#vincent showing how to enjoy NC as always

[lucky38-2077]

"Come on, Goro! Sit down. It's relaxing!" "No thanks, V. I am comfortable now."

[surveys-at-your-service]

Survey #50

“i did my time, and i want out.”

where is your dad from?   michigan where is your mom from?   new york what're you listening to?   "psychosocial" by slipknot when you put on makeup, what do you usually use?   if i'm being lazy, just eyeliner.  if i'm being more fancy, black eye shadow and black lipstick. do you enjoy teaching people, particularly about subjects or skills you are passionate about?   HELL YES has your anxiety alone ever prevented you from doing something you wanted to do?   that's like... a daily occurrence. do you enjoy reading stories and novels that are heavily stylistic, poetic, or unconventional or do you prefer your prose to follow a familiar grammatical structure?   the first, by FAR.  extend my vocabulary for one, but more importantly, just make shit poetic-sounding.  be as descriptive as possible. what do you think matters more: individual happiness and satisfaction or entire group benefit? can you give an example for your rationale?   i mean... i guess i believe in a balance.  make sacrifices to benefit the group, but be considerate of everyone else's opinions, too. does media rhetoric about millennials tend to get it way wrong or do you find some of the criticisms and observations about this generation to be fair?   both, really. do you tend to read reviews before you watch a movie or read a book? what do you hope to get out of doing so?   nope.  i tend to find reviews to be SO overly-critical. do you find that visiting certain websites can put you in a bad mood? have you ever taken a break from a website?   not really. when you go to a concert, how far must you travel for the most usual venues you visit?   i've only ever been to one concert, but most in nc happen in raleigh or charlotte.  i'm pretty sure alice cooper was in raleigh... and that's an hour away.  charlotte, i'm not sure how far away it is. if you feel that a friendship or new relationship is not going to work out, how do you handle that situation? do you allow it to continue in hopes of improvement or do you have any strategies on how to make it end?   wait until it improves or, more accurately, work to improve it.  i, generally, don't support ending any kind of relationship unless it is TRULY necessary. what is a personality trait you possess that you consider to be negative and positive (ex. you are a good judge of people but sometimes you judge others too quickly)?   idk... tough question. what was the last sporting event you watched? who were you rooting for and who ended up winning?   probably a hockey game with dad.  i was rooting for the hurricanes, but i don't believe they won that game. have you ever created a fake internet persona for yourself?   nope. what was going on in your life at this time last year? would you rather your current life be as it is right now or as it was then?   i was the same, pathetic mess.  i was grieving over jason, but i guess more heavily than i am now, so i assume i'd rather be how i am now? how similar is your current life to what you once imagined it would be at this moment (e.g., "i never imagined that i would have children at this age, but here i am!")?   i... didn't imagine myself like this at all.  i thought i'd be in a steady relationship, if not engaged.  i thought i'd be living on my own.  i believed i'd have my diseases under control.  i assumed i'd have a happy job.  i guessed i wouldn't be failing my college courses.  i... pictured it very differently. in any of your areas of interest, is there a certain theory, viewpoint, or scholar that you tend to disagree with, even if it is popular among others? if no fields of interest come to mind, is there a line of advice that you disagree with, but is popular with others?   ummmm... i'm not sure.  i mean, i guess in interest of good mythical morning, i actually like how the weekend episodes focus on mike and alex. what is something that you feel is lacking in your life? are you working to achieve this or is it something that's more up to happenstance?   i want... friends.  if not someone more.  i mean i only have one, maybe two people, who really act like my friends.  and she's always busy.  i'm ALWAYS on my own, and despite being an introvert... i've had enough alone time to last my ENTIRE life.  being alone is like an abyss to me now; depression, anxiety, every negative emotion just fully envelops me.  it's terrible.  i miss jason so much, guys.  we talked every day.  i practically lived with him.  he was just... such a pillar to me, he kept me upright, and then he just vanished.  he was my everything. is it easy for you to get stuck in prolonged bouts of sadness or do you tend to bounce back very quickly?   i have clinical depression.  guess. do you enjoy going to weddings or showers? what is it that you like or dislike about them?   i have such mixed emotions about them now.  like when i was in ashley's and megan's... i just think of jason.  that was supposed to be us.  so basically, it's a ptsd trigger, yet i nevertheless find them absolutely holy and beautiful. think about your favorite thing to do. how easily would you be able to cope if you were physically non longer able to do that thing, or had to dramatically cut down on time spent doing it? what would you do instead?   my favorite thing to do is take photographs.  i... wouldn't be able to cope without it.  it is the ONE THING i do that still brings me joy.  i don't know what i'd do. what do you predict will happen to humanity in the future, with the imminence of global warming's destruction of the planet? e.g., there's no hope or we will leave the planet, etc.   i personally think a different catastrophe will occur before global warming kills us. is there a person in your life whom you support by showing up for the sports games, concerts, or other performances?   not anymore.  i used to go to some magic games with jason, 'cuz that was his passion, but they always tampered with my anxiety, so. when you revisit some of your old favorites, whether music, films, or something else are you ever surprised at how much you dislike it now?   yep. what does your favorite shirt look like?   uh.  idk. what kind of underwear do you prefer wearing?   bikini, though i'm fat so i really shouldn't wear them. what are your favorite kind of jeans?   skinny how many video games do you have?   *cackles maniacally* how many does your dining room/kitchen table seat?   we don't have a dining room table anymore.  we had to sell it for the money. what kind of cookie do you like best?   just chocolate chip do you get the meat from the deli?   sometimes do you own a bike/scooter/skateboard/etc.?   no, but i need one.  i have GOT to lose weight. ever played on a sports team?   yeah, i've done soccer, basketball, baseball, cheerleading, and dance. are you listening to any music?   yeah.  "now that we're dead" by metallica \m/ why did you take the last pill you took?   it's for depression are you happy with your looks?   honestly i think i would be if i was way skinnier. which was worst for you: freshman year of high school or of college?   FUCK my freshman year of college.  absolutely awful. do you prefer your men/women to have light hair or dark hair?   dark. do you wish someone would call or text you right now?   i'm constantly waiting for a call or text from jason, honestly.  idk if he still has my number. who was the last person you laid in a bed with?   colleen has a girl ever stayed up with you all night? a guy?   girl, i don't think so.  guy, yeah.  it wasn't exactly uncommon that jason and i would be up all night fooling around, being dumb kids. the last person you kissed treat you right?   more than that.  he just didn't support me as well as he should've, so... who is someone who puts up with you no matter what?   mom do you have trust issues?   happens when you're constantly fucked over. if you could find one long lost friend of the past, who would it be?   i guess mini is now considered a "long lost friend of the past." :/  i miss her so much.  she was like my sister.  she never talks to me anymore. when was the last time you colored with crayons?   at the hospital do you sunburn easily?   too easily what’s your favorite filling in chocolates?   peanut butter omg what breed of dog do you find the most annoying?   the stereotypical chihuahua.  very yappy. what would you name your first born son?   either vincent or luther. what is the most you have ever weighed?   what i weigh now, which i'm really not comfortable sharing. girls, how old were you when you first learned how to put in a tampon?   i'm not sure, but i was SO scared.  i was afraid of putting in the "wrong hole"??? would you ever attend a gay pride parade or festival?   no.  honestly, i just don't feel strongly enough about the issue to do it.  i should, though. have you ever had sex?   oral sex, yeah, never actual, penetration sex. do you like oral sex?   ha ha speak of the devil.  i like receiving it, but i don't like giving it, as the whole concept is just really gross to me.  i don't care how often you clean, it's just very gross.  thus, i don't like to receive it because i don't reciprocate. do you think guys look good with make up?   sometimes. have you ever pierced yourself?   no, and i never would.  i care too much about my piercings being clean and accurate. did you ever have a retainer?   i have a metal one behind my bottom teeth, and the typical plastic one is... somewhere, lost in the abyss.  i don't wear it. were you/are you popular in school?   hell no.  pretty sure everyone thought i was weird. have you ever 69'ed?   back at it with the oral sex, jesus.  anyway, no. are you a wrestling fan?   ugh, no.  jason was into it, and i've no idea why??  like, wrestling just seemed so far out of his aesthetic??  but he would watch it sometimes while gaming, and i'd have to drown it out. do you/did you like high school?   overall?  best time of my life. how long would you wait to become sexually active with someone you're dating?   i'm waiting until marriage; i, in general, think you should start pondering marriage maybe like, three years in?  so i guess that. when did you last make up a baby's bottle?   never.  really should learn these things before i have kids... ever been addicted to a video/computer game? which one?   lmaoooo world of warcraft, bro. what’s something you should throw away, but can’t? what value does it hold to you? explain.   i should reeeaaally stop holding onto the picture from jason's and my first prom.  it's framed and all.  it just... means too much to me. do you enjoy a good debate or prefer keeping the peace?   I!!  AM!!  TERRIFIED!!  OF!!  CONFRONTATION!!!!!! where did you last stay overnight other than your house?   i stayed two nights at colleen's a couple days back. can you ever see yourself and your ex back together?   realistically, yes.  i just KNOW i'd have major trust issues for a while, however. who is the funniest person you know?   girt what would happen if you had a baby with the last person you kissed?   that's kinda like my ultimate life goal, soooo...? are you going to any concerts or festivals this summer?   i WISH. :(  i particularly wanna go to carolina rebellion. when was the last time you went to the movie theaters? what movie did you see?   colleen, chelsea, and i saw "trolls" for a buck.  it was SO cute. did you ever go to a mental hospital?   oh, y'know, only four or five times now. are you a person that enjoys re-reading books?   no.  i've only ever re-read "because of winn-dixie." what do you think of country music?   UGH.  it's just not aesthetically pleasing to me, but it's also SO predictable and the singers whine about the same shit. when you apply your make-up, do you do it in a specific order?   yeah.  eyeliner, eye shadow, mascara, lipstick. do you like a partner who is clean cut or rugged?   a mix of both? new tats in your near future?   fuck yeah, man!  i'm starting a half-sleeve on my birthday! how about piercings or re-piercings?   mom said i can also get my lip re-pierced for my birthday. (: do converse look/feel uncomfortable to you?   not at all.  love them bitches.

[musicoccurred]

Secret Stages Artist Preview: Us, Today

Secret Stages is a two-day walking music festival that takes place in downtown Birmingham, AL on the first weekend of August. For two nights a diverse group of music enthusiasts are treated to around 60 bands performing on the stages of neighborhood establishments. These acts were drawn from the nation, the region, and our own back yard, and all are up-and-coming or buzz-worthy acts on the cusp of making a big splash. All Secret Stages venues are within a two-block radius, so our patrons can come to the city center, park, and have walking access to dozens of bands, a variety of venues, and delectable restaurants.

Here at Music Occurred we will be featuring an interview every week with an “Artist to Watch” from this year’s lineup!

This week, fresh from opening a couple shows with Deerhoof it's Us, Today!

MO: Thanks for taking the time to chat with us, we're really looking forward to having you in Birmingham, have you played here prior? UT: We have never played in Birmingham but are really excited to come down and see what it is all about!

MO: I've read several pieces about your music, but I thought it would be best to define it yourselves, how does Us, Today classify their sound? UT: I think our sound comes from a variety of influences but really is its own thing entirely. Kristin is classically trained and is into rock and indie music. Joel studied flamenco guitar but has an affinity for indie rock, instrumental music and other styles as well. Jeff studied classically early on but found a passion for drums and jazz music. It all combines into something we all enjoy to perform and create.

MO: The vibraphone really gives it a jazzy sound, but when layered over that minimal indie rock sound it really creates its own thing. Did you all naturally arrive at this sound through your own sensibilities? UT: I think the whole idea of this band has been to take an unconventional instrumentation and make it work in a genre that you may never see this configuration in. We've had the vibraphone as a principle voice in this band for a long time now. The changes we have made is adding pickups to it, to expand its sonic variance in the band. The result has been amazing to us! MO: I just want to add that I listened to your music all day on my good headphones and it created such a beautiful sonic landscape, I would love to hear it on a vinyl record.

MO: What's the Cincinnati music scene like? Is it supportive for independent music? UT: I think the Cincinnati scene has embraced us in ways we never imagined it would. We were lucky enough to with the Cincinnati Entertainment Award for best Indie Alternative band in Cincinnati. I think that shows a certain level of open mindedness to what people in Cincinnati are willing to listen to. We are definitely not your run of the mill band but we try to put on shows that are inspiring to our audience members. You can find a little bit of everything here in Cincinnati and I like that! MO: Did you all grow up in the area? UT: Kristin is from Oxford, OH which is not too far from Cincinnati. Jeff was born in Cincinnati and moved around in the region a bit but landed back here for graduate school. Joel is from Boone, NC. Joel met Kristin in Oxford while he was living there.

MO: Were there bands prior to Us, Today? UT: We've all done a variety of musical projects before this. I think this is the first group that we all felt totally invested to. We all have side projects as well, Kristin plays in a band called The Lovers, Joel and Jeff have a side project called Thhem and Jeff plays with Brandon Coleman Trio and Quartet and Dave Mcglynn.

MO: I read you bonded over a shared affection of St. Vincent's music, what was it about her that drew you together and would you call her an influence on your sound? (For the record I adore her, she is an incredible artist.) UT: I am the one that is out of the loop on this story because I came after this but what I do know is that Kristin and Joel met each other because of a picture of St. Vincent that was hung on the wall of the coffee shop Joel worked at in Oxford. That started the conversation that started this band. The other St. Vincent story with Us, Today is Kristin and Jeff saw her perform solo at the Union Bar in Athens, OH before she blew up. Super cool experience!

MO: I always ask about gear, I'm really interested in how you achieve your sound, particularly in a live setting. If you all could do a quick rundown of your touring gear? UT: Kristin plays nord and the vibraphone with pickups. She uses a variety of pedals to achieve the sound she has created. Joel plays guitar and moog. They both have the ability to get the low end on their instruments to help fill out our sound. They are both covering bass at some point of every song. Jeff uses 6-ply Canopus bubinga drum set, Vic Firth sticks, and Bosphorus cymbals as well as a roland SPD-SX with triggers on the bass drum and snare drum.

Thanks for your time and I'll see you at the festival!

-JS