I love baby Anderson and Vlad. They're so cute and sweet. I would love to see some silly little adventures with them. I know that's vague but any little hcs you might have would be so nice!!

maybe vague but I adore and shall supply!!

hi mr spruce!!! since you recently graduated, i wanna ask about your university experience. anything you wanna share including tips for being chronically ill and managing time would be much appreciated!!!!

FOLDS MY HANDS. OKAY. HERES THE DEAL. IT WAS HELLISH. but also a really valuable thing in so many ways. i'm gunna make a lil numbered list of tips and thoughts an opinions bc time management while chronically ill is. NO joke.

honesty hour ask me anything!

1- art school is paying a LOT of money to get your heartbroken during critiques. it also pushes you to do art every single day. which is the best way to improve anything but ESPECIALLY art. i worked my ass off in second and fourth year especially. deciding if any degree is worth it is VERY hard. but i think particularly with art school when with discipline and outreach and research and life drawing nights can achieve. i knew i wasn't going to be able to rely on myself for ALL of that-- especially after my diagnosis. the world got bigger and scarier and the guidance was really needed in order to make any kind of growth. also i HAD to move out of my dads house i was NOT doing well. the change of city was a HUGE help

2- BE SO BLUNT AND HONEST WITH YOURSELF AND OTHERS ABOUT YOUR ABILITIES. jesus christ after realizing how easy it was to swallow pride and send a message asking about extensions and for help CHANGED how i interact with deadlines. when teachers or clients ask when you will be ready with your work. add a week. add a few days of only that's possible. don't feel guilty about being honest and saying i need to go the fuck to bed.

3- the instant i graduated i regretted not committing to one extracurricular and going for it. i think it's worth it. our program worked us VERY hard, but i personally wish i had found something to raise my confidence a little more. been more brazen and present and chasing things i was excited about. i should have gone to at least one knitting circle at my local yarn store.

4- bribe yourself and mean it. you have to earn your treat. BUT you can set your own parameters. if it's a hard day-- make the reward continual and after smaller tasks. couple of chips after doing a question . couple more after another one. but don't EVER chat on it bc ... then it's just too easy to cheat from that point on 😔

4- set little deadlines. use your phone calendar. set little alarms but name it things with emojis and endearments.

5- call yourself endearments. no more cruel words. call yourself sweetheart as you wash some blueberries for your post five questions snack.

6- try not to let resentment about a particular project or even your whole program creep in. be real but think about the things you love and are excited about in a particular project

7- talk to your student center. you can like. request better chairs in your classrooms. insane. i didn't know that for years. could be different school to school but??? most are not looking to get smeared for ableism on social media lmfao

8- little playlists helped me like crazy and continue to do so. especially school during the pandemic which is heartbreaking and lonely. the most valuable part of art school imo is the other artists you meet and grow with. having a whole year of that ripped away was GARBAGE and lonely af. RADIO. PLAYLISTS. TRADE PLAYLISTS WITH YOUR CLASSMATES. MAKE SPECIFIC VIBES ABOUT THE SILLIEST THINGS. I HAVE A PLAYLIST OF SONGS THAT ALL HAVE ANNA IN THE TITLE AND THATS ALL THEY HAVE IN COMMON. I HAVE A PLAYLIST OF SONGS THAT I WOULD SING IN MY COFFEE HOUSE REVENGE FANTASY. score your life and it'll become cinematic.

9- learn about REM cycles for powernaps. set a timer for ten minutes and stick to it. bribe yourself if you have to. it will help if you can't get a full night. take a bunch of forty min and wake up again. get back to it. call it if you have to. it's NOT a failure. it's a gesture of love and care.

10- just god work so hard on loving yourself and learning about the things you love. that's what life is FOR babe. putting moments you adore on the tip of your tongue and letting them melt. you are the PRIORITY. remember the world doesn't revolve around you or your self worth OR your achievements. your good days and your bad days weigh the same to the world. it's got to be you that takes the time to be soft with yourself and have your days matter. being chronically ill means that's a LOT of fucking work and you need a LOT of help. ask for it and give yourself it without shame, hesitancy or remorse.

11- granola bars and juice boxes. nuts. baby bell cheese. you are not going to have the energy after a full day of working to make yourself a real meal. keep some in your room (please not the cheese unless u have a mini fridge)

I LOVE YOU. i'm putting vibes out into the world for it to take care of you as well. stay safe. get a treat.

Monthly Reads | October 2020

Happy 28th! I probably sound like a broken record already but I have to say it again: this fandom has an insane amount of talented writers! I am in awe! Every single one of you is my hero! ♥♥♥ Here are all the 23 fics I read and loved this month:

✧ Welcome to The Rivalry | 2tiedships2 | a/b/o - strangers to lovers - enemies to lovers - rivalry - college - 19k “Welcome home!” Niall yelled, clapping his hands in excitement. “Isn’t it great?” Louis looked between Niall and the house, unsure how to respond. “I don’t understand,” Louis finally managed to say. “Aren’t we a little old to be living so close to campus?” Niall scoffed. “You’re only twenty-four for fuck’s sake. There is still plenty of partying left for us to do. What better place than one street over from where a car was set on fire after the Michigan game last year?” “Is there proof of that? Did the car have Michigan plates or something? Is there a photo I can send in a DM to Wolfie?” As if on cue, a Twitter notification popped up on Louis’ Apple watch. He had tweeted again. Or a reverse You’ve Got Mail au inspired by the Ohio State/Michigan rivalry. Featuring duplex neighbors, (kind of) enemies to lovers, and an anonymous Twitter feud between omega Louis and alpha Harry.

✧ Back to Seventeen | crimsontheory | teacher - soccer coach - 26k As a first grade teacher in a small town in Illinois, Harry’s life is pretty simple. He loves his job, is close with his family, and has a best friend he would go to the ends of the earth for. When a new soccer coach starts at the local high school, things start to get a bit more exciting for Harry. Because that coach just happens to be Louis Tomlinson; the guy Harry was unrequitedly in love with in high school. Or the one where Louis moves back to his hometown and Harry realizes he’s still not over his high school crush.

✧ Sigh for Sigh | logogram | historical - a/b/o - regency - miscommunication - pining - marriage of convenience - 11k When his father's sudden illness forces Harry to get married in a hurry, he's delighted that Lord Louis Tomlinson is the one who makes him an offer. Being married to Louis is just as wonderful as he imagined, except for one thing-- they haven't mated yet. Or the one where they're both idiots, Harry's afraid to say what he's thinking, and Louis's just trying to be honorable.

✧ We Can Find a Place to Feel Good | yeah_alright | 1960s - High School - school dances - 8k 14-year-old Harry is ecstatic to finally be old enough to experience the time-honored tradition of school dances. But with each year that passes and each dance he attends, he’s realizing they’re not all he used to hope they’d be. Especially when he can't actually dance with the person he most wants to. Maybe he and Louis can figure out their own ways to keep dancing, anyway.

✧ At Risk, I Fold | clare328 | canon compliant - established relationship - angst - emotional hurt/comfort - miscommunication - anxiety - implied/referenced alcohol abuse - 15k 2015 is a stream of hotel rooms and whisky on the rocks, tired glances and touching hands under tables. It’s the bears and the bees under a rainbow sky, and Harry and Louis have to figure out how to grow up together, instead of apart.

✧ Carry These Feelings | LadyLondonderry | fae Á faires - established relationship - magic - 3k Harry is one of the fae, and has to return to Court once a year to please the Queen. He makes a detour on his way home to Louis. Two weeks and I'll be home.

✧ Hung Up High in the Gallery | lovelarry10 | friends to lovers - slow burn - pining - 14k "Louis, lay still!” Louis sighed loudly, and Harry watched his chest puff out as he inhaled deeply, the breath he let out loudly making Harry’s curls shift. “I am, stop being so fussy. Can I see yet?” “Nope,” Harry remarked, smiling to himself. “I’m doing your chest next. Shit, this is going to look so good, Lou. Your tan and these colours… why haven’t we done this before?” “Because we haven’t been this drunk in a while, and it never occurred to me until tonight?” ❁ ❁ ❁ ❁ ❁ ❁ When Harry’s best friend, Louis, comes to support him at his art show, he decides they need to do some celebrating afterwards. How fast do the lines between friends and lovers get blurred ... or better, get painted?

✧ Love you in the dark | Perzikje | historical - wedding night - arranged marriage - dubious consent - 10k The story of a historical wedding night: in which Louis is quite unaware as to just how clueless his brand new husband is about sex. They try their best to figure it out together.

✧ Victorian Boy | audreyhheart | historical - victorian - royalty - enemies to friends to lovers - slow burn - angst - murder mystery - 101k Victorian AU. Harry the virgin Duke of Somerset knows little of love, while Louis the sly Duke of Warwick knows too much. When the two dukes come together for the Bilsdale fox hunt in York, Harry finds himself drawn into Louis' bed. But when secrets from Louis' dark past come to light, Harry fears that the fox isn't the only one being hunted.

✧ the anticipation of knowing you | sweetrevenge | strangers to lovers - neighbors - light angst - 13k Hello Neighbor! Just wanted to let you know that you were having sex so loud and scarily I called our building manager and security officer because I thought you were hurt. P.S. I sent them away when I heard you yell ‘cock’. I’m sorry that I heard that, but I wanted you to know in case they stopped by to check on you or something. Sorry! Your neighbor Louis Tomlinson in apartment #306 After Louis overhears his next door neighbor having sex, he doesn’t really expect anything but awkward hallway encounters to come from it. Instead, he’s surprised to find himself in a whirlwind pen pal relationship with the sweet, albeit loud, baker next door.

✧ We'll Be All Right | dandelionfairies | married couple - accridents - 13k Harry is performing his one night only show in LA but there are four very important people missing.

✧ The Last Song of Your Life | reminiscingintherain | famous/not famous - Rays of Sunhsine - homophobia - 21k As Harry glanced around at all of the faces, he froze as a very familiar pair of blue eyes leapt out at him. A pair of eyes that he hadn’t seen since before the One Direction bomb exploded. A pair of eyes that he never expected to see again. ~~~~ or the famous/not famous AU, with first love, miscommunication, interfering bandmates, and adorable little sisters.

✧ Her | jaerie | a/b/o - trans character - transitioning - dysphoria - anxiety - quarantine - 7k The buttery swipe of a high quality lipstick was almost a sexual experience in and of itself. This time a deep colour with purple undertones which drew out the emphasis of long, dark lashes and perfectly contoured cheekbones. It was a look for loose and styled curls, feeling the classy formal nightclub vibes reflected back from the mirror. The silky plum coloured slip dress would be perfect to debut. The tags still needed to be cut free from the new garment that hung in the closet, but tonight was the night to set it free. When Harry gets home, she can finally be who she wants to be. Letting someone else in always feels like a distant daydream to her... until it suddently isn't.

✧ Loving You's the Antidote | lululawrence | Stylinshaw - a/b/o - touch deprivation - hospitalization - soulmates - polyamory - anxiety - friends to lovers - no smut - 11k Nick and Harry had never been an obvious match. When eighteen-year-old Harry, newly presented as an omega, came home freshly bonded to Nick, a man nine years his elder and a beta no less, Anne had been more than skeptical and Eileen had shared some harsh words of her own. That didn’t deter them, though, and their families soon realised there really was something special about the bondmates that allowed them to work together almost seamlessly. It was only a few months later that Harry started getting sick. Or the one where Harry and Nick have been able to keep Harry's disorder at bay over the course of their relationship, but when they move to London and away from their support system, they find themselves in desperate need of help.

✧ Like A Neon Sign | reminiscingintherain | canon compliant - mentions of death - fluff - 8k Harry had always been perfect to Louis, through every age, through every stage, and in all the important ways, he was proud to have been able to witness the growth that Harry had experienced first-hand.

✧ We Had Everything | lightswoodmagic (sarah_writes) | exes to lovers - getting back together - famous/not famous - 3k “You know Harry’s coming, yeah?” Louis’ fingers twitched, faltering where he was straightening the knot in his tie as he tried to ignore the false nonchalance in Zayn’s voice. He had no idea how he missed the name on the invite list, how he skipped over the initials on the small gifts, didn’t notice the elegant swirl of Harry’s name inked onto an emerald green place card. Or, Louis and Harry fell apart, and Louis' never forgiven himself. He gets a second chance at Zayn and Liam's wedding.

✧ True To Your Heart | reminiscingintherain | Mulan AU - a/b/o - 13k The world was at war with itself. In the small country of Enilenif, in a tiny, often overlooked corner of the world, young Alphas were quickly signing up to fight, desperate to protect their Omegas and their country as Aidem began to attack their borders. A few defiant Omegas tried to enlist as well, but were firmly turned away with disapproving looks by the staff in the office. Harry Styles was one such Omega, sighing heavily as he kicked at a small stone on his walk home.

✧ What the Water Gave Me | larryatendoftheday | fantasy - mermaids - long distance relationship - 29k When a mermaid crawls out of the sea to listen to Harry sing, it changes everything.

✧ it’s hard for me to go home | localopa | angst - breakup - getting back together - 5k don’t call me baby again

✧ The Prince and the Thief | jaerie | Fairy Tale - a/b/o - strangers to lovers - violence - kidnapping - threats of rape/non-con - 19k Harry is an omega prince locked in a tower and Louis is the thief sent to kidnap him. Nothing turns out as planned.

✧ Up On The Shore | wordsnnotes | Eroda AU - magic - epistolary - friends to lovers - childhood friends - emotional/psychological abuse - angst - long-distance relationship - domestic violence - 34k Magic has been outlawed on Eroda ever since President Cowell came into power, and all the magic people had to go live on the island of Stonell. Things are not looking good for Harry when he finds out he's a magician and his abilities seem more and more out of control. Thankfully, his best friend Niall's mother has the idea to put him in touch with Louis, a magician boy living on Stonell. They begin a secret correspondence and drama ensues. Or: Louis hides his feelings under sarcasm, Harry is too sweet for his own sake, everyone is a rebel, the mums are amazing, Harry's dad is a jerk, and I'm struggling to make it understandable without using normal narration.

✧ this town's just an ocean now | louistomlinsons | exes to lovers - friends to lovers - summer romance - miscommunication - childhood friends - light angst - fluff - 31k “I have really great friends. Do you remember Louis? You guys were always hanging out when you were growing up.” Harry remembers Louis. Harry remembers Louis. Suddenly, his throat feels way too dry, despite the ice cream he keeps licking at. He chokes a little on a chocolate chip before saying, “I, uh. I remember Louis.” Her face brightens. “We have dinner every Sunday. He owns the house now. His parents moved further north, and he wanted to stay here, so they just gave it over. Now if you want to worry about someone being lonely, that’s who I worry about.” inspired by watermelon sugar, featuring picnics on the beach and boys being dumb

✧ I Am the Blinking Light | dearmrsawyer | ghosts - shipwreck - 19k There is a legend of a lighthouse far out to sea. It can’t be found on any map, and those who do find it never return. They say a ghost haunts the lighthouse, and you can hear it calling out in loneliness on the ocean waves.

Slept Ons: The Best Records of 2020 That We Never Got Around To

Tattoos and shorts! How did we miss the Oily Boys?

It happens pretty much every year.  After much fussing and second-guessing, the year-end list gets finalized, set in stone really, encapsulating 12 months of enthusiastic listening, and surely these are the best ten records anyone could find, right? Right?  And then, a day or a week later, someone else puts up their list or records their year-end radio show, and there it is, the record you could have loved and pushed and written about…if only you’d known about it.  My self-kick in the shins came during Joe Belock’s 2020 round-up on WFMU when he played the Chats.  Others on our staff knew, earlier on, that they weren’t writing about records they loved for whatever reason — work, family, mp3 overload, etc. Except now they are.  Here.  Now. Enjoy.  

