#like having a natural talent for the board game articulate but having to play with these losers

[im-real-sorry-frank]

band of brothers articulate game night alignment chart

[heyiwrotesomethings]

Hello ! 🤗

First of all thank you so much for your Shinobu's stories, it's always the best time of my day when I see you have new updates about her, I honestly think you write the best and most accurate Shinobu from all the fics I've read.

I was wondering if I could ask you a modern rivals academic to lovers Shinobu x f!reader (whatever pronouns you want) ? They are in competition for almost everything, becoming the presidents of student councils, being the best in sport, in class, model student... until they realize that they keep challenging each other to gain the attention of the other because they have a long time crush.

Have a nice day. ☺️

Valedictorian Speech

Shinobu Kochou x She/Her Reader Modern AU

A/N: Please forgive the pace jumping, this is like a year’s worth of events condensed downs to something more manageable for me. Also takes place in a American school system to make my life easier too. I was feeling inspired by Kaguya-sama Love is War as I wrote this so it was a lot of fun : ) Hope you enjoy! Word Count: 4,070

(Y/n) couldn’t quite articulate what it was about Shinobu Kochou that made her so angry as a five year old. She had been praised all year by teachers and peers alike for how advanced she was. The most talented and beloved of all the students… until she arrived. Cute as a button and smart as a whip, Shinobu Kochou moved in all the way from Japan and turned (Y/n)’s world upside down.

Suddenly everyone was fawning over her instead. So impressed by her advanced math and science prowess and how she was to be able to switch between Japanese and English without a second thought.

She was athletic too, the fastest kindergartener in the grade, even leaving (Y/n) in the dust by several seconds. It was humiliating!

So (Y/n) decided she had to work harder to prove that she was just as good as Shinobu, if not better. When she got home, she demanded to learn multiplication and division, no amount of languages were enough to conquer. She ran laps around the block several times while she waited for the bus in the morning. She was going to show Shinobu she was just as good as her, she had to be!

***

Shinobu had been so nervous to move so far away from home. She wanted to cry, to pretend she was sick, anything to not go to her new school. She’d be joining in so late, everyone would have their friends already and no one would want to talk to her. They’d all just stare at her from afar, whispering about her.

However, when she casually answered the super special math problem on the board with the teacher’s promises of a class reward tied to it, she had been showered with praise and affection. At lunch, her classmates marveled over the lunch her father had made for her and offered to play all manner of games during recess.

It was perfect. Better than anything she had dared hoped for, except for one thing. One of her classmates, the one she had been assigned to sit right next to in fact, never gave her the same praise and attention that the others did.

That shouldn’t have mattered to her. Her mother had told her she couldn’t win over everyone every time, but she wanted to be recognized by her too. (Y/n) was smart and cute and funny when she was playing with her friends. Shinobu wanted her attention too.

So she did what had been working out for her thus far and kept achieving, hoping to impress (Y/n) as she had the others.

But that only seemed to make (Y/n) shun her more. Still Shinobu was stubborn. She would get that recognition! They would be equals, friends!

Too bad (Y/n) was just as stubborn, if not more so. Their competitive nature towards each other was noticed by those around them. Soon their attempts to vie for the others attention and validation, became a true rivalry as students began pitting them against each other.

“Shinobu did the best on the math test! I knew she would!”

“Yeah, well (Y/n) got the highest score on the spelling test!”

Eventually Shinobu and (Y/n) had forgotten what all of their efforts to outdo the other were even for. They filled up on the misinterpretations of their peers and grew to detest the each other over the years and that was how they got to where they were now.

“Morning, Shinobu. How did you do at the cross country meet yesterday?” (Y/n) asked as she opened her locker, or course next to Shinobu as it was every year since middle school.

“Good morning, (Y/n). It went well. Two personal bests.” Shinobu answered casually, flicking a swatch of hair behind her ear.

(Y/n) hummed in acknowledgment, waiting for Shinobu to ask her how her swim meet went. Then she could casually drop that she had achieved three personal bests. One more than Shinobu! (Y/n) had only asked her how she had done because she already knew! She had looked up the results late last night, comparing them with Shinobu’s previous records. It had been awhile since she had the upper hand like this!

(Y/n) contained her evil laughter, meanwhile Shinobu had finished retrieving what she needed for her first and second hour classes and closed her locker.

“See you later then.” She said, her signature smile warping into something more sinister the second she turned her back on (Y/n). She had her now.

Of course Shinobu knew all about the swim meet results, she had listened to them live on the radio during the bus ride back to school. So (Y/n) got three personal bests, brava… Shinobu knew a trap when she saw one. (Y/n) was hoping she’d ask how her event went as well so she could gloat, but Shinobu wouldn’t give her the satisfaction. If (Y/n) brought it up without being prompted, she would look like a desperate and insecure little girl.

“Yes, see you in calculus.” (Y/n) answered as cheerfully as she could, meanwhile her hand was griping her locker door so tightly she could have warped the metal.

She knew damn well Shinobu was avoiding the topic on purpose. She was trying to make her look like a toddler seeking out praise!

An image of Shinobu cooing at her, patting her on the head and congratulating her and telling her how cute she was filled her mind and she wanted to scream.

No matter. There were plenty of other situations where Shinobu could slip up today. Cold calling teachers, pop quizzes, tests, extra curriculars, Shinobu could spill tea on her blouse during lunch for all (Y/n) knew!

“Ah yes, I believe we have a test in calculus today. No calculators or notes either if I recall correctly.” Shinobu hummed. “Did you study?”

“Not a bit!” (Y/n) laughed, making a show of looking sheepish. “I’ve been so busy with that model for anatomy that it must have skipped my mind.”

“Oh I’m sure you’ll do just fine.” Shinobu smiled, cupping a hand over her mouth, “Between you and me, I haven’t had much time to study either.”

A lie on both ends!

(Y/n) and Shinobu had both been studying like crazy to memorize all of the formulas. They were only playing it off like they hadn’t studied to lull the other into thinking they didn’t need to try as hard, making it a double whammy when they did better than the other.

“You’ll do great! You always do.”

“Oh, and were you able to get that paperwork for the council done? My ever so diligent VP?”

Damn her!

Shinobu had been hanging that over her head all Junior year!

When they were freshman, they had both ran for student council president. Neither of them had won, but for freshman they did rather well in the polls.

Sophomore year (Y/n) had managed an upset and beat out the senior candidate. Shinobu had gotten the second most amount of votes, earning her the Vice President position. (Y/n) could not have been happier, she had bested Shinobu!

Until elections rolled in again Junior year and Shinobu had sniped three more measly votes than her and took the role of President right out from under her, leaving (Y/n) as the Vice President.

However now in their Senior year, the preparations for their final election were almost underway. One point each, this was the tie breaker and much more important than any battle they had thus far because there would not be another chance. Besides who would claim the title of valedictorian, this would be either the highlight or shame of their highschool careers.

“All ready, Pres.” (Y/n) gave a mock salute, “Think you’ll defend your title?”

“I wonder.” Shinobu smiled, then she went on her way.

(Y/n) dug into her locker for her books with a scowl. That position would be hers once more, come hell or high water!

***

And… done!

