#(from the one track with vocals thats been released so far)

[eddie-rifff]

uncommon opinion. ant phillips is the swaggiest member of genesis

[woozi]

yza beloved 🥰🥰🤍

first of all, did you listen to jinyoung's title track?? how do you feel about it? <3 the whole concept pictures, teasers felt so unreal 😭 i couldn't believe it's finally happening. i'm so happy <3 he came out with such a vibe-y, dancey song i love it! and ofc the rest 4 emotional songs ❤️‍🩹😭 served c*nt in concept pictures and emotional lyrics in the album lmaoo, while we're on this topic how have you been liking the albums def released recently 🥺? i saw jaebeom is also releasing something soon but haven't gotten time to check the details hfjdjd

black eye literally went on top of my 'on repeat' playlist after just two kr three days and it's still there!! hdjdjdkd i love it so much, the composition, lyrics and mostly vernon's voice 😭🔥 this kind of genre fits him so well <3 i want him to release an album already 😔. i said this before too ( to so many people 😭💀) when 2 minus 1 came out, that he gives a mix of 5sos - green day vibes, i love it so much 😋

also the band live performance was so goood HDSKJSKSKSBD HE LOOKS SO FINE IN MV AS WELL AS BAND LIVE VIDEO AND ALSO FULL AGREE WITH YOU THEY SHOULD'VE USED THE BLACK TANK TOP FIT MORE 😭😭😭😭 I CAN'T HDDJDJ (never thought i'd get biaswrecked by him at all 😭) the way they created the band live video was great! but i wish they used the green screen a little less 😭 just personal preference. also so so excited about booseoksoon comeback <3 january is a gift which keeps giving ( i say this without even knowing what date bss single is dropping 💀) hdksks love that

love to know that you got to have some time for yourself, hope work load - deadlines aren't too much <3 ( if there are any more ), hope your real break comes soon!!

also, have you started any series or drama? i'm currently watching doom at your service, a year late but im finally here dhdjdj it's been great so far! i really love the character seo inguk has played 😭🤍 ( the pace in some episodes is a little slow to my liking </3 but it's bearable because of the cute couple, not really liking the sub plot 😭, can you tell i solely started it because of seo inguk?- ) anyway yes the drama is good 🤍😭

thank YOU for hanging out, i always have fun 🥺🤍 sending best days wishes as always, love you yza <333 rest well in between of work!

MA CHERIE <3333333333333333

im gonna get stoned for this but i havent been keeping up with the sevens lately and am now just a svtpoppie 😭 BUT IVE SEEN ALL OF THE PHOTOS <333 its exactly what i'd expect from him tbh 😋 ALSO JB'S IS SO FJKDFJKJDFKJFDKJKFDJKFD that's so him tbh,, but also so slay of him it's v unique <3 ALSO FORGOT TO TELL U FDKJFDJKDFKJFDJ i accidentally came across ponytail on spotify 😭😭 it was on shuffle and i didnt even know it was yugyeom i was just like,, what THE FUCK THIS IS SO GOOD (and the vocals havent even kicked in yet) and when i checked it was him 😭

ALSO URE SOOOOOO VALID <3 it fits him so well and i'm glad thats the route he chose to take for his solo tbh <3 early 2000s vernon i lov u

AND IK???????????? honestly i love how raw the band ver sounds i even prefer it more than the official one fdkjdfjdf but that also has its own charm and i understand why they produced it that way <3 ALSO AGREED LMFAOOOOOOOOO 😭😭 i got the concept they were going for but it was a little distracting to me (a lil funny even) ALSO CB THIS DAY HAS COME WE ALL NEED TO BE DOLLYS <#333333333333 the thing abt the svteenies is that they just have SOOO much to offer im a lil overwhelmed at times but im also so glad i cant wait for bss and ITS 😋

AND IM ON BREAK FR <3333333 classes for the next (and my final omg??) semester start 2nd week of february hehehe BUT WBU WHAT HAVE U BEEN UP TO <33

nooo i've actually been looking for things to watch but all my sister has been recommending me western series (sitcoms) but those r not really my vibe fdjkfdjkdf so i'll def be checking the drama u mentioned out ehehhe 😋

I ALWAYS LOOK FORWARD TO OUR LIL HANGOUTS 🥺🥺 lov u even more wishing u only have sexy days ahead <33 MWAHH

[videostak]

so far my ryuichi sakamoto album i have are thousand knives, b2 unit, hidari ude no yume, esperanto, illustrated musical encyclopedia, media bahn, neo goe, beauty, and async. of the ones i dont have i especially wanna find futurista and ongaku zukan. futurista seems p common for cheap on ebay so thats just a matter of me having money and getting it but ongaku zukan seems a lot less common which is interesting. i rly think they did a great job with illustrated musical encyclopedia cutting the album into a rly short tour de force with  singles with vocals opening both sides but also like the original ongaku zukan sounds really great from what i remember. i think illustrated musical encyclopedia couldve been even better if they had cut like paradise lost and added some other songs from ongaku zukan like tribute to njp and made the whole album be a ten track album instead of 8. but im glad they kept may in the backyard cause that song is so great and i think whoever curated that release was v smart to keep it cause i feel like a lot of ppl might not realize how great it is on a first listen

[leanbanana]

Just another one mac demarco

JUST ANOTHER ONE MAC DEMARCO MAC

Editors Notes An eight-song refresher after 2014’s Salad Days, Another One finds the preternaturally chilled-out Canadian singer/songwriter doing what he does best: sweet, saucer-eyed folk-rock in the vein of Ween or the Beatles, made by someone who sounds like they’re still waking.

JUST ANOTHER ONE MAC DEMARCO MAC

Another One is a straightforward and concise collection of love songs, and does not miss the mark in its intent. Another One Mac DeMarco Alternative 2015 Play Shuffle. This serves as a breather of sorts from the personal nature of Salad Days, and sacrifices some sincerity in order to avoid being too emotionally heavy-handed. Lyrically, Mac takes the role of an onlooker, whimsically tackling themes such as longing and infidelity. Genres: Jangle Pop, Bedroom Pop, Psychedelic Pop. The EP, described by Pitchfork as a combination of yacht rock, AM. Mac’s simple drum beats naturally take a comfortable backseat, allowing for a more relaxed listening experience.įor an EP, Another One is surprisingly cohesive, apart from the tightly woven palm-muted riff of ‘I’ve Been Waiting For Her,’ which seems to contrast with the effort’s generally laid back nature. Released 7 August 2015 on Captured Tracks (catalog no. Last April, Mac DeMarco released his first record the 10-track EP Rock And Roll Night Club, whose title track features on our Another Man playlist complete with an arresting set of cover art images depicting the then 21-year-old in Halloween regalia and red lipstick. These components blend most effectively on the highlight ‘A Heart Like Hers,’ which also utilizes a familiar falsetto chorus with strong doubled vocals. The jangly jazz guitar is an obvious staple of Mac’s music thus far, but this time leans towards a slightly more polished sound. The warped sounds of Mac’s synthesizer have become a centerpiece, more subdued and melodic than the pulsating heights of Salad Days’ ‘Passing Out Pieces’. Another One finds Mac still well inside his jangle pop comfort zone, stepping outside for subtle experimentation only in the realm of instrumentation. Another One the song though is a standout. This is an extension of the ideas he began to develop on 2, it is not bad, but it starts to get predictable in a monotonous way. Feelin so confused You dont know what to do Afraid she might not love you anymore And know she says she does and hasnt lost your trust Who could there be knockin at her door Must be another one Must be another one she loves Must be another one Must be another. There is a focused theme and is quite romantic. The Lyrics for Another One by Mac DeMarco have been translated into 10 languages. It sits just below surface level, not meriting deep examination, but rather inviting the listener to coast along on the waves of Mac’s indulgences. Mac fans will not find too much new in terms of sound, but there is a lot of love on this album. To help, Mac DeMarco has just shared Some Other Ones, a collection of instrumental recordings hes billed as his 'BBQ. The simplicity of Mac DeMarco’s music bears a unique and sincere quality. The 4th of July just ended, but thats no reason to not throw another cookout. Review Summary: Strange feelings in your chest.

[dinosaurtsukki]

haikyuu!! music idol au (seijoh and shiratorizawa vers.)

hello hello! now for the groups with seijoh and shiratorizawa! if you like this why not check out music idol au karasuno vers.

CROWN ENTERTAINMENT

okay so basically this is now the entertainment company for the groups FALCON and KING

HAHAHS THE NAMES I REALLY CAN'T GUYS I'M SORRY THE NEXT POST ABOUT NEKOMA AND FUKURODANI ARE GONNA BE MUCH WORSE

okay but yes

they're one of the biggest names in the country and their groups have been around for quite some time

washijo is CEO

they're known to be very hard to get into because all of their idols are trained to be polished at whatever they do

but all of their releases are top quality

so lets get into the groups !!

KING - seijoh

okay so KING has 8 members and most of their comeback concepts are pretty bubblegum pop and boy-next-door

our leader for this group is oikawa of course

he's also wanted to be an idol for so long and trained really hard for it

• he managed to pass the auditions but his trainee years were hard on him because of all the expectations and work

luckily he befriended iwa who was also a struggling trainee

they spent years helping each other out and leaning on each other for support until their debut came

oikawa's the all-around vocalist, visual, and dancer so he's almost always in the center

the kind who nails all the notes while busting out the hardest dance moves

he's also multilingual because he wants to talk to a variety of his fans

everything he does seems so natural but in reality he practices so hard that iwa has to drag him to bed

iwa's our main rapper and main dancer of the group

his audition tape of him dancing was a bit embarassing because he was wearing a godzilla sweater and his hair was gelled up

everyone likes to bring it out from time to time

his fans also like sending him anything godzilla

his rapping is pOWERFUL and he can also beatbox really well

he also leads the dance breaks in performances

everyone thought he was scary until oikawa accidentally called him iwa-chan in a radio show and now everyone calls him iwa-chan

while oikawa is the leader, iwa is the one who manages everyone and makes sure no one gets lost when they go to awards shows

matsukawa and hanamaki were trainees that came in later and they became friends because they were roommates

hanamaki saw matsukawa taping printed out pictures of memes on the wall beside his bed and immediately knew they would be friends for life

and they were

they're notorious for sneaking food into their dorms and also picking on oikawa

they're kind of like an inseparable duo especially since hanamaki is on vocals and matsukawa is on rap

they have a lot of onstage moments and fans love how playful they are

they kind of improvise a bit sometimes when it comes to dance moves which makes washijo want to pull his hair out but fans like it so :/

they're the oldest members but they still call iwa and oikawa 'mom and dad'

they like doing weird shit to hanamaki's hair and taking videos of it 

the ‘what’s a contract? never heard of it’ duo basically 

yahaba's like the resident beautiful guy apart from oikawa

his voice is really melodious and he's often the one harmonizing with the high part

also sUCH a fLIRT

camera: *is directed at him*

yahaba: *blows a kiss*

matsuhana try to get him into their pranks on oikawa but he's too much of a goody two shoes

likes to film his skincare routine for the fans

secretly oikawa’s favorite junior

kyoutani auditioned for CROWN because he thought they were forming a hip-hop group or something edgy but no he was put into KING and he has to be around softies

he was desperate to get kicked out at first until iwa convinced him that he could still keep his look

they gave up on making him smile or look bright on cameras and said that if he's going to glare at least make it sexy

only listens to iwa and always stands next to iwa during award shows 

kindaichi and kunimi are their most treasured juniors and they'll do anything to protect them

both of them are vocalists and even though they don't often sing the melodies or hit the high notes, they're great harmonizing

actually knew of kageyama back in their auditioning days and were lowkey jealous of him

kindaichi is the sweetest junior he's always the one giving the members water and making sure they're alright

kunimi just silently observes the entire time and barely says anything but he'll often approach iwa for pointers when it comes to dancing

they were super young when they debuted and attended high school together in between practice

their seniors surprised them by coming to their graduation and even performing at the ceremony

both of them aren't as good as their fellow members yet but kindaichi works hard to be able to earn a few more lines in their songs

kunimi doesn't show much effort but he secretly likes to learn songwriting and music production because his dream is for KING to perform one of his songs

