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[musicthrob]

Fake Happy - Paramore (Live in Manila 2018)

May 11 / May 24, 2024

For fans of Paramore, Hayley Williams, 2010s pop and nostalgia, Billie Eilish, and Enya Umanzor

I woke up this day thinking about my celebrity crushes. After going through a list in my head that I will not disclose for now… Hayley Williams popped up on my Twitter feed and it all came back to me. Suddenly, I was thinking about my high school-self and how much has happened since then.

After school, almost every Wednesday, my aunt would pick me and my sister up and take us to her house. She would buy or cook us food and often toasted lots of bread with butter for us. My sister and I would do our homework across from each other on this big dining table, sitting on chairs with cushions covered in plastic. Over long periods of time, sitting on these chairs kind of got uncomfortable because we both wore skirts to school and the plastic would ride on our thighs. I don’t know why it never occurred to us to bring an extra change of clothes or leave some at her house.

I remember that I loved doing my math homework. I loved doing math homework because it was the only homework I could really do while listening to music or watching Youtube videos. I would often play songs and music videos on repeat that probably annoyed my sister. But watching concert videos was my favorite because I could pretend like I was there experiencing it too. 

I am pretty sure I only got into After Laughter by Paramore because of the monthly playlist videos that Enya Umanzor used to post on Youtube. So thank you Enya. I immediately became obsessed with some songs on that album and searched for live performances to watch while doing my math homework. And soon, I found, right before my eyes… Fake Happy - Paramore (Live in Manila 2018). 

I wish I could watch it again for the first time. I remembered being so captivated by Hayley and her voice and her energy and the crowd’s energy. I remember my jaw dropping to the choreo she did especially at timestamps 1:10 and 3:04… These parts still get me every time. Whoever is reading this, you are obligated to watch the whole thing because it will change your life. (This video is at the top of my Youtube playlist of live performances I wish I was in the crowd for.)

I am just really glad to see new videos of Paramore performing on my feed because they are opening for Taylor Swift on the European leg of The Eras tour right now. They recently even performed “Pool” which they haven’t done in a while (Hayley forgot some of the lyrics lol). Also, I only started listening to “Pool” when I relistened to the whole album on this day of remembering my celebrity crushes. Somehow I used to not pay attention to songs like this and “Grudges” in high school? But now they have been on repeat for me and the bridge on “Pool” is my favorite omg. That bridge is literally perfect. I have to watch “Pool” Live in Manila now. 

Pause… I just started watching their recent performance of “Pool” in Stockholm and Hayley just said it was the 7th anniversary of After Laughter on May 12th… What are the odds I revisited the whole album a day before… wow

Hayley said After Laughter is her favorite Paramore album and it's definitely mine too. In the best way, listening to After Laughter feels like Christmas and I think the best songs feel like Christmas.

I was supposed to make this post on the 11th, but I’m glad I didn’t because I would not have added my thoughts about “BIRDS OF A FEATHER” by Billie Eilish in relation to this. First of all, this song also feels like Christmas. Second, people made comments that it feels like a song that belongs on After Laughter and that it would be cool to have Hayley Williams feature on it and I wholeheartedly agree. 

Lastly, in the 2018 Fake Happy performance, Hayley Williams is wearing a Talking Heads t-shirt! It’s so cool to see that, knowing that they released a cover of “Burning Down the House” on the Talking Heads tribute album produced by A24 this year. Plus, David Byrne also did a cover of “Hard Times” by Paramore. I just love when things come full circle.

Links:

Enya Umanzor playlist videos: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P72yku3ubpI&list=PLawPp9LCEFgbUCFN8KJVf-FgTriG5lFTn

Pool - Paramore (Live in Manila 2018): https://youtu.be/LWYaExyW2Mc?si=RwT6b6gg246uEXm2

2 POVs of Paramore performing Pool in Stockholm (2024): https://youtu.be/mrdc-OVAna8?si=VqjIW5O5MZVZwOcq https://youtu.be/Jr0jnwnaj_Y?si=9Jr0ovBFG9f4pGqF

Billie Eilish - BIRDS OF A FEATHER (BILLIE BY FINNEAS): https://youtu.be/1IUCyniCWzg?si=jUhNyqcoW30zgthg

Paramore - Burning Down the House (Behind The Scenes): https://youtu.be/A73voVPhMfY?si=otTYtgL1y91Khruf

Paramore - David Byrne Does Hard Times (Official Visualizer): https://youtu.be/hG72N2leG7s?si=l_bxdoC5iShILCE9

Another song that feels like Christmas to me: https://open.spotify.com/track/4f22oWm76LYThaa1FpDuUw?si=901a5d873ae84960

[musicthrob]

In-Focus with LAUNDRY DAY

April 12, 2024

For fans of artist interviews, modern boybands, Kevin Abstract, and BROCKHAMPTON

A few weeks ago, at the Ryan Beatty concert at The Wiltern, I passed by Kevin Abstract twice, once opposite each other on the stairs in the main area and second as he entered the doors of the floor section. I quite literally could not think of anything I could say to him then, but now I know exactly what. 

