#Album Journey

[thisisgraeme]

Discover "The Unheard Music of Eternal Concord (Apotheosis)": A New Drum & Bass Adventure from THISISGRAEME Music

The Unheard Music of Eternal Concord (Apotheosis) Greetings to all you rhythm aficionados out there! I’m excited to unveil ‘The Unheard Music of Eternal Concord (Apotheosis),’ a bold new addition to the THISISGRAEME Music portfolio. Picture this track as more than just a series of notes—it’s another landmark on my expedition to craft a collection of 20 albums in the coming 20 years. ‘The…

[peekychu]

Dude, it wasn’t kidding .That Friendship rly is magic

@vyl3tpwny

[jazznoisehere]

Mort Garson: Journey To The Moon And Beyond (Sacred Bones, 2023)

Artwork & Design by Robert Beatty

[pw-ps]

if you think about it it's kind of crazy that fob have been together for far longer post-hiatus than they were pre-hiatus......pre-hiatus forever stuck in 2003-2009.....just six years....... meanwhile post-hiatus is 2013— ten years.....(and counting)

[untimelyambition]

hozier knew what he was doing with those three bars of acoustic guitar at the end of first light, something about it catches in your chest it’s such a perfect way to end the album

[mufos-photo-album]

Experiments in Wayfarer Language Visualizations

(Fancy words for "how I plan to represent the Wayfarer language in a webcomic format". Transcript at bottom of post)

[ID: Two screenshots of the Wayfarer language being spoken, represented by a yellow-colored text bubble with Journey symbols underneath the written text]

Up until now, I depicted the Wayfarer language by using some combo of yellow-colored text bubble and over/underlaying some Journey symbols underneath.

When it comes to adapting this for a webcomic, I wanna change this up, since grabbing/cropping the symbols is too time-consuming, but only having a yellow-colored text bubble feels plain (even though it gets the message across that what is being spoken is a different language).

The complexity factor is important to me since the Journey/Wayfarer calls are a lot more layered/complex than other calls in Sky. This auditor[y] aspect is something I wanna convey visually.

Below is the solution I have cooked up for this future problem. No more symbols (unless the contents are deliberately obscured from the reader), and auditor[y] complexity is conveyed by the complexity of the text bubble itself. I hope to make replicating this effect easier for myself in the future by having a template I can trace over.

[ID: A linear scale measuring level of fluency (of the Wayfarer language). The left side is "fluent" and the right side is "doesn't understand". 4 characters are arranged across the scale indicating their level of fluency. Piripu is most fluent, Odiwa's Wayfarer is pretty good, Kucevoz's could use some work, and Mufotsuki doesn't speak Wayfarer. Each of them has a differently styled speech bubble to convey this information.]

This kind of set up would allow for some fun language-based interactions.

Pictured to the left: When everyone at the function is speaking a language you don't understand, and the only word you recognize is your own name.

[ID: A simple doodle of Piripu and Mufotsuki talking. Piripu, in Wayfarer, says: "... It's nice and all, however Mufotsuki tends to talk a lot in her sleep". Mufo, only able to recognize her name, replies: "Are you talking about me...?"]

[k-i-l-l-e-r-b-e-e-6-9]

Kiss - Journey Of 1000 Years

[vampirecatprince]

The fact that I've listened to Euclid HUNDREDS of times but it can still randomly hit just right and make me cry tho

[onyourstageleft]

[thisisgraeme]

Discover the Pulse of "Nesoi's Isthmus (Remix)": A New Drum & Bass Adventure from THISISGRAEME Music

🎶 Explore 'Nesoi's Isthmus (Remix)' by THISISGRAEME, a unique drum & bass journey blending diverse genres. #THISISGRAEME #NewMusic 🌟

Nesoi’s Isthmus (Remix) Kia ora, music lovers! I’m thrilled to share with you ‘Nesoi’s Isthmus (Remix)‘, my latest drum and bass masterpiece from THISISGRAEME Music. This track isn’t just a melody; it’s a milestone in my journey to create 20 albums over the next two decades. ‘Nesoi’s Isthmus (Remix)‘ embodies the passion and dedication I’m pouring into this venture, blending heart-pumping…