FALCON - shiratorizawa

another group that debuted about a year or two before KING

it is a POWERHOUSE of talent

also pretty much the OG group for most fans that inspired other upcoming groups

a lot of their concepts are centered around a mature gentleman image

idk what im saying but i'd compare them to super junior pretty much

they also do a lot of edgy concepts

ushijima's the leader of the group plus main rapper

he was actually inspired to become a rapper after watching another idol's performance

tbh he never expected to debut with a group but he had grown attached to some of his fellow trainees

he's also really talented at writing and producing songs

super stoic, even in front of the camera, but fans love his attempts at humor

tendou's like their main dancer and rapper

when he was younger people said his dancing looked weird because tendou could do those really cool, almost jerky movements

when washijo saw his audition tape he was like 'hmm we could use that'

thats because FALCON is super big on choreography, especially the ones that look like all the members are creating this huge other thing just by using movement

tendou pretty much leads the dance breaks all the time and he looks super serious and intense

he likes saying the most random, funny things during interviews

sometimes you'll catch him dancing by himself when they’re just waiting for results in award shows

so many conspiracy videos as to whether or not tendou has joints

now we have our shirabu kenjiro

this boy is like a prodigy he was destined to be recruited by CROWN and to end up in FALCON

the more i spell out these names the more i see how absurd they all look i'm sorry

tendou likes to call him his 'beloved junior'

he's as serious as ushiwaka is but with sASS

is known for sassing out interviewers and show hosts when he can tell that they're making up bullshit and now everyone's scared of him

he's main vocals and visuals

his voice is like a really nice baritone and he's very powerful with his singing that people don't question whether or not he lipsyncs

actually gets the most lines in their group

he likes to challenge the limits of his contract and even cut his own bangs and that's why they're Like That

he ended up getting chewed out by washijo for it

ya boi semisemi is out here being a dAncE gOD

he can learn choreography really quickly and in variety shows the hosts always challenge him to learn another group's choreo by looking at it once

so far he has not lost

everyone in his team cheers him on

also basically the group's main choreographer. he'll lowkey get mad at someone who forgot the choreo but teach them anyway

interacting with fans makes him so happy and soft he treasures every letter he receives and likes giving out gifts during fanmeets

he keeps his room really neat and likes to display the presents he receives from fans

also main vocalist in the group but just gets a line or two

his real skill though are opening dance performances during music award shows

he, tendou, and goshiki slay every opening performance and its amazing

reon is the last main rapper of the group and basically The Mom of the group

he's the one calming everyone down and checking up with people before they perform

his rapping sounds really smooth and very close to how he speaks normally so he shines most in the b-side tracks of their album

he had a lot of struggles passing auditions because most companies would discriminate because of appearance but washijo saw a lot of potential in him

he likes to speak out about the discrimination in terms of appearance in the music industry

everyone in FALCON supports him

lastly we have goshiki the precious little maknae of the group

everyone dotes on him because he was a skinny child when he debuted with the group

goshiki's like the legendary maknae who could do pretty much anything

he's main vocalist, dancer, and visuals

when he started out he was always super active and full of initative as a trainee

he trained super hard just to debut with FALCON because he looks up to ushijima

like shirabu, he gets a ton of lines and sings a lot during the chorus

when he graduated everyone from FALCON attended and he treated them all too lunch

after every comeback tendou's jus like 'our little baby goshiki is growing up'

i basically wrote him as jungkook from bts didn't i?

additional hc’s for funsies

oikawa was actually supposed to debut much earlier with FALCON but he had grown attached to his fellow trainees (iwa and matsuhana) and wanted to be in a group with them

FALCON and KING have a small rivalry ongoing to see who can get the most views in one day during every comeback video that the members do all these crazy things to get their fans to stream their comebacks

one of them was matsuhana promising to release a rare picture of kyoutani smiling 

FALCON has Boardgame Fridays where they just play boardgames all night and it’s super fun and precious because goshiki gets super competitive

also all of his seniors tried to get him drunk after his graduation and goshiki did in fact get drunk and ended up spilling some secrets about how shirabu cuts his bangs on instagram live

FALCON and KING love having dance-off sessions with each other and the music they always choose is ‘Crazy in Love’ from the White Chicks movie

the reon and semi have a mukbang series on instagram live and sometimes yahaba and kindaichi join in

ushijima allegedly wrote and produced a song about the joy of farming but washijo rejected it from appearing on the album because it was weird but thanks to tendou spilling about it, fans demanded to hear the song and ushijima performed it in one of their concerts

kunimi also wrote a song about that was supposedly about a loving a bad boy despite being a nice girl and when people asked what his inspiration was he just said ‘kyouhaba’ 

haikyuu!! music idol au series: karasuno vers., seijoh and shiratorizawa vers., nekoma and fukurodani vers.

[wickymicky]

my top ten favorite kpop singles of 2021 so far: first quarter edition (january-march)

10. Pixy - Wings: I’m not as into this song as other people, but it’s grown on me, and I think they have a lot of potential. I did not expect a group called “Pixy” to have this dark of a concept haha, I like that. I like the choreo and overall performance of it too, I think that’s the highlight for me

9. G Idle - Hwaa: Not my favorite G Idle title track, but I do think it’s in the top half. It’s interesting to me that they did this song, since it is pretty much all in Korean, there’s no English whatsoever (the only English is a “yeah” at the beginning haha), which for a group like G Idle who has used a lot of English in the past and is very popular internationally is kind of a bold choice, and I’m into it

8. Ateez - Fireworks (I’m The One): I’m still not fully sold on Ateez’s direction post-Wonderland/Answer, with the “end” of their pirate concept (possibly, it seems complicated lol, idk, but you know what I mean anyway), but I do kinda like this song! It sounds kinda like... European lmao. Like I keep thinking I hear accordion in the drop, but idk maybe I’m just imagining things. I mean all that in a good way, btw. Like a good kind of European (if you can imagine such a thing)

7. Shinee - Don’t Call Me: As someone who only got into kpop in 2019, and didn’t even get into a single boy group for like 6 or 7 months (and even then, for a while I just had one single token boy group lol), Shinee isn’t a group that I had checked out much from until fairly recently. I’m still new here, I suppose lol. But yeah idk, this song is good! I love the production and their obvious charisma and talent. Like, I can tell even just from this song that their reputation is earned. It’s just a solid release

6. Purple Kiss - Ponzona: I do prefer Skip Skip, but I decided to limit this to singles and title tracks. I also prefer My Heart Skip a Beat (by a lot, actually), but that came out last year lol. This song has really been growing on me a lot though! Like, a lot actually. I like the violin, I think that’s a really interesting touch haha, I feel like that adds so much to the way the song sounds overall. Yuki’s rapping is impressive too, I like her flow in every song I’ve heard her in so far, especially since she writes her raps herself and Korean isn’t her native language. Honestly that’s one of the most impressive things about Purple Kiss... they seem to be involved in writing all of the things they do! That’s SO RARE for a group to do right from debut, especially for a girl group! I think that’s a great sign that things are changing, and girl groups are being taken more seriously and being allowed more creative freedom than ever before. Ponzona was literally a song written for a monthly evaluation when they were trainees. That’s really impressive. Skip Skip was too, but yeah lol. 

5. Pentagon - Do or Not: I mentioned that for a while I just had one token boy group that I liked, and that was Pentagon haha, they were my first. I like that this is a return to their fun sound, but in a different way... like, this song doesn’t sound anything like Shine or Naughty Boy lol. Pentagon are just really good at conveying passion in their songs and I think that shines through here too! I like the way the bass and percussion sound, that’s just quality mixing lol. I also love that even though it’s this kinda pop-punk-ish-doo-wop-ish kpop song, it still has a bit of sadness underneath the fun, which is something I think is a trademark of Pentagon’s style haha. But mostly, it’s fun

4. Tri.Be - Doom Doom Ta: The main reason I checked this out was because it was written and produced by LE from EXID, and you can really tell haha. In fact, her voice is in the song at certain points, and like... she has a really distinctive voice lol. Anyway this song is like a pretty hard commitment to this Latin/moombahton kind of sound, and I’m not entirely sure how I feel about that trend in kpop, but either way, I do think this song is a bop. I’ve had it on repeat way more than everything below this point, in fact all the songs in this top 4 I’ve had on repeat like an order of magnitude more than the songs from 5-10 lol. it’s been a slow beginning to the year. I don’t have a lot of specifics to mention here about Doom Doom Ta, I just think it’s an earworm 

3. Weeekly - After School: This was really highly anticipated for me, because I love their previous title tracks. Tag Me especially is a song I consider to be almost perfect, which is not something I say about very many songs at all haha. I personally don’t think After School is quite as good as Tag Me or Zig Zag, but I do really like it! It’s always good to get more fun, exciting, unashamedly catchy songs haha, it’s a breath of fresh air. I love this concept for them too, I think it fits them really well! They’re just a lot of fun. This mini-album, We Play, is my favorite of theirs so far too, though that doesn’t necessarily affect my placement of this song in particular

2. Cherry Bullet - Love So Sweet: God damn, this song is really good. It’s really simple, but that works to it’s advantage imo. I love that the background melody of the instrumental during the verse is the same as the vocal melody in the chorus (or at least very close), that’s just super satisfying. Ending the song with an extended “da da dadada da da” segment was a big risk too lol, that could have been annoying, but idk I think that really is one of the highlights of the song. This song feels like the kind of song where the songwriter came up with that melody and went “YES! this is IT! YESSSSS” and they knew they had come up with something really, really catchy, and they built the rest of the song around showcasing it. And it works!

1. Dreamcatcher - Odd Eye: This probably isn’t much of a surprise lol. But similar to After School... This isn’t my favorite Dreamcatcher comeback, and tbh I think it’s my least favorite of the Dystopia trilogy. But like... that’s still enough to make it my favorite song of the first quarter of 2021. It’s great, I love the way they do the cyberpunk concept and sound without going into the synthwave direction like Everglow La Di Da did. I love La Di Da a ridiculous amount, but I just mean that it’s nice to see variety even within a similar overall concept. Also! Handong is back! And she crushed it! In previous title tracks she and Gahyeon often got the least amount of lines by far, and the least amount of screentime and such, and Gahyeon definitely got times to shine during Scream and Boca and made it clear that she’s leveled up a lot, and I was really hoping that Odd Eye would be able to do the same for Handong (without sacrificing Gahyeon’s screentime and lines)... and yeah, it really was, lol. Handong was all over this song, and her voice reaaaaaally complements this sound. This group has no weak links, and obviously all of us already knew that, but now even the people who only casually listen to them know that without a doubt too.

idk... i’m not totally sure about this list but that feels mostly right to me i guess. I feel like Odd Eye is definitely my favorite so far, but to be honest I don’t feel like it’s the Song of the Year. like, if it had been released in 2020, I don’t think it would have made my top 10. If nothing better than Odd Eye comes out for the rest of the year then sure, it will be my SOTY haha, but idk, I just think that there hasn’t been anything *truly* great so far yet. And that’s okay... I’m very picky about this kind of thing. I don’t give high scores to things that don’t deserve it lol... and like in my opinion there were only 4 songs in 2020 that are the kind of near-perfect instant-soty song I’m talking about, and three of those four came out in the second half of the year. So the fact that I don’t think anything so far has been at that top level isn’t a bad thing, and isn’t really something I’m worried about. I think we definitely have not gotten the best songs of the year yet (unless everything else ends up sucking lol, but idk i hope thats not what happens...)

oh also there was an WJSN comeback today, and that would probably have been on this list, but I havent heard it yet because i was waiting until I finished writing this haha. like, since it came out on March 31st, tbh I’m just gonna count it as an April comeback, so i’m sure it’ll be in my list for the second quarter that i’ll post at the end of June lol. i mean, unless i dont like it. but i’ll probably like it haha.