After that day, I eventually discovered that he interviewed LAUNDRY DAY and I ended up loving the topics they discussed and loved lots of aspects of the video in general. If I had watched this before the concert, I would have definitely commended him in person. If you’re reading this Kevin Abstract (and the Video Store team), I love this interview and here’s why.

Right away, the video shows that this interview is set in a random game store, a very uncommon yet fun place to hold an interview, that I think is fitting. This random game store is sort of another character to this interview that brings it to life. Weaved on top of audio of the interview every once in a while, the video strategically cuts to shots of LAUNDRY DAY browsing the store or playing Battleship against the crew and keeps the casual vibes of the video going. The atmosphere really just highlights the good company they were all in. 

Specifically, this reminded me of Chicken Shop Date, where they use strategic cuts to b-roll of the chicken shop as awkward yet cute indicators for topic switches.

It is evident that LAUNDRY DAY has such respect for Kevin Abstract and his peers and it is evident that Abstract shows them that same respect through his questions and the conversation he is able to foster. I think it’s the boyband camaraderie. There is also just a magic that exists when artists interview artists and ask all the right questions. 

multimdia also produces interviews on creatives where both the discussion and the fun video parts just feel really authentic. I recently watched the Aidan Cullen interview because I was interested in how he got started in the business. If you’re reading this Aidan Cullen (or anyone on the NOVA team), please approve my application I love y’all lol

LAUNDRY DAY talked about everything from selling out to being corny to being excited about green room sandwiches to their album documentary. On the topic of “selling out,” LAUNDRY DAY has been able to use their funny and unserious singing videos on the street to their advantage. Whether people know them from their covers of the “Can I Call You Rose” by Thee Sacred Souls” or “Beautiful Girls” by Sean Kingston, they have gained an audience of people in it for the laughs and the vibes and ultimately an audience that will listen to their music new and old. (They were even able to reach Drake.) In addition, one of the members spoke about how after someone sells out, they have the power to just reset and do whatever they want with their art, regardless if the general public are behind it or not. 

On the topic of “being corny” and being excited about green room sandwiches. I think as an artist, it is essential to be corny about your art and always be excited about the little things. If you’re not excited about your own art, then who will be? It was fun to know that LAUNDRY DAY used to promote their stuff in high school as if they were already famous and that they were the ones under the band’s comment sections. Knowing this, makes it even more awesome to see how far they have come. 

Also being excited about green room sandwiches was probably the stuff that was shown in their own documentary and that’s why I love them. LAUNDRY DAY produced, edited, and scored their own documentary about the process of making their most recent album. They only screened it in Los Angeles for one night and I wish I was there to witness their album process on the big screen. What can I say. I just love the process. And I love LAUNDRY DAY. 

Shoutout to the Twitter mutual who put me on in 2018. 

If you’re reading this LAUNDRY DAY, keep rocking and I need Narduwar vs. LAUNDRY DAY to happen soon. Thank you. 

Links:

Listen to the LAUNDRY DAY song that Drake loves: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=83NkgCH6Tdc&pp=ygUeY3Jhenkgc3R1cGlkIGxvdmUgbGF1bmRyeSBkYXkg

Listen to the LAUNDRY DAY song that I love at the moment: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SETI_xw47fc&pp=ygUbbXkgc2hpbmluZyBzdGFyIGxhdW5kcnkgZGF5

Watch this LAUNDRY DAY video: https://youtu.be/r72Dx_LluVs?si=zqtPM_NA6XzaWGFh

Watch In-Focus with Quadeca: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wvVJh8imS58&pp=ygUNZm9jdXMgcXVhZGVjYQ%3D%3D

Check out multimdia on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@multimdiamultimdia

[musicthrob]

Jil Sander Fall/Winter 2024 Women's and Men's Collection, by Lucie and Luke Meier

March 6, 2024

For fans of fashion runways, 80s dream pop, Mk.gee, Dijon, and Tyler, The Creator

For the past few days, a few artists have been reposting clips of this on their stories. Finally, I had the chance to watch it while waiting for my bus to arrive after class in the drizzling LA rain. With my blue hydroflask sandwiched in my arm, I watched attentively as I could with my umbrella and phone in my hands, wiping and smearing the raindrops that fell on my phone every few seconds, with my earphones snaked into my jacket so they would not fall in a puddle. Then, my bus arrived and I frantically reached for the bus card in my left front pocket of my jeans to tap the card reader. I comfily sat on a lime-green open seat, shifting my backpack to my side, and continued to watch it on the bus till I arrived at my place. I can’t lie…this is the coolest I have ever felt sitting on the bus…watching a runway show on my phone…who am I…