[zaynontour]

❤️ HARRY STYLES, LOVE ON TOUR 2021-23 ❤️

[hearts-hunger]

you know what's actually so important to me is that four guys in a rock n roll band decided to name their next album starcatcher. like, in a world of men's anger and men's greed and men's pride, there are also men who look to the sky with awe and humility, one hand extended to touch the stars with a wondering and eager reverence, the other hand offered in love to those who might need a little help and encouragement as they start to look skyward.

[hcdragonwrites]

A Mountain of Sweets

(a @journey-to-the-au fic) Tea Trouble part 1

Ok! This is a part one of two- yes I did it again I wrote something that’s a biiiiit longer then I want to subject y’all to in one post- so I had to split it. ENJOY!

Today would be glorious.

Earth Reaching Willow had to make sure everything went perfect. She had woken early, disentangling herself from her cuddle buddy of Wukong, Pear and several new babies who had begged for a story and had fallen asleep on Willows arms and in her hair. She dressed simply and made her way to the kitchen to help get a head start.

Her sisters were coming to visit.

All six sisters.

Everything had to be perfect, it would go perfect. It would go amazingly well. Willow had already started upon the tea cakes and tarts, picking the best peach jams and stuffings. Willow selected the finest green tea brand. Willow pulled the tea set gifted to her from Guanyin on her Wedding day, a spectacular peace of simple white porcelain laced and decorated in blossoms. She grabbed the finest tray and collected the sweetest teacups. When the teacakes and tarts finished she settled herself into the work going through the cold storages and ice boxes for the best fruits and seeds to fry. A plethora of moon tea cakes, of coconut cakes, and bean cakes was slowly being created. Willow roasted pine nuts, she fried small breads and cut the cold stored fruit into harmonious shapes of lotus blossoms and stars.

All seven sisters were coming to visit Flower Fruit Mountain. Stress strung her tighter then a bow for two reasons. The first of course was to impress. Her sisters would finally see how beautiful the world is here, to see how the Earth was not something to turn their nose up at. It was a paradise that consistently changed, that surprised her with every hand painted dawn and new sketched night. No two days were the same, no two phases of the moon were similar. The world was cast in shades and colors and music that Willow hoped- that she prayed - her sisters would see.

The second reason for her stress was … all six of her sisters were coming to visit.

Summer Turning Flower, her second sister and her mothers daughter. Winter Frosted Grace, with her cold confidence and calculations. Autumn Leaves Falling, who could charm a raging storm with a smile. Wind Over Sea, the swiftest and most eager to please. Weaves The Clouds, who liked to prank and tease. And Little Weaver Girl, the sweetest and youngest of the sisters.

Seven sisters of Heaven and … Willow worried for her sweet family here on the Mountain. Back when the Heavens didn’t corral the daughters in so tightly, on a summer night, they had decided to visit the earth. They had snuck out and taken their fathers best heavenly steeds- both as protection and as a mode of transport- to take a night among the mortals. It was a jaunt and play at rebellion, one Willow and Flower had been in planning for years. They had escaped the court, laughing with the abandon of children. Down to earth the seven sisters upon seven steeds had come a galloping. They had gone to the closest river, the shiniest bend of liquid night, and had slipped from garments to nothing. They had swam with abandon, laughed and splashed. The joy of that night gave Willow a beat of heart sickness. She missed those days when the sisters had laughed and schemed together.

They had been so naive then. So carefree. A taste of that joy was just in her memory, a warm brush against her senses. Like a ghost of a feeling.

“Willow?”

She turned seeing a very sleepy and very tired Wukong blinking at her. His fur was mused. His face still carrying the lines of sleep as he yawned wide and rubbed at his eyes.

“I was wondering where you had gone.” He came walking forward into the kitchen reaching for her hand. Willow stepped forward and took it. Wukongs eyes widened at the counter behind her- the red practically swallowing the polished gold of his pupils. “It is so early still, My Willow Tree.”

Willow felt a bit of her face flame. Just a little, as the Monkey King stepped up to the counter and looked at her mornings work. Wukong tugged her hand.

“Tell me you haven’t been up all night making these.” His faced begged her to counter his assumption. How else could she have accomplished so much in so short a time?

“Only since the first chime of the bell.” Willow sheepishly tucked a stray hair behind her ear, looking to the floor, to the ceiling, everywhere but her sweet friends face.

“The first chime! Willow- that was six Chimes ago!” He admonished and her husband was suddenly larger- leaning into her face and taking away her ability to duck his looks. Drat Wukong. Her friend may be uncomfortable with direct eye contact but he would quickly forget about it when it came to things of this nature. He now used his magic to make it so she could not escape his scrutiny.

“That was the turning of the night Guards! I could have had the chefs start the preparations. You did not have to wear yourself out.” Wukong gently put a finger to her chin, tilting her head up. A thumb ran beneath her eye, shadowing the dark circles that had made nests below.

“… “ Willow was caught. She had nothing to say in her defence. She had just been so nervous- so nervous and wanting to impress the impossible expectations of her sisters. Wukongs eyes softened, the gold going warm , honey melting into warm embers.

“Oh Willow what has you so worried.” He held her face in his hands gently, not caging her in but holding her so she could not deny or run from it. A simple I am here that grounded her.

“I just want everything to be perfect.” Willow sighed. She held one of his hands with her own. Wukong twined his fingers with hers, rubbing the backs with the pad of his thumb. “I want them to love Earth and see how much I love it. How beautiful it is. This whole place- everyone here- I love it so Wukong. I just …”

“Princess,” He kissed her brow, the places beneath her eyes where those shadows nestled. His smile was the soft curve of the moon at night, all soft light and kindness. “Your sisters will love it because you love it. You have nothing to worry for.”

“You say that but…”

“Willow,” he tapped her nose, tucking and tugging her into his arms, “if you wear yourself out before they have even started their decent from Heaven, I will bring Beng in here to scold you for the lack of sleep.”

His breath tickled her ear as he threatened Willow. She gave a mock gasp, looking up from her place beneath his chin.

“Not Beng! He scolds with his face.” Willow scrunched her face in the best Beng impression she had, the one the medicine monkey wore when his patients clearly ignored his advice. Wukongs face broke into laughter, a delightful waterfall of vibration along her back. “He may never say a harsh word but his face speaks enough to make my ears turn red.”

“My point exactly.” Wukong said. He grew a bit larger, setting Willows feet on his own. He started to walk her back, puppeteering her away from the kitchen in the goofiest way. “Now come on…”

“But…” Willow looked at the rice cakes, the bountiful mess and harvest of her labour. Was it enough?

“No one will touch the cakes.” Wukong promised. “No one would think to today of all days to do that. All of the mountain is abuzz and they want today to go off without a hitch.”

“I just … “ want to impress them. Want to impress you. I want there to be harmony between the love of my family in Heaven and the love of my family On Earth. “I want you to be happy with them.” She said out-loud.

Willow didn’t get to see the way the monkeys eyes went from honey to butter at her words. He melted against her, draping her in fur and twining his tail around her waist.

“Oh my Willow Tree.” He said it so softly, eliciting Willow to look up. Just in time, for Wukong had her legs out from under her and had swung her around onto his side. He was carrying her almost like the mothers did to their babes, close but with one hand on the ground. Willow curled into him, seeing the tender admonishment in her friends eyes.

“Come. Back to bed with you. The littles are all upset their Grandmother left without morning kisses and Pear is particularly beside herself.” Before she could say more, Wukong was loping away and back to their room where a barrel of littles came climbing and begging for cuddles and kisses. Wukong worried not for the snacks Willow had made. He more or less worried about the the stores she had burned through in those six chimes.

