#*epic little piano bit*

[joonebugg]

White Knuckle Jerk by Will Wood but it's one sided Wintersberg

Notes on the idea

[unproduciblesmackdown]

also more odds & ends orville info & more not Not orville/phil info as well:

"In Steinkellner’s version of Summer Stock, Jane Falbury (Danielle Wade) and “Pop,” her father (Stephen Lee Anderson), are struggling to hang on to the family farm. Their farm is one of the few in the Connecticut River Valley that hasn’t been absorbed by the Wingates, whose holdings completely surround theirs.

The widow Margaret Wingate (Veanne Cox), whom son Orville (Will Roland) aptly describes as having eyes “as cold as death itself,” plans to absorb the Falbury farm by the simple expedient of having Orville marry Jane. After all the two kids had decided they were engaged in first grade!

Enter the prodigal younger sister Gloria (Arianna Rosario) who has been seduced by the lure of the Great White Way. She returns to the farm bringing along Joe Ross (Corbin Bleu in the Gene Kelly role), the director of the show that will make her a star, its composer Phil Filmore (Gilbert L. Bailey II), and the entire company. She has generously offered the company, which can’t afford rehearsal space in New York, the use of the family farm’s barn. Sister Jane reluctantly agrees to the intrusion with the proviso that the thespians will double as farm hands.

As rehearsals progress, Phil discovers that Orville, a bit of a doormat who has been raised with the understanding that he will never have to work, is a musical wunderkind. He is enlisted to work his magic on the show’s score and begins to blossom.

Widow Wingate takes umbrage with all this and vows to shut the enterprise down. Fortunately, the cold embers in her soul are stirred to renewed life by her encounter with Montgomery Leach (J. Anthony Crane), the has-been ham enlisted to give Ross’s show some cachet, so all might not be lost.

[...]

They make this Summer Stock a veritable feast of nostalgia. I was especially taken by the amusing way Steinkellner used Jackie Gleason’s theme song “Always” to further widow Wingate’s plot to get Jane and Orville hitched.

[...]

Orville, who has found personal liberation in show biz, is accorded a moment that reminded me of a similar scene in the musical version of The Producers. In a triumphant declaration of his emergence from under his mother’s thumb he exults, “I’m in the theatre! And I love it!” The audience loved it, too.

[...]

As director, Feore has elicited some wonderful performances, especially from subsidiary characters. Veanne Cox is splendid as Margaret Wingate as is J. Anthony Crane as Montgomery Leach, the faded matinee idol. Will Roland (Orville) and Gilbert L. Bailey II (Phil) both have wonderful moments and their intense professional friendship is one of the show’s highlights."

INTENSE PROFESSIONAL FRIENDSHIP you say....and also ofc everything about orville and wanting to be a musician and being in the theatre and he loves it sounds so good. i love it

[inquisitively-infinitesimal]

little things from Grace Hodgett-Young and Dónal Finn’s last performance in Hadestown that I refuse to forget:

‘has anybody got a match’ and Orpheus FINDS HER A MATCH BUT HERMES GETS THERE FIRST

Eurydice’s waistcoat looks to be made out of a similar/the same material as Orpheus’ trousers

‘you wanna take me home?’ with an off shoulder moment that flusters Orpheus

Eurydice finding Hades hot, Orpheus trying to win her back (foreshadowing on how Eurydice chooses Hades/the underworld over Orpheus after Chips Are Down ???)

from A Gathering Storm until Chips Are Down while Orpheus is working on his song he conducts in time with the music … Dónal Finn even memorised some of the piano bits and mimed them on the table ????

Eurydice frequently trying to give Hermes the coins back in Chips Are Down only for them to stand there

also Hermes constantly checks the time . very time loop survivor of them

‘it’s you?’ ‘it’s me :D’ ft Orpheus pumping his fists into the air

Hades’ cunty walk on the turntable (it was like he was on a runway Zachary James makes Hades into such a personality I loved it)

the fake blood/makeup on the side of Orpheus’s face running down during If It’s True because Dónal was crying

the workers/shades taking off their work caps during If It’s True as an act of defiance against Hades

I only noticed this in act 2 it could’ve been in act 1 but Grace wore a hair band? something ? wrapped around her ring finger on her left hand

Persephone side eyeing Hades’ silly dancing in epic iii

‘you finished the song’ ‘yes!’ and the audience cheering throwing off both Dónal and Grace (Grace had to skip a line I think)

perhaps the most evil thing of all Orpheus pumps his fists into the air once he reaches the overworld only to look back and Eurydice’s still in the shade . My interpretation is that it’s following the version of the myth where Orpheus makes it out of the underworld but Eurydice has only taken one step forward/isn’t fully in the overworld when Orpheus turns back (he looks back too soon essentially)

anyway Dónal Finn’s If It’s True changed my life justice for Grace Hodgett Young she deserved a standing ovation at Flowers (I would’ve started it but one of the Fates triggered the next song before I worked up enough courage </3) and I am so glad that we’re getting a west end recording because I truly believe that everyone should hear Melanie La Barrie as Hermes at least once in their life

[howlsofbloodhounds]

I feel like Color’s like, the backpack friend. Epic travels with what he has on his back and Delta at least has his weapons and utility belt with Beta’s little stuffed lion inside and that’s all he needs.

Meanwhile Color travels with a medium sized backpack. It mainly holds his camera, scrapbook, journal, and supplies needed for that. But also like small snacks and drinks. Or maybe he carries a sorta satchel instead. He likes feeling prepared.

He probably carries little bits and bobs that remind him of his friends or places he’s been, people he’s met. He has a little scarf that Sage gave him, he always keeps his wedding ring (from his platonic marriage with Killer, work either on his finger or as a necklace) nearby, his camera was made by Delta and covered in stickers by Beta. He may even have a handmade knife or wood craving somewhere, given by Killer.

Color could carry around a tiny piano key on a neckchain, given to him by Ivory. Maybe he turned Zorox’s old collar from when they were a puppy into a bracelet. He always keeps little reminders of Epic’s presence nearby, via funny meme stickers decorating his phone case. Maybe some letters he exchanged with Othertale Gaster in his satchel.

I think the idea of Color carrying bits of the important people in his life with him, even if he no longer really knows them (Sage & Ivory for example), is cute.

[theoutcastrogue]

What's your favorite sneaking around music (e.g., Pink Panther theme, Mission: Impossible theme)?

Great question!

I'd say Mission: Impossible is not sneaking around music, it's heist music, and mmmaybe taking itself a bit too seriously. Too much competence implied for my tastes, too much action and epicness, and way too much (and fully underserved, since this is some Cold War bullshit) self-righteousness. A great and iconic theme, just not for our purposes.

Meanwhile, The Pink Panther Theme is 100% trickster music. I don't think there's even been another melody that captures so perfectly the concept of sneaking, but who's doing the sneaking? A trickster, for sure! So the music is all sleight, playful and light-footed and irreverent, and at no point is it remotely tempted to take itself seriously. And if you hear it and expect the graceful and precise balancing act of the most elegant jewel thief in the world to be immediately followed by a fucking piano falling on the hapless Inspector Clouseau's head like some Looney Tunes shit, well the theme did its job, because that's what it's supposed to evoke. 10/10, insurpassable.

I've always said that Henry Mancini was a genius (also notable for the Peter Gunn theme and Victor/Victoria). That said, Lalo Schifrin is also brilliant (he scored Cook Hand Luke! and Bullitt! and Enter the Dragon!), so yay for both of them.

Finally, I think we should give an honourable mention to The Pirates of Penzance where WITH CAT-LIKE TREAD UPON OUR PREY WE STEAL *keeps singing at the top of her lungs*

With cat-like tread upon our prey we steal In silence dread our cautious way we feel No sound at all, we never speak a word A fly's foot-fall would be distinctly heard

So stealthily the pirate creeps While all the household soundly sleeps

Come friends who plough the sea Truce to navigation, take another station Let's vary piracy with a little burglary

Here's your crowbar and your centre bit Your life preserver, you may want to hit Your silent matches, your dark lantern seize Take your file and your skeletonic keys

With cat-like tread upon our prey we steal In silence dread our cautious way we feel No sound at all, we never speak a word A fly's foot-fall would be distinctly heard

Come friends who plough the sea Truce to navigation, take another station Let's vary piracy with a little burglary

WITH CAT-LIKE TREAD UPON OUR PREY WE STEAL IN SILENCE DREAD OUR CAUTIOUS WAY WE FEEL

COME FRIENDS WHO PLOUGH THE SEA TRUCE TO NAVIGATION, TAKE ANOTHER STATION LET'S VARY PIRACY WITH A LITTLE BURGLARY

WITH CAT-LIKE TREAD UPON OUR PREY WE STEAL IN SILENCE DREAD OUR CAUTIOUS WAY WE FEEL

[leavemyelevator-alone]

Okay, I know I’m a few days late, but I want to talk about Nicholas the Punisher. This theme shows up in either episode 6 or 7, during Wolfwood’s fight against Livio on the Sand Steamer, and it starts playing when Wolfwood declares that he’s gonna be pissed if he has to hurt Livio. This isn’t the first time we’ve seen Wolfwood fight (far from it), but with such high stakes on the outcome on this fight, both concerning Livio’s safety and Vash’s survival, and the fact that this is the theme that is supposed to reflect Wolfwood as the Punisher, we would expect something fast-paced and tense, maybe, if it wanted to lean into the looming outcome if Vash and Wolfwood lose. 

   But no. Wolfwood’s theme (as the Punisher) is so slow, and seems to carry a melancholic, tragic theme to it. It feels so weary, like Wolfwood is exhausted of having to play this part, and is sick of hurting people he once knew (and even loved, in Livio’s case). It carries an undertone of determinedness, but it’s so overwhelmingly melancholic it makes me pause. Does it mean that under all of his blunder, Wolfwood had already given up on Livio, from the start of the fight? This theme plays before he spits out who he really is to Vash, so does that mean that this is how Wolfwood views himself? Does he see himself as this tragic, unforgivable monster? Does he think that he doomed Livio, albeit unknowingly from the start by letting his little brother follow him around? I think so, but the cool thing about music is that everyone has their own interpretation of it. 

   Knives’ theme is strong gorgeous and victorious, Vash’s is chaotic and clearly feels like someone on the run, but Wolfwood’s stays tragic. It is mean to show who he is with the Eye of Michael — what they’ve made him into. Not this strong, unbreakable inhuman fighter, but a scared, broken man who feels like not only his brother but his humanity was ripped away from him. Let’s compare it to Undertaker, his introductory theme: as @/fatalwhims mentioned, this piece is overall kinda unsettling. It’s slower as well, but is more confident. It’s relaxed, and arguably a little mischievous, as opposed to Nicholas the Punisher’s despondency. This is absolutely the musical personification of Wolfwood’s persona he shares with the gang. This is the relaxed, knows what he’s doing, “big-brother Nico” vibes he attempts to use to get Vash to trust him. But Nicholas the Punisher is so far from that. 

Okay, we got the melancholy, “woe-is me” music out of the way; now it’s time for the action-packed, Vashwood-fighting-back-to-back fight music, right? Wrong. Whom to Kill, Whom to Let Live is the track that plays next, and it is just as (arguably) hopeless. The piano creates a bit more of a determined feel, as well as the bass (I think? Correct me if I’m wrong, cause I probably am) that comes in at 1:07 and the addition of another instrument at 1:37, but if you listen closely, the determination that it invokes fits more that of a grim one than that of a triumphant, I-can-beat-him! feel that most series like to do. That aforementioned piano piece? It’s lifted directly from the track Orphanage. Whom to Kill is just as sad of a song as Nicholas the Punisher, and I feel like this is the perfect score for this fight scene. This is not an epic showdown like it was against the Nebraskas at the beginning of the series, or even against Knives at the end of it. This is what I would call the “Last Agni Kai” fight: Wolfwood doesn’t want to fight Livio. He understands that he seems to have no choice, but that doesn’t mean he wants to fight his baby brother. That is why the Orphanage piano piece comes back and haunts this track. That is why it is grim determination. He will either have to let Livio kill his ward (which will get him killed by Knives), or he will have to kill Livio himself (which will break him worse than death). The entirety of the Livio-Vash-Wolfwood fight is tragic, somber, almost desperate music; not what you would expect to hear from an epic fight scene. None of this might make any sense, but I had to get it out of my system. Thanks for indulging my rambling! 