Both girls stood from their seats simultaneously, subtly glaring at each other from across the room. They both maneuvered to the front of the room, handing their tests in to the teacher at the same time.

The teacher chuckled quietly, familiar with the antics of his two brightest pupils and got to work grading their papers right away as the girls stood by anxiously.

“Good work girls, perfect scores as always. Got the extra credit too.”

“That’s great.” (Y/n) quietly cheered.

“Yes, thank you.” Shinobu smiled.

God damn it!

They went back to their respective seats, silently stewing. That bad mood carried on to their after school activities with the student council.

But it did not affect the seamless way they worked together while sorting the paperwork. They didn’t even need to speak to coordinate, they just knew how the other liked things done and did it. It was for efficiency’s sake! Not because they were absolutely obsessed with each other and thought about each other every waking moment of the day.

“I can’t believe re-elections are just around the corner!” Mitsuri wailed as she came into the room.

“Don’t worry, Mitsuri. I’m sure the secretary position will be yours again. You always do a good job.” Shinobu assured, handing another signed paper to (Y/n) for her signature as well.

“Mhm, it would be stupid for no one to vote for you.” (Y/n) agreed.

“You guys are too nice! I’m so glad we got to know each other over the years. I’m going to miss you guys when we graduate!” Mitsuri sniffled, “Where are you guys going to college again?”

Ah yes, thank you Mitsuri! This day was saved. They already knew they had applied to the same college. When they were in middle school, they had to do a, ‘where do I see myself after high school project’, and share it with the class. They knew exactly where the other would be going so they would apply there too. Who would remember something from so long ago? They would play it off as a coincidence.

After all, why end a years long rivalry in high school? College was the big leagues, if they could beat the other there, that would leave everything else moot.

Shinobu and (Y/n) laughed internally, gearing up for the big reveal, they opened their mouths,

“Tokyo University.”

“Havard University.”

Both turned to each other with thinly veiled surprise.

Nice going idiots! Maybe you should have considered that since you two are always playing mind games with each other that the other would have had the same idea! Now (Y/n) was set to leave the country while Shinobu would be left behind! Could you think of anything more tragic?!

“Wow, that’s so crazy!” Mitsuri marveled, “For some reason I thought you two would go to the same college since you seem so close. Hard to separate the dream team!”

You took the words right out of their mouths, Mitsuri.

“Well, you know,” (Y/n) cleared her throat, “time to move on to greener pastures.”

“Yes, I’m in need of a new challenge. It’ll be good for us to spread out.” Shinobu answered tightly.

On the inside they were screaming at each other. ‘Greener pastures’, ‘new challenge’? Were they really still not good enough?

Maybe if they took even a second to re-evaluate their feelings for each other, to be genuine with each other, they would realize that this wasn’t a simple model student rivalry, they were constantly vying for each other’s attention because they were in looooooove.

“Oh! Are the election guidelines done? I’ll take those to the office right away.” Mitsuri snatched the papers from (Y/n)’s hands and went skipping out of the room, leaving Shinobu and (Y/n) alone with the can of worms she had unknowingly opened.

“So, Tokyo.” Shinobu prompted, unnecessarily straightening a stack of papers.

So, Harvard.” (Y/n) countered, not giving an inch.

“Scholarship?”

“Full ride, obviously. You?”

“No question.”

There was a pregnant pause.

“I better get to practice then now that this is taken care of.” (Y/n) said, standing from her seat.

“Me too.”

Oh come on you guys, talk! You are both so obviously depressed about this! Stop being so prideful!

***

This was it. The principal was counting the votes. It had been a grueling campaign trail, but it was sure to pay off for one of the dearly beloved girls.

“Good race,” Shinobu murmured, tone overly sweet, from where she sat next to (Y/n) in the auditorium. “I could tell you put a lot of work into your campaign this year.”

A dig at (Y/n)’s humiliating loss last year.

“Nervous perhaps? I could tell that you’ve been working very hard as well.” (Y/n) replied.

“The results have been tallied!” The principal announced, a bit of feedback coming off of the microphone making many of the students groan.

(Y/n) and Shinobu sat straighter, going over their acceptance speeches in their minds, imagining the customary handshake between the President and Vice Persident to show no hard feelings…

God, just ask to hold hands. They would look a million times less desperate than they did pinning over a handshake of all things.

“This year’s student council president is…”

Come on, come on, who is it?!

“Mitsuri Kanroji!”

“Really?!” Mitsuri stood from her seat, thanking everyone she passed.

Meanwhile, if one stray gust of wind would magically whip through the auditorium, (Y/n) and Shinobu would have surely crumbled to dust on the breeze.

“Good for her.” (Y/n) spoke monotonously.

“Yeah, she’s often underestimated. It’s nice to see her get some recognition.” Shinobu agreed, matching her tone.

“Mhm, a lot smarter than people give her credit for. Not too mention so charismatic.”

“Extremely.”

Okay, well, that was unexpected, but there was always the VP position…

“And as is customary, second place and our new Vice President is… Obanai Iguro!”

What?! And they thought Mitsuri was the dark horse. Their little known treasurer, Obanai, was an actual snake! They didn’t even know he was campaigning!

That’s what happens when you only have your eyes and thoughts on each other twenty-four seven…

Although, it probably would have made them feel better to know that Obanai definitely cheated just so he could shake Mitsuri’s hand. Again, just ask them out instead of looking for a weird round about way to hold your crushes’ hand.

“What are we going to do with all of this free time?” (Y/n) asked aloud.

“I wonder.” Shinobu sighed tiredly.

***

They did find something to do with that spare time.

All year they had been cramming, taking every opportunity they could to eek out a higher GPA, but it was still neck and neck. Their AP psychology final was the last grade that had yet to be entered.

They really wasted that whole year studying instead of acknowledging their feelings and the fact that they would be thousands of miles away from each other, huh?

But they would be forced to confront those feelings soon enough when they were called down to the office.

“Congratulations ladies, it may come to no surprise to you, but you both have achieved the best grades of your senior class. We have two valedictorians this year!” The principal chortled delightedly. “Would you two mind terribly to write your speech together? I think it would be more impactful that way.”

“I see no problem with it.” Shinobu answered casually.

“We can figure something out.” (Y/n) shrugged.

“Great! Two weeks until graduation. Try not to let it get to you, I’m sure you girls will do just fine.”

“Thank you.” They answered together.

They had thought this outcome would depress them after the election debacle, but both felt rather neutral about it. They hadn’t had much time together with all the work they had been doing so having to write a speech together seemed like a good out.

Or, you know, could have just chilled and asked to hang out instead.

As they walked back to their study hall, they tried to deligate a time to meet. Easier said than done. These two were so busy with all of their extra curriculars that finding an decent time would be impossible!

“I guess we might have to plan something overnight over the weekend so we can work on this.” Shinobu suggested.

Yes! That’s how you do it Kochou! How will (L/n) respond?

“Over the weekend…” (Y/n) pretended to mull it over, “Yeah, that should work. No one will be home except for me, so we should be able to get it done without any distractions.”

Oh my god, an unsupervised sleepover?!

“Sounds good.”

It’s happening! It’s happening!

“Cool.”

“Great.”

…

“See you then.”

“Yeah.”

Awww, so awkward! But we already knew their social skills were a little out of wack.

***

They had been anticipating this meet up all week. Of course neither brought it up at all because they couldn’t afford to sound excited by the prospect, but when their track and softball practices let out, there they were walking side by side to (Y/n)’s house! Something they hadn’t dared dreamed about in their wildest fantasies.

Shy glances, brushing hands on the narrow sidewalk! They could die happy!

Wow guys, dial it in a little bit.

Shinobu wasted no time committing (Y/n)’s home to memory. Every cute picture, every smell, every little knickknack on (Y/n)’s shelves— she was in (Y/n)’s room! Ah! How exciting!

“What do you want for dinner?” (Y/n) asked.

Shinobu nearly swooned at the domesticity of it all.

“Anything is fine.” She somehow managed to sound casual as she plopped down on the edge of (Y/n)’s bed.

***

They were taking a break from typing out their seamless speech to have the takeout that had been dropped off and Shinobu was searching for a talking point. They had never talked about anything that wasn’t school related.

“Wow, isn’t this a blast from the past.” Shinobu chuckled, seeing the row of yearbooks on (Y/n)’s self.

Still school related, but it was something.

“Oh yeah,” (Y/n)’s lips twitched curiously.

“Let’s revisit, maybe—“

“No need for that. I could put something on the tv.”

“I guess some background noise would be nice.” Shinobu smiled, still reaching for the most recent year book since she hadn’t had the time to look at it yet.

“We should finish typing out the speech so we can send it in for evaluation.” (Y/n) tried to deter her again, reaching for the book.

Why was she being so weird about a silly yearbook?

Shinobu pulled the book towards her chest, away from (Y/n)’s hands. She sensed the discontent too, and she wanted to make (Y/n) squirm.

“What don’t you want me to see? Is your picture embarrassing? Did you blink again like in third grade?”

“Ha ha, yeah, you don’t need to see it. Or if you do, look in your own yearbook when you go home.” (Y/n) tried to snatch the yearbook away again, notably more uneasy.

Again, Shinobu held it out of reach, standing up and running away with an evil grin and book secured under her arm.

“Shinobu!” (Y/n) ran after her, but Shinobu was always faster, that’s why she gave up on cross and track in seventh grade.

“Come on now,” Shinobu laughed, cracking open the book as she slid behind the living room table, “What could be so bad that you wouldn’t want me to see…”

(Y/n)’s picture was totally fine. It was Shinobu’s picture that held something interesting. Below her picture, by her name, was a little heart in what appeared to be purple highlighter. Damning evidence. Shinobu’s own heart picked up in tempo.

(Y/n) snatched the yearbook out of Shinobu’s hands, though it was already too late. Without a word she walked stiffly back to her room, shoving to book back in place while Shinobu stood awkwardly in the doorway.

“I’ll finish typing out the speech and I’ll email it in. You can go home.” (Y/n) told her without looking back at her. Her voice wavered ever so slightly, but Shinobu noticed.

(Y/n) sat on the bed, back to Shinobu, and opened her laptop again. Any teasing and gloating Shinobu had on the tip of her tongue died.

Good job reading the room for once, Shinobu. You’ve earned a cookie.

“(Y/n), I’m sorry I looked, but this is a good thing I think, because I actually—“

“I don’t want to hear it!” (Y/n) snapped. “I don’t care what you think because it won’t matter anyway! I’ll be almost seven thousand miles away so who cares!”

Shinobu’s throat tightened and she tried to swallow the awful feeling down, but it almost made her feel worse. She should have swallowed her pride and said something sooner, because (Y/n) was right, what good would it do them now? They’d only have the summer… maybe less if (Y/n) needed time to get used to Tokyo.

“Alright then. See you Monday I guess.” Shinobu said solemnly.

(Y/n) didn’t reply and Shinobu gathered her things and left. As soon as she got home, she stalked passed Kanae who was surprised to see her.

“I thought you were having a sleepover tonight.” She called.

“Cancelled. Not feeling well.”

“Oh, well you have mail on the counter—“

“Later.” Shinobu grunted, stomping up the stairs.

“Okay, grumpy. Feel better soon.” Kanae could tell this was an emotional, ‘I don’t feel good’ and not a physical, ‘I don’t feel good.’, so she decided to give Shinobu some space.

As soon as Shinobu was alone in her room, she buried her face in her pillow to soak up the frustrated and hopeless tears. Then she wallowed in her sadness the rest of the night and most of the next morning.

She turned her head, glaring at Kanae when she entered without so much as a knock and turned on the lights. In her hands she carried a plate of food and a letter.

“I’m not hungry.” Shinobu grumbled, turning away and burying herself under her blankets.

“At least read your mail first,” Kanae sighed, “I don’t know what your attitude is all about, but I think it might help.” She poked at Shinobu beneath the covers until an exasperated hand pushed out from underneath and snatched the letter from Kanae’s hand.

When Kanae left, Shinobu sat up and looked at the letter, finally registering who it was from. Quickly, she tore it open and read it.

Maybe things weren’t as hopeless as she had originally thought.

***

“It’s no secret that Shinobu and I, for as civil as we seem to be with each other, fought like crazy to be the one to give this speech.”

“As you can see, I couldn’t manage to shake (Y/n) free from my coattails, so here we both are.” Shinobu teased, earning a quiet rumble of laughter through the crowd.

They hit all the right beats in their speech, but Shinobu could tell as the closing words got closer, (Y/n) was trying harder not to get choked up.

“And so, to finally break free from the devil woman next to me, I’ve decided to attend Tokyo University because it was the furthest I could physically get from her.” (Y/n)’s voice broke at the end, but it was covered by the polite laughter of the crowd.

Shinobu caught her hand in her own, causing (Y/n) to meet her eyes questioningly, tears threatening to fall.

“Which is why I am happy to announce that I too, will be attending Tokyo University.” Shinobu declared, going off script, dabbing the tears from (Y/n)’s cheeks with the sleeve of her gown.

“What?” (Y/n) sobbed. Surely she had misheard.

In a surprising turn of events Shinobu had actually applied to both schools just in case (Y/n) had the same idea, but her application to Tokyo had been lost in the mail for weeks and then her acceptance letter decided to get lost too, for quiet a few months, actually!

“You can’t get rid of me that easily.” Shinobu grinned.

That grin was quickly swiped off of her face, when (Y/n)’s lips overzealously met hers, but she was all too happy with the interruption to mind.

“Oh my god! It’s finally happening! My ship!” Mitsuri stood from her seat and cheered, prompting everyone else to do the same.

It was sure to be a valedictorian speech that would not be soon forgotten. Breathless, the couple delivers their final lines before they could be shooed off of the stage for their overt display of affection.

[haulix]

Music Industry Job Board (January 14, 2019)

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You live by the words of trustworthiness, organization, and dependability. Everyone will recognize you as the prime go-to-person for just about anything, and your abilities have never disappointed anyone. Managing the lives of the company’s decision-makers is not an easy task, but then you showed up and made it seem like cake.

Global Copyright Assistant (UMPG - Franklin, TN) 

We are UMG, the Universal Music Group. We are the world’s leading music company. In everything we do, we are committed to artistry, innovation and entrepreneurship. We own and operate a broad array of businesses engaged in recorded music, music publishing, merchandising, and audiovisual content in more than 60 countries. We identify and develop recording artists and songwriters, and we produce, distribute and promote the most critically acclaimed and commercially successful music to delight and entertain fans around the world.

Arts Administration Assistant (ArtOps/Detroit Chamber Winds & Strings - Southfield, MI) 

The Arts Administration Assistant has a strong interest in a career in Arts Administration, a background in classical music, is extremely organized and detail oriented. This individual will engage with many clients and artists and must have exceptional communication skills. In addition, an aptitude for numbers is essential to support budgeting and bookkeeping tasks. The ideal candidate will have the ability to learn and execute a variety of activities essential to managing a performing art non-profit.

Business Continuity & Crisis Mgmt Manager (Madison Square Garden Company - NYC) 

The BC/CM Manager is responsible for the day to day direction, coordination, implementation, execution, control and completion of both the Business Continuity Management and Crisis Management Programs at Madison Square Gardens. The Business Continuity Project scope will include the creation and implementation of business continuity plans and procedures. The Manager will be responsible for interacting with all Stakeholders, Internal Auditors and Senior Management for both programs. The scope includes working with the Stakeholders in defining, training, and testing business continuity, crisis management and disaster recovery plans and procedures to reduce business interruptions, ensure continuity, minimize financial impact and adhere to legal/regulatory requirements. The plans and procedures will govern the Corporate Office, remote Offices (Obscura, Farmingdale) and the MSG Venues. The implementation of the plans and procedures will include documentation, training, and the approach for creating a business recovery command center for managing through a business interruption. The Manager will also have responsibility for administering a crisis management enterprise-wide operational program, create and lead an enterprise-wide employee assistance initiative, cultivate relationships with key leaders in emergency management and identifying and implementing industry best practices, establishing a corporate emergency response, and forecast and manage a business continuity/crisis management budget.

Music and Entertainment Sponsorship Manager (Verizon - Basking Ridge, NJ) 

This position is responsible for leading entertainment partnerships within the sponsorships marketing organization. The Manager will manage all entertainment partnerships, experiential marketing programs and work with internal cross-functional teams to execute integrated marketing campaigns that deliver against key business objectives. This position reports to the Associate Director of Sponsorships.

Membership Coordinator (ASCAP - Atlanta, GA) 

We are looking for someone with previous experience in the business and in event coordination, who is looking for an opportunity to grow within the position, is good at multi-tasking and handles pressure well. 

Live Entertainment Supervision (Cedar Point - Sandusky, OH) 

Live Entertainment Supervisors are involved with the coordination, production & rehearsal process, and daily operation of all live shows, events, and entertainment at Cedar Point.

Marketing Manager (Rare Americans - San Francisco, CA) 

We’re Rare Americans, a Vancouver based band that went viral after a series of singles launched in June 2018. Since then we’ve amassed millions of YouTube plays and Spotify/Apple Music streams.

As we’re about to launch our second album we’re looking to add a high level difference maker to our team. Someone with a proven track record in marketing (both organic and paid), social media, and has experience growing a band in the music industry.

Our biggest priority is growth and we believe we need a full time person to assist our team. We’re advertising abroad as this position can be done remotely.

We have 6 music video assets for this launch, we’re touring UK, USA, and Canada, and we have a big “give away” contest that should also land us new fans and significant press.

$4-8k per month depending on experience level with full benefits included.

Coordinator, Music Programming (SiriusXM - Washington DC) 

Works with members of the music programming team to create superior radio programs as needed. Supports creative processes, content development and production. Exercises both creative abilities and technical skills. Edits materials and operates an audio board. May be assigned to more than one program and perform slightly different functions across channels.

[kaepop-trash]

Ambiguous

Rated: Smut, Angst

Pairing: JaehyunxReaderxYuta

Summary: The story of secrets, deceit and greed. Three characters with unlikely alliances and one common goal; power. Jaehyun is stuck between his own thirst for power and his need for the one thing that could take away everything. Yuta has ambition growing from an unlikely alliance and convinces himself to do anything to protect it. Between both of them is her, ambitious but with one weakness, she does all it takes for Jaehyun, even if it’s putting herself aside. But how long can she hold up her own fragile games?

(A/N): Next two chapters are flashbacks so sit back and enjoy law school jae.

Mini Masterlist

(Y/N) sat in class staring right at the lecturer talking about something she wasn’t paying any attention to. She didn’t even know what class she was in because her day was a blur in front of her. Her mind kept wandering and she wanted to stop, she tried her best to at least keep her eyes glued on the lecturer so she wouldn’t get called out. 

After a while when the lecturer finally began writing something on the board, she bit her lip and hesitantly turned around. But when she turned to find Jaehyun staring right at her she panicked, her heart suddenly racing faster than a frenzied horse but they held their gazes, either too transfixed or too proud to look away first. His eyes were dark and they reached right into her, the same cold gaze he always had around her but what had a different meaning after the happenings of the night before. As her heart reached an almost suffocating rhythm she had to look away just to catch a breath.

“Get a hold of yourself (Y/N), this is just Jaehyun, annoying brat Jaehyun. Stop it.” She had to scold herself in a soft voice to come back to the reality she was slipping out of slowly and going back to last night.

His keys rattled loudly as he opened the door to his apartment. He pushed it open and she walked in, still hesitant in the place that surrounded her with his presence.

“You were incredible today.” She spoke up first, she owed him some small talk before she would ask to leave.

“You did everything, from finding a restaurant the fossil would like to making them play the right music to start a conversation. I don’t even understand how you think so much.” He dropped his jacket on the sofa as he murmured, running his hands through his hair and making it a proper mess.

“But you talked the talk, you impressed him so much he was practically eating right out of hands, I can’t do that. That’s all you.” She said honestly, credit where credit was due was what she believed.

“To be fair he’ll need someone to feed him very soon, probably something soft to protect his fake teeth.” He laughed and she joined in, sharing the small moment before the illusion faded. They could almost pretend they were friends for a second there.

Jaehyun shuffled around and she raised a brow, she’d never seen him hesitant.

“Do you want to watch the results for the state election?” He asked and bit his lip when he heard his own words, but the damage was done.

“I’d love to actually, I was going to go back and do that, but my dorm doesn’t have a TV.” She reasoned. He looked up at her almost shocked, he really didn’t expect her to agree to something so absurd.

“Make yourself comfortable.” He smiled.

“Oh my god I cannot believe he won.” She groaned and Jaehyun laughed at how invested she looked. She stared in awe at the screen as balloons flew down amongst a cheering crowd.

“That’s the majesty of a democracy, the people decide who takes the cake.” He was still laughing, a little shocked himself that he won the bet placed with her mere minutes ago.

“Well people are fucking idiots. Democracy means everyone gets a slice, this molerat will eat most of the cake and infect the rest with the black plague.” Jaehyun laughed even louder.

“For someone who doesn’t care about politics you sure are passionate about it.” He teased and she groaned.

“I like to believe it’s right to care about who’s going to govern the state I have to get my education in.” She lifted her nose and crossed her arms. Jaehyun scoffed leaning close to her ear.

“Just admit it,” He whispered into her ear, her spine quivered at his voice. “It’s addictive.” She sat up straight and coughed.

“That’s a very absurd thing to be addicted to Jaehyun.” She said only after sitting back. He just smiled knowingly in response.

Jaehyun suddenly clapped his hands together making her jump in her place.

“I almost forgot. I won the wager.” She narrowed her eyes and side glanced him, biting her cheek to control the offence she felt at those words.

“It’s okay, every dog has his day.” She smiled at her own tiny victory.

“I’m going to ignore that because now I can get something out of you.” His words made her turn to him and laugh.

“I don’t remember agreeing to those terms.” She said skeptically.

“In a wager it’s an unsaid agreement that the winning party gets something from the losing party that he or she chooses.” He moved his finger to and fro over her head and she grabbed it.

“A contract with terms not clear to both parties is void Mr. Jung, what have you been doing in contract law classes?” She smiled with victory.

“Watching you sitting three rows below me.” His confession left her speechless and her stomach suddenly flipped, what does that mean? He slipped his finger out of her hold and sat back with a smug face.

“You look so disheveled and you are always in your pajamas, the hideousness of it distracts me.” He bit back a smile and she let out an incredulous scoff.

“Hideous? It’s a 7am class Jaehyun. I wake up with enough time to let me study the night before. Do you happen to know of the concept? Studying? Or do you just care about wearing an intoxicating cologne.” She scoffed again. He was about to bite back when a certain phrase in her sentence caught his attention.

“My cologne is intoxicating is it?” He smirked and her smile faded, hands uncrossing from her chest.

“What no I merely mean-” She started in full fervour, using her best talent to get out this situation.

“What you meant was that you like my cologne, which means you’ve smelt my cologne.” His own mind swirled with a form of victory he didn’t know the reason behind.

“Smelling is an involuntary action, it comes with breathing.” Logic was her last hope. He smiled softly when he noticed the ghost of red dusting her cheeks.

“Since you’re throwing around science, do you know what it means to like the way someone smells.” His breath was on her ear, tickling the hair she urged to brush back.

“No.” She played dumb, her voice shaky.

“Turn around.” His soft voice held a strong command that she found her body following. 

His eyes were warm and brown like hot chocolate, his eyelashes fluttering on his cheek when he sneaked a look at her lips that seem to part at the silent command.

“What?” Her voice was a gentle whisper and he looked up lost like he had forgotten the original intention he had in mind.

“I-” He said, his eyes heavy but lost in the moment, forgetting his own words. Her eyes trailed down to follow the movement of his throat when he swallowed thickly, looking back up to find his eyes even heavier from before as he dared to pull in a little closer. His eyes suddenly turned harder, darker and his jaw set and her eyes furrowed in confusion.

“(Y/N)” The way every hair on her body stood at how her name sounded on his lips scared her enough to turn away.

“Jaehyun..” She said solemnly but he was adamant and he was fueled by the sudden compulsion that threatened to overwhelm his existence if he didn’t act on it, so before she could say anything more he grabbed her neck to bring her back into his space that suddenly felt empty without her presence. He didn’t wait to reconsider when he connected their lips and he was rewarded by his gut telling him that nothing he ever did before felt more right. His mind went silent, as if allowing all of him to enjoy the feeling he had the priviledge of enjoying. Her hand only lay on his chest on a moment before it escaped to find refuge on the back of his neck and pull him closer to feel him better. They moved in an almost musical harmony as his hands slid down to her waist in return, desperate to see if they could be even more closer. When his tongue moved in to explore her mouth, it felt so natural that it felt criminal to obstruct. He groaned when she pulled on his hair and the sound alone made her shake with need.

His lips were the most divine thing she had experienced and she wanted them to herself till the end of time. They were soft and pressed against her own with tranquility. She was seeing stars under her eyelids and even after he pulled away she took a while to realise that it was from the lack of oxygen he had pulled out of her so effortlessly.

His wet lips left a trail down her neck that would be marked forever in her mind as her eyes remained shut and her plump lips remained parted. His knee pushed her skirt higher inadvertently when he inched closer and how he felt heat radiating through even his pants made him bite down on her shoulder blade. The way his fingers slipped higher under her shirt as they left feather light touches that made her shiver and she fisted his hair tighter in her hold, her thighs trying to close but being obstructed by his knee.

“Fuck.” He breathed out against her throat, unable to articulate anything else. The way she whined at his words made him quiver and his pants get tighter than was gentlemanly.

“This is so wrong.” His lips let go before his mind could deliberate on his own words. Her eyes pushed open at his words and she shoved him away more harshly than intended. Her face turned to a silent cry as the ramifications of the action sunk in deep, overriding every sensation she felt before. She watched him sit back breathless, his hair a mess and his lips swollen and red as he watched her with confusion, his eyes still the colour of coal. His eyes grew wide with panic when he realised what she was thinking.

“Wait I didn’t mean-” She should have let him finish.

“We’ll never bring this up again.” She said trying to hide how much her face burned with shame as she got up and left his apartment.

“Miss (Y/L/N),” A voice yanked her out of her thoughts and her head slid off the perch of her palm as she looked up confused at the lecturer.

“Is there something you deem more important than the topic we are discussing today? I can confidently say out of the two, this is the one that will help you pass my class.” The man looked up from the frames resting on his nose with disappointment.

“It won’t happen again sir.” She stood up and bowed. He sighed deeply at her words.

“Since you’re confident enough to slack in my class (Y/N), give me one reason a contract is void.” She bit down on the inside of her cheek standing up.

“An ambiguous contract sir. When the clauses of a contract are unclear, or the two parties do not agree on the same terms. The contract is voidable.” She offered without hesitation.

“And what defence would you use against the draftsman?” The lecturer pushed.

“Contra proferentem. In case of an ambiguous contract, the closest interpretation should work against the interest of the draftsman.” The lecturer allowed an impressed nod and went back to his book, gesturing her to sit down. She smiled at him and obeyed.

“I have to differ sir.” Jaehyun’s voice made everyone turn to him, including her who bit the inside of her cheek.

“Alright Mr. Jung, how would you rule the hearing in your favour?” The lecturer leaned against the table intrigued.

“Implied In-Fact Contract sir. When a contract is bound by mutual agreement and intent, it has to pass even if it is not fully clear.” She narrowed her eyes when he gave her the ghost of a glance.

“That’s very good both of you, but I’ll have you know that we haven’t touched on either defences in class yet and while I’m impressed at your dedication to contracts I’d also love to see you actually pay attention.” He stared at both of them once before turning away and going back to his lecture while the whole class giggled softly at them both.

“You’re not in pajamas today.” He hurried up to catch her before she rushed out of class. She turned to him before turning back, not keen on telling him that she had time to look more presentable because she had no sleep.

“And you look terrible today.” She observed before turning away with a stoic face.

“I haven’t slept all night.” He confessed making her stop in her track.

“Oh thank god! For a small person you walk very fast.” He gasped and she turned to him.

“Leave me alone Jaehyun, we aren’t friends. We don’t walk to class together.” Her words were harsh and he was taken aback a little. He was quickly taken over by annoyance, more over how her words made him feel.

“I just wanted to tell you about the party. You know what never mind. You’re going the wrong way by the way.” He sneered before walking away.

She got back to her room much after sunset as she was contemplating a hot shower and an early night. When she walked in her roomate greeted her, commenting on her evident fatigue.

“Oh, I almost forgot.” Her roommate said gaining her attention, “Some guys in suits came to give you this.” She extended her hand with a white envelope with delicate designs on the back.

“Is this where you tell me you work for some super secret spy agency or something.” She asked and (Y/N) laughed.

“It’s sealed with wax (Y/N).” She said sounding amazed.

“I’ve noticed.” She answered, breaking the seal to to slide out a silver card.

Mr, Mrs. and Jaehyun Jung hereby formally invite you, ___(Y/N)___ to their residence for a small gathering.

We hope you may attend and give us the pleasure of hosting you for the night.

Date: Wednesday

Venue: Jung Residence

Dress Code: Black Tie, White. 

 Time: 7pm ownwards

We hope to see you there,

With Regards.

She stared at the card for a while longer. Touched by the invitation but filled with an unknown sense of dread.

“You look like you saw a ghost. What’s wrong?” Her roommate stood up from her chair hesitantly.

“I need to go shopping.” Was all she said.

[theparaminds]

If you asked Claud a year ago where their life would lead, their uncertainty would be as strong as the talent they were just beginning to tap into. Yet now, they stand in a position of newfound confidence and self-certainty. It wasn’t an easy task, requiring the output of a thoughtful EP, constant personal reflection and the difficulty of acclimating to newfound environments and individuals. But as hard as it all was, the results have been, simply, magical. 

Claud revealed to themseelf, bit by bit, the unique individuality that was waiting for its moment to shine. They no longer felt compelled to travel in any artistic direction, instead, traveling in one completely their own. By bringing together both bright musicianship and hopeful lyricism, as they’ve always envisioned, they have truly articulated themself musically.

Ultimately, Claud has solved much of their past confusions. Little can take them off course, little can extinguish the creative fire burning brighter than ever. Certain doors are open for the first time, ideas seem endlessly inspiring and passion seems undying with every sunset. The puzzle to their life and art has finally come together, now all that’s left to do is share it with the anxiously excited world. 

Our first question as always is just how’s your day going and how have you been?

My day is good, I had a late start because of a show last night, but honestly, other than that it's good.

A great place to start is the last whirlwind of a year you’ve had which set up and built the foundation for a lot of what’s going on for you now. You’ve talked about a big part of that being moving to New York and going to college for the first time, how did you find the change to influence your artistry and you as an individual?

I went to college as a freshman at Syracuse, and in moving there I was coming from an art school, and before was in Chicago. It felt like a big change and it really did end up being a massive city for me. I got lucky with meeting great friends right away on the first day, ones who I stayed close with me all year. As a place, It was good for the time being.

But also you were recently in LA for a bit, taking in the area and all it encompasses. Within that trip, what was that time like for you and what was the impression it left upon you?

After Syracuse I lived in NY for a bit, then once my friends left for the summer I moved to LA. It was meant to be only temporary and I just wanted to check it out as I have family there, a lot of great friends too. Ultimately, I found a great community here in NY so I decided to move back, I like moving around a lot and didn’t want to settle in one place, yet.

Another large moment that year was dropping your EP, which was the biggest thing in getting the ball rolling. How do you reflect on the project and the experience as a whole? Do you remember the reception you expected and the feeling when it kept growing in audience and acclaim?

That EP is just so special to me. I made it made with my best friend as a friendship project. We started with the song Onetwothree, just about a year ago, it was just a first single and watching people enjoy it was an amazing feeling because we loved it even more so. I put out music before, but nothing I loved as much as the EP’s songs. I guess I believe that if you put a lot of love into something, you’ll get love out of it.

Going from putting those songs you didn't like on SoundCloud at first, then turning to this project which you found peace within, what changed for you and what did you have to find within yourself?

It took a lot of personal changes. Just coming to terms with myself and going by Claud again. My sound as an artist was coming together at the same time, it was a very natural growth. I feel like I’m still growing a lot, but the EP marks a really specific moment in my life.

Looking forward, what are in your mind, the largest and most important milestones you hope to hit and achieve?

I really want to tour a lot and meet a lot of people. And, my biggest goal is to make sure I have people want to hear me play as much as I want to play for them.

If money were no object, where would be your dream location to play a live show?

I really want to go to Asia and Japan specifically. They fell so far away and going for a reason, not just for fun, would be amazing.

As well, what developments do you hope to make artistically and what skills are you looking to hone in your craft?

I want to focus more on my songwriting. I've been with a lot of producers and I want to experiment and play with new concepts. If I want a pop song, I need a pop song with my own voice. It's fun to try more and more ideas and subgenres.

Through this time of personal growth and creation, what artists have you found yourself most inspired by and pulling from?

A lot of the Terrible Records artists I work with. I also love Blood orange and every song on his new album. Super into Super Organisms, gosh so much. I actually just made a Spotify playlist that was only supposed to have 30 songs, but I couldn’t stop adding more and more.

Taking it back to your first time getting into music, how do you compare your current influences to early ones and do you believe it shows part of the growth you’ve been through and are experiencing?

I definitely think the music I listen to has been a big part of my own development, I was weirdly into singer-songwriter music more than anything. Part of it probably came from when I went to an arts boarding school in Northern Michigan in the middle of nowhere. When you’re in a space like that you end up following that style. Because I listened to a lot of singer-songwriter music, I was shaped as a person, but not as an artist. But in college I started listening with a different ear, really expanding what I heard.

Through that beginning time, what were the biggest challenges you had to overcome to get those first songs out and to keep going?

I grew up in a very mainstream area that was difficult to be an individual within. Hive mind type environment in terms of entertainment and creativity. It made sense as to why I didn’t branch out with my early music. I'm just grateful for the friends I met who showed me what I could be.

Beyond music, which is obviously a place of inspiration for artists such as yourself, do you find yourself enjoying or drawing from other artistic mediums?

Honestly, I’m very into movements. It's an art form I love beyond others. It keeps me motivated. I don't love going to the gym, but I’m learning to skateboard and I did gymnastics when younger. I love seeing the body become an art form. I always loved dancing even though I’m shit at it.

Are there motions you find your music to be tailored to or ones you are trying to speak towards?

I really like the way people say that they enjoy my music on long walks and drives. Those everyday movements that I can choreograph with my sound is really beautiful. The production style I like is very rhythmic in a subtle everyday kind of way. It won't catch you off guard but will just fit your movement.

Would you say that’s part of your overall larger goal? To create a soundtrack to people’s ups and downs? Or is there something beyond that?

It changes a lot. Right now, just being present is the most important thing to me, standing my ground. There’s a lot of musicians, but I truly see the value and necessity in myself. And I guess there's not one specific message other than that I'm ‘here’.

Going forward in time to the present day, another thing you did through this last year was touring, as you said. And even currently you’re doing so. In your eyes, how do you compare the live experience to recording and a file, what do you feel towards it?

I love playing live shows. If I can't see my songs translate live then there’s not always worth in putting it out. I don't really get excited about a song until I can see myself perform it live.