For Willow, in all her worry, had made a mountain of tarts, a landslide of teacakes, a sea of fried breads and foodstuff, that spilled and took over not one but four of the longest counters in the kitchens.

As he looked down on her, still holding him as she cuddled and cooed to the little monkeys he thought, fondly and with humour, “What am I going to do with you and your habit of baking us under a mountain of sweets?”

It was only a short time later that Ma and Ba crept into the kitchen, tempted by the smells of sweets and baking.

“Just one won’t hurt.” Ba grumbled. He wouldn’t admit it to Willow- but her food had woken him from his tangle with Chestnut and their little Lychee.

“Of course.” Ma said, stepping up to the counters with her tail excitedly flagging. She was still in the dregs of her recent release from postpartum depression. Willow had gently, for weeks, left foodstuffs and sweets outside her and Bengs hut. A kindness and a gesture Ma was so thankful for. Between Pomelo and Mulberry, she was practically spent with energy. She had also smelled the sweets being made and … couldn’t help herself.

“Willow wouldn’t mind one missing…” or two. Or ten.

Neither of the Marshals however, noticed the ice blue eyes open from a perch just above them, a cracked fracture in the wall.

“If you touch a single one of Willows cookies for those Celestials,” the cold voice of Xinshu whipped out like an adder freezing the twins in place “I will personally see your pelts pulled and turned into mud rugs.”

Xinshu fell as silent as a snow cat from her perch. Her teeth were barred in a threat. “I won’t have you two making us look foolish because you ate all of the baked goods.”

Ma and Ba, caught and cowed, scuttled away from the white simian in all her fury. If they had lingered long enough to see, to peek back in, they would have seen Xinshu look at the sweets. Like at a peach tart. And slide it into one of the pockets in her belt

[daddy-long-legssss]

The Story Behind The Song: Arctic Monkeys’ early ambitions on ‘A Certain Romance’

Lucy Harbron – Far Out Magazine | January 17, 2024

It was 2006. Mortgages were crashing, and businesses were going bust. Tony Blair was on his last legs in office as the longest-serving prime minister since Margaret Thatcher, and the hangover of ‘Cool Brittania’ was beginning to set in with an unexpected ferocity. Things were bleak when a young Alex Turner sang, “There ain’t no romance around there” through the public’s speakers. Arctic Monkeys were about to write themselves into musical history as the voice of a new generation.

The final song on their debut album, there has always been something special about ‘A Certain Romance’. In 2022, after the release of their seventh album, The Car, Turner seemed to find himself reflecting back on that 2006 track. To the musician, that early cut holds a clue to everything that was to come as he said the piece “showed that we did actually have these ambitions beyond what we once thought we were capable of”.

Coming in at over the five-minute mark, ‘A Certain Romance’ almost feels like the Arctic Monkeys’ version of a rock opera, summarising all the themes, feelings and energy that came before it on their seminal album Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not. It has the cheekiness of ‘Fake Tales Of San Francisco’ and the catchy instrumentals of hits like ‘Dancing Shoes’ or ‘I Bet That You Look Good On The Dancefloor’. Utilising the northern charm of ‘Mardy Bum’, it stands as a final, neatly summarising point on the social commentary found in their early tracks like ‘From The Ritz To The Rubble’ or ‘Riot Van’. Really, it could be argued that ‘A Certain Romance’ is the ultimate example of Arctic Monkeys’ original sound, perfectly encapsulating all the things that made the world listen up and pay attention.

It’s like they seemed to know that, too, always allowing the song a special place. In fact, it was really the band’s opening remark. Years before the offer of a debut album came around, the group were a well-oiled machine with their own local hits. They had the northern live music scene in their hands as their homemade demo CD was passed around like everyone’s worst-kept secret. Beneath the Boardwalk features eight out of the 13 songs that would be on Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not, albeit in a slightly different, lower-quality version. But the opening number, ‘A Certain Romance’, sounds just the same.

It’s all there, from the rolling opening drums to that final guitar solo. Recorded and produced in a rented studio at only age 17, the existence of ‘A Certain Romance’, one of the band’s most explorative and energetic numbers, in this form this early in their career feels like a diamond sitting in a mine. It proves that they were always onto something special.

They never needed any help. In fact, their producer, Jim Abbiss, noted that they even seemed nervous about the help. “I think they were probably a bit weary, like ‘who’s this guy? And is he gonna make our sound this or that.’”

They didn’t want anything to change too much, as the group already had the songs figured out. Turner certainly did, as the track’s meandering narrative about hometown lads, fights, and local boredom is already there. Talking on a podcast, original member Andy Nicholson revealed the story behind the song. “We had a practice room with a pool table in, and we had a party in there, and we invited another band who were friends of ours, and we all had some drinks,” he said. “Then something happened, someone throws a pool cue, someone throws a pool ball, and everyone ends up fighting,” he added, explaining the lyrics, “there’s boys in bands / And kids who like to scrap with pool cues in their hands.”

But the magic of Arctic Monkeys lies in their nuance. What begins as a snooty analysis of his local landscape is a genuinely affectionate take. “Well, over there, there’s friends of mine / What can I say? I’ve known ’em for a long long time / And, yeah, they might overstep the line / But you just cannot get angry in the same way,” Turner sings, looking around at his bandmates and lifelong friends. ‘A Certain Romance’ is not only a time capsule for the group’s beginnings but is an ode to all the people who were there with them. It’s an ode to the hometown that made them and all its various characters.

But as the last guitar solo roars to life, there is an unspoken statement that they’re going to be bigger than what they came from. “I remember when we were recording ‘A Certain Romance’ and having a conversation with the producer about the final guitar solo,” Turner told NME, recalling the moment these songs were reworked for their debut. But they wouldn’t let anyone mess with ‘A Certain Romance’, knowing exactly what they were doing and trying to say with that one. In the 2003 demo version, all the feeling is already there, and Turner wouldn’t risk it.

“There’s something that happens at the end of that track where we break some rules in a single moment,” he continued. What happens at the end of the piece feels even more special, considering how the album was recorded. “These are the songs we wanna do, and I think this is the order we wanna do them in,” Alex Turner told their producer, recounting the conversation in 2007 to RadioX, “And he goes, ‘alright, we’ll try to record them in that order as well.’” As the final song, that last guitar solo is the last thing recorded for the album, standing as a cathartic outlet and a chance for the band to prove themselves.

“We focused on the [emotional] effect of the instrumentals over the words,” Turner reflected on the track, concluding, “and I feel like we’ve been trying to do that again and again since then.”

+

[mufos-photo-album]

Piripu's Parental Figures: Odiwa and Kucevoz

More about these characters under the cut!

I might sound like a broken record if you've visited my blog before, but Odiwa and Kucevoz are practicers of Wayfarer cultural traditions -- or what remains of it by the time Sky takes place (in my lore, it is assumed that Journey and Sky take place in the same universe at greatly different times). Because not a lot of knowledge exists about Wayfarers, the culture Odiwa and Kucevoz practice are imperfect compared to the original.

Odiwa and Kucevoz tend to bicker a lot. Despite that, they continue to make the choice to travel together.

Odiwa is the more knowledgeable of the two. They are a bit of a history nerd and was the first of the two of them to start practicing Wayfarer culture. They speak Wayfarer and Spirit language quite well.

Kucevoz is the more lax of the two. They came from a rich city in the Valley but took to wayfaring with Odiwa. They are a bit vain and tends to only follow instructions when they want. Kucevoz mainly speaks Spirit, but can speak a little bit of Wayfarer.

The art above is probably what both of them looked like prior to the events of Eden / before they became Spirits. As Spirits, they'd look like this (lazy spirit rendering below). This is likely how they appear to Piripu and Mufotsuki.

In a project I have currently titled as the Piripu Isekai Plot, Odiwa and Kucevoz are meant to serve as intermediaries between the world of Journey and Sky. Familiar, yet undoubtedly different. A primer for all the ways Sky is familiar yet undoubtedly different to Journey.