Contributors include me (Jennifer Kelly), Eric McDowell, Jonathan Shaw, Justin Cober-Lake, Bill Meyer, Bryon Hayes, Ian Mathers, Andrew Forell, Michael Rosenstein and Patrick Masterson. 

The Chats — High Risk Behavior (Bargain Bin)

High Risk Behaviour by The Chats

Cartoonishly primitive and gleefully out of luck, The Chats hurl Molotov cocktails of punk, bright and exploding even as they come. They’re from Australia, which totally makes sense; there’s a sunny, health-care-subsidized, devil-may-care vibe to their down-on-their luck stories. Musically, the songs are stripped down like Billy Childish, sped up like the Ramones, brute simple like Eddy Current Suppression Ring. Most of them are about alcohol: drinking, being drunk, getting arrested for being drunk, eating while drunk…etc. etc. But there’s an art to singing about getting hammered, and few manage the butt-headed conviction of “Drunk & Disorderly.” Its jungle rhythms, vicious, saw-toothed bass, quick knife jabs of guitar frame an all-hands drum-shocked chant: “Relaxation, mood alteration, boredom leads to intoxication.” Later singer Eamon Sandwith cuts right to the point about romance with the couplet, “I was cautious, double wrapped, but still I got the clap.” The album’s highlights include the most belligerently glorious song ever about cyber-fraud in “Identity Theft,” whose shout along chorus buoys you up, even as the dark web drains your savings account dry. The album strings together a laundry list of dead-end, unfortunate situations, one after another truly hopeless developments, but nonetheless it explodes with joy. Bandcamp says the guitar player has already left—so you’re too late to see the Chats live—but it must have been fun while it lasted.

Jennifer Kelly

Oliver Coates — skins n slime  (RVNG Intl)

skins n slime by Oliver Coates

2020 was a year of loss, of losing, of feeling lost. Whether weathering the despair of illness and death, the discomfort of displacement or the drift of temporal reverie, English cellist Oliver Coates creates music to reflect all this and more on skins n slime. Using modulators, loops and effects, Coates employs elements from drone, shoegaze and industrial to extend the range of the cello and conjure otherworldly sounds of crushing intensity and great beauty. Beneath the layering, distortion and dissonance, the human element remains strong. The tactility of fingers and bow on strings and the expressive essence of tone form the core of Coates composition and performance. If his experiments seem a willful swipe at the restrictions of the classical world from whence he came, the visceral power of a track like “Reunification 2018”, which hunkers in the same netherworld as anything by Deathprod or Lawrence English, the liminal, static bedecked ache of “Honey” and the unadorned minimalism of “Caretaker Part 1 (Breathing)” are works of a serious talent. skins n slime is an album to sit with and soak in; allow it to percolate and permeate and you’ll find yourself forgetting the outside world, if only for a while.  

Andrew Forell  

Bertrand Denzler / Antonin Gerbal — Sbatax (Umlaut Records)

Sbatax by Denzler - Gerbal

Tenor sax player Bertrand Denzler and drummer Antonin Gerbal released this duo recording last summer which slipped under the radar of many listeners. Denzler is as likely to be heard these days composing and performing pieces by others in the French ensemble ONCEIM, playing solo, or in settings for quiet improvisation. But he’s been burning it up as a free jazz player for years now as well. Gerbal also casts a broad net, as a member of ONCEIM, deconstructing free bop in the group Peeping Tom, or recontextualizing the music of Ahmed Abdul-Malik along with Pat Thomas, Joel Grip and Seymour Wright in the group Ahmed amongst many other projects. The two have worked together in a variety of contexts for a decade now, recording a fantastic duo back in 2014. Sbatax, recorded five years later at a live performance in Berlin is a worthy follow-up.  

Gerbal attacks his kit with ferocity out of the gate, with slashing cymbals and thundering kit, cascading along with drubbing momentum. Denzler charges in with a husky, jagged, repeated motif which he loops and teases apart, matching the caterwauling vigor of his partner straightaway. Over the course of this 40-minute outing, one can hear the two lock in, coursing forward with mounting intensity. Denzler increasingly peppers his playing with trenchant blasts and rasping salvos, riding along on Gerbal’s torrential fusillades. Throughout, one can hear the two dive deep in to free jazz traditions while shaping the arc of the improvisation with an acute ear toward the overall form of the piece. Midway through, Denzler steps back for a torrid drum solo, then jumps back in with renewed dynamism as the two ride waves of commanding potency and focus to a rousing conclusion, goaded on by the cheering audience. Anyone wondering whether there is still life in the tenor/drum duo format should dig this one up.  

Michael Rosenstein

Kaelin Ellis — After Thoughts (self-released)

After Thoughts by KAELIN ELLIS

To be sure, “slept on” hardly characterizes Kaelin Ellis in 2020. After a trickle of lone tracks in the first months of the year, a Twitter video posted by the 23-year-old producer and multi-instrumentalist caught the attention of Lupe Fiasco, quickly precipitating the joint EP House. It’s a catchy story from any number of angles — the star-powered “discovery” of a young talent, the interconnectedness of the digital age, the silver linings of the COVID-19 pandemic — but it risks overshadowing Ellis’s two 2020 solo records: Moments, released in the lead-up to House, and After Thoughts, released in October. It doesn’t help that each album’s dozen tracks scarcely add up to as many minutes, or that the producer’s titles deliberately downplay the results. And some, of course, will judge these jazzy, deeply soulful beats only against their potential as platforms for some other, more extroverted artist. “I’d like to think I’m a jack of all trades,” Ellis told one interviewer, “but in all honesty my specialty is creating a space for others to stand out.”

Yet as with all small, good things, there’s reward in savoring these miniatures on their own terms, and After Thoughts in particular proved an unexpected retreat from last fall’s anxieties. Ellis has a poet’s gift for distillation and juxtaposition, a director’s knack for pathos and dramatic sequencing — powers that combine to somehow render a fully realized world. As fleeting as it is, Ellis’s work communicates a generosity of care and concentration, opening a space for others not just to stand out but also to settle in.

Eric McDowell   

Lloyd Miller with Ian Camp and Adam Michael Terry — At the Ends of the World

At the Ends of the World by Lloyd Miller with Ian Camp and Adam Michael Terry

Miller and company fuse the feel of a contemporary classical concert with eastern modalities and instrumentation. The recordings sound live off the floor, and give a welcome sense of space and detail to the sensitive playing. Miller has explored the intersection between Persian and other cultural traditions and jazz through the lens of academic scholarship and recorded output since the 1960s. With this release, the performances linger in a space where vibe is as important as compositional structure. The results revel in the beauty when seemingly unrelated musical ideas emerge together in the same moment, with startling results.

Arthur Krumins

 Oily Boys — Cro Memory Grin (Cool Death)

Cro Memory Grin by Oily Boys

The title of this 2020 LP by Australian punks Oily Boys sounds like a pun on “Cro-Magnon,” an outmoded scientific name for early humans. It’s apt: the music is smarter than knuckle-dragger beatdown or run-of-the-mill powerviolence, but still driven by a rancorous, id-bound savagery. The smarts are just perceptible enough to keep things pretty interesting. Some of the noisier, droning and semi-melodic stretches of Cro Memory Grin recall the records made by the Men (especially Leave Home) before they decided to try to make like Uncle Tupelo, or some lesser version of the Hold Steady. Oily Boys inhabit a darker sensibility, and their music is more profoundly bonkers than anything those other bands got up to. Aggro, discordant punk; flagellating hardcore burners; psych-rock-adjacent sonic exorcisms — you get it all, sometimes in a single five-minute passage of Cro Memory Grin (check out the sequence from “Lizard Scheme” to “Heat Harmony” to “Stick Him.” Yikes). A bunch of the tunes spill over into one another, feedback and sustain jumping the gap from one track to the next, which gives the record a live vibe. It feels volatile and sweaty. The ill intent and unmitigated nastiness accumulate into a palpable force, tainting the air and leaving stains on your tee shirt. Oily Boys have been kicking around Sydney’s punk scene since at least 2014, but this is their first full-length record. One hopes they can continue to play with this degree of possessed abandon without completing burning themselves to down to smoldering cinders. At least long enough to record some more music.

Jonathan Shaw

 Dougie Poole — The Freelancer's Blues (Wharf Cat)

The Freelancer's Blues by Dougie Poole

A cursory listen might misconstrue the heart of Dougie Poole's second album, The Freelancer's Blues. When he mixes his wobbly country sound with lyrics like those in “Vaping on the Job,” it sounds like genre play, a smirking look at millennial life through an urban cowboy's vintage sound. Poole does target a particular set of issues, but mapping them with his own slightly psychedelic country comes with very little of the postmodern itch. His characters feel just as troubled as anyone coming out of 1970s Nashville, and as Poole explores these lives with wit and empathy, the songs quickly find their resonance.

The album, though it wouldn't reach for pretentious terms, carries an existential problem at its center. Poole circles around the fundamental void: work deadens, relocation doesn't help, spiritual pursuits falter, intelligence burdens, and even the drugs don't help. When Poole finally gets the title track, the preceding album gives his confession extra weight, a mix of life's strictures and personal limitation combining for a crisis best avoided but wonderfully shared. The Freelancer's Blues comes rich in Nashville tradition but finds an ideal fit in its contemporary place, likely providing a soundtrack for a variety of times and spaces yet to come.

Justin Cober-Lake

 Schlippenbach Quartett — Three Nails Left (Corbett Vs. Dempsey)

You might say that this record has been slept on twice. The second recording to be released by the Alexander von Schlippenbach, Evan Parker and Paul Lovens (augmented this time by Peter Kowald) was released in 1975, and didn’t get a second pressing — on vinyl — until 2019. So, Corbett Vs. Dempsey stepped up last summer, it had never been on CD. But this writer was so stumped on how to relate how intense, startling, and unlike any other free improvisation it was and is, that he just… slept on it. Until now. Even if you know this band, if you don’t know this album, well, it’s time you got acquainted.

Bill Meyer 

Stonegrass — Stonegrass (Cosmic Range)

STONEGRASS by Stonegrass

Released on the cusp of a tentative re-opening for the city of Toronto after two months of lock-down, this slab of psychedelic funk-rock was the perfect antidote to the COVID blues when it arrived at the tail end of a Spring spent in near-isolation. The jam sessions that became Stonegrass were also a new beginning for multi-instrumentalist Matthew “Doc” Dunn and drummer Jay Anderson, who reignited a spirit of collaboration after a decade of sonic estrangement following the demise of their Spiritual Sky Blues Band project. Listening to these songs, you’d never know they spent any time apart. The tight, bottom-wagging jams on offer are evidence that these two are joined together at the third eye. Anderson’s grooves run deep, and Dunn — whether he’s traipsing along on guitar, keys or flutes — is right there with him. There’s enough fuzz here to satiate the heads, but the real treat here is the rhythmic interplay. Strap in and prepare to get down. 

Bryon Hayes 

 Bob Vylan — We Live Here EP (Venn Records)

Bob Vylan flew under the radar in 2020 successfully enough that when someone nominated them for the best of 2020 poll in Tom Ewing’s Peoples’ Pop Polls project on Twitter (each month a different year or category gets voted on in World Cup-style brackets, it’s great fun and only occasionally maddening), most of the reaction was “is that one a typo?” Nobody had that response after listening to “We Live Here” — my wife also participates in the poll, so we just play all the candidates in our apartment, and Bob Vylan was the first time both of our jaws dropped in amazement; the song got played about ten times in a row at that point. Bobby (vocals/guitar/production) and Bobbie (drums/“spiritual inspiration”) Vylan’s 18-minute EP lives up to that title track, fireball after fireball aimed directly at the corrupt, crumbling, racist state that seems utterly indifferent to human suffering unless there’s profit in it. Whether it’s the raging catharsis of the title track or the cool, precise hostility of “Lynch Your Leaders,” Bob Vylan have made something vital and essential here, that very much speaks to 2020 but sadly will stay relevant long past it.  

Ian Mathers

 Working Men’s Club — Working Men’s Club (Heavenly Recordings)

It’s been evident these past few years that I’ve retreated from music and committed myself to the slower world of books as a way of giving my mind a break from the accelerating madness outside, but I could never really leave my radio family the same way I could never really leave Dusted. Another great example why: A fellow CHIRP volunteer played “John Cooper Clarke” in a December Zoom social I actually managed to catch, and I’ve been addicted to Working Men’s Club’s debut LP from October ever since. The quartet hails from Todmodren, a market town you won’t be surprised upon listening to discover is roughly equidistant between Leeds and Manchester; the album screams Hacienda vibes in its seamless integration of post-punk signifiers and dancefloor style. It’s easy to bandy about names from Rip It Up and Start Again or even The Velvet Underground in 12-minute closer “Angel,” certainly one of the most arresting tracks of the year, but the thing that struck me immediately is that this was the record I’d always anticipated but never got from Factory Floor — smart, aloof and occasionally calculated, yet still fun enough to play for any crowd itching to move. Until the community of a dance party or Working Men’s Club live set is once again possible, patience and a fully formed first album will have to suffice. You’ll have to imagine the part where I corner you at the party to rave about it, I’m afraid.

Patrick Masterson

RinShi! (because if the ‘send me a character and i’ll list:’ post)

I’m sorry this took so long! Forgot to check my asks n all, my bad! And since someone else also asked for Shiemi, I’ll write this post for Rin, and then follow up with Shiemi in just a minute!

Okumura Rin:

Favorite thing about them: oh gosh,,, I have to save most of my thoughts for this other analysis I’m writing, but I love Rin for many of the same reasons I love all of Kato’s characters- he’s such a beautiful twist on the typical shounen anime protagonist. Yes, he’s headstrong and a little dumb, but he’s also incredibly caring and deeper than most people realize. He doubts himself. He has self confidence issues. He’s self sacrificial, in a terrifyingly real way that most animes tend to shy away from. I could get into so much more, but essentially, I think he’s a super refreshing twist and yeah. what a good boy

Least favorite thing about them: He’s a shounen protagonist. Yeah.

Favorite line: OH GOSH. UH. I think it would be “Ever since I was a kid, I’ve known I was different from the others.” It’s not a particularly original or new line, but I think it hits especially hard when you take the rest of his character into context. Rin has a level of self awareness that I don’t think a lot of people realize, or think about.

BrOTP: Hmm, I would maybe say Rizumo! I like them as a ship, too, but I just really have to admire their quiet kind of bond. I also like Shima and Rin’s friendship, alongside Suguro and Rin’s. Pre-reveal, Shima and Rin were both kind of the ‘my last two brain cells’ meme, and I think their vibe was just really good! Suguro and Rin also have a really strong friendship in my mind, I really like reading it.

OTP: I literally,,, could not decide on only one Rin ship if I tried. I love him with so many characters: Godaiin, Konekomaru, Shiemi, Suguro, Izumo, etc. I mean, if they’re age appropriate, then I probably ship it to at least some degree. 

NOTP: Okumuracest. Please block me if you ship Okumuracest. Aside from that, I also don’t like Rin/Demon Kings. I don’t have many NOTPs when it comes to shipping, but the few I do have, I feel extremely strongly about.

Random headcanon: Kind of based off of ‘brother mine’, but one day, he and demon!Rin sort of come to an agreement, and share his body fairly.

Unpopular opinion: Please wait for me to post my previously-mentioned analysis before you drag me, but I believe he’s actually more mature than Yukio (if only in an emotional sense). I also don’t really care for BonRin as much as I did when I was younger, tbh.

Song I associate with them: SO GLAD FOR MY CHARACTER PLAYLISTS but Frontier Psychiatrist by The Avalanches! It’s one of those songs that I associate with both Yukio and Rin extremely heavily, for separate reasons. The vibes of the song fits Yukio very well, but the part of the song about school systems writing ‘problem’ children off as hopeless and even mentally ill makes me think a lot of Rin.

Favorite picture of them: SO GLAD YOU ASKED it is @thefoulbeast ‘s art of Rin that he posted recently (i love you and your art so much will muah) and I will link it here! You should give him a follow if u would like to see more absolutely incredible art.

Hey dude, I really like your music taste so do all the music questions that you didn't already answer 🌚

OK DUDE HERE THEY COME (except 1,6 & 14) ... ok lets do number 1 again  What's a song you've been listening to a lot lately? as the world caves in by Matt Maltese, if I get high by nothing but thieves, and literally anything off waterparks’ new live album, that thing makes me feel so ALIVE bc like LIVE MUSIC  Is there an album you recently discovered and are obsessed with it now? well waterparks live in the uk obviously but if the last 6 months count as recently, then the new abnormal by the strokes. its... absolutely breathtaking. I don't have words. 0 words. except these dudes know what the fuck they’re doing. and then I found the devil and god are raging inside me by brand new and jeeesus. literally Jesus Christ, Jesus Christ was my most played song in 2020 AS IT SHOULD BE bc its EVERYTHING this album is THE SHIT. every song is just *chef kiss* like there's limousine (omg limousine) and you won't know and not the sun and AHH listen to these albums omg  Put your playlist on shuffle and show the first 10 songs. No cheating. i assume “your playlist” means all my saved songs so Topography by Civilian (pls go listen its SO great) Na Na Na by mcr yees issa classic  Du schreibst Geschichte by Madsen omg geeerman  just saying by EDEN (pretty pretty pretty) Westerland von den Ärzten another classic  letdown by nothing,nowhere. sad but the good kind of sad  The Man by the killers making fun of toxic masculinity gives me LIFE  Graffiti by CHVRCHES YES  and death stranding by CHVRCHES too YES SO GOOD simmer by Hayley Williams, a queen  How do you tend to discover new music? If you do at all of course I do enjoy what Spotify suggests, like my weekly mix brought a lot of bops in the past, although sometimes it just sucks lets be real. I also like the artist- or album-radio, when I wanna find something similar to an album but not the album.  and another thing I lovvve is when artists I like recommend music, for example, have you seen dallon weekes instagram stories? THE TASTE? bc yes, someone who writes music like that MUST have a superior taste in music and he fucking does. 

What app do you mostly use to listen to music? Spotify :) Is there an artist that you feel ashamed of listening too? I can't think of anyone so probably not  What is your favorite album cover art? omg. I have to go with more than one. so there's where the mind wants to go/where you let it go by I the mighty, one of my favorite albums of all time, and I'm going to say it how it is, I LIKE THE COLORS. the blue-ish imagine with the red omg. look at it pls.  Also fandom by waterparks looks SO COOL. again the COLORS  and I love the art for Isola by Kent.  I recently discovered you wouldn't believe what privilege costs by civilian and I think that cover is pretty cool too.  well and then there's petals for armor by Hayley Williams, the cover art is so fucking powerful Jesus I get goosebumps just thinking about it. in case you don't know about it, long story short: there's been a lot of shit going on in Hayleys life in the past. relatable imo. then they made after laughter and its been like u know what fuck it we’ll just laugh and dance through the pain. together. and I LOVED the vibe omg it gave me so much. but for Hayley it kinda postponed REALLY dealing with shit. she came home from touring with AL and she also got divorced during the AL era and everything's shit and out of all that came petals for armor. and in it she reclaims femininity, being alone, being powerful, being a women, everything. and ah yeah we were talking about the cover art, the cover is her, having a line of squares on her face, three of these squares are tattooed on her fingers though bc its where her ex husbands initials used to be that she got covered up. WHAT A MOVE. THE POWER.  (if anyone is interested in hearing Hayley talking about/explaining all this, I really recommend watching her interview with zane Lowe. its SO GOOD basically free therapy) How much did your parents influence your music taste? a. lot. my dad listened to a lot of “dad rock” you may call it, I guess a lot of dads listened to stuff similar to this. Deep Purple, the police, simple minds, Green Day, Billy Talent, the scorpions and things like that. what influenced me the most tho was the beatsteaks (german band, very good), die Ärzte (german band, very good) and LAST BUT NOT LEAST the fricking blues brothers. my favorite movie (not the 2000 remake, go watch that in hell where it belongs), a great, charismatic band, unbelievable live performances. very big WOW from me.  Do you own any vinyl? don't get me started omg. I DO. I wish I could take a photo but my records are at my parents house so ill just name my favorites.  -after laughter and brand new eyes by paramore -violent things by the brobecks and their song boring on 7inch (this is very rare ok) -razzzzmatazzz by idkhow in gold :) -may death never stop you by mcr (my first one, I bought it first and then bought a record player for it, that's how it started lol) -omg the black parade is dead by mcr, this was never available on vinyl until record store day 2019 (?) and I hunted that bitch like idek what it was insane but I found a super cute small record store and the owner didn't have copies of it bc NOBODY DID but he fucking CALLED THE LABEL even though it was way too late and he asked if they'd send him a copy and THEY DID I FUCKING OWE THIS MAN  -and omg Isola by Kent (in Swedish tho bc the English version was never pressed on vinyl) this was intense. I searched for like 2 weeks and then, on google results page 8 or something, I found what could've been the only copy on the damn internet and it was very expensive but its MINE NOW -my signed vertigo vinyl by EDEN, its clear and on side D it doesn't have music but a little message engraved it the vinyl IT IS CUTe -Placebos MTV unplugged! I am so I love with this album. SO. in love. and one day, when I was in Berlin to see palaye royale, back when we had concerts, I walked by a random record store and they have like 4 records left bc they were closing or idk and the only one displayed in the window was this one. tell me about FATE  Do you own any cds? not many. sometimes when im at the store and I see ones I know or like, I just buy them and put them in me moms car bc I want her to listen to them. or when I find a cd by a smaller artist I enjoy, I buy it just to push the nachfrage. HI i am HERE and I WANT this music  Is vinyl really better than listening on a digital device? im not gonna be that middle aged white male audiophile that hates on our generation for using Spotify. bc its great. I think its just different. I mean im sorry I don't carry my record player on the bus with me, pls forgive me for using my phone? having immediate access to most of the music that is out there? wow. what a concept. I love the internet. YES TECHNOLOGY. but. vinyls are... different. I feel likes its a different kind of listening. I feel like youre rly LISTENING. and that way isn't better, or right, and im not saying it works like this for everyone. but when I put a record on, my only activity at that moment is listening to music, I sit down and I listen. to the entire album. so skips and no pauses, bc that's how it works. and I think that sometimes, that can do a lot for you. if you let it.  and besides that, physically owning a record makes me happy on a level nothing else really does. fuck I love music so much and when I fall in love with it, I fall hard. and then owning a copy of it, something I can touch, something that is MINE, putting it in my little shelf, looking at it every few days and just being in love? fantastic feeling.  What is a genre of music that you tend to go to for comfort? sad shit. I feel like I can get great comfort from the sad shit. or maybe just slow shit. and songs that mean a lot to me and have been around me for some time, they have this other level of comfort. like for Emma, forever ago by bon iver for example. I have a playlist, maybe I'll reblog this again and link it ;) Do you tend to like poppy upbeat songs, or more intricate and interesting songs? both. sometimes I wanna have complicated stuff and analyze the shit out of lyrics and instrumentation, sometimes I just wanna v i b e If you have a favorite band or artist, tell us about how you got into them I liked paramore before but when they posted the video of them performing last hope at reading? it was over. when Hayley sang the bridge it was over. now im a die hard fan and I never looked back Is there a song that came out this year that you like? maybe after reading all this shit you expected a list but somehow I can't. where do u even start. but the answer is definitely yes.  THANK YOU FOR REQUESTING I COULD GO ON FOR DAYS 

Seon Adventures Episode 22:  Reunions In The Big City

So it’s been a couple of months. We went on a bit of a hiatus, we did o w o;;;

But we had our 22nd session this Wednesday, so we good~!

The night of the inter-party drama goes a bit smoother than the day. With Malak taking to his room, Luctan sitting against the door to keep company, Amelia travels the town to gather flowers from a kindly gnomish  lady named Daffine. She takes a suspicious amount of them, all in good nature as the transaction occurs.

“Quite the bunch, you’re running me out of stock here!”

As the Narahs travel ever the closer to Crystalgate, singing along the way and attracting a crowd, much like in a musical and much to FIcus’ dismay, Mournimar watches from a window, with his dear companion Morgan as Nelatha sneaks her way home.

Luctan, unaware whether Malak is awake or not, talks still, in a Frozen fashion, about the events that transpired that day. He apologizes for the party’s dynamic and makes it clear that he holds no ill will towards the cleric for placing him in a Hold Person spell. He even shares the woes of this happening to him in the past.

The disguised tiefling, who surprisingly would get joined by Archie, who somehow, some way, found Luctan at the Temple, would continue talking about the complications of the lives they live from his youthful perspective. Already soured by his own experiences in the material plane, but keeping that knowledge to himself. As he only knows Malak for aproximately 3 days.

As he tries to express his perspective on morality, given the situation with the old woman from earlier, Mournimar meets up with Nel, downstairs.

“Whatcha doin’?”

“Going back to my home if that’s allowed?”  Nel answers to the taller figure and the two have a bit of a sass off.

As Nel keeps her cards to herself, expressing mainly the point of her mother’s transportation being hush-hush,  Mourni elaborates on the shenanigans of the day. Nel does love a personal story, assuming that something got the other men in the party hot and bothered for each other.

Regardless, with Amelia eventually returning to the Shadowspire Mannor, everyone finds their sleep.

The day after, Amelia is woken up early by the half-elven woman, who takes her to watch the tri-spires of the city in the morning light.

It is a lovely and romantic experience for the two, to say the least.

Meanwhile, Luctan and Malak also wake, the first much to the dismay of the second. Before initiating any conversations, Luctan feels a familiar pain across his back. An old pain. An ever rebounding one. A Phantom Pain.

That established, Luctan checks with the Cleric to see how he was doing. Malak has to even point out that the Temple of Kemis had accomodations for guests, he didn’t have to sleep on the ground. But Luctan merely would answer that he wanted to make sure Malak was doing ok. If he still wanted to go with the party.

Malak seems to agree to carry on and the two men make their way back to the SM. On the way, Luctan sings a merry little song, which may require attunement, as Malak points out with the offer that Belli could give him singing lessons.

Luctan’s eyes catch something on the path to the Mannor. Flyers and posters for the Spring Welcoming Festival. Upon it, Luctan sees the names of other groups, who will participate.

“Crystalgate’s Finest”, “The Darksbane Elite”, and of course... “The Traveling Gentlefolk”.

Luctan has a hard time composing himself, in profile during this, to Malak’s confusion and unawares. 

To Malak’s knowledge, TDBE are the token five of TDBA.Crystalgate’s Finest are the local guard. Usually lead by the same Vigilance of the Guard.  Leyla Dustone and Terrorwind the Half Orc from TDBA will be part of the 1st team.

From what Malak knows, TTG travel as a group, typical heroic adventure types. Arrogant, but you know, pretty strong guys. They had recently been asking around the temples for a new magic practioner. But stopped asking 2 months ago. Presumably having found one.

As they carry on their path, Mournimar and Morgan exit the mannor, to search for the other guys, with his trusty dire wolf at his side, after a good vibing session.

The girls come home at this time, laughing and having a gay old time, passing by the tiefling on the way to breakfast.

As it were, the three fellows meet up. With the tieflings almost missing each other again, if not for Malak’s perceptiveness and Dexterous know how.

After a few jokes involving Mournimar’s hair and squirrels, for some reason, they return to the mannor, for breakfast.

As Amelia picks up her furbal, from Luctan, the lads also have breakfast. Much sweeter than what they’re used to, as Belli’s gourmet usually has a variety to it.

(And we get hungri irl)

Post-breakfast, the party convene on the day’s activities. Missing an innuendo from Nel, Luctan brings out a list on possible jobs they could take:

“ Knight Kelvin Mountainsteel wants a job to be done, qualifications uncertain, ‘till we get there.”

“Ziaz, Teller of Tales, slain in the Silver District. Anyone with clues to report back and can get a reward.”

“ Lord Arwen of Elevir, Member of the Circles, wants help with an issue of possible high powered mage. Needs qualified people, who can handle magic users, rather than the guards.”

“String of Murders in the Bronze District, details inside.”

From Nelatha, the party learn that Knight Kelvin’s demeanor has given her the understandable opinion that the man is, As the word is. A “cock”. A creeper of sorts.

From Nel, the party also learn that Zias was a performer at the Voluptani Mistique, whcih strikes the party as odd as they were still fully operating, in spite of the recent murder. Guards seem to be keeping watch over the body in an alley, still.

As this gets discussed, Luctan would occasionally scratch his beard. The noise of hair being scratched would tip off Nel that something was up. Which signals to Luctan to remember that he hasn’t shared with either of them his true form.

In spite of Mournimar’s poor attempt at a lie, Nelatha suggest it fine for Luctan to keep his secret, if he isn’t comfortable sharing.

Regarding the Lord Arwen job, Nel points out that the Lord, a High Mage, isn’t a complete dick, as long as they know how to handle him during negotiations.

The party offer her a position on the Cultbusters for this job, but Nel has to refrain. As she has work to do in town, involving the training of other bards. Less experienced bards. Barldings, if you will.

Safe to say that Luctan and Amelia admire Nel in their own respective way. Biggest fans.

Either way, it’s safely agreed upon that the party will wait for Belli’s big return, before they take on a mission.

Nel messages Belli. “It’s Nelatha. We were wondering how close to home you were and how your personal goings on’re working out for you. Will you be back soon? Goodbye.”

Holy shit, Nel?! You can reply to me? Holy god?! Ok, Ficus, me and my dad’ll be coming soon.” The Narahs were hours away. And Belli had elaborated that the family will be partying it up in Crystalgate soon enough.

Nel goes sheet white.

One way or another, something leads Luctan to remember referring to someone in his past as having “eyes like dandelions”.

As conversations go on, something triggers a response from Luctan. Or lack there of as Luctan gets a 1000 yard stare. Noticing the bout of PTSD coming to Luctan, Mournimar takes his tiefling brother in arms out for fresh air, where the two men have a heart to heart about what had transpired. Luctan, in a sour mood, confides in Mournimar about his phantom pains flaring up.

Mournimar offers to cast Cure wounds on Luctan, however Luctan catches his wrist, before he can even cast it. “It won’t work. They’re  scars.”

art by @unholyleaf​

While the drama occurs outside, Malak and Amelia have a moment between themselves. Discussing Belli and apologizing for the previous day's outcome,   Amelia hands the Cleric one of the sets of flowers she had bought the previous night: The Hyacinth.

A couple of hours pass and the Narah Bus comes back to town, music blaring and people in the streets, familiar with the Narah family, cheering, whooping and hollering like in one big musical. Nel, conveniently making a quick exit, the big reunion and meeting happens as Belli gives everyone hugs!

Mournimar gets a hug! Amelia gets a hug! Luctan gets a hug! Malak gets a hug! Even a random kid gets a hug out of this situation!

Belli gets like 3 gold and 20 silver from her performance.

And so the party meet Bob. Mournimar and Amelia get easily intimidated by the large Orc Man, hiding behind Luctan, comedic as it is with Mournimar having a few inches over Luck without counting the horns.

Words are traded, double pistols and winks are had, dad stares were involved at some point as well! The old bard takes a big moment to thank everyone for being there for Belli, when her family couldn’t. Belli counts the others as her family as well.