@tristampparty

[the-moth-from-elsewhere]

The Epic Amazing Absolutely Insane TAOCC Song Post

Aka: Elsie assigns random songs to random characters for random reasons, vaguely organized by mod. These are almost entirely vibes and randomness so get ready to be utterly confused. Don’t expect any of these to fit too well, I went more based on the sound and random stuff than the actual accuracy. Also i’m kinda brain-broken from overthinking all this music lol. No, I didn’t add links, just because this took so many hours. Maybe tomorrow, I just wanna get this done.

Feiar’s characters.

Nymn

“Dento takes the Stairs” by Gooseworx

I told you these would make no sense. Idk the amount of nymn just being vibes/silly/lighthearted makes me think of how this song is a break from the chaos of the Elain series.

Jessy

“Metamodernity” by Vansire

Okay, I have a really specific animatic in my head for this song in which we flash between the TAOCC characters as they are in the circus, and then a cool transition, and then it’s them pre-circus. My best example is Dusk and Jessy sitting on a bench. A train passes by, and now it’s human Jessy sitting alone on a bench. Because Dusk is AI. And that very specific part of the animatic in my head tends to stick with me, especially seeing as Jessy is very “just go with stuff” and so I can kinda hear him singing this in my head.

”Apocalypse Now” by PinnoccioP

The first appearance of many of my favorite music artist lol. The song is about enjoying existence even if everything is a violent wreck, and it just kinda fits to me lol.

“World’s Smallest Violin” - AJR

yeah just gonna drop this one here and run

“Sweet Tooth” - Scott Helman

Blame Fei.

Clara

”Drosselmeyer’s theme - Kurumi Wari Ningyo (Nutcracker No. 2 March) - The Princess Tutu Soundtrack

Okay, for starters, you should watch Princess Tutu. Like right now. It’s amazing, and the title does NOT do it Justice. Back on track, it…it’s the nutcracker! Come on, this one was basically handed to me.

Tutu vs Kraehe (Swan Lake Act 1 Op. 20 No. 2)

Fight theme.

Lance

”I Don’t Have a Name For It” - Steam Powered Giraffe

I…I’m sorry I don’t have an explanation for this it just works. Lancia sweep.

Raina

”Nightcall” - Kavinsky

…Once again, very flimsy. But like…switch the gender. I’m sorry but it’s giving “they’re talking about my death but I’m still here.” The miku version works better here in my opinion :3

The pirates

“He’s a pirate” - F-777

“The 7 Seas” - F-777

idk man techno piracy go vrrrrrrrr I unironically blasted these during like the entirety of the pirates plotline frick you this is my rant I do what I want /silly

Star’s Characters

Icia

”Long Live” - Taylor Swift

I swear I have reasons for this just hear me out okay- First off, I can see the voice fitting, second off, I imagine her singing this either for Lance or Starro or both after we finally finally finally throw Hexe off a cliff.

“Santa Salvacion” - Magia Record OST

epic fight theme for fighting the terrifying ice lady. I blasted this while writing the fight scene with The Dark Queen Icia.

Dunite

”Postmeridae” - Madoka Magica OST

Cutesy upbeat theme for making merengues to. No notes.

“Witches Dance” - Magia Record OST

Idk, feels like her fight theme

”Roki” - Mikito P

…Vibes. Entirely vibes. Dunite should start a band /hj.

Starro

“Please Never Fall In Love Again” - Ollie MN

I just…him. Singing this. About Conny. I swear to cheese.

Vaga and Nova

“Class Dance - Rensho Kyoku I” - Princess Tutu OST

…Vibes.

Odette

”Vocalise Op. 34 No. 14” - Madoka Magica OST

Vibes. Piano. Sad string accompaniment. Must I say more?

Achilles

“Doubt #2” - Madoka Magica: Rebellion OST

Starting to notice a pattern with the kingdom characters lol?

Joofie’s Characters

Cardlan

“Main Character” - Will Wood

Ego. So, so much Ego.

“Sayo-Nara” - DDLC OST

I have my reasons.

Minimi

“Not Yet (Epilogue)” - Madoka Magica: Rebellion OST

Accordion and a little bit of ominousness. Vibes.

Xeyshattersiltav1a’s Characters

Sun

“Cowboy Dan” - Modest Mouse

Yee-haw sun. Do not give that woman a truck. Wow, these descriptions are getting terrible lol.

”Popular” - Wicked Soundtrack

Wicked but it’s sun and Dusk lives in my head rent free okay

“Alright” - Mother Mother

please help me I keep making up sun animatics with this song in class

Mix

“Something, Everything is Wrong” - Madoka Magica: Rebellion OST

This song is the reason I associate Mix with the accordion. Also, I imagine Dusk meeting him/his first real introduction in TAOCC’s background music as this song.

“Intertwined” - CMYK, CircusP.

Rip this man’s love life

“Love is War” - Ryo/Supercell feat. Hatsune Miku

Love is still Vehicular Manslaughter /ref

Dialtone

“Cats!” - waterflame

Does the song fit him? Not at all! It is way too techy and upbeat, and would probably better suit someone like Switch. But like….cats. He’d listen to a song called “cats!”. You can’t convince me otherwise.

“Want You Gone” - The Portal OST

Dialtone is GLaDOS coded to me.

“Killer Spider” - PinnoccioP

vibes and vibes alone.

Soup’s Characters

Silhouette

“Scared of you” - Brandon Hesslau

“Whoops, sorry for kinda almost killing you.”

”What Gave It Away” - Riproducer

evil.

”Burial Ground” - Low Roar

sad backstory.mp3.

Clown

“I’m Number One” - Muppets Most Wanted Soundtrack

Look man he’s silly and egotistical and it’s funny. He’s definitely singing this with carbine.

Autumn’s Characters

Pyxel

”Magical Doctor” - MARETU

once again, more vibes than lyrics and the gender’s wrong but, like, the vibes, man

Neb

“Lonely UFO” - PinnoccioP

…it doesn’t fit. The lyrics, as far as I can tell, do NOT fit. BUT LOOK AT THE OUTFIT, THE BLUE HAIR AND VOID SKIN AND MURDER TEETH AND TELL ME THAT DOESN’T LOOK LIKE NEB, OKAY?!

“Finding Sanctuary” - Stellaris OST

Silly space song for silly space person.

Lily’s Characters

The bookend siblings, and I mean all of them as a group, Katrina included for brevity’s sake

“Magical Girl and Chocolate” - PinnoccioP

Okay, I have actual reasoning for this one. Each of the siblings is someone’s “magical girl”, whether metaphorically or literally. They’re each fighting to protect and support someone. And they each strain and struggle to cope with a role too demanding for them. This song works for each of them in a different form and context.

Octavia and Steven/Sign

“Isn’t it “A”” - PinnoccioP

The arguments of all time

Honse- I mean Sophro

“Puzzle” - CMYK, CircusP

He’s just here to help. No notes.

Miscellaneous Others/Not big enough for their own section

Lantern

“Lantern” - Undertale OST

…self explanatory. The song’s vibes fit, too, I imagine this plays in his scenes.

“The Other One Left” - VaneLily

Half due to the “I just want a loving father” line. Gender’s wrong, again, but otherwise the lyrics fit.

Seer

“Seer’s Theme” - Cindy

I literally cannot outdo her own theme. It’s just too good. I listen to it randomly just because I like it so much /gen.

Sigil

“I’m Just Ken” - Barbie Movie Soundtrack

this is mostly a joke but come ON you think that guy doesn’t feel a little overshadowed by his GODDESS FIANCÉE?!

“Business Man” - Tom Cardy

Okay so this one takes some explaining because I imagine sigil walking into Dialtone’s place to spy and Insanity ruining everything and shooting everyone. It makes absolutely no sense but it’s funny in my head so here we are.

My Characters, yes this is gonna be last

Dusk

“Ultimate Senpai” - PinocchioP

A song about being overly pressured and stuff? Yeaaaaah.

“Sis Puella Magia!” - Madoka Magica Soundtrack

….Pretty. That’s it.

Aoki

“Decretum” - Madoka Magica Soundtrack

The reason I gave him a violin.

Alpenglow

“Yume Yume” - DECO*27

I have an ENTIRE ANIMATIC for chip and alpen with this song in my head

Lemonade

“Viva La Vida” - Coldplay

lore. Hehe.

Yume

“What are Children Made Of?” - PinnoccioP

This kid’s childhood has been ruined and boy is processing that hard.

”Everything about Animals” - PinocchioP

an absolute fever dream of a song that she would absolutely sing about animals. And how cool they are. And ohhhh look commentary on the state of humanity

Switchboard

“Kom Susser Tod” - Astrophysics

Idk it doesn’t fit all too well but the mix of utter hopelessness and eurobeat techno is just hercore

TAOCC as a whole

“Something Rotten!/Make an Omelette” - Something Rotten Soundtrack

WHEN I TELL YOU I HAVE AN ENTIRE. FREAKING. ANIMATIC-

”Your Silver Garden” - Madoka Magica OST

I do not know the lyrics literally at all but I could see an OP for TAOCC with this song

[void-of-unparalled-chaos]

Okay so time for me to dump my thoughts on the Underworld Saga because I am going insane and tbh I'm not sure how coherent this will be because my brain is mostly keyboard smashing.

The Shades: "When does a man become a monster? 558 men who died under your command. CAPTAIN! CAPTAIN! CAPTAIN! CAPTAIN! Why would you let the cyclops live when ruthlessness is mercy?"

Okay so the harmonies of the Shades are amazing! But also this whole bit is just so... haunting. The call back to Just a Man and Ruthlessness does something to me. Could you imagine being screamed at by the ghosts of everyone you've failed? Also Jay confirmed that the shades in this song are just repeating their final thoughts in life. They drowned begging for their Captain to help them and died wondering why he failed them. This probably fucked Odysseus UP.

Odysseus: "I keep thinking of the infant from that night. I keep thinking of the infant from that night."

I swear I can hear the PTSD in his voice holy shit. Also Astyanax's music box motif being played in church bells in the back. I never would have noticed it if not for Jay's behind the scenes videos but knowing it's there makes this bit so much better.

Odysseus: "Polities..."

I was not nearly as wrecked at this bit until I saw this post mentioning that Odysseus quiet little "Polities..." is a mirror of Polities strangled "Captain..." when he died and now I will never be the same.

Odysseus' Mom

I am not exaggerating when I say I cried during the watch party. Everything about this is heartbreaking. His mom was thinking about him in her final moments. "Odyssues when you come home I'll be waiting" except she wont be. The shocked defeat in Odysseus' voice with "I took too long...". He's right there in front of her, but her shade just doesn't register him. They are so close physically yet still separated by death. Also the fact that Jay's mom voices her that is so sweet omg.

The change from "Here in the Underworld the past seems close behind" to "But in the Underworld your past is always close behind."

STTAGKDUKFUTAATUFOUCOUXGJXG

THE STRINGS!!!!! AND THE PIANO!!!!

Tiresias' voice is so haunting omg

Mason absolutely NAILED prophet who is constantly being shown everything all the time at one I love it sm.

The lyrics in this song are just.... so good. And the foreshadowing is top notch

Jay's voice acting for Odysseus' is also great in this.

The distress and frustration in "We've suffered and sailed through the toughest of hells. Now you tell us ur efforts are for NOTHING?!" and the absolute anger in "WHO!?!?!" (Its you, Ody. See your about to go through a complete change in morals about 5 minutes from now and become a completely different person).

THE DESCENDING ORGAN FOR THE SECOND CHORUS MY JAW DROPPED

Jorge don't think I didn't notice the Hunchback of Notre Dame, Hellfire, vibes at the end I see you.

This is my favorite song released in Epic so far and I am not normal about it at all.

The GUITAR! THE ELECTRIC GUITAR!

