so, to create more or less everything in that certain period while we were in the studio, was a bit hectic and tiring, but in the end I'm very satisfied with everything that happened.

What does it look like when you're in the studio? That is, what does your creative process look like? When you write the lyrics, how do you balance between personal experiences and universal ones? Do you think about what the audience will say and how the audience will experience a certain song or do you write entirely from your point of view regardless of everything else?

When it comes to writing songs, I write more or less entirely introspectively or retrospectively if I see that I’m trying to find myself in the story of someone else I know and whose feelings I want to take on and write about in a song. As for the creative process, it really depends on the song, some songs come about when I come up with the lyrics and the melody, some songs come out of a jam, from the band’s improvisation. So, there's a lot of playing, a lot of playing and it more or less looks like a playground, where everyone takes their own rakes and trucks and then we go on some kind of a trip, and try to get somewhere.

All artists draw inspiration from other artists. Is there maybe a musician or a book, a movie or a work of art that shaped you as an artist?

There are certainly quite a few musicians, I was more or less a big fan of bands from the former Yugoslavia. So, let's say, I was shaped a lot by them, I listened to a lot of Slovenian music. And as for international artists, we listened to the Beatles, Arctic Monkeys, ABBA a lot, so I think that as a band they are our mutual idols. And from our region, Indexi, Bijelo dugme, and a lot of pop, Zdravko Čolić, Toše Proeski… I mean, everything, everything, everything.

How important is experimenting in music to you, is there any musical risk you wanted to take, but you didn't have the courage or opportunity yet?

I think we experiment a lot as far as our band is concerned, at least within what we can do and what we know. I would certainly like to go down some other musical paths, but I believe that there will be some time for that as well. I don't know, right now I have a trumpet in front of me, so maybe the next album will be a trumpet solo, if my trumpet teacher allows me.

It's time for a short musical break, we will listen to the song 'Bluza.' Bojan, for everyone who hasn't heard 'Bluza' before, maybe it's best for you to introduce it?

'Bluza' is… well, 'Bluza' is lost, found and lost love in just one moment. I wrote it with a story about a kafana¹, where, let's say, I saw something that could exist, but never did, so it's for all found and lost loves in one moment that's 'Bluza'. Radio Rijeka.

¹Kafana is a distinct type of local bistro, common in some former Yugoslav countries, which primarily serves alcoholic beverages and coffee, and often also light snacks.

That was 'Bluza' by Joker Out, their frontman has joined us over the phone. Your new album comes out this Friday, and all your fans will have the chance to hear it on your album release tour, during which you’ll be performing all over the Balkans, but also beyond, so on the 3rd of December you're coming to Croatia as well, precisely, to Zagreb. How did you decide where to present your new album?

Well, you know, we spent a year and a half playing exclusively around Europe, more or less, and we weren’t present that much in the Balkans. We truly see the Balkan region as a concert at home, so at the end of the year, and for this album, we decided we wanted to feel like we're at home, which is why we have chosen those main cities, let's say, which are closest to us for this first round. I think the choice was very logical and very quick.

What can your fans who have decided to be a part of the album release tour expect? Will you perform some of your old songs or are these concerts meant exclusively for 'Souvenir Pop'?

No, of course, we'll play songs from all three albums, but we'll probably play the whole of 'Souvenir Pop' only on this tour, which means all ten songs, because later, when we make setlists, I doubt we’ll end up putting all ten songs on the same one. So, if people want to hear it from start to finish, this is their chance.

Last year you also had a fantastic concert in Rijeka which made a strong impression on the audience. How do you remember your first concert in Rijeka, and do you plan to perform here again sometime soon?

The concert in Rijeka was awesome, because many of our musical colleagues, who are a bit older than us, talked about Rijeka as sort of, how can I say this, concert treasure for musicians, because the audience is always really cool, and it truly was like that. The concert was awesome, and later in the backstage, we were joined by the members of the band… Oh, what's their name, "šč², mama šč, mama šč kupila traktora…"

²'Mama ŠČ!' is the song of the punk-rock band Let 3 from Rijeka. They represented Croatia at Eurovision in 2023. The English translation would be: "Šč, mom šč, mom šč, mom bought a tractor".

Let 3.

Let 3, Let 3, Let 3! So, we met for the first time after Eurovision, and it was really great.

So, you agree with everyone who says that our audience in Rijeka is completely different from others?

It is! I'd say that it has a bit of a punk vibe, I really like that. Aside from being in Rijeka last year, you also travelled, as you mentioned, all around Europe after your big success at Eurovision. Joker Out went on a grand tour and you certainly felt a huge growth in popularity. What did the transition from one intense experience to another one look like? What was the most challenging, and what was the most exciting thing when it comes to facing such a large and suddenly expanded audience?

Well, the biggest challenge was absolutely transportation. Even though we have a great crew and an excellent tour manager who organised everything, we were travelling last winter and it happened to us that four flights were cancelled during one night, so finding alternative options - buses, trains, and so on, that was really chaotic, because we had to make it on time for all our concerts. You know how it is - one night you're playing in Germany, the next in Poland and you have to show up, you simply have to, we were ready to run if necessary. But in the end everything went well.

I hope that you won't have similar problems on this tour.

We marathon runners³ will run the final lap maybe.

³'Maratonci trče počasni krug' - The Marathon Family (lit. Marathon Runners Do a Lap of Honour) is a 1982 Yugoslav black comedy film and it is regarded as one of the classics of Yugoslav Serbian cinematography. The story takes place in a small Serbian town in 1935, and focuses on the Topalović family, consisting of six generations of undertakers with a dark secret.

Let's go for another musical break, we'll listen to the song 'Stephanie'.

That was ‘Stephanie’ by Joker Out, whose frontman has joined us over the phone. In this part of the interview, Bojan, we have questions for you which your fans asked us on Instagram. I want to thank everyone who asked their questions. There were over 60 questions, and there was a wide variety of them and they were all great, but unfortunately I can't ask them all, so I chose some of them. I also apologise for any mispronounced usernames. Bojan, are you ready?

I'm ready.

@/talvikoira asked: What song was the last to be completed in the new album and why?

'Mesto duhov' ('City of Ghosts'). Because it was originally written in English, it was called 'Wembury Mews' and I decided to write it in Slovenian because I had that story ready about the city of ghosts I returned to after the tour, so that was the last one.

@/milapongrats asks: What's your favourite album you've made so far?

My favorite album is definitely 'Souvenir Pop'.

@/anačepelkina asked: Did you ever have a creative burnout? If yes, then how did you overcome it?

Well, I think I feel some kind of creative burnout quite often but I wouldn't say it's exactly a burnout, but let's just say I feel a little empty. But honestly, then I just talk to people who are close to me, with people who inspire me, and very quickly things fall back into place.

@/trickme asks: What kind of books do you read? What are the last three books you read?

Well, I honestly like reading all sorts of books, but the last thing I read was 'Kafka on the Shore' by Murakami. Then, I don't know what it's called, but in Slovenian it's 'Tuleči mlinar' ('The Howling Miller') by Arto Paasilinna, a Finnish author. And… How to…', I have no idea, something, How to Mend Your Mind,' or something like that.

@/GBoleyn123 asked: Do you like the interview/promo part of being a musician? What makes for a good interview?

I mean, I love doing interviews. The only part of interviews that I don't like is if I have to do them before singing, because I have to talk a lot and it exhausts me. For example, at Eurovision it was a terribly difficult part, because we had at least 40 interviews a day, and all the pressure is on you to sing your song as well as you can, so, yeah, it can sometimes be a bit tiring for a vocalist. And what makes a good interview? I don't know, good energy of the interviewer and good questions.

I hope this is one of those interviews.

Of course.

@/sara_gicevski asks: What is the most important promise or goal you made/set for yourself?

Huh! Well, I think that honestly I haven't really thought much about that and I don't promise myself many things, but I believe that once I promised myself that I would do what I believe in, that I wouldn’t create things I’m not 100% sure of and which aren’t 100% me, so there it is.

Finally, Bojan, what would you say to everyone who still doesn't have a ticket for your concert in Zagreb?

Well, to everyone who doesn't have a ticket for our concert in Zagreb I’d like to say that on the 3rd of December, December, right?

That's right.

On the 3rd of December we’re playing at Tvornica Kulture, we were there last year and it was phenomenal. We’re preparing our third album. It will be wonderful for us, so why shouldn't it be wonderful for you too, because it's more beautiful when we have a wonderful time together.

Bojan, thank you for the time you set aside for Radio Sova and we wish you good luck and a lot of success on Friday.

You as well, thank you very much.

[hooked-on-elvis]

What is your favorite part of the '68 Special?

Pictures: Singer Presents  ... Elvis, commonly referred to as the '68 Comeback Special. 1968.

For me, undoubtedly I say my favorite part of the '68 Special is the sit-down concerts, specially the reunion between Elvis and the remaining members of Elvis' former band, the Blue Moon Boys, Scotty Moore and DJ Fontana.

I wonder if the fans, not the specialized critic such as musicians and general people in the business but specially the fans, back then, while watching this TV special for the first time, understood or merely felt the significance of this moment. I wonder if they were surprised in seeing Elvis not only back onstage after a while but back onstage with Scotty and DJ Fontana by his side. Man, that was special! To me, the most special portion of the '68 Comeback. ♥

Bill Black, bassist, unfortunately passed away in 1965, while Elvis was still full time engaged with his Hollywood career. Fans only wish Bill could have been there with Scotty and DJ. He had that irreverent performance that fascinates me, surely he would've been a great asset to the show. I only feel sorry Elvis, neither Scotty or DJ, ever mentioned Bill on the '68 Special, but its understandable the reason why. It wasn't about the Blue Moon Boys more than it was about Elvis returning to the stage. Even so, had Bill made it to this moment, man! That would've been something else. Even more meaningful than it already was.

Scotty Moore: His memories on the '68 Comeback Special and 'behind the scenes': Elvis and The Blue Moon Boys performing in Europe?

Source: Excerpt of the documentary "Elvis: The Birth of Rock n' Roll" (2004)

Scotty reveals Elvis asked him and DJ Fontana if they would agree to go on the road with him again, this time performing overseas, in Europe. Curious enough, to that question, Scotty says Elvis called him and DJ Fontana to another room in his home, so they could talk in private - which was something unusual for him because "usually anything he had to say, he'd say no matter who was around".

For the longest time, performing around the world was something Presley aimed. Ever since he had been stationed in Germany with the US Army during his service time, a period he did paused his career therefore he didn't perform while in Europe between 1958 to 1960, reporters asked him if and when that moment would come when Elvis would go back to Europe but this time for live concerts, to the thrill of his passionate fans overseas who followed him career from afar, many since the 50s. Unfortunately touring outside US (other than few performances in Canada in 1957) never seemed the get the right time.

Once Elvis begin performing live again in 1969, after he was out of the movie contracts, Elvis' manager, Colonel Tom Parker, would always have excuses on the tip of his tongue for why an European tour, or world tour for that matter, would not be a such good idea. When Elvis received some death threats coming his way through letters sent to his crew occasionally, starting from 1969 on, those incident perfectly fit to Colonel Parker's intentions for his gold boy. Parker would use the incidents to manipulate Elvis to believe they couldn't do his security properly out of the US. Colonel would tell Presley how it would be too dangerous for him, besides they could make just as much money performing home as they have been doing so far.

Elvis never had this one dream of performing overseas coming true in his life, as much as another reunion between him and the Blue Moon Boys never came to be after the '68 Comeback Special. Scotty says that private conversation in Elvis' home (in 1968) was the last time he was together with Elvis like that, which makes this moment in history one of a kind.

During the '68 Special (sit-down concert), Scotty submits a special request to Elvis for them to play "Lawdy Miss Clawdy" together.

The song was recorded by them on February 3, 1956, at RCA studios in New York. It was released as B-side to the EP "Elvis Presley", out in September 1956. The cover shows Elvis, Scotty Moore and Bill Black performing together.

Later, the song would be featured on the LP "For Elvis Fans Only" released in 1959. Elvis would frequently include "Lawdy Miss Clawdy" to his main setlists from 1970 to 1975, occasionally performing it in 1976 and 1977.

No wonder Scotty picked this song. Maybe a subtle way of honoring late Bill Black. ♥

About their performance of this tune during the '68 Comeback Special:

As they jam together, Scotty gives a cue and Elvis tears into “Lawdy Miss Clawdy” with a raw assault of mixed emotion. His performance is so intense that it almost—in the best way—scratches the ears. Vocal cords that, so far, have proved their owner’s mastery with smooth singing are pushed to the point of fraying at the edges. As Greil Marcus noticed, when Elvis lurches into the number, what he experiences is a feeling that is both joshing and liberated. At one point, as the musicians jam together, it’s possible to hear Charlie Hodge getting carried away with laughter, as if bobbing in the fray of a heady, almost oceanic moment. In his underrated 2004 pocket volume The Rough Guide to Elvis, Paul Simpson describes “Lawdy Miss Clawdy” as “Elvis’s answer to Jack Kerouac’s On the Road.” Taking on this old staple in the Comeback, what the singer delivers is lusty, passionate, and commanding, yet also desperate, angry, and sad. He conjures with immense powers. — Mark Duffett (Counting Down Elvis - His 100 Finest Songs, 2018)

Again, what is your favorite part of the '68 Special?

[hockeyandhrsepwr]

Life Lessons: The Intro

Fresh of a world tour, y/n l/n announces her next album.....

Life Lessons Masterlist

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liked by fan28, user0929 and others

yourusername Life Lessons. Coming soon.

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fan1 askkskakskwek

fan39 new music?! ahhhhh

fan37 babe the cover pic?! who hurt you

usert882 When??

yourusername soon:)

Notes

Notes pop star y/n l/n announces new album: Life Lessons. To learn more about the album, check out our conversation with the young talent at this link

What’s next for y/n?

By Michelle F.

July 20, 2023

On the eve of y/n l/ns final date for her sold out world tour, I receive a phone call. It’s an invitation to the show in Paris La Defense Arena, and the opportunity to speak to y/n about what’s coming next for the pop sensation. A no brainer really. I’ve been following y/ns journey pretty much since she came onto the scene and to hear that she personally requested me to speak to? That was a shock but an absolute honour. So I hop on the Eurostar and make my way to the City of Love, Lights and Dreams. 

 A mere three hours later I’m waiting in the wings as Y/n takes the stage to a deafening crowd. The Monaco native cracks a joke in french, later translated as a slight dig at the French but all in good fun. The performance is electric as y/n performs tracks from her first three albums, all of which took the world by storm and dominated charts. One of my favourite shows that I’ve been to in a while.  Keep reading to hear more about our conversation after the show. 

Michelle: Hi y/n! That was an incredible show!

Y/n: Oh thank you Michelle, youre too kind. 

M: How does it feel, being onstage and performing for that large of a crowd? Tonight’s was pretty big but not the largest of your tour, correct?

Y: I think we had a few bigger, but it’s hard to explain. This is something I’ve dreamed of for my entire life so even though its nerve wracking, I know that I’m where I want to be. This tour has been pretty eye opening! Tonight was special though! I’ve been to many a concert in those stadium with my friends, since it was the closest major arena to Monaco so we could just hop on a train and see our favourite artists and make a girl trip out of it. 

M: That sounds so fun! This was your first tour headlining, what did you find was the biggest difference between that and opening? You opened for Ed Sheeran on his tour after the release of your second album and now for your third youre headlining.  

Y: besides people being here mostly to see me, not someone else, longer sets is the biggest difference. But i’m working with lots of the same crew that worked on the tour with Ed so it’s been pretty epic!

M: So the big question, what’s next?

Y: well….I might have something coming soon. 

M: oh, do tell! A new album?

Y: I guess I can tell you :) My next album, Life Lessons, will be releasing pretty soon. 

M: tell me everything? When are we looking at release? What’s it all about? Track names?

Y: haha, no definite date yet, but it will be soon (she winks). As for what it’s about, life. It’s been about three years in the making, so the lessons that I’ve learned over the past three years. Track names you’ll find out along with everyone else haha 

M: I guess I can accept that. Three years? How so?

Y: well, its a series of songs that I’ve written over the past 3 years at varying points and finally decided, you know what, lets release them and see what people think. 

M: will it be similar to your previous albums, stylistically, or will we see something more than the indie pop sound we’ve come to know from you?

Y: Everything really. my usual (she air quotes) sound, but some songs with slightly different vibes. There may even be a few country inspired.

M: Country’s a new genre for you. Are you a big fan normally?

Y: oh absolutely. Its nowhere near as popular here in Europe, but my granddad is from Georgia so I grew up with it in the house. When I was putting all the lyrics to music, a few of them I wanted to have a country feel, so I reached out to few friends and got opinions and everyone loved it. I decided that I dont mind if my fans dont love those songs, this album is for me. I hope they do, of course, but it is a different genre than my normal so I’d understand if they dont vibe with them as much as my other songs. 

