#excel latest 2018

[d-criss-news]

“Following Your Heart Is a Zero-Loss Game”: Darren Criss Is Forging His Own Legacy

Darren Criss is no stranger to the spotlight. But, does his latest role in Broadway’s Maybe Happy Ending solidify his place within the ranks of Filipino theater legends? 

Oliver, the main character in the Broadway musical Maybe Happy Ending, would be confused by the actor who plays him. See, Oliver is a robot dubbed “helper bot” with a classic Type A personality: rigid in his ways and painfully calculated. He exists in Seoul in the distant future, where these bots are essentially humanoid versions of our current cell phones. Oliver has only one mission in life, which is to reunite with his human who left him in an apartment complex where other thrown-out bots reside. (Think of how your old blackberries are stashed away in some random cabinet drawer.) His only friend is a plant named HwaBoon who, audiences come to learn, is the most important character in the show. The actor who brings this robot to life is Darren Criss who is anything but one-track-minded. The Filipino-American’s personal curiosity and dynamic career tell this best. Was it Glee where you first got to know his dark locks and melodic voice? Or, did you first see him hit the stage on Broadway in How to Succeed in Business Without Trying (2012)? Perhaps it was his role in Ryan Murphy’s Gianni Versace: American Crime Story (2018). His portrayal as Andrew Cunanan, the killer of the late fashion designer, earned him an Emmy, Golden Globe, and SAG award and placed him as one the few actors to earn the trifecta. Unlike Criss, Oliver has only had one job during his entire battery life. 

Yet, Criss breathes life into his mechanical character on stage as if he knows what it’s like to operate like a robot. But, perhaps he does. Perhaps, we, including those who have continuously waved a finger to AI and ChatGPT; all do.  “Think of Aesop fables or Greek Mythology,” he tells Vogue. “These tales all displaced the human experience by using non-human things. We learn lessons about our own behaviors through animals, spirits, gods, or other totems because it doesn’t feel patronizing if we use human characters. I think using robots was an excellent metaphor for human life itself and the way we perceive the world; operating systems, battery life, logical programming versus illogical emotional responses. A lot of these human things lend themselves really well to computers and robots.”  The last time Criss performed at the Belasco Theater where Maybe Happy Ending is showing until January 2026 was 10 years ago. At the time, he starred as Hedwig in John Cameron Mitchell’s Hedwig and The Angry Inch. “I love the poetry of my return to the Belasco theater a decade later,” he says. The aforementioned show is considered a classic in modern musical theater. It first debuted Off-Broadway in 1998, and later revived in 2014 starring Neil Patrick Harris. Then, he was continuing a legacy, but with Maybe Happy Ending, an original production directed by Tony Award Winner Michael Arden, written by Will Aronson and Hue Park, and produced by Jeffrey Richards, he’s forging his own.  “As a creative person, you dream to be a part of something original and singular to itself. You can’t put lightning in the bottle, but you work hard until one day the serendipities fall into your lap. That’s what happened here; a new dream was achieved.” 

There’s also another difference in his return to this theater. Unlike his previous solo-performance, he gets to share the stage in Maybe Happy Ending with his 24-year-old co-star Helen J. Shen graduated from the University of Michigan; the same school Criss graduated from in 2009. “I’m literally the upperclassman on stage,” Darren jokes. Shen plays a fellow thrown-out helper bot named Claire, who ends up bringing the spontaneity out of Oliver.  But, with newness comes risk. Those in the artistic universe know that participating in original productions bears a certain weight on one’s shoulders; tenfold when you’re riding high from a previously successful project. Will it be successful? Will it resonate with the audience? How will it affect one’s reputation?  Maybe Happy Ending may be a completely new production on Broadway, but it ultimately asks an age-old question: Is it better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all? “There are prerequisites to every good story,” Criss says. “Themes of love, loss, life. Think of any Shakespearean play you’ve seen. These are universal macro-themes that are packed very neatly and effectively in the show.”  Speaking of universal themes, Oliver’s plant HwaBoon is perhaps the true star of the show. In fact, the last moments of the play zero-in on the plant before the curtains fall. “He’s a glorious symbol of love that can outlive time itself,” Criss says. When asked if he has a real-life HwaBoon of his own, he directs his answer to music. “As a musician, I have instruments whose sentimental value completely eclipses their actual effectiveness. My guitars, for example, have been there for many beautiful moments in my life.” For Criss, success as an artist isn’t measured by how many tickets sell. “Following your heart is a zero-loss game. I had a strong feeling about the piece even before we opened the show. Whether or not people actually caught on was up in the air, but I would’ve still been very happy either way. On an artistic level, I was so moved that even if it didn’t reach the height that it is at now, I would’ve talked about it very proudly 20 or even 30 years down the line.”  The show has been running since November 2024 with ticket sales currently grossing $20,889,683. But, the Tony nominations speak for themselves. A day after Criss offered this humble note of measuring success to Vogue, news broke that Maybe Happy Ending was nominated for 10 awards for the 78th annual Tonys. The categories include: Best Musical, Best Original Score, and Best Scenic Design. Darren Criss is nominated for Best Actor.  When Filipinos think of stars on Broadway who share their ethnic backgrounds, Lea Salonga quickly comes to mind. She is, after all, the first Asian woman to win a Tony award. There’s also Eva Noblezada who held roles in Miss Saigon and Hadestown; and Rachel Ann Go who had roles in Les Miserables and Hamilton. Darren Criss, whose mother hails from Cebu and has an affinity for Palawan, puts in a case for his right to join their ranks as legendary performers.  “I certainly don’t think of myself in that way,” he tells Vogue. “But, I think it’s my responsibility to rise to that occasion if that’s what people see me as. I especially look up to Lea Salonga in a revered way. I look at her as a beacon, but I wonder if she even sees herself in that way. See, it’s this sort of call to duty. Beacons give cause to our belief, and they make us feel like it’s worthwhile to believe in something. I am honored and privileged to be given that role if it’s given to me.”  

[seeker-of-truth]

Tag Game: Top 10 Albums

Tagged by @ghostoffuturespast! Thank you! Sorry it took me forever. I listen to soooo much music that this was legitimately hard. To make it easier on myself I am not letting myself select any EP's only LP's.

Rules: List your top 10 favorite albums, and (if you want) include a brief description for why each one made it onto the list. Then, tag 10 (or however many you want, really) others to do the same.

The Top 10... (in no particular order)

#1 Grapetooth (2018) - Grapetooth

Reasons: Excellent album super fun throwback synth-pop that still maintains a fresh edge. Has a good bit of noise, also just fun and dance-y Fave Track(s): Blood, Imagine On

#2 Bulls and Roosters (2017) - Together Pangea

Reasons: This is a bit of a hot take since its a more classic rock-esque album from them but I really love how sunny sounding this album is sonically where the lyrics often sit in contrast (But really if I were to select one work from them its the EP Killer Dreams) Fave Tracks: Gold Moon, Is it Real?

#3 INTERNATIONALLY UNKNOWN (2019) - RATBOY

Reasons: You may be familiar with RATBOY from the Cyberpunk 2077 Radio but this guy is really talented. It takes a bit of a pivot from his more straightforward indie rap stuff on SCUM to a more ska infused record with this one. He follows that ska track to his newest album but this one is the real sweet spot. Fave Track(s): FLIES, CHIP ON MY SHOULDER

#4 Dead Man's Bones (2009) - Dead Man's Bones

Reasons: FUCK I LOVE THIS ALBUM. It was one of the first more experimental albums I've come across in my life. From the messy production with no click tracks and minimal takes to the masterful inclusion of a children's choir. Its really beautifully done and it makes me happy that this album is getting more attention now days. Fave Track(s): My Body's a Zombie For You, Pa Pa Power

#5 No Life for Me (2015) - Wavves X Cloud Nothings

Reasons: On its tin a weird combo but tbh this collab album works so well. Excellent combo of two modern American punk bands. Fave Track(s): How It's Gonna Go, Come Down

#6 Everything Not Saved Will Be Lost Part I (2019) - Foals

Reasons: I wanted to cheat, I wanted to put both parts, but I didn't and I think we should be proud of that. Anyway this suckers punchier and harder than their past work but it still maintains the twinkling guitar work that is their trademark. Also - you ever seen Foals live? No? Do it, easily the most talented musicians I've ever seen live. Fave Track(s): Exits, White Onions, In Degrees

#7 War Room Stories (2014) - Breton

Reasons: You may be more familiar with this band than you think the song "Got Well Soon" was in the las ep of of Life is Strange. Anyway this album has sick production cool guitars, and sick synths. What more could you want. Fave Track(s): 302 Watch Towers, S4

#8 Too (2015) - FIDLAR

Reasons: I knew that a FIDLAR album had to be included on this list, and honestly this one took the longest to pick. But for the iconic surf punk group I had to pick Too. It has Zac's best production on a FIDLAR album imo AND has an actual recording of The Punks Are Finally Taking Acid (now titled to Punks). Fave Track(s): Punks, Overdose

#9 Viet Cong (2015) - Preoccupations

Reasons: Woof, the first album released by the remnants of Women and before re-naming to Preoccupations this album was released in a weird place. But it is AMAZING art punk with a good hunk of noise. Fave Track(s): Newspaper Spoons, Continental Shelf

#10 Acts of Fear And Love (2019) - SOFT PLAY

Reason: It was a real toss up between this beaut and their latest release but this one barely won. It was really was where they found that beautiful blend of abrasiveness and softness. Fave Track(s): Acts of Fear And Love, Magnolia

Tagging with no pressure: @koda-shoulda-woulda-but-didnt @medtech-mara @wanderingaldecaldo @cameronwolfe

And if I didn't tag you but you'd like to share your favorite tunes, do it!

[eliounora]

in light of your latest rb, what is your preferred production of jesus christ superstar?? i've yet to see any but want to have fun with everyone & trust your taste on this :) ty in advance and also! i really love your art ^__^

you have come to the right neighbourhood... *puts on my pharisees hat* I am so happy to answer this question

I recommend you start with the 1996 west end revival (spotify, youtube). the insrumentation is great, the quality of the recording is crisp, and the performers are top-notch. steve balsamo as jesus is definitely the star of this one, his voice is very light and pure but he also portrays the character's inner conflict magnificently.

for comparison, there is also the original 1971 broadway cast recording (spotify, youtube). this is one of my favourite versions!

here is also the original 1972 west end production (youtube). also excellent!!!

if you actually want something to watch, there is the 1973 film (spotify, youtube, I think the film can be rented on YT as well, I borrowed the DVD from my local library haha). the film also has a magnificent cast, many people consider ted neeley the best jesus ever and he has an unique take on the role and a gorgeous voice. carl anderson as judas is also just superb. I think the best word to decribe this version is "raw", it's really haunting.

the original 1970 concept album (spotify, youtube) with ian gillan of deep purple as jesus and murray head as judas is also a must-listen! both singers are just divine, both their performances easily hold up against newer productions with ease, they're just divine.

there is also the 2000 film, watchable on youtube (the album on spotify). jerome pradon plays judas and he is absolutely glorious at it. dude is going absolutely off the rails and his voice is so whiny and he's so deliciously vindicative in the end. I've gotten the impression his performance can be sort of hit-or-miss, but I really like it!

for something more recent, there's also the 2012 arena tour (youtube) with ben forster as jesus and the legendary tim minchin as judas. a lot of people like this one, and while I personally don't like it much, maybe you will! there is also the 2018 live in concert (spotify, youtube). a solid, good production I think.

now I think every song in JCS is a solid banger, but good songs to look out for when listening is

heaven on their minds, sung by judas

everything's alright, sung primarily by mary (in many of the early productions, like the original concept album and the film, mary is played by yvonne elliman) while judas and jesus argue

this jesus must die, includes caiaphas, who has a bass voice, and annas

pilate's dream

I don't know how to love him, mary's ballad

gethsemane (I only wanted to say), jesus's power ballad. look out for his high note at "why should I die" (awesome compilation here)

king herod's song

superstar, judas questioning jesus from beyond the grave

good luck to you superstaring!!! I'm very normal about this musical

[scotianostra]

Happy Birthday Scottish actress Rose Leslie, born on February 9th 1987 in Aberdeen.

Leslie was born Rose Eleanor Arbuthnot-Leslie in Aberdeen, near Lickleyhead Castle, where her family has lived for more than 500 years. Leslie’s father is the Aberdeenshire Chieftain of Clan Leslie. She went to the local primary school in Rayne, before going to Millfield, a co-ed public school in England. It was at Millfield that Rose really cultivated her love for acting, as the school had an excellent drama department.

After five years at Millfield, Rose went on to the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA) to earn a bachelor’s degree with honours in 2008.Rose’s first acting job was in a television documentary series, called Banged Up Abroad in 2007, she then appeared in the BBC film, New Town, in which she received a Scottish BAFTA Award for Best Acting Performance - New Talent Award. In 2010. Downton Abbey fans might remember Rose in the TV Series, as Gwen Dawson, for 7 episodes. Later that year, she appeared in the play, Bedlam, at the Globe Theatre in London. In 2011. She was back in Edinburgh in Edinburgh the same year in the fab BBC series, Case Histories , as Laura Wyre for 2 episodes. In 2012, Rose played Lena Holgate in the episode, Vera: The Ghost Position, in the detective television series, Vera

In 2012 Rose would make her iconic appearance in the 2nd season of the HBO epic fantasy series, Game of Thrones, opposite Kit Harington as the wildling Ygritte in 17 episodes. 2015 saw Rose featured in two episodes of the excellent Luther, with Idris Elba. Miss Leslie also starred in American legal and political drama The Good Fight, which finished it’s run in 2019.

2021 saw Rose in the BBC drama Vigil, she then took the lead role in TV series The Time Travellers Wife , an adaptation of Audrey Niffenegger’s novel,unfortunately it received negative reviews and wasn't renewed for a second series, she also appeared in the latest remake of Death on the Nile. Rose was back on our screens lately in the second helping of the BBC drama Vigil, playing Detective Kirsten Longacr

Rose can trace her heritage back to King Charles II, another notable bloodline takes her back to Frasers of Lovatt.

Rose married her GOT co-star Kit Harington at Kirkton of Rayne church in Aberdeenshire in June 2018, her hubby also has the same royal lineage going back to Charles II, not surprising given the Stuart line’s propensity in spreading their seed!

[bookgeekgrrl]

My media this week (9-15 Mar 2025)

this week's watching was book-ended by two great musicals!

📚 STUFF I READ 📚

🥰 The Shots You Take (Rachel Reid, author; Greg Boudreaux, narrator) - 2nd chance romance between 2 former NHL players who haven't spoken in 12 years - I really appreciated how messy & flawed these middle-aged men were! That you can & do fuck up in your 20s and then learn & grow & atone and can build something really stellar. that not everyone knows themselves immediately for a variety of reasons.

😊 I, Barnes (debwalsh) - 76K stucky post-WS; half angsty WS recovery, then shifts to a pornathon via magical healing cock (positive)

🥰 don't go wastin your emotions (kissesforcas) - 51K, steddie canon-divergent last-stand-taking-down-vecna-AU

💖💖 +187K of shorter fic so shout out to these I really loved 💖💖

A/B/O as a Problematic Cultural Response To Transphobia, Gender Anxiety, and U.S. Policy (tomato_greens) - Multi-Fandom meta: 5K - some nice, chewy meta about omegaverse in current cultural context

Eric Adams' Latest Excuses TEASER (Poetry) - If Books Could Kill podcast, Leverage: gen, 1.1K - a teaser trailer and social media posts from the 'upcoming' ep of IBCK - really excellent use of multimedia storytelling

Imprimatur (Closer) - Suits: mike/harvey, 22K - great soulmates suits fic

alone again, or (96tears) - Stranger Things: steddie, 20K - solidly entertaining 'oh. I'm in love with my best friend' fic

📺 STUFF I WATCHED 📺

Anything Goes

Home Town Takeover - s3, e1

Um, Actually - s10, e4

Death in Paradise - s14, e4

No Taste Like Home with Antoni Porowski - "Florence Pugh's English Odyssey" (s1, e1)

Come From Away

🎧 PODCASTS 🎧

You're Dead to Me - Legends of King Arthur: from medieval literature to modern myth

Pop Culture Happy Hour - Mailbag: Is it more fun to discuss something you love or something you hate? (PCHH+)

The Best Worst - Ep 1: Cheers

The Sporkful - Working With Bourdain And Batali, Laurie Woolever Saw It All

The Atlas Obscura Podcast - The Brutalist (Places Edition)

Pop Culture Happy Hour - Best Moments In Live TV

Wait Wait… Don't Tell Me! - Outtakes: You can now rent THIS to deal with high egg prices… (WW+)

Switched on Pop - How Missy Elliott and Timbaland Freaked the World

⭐ David Tennant Does a Podcast With…Russell T Davies

99% Invisible - What We're Reading

Vibe Check - Hit Him in the Pocketbook!

Pop Culture Happy Hour - Lady Gaga's Mayhem

⭐ Off Menu - Ep 282: Ellie Taylor

⭐ Films To Be Buried With - Julia Stiles

The Atlas Obscura Podcast - Pulau Tiga, The Island That Made “Survivor”

Shedunnit - Book Club Conversation: Last Bus to Woodstock by Colin Dexter

⭐ Imaginary Worlds - Milicent Patrick: Disney Magic to Monster Mayhem

Pop Culture Happy Hour - Black Bag And What's Making Us Happy

Handsome - Pretty Little Episode #30

Short Wave - Love Fruit? Thank (Dinosaur) Mass Extinction

You're Dead to Me - Hernán Cortés and Malintzin: the Spanish conquest of Mexico

⭐ Hit Parade - Singing Nuns and Green Tambourines Edition

Wait Wait… Don't Tell Me! - Amanda Seyfried

🎶 MUSIC 🎶

Presenting Joni Mitchell

Pirates of the Caribbean soundtracks

Lady Gaga discography (chronological order)

Revamp: The Songs Of Elton John & Bernie Taupin [Various artists] {2018}

Sub-Radio

Troye Sivan

Shout-Out Party Hits

Janelle Monáe

[theaccountantnews]

Why Your UAE Business Can’t Afford to Skip Proper Accounting

Let’s cut to the chase: if you’re running a business in the UAE, you’re playing in a high-stakes sandbox. Between Dubai’s glittering skyscrapers and Abu Dhabi’s ambitious economic plans, it’s easy to get swept up in the hype. But behind the scenes, there’s a less glamorous truth—messy books or lazy compliance can sink your company faster than a summer heatwave melts an ice cream truck. Here’s the raw, unpolished truth about why accounting isn’t just for nerds in glasses.

1. The Government Isn’t Messing Around

I’ve seen it happen. A friend launched a boutique consulting firm in Dubai, skipped VAT filings for six months to “save time,” and ended up with a AED 20,000 fine. The UAE’s regulators aren’t cruel, but they’re efficient. Miss a tax deadline? Slap on a penalty. Fail an audit? License renewal gets frozen.

The 2023 Corporate Tax is the latest curveball. That 9% rate sounds mild until you realize exemptions are as tricky as parallel parking in Sharjah’s Friday traffic. Free zones like DMCC or JAFZA have their own rulebooks—annual audits, proof of “real” office space, and even how you report expenses. Without someone who speaks “bureaucrat,” you’re gambling with your business’s survival.

2. Taxes Will Eat Your Lunch (If You Let Them)

Remember when the UAE was a tax-free paradise? Those days are over. VAT’s been here since 2018, and Corporate Tax is the new sheriff in town. But here’s the kicker: smart businesses don’t just pay taxes—they manage them.

Take Ahmed, who runs a café in Dubai Marina. His accountant found AED 50,000 in deductible expenses he didn’t know existed—like a percentage of his rent and utility bills. That’s money back in his pocket. Another client, a freelance graphic designer, avoided Corporate Tax entirely by structuring her income under the AED 375,000 threshold.

But this isn’t magic. It’s strategy. And it only works if your books are airtight.

3. Investors and Banks Want Tea

Think of your financial records as your business’s dating profile. Would you swipe right on someone with blurry photos and zero details? Neither will investors.

A buddy of mine spent months wooing a venture capitalist for his tech startup. The VC loved the pitch—until they asked for six months of cash flow statements. His “DIY” Excel sheet looked like a toddler’s art project. The deal died on the spot.

Banks are worse. Walk into ADCB or ENBD without audited financials, and they’ll treat you like a time-waster. Clean books aren’t just about compliance—they’re your credibility.

4. You’re Probably Wasting Money (Seriously)

Here’s a story: A small e-commerce company in Abu Dhabi was bleeding AED 10,000 a month on shipping. The founder blamed “market rates” until his accountant noticed a pattern—90% of orders went to Dubai, but they were using a pricier international courier. Switching to a local provider saved them AED 8,000 monthly.

Your books aren’t just receipts in a drawer. They’re a detective’s notebook. Where’s the cash leaking? Which supplier’s overcharging? Why is inventory collecting dust? You’ll never know unless you look.

5. Outsourcing Isn’t Cheating—It’s Genius

I get it. Hiring an accountant feels like admitting you can’t do it all. But here’s the reality: most UAE founders aren’t CPAs. You’re a visionary, not a tax-code translator.

A client of mine—a British expat running a fitness studio—outsourced her accounting for AED 1,500/month. For that price, she gets VAT filings, payroll, and a quarterly report showing where her studio’s thriving (and where it’s flopping). She’s free to focus on Instagram-worthy gym selfies instead of spreadsheets.

6. Scammers Are Everywhere (Yes, Even Here)

A construction company in Ras Al Khaimah learned this the hard way. Their part-time bookkeeper had been quietly funneling AED 200,000 into a phantom supplier account for two years. They only caught it during a routine audit.

Fraudsters love chaos. If your books are a mess, you’re a target. Regular reconciliations and third-party reviews aren’t paranoia—they’re survival.

The Bottom Line

In the UAE, accounting isn’t about “checking a box.” It’s about keeping your business alive in a market where rules change faster than a sandstorm rolls in. You don’t need to love it—you just need to respect it. Hire a pro, keep your receipts, and sleep easy knowing you’re not one typo away from a fine.

Visit our website to learn how we can assist your business:

The best accounting and bookkeeping services

[moochilatv]

Caligula presents: This Alchemy

Nice comeback to the sound of the 90's

Sydney electro rockers Caligula recently released the latest taste of their goth-flavoured groove with new single “This Alchemy” .

Emerging from a dark corner of early 90’s era Sydney, Caligula’s take on alt rock added more of an electronic sound to their walls of guitars. Their most excellent cover of Tears Of A Clown saw them nominated for a ‘Best New Talent’ ARIA Award, become a staple on Triple J and Triple M, and tour with the likes of Depeche Mode, Pop Will Eat Itself, Ned’s Atomic Dustbin and The Beastie Boys.

In 2018 Caligula kickstarted their engine again and knocked out a couple of tours with old mates Pop Will Eat Itself, The Mavis’s and Defryme. 2023 saw Caligula hit the road with DEF FX for a sold out national double headline tour.

Always a popular live act, the boys toured through 2024 with some huge festival appearances at the Spring Loaded Festival juggernaut as well as shows with The Machinations and Jesus Jones. The band have released 5 new singles forging forward with a new sheen to their unmistakable goth groove sound.

“Having first formed in the early ’90s, Caligula quickly found fame around their native Sydney, with a handful of EPs peppering their early years together, before finding mainstream radio play thanks to their cover of Smokey Robinson’s “Tears of A Clown”, which hit #25 on the ARIA charts.

In 1994, group unveiled their debut album Rubenesque, which not only reached #13 on the charts, but also saw their track “Before” beat out the likes of The Lemonheads and Alice in Chains in the inaugural Hottest 100 countdown.

In 2018, Caligula reformed to support grebo icons Pop Will Eat Itself on their Australian tour, and later joined the Spring Loaded festival lineup in 2021.”

Stream This Alchemy:

[simdolviaroyals]

Their Majesties The King and Queen, Accompanied by Her Royal Highness The Crown Princess, Receive Tennis Champion Archer Holtz at the Palace

18 May 2018

This afternoon, Their Majesties The King and Queen, alongside Her Royal Highness The Crown Princess, have received world-renowned tennis player Archer Holtz at Coburg Haus in honor of his recent triumph at the Frenchsim Open.

Mr. Holtz, whose remarkable skill and perseverance have earned him global acclaim, was warmly welcomed by Their Majesties and Her Royal Highness in recognition of his outstanding achievement. During the meeting, The King and Queen congratulated him on his historic victory, praising his dedication to the sport and the inspiration he brings to aspiring athletes across the nation and beyond.

Her Royal Highness The Crown Princess, a known admirer of the sport, engaged in a conversation with Mr. Holtz about his journey, the challenges of professional tennis, and the significance of this latest Grand Slam title. Their Majesties also commended his commitment to excellence and the sportsmanship he has consistently displayed throughout his career.

The Royal Family has long supported and celebrated the achievements of the country’s athletes, recognizing their role in promoting discipline, perseverance, and national pride. This meeting reaffirmed their appreciation for sports as a unifying force that brings people together on the global stage.

As Mr. Holtz continues his remarkable career, The Royal Family and the nation stand in admiration of his accomplishments and look forward to witnessing his future successes.

[stereogeekspodcast]

[Transcript] Season 4, Episode 8. We've Been Busy With... Nightwing, Lore Olympus, Madame Web, Godzilla Minus One, and more

The Stereo Geeks discuss the TV shows and films they've been watching, and the books they've been reading.

Listen to the episode on Spotify.

Mon: Hello and welcome to a new episode of Stereo Geeks. We’re doing things a little differently today. We’ll be discussing a bunch of stuff we’ve been watching, listening to and reading recently.

I’m Mon.

Ron: And I’m Ron.

Mon: Tom Taylor, Bruno Redondo, and a team of artists brought Dick Grayson/Nightwing back to himself in the Eisner Award-winning series, Nightwing Volumes 1-4. I’m behind on this series, but I intend to get back into it because of these four volumes. 

There was a lot of controversy surrounding what happened to Dick Grayson in Batman #55 way back in 2018. 

Ron: Was it that long ago? 

Mon: Yeah, I’m still processing that. 

I kept reading the Nightwing books after that, but those were a tough read. Dick wasn’t himself, so these new volumes were a welcome change. 

Ron: I haven’t read the latest volumes. I barely got through the Ric Grayson nonsense. What’s our favourite pretty bird been up to?

Mon: Well, Dick is back as Nightwing, but he’s reeling from losing his memory and himself, and his home of Blüdhaven is worse off since his absence. 

What I liked about this section of the series is that Dick returns and he wants to do so much more for his city than just punch bad guys. I like that the creators addressed the fact that Bruce Wayne could have done so much more with his money, and Dick is hoping to course correct in Blüdhaven.

The story had a lot of emotional beats, and the ones concerning Alfred got me in the feels. Who knew I’d get teary over Dick and Alfred’s relationship, but here we are. I do love how newer renditions of the Bat-universe comics really lean into the notion of them being a family who love and loathe each other, just like any other family. There’s so much love in the writing, it makes it such a joy to read these stories.

I loved the art and colours—for most of the volumes Redondo is leading the art team, so the character art is especially beautiful, giving the Bat-family distinct and gorgeous faces. Good art, especially art that flatters the characters I love, helps me become more invested in the story.

After eons of Dick being touted as the next big thing, he finally feels like he’s taking on that mantle. I believe he’s become a big deal in the DC Comics universe. I need to read more of the current stuff to know for sure. 

Volumes 1-3 are particularly solid. 4 is a little more gruesome, so I didn’t like it that much. I also hate it when the art changes during a volume or a run. I know it happens, but it’s so frustrating, especially when you start off with the kind of art you love and then it changes. Sigh.

Highly recommend these volumes for Nightwing fans. I really hope what comes after is just as excellent.

Ron: Lore Olympus by Rachel Smythe is a retelling of Greek mythology in Webtoon form, now available across several paperbacks as well.

Mon: Greek gods in Webtoon form. Tell me more!

Ron: It’s essentially about the romance between Persephone and Hades but pretty much every Greek god and goddess makes an appearance. The story started fairly small but expanded to encompass so much of the mythos. It was such a rich world and I found it a very immersive reading experience.

Smythe has been writing this series since 2018. I only started reading Lore Olympus during the pandemic and then I ended up taking a break from Webtoons for a long while. But I went back to it this year and I couldn’t stop reading. I ended up racing through to the end. I was a bit bereft when I’d come to the end of the 280 episodes.

The story is engaging but what captivated me at first was the art. I love the way Smythe uses colours to differentiate the characters and the different realms. There’s a lot of detail in her art that had me lingering on sections of the story. But she also uses colours to display emotions which I found very moving. Lore Olympus goes to some pretty dark places at times and I appreciated her putting content warnings for those episodes.

My only criticism was that the final volume both dragged and felt rushed. We had too many episodes that were stuck on one plot point and then the entire story was wrapped up in just two episodes. Having said that, 280 episodes is a massive commitment from a writer and artist. It was a riveting story and I loved the modern incarnations of the gods and goddesses. Highly recommended.

Mon: Wow, I’ll add it to my list. 

Mon: Anyone who’s read Marvel comics is going to tell you that the What If…? series of books is the coolest part of being a comic reader. Alternate takes on what would have happened to our favourite characters are always fun to read. My guess is, Marvel, seeing that the What If…? animated show got some traction, decided to venture into new territory–YA What If…? novels. So we have Marvel: What If...Loki Was Worthy? by Madeleine Roux.

Look, I love Loki as much as the next person, and I’ll admit, at the start I was itching to get to the book whenever I was away from it. At one point, the book mentions a Marvel character who I’m fond of, and I got so excited I decided to ‘save’ the book and read it at my own pace.

Ron: Just for that cameo, I want to read this book now. Should I?

Mon: No. Taking a break was actually a dumb idea because this is a library book and it got snatched away. I’m back to reading it now, haven’t finished it yet, but the magic’s gone. I’m struggling to read this. The writing is so slow, the descriptions are overlong and unnecessary. They don’t just bring the pace to a halt, they grind it backward. I’m literally screaming in my head for the story to move forward, but nope, we need to describe every single room in this tiny trailer with the utmost detail. 

And here’s the thing, I don’t hate descriptions. I used to love Thomas Hardy’s books, so I can’t complain about descriptions. But my issue is the descriptions are given more importance than what Loki goes through. I’m sorry, but I am way more interested in knowing how he coped with a certain live-changing event than his bloody lizard!

And don’t get me started on Tony Stark. Crikey–what is with the overly sentimental histrionics? And why are they three chapters long? 

I’m halfway through, and I think things are picking up. At this point, I just want the book to be over. I don’t care if Loki was worthy, I just know I’m unworthy of this suffering. 

Ron: Well, that takes us to more comics-related suffering. This is something I’ve been dying to talk about. The Krakoa-era of X-Men! I have so many thoughts and I don’t know if I’ll be able to cover it all but I’m going to try.

Ron: For the longest time, I just couldn’t find a way back into the X-Men comics. I found that so frustrating because they are our favourite comics team. But with the House of X/Powers of X series in 2019, I finally got a way in. We read that series for our comic book club and I stayed with it.

Mon: I never read past Hox/PoX, which we covered on this podcast, by the way. So I’m all ears.

Ron: At first, I really enjoyed the Krakoa comics. After decades of being despised, hunted, killed, just for being born different, the mutants had a safe home on Krakoa, the living island. I loved reading about the way they were setting up their lives, how Krakoa would give them whatever they needed to thrive. And the resurrection protocols ensured the mutants couldn’t die. The Five, consisting of Tempus, Proteus, Hope Summers, Elixir, and Egg, combined their mutant powers with Xavier to resurrect dead X-Men. All the mutants who lost their powers in House of M, or died on Genosha, they were all being brought back. That wasn’t all. Mutants had created a medicine that was going to help humans fight diseases. I was so enjoying reading about this mutant Utopia.

Mon: That sounds awesome. I love my X-Men being happy.

Ron: Not so fast. Things weren’t all that rosy on Krakoa. The Quiet Council, the governing body of the island, was made up of past villains with their own agendas, like Mr Sinister, Sebastian Shaw, and Apocalypse, who seemed to have turned over a new leaf at least. Cyclops and Jean were so annoyed with Xavier and Magneto keeping secrets from them that they both abandoned the Quiet Council. Xavier and Magneto also made Mystique’s life miserable; they put her on the council but refused to resurrect her wife, Destiny, for absolutely no good reason. Honestly, the internal politics of the Quiet Council were to die for. I loved the drama, the tension, the subterfuge. Who was betraying whom? Who had their own plan for world domination? Who knew who’s secrets. This is what had me picking up issue after issue.

Mon: Wait, so you liked that part?

Ron: Very much so! But alas, Marvel comics got in their own way. Instead of giving us these self-contained stories about mutant intrigue, Marvel introduced fantastical elements like the Arakki, an ancient mutant civilization to which Apocalypse belonged to. 

Mon: The ruddy Arakki. How many times have I heard you complain about the Arakki?

Ron: I know I go on about it, but I cannot stress enough how much I despise the Arakki. The moment they appeared on the comic page, the mutants I wanted to read about went right out the window. Practically every single issue became focused on the Arakki. They were a warring race so we got plenty of mindless action and no character development. They didn’t want to fit in on Krakoa, so the mutants terraformed Mars and made it Arakko and the Arakki were still fighting. Worse, Storm and Magneto were appointed leaders of the Arakki so the entirety of their story in X-Men: Red was just them quelling fights between the Arakki. It was so boring!

Ron: And let me not start on Avalon and the Braddocks. I don’t know Betsy Braddock very well but her constant tussle with Saturnyne which went on and on and on made me dislike them both and all of Avalon so much. Betsy was in a group with Jubilee, Rogue, Gambit, and Rictor, all of them much more interesting than her. Yet every Excalibur book was about Betsy and only Betsy. I was so glad when she shattered into glass pieces but alas, she got better and even more insufferable.

Mon: Wow, that sounds… not great. A book featuring your favs Rogue and Gambit, and it’s about neither of them? I don’t know how you persevered. 

Ron: I didn’t. I gave up on Excalibur when Rogue fell into a coma.

Mon: You have got to be kidding me. 

Ron: Nope! However, I did get to hang out with some very cool characters on Krakoa. Mystique and Destiny, who was eventually resurrected behind Xavier’s back, haha, take that sucker. They were such an amazing couple. They were so conniving, so smart, so in love, I enjoyed every moment I got to read them. Laura Kinney got a few incredible story arcs. She and Synch, a mutant I’d never met before, had this incredible storyline of living many lives to fight a terrifying enemy. It was a sad ending for them but Synch has become one of my favourite mutants now. He’s got the ability to use any superpowers that he’s been near but because of his experiences, his powers are killing him. And yet, he keeps fighting to save mutantkind.

Mon: I’d really like to meet Synch one day in the comics. 

Ron: Don’t hold your breath; he’s not slated for any new books.

Ron: There were lots of little moments that I enjoyed from Krakoa, as well. Scott, Jean, Logan, and Emma Frost becoming a happy quadrangle. Logan even lives on the Moon in the Summers home. Almost everyone getting their families back. Jean and Scott have Cable and Rachel. Logan has all his kids, Akihiro, Laura, Gabby. Krakoa was very queer-friendly. Lots of the lads wore gorgeous dresses to the Hellfire Gala. Northstar’s husband, Kyle, who’s human, got to live on Krakoa. Then there’s Ms Marvel becoming a mutant and adapting to her multiple identities, which was a great addition–she’s an absolute natural as a mutant even though her powers haven’t appeared yet. Seeing Captain America step up and lead the mutant resistance, considering the Avengers have historically been absolutely awful to the X-Men. The political machinations of the Quiet Council and how mutants like Emma Frost managed to get the upper hand over their rivals was so thrilling! And nothing will surpass the shock of Orchis murdering all the mutants at the Hellfire Gala just as the new X-Men team was announced.

But it’s been downhill for a while. The focus on the Arakki, the overlong Dominion plotline that fizzled out, quite literally, with the return of Dark Phoenix. Sidelining characters I love, like Storm and Iceman. I had such high hopes for Krakoa and now I’m just happy it’s ending. I really felt like they’d lost their way. Now we’ve got the Fall of the X-Men that’s spread over some 13 series, and you have to read each issue from each series sequentially. It’s bonkers. I am so going to miss the hope and joy I thought Krakoa would bring. Not to me, my X-Men.

Mon: Dang, that sucks. I’m hoping for good things with the new series. But, you never know.

Mon: Anyway. So, I like listening to podcasts, but my podcast habits are pretty standard–I’m either listening to reviews or news. But I heard ads for the BBC and CBC podcast Hollywood Exiles, which is about the Red Scare in the US and J.Edgar Hoover’s apparent obsession with taking down Charlie Chaplin. 

The podcast is hosted and narrated by Chaplin’s granddaughter Oona. Oona is an actress, so she has a great voice for podcasting–very soothing and measured. We, of course, know about the Red Scare and the witch-hunts for supposed communists, but it was really interesting to hear about the rise of Hoover and the impact of these trials on Hollywood. 

Apparently, Hoover started a file on Charlie Chaplin–one that grew to over 1000 pages–as early as the 1920s. Chaplin, was, according to the podcast, one of the earliest targets of the Bureau for un-American activities. Chaplin was an immigrant from Britain–he never got American citizenship, and was openly ‘anti-authoritarian’, if you can call it that, in his work. That immediately drew a target on his back even though he wasn’t part of the Communist Party in the US–or so he said, anyway. 

Listening to this podcast, it’s really heart-breaking. Chaplin was older, secure in his career, and rich. Life got tough, he upped and offed to England. But other writers and creators, they went through hell and back and lost their jobs. Some left the US, forever, others eventually returned. But they couldn’t return to their old jobs because they were put on the “Hollywood blacklist”. Man, that sucked to hear. The adult children of those exiles talking about how life changed for their families, was so sad. And over what? Fear-mongering.

And listening to it now, when the US is so divisive and so quick to judge and cancel–all the wrong people, of course–just made me so angry. It hits worse now that we’re in North America.

My one grouse with the podcast was that, because it’s hosted by Chaplin’s kin, Oona sort of brushes off Chaplin's less-than-stellar inclinations. The dude had a penchant for really young women, and even if the women were of consenting age, the power dynamic between Chaplin and anyone else is off. Oona Chaplin never really deals with that in the podcast. I think the producers at the BBC and CBC should have stepped in to contextualize the problematic side of Chaplin.

But this podcast is worth a listen to understand how and why Hollywood was so embroiled in the Red Scare. 

Ron: I’ve been hearing a lot of talk about a mind-bendy thriller called Dark Matter on Apple TV+ so I decided to check it out. You and I loved Netflix’s Dark, and I adored the other sci-fi show called Dark Matter so why not? It’s based on a book by Blake Crouch and the premise is around alternate universes. I love alternate universes so I was very excited when I realised that was what the show was about.

My enthusiasm was waning partway through episode one, of what I believe is a 10-episode series. Joel Edgerton plays Jason Dessen, a science professor. 

Mon: I’m sorry–that’s a name choice.

Ron: Hehe. His wife Daniela, played by Jennifer Connelly, works in an art gallery. The two of them gave up their dreams of being a scientist and an artist to raise their son. First up, how cliche, the dude is the scientist, the lady is an artist. Why don’t we swap it around and really make things interesting? Anyway!

Then they waste the first three episodes with this setup about Jason being kidnapped and left in an alternate reality. And he’s wondering who could’ve done it. When we already know the answer in episode one. Why would you spend three episodes with the characters not knowing something the audience has already been told?

Also, I tuned in to see alternate universes. Those really only appear from episode 4. And I don’t know if it’s a budget issue, but the characters rarely interact with the alternate universes. They’re mostly green screen. How very boring.

But the premise of the story is so dull. Jason loves his wife and wants to go back to her. That’s literally all there is to this man. Nothing else. Every single episode he keeps going on about how much he loves his wife. But I don’t understand what they’re on about because, honestly, Jason and Daniela’s life looks awful. There’s no excitement. They have no hobbies. The show has to keep telling us they love each other when it really looks like they’ve just settled for this existence.

Also, I cannot stand when characters make stupid decisions. We all do dumb things sometimes, sure. But nobody looks at a snowstorm and willingly runs into it. There’s this pandemic world they go to, and you will not believe it, Jason, after being told that the virus on this world is spread through fluids, he handles a vial that Daniela was holding after she was wiping her tears away. Dude, two seconds ago, they told you not to do that!

The show is really held back by the central romance between Jason and Daniela, because I just don’t see that love. Companionship, sure. Love? Whatever. Just show me the cool alternate worlds.

Mon: Yikes. Giving that a miss then.

Mon: On to some stuff we’ve been watching together. 

I think a lot more people have heard about Madame Web the film, than actually seen it. It’s a running joke at this point–another Sony Marvel movie that bombed, haha. 

We only recently caught up with it. I had no hopes for the film. I’d heard nothing but outrage at how bad it was, so my only expectation was to be mildly entertained. 

But you know what, now that I’ve watched it, I’m really annoyed. I’m annoyed with people, especially the people who said don’t even bother watching this film because it’s dead on arrival. Like, if you’re a fan of superhero stuff, this film was worth one viewing at least.

Ron: This is the same nonsense that happened to The Marvels. People kept saying don’t watch it because it’s bad but since you and I got a preview screening, we were completely confused because we knew The Marvels was incredibly fun. I wish we’d got to give Madame Web a chance because it was also fun, in a very different way.

Mon: Madame Web is not great. The CGI is so janky, I can’t believe they let it out in public like that. And then there’s the first scene, which is atrociously acted. Yikes! But if you stick around, you get this really wholesome road trip, sorority sisters sticking together vibe. I kinda liked it. It was, I don’t know, adorable? 

Ron: Here’s the thing though, the CGI was janky in Doctor Strange and the Multiverse of Madness and Guardians of the Galaxy 3 but people were still raving about those!

Mon: Yep. 

None of the performances are great, but it’s like everyone had a bit and they stuck to it. The whole film does feel, a little, like everyone involved is on cruise control, but again, it didn’t make me hate it. It was a surprisingly pleasant experience to hang out with these characters and this film. I mean, I liked this film more than the second and third volumes of Guardians of the Galaxy and Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, which isn’t saying much, because those were awful entries. But they made money and aren’t as openly mocked as this women-led and directed film. I wonder why. #sarcasm

Ron: I really liked the characters in Madame Web. Cassie Web is relatable. That scene where the kid hands her a drawing and she’s like, what do I do with this? Relatable! That entire subway section with her and the three teenagers and they’re sure this woman is kidnapping them, was hilarious. This movie was genuinely so funny. All the emotion that Guardians 3 was forcing on its script and actors, this film did it organically. I found myself so moved when Cassie had that revelation about her mother. Now I’ve just made myself sad again.

Mon: The characters were the best part of the film–truly surprising, but that’s what annoys me more about people being so mean about this film.

Mon: Two things about this film I’m not sure about–they made it like this was a one-and-done. These people will be superheroes, even though we don’t know how. We see them in costume, but it’s not in the present. That was a weird choice, and it seals the deal on there being no future for these characters.

Ron: There could easily have been a sequel that shows us how this group gets to that point. I mean, Venom seemed like a one and done film and it’s got two sequels!

Mon: The first Venom was so bad. How do people like it more than this film?

The other thing that weirded me out about Madame Web was the ending. I’m still trying to process what they were trying to say with that ending. This goes back to the film being on cruise control. A character needed to be a certain way to reflect their comic book persona, so even though they go through a life-altering experience, everyone’s super-chill about it because… that’s destiny? It was really weird. I wonder if that put critics off. I mean, this film does not hold up to criticism, but man, it does not deserve the hate. This felt like The Marvels all over again–though that film is objectively much better made and really fun. 

Ron: I actually really liked the ending. Life-altering injuries are always treated like the end of the world in stories but I like that this film had this character accept it as part of her journey. A sequel could have explored it more. 

Ron: With the crazy backlash against The Marvels, and before that, the vitriol against She-Hulk, which was such a fun, enjoyable, relatable show, and now Madame Web, Marvel’s not going to have any female superheroes headlining films or shows. These stories are hated on to the point where they lose box office sales and that’s it, we never get to see these characters again. But Starlord will return! I’m so angry.

Mon: Booooooooo!

Ron: Moving on, I guess. We didn’t catch Godzilla Minus One in theatres because going to the movies is expensive, you guys! We had to wait quite a while but eventually it arrived on Netflix Canada and we duly watched it. I was expecting standard monster fare. People screaming. Monsters destroying buildings. Lots of action and great VFX, because the film won the Oscar for VFX. But hoo boy, we got so much more!

Mon: Sitting down to watch Godzilla Minus One was worrying. I was certain this wouldn’t live up to the hype. Well, I was wrong. The film is riveting–but not because it’s about a monster called Godzilla, it’s because it’s a character study of people, and who the monsters really are. I know some people were annoyed that the film doesn’t touch on the atrocities that Japan committed during the war–there are other stories that deal with that, but I don’t know how this film would have included that as well. I mean, we all know there are no saints in a war; I don’t think this film tries to paint things any differently. 

Ron: The movie does touch on the fact that Japan made some terrible choices in the second World War.

Mon: It does. Godzilla is merely a catalyst to tell a deeper story about governmental and systemic failure, the devastation of war, the real cost of the atomic bombs, and most importantly, the connections among people. This isn’t the first Godzilla film to tap into these themes, but it’s the first one that I’ve seen do this. 

Ron: Godzilla was created in response to the nuclear bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. To have this movie set during and just after the second World War, drives home the devastation that those bombs caused.

Mon: The American Godzilla movies are always the same–monster fights. They’re so dull. And then you have this one, with these complicated characters who have so many layers to them. And the special effects. The VFX team won the Oscar for a reason. Godzilla looks so real! It’s scary.

Ron: True. Godzilla Minus One was so much more than the action. Protagonist Shikishima is a failed Kamikaze pilot. And then he’s one of only two survivors of Godzilla’s attack on a small island refuelling station. Not only that, but he returns home to find his civilian parents died in the war. It’s just survivor’s guilt upon survivor’s guilt for Shikishima! Ryunosuke Kamiki, who plays Shikishima, carries the film on his shoulders and he manages to portray the unimaginable burden of surviving so much really well. It’s a shame the international awards didn’t recognise his acting.

Mon: My only criticism is that I wish our leading lady Noriko had a larger role in the story, and that there were more ladies in the story. I know that Japan can be very patriarchal, and would have probably been even more conservative in the 1940s, but I wish they’d figured out a way to bring more women into the story.

Ron: 100%. Noriko is the amusing heart of the story. She’s the reason why Shikishima ends up with the world’s most bizarre but loving family unit. Noriko’s really the one who makes them work as a family. She had some incredible scenes and was played with a lot of sensitivity by Minami Hamabe. I was impressed by how much love Shikishima and Noriko had for each other without there being long monologues about it, just quiet moments and a shared look. And that’s down to the acting.

Mon: This film is worth a watch whether you like or care for Godzilla. It’s outstanding. Who knew you could get emotional during a Godzilla movie!

Mon: Everyone has been decrying the end of the world because The Fall Guy failed at the box office. Us plebs who refuse to go to the cinema all the time are the worst of humanity, don’t you know? How dare we not spend every dollar on passively absorbing every single film that comes out instead of trying to buy groceries and, you know, survive. 

Mon: I’m sorry, did I go on a diatribe? I did. The way the online space made it out, it seemed like The Fall Guy was the best film ever to have been made. Listen, I was going to watch it anyway, just not in the theatre. We have to pick and choose when we spend money and where we go. We used to love going to the cinema every week, but that’s just not possible now–money isn’t even the biggest issue, for us at least, it’s that you have to be wise about which indoor spaces you want to be in.

Ron: When cinema tickets are $26 per person, before taxes, you’ve got to choose the groceries. I’m afraid The Fall Guy isn’t the kind of movie I’m spending that much money on. Sorry.

Mon: Anyway, on to the film. The Fall Guy is just meh. I was kinda disappointed, honestly. I was expecting something spectacular. This isn’t it. The opening scene? Yeah, sign me up. Awesome direction. That was, wow. And the way it ends, holy moly. That was incredible stuff. 

Ron: That one-take opening scene was so well-executed and then you have that unexpected ending. I couldn’t wait to see what happened next.

Mon: But the film goes downhill after that. The pacing is off. It tries so hard to be funny, but it keeps falling flat. There’s some really slick directing, but the action scenes were badly paced.

I also didn’t like that Ryan Gosling’s the only one with any significant screen time. There’s this cast of amazing actors, Winston Duke, Stephanie Hsu, and Aaron Taylor-Johnson, and they don’t get their due. Taylor-Johnson has more to do than Duke and Hsu though.

Ron: Aaron Taylor-Johnson is so freaking funny and he absolutely owns this douchebag role. But he disappears for three quarters of the movie! And don’t get me started on Stephanie Hsu getting only two scenes.

Mon: And Emily Blunt is totally wasted in this. What the hell! Useless, tiresome role. So boring. At least Gosling can finally act though. I swear, till before Barbie, he was as wooden as a doll, and now he can actually emote.

Ron: Ken has changed Gosling so much. I actually understand the appeal now!

Mon: I have to strain to remember that I watched this film because it was so meh. I cannot believe the vitriol the average movie-goer faced because they didn’t support this film. People need to live a little.

Ron: Well, we’ve definitely been busy being entertained this year. Have you been watching or reading something you’d recommend? Let us know in the comments. Until next time.

[blackmarket-playlists]

PART FIVE with forgotten treasures of the shoegaze/dreampop genre and closely related styles (influenced by the time in which they were released) Less than 100 monthly listeners on Spotify, despite excellent songs.

All songs can be found in one playlist! (Playlist – link in the comment - will be updated in the coming weeks with further posts… so stay tuned!)

🔥Playlistcover: Old Magic Pellas (Brazil) – just remastered their brilliant album „Pull My Daisy“ from 1995.

Bands 1 to 4: Nothing found from them on the web....If you know anything, please comment!

Artist name: The Becketts Country: West Country, UK Highlight song: The Most Beautiful Girl In Town (1989) Info: Taken from the compilation C89 (2018)

Artist name: Drop Country: UK Highlight song: Within and Beyond (1991) Info: Taken from the compilation „Cherry Stars Collide – Dreampop, Shoegaze 1986-1995“

Artist name: Pory Lucsin Country: Argentina Latest release (Spotify): Singles (2009) Highlight song: Stars Can Frighten (2008)

Artist name: Hypergálicticos Country: ??? Latest release (Spotify): EP (2011) Highlight song: Atardeceres Violentos (2011)

Artist name: Black Mustangs feat. Sapphira Singgih Country: Jakarta, Indonesia Latest release (Spotify): Black Mustangs (2014) Highlight song: Black Heavens of Hell (2014)

Artist name: Linoleum Country: London, UK Latest release (Spotify): The Race From The Burning Building (2000) Highlight song: Black Dress (2000) Info: Band feat. Paul Jones, later Elastica, then head of A&R at Rough Trade Records

Artist name: The Werefrogs Country: New York, US Latest release (Spotify): Swing (1993) Highlight song: Don’t Slip Away (1992)

Artist name: Sweet Jesus Country: UK Latest release (Spotify): 3-piece single (1992) Highlight song: Albino Ballerina (1992) Info: The song was chosen by radio DJ and music journalist Mark Radcliffe as the Single of the Year for his 1992 NME end-of-year roundup

Artist name: Vaportrail Country: San Francisco, US Latest release (Spotify): The Angel Has Landed (2001) Highlight song: Eta Carina (2001) Info: Formed in 1996

[afrobeatsindacity]

ADEKUNLE GOLD IS CONSTANTLY EVOLVING

Adekunle Gold, the Lagos-born prolific singer, is one of the handful of Nigerian artists who can boast of a lasting presence in the highly competitive space that is the country's music industry. His was a journey of talent, consistency, invention and reinvention.

He was born Adekunle Kosoko, a member of the royal Kosoko family of Lagos Island, so when he chose to follow his passion in music, the name Gold readily appealed to him. Days spent riding to school with his father while they played Ebenezer Obey and King Sunny Ade, as well as lullabies sung by his aunt at bedtime, planted a love for music in the young Adekunle. With time, his love for listening to music spurred him to create his own. Like many other budding artists, he cultivated his talents first by joining the junior choir in his church and later, by forming a band with a close friend, Michael Bakare, before deciding to pursue a career as a solo artist. Michael remains a major musical pillar of Adekunle Gold’s career, his songwriting and production credits can be found as recently as Adekunle's latest album.

Nigeria's first introduction to the artist, however, was through his creative work as a photo editor. Prior to the release of “Sade” in December 2015, Gold had been given the title of 'King of Photoshop' for his creative editing of his images on pictures of actress Tonto Dike, OAP, Toolz and especially afrobeats queen, Tiwa Savage. A young Adekunle Gold had finished school with a diploma in Arts and Industrial Design and was putting his degree to good use, doing graphic design work for a number of YBNL artists, including Viktoh, Lil Kesh and even street-pop legend Olamide.

In 2014, Adekunle Gold released “Sade”, a cover of One direction's “Story of my Life”, and based upon a real life Sade who had turned his affections down. As the song gained ground, Pheelz, YBNL's in-house producer, saw there was more To Adekunle Gold's creativity than visual arts, and after conversations with label huncho, Olamide, Adekunle Gold was unveiled as a YBNL artist in March 2015. Then, he got a chance at a proper debut single, and "Orente" was born; a folksy Yoruba-supported love ballad, featuring distinct Yoruba instrumentation, which would grow to become his signature style. He followed this up with “Pick up”, which amped up production for a Juju-influenced song that would be an excellent fit for a live band.

All these built up to the release of his first studio album in July 2016, Gold that featured successes such as "Work", "Ariwo Ko", and another all time classic, "No forget", a duet with Simi, a friend and fellow artist who had previously mixed and mastered songs for him. His debut album was a critically acclaimed success, peaking at no. 7 on the Billboard World Album Chart.

His next studio album, About 30, was released in 2018 after exchanging amicable farewells with YBNL. He assembled a team of instrumentalists into a live band, named the 79th Element (Gold), and headed by Michael Bakare. As a result the album drew chiefly from his unique upbeat trad-style music which he christened Urban Highlife, and it housed a number of memorable songs like the energetic "Money", the evocative "Ire" and the sombre "Fame".

Until 2019 Adekunle Gold had operated firmly within the boundaries of his self-styled Afro Urban genre, where live instruments could meet with intoned delivery to channel some of the essence of Yoruba Juju music in a more modern setting. For the next step, though, it was time for an artistic refresh, and to achieve it, he will have to sacrifice some of his folksy essence for better mainstream appeal. And so he braided his boyish afro into a macho cornrow, while he discarded the Adire shirts for brightly coloured jackets and flowing kimonos, left unbuttoned to show his new buff physique, completing his look with tinted glasses and loose fitting pants. His switch in music was a lot less acute. For "Before You Wake Up", his first solo single of 2019, he maintained a similar delivery but production was different, employing more studio-made Afrobeats rather than the live drums and keys he was more popular with. Also subtle was his use of English and Pidgin for the entirety of the single, in the past Adekunle Gold had relied chiefly on Yoruba.

It was in 2020 that he properly donned the artistic personality he would take for his next era. First came "Jore", a duet with Kizz Daniel that leaned into Kizz's brand of casual afropop that was backed by catchy lyrics and a flowing beat. Then he released "Something Different", which was as it was named, a continual of the sonic detour he was making towards the mainstream. In mid 2020, “AG Baby" was released, the manifesto for his artistic vision; on the track he alludes to being the "street boy popping on the mainstream shit". “AG Baby’ was homonymous with his new persona, and on his next album, “Afro-Pop Vol. 1”, he delved properly into who he was now and what to expect of him. A song like “Okay” handled this orientation nicely, as he spun the mid-tempo pop groove into a song deriding his haters.

While AG Baby was morphing into the popstar, Adekunle Gold was settling into family life. His marriage to Simi was for many a bolt from the blue, but insiders into the couple’s lives knew they had been an item even before either of them made their debuts in the industry. Simi had produced, as well as mixed and mastered a chunk of Adekunle Gold’s Gold album, and Adekunle has gone on record to credit her with helping him find his music style. The pair had collaborated across a number of tracks over the years, each time bringing amazing chemistry that most fans did not know was the product of real life love they shared. On January 17th they released “Promise”, a tribute to their new union and the first official announcement of it. A little over a year later, in May 2021, “Happy Birthday”was released; a love letter to their daughter, Adejare on her first birthday.

2021 also saw him release three successful singles that would appear on his next album, “Catch me if You Can”, “Sinner” and “It Is What It Is” followed the laid back, less-is-more delivery of his newly perfected style. But “High”, featuring industry heavyweight Davido, was a different dish altogether; an Amapiano heavy hit, foreshadowing another shedding, or perhaps more accurately, an extra layering of personality that would lead AG Baby to give way to Tio Tequila. The lover boy Adekunle who had withstood the transition from Adekunle Gold to AG Baby evolved to another man for whom “Love is not enough”.

His latest project, Tequila Ever After, is named after this new persona, and here he slows down his Afropop cadences to take in parts of Dancehall and RnB. By far his biggest project, Adekunle Gold assembled RnB megastars like Pharrell Williams and Khalid as well as budding Nigerian street stars like Zinoleesky and Odumodublvck. He has already hit the charts with two singles, “Ogaranya” and “Party No Dey Stop”, so he will be hopeful others can quickly follow suit. More importantly, though, he will hope his new project, and the persona he introduces with it, can significantly advance his global intentions. Adekunle Gold has described his latest project as a celebration of his wins so far.

With a solid discography encompassing five successful projects, a recently bagged contract with an international label in Def Jam Records and a career about to reach the 10 year mark, a celebration is much needed and well deserved. As the artist readies himself to consolidate his position in the Nigerian market and expand his wings even further beyond the shores of the country, he can take a shot of Tequila and toast to his wins so far, because it only gets better from here.

This article was written by Afrobeats City Contributor Ezema Patrick - @ezemapatrick (Twitter)

Afrobeats City doesn’t own the right to the images - image source: Instagram - @Adekunlegold

[dealgemeneverwarring]

De Algemene Verwarring #111 - 29 April 2024

Episode one hundred and eleven of De Algemene Verwarring was broadcast on Monday, April 29, 2024, and you can listen to it by clicking on the link below that will take you directly to the Mixcloud page:

First of all, apologies for the late update of the Tumblr page again, I'm kinda slacking with it lately. Sometimes there's just not enough time to get everything done. The usual order is: Monday: making the episode, Tuesday: putting the show online and spreading the word on the social media, and Wednesday: Tumblr. But you know sometimes there's just other things to do on Wednesdays and then I tend to forget the following days. Anyway, let's get down to business. Pictured below is the Australian almost unpronounceable duo Troth. I recently picked up the CD compilation of their early work "Uncut Flowers", released last year by the fine people of Fördämning Arkiv, and I absolutely love it. It compiles early very limited cassettes and some compilation tracks and I think that at this very moment I like it more than the two albums I have from the band (one on Knekelhuis and the other on Mammas Mysteriska Jukebox), but I'll have to give those two another spin. It's a pretty unique band anyway, combining elements of the Bristol scene with dub and kraut influences. Very good release, and it's still available at Discreet Music. And it's on CD and yeah seems like the noise and experimental scene is totally into CDs again and I don't really have an excellent cd player anymore so it's always a surprise if it will play or not, but this one does so me happy.

Some other music in this episode: Primetime, Blank Statements, Lime Crush, Jeanines, Paperniks, X-Mal Deutschland, Can Kicker, Rose Mercie, Cindy, Nina Harker, and Mosquitoes. And beneath the photo you can find the playlist for the show. Enjoy!

Playlist:

The Mighty Caesars: 1977 (LP V/A “Dope, Guns & Fucking In The Streets Vol 4-7” on Amphetamine Reptile Records, 1990)

Primetime: Pervert (7” “Going Places” on La Vida Es Un Mus, 2016)

Blank Statements: The Way (LP “Signs Are Rampant” in Tough Love Records, 2019)

Jeanines: After All (7” “Latest Light/After All” on Market Square Records, 2022)

Lime Crush: Break The Spell (LP “Sub Divide” on Fettkakao, 2018)

Paperniks: Oxygen Tank Flipper (7” “Paperniks Paperniks” on Market Square Records, 2024)

Violent Change: Dreary Example (7” “S/T” on Sloth Mate Productions, 2020)

Purpur Spytt: Triangles (7” “Nitpick” on Kaka Kids, 1000 Balles, POUeT! Schallplatten, Le Syndicat Des Scorpions, 2018)

ESG: Moody (12” “ESG” on 99 Records, reissue 2017 on 99 Records, originally released in 1981)

X-Mal Deutschland: Schwarze Welt (LP “Early Singles 1981-1982” on Sacred Bones Records, 2024, originally released in 1981 on Zickzack Records)

Pawns: Monuments Of Faith 33BPM!! (7” “Monuments Of Faith” on Inflammable Material, 2019)

Can Kicker: Disassociate Now (LP “S/T” on Drunken Sailor Records, 2022)

Rose Mercie: Marie Toi de Moi (LP V/A “Spasmes Du Hasard - 20 + 1 Years Of SDZ Records” on SDZ Records, 2021)

Cindy: A Trumpet On The Hillside (LP “Why Not Now?” On Tough Love Records, 2023)

Nina Harker: Hin Und Her (LP “Nina Harker” on Aguirre Records, El Muelle, La République Des Granges, Animal Biscuit, All Night Flight, Be Coq, 2023)

Troth: Dreck (In Solemn Dub) (CD “Uncut Flowers” on Fördämning Arkiv, 2023, track originally released on cassette in 2019 on 30 copies)

Mosquitoes: Reverse Charge (12” “Reverse Drift/Reverse Charge” on Knotwilg Records, 2021)

[noreligionisgood]

A Polish bishop whose diocese has been badly tarnished by reports of a gay orgy involving priests and a prostitute resigned on Tuesday, the latest in a long series of sexual and financial scandals in Poland’s Roman Catholic Church.

Grzegorz Kaszak, the bishop of Sosnowiec in southwestern Poland, announced his departure after one of his priests was placed under criminal investigation in connection with reports last month that he had organized a sex party during which a male prostitute lost consciousness from an overdose of erectile dysfunction pills.

Gazeta Wyborcza, a liberal daily newspaper, reported in September that one of the priests at the gathering, held in a building belonging to the parish of the Blessed Virgin Mary of the Angels in the town of Dabrowa Gornicza, had called an ambulance. Others at the party prevented paramedics from tending to the unconscious man, the paper reported, but the paramedics called the police and the priests relented.

The priest who organized the gathering in his church apartment, identified by the diocese only as Father Tomasz Z., gave a statement last month to Polish media that disputed details of what had happened, quibbling over the number of priests present at the time of the alleged sex party and saying that “it is worth reading what the definition of an orgy is.”

He dismissed the uproar over events in his apartment as “an obvious attack on the church, including the clergy and believers,” and claimed that nobody would have raised a fuss if “something similar had happened” to a person outside the clergy.

The diocese, in its own statement last month, said that the “participation” of Father Tomasz “in what happened on the night of Aug. 30-31 is not in doubt.” It said he had been barred from celebrating Mass, stripped of all other functions and “sent to live outside the parish.”

Announcing that the church had set up a commission to investigate “the scandalous event” reported by the press, the diocese asked media outlets to keep in mind that “almost all” priests in the parish were good and had themselves, by reporting what had taken place, “become victims due to this deplorable crime.”

Bishop Kaszak announced his departure Tuesday in a message posted on his diocese’s website but gave no reason. The Vatican said on Tuesday that it had accepted the bishop’s resignation. It, too, gave no explanation.

The departing bishop has not been accused of taking part in the reported orgy but is held responsible for the behavior of priests in his diocese.

“I ask everyone to forgive my human limitations,” he wrote in his farewell message. “If I have offended anyone or neglected something, I am very sorry.”

The resignation came less than a month after the Polish Catholic Church, in a lengthy report on the state of its affairs, warned that priests needed to get a grip on “crimes of sexual abuse of minors by some clergy” and other misbehavior.

“The church’s internal difficulties constitute an excellent breeding ground of accelerating trends of secularization,” the report, Polish Church 2023, said.

Trust in the church, according to experts, has also been damaged by its close alliance with Poland’s nationalist governing party, Law and Justice. In a critical general election on Oct. 15, the party lost its majority in Parliament to centrist and liberal opponents who have often criticized the church for aligning with right-wing political forces in pursuit of its agenda on abortion and other issues.

Law and Justice in 2018 banned Sunday shopping, and in 2020 pushed through a near-total ban on abortion, a move that delighted the church but alienated many young people, who mostly no longer attend Mass and voted overwhelmingly for parties opposed to Law and Justice.

Long seen as a Catholic stronghold that, in contrast to Ireland and Spain, had managed to hold back a tide of secularization that has swept across most of Europe, Poland has over the past decade seen a sharp decline in church attendance, though most still declare themselves Christians. Enrollment in seminaries has also plummeted, forcing several to shut down.

Lamenting that a process previously referred to by experts as “creeping secularization” was now “galloping,” the church report warned that “the church in Poland is entering a rather dangerous ‘twist’ in its history. Much depends on how it will be able to defeat this.”

[scotianostra]

Happy Birthday Scottish actress Dawn Steele.

Born as Dawn Anne Nolan in Glasgow on December 11th 1975 in Glasgow, the family moved to Milton of Campsie at the foot of the Campsie Fells, north of the city in 1982, she attended nearby Kilsyth High School before going on to the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama.

Dawn picked up bit parts in Highlander: The Raven TV series and the film The Debt Collector before getting her big break in the excellent BBC Scotland dram series Tinsel Town, after this she got arguably the part she is best known for as Alexandra “Lexie” MacDonald in Monarch of the Glen. Dawn went on to appear in the paranormal series Sea of Souls before joining the cast of Wild at Heart in series 4 right through to series 7 when it ended.

We next saw Dawn pop up in the brilliant Case Histories, set in Edinburgh before heading back west to join the popular Scottish Soap River City as doctor Annie Jandhu in 2015. Dawