#this kind of post are always so difficult to tag because i both wanna label for archive reasons

[pontipines]

sooooo,since Amazon has both the rights on the Rings of Power and Dragonball,yknow what that's mean....

THE VIRGIN (RoP) GALADRIEL:

destroys the legacy of an iconic female character FROM the fantasy work of the West. Cheap copy of the protagonists YA in romantasy.

no purpose nor goal of her own, it takes a man to say her what she wants.

Despite being married has an evil situationship in an attempt of audience. Fails spectacularly due her lacks of choise, half of the critics doesn't even understand there Is a situationship tò being with

Useless "i can fix him" complex since we already know that it wont work. Can't even be horny about him

Good girl whose flaws are accidental. Rey Skywalker coded

Kiss her best friend as a ploy.#cringe

THE CHAD BULMA:

Iconic female character whose legacy is still one of the reason her story is THE fantasy opera of the East. Every shonen girls Wish was her

purpose and goal of her own,man are desposable.

Openly dump her boyfriend and willingly,entering an actual controversial relationship with this evil guy. 100%success they became the most iconic couple of the series

Devotion independent of morality, it turns out, leads to a most long-awaited redemption. ALSO Canon Femdom

Rich,bitchy and manipolative AND THAT'S WHY PEOPLE LOVES HER. Welcome back Cathy

Sex appeal against the enemy but still use brain #gaslightgatekeepgirlboss

[shrimpmandan]

I’ve been reflecting some on my views lately.

I wanted to give my thoughts on the MOGAI community and my perspective on it as a neurodivergent trans person, and just kind of reflect on my stance on and understanding of it. This is really rambly because it's 3 AM and I'm tired, but this is just my own perspective on the MOGAI community and its relation to transmeds. I think the issue I have with MOGAI is mainly its conflation with being transgender, and how these terms are labeled with -gender at all.

To preface for anyone who doesn’t follow me and is just scrolling through tags, I'm autistic + ADHD, and to my knowledge a binary trans man. I consider myself a transmedicalist and anti-MOGAI, just on the basis that I don't think MOGAI genders can be, well, genders. From what I understand, gender is your neurological sex. I know there's been critiques of the brain sex theory, but it's the one that makes the most sense to me. In essence, your brain can't be pupgender because pupgender isn't a sex. I'm very science-oriented and I'm not inclined to support something as a label if it does not describe a real, proven occurrence. 

Though, I understand why people, particularly people with autism, use these labels. Some of them appeal to synesthesia, a complicated experience often comorbid with autism. I understand how an autistic person with synesthesia would 'feel' their gender. Hell, I know I do. I always described my gender as a feeling. Now, gender is more complicated than just 'a feeling', but my point stands. An autistic person may think their gender is foggy due to synesthesia, though I don't think there are any existing studies discussing such a correlation yet. Other labels, such as "autigender", are simply descriptors. It's not "my gender is autism", but rather "my gender is affected by my autism". This is where I have another issue. MOGAI labels are made for neurodivergent people, so why are they named in such a way that makes it really easy to misinterpret them literally? Even neurotypicals I've met see "autigender" and infer that it means "my gender is autism". Additionally, when getting into neopronouns, a lot of neurodivergent people have difficulties using or remembering neopronouns and how to conjugate them. I literally can't use nounself pronouns because it fucks with my language processing issues so much. But again, I can understand why they're used. Some neurodivergent people have difficulties using singular they/them. I read a post about someone having standard pronouns (he/she/they) be misophonia triggers, so they use neopronouns that don't trigger such a response. My only issue there is just how many there are. Thon/thons existed as a singular neutral pronoun at one point, and I think we should bring that pronoun back for folks who can't use standard pronouns comfortably, without having this laundry list of them.

In my opinion, MOGAI would be basically harmless if MOGAI genders weren't conflated with being transgender. Simply put, most transgender people can't relate to the MOGAI crowd. And by extension, what is MOGAI fighting for? How would their activism fit into ours? I know that many people who use MOGAI labels are also transgender, but some of 'em aren't. Some MOGAI users are cis neurodivergent people who have varying difficulties understanding or describing their gender. Now, I never experienced that, so I can't relate, but I can see it. I can see why a cis ND person would think "my gender feels kinda fuzzy" and then be like "fuck it, guess I'm fuzzgender." But, that doesn't make them trans. This weird conflation between MOGAI and being trans is extremely harmful and what a lot of people in transmed/anti-MOGAI circles take issue with. A lot of us don't relate to MOGAI and feel like our issues are being trivialized by this narrative that gender is just a fun way to express yourself, which is sadly not a reality for a lot of trans people, especially the teens who are pre-transition (the ones who are typically transmeds). It feels extremely invalidating for many. 

I think this is just down to the way MOGAI is presented. MOGAI was originally coined to be a more inclusive term for LGBT after all, and MOGAI genders are branded as, well, genders. I think that MOGAI should be rebranded and adjusted to be more cohesive (so that there aren’t a billion labels that are unused or just repeats of each other) as well as better described so that they don’t necessarily conflate with being trans. I've seen some people propose calling xenogenders "xenoidentities" instead, for example. "Xenodescriptors" could also work, possibly. I'm the type of person who tries to look for compromise. While I do put labels on my stances, my opinions on issues tend to be more complex than the label lets on. There's definitely a way to make both communities happy and healthy and fulfill their intended purposes. It's just difficult to get anything done when most of the online discourse is spent shitting on each other and harassing each other. I frequently see both transmeds and tucutes be doxxed, harassed, suicide baited, et cetera et cetera. That doesn't accomplish anything. That's just bullying. Name-calling and harassment is just bullying. If we could just facilitate a respectful, meaningful discussion and work together as communities to understand each other better and come to an agreement, then this discourse wouldn't need to go on any longer. Nothing is black and white. Both sides have their reasons for feeling the way they do. This applies to literally every other major LGBT discourse going on as well, from bi vs pan to acecourse to whatever the hell else. We need to make an effort to understand each other. This post is absolutely open for discussion if it doesn't get buried. I think I covered both sides pretty well but obviously the experiences of people who actually use MOGAI labels are much more important than my views from the outside. I’m cross-tagging this since I don’t want this to just be flooded with one side. I am actively welcoming interaction from either side on this post. Please just ignore this post/block me if you don’t wanna see it. This isn’t cross-tagged with malicious intent. I simply wish to gain more perspective on why people may use MOGAI labels, and also why other transmeds dislike them so. I obviously could be missing a few things.

[clairecrive]

“Let’s stay home”| Quarantine AU

As promised here chapter 5. I’ve made it long to apologize about posting it late. Again, I’m sorry. However, I hope you enjoy it. As always if you have any ideas or things you’d like to see happen, let me know! Next chapter, someone will make a cameo, who do you think will be?

Tag list: @deaflikehawkeye, @mollybegger-blog, @of-love-and-of-the-sea, @br0ck-eddie, @fandom--0verdose, @evelynshelby, @shadow-of-wonder, @innerpaperexpertcloud, @sopxhiea, @fuseburner (let me know if you wanna be added)

If you lost a chapter: Masterpost

Chapter 5 - “Concert”

"Oh my god, yes, yes, yes!" Her loud scream of enthusiasm was heard throughout the house alarming its guests.

"What? What's going on?!" Tommy ran out of his room out of concern regarding her screech, thinking the worst.

"What the bloody hell is going on here?" Came Alfie's annoyed grunt as he got up from the chair he was sitting on with the help of his cane. Being cooped up in the house all day wasn't helping his sciatica at all.

But Emma didn't grace either of them with an answer. Instead, she simply jumped off her bed while calling her friend on Facetime, completely clueless of the worried men that were standing outside her room waiting to know what was going on.

Squirming on her feet, failing at staying still, Emma sported a huge smile on her face while she waited for her friend to connect. Half expecting to see Bane's face popping up on the screen, Alfie thought about leaving, not wanting to repeat the other day's situation but contrary to his expectation, a female face appeared on the screen. Adjusting his position against the door so that he was more comfortable, he now was genuinely curious. It was the first time that Emma talked with a female friend. He had even begun to think that she didn't have any.

"Jen, have you heard?" She excitedly asked her friend that seemed none the wiser.

"Emma, it's literally 8 am here. You're lucky I even answered you."

"Well then, I'm about to make your day ten times better. Check the message I've sent you on Telegram."

"Can't you just tell me?" Jen's tired voice complained

"That's not fun, I'm building the suspense." Emma firmly explained waiting for Jen to do as she said.

"What do you think is going on?" Tommy asked Alfie.

"I've no idea mate. No idea." Alfie simply said, scrolling his shoulders while not removing his eyes from Emma's form.

After a couple of seconds of silence, which saw Emma grinning like a fool and Tommy and Alfie simply standing there like some clueless bodyguards, Jen's squeal brought Emma's smile only to widen while Tommy and Alfie were startled, the former losing his balance while the latter lost his grip on his cane. What the hell...

"Thank all the gods in Olympus, they've blessed us!" Jen's face reappeared on the screen now mirroring Emma's expression.

"I'm so happy Jen, you've got no idea. I really thought they were just going to refund us."

"I told you, you had to be positive about this! You never listen to me, you pessimistic bitch." Jen sassed making Alfie's eyebrows shot up and Tommy's lips to pout.

"Can you, for the love of God, tell us what's going on?" Alfie's voice prevented Emma to respond, making her finally aware of their presence in her room.

"Oh, hello boys." She simply greeted him not understanding their worried stance. When they gave her an allusive look she finally explained with a big smile.

"Harry's concert got rescheduled."

"And that's what got ya screamin like a fucking banshee?" Alfie grumbled

"Other concerts have been simply cancelled and the tickets refunded. This way we still get to see him." Now fully facing them, she elaborated.

"Fucking hell." Alfie simply muttered under his breath leaving the room. She turned to Tommy but her confusion only grew.

"Next time I hear you screaming, you better be dying." He said before leaving as well.

As confused as ever, her face resembled the question mark which made Jen laugh.

"Ugh, men," Emma joked.

"While we're on the subject, how's the living together thing going?" Jen noisily asked wiggling her eyebrows making Emma know that she was here for the tea.

"It's going well actually. So far, at least. They've been surprisingly helpful so I'm not complaining."

"You're stuck with three handsome, mouth-watering men and that's all you're going to tell me?"

"I know they're attractive Jen but nothing is going to happen. We're friends."

"If I were you, I'd walk naked all the time and hide their clothes so that they'd also have to be naked all the time. You'll see how something will happen then." Jen shared her absurd plan topping it with a suggestive wink.

"You're missing Nik, eh?" Emma affirmed more than asked knowing very well that being away from her boyfriend was really taking its toll on Jennifer.

"You've no idea. This is going to be pretty tough, not going to lie. There's only so much we can do on video chat and of course, it's not like the real thing." Her friend complained, making it very clear why she was missing her boyfriend so much. If there was something that Jennifer wasn't, it's certainly being smooth. She's the kind of person that's very upfront about things, whatever they are.

"I can imagine." Was Emma's attempt at being sympathetic. Her relationship with sex was really different, however, she could understand Jen's problem. If she had a boyfriend whom she loved as much as Jen loved Nick, maybe she'd miss the connection that comes with sex too.

"I'm here, terribly horny and suffering for this quarantine and you're standing there surrounded by dicks and you won't take advantage of it!" Jennifer loudly complained, getting cruder and cruder and Emma couldn't help but scrunch her face in horror at her friend's choice of words.

"My god Jen, get a grip on yourself girl," Emma jokingly reprimanded her, " You should have come here when I invited you then."

"Unfortunately for me, I'm awfully loyal and Nick's dick is the only one that I want. But I know that you'd have been delighted by my presence, you don't have to pretend."

"Oh damn, you got me. My life is empty without you." Emma indulged her. It wasn't completely false, she did miss the girl a lot.

"I know, I know. Listen, babe, I've gotta go, Nick's calling me. I'll talk to you later and please, think about what I've told you, okay?"

"Yeah, yeah, bye Jen." Emma willingly ignored her last statement and ended the call with a nostalgic smile.

Emma was fully aware of how unconventional most of her relationships were. She never really thought about them that way, it was always people's reaction to them that made her realize how strange to an outsider might look. But to be fair, however unorthodox her relationships may seem, they were all based on mutual respect and honesty. When people asked her if it was true that she and Tommy were just friends, Emma would always be puzzled by their astonishment. Yes, they had been together. So what? Some people work better as friends. And yes, Emma wasn't blind, Tommy was sexy af but while she could admit it without shame she would also be lying if she said that she thought of being with him. Been there, done that. It didn't work so she moved on. As did he, there was an understanding between them.

Alfie was a totally different thing.

They had started off as friends but both of them felt that there was more. That there could be more. And in fact, there was. They tried it out and it was working just fine until her job cut in and ruined everything. She had to leave. And neither of them were too sure of a long-distance relationship. Alfie respected her decision, he knew how important her job was for her, how ambitious she was. But breaking up was inevitable. And so they did.

However, since there really was mutual respect and affection between them, they kept in touch. Sure, it wasn't the same thing and both of them had had different partners in the meantime, but they always found their way back to each other.

So, when it came to them, friends was a reductive word but it was better than to explain their whole relationship to some stranger every time. They would better fit under the heading "it's complicated" but a global pandemic wasn't the right time to deal with this situation and finally label their relationship. Emma knew that that was why she was ignoring Alfie's jealous remarks and Jenn's proposal. Things were already difficult, neither of them needed them to be even more complicated.

Days went on like this then: Tommy and Alfie that would bicker from time to time, always because Alfie would provoke him in some way; Eddie would jump in and either fuel their discussion or would spend his time tormenting Emma. He was surprisingly helpful though. He would go out and go shopping for necessities claiming that it was impossible for him to get infected, he would help her clean up and take care of the house. As long as he lent a hand as he was doing, Emma wouldn't complain about him pestering her. Emma and Bane would still video call every other day to keep in touch but he was unexpectedly evasive when it came to his whereabouts.

Everything was going fine. Emma knew that she was one of those who had it good, that's why she couldn't find it in herself to complain about this whole situation. However, if she could speak freely, she'd have to admit that her mood was progressively getting worse. She tried to keep a routine to keep her busy but the truth was that she was finding it harder and harder to get out of bed and do things, with each passing day.

She still tried though. Because she had taken a commitment with the other guys and had chores to do, but also because of her job. And most importantly she didn't want anyone to know that she was feeling so blue. Emma was one of those people that prefer to deal with their problems by themselves and shy away from any kind of attention when they're going through something.

Up until this day, end of week two in lockdown, she had pulled it through. For whatever reason though, this day had hit her harder than any other. Maybe it was because of the article she was supposed to write. It was about self-love, how important it is and what are the different ways one could take care of themself quarantine edition. The topic wasn't weird perse, Emma wrote frequently about this kind of stuff, it was just that she felt like a scam writing it. How could she write about self-love and ways in which people could make themselves happy, especially in these difficult times, when she was the first one who was miserably failing in doing so?

Yes, it was definitely this the reason for her sulking.

She was lying on her bed facing the ceiling with her head dangling at the end of it trying to find a way around this article that she had to write. Caught up in her thoughts, she didn't realize that the door of her room was open and that anyone passing through could see.

"Em?" Tommy's voice anchored her to reality and made her eyes snap open. However, she remained in her weird position, not bothered to lift up nor to answering him.

"What are you doing?" He walked further into the room but didn't get too close to her.

"Thinking." Emma just mumbled, scooping a little further so that her head wasn't hanging anymore. Nodding, Tommy got close to her now, and lied down beside her but facing the other way.

The reason why Emma and Tommy had stayed friends after they had hooked up, was because before that night they had actually hung out a lot. Emma was writing a piece on the tournament he was taking part in, Sparta, and had heard about him and his brother. In order to actually write the article, Emma had to speak with both of them. She didn't expect to get along so well with both of them. Not that Tommy was that much of a talker when they first met. Only a few short answers here and there and the occasional joke. However, Emma knew a little of his backstory and had also the impression that there was more to him than met the eye. He was hurt. Emma had no doubt about that. And just like her, when he was hurt talking to people was the last thing she wanted.

After coming to that realisation, dealing with Tommy became easier. He gradually opened up to her, even if it was only a little, and they got along really well. In some way, they were alike. And once you've found a soul similar to yours you tend to keep it close.

With time Tommy had learnt to read Emma just like she did with him during their first time together and come to the understanding that when Emma closed off like this, she was hurting.

He didn't say anything. He just laid there, next to her. Held her hand letting her know that he was there for her but leaving her the time to open up if she wanted to that is.

"Right, what's goin on in here?" Alfie's voice startled them both but while Tommy rolled his eyes, a little annoyed by his interruption, Emma reluctantly smiled at his antics. Sometimes, she wondered why he was so amusing to her and then realized the warmth and comfort that he brought her along with his annoying ways.

Pushing her head so that she was looking at him upside down, she smiled when she saw him standing there with his hands on his hip like an angry lady.

"Could you please stop pouting and come here and cuddle with us?"

Everyone knew that Emma was an affectionate friend. But for her to be so outspoken about it and asking for affection? It was a red sign and Alfie recognized it. So stop pouting he did and made Tommy scoop so that he could lay on her other side, holding her hand.

Their sweet cuddling session would be short because Eddie would soon be coming back from the grocery store but they all enjoyed while it lasted. Sometimes, Emma realized, the best self-love tip was simply being surrounded by our loved ones.

[garrettsiwicki]

The Gandrew Conundrum

Or better named, the post where I talk out of my ass. Okay, so let me preface this by saying I am in no way claiming any of this is true. This is just a point of view my brain has created from what we’ve seen or headcanon’d about Garrett and Andrew. I don’t truly know anything about Garrett, Andrew, or anyone relating to them. This is just my opinion of where I personally see them right now. If you wanna take it seriously, okay. If you wanna take it as a headcanon and have fun with it, okay. It’s all in good fun and not meant to be taken as gospel. If anything just run with it for fanfics or something. :) 

 So anyway, here is my analysis/headcanon/conspiracy/whatever about Gandrew. It’s not all fluff and cuteness, so keep that in mind. I tried to write it as down to earth as possible. Enjoy. ❤️