For those unfamiliar and being dragged along this nonsense post, Odysseues character is associated with the guitar. The acoustic guitar is when he is softer, kinder, and more "human" while the electric guitar represents him at his most brutal, ruthless, and "monsterous". This song is his turning point to which he is done being merciful. He will do ANYHTING to get home.

"Oh Ruthlessness is mercy upon ourselves..."

Really taking Poseidon's lesson to heart there.

Odysseus: "AND IF I GOTTA DROP ANOTHER INFANT FROM A WALL IN AN INSTANT SO WE ALL DON'T DIE? THEN I'LL BECOME THE MONSTER! I WILL DEAL THE BLOW!... SO WHAT IF I'M THE MONSTER?"

Ayrsgstusigxjgsutaut holy shit holy shit holy shit-

Play this back to back with Just A Man for some psychic damage. What an end for Act 1!

[sorenphelps]

I've hopped on to the rockstar AU bandwagon so hard that I just had to make more fanart, which somehow turned into a full post explaining further the scoring chart and my detailed Marauders Band AU headcanons with a lot of sample music linked!! It's long so I hid it under the cut, enjoy and please share your thoughts, I'm desperate!

Sirius has a powerful, deep, and a little raspy voice, with quite a large vocal range (might have minor difficulties with the very high notes). He can play a lot of musical instruments: guitars (acoustic, electric, bass), piano, and drums if it’s absolutely necessary. He picked up a tiny little bit of violin too from his brother, and tried some wind instruments too, but never really got the hang of them. His preferred style of music is all kind of rock, but he is opened to new genres. He is an adequate composer, but he is prone to overdramatize his works and lyrics, his real talent is his charismatic vocals. Samples: x x x x x

Remus has a softer singing voice with an average range, generally higher than Sirius’ and not as charismatic. His kind of music is more alternative and chill (sexy even), focusing more on the actual technicalities and lyrics. He can play a cello (electric too) and a bass guitar perfectly, and he learned how to play other instruments too, so he would feel “caught up” to his friends’ levels (even though he is the most proficient bass player ever, and his lyrics are basically high-end poetry, which can be paralleled by only Sirius on his best days). He likes to incorporate unconventional solutions to his music (e.g. autotune effects, weird traditional instruments, etc.). Samples: x x x x x

James is bad at singing, he has a very average voice with quite a small vocal range if any. However, he can play a lot of musical instruments (his preference being the drums) and is a talented sound engineer. He is the best composer among his friends, he has the most experimental style. He has very creative ideas, and is best at helping his friends to make music together, enhancing their individual strengths and transforming their shared talent into something better. Samples (including a bonus collab he composed for Lily & Sirius and a collab with Remus): x x x x x x x

Lily has a very feminine, soft and even angelic voice, which is best paired with either a folk-ish alternative music style or rock/metal. She has the kind of voice, which just enhances any “epic” music with heavy guitar riffs or drum solos, basically anything, which is just very characteristic and theatrical by its own, and would be very overwhelming if for example Sirius would sing in them with his also very charismatic and powerful vocals. Lily is a very skilled piano player and singer with a wide vocal range, her songs are usually get picked as soundtrack for fantasy video games. Samples: x x x x x

Peter is more interested in classical music and the business side of music, he is a surprisingly adept talent scout and manager. As he is missing a finger, the musical instruments he could play is very limited. He is secretly a very skilled opera singer however. Samples: x x x

[artistdove]

Ok so I finished the Epic Mickey Demo a while ago and here are my thoughts. I played it on the Switch. This is gonna be a bit long, sorry in advance. Gonna put a read more in case none want to be spoiled or read this, idk ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Graphics: Amazing. Everything has a new model even the characters, nothing looks like it was ported from the Wii and HD-ed. Though that does mean for the Switch it may glitch at times. Sometimes I would catch the models load and unload. Though some of the new models seem a bit odd when they do certain animations. Really it's Ozzy's model that had me double take. It's great, but when he puffs out his chest it looks a bit geometric instead of smooth. Idk maybe the light sources make it look bad. Mick's ears have a slight bug when the camera sticks for a bit as they are made to follow the camera. The cutscenes do seem to cut off abruptly. I was a spamming A quite a bit, but that shouldn't have caused such jumps. I only had one second of footage of the teacup ride before it cuts to the ruined Dumbo ride. Others seems too fast for the animation to fully play out too. The thinner rivers also look odd as they are brighter in color.

Animation: Flowy and sleek. Apparently, they erased the controller Mick holds in the old cutscenes. I didn't notice it. I did noticed that some of the animations looked new. They may not be, idk. I played this game on the Wii, so. But I swear, Ozzy makes a slightly different facial expression in the intro scene. The animation does feel a tad lifeless and buffered at times. It doesn't squash and stretch like it used too, heck Ozzy's shocked expression felt quite stiff. Mickey's jump animation seems floaty in how he transitions to it. I definitely notice some of the enemies get stuck in the stage animation and took a bit to gain control. The paint/thinner streaks are crazy. It either looks normal or breaks physics with how it hits objects. Breakable objects go brr cuz they put physics on those.

Sound: Sound doesn't seem to have changed drastically. I can tell there is some new sounds or ones I just never noticed. Like piano notes when Mick tip-toes. Ozzy's new little noise when he taunts Mick. New ink sounds for his movesets. Upgraded sounds for the grunts. Though, the volume is strange. In the beginning, there is like no sound. Music was definitely present, but I could barely hear the footsteps, Gus, robot, etc. I swear the machine's cranks were like blasting in the old game. It's so muffled, and I had the volume at like 25. Later, the volume was fine. Neither sound or music was out doing each other.

Gameplay: Not bad. The new movesets and dash feature is great. Buttons layout is odd, though again. I played it on the Wii so I am too used to motion controls for it. The Switch offers it, but only when you press the buttons to paint or thin. Other than that, your stuck having to aim it with the camera stick. Took me a while to get used to it. The other layouts are fine. There seems to be a new move with the Guardians on guiding them, but idk how that works. The game plays the same as usual. I will warn that when too many enemies are on screen, causes crazy lag. Most likely due to the high graphics and it being on the Switch. I got ganged up by Splatters.

Other: I can definitely tell that the game may need patch updates or something. Some parts felt behind or laggy. Wish there was more graphic options to help it run better on Switch. The motion control could have been better. I mean Skyward Sword got ported and that still functioned like it's Wii version. The new moves are neat but until the full game, I don't understand how useful they will be. The UI is neat. I understand the charm of the old ones. Least if they remake the sequal, they have those new assets. The characters icons or eh to me. Neat poster-look, but I like the 3D or sketchy style. Nice to have Gus be optional in his tips. He'll still force tips, but it's not near as often. Some stuff does seem to be missing. The only thing that comes to mind is the first pin found has no camera swirl, poor Mick just snaps his kneck. Didn't get to look at the concept art before I finished it, but nice to know you can zoom in and know who drew it. Even nicer that there is much more concept art. Menu is amazing. Sleek and easily readable. The new loading screens are great, I will be missing the old ones though. Main menu is also cool as heck.

Overall, I have hopes for this game. I am so excited to get the full release. I do feel that a tad more improvements need to be made. Probably doesn't help I have a console that has questional performance and quality, which is sad cuz Nintendo was known for that. Happy to see Ozzy be brought to a spotlight and Mickey be used again.

[misc-obeyme]

i just had a major breakthrough last night and wrote four pages of bullet points with random plot ideas, scenarios, and dialogue in my sketchbook 😅 IT WAS SO LATE AT NIGHT I CAN BARELY READ MY OWN HANDWRITING

I'm still trying to figure out the proper term, but Solomon is majoring in music composition !! Wiki says his favorite genre is classical music, and I like the idea he would want to create his own. His main instrument is piano !! But he has basic knowledge of guitar and the violin. (It'll be mainly running into the coffee shop together separately and living their lives, but once they get closer, Sol tries teaching me piano because i wanted to learn- THERE'S A BACKSTORY TO THIS AND ANOTHER PLOT IDEA !!!)

Simeon is also studying at the same college, and is writing TSL online. He has his own website, and Solomon creates pieces to go along with scenes in the book. (This is a whole other plot point)

I think right now it's going "Horror Night/Realizations" (the three of them going to see a movie that Solomon was excited to see, end up at a diner afterwards) -> "Burned CD's/Mammon Playlist Drama" (hehehe- WAIT IT'S NOT ANGST, GOTTA CLARIFY THE RECORD STORE DOES N O T BURN DOWN) -> "Halloween Party w/ Asmo" (A vampire, a werewolf, and a devil. What could go wrong? Or right? 👀) -> "Retail Therapy/Talks" (bookstores are a girl's best friend)

I haven't decided what role every character will play, but Levi makes an appearance with the CD stuff, Asmo throws the party and is studying to be a fashion designer, Satan owns a bookstore that I frequently visit (ANOTHER PLOT POINT AHAH), and Lucifer makes another appearance.

i keep writing things down and then getting more ideas and it feels like one big web, BUT IT'S ALL CONNECTED !! This is so much fun !! So technically yes, apprentice ish on the side, and Mammon does confess (kinda). I HAVE THIS PLANNED OUT BUT I DIDN'T WANT THIS TO GET LONG (IT DID ANYWAY), I JUST WANTED TO SHARE BECAUSE I'M WRITING THIS AS I GET READY FOR WORK AJDJJSD OKAY BYEEE

- ✨ anon

Wow this really is turning into an epic love story for the ages!! I love it lol!

Ohhhh music major, eh?!? My main instrument is also the piano! What a coincidence! Okay, actually, that's really easy to figure out considering my OC is a music demon and he is also known for his piano skills alskdfj. But Arsenios is a demon so he has magical talent that allows him to play any instrument. He's like everything I wish I could be as a musician lol!!! But anyway, got a bit sidetracked there, sorry. I love Solomon as a composer. That just feels like something he'd get lost in, you know? Music can be simple, but it can also be really complicated. And just imagine that guy getting lost in writing some kinda orchestral masterpiece... Or if he did a little conducting too, that baton is basically a magic wand...

Anyway, I love how we're getting all the other characters involved now, too!

See, you've already got the timeline, too!

I mean, what you're doing right now is basically outlining a story! I never outline anything because I am a degenerate, but that's exactly the kinda thing that a lot of people do before writing. So you're setting yourself up for success, I'd say! I mean, it's all whatever, writing is a personal process!

I'm loving your ideas and I'm loving the enthusiasm!! This right here is exactly why I write - because it's fun!

I hope you continue to enjoy coming up with ideas and if you do decide to write it, I hope you enjoy yourself!!

[suekreandtheidiots]

SKETCH DUMP #1

I decided to do good old sketch dumps again, because I miss throwing them together and posting them, like I did on DA back in the days. I had about 40 of those in the end, I think, before I fell off the earth in early 2014, and I'm curious how many it's going to be with this second round!

Quick scribble of Jett. I still need a proper headshot for her at some point, I love her.

Grown up Cal Fitzgibbons. Yes, every man in my universe needs epic hair in some way. 😂

Avery and squishy little Dex!

Trevor Abrahamsen, a side OC who is going to play a bit of a role in Hallie's life AND Linda, Fozzy's wild ex-fling and mother of his son. She's a Nancy Spungen kinda type, and while she won't have a bigger role, I still wanna draw her again at some point. 😂

Teenage Mark (from the 2006 gang) and the one true love of his life. I'm currently trying to pick a name for her; I got quite a few good ones to choose from already!

Another grown up Cal. I love him so much, not much is left from the entitled teenager he used to be.

Daryl is looking after Dex... and it's been a bit too quiet for a bit too long. Never a good sign!

Lancie and Dallas, June 2023, in the Aberdeen Opera House, only moments before Lancie meets an old friend entirely by chance. :)

Fozzy playing piano for Lucy. They were the ship that didn't sail far. It hit an iceberg, exploded the very same second and sunk. 😂

SMEWCH!

Well, wasn't that fun. See you next time!

[kendrixtermina]

Reaction to The Devil’s Chord

Ok, seems like this will be a silly episode, which has rarely been my favorite, but at least they’re clearly having fun with it & commited to the bit, which must be respected. And they’re doing something based on a little legend.