Before Bob leaves for the  Tabernax inn, it is made known that a big party will be happening, with the Narahs helming it to make their grand return.

Luctan offers Ficus a position on the team, given his mood and the half-orc rogue accepts, joining them for the quest that Belli picks, in honor of her return: The job for Lord Arwen.

Notably, Ficus knows of the Lord, better than the rest, thanks to his underground contacts. His wife had been, at some point, a mark for a crime?

That said, he would lead everyone to the Dunspire, casting Disguise Self to make himself appear as a more elveny half-elf than he already was.

The Dunspire. Mostly silver with a spiral pattern. Windows repeating on every floor. There’s a magical aura to the place. The specific shape and position of the windows change, whenever the winds do.

The only ground entrance seems to come in the form of a single door, guarded by an interesting pair. A Golliath woman with a shaven head and a halfling man. One with a greataxe, the other with a pair of scimitars.

With Luck and Ficus doing the talking and showing the flier the Fighter would have taken at some point, Luctan assures them an audience inside, even though the two guards give each other an “Get a load of these guys” look.

Instructions are given, as well:

The party are to hand over their weapons at the entrance. Follow the path up to the 4th floor, where the Lord sits and do not enter any other parts of the tower.

Entering, the six put away their weapons on the designated spot, one person at a time under the watchful eyes of what appear to be mostly elven and half-elven soldiers.

"Do I leave this?” Belli asks, showing off her kazoo.

“That will not be necessary.”

“How about this?” she asks again, showing her ukelele.

“That will not be necessary.”

“How about this, do I leave this?” she shows off the flute.

“That will not be necessary.”

Offering a cupcake to a half-elven man, Belli is told, yet again, by what a Gwendoline Cristie looking elven woman the words, as a punchline:  “Providing food will not be necessary.”

And so. We go up.

Walking past the 2nd floor… Amelia and Mournimar notice and spot Nel, for some reason. There is a blood splatter up her arm. She notices the party. As Amelia gets a one arm hug. “I wasn’t expecting you to be up here in the Dunspire.” and talk shop, Luctan makes a bigger revelation... The blood is not hers.

Thinking fast, he writes a message on her palm, using Prestidigitation, while Nel confides in the group to carry on to the Lord.

While Mournimar and Belli have a conversation over what could have happened with Nel, Amelia and the titular hold a private conversation.

The group soon part with the bard, Belli sharing that the family is coming soon enough.

They eventually get to the Lord’s office. Knocking, the door opens on it’s own.

A Dark haired, elven man sits behind his desk. Lord Arwen himself.

After giving their credentials with the most notable of activities, the party enter. 

Lord Arwen explains the problem:

He pulls out two scrolls from the table, unravels them and they are maps of crystalgate from different perspectives. On each there is a seemingly perfect circle in red and blue crosses. Each of these little marks is a spot where a lightning strike has hit, loud thunder clatter.

A magic user conducting a ritual. It’s uncertain whom. Could be one of their mages? Could be dangerous or a curious mind. Not a muscle by a wizard gets lifted in Crystalgate, without the Circle knowing about it. So this mystery understandably has them spooked.

Somewhere, in the South East, outside the walls of town, someone was dropping lightning bolts and they didn’t know who, why or how.

People, who stop there are less well off. There are orphanages and one of them is in the area. Also lots of ex-military. Religion wise, these are Bellinas worshipers.  Possibly people, who talk a lot of shit about Qorin. If there would be an area, worshipping Dahktot, it’d be that kinda area.

That said. They hadn’t found any  ivine energies in the area, so arcane user.  Adventurers are perfect for this, ‘cause people don’t trust the Circle.

A list of people living in the area is provided to the group, to aid them in questioning people in the outskirts.

Something interesting gets noted. 5 previous parties had stepped on this floor before the Cultbusters, regarding this job.

One half of the group never bothered with the quest. The other half thought it too dangerous and the 5th, the info coerced by Malak, failed.

Through the haggling of Luctan and Belli, the party are offered 90GP each for finishing this job. Collecting all physical information the group need, they take to the streets, determined to get the job done.

Walking through the South Eastern part of outer Crystalgate, Luctan bumps into someone.

Standing at 5′6, with red hair and a pair of blue eyes that surprisingly match Amelia’s, he comes face to face with a lovely young woman in blue robes.

She looks from the “human” fighter to the air genasi monk with a look of familiarity.

The two recognize each other as Amelia sees, for the first time in a long time, her sister.

Her sister, who refers to her as “Dee-Dee”.

End of session/episode.

Previous Episode / Next Episode

my favorite records of the 2010s pt 1 (the less great stuff/honorable mentions)

Neither this post or its followup are going to be in any particular order, however all the records I talk about here are, in my opinion, not as good as the records i will talk about in my part 2. they’re all fantastic but these ones slightly a little less fantastic than the ones in my “top 10″. none of this is based on stuff like 'influence' or whatever other critics base their lists on, this is solely how much I enjoyed these records. And keep in mind, I'm only human, I havent listened to a good lot of records I've heard others describe as top 10 worthy, these are just records I found and that I resonate with. long post ahead. 

Vacation - Bomb the Music Industry (2011)

If you asked me what my favorite band is i will either say bomb the music industry or jeff rosenstock, but considering those are pretty much the same things it doesnt matter lol. While Vacation isnt a perfect record, it is one I love. It lacks some of the ska elements that I love about earlier BTMI records, but at the same time, it is the first record where Jeff’s “””solo””” career sound starts to form in tracks like Sick, Later, Hurricane Waves, Everybody That You Love, Everybody That Loves You, and Vocal Coach. And these tracks are all fantastic, especially the absolutely explosive opener Campaign For a Better Weekend. Where this album suffers in my mind is the fact that it exists as a weird hybrid middle ground between BTMI and modern Jeff Rosenstock, it isn’t really ska like old BTMI and it’s not quite to the same standard as the tracks on We Cool?. And some of the songs are just, not as good as the others, like Why, Oh Why, Oh Why (Oh Oh Oh Oh), which is washed out almost entirely in reverb, and tracks like Savers feeling barren and missing additional instrumentation. But fuck man I can not dislike this record or just call it “ok” because despite this I still listen to this record a lot, it’s so catchy and fun and Im a bit too chronically addicted to btmi. 

Reflektor - Arcade Fire (2013)

i dont really get the hate/mixed feelings others have with this record. there’s so many good tracks dude!!!! sure theres a bit of a slump in the middle and it doesnt reach the same emotional heights as their previous records you gotta be ignorant to overlook this records strengths. while i do like The Suburbs more than Reflektor, man i just vibe HARD with some of these tracks; the title track, We Exist, Here Comes The Night Time, Normal Person, Awful Sound (Oh Eurydice), Porno, and ESPECIALLY Afterlife. Plus the cover art is cool and I like it. However Flashbulb Eyes is one of the worst tracks Arcade Fire has ever put out and I hate it immensely. And while far less offensive, tracks like You Already Know, It’s Never Over (Hey Orpheus), and Joan of Arc are just kinda boring and/or uninteresting. Now granted, I'm extremely biased when it comes to Arcade fire in general unless were talking about the trainwreck that is Everything Now. I started listening to Arcade Fire just before Reflektor came out, and I have a kinda sentimental attachment to the record. ill explain the feeling more when i talk about The Suburbs. anticipation oooooo.

good kid m.A.A.d city - Kendrick Lamar (2012)

i might get crucified by some for not putting this in my top 10, but whatever come at me i guess. gkmc is a fantastic record, but i do think the ending is weak, which is why it’s here instead of in the top 10. i mean, let’s be real, Real is a mediocre track, and while Dying of Thirst is an important track to the whole narrative of the record, it feels way too long. almost everything else about this record is fantastic, from the beats, to kendrick’s nasally flows, to the overall structure of the record spinning a tale of a young man battling demons both inside and out, and his eventual redemption. even if i find this record at times to drop pace, it really is flawless otherwise. it felt like a disservice to put this in the 20-10s, bc it’s a good record, but i had to make some compromises and this was one of them. 

RTJ2 - Run The Jewels (2014)

el-p and killer mike are a perfect duo, and the tracks they make together are always total bangers. and for me, RTJ2 is the best overall, with RTJ3 in a close second. it’s hard to put this on the lower half of the list, some of the tracks just don’t work as well as the others, but despite that there’s not really any tracks i hate or dislike on this record, minus maybe crown. the pure aggression in the opening track Jeopardy sets the tone for an aggressive yet highly focused record. This is some of the best rap out there right now if you want some music to fuck shit up to. 

Pure Comedy - Father John Misty (2017)

This record is both hilarious and extremely bleak. Josh Tillman is a master of satire and sarcasm, and Pure Comedy is the peak of his songwriting skills. The title track is one of the best tracks of the decade, period. And he keeps up the momentum on the following few tracks. The main problem with this record is its weaker second half, but even then it’s criminal to suggest that those songs aren’t good regardless. And despite the bleakness, the one line that sticks in my head after all this time is the line this album fades out to: There’s nothing to fear.

Knife Man - AJJ (2011)

Continuing on the trend of folky, satirical, and bleak records, Knife Man is AJJ’s defining record (next to their debut LP). AJJ blends loud, punky anthems with quieter, folk tracks that touch on sensitive issues in a way only AJJ manages to get away with. And there’s some genuine heart mixed in as well, with the final track Big Bird always striking a chord with me. However, I do feel the record is, let’s just say, padded at times in my opinion. Still, I can’t deny how much i enjoy tracks like Gift of the Magi 2, Hate Rain on Me, The Distance, and Skate Park. Speaking of which when I saw AJJ live recently they played none of those songs and that kinda sucked but hey it was like $20 I can’t complain. And speaking of not getting what I wanted...

You Won’t Get What You Want - Daughters (2018)

It was hard choosing between this record and their 2010 self titled record, but in terms of the overall narrative and variety this record shines through. If there was a number 11 spot in this unorganized list this would probably take that spot. It’s noisey, it’s abrasive, and it’s like nothing you’ve heard before unless you’ve listened to Daughter’s previous records. Tracks like The Reason They Hate Me are catchy in the weirdest and most unwelcoming of ways, Less Sex sounds like a long lost Trent Reznor NIN track, and Guest House is a masochistic and gut wrenching finisher. Fantastic record aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa.

We Cool? - Jeff Rosenstock (2015)

It’s obvious that I had to include this record somewhere on these list. It’s like a more refined version of the sounds that Jeff experimented with on Vacation. Definitely more punk than ska, but still some of those roots still shine through, especially in the track Nausea. Some of Jeff’s best songs are on this record, from the loud opening tracks Get Old Forever and You, In Weird Cities, to tracks dripping with bittersweet and moody lyrics like I’m Serious, I’m Sorry and Polar Bear or Africa. The main reason this record is on the back end of the top 20 is because the deeper cuts on the record do not match the energy and heights of the best tracks. Tracks like All Blissed Out, The Lows, Darkness Records and Beers Again Alone don’t feel like they belong and stick out a bit. They remind me more of the material Jeff put out on his 2012 EP I Look Like Shit. Mind you they aren’t bad tracks, but I’ll be honest I skip them often when listening to the record because i just wanna get back to the good good stuff. 

Sports - Modern Baseball (2012)

Sports is one of the best pop punk records ever, if you can even consider it as such. It’s like a blend of emo and folk punk, and it works so well. A good majority of this record is on my main shuffle playlist. Is it pushing boundaries? Not really, but tracks like Re-Do, Tears Over Beers, and See Ya, Sucker are undeniably catchy and memorable. I NEED MODERN BASEBALL BACK TOGETHER RN. There’s not really anything that wrong with the record, besides maybe lacking in variety, but at 30 minutes, it’s a record that feels nostalgic even on a first listen, and continues to feel that way even after numerous re-listens. Speaking of nostalgia...

The Suburbs - Arcade Fire (2010)

Some background, when I was 13 (circa 2013), I only really listened to whatever my parents put on for me. From my mom, I “inherited” a taste for classic pop and 80s new wave. From my dad, I got metal and hard rock. The first time I made the conscious decision to listen to a record fully, based on my own curiousity, was when I sat and listened to Sgt. Pepper in the summer of 2013, which broadened the scope of what I thought music could even be. And later that year, the first band I got into after The Beatles? Arcade Fire. When I think of my early teens, the memories are set to this record. I remember listening to Ready to Start in my brother’s old hot ass car while driving to the local fair with some friends on a chill fall night, eating tons of junk and staying up past midnight back when doing that was edgy and cool and not a symptom of my depression. 

If I was judging this record solely by its best tracks, it would easily be in the top 3. But I couldn’t place it in my top 10 because, frankly, some of the deeper cuts are lacking. I can’t say I like Deep Blue. I really don’t like Rococo. And Half Light I kills the pace of the record. But man, that title track, Ready to Start, Modern Man, Empty Room, Half Light II, Sprawl II... these songs defined my early teen years. I still tear up listening to the title track. Sure I have to skip a few songs when I re-listen, but I can’t place it any lower or my heart will break. It existing outside of the top 10 already hurts. And that’s all that’s left now. The top 10. 

But first, some random honorable mentions that didn’t make this list:

Sound & Color - Alabama Shakes

Black Star - David Bowie

Saturation II - BROCKHAMPTON

Melophobia - Cage the Elephant

Teens of Style - Car Seat Headrest

How to Leave Town - Car Seat Headrest

Daughters - Daughters

Sunbather - Deafheaven

Bottomless Pit - Death Grips

Year of the Snitch - Death Grips (should be on this list tbh)

Doris - Earl Sweatshirt

I Love You, Honeybear - Father John Misty

Helplessness Blues - Fleet Foxes

Plastic Beach - Gorillaz

Boarding House Reach - Jack White

POST- - Jeff Rosenstock

S/T - Joyce Manor

Firepower - Judas Priest

ye - Kanye West

KIDS SEE GHOSTS - KSG

You Were There - Kill Lincoln

Flying Microtonal Banana - King Gizzard

Infest The Rats’ Nest - King Gizzard

No New World - Mass of the Fermenting Dregs

Bury Me At Makeout Creek - Mitski

Puberty 2 - Mitski

Unsilent Death - Nails

Itekoma Hits - Otoboke Beaver

Morbid Stuff - PUP

A Moon Shaped Pool - Radiohead

RTJ3 - Run the Jewels

Angles - The Strokes

To Be Kind - Swans

Undertale OST - Toby Fox

Scum Fuck Flower Boy - Tyler, The Creator 

Igor - Tyler, The Creator

Weezer (White Album) - Weezer

nightlife - yuragi

answer from aries to 12th house. all of them. please.

oh my god ahahhhaaha WELL OKAY.

aries: what are you passionate about?

I am passionate about making art, connecting with people, and helping others the best that I can. when I can help teach someone something important or help them access their own tools, that’s such an amazing feeling!

taurus: name 3 of your favorite books.

Carry On by Rainbow Rowell, The Book of Lost Things by John Connolly, Circe by Madeline Miller, Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. all ABSOLUTE bangers. also fuck u I work at a literature company I can put a fourth book if I want.

gemini: what was the last text you sent?

“i shifted how i was sitting and was like ‘oh stabby, cool’” my friends will know what this is about

cancer: if you could choose your child’s zodiac sign, what would it be?

n/a (don’t want kids)

leo: name something you love about yourself.

I LOVE. how creative I am. I mean I constantly bounce between like five different hobbies and I just love looking at the things I’ve created and feeling proud of myself and remembering how much fun I had making the thing! plus, my art has helped me connect with so many people and has helped so many people and that’s just. ahh. so rad!!

virgo: what’s your #1 pet peeve?

I HAVE TO NAME JUST ONE? LMAO. honestly i think i’ll have to say when people are not aware of their surroundings—whether that’s people walking too slowly in front of me or someone just standing like a dummy in the middle of the aisle/sidewalk like buddy come on people have to Go Here.

libra: describe your dream partner.

my dream partner is patient, funny, handsome, supportive, excited, and understanding! he also has been dating me for over five years. :^)

scorpio: do you trust easily?

this is an interesting one. I... don’t think so? and that’s not because I expect people to hurt me, I just have a lot of walls and a front I tend to put up until I’m close with someone. and scorpio is my dominant sign so hey that’s fitting. I can’t always rationally tell whether or not I’m vibing with someone, but if I notice myself struggling to be myself or behave like I normally would because of my protective walls, I know they’re not a good fit for me. (also this isn’t because I’m not friendly or outgoing, it just takes a minute for people to get to know me a bit deeper. asndgntdn i’m overexplaining lol)

sagittarius: if you could travel to any place in the world, where would it be?

bro uh. you know i see why people romanticize traveling a lot, it’s supposed to be this really revealing experience—and I did get to study abroad in college, and it was a powerful and introspective experience—but now that I’m older and have a job and medications and illnesses and disabilities I just don’t know how feasible traveling would be for me. THAT BEING SAID: it’s on my bucket list to spend a few nights to a week in a cabin with paints and books and just fucking chill.

capricorn: what’s your dream job?

currently my goal is to become an adolescent therapist, but if that doesn’t flesh out, something else in the realm of social work or accessibility. and obviously I want enough time and energy to keep making art!

aquarius: do you believe in aliens?

scientifically, yeah! there has got to be intelligent life out there. spiritually, yes! I tend to think of deities as higher-vibrational creatures that can interact with us—similar to spirits and ghosts.

pisces: describe someone you love.

my mom is nerdy and gets excited about small things, from glitter to videogames. she has almost as many tattoos as me, and almost all of them are geeky references. she and i are both traumatized and chronically ill in similar ways, which I think has strengthened our relationship in my adulthood. though, I was always close with her—she always made sure to support whoever we were as children and teens and give us the resources we needed to succeed. :’)

sun: describe yourself in 3 words.

kind, balanced, sensitive

moon: what’s your favorite song?

Such Great Heights by The Postal Service!!!! it’s been my fav song for like, fifteen years

rising/asc: how would you describe your style?

lazy nonbinary wearing nothing but sweaters as they wait for surgery lol

mars: are you easily angered?

no—and in fact, it took me some time and a fair amount of therapy to be able to access my own anger after leaving an abuser. (though I DO get annoyed easily, see the question about pet peeves lolol)

venus: what’s your aesthetic?

i..... what the fuck is my aesthetic outside of my style. what does this mean. raw art, forests, sunsets, rain, i guess???

mercury: what color do you talk in?

green. sometimes, orange! other times, deep sea blue. but usually green.

jupiter: what moral do you live by?

be the best version of you that you can be, listen to the messages the universe sends you, and enjoy your life. be kind to others.

saturn: what’s your biggest fear?

living a dull, unhappy life and not making the most out of the life I have. making decisions out of fear and not going anywhere.

uranus: are you rebellious?

ok so not needlessly so, but whenever it comes to rules I think are dumb as shit, yes. yes. I was the kid in high school who got straight A’s but talked back to the subs when they were being unreasonable lol. I just tend to think “well I’ll do this my own way” when I don’t like something.

neptune: share one of your dreams.

I want to live in a brick house. I think they are so cute. I want a window nook seat, and a tower/fun shaped attic where a library can be—I want a yard for my doggy and a space for me to paint.

pluto: what’s the biggest thing you’ve learned by far in your life?

people are healing.

lilith: do you have any guilty pleasures?

sure! I like to imbibe in some drink or smoke and zone into a dumb videogame every once in a while.

chiron: have you ever broken a bone?

i broke my nose as a child!

ceres: are you a momfriend?

I used to be, now I think of myself more as a mentor and friend than the mom friend. being the mom is exhausting.

pallas: do you have a good relationship with your parents?

my mom, yes!

juno: do you believe in soul mates?

of course! not just romantic soul mates—there are many different kinds.

1st house: are you confident?

yes! most of the time, lol. until i am outside and constantly looking over my shoulder because ptsd has eaten my brain

2nd house: if you could only keep one of your personal items, what would you choose?

probably my laptop because of all the stuff on it, art programs, etc.

3rd house: do you like to read?

yesss!! see above with my book suggestions. I’m working on Dune right now.

4th house: what does your bedroom look like?

cozy! half messy, half not. we still have boxes we need to unpack at the foot of our bed, but I’ve decorated my dresser with a lot of memorable items—my necklace tree, photos, instax, we have a couple plants, oh and my altar is in here too!

5th house: name your favorite movie or show.

Avatar: The Last Airbender for surreeee

6th house: do you participate in community service?

not currently—while I like the idea of it, I feel like I don’t have the time or battery level with commissions and art and working full time and working out and taking care of a dog.

7th house: if you could choose, what zodiac sign would you like your dream partner to be?

man I don’t like this one, every zodiac sign has its ups and downs and further, combinations of zodiac signs are what make people truly unique—not to mention peoples’ life experiences!

8th house: do you believe in reincarnation?

yes, absolutely!

9th house: what’s your favorite quote?

not to be boring but I don’t think I have one, and I don’t really want to pull one out of my ass for the sake of answering this question. :(

10th house: are you good at public speaking?

surprisingly yes! I’ve got a good blend of professional and cracking the occasional joke.

11th house: what sign(s) is your best friend/squad?

LET’S SEE. we’ve got a cap, a gem, a gem/cancer cusp, a cancer, a libra, and a pisces.

12th house: do you like to be alone?

lmao tonight i hung out with my partner and her date and after a movie i was like “i’m gonna be a party pooper and go to bed and by go to bed I mean get on my bed and draw while listening to music” so yes, I sure do like being alone.

POST #24- J’s Year in Review 2019

Jesus Christ it’s 36 degrees and dark at 5:30. The most depressing time of year for me. I owe my friends a few reviews and keep putting them off. I’ll do them tomorrow. Hell, maybe when I have time over the weekend I’ll get that one out I promised a few weeks ago. Here I am, sitting on the couch trying to figure out which record I want to highlight next. It’s a daunting task. A lesson I’ve learned over the past year. I need to get those reviews out but my mind (and ears) get the best of me. What do I do instead? I listen to a couple of records and skip right to the end. What I mean by end is that cliche year in review article that all music journalists put out with their favorite artists, songs, records, and shows of the year. This is all new to me. Shortly after the new year I decided it was time for me to get in the game. I don’t have much to offer but I wanted to put my perspective on paper. My first article was a piece about Tyler Childers raising awareness and getting a large donation of bottled water for the citizens of Martin County, Kentucky. I knew about Martin County. I didn’t know how deep it went. It wasn’t the meet and greet and small solo set that made me want to write about my experience. It was Tyler’s words. It was the raw emotion and the choked up words that inspired me to be a writer. I wanted as many people to know about this event as I could possibly get the word to. Be it 5, 10, 20 or even 30 people that read the article and learned about the plight of the citizens of Martin County have been in for years. That maybe 5, 10, 20 or even 30 people that may learn how to contact their representative and ask questions. I hope it inspires people to learn about their community and lend a helping hand to those in need. That event was last year, but it inspired my path this year.

Let me begin by saying that I have met some of the most amazing people over the past 12 months. I will touch on as many of those people as much as I can. I am going to highlight the music that has moved me over the same amount of time. I’m gonna forget people. I’m sorry in advance. I could put a list of my top 10 albums out but that just wouldn’t be fair. To be honest, there is one album that stands head and shoulders above all others. It’s not even a competition. How do you compete with amazing art? I look at it like its a steady stream of good shit coming out and keeping my playlist full.

Album of the Year (Any Genre)

Sound and Fury - Sturgill Simpson

Why?

It’s f*cking amazing. Earth shattering. Ground breaking. LOUD!

Sturgill Simpson took everything you thought you knew about him and his music, threw it out the window of his muscle car, and backed over it about a hundred times. This man does not give a shit. I screwed up on my first listen. There are two ways this album should be heard. 1) On a turntable with the volume turned as loud as it can possibly go. 2) Watching the accompanying anime movie with the volume turned as loud as it can possibly go. Unfortunately I did neither. Most of my first listen was a track at a time on my phone or in my truck. Dead. Wrong. If I had it to do over again I would most definitely start with the anime.

I get it. Anime is not for everyone. If I could give someone a starting point with anime, it would most definitely be Sound and Fury. This album is The Wall of our generation. After my first listen I posted, “Album of the Year Any Genre”. I fully stand by that assessment.

Favorite Albums of the Year

This is where I will most definitely make someone mad or make myself mad for leaving off someone who deserves to be included.

Home - Billy Strings

Favorite Tracks: Away From The Mire and Watch It Fall

Country Squire - Tyler Childers

Favorite Tracks - Creeker and Peace of Mind

Stranger In The Alps - Buffalo Wabs and the Price Hill Hustle

Favorite Tracks: Buffalo’s Canon and Stewball

Between The Country - Ian Noe

Favorite Tracks: Barbara’s Song and Methhead

Seneca - Charles Wesley Godwin

Favorite Tracks: Hardwood Floors and Seneca Creek

Chris Knight - Almost Daylight

Favorite Tracks: I’m William Callahan and Go On

The Wind - Eric Bolander

Favorite Tracks: Closer to that Flame and Ghost

Josh Nolan - Kind Heart to Follow

Favorite Tracks: Makin’ Eyes and The Honeysuckle

Nicholas Jamerson - Floyd County All Star

Favorite Tracks: Patience and Floyd County All Star

High Expectations - Sean Whiting

Favorite Tracks: Melody and Misery

Songs Only A Mother Could Love - Wayne Graham

Favorite Tracks: By and By and Every Evil Thing

On The Hilltop - Nic Allen and the Troubled Minds

Favorite Tracks: Cheap Pills and Wine and For Heaven’s Sake

Cheap Silver and Solid Country Gold - Mike and the Moonpies

Favorite Tracks: Cheap Silver and Danger

The Gospel - The Local Honeys

Favorite Tracks: Amazing Grace and Let the Church Roll On

Full Moon/Heavy Light - Ona

Favorite Tracks: Young Forever and True Emotion

Trial and Error - Vintage Pistol

Favorite Tracks: Lay It Down and Leave Me Behind

The Pilot Light - Derek Spencer

Favorite Tracks: The Witches of Appalachia and Lit By Moonlight

We Fall, We Break - Walter DeBarr

Favorite Tracks - Wicked Eyes and We Fall, We Break

Alive at Hillbilly Central - Arthur Hancock

Favorite Tracks - Take Me Back To The Country and Kenton’s Outdoor Seating Area

Cuz I Love You - Lizzo

Favorite Tracks: Truth Hurts and Juice

I have to give a shoutout to some amazing visual artists for their work on some of these records. Jimbo Valentine and Colonel Tony Moore did an absolutely amazing job on the Country Squire album art. With Valentine’s futuristic hillbilly aura and Moore’s gritty comic book background, their collaboration is my favorite album artwork in some time. Honorable mention goes to Nashville Tattoo Artist, Squishy Eyes. His work for Billy Strings’ home is colorful and visually stimulating. I definitely want some skin art done by this guy!

Next. Let’s talk festivals. Jon Grace burst onto the scene this year putting on not one but two music festivals. Jon and I go way back. We’ve been to country shows, rock shows, heavy metal shows, nu metal shows, Ozzfest. You name it and we were probably in the vicinity. Laurel Cove Music Festival was Bell County’s first foray into the music festival scene and it started with a flash of lightning, then another, then a shit load of rain. An outdoor music festival being held at a beautiful natural amphitheater turned in to an indoor show in the conference room at Pine Mountain State Park. It was a tough decision to make, but in the end, it was worth every minute. The lineup came together in short order and provided us with two days of blistering sets. Jon then put together the FREE Cumberland Mountain Fall Festival in downtown Middlesboro, KY. Featuring local and regional talent for another two days of fun and music. 2019 set the bar high for live music in Bell County.

Festival of the Red is located in the heart of the Red River Gorge area and put on three days of camping and music. The only downside was that I was only there on Saturday. My buddies Blake and Dave packed in the truck with Dave’s little boy Waylon to make the two hour trip to Slade to catch up with old friends and new.

Master Musician Festival is a yearly mainstay in Somerset, KY. Tiffany Finley and company put together a stellar lineup year after year. My wife and I went for the day on Saturday and returned home with memories that we still laugh about months later. I first want to give a shoutout to the staff of MMF for enduring a brutal storm and having the integrity to cancel the headlining act in the face of severe storms. We were devastated that we missed out on a Jason Isbell set, but we are also blessed that we were not injured in a stupid storm. The party rolled on to Jarfly and into the wee hours of the morning.

This brings me to the granddaddy of them all.

Kickin’ It On The Creek.

The Roberts do it up right on Ross’ Creek. The 5th Annual Kickin’ It On The Creek held on Byron Roberts’ farm is something every music fan should experience once in their life. I went to Irvine in June to attempt to buy tickets in person. I left the house Saturday morning around 4:30. My anxiety hit when I got into town and parked and saw the line stretched nearly a half mile down the road. What do you do though? You hop in line! My friends Jon and Daniel arrived about an hour and a half ahead of me and were about 15 people in front of me. Throughout the morning we made conversation with both veterans and newbies alike. The vibe was jubilant. It was almost like a family reunion atmosphere, and this was just the presale. Long story short, about 3 hours later we get to the front of the line when Byron exits the store to announce the tickets were sold out. My friends who were 15 people in front of me were the last group in. It made me ill to realize I was that close. Never fret, the next step was an online sale that supposedly sells out in seconds. Over the next few weeks, karma would smile on us as we were able to purchase enough tickets so everyone in our group of friends were able to procure tickets. Now the wait.

I’m not a festival virgin by no means. I was fortunate enough to go to three Bonnaroo festivals in the early 00’s. Needless to say, I had an idea of the festival life. However, I can’t begin to explain the giddiness that my wife and I felt driving to the festival that Thursday evening in late September. We made it just in time to set up camp and catch Bedford Band and one of the acts I most looked forward to, Buffalo Wabs and the Price Hill Hustle. The family atmosphere was in full effect. We were home. On Friday we were treated to sets by a variety of artists handpicked by the Roberts family. Favorites included Luna and the Mountain Jets, Crownover, Laid Back Country Picker, Green Genes, Jericho Woods, Vintage Pistol, Magnolia Boulevard, John R Miller and the Engine Lights, Town Mountain, and the ‘Lectric Wooks. Saturday favorites included Abe Partridge, Padre Paul Handleman, Wayne Graham, William Matheny, Senora May, Ona, The Wooks, Arlo McKinley, and festival headliner Tyler Childers. I’m already thinking about KIOTC 2020.

This year was magical. I heard amazing music, saw amazing music, introduced my children to amazing music, and most importantly shared with with my wife. I met lifelong friends and have several shows to look forward to in 2020.

Upcoming shows I’ll be attending are The Wooks, Arlo McKinley, Eric Bolander, Charlie Woods and Deep Hollow, and Dave Shoemaker at the Bell Theater on December 21st. 2020 brings Morgan Wade/Kelsey Waldon, Town Mountain/Buffalo Wabs/Geno Seale, Billy Strings, and Sturgill Simpson/Tyler Childers. The festival circuit is also ramping up with dates set for Laurel Cove 2020.

-Josh Trosper

*This is an independent review. The Hillbilly Hippie Music Review was not compensated for this review.

*The opinions expressed are solely that of the author(s).

artist ask babey!!😌🤙 the smiths, charli xcx, LANA DEL REY. i could do more. we shall see

CAITLYN YOU MADE THIS SO HARD FOR ME.... thank u but also i hate you 😤 sorry this is so long i just have a lot of thoughts and i don’t know how to shut up. i told you this was going to be a novel and here it is. writers doing nanowrimo wish they were me.

THE SMITHS.... one time i mentioned that i listened to them to one of my art teachers & he asked me what my favorite songs by them were & i completely blanked. it still haunts me to this day but i’m stronger now and i will not make that mistake again

1. back to the old house

this song has everything. the depression. the softness the yearning. ALSO these lyrics...

and you never knew / how much I really liked you / because I never even told you

2. the headmaster ritual

this is the song i listen to when i’m depressed, angry, and considering dropping out of school.

i want to go home / i don't want to stay / give up education / as a bad mistake

belligerent ghouls / run manchester schools / spineless bastards all

this line makes me think of my vid prod teacher 😊😤

3. still ill

had to stop myself from copy pasting all of the lyrics from this one. i also have it on my adam playlist SO.

england is mine, it owes me a living / but ask me why, and I'll spit in your eye

what can i say... i just like the rage and entitlement of this

but we cannot cling to the old dreams anymore / no, we cannot cling to those dreams

no thoughts head empty. i think i like it because it reminds me of that line from ribs by lorde.

does the body rule the mind / or does the mind rule the body? / i dunno

this is so adam core. will not explain any further

4. this charming man

BASIC I KNOW but it was the first song i ever listened to by them (i found it on a gansey playlist on 8tracks back in middle school😔🤟) don’t have any favorite lyrics from this one but the opening is ICONIC.

5. well i wonder

this one.... is SO emo but that’s okay... also the way he sings these lyrics... TOO MUCH 4 me

gasping - dying - but somehow still alive / this is the final stand of all I am / please keep me in mind

honorable mentions are there is a light that never goes out, the boy with the thorn in his side, never had no one ever, cemetery gates, and I WANT THE ONE I CANT HAVE because i’m THAT indecisive

miss Charli XCX... i’m going to be real i don’t listen to her much but when i do i am DOWN TO CLOWN.

1. vroom vroom

i have a playlist called “music to get into a car crash to” and this is the only song on it.

lavender lamborghini, roll up in a blue bikini /bitches on the beaches, lookin' super cute and freaky

Ugh the vibes of this 😩 wish my friends and i could pull this look off

bitches know they can't catch me / (vroom vroom) cute, sexy and my ride's sporty

used this for as a caption for that one tdt drawing i did & i have no regrets. this really embodies the vibes of any scene where ronan & kavinsky are racing.

beep beep, so let's ride

i just think the sound effects are funny

bubblegum-pink ferrari, yeah, I'm so bossy

these are the vibes i would like to embody but never will. also i think barbie & elle woods gave me a primal respect and desire for a pink car.

2. dreamer

nothing to say abt this one except that all i can think abt when i listen to it is that one maggie steifvater copying charli xcx meme. also it’s an absolute banger and one of the songs i blast when i’m going unhinged but in a sexy thot type of way

3. boom clap

this song changed my life when i first heard it on the tfios soundtrack. not that deep but does music have to be? no.

first kiss just like a drug /under your influence / you take me over you're the magic in my veins/ this must be love

boom clap / the sound of my heart / the beat goes on and on and on and on and

HER MIND WHEN SHE WROTE THIS... pop music peaked with this song

LANA. i like listening 2 her music in the winter because the summer depression vibes cancel out seasonal depression like pemdas. she was litchrally my spotify artist of the decade which is so baffling because i don’t feel like i listen to her that much. ALSO every few months i get sucked into a hole of watching concert vids on instagram & it ruins my life.

1. salvatore

the vocals in this... she truly has the range.

I adore you, can't you see, you're meant for me?

catch me if you can / working on my tan / salvatore / dying by the hand / of a foreign man / happily / calling out my name / in the summer rain / ciao amore /salvatore can wait / now it's time to eat / soft ice cream

all of her ooohing and aaahing is great but THIS PART is so sexy. also i almost made a post comparing “dying by the hand of a foreign man happily” & “the choice was death or hurting adam which wasn’t much of a choice at all” but i figured it was too much

2. video games

basic but it’s a classic. also the radical face cover re-ignited my love for this song.

i say you the bestest / lean in for a big kiss put his favorite perfume on / go play your video game

there’s a video of her singing this live where she’s on a swing and she waves her hand when she says “go play your video game” and i think about it every single day

he holds me in his big arms / drunk and i am seeing stars / this is all i think of

this part makes me want to be held 😪

it's you, it's you, it's all for you / everything i do / i tell you all the time / heaven is a place on earth with you

honestly so romantic. what else can i say

3. off to the races

this is my favorite to see live videos of.. the little dance she does to it has me feeling some type of way 🥺😪 one of the classics. lana slapping the roof of this song like “this baby can fit to much daddy kink, drugs, and sex in it”

swimming pool / glimmering darling /white bikini off with my red nail polish

my old man is, a tough man / but he got a soul as sweet as blood red jam / and he shows me, he knows me, every inch of my tar black soul

the imagery of this... UGH

4. california

THIS ENTIRE SONG IS TOO GOOD. i don’t even know what to say abt it except that lana really went off with nfr

you don't ever have to be stronger than you really are / when you're lying in my arms, baby / you don't ever have to go faster than your fastest pace

you're scared to win, scared to lose / i've heard the war was over if you really choose

5. old money

this one makes me cry the hardest out of all her songs because it’s so sad and desperate

blue hydrangea, cold cash divine / cashmere, cologne and white sunshine / red racing cars, sunset and vine / the kids were young and pretty

once again the imagery in her songs is UNPARALLELED.

the power of youth is on my mind

this makes me think abt that lorde quote abt how teenagers sparkle or whatever

and if you call i'll run, run, run / if you change your mind, i’ll come, come, come

bonus: music to watch boys to

SORRY i needed to put this one on here. this one should be near the top but i completely forgot abt it until it came on shuffle play & i don’t feel like renumbering the entire list. this one truly is a ronan song i don’t make the rules (the music to watch boys to is the murder squash song). once again it’s the imagery of it all that gets to me.

i like you a lot / putting on my music while I'm watching the boys / so I do what you want

live to love you / and i love to love you / and I live to love you, boy

nothing gold can stay / like love or lemonade / or sun or summer days / it's all a game to me anyway

diet mountain dew didn’t make it onto this list but i have 2 pairs of heart shaped sunglasses because of it so it has a special place in my heart... lanas impact

other honerable mentions are the greatest, fuck it i love you, venice bitch, dark paradise, BURNING DESIRE and cherry because it’s the only good song on lust for life

Current Music Obsessions: January 16 - 31, 2018

It's time for the last CMO for January, AND I'M ACTUALLY EARLY! I have A LOT to get through in this one because I'm doing an intense purge of my watch later playlist. So let's see those honorable mentions.

Awaken Solace - Moon Over the Mountain Annatar - Reflection Eve's Fall - Enough Edenbridge - A Turnaround in Art Sozos Michael - Life Finds a Way (Helion Prime cover) Aastraal - Majesty of the Nightfall Dragonfly - Silent Scream Nyx Aether - Odyssey of the Forlorn Acid Deathtrip - The Aftermath A Dream of Poe - Lady of Shalott Silent Descent - Voices Origins - The Power Inside Septicflesh - Martyr Kyle Morrison - Mammoth feat. Sean Zatorsky (Sinsaenum), Adrienne Cowan (Light & Shade) Fourth Circle - Iron Drops Dawn of Morgana - Embers Fade Nightmarer - Skinner Eric Hazebroek & Gogo Melone - Winter is Coming Crimfall - Mother of Unbelivers The End Party - Debutante Gary Numan - Ghost Nation Tristania - Pale Enchantress Vanguard - Hyper1one The Sins of Thy Beloved - My Love Shade Empire - Map of Scars The Dark Element - Only One Who Knows Me Meden Agan - The Purge Starset - Frequency Dust in Mind - Anesthesia Dust in Mind - Coward Heilung - Othan (live) The Murder of My Sweet - Echoes of the Aftermath Camila Cabello - Crying in the Club Skies Collide - This Divide

Now for the excessive amount of real obsessions.

1) Edenbridge - The Die is Not Cast

The Great Momentum turned out so much better than I thought it would be. Such a powerful symphonic power metal album with such a strong symphonic element. It's also a lot more aggressive (riff wise) than I was expecting it to be. The chorus is so dramatic and I love it so much. Just an amazing song all the way through.

2) Alwaid - Amphisbaena

This is their latest single off their new album and it's pretty good. It takes a dramatic turn near the end of the song which I really enjoy. It starts out strong and continues to bring throughout the track. I'm definitely am gonna have to give the new album a listen.

3) The Classic Crime - Driftwood

This is a gorgeous atmospheric rock track. If you need something beautiful to chill to, this is it. The singer's voice is so lovely and pleasant and really suits the instrumentals. A very pleasant song.

4) Crystal Gates - Dreamers (Revisited)

This is the second song I've heard from them and holy tits is it amazing. It starts out seeming like it's going to be a pretty ballad track, then it escalates into the chorus and turns into the gorgeous symphonic metal track. And the vocal lines after the first chorus. Gurl. Yes. So good.

5) Adeia - Architect

Found these guys while browsing the metal archives in the Netherlands section. The Dutch prog scene has always been amazing to me, but this band is so different from the ones I've heard in the past. This song is really great and has such a cool vibe to it. I love the subtle symphonic touches to it in the instrumentals.

6) After Forever - My Choice

How am I so late on finding this music video??? I found it out of nowhere one day and got hooked. I've always been a huge fan of After Forever and this is a traditional song of theirs. Very strong vocals as always, but I mean it's Floor Jansen, of course they're gonna be strong. Also I LOVE the bodysuit that Floor wears in this video. It's so cool and funky.

7) Zoe Nash - Rather Die

I have no clue how I found this song, but I absolutely love it. It's so catchy a fun, but with such a dark-ish twist. The way that the background singers sing "I'd rather die" is just a bit to happy sounding. This girl has such a different voice. It's kinda raspy and strange, but so pretty at the same time, which is what has me hooked.

8) Blessed with Rage - Nightfall

This is one of those songs that catch you off guard as to how good it is. I've always have loved bands with a great electronic element to them. I LOVE the edm bit in the bridge. Such a fun touch. It reminds me a bit of We Butter the Bread with Butter, just not as intense and in your face.

9) Lovelorn Dolls - Dead Sea

This song is so great. I'm not too familiar with them, but everything I've heard has been wonderful. The chorus is so simple, but it's so powerful at the same time. It's so weird how that works out. Definitely give this song if you're into gothic metal. Definitely a great jam.

10) Swallow the Sun - Weight of the Dead

I heard this song on Pandora one day a few months ago and finally got around to listening to it on my own time. What a great gothic doom metal track. It really takes off around the last 3 minutes and just evolves into this gorgeous and haunting doom track. It's so powerful. I really need to check out more from them.

11) Banks - Goddess

I haven't heard a bad song from her yet and I'm kinda scared for the day I find something that I don't like. This song is absolutely gorgeous and so fucking pretty. I still don't really know how to label her music. Modern pop? Trip-hop? Experimental? I don't know, but who cares, it's fucking beautiful.

12) Dream Ocean - Forever feat. Jake E. (ex-Amaranthe)

Found this song through a friend on Facebook and it's so pretty. I'm definitely gonna check out more from them, because their singer has such a pretty voice and she herself is really pretty. I mean look at her hair! Anyways, definitely digging this.

13) Unleash the Archers - Ten Thousand Against One

Apex is how their last album should've sounded. I know I keep saying that, but this album is MILES better than the last one. This and Cleanse the Bloodlines have to be my favorites. It's powerful, dramatic and heavy. What more could you ask from an aggressive power metal band?

14) Jucifer - The Mountain

Found these guys when digging through the metal archives to see what the metal scene is like here in Atlanta. Turns out it's not active, just as I expected. But I did find this sludge band here. This song is pure sludge/stoner metal and I love it. I wonder if they'll release any new material any time soon.

15) Dawn of Morgana - Revelations

I found these guys while searching for symphonic metal bands based here in the States that are listed on the metal archives and gurl are they good. It's so hard for me to actually like symphonic metal bands from the States since so many aren't good, but these guys are dramatic and powerful as all get out. Don't sleep on these guys.

16) Tigersclaw - Princess of the Dark

Randomly found this song one day on the recommended videos on YT. It's a pretty good symphonic power metal track. Their singer has a really pretty and high pitched voice and girl can hit a note. It is a bit cheesy, especially since the chorus is repetitive, but it's a great song nonetheless.

17) Amber Asylum - Cardinal Sin (Dead Can Dance cover)

This is the second song I've heard from them and it's absolutely gorgeous. They did a really great job with this cover and making it their own. My question is though is do these guys have any "metal" songs? I found out about these guys while trying to find some prog bands from the States, but this and the other song I've found aren't even metal songs. But besides that, really beautiful and haunting stuff.

18) DRMCTHR - Get Lost

Found this through Spaceuntravel and really dig it. It's almost as if alternative rock and shoegaze had a baby and this song was made. I'm really interested in possibly checking out more from these guys, because this song is really lovely and great to chill to.

19) Crimfall - Wayward Verities

I decided to listen to Amain after hearing a few great songs off it (and also because the cover art features a "naked" dude on it) and this is one of my favorites off it. The bridge is on some other level because it completely shifts tone. It just turns into this epic track in that moment with the choir bits. I also LOVE the yodeling in the intro. Such a great touch.

20) Trail of Tears - Empty Room

Decided to try to find a song off this album after reading an interview Ailyn (ex-Sirenia) did in which she talked about how Emma worked with Trail of Tears before, so I had to find out what exactly she did. That's how I came across this gorgeous and powerful gothic metal track. I honestly prefer Emma here over Sirenia. It just seems as if her voice is more well suited for this kind of music. Definitely check this song out.

21) Gali - Dancing to Another Love Song

Discovered this song through Hellvetika's IG story one day when she posted about having to listen to this song at the gym. I can't remember if she liked it or not, but I decided to give it a go and needless to say I fucking love it. VERY reminiscent of mid 2000's electronica, which was my shit as a tween. I still love it to this day. Such a fun song and girl has some pipes.

22) MILCK - This is Not the End

I discovered her through her song Quiet, so when I saw she dropped a new track, I decided to give it a listen. This song is also a really empowering track and is so lovely. The chorus is rather catchy, but that's necessary when creating a song that's going to be treated as an anthem. The burst of emotion right as the final chorus starts is so wonderful.

23) Sanguine Glacialis - Monsters

Discovered them through their record label and I am so hyped for their upcoming album after hearing this. This song is such a ballbuster. It's been so long since I've found a promising female fronted death metal band. This a bit of an avant-garde metal flare to them that I'm really digging. Oh, and she sounds fucking insane and ferocious.

24) Shade Empire - Lecter (Welcome)

This song is so amazing and is a wonderful start to an amazing album. If you enjoy symphonic black metal, definitely give Poetry for the Ill-Minded a listen. This, Anti-Life Savior and Map of Scars are my favorites. They're all so powerful and leave such a huge impression. I never once thought I'd hear a song about Hannibal Lecter, but here we are with this track.

25) Starset - Unbecoming

This and Satellite have to be my favorites off their new album. It has such a cool vibe and is slightly haunting. The electronic element is so strong and adds this really cool dimension to the music that I am absolutely in love with. Definitely a great jam.

26) Diablo Swing Orchestra - Interruption

Pacifisticuffs is such a fun album and this is one of the many cheesy songs off it. It's cheesy, but in the best way possible. That's how this band works with its cheese. The chorus starts with a strong "ohhhh wah-ohhh" that just sucks you in. So much fun. Definitely can't wait for the day I can see these guys live.

27) Fairy Bones - Killing Me

This is their latest single and it's so fun. I LOVE the blend of psychedelic rock with punk. Such a cool and fun sound. They're always bringing some new vibe in with their music and I always love it. Definitely give these guys a listen.

And that's it for this month! Hopefully next month won't be too long. ANYWAYS, enjoy these great tunes!

Nirvana in Fire Episode One Reaction

I DID IT. I FINALLY WATCHED THE THING. AND I LOVED IT.

I want to race into episode 2 instead of pausing to write this but I promised I’d share my reactions as I go, so here I am XD

Oh, and before I get any further I want to state for the record that I am pretty much unspoilered for this entire show. I’ve seen gifsets around Tumblr and such but I’ve always been careful to avoid really looking at them or any commentary etc. because I could tell I’ll probably love this and didn’t want to ruin it for myself. The only thing I knew going in pretty much is that it’s a Chinese period drama, that it has like a million episodes, and that I had the impression it was a slow burn revenge story of some kind??? Like I was getting vague Count of Monte Cristo vibes off it without any concrete evidence for them lol but anyway I don’t know anything but I’m ready for shenanigans XD

OK, so the opening credits started and about 20 seconds in I was grinning madly because the watercolor/calligraphy visuals, and the music is so gorgeous, and the butterfly motif had me wondering if that’s signaling this show will have a central theme of rebirth or transformation or if the butterfly means something else in China. No idea, but anyway all this had me pretty much in love before the show even really started lol just give me that gorgeous theme in every episode and I don’t care that there’s a million, I’ll drink it all up.

Anyway, as far as aesthetics go this show is so ridiculously pretty. The colors! The music! The people! And the production value looks ridiculously high, those costumes! Those sets! Those carefully calibrated filters! Mainly those costumes! Even the extras look more elaborately costumed than most tv extras I’ve seen, so that level of detail is captivating really quickly. Also the acting is great so far, I was worried I’d have trouble keeping track of characters at first (especially because the show introduces a lot of people very quickly that all seem important) but everyone’s actually very distinct and I haven’t had any problem at all. Each character has a lot of personality and individualized mannerisms and all the interactions have been really natural and well-scripted so far, I am so invested and it worries me. A lot.

The background context of the story was a bit more difficult for me to grasp (but I imagine the story will unravel it more and more as things go on so I’m not stressed about it), but so far I can tell there was definitely a massacre of a battle of some kind, probably unjust (because this is a Chinese history drama, people are always framing rival political powers in those), and our protagonist was the son of the General who died but he survived somehow? And has been haunted by this, presumably, or he’d look a bit more appreciative about living in an absolutely gorgeous house in some absolutely gorgeous mountains, and would not still be having nightmares about that battle twelve years later. Also he has very beautiful eyes. But his first intro (which was great, btw) doesn’t show his face beyond just his eyes basically (except for in that nightmare flashback where it was hard to see him anyway plus it looked like a different actor lol) so for a while there I kept squinting suspiciously at every new character like “is that him? No, wait, he doesn’t look like that tiny glimpse of face we got. Wait, is that him? No, hang on, he’s the prince. Come on, show me the protagonist you teased! WAIT IS THAT–nope, can’t be. Moustache.” It was a relief when the story finally introduced him properly. Especially because this proper introduction was him just gliding out of nowhere dressed all in white (again: COSTUMES) on a boat while playing a flute?? For no reason other than To Be Dramatic? And then he gently threatens a fleet until they turn around and run away? You. I like you already. Especially when it’s revealed later that he is Terribly Ill in some way and so this means he totally left his cozy fur cape behind while he went out on a chilly, misty river purely for the sake of Aesthetic. I LIKE.

Also he’s got a surly kid bodyguard who excels at wirework and I’m very excited about this.

Anyway, our protagonist’s name is Lin Shu, and I’ll call him that for now because I can’t remember his other names yet (it will take me about 3 episodes to get everyone’s names, fair warning), and he is basically the number one guy on Ancient China’s list of hottest talents but I get the feeling that’s rigged. Like, sure he is obviously brilliant, but also he’s working with the people who make the list somehow, so. Unfair advantage. Plus no one seems to really know who he is outside of his reputation (that one happy kid was so excited to finally see his face, I was sort of disappointed the show didn’t show their meeting, haha. Also I loved that happy guy, he’s adorable and dangit I TOLD MYSELF I WOULDN’T GET ATTACHED TO ANYBODY). And he uses his fame and his connections with that awesome place with the over the top filing system to trick two rival princes into thinking they need him as an ally to succeed in their bids for the throne. I can’t wait to see where he’s going with this. He’s giving himself power by rigging a prophecy, so to speak, and that’s the sort of thing I live for in a story.

But after he makes himself desirable for these two powers, he leaves for the capitol with two OTHER guys instead. Don’t know where he’s going with this yet, but I’m keen to find out. He’s going to play all these people against each other, isn’t he. This worries me, because the older kid who came to fetch him clearly thinks they’re good friends, and I have the awful feeling that Lin Shu is just using him. Especially since I think his “friend’s” father, Xie Yu, is actually the man who killed HIS father and tried to kill him all those years ago? Yikes.

Other first impressions: The crown prince seems unlikable. Non-moustache prince seems a bit more likable but he’s too ambitious for me to trust him, no matter how cool his grabbing that sword was. His strategist had an amazing red outfit and I hope we see more of her. The doctor/scholar who treated us to a solid minute of midair sword ballet (gosh I love Chinese wirework when it’s done right) was instantly likable even before his cute conversation with Lin Shu, but I still have trauma from the doctor in Faith, so I’m trying not to get attached. Interested to find out what exactly is wrong with Lin Shu, but I’m glad he’s got this guy looking out for him, at least for now. Their conversation was honestly one of my favourite parts in the whole episode, because it felt like one of the last quiet moments before things in this story take off and I just instinctively wanted to cherish it, lol. It was one of many well-written/well-acted scenes that really established life in all these characters; that makes it feel like they have a history and lives before what the show has shown, and I love that. They feel like real people. Most everyone does, despite the heightened-reality sort of feel the show has, which is a testament to the actors.

The two princes’ mothers only got one scene, but their obvious hatred for each other was hilarious and I want more of them, too. Oh, and also THE PRINCESS. I can’t even say how excited I was when she rode up in her armor and started flying around–again, just for kicks, there are no high stakes to this swordplay yet. And she was engaged to Lin Shu in his past life????? (His face when he was hiding in the palanquin and realized she was there aaaaahhhhhh) And she is basically doing the martial version of Penelope’s trick where she keeps putting off getting married? Excellent. I loved her line when the Emperor chided her, saying that she is a better fighter than any man, so if she insists her future husband must defeat her in combat she will never marry:

“Don’t worry, your Majesty. If I do meet the man I’m destined to be with, I will lose to him whether he is skilled in martial arts or not.” TELL HIM, WOMAN. I LIKE YOU. Her friend was intriguing but I missed exactly how she lost her husband–which side of the battle 12 years ago was he on? She seemed to blame Lin Shu’s family for some reason, anyway. I guess if it’s important it’ll be reiterated in more detail.

Let’s see, what else? There’s some background politics about a guy getting framed for something but I don’t know what’s up with that yet. Oh, and a couple of men on horses who appeared for a few seconds and then rode away again–I don’t know who they are but I’m assuming they come back. Costumes. Music. Lots of beautiful people in beautiful lighting. A sense that things are going to get Very Complicated Very Quickly. A bit of confusion when subtitles introduced Xie Yu as a Marquis, because now I’m wondering what his actual Chinese rank is because it can’t really be Marquis???? @buri-art enlighten me.

In summary, I am at least intrigued by all the characters and am already actively invested in a handful, which frightens me because I’ve been promised lots of pain.

And that’s my scattershot reaction to episode one! Any reactions to future episodes that I post will be more bulletpoint, but there was a lot to unpack here so it’s more rambley instead. Plus I watched this one episode probably three times in all, because I had to keep stopping and starting and rewinding (what happens when I try to find the time to watch a solid hour of anything, usually), so I didn’t really take notes while watching. I’m really excited about watching more. I want to know what’s going to happen! (Judging by the teaser footage for the series that played over the ending song (and that I sat through and watched the entirety of), it’s going to be A Lot of Awful Things. BRING IT.)

freckles + clouds :-)

!!!!!!!!!! I LOVE THESE

freckles: what’s something that makes you happy? describe the first thing that comes to your head.

first thing that comes to my head… warm, gray and colorful at the same time, blues, reds, freckles, stripes, soft. black curls. pretty. beautiful. bikes, browns, warm tones, splotches of navy, light blue, white, flickering lights, art. found family. homey. warm. cozy.  (words that immediately pop into my head for the two first things i thought of .. which were finn wolfhard and stranger things. hell yea)

clouds: list your top 5 songs at the moment and how they make you feel.

(these aren’t in an order except africa is #1. HJSDKHFKJD)

1. AFRICA - TOTO

makes me think about reddie. also makes me think about boys and loving them. im gay. is a huge jam and i LOVE IT

2. news - tune-yards

u showed me this song yesterday but i cant stop listening to it?? its a super weird song but its . GOOD . makes me feel… oof….. sharp??? light blues and yellows….. like a chill morning at 5 am in a portland cafe or something

3.5. holy toledo - vundabar

i also found this song like. a few days ago? but i LIKE IT. kind of a simple one but very good. makes me feel… like… riding a bike into fields next to a neighborhood, starting a band… gives me sonora vibes?? its cool.

3. wanted you - calpurnia (original song by twin peaks)

i havent stopped listening to calpurnia for weeks… this one’s the one i listen to most tho?? LOVE IT. yall r doin great. makes me feel HAPPY and INSPIRED!!!

4. KARMA CHAMELEON - culture club

GOD WHAT A JAM. I LOVE THIS SONG. MAKES ME FEEL GREAT. I LOVE THIS SONG. LOVE IT. MAKES ME FEEL GAY. 

5. italy - samiyam and ghettos - the deli

these r both no lyric chill songs?? i play lots of these in the bg of when im just chillin or doing homework n stuff but these 2 songs i play CONSTANTLY. makes me feel relaxed and pumped up at the same time.

IM MAD THAT I HAD TO ONLY CHOOSE 5 (technically i did 7 but yknow) SO HERES SOME OTHER SONGS IVE BEEN LISTENING TO A LOT RECENTLY:

creature comfort - arcade fire (makes me feel uneasy but i like the tune)

ANY CHRISTMAS SONG (ITS CHRISTMAS!!!!!!!!)

the official will byers spotify playlist (strong bittersweet feelings. LOVE this playlist. good mix of older and newer songs, happy and sad ones.)

the official eddie kaspbrak spotify playlist (HUGE JAMS. makes me feel happy)

mock oragami - matthew and the arrogant sea (whiny/moody but bright blue)

‘GOD I LOVE SHARING MUSIC i could go on for a while but ill stop here HKJSHJK

THANK U FOR THESE ASKS I LOVED EM !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Episode 133 : The Struggle Continues

"Why you think Bobby and Huey P were heat holding?"

- Toki Wright

It's been a very up and down month, which I imagine isn't at all a unique experience. This episode reflects some of that, marking the eleventh birthday of the podcast while also recognising the incredible Black Lives Matter street protests that have been taking place over the last few weeks. The selection takes that as the main theme, and I think it's a solid mix that you'll enjoy - and one where almost everyone will learn one new track at least.

By the way, today would be a good day to arrest the murderers who killed Breonna Taylor.

Twitter : @airadam13

Twitch : @airadam13

Playlist/Notes

Cappadonna : Splish Splash

I'd been thinking about doing that little doubles manipulation and scratch on a mixtape for about twenty years - no exaggeration! Cappadonna blew everyone away with his debut on Ghostface's "Winter Warz", and his debut LP "The Pillage" was highly anticipated by Wu fans. I think it's reasonable to say it maybe didn't live up to the outsized expectations, but there were a few standouts and for me, this was one of them. Only a short track, but Tru Master's beat is solid and Cappa knows what to do with it.

Jay Dee : Fuck The Police (Instrumental)

Love this beat, Dilla had these drums banging right through the speakers. This 2001 single-only release is a classic in Dilla's catalogue, written after suffering one of many incidents of police harassment in his hometown of Detroit. It was slated for the long-shelved "The Diary" album, but MCA records didn't want the heat and so it got the release as a 12" on�� Up Above Records. A must-have, in my opinion!

N.W.A : Fuck Tha Police

The iconic anthem. This is the track that got a group of young (Eazy-E, at 25, was the oldest) Black men from Compton and Los Angeles onto the radar of the FBI, and into an indelible place in music history. I've only played Ice Cube's verse here, as I wanted to blend into the next cut which carries on in the same sonic vein. I figure every listener already knows this track well, or should be putting "listen to Straight Outta Compton" on their homework lists immediately!

B.Dolan ft. Toki Wright, Jasiri X, and Sage Francis : Film The Police 

I only stumbled upon this one this month, and it's so perfectly fitting that there's no way it was getting left out of the selection. Just because of the length (it's around six minutes long, as is the NWA track before), I omitted Jasiri X's verse, but of course it's on the full version on the "House of Bees, Vol. 2" album. Dolan is an MC out of Rhode Island, while Toki Wright is from Minneapolis - home of the late George Floyd. This is a great re-working of "Fuck The Police" in an era-appropriate way; while almost all of us walk around with pocket video cameras today, the Rodney King tape was notable not for the violence, but the fact it was recorded.

EPMD : Give The People (Remix)

The original version of this track as heard on "Business As Usual" lifts the groove from the O'Jays "Give The People What They Want" heavily, but this version de-emphasises it and piles in enough other samples to give a lawyer a heart attack! I personally prefer this mix, which is a bit less obvious (and harder to find). Lyrically, the track is primarily about the difficulties Hip-Hop had finding acceptance in the era in which it was recorded, but with a sprinkling of the wider politics in there, and the perfect title, I thought it was a good one to go with.

The P Brothers : Across The Planet (Instrumental)

This track turned up for me while undertaking my vinyl digitisation project, and with The P Brothers, the quality is always going to be there. The veteran Nottingham crew are responsible for some of the most uncompromising material ever to emerge from these shores, and this track is no exception. The vocal version on the 12" single features Imam T.H.U.G on the mic, with a heavy Cappo track on the flip. The Akala sample I laid over the top came from his brilliant two-part IG Live session which you can find here and here.

Above The Law : Freedom Of Speech

The 1990 "Livin' Like Hustlers" LP is arguably one of the greatest "gangsta" albums of the era, and some of that was because they comfortably covered different topics and sounds without it ever sounding forced. Uptempo here - by modern standards - Cold 187um and KMG (RIP) ride a classic Myra Barnes sample (it's out there, I'm not snitching) and talk about the atmosphere of censorship that was around Hip-Hop, as well as the role of parents. Definitely check the album if you don't already know it.

Saigon : Shok TV

Dug this DJ Shok-produced cut out from its place on "The Best of Saigon, Pt. 2" to take a position in this month's selection, "Hill Street Blues" sample and all! Saigon has always had a social/political streak in his content, coming from a very street perspective, which I think comes across in this very short track. A 2003 recording, this preceded his long-awaited debut LP by eight years - when you listen to both, you can hear how he refined his style without drastically changing it.

Apple Juice Kid : Protest

A fitting pick from an album about a very different revolution, in Egypt in 2011 - seems an age ago already. The "Beats of a Revolution" album is still available on Bandcamp, and as a free download you really can't go wrong.

Anderson .Paak : Lockdown

Big new single that captures so much of what's been going on this year. The Black Lives Matter protests and the violent reply of the state would have been incredibly significant on their own, but at the same time as the coronavirus pandemic...your grandchildren will be asking you about what it was like to survive these times. This timely track is one where it's worth seeing the video as well.

Mobb Deep : U.S.A. (Aiight Then)

It's been three years since Prodigy passed so I totally wanted to drop one of his records here - my first thought was "Real Power Is People", but in the end this quasi-unity track from "Murda Muzik" was a better sonic fit. It's actually got a little bit of a club feel to it without pandering, and was definitely a welcome inclusion on the LP. This was also a single release with "Spread Love" on the flip, which is pretty much the other end of the goodwill spectrum, don't be fooled by the title...

Sampa The Great : Final Form

"The Return" is a wicked album with an array of styles, but this was the first track many would have heard - Sampa stamping her authority on a beat based around the same break as Ghostface's "Be Easy". Silentjay is on production, taking that sample as a base but building out from there, and Sampa gets very busy with it.

X-Vandals : A Poem For Black Boys

I happened across the "The War of Art" album when I got it from one of the crew in Spanish Harlem at a Tools of War park jam a good few years back! It's taken me a while to find just the right spot for one of their tracks, but this is perfect. The production is courtesy of Johnny "Juice" Rosado (who did scratches for Public Enemy for many years), and the bulk of the vocal is a sample he laid in - the voice and words of the poet Nikki Giovanni, with a dark and sardonic poem of resistance.

Ta'Raach : Yeah! (Instrumental)

It's been a long, long time since I played the vocal version on the show, so I think it's fair enough to drop Ta'Raach's ill instrumental here! If you see a copy of the 12", definitely pick it up.

Public Enemy : State Of The Union (STFU)

Unless I'm very much mistaken, this new single is the first beat DJ Premier has ever done for Public Enemy - two iconic forces combining at last! It should be obvious for anyone who knows about PE at all that conscious and rebel music has been their lane from the very start, and so this is very much in keeping with their long and storied history. Chuck D may be very much an elder statesman but that voice and that message are as raw as ever! You don't need to go to the usual download sites to get this one - go straight to the Public Enemy website for the real.

Waajeed ft. Tiombe Lockhart : The Overtaking

Detroit comes to the selection a second time (after Ta'Raach) with the ominous opening track from the excellent "The War LP". It grinds along with almost a slow dark metal vibe, and Tiombe Lockhart creeps in and out as the voice of the people.

DJ Vadim ft. Phi-Life Cypher : Ghetto Rebels

I had completely forgotten about this one, and I don't know how, because this is killer. The basslines (there are several, at different points) will have your system under pressure, then Phi-Life just drown you in a lyrical tidal wave. It's unusual to hear Hip-Hop coming from a Rasta perspective, but you can definitely hear it in their words. DJ Vadim's "U.S.S.R. The Art of Listening" features some very serious production, and is available used for a very reasonable price either as a download or on the used market on CD.

Gang Starr : Riot Akt

Tucked away on the back half of "The Ownerz", the last Gang Starr LP to be released during Guru's lifetime, we find this dose of reality. Guru's message of focusing on the real threats and drawing together to protect the community may have been written in 2003, but is 100% on the nose right now. Everything down to the militarised police, tear gas, and corruption are the things that have been the case for years, but in the last few months we've seen them in HD and on social media.

Enes Suleman : Lo Quiero Todo (Instrumental)

From the instrumental version of the "StreetSoul", the Spanish producer out of France comes with a banging beat - check the original LP release to hear it with the featured MC Drako on the track.

The Impressions : We're A Winner

An uplifting, motivational song to close the month, and one which was an anthem of the Civil Rights movement of the 1960s. This pre-dates tracks like James Brown's "Say It Loud", and was a trailblazer in being as straightforward a statement of Black pride and the righteousness of the struggle as it is. Curtis Mayfield, the frontman of The Impressions, wrote this track after the concept came to him in a dream. When it came time to record, the group  brought a live audience into the studio to give it extra flavour - I think you'll agree, it really adds something. This was a big single that was also the title track to the first of two 1968 albums by The Impressions, and deserves to be heard in full here.

Please remember to support the artists you like! The purpose of putting the podcast out and providing the full tracklist is to try and give some light, so do use the songs on each episode as a starting point to search out more material. If you have Spotify in your country it's a great way to explore, but otherwise there's always Youtube and the like. Seeing your favourite artists live is the best way to put money in their pockets, and buy the vinyl/CDs/downloads of the stuff you like the most!

Check out this episode!

Slayer brings Hell to Michigan one last time with Lamb of God, Amon Amarth, and Cannibal Corpse

What could be more appropriate weather for Slayer's last Michigan show than death via tornado and extreme thunderstorms? Hellfire? Acid rain? An over-exaggerated weather forecast, in Michigan? You don't say. It is pissing rain, but there have been complete breaks in weather. My hope that the show will go on (even after other dates on the tour cancelled for less) is going to hold out. Fuck yeah Michigan. 

Everyone who loves metal has an affinity for Slayer. They're the only band in metal that at shows for other bands, their name is yelled instead.

This shit has been going on since the 80s. Hell, the first time I went to Harpos people screamed "Slayer!!!" the entire fucking night. It took me forever to understand this. I was 16, I didn't have a clue. I figured it out after one of the dudes in line said "I get that people always say Slayer at shows, but metalheads say that shit too much sometimes..."

Before heading in I’m spotted by one of my favorite photographers and people I’ve met doing this shit, Mirak. He is a fucking champion at this shit. I’ve loved his work since long before I met him and well before I was at these types of shows. I highly suggest getting to know the dude as he was shooting for the ampitheater that night. We hung out in his car and shot the shit about how we both got denied on the first leg of the tour, and hopefully how the weather would hold up. Cheer Mirak!

This is a full circle moment for me on a massive and inspirational level. Almost 20 years ago at the same venue (different name) I watched Slayer lay waste to Pine Knob at Ozzfest 99. Now I'm sitting in the Arbor at DTE Energy Theater, anxiously awaiting my trek with my shitty fucked up foot down amphitheater steps to photograph Cannibal Corpse opening for the metal gods Slayer.

This is what music is all about.

This feeling I have inside me that is part anxiety part overwhelming emotion about not deserving this part absolute excitement.

Fuck. 

Coming down the steps revealed the largest Cannibal Corpse banner I've ever seen. Kings of Floridian Death Metal deserve such a display. As the group walked out I noticed Corpsegrinder had popcorn set out for him on one of the bass cabs. As baked as I am right now I only could think of one thing... "I wish George would hand me that right now, I could crush some popcorn."

They ripped into "Evisceration Plague" . This crowd is loving the Florida-five-some and I'm finding it as hard as the last time I photographed these dudes to not dance like Ace Ventura Pet Detective.

The song stuck in my head for days was the brutal "Red Before Black". It sounds like getting your innards spread on a Twister mat and played with by laughing cretins. Anyone up for some blood sausage?

By now my janky ass foot feels the worst its felt yet. It seems like its gonna continue to feel like complete shit for a while.

They ripped into "Evisceration Plague" . This crowd is loving the Florida-five-some, and I'm finding it harder than last time I photographed Cannibal Corpse to not dance like Ace Ventura Pet Detective.

The song stuck in my head for days was the brutal "Red Before Black". It sounds like getting your innards spread on a Twister mat and played with by laughing cretins. Anyone up for some blood sausage?

By now my janky ass foot feels the worst its felt yet. It seems like its gonna continue to feel like complete shit for a while. Although the adrenaline is coming in and out and making me forget about it.

Its pretty wild that while shooting I was able to focus on Amon Amarth and the shots I wanted to get. Their stage setup is incredible. Excellent lighting. Silk banners that set the 3d centerpiece viking warship the fuck off. 

The Swedish quintet come out to a massive roar and gave us an aural beating via "The Pursuit of Vikings". The power behind this band is felt in the bottom of my gullet. Improving my DNA and making me stronger as I write this. Foot pain. Ill fucking deal with it. Is it broke? Who cares. Is this going to affect me shooting the rest of this concert? No. Will it affect my walk between the media meet up area and the photo pit? Yes, definitely. But once I'm there. Its not gonna matter. 

Amon Amarth set the next tone by bringing an even bigger crowd than CC. Rowing pits. Driving pounding brutal melodic death metal music echoes throughout the entire DTE Energy Theatre complex. Along with the deafening crowd roars after each song, this band is gaining fans by the second. All of this makes me look at my foot like "you son of a bitch". Even the rips from my cbd vape pen are not helping. Neither is pointing and yelling, ROWWW!!!

Lamb of God. I've waited to shoot them for a long time. They were on my first list of bands that I wanted to work up to shooting. When I made that list, it was a pipe dream. It was so far-fetched to me.

I love how much they give back to punk and hardcore via metal. Their start came from a world drenched in NYHC and the original DC Hardcore. Being from Virginia it only makes fucking sense. 

I can feel that vibe more and more every second we get deeper into their set. Randy is jumping like he is fucking 19. Mark is headbanging like he's back in a VFW hall in the early 2000s. This is the energy I wish more metal bands had.

I understand that some can't move much because their technical prowess limits their movement. Although, my preference is a band that gives all their energy on stage because that sends a vital message to crowd-goers.

YOU BETTER GO HARDER THAN WE ARE ON STAGE. YOU PAID FOR THIS SHIT. GIVE YOURSELF THE RELEASE YOU DESERVE!

Omerta. Omerta. Omerta. Brutal Lamb of God has not lost a step even though the world has tried to trip them up over the years. Even though this is not the full lineup with Art Cruz filling in for Chris Adler on drums. This is so fucking satisfying to my younger self, that I gotta stop and just enjoy a few seconds of it. I've seen them a handful of times over the years, but never this fucking close.

Randy making it up to the drum riser and jumping off swinging his dreads like the next generation of die hard Bad Brains fans. Mark's consistent headbanging through shredding like a virtuoso has my brain needing a fucking repair, possibly a full fucking replacement. Shit's so blown. With sod in the air, mud flying, and mosh pits breaking out all over the hill, the only way to up this shit is with Slayer.

How the fuck am I supposed to shoot Slayer now boys?

The first time I saw the legends that are Slayer, I was a teenager. I was with my Dad and Aunt and Uncle. I headbanged with my Mexi-Fro through their entire set. I watched Deftones, Slayer, Rob Zombie, then Black Sabbath. The day was my 2nd Ozzfest of 5 annual trips to Pine Knob. I didn’t have some prophetic feeling that I would photograph this shit or play on this stage as a drummer. I just knew it felt so unbelievably comfortable there.

A metal festival made me feel at home after a decade and a half of feeling outcast and awkward as fuck. Still to this day, I get that same feeling, I experience this shit every time I go shoot. It’s how I know 20+ years later that I was right in thinking this was my life. Slayer fits in there on so many levels.

As I sit here at a picnic table with 2 very kind Canadian gentlemen photographers, I realize that this has always been waiting for me. Waiting for me to take the dive. Waiting for me to take chances. Waiting for me to take the next step and try for massive gigs. Gigs I’ve only been denied for before. I can’t help but think “Do I belong here? All these other dudes are shooting for newspapers or magazines or the venue itself or the tour. What the fuck am I doing here?”

Then it fucking hits me.

It’s time.

We gotta head down to the stage and await tour securities final approval for photo pit entry. My fucking mind is racing. The whole amphitheater is fucking packed with drunk, stoned, drugged up metalheads and as we make the final trek down to wait, I lose all anxious emotion and say to myself “One of the Big 4, thank them by nailing some photos’’ and unleash one of the loudest crowds I’ve ever been in front of.

So far the most important band I’ve ever photographed. Their influence is felt all over the world. They have a quintuple leg final tour going on for fucks sake. There are so many people screaming elongated “SLAYER!!!!!” and then I see them walk out on stage, from side stage. They drop the first curtain and it gets even louder. Halfway through the double kabuki drop and I’m already shooting.

Slayer logos pop up on the silk screen at the front of the stage. All of a sudden massive pyro blasts go off and I can feel the heat 100 feet away. They start ripping into “Delusions of Saviour” and then more fire blasts and the silk screen drops. A dozen crew members catch the silk screen and bundle it up and run it out of the photo pit. A bad ass looking mother fucker gives us the okay and we are in the pit to Slayer rapidly punching the crowd in the face aurally like the heavyweight champions of metal they are. I make my way through the pit all the way to Kerry King and just start blasting off shots. The fire blasts are so much more intense than when we were standing on the side wall. I'm literally the closest person to Kerry on the face of the planet and I don’t know if I have fucking eyebrows anymore.

I feel like I’m fucking 16 again.

I can’t believe I’m doing this shit.

There is so much fucking headbanging going on that I can finally ignore the stench of 15000 stinky Detroit metalheads. Present company definitely included. Watching this band go off, sans Paul Bostaph as I can’t even see him behind the massive drum kit. I failed fucking miserably even being able to see Paul, let alone get a shot of him. Slayer doesn’t let up. The songs come rapid fire. How the fuck are dudes approaching 60 still commanding a full amphitheater? God damn, I can’t even understand the level this shit is on. Slayer sounds even better than in 99.

How the fuck is this possible? Why the fuck is this the end? Holy shit. As happy as I fucking am shooting this show it’s already starting to hit me that even two songs in and we’re almost done. This is it. No more fucking Slayer here ever again. No more.

I stop just like I did earlier in the day. I just watch for a good 45 seconds. This is absolute insanity. It’s also complete fucking harmony too. Everyone at this show is connected to this shit. Even the puking elder, even the little kids who are there because of their parents, even the security guards. You can feel the energy. I know it’s super fucking hippy to say this shit, but it seriously feels like we’re in a bubble.

Next thing I know, I’m hobbling my way to my car damn near on cloud 9. Slayer had slayed Michigan one last time. The most brutal of the Big 4 gave us one last insane show and sendoff. My drive home was one of the best I’ve ever had in my life. I can’t say if there will be more North American dates in the future or if they will extend the final tour or not. What I can say is this, if you missed this and are upset about it, you should be upset about it.

For one, I’ve never seen greener grass on that hill, and also it get completely destroyed by the end of the night. Two, it was an insane lineup from start to finish. Three, tickets were like 29 bucks for lawn. Four, the Big Four. It was one of the Big Four saying goodbye and you missed it! So, do yourself a favor and check out the photos below. Oh, you were there? See what we saw from our view. If you feel the love, spread it, and share this link with your friends!

Give Slayer, Lamb of God, Amon Amarth, and Cannibal Corpse your follows and your love. These dudes have all influenced modern music in so many ways. This wasn’t just a final Slayer show, this was a fucking homage to metal and it’s different sounds…

You have Original Florida Death Metal, Swedish Melodic Viking Metal, Virginian Metal Core, and the god damn kings of like 7 metal genres. How many genres just don’t fucking exist without Slayer? I doubt Black Metal even comes up. I doubt Thrash really gets its metal edge. Does crossover? What about Speed Metal? Does that even make it out of the 80s?

After Sabbath, the Big Four are there. Slayer can easily be argued for the reigning metal lords. No wavering, just beat the shit out of us for almost 40 years. Slayer isn’t dead yet. The tour continues, and the music will never ever cease to impact, inspire, and give intensity to new generations of music.

Cannibal Corpse and Amon Amarth

LAMB OF GOD

S L A Y E R

SLAYER OFFICIAL SITE LAMB OF GOD OFFICIAL SITE AMON AMARTH OFFICIAL SITE CANNIBAL CORPSE OFFICIAL SITE

ALL PHOTOS AND WORDS BY SHERBURT REYNOLDS FOLLOW ILTOS ON INSTAGRAM