#but if i were to add anymore of the rnbs

[am-i-interrupting]

!!! I haven’t done a matchup in forever !!! Hope I did it right !!!

My pronouns are she/they and I am demiromantic? I cut feelings/attachment when I get really upset at people. I don’t mind any characters really! It’s hard to describe my personality but I am bubbly, blunt, sensitive but also real, I have ADHD (the kind I have used to be called ADD) if that helps with personality as well.

Besides ADHD I have epilepsy and my vision is not the best in the slightest :,) I also have a bit of hearing issues. My fashion is all over the place but: bright colors (mainly pink) I wear bootcut/bell bottoms a lot, I love t-shirts (specifically old-school characters) and stripes. I crochet!! Like a lot!! Mainly small blankets or plushies but I’ve made 2 failed sweaters! I also do cozy gaming and drawing!

How I show love is gift giving, words of affirmation, and quality time! I love to talk and talk and talk so that’s what I count as quality time just having someone listen or hear me. Music is just about as random as clothes! If a song is good then I like it! But mainly pop, RnB (80s - now), musicals, and classical music! I wouldn’t say I have a dark sense of humor but I am able to find a joke in everything since that’s my coping mechanism though jokes are always a hit or miss depending on the mood.

I finally landed on a butterfly! Because they’re pretty, love daytime activities, and bad vision. Butterflies are beautiful and fragile and I’ve been described as that since I am very short and been called pretty a lot 😅

Your Match Up Is. . .

Vaggie!

You and Vaggie met soon after she met Charlie. With a personality like yours, you were already helping the princess start renovations on the Hotel.

Meeting her when she was in such a fragile state was a huge help for her.

You and Charlie helped her to feel safe and welcome in this place she’d never been.

It would be years before you found out that she was an angel and not a sinner like yourself but we’ll get to that in due time.

Vaggie was absolutely enthralled by your personality from the beginning.

She adored how you could go from optimistic to serious when the moment called for it. It was that bluntness mixed with the positivity that drew her in.

Of course, your beauty even in your demonic form helped with that.

Your wings would definitely draw her in.

From the beginning, she is very accommodating to you.

She has no problems repeating things if you didn’t hear it.

You bet that she is researching triggers of epilepsy and going through the Pride Ring to specifically find locations that have strobing/flashing lights and writing them down so you can avoid them.

She will also absolutely take note of parts of your life your ADHD effects.

If you have a favorite spoon, it is your spoon now. No one else uses that spoon. She is prepared to fight someone over that spoon.

It took a while for the two of you to finally get together. Mainly because Vaggie would go to confess and then freeze up.

Charlie standing in the background giving her a big smile and thumbs up did not help as much as the princess thought it did. She just didn’t have the heart to tell her that.

It wasn’t until you took initiative and confessed that anything happened between the two of you.

Vaggie absolutely froze and just stared at you for a moment, mouth open in shock.

Just when you began to think you’d read the signals wrong that she said she’d love to go out with you.

If you’ve watched The Owl House, there was definitely a moment afterwards that resembled when Luz asked out Amity and they awkwardly held hands after.

She will spend all day listening to you ramble and actively logs informations away about your hyperfixations.

She sees yarn she things you’ll like? She’s buying it.

You’re almost out of stuffing? Not anymore.

She has an entire bookshelf dedicated to showcasing all the plushes you’ve made her.

If you’re ever away for an extended period of time, prepare to come back to her asleep surrounded by them.

Vaggie is a fan of morning cuddles, you cannot convince me otherwise!

Before you wake up, she will trace the patterns in your wings.

If your wings give you any problems, somehow she just magically knows how to fix it. . . Must have researched it. Obviously there’s no other reason she’d know that, right?

You don’t even have to worry about clothing having holes for your wings because if you don’t alter it, she will.

Also, queen of compliments. She will compliment you all the time.

Be prepared for a lot of: “You look so pretty today, babe.” “Ooh, what’s this song? I like the rhythm.” “Your new plush is looking good so far.” “I love that color combo.” Normally accompanied by hands on the shoulder and a kiss to the temple.

She loves watching you crochet, draw, or game. She finds it calming.

Occasionally, she will try to join you.

She might not be good at it but she tries and it’s adorable to watch her succeed and fail. She makes an earnest effort both ways.

Because Vaggie is such a calm, attentive person, you probably don’t have many fights that blow up.

Even if you do, she knows to just give you space to work things out.

She’s not going to go away but she will let you breathe. She’s not a smotherer.

That’s why she doesn’t try to hover when you start avoiding her after it gets out she’s an angel.

After a couple days, she doesn’t corner you exactly but she does catch you alone.

She doesn’t say anything. She doesn’t force a conversation. She just lets you stew with your feelings until you either leave (in which case, she will finally intervene and stop you) or blow up at her.

Once you both calm down, you have a long conversation about trust and secrets.

She’s able to relax when she finally sees another plush be added to her collection.

[sehodreamsthoughts]

ok ur soo real for that though, ik what u mean cuz only if for a night is similar it’s like… goddess entity.. it’s very haunting and i love that, i think “haunting” is a good way to describe some music i like… like to me hydraganeas (i did not spell this right) sounds haunting.. but also i like a lot of more hip hop/rap and then rnb style things… but yeah ppl can like whatever they like and that’s why there are so many different styles of music, there’s truly something for everyone<3

i forgot about cosmic love!!! i rly like that one too and dog days i think was my first florence song… some of the others sound familiar too, i will try to listen to them too!!

i think if i did an angst series id do it for tall line with n,n’s “crave”, “honey”, and “buck”… and do like one song per member.. im thinking anton, eunseok, and sungchan in that order with those songs but also idrk because sometimes im too ambitious. cuz i really don’t even know what the plot would be, likely just a lot of yearning lmao.

for kpop songs i love a lot of older songs too… i see u reblog f(x), i loved f(x)…😥.. i liked red light era the most possibly… some of my faves were nu(abo) or wtv it’s called😭😭, and i loved everything on red light, pink tape, and 4 walls😭😭😭 i loved shinee too :(, exo as we talked about… um also some random groups i liked were secret, dal shabet, fiestar, tiny g, madtown, c-clown (i was shocked to learn that rome is dpr ian i had no idea they were the same person), ukiss, i liked i.o.i a lot when they were around😓😓 gugudan, pristin😭😭 i was into twice a lot too at the time, really obsessed with my wife nayeon :((

now i like sooo many groups but they’re all pretty much 4th and 5th gen.. and mostly bgs :( ive been listening a lot to the new all (h)ours album lately, nct wish’s songbird, ateez, tws, and wayv!

what about u?

- 🥟 anon

HAUNTING YES, It's such a great word to describe how I like my music.

Hahahaaha I totally get what you mean, I have a ton of ideas but actually writing them is a whole different thing. I have storylines, I have plots, I have things that I simply want to make fics, and then they just stay like mere ideas because I move onto the next idea 😭, I have like 50 songs I've been meaning to make fics too, there's one I particularly feel sad for not doing which is touch tank by quinnie, it was the perfect song for an Anton fic but I left it abandoned too 💀, it also had a ton of yearning and it was just all about swimming (because oh surprise I was a swimmer) and I wanted to put one of my most precious childhood memories because I KNOW it was romantic as fuck even if I never had nothing with my irl friend, it was purely a fic for me but that I was sure a ton of my big girlies would've loved.

I wanted to put a lot of things about growing up with a swimmer body because I was literally the nightmare for both athletes and chubby young girls, I started becoming broader but at the same time I wasn't losing weight and to add more pain I was also always the tallest kid there, not only between girls but with everyone my age 💀 (you can see why I'm so into talking about beauty standards 💀💀💀)

Wtv I just hope that I get to read one story from you I'm sure you'd do a great job with your ideas and your great mind ❤️‍🔥

I loved f(x) so much, I've always been a SM Stan so I suffered so much when I saw my babies not releasing anything anymore, 4 walls is still one of my favorite songs ever and I remember being obsessed with the MV! I don't know tiny g, mad town or c-clown but I loved secret and fiestar too 🩷, U-kiss was such a special group for me too, they, B.A.P, MBLAQ, teen top and Nu'est would always sound in my playlists 😭, then I liked Winner and Ikon but we all now how YG is... (I still miss 2ne1).

Lately I've been really into Ateez, I never expected to like them this much, I heard about them more than once but they never caught my attention until I saw a reading about this mingi guy and it really sounded like me so I started to think who the fuck are these guys and THANK GOD BECAUSE I LOVE THEM (Yeosang is my current bias wrecker 😭). I haven't listened to their entire albums but I know the most popular songs and I've been putting those long fan playlists to find what I like the most. From other groups I've been listening to Boy next door, but I don't really like them like them, they're not really my style 😭 but I like their music a lot, it's really fresh and I have to admit, they know how to follow a concept! Zb1 is been on my radar too but my problem is I can't say I stan a group unless I find a charm on each member and in both cases I'm just there for the music 🫠, I like certain members (in bonedo no one tho, in zb1 Zhang, Hanbin and Matthew) but just liking a few is not enough for me, in Riize's case I didn't doubt to fall in love with all of them from the minute I saw them, however I have to admit that lately I've been getting a bit distant (maybe that's also a reason for my block?), idk, I miss Seunghan a lot and I haven't liked much their recent songs (boom boom bass is dope tho, I finally adore the song and have been repeating it every day), and I just... I just need more. I need to feel obsessed, to feel my body burning when I see them, my heart jumping when they dance and this desperate yearn to see more of them, but with the pass of time I've just felt the flame going down 😭.