M: Speaking of friends, any co-writers or collaborators on this album? You recently had a track with your ex boyfriend Noah Kahan on his album. Is he returning the favour?

Y: ha, nope. This one is all me. My producer and best friend, Bella, and my tour band helped with laying down the tracks, but lyrics are all me. 

M: well I’m excited. And sorry to bring it up, but your realtionship with Noah, did that provide any inspiration for the album? 

Y: yes, but probably not in the way people will be expecting. Noahs great though. We were great friends before our fling started and we’ve stayed good friends after. We all have those moments right, where we think that trying to be more is a good idea. He’s an incredible guy though. 

M: So does the album follow any kind of order? 

Y: Somewhat chronological over the period but nothing concrete. 

M: well y/n I hope our readers feel the same but I can’t wait!! I’ll be impatiently waiting for the release. Thank you again for taking to time to talk to me today. Enjoy the little break you’ll have!!

Y: thanks Michelle, I’m sure well talk soon!

Get excited readers,  this album is going to be special. 

[goldenpinof]

yooo i totally get where youre coming from wrt feeling like the only person who gives a shit enough to critique these kinds of little things about dnp. it definitely shows that they don't really care for the details, which personally i don't mind w things like the websites (maybe that's just bc i don't have an eye for graphic design!) but when it comes to details that imo make a significantly lesser experience as a viewer and fan, it really can feel really unprofessional on their end.

it's interesting because, on one hand, that's a little bit their charm, sorta scrappy OG youtubers who haven't really changed their formula much but continue to create CoNtEnT because they have an established community who enjoys what they do. but then on the other hand, they often allow that attitude to seep into things like operating their business, overlooking details in editing, weirdness with just about all of the managements theyve been under, the general tone-deafness of cheerfully announcing there will be more us and uk shows and completely brushing over the call for them to at least MENTION the rest of the world that isn't europe or the us.... also i think so often about how garbage their bday livestreams were in terms of production, that would be so unacceptable from literally anyone other than dnp, but because it's them they get away with it lmao. (and yes ultimately those streams were for a good cause and they succeeded in the fundraising, but that can't be an excuse for low quality.)

their unprofessionalism is like a double-edged sword in a way, like i genuinely find them difficult to recommend to other people, not necessarily because i think my friends wouldn't like their sense of humor, but because there ARE creators out there who have similar origins and have done similar things and have improved quality production alongside their growth. and again, i do not necessarily mind scrappiness, but it feels like it's at odds with the amount of money they make and the type of productions they are trying to do with things like the tour. and that's the other thing, they are FULLY CAPABLE of having consistently good production quality to all of their shit, not just the big tours. they just choose not to, and whether or not that's for the sake of image or being control freaks or they really do not care, it ends up making a worse experience for their audience imo.

(but like. im also of the mindset that dan should have done stand-up shows in dingy bars for $10 instead of wad so ¯\_(ツ)_/¯)

"control freaks"

for the last 2 years i question this statement almost every day. because if they were control freaks, none of this bullshit with promo materials existed.

and it's not about design itself. it's about typos and just wrong names of the venues. my main question is: WHY is it so hard to make things right? because realistically, it's not hard at all.

especially when people are telling you and asking you to fix it. like, how fucking stubborn you should be to brush it off. your work is your public image. and i'm sorry, but it looks like shit. it's so unprofessional, it's painful to look at. and i'm not even talking about videos. i'm talking specifically about danandphiltour.com and promo materials. editing of their videos is a different problem.

production-wise: this time, i have to say that i don't really care. but i get what you mean. there are youtubers who invested in this. dnp didn't. because they don't care, because it works how it is right now.

in conclusion: our loyalty is at fault. if we cared about work details a little bit more and were more serious, maybe, just maybe, we could level up all these things. but it seems like no one cases, and i'm tired of fighting this battle for years. i'm gonna take the L eventually. but the tour got on the way, unfortunately.

[terresdebrumestories]

This idea ambushed me in the shower and wouldn't leave me alone until I wrote it, so there you have it. This is the result of an hour of frantic typing on my phone and shall be cleaned up before I cross post it to AO3.

"I wanna come out," Jamie says, and Roy freezes in place so fast Phoebe bumps into his back and swears under her breath.

Roy doesn't even pretend to try and tease her for it, too stunned for words.

"If we win tonight," Jamie adds on the other end of the line, "I wanna come out."

"Are you sure?" Roy manages at last, and it comes out so raw Ruth does a double take in the kitchen, raising her eyebrows in question.

Roy, gripping his phone like he'll die if he lets go, shakes his head and turns away, making his way to the corridor on shaky legs. From very far away, he thinks he hears Phoebe ask if he's alright, but Roy pushes her out of his mind as soon as Jamie says:

"I'm sure."

"Jamie," Roy hisses, "it could end your career."

"So what?" Jamie says, and Roy almost ask who the fuck is possessing his partner.

"Jamie."

"Roy. I'm thirty-four. I've won the Premier League, the Europe League and the fucking World Cup. I'm in the fucking Olympics. Once I've won that, who the fuck cares if I get a goodbye tour?"

"You do," Roy says. Then Jamie grunts and Roy adds: "I'm with you. You know I am, always." Jamie hums, but it sounds like he's relenting, not skeptical, so Roy makes himself continue despite the risk of Ruth or Phoebe overhearing: "I just don't—I don't want you to regret it."

To regret me, Roy is surprised to mean. After all, they've been together for almost ten years now. Any coming out Jamie makes is likely to result in their relationship becoming public, and Roy...Roy has apparently not quite managed to get over their age difference as thoroughly as he thought he had.

"I won't," Jamie promises, the sound of his voice suddenly echoing, like he just stepped in a bathroom. "I really won't. Just 'cause I'm buzzin' doesn't mean I don't know what I'm doing."

Roy can't help worrying anyway, but he still makes himself breathe in, and then out, and then say:

"Okay. Then I think you should do it."

"Oh, I was gonna," Jamie says, playful, and Roy smiles at his sister's bathroom door like an idiot. "But also. Em. I don't—if I'm gonna come out publicly, I don't wanna have to like. Pretend like I'm single or whatever. Or like. If I do get my fucking retirement tour and we meet in a game or whatever, I don't wanna have to pretend like I'm not dead gone on you, you know?"

Roy's heart expands in his chest, like it's trying to make a run for it through his ribs or something, and he knows he's full-on grinning at the bathroom door when he says:

"Me either. Please feel free to mention me by name."

"Grand," Jamie says over the sound of a shower turning on. "Great. Well. I gotta go soon but uh. Wish me luck?"

"Good luck," Roy obliges. And then, because he's had nearly ten years of practice to make this bit easy, he adds: "I love you."

"Love you too."

*

"What a game," Arlo White shouts on TV a few hours later, while Ruth and Phoebe do a victory dance around the couch, where Sam and Keeley are singing Jamie's stupid fucking chant along with the crowds in the stadium.

"What a game! What a play! What a goal! And what an ovation for Jamie Tartt, indubitably the man of the match!"

"I agree," Chris Powell adds, sounding almost excited for once, "I'd even say: what a career! Jamie Tartt won it all! Honestly Arlo, I wouldn't be surprised if he decided to retire soon, I mean at this point what else does he need?"

"Oh shut the fuck up," Roy yells at the TV, earning himself a playful shove from Phoebe and a prod in the ribs from Keeley. "Stupid fucking pundits," he mutters into his champagne.

"That would be so much more convincing if you weren't pink with pride, babe," Keeley teases, and Roy grunts without heat.

The truth is, now that White and Powell have announced a transition on the ground and the camera switched to Barbara Carnahan on the side of the pitch, Roy feels himself tense with anticipation. Everyone here knows about him and Jamie, of course, but they don't know what he's planning to do. That leaves Roy alone to deal with the nerves of Jamie's impending announcement, and holy fucking shit, they're a lot.

"First of all," Carnahan says when she catches Jamie and gets him to stand in front of her camera, "I want to congratulate you on an absolutely marvelous game!"

Roy watches Jamie's tongue dart out in celebration, like he's a goddamned emoji or something, and finds himself gripping Keeley's hand out of sheer need to share the moment with someone.

"Thanks," Jamie says, sobering up a little bit, "We did really good, yeah!"

"Oh, definitely! How does it feel? Did you expect this when you woke up this morning?"

"Well, you know," Jamie says, running a hand through his hair, "nothing's ever certain, but I knew our chances were good, yeah, so I was like. Fairly optimistic about it."

"And you were right!" Carnahan agrees with a little bounce. "I'll admit I was nervous when the first half ended at one-one, but that goal in injury time was magnificent!"

"Yeah, Satō gave me a great assist there, that kid's gonna get far," Jamie says, wiping at his brow.

To Roy's left, Sam coos a little, happy to see one of his Marseille teammates get some recognition. He hasn't looked that cheerful since he busted his knee right before the Olympics started and he knew he had to sit the competition out.

"What was going on in your head at that moment?" Carnahan asks Jamie. "As the whistle blew and you realized you'd won, where did you mind go? Is there anyone you thought of in particular?"

"Well there's me mum, of course," Jamie says. "She's in the stands, and I'm really glad she could be here for this. And then there's my partner."

Around Roy, the living room falls into the most intense silence he's ever heards, even as Jamie adds:

"Actually, is it okay if I talk to him for a sec?"

"Him?" Carnahan asks, at the same time as Keeley and Phoebe shriek:

"WHAT?"

"Yeah, him," Jamie says, prompting Sam to shout and grab Roy's left shoulder. "Can I talk to him?"

And this. This wasn't the script, right? Roy thought—usually—this isn't. No. No!

...no?

"Oh my god, uncle Roy!" Phoebe is saying, gripping Roy's right shoulder, "Oh my god!"

"Yes, sure," Barbara Carnahan says with the dazed look of a reporter who's just been hit with the exclusive of the decade, "go ahead."

Jamie grins, and thanks her, and then he takes a deep breath—Roys mirrors him, can't help it, feels like he's about to explode, or melt, or both—

"Roy," Jamie says on the screen, eyes turned straight at the camera so it looks like he's actually watching Roy in 16:9 format, "it's hard to remember what it was like to hate you enough to nearly fight you right on the pitch."

Someone says a very strangled 'what the fuck' and it takes Roy a second to realize it's Keeley, but also the reporter on the telly.

"Turns out you're actually one of the best men I've ever fucking met—" ('Oh my god!' Says Keeley, slapping Roy's arm.) "You support me and challenge me all the fucking time, you're funny, and the grumpiest arse in the morning." ('OH MY GOD!' shouts Phoebe from behind Roy.) "I've spent nine years of my life loving you to your face, and you've taken it like a champ so far...so what do you say we make it official and tie the knot?"

"OH MY GOD!" Screams the living room, pushing and pulling and slapping at Roy.

He can barely breathe, feels himself grow twice, thrice, ten times bigger than he normally is, floating like a bubble of champagne as Phoebe nearly breaks his nose trying to shove his phone against his ear—"YOU HAVE TO FUCKING CALL HIM, UNCLE ROY!"

And then there's a dial tone, and some spluttering on tv, and more shouting, and a phone comes into view, lands against Jamie's ear, and then—

"You motherfucker!" Roy yells into the phone, and Jamie-on-the-screen blinks and grins, and Jamie-on-the-phone gives this little hitch of breath he does when he thinks 'I love you', and Roy is saying: "You absolute wanker! No fucking warning—"

And Jamie-on-the-screen scrunches his nose and grins harder, and Roy's heart goes into fucking overdrive, his pulse loud in his ears and in his palms, and Jamie-on-the-phone asks:

"So like, that's a yes, right?"

"Yes! Of course it's a yes you gigantic prick!" Roy yells, and Jamie-on-the-screen fist pumps while Roy's world turns into one giant shriek of joy, and then there's champagne popping, and four different footballers bursting on the screen to hug and jump up and down and shout so loud Roy hears them even when Jamie has to take the phone away from his ear.

"Oh my god!" Keeley shouts, muffled, into Roy's neck when he hangs up, knowing full well there's no way Jamie's getting back to his phone until much later tonight. "Congratulations! I'm so happy for you!"

"Did you really not know?" Phoebe asks, shouting into his other ear.

"I knew he wanted to come out and go public about us," Roy says, falling back from the adrenaline-induced shouting to the best sort of daze. "I didn't know he was going to propose!"

And Roy sounds grumpy about it, he knows he does—will probably get shit from Jamie about it as soon as his fucking plane lands, really! And his sister, his niece, his friends are being way too loud about it, and now his phone's buzzing and will probably keep buzzing for the next four or five hours, and Roy sounds grumpy but he does not mean it for a fucking second.

[asteriaestrella]

The bustling streets of Seoul had always felt like a whirlwind to Y/N. But this time, as she pulled up to BigHit Entertainment’s towering building, the city seemed to pause for a moment. Her heart swelled with excitement and nostalgia as she stepped out of the car, greeted by a few nods and bows from staff members who recognized her instantly. After all, Y/N wasn’t just any idol—she was a legend in her own right.

Y/N’s girl group, known globally for their groundbreaking music and pioneering artistry, had debuted four years before BTS, carving a path for Asian artists to be celebrated on international stages. Their rise to fame was far from smooth. Y/N, being from North Korea, had faced intense scrutiny when the group first debuted. Many questioned her motives, while others dismissed her presence altogether. But through sheer determination and unrelenting talent, Y/N proved her worth, earning the admiration of fans and peers worldwide.

Now, she was not only a celebrated artist but also Kim Seokjin’s wife—a fact that still delighted her as much as it surprised the world.

Y/N met Jin during an industry award show nearly a decade ago. At the time, BTS was just beginning to rise, while her group had already solidified their place as trailblazers. Despite being in different stages of their careers, there was an undeniable connection. Jin’s humor and charm complemented Y/N’s warmth and quiet resilience. Their relationship began in secret, whispered conversations and fleeting glances hidden from the prying eyes of the public.

The journey to their marriage had been fraught with challenges. K-pop idols rarely married during their careers, and the media’s fixation on their relationship tested their patience. But through it all, they remained steadfast, finding solace in each other’s unwavering support.

Eight years into their marriage, their love had only deepened. Y/N, having just returned to Seoul after a world tour with her group, decided to surprise Jin and the rest of BTS at BigHit Entertainment. She knew the boys had been preparing for their next album and thought it would be the perfect opportunity to see them after months apart.

As she entered the building, the familiar scent of practice rooms and faint echoes of music greeted her. Memories of her own trainee days flashed through her mind. She shook her head with a smile—those days were long gone, but the fire of passion for music remained as strong as ever.

The receptionist greeted her warmly. “Mrs. Kim! It’s so lovely to see you again.”

“Just Y/N is fine,” she laughed, her eyes crinkling. “Are they in the practice room?”

“Yes, they’re in Studio B. I’ll let them know you’re coming—”

“No need,” Y/N interrupted, a playful glint in her eye. “Let’s make it a surprise.”

When Y/N opened the door to Studio B, she was met with the sight of BTS rehearsing a complex choreography. Sweat dripped down their faces as they moved in perfect synchronization. It was a testament to their relentless dedication even after years of global dominance.

“Wow, who knew I’d walk into a free concert?” Y/N teased, leaning casually against the doorframe.

The music stopped abruptly, and the boys turned in surprise. Jungkook was the first to break into a grin, running over to greet her. “Y/N-noona! You’re back!”

The others quickly followed, bombarding her with questions and playful comments.

“Is it true your group set a new record for ticket sales in Europe?” Namjoon asked, his eyes lighting up.

“Did you bring snacks?” Taehyung added with a cheeky smile.

“Yah, give her some space,” Jin’s familiar voice cut through the chatter. He approached her with his signature mix of mock sternness and genuine affection. “What brings you here, superstar?”

Y/N smirked. “Can’t I visit my husband without a reason?”

Their banter set the room alight with laughter. The members had always adored Y/N, not just as Jin’s wife but as an artist they deeply respected. Over the years, she had become like family to them, often offering advice and sharing stories from her own experiences in the industry.

After a brief break, the boys resumed their practice, leaving Y/N and Jin sitting on the sidelines. As they watched, Y/N couldn’t help but tease her husband.

“You’re still stiff on the left turns,” she quipped, nudging him lightly.

Jin gasped in mock offense. “Excuse me? I am the epitome of grace.”

Y/N raised an eyebrow. “Grace? Remember the time you tripped over your own foot during your solo stage?”

“That was one time!” Jin exclaimed, his voice rising dramatically. “And the lighting was terrible.”

Their laughter filled the room, drawing the attention of the other members.

“Hyung, she’s exposing you,” Jimin said with a grin.

“I thought you were on my side!” Jin retorted, pretending to sulk.

As the day went on, the teasing gave way to quieter moments. Jin and Y/N sat in a corner of the room, sharing stories and catching up. Jin spoke about the challenges of their upcoming album, while Y/N recounted the highs and lows of her recent tour.

“You know,” Jin said, his tone softening, “I still remember the first time I saw you perform. You were incredible.”

Y/N tilted her head, a small smile playing on her lips. “You’ve told me that before.”