Why is that though? Why do you see an importance in creating music that exists in both spaces?

It’s the best way to communicate with people… [Pause]... Oh my God… There’s such a big spider on my wall…

Oh my, are you okay?

Yeah yeah, I’ll be fine. But it’s just about connecting with people and sharing the new form of expression that does not exist in the record.

Through your life and time touring and just as a music fan, what’s been the best shows you’ve been able to see and be a part of?

At my first tour, with Triathalon and The Marias, I only saw 6 shows but every single time they both performed very different, yet inspiring. They just have ‘it’, they know exactly who they are and what they want to express. The confidence motivated me to be the same and to up my game.

You talked early of being inspired by songwriters, which makes sense considering your strong ability with complex lyrics and themes. Where from your life and art, in general, do you draw for your lyrics and ideas?

I just keep a running note in my phone of phrases I hear or think of, so when I sit to write I will begin or find inspiration within them. I recently started looking at my notes from when I was 15, finding out what was 15 year old Claud thinking on February 3rd, or seeing times I was in a relationship and reliving my feelings and thoughts from back then. All those past experiences shape what I say today.

You’re very brave for looking at stuff you did at 15, I could never do that, It’s honestly so terrifying.

[Laughs] I found one recently that said: “Write a song about feeling bubbly and pitch it to the Soda Company”. Like, what soda company was I even thinking about? It just said The Soda Company. Was I planning to call Mr. Coca Cola himself?

Did you find you've changed a lot and always shifted since you were young back then, or do you feel you kept your essence as an individual?

I feel like it depends on who you ask. If you ask my family they'll say I'm the same as always, the same eccentric human who somehow ended up in our family. They often say they bought me in a grocery store [laughs. I think my essence is still there, but I feel but it will keep developing.

What's, ultimately, the biggest mark and legacy with the music you're making that you desire to build and be satisfied in creating?

I don't know, I'm only just at the beginning. But to me, I would say I want to teach people to value their individuality, It was something I felt I wasn't always doing, but now that I am, I want to share the feeling with others, as it’s really amazing. I'm still learning, it's a process, but it's great just to be finally working towards it.

Follow Claud on Instagram and Twitter

Listen on Spotify and Soundcloud

[hemcountry]

INTERVIEW: THE ONLY THING I REALLY LOOK FOR IS HONESTY AND TRUTH

Some things in life are hard to put into words. While other things, however, can be easy as pie. Articulating Mo Pitney’s place in the world of country music right now definitely falls into the pie category! Simply put, this young man from Illinois is one of the most exciting talents to appear on the country scene in…well, you know what, it’s probably not wrong to say decades. Nor is wrong to say (at least not in the eyes or ears of this writer) that Mo, although at a slightly younger age, is doing much the same as what Chris Stapleton has been doing for country music over the last few years. By putting the song, and the story in the song, right back at the centre of a traditional country sound, Mo has been winning new fans, winning back old fans, and reminding everyone of the main thing that has always made country music so special: great songs, simply told.

When the chance came along for me to chat with Mo recently, I didn’t need to be asked twice if I was interested. In fact, I’m not sure the full question was even asked before I’d said yes! I was excited, and I wasn’t let down.

Now the first big reason Mo and I were actually chatting was because next month he returns to the UK & Ireland to take part in the first Harvest Country Music Festival and a set of shows across the UK, Harvest Fest held in Westport in Mayo, and Enniskillen in Fermanagh, on consecutive days and will be headlined by Nathan Carter and Miranda Lambert, and will also feature artists like Charley Pride, Kip Moore, Dan & Shay, and Sam Palladio, as well as Ireland’s Una Healy, Hurricane Highway, Catherine McGrath, and Pete Kennedy, and the proverbial ‘many, many more’!

Mo Pitney UK Tour Dates

Harvest Fest Line-Up

I asked Mo if he was looking forward to being back in front of an Irish audience again?

“Oh yeah. Totally. I mean, my first trip to Ireland has been my favourite trip, so to be able to come back and bring my wife and baby, well I’m just thrilled.”

Mo’s first time in Ireland had been for last year’s Irish TV Irish Country Music Awards.

“It was, it was. Me and my brother came over then, and we just had a great time. So yeah, this time thankfully, it’s gonna be my wife, and my baby and I, but also my brother’s comin’ again. And my sister is comin’ too, because they’re part of the band. And my dad runs sound, so he’s comin’. And my mom’s comin’ over just to join the ride, because she couldn’t be left out! [laughs]”

Mo at the dress rehearsal for last year’s Irish TV’s Country Music Awards

With the extended Pitney clan all boarding a plane for Ireland, I wondered if there was going to be anyone left at home to look after things there?

“Oh I don’t know, maybe we’ll just have to let it all go by the wayside and let the weeds grow over everything here, I don’t know! [laughs]”

Before we moved on to Mo’s own music, the second big reason we were talking, I wanted to ask him about something he once said about country music. And that was this: that when he began really listening to country songs as his love for the music grew, he started trying to, “…figure out what moved me and why it moved me….” So what I wanted to know was did Mo ever figure out what it is about country songs that move him, and why?

“Well, I think lookin’ back now I’m understanding more about what and why things move me. But I always knew I felt things very deeply. Whenever I was listening to Merle Haggard’s music or someone else’s music, even if I hadn’t gone through whatever they had gone through, I was still able to recognise that they had gone through something very, very significant or difficult, or joyful or whatever it was, for them. But I knew they were experiencing some very intense emotions, even if it was good or bad. And I think some of that [being able to to relate and empathise on such a deep level] got me into some bad places, especially with some depressed country music! [laughs]. I don’t know, I think it’s recognising artists that sing about something they had actually lived through, and wasn’t kinda puttin’ on somethin’ that was fake.”

Mo Pitney…behind that guitar!

So in a way, even when Mo was very young, it was almost as if he was an old soul really?

“Yeah, well my dad was a steel guitar player, so he was always playin’ the old stuff around the house, and we also played bluegrass music. So naturally when you’re a bluegrass musician you’re really tuned into the old stuff. So I think it was just the environment that I grew up in that just made it seem pretty normal to look to the past. So I owe a lot of my kind of traditional flavor to that.”

So, onto to Mo’s own music. ‘Country’, of course, is the song that really brought him to peoples’ attention and into their hearts. And it’s songs like ‘Country’, ‘Clean Up In Aisle Five’, ‘I Met Merle Haggard Today’, and ‘Everywhere’, that all possess a beautiful, simple sense of truth, something that’s very easy for fans to relate to. Now me, I’m a dog man. So with a song called ‘It’s Just A Dog’ on the album, and given that ‘I Met Merle Haggard Today’ was based on a real-life experience for Mo, I had to know….was ‘It’s Just A Dog’, with the heartbreaking line near the end, “….it just hits me/ she’s not with me…”, based on a true story, too???

“Well, it is, and in fact, there’s three true stories in that song. I wrote that song with Jimmy Melton and Dave Turnbull, and when we were writing all three of us were writing about certain different elements about our relationships with our first dogs. So depending on what line you’re hearin’, you’re hearin’ a true story about one of our first dogs. I think all three of us had lost dogs, and especially back then [when you’re younger], it just hits you like, oh my gosh, this dog that you’ve had for however long, that could always cheer you up, is not here anymore.”