I miss having more of everything. I'm not into moderation at all, so I'm the kind that is all of nothing, once I truly enjoy something I need it until I hate it or until I can't like anything anymore, if I like a tea you'll see me buying 20 bottles to have in storage, if I like a book I'll read everything else the same author writes, if I like a brand I'll go and get what I want, so in terms of k-pop i also need all of it until I can't digest anything else, I need more songs, constant fiction, long stories, a bunch of interactions between them, I just need to be satiated and I haven't been feeling it these days 😭, I still like them of course, I Stan them, but I still think there could be more 🥺.

[sawdust-emperor]

Funniest thing in the world is watching micromemes get stuffed through the AI processor and come out the other side and actively kill the joke in the process. Like planking was uncool because a senator tried to get into it, right? Mainstream media became aware of planking, and then the joke died.

Now a joke is dead as soon as the techbros on Twitter (which already sees videos two or three days later than TikTok does) try to add to the joke using a content generator that famously does not understand what a joke is, stuffing your front page with progressively shittier and more abstract versions of it until any good riff at all, inevitably made by a flesh and blood person who put thought into it, looks like a diamond in an ocean of LolRandum humor, since that's basically all GPT can do.

I saw two separate songs for "Hawk Tuah" girl (just something a woman said during a street interview) and both were dull and repetitive. She's making a vulgar joke about sex, just having fun during a night out, talking to some guy with a mini-mic, and someone is out here trying to make a pop-country song where she "walks up with fire in her eyes" because they had ChatGPT write the entire song and did not stop to question the tone or anything. It was so transparently obvious how little effort went into it that I doubt they bothered to read what they had the generator make. The other one was a 70s style RnB song, which was better, but not by much, because it broke down into a chorus loop. Those are the two I saw. I'm certain there's more. And it's already not even funny anymore because people found her profile, and then her job, and now it's cringe because it's stalking. You cannot endlessly add on to a joke - no joke has ever worked like that. You cannot have infinitely scaling punchlines. Somehow you are trying to make jokes using capitalist methodology because you certainly don't know how to do it with, I don't know, humor?

[akalegos]

i got the werewolf and vampire packs and immediately went to make brick n tucker

anyway i think its funny to get the guilty drinker weakness when ur 4/5 into mastering being a vampire 

more bullshit below

I swear i cant get the rampage down, like it fits brick really well but he keeps going into rampages and idk if thats supposed to happen

also I really want a headpat interaction for werewolves i think that be adorable

and i want you to know i laugh everytime the lore says vamps and werewolves r enemies as im actively pairing up a vamp and a werewolf. even funnier to me cause its just red vs blue all over again

anyway, peak comedy for me is tucker in his vamp form and brick in his werewolf form doing karaoke

heres a fish.

[lunapaper]

Album Review: 'Push Back' - Jetty Bones

Jetty Bones’ full-length debut has some rather dark origins.

While working at a coffee shop five years ago, Kelc Galluzzo had reached her breaking point. Trapped in an abusive relationship and struggling with depression and anxiety, the Ohio-born singer/songwriter planned to end her life after locking up early for the night.

As she told American Songwriter: ‘I decided I was done. I couldn’t do it anymore, and I didn’t think there was anything left for me to do.’

Along with a handwritten note, Galluzzo also penned ‘Bug’s Life’ - the haunting closer from Push Back - as a way of saying goodbye.

Set against trembling guitar, the lyrics are simply heartbreaking: ‘You were a wreck, and they would let you in/Cause you were a dirty mess/And they don’t want it on their carpet/So you felt like a bug, that everyone wanted to squish/But you wouldn't give this up/No, you won't give this up.’ It also includes several voicemails from family and friends trying to reach out to the singer. Then there’s her own voice; hushed, choking back tears: ‘I just wanted to say I’m sorry. I’m sorry.’

Needless to say, it’s a tough listen, especially for Galluzzo: ‘That part is still hard for me to listen to,” she offers in our conversation. “I thought that was going to be the last thing that anybody ever heard me say.’

This moment, however, was the catalyst for Push Back, helping her to make sense of her struggle with mental health in unapologetically pop terms, a shift that first began on her 2019 EP, - (or Hyphen).

‘Waking Up Crying’ is a whimsical, ‘Catch My Disease’-esque ode to self-loathing, with Galluzzo reminding us, but more so herself: ‘I am not a terrible person/Like you tend to think I am.’ ‘Taking Up Space’ tackles impostor syndrome with a mix of Midwest emo and country twang, harking back to the soaring, grittier anthems of 2016’s Old Women.

Standout ‘Nothing’ conceals the dark truth about a toxic relationship beneath an almost impenetrable gloss of 80s power pop to rival that of Carly Rae, along with the sax solo to match (Kelc/Carly collab when?) ‘Dolly,’ meanwhile, is a straight-up bluegrass tribute to the ‘Jolene’ singer/funder of the Moderna vaccine.

‘That’s All’ - as short and sweet as the title suggests with a runtime of just under two minutes – delivers a stream of consciousness atop a dreamy mix of homespun banjo and 2000s RnB sass, with Galluzzo also replicating this formula on the breezy ‘Everything,’ where whirling euphoria takes on a bleak edge thanks to sombre strings.

‘Waking Up Exhausted’ has a touch of theatrical emo flair, as does ‘Bad Time’ (ft. Heart Attack Man’s Eric Egan). In another life, this could’ve been a deep cut from Panic! At The Disco’s 2008 record, Pretty. Odd., almost as jaunty as the album’s opener but much more visceral, taking a page from Paramore’s ‘Idle Worship’ as Galluzzo rejects the ‘role model’ label, along with the ‘high appraisals/For pretending that I'm stable/Or crying underneath the tip jar on our merch table.’

Push Back doesn’t hold back, exposing raw, emotional wounds with darkly comical wordplay and delivered with the same full-throated emotion as Jetty Bones’ previous releases. What could’ve been a veritable mish-mash of sounds is moulded into something intense and vivid; the constant shift in style helping add to the anxiety.

This album is not about having your shit together, but rather an ongoing process – restless, exhausting but also cathartic. Although her struggles persist, the album itself is strong and consistent as Galluzzo makes an almost full transition from the propulsive 00s pop punk of 2016’s Crucial States. It’s a powerful step forward from an incredibly underrated artist.

In her own words: ‘It’s the first time in almost 15 years of playing in bands that I felt like… I did this. It’s a cool feeling to have.’

- Bianca B.

Beyond Blue: 1300 22 46 36

Headspace: 1800 650 890

Lifeline: 13 11 14

[filmmap]

after hours - the weeknd

so it’s been almost 2 weeks since the album released, and I still haven’t fully wrapped my head around it. and that’s the most apt indication that this was a fantastic project. having been a long time fan of Abel, my expectations were sky high. and this definitely met them. but not how I imagined at all. here are my thoughts on some tracks. 

1. alone again - what an absolute banger of an opening track. I love love love the sound at the beginning. sounds almost sci fi. sets up the tone of this album perfectly. floating in and out of space, from understandable to incoherent. the lyrics are just beautiful. it’s one of my favourites from this project. 

2. too late - again, a beautiful continuation from the first track. sets up more elements of what the album is about, both sonically and lyrically. the effects on his voice, very reminiscent of kissland, completely adds to the whole vibe of the album. which i can only describe as 1980s but if it was 3001 instead. 

3. hardest to love - rnb ballad.... on a drum and bass beat.... and it actually works?? the only man who can do this is Abel and he fucking did it. lyrically, absolutely refreshing. it’s not necessarily what he’s talking about but how he’s talking about it. he has in countless songs recounted how toxic he can be, but this is the first time he is this transparent and even apologetic about it and that’s refreshing. 

4. scared to live - just wow. abel let’s his vocals just shine and goes full 80s mode. and the lyrics are so so sincere. an undoubted prom song. 

5. snowchild - a simple beat + complex lyrics. a classic abel song fitting the context of after hours. an update to reminder. love it 

6. escape from LA - this one touches a different nerve. it’s absolutely gorgeous. it’s up there with alone again. the vulnerability of the melody in the chorus just hits different. it is the first time we see the impacts of the heights he reached with starboy. it’s the pure despair and emptiness he feels. all the betrayal and all the hurt, all associated to the city of angels, that doesn’t seem like it anymore. it’s one of his best songs. 

7. heartless - banging single, even more banging in this particular placement 

8. faith - a chart fucking topper. wow. again, very very reminiscent of kissland, a two parter with completely different vibes. it’s almost like loft music. from the hyped up realisation of complete loss in morals to the downside of it, this is a great song. 

9. blinding lights - BOP 

10. in your eyes - almost like a sequel to secrets from starboy. straight up just crying in the club. but the best part of this song, THE SAX. holy shit it is so good. 

11. save your tears - this is a good song. but it’s probably one of my least favourites on the album. because it’s quite repetitive and doesn’t bring anything as exciting, compared to the rest of the tracks. 

12. repeat after me (interlude) - just absolutely haunting. it’s the same easy toxicity that the Weeknd slips into. angelic voice, saying the most controlling and manipulative things. terrifying but so so necessary to this album. 

13. after hours - another contender for best song of the album. just so fucking beautifully structure. this song is a deserving title track because it condenses the entire meaning of the album into one 6-minute beauty. I was so excited when I first heard it. a perfect blend of electronic sound and rnb. also a lyrical evolution of him fully realising that he isn’t over someone and being able to express that, instead adapting... as usual. 