[doomedandstoned]

An Evening With EMBR

~By Shawn Gibson~

Continuing his two-and-a-half-years' journey into the deepest, dankest corners of the heavy underground, Doomed & Stoned's intrepid sludge reporter Shawn Gibson continues his series of fun and lively interviews with bands in our still blooming and booming doom-stoner scene with this interview with founding member and drummer Eric Bigalow, whose partner Crystal Bigalow fronts the Alabama band EMBR. We hope you enjoy getting to know the band as much as we did, especially in light of their new album '1823' (2020) which was released recently on New Heavy Sounds.   [Editor]

Eric, how ya doin?

Good. I am on my daily walk. Watching my “conspiracy videos.”

Ah!

How are you?

I'm good.

Glad to hear it! Were you able to listen to that album?

I did. Last night two times in a row!

Really?

Back to back.

Possible Album Of The Year? (laughs)

I would say it's up there, a contender for sure! I definitely like it alot!

Thank you.

In the song "Where I've Been," Crystal's vocals are amazing, beautiful, and haunting. At the end of the song Crystal has that growl!

She learned how to scream a month before we got in the studio and freakin' knocked it out! You know the song "Powder," where I'm singing to the verses?

Yes, that's definitely another one I like on '1823' (2020)

We are going to do a song where she's taking the reins on [vocals] instead of me doing it.

Is she doing dual vocals on that track? Clean, then a bit harsher vocals.

Yeah, she'll kind of mirror some parts. When I'm done singing, she will come in and sing.

"Vines" is another good one from 1823. Who's doing those growls?

That would be me. I pull it off live while I'm playing drums, too. I'm glad you dig it! It's weird when you come out with songs, as far as what you think will be people's favorite and what the band's least favorite is. You know what I mean?

Oh yeah.

"Vines" was kind of ours. We were kind of, "I don't know about this one." It seems that the people that have heard it like it.

You and I are friends on Facebook and I see good reviews for your songs and the whole album '1823.' You guys have gotten a great response!

Seems like we're getting good responses [on that song especially]. The count on our Facebook has been doing wonderful! Almost a hundred thousand views!

Very nice!

One thousand likes and four hundred and seven shares. Thats crazy, man!

Glad to hear that! You guys deserve it!

Thank you! It's always nice to hear that. In your opinion, buddy to buddy, do you think the response from the album will be as good as one song?

Definitely. I would envision praise and a very warm welcome from doom metal fans. Tell me about recording '1823.'

We went to Ledbelly Sound studios in Dawsonville, Georgia. The owner and engineer's name is Matt Washburn. He has worked with Mastodon, Royal Thunder, Artimus Pyledriver. We are real big fans of Artimus Pyledriver! They broke up years ago and it kinda hit us hard. We worked with Matt multiple times. He mastered 261. He recorded 271 and he recorded Spiritual Dialysis.

We always got along with Matt really well. He pushes you hard, but is also kind of laid back. It's a little hard to explain how that works. He has the same kind of sense of humor as we do, so it's always a good time there. We recorded this album 1823 in six days over the course of two weekends. As far as recording, we just plugged right in and Mark and Alan recorded the scratch tracks for guitar and bass while I was playing drums. I got my drums recorded pretty much on the first day.

Damn!

Yeah! Then we went back and tracked over the drums. We had the music pretty much done in the first weekend. The second weekend was pretty much a few overlays on guitar and Crystal laying down her vocals. Everybody knocked it out pretty quick, especially Crystal. Crystal goes in the booth and knocks out a song in one or two takes then moves on to the next one.

Glad to hear that!

She is really good at recreating what she does. She does the same exact thing live. She's talented that way.

Crystal has some angelic vocals, while the music is heavy as hell!

(laughs) That's what we are going for.

That is a beautiful contrast and compliment at the same time.

Thank you! She is good at finding the right notes to accompany dropped tuning. We are in drop A. The recording was awesome -- working with Matt is always awesome. We are scheduled to go back and see him in a couple months. Can't tell you why yet!

That shows you guys are working hard.

We are trying! We are trying to make a video for every song on 1823.

That's a great feeling to have plenty of songs written and recorded, always having material to put out there. You guys work hard and practice hard, so it is easier to record and lay down tracks quicker. If you're knocking a good chunk out on a weekend, that's good! If you're paying for studio time, I'd imagine you've practiced and are ready. Studio time can be expensive.

Yeah, you don't want to go in there and dick around. You don't want to figure out the song in the studio.

Right! Tell us about your backend.

At the moment we are using Orange amps. Crowbar is using those, too. We have two Orange heads and Mark tunes one mostly to mids and lows and the other one is mids to high's. The secret sauce -- well, it's not a secret now that I'm going to tell you -- I bought an old 1969 tuck and roll bass amp. It's three 15 inch speakers. It's only two hundred watts, but you crank it all the way to where it's just breaking up. He is running two guitar amps plus a bass amp to get his guitar tone.

Wow!

That's how we achieved our guitar tone. Our bass player Alan uses really good equipment, too. He uses a dark glass amp that sounds really awesome. Matt told me he loves recording my drums because my drums are the John Bonham version that Ludwig makes, so it's all really big sizes.

Damn.

Yeah, you get a huge sound out of it. To get the shells for that kit is $1200.00 bucks, which isn't that bad. You get monster sounds out of these things and I love em! I actually have two sets!

Awesome! Listening to '1823,' "Powder, "Vines," and "Where I've Been" are my faves. I love at the end of "Where I've Been" when Crystal screams, "Where I've been!" That is badass! "Vines" fucked me up with Crystal's singing and then those male growls!

That was good, huh? Thank you! We are hoping that the next one will be a little bit heavier. A lot of our older stuff we have seven and nine minute songs. We are trying to reel that back, where we are three to five minutes. Doing stuff that is memorable, not necessarily technical.

Are you guys going to try to get back to playing shows in the fall or winter if things open back up?

Yeah, we will start booking heavy when everything opens back up. Right now we are not doing anything because nobody knows what's going on right? When stuff opens back up we will hit it hard.

You should!

We have a business plan in place to do certain shows in certain months or so many shows each month. Certain states we want to go to. We all have full time jobs, so we are trying to figure out some four day runs to kind of "tour" for the album. It is just up in the air right now. We have thought about doing some Facebook live videos or videos of us jamming in the practice space. We talked about how to get a quality recording with the footage.

On that note, what do you see in the future for EMBR?

We are planning on releasing an EP sometime soon. Right now, we are focusing on writing riffs and songs for the next actual album. In the future, we want to play a lot more shows. Right now, we are focused on material. We are putting stuff in the bank like we did for 1823. Mark will send me a riff and show me how to play it. Then I'll record it on GarageBand and write more to it then put it into Google Drive so everyone can hear it. We have about nine song ideas right now for the next one. Some might not come to fruition. What the future holds for EMBR is more work! Keep working and keep truckin'! We are all a bunch of work horses.

Hell yeah! I think you have three or four EP's before '1823.'

Yeah.

That's why EMBR has such a great response. You guys work your asses off! Do you guys have shirts or any other merch?

Oh yeah.

Where can we find this stuff at?

Our shirts are made by a company called Amplified Tee. On album 271 we had a guitarist named Craig who worked at Amplified Tee. Basically you go online and order whatever you want. I think we have five or six different designs. You can get regular shirts, girl's style tees, or a hoodie. You can go on amplifiedtee.com/EMBR. We have that available right now.

I will have to check that out!

I am actually working on a newer design right now. There might be a new design soon.

Well that's about all I have for you, Eric. I hope that you and Crystal and the other guys in EMBR are well and staying safe!

Oh yeah, definitely.

Until next time I will talk to you later, Eric.

Alright. Thank you, I appreciate it!

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[goldenmusicmoments]

Selena Gomez - Rare (Review):


Rare - The opening and title track of the album isn’t as you may have expected it to be. The track starts of with a kick drum which carries on throughout. Her vocals are soft and airy, on the track and the gentle extending of the words ‘so’ and ‘rare’ add this dreamy nature to the track. Selena seems to be at a place of self love, she knows her worth and is looking for someone who will look at her and be able to recognise that she is rare. The positive prospective gives you a feeling of a fresh start, starting the album on a strong note.


Dance Again - This groovy track starts on a lighter note and the beat slowly builds. Although she sings about feeling so good to dance again, that however signifies her being at a place where she feels herself again and how that makes her feel. It’s a great track cleverly done as in its literal sense makes you want to dance to it, however it also has a deeper message that holds personal value to Selena elevating it from being just a fun track. You also seem to get lost in this infectious track and feel a sense of euphoria.


Look At Her Now - This track is one that you can really vibe to with its slick production. The songs lyrical focus is on her growth, and how her struggles have made her stronger. She’s confident enough in who she is that she knows that if she wanted love she’d be able to find it. The ‘mmmhmm’ provides the track with its most infectious moment which leaves it stuck in your mind. During the final moments of the track the backing vocals lift the track to a new height giving you a sense of euphoria. 


Lose You To Love Me - This piano driven ballad served as the lead single and is one of the most vulnerable and personal moment on the album. Here she lets you in on the relationship of topic in terms of all she went through and what she felt. She found that letting him go was what it took for her to feel free. A beautiful track that you totally get lost in and encapsulated by, particularly during the chorus when the choir of ‘to love, love….’ kicks in. The chorus gives you a feeling of vastness. In terms of its placement on the album it would have had a stronger transitional moment lyrics wise if it were to have been placed before ‘Look At Her Now’.

Ring - Now we come to this sassy latin influenced track that has a groovy nature to it particularly in the chorus. On this track she seems to be the puppet master, singing about having someone wrapped around her finger like a ring. The track is a fun track that gets you moving your head to it. Certain production moments on the track give it a dreamy feel.


Vulnerable - This track immediately surrounds you with its dreamy feel elicited through the production both on the track and vocals, placing you in a euphoric state. This feeling is heightened when listening to it using headphones. On this track the lyrics really standout with her saying that if she had to chose between staying vulnerable or letting go she’d go with the first option. The build in the beat during the bridge has a tribal feel to it that you wouldn’t typically pair together with a track of this nature, yet it works so well. The tracks on point production elevates it to another level making it far from the typical and one of the strongest moment on the album.


People You Know - This track has a clean production that allows the vocals to be at the front of the beat, there is a sense of a build up occurring through the pace of her vocals and the beat change. However just as you get to the peak of the build, the moment the chorus hits you are taken by surprise. As the build makes you think that there is going to be something more hard hitting then what follows. You seem to get lost in the track during the chorus due to the repetitive lyrics and then during the the bridge. Near the end of the bridge when Selena sings ‘From people you know, to people you don’t’ you get a sense of urgency through her delivery. The song lyrically is about how people can change and those you once thought you knew, you no longer know. 


Let Me Get Me - The track starts of with a howl which is also featured during the chorus giving it a playful touch. It’s a funky track that has a hectic beat as its seems to have a lot going on, however it does make you want to move your body. Here it seems like she is on a high and doesn’t want anyone to bring her down. It’s a fun track.


Crowded Room (Ft. 6LACK) - This track is a really light feeling track that gives you a sense of intimacy through the production and how her vocals fit with the beat. However that feeling of intimacy is put forward through the lyrics where she sings ‘Even in a crowded room, baby its just me and you’. During the chorus the use of head voice takes you by surprise as we don’t hear Selena utilise it as much usually. The feature elevates the track with his dreamy and airy verse where you feel like you are floating. The track ends on an acoustic vibe.

Kinda Crazy - The track opens in a very similar way to ‘Look At Her Now’, on here her vocals are gentle and airy. Its a fun track that you seem to get lost in with its light but groovy feel. Here she sings about the guys behaviour being kinda crazy. Its a track that you will want to strut to and a great one to have on your playlist for when you go for a run or hit the treadmill.


Fun - This track is exactly what the title states fun. Here she sings about this person being fun even if they may not end up being the one. This track will lift your mood and make you want to snap your fingers along to its snappy beat. Thats pretty much all that is to it, here all she wants to do is just be lost in the moment and enjoy life. It feels like it will fit well playing in the background during a cosy sleepover with friends.


Cut You Off - This track has a more moodier tone particularly through the beat, and her vocals seem a little more serious when comparing to those on the previous two tracks. This track has a groovy feel to it and the vocal builds during the chorus provide it with such a slick and dreamy feel. The ‘You-ooooh’ moments in the chorus give the track a cosy feel that you can get lost in. The guitar moment during the bridge gives the track a jazzy edge that you can slow dance to. She sings about letting go of something she toxic that she once mistook for love. 


A Sweeter Place (Ft. Kid Cudi) - This closing track is an interesting one with its spacey feeling chorus and interesting production. The moment in the chorus with what seems to be a distorted robotic vocal is a moment you can get lost in. Kid Cudi’s verse on the track fits really well with Selena’s vocals and the vibe of the track. It feels like she’s found a place where she feels comfortable and that brings the album to an end on great note. 


The album overall is a cohesive body of work especially due to the feel that runs through each track tying the album together. To me it feels like her most put together record yet. It is a personal record that depicts moments of highs and lows. Lyrically it showcase growth both as a person and an artist, where you can see she’s become stronger and more confident in herself. The album grows on you with each listen getting stronger and stronger. On top of that you pick up on things you might not have picked up on the first time around. The album isn’t as many would have expected it to be, however it is great release from Selena Gomez.

[shemakesmusic-uk]

INTERVIEW: ALA.NI

UK-born, Paris-based artist ALA.NI will be releasing her upcoming sophomore album ACCA on January 24.  

ACCA consists primarily of dense, harmonically intricate vocal arrangements with sparse or no instrumental backing at all. It’s the followup to ALA.NI’s debut 2017 album You & I and while some critics made comparisons to the likes of Ella Fitzgerald and Judy Garland, the infectious beats and rhythmic tunes on ACCA owe more to Dr. Dre and Errol Dunkley than Billie Holiday and Sarah Vaughan.

ALA.NI initially envisioned her second album as a completely a capella project, and indeed ACCA is made up almost entirely of human voices (beatboxing serves as percussion, and she lowered her own vocals with an octavizer on several tracks to create the illusion of bass).

Along with Iggy Pop, Lakeith Stanfield (Sorry to Bother You, Atlanta, Get Out), makes an appearance on the album, but make no mistake: ACCA is pure ALA.NI. She wrote, produced, and arranged each song herself, layering up hundreds of vocal tracks in order to create an immersive, hypnotic world that blurs the lines between vibrating vocal cords, bowed strings, and blown reeds.

We had a chat with ALA.NI more about the story behind ACCA and the making of the record, collaborating with Iggy Pop, her struggles in the industry and more. Read the full interview below.

ACCA is dropping in just under two weeks. What is the record about lyrically and what does it mean to you?

"Lyrically, I speak on love of course, but from situations like the abusive relationship of a friend ('Hide'), my definition of love ('Wales'), a relationship in turmoil ('Van P'). 'Papa' was a poem for a friend that took a journey, via Mexico, into becoming a song. 'Le Diplomate' encounters a brief encounter with a french diplomate. I wrote about segments of my life."

You & I was written a capella but ACCA was created completely using a vocals-only technique which I think is so awesome and creative. What inspired you to make the record this way and what was your favourite part of the creative process?

"I always write a capella but with visions of instrumentation around it. With the ACCA album, the first song that made me feel confident that I could make a whole album based just around my voice, was 'Le Diplomate'. I wrote it for the man himself. It was not intended to be a song, but after I reviewed it and impressed myself with my mouth trumpet noises, I was convinced that I could conceive a whole album like this. I like working with parameters, so no instruments was a good one. Although after 3 months away from the studio recording process and some deep consideration and after being told by my mentor that it can't be "the ALA.NI show", I decided to add some subtle additions in the way of a male voice and low end instruments to the compositions. Accordion, bass clarinet, electric bass. Producing for me is like cooking. You add and taste, add and taste. Balancing the flavours out all the way.

"The process was...well I often used the words, "a brain fuck!!!!". It was a lonely process too. I had some stages with other musicians, but that was only for about 10% of the studio time, for the rest, it was just me and the engineer. My favourite part of the process was putting down the vocals. I love harmonising, so that was so satisfying....the rest has literally turned my hair grey! Ha!"

You & I had very much a a jazzy kind of vibe but the tracks from ACCA so far have a fuller and more upbeat sound.

"I never said ever, ever that I was a jazz singer. I have never wanted to limit myself like that, as I know I have many different ways and styles to express the music in me. The ACCA album allowed me to enter more into being able to move my body. I was stuck behind a stagnant mic for so long. I think that was the real reason for giving myself some beats."

You collaborated with legend Iggy Pop on a track for the album. How did that come about? We hear he is a big fan of yours?

"He is just too cool and cute and so incredibly giving of himself. I saw him perform recently in London and I felt so touched and happy and proud to watch this man at 72 do his shit! Damn! What an inspiration. He is a fan and I am so blessed to have his support. I literally got my people to ask his people if he'd like to collaborate and he simply said "yes". I went out to Miami to record him at his studio and it was one of the most surreal moments of my life. Directing Iggy Pop in the booth..."erm Mr. Pop, can you do that again please, the last take was shite!!!" Ha!

"He actually said this about me recently on his radio show...

"I worked as a guest once on one of her tracks and she came to America to produce it and brought a whole suitcase full of incredible microphones with her and she’s a perfectionist, her attention to detail is daunting and I had to toe the line, she’s tough."

"It's not true...honest..."

What do you hope fans will take away from ACCA?

"I have no idea. I can't control their ears or minds. I just made the music my heart wanted to make. I'm just happy to have them receive it...words from my heart. Whether they think its good or bad has nothing to do with me. You can't please everybody."

This is true! So, do you have plans to tour ACCA and if so, how will you translate the record on to the stage?

"This exercise too has been a head fuck. I have decided to go for cello, accordion and beatboxer for my live set up. Cello has a voicing that is very close to the human voice, so it works well and is so versatile as an instrument. Accordion has been a treat to work with. I never thought I'd be working with such an instrument, but it too is versatile and adds a very distinctive tone and texture to the music. I had to convert 300+ vocal parts into instrument parts, which was a fun (not) exercise. Beatboxer can do the most craziest things with his mouth. We are all learning to make mouth noises. Its a nice bunch of us on the road. I'm happy to be around good hearted, passionate people to make music with."

You've been in the industry a few years now. What challenges, if any, have you faced? And how did you overcome them?

"Hahahahahah!!!! It's daily and it seems to get worse the more I push to change the norm. Females are hugely under represented in the music industry, so its a daily struggle. I basically manage, produce, create myself, so its not an easy task I have given to myself.

"I don't have a tour manager, because I hate the fact that when I arrive at a venue, no one talks to me when I do have one. They only liaise with the "male manager" and not the artist. They are not used to dealing directly with the artist, especially a female one who knows exactly how she wants her gear set up. Oh, the fights I've had just to have my monitor where i like it. Its pathetic!"

That is absolutely ridiculous! But sadly, many women in the industry have similar stories. If there was one thing you could change about the music world today, what would it be?

"More tits, less dicks!"

Amen! You have had such an impressive career so far. What has been the biggest highlight for you to date and what are you looking forward to in 2020 and beyond?

"I remember nothing. I do the shit and I move the fuck on. I'm terrible like this. I like to be present and forward thinking.

"My career and life are so inter-twined, that for me, I keep it simple...I am just happy everyday to be alive and to be blessed enough to be able to do the work of my hearts calling. Thats all i ask for. To be able to continue to do the things i want to do....freedom."

ACCA arrives January 24.

Photo credit: Martin-oger Daguerre

[sometimesalwaysmusic]

LOST AT SEA

Lost at Sea (LS) are a four piece rock and roll band that writes and plays their own original music. Formed in the small town of Russell in 2010, they have since released a full length album in 2018, and more recently, a new music video. We caught up with Colton Snook (lead vocals, bass). Check out their album and read more about their favourite venue, standout tracks, and plans for the rest of the year! 

VITALS

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LostAtSeaOfficial/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZt3gyVrIJq_ZQ3an3ldiVg

Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/lost-at-sea-5

BandCamp: https://lostatseaofficialmusic.bandcamp.com/

Latest Release: Stationary Vacation (Album, Nov 2018)

Upcoming Shows: Stay tuned!

SA: How did you guys start as a band? LS:  Three of our four members grew up in Russell, this small town outside of Ottawa. Jimmy, Phil, and I lived on the same street, so naturally we met and became friends. Honestly, Jimmy and Phil, who are brothers, always had a musical family, and had access to instruments since they were kids. I ended up getting my first instrument later on. But the one thing that gave us the idea to start jamming and creating our own music... was the video game Rockband. Stupid, I know. But we figured we were pretty amazing at the game, so why would it be so hard to do that for real? After a good many years of practice, here we are.

SA: What bands, musicians or artists would you cite as the biggest influences on your sound? LS:  I think with Lost at Sea, it's always been more of a situation where each individual has their own idols, influences, and playing styles, and THEN bring that to the table. We have an amazingly bluesy guitarist, a metal-head drummer, and a jazz-obsessed vocalist. Where I would cite bands like Hey Rosetta! or the Strokes as my influences, other members would cite Megadeth, Hendrix, CCR, or even Frank Sinatra. It's a clusterf*ck that, I think, works well for us.

SA: Thus far in your career, what has been your biggest success? LS:  We released our first full length album, Stationary Vacation, back in late November, 2018. That whole process of booking studio time, working around everybody's schedules, ensuring each song is recorded the way we want it, finding cover art, promoting, I think makes it our biggest success. Just having a finished product is nice to be able to say. Obviously it's far from perfect, but it's been so fun, and a giant learning experience. Hearing our tunes played on the radio stations, LIVE 88.5 and Rebel was also pretty exciting.

SA: On the other hand, what is the biggest challenge you have faced, and how have you dealt with it? LS:  Right now our biggest challenge is self-promotion. I, personally, have a very hard time saying to people, "check out my mixtape," or posting about these things. Even the process of booking a show and inviting people is hard sometimes. We're all students or full-time employees as well, which makes it hard to commit 100% to this band. However, we've dealt with this by just scheduling a little better, and devoting at least a segment of each of our time to sharing what we've  worked on with our fans.

SA: How do you approach the song-writing process? LS: Phil Baril and I seem to contribute most of the lyrics, and I think we both start off with a chord progression on guitar thats catchy, then hum a melody that sounds nice overtop of it. Then, replace that humming with words that don't sound completely awful or derivative or stupid. After we have a full song out of that, we'll bring it to the band the next time we practice and see if drums and bass can be smoothly added to the song. I'm not gonna lie, marijuana helps with each step of this process. Hahaha.

SA: What are your thoughts on the Ottawa music scene? LS: I'm super grateful for the Ottawa music scene. We've always been super welcome to play on bills even when we were first starting out. It's a welcoming community, and we've met so many great musicians through the scene. Nightlife in Ottawa in general though, it's becoming less and less about live music. This leaves only a handful of bars a band can actually play at, which can become stale when making events. I don't know, we still have a lot of love for these venues obviously.

SA: For somebody who hasn’t heard your music before, which song of yours would you recommend and why? LS:  We finally have new material! so I'd say if you like slow acoustic, We Don't Have to Wait is a good one. If you like it heavy, check out It's All Backwards.

SA: What is your favourite venue to play in Ottawa? LS:  Each band member probably has a different answer, but I like Bar Robo a lot. Its a smaller venue, but that makes for intimate, energetic shows. Plus their menu is great.

SA: Thus far in your careers, what has been the band’s favourite show? LS: We were younger and less experienced when we did this one, but we played the Tim Horton's Brier a while ago, which is like this curling event at Lansdowne in that big flashy building. Kinda strange. But it was the biggest, most professional stage we've ever been on, with lighting, and this fog machine. Not to mention, there was a backstage area with free beer and food... my god.

SA: What comes next for Lost at Sea in 2019? We wish you all the best, and good luck! LS: We've been on sort of a rest period since about March. But we just put out a music video for our song Just Like Smoke, so I believe we'll be trying our hand at more videos this year. I wouldn't be surprised if we hit up another studio and release a few singles this summer as well. Above all, we'd like to leave Ottawa try touring the east/west coast! Thank you very much!

[thefreshfinds]

BROOKLYN UNITY FEST:

There is strength in numbers and the Brooklyn Unity Fest went ahead to prove that theory in their 8th annual event. If someone were to question "Where Brooklyn at?" the proof would be front and center. Ultimately the Brooklyn Unity Fest gave back to its community in a major way!

Aside from its free giveaway on Summer Jam tickets, bikes and t-shirts — there was also a Fabolous Way 3 Point Contest and Stomp the Violence Dance Contest.

From the basketball courts, vendors, face painting, multiple stages and even a bouncy house — the festival made sure to bask in its pride.

Overall, everyone was very accepting. Once the performers went onstage their was a common ground shared between the younger and older generation.

Not only were their crowds of kids doing the Stanky Leg, but there was all smiles and a fascination towards the new age sound. Many of the artists recieved new fans but their main focus was giving their all in the name of hip-hop. The genre has taken them to new heights and for that matter they encourage others to follow their dreams. In a word, there was no other place that I wanted to be! The Brooklyn Unity Fest had great vibes. No wonder Brooklyn is the Most Thorough Borough! Their community is willing to give a lending hand if needed be.

Although I wasn't able to interview all of the performers, here are some phenomenal creatives (you read it right) that I had an opportunity to speak with:

1. JU-MO and E-MONEY TAGS: If you're wondering where the boosters at, you don't need to look any further. These two are willing to go the distance because they're asking the same thing! Originally from Brooklyn, NY — JU-MO's moniker stands for "Just Money" and his government. The MC even utilizes his creativity and goes as far as to create wristbands with all the currencies and his own clothing line thats displayed on a manequin! If that isn't cool enough then his music will heat things up, since that's its true purpose. Besides this, E-Money Tags is who he is. He's just happy and is living his best life. "They don't like us" and that's perfectly fine. JU-MO and E-Money Tags plan on spreading love, happiness and unity regardless. Go and stream “We the Boosters” now. It’s on all platforms. Music video coming soon.

INSTAGRAM: @its_just_money

2. AUDREY JACKSON: Humble, brave, dedicated and passionate Audrey Jackson has been singing since she was 2 and performed from 5th grade on up! However when she got to college and sung the national anthem for the Philadelphia 76ers thats when she started going full force with her career. Sultry by nature, Audrey Jackson heats things up with her vocal range and charisma. Before going onstage she talks to God and her grandma. She also asks them to be with her and wears something of her grandmas for more positive energy. One line that resonates with her is: Whenever someone push your back against the wall say I’m hear to stay. Her mixtape Misunderstood is coming soon and features Jahlil Beats. Instagram: @Iamaudreyjackson@Itsallmusicthemovement. Rel Carter director of A&R for Roc Nation. Her album called “ No Handouts” is available on every digital platform. Love triangle is available now on all digital platforms.

INSTAGRAM: @iamaudreyjackson

MUSIC LINK: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=6yAL4ht3Igo

3. RICH CHINO and HOLLI TV: Rich Chino radiates love, not only in real life but also in his music because that’s what hip-hop means to him. Even when he’s taken a few L’s, Rich Chino would never wish harm upon those he cared for. He’d just rather not have them in his circle. A lot of people may say that Rich Chino has changed because he does his own thing but one thing is certain: He’ll always win. His track “Calling Mommy” is a dance song at most and makes one get up on that floor to show all the moves. His best friend Holli TV also did music and hops on a track from time to time but he’s mostly a comedian. A word of advice for inspiring creatives: Be yourself, be consistent and never let the hate affect you. Word on the block is that others respect the grind too, so how could they ever stop? Stay tuned for more content from Holli TV, go and stream “Calling Mommy” on SoundCloud.

INSTAGRAMS: @richchino + @hollitv

MUSIC LINK: https://m.soundcloud.com/user-171933865/richchino-calling-mommy

4. LIL POOKA: CEO and founder of VSF the label — Lil Pooka, defines himself as an entrepreneurial artist. Always two steps ahead, he invest into his future by thinking in the way of a business man. Even though things are just starting for him, Lil Pooka has been creating music since he was 12 years old. Hip-hop is life for the reinforcer and he says that it’s half of him. “Hip-hop is a great way of self-expression.” Lil Pooka adds. One who gets hyped off an all-around grind, Lil Pooka prays for good vibes and new beginnings. Lil Pooka will always look to be a big influencer. For the culture, Lil Pooka says to “never cap.” Always tell your truth, no matter what. Stay tuned for new music soon.

INSTAGRAM: @lipooka

MUSIC LINK: https://m.soundcloud.com/cashoutday

5. SELF MADE STREETS: Putting his ego to the side, Self Made Streets makes things happen with one movement at a time. From the jump, he keeps it real and leaps into a sound that’s meant to inspire. Yet it all derives from his personal upbringings. “I’m reinventing myself right before your eyes.” says Self Made Streets. Still, as he teaches the generation — Self Made Streets is also learning and progressing. It’s two of the things he takes with him on a daily basis. Aside from an MC, Self Made Streets is an entrepreneur who believes in the power of change. Stream his latest tape No Turning Back. It’s on all platforms.

INSTAGRAM: @selfmadestreets

6. KING BRAIZE: An intricate wordsmith who reps the Garden State, King Braize lives to tell a message. His motto “Inspire yourself” speaks volume and pushes one to keep going (with or without support). King Braize is the voice of his people and brings awareness to the inequality between African American’s and todays era. Along his journey he wants peace, patience and happiness. He lives to focus on love because what is a better way to celebrate those that you hold close to your heart? What’s more important to him is just trusting the process. Follow the #KrownMovement and listen to his music. It’s available on all streaming platforms.

INSTAGRAM: @kingbraize

MUSIC LINK: http://kingbraize.com/inspireyourself/

7. KHING JUS WURK: Khing Jus Wurk gives the music era something different. Instead of advocating drugs or sex — he uses his craft to enforce change and inspiration. He’d like for more kings to push kings because we have enough that are at war. For now though, Khing Jus Wurk will be the first to break the stigma(and to put in the overtime). If you haven’t grabbed a copy of XXL magazine, go and do so. Khing Jus Wurk made an appearance. Also make sure to stream his tape #3DayWeekend. It’s available on all platforms.

INSTAGRAM: @khingjuswurk

MUSIC LINK: https://tidal.com/browse/artist/10033147

8. TEMMY BRIDGES AND DANYOSONN: Two who had to go and get it — Temmy Bridges and Danyosonn have been grinding for years. Originally from Canada, Temmy Bridges now lives in Brooklyn. He started rapping 7 years ago, but took it seriously once he saw that people were catching a vibe from it. Ultimately, hip-hop is a freedom of speech for him and with that, comes a risk but Temmy Bridges faces it head on. He’s willing to switch up the tone at all cost. Secondly, Danyosonn’s moniker was passed down from the Great Sensai. And while he has the boom, ba and bam — Danyosonn doesn’t use his talent to brag. Instead he uses hip-hop to relay how he feels because when words can’t get the energy across, his music does. Danyosonn has been on a non-stop grind since he was 16 years old. For him, the journey because in his bedroom where he put together his own studio. Even when he moved to Virginia, Danyosonn stayed consistent and has ran with it since. Now Danyosonn is working on a project that’s set to be released on July 4th. Make sure to check out “Stuck” ft. Temmy Bridges when it releases too! While others try to rent a place in the rap game, the duo shows why they own it. In the words of Danyosonn, they’ve just been ballin’ out like every season.

INSTAGRAMS: @temmybridges + @danyosonn_mns

MUSIC LINKS:

A) TEMMY BRIDGES: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=AENtVG1md0M&feature=youtu.be

B) DANYOSONN: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=10cRHp3dGnQ&feature=youtu.be

[liltouch-moved]

hai io ! hope you've been well <3 i just got home from my trip yesterday, for whatever reason i couldnt log in to tumblr while i was in moscow so i couldnt get back to u until now, im so sorry :-(

ah i love to travel too, though i have to admit im not a super touristy person ^^" i dont really like sightseeing that much, but i love to wander around and learn what the locals' day to day lives are like if that makes sense? like, if you took me to paris i'd prefer to just wander around and explore the city on my own, visit local shops, markets, parks,,, rather than go see the eiffel tower or something, that kind of thing ! what are some of your favorite places you've been to? and are there any places you would like to visit, something you'd like to go do or see someday,..? i love love love hiking in the mountains too so i really hope you get to go this summer <3

omg yea,,,,,, 17yo in the middle of my edgy rebel phase, suddenly developing an interest in these cotton candy sweet boys singing about puppy love ? VERY CONFUSING i guess that dissonance is why i was so hesitant to get into them the first time around. at the time i was like.. how ???? can i like cute stuff ???? im a cool punk kid ??????? wouldnt that make me a poser ????? 😳😳 when you're a teenager everything seems so much more complicated than it really is lol and then you grow up and realize, who cares !! i can like whatever i want even if its two polar opposite things !! character development 🌱

ahh clap era was so good i agree ! clap mv is still one of my faves and the album is SOLID ! my favorite era is hands down oh my though; ymmday was the perfect soundtrack for summer '18, idk what it was but there was something in the air that summer and it was magical <33 its not necessarily my favorite album (it was at the time but svt's released even better albums since hehe) but oh my remains one of my favorite title tracks, along w very nice and adore u ! what about you? ^^ oh and speaking of songs ! the assignment for this week is to create a playlist based on one of the provided themes right? i would love to listen to yours, if you want to make one of course <3 personally i really struggle w making playlists so in case you're like me, i'll let you choose the theme ^^ no pressure though, if you dont want to do it or it takes some time, thats totally fine ! 🌼

ohhh sure,, guessing my bias sounds really fun !~ <33 maybe i shouldnt have given u the vocal unit hint so soon tho fhfjfj ah well ^^" performance unit was originally my favorite unit too hehe theyre team dynamic is so cute and brotherly <33

by the way !! u mentioned going to uni?~what are you majoring in/did you major in, if u dont mind me asking? ^^

hope u had a nice, relaxing weekend and have a great week ahead <3

from: your carat anon 🦋

hello <3 don't worry about it, i'm also SO sorry for taking so long to get to your message!! i was traveling and only had my phone w me and in the past tumblr has messed up (or straight up deleted) asks i tried to answer on my phone so i didn’t wanna risk it ;-;

glad to know you arrived back safe and sound <3 i hope u had a good time in moscow and got to do all the things you wanted to do ✨ “i dont really like sightseeing that much, but i love to wander around and learn what the locals' day to day lives are like” oh i really love that! i’m exactly the same way <3 touristy areas are all so... fake. anyways. my favorite place i've been to is the italian countryside 🌼💖 and as for cities, vienna is my favorite so far. as for my dream destinations: singapore, sydney/melbourne, lisboa, yerevan and buenos aires! wbu, what are some of your favorite places you’ve been?

lmao it must have been such an identity crisis for your younger self to suddenly be interested in some kpop boyos doing fluffy concepts 😹 and so true!! it’s really not that deep, you can like whatever ~ i’m so glad you decided to give svt a chance... twice 💞 and not to sound like an annoying carat but honestly i feel bad for ppl who are into kpop but not into svt... like what are you doinggg you’re really missing out!!!

you're so right, something about oh my is really special ✨ i absolutely adore it too and totally believe that it’s one of their best eras <3 oooh what’s your favorite album nowadays, then?

my favorite titles are oh my, clap and fear! and my fav era would probably be debut era bc i have such fond memories of it... basically everyone on my dash/tl was really excited about svt finally debuting and bc i was still a kpop newbie, it was one of the first big things i've experienced <3 not to mention how fun adore u was ~~ (and how good 2015 was for kpop in general aaaaa take me back 😿)

ooh i must be completely out of the loop bc i didn’t even see anything about a playlist rip </3 i’m not good with playlists either, can i maybe recommend u some songs instead? please tell me what kind of genres, moods, languages u like (and what u don't like at all) and i'll make a small list of recs for you if you want to :> i want to know what music u like first so i don’t rec u something that u end up hating...

and don't worry about the bias thing, i really have no clue who it might be so far 🥺 give me another hint please 👉👈 tell me what you like about him most or what era you think was ‘his’, whatever u want ~

yesss i’m in uni ~ i'm majoring in translation studies. work is my main priority tho (girl’s gotta eat and pay for the roof over her head) so i'm taking it slow with uni. what are you majoring/did you major in? 🌼

hope u have a good day dear anon and once again my apologies for making you wait!! 💖

[thebandcampdiaries]

The Robinsons - Beta Male

An irreverent punk rock jam that isn’t afraid of the genre’s pop-oriented side, while retaining ties with the grittier aspect of it as well.

The Robinsons is a punk rock band based in NYC - They are sharpening their teeth in the local scene, often playing basements and other events, unleashing the true spirit of punk rock music. Recently, they released a brand new single, “Beta Male,” which was actually published back in June.

The group’s roots actually have a cool “national” background. Initially, Jordan and Brandon started the band in Philadelphia and eventually moved to Orlando, where they enrolled bassist Phil while in college. Currently, they are testing out the Big Apple and its notorious music scene! If you know anything about punk rock, you probably realize NYC’s importance for the genre. The city is home to groundbreaking acts such as The Ramones or Television, and it is also home to legendary venues, such as the now-defunct CBGB.

Even if those glory days are long gone, the punk rock scene is still alive and well in NYC, and there is a lot of great independent movement throughout the 5 boroughs.

The sound of this release really makes me think of groundbreaking acts such as earlier Blink-182 or Fall Out Boy, making for massive guitar tones, melodic vocals and outstanding lyrics that have a lot of wit and grit, adding personality to the music in a very special way!

The first thing you might notice about this track is definitely the nice production value. The sound is actually very clear and crisp, giving the track a nice modern edge. However, the song is far from being overproduced, like a lot of the punk music coming out these days! The guitar tone for example, is fat, creamy and full, really reminiscent of the best guitar from artists like Green Day or The Offspring, along with hints of Foo Fighters. Although the chord structure of the song is relatively simply, it really allows enough room for the other instruments and the vocals to breathe, without overpowering the entire concept.

The song’s lyrics are the cherry on top and they are absolutely unadulterated: just listen for yourself and let the track do the rest of the talking!

The single is one in a long line of great songs for this band, and it really stands out as a fantastic milestone for them, as they consistently improve their production value and ability to write catchy, yet energetic and unapologetic songs. The guitar riffs are big and stadium-sized, accompanied by a fat drum arrangement. The drum grooves start out with a nice open downtempo groove, giving the song that big “headbanging” quality that is one of the best things about punk rock drops. Somewhere deeper into the song, the band picks up the pace and the drums really make for a direct and energetic rhythm, going for a faster feel. When the band stomps on the gas, they really make me think of earlier All Time Low, as well as Four Year Strong, with a sense of humor that is reminiscent of earlier Blink-182 (Think Dude Ranch / Enema of The State era)

One of the things that I really like about this track is also the condensed arrangement. Punk tracks should be direct and to the point, and this song really stays true to that template, clocking in at slightly under the mark of 3 minutes. Sure, that’s nothing wrong with longer songs, but what really got me into punk rock in the first place has always been the sheer and unadulterated energy of the genre, which is perfectly expressed in short bursts of blistering guitars, catchy vocal hooks, and amazing arrangements!

In conclusion, if you enjoy any punk rock that has been released anytime from the mid-90s to the mid-2000s, this one is going to be right up your alley. The Robinsons are true stalwarts of the authentic in-your-face spirit of real punk music.

Find out more about The Robinsons, and don’t miss out on Beta Male:

https://therobinsons.bandcamp.com/track/beta-male (Bandcamp)

https://open.spotify.com/album/0DLSR7fIBpd7X9mQdj7OF2 (Spotify)

https://youtu.be/Sja-9UzNOM8 (Youtube)

We also caught up with the band for an interview: keep reading for more!

I love how you manage to render your tracks so personal and organic. Does the melody come first, or do you focus on the beat the most?

Answer:

(Brandon): When I write I try to just make the best song that I want to listen to. It goes both ways. I might have a melody first or the rhythm first. We are just tryin to make some good ole jammers for your friends to drink to.

(Jordan): Most of my songs come from my head, once I have an idea I try to play it through and imagine exciting parts to add from each instrument. We just try to have as much fun with it in the studio so we hope that translates well.

(Phil) Uh, I rock good tunes

Do you perform live? If so, do you feel more comfortable on a stage or within the walls of the recording studio?

Answer:

(Brandon): We have played many shows. I 110% feel the most comfortable onstage! It's so fucking fun! Blowin some doobs with phil and jordy 2 seconds before the set is always a time and a half. Then we go out and have a fucking blast. I love jumping around and bein dick head up there. Thats what its all about anyway.

(Jordan): I always get nervous before a live show, but usually when the crowd’s into it, I open up onstage. The recording studio is my favorite place cause I get to do whatever I want and tinker around with equipment.

(Phil): Stage good. Studio good.

If you could only pick one song to make a “first impression” on a new listener, which song would you pick and why?

Answer:

(Phil): The One about my penis

(Brandon): Beta Male. I want them to know their wife is a dirty little slut.

(Jordan): A few songs that aren’t yet recorded I think will be my favorite songs to represent us.

What does it take to be “innovative” in music?

Answer:

(Brandon): Everyone has done everything already. I think you just gotta write music that feels good to you. Do your best to put it out there, have fun and people will ride your wave. People know when you aren’t genuine.

(Jordan): Being Innovative music is probably the hardest thing when you already like music. Usually when it comes to being innovative, you’re either making something that doesn’t exist or filling a hole that needs to be there. I just try to make songs that can get stuck in your head and are enjoyable to listen to.

Any upcoming release or tour your way?

Answer:

There are talks of a tour in the near future.    ;)

Anywhere online where curious fans can listen to your music and find out more about you?

Answer:

We are on everything. I got some links for ya .

OUR WEBSITE: https://therobinsonsband.com

Apple Music: https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/the-robinsons/1382349194

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/7f8VkYSteDflO1B1F8yNWt

Bandcamp: https://therobinsons.bandcamp.com

Goggle Play: https://play.google.com/music/preview/Bzz3wvlm7rpd5no45fxlu7r6cki?play=1

[boo1a4]

11 question tag!

Hey guys so I was tagged by 5 of my fav gals to do the 11 questions tag (THATS 55 QUESTIONS WHY ARE YALL LIKE THIS) but anyway I was tagged by @s-lay-ing @sambashua @achuu-nice @indiepoptime and @yongpal-i (this tag is fucking eternal help me)

Cloud’s Questions!

Do you know a ksong by heart? (bc I don’t :x I can hum a trillion tho)

Blackpink’s As If Its Your Last, Heize’s Star, Day6 I loved you and You Were Beautiful, most of seventeens title tracks and most of their ballads, lastly  Pristin’s Aloha! I'm sure my pronunciation is way off but those are tho the ones that I've taken the time to actually sit down and learn!

When it comes to friendships, are you low or high maintenance? (As in your friends gotta talk everyday with you or you’ll feel like the friendship is dying OR if you can spend days without talking to them yet you still remain close)  

Ummmm I think it depends on the friendship? also I think I can tend to be a bit of both (cause I'm an insecure ass binch), tho I don't ever feel like my friendships are dying lmao

Do you have a secret that you will take to the grave? (Ofc I’m not asking you to reveal it)

not that I can think of?? like I'm sitting here thinking if there is anything and like honestly no????

Recommend me 5 songs (not necessarily kpop songs)

Dracula Teeth - The Last Shadow Puppets(honestly cloud just listen to all of their music is so great) Daydream In Blue - I Monster (this is honestly one of my all time fav songs I love it too much) No Way Down - The Shins (you know I can't go 2 mins without mentioning them, some great lyrics right here tho also give September a listen in beautiful) Beechwood Park - The Zombies (I'm assuming you know the zombies cloud but on the off chance that you don't BINCH THEY ARE MY ACTUAL FAVORITE well beside cream and zeppelin but they are up there) Kimbra - Miracle (kinda of a random one but this song just never seems to leave me!) Big Bird -Hyukoh (oh that was 6 BUT THIS SONG IS SO GREAT also listen to wing wing!!)

What do you prefer?: first, second or third gen kpop songs?

I generally prefer second generation??? I think????? I like a bit of all of them tho. but like there is no definitive answer to when each of the generations start and end so like I don't even know??? but most of my fav groups as far as music goes are older around 2nd gen but a fair amount of them are gen 3, I have a really strong love for kpop that was released between 2009-2014.

What’s the cheeeeeeeeeesiest thing you’ve done? (one time a former friend of mine was telling me about a problem she had and at the end of our convo I kissed her in the forehead bYE)

girl idk just my whole fucking life tbh, but my family members and irl friends will all tell you I do this thing where I yell sing songs and change the lyrics to their names this includes badly sung kpop songs IM SCREAMING THO CLOUD WHO ARE YOU AHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHA

If you were asked to participate in a variety show, which one of the following would you pick and why? (Pick two!): problematic men, master key, hello counselor, weekly idol, one fine day, law of the jungle

um probs ofd?? id say weekly idol also but damn the hosts would literally be like who is this weird binch!

Your top 10 kpop songs of 2017?

In no order but 1. Would U - Red Velvet 2. Let’s Hang Out - SF9 3. Night Rather Than Day - EXID 4. Aloha - Pristin 5. Missing You - BTOB 6. I Loved You - Day6 7. Teenager - Got7 8. Habit - Seventeen 9. As If It’s Your Last - Blackpink 10. You, Clouds, Rain - Heize

Would you rather live in a huge mansion or a compact studio house?  

Im a real messy binch so definitely compact studio

Tell me a fun childhood story (I’ll start! One time an aunt gave me money to buy ‘papas’ (potatoes) at the grocery store so bc I’m obedient af I went and asked the counter lady how many of em could I buy with the money I had so she went ‘uhh, not many tbh’ so i ended up getting like two and when I returned to my aunt’s house she laughed her ass off and said: I meant ‘papas fritas’ (potato chips) Not those! - and uh yeah this is funnier in Spanish but it proves that I’m such an innocent angel I mean wow)

ok so I spent a lot of time at my aunt Lori’s house when I was a kid (like summers, and after school) and my cousin was the BUG queen so she hand made leashes for her pet toads (that she caught) and we walked them around on leashes for like a week but I was always so afraid of them and also hurting them so I WAS NOT ABOUT THAT ahahaha dumb story but it makes me laugh alsoalsoalsdo they had this bench swing in their back yard and my cousin my sister and I would swing on it together for hours at a time and one time we were swinging real hard (REAL HARD) and the links?? or whatever that held it to the ceiling it was hanging from snapped and the three of us of us flew off of it and we all collectively blacked out??? it was so weird but I woke up to my cousin stuggling to get me off of her and then there lays my sister underneath the bench just blacked out chilling (she was fine) then my aunt came running out cause she had just heard the loudest crash ahsdfasdf not long after my uncle put stronger links on it and that bench is still there! From time to time when the three of us get together this story gets brought up its still the most hilarious thing ( ALSO CLOUD YOU ARE SO PURE I LOVE)

If you were offered to start a band, would you accept?

yeah I love music so much why not! not sure I would be able to contribute much  lmao

Mir’s Questions!

If you could travel anywhere, but were completely by yourself, where would you go?

hmmmmm do you mean like I wouldn't be visiting anyone and just traveling alone?? or like going someplace where I know no one?? ok cause for the first I would book it straight to az TO SEE YOU MIR!! AND SISTER!! but for the second I would love to go to Japan (my cousin lives there tho so that also doesn't technically count lmao)

What inspires you?

Music, books, and tv shows! Also really well written characters or just interesting people I guess! but on like a ??spiritual?? level my mom?? she's just that binch you know ( like seriously Ive never met anyone kinder or more driven and hard working in my life she's wild)

How many pets would you have in your ideal future? Any specific names or types in mind?

47 KITS, no realistically I want 2 kittos and they will be named Bellamy and Murphy cause I got too also lowkey want to name a cat rami or Elliot or also kaz or Inej damn all the good names wow. Also the name Calloway is my fav name of all time and I WANT SOMETHING WITH THIS NAME

What are you opinions on fedoras

um eww?? what other opinions are there?? what is this question mir I'm???? but like ngl when worn in a none cringe manner then can look nice!

how many spoons can you balance on your face at once (picture or video proof preferred (i’m trying to get someone to do it pls anyone))

girl I've done my time (lowkey did you put this on her cause I told you about my gravy spoon today???)

What is your favorite type of tree?

I like Birch trees!

If you could convince one person to like kpop who would you convert?

damn MY MOM cause then she might listen to something other than bruno mars once in a while

What are three things you are normally associated with and/or what are three things you want to be associated with?

art, sleeping, reading and um idk?? tbh??? like maybe not being shitty and being funny??? idk??? like I don't know????

If you were in a kpop group what position would you hold (ie. leader, main vocal, moodmaker, etc) feel free to tag your mutuals and who they would be!

um hm im a moody binch bonch so probably moodmaker?? mir is main dancer cause yes duh ivy is leader cause she's the only sane one kennedy I feel would be a great rapper like she got that chic thing going she could do it I feel??? and cloud would be our talent tbh??? nom would be the maknae cause she's small I feel! Jeddy would be my happy virus bud cause she's a fun and funny gal ( I love) Jamie ALSO ONE OF OUR TALENTS wow yes I feel a main vocal here she’d go solo and be singing ballads left and right! JESS WOULD BE THE SWEET MOTHER MEMBER THAT EVERYONE LOVES AND IS JUST THE SOFTEST,,,A SUNSHINE GAL.

If you could have any wild animal as a tame pet what would it be?? (i’m ocelot loyal all the way)

damn idk I'm like horrible at taking care of things (including myself) so like honest id just stick to the kit kats

What is your opinion on mint chocolate chip ice cream? (for maj)

The best ice cream (tho I can't eat it anymore and its very cursed)

Nom’s Questions!

how are you? :D

I’m good Nom thanks for asking!

sad ballads or happy upbeat songs?

Im a ballad ho these days they are honestly all I listen to anymore, but I do love me an good upbeat song I'm just slightly more picky about them!

fave anime movie?

ok tie between Whisper of the Heart and Howl’s Movie Castle, I honestly need to see more that arent Ghibli!

dogs or cats?

Cats! (my dog is practically a cat tbh)

do you keep stuffed animals in your room?

I have one! its a portal companion cube! its not technically an animal BUT I LOVE IT ANYWAY ITS ALL IVE GOT!!!! also if you count tsum tsums I've got a few big hero 6 ones!

someone you miss?

My dad, its been especially hard lately.

describe your phone case?

its like rainbow watercolor! I have a pop socket that matches

favorite lore/myths?

Not technically myth or lore but Beowolf! I've seen the movie at least 40 times and I've read the epic! generally I find northern european mythology/literature to be more interesting than southern. but if we’re going for like ubran myths tbh not really my thing ahahaha.

eardbuds or headphones?

both for different things! but when I first listen to an album I like to listen with my headphones!

can I steal your heart?

you already have ~~~~~~~

favorite thing about your ult bias?

His sensitivity and kind heart! I love a sweet boy! Also I'm really here for Boo’s cheeks!

Jamie’s Questions!

If you could only listen to one song for the rest of your life what would it be and why?

ohhh there are a few songs that I really really love, Heize’s Star is a song that I listen to daily and I feel like I could listen to it for the rest of my life! also September by The Shins! Miracle Aligner by The Last Shadow Puppets also. Idk man I just really love songs with a mystical quality to them.

If you were in a kpop group what would your group be called and what would your fandom name be?

BINCH AND OUR FANDOM NAME WOULD BE BONCHES

If you could acquire mastery over ONE skill instantly, what would you pick and why?

Singing!! its just about the only kind of musical talent I think I’d be any good at! Im a vocalist ho I just want to be like my favessssss

First reaction if you spotted your favorite celebrity on the street?

I would literally hide so fast omg

First reaction if your favorite celebrity followed you on your favorite social media site?

SCREAMING ALL THE LOVE FOR BOO SEUNGKWAN 24/7 and literally only doing art of him and nonstop posting it

Snap your fingers and you get to steal your favorite outfit off of a kpop idol. What outfit do you pick, off of whom, and why?

OK literally all of Soonyoungs airport looks cause damn that boy does not get enough credit for his fashion (he's the best dressed in the group fite me)

If you were to get a painless tattoo that you could remove with the press of a button, what would you get and where would you get it?

umm probably something really pretty? and colorful? I'm not sure what put I like  arm tattoos!

What is your most prized possession?

probably my laptop?? also my collection of sketchbooks!

What’s a YouTube/online challenge that you have always wanted to try?

Im always interested to try those youtube art challenges, I've done the three marker challenge before and the draw this again challenge also!

You get a guarantee that your favorite celebrity will see your social media post but you only get 100 characters. What do you say to them?

I would literally just send my art to them! I feel like it says more than 100 characters can!

You wake up in your dream room. What does it look like?

LITERALLY A LIBRARY AND LIKE NICE AND DARK AND WARM BUT NOT TOO WARM LOTS OF BLANKETS

Kennedy’s Questions!

Make a 10-song playlist for your current mood.

it is here

What vine do you quote the most?

what is that?? who you fighting?

What do you value most in a friend?

I like people who are good listeners! but also people can keep a conversation going! But really tho just genuine kindness and openness.

If you could learn any kpop choreography instantly, what would you learn?

DAMN THIS IS HARD, so many great ones that I love a lot but probably Red Flavor?

If you go to your Tumblr activity page, who does it say is your “number one fan?”

damn Idk them so I'm not gonna like tag them or something lol

What is your ideal clothing style?

I like simple dark clothing that is comfortable.

What is your favorite Snapchat filter?

I really like the ugly ones tbh I don't use them enough

What subject would you like to study, but wouldn’t necessarily want to make a career out of? (for example: I really want to learn about botany!)

psychology, I really love learning about how people work.

Would you rather be constantly half an hour early to everything, or constantly 15 minutes late?

early of course, I hate being late

Would you rather have a single day to spend with your top bias or a week to spend with your number 2 bias?

damn neither??? ahahah no a day with boo would be very blessed!

If you could bring back any disbanded OR inactive group, who would you bring back?

F(X) BINCH I NEED MORE MUSIC

My Questions!

if you had to chose one kpop stage outfit to wear for the rest of your life which would you choose?

favorite music video aesthetic?

Group you are most excited for in 2018?

Recommend me some underrated kpop songs/groups?

If you could join any group other than your bias group who would you join and why?

Favorite soloist? and some song recs?

Childhood Story? (thanks Cloud)

Were you in any fandoms before you got into kpop, if so what were they?

Favorite Comeback/debut of 2017?

astrological sign? Myers Briggs type? Hogwarts House (I'm a Gemini, infp, and Gryffindor)

Random question but what are your favorite names?

Tagging : @s-lay-ing @sambashua @achuu-nice @indiepoptime @yongpal-i (y'all can do mine if you feel like it!) @forgetjunnot @babybyuny @kae-popx @kiheehyunie @jeonwoooo @trbldean130 @howcaniwait @joshhjs @maetaamong and if you’ve already done this you don't have to do it again ahahahaha I feel like everyone has done it already lol

ok thats it do it if you want!

[ohmypristin-blog]

top gg songs of 2017

**this is no official list, this is just me stating the songs I really enjoyed of 2017

Twice - Likey // This song is the definition of a bop, the girlies once again provided a revolutionary song with an album of the decade. This era made me fall in love with all 9 of the girls once again and made me bias Momo (previously a Dahyun Stan, then the J line came along). Either way, this song is way too good to pass up.

Blackpink - As If Its Your Last // I swear to god the as soon as Jisoo appeared on my screen my wig flew to Korea. This song has so much buildup that the chorus is so perfect with the timing. Not to mention that Lisas rap is one of the most fire things a female rapper has spat in 2017.

Sonamoo - I (Knew It) // WoW. Personally this is the most underrated yet most amazing song of 2017. I barely knew about sonamoo and then I heard this song and I instantly fell in love. This song is one of the most innovative that the genre of Kpop has to offer with the latin infused beat. If you have not checked out this song you are missing out on one of the hidden gems of Kpop.

Girls Generation - All Night // The girls are back, as the first song in their album states. It is so sad that this might be the last comeback of the girls, but they truly delivered an extraordinary final bop. The girls show such a confident and sexy side proving that they can truly embody themselves and how far they have come. Also thank Jesus for Seohyuns ad-libs throughout the song, God really knew what he was doing.

T-ara - Whats My Name? // Oh my these girls really came back after that stupid scandal had finally been proved false, dropped an amazing title track, and took home a win for it. Thats what I call overcoming the odds and proving people wrong. This songs complements the vocals of T-ara and combines EDM beats with pop infused sounds, it is a song of perfection and nothing less. I am beyond excited to see what the girls have to offer under their new label.

Lovelyz - Now, We // This song as well as wow really got me into Lovelyz. At first, I will admit, I didn’t like this song, and then suddenly I was embraced by the cute and cheery chorus that I found myself dancing to it in the car on the way to school, work, well... everywhere! The girls outdid themselves with the chores too, which is an aspect that you wouldn't expect as much from such a cute job! I’m so excited to see Woolim push these girls to the moon and back in 2018.

Red Velvet - Red Flavor // Red Velvet released such bangers this year and it was so hard to choose just one, but I have to say that Red Flavor has the slight edge of Peek-a-Boo for me! I was so scared that we wouldn’t have a huge summer bop since Sister disbanded :(, but I was shook when Red Velvet really pulled this off and killed charts with their bop of the summer. PS Wendys ombre is the best ombre I have ever seen.

EXID - DDD // I show this song to everyone, and I mean everyone! This song is so so so creative and it hypes me up so much. I have found myself loving every track by EXID so much more than I already do simple because this song is so good. I think that this song is one to show someone who has never even heard of Kpop and really make them appreciate the genre as a whole. I can’t wait to see ot5 on stage again once my seolshine is all better!

AoA - Excuse Me // MY BABIES STAY DELIVERING BOPS. Okay, yes, I'm literally biased with this choice as they’re my lets, but hear me out. This song is genuinely so good, they are not talk singing, this song requires good vocals in order to function. The song has such a pretty and flows instrumental that makes the beat constantly stay stuck in your head. This song will be the last AoA song with OT7, but I cannot wait to see my girls comeback with another song in the upcoming year.