“I’ll never stop saying it,” he replied earnestly. “You’ve always inspired me.”

Y/N reached for his hand, her fingers lacing with his. “And you’ve always been my biggest cheerleader.”

The visit to BigHit was more than just a reunion—it was a reminder of how far they had come, both individually and together. Y/N had broken barriers as a North Korean idol, proving that talent and perseverance could overcome even the deepest prejudices. Jin had grown from a young trainee with dreams to a global superstar, anchoring BTS with his humor and heart.

Their love story was a testament to the power of connection in an industry that often felt isolating. Together, they had built a life filled with laughter, understanding, and unwavering support.

As the day came to an end, Y/N prepared to leave, promising to return soon. Jin walked her to the car, his hand resting on the small of her back.

“You’re coming home early tonight, right?” she asked, looking up at him.

“I’ll try,” he said with a grin. “But you know how Namjoon gets when we’re on a deadline.”

She rolled her eyes playfully. “Fine. But don’t forget—we have dinner plans tomorrow.”

“Wouldn’t miss it for the world,” he replied, leaning down to kiss her forehead.

[textsfrombeybladers]

Majestics/Euro Team Headcanons based only on my stereotype knowledge of Europe

Robert/Ralf:

We don’t talk about where his wealth came from. We just don’t. You will be banished to the death dungeon in the basement. We also don’t talk about where the death dungeon came from. Or grandpa. We don’t talk about grandpa.

Low key a lot of fun when drunk but very picky about beer. Will only drink what he deems to be ‘good’ beer. Gets wasted during Oktoberfest then blackmails his teammates to not post pictures. Does not always work, please don’t google him.

Law abiding. The absolute most unrealistic part of G Rev is the idea of a German not immediately telling officials that a team is cheating. No way. This guy would be up in arms if he saw one of them so much as throwing the recycling in the wrong bin, which should be a crime.

Enrique/Giancarlo:

Diet consists almost exclusively of carbs. Worships olive oil almost as much as the Catholic Church. Absolutely does NOT practice what he preaches and is normally speaking to at least four women at one time. He keeps their names and identifying information in a notebook so he doesn’t get them mixed up. Thinks he has way more sex appeal than he actually does. Not a real blond.

Talks like Mario and cannot communicate if his hands are not in motion. Originally used ‘Mamma Mia’ ironically but now can’t stop. Instead of yelling when mad he just starts praying out loud in very angry Italian, teammates are past the point of questioning this.

Only wears speedos to the beach and constantly makes that everyone else’s problem. Will absolutely tan nude, though. Claims he doesn’t need sun screen because he doesn’t burn, he just tans. Told constantly that going to the beach is not the same as bathing, pretends his hygiene is worse than it actually is because he doesn’t wanna admit that he just sweats a lot. Must reapply deodorant every three hours at minimum.

Oliver/Olivier:

Chain smoker, gives his team no choice other than to deal with it. They tried making him quit once and they all decided that having him stink up the tour bus was better than dealing with Oliver going through withdrawal. He is the reason they drink but at least he has good wine. Fights with Enrique over what country ‘good wine’ comes from.

Speaks English fluently but refuses to use it when with the Americans, that’s if he acknowledges them at all. Makes snarky side comments and acts like he’s just ‘being honest’. Kid just doesn’t fucking stop, only Frenchman in the world to do the OPPOSITE of surrendering, but they still joke that his scarf is just an emergency white flag.

Brags about culinary skills, artistic skills and language skills but cannot pronounce the letter R to save his life. Sometimes says ‘Ooh la la’ but not the way one would expect. Less likely to be used in excitement and more likely to be used because Johnny left his dirty dishes in the sink.

Johnny:

Huge pet peeve of being called Johnathan. John comes from the Bible and isn’t short for anything, it’s just John ya fucks. Also won’t tolerate anyone making fun of his kilt ITS NOT A FUCKING SKIRT, ENRIQUE!

Loves battered haggis. Actually, loves anything battered. Battered and dropped in the deep fat fryer. Teammates absolutely refuse to eat anything this kid cooks or allow him to store anything in the fridge, which is saying a lot because that’s where Oliver keeps the deep fried frog legs and snails. Hisses and runs away at the idea of fruits or vegetables.

It took his team about a year to realize he was speaking English, they still can’t understand a word he says but they pretend they can. Extremely short tempered, especially when mistaken for a Brit. Will absolutely fuck your shit up if you call him British, will feel none of your attacks because he’s too drunk. Team has no idea what his personality is like sober.

[thinking-emoji]

Buzzfeed interview but make it spoiler-free

you already know what it is - it's the photo free version of the latest Buzzfeed article, enjoy!

If You're A Dan And Phil Fan, This Interview Is For You

"The Dan and Phil you're seeing on the channel now is just what we are like in real life."

by Natasha Jokic | Nov 22, 2024

It can be hard to believe that it's been 15 years of Dan Howell and Phil Lester on YouTube. After all, in that time, much of their original viewers have grown up, and even gotten jobs at BuzzFeed.

As the duo continue their international Terrible Influence tour, BuzzFeed caught up with them virtually 30 minutes before their designated checkout time from a hotel in Durham, North Carolina. Here's what we learned:

1. First, unfortunately, you've been the in the US during the election. What has that been like for you?

Dan: [Sarcastically] It's been super fun and chill.

Phil: It's been a lot. You could sense there's so much tension going on. And we were obviously hoping for the best outcome.

Dan: We were in Milwaukee on the night that both [Donald] Trump and Kamala [Harris] had a rally in this city. And I was like, "Well, obviously, this is the most important event happening in Milwaukee tonight. Welcome to the Dan and Phil Show, everybody!"

Phil: I think we got more attendance than Trump at our show, though.

Dan: People didn't leave. More people tried to come in.

BuzzFeed: I mean, understandable. I'd say that people probably need your content now more than ever.

Dan: It has felt amazing because we have a lot of young and queer people in our audience. Especially after the election results were announced, they said that having something to look forward to was amazing for them. It felt great that our show and the community of our audience is just a place where people know that they're always welcome. So no matter what happens with the world, or politics, or their family, or their communities where they live — we can all have communities online. And they knew that when they come to see Dan and Phil, they're with their people. So that has felt really nice.

2. You obviously spend a lot of time together. You work together, you're now on tour together. It's been 15 years. How are you able to make it work?

Dan: That's a great question.

Phil: We fight to the death.

Dan: Do we know that answer?

Phil: People after the show ask, "Do you just want to kill each other?" And I think the answer is probably yes.

Dan: We've just gone full circle. We've gone to the point of wanting to kill each other so much that we've now come through the other side, and we're now in a state of serene chill. We're just like, two old turtles at the zoo, and you're like, "Are they dead? I think one of them just blinked."

Phil: Also, time isn't real. I can't believe I've known this person for 15 years. It scares me.

Dan: That's creepy. People have been coming up to us afterwards, and they're like, "I started watching you when I was 13, and now I have a child! I have a husband! I have a mortgage!" I'm like, "Alright, we need to wrap this up."

3. What's been your favorite moment of your tour so far?

Dan: Phil fell off the stage in Europe. It was quite funny.

Phil: That was not the favorite moment.

Dan: We like to joke about Phil being goofy and needing to get his eyes tested — and then it actually happened.

Phil: The thing is, it'sa very dark stage, and I was very excited to be on it, and then suddenly I wasn't on it anymore. Thankfully, I didn't squash anyone in the audience. I only bruised my ass. It was fine.

4. What's the most random thing that somebody's given you?

Dan: We signed a vape the other day. They said it's now the PHApe. 

Phil: Someone brought a very official-looking adoption certificate so that we could be their fathers, which scared me a little bit for their own responsibility. 

Dan: Iwas like, "That's funny." I started signing it, and Phil was like, "No, wait, this looks too real, there's too much little text on it."

Phil: I was like, "All our house plants are dead. Do you really want us to try and look after you?" And they were like, "Yeah!" Someone also came pregnant to the show, and they were like, "I'm gonna name my baby Philip." And I was like, "Ooh," I mean, the name Philip, it used to be quite popular.

Dan: It's in decline. There's a graph about what people name their children and is going down.

Phil: I feel like Philip is a 50-year-old man you meet at the pub. Phil.

Dan: You've got the responsibility of not just raising the next generation of people, but redeeming your name.

Phil: I think I will. I'm gonna make the name Phil cool again.

Dan: Make Phil Cool Again.

5. I know that the tour deals with some long-standing rumors that have surrounded you both. Is there one that you can share and debunk right now?