Focusing first on the music, I loved hearing the live versions of these Mk.gee songs! The dreamy melancholic atmosphere of songs like “How Many Miles” and “Dream Police” were beautifully accompanied by slow-edited shots of the models walking the runway. However, “Alesis”, one of the standouts on his newest album to me, was also really a standout for me in this setlist. At 6 minutes, the beat picks up and the shots of the models walking at their regular pace fit really well. I also just really love the live intro for “Alesis” as well. The musical outro for the show at around 13 minutes was also pretty much perfect to me. Accompanied by all the models returning to walk at the end, I think it very well encapsulated the triumphant moment and ended everything on a beautiful note (literally). 

Remembering how Tyler, The Creator scored his first fashion show a few years ago, this is very exciting to me and I just love to see how the music and fashion world continues to intersect. Shoutout to Co-Creative Directors (and life partners) Lucie and Luke Meier for producing this really cool show (#goals). Hiring Mk.gee to do the music was very tasteful and I wish I was sitting courtside…on this runway.

I am not well-versed in the fashion realm, but I was very intrigued by the long coats and lengthy pieces, the shaggy bags and bags with straps, the flat-bottom shoes, and the slicked hair and hair caps. Super cool. I would love to ask Lucie and Luke Meier about their choices and intentions with the navy circular fixtures and seafoam green wall and the lighting. The choices struck me because the few runways that I have seen have the spotlight on the models, while the audience is in a dark atmosphere. But I guess I was also just watching it through the lens of Mk.gee’s music and imagining the show with some chrome circular fixtures instead and dimmed lighting to fit the vibes of the songs.

...Later that evening, I had a meeting to attend and it was raining even harder. With the back of my jeans kinda soaked from the angle the rain was falling and my earphones snaked into my jacket so they would not fall into now big ponds, I waited at a different bus stop under my umbrella listening to Mk.gee’s Two Star & The Dream Police. The road glistened from the rain, the stoplights and the headlights of cars shined bright enough for me to see the rainfall and the lights reflected on the wet pavement. Mk.gee’s Two Star & The Dream Police was the perfect soundtrack for me waiting, longing, and yearning for the bus that did not end up coming and the perfect soundtrack for my eventual long uphill trek to my meeting in the rain.

Links:

Mk.gee’s Two Star & The Dream Police: https://mkgee.co/twostarandthedreampolice

Photos from this collection: https://www.jilsander.com/en-us/men%27s-and-women%27s%3Cbr%3Efall-winter/fw24mw.html

Meet the Meiers: https://www.ssense.com/en-us/editorial/fashion/meet-the-meiers

Men’s Fall-Winter 2022 Show | LOUIS VUITTON (scored by Tyler, The Creator): https://www.youtube.com/live/1lztJ_1rY6M?si=W792trGUAAdM-zOR

[musicthrob]

Khruangbin - May Ninth

February 26, 2024

For fans of Cleo Sol, SAULT, melodic guitar, and reflective lyrics

Whenever Khruangbin releases, I really feel blessed to be alive and grateful that I get to listen to their music. Released on a Monday night, I’d say this song came at the perfect time for me. Preparing for a second round of midterms and a draft for a final project, seeing that Khruangbin just released a song filled me with relief. I took a break to listen to this song and I instantly felt calm and able to breathe. Like in many Khruangbin songs, the steady drum grooves and melodic guitar playing are so beautiful, but this song was extra soothing because of the Cleo Sol-like vocals and reflective lyrics. Not only does this song feel like love, loss, and everything in between, it is also talked about in the lyrics. Although simple and repeated, it deeply evokes various feelings of pure bliss, bittersweetness, hope, and longing and perfectly match the sonic qualities of the song.

[Verse 1] Waiting for May to come Hoping for the rain A memory held too long Just another day [Chorus] Oh, what it could be Oh, what a dream to me [Verse 2] Memory burned and gone A multicolored grey Waiting for May to come Happy for the rain

If you want to see how much this song and Khruangbin’s music has touched their audience, take a moment to read the comment section of the music video. You can find strangers sharing personal dedications and endearing stories of love and loss, while extending their gratitude for Khruangbin’s music. Reading the stories of strangers and knowing that we all find some kind of healing or joy in their music, deeply moves me.

As Youtube user @/TheMultisingularity beautifully stated, “Imagine the people all around the planet tuning in to this ethereal melody and feel the world soothing bittersweet vibe going around the blue planet, honouring the magic and the fragility of life, as dreamy and elegant as this Khruangbin tune.” 