Speaking of respect, my respect for Ruby just went up a notch, cause, if the Doctor asked me for where to go for my first TARDIS trip, my answer would have been to go see a Nirvana concert.

Plus I think we’re still in the ‚getting to know Ruby‘ arc so maybe we’re exploring her as a musician today.

...and oh, for a moment you thought the Doctor was gonna raise an eyebrow but he loves it! I feel loved.

Aww he’s such a nerd, and they’re so excited to be doing fun stuff together.

And oooh they’re having so much fun with the outfits!

They’re having so much fun with the clothes & the infiltration! They’re such besties already

(And here’s another way that you organically show that two people are friends without just having them say they like each other while acting like distant coworkers at best, Chibnall.)

That bit with the Doctor getting all nostalgic for when he was hiding out in the 60s… :(

Ruby’s song is pretty good actually, kudos to the composers.

Interesting that what she choses for this is something she made to cheer up a friend. It speaks about what she values. & it’s paired with a different friend of hers looking melancholy.

In ‚An Unearthly Child‘, we see that Susan being into the music from the 60s, so, maybe Ruby isn’t the only one who has some treasured memories involving the beatles.

I love the whiplash from the Doctor finding it odd that he would be scared of a beast in the last episode to panicking when one of the toymaker’s goons appears, just underlining how they’re a totally different, out-of-this-world threat level. That’s the exact expression that 14 had in the toymaker’s endless labyrinth.

They are putting a lot of effort into the little aesthetic touches.

Just a few seconds earlier Ruby was talking about how music can’t be stolen. Hahaha. So much for „there is no such thing as the bogeyman“.

For once the Doctor uses the sonic screwriver to actually do something sound-related (probably emiting soundwaves to cancel out the existing noises)

It’s kinda weird how time has passed. Like, in 2004 Rose is, just a short time before we met her, Clara is 14 with her mom still alive, and Ruby is a baby.

Notice how, at this point we know that the destroyed version of 2024 isn’t going to stick, but the ruined landscape lands, because the characters are reacting & emoting.

Like that was so fucking missing from Chibnall’s dry exposition.

Child of the toymaker? Of course. They wouldn’t be a pantheon if they didn’t have a fucked up family tree that is also a metaphor. Music being a result of play makes sense cause creativity is chaotic.

They’re really hamming it up & it makes all the sense for a metaphorical ‚god‘. I think if you’re doing gods right they must be metaphor, like, that take gets it. Aaand of course, everything is vibrations, friggin quantum & stuff.

I like the idea that just like the Doctor (in a way the ultimate trickster) set free the toymaker, that music genius guy set free the music devil.

So instead of alons-y, 15 says it in turkish? Why not xD

Of course they short out the sonic the second time… by singing.

And of course the one they want is Ruby, because she’s the one who played the piano.

Oh. OH. So here’s some mystery. Poor Ruby. Is she a demigoddess of some kind? A changeling? We’ll see I gues.

Also this is reminding me of the song battle of Sauron vs Finrod in the silmarillion. I love that they did a duett.

And oooh, Ncuti getting his first epic speech~

Even if it comes to nothing, it’s a nice touch that the Doctor told Ruby to get try getting to the piano, like having the faith that she might fix it.

Though it’s fitting to have a little eucatastrophe & have John & Paul be the ones who finish saving the day.

The dance number was kina over the top for my taste, but I guess it fits the nature of the beast.

And maybe, like with the toymaker, the ‚magic‘ always lingers a little bit after its deity was banished.

Still, it’s a fun idea to have the Doctor having to save the day with his musical skills rather than his scientific ones for once, since he’s spent a long time playing the recorder, spoons, e-guitar and whatnot.

Similar to how he’s adapted his knowledge of linguistics to the magic.

Like I wasn't wowed by this ep but in this age of irony poisoning you gotta appreciate when something commits to the bit.

[linesonscreens]

Let's Read Peanuts (Yes, all of it) - October 1951

There are lots of great strips I just don't have room to comment on. I strongly encourage everybody to read the full month at the official GoComics page. Today's month starts HERE.

Oct 2, 1951

In case you were wondering if Schroeder every plays normal pianos.

Oct 5, 1951

As a former Barnes & Noble employee I take comfort in knowing that this is a problem as old as the written word. Ancient Mesopotamian priests would find copies of the Epic of Gilgamesh scattered all over their temples and would periodically have to remove the chairs to keep teenagers from loitering after the harvest. Such is the natural order of the world.

Oct 9, 1951

What are they singing? Wrong answers only.

Oct 10, 1951

First "Schroeder loves Beethoven (possibly in a romantic sense)" comic!

Oct 13, 1951

Pictured: Me and my friends last night trying to figure out what Steam game to play.

Oct 16, 1951

What did you do, Chuck!?

Oct 17, 1951

The quicksandbox was actually one of the safer toys kids had in 1951.

Oct 24, 1951

You can really tell that Schulz grew up with dogs as a kid.

Oct 26, 1951

Yup, mudpies sure are still a thing.

Oct 31, 1951

“DID THAT DOG JUST FUCKING TALK!?”

Thoughts:

Happy Halloween everybody!*

Did you notice that backgrounds are becoming more common? They don't really start to shine until Sunday strips become a thing but I think they're already pretty good. I particularly like how effectively they convey the mood of a location despite being incredibly simple.

Which isn't an accident if you stop and think about it. Peanuts was used as a filler strip of sorts and would often be used in non-comic newspaper sections when they needed to fill just a little bit of space to make all the text fit correctly. Because of this it would often be printed at a fairly small size which meant that if Schulz used too much detail a strip could easily become an incomprehensible mess when it actually reached readers. As a result Schulz developed a style that's incredibly efficient in how it communicates information. You can see this in the way he draws backgrounds but also in how he draws characters, props, speech bubbles, and just about everything else (big heads, simple features, as few words as necessary, and a heavy emphasis on using value and composition to create visual interest). It's really damn impressive if you know what to look for.

"The art is good so pay attention to it" is my point, I guess.

Or don't. Whatever. I'm not your dad (no matter what the courts keep saying).