14. until I bleed out - perfect perfect ending to this nightmare. the undeniable pain and despair, the powerful imagery and the slow drawn out bass and synthy sounds. just *chefs kiss* 

[kpopreviewcafe]

EXO 'Obsession' The 6th Album Review

EXO is back and better than ever! This album marks the first group comeback in over a year, and it certainly does not disappoint! Although this album is missing three members, it does not feel empty at all.

What’s better than one EXO? Two. And Obsession is indeed so out of this world it seems EXO’s clones wrote it. From the first second, the repetitive ‘I want you’ swirls the listener into a maddening trance, made only more intense by EXO’s fierce and unique voices. This song might seem dreamy – but it’s closer to a nightmare. Chanyeol changes it up with a rap verse more high-powered than any we’ve heard from him since Monster, paired perfectly with dark English lines from Sehun that were designed to send international fans crazy.

With the words ‘Shut up and go away’, EXO shatter their boyfriend image in a move that would shock anyone – yet this unexpectedly hard-hitting lyric only confirms their artistic mastery. The bridge jolts confusingly into a Tempo-esque softness, but the abrupt change is quickly forgotten as Chen hits notes higher than most of us can dream of. This song might seem a little insane, but in the midst of the madness lies a magical symmetry that ensures an intoxicating listen every time.

We then move on to Trouble, which begins with Baekhyun’s smooth and charismatic vocals. The chorus is the most interesting part – the syncopation is unexpected but works perfectly, and coupled with the heavy bass line, this song certainly gets your heart thumping. The lyrics too are unique, especially EXO rarely use so much English in their songs.

Good feels bad, bad feels good 온 세상이 뒤집혀 I’m in trouble

Following on we have Jekyll, a song that builds tension from the very first second. The use of unique and sometimes jarring beats seems to be an ongoing theme in this album, and this track is certainly no exception. The chorus is badass and shocking, with influences from hip hop (c.f. the classic shouting in the hook), RnB and dubstep. The fading in and out of the beat in a way that emphasises the points of negative space make Jekyll one of the album’s highlights.

The is a sudden change of pace with the next track Groove. This song evokes a jazzy feeling, and reminds me of B sides from their third album E’xact, as well as EXO-CBX’s Blooming Days album. Groove features lots of classic EXO falsetto, and Chen’s angelic voice pierces through as the song’s focal point. There is a hilariously unexpected pan flute interlude, which actually fits really well and just proves EXO’s willingness to push the boundaries of pop.

I really love this next song, Ya Ya Ya, which instantly evokes an old school California rap vibe (with EXO’s own eccentric twist, of course). This song perfectly compliments both the groups singers and rappers. The funky beat, sassy lyrics and cocky playfulness all add to this song’s charms. The break down in the bridge is so smooth, making Ya Ya Ya an even more addictive bop.

Do you love me, do you love me not? Baby tell me now, answer me ya ya ya

After so many dark tracks, a romantic road trip seemed a little out of context. But EXO make our hearts flutter with Non Stop as effortlessly as if this had been a carefree summer album. This song might be fun, but the same tingling energy surges through this one that powers all the others. EXO crack out the charm with mature voices adding the ‘evening’ to this night out. The character-filled guitar that ties this song together steps forward for a mini-solo near the end of the song – a pleasantly surprising sight in a Kpop song.

“Oh the pouring starlight is spreading Oh girl, the darker it is, the brighter it is You and me who resemble the stars”

Day After Day might sound like an average soft song, but EXO add a weird touch with vocal experimentation that hints at their impressive experience. The chorus of this song could make you cry just as easily as hold you close on a cold night, whereas the bridge is like dipping into cool water. We’re not used to hearing Kai’s voice this much, but it has an effortless, natural charm that communicates the vulnerability EXO show through this track. Just when we think we’ve heard everything, Sehun hits us with a rap that adds a refreshing youthfulness to this tried-and-tested formula. When Chanyeol and Chen share a line soon after, we’re hit with a fire-and-water combo that hits the spot perfectly.

Butterfly Effect is filled with ever-so-slightly unusual notes, to match its unique name. EXO sound mature and almost sleepy, as if they’ve seen all there is to see. Like ‘One and Only’, it becomes immediately clear that this is a hidden gem: the kind of song you pass down the generations. Their lyrics speak of the same warm and necessary love that features in countless songs before it, but somehow they contain a simple honesty that’s actually relatable – like people have sung about similar things before, but this time, EXO really mean it.

An angel blowing into me like the wind The warmth I gain from you changes me I’m not afraid anymore, because you’re by my side

EXO have once again proven that they are at the top of the game. This album is stunning; the group have managed to flawlessly meld and conquer so many genres whilst maintaining their signature sound. Add these songs to your long term playlist because they certainly won’t get boring!

Kpop Review Café’s Overall Album Ranking: 8/10

[empty-altars]

Liam worked with timbaland?? I didn't know omg. I remember that picture with pharrell but that was so long ago i almost forgot about it. Also why wouldn't we hear these songs on the album? He said the album would be a mix or genres so maybe he'll add some rnb songs,not only pop.

So, disclaimer, idk if he ever actually got around to working with Timbaland? I just know that in the unseen interview from July 2017 he said that's what he was doing next. But he also said that the album was done and would be out "very soon" and that he knew we were getting annoyed with "very soon" terminology.

I also know that in the last 2 years there's been a distinct shift in Liam's branding and image. And that he's moved away from pretty much all mentions of rnb influence when asked about it. I can only speculate about the why and what it all means. It's entirely possible that they decided his core fanbase doesn't want that.

See, the thing is, I know what I'm going to get from Louis. I have a solid feel for what type of music he's going to put out and what an album from him will sound like. But Liam's a wildcard. I just have no idea. And it's possible he kept some of those songs but I used to think the album was ready to go and he didn't scrap it. But I'm not so sure I believe that anymore? I think someone got cold feet back in 2017, most likely. I just don't know who.

[jenjensthoughtbubbles]

Brunch & A Double Date with Patrick & Jannie.

Jay and I KO'd at 6:00AM. I took a 2 hr nap and set my alarms. I let him sleep in until 8:30AM, while I got started shredding crab for the sushi bake. Bumped me some RnB to set my morning.

[8:30AM] Boothang finally woke up to start the steak. I realized we were missing potatoes, so I dashed some hash browns and potatoes from iHOP. After that, I started up on place settings and tidying what I could.

Brunch was beautiful. The morning water was calm and clear. Everyone woke up to food, mimosas, music, and the right amount of sunlight to wake our exhausted eyes. Was really happy to see our friends enjoy Jay's steak. Especially Pat since he was so eager about it on my birthday. This MF loved it so much, he saved it. Even used Jervy's icecream to keep it cold in his cooler. Jervy still loved the sushi bake even though my A1 crab wasn't in stock. We ended it off with the perfect desserts. Jervy and Lady had Beard Papas ready, while Jannie brought out her home-made chocolate-covered strawberries. I couldn't have asked for another perfect brunch to add to the books.

J&L had to leave quickly so that LadyBUD can get to her friends house and Jervs can get to his fam party. Never easy saying see you later to friends but, it just means the closer we are to being with each other again.

The remaining four cleaned up the house. We stayed over like 30 mins. cause Jannie and I were trynna beat our face lightly while the guys finished the last touches in cleaning up. I forgot to mention that some time at night/early-morning, Pat asked what Jay and I had planned for Saturday. Coincidentally, Jay and I were going to figure out how to kill time until check-in at 4:00PM in Dublin. The same for Pat and Jannie but 3:00PM in SF. I re-brought it up this morning to make sure it was still fine and- that confirmed our double-date. What are the odds that this all would've worked out. Now that I'm writing about it... 111? Manifestations of being on the right path?

[12:30PM] We went on a cute little Target run per usual. Advised each other on belts. Split a case of water for our hotellys, and decided to head to Peets for some caffeine. Well needed after a long night/morning and it gave us a location to discuss what we'd do from there.

[1:30PM] Pat & Jannie paid for our coffee. They said it was the least they could do for us cooking brunch. We sipped on that inside the coffee shop while talking about our life and relationships. I def. got to know better how their relationship worked. Pat is patient with how her parents are strict and Jannie is appreciative with how patient he is being.

We were in the coffee shop for a minute. I loved it cause we were in no rush and we proceeded to talk about intimate things. Until we came across things we wanted to do! Pat wanted to visit the Japanese Gardens in Foster City. I thought we were heading to the city so I instantly thought of peddle boating. However, there was one in Foster City! Everything was within 5-10 mins. of each other so it was all convenient. I'm glad cause that meant it was an even 30 minute drive for each of us to our hotels.

Before we headed to the activities, we sat outside in the warm sun near the waterway. It was interesting cause we ended up talking about pub and mastering. Hollyyyyy molars. Love that we're able to talk about these things. I was shocked to hear about the whole "boost of confidence" and benefits that Pat was talking about from not doing it so often. Oh how he's grown from HS Pat. But you know, it def helped me a lot recently from my addiction too. I don't rely on it as much anymore cause it doesn't do much for me.

[3:30PM] We get to the Japanese Gardens. It's funny because we parked in the garage, while they parked in the street. At Peet's, they were in the front while we were in the back of the shop. And at Tarjay, they were in the front while we were on the side. At least all that matters was that we were at the right place- despite the 25 cent difference. For sure glad that the Japanese Gardens was free because... it was small.. the waterfall was tiny.. and the flowers haven't bloomed. Pat was thought the pagoda was bigger than it was but- nah lol. It was a little taller than him. But the little bridge we came across was cute! Jay was killin' it with his shots. His composition has improved so much.