Dan: When we moved into a house that we bought, people started speculating about the interior design choices we'd make. Then a rumor started spreading around that we got toilets facing each other.

Phil: There was a photo on the internet of these two toilets facing each other, saying, "Is this Dan and Phil's house?"

Dan: People started joking, "Oh, did you hear Dan and Phil? They've they got toilets next to each other." So there is a part in the show where we we address that allegation live.

Phil: And we tell everyone that it is, in fact, true. [Pause] Just kidding, it is false, just to be clear.

Dan: Is it? We'll never know. Someone will have to break in.

6. This is the first tour you’ve been on together since both coming out as gay. What were some of the challenges in being a closeted content creator for so long?

Dan: I think it was hard in 2018 on our last tour. It was a weird thing for us that because of our content, a lot of it was comedy and storytelling and sketches, but there was obviously a lot of talking about real stories from our life. Especially after I'd opened up about my struggles with depression and started to talk quite candidly about some of those things, people would come up to me and go, "Oh, I love watching Dan and Phil because they are so candid about the struggles that they're going through in life." It felt horrendous looking at these people being so sincere with me, knowing that there was something that I had yet to confront within myself. 

Phil: When there are lots of queer people coming to the show, you do feel like a connection to them anyway, even if you are in the closet. You're like, "I want to talk about this too!" So now that we have spoken about it, it just feels like there's a lot more lovely connection with people.

Dan: I think that's quite relatable, though. Especially when you had a teenage audience, a lot of people are still discovering what their identity is. You might feel like, Am I a liar because I'm not talking about these things? Whereas, actually, I think people need time to work out who they are and how they feel and how they want to confront needing to share that with the world.

7. I know you’ve said that you weren’t necessarily planning for a big comeback for your gaming channel — what’s the biggest difference between how you approach YouTube now versus back in the day?

Phil: We are gaming less on the gaming channel. That's one thing. It's turned into a Dan and Phil variety show.

Dan: This whole comeback was an accident. I came back from this last tour that I did, and Phil was like, "Let's just do this for a bit for fun." And then it blew up so much. We were like, "Oh God, we've created life." And now we're responsible for raising the life that we just resuscitated. We are in Durham, North Carolina.

Phil: On tour, we usually do a baking video. So we did baking on the tour bus, which was a challenge.

Dan: That was some busted-ass baking.

Phil: We made some bus cakes, but it was fun.

Dan: We nearly blew up the town. [Pauses] Back in the day, before we came out, we were like, "Oh, should we be nervous about what we make, what we talk about, what we can joke about? Does Phil have to watch his language? Do I have to make sure that I don't imply something with any jokes that I make?" Whereas this new era feels very like, Right now that everyone is old as fuck, which includes us, you, the entire audience, we can radically make fun of the way that everyone chose to act in the past. It felt quite freeing.

Phil: The Dan and Phil you're seeing on the channel now is just what we are like in real life. Not that we weren't before.

Dan: It's just unleashed and unhinged in a way that probably should be leashed a bit more.

Phil: I can say "fuck" now. It's a whole different thing.

8. What’s the biggest difference, if any, between Dan and Phil on screen and Dan and Phil in real life?

Dan: We're exactly the same.

Phil: A lot of people that meet us are like, "Oh, my God, you are the same as you are online."

Dan: I don't know if they're expecting us to be actors. Like, when you find out Ewan McGregor has got an accent, and you're like, "What's that about?" No, I'm sorry to disappoint you. We are literally Dan and Phil. One thing people don't expect is the height, because we're usually three and a half inches on someone's Samsung Galaxy, and then we're 6'3" in person. 

Phil: I feel like I do have short person energy, and that always shocks people.

9. Phil, you were credited as Dan’s “remote crisis manager” on his last tour. What sort of crises did you have to remotely manage?

Phil: There were a lot of crises. There was one where Dan phoned me up, it was like, four in the morning. What was going on?

Dan: There was a literal hurricane in Auckland. And I was like, "No one's fucking awake, what do I do?" Phil was like, "Post a story saying that if your road is underwater, don't drive to Dan Howell's show. No offense. We love the compliment. I'd love to see all of my fans in New Zealand. Do not drive into a lake to come see us."

10. What’s the most starstruck you’ve ever been?

Phil: Do we ever get starstruck?

Dan: Phil, don't lie. Phil met Joss Whedon, who wrote Buffy.

Phil: But that's not aged well now, because we found out what he's actually like.

Dan: And now you've retconned that.

Phil: At the time, I was excited.

Dan: We met Ariana Grande. And this was a stage in her career where, for some reason, her people let Phil wrap tinsel around her so she looked like a Christmas tree. No one on the Wicked press tour is going to decorate Ariana Grande like a Christmas tree. And yet if you go to youtube.com you can see Ariana just stood there in a Radio One studio as Phil just put baubles on her while asking her questions. 

Phil: She was lovely about it. Her people were like, "She's only got four minutes" and she spent ages with us. 

Dan: Dan and Phil can confirm, Ariana Grande: Chill, funny, and down to clown.

11. Who’s the rudest celebrity or YouTuber you’ve ever met?

Dan: I try not to meet YouTubers. They terrify me. Big sociopath energy.

Phil: I think in the early days of YouTube, you'd go to a video convention and some people would just flip out a camera and start filming you before they'd even say hello.

Dan: This is why I have trauma. Some people were so chronically vlogging their entire day that people would come up to you with a camera turned around, "Oh my god, it's Dan and Phil, nice to meet you guys!" And they'd stop recording, and their face would just go completely blank, and they'd walk away being like, "Assistant, where's my fucking Starbucks?"

12. What’s the weirdest sponsorship offer you’ve received?

Dan: Someone tried to get you to do sex toys.

Phil: I don't think my Amazing Phil channel is really adjacent to sex toys.

Dan: But it was sex toys for women in relationships with other women. Like, "Dan, Phil, we know you got that big lesbian demographic. I think this would go hard."  And then reached out to the YouTube person, and they were like, "I think that would be very successful, but it might hurt the ad algorithm, so I'd recommend not doing it. Maybe do it on your own platform." So you know, Phil's gonna get the Patreon, OnlyFans sex toy side hustle.

Phil: You're still waiting for the fursuit sponsorship, Dan.

13. What’s something that you hope to have ticked off the bucket list in five years?

Phil: I don't even think about the next five minutes.

Dan: Yours is to not walk off the stage in the next five hours.

Phil: I always wanted to be a weatherman when I was a kid. Maybe I could go into that.

Dan: You would accidentally tell people that there is a hurricane. No offense. 

Phil: Apparently, you need left and right to do that. I still don't know my left and my right, so that's an issue.

Dan: It's not your fault, but that means that you probably can't be a weatherman. I don't want to crush your dreams. I think we just want to have a nap. 

Phil: We've been going full-on on this tour. 

Dan: Having the most fun ever — but we're indoor cats, you know what I mean?

14. Is there a video idea that one of you has had where the other has thought, “absolutely not”?

Dan: Phil regularly tells me that things I'm thinking of doing are too confrontational, spicy or offensive and I'm like, "No, they're not." And then afterwards, I'm like, "Okay, yeah, Phil, you saved my career."

Phil: I'm very good at looking at Dan's ideas and being like, "Maybe a little bit differently? We recently released a horse calendar. People were like, "What if you did a tasteful nudes calendar?" Because we did an OnlyFans April Fool's parody. 

Dan: I just think in your workplace, that's a lot to put next to the microwave. It's a funny idea, but that doesn't mean it's a good idea.

Phil: So we went with Dan, Phil, and a tiny horse.

Dan: Which is much better. You can put stickers over Dan and Phil and just look at the horse if you want.

Phil: No one needs my ass next to their kettle.

15. And finally, how would you describe your friendship in three words?

Dan: Way too long.

BuzzFeed: I think that was everything I had, so there's enough time for you to leave your hotel room.

Dan: This is the duality of Dan and Phil. I've got those packing cubes, so I have a suitcase full of things. Phil's just got the overall pile strategy. Very anxiety-inducing.

Phil: I need to go to my room because it is currently looks like a tornado has hit it.

Dan: I don't think Phil's gonna make it.

Thanks for talking to us, Dan and Phil! You can find out more information about their Terrible Influence tour here.

[black-arcana]

WITHIN TEMPTATION's SHARON DEN ADEL: 'Some People Stopped Following Us' Because We Became More Outspoken On World Issues

On April 5, Dutch metallers WITHIN TEMPTATION will release their brand-new song, "A Fool's Parade", which marks a collaboration with the talented Ukrainian producer Alex Yarmak. According to a press release from WITHIN TEMPTATION's publicist, "A Fool's Parade" "highlights Russia's pretense regarding the war, and condemns its lies, ongoing crimes and brutal intentions."