The animation and story direction of the music video were also so beautiful and touching. I deeply commend all animation work because I know that it really takes time. The orange yellow hues and color scheme of the animation, a representation of hope and vitality, was such a good choice over some sort of blues.

Miscellaneous thoughts

Every Khruangbin song that has a date as a title is like a Khruangbin holiday and the newest holiday is now May Ninth! I read somewhere that one of the song dates is just when they made that song so maybe that’s the case for all of them. I like the simplicity of the date titles and I especially love listening to those songs on those dates. The other Khruangbin date-titled songs that are also my favorite are “August 10” and “August Twelve”. I envy my dad and everybody who has a Khruangbin song that is titled with their birthdate. 

I just watched all of Outer Banks this winter break because of my sister and I was surprisingly entertained! How does this relate to Khruangbin, you ask? Well, throughout the seasons, Khruangbin songs were placed in multiple episodes and fit really well with the setting and the rest of the soundtrack. I commend music supervisor Liza Richardson and her team for that because hearing Khruangbin’s play during my casual watches of the show were such unexpected gifts to me and also caught me off guard in the best way! 

I also watched The Holdovers last month and their use of “A Calf Born in the Winter” was simply wonderful and made me tear up and well up with emotions. 

Lastly,  Khruangbin is on my bucket list of people I need to see live! They are performing at Coachella so they can’t perform in LA because of the radius clause :( I will not be going to Coachella so I guess I am just going to patiently wait a few years until they tour again <3

[musicthrob]

Girlish - Heartthrob Live! (Full Film)

February 19, 2024

Current watch count: 9

For fans of boybands, 80s and 90s Pop, The 1975, Charlie Burg, Justin Bieber, and 4*TOWN

Casually tapping through Instagram stories, I stumble upon this gem because of musicians Andrew Pham and Samuel Victoria. I look further at the credits and I am glad to see that Cameron Thistle is part of this ensemble as well! I did not go to Youtube and watch it right away because I wanted to save it for later when I could give it my full attention, which would naturally be at 3 in the morning for me. With my roommates asleep, I could not scream at the top of my lungs, for I just discovered my newest obsession. 

The film starts with the camera wandering around the house, collecting the duo Alex Perdomo and Kevin Moody, to the accompaniment of beautiful synths, keys, saxophone, and light drums. As the words say on screen, a genius idea does take shape and the notes of the saxophone perfectly emulates that feeling. Ever so nonchalantly, the duo finally wanders into the living room and everything just comes alive with the full band. The drums kick it off and the upbeat guitar and groovy bass just made me want to jump and dance! The sounds of the synths, guitar, and the saxophone especially take me back to when I saw The 1975 (At Their Very Best Tour) in 2022. They have the same essence! I need to see Girlish perform live immediately!

Girlish performs four songs and all the melodies are so catchy, I don’t know why they did not put the song titles in the description earlier because I was ready to stream right away. However, I gladly scavenged through their catalog to find them. The setlist is “2 LUV ME,” “RUNAROUND,” “Overstep,” and “MISS UNDERSTOOD.” I was pleased to find in the comment section that they might be releasing the live versions of these songs on DSPs because I enjoy and prefer the live band sound and carefree and playful vocals that this environment produced, over how the released singles sound! 

I think this film was shot, mixed, and colored so beautifully and with much heart. To me, it’s very reminiscent of Dijon’s live sessions for Absolutely. The musicians are highlighted doing their thing, enjoying their craft, rocking with it, and you could tell that everyone involved was just having a great time. I wonder how much they practiced and choreographed everything from the dancing, lighting, to camera work. I saw somewhere that this was filmed in December of last year! Can’t believe that they just had this in the vault like that.

Miscellaneous thoughts:

A few weeks ago, there was this Tiktok I saw where this person was talking about the revival of the pop boyband genre and I am gladly hopping on that train. I love listening to fun music. 

They would be the perfect opener for Charlie Burg, someone who also writes really strong melodies and is just really good live. They are all just groovy guys and I think they would really get along. 

I’m also just confused as to why they don't have that many followers and monthly listeners yet!

The bits of bass and percussion throughout are the best omg.

The jumping around is very Justin Bieber in the best way.

The space this was filmed in is super cool!

(02/22/24) - Just saw that they are submitting for the NPR Tiny Desk Contest and I was literally thinking about that when I watched it for the first time. I hope they win! W00000

Timestamps:

1:27, 2:06, 2:55, 3:30, 3:59, 

4:27, 5:04, 5:37, 6:06, 

7:59, 8:10, 8:55, 9:23,

9:49, 10:22, 10:32, 10:44, 11:21, 11:28, 11:37, 11:55, 12:19, 13:10, 13:27