Mo, on the day he met Merle Haggard

It must have been a pretty emotional song to write then?

“Oh yeah. And by the time that I had written that song, it was a long time after I had lost my first dog. But I did have my favourite dog with me still at the time when we were writing it. The song didn’t take very long to write, and the guys had already had it started before I jumped on in. So we recorded it, and then on my drive home I put my phone up to my ear and listened to it and cried, ya know. It wasn’t hard as we were writing it, but afterwards, when I was listening to it as I was driving home I knew the song had something special to it.”

When Mo writes, is every song that he begins or finishes one that might potentially be released some day, or are there some songs that he writes just to get things out of his system, or for personal reasons, or even just for practice almost?

“Well you’re always just writin’ and hopin’ that a song will be heard in some space or another. I think there’s certain ideas that you recognise probably won’t find room in a mainstream space, but you’re always hopin’ that it will get heard in some way. But there are songs that you can tell are more personal, and maybe just for you, even if you doubt that anyone else might feel it. But sometimes they do, because a song is so real. But I don’t think I’m always tryin’ to think about where a song might eventually show up. I’m normally just writin’ to write, and let a song be in whatever space it finds itself happen, rather than try and force it there.”

When you love what you do, it looks something like this!

Mo has been described as being a ‘Man who loves God and George Strait’, which is not a bad way for any man to be described in my book! Mo’s faith is clearly very important to him, and therefore a big part of his life. But what kind of role, if any, does it play in his songwriting? Are there certain subjects that he wouldn’t write about? Or does he try and weave some kind of positive message into most of his songs?

“What I’m recognising is that faith always hopes. And there’s a temptation when we feel down or discouraged to write in such a way that is really….. hopeless, overly sad. But I can tell that my desire, even if I do go through times of hopelessness or discouragement, is that I’m always tryin’ to bring in my songs an underlying faith element. Because I think there’s much too much art and music that really just pushes us down into the pit even farther. And I think that’s one thing that drives me. And then there’s also things that…I mean, you write a love song, ya know, and I recognise things that ‘The Word’ tells me you don’t want to idolise, like a relationship. You really want to treat a relationship with your wife, or with your children, as a gift from God and not an end in and of itself. And there’s certain inflections in the way that I write that I can’t really ever get away from because of what I believe. So I think that gives a little tone and twist on every song I write, even if it’s not about God. If it’s about my relationships here on Earth, or my experiences here on Earth, it always has a little different nature to it than maybe what someone who doesn’t believe would write.”

Mo and Emily, before 2 became 3!

I love the fact that Mo recorded ‘Behind This Guitar’ while singing and playing at the one time, in a very traditional, pretty much ‘live’ way. I wondered if he’d agree that with so many songs nowadays being recorded literally piece-by-piece, as opposed to how he had done it, if that has maybe contributed to the blurring of lines between what’s country, what’s pop, what’s rock, and so on?

“I don’t think it’s the way things are recorded in as much as it is just the actual people that are recording. We’re all looking for something new and exciting and different, and we’re tryin’ to ring the bell and make money, and survive on this Earth and play the game. And that just causes art to be confused. And I’m really not sayin’ this to say that what’s goin’ on is right or wrong, I have no problem with things evolving and turning into something different than it was in the past. The only thing I really look for is honest and truth. So even if someone thinks differently than I do, as long as in their art they’re being true to themselves, I think there’s something to be respected about that. Whether that be a party song, or a different type of track, whatever it might be, as long as they’re not not tryin’ to be someone else that they’re not. I think it’s ok to be however they’re gonna be.”

Mo Pitney Behind The Guitar available now. Click here to download ‘Behind The Guitar’..

Now, not only is Mo a young husband to Emily, and a young father to Evelyn, but he himself, of course, is a young musician. And as such, and even more so because of his success, he’s one who spends a lot of time on the road and away from home, something which must be quite tough at times?

“Yeah, it is. And I definitely strive in any way that I can to keep them on the road with us. And like I said, they’re actually comin’ over with us to you guys’ land when we go, both the baby and Emily, which I’m really excited about. It’s just kinda not very natural, historically, for a husband to be away from his wife. I think God really designed it for him [a husband] to come home and be in the same bed every night. I think there’s something really safe and healthy about that, that the music business can’t break up. And really in culture at large, I think we’ve really gotten the ability to get too far away from a rooted place called home. So it [being on the road] can make it difficult, but I’m thankful that in this day and age, even though we are travelling, we’ve got cellphones and that’s awesome. And we’ve got Facetime, that’s helpful. But we do strive to stay close together as much as we can. We just think that’s the right approach.”

Mo with his little girl Evelyn at the Ryman.

It’s the one question that Mo probably has fired at him in every single interview he does, so before I even asked him this, I felt like I should probably apologise for throwing it his way again. So I did. And then I asked him anyway….For any country artist, walking out onto the Grand Ole Opry stage, and setting foot inside that circle, which is sacred ground in country music terms, it has to have changed him. The Mo Pitney that walked off stage couldn’t have been the same Mo Pitney that walked on stage, surely? What was that experience like for him?

“Well there was a lot of fear before I went out, and doubt as to whether or not we would be received well. So being able to go out and step into the circle, and just be a kid that shared his song, and then have the place stand on its feet and applaud, really it blew me away. And I think there was a moment of recognising that wow, well maybe I do have a spot here in the music industry where I could make a livin’ and enjoy playin’ music the rest of my life. So there was a lot that happened, not just thinkin’ about that moment alone, but what that moment could mean for the rest of my life, too. It was pretty powerful. And I’m really thankful to be able to look back on my first time there and have such a great memory.”

Before saying our goodbyes, at least until Harvest Fest next month anyway, we closed our chat with a little what-if kind of a question. If any past country artist, someone who’s already passed on, could come back and play just one more ‘live’ show, who would Mo most love to go and see perform?

“Hmm. Let me think. Maybe….wow. Yeah, maybe George Jones, only because I didn’t get to see him. I got to see Merle. It would probably be a tie between Roger Miller and George Jones. I’m very much so a Roger Miller fan, too.

For me, the soul of Mo Pitney was revealed in that last answer about what it felt like for him that first time he played the Opry. Whereas so many people just want to be famous these days, and being a ‘celebrity’ is often seen as being a worthwhile goal in itself, for Mo, playing on the greatest stage of them all just made him think that maybe he could “make a livin’ and enjoy playin’ music” the rest of his life. Simple as that.

And I think you just might, Mo, I think you just might.

UK & Ireland Tour Dates

26th Aug Harvest Fest Enniskillen Tickets 27th Aug Harvest Fest Westport Tickets 30th Aug Thekla Bristol Tickets 31st Aug The Borderline  London Tickets 1st Sept The Bodega Social Club Nottingham Tickets 2nd Sept Brudenell Social Club Leeds Tickets 3rd Sept Night & Day Café Manchester Tickets 5th Sept The Prince Albert Brighton Tickets

  INTERVIEW: THE ONLY THING I REALLY LOOK FOR IS HONESTY AND TRUTH was originally published on HEM COUNTRY