Brave Girls - Rollin’ // I’m so surprised that this song did not gain more attention worldwide. The dance is unbelievably sexy that I was so caught off guard, but this has to be one of the best composed songs on 2017. The beat is so catchy and has so much depth to it provided throughout with the different tones and sounds that string together in perfect harmony. I even showed this song to one of my coworkers and she loved it so much that it is in her main playlist. This song in my eyes is THE gem of 2017 and provides a sound that any audience can enjoy. (ARMYS, I feel like you would love brave girls)

Okay so, thanks for reading, or ya know skimming through to see my selections. I just got bored and decided to do something different so I wrote on Tumblr. But either way I hope you enjoy my top choices, and feel free to send me any song suggestions! Thanks, AJ <3

[doomedandstoned]

SÂVER: Raging At Darkness, Stepping Into Light

~By Billy Goate~

When I heard that former Tombstones members were forming a new band called SÂVER, I knew it was going to be doomy, but I don't think I was prepared for an album of such immense breadth and ferocity. You think Slomatics or Conan can command a hall? Well, let's just say with S VER you're in the Hall of the Mountain King. As I listen, it's not hard to imagine an apocalyptic scenario where the SÂVER's powerful strains break out in the dead of night, echoing through nightmarish forests, over majestic mountains, and into the impenetrable dark of Norway's wild. I can't believe how perfectly this recording captures size, scope, and grandiosity of their sound.

They Came With Sunlight by SÂVER

A deep, quietly percussive bass note opens up "Distant Path" and is joined in short order by menacing reverb of the synth. Two minutes in, the guitar and drums join in the layers of crescendo. At last, Ole Christian Helstad joins the fruckus of this brewing storm, ever building, building, building towards its inevitably violent release. Five minutes into the song, a torrent of rain swells down, accompanied by a hail of steady notes on guitar. At the eight-minute mark, a terrifyingly grandiose symphony of raging vocals and the combined force of Helstad's explosive bass, Markus Støle's drums, and Ole Ulvik Rokseth's guitar brings us the apocalyptic moment we've all been waiting for. Simply put, it is jaw-droppingly huge. 'They Came With Sunlight' (2019) has officially begun.

The following track, "I, Vanish," would make a fine companion to Yob's "The Screen." It ticks and tocks and grinds its gears like the mechanical clock of some mad horologist, who watches each finely tuned movement closely to see if we are nearer to Doomsday. This and the succession of tracks that follow take us on an ethereal journey of sorts. The music gives a continual sense of flow -- whether with the echo of chords, the precise rhythms of repeated notes, or the fury of blinding tremolos, we are always moving, moving, moving. The complexity of movement may find some drawing comparisons with Black Cobra, Mastodon, perhaps even Tool and Meshuggah.

They Came With Sunlight by SÂVER

"Influx" breaks with this form just long enough to make us question what we thought was real. Are we awake in the real world or in some kind of a dream where the rules still aren't known? It feels like we are floating in a state of suspended animation. The lyrics throughout the album are obscure, making it hard to get a straight answer one way or another. Perhaps the point is to ponder the larger themes exposited by these opaque words, to free our minds to wander and explore the possibilities. I will say the interview that follows helps to clear up at least one or two mysteries for us, but overall the material remains high concept, abstract, and surreal.

They Came With Sunlight by SÂVER

"How They Envisioned Life" is the most heart-wrenching song of the lot. There is real pain here, as the singer lashes out with some of the purest rage on record at everything he believed to be true and faithful about his reality. There's also what appears to be a tug of war. The light wants him, the dark wants him. Is this a near-death experience? I'll let you be the judge.

"Step out of light!" - Dark Frozen by fright, left to survive Under the sky Leave!! Leave my soul to him!

They came - They saw How they envisioned life Embrace the warmth that I have left you with

Please let us stay Through depths and stone I see light

Leave – Leave my soul to him

They came - They saw How they envisioned light Your rage - minds covered This ancient hollowed out fight I have left you - Light

"Dissolve To Ashes" gets even stranger with references to "cosmic shuttles" and panicked attempts to find a path that will lead to light. Come to think of it, this is actually is starting to feel like the kind of things I dream about on the regular!

They Came With Sunlight by SÂVER

The ancient archetypal struggle between light and darkness comes to a head in the album's longest track, the twelve-and-a-half minute "Altered Light." There are hints that maybe the light isn't quite what it seems and that a little sleight of hand is involved when some people promise to show us the way.

I'd like to point out something I've not mentioned up to this point: melody. The riffs on this album are, for lack of a better expression, very "hummable." This means these little earworms will be working their magic on you long after you've walked away from the record. I've found myself humming or tapping the theme to this song at the grocery store, at work, while doing laundry, you name it. Look, I don't have the answers to the riddles presented by They Came WIth Sunlight. What I can offer you is SÂVER. Oh, and if you dig this kind of sound, be sure and check out Markus Støle and Ole Rokseth's other project HYMN.

Photograph by Adrian Kraakefingar Vindedal

Interview with SÂVER's Ole Rokseth

~Photographs by Pål Bellis~

“It sounds like war.”

Congratulations on a successful album launch via Pelagic Records and for debuting at the #10 spot on the Doom Charts with 'They Came With Sunlight' (2019).

Thanks, Billy! The response has been overwhelming. We are super stoked.

The last time we checked in, Tombstones had just disbanded and then I think I lost track of the story for a good two years after that. What was going on in the backdrop leading up to the formation of SÂVER?

We spent a year, more or less, in our rehearsal space after Tombstones, just writing new material without having a plan. I don't think it took that long before we knew we had to make something of it, so we talked alot about what type of band we wanted to start and what type of music we wanted to play. We all knew we wanted to do something different. So it's been a lot of experimenting with sounds and gear to get to where we are now.

What does the band’s name signify?

It means "sleep" or "sleeping" in an old Norwegian dialect, from out in the woods where Ole Helstad is from.

“We wanted to just leave.”

The opening line from “Dissolve To Ashes” starts with: “They came with sunlight” -- it’s also the title of the album. I’m used to song and album titles that refer to the menace of darkness and those that prey in the shadows, but here you’re anticipating the arrival of something with the dawn. Can you illuminate this?

I think that line, in particular, is spoken through someone or something else “on the other side.” The clean singing sort of amplifies that. At some point during the writing process, I painted this picture in my mind of three dudes just leaving the earth towards a better destination, in search of “The Light.” So most of the lyrics is based around that journey. I think people relate to that and that's why it's equally heavy as the typical “metal lyrics.” It's just about life, man.

“It's just about life, man.”

So much of metal is focused on pain, misery, death, subjugation, and very little is written about “the light” -- especially not in a style as heavy, so it really intrigues me.

Yes, well, I don't think there is any point in writing about stuff thats not from your own experiences and thought. We just sort of turned it all around and wrote about our journey away from death, shadows, and battleaxes. It was really about what all of us went through at the time. We wanted to just leave.

The tracks on They Came With Sunlight are huge. This and the recent Yob album are among the few that have been successful in writing cohesive long-form compositions that carry an effective dramatic arc. How does a piece like “I, Vanish” come together?

That song is based on a bass riff that Ole brought to the table one night. And I guess we just wrote it the way we know best. Weed, beer, and a sweaty rehearsal space with low lighting. We are all believers of repetition in music, and that song is all about that for sure. This whole album really came together naturally and I think it's because we all had a need to express ourselves in a different way than in other bands and we had a clear vision of what we wanted to do early on.

The production value is very high on the new album, capturing the depth, range, and power of your sound admirably. What have you learned about recording your sound now that’s different from when you first started recording albums with Tombstones a decades ago?

I always have all of these different ideas and thoughts on how to record the next album to make it better than what we have done before. But we always, at least in these types of bands, conclude that recording live is the only way. And having a studio tech that can provide good recordings of all the instruments is key. So we basically just do what we have been doing at rehearsals and know that the guys behind the desk just captures it at that moment. Joona Hassinen at Studio Underjord in Sweden was that guy, and he couldn't have done a better job. Everything sounded really good straight out of the mixing board, so we knew early on that this was gonna be a super heavy experience. That being said, we had a lot of weird accidents on this album, as well, that Joona decided to just leave in. Art by accident, dude. Always cool. We obviously added stuff after recording it live, but it's not really that far from it.

“Three dudes just leaving the earth towards a better destination in search of The Light.”

If nothing else, doom is surely infamous for its “low ‘n’ slow” approach. How in the name of Hades did you get such a damning sound on this record? What did you tune to, for example, on “Distant Path”?

It's that whole year of continuously hitting the rehearsal space, practicing and trying out different sounds. We knew we wanted to try and distance ourselves from all the other “doom” bands that are out there, but yet not losing ourselves and what we think sounds cool.

We tune in drop A, and the guitars have pretty thin string gauges to get that open, heavy sound. Not that much distortion either, to be honest. Most of the fuzz comes from Helstad's 215 bass cabinet. A Lot of the sound also came together after I bought a Fender Telecaster Deluxe and combined it with an older Peavey transistor head. Bringing a synthesizer to mix also opened a lot for us. I inherited a real passion for old and new synths from my brother. His collection of synths is out of this world -- thanks Pål.

As Joona said after re-amping the fuzz bass, “It sounds like war.” I will never stop trying out new gear and trying new weird shit, and that's a big part of me evolving as a musician.

Picking up from that last question, the level of tonal depth you were able to capture on this recording is truly remarkable. Without ever feeling muted or distorted, you’ve managed to capture the grandiosity and rumbling low-end of those bruising chords.

Joona basically just recorded -- with great technique and experience -- what we played then and there. If the song is heavy, and you believe in it, it's gonna come out heavy. No matter what amp you use or what pickup you have in you guitar. I'm pretty sure Jimi Hendrix would make a shitty B.C. Rich Warlock from 2009 sing and penetrate your soul in the same way he does with his Stratocaster.

What amps and gear did you use in the recording?

We recorded it live with the same set-up as we use at gigs and rehearsals. I won't get into all the pedal details. On guitar, I played through a stereo setup with 412 cabinets. Peavey Century Bass Series and and old Simms Watts 100. Well, bass was actually reamped, but Helstad uses his Rickenbacker 4003 through a Ampeg SVT Classic with an 810 cab and a Peavey Standard with a Peavey 215 cab. Markus, of course, can make any drum kit sound amazing, though I don't remember the particulars of what he used in this recording.

To record the synth parts, I borrowed his brother's Korg MS10 from the '70s. One of our all time favourite synthesizers, but it's old, rare, and not cheap, so recently I bought a Moog Sub Phatty that I bet you will hear more of on our next record. If people want to know more, we love talking gear. Come check us out live and have a chat.

How did you arrive at the decision to use synthesizers in these compositions, anyway?

I've been active in two other electronica-based bands: Gundelach and Hubbabubbaklubb. I got inspired by these two acts and my brother, who plays synth in those two bands, as well. As mentioned, he's got an enormous collection of vintage, kickass synthesizers. All of us love the sound of it and also electronic music, and we wanted to use that as a tool to divide our sound from the common doom band. You can expect more synth on the next album.

"Art by accident, dude. Always cool.”

How have your live performances gone so far? We’d love to have you back to the States sometime!

Really good! Again, the response has been overwhelming. As a band, it's really important to set goals, and we have met almost all of our goals to this date. It's crazy. We are really looking forward to next year! Playing the US has been a goal for all of us forever and is something we definitely want to make happen with S VER. Hopefully next year, Billy, we can meet up and have a beer.

The Great SÂVER Giveaway

The band has been kind enough to offer 15 free downloads of their new album to 15 lucky souls. Redeem one code below at pelagicrecords.bandcamp.com/yum.

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