Garrett. I think his feelings/situation is a bit more straight forward than Andrew’s. Garrett has openly said “if I was a girl, i’d put a ring on it [Andrew]” and has joked about being in love with one of his straight friends before (the friend who made him that bike). So it’s pretty likely he harbors some kind of feelings for his “dear close sweet handsome friend” Andrew, whom he appears to be closer and spend more time with. I think Garrett does have feelings for Andrew, and I think he knows he has feelings for Andrew, but of course Andrew (at least to Garrett’s knowledge) is his “straight guy” friend and obviously you can’t just announce that you, a gay person, have feelings for your “not-gay” friend. Hell, it’s difficult to announce you have feelings for your best friend when you’re in a straight relationship. Adding conflicting sexualities to that makes a whole new layer of confusion. Because of this possibility/fear I think Garrett has resigned himself to accepting that it’ll always be something fantasy, that he shouldn’t allow himself to entertain the thought because it’ll “never happen” and he’s just the “silly” gay friend who fell in love with his straight friend. 
(I’m not calling Garrett silly, it’s not silly at all, but he may think that) I think if Andrew showed interest toward a relationship, if it was totally Andrew’s decision to open up about it and pursue something, then Garrett would have no problem pursuing some kind of relationship. But of course, like I said, Garrett is not ready to start this conversation himself. (Note: When I say Garrett doesn’t fully acknowledge it, i’m not saying Garrett can’t brag on or compliment Andrew. He does those things all the times and we all see how smitten he is, i’m just saying he won’t go to Andrew and verbally tell him “I LIKE YOU ROMANTICALLY” lol) 
 Now for Andrew. 
 Andrew’s feelings are a bit harder for me to pin point, largely due to the fact i’m not 100% sure how to explain what I mean, and also my opinion is known to jump back and forth, but nevertheless i’ll try to make this sensible. 
 (A lot of this explaining has to do with discovering yourself/being closeted/etc so keep that in mind.) I think Andrew identifies as straight, and therefor is assumed straight by those around him, but I also feel like he’s never been dead-set on it. And what I mean by that is, the average straight guy will tell you they have no intentions of ever dating a guy. They’re straight and it’s not their thing. But with Andrew I feel he’s never been super defensive of his heterosexuality. Andrew has never shown signs of hyper-masculinity or really caring about what people perceived him as. Yes, that could purely be due to the fact he’s just a decent and accepting guy, but I feel like there’s a bit more to it. I feel like he doesn’t feel the need to establish his heterosexuality because while he has only dated women, and overall assumes himself as straight, I feel like he’s one of those people who has acknowledged to themselves that they wouldn’t be closed to the idea of dating a guy if one day they had feelings for one. (Note, hypothetically being open to dating someone of the same sex is vastly different than actually dating an entire real person) Now, that being said, many people in the queer community started off with a similar woke mindset of “i’m straight, but if I liked someone of the same sex I wouldn’t be opposed to it” before realizing they were actually queer. Just like many of us were big LGBT+ Ally’s and related to/liked a lot of queer media before realizing we were queer ourselves. It’s sometimes a stepping stone to realizing you’re queer, I guess you could say.
 This is where I think Andrew falls. 
 Andrew is obviously comfortable with the LGBT community, his current friend group appears to be very diverse and heavily queer, and he seems to not be afraid of liking things that may be perceived as feminine or “gay” by the average cishet person. Andrew is at a stage a lot of queer people have been at before, which is being a Super Cool Straight Ally until one day “Oh wait... maybe i’m not just an Ally.”. This is something that can happen when a queer person finds themselves around more queer people and more queer media than before. No, I don’t mean he’s being “turned” gay or some dumb shit like that, what I mean is if a queer person is in a more open and diverse environment (the squad, youtube, etc) that they maybe weren’t in before, that person can start to realize things about themselves they’ve never been able to really acknowledge, label, or be open about before. 
(This is why I smirk at the comments saying “Andrew is getting gayer” because yeah, lol. For lack of a better term, he is. He’s not being made gay, but he is getting more comfortable in himself.)  Andrew is at the stage where he knows something is different. He knows he puts Garrett in a different category than his other male friends, he knows he doesn’t /like/ seeing Garrett flirt with other guys. When Garrett hangs out with Jeffree, Andrew has to post about some other friend he’s hanged out with. If Jeffree makes a joke about sleeping with Garrett, Andrew has to mention he slept over with a friend too. He knows what he’s feeling is jealousy and he’s trying to put this new feeling in it’s place, but he’s still not ready to let himself fully admit that he’s gone and fallen for his best friend. See, Andrew has always struck me as having a shy, maybe a bit nervous, personality. I think it’s definitely possible he overthinks different situations in this life, and falling for your best friend is definitely something someone might overthink. I think it’s also very possible he’s slightly self conscious and tends to doubt himself a lot in stressful or confusing situations. So it’s not that he’s against what he’s feeling, he’s not grossed out by it or negative toward it,  but it’s that he won’t let himself *believe* it’s happening. If that makes sense. I think he panics and tries to rationalize it into something else because “I don’t have feelings for Garrett… do I? No, we’re best friends. That’s all it is.” 
“Garrett couldn’t possibly have feelings for me… there’s no way” 
 “I’m just being dramatic, Garrett doesn’t like me… ” etc. 
 Most everyone, including myself, has had the #gay panic when realizing they’re queer. He’s never experienced this before with a guy, definitely not with someone so close to him, and I think he’s a bit shell shocked by it. So he self doubts. He overthinks. He tries to rationalize it because there *must* be another explanation for it... there’s no WAY he’s fallen for his best friend, that only happens in movies, right? And when I say Andrew can’t admit it or is confused by his feelings, I don’t mean it in a homophobic or demeaning way. I mean coming to terms with yourself, even if it’s just the newness of everything, can be a lot to take in at first. It’s an experience with a lot of feelings and thoughts. Even if someone is open to it, it actually happening can take a minute to get used to. Hypotheticals and real life are two entirely different ball games. 
 Now for another big question…. do they realize each other has the same feelings, and do people around them realize it? 
 Like I said earlier, I think Garrett doesn’t allow himself to believe it’s there. He thinks Andrew is straight and it’s all just his silly feelings, so while he might notice hints here and there he doesn’t let himself believe it’s anything. He won’t assume anything until Andrew tells him directly to his face. (Poor Andrew, lol) 
 For Andrew I think he notices more than Garrett. He can see Garrett likes him a lot and it’s not that he doesn’t want that, but like with his own feelings I think he tries to rationalize it and overthink it. When Garrett compliments him and brags on him, he tries to tell himself that it’s JUST because Garrett is a nice guy. It’s JUST because Garrett is funny and extra. Garrett compliments EVERYONE, I’M not special (he is). Like with his own feelings, in the back of his head he knows what it is and he does hope for it, but it’s gonna take a bit of time for him to let himself believe fully it’s there. 
(may it be due to the #gay panic or just his own self doubt) As for their friends… obviously they notice. Garrett tweeted about wanting a boyfriend once and Matt replied with a tag to Andrew, so obviously anyone could tell they’re the couple in their friend group who everyone teases about getting together. Do I think their friends realize it’s THIS serious yet? Maybe not. Teasing and genuine belief are two different things. I think their friends definitely think they’re good together, and wouldn’t be surprised if it happened, and tease them about it, but like with everything else Andrew’s alleged straightness still adds a tiny bit of hesitation to everyone’s belief. So I think they know, but maybe they don’t notice it’s quite this serious yet. 
 As for the actual squad (Shane, Ryland, and Morgan)… I don’t know. I’ve never been able to exactly pin point my thoughts on their POV. I think they believe more than Garrett and Andrew’s other friends, simply for the fact Shane and Ryland are both queer and could see things from a different POV than Garrett and Andrew’s other straight friends. Not to get too fanfic-y, but I think Shane would definitely be one of the first people to realize “oh shit, this is for real. It’s not just teasing anyone.” (if he hasn’t realized already). 
Shane struggled a lot with his bisexuality and has been through this before, he would definitely be someone to notice the tell tale signs somebody else might not. - Anyway, there ya go. As of right now, this is my view of everything Gandrew. May it drastically change one day? Yes. Does it change a little bit everyday depending on the circumstance and new content? Yes. So again, take from this what you will. It may ring some truth, it may be entirely bs. But hopefully you all at least enjoyed reading it. :)

[hyuncakes]

hi i was not sure if i should send this to your main or this but since this blog is more wanna one related tag could your mutuals as points in "if kpop positions were accurate" this is the post = seokjinandtonic. tumblr. com/post/164651220236/if-kpop-positions-were-accurate i have been following both of you on your main and here and i like you to know i am a fan and your graphics inspire me

YOU ARE SOOOOO CUTE OMG THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR LIKING OUR GRAPHICS!! And saying that we inspire you ;___; that’s so so sweet of you I literally screamed. You deserve the worlddddddd!!! This seems fun so let’s get to it!! ^^ Lillian and I are gonna combine our answers lol so if you’re tagged and are like “lool this girl isn’t even following me though???” it’s prob the other person~ :^)

the hyung you thought was a maknae

tbh I thought Ying was my age but it turned out she was 95 line!!! @ Ying I also tagged you for something else below c:

the unofficial visual

@woojiniel and @perkwoojin are so so so pretty?? Idk but these were the first two I thought of!! They have such soft, sweet visuals and I think usually in groups the official visuals are the ones with the “stronger” visuals? But once you get into the group more you start to notice that one member who’s like so so cute that you can’t believe they’re not officially labelled as a visual. 

the “not my bias, but is my bias”

Ummm probably @hwangminyeo! She’s like the member of the group that you first notice because of her visuals, and then you’re like semi-interested in that member and half keeping an eye on that member while you settle on a bias. And then once you get into the group more you find out that not only is she a visual but she also has such a cute personality? Like she’s more shy and dorky than you originally anticipated and then you fall for her double charms. (But you still gotta stay loyal to your bias lol)

the workout-aholic who basically lives in the gym and boy does it show

I’m putting Abby @hwangminyeo under here to because idk if she goes to the gym often or not but body goals 😭😭😭😭

the walking, living, breathing meme

@seonnho This is the one image I have of Jennie tbh… just one big meme (a cute one at that)!!! She makes the best textposts on her SVT blog. I love her sense of humor it’s just so…. relatable LOL. Is it because she’s a Seungkwan stan that she’s like this? It’s proven that Boo stans are the memest. I feel like she hasn’t made that many meme-y posts on here (or maybe I missed them :(( in which case I suck) but once she does 👀 Anyway I’ve talked to you like twice but I still love you c’:

I looked at the positions list before looking at Bonnie’s answers and thought Jennie would be perfect for this one and guess what… Bonnie’s already listed her LMAOOO PERFECT - Lillian

the one everyone has called “daddy” at some point

aaah no one I can think of because Daniel isn’t mutuals with us…… LOOOOL OMFG JUST KIDDDDDING (Lillian be like 😷😣🙏) Why did I even answer this one it’s so weird kfldjglkfdjgklfd

😷😣🙏 - Lillian

the ship that’s a hundred percent real and they know it

Is this even a question… @hwangminyeo and @minhwangs are the power couple!!! You always see them professing their love to each other on your dash LOL Romeong and Daliette are feeling threatened.

the short one that everyone is highkey afraid of

@minhwangs Sarah is a cutie but everyone knows that if you mess with her friends she’ll let you have it. She won’t hesitate to lash out at you if you dare insult the things and people she holds dear. So while she isn’t scary, she’s someone you don’t want to mess with once her protective side kicks in! But honestly it’s really sweet how even though she doesn’t let harsh words directed toward her bother her, she stands up for people ;___; She’s selfless that way!

the one that takes every opportunity possible to be extra as hell aka the variety king

@emperorhwangs Rui without a doubt is one of the funniest people here on Tumblr!! I love her sense of humor and even when she says the most random things like “a stick of rat deodorant” I just die laughing. I was contemplating between putting her for “the walking, living breathing meme” but I settled with this one because I associate her with Ong a lot! And we all know he’s the variety king so~ The captions in her gifs are the funniest and most extra ever, even the way she talks is super extra and funny.

the motherly one that takes care of the rest of their members and occasionally reprimands

@2hyeons Ying is more of an older sister type than the mom but she still gives off that caring vibe. She seems like the kind of sibling who barely talks to you because she’s stuck in her room all day doing work but she’ll also be there for you when you need it the most. Lowkey the kind of older sister who will call your cheating significant other over the phone just to scream at them and rat them out for hurting her little sibling loool. She’s more of an older sibling because while she takes care of you, she makes you want to take care of her too and cook her meals and check up on her once in a while to make sure she’s still sane c’:

@luminous-point Reni gives off such motherly vibes without even trying to idk why?? Not only because she’s 95 line! But she’s like your sweet hardworking mother (working hard doing translations 👍👍👍) who you always think of fondly whenever she appears on your dash. She always expresses her true feelings and stands up for what’s right, which is really difficult to do and as a result super admirable. She always has a very mature standpoint about things and avoids unnecessary drama. I feel like the dynamic is that we’re all little ducklings and she’s the mom!! But mom has to take care of herself too!!!

@p-arkwoojin and @minsbugi I put Jem & Kenia in this category because they’d make sure all the members are equally loved!! They both have huge hearts and no matter how many members make up their group(s), they’d take care of each and every one! - Lillian

the 4D member that looks cute in a sexy comeback, and sexy in a cute one

@hahasunqwoons! I think the ‘4D’ title really suits Summer even though she may not seem like it at first. But once she opens up to you, you’ll know what I mean looooool. She’s not 4D in the really wild sense but more of a lowkey kind of 4D (like Vernon!). Also I think she would fit both concepts! But she unintentionally shows reverse charms like in her Never dance cover (if you haven’t watched it yet, go watch it please. you won’t be disappointed), the song is more serious but she gives off a somewhat cute vibe! I think she could rock IOI’s Very Very Very as welllll :^) (future cover idea?)

the member who doesn’t have to worry about gravity bc they basically just flip everywhere

can’t think of anyone? :OOO

the extremely under appreciated one

ummm @kiminguy??? @guanlliver??? @lovebugi??? @wanhyun??? (Mutuals on here and our SVT blogs squad!! LOOL) I love all of them and their graphics to death I will literally make a blog and reblog all of their creations 50 million times like they deserve. Of course they all have such cute personalities dlkgjfdkj but I’ll spare you from my rambling and focus on their beautiful works~ Naomi has such soft, pastel graphics (pastels are one of my fave things in the universe) and she was one of my first favorite graphic makers in the Seventeen fandom back in the day. I followed her first and then when she followed me back I was SOOOO HAPPY OMG BC ONE OF MY FAVES NOTICED ME. Next we have Yasmin and although we haven’t talked much I really adore her graphics because they’re really unique! She uses vibrant colors and dark colors so well (a thing I’d like to learn how to do hehehe) AND also pastel graphics with vibrant coloring… a jack of all trades tbh. Next, there’s Jaymee, who I’ve been mutuals with forever on our SVT blogs but I never really got a chance to talk to until recently! (And she’s the sweetest…my one and only fan….LOOOL). Once again she works with both dark colors and pastel colors very well! Her edits and graphics have a minimalistic approach to them which I admire so so much because I always cram stuff onto a canvas and get bothered when there’s empty space in my graphics. Last but not least there’s IMA!!! My self-proclaimed little sister c’: I’ve known her for most of her time in the Seventeen tumblr community and I love seeing how her works changed over this period of time. But her works always have that special charm and uniqueness that you know right away that it’s her work! No one could imitate her style and pull it off! Inimitable seventeen carat hehe Ima always has a special place in my heart. I love her coloring style, I love her graphics style, I love her. But yea as you can tell I have much love for graphic makers and more especially underrated graphic makers! Graphic makers are a blessing to each and every fandom. Thank you.

also @tokkimingi​ like we’ve never talked before but Ale’s gifs and edits are soooo high quality and have the prettiest coloring and they deserve so so so so many more notes??? Like the Ren gifset I just reblogged….this is the kind of content that should receive 1k notes okay AAAAAH @ Ale, Lillian and I love your creations so much and you’re basically the go-to blog for NU’EST related gifs and stuff AAAAH 💕💕 

I AGREE WITH ALL OF THE ABOVE HOLY MOLY - Lillian

the one that finds pleasure in other members’ demise

I’m sure this goes on a lot when people tag each other in their bias wrecker posts cough when I send Bonnie black-haired Suga pics but I see @minhwangs​ and @hwangminyeo​ tagging each other in Daniel stuff sometimes and it’s so funny loool. I know you guys are Minhyun-biased but Daniel!!!!! - Lillian

[yourfuckingmajesty]

I’m going to do this in a post instead of a video because I don’t like my voice. 

Fiancee tag: @finecallmejane

1. Describe how you met each other.

Well, writing is a thing we both love to do. We both had blogs where we did the writing thing, and we both knew the incomparable @rawwrchie and had written with her. One day, with a newer blog, I followed Care’s blog, we started talking via tags and then via skype on and off. Rach suggested a threeway skype call and we all got closer and had a blast and bing bang boom, here we are.

2. What did you first notice about each other?

I think I first noticed how kind she is. She’s always talking to new people and being so nice to them and asking them about themselves and genuinely caring about the answers. The people around her know how lovely she is and while she has gotten hurt for her kindness, it hasn’t stopped her.

3. Who first asked the other out?

Well.........we kinda started dating before we started dating. Before we admitted our romantic feelings for one another, we were “platonic girlfriends” and I honestly don’t remember who was like “hey this isn’t platonic.” 

4. Where was your first date?

On skype? But our first in-person date was at Circa 22 in Wilmington. We went back there this year too to celebrate our engagement.

5. Who was first to verbally say “I love you”?

Pffff probably Care. 

6. How did your first kiss happen? Who initiated it?

Iirc, it was Care? Oh man my memory stinks. I think she asked for a kiss while we were in Wilmington. 

7. When is your anniversary? 

August 5, 2013.

8. How long have you been together?

Four years and almost two months.

9. What made you realize you were in love with her?

It was never one moment. It was a lot of little moments where she was just unabashedly herself. When she talks about fall, when she embraces the silly things that she loves, when she gets excited about a book she’s reading, when she’s trying to scold our cat and stinks at it. It’s just a collection of things that make a voice go in the back of my head, “Gosh I love her.”

10. Where you friends before you became lovers?

Yup. We were friends while we were really dating, frankly. We chose the date for our anniversary after the fact, because we didn’t have a set date where we started dating. And our friendship is the biggest part of our relationship. We’re best friends first and foremost, fiancees second.

11. Were either of you out before getting with your girlfriend?

I was out, but given that she lived in NC, not so much. Her husband knew (we’re polyam, worry not, he knew), but he didn’t.... know know, you know? Like, he knew in a hypothetical sense. I’d been out since middle school, though.

12. Have either of you dated a girl before getting with your girlfriend or is she your first?

I’d dated several women before, but I was kinda her first (and then....turned out not to be a woman lol)

13. When is your girlfriend’s birthday? Who is older?

September 22nd. Tomorrow! And she’s older by a little under five years.

14. Do you live together?

Give it a few weeks and we will be.

15. Have you met your girlfriend’s parents? If so, what was that like?

I have, twice. She hasn’t met mine yet. I love her mom. She made me cry, but in a good way. Her dad’s nice when he’s on his best behavior. 

16. How many people are in your girlfriend’s family?

Immediate family, three and a half? Mom, Dad, Pants, Pants’ fiancee. 

17. Whose family do you hang out with more?

Well, she hasn’t met mine, so technically hers, but we’ll be across the country from hers in a few weeks, so then it’ll be mine. But we’re gonna call hers all the time!

18. What is a typical date night like for you and your girlfriend?

Netflix and chill. Except chill actually means snuggling and someone falling asleep. #asexualthings

19. How do you usually spend your time together?

Snuggling, watching things together, reading.

20. Have you ever been mistaken for sisters?

Given how far I tower over her and how strikingly different our hair and facial features are? I very highly doubt that (though probably when walking hand-in-hand in Wilmington someone thought it just to avoid the queer thing)

21. Have you ever shared your clothes?

Actually yes! I stole her shorts and she’s worn my shirt.

22. Have you ever experienced any discrimination or prejudice becasue you are a same sex couple?

Not yet, luckily. We surround ourselves with caring friends, and our families are totally cool with it. My mom would certainly rather I hadn’t been guided down a difficult path, but that’s more her anger at society than any real concern towards me. I think most parents want the path of least resistance for their child for many reasons, but she knows how incredibly happy Care (and Sport and Emil) make(s) me, so she’d never choose anything else for me.

23. Does anyone you know disapprove of your relationship?

A friend’s parents would, but no one that actually knows about it. 

24. How much PDA do you do?

A decent amount. We love to hold hands and when sitting together will often snuggle up together, but we don’t kiss a whole lot in public or anything. 

25. Have you ever been on your periods together?

Sometimes! But that’s rare since both of us can be finnicky. 

26. What is your girlfriend’s number labeled as in your cell phone?

The Wife  ♥

28. Do you have any pet names for each other?

She calls me her bee and I use all numbers of pet names: honey, dear, babe, etc. I’ve gotten much better at using pet names during our relationship~

29. Does your girlfriend have any pets?

Well, we share our pets, but hers is Aspen Copper (ginger kitty with a zombie patch)

30. Who is more likely to cook a meal?

Probably me. I love to cook and while she’ll do it, if given the opportunity she’ll usually just eat sandwiches.

31. What is your girlfriend’s favorite food? Least favorite food?

Applesauce probably. And um. Probably anything that gives her heartburn.

32. Who is more likely to cry for no reason?

Care. Though usually that reason is “THAT CAT LOOKS SO HAPPY” 

33. Can your girlfriend play any musical instruments?

I don’t think so? 

34. Who is your girlfriend’s favorite musical artist?

Florence and the Machine.

35. What is your girlfriend’s current favorite song?

She doesn’t really have one? Just a bunch of playlists. (#same)

36. Do you have a couple song?

Kinda sorta? I wanna walk down the aisle to Ruelle’s I Get To Love You

37. Do you have a couple name?

Kat & Care, mostly. If you combined our names it’d sound the same. Kare or Cat.

38. Who is more likely to forget where they put things?

Care.

39. Which side of the bed do you each sleep on?

I sleep on the right facing the bed, Care sleeps on the left.

40. Who hogs the sheets more when sleeping together?

CARE

41. What do you argue/fight about the most?

Someone not taking care of themselves.

42. How do you usually get over a argument/fight?

I don’t say a thing that’s bothering me and then Care asks a few times and then blurting happens.

43. Who is more likely to refuse sex?

#asexual so yeah we don’t really do that

44. What nationality is your girlfriend?

If you hear her talk, she’s Scottish. Otherwise, American.

45. Does your girlfriend play any sports?

She tries to play soccer with the corners of things but just ends up getting bruises.

46. Does your girlfriend root for any sports teams?

Not really, but she’ll be a lowkey Broncos gal soon enough ;)

47. Does your girlfriend have any quirky habits?

Do you HAVE like ten hours to listen?

48. Who takes longer getting ready to go somewhere?

Me, probably, since I wear makeup.

49. Who is more likely to remember an important day (i.e. birthday, anniversary, etc.)?

Both of us, but she’ll remember faster.

50. What is your girlfriend’s eye color?

Brown with pretty speckles.

51. What is your girlfriend’s shoe size?

Child.

52. What is your girlfriend’s dress size?

Perfect.

53. What is your girlfriend’s favorite TV show?

Currently Wynonna Earp probs.

54. What is your girlfriend’s favorite movie?

Uhhhhh. (Care says: “I probably have one but can’t remember?”)

55. What is one item on your girlfriend’s bucket list?

Visit all her friends around the world.

56. Is your girlfriend more likely to save or spend money?

Save, unless there are books.

57. Who squashes the bugs?

Me.

58. Who is your girlfriend’s #1 celebrity crush?

Hozier probs.

59. What is your girlfriend’s favorite color?

Autumn just......all of autumn colors.

60. What is your girlfriend’s middle name?

Marie.

61. Who is more likely to randomly burst out into a song?

Care, but I’ll quickly join in.

62. Who is more likely to randomly start dancing?

Probably me, but that’s just because I stim constantly.

63. Who usually pays when you go out to eat?

It’s been about 50/50 so far.

64. Have you ever taken a vacation together? If so, where to?

Yup. Our first date was technically a vacation together. We went to Wilmington and stayed in a B&B together. The second one was there too, and we stayed in someone’s house.

65. How tall is your girlfriend?

The smolest. 4′11 -ish

66. Is your girlfriend religious at all?

Kinda sorta? Like, she’s agnostic-christian-leaning?

67. Who is more likely to spontaneously be romantic?

Care

68. Whose laugh is cuter?

Absolutely Care’s~

69. Who is the better driver?

Me, but come back to me in a few years when she actually has a license.

70. Who is the better singer?

Me maybe? I dunno. I like listening to her sing along with the radio, but I was in choir?

71. Who is the better dancer?

We’re both white and you can tell. ‘Nuff said.

72. Who is better at math?

We’re both pretty awful at it tbh.

73. Whose handwriting is better?

Hers, hands-down.

74. Who is more likely to sign a card or a note from the both of you?

I’ll get back to you in December when we sign stuff for gifts.

75. Have you ever discussed marriage?

Shit, I’d hope so since we’re getting married next fall.

76. Have you ever discussed having children?

Many many many many times. We’re not sure on numbers yet, but yes, we’re going to start trying after we get married.

77. What is one thing your girlfriend does that you don’t like?

PUTS OTHER PEOPLE BEFORE HERSELF. 

Also all those SANDWICHES. 

78. Is there anything about your girlfriend you think most people don’t know?

She can be hella vindictive. She seems super sweet and kind and lovely - and she IS - but sometimes, she just gets crossed too far and gets really angry.

79. Choose one word to describe your girlfriend. Why that word?

Kind. She goes out of her way to be really sweet to just about everyone - even if she doesn’t really like a person. And she always thinks of others.

80. Pass on one piece of relationship advice.

Communication, communication, communication. Those fights we mentioned? Yeah, they’re always caused by a lack of communication. Every. Single. Time. Please, for all that is holy and good, communicate with your partner if there’s something wrong or if something you’re gonna do is going to affect them in any way. 

[damnthatnoise]

Has-lo | Taken Over Time | An Interview

Has-lo is of a different caliber of artist than most out, and that isn’t to say that the current crop of indie musicians within our culture aren’t gifted as fuck because they are....it’s just that Has-lo is on a wavelength that only a select few ever tap into each generation.

I came across Has a little late in the game but it’s a better late than never type of thing because as soon as I heard Conversation B which was the remixed companion to his In Case I Don’t Make it album that Mello Music Group dropped back in 2011 I was hooked. I searched for his work which took me on a journey of discovering his former crewmates and fellow Philly killers (Zilla Rocca, Castle, Curly Castro + Wrecking Crew fam). What draws me to Has-lo’s work is his approach to production which very much reminds me of Prince Paul in some spaces (Bahloone Mind State era) and Soul Assasins era DJ Muggs at times, but it’s also his writing style and his vocal tone that feels familiar and worn in sonically....like I’ve been listening to him wax poetic about life forever. 

If you aren’t familiar with Has-lo than this might be the perfect time to get a jump on it. He has an extensive Bandcamp discovery that not only highlights his production chops but also his rhyming abilities with a recent Pen & Pixels monthly he’s been doing, he has several older releases on his former label Mello as a solo artist and also one with Castle as well as producing a remix of Castle’s album with Mello AND if that isn’t enough he has produced for Open Mike Eagle on a couple of occasions and can be heard as a featured vocal guest on both of those occasions.

I had the chance to talk with Has-lo a year ago when he had dropped his mixtape A Singluar Point of Light and then shit happened that put a pause on it all on my end, but then his new EP Take It Like It Is came out and it blew me away yet again and reminded me I needed to pick this back up....so here we fucking go! 

_____________________________________________________________

Damn That Noise:  Tell me about your thought process behind he new project "A Singular Point Of Light" and why it's labeled as a mixtape when it feels like an album?!

Has-lo:  With "A Singular Point of Light" I wanted to accomplish a few things. I wanted to make a statement as an artist and lyricist. While I've done a good deal of feature work, production, collaborative work, etc., I haven't had a full-length solo record in a number of years. There are a number of reasons for the lull, but a tape seemed like a good way to make a reintroduce myself. When I put out my first album, it felt like I had barely said anything before being boxed up and categorized. Everything I did was labeled as old school. I became this king of sad rap, which was never what I was trying to be. I understand how it happens with how people digest music now, but I never wanted my struggles with depression to be a gimmick or a selling point. I also wanted an opportunity to express my range. To flesh out my personal tastes a bit so we could put that suicide rap stigma behind us. If I can show people my entire scope, not just the dark parts, I think we'd be able to build an even stronger connection. Or something like that.

It's labeled a mixtape because none of the music is original. It's stuff that's out. I chose a bunch of stuff that I enjoy personally and worked it out. I think it feels cohesive because of the way I write. There are always common subject threads throughout my projects.

DTN:  You fairly recently (I think) moved to LA from Philly. Why the move out west? Was it for the music or personal shit? And how ha LA life impacted your creative process?

Has-lo:  Both music and personal. Looking at it from afar, I'd thought the west coast vibe would be more suited to my personality and what I wanted to do as an artist. There didn't seem to be much opportunity for what I do in Philadelphia, despite its rich musical history. Turns out Cali hasn't been the sanctuary I thought it would be. As for my process, it hasn't really been affected.

DTN:  So what do you see as a difference between coverage of your first release on Mello Music Group in 2011 and now? Aside from the issues with being tagged as "sad rap", do you think the 6-year difference and rise of blogs having such a stronghold has made getting visibility better or worse?

Has-lo:  Yea there's a big difference. My 2011 album had a publicist working it so the reach was exponentially farther. None of my current music has had the luxury of a publicist being attached. The difference in blogs is that there isn't much of a middle ground anymore. There are big blogs/sites, and small ones. Much like labels, there isn't much in the mid-level anymore. It's absolutely made getting visibility much much worse. It's a lot harder. The 6-year gap hasn't helped either, but I'd rather put out a project that complements and competes with my previous work. It took me this long to find that zone. I hate that it's taken this long, but I think the results will speak.

DTN:  What was the process like for the new album? The tone seems heavy at times but also a little funky and dusted in areas, and the production reminds me of something Prince Paul might've done post "Bahloone Mind State". How'd you approach the sound/content for this record?

Has-lo:  The process for the tape was find a piece of music that made me wanna write, then try to disengage the part of me that wants to micromanage the process. To sort of let whatever thoughts bubble up happen and to follow them wherever they lead. For the most part that's what I did. The tone is heavy and dusty like that because that's what I gravitate to the most! I love Paul and Rza, Madlib, Dilla, Preemo, Pete and so many others who weren't afraid to make that grit work for them. For me, it's character and charisma over cleanliness. The magic lies somewhere in between. But yea, when I finished, I had all these odd stories and accounts. It was all very human without being as oppressive as "In Case I Don't Make It" was. As it should be. I'm not in the same place I was when I made that record.

DTN:  So being that you are working DIY without the help of a label, what has the experience been so far with pushing the new project out on your own? Any feedback you've gotten from peers when it comes to media coverage or best approaches to cut through the white noise of all of the internet shit?

Has-lo:  Working DIY isn't new to me. I was putting out music before the label stuff, you know? Once I was afforded more resources and got to see some growth...that made going back to the DIY approach a very difficult pill for me to swallow. I'm an artist who plays the jack of all trade angle because I HAVE to. Not because I'm particularly good at it. I got fronted on when I had a publicist too, but the amount of coverage I received vs. doing it entirely on my own is elephants and ants on see-saws. I know everyone's experience is different though. My man J-Zone had more success doing his own legwork for instance. The short answer is: the experience has been extremely stressful and not particularly fulfilling lol. 

I don't get a ton of feedback from peers. Most of it is to the effect of 'such and such doesn't matter anymore' and 'this or that doesn't mean anything now.' Basically roundabout ways of saying "I can't help you." Somebody knows how to cut through the noise. They just aren't willing to tell ME is all. That's hip hop though. Almost nobody is brave enough to share the jewels.

DTN: I really dig your production style and having produced/produce myself I know there are so many approaches to creating music. Are you a strict sample from vinyl kind of person, or is it a by any means style? When you make beats for someone else like say Mike Eagle...are you producing with their voices in mind or are you just doing you, and sending out what you've got and seeing what sticks?

Has-lo:  Thank you, I appreciate that. I'm strictly what sounds good. The rest is invisible rulesets based on personal preference. I mostly disregard that shit. Sometimes I sample, sometimes it's from wax, sometimes it's from a shitty MP3. Sometimes I don't sample at all, like the Mike Eagle record. So yea, it's whatever results in good music for me. I thought of Mike when I came up with the "95 Radios" joint and we kicked it around for a while. When he was deep into this new album, he felt it would fit and we finished it. When I make beats for people I usually have their voices in mind. I have ideas of what I think they'd sound dope on. Unless you have a relationship with the person, they usually just wanna pick something you already have. I prefer to make custom stuff though, that's tight.

DTN: In hip-hop, we can have a funny mentality where we think indie acts who are self-reflective or politically aware and address social issues always hate mainstream/club kind of shit. Is there anything fans would be surprised to know Has-Lo listens to semi-regularly (in mainstream hip-hop or any other mainstream genre)?

Has-lo:  Probably, yea. I listen to a good amount of "mainstream" stuff. I don't love the separation, us vs. them mentality damages music. You limit what you allow yourself to be into. But I like Rae Sremmurd. "Swang" is my shit. I mess with Rocky and Ferg. I was fucking with XXX a little bit, but all this domestic abuse stuff is uncomfortable for me. Hopefully, that turns out to be untrue. I have a hard time separating the artist from their music. I rock with G Herbo, his shit is hard. Love Frank Ocean, Sza is dope of course on the R&B side. Me liking them probably wouldn't be a shock lol. Love Based God, man. Lil B is that guy, tybg. There's more but those are a few I don't think people would expect.

I've said I love Elliott Smith plenty of times. Love M83, Radiohead, Beck, The Shins, Death Cab, etc. Perfume Genius is dope. Still go back to Headlights, still exploring Broadcast's catalog. I'm not too knowledgeable but I love indie rock, lo-fi, dream pop, all that stuff. If I make an indie record that I think is authentic to the craft, you'll catch me on that side. I wanna make one, it just has to be right.

DTN:  It's been a year since A Singular Form of Light and our conversation, and you now have done the "Pens & Pixels" project where you dropped a freestyle a month from January to August, and now you delivered "Take It Like It Is". What's transpired for you over the course of that year? What's the creative process been like...? what challenges have you faced?

Has-lo:  I wanted to drastically step up my musical output. I've been making a lot of stuff since my first album, but I've had to do a ton of internal restructuring. It's still ongoing but it is coming into focus. A Singular Point of Light was meant as a starting point. Pens & Pixels is me exercising. Committing to something that you have to deliver every month is harder than it seems. It's rewarding though. September is about to drop, then there's only 3 left! 

The biggest challenges have been perfecting the sonics of the music and promoting it. Usually, the only people involved in a Has-Lo project are me, my engineer Michael Moxham, and my art guy Kyle Tierce. Everyone's got responsibilities they have to deal with. I write and produce a lot. I record a lot. But if it doesn't SOUND good, we're not going to put it out. It's a slow process. We're breaking through to new ground though. I'd like to be putting out 2-4 projects a year. My goal is to create a reality where I can give my guys what they need to be comfortable. Then we can really cook.

DTN:  What's the Has-lo trajectory for 2019 then? The new EP is very fucking dope and I'm sure you might want to let that breathe before something new...but this age of consumption moves fast, so where do you go from here?

Has-lo: To release a new full-length project finally. For me, a sophomore slump hasn't been the music not being tight so much as it's been having a hard time getting said music to fans.

I don't really want to let the EP breathe. I'd like to come right back with more music. As far as consumption...I don't have an answer. I'm going to work the equation until I get a solution I'm satisfied with. To me, it's more a connection thing. How do I best connect with people?

DTN: What have you learned over the course of the last year or two since your move, and working on these new projects in the new setting? How has the environmental change impacted you if it had at all?

Has-lo: To be completely honest, I haven't had much time to process the changes. I'm still in it.

DTN:  Early on in our interview you talked about not wanting to be seen for just sad rap but given the recent deaths of several artists due to overdosing while self-medicating to cover up depression and other mental health issues, do you think it's high time we start having a broader conversation in not only Hip-Hop but communities of color/low income about mental health, PTSD, and the effects of witnessing and being the victims is abuse?

Has-lo:  I think we're somewhat having the conversation. The problem (as I see it) is that we're not, societally, on the same page about what these things mean and are. Depression, anxiety, PTSD, Bi-Polar disorder, etc. aren't entirely understood, nor able to be understood by someone who isn't suffering. Add to that a lack of empathy, a lack of openness and you've got a toxic cocktail. This isn't a thing where you just pull yourself up by your bootstraps and soldier on. Because of that, they tend to be trivialized. It's easy to tell someone they aren't tough or manly or that they're too emotional when you wake up feeling fine every day. You aren't the one begging the god and the universe for reasons to not to blow your brains out. It's a daily operation. Hell, some people don't even believe that depression and other mental health issues are real, quantifiable medical issues. These are EXCEPTIONALLY damaging conditions. It's akin to...let's say a pregnant woman telling you labor pains were beyond any pain out there. I'm a guy. So I'll never know. But I trust that she's coming from a place that I should acknowledge. Following that logic, acknowledge the sufferers. We're not choosing to be unhappy. We don't want your pity. We did not choose for our minds to not work as intended. We're not weak. We are fatigued. We've been fighting a monster with a lot of hit points. I hope the conversation finds its footing. We could use a positive outcome. The world is...a cynical place.

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Take It Like It Is by Has-Lo

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Pens & Pixels: A Freestyle Series by Has-Lo