*Please bookmark this post and then read it on the next available October 31st for the maximum emotional impact. TIA.

[queenofthearchipelago]

The Second Day of Doomsday

I've brought down my copy of How to Be a Pirate off the shelf and I must admit how fond I am of this book. This is where the setup really begins for the story we are about to embark upon. The first book was really more of a prologue and this is the real beginning.

This is where we introduce characters like Alvin the Treacherous and Grimbeard the Ghastly. This is where we introduce the idea of the quests and where we really establish who these people are, Hiccup and Fishlegs and Toothless.

There are so many iconic scenes in this book. The entire episode with the coffin, to the escape of the Isle of the Skullions, to the battle on the ships, Hooligans vs Outcasts.

And of course, the Treasure of the Cavern. What an epic first battle between two evenly matched enemies (if only one was a little older and the other a little smarter). However I must admit my favorite part isn't the finding of the Treasure, nor is it the battle for it. It's the little bit at the end, where Hiccup notices a piece of paper nailed to the backside of the door they came in through.

This is one of only a handful of scenes I regularly come back to reread. This letter, and Hiccup's decision after reading it, both changed who I am as a person and cemented Book!Hiccup as one of my favorite and most relatable characters of all time.

For context, teenage me read this book for the first time through audiobook, and every single time the story came to a place where Hiccup needed to make a decision, I'd hit pause. I'd think about it. What would I do? And what did I think Hiccup would do?

So when I finished Grimbeard's letter I knew I had to pause again. To know about this fearsome pirate of a Viking king who gathered all this treasure and came to regret it based on what it turned his people into... that was so powerful to me. It wasn't that he got bored of his riches, or lost it in a shipwreck. It was that in the gain of fortune, he lost his friends to greed and lust for power. And so he decided to get rid of it, leave it for some far-off distant person who deserved it. Someone who would do the right thing with it.

And so I had a decision to make. What would I do with it? I remember the moment so vividly. It must've been 2 a.m. on a school night. I thought about all the good things money can buy. All the good causes money can be put to. But then I remembered that this isn't a question for me in my life, this is a question for me in Hiccup's shoes. This isn't exactly what I would do, this is what would I do if I were him? And so I determined that I would leave it there. They weren't ready yet.

What a beautiful surprise to me, when I pressed play on the audiobook again, and listened to Hiccup make that same decision with the same words that I had used.

Fishlegs didn't understand, but he respected Hiccup enough that he kept the secret all his life. And then, in writing this book himself as a memoir left to us, Old Man Hiccup trusts us the readers with the knowledge of this treasure too. What would we do with it in the present day?

I think again of all the good causes money can be put to today. But the purpose of the question is not to think of those, I think. The purpose should be to remember that long ago the Vikings were not capable of having beautiful and dangerous things and using them wisely. Nor are we capable of using them wisely today.

I imagine myself holding the second of Hiccup's memoirs. I imagine myself flipping to the last page and I imagine myself writing there the same words he wrote on the bottom of a letter nailed to a door in an underwater cavern.

"Still Not Ready."

(And before I go, a special shout-out to Grimbeard's favorite sword. Because sometimes second best is best. I would remember that line in music university every time I went into the practice rooms and went into the room with the second-best piano. I spent many many hours in that small storage closet of a room without AC. No one ever fought me for it. Thinking about it now, I've built quite a lot of my skill on the keys of second-best pianos. And I was always significantly less shaken than my peers when a note buzzed or when the pedals got stuck. Because hey, when you're a pianist you don't always get to choose, you play on what they give you when you show up.)

[blakeromanissuperior]

Playing the drums

Warning: fluff

Tommy was hanging with Will, Ash, and Mark cause why the fuck not. They were at Mark's house chilling, writing music, playing cards, drinking, and playing video games. Tommy was a little tipsy cause Champagne was his favorite, and he drank a little bit much of it. He walked up to Mark champagne glass in hand and asked Mark if he could play the drums for the guys. Mark said, sure, and sat down in the drum seat. "Is there any song you want me to play?" Mark picked up his drum sticks. "You'll Understand When You're Older! I love the ending, " Tommy beamed, taking a swig off his glass. Mark giggled and started playing. Tommy was mesmerized by the way Mark could do so many things at once on those drums. Mark was hitting the drums without stopping even spinning the sticks in the air. When Mark finished by yelling "Fuck!" Like he does when the song ends Tommy started rambling. "That was fucking epic Mark holy shit" Tommy yelled. Mark laughed and ruffled the 19 year Olds hair. Tommy shrieked quickly, running his fingers on Mark's sides. Mark jumped, letting go of the boy. "Not the hair, you dick head!" Tommy fixed his hair, and Mark had his arms wrapped around his front, protecting himself. "Jesus man, you didn't have to murder me." Mark giggled red in the face, but that was normal. "Sorry man, but next time, don't touch the hair," Tommy laughed. Will, Ash, and Joe were giggling and teasing Mark. "Next time, don't be so sensitive," Will said poking him. Mark hated drunk Wilbur he was too much of a tease, and it drove Mark crazy. "How about I teach you how to play the drums, kiddo?" Mark asked Tommy the boys face lit up. "YES YES YES," Tommy jumped up and down. Mark giggled, taking a swig of his whine, and started to teach Tommy. He taught him the basics wear to hold the drumsticks, how to hold the drumsticks, what each drum did, and even taught him some of Model Buses. Tommy taught Mark some piano but was taken back when he found out that Mark could play pretty well. He even impressed Tommy by playing the opening to the Annoying At First show on the guitar. After that, they all filled their cups up again, played minecraft, and laughed. Will, Ash, and Joe watched Mark and Tommy play an intense game of Mario Cart. Tommy ended up winning by jabbing Mark's side, making him lose his controller. "You cheater," Mark yelled, tackling Tommy to the ground. "You've been prodding me all night it's time for some revenge," Mark said with an evil giggle. Tommy's loud and wheezy laughter could be heard along with every other Lovejoy member, including Mark, who is also dying. Mark rolled off, Tommy everyone in hysterical laughter and really tipsy. This was the life that Tommy wanted to live forever he wouldn't trade this night of fun for anything.