The song, released as a harbinger of the much-anticipated "Bleed Out 2024 Tour", is a powerful expression of what the press release calls "WITHIN TEMPTATION's commitment to continue shedding light on the ongoing existential struggle that Ukraine is facing against Russia's cruel invasion."

For the recording of the accompanying music video for "A Fool's Parade", Sharon Den Adel — the frontwoman of WITHIN TEMPTATION — recently spent time in Kyiv, Ukraine. The music video was directed by renowned Ukrainian video director Indy Hait.

With involvement in initiatives such as the Ukraine Aid OPS foundation, WITHIN TEMPTATION aims to keep drawing attention to Europe's much-needed support for Ukraine's defense.

During her stay in Kyiv, Sharon spoke to Metal Pilgrim about WITHIN TEMPTATION's decision to use its platform to draw attention to a variety of issues, including the plight of women fighting for their rights in Iran.

Sharon said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "We never cared about what people wanted us to say or not to say. We always did what we wanted to do. But the older you get and the more confident you get in being who you are and what you stand for, you're more expressive. And I also feel like I have nothing to [lose] — well, of course, you have something to lose when you speak out about things like this, because it can always backlash, of course. And it's very delicate to choose the right words for things. But I try to prepare myself really well. And I hope eventually that pays off, meaning the people get the message. Some people stopped following us because we started supporting [certain causes] and being more outspoken. They say, 'You can't be political as a band.' I don't agree because everybody has an opinion and everybody's loud, and that's also society today. As you see on social media, it's like there's no filter on anything. I'm not saying that I need to overshout other people, but more like I still wanna stand for my opinion and hopefully make people think about it."

Den Adel went on to say that "you also have to choose your battles" in terms of which issues to focus on when coming up with lyrical themes for songs. "[The Russia-Ukraine war] is happening in Europe, and we are a European band. And so we also got a lot of times the question, 'What about this country? What about this situation?' And there's also a lot of awful things happening in different parts of the world. And also in interviews, I will talk about it when people ask me, but I won't do it on the social media because you get in discussion and it becomes one big fight with pro and against certain subjects. For me, in interviews, I do respond to that as well. But I also have to pick my battles. If I take on all the injustice of the world, it will fade away for the thing that I, at the moment, am inspired about most. And the last album that we did, with 'Bleed Out', we have focused on certain parts of the world, like Iran — there's one song, 'Bleed Out', is about that — but a lot of songs, actually, are about the Ukraine, because we're in the same region — it's a two-hours flight from Amsterdam to Kiev. So, I hope people understand that we are picking our battles — something that's closer. Everybody has to do that. But also, like I said, if I talk about every problem in the world, it doesn't come across as authentic and honest either, because it's, like, you're a saint or something, which I'm not."

In a June 2023 interview with James Wilson-Taylor of Rock Sound, Den Adel spoke about the lyrical inspiration for WITHIN TEMPTATION's "Wireless" single: "When the war started in the Ukraine, we were in the studio writing songs, And it's one of the songs that we wrote. And it is about war, of course. It's about a soldier going to war and thinking he's going to liberate people, do good stuff and be a hero and everything, but then he finds out that he's been lied to by media but also government. And then he finds that he can't go back because he's already in his army gear, for instance. You can't go forward, you can't go backward because you have your buddies next to you and you'll all die in the field. And in front of you, you have a mission impossible almost."

The Dutch singer continued: "So that's what we try to do — maybe also shine a light on certain situations within the war. It's just we're storytellers — it's like amplifying a certain kind of emotion that people could feel in this situation."

Asked how she and her bandmates decided to use Russia's invasion of Ukraine as inspiration for one of their songs, Sharon said: "Well, from my point of view, it's not just their war. I really believe what some people are saying — it's really our war as well. Because it's next to us. They already said, they're not gonna stop at Ukraine; they're gonna go further. And a couple of hours flying from my home, it's already Kyiv. So it's also our war. I think we should be aware of the fact that this is a danger for all of us. They won't stop. And hopefully — we wanna keep this a little bit alive in our own small way by writing about it and talking about it and waving a flag on stage about it."

In March 2022, WITHIN TEMPTATION was one of the artists who took part in a telethon concert in support of Ukraine. "Save Ukraine - #StopWar" united more than 20 countries and bring together more than 50 participants. The marathon was broadcast from Warsaw on the Polish TV channel TVP. In addition, broadcasters from many countries around the world rebroadcasted the marathon on their local channels.

In an interview with Greece's Rock Overdose, Den Adel stated about her band's participation in the event: "For us, it was an honor to be asked for it. I think as a band and as people, we really value freedom of speech and freedom and democracy. I think as a band, people sometimes say, 'Don't be so political,' people say, 'Don't be so expressive and don't take a side on things.' But as a musician, I think it's important to represent who you are, not just in music but really stand for what you make and what you are saying in your lyrics in a way. And things that are happening in the world inspire us to write music, and then you also have to take a stance and what side you are. I think when it's so obvious where there's an aggressor and where there is a country being violated, invaded, you should take a stance and then it makes it much easier even to be very clear about where you stand in this whole conflict. Of course, it's something that we are keeping ourselves updated with every day because we find it very sad to see that a country that wants to be a democracy is invaded this way. So we are very honored to be asked also to play for this event, this marathon, and happy to do it."

Released last October, WITHIN TEMPTATION's latest album, "Bleed Out", signifies a bold leap forward for the band. From contemporary, hard-hitting, and djenty riffs to soaring melodies displaying their symphonic roots, WITHIN TEMPTATION has created a sonic journey that fuses diverse musical styles and thought-provoking themes. This is an album that is as epic as it is unflinchingly outspoken, and now more than ever, this is a band who isn't afraid to make a stand on issues the members care about.

Since the start of the war in Ukraine, WITHIN TEMPTATION have shifted their focus from writing about personal emotions and societal subjects to tackling global injustices and reflecting the tumultuous state of the world in a way that other artists seem unable or unwilling to do.

While songs such as "Wireless" and "We Go To War" examine the authoritarian aggression on display in Ukraine and other warzones, the title track itself addresses the plight of women fighting for their rights in Iran after the murder of Mahsa Amini.

The album also grapples with the complex issues around a woman's right to choose in recent single "Don't Pray For Me" and throughout, this impassioned and political focus is reflected in the intensity and heaviness of the music. Embracing a new era of musical exploration and lyrical depth, WITHIN TEMPTATION have pushed boundaries and showcased their artistic evolution, delivering a fist-in-the-air proclamation of both their moral convictions and their fearless approach to music.

[gabessquishytum]

Here’s the other regency romance novel I was talking about! It’s called Venetia, the characterization isn’t nearly as 1-to-1 as the other book, but the premise I think works really well (a/b/o again for those regency proprietary vibes)

The handsome omega Hob Gadling, thanks to a reclusive and over-protective father, grew up in the country, away from the world. He longs for some adventure, or at least a chance to travel, but even after his father’s death his new guardian is fairly content to leave him there, disinterested in helping him.

His peace and quiet is one day disturbed by the dashing but rakish alpha Lord Dream Endless, who arrives to spend time at his estate next door. He has a reputation of shocking behavior and unspeakable sexual escapades (including throwing at least one orgy that people know of, the horror!), and multiple people warn Hob to steer clear, lest he be immediately seduced and abandoned by the man.

But when Hob bumps into Dream on a walk, they’re each surprised to find that they click remarkably easily together as friends, learning over the course of further meetings that they share many of the same interests and opinions. Dream is fascinated by Hob’s open and candid manner, finding himself sharing several stories of his past, and admiring how none of his scandalous tales shock or appall him, and they quickly become the best of friends. When they fall in love however, Dream is convinced that marriage with him would cause Hob’s social ruin, and insists that it would be wrong to inflict this upon him.

Hob, who has also been fending off the patronizing and fluttering concern of the community who believe they have a say in the matter, is thoroughly exasperated by the whole thing. He really doesn’t care about his reputation or what society would think of him, and would very much like everyone to stop treating him like a delicate and naive young ingenue who needs protection. Has no one considered that perhaps he’d also like to participate in shocking behavior and unspeakable sexual escapades? Maybe he wants an invite to the orgy, an orgy sounds fun! (This is actually the heroine’s opinion in the book, it’s amazing 😆)

-🪽anon

Omg yes this is just as good as the other romance novel inspired ask you sent!! I love it!

Just because omega Hob hasn't had the opportunity to do anything scandalous and terrible, doesn't mean he doesn't want to! He just has the misfortune to live in a rural community with no access to like minded people. And Dream’s arrival changes all that! He's full of ideas and stories and he's seen so much of the world! Hob is besotted with him, and dares to ask him all kinds of questions that no one else has ever answered - mainly about biology. He wants to know how his own body works, and he's very pleased when Dream presents him with diagrams and a full explanation of how an omega's body works.

Someone from the village comes around warning Dream that he'd better back off, that Hob is a nice omega and he doesn't need a filthy debauched type of alpha sniffing around him (Hob is currently sitting behind the sofa trying to hide the fact that he's giggling. He's really not a nice omega, he's just never had any opportunity to be bad).

Dream shrugs and says, alright, he'll marry Hob. Will that make everyone happy? And Hob falls out of his hiding place to say "yes" before anyone can answer for him.

They have a very quiet wedding and run straight off on honeymoon soon after, as Dream has promised to spoil Hob by taking him on a tour throughout Europe. There might be orgies. There will definitely be fucking. Possibly on public balconies. In any case, Hob intends to simultaneously adore his husband AND shock everyone who has ever known him <3

[jokeroutsubs]

ENG SUB translation: JOKER OUT: The audience knows we’re a real thing, not just a three-minute performance.

Original article from Serbian website Zoomer.rs.

Translation by @moonlvster

JOKER OUT: The audience knows we’re a real thing, not just a three-minute performance.

Before the frontman of the Slovenian band Joker Out knelt in front of a Serbian audience last Friday and on their request sang “Đurđevdan”, the popular band that gained international recognition at this year’s Eurovision received a Golden Record for the single ‘Carpe Diem’. On this occasion, Zoomer spoke with Jan Peteh and vocalist Bojan Cvjetićanin, whom the Serbian audience especially like because of his background. Bojan and Jan told us that they look at their Eurovision success from a distance, reveal details of their tour, as well as when the awaited third album is coming out.

Which city has been the most memorable one on the tour so far? Where would you like to perform and haven’t had the chance this time?

We liked it the most in Ireland, England, Finland, Norway, Sweden, Serbia, Croatia and Slovenia. This year we’ll miss a few countries we’d like to go to, which are Italy, Spain, Portugal, Morocco, there’s plenty. I think next year we’ll perform in some of the countries we missed this year. Nothing is confirmed, but the team has hinted at us about the possibility of going to Australia, America and Japan next year. We want to return to many countries, especially ones in the region. It’s really intimate, homely, the audience is warm, they greeted us better than we could’ve expected. Just love.

That means next year is reserved for a tour too, can we expect some new music or will you be busy with gigs?

The first half of 2024 we’re going to live in London, where we’re going to create and record the new album. In March and April we’re having a month-long tour, then summer festivals and at the end of the year another headlining tour. So a new album is coming out next autumn. We hope. (laughter)

Is it true that the new album will be in multiple languages?

It is. It’s going to be in at least three languages, which are, of course, Slovenian, Serbian and English, and it’s possible we’ll throw in more.

The unexpected boom after Eurovision has, on the one hand, given you a stepping stone, and on the other hand perhaps forced a prefix that isn’t always appreciated in the music world. What do you think of that?

I would absolutely say that it was a stepping stone for us. I believe that our result shows we’re not just Eurovision participants, but we have proven to the public that there is some sort of story and a longer period in which we have been creating and that this is a real thing, not just a three minute performance. The fact that we are coming to Europe, that people are buying tickets to our shows and singing our songs for an hour and a half, is enough of an indicator of Eurovision was a catapult for us as you could wish for, and that we have passed that moment of a few minutes.

Do you maintain friendships made at Eurovision?

We hang out a lot, yes. With Käärijä, Luke Black and many more, Monika from Lithuania, Let 3, we keep in touch with the guys from San Marino, we even performed with Wild Youth on our UK tour.

Where do you like to spend time in Belgrade?

Jan has only been here for performances, but I spend the most time around Cetinjska Street, I’ll say Marsh. (laughter)

What do you think about socially engaged music, are there any topics you particularly care about?

As a band we agreed not to take a political stand. We’re a group of musicians and we always speak out if a violation of human rights is in question, but for other political matters we’re not the right people to ask. We don’t think it’s fair for us to influence people because we have opinions. Just because we’re famous and have some kind of influence, we don’t have to be objectively right. In terms of social topics, we already sing about them in our songs. Our job is to bring people together into one space and to create a feeling of closeness, love and unity in them.

[spiderfreedom]

About this post, out of curiosity, when do you think it all started? Is there research on like how far back it goes? It obviously isn't inherent to human nature; I know it's not. Is it just one of those toxic things that started from the beginning of organized religion :( ?

There's research, but there's a lot of controversy on when/how patriarchy developed. The most important thing to note is that Greek/Roman/Chinese/Japanese style misogyny is not universal and has not always been the norm. Societies differed a lot in how much power and autonomy women had. At the same time, we must be conscious even the 'best' societies of the past still had faults surrounding women.

Some places to start are:

Alice Evans: Ten Thousand Years of Patriarchy: This article looks at it from an economic and cultural perspective. I strongly recommend reading her Substack, where she travels around the world interviewing Third World Women and Feminists to see why their women's liberation movements have succeeded or failed! From the linked article:

Our world is marked by the Great Gender Divergence. Objective data on employment, governance, laws, and violence shows that all societies are gender unequal, some more than others. In South Asia, North Africa and the Middle East, it is men who provide for their families and organise politically. Chinese women work but are still locked out of politics. Latin America has undergone radical transformation, staging massive rallies against male violence and nearly achieving gender parity in political representation. Scandinavia still comes closest to a feminist utopia, but for most of history Europe was far more patriarchal than matrilineal South East Asia and Southern Africa. [...] Why do some societies have a stronger preference for female cloistering? To answer that question, we must go back ten thousand years. Over the longue durée, there have been three major waves of patriarchy: the Neolithic Revolution, conquests, and Islam. These ancient ‘waves’ helped determine how gender relations in each region of the world would be transformed by the onset of modern economic growth.

Another thing to remember/consider when it comes to studying the past is how few resources we have. We only know so much about how pre-historical humans organized their societies. Colonialism destroyed evidence of other societies with different ways of approaching gender. Many of the great apes we study are endangered. And literate societies happened to be patriarchal societies (likely related to literacy going hand in hand with bureaucracy and agriculture and the development of a state?) so we don't know as much as we could about women in literate regions.

Organized religion definitely codified a lot about patriarchy, but the major religions (Christianity, Islam, Buddhism) arose in regions of the world that were already patriarchal. So it's kind of a chicken and the egg problem when it comes to patriarchy and religion. We know that religions that worshipped goddesses, like Greek and Roman paganism and Hinduism, can still coexist with sexist societies.

These aren't great answers, but it's a big question and there are a lot of people working on answering it! It ties back into the bigger question of what our human ancestors were like, and whether we're kind of doomed to violence and xenophobia or whether there are alternatives. Some other books I've read that may be useful reading on this front are:

The Dawn of Everything. A long book, but it's a tour of human history and different societies and ways of organizing society. One of the chapters is on women, if I recall correctly.

Women's Work: The First 20,000 Years: Women, Cloth, and Society in Early Times. Women have been working with cloth for a very long time. In some societies, this allowed women a high degree of status (see the Minoans!) and in others, women were worked to the bone producing textiles (Ancient Egypt).

The book "Demonic Males" looks at the birth of patriarchy from a primatology perspective. Our ape ancestors show male-dominant behaviors and societies. It's controversial the extent this is directly responsible for misogyny and male violence, but I think it's likely that our ape inheritance influenced the structure of early humans - so we basically have a lot of baggage.

Broadly speaking, reading books on feminist anthropology will help you, because a lot of what we know about patriarchy is based on highly literate societies, which as we established, are also agricultural societies with bureaucracies and a hierarchical culture. That's hardly representative of the human condition. As an example, look at Inuit society - on the one hand, there is arranged marriage and all that it implies; on the other, we do not have the same ideals of silent women who stay at home - women are valued members of the society and their skills are explicitly recognized as necessary for survival. Compare Western cultures that view domestic tasks as "support" tasks while the "real" work is done by men.

Finally, this one is a bit old (1974), but it may give you a starting point for understanding feminist anthropology and the search for the origins of patriarchy: "Is Female to Nature as Male is to Culture". It can help us understand how female subordination manifests itself in different cultures, and to know what to look for.

I hope this has been helpful. If anyone can recommend good books on the origin of patriarchy/female subordination (especially for non-Western cultures), please feel free to add in the replies or reblogs!