[4:15PM] Because it didn't take us long to get through it all- we headed over to CA Windsurfing for peddle boating. $10/person per half hour was pretty good for trying it out. We came at the right time because the sun was warm and slightly setting. There were two peddle boats avail. so it all worked out. I was dying when I was Spongebob referencing "Backing up! Backing up!" Jay chimed in and of courseee Patar added his "You're good! You're good!" Friends who reference Spongebob are keeeeepers. It was fasho a Spongebob thing because P&J found a jellyfish! We actually saw a couple. It was so chill. Plus, eddy was there so it reaaaally made it chill. Jay came in clutch again with his dope shots. I def. felt insecure here and there but hand to remind myself to be thankful for the double date I always hoped to go on. It was perfect.

[4:45PM] The 30 mins. was just enough. Especially because we were getting hungry. It was 6 hours since we last ate. There was hella asian options, but we let the lovebirds choose. K-Beebs!!! It has been a minute since I did real KBBQ so I was down for sure. Rice Beer. Taking turns cooking. Diving into deep talks once again. Being able to talk about each person that left the table- except me. Lol. If there was anything that I was for sure impressed about, it was Jannie and how secure she was. She got along with Giselle. It didn't bother her that Pat still followed She-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named. And I poked at if she'd be insecure by a hypothetical childhood friend since diaper days that used to like Pat, and same vice-versa. Her response? At first? Yes. But she'd have to get to really know her and she'd be all good. Which essentially how she brought up Giselle. But it brought me at ease. Def. a topic to take to the grave to preserve our friendships all around, but if there was anything I got out of it? The fact that she was pretty secure. I'm happy for Pat he's fasho with someone the complete opposite of his dark times. And that's what Jannie is- a bubbly light. What he needs, and deserves.

[8:00PM] Damn. We fasho took our time eating and talking. 3 hours? Jerv's timestamp in the group chat fasho gave us an ideal time period. I swear it was just two, but we got to the restaurant at 5:00PM-ish so, do the math. Time really does pass by while you're having fun. I mean, last night we had no idea that it was already freakin' 5:00AM. That's how you know they're keepers. Cause all that time was spent together, and as we were saying bye, we were already talking about how much we missed each other.

Another day well-spent with people worthy of our time and love. Especially with a friend who I thought wouldn't be able to double-date with my significant other and I. This day proved old-me wrong. I'm happy we did together.

Now, on the the rest of the weekend with my love. Just the two of us.

[callummcgee001]

Song review ‘Cry me a river’ Ella Fitzjerald./ Things that make a good writer. By C.W. McGee.

Callum McGee.

Hello everyone, I’ve taken some time to discover what kind of writer I’d like to be now that I’ve adjusted to university. I’ll be writing reviews of novels, scripts, songs, movies et cetera whilst posting some of my creative writing draft samples; make sure to check out my new posts.

After listening to the song:

Today I am reviewing the song ‘Cry me a river’ by Ella Fitzjerald. Her voice is full of emotion as she bellows sweet lyrics about moving on from a past partner. I love how she covers such a delicate topic and mixes it with RnB/Soul music; it creates such a calming flow that chilled me right out.

Though this song has no narrative, it clearly describes the feelings of heartache and makes the context of wanting to move on clear.

“Now you say you’re lonely, You cried the long night through Well, you can cry me a river, cry me a river” she is telling us she doesn’t care about her ex-partner’s feelings and rejects his attempts to come back to her.

But later similar lyrics “Told me you were through with me and Now,

now you say you love me Well, just to prove you do Come on and cry,

cry, cry me a river, cry me a river Cause I cried a river over you”

She still feels the wounds of lost love- but will not allow her heart to be vulnerable again.

You can tell just by listening this song is full of emotion and harmonises so well with the calming soul music.

‘You drove me, nearly drove me, out of my head While you never shed a tear Remember,’ She shows how much this affected her mental health in the song , and how she wants him to cry a river over her in the past, rather than now when it doesnt matter to her anymore.

I’ve always been a fan of writers, and singers et cetera; who use their emotional experiences to fuel their writing; as I believe the passion for creativity comes from painful experiences, it adds a sense of realism and relatability in my opinion. Her genre is heavily jazz based, which creates a calm flow in the background that goes well with her blues voice.

Her voice is low and deep like the blues music genre; mixed with African American soul beat. The qualitites of her voice go from high when she is humming inbewteen the lyrics.

The genre music of RnB mixed with soul creates a smooth flow to melancholy lyrics, though her voice goes well with the instrumentals. I love how the song deals with a breakup context that is widely relatable to most people, and me as well. Overall, I give this song 9/10 for connecting to my emotions and giving me a new tune for my writing, Spotify playlist.

I will be reviewing more novels, movies, shows, and songs in the future with different contexts and hidden meanings, stay tuned.

Here are three paragraphs of advice if you want to be a good writer.

One of the most important things that make a good writer is how well you write a character story ark/journey; what human flaws do they possess? How do their actions create conflict that keeps the narrative going? What is the purpose of your side characters? These are many things you need to consider when writing a game, novel, show or movie narrative. Why should they care about your world and story? Make the characters relatable with genuine flaws. Find your theme for your idea what emotional memories are buried deep within your heart? Use that to bring out the passion and magic in your creations.

Consider what themes your story narrative surrounds? Go to a library and look into history the tragic events many cultures and races have dealt with over the centuries will inspire your storytelling. J.R.R. Tolkien and George R.R. Martin, for example, inspired their fantasy worlds by Britain’s wars and industrialisation, and Martin using brutality of medieval bloodshed for power. I look around and see nature dying as well as innocent people hurting- this is what inspires me to want to make a positive difference through storytelling.

I have mentioned this a few times in previous posts, but I reiterate in any form of writing in script, poetry, short/novel stories, you should rely on using your five senses to show how your characters are experiencing their journeys. Instead of telling me ‘Mike felt something behind him’ try ‘Mike’s throat clenched as an ice-cold chill bounced of the nape of his neck.’ See, doesn’t that sound way more interesting to read?

[doughboymagazine]

Feature No. 5 // Joe August

Joe August, the visionary behind The Joe August Band, met with Doughboy Magazine to discuss his new single, “Somewhere Someone.” The song blends elements of 60′s pop, funk, and classic rock better than Cap’N Crunch Berries on a glazed doughnut (Joe’s fav doughnut from Voodoo Doughnut). Joe has an extensive background in music, ranging from traditional training, to teaching music therapy. He plans to take his band on a world tour, and for the 23-year-old talent, we “hole”-heartedly believe that he’ll be jumping the charts!

Check out his latest single, “Somewhere Someone” on SoundCloud! https://soundcloud.com/joeaugustmusic/somewhere-someone

DBM: So first question, what’s your favorite doughnut?

JA: My favorite doughnut is the Cap’N Crunch doughnut from Voodoo Doughnut with the Crunch Berries.

DBM: Do you have a favorite doughnut memory?

JA: The first time I ever ate Voodoo Doughnuts I had the Voodoo Man and that was a special moment—my first time in Portland.

DBM: Can you tell us a little bit about the music you’re doing right now?

JA:  I have a ten-piece band in Seattle. It’s a standard rock band, so you have guitar, bass, drums, vocals, and then there’s sax, trombone, trumpet, violin and cello. Pretty much what I’m going for is giant rock orchestra—that’s the vision. Classic rock is a dying breed, and it’s something that not that many people are doing anymore. I kind of want to bring that vibe back, with elements of RnB, jazz, hip-hop, but rooted in Rock ‘n’ Roll.

DBM: How did you collect the team members in your band? What was that process like?

JA: It was a tough process. I’ve been playing live music for the past four years, but I haven’t really solidified a group until now. Most of the people I met through school—choir programs, classes, going to shows, and scouting artists—so, I kind of hand picked this group that I have now. We’re really cohesive and I feel really good about it.

DBM: Can you tell us a little bit about the name, Joe August? Where did it come from?

JA: That is my middle name—August. It just got to point where my last name was too hard to spell, and people didn’t really know how to find me or my music online. So, for branding purposes, I decided to change it to Joe August. My parents gave me that name hoping that I would use that as some sort of stage or industry name. I’ve kind of grown into it, and I think that’s what I was meant to be.

DBM: You just released a single! Can you talk about the title and vision of the piece?

JA: The song is called “Somewhere Someone.” I wrote it last summer when I was in Greece. I was spending a lot of time on the water—so I wanted to incorporate some themes of sailing— which is where I came up with the concept that somewhere, someone is sailing to you. The fact that there are 7 billion people in the world, and you’re supposed to find this one person that’s your significant other, your soul mate, is what the song is about. Somewhere, someone is out there. They’re there for you, but you don’t really know where they are, where you’re going to meet them, or if you’re going to meet them.

DBM: How do you think music has shaped where you are today?

JA: I studied music therapy for the past four years—mainly on the psychology of music, focusing on using music to help other people and for the benefit of others. It’s really important when you have a skill and you have a talent, to not just use it for your own benefit, but use it for the good of other people. That’s crucial.

DBM: Do you have a catered audience in mind for your music?

JA: When people see my live performances, even just for thirty minutes, I want them to forget about everything, every little detail of their life, and just lose themselves to the music. My favorite artists have made me do that at live performances. For an hour I’m theirs, I’m captivated. There’s something beautiful about taking a listener out of their day-to-day life, out of their own thoughts, and just captivating them with your music. I think that that is therapy—an escape from your everyday.

DBM: How did the band evolve?

JA: A couple of the other musicians in my band are also studying music therapy, so it’s been really cool to collaborate with them. We bounce a lot of ideas off of each other. It’s really great to have people to be creative with—they’re my best friends and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

DBM: What was it like to work collaboratively with ten people?

JA: It’s really hard, especially to get everyone under the “same roof.” But, I like to do it in parts. I’ll rehearse the vocals one day, then I’ll rehearse the horns the next day, then I’ll rehearse the drummer, and then at the end of the week we’ll do it all together. That way nobody is going into anything blind—everybody at least has a general idea of where their parts are going to be placed in the whole perspective of the song.

DBM: What is your favorite piece?

JA: The single is one of my favorites to play live. It’s always the song that we start with. It’s fast, it’s upbeat, and it usually gets people dancing. I really, really, love playing that one live—people respond really well to it.

DBM: What was your favorite show that you played with the band?

JA: The last show that we did was at the Tractor Tavern in Seattle—hands down our best show. The band was just altogether, and we were really well rehearsed. I had just graduated college, so spirits were high. A lot of people showed up, and we just played through our songs and they all sounded great. There were no real mistakes, and the crowd loved it. We sold “merch” at the show for the first time—it was a notable show for sure.

DBM: Who are some people that inspired you to take up music in the first place?

JA: I was five years old on my way to kindergarten when I first heard Abbey Road by The Beatles. That was the first time I heard The Beatles, and I remember, even at age five, being just captivated by their harmonies, and their guitar riffs, and by their lyrical content. I knew pretty much straight off the bat that that’s where I wanted to draw a lot of influence from.

DBM: Lots of musicians these days rely on computer technology rather than on live performance to produce music. What are your thoughts on the methodology?

JA: Well, you know it’s bittersweet, because on one hand it’s incredible that now with a computer, and with this software and Logic or ProTools, anybody can create music. Anybody can sit down at their computer and draft a song. But on the offhand, that also means there’s a lot of people who have no training, or have not spent years playing the guitar or crafting their work. They’re just plugging into a computer. And so, because of that, a lot of times I think that music can be a little bit “soulless,” and a little bit heartless. I listen for that when I listen to music.

DBM: Who writes the songs for the JA Band? Is the band involved in the process?

JA: The band brings my songs to life. I write the songs, sometimes alone, but recently I have been writing with the other members, which has been an amazing experience. But yeah, I write the songs, I write the structure, I write some of the lyrics, and then the vocalist comes in and adds a harmony, and the bass player adds his bass line, and they just bring it to life.

DBM: Can you talk a little bit about your process of writing songs? How do you come up with lyrics?

JA: It’s different every time, honestly. Sometimes I’ll just sit down and I’ll write a guitar riff, and I’ll really like that guitar riff, so I’ll throw it on my loop pedal and I’ll sing over that. Or, I’ll try to create the melody and then the lyrics. Sometimes I’ll write songs in my sleep—it’s happened a couple of times before. Last year I wrote a song in Spanish in my sleep, and I don’t even really speak Spanish. But, when I woke up, the first thing I did was I wrote this poem in English and translated that poem to Spanish. I kind of remembered the chords and the melodies from my dream, and it sounded exactly like what I heard. It really is different every time. Sometimes I’ll write a poem and I’ll add music to that. Sometimes it’s just stream of consciousness writing, or sometimes I’ll just improvise a song, press record, and then cut and paste from there.

DBM: What’s your dream for the Joe August band?

JA: I have an album written and ready to go. Ideally I would love to work with a couple other songwriters or producers who are behind my vision and who understand the exact sound and style I’m going for. That’s kind of where I’m at. I would love to record that album and collaborate with others who believe in what I’m doing. I’d like to continue playing shows—go on tour. Touring the world to play music sounds like the best thing I could ever think of, so that’s absolutely one of my big goals.

DBM: Thank you so much for meeting with us today! Do you have any advice for any aspiring musicians?

JA: Just keep going, don’t stop. And, don’t let what people say get in your way. At the end of the day, you have to be yourself. You have to at least try and put yourself out there, because you’re not going to ever be able to get to the next plateau unless you take a risk and put yourself out there. So, I think that that’s the most important thing—never look back.

Check out more of The Joe August Band online in the links below!

iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/joe-august/id544571592

SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/joeaugustmusic

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/2xH2UWF8Pzj07E0dRjaLXA

[mvssmallow]

Cloudy With A Chance

Part 11: …of Apple Pi.

Masterlist

Maybe in a movie Jiwon would’ve kissed Hanbin as they walked along the Han River after the Exhibition. Maybe they would’ve linked hands nervously and heard 90s RnB music playing faintly in the distance as a light breeze ruffles through Hanbin’s hair.

But none of that actually happens. Out of the corner of his eye, Jiwon saw the moment come….then he watched it go, floating away with an apologetic shrug.

He’s okay with it. They’re hungry, tired and uncomfortable in their clothes so instead of being in a movie they sit under the bridge in untucked shirts and rolled up sleeves, passing plates of food and bubble tea between them, talking easily about rap songs, tattoo plans and how to deal with the fact that Donghyuk politely threatened him at the gallery (answer: when the time comes, move to Mexico if grovelling and bribery don’t work.)

There were too many people around for them to do anything else but even when they were alone, nothing happened. Even when he gets caught staring at Hanbin’s mouth as it sucks on the straw. Even with the dim light offering some cover. Even then, with the opportunity flashing at him in neon lights, nothing happened. He just took an extra big mouthful of chocolate waffle as Hanbin smiled around his straw.

But it’s okay. It’s okay, he tells himself. It will happen when it happens.

He tries not to be too disappointed when they don’t kiss goodnight either. Instead, he watches Hanbin stumble out the car, dragging his black blazer haphazardly behind him and yawning repeatedly.

“Thanks for tonight. It was good.” Hanbin says through the car window. “Maybe the next time we hang out there will be less people around though?”

“With less interrogations and threats?” He adds.

“Yeah.”

“Next time it’ll just be me and you.”

“Okay.” Hanbin yawns as he leans heavily against the passenger window. “I better go, otherwise I’ll just sleep in your car.”

Jiwon honestly wouldn’t even mind but he knows it’s probably a bit too early for that sort of thing.

“Go. I’ll talk to you tomorrow.”

Hanbin nods and rubs his eyes. It’s a move that makes him look much younger than his 25 years and Jiwon gets the urge to hug him to his chest. The fiery Hanbin is all smart words and sharp teeth that sink into his skin without mercy but the tired, sad and vulnerable Hanbin is something that scares him, not because he can’t handle it (he knows he can) but because it reaches down into his core and drags all of his protective instincts to the surface. He’d probably follow Hanbin straight into Hell if he asked him to and run twice as fast if he didn’t.

“Okay. Well, Goodnight. Thanks for the ride. Drive safely.”

“Night. Sleep well.”

Hanbin waves as he walks towards his apartment, turning back after a few steps to yell out, “Hey, text me when you get home! So I know.”

So I know.

Jiwon wonders what that means exactly. He wonders about it all the way home, right up to the moment when he gets to his door and lets his keys hang in the lock so he can type out a text.

[im home. Didn’t die. Sorry if I woke you. xxj]

He drags himself through a quick shower and throws on some clean boxers before collapsing face down onto his bed. He’s just about to drift off when he hears the muted buzz of his phone next to him.

[good. It’s too much work finding a replacement.]

[im irreplcble. thats hard to spell]

[why don’t you use auto carrot]

[whts that? Spellcheck 4 bunnies?]

[you’d know…. bunny]

[whatever you say princess]

[if you call me that i’m breaking up with you]

[but youre not allowed to]

[I’m falling asleep. Sorry. Text me when you wake up.]

[go sleep. Night. xxj]

[night bunny xxh]

It doesn’t take long to fall asleep after that, not when dreamworld beckons him in with images of dimple smiles, undercuts and rabbits.

He’s still tired when his alarm goes off at 9am but the physical lethargy is offset by the kind of mental optimism that you can only get when your life is on the right track. He stretches out underneath his warm sheets, smiling at the ceiling and watching the sun filter through the gaps in his curtains. His hand smooths over the empty space next to him and he wonders what it might be like if it wasn’t so empty one day.

Somewhere on the other side of Seoul, probably still asleep, is chaos, art and random useless facts all rolled up into a riddle wrapped enigma. But he loves chaos and he loves that that is what he belongs to now. The revelation echoes in his head, the repetition doing nothing to diminish the thrill that he gets every time he thinks about Hanbin. He buries his head into his pillow and groans loudly. When did he get this lame and embarrassing? He would never hear the end of it if June knew the truth.

He should really get up and hit the gym to sweat all this out. But not before he digs around the sheets to find his phone.

[good morning. Guess wat? Didn’t die in the night. Sorry if I woke you xxj]

His cinnamon toast cereal tastes extra sweet this morning as he watches the news and tries to catch the weather report as it scrolls across the bottom of the screen. Outside his door he can hear his apartment block waking up and coming to life, there’s already music playing, a dog barking and a child’s high pitched giggle. Has it always been this idyllic? Maybe he was imagining it. Or maybe this is what life through Rose Tinted sunglasses feels like: one long movie with a happy ending.

He’s pulling on his gym shorts when his phone buzzes with a message alert.

[hey bunny.glad you’re alive. its too early, i’m going back to sleep]

[wait are you free 2moro? I’m going to get roses for rp, want to come?]

[sure ok good night xxh]

[lol okay, btw it’s Sunny today wth the chance of a late cold front. Call me if you get bored. xxj]

It’s 11:30 and he’s just walking out the gym doors when he gets another message.

[there are like 30 different types of cereal in this new store.]

He turns on the handsfree function in his car and dials Hanbin’s number as he pulls out of the car park.

“Are you calling me? Why are you calling me? I’m buying food.” Hanbin says, as if he was completely surprised by the turn of events. “Why is it so noisy?”

“Sorry, I’m driving.”

“Going somewhere? Also: hi.”

“Hey.” It never fails to make him smile, how off kilter conversations with Hanbin can be. “Yeah I just left the gym, going to Yoyo and June’s place now because they’ve got some sort  of car emergency.”

“Oh okay. I’ve got dinner with my parents tonight. I don’t know if I should bring some alcohol or a lot of alcohol.” Hanbin says glumly. “Actually, I don’t think there’s enough alcohol in the world for this.”

“That bad huh?”

He laughs lightly, mainly to be polite, but he really has no idea how they’re going to deal with the parent issue when the time comes. They will probably survive dinner with his parents but he has no idea what they’re going to do about Hanbin’s parents. In the back of his mind, he knows it’s unfair to paint them in a negative light before they’ve even met but at the same time, he’s learnt to never ignore his gut instincts and his gut tells him that it’s going to be difficult at best or a complete disaster.

Hanbin groans on the other end. “They’re going to get on my case about why I’m still apparently a sad single hermit. Maybe pass a few phone numbers my way because they think they’re being helpful.”

“They sound like my parents.”

“Maybe I should just tell them.” Hanbin says quietly but it comes across loud and clear and trips the alarm in his head.

“Hang on a sec.” He quickly finds a spot on a side street to pull over and park. “What do you want to tell them?”

“That I’m not single anymore. It’d be nice to tell them one less lie.” There’s a sad chuckle at the end of it that just makes him want to reach through the phone connection to hug Hanbin tightly.

“Oh. Okay, if you’re sure.” He replies, relieved. “I kinda thought you wanted tell them everything. About you and…me.”

There’s a sharp cackle on the other line, like the idea was beyond comprehension. “I’m feeling brave Jiwon, not suicidal. I don’t know what to do about that at all right now but maybe I can just get them off my back about girlfriends for awhile.”

“Aren’t they gonna want to meet her?”

“Yeah probably.”

“But she doesn’t exist.”

There’s rustling on Hanbin’s end. “Should I get Honey Nut Crunch or Froot Loops?”

The conversational whiplash disorientates him briefly before he catches up with Hanbin’s train of though.

“Froot Loops? No, don’t get that. Froot Loops are so unhealthy. It’s all sugar. Get cinnamon toast cereal. The gluten and sugar free version. That’s the one I have.”

He can practically hear Hanbin’s grimace. “Is it also taste free?”

“No!” He laughs. “It’s really good. I mean, you’re not eating wholemeal bran but at least you’re trying.”

“Well….okay.” Hanbin replies, entirely unconvinced.

“I’ll come over and eat the rest if you hate it.”

“Win-Win situation for you there.” Hanbin says flatly. “Look at how that turned out.”

“Yeah, amazing.” He smiles to himself before his mind returns to what they were talking about before. “So hey, are you really sure you want to just tell your parents? Won’t it create like 10 more problems for you?”

Okay, so he’s selfish. He was looking forward to spending some stress-free time with Hanbin now that everything had settled down. The thought of going through the complicated aspects of their relationship all over again just makes him want to go back to sleep.

“You think I should wait?”

“It’s up to you, Hanbin. If you feel like you want to tell them, then that’s what you should do.” He says, trying to be supportive despite his inner monologue.

“But?”

“But what?”

“You want to say something about it. I can tell.”

“No….it’s your decision.” He says carefully.

There’s a loud sigh. “Jiwon. Just tell me. I’m asking.”

He takes a breath. “Well, I was just thinking that it’s not always a good idea to tell them things like that without having some kind of plan. I mean, at least have a back up girl to help bail you out if they want to meet her last minute. That’s what parents like to do, spring these surprise attacks. It happened to me and look where I am now- still going on pointless church dates.”

There’s a sigh and pause as Hanbin thinks about his words. “Yeah, I guess you’re right. I haven’t thought it through properly.”

He exhales slowly in relief. “Yeah, there will be other chances to tell them.”

“You know this means I’ll probably have to go on some fake dates then? Like you did?”

“It’s okay. Just be really boring. She’ll probably never call you again.”

“Is that what you do?”

“Sometimes. I usually just play the friendzone and drop in a few really polarising things. Like wanting 7 kids and moving to an apple orchard. There’s been approximately zero second dates after that.” He says with a laugh.

“Really? That sounds kinda nice though. Well, maybe not seven kids. Maybe four.”

He freezes mid laugh. Hanbin’s earnest consideration of his ridiculous date tactics takes him by surprise.

“I was joking Hanbin.”

“No you weren’t. 50% of all jokes are true.”

There’s no one around but he blushes anyway. “That sounds like something you just made up.”

“It’s legit I swear! I read it somewhere. I bet you really do want to have a bunch of kids on a farm. Right?”

“Maybe.” He says noncommittally.

There’s laughter on the other end. “Knew it. You live in the 1950s but it’s a cute dream to have. I’ll remember to drop something like that on my fake date.”

“Wait a second. You said four kids. You want to have four kids?”

“Yeah. Maybe? One day.”

“Oh. Cool.”

It’s then that his mind does that annoying thing where it takes an idea and fills his head with all sorts of futurescape images. What would Hanbin’s kids look like? What would his kids look like? Does Hanbin think his kids will be their kids? How can he get out of this conversation?

It gives him a headache thinking too far into the future. He never used to think about the details but lately, he catches himself staring at couples with small children and dreaming of scenarios which weren’t so impossible. He’s optimistic but he’s also realistic, there’s a line in the sky and having biological kids was so far beyond the line that it was in the realms of impossible fiction.

“Hey? You still there?”

“Yeah Yeah. I’m still here.”

“I better go. I need to get the shopping done before I go pick up my sister from dance class.”

He breathes out another sigh of relief. He loves talking to Hanbin but there are times when serious topics just sneak up on them and it gets too much, even over the phone.

“Yeah I need to go too. Text me later, about your dinner?”

“Yeah I will.”

“And I guess I’ll come over at like 10 tomorrow? If you still want to come to June’s?”

“Yeah, I’ll be ready.”

“Cool. Okay.” There’s an awkward pause because he’s never been good at saying goodbye. No matter how overwhelming their conversations gets, when the time comes there’s always a part of him that’s reluctant to let go, even if it’s only temporary. “Well umm…”

“Say bye, you loser.” Hanbin laughs on the other end.

“Okay! Fine. BYE.”

“Bye bunny. See you tomorrow.”

“Okay, bye.”

“And now you hang up.”

“Okay.” His finger hovers over the End-Call button but he can’t make himself push it.

“You’re still there.”

“Yup.”

“Okay well, there’s an old lady giving me death glares at the checkout so I really have to go. Bye bunny!”

Hanbin hangs up first. It’s how he prefers their calls to go because there’s something so difficult about hanging up on Hanbin. Or dropping him off and watching him walk away. Or being awake and knowing he’s still sleeping. He tells himself that he’ll be completely fine watching Hanbin go on fake dates but he knows it won’t be that simple when it happens.

Shaking his head, he starts the car to rejoin the flow of traffic.

The sun is setting by the times he gets home from fixing Yoyo’s car and has a second shower to wash off all the sweat and grease. He’s on the couch watching Iron Chef when the phone buzzes on the coffee table.

[pls save me]

[what happened? want me to come get you?]

[i said SAVE ME. not GET ME KILLED]

[how drunk are you]

[not drunk at all]

[tragedy, sorry for your loss]

[i miss you]

The message surprises him with its suddenness. He knows Hanbin can be unpredictable but he’s always taken aback by just how much it knocks him off his feet.

[i miss you too. U ok? Bc i can really come and get you]

[yeah I’m fine. Hanbyul’s distracting them with her ballet trophy.]

[she won something?]

[they give them out to every kid]

[lolz don’t be rude]

[I’m not! It’s the truth. Ahhhh I gotta go. xxh]

[ok call me later. xxj]

It’s midnight and he’s in bed watching the late 24-hour news when his phone lights up next to him.

[are you still up?]

He can’t think of a decent short reply so dials Hanbin’s number instead.

“It was horrible.” Hanbin says as soon as he picks up.

“Wanna tell me all about it?”

“They were on my back for twenty minutes about being a weird recluse and well, long story short, they gave my number to my dad’s business partner’s daughter. So I’m basically fucked, no matter how it ends.”

“Oh…..Shit.”

“Yeah.” Hanbin agrees miserably.

“Well….” He starts, trying to be positive but trailing off when he can’t think of anything to say. Hanbin, on the other hand, has plenty to say.

“It’s so bad. I just know it. If she hates me, she’ll tell her parents. Then they’ll tell my parents. And it might be weird at their company. That will get my dad pissed at me. Again. Even though I don’t even like girls and told them all night that I was too busy to have a relationship! Why do I have to deal with this stupid fucking situation Jiwon? On my list of stupid fucking situations, this would have to be number 1.”

“Are you drunk?”

“A little bit.”

“Are you at home?”

“YES.”

“Okay, good. But listen, don’t worry too much about it Hanbin. We’ll figure something out when it happens.”

“Why can’t we figure it out now?” Hanbin whines.

“Because it’s midnight and she hasn’t called you yet.” He reasons.

“Why can’t you just fix this?!”

He laughs despite their situation. “I promise I’ll think of something. It’ll be okay. I got through them, you will too.”

There’s a heavy dramatic sigh on the other end before Hanbin’s sleepy voice comes through again, this time accompanied by a yawn. “I’m in bed. Tell me something. I don’t want to think about girls anymore.”

“Umm, what do you want to hear?”

“Tell me about your seven kids and apple orchard. What kind of kids are you gonna have? And what kind of apples?”

The request catches him off guard, he didn’t expect this conversation to come back so soon. Or at all.

“Oh. Um. Probably all kinds of apples. I need to do some research on Apple species. You know any Apple experts?”

“I’m an Apple expert. I like the red ones and the Macbook Pro.”

“So helpful. Real expert.”

“Tell me more. I want to fall asleep.”

“Okay. Well. Firstly, no offence, but I’m gonna need an expert who knows more about apples than “red” and “laptop”. I kinda want to live on one of those big properties where the dogs and kids and chickens can run everywhere.  We’ll have to get one of those gigantic country farmhouses with a billion bedrooms because if the kids are gonna be anything like you, they’ll all want their own rooms.”

There’s no protest so he continues.

“I heard you can do a lot with apples though. You eat them, juice them, dry them, make all sorts of stuff with them, including pie! I’m not completely crazy you know. It might be a fake dream but I did attempt some research to make it sound legit.”

“Anyways, it’d be really cool sitting on the back porch and watching the sun set over all the trees. It’ll probably be really quiet and so far away from the city that you could probably see all those galaxies that you’re obsessed with.”

He waits for a response but gets none.

“Hanbin?” When there’s only breathing on the other line, he knows that Hanbin fell asleep. “Well. That’s the dream anyway. Goodnight baby.”

                                                            *

The birds chirp gleefully outside his window but Hanbin wants to die.

Actually, he wants to kill his phone first then follow it straight into hell.

“What?!” He grumbles into the offending device.

“It’s 9am.” Jiwon’s voice comes through, slightly concerned. “You okay? You don’t have to-”

“No. I want to.” He insists, despite his head spinning and his body protesting loudly as he stretches in bed.

“Okay. See you soon.”

He’s hungover and so dizzy that takes him three attempts to open the toothpaste cap and even longer to differentiate the shampoo bottle from the conditioner. It’s a relief when he finally sits down on his couch and eats cinnamon toast cereal without the world spinning around him.

Jiwon knocks on his door at 10:03am. He wanted to tease him about the promptness but decides against it, partly because his brain wasn’t exactly back online yet but mainly because Jiwon looked so adorable standing in his doorway like a hopeful prom date.

“Sorry I fell asleep on you last night. Your voice does that.” He says as he settles into the (now very familiar) passenger’s seat.

“My voice puts you to sleep?” Jiwon teases.

“Yeah it does. It’s sedating….but in a good way.” He knows that he must sound completely spaced out right now and wonders if Jiwon will pick up on it.

“So you don’t remember anything I said?”

“No, I do. Something about apple orchards and friendzoning girls and having seven kids.”

Jiwon looks over with a cautious expression. “That’s it? You don’t remember the rest?”

He racks his brain but he can barely remember what he just had for breakfast. “No. Should I have? Was it something memorable?”

Jiwon shakes his head, oddly relieved. “No no, nothing major.” There’s a grin at the end of it before the Beast roars into life down the street.

He’s feeling more human by the time they walk through the doors of June’s tattoo shop.

“Ahh look, it’s dumb and dumber! Finally here to ruin my fucking day.” June says brightly from his position in the counter.

“You really need to work on your greetings.” Jiwon says.

“It’s part of my charm.” June winks before hopping off the counter. He hugs Jiwon despite the protests before coming over to pat Hanbin on the shoulder. “Hey Hanbin. How’ve you been? This kid giving you any grief?”

“Of course he is. It’s driving me crazy.” He says with a smile.

“Knew it!” June says loudly. “Return him to the store and get an upgrade! He’s literally 2000 and late- a completely useless and out of date model.”

“Shut up Grandpa!” Jiwon calls out from the back kitchen.

“Ahh everything feels normal again.” June sighs. “Hey! I need to show you something. I got a book on geometrical line tattoos. Thought you might like something in it.”

Hanbin’s oddly flattered by the thoughtfulness “Oh. Yeah. Yeah. Thanks.”

A heavy book is thrust into his hands as they settle into their seats. He flips through the pages, breathing in the new book smell and mentally ticking off some designs he already likes.

Jiwon comes back out and hands him a cow print mug. “Black. No milk. No sugar.”

“Thanks.” He smiles over the rim of the mug, feeling lame and dopey.

“You’re welcome.” Jiwon smiles back.

June rolls his eyes between them. “And yet he forgets my birthday.”

Jiwon breaks the eye contact to scowl. “That was one time and you said I was forgiven when I got you the PS3.”

“Did I? That doesn’t seem like something I’d say at all.”

Jiwon groans. “Can we just get started? Instead of sitting around and arguing like always?”

“You’re right. We can work and continue to argue like always.” June says with a nod.

Hanbin settles in his chair as the ink gun buzzes into life. He sticks Post-It notes on the pages of the design book that interest him and feels his worries melt away. It was a weird combination really, the contrast between the sterile smell of alcohol disinfectant and the familiar herbal fragrance from the tea Jiwon made. It was almost as contradictory as the mechanical sound of the tattoo gun bouncing off the soothing peach coloured walls to accompany the Al Green song that June has playing over the speakers. It was mismatched and scrappy and strange but he loves it. It all reminds him of Jiwon in a way; how he was the perfect combination of hard industrial angles and soft warm smiles.

He is so deep inside his head that he completely misses the conversation happening in front of him.

“Right Hanbin?”

He looks up, dazed. “Huh?”

“Warren G is the better rapper but Dre is the better producer, right?”

“Bullshit.” June replies. “Dre is better at both.”

“They’re step-brothers.” He says absentmindedly.

“That’s so not answering the question.” June mutters.

He shakes the cobwebs from his fuzzy mind and starts again. “Well, Warren has a smoother technique if you’re only arguing about the west coast rap style. Dre is definitely better at producing though. Eminem wouldn’t be anywhere without Dre. So yeah, Warren might be the slightly better rapper but Dre’s definitely the better producer.”

They both stare at him before Jiwon looks across as June with a smug smile. “Told you so.”

June turns the ink gun back on. “Oh great, you’re gonna start arguing as a team now? I’m so excited about this new development.” He says blandly.

Jiwon gives him a wink, which wasn’t so much a wink as a co-ordinated blink with both eyes.

“Maybe Yoyo can come here and help you win all these arguments then?” Hanbin says as politely as he can.

Jiwon laughs loudly, trying not to move his arm but failing miserably.

June gives them both a withering look before turning the ink gun off again. “Okay. Very funny. You’re very funny over there Hanbin. But you just made your idiot boyfriend here move so one of the roses is now a bit crooked. Congratulations, you both played yourselves!”

Jiwon looks over at him with a grin. “Totally worth it.”

“Ahh, let’s take a break. Your ugly face is annoying and my back is kinda killing me today.” June announces, stretching in his chair before going outside with his cup of tea.

Hanbin wanders over and sits in June’s seat, peering at the bloody mess of lines on Jiwon’s forearm. “Sorry about the rose.”

“I’m not. You should’ve seen his face! It’s been ages since I’ve seen someone take a shot at his ego.”

Hanbin gives him a wry smile. “You want another cup of tea?”

“Yeah, thanks baby.”

It comes out so easily and casually but he still freezes like a deer in headlights, unsure what to do or say as the butterflies in his stomach zoom around like they’re all on acid.

“Sorry. It just came out.” Jiwon says quickly.

“It’s okay. No big deal.” He says in a strained voice before walking off into the kitchen to fill the kettle with shaky hands.

He’s standing at the bench waiting for the kettle to boil when he can hear Jiwon shuffling in behind him.

“You don’t like it. The name.” It was more a statement than a question.

Hanbin shakes his head but doesn’t turn around. “No, I like it. I’ve just never been called that before. It was just kinda weird, that’s all.”

He feels a breath against the back of his neck and the heat radiating off Jiwon’s body as he comes to stand behind him. “Is it cool enough for you?”

“No. It’s terrible.” He says, smiling to himself.

Two tattooed arms come to rest on either side of him, caging him in the middle. His heart races in anticipation as he stares at Richard Parker’s tail and the new crooked rose on Jiwon’s tanned skin.

“So you’re okay if I keep calling you that?”

“Yeah, it’s fine.”

“Okay…baby…”

The way it comes out sends a shiver all the way down his spine. There’s lips against his ear, it’s barely a touch but it makes him so giddy that he feels like he’s about to jump off a cliff or do something equally stupid.

And then he hears it again, in Jiwon’s deep rough growl, the one that’s gentle but demanding and playful but emphatically possessive.

“Baby…”

After that, Hanbin couldn’t stop himself from turning around even if he wanted to. He sees shiny half hooded eyes for a split second before Jiwon leans down and closes the small distance between them, his mouth fitting over Hanbin’s with a soft warm pressure.

Jiwon tastes like earl grey tea and cinnamon toast cereal and he kisses like he lives life: confident, curious, full of purpose and with no room for doubt.  

And messy.

If there’s one word to describe Jiwon, messy would be the first thing that comes to mind.

Hanbin is pressed against the bench as their kiss deepens, his lips already feeling swollen and there’s so much saliva between them that he can feel it across his jaw. His hands grabs the front of Jiwon’s t-shirt when he feels an insistent tongue trying to lick his mouth open, they both moan when he finally does.

But just as he’s trying to remember everything about the moment the kettle suddenly begins it’s high pitched and obnoxious beeping. It takes him by surprise, startling his eyes open and making him jump forward to twist his hands into the fabric of Jiwon’s tshirt so forcibly that he feels it stretching and protesting.

“Fuck that’s loud.” Jiwon remarks as he pulls away, slightly out of breath. He reaches over to turn the kettle off and starts laughing when he sees Hanbin’s stunned face. “You okay? Had another heart attack?”

Hanbin narrows his eyes and shoves at the solid chest in front of him. “Yes you jerk! Don’t pretend like it didn’t scare you too.”

“Maybe a little.” Jiwon murmurs before pulling him back against his chest. “Come back here. Kiss me again.”

Hanbin carefully grabs his right arm above the reddened tattooed area and leans back in. It’s just as hot and sweet and infuriatingly good as the first time. He’s tries to catalogue every happy sound Jiwon makes, the way he tastes and the hard wall of muscle underneath his soft worn-in t-shirt.

It’s then that the front door slams shut, followed by June’s sheepish, “Sorry, it’s just me! My bad!”

They reluctantly break for a second time, Jiwon frowning and groaning in frustration. “Why is the universe cock blocking me?” He mutters.

Hanbin colours at the choice of words. “I don’t know. Did you pay your taxes this year?”

“Yes! And now I’m being punished.” Jiwon whines, indignant.

They hear June shuffling around the main room so Hanbin smooths out the front of Jiwon’s tshirt and pushes him away.

“Go. I’ll bring out the tea. I don’t want him asking about this. You know he’s gonna tease you all day.”

“Hey by the way, if he ever hears you calling me bunny, he’ll never take me seriously again.”

Hanbin gives him a smile as he reaches up to wipe at Jiwon’s lower lip with his thumb. “He never took you seriously to begin with. Now go, bunny.”

Jiwon leans in to give him one last kiss in his cheek. “Okay, baby.”

He gives Hanbin a dopey smile as he backs out of the kitchen. Hanbin shakes his head but does nothing to stop his own dopey smile from forming.

It takes him twice as long to make the tea this time. He has to stop and replay what just happened, occasionally touching his lips to see if he can still feel anything on them.

He pours the tea carefully and tries to keep his face neutral when he brings it out to the main room, sneaking looks at Jiwon’s face when he and June are both peering down at the inky roses and discussing the best way to fix the crooked lines (Jiwon asks that they stay crooked).

Before he can stop himself, he lets out a sigh that’s way too loud and causes both guys to look over.

“What was that for? We keeping you up?” June asks. “You need colouring books over there?”

He scoffs. “Is that what Yoyo does when you’re annoying him?”

June gives him sullen look before turning to Jiwon, “Can you get a new boyfriend? This one is too salty.”

“Nope, sorry bro. I’m keeping him forever.” Jiwon laughs happily and gives him another wink. Stupidly enough, right in the middle of all his thoughts, the only thing Hanbin can think about is the fact that Jiwon still can’t wink properly.

Oh well. He wants to stay forever and wonky winks are only a small price to pay.

[morningsunmusic]

The History of Morning Sun

I am Tristan Alexander, the founding and currently only member of the project. I have been playing music for 13+ years. In 2005 when I was 13 years old I asked my parents for an electric guitar for Christmas. They, like most parents, didn’t think it was something I’d stick with because the request was out of the ordinary for me. I actually hated music until my cousin Josh showed me some band called Linkin Park and their album “Hybrid Theory”. I grew up in a small rural town, Poteau Oklahoma, and the primary music pushed on the radio was 90′s country music, 90′s pop, & RnB. When my parents would listen to music in the car, I can actually remember as a child asking them to turn off the music because I didn’t want to listen to anything. Well that all changed when I discovered the metal scene. My tastes grew as I progressed through my high school career leading me to discover bands such as Escape the Fate, I Am Ghost, blessthefall, Linkin Park and Avenged Sevenfold. While in high school, I made a few friends who both happen to be my next door neighbors, Ty Thompson, and Caleb Hobday who played bass and drums respectively. This of course ended up leading to jam sessions with each other. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ylM4ncXMgE Once we had been playing together for a while, I started a youtube channel where I posted some of the funny songs we all made together. https://www.youtube.com/edit?o=U&video_id=tyGSBnGVWMw Eventually I started taking the YouTube thing more seriously and began posting as many guitar cover videos as I could, sometimes multiple times per day. I was hungry, and nothing could keep my guitar out of my hands. I played as much as possible all day trying to learn as much as I could. There came a time where I wanted to start a band with Caleb and Ty. I was trying to figure out a way to get my ideas laid down so I wouldn’t forget some of things I had written. This is where my recording journey began. I didn’t start recording because I was interested in that side of music, it started out of necessity. I can remember running this Casio keyboard that had a drum voicing into a small Alesis usb mixer and into Audacity. https://www.youtube.com/edit?o=U&video_id=W9hF-Uqzc1o At the time the only way I could record vocals was through a rock band mic. I would demo out these hardcore songs and then manually play each drum on the keyboard individually. I wish I would have known that midi existed. I played in my high school talent show my junior year with Caleb Hobday, Cynthia Stoughton, John Wilkerson, and Blake Morgan. We performed “According to You” by Orianthi. This was my first public performance, and boy did I screw up the beginning. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=laeYzboSkAA Fast forward a couple of years to college. I was studying chemistry and was very unhappy with the direction I saw my life heading if I continued. I had to ask myself what I really wanted to do with my life. I decided that I was going to study music. This is where I met Derrick Martin, and David Bellgard. We studied music together for two years, working our way through piano, and voice lessons, as well as studying music theory, and going through ear training. Along the way we all three joined the Carl Albert State College pep band. We had an amazing instructor who led the band named Jay. We played at all of the home basketball games, and since Jay was totally in to rock and roll, we got to play awesome songs like Carry On My Wayward Song, Message In A Bottle, and Proud Mary. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LB-_hwRGLaw During my college career I also met two other musicians who I worked with fairly closely. I was working at Western Sizzlin in Poteau and we hired a guy named Jdubb Mooers. Jdubb is an incredible song writer, and as our friendship developed I decided that I wanted to help him record a few demos. He came to my house and at the time I was still recording with my alesis multimix 8 usb mixer. That thing had 4 xlr/1/4 inch inputs, so I thought that sure that was enough for a keyboard/acoustic guitar/vocal project. We started by doing some of his songs acoustically. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=by7pwC4YVwM Jdubb and I became very good friends and even ended up playing at a few weddings together. Eventually I upgraded my interface and recording software and was ready to make Jdubb’s music all I knew it could be. To this day, this is a project that I am immensely proud of. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MAr0W0JAvc8 Simultaneously, I had formed a relationship with a girl named Haley Walters. We were both interested in doing covers for YouTube, and really liked the idea of covering pop songs acoustically. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ywo1DPj8VzY Haley, Caleb, Derrick, David, and I ended up forming a band called The Bomb Dot Com. We never played live unfortunately, but we did record a full song, and had a few demos laid out. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9PZYUq72CFg During college I met my wife, who is a phenomenal singer might I add, and she has encouraged me to follow my dreams. We moved from Poteau to Oklahoma City to pursue opportunity. I am currently working on building my recording portfolio and seeking a career in music while working at Hot Topic. Morning Sun was born out of time of desperation in my life. While struggling to find the balance between my career, my home life, and my day job, I became extremely stressed out and depressed. So stressed out in fact that it triggered the shingles virus to activate in my body. I had to take off of work for a week and go to the doctor. The virus is very painful and irritating. Even though a rash appears on the skin, the virus actually causes nerve pain. The best way to describe the feeling is like imagining the worst sunburn you can get, coupled with blisters filled with yellow puss, and you can’t touch it at all. This event took me to the lowest point I’ve ever been in my life. I haven’t had it that bad I guess. Nevertheless, this was a very stressful event. After I recovered, I decided that I was never going to allow myself to get that stressed out ever again. I decided that I wasn’t going to allow my fear of putting myself out into the world keep me from sharing my art with people anymore. It was time to get serious about music and get what I want in life by working hard. I began to go through my old catalogue of songs I had written in the past and select the ones that embodied what I wanted for this project. Morning Sun is a play on words, hinting towards mourning son. I chose this name because I was thinking about my father. I was thinking about how he has sacrificed everything for my mother and myself to make sure we are taken care of. I have never done without anything I needed. I am very fortunate. I was thinking about how my dad has passed on a love and sense of gumption down to me by leading by example. I will do the same for my children. I believe I have the best father in the world. I was thinking about how time comes for us all, and how one day we are all going to pass on to the next life. I will pass on what my parents have taught me on to my children, and one day, my children will think exactly what I am saying about my father about me. It’s a cycle. A cycle of passing on what you learn in this life. That’s what Morning Sun is to me. It is an expression of joy and peace while we are alive. It’s a representation of love for one another, and of sacrifice for the people you love in your life. That’s why first track on the upcoming EP is called “Spending Time”. We are all spending time, but are we spending it on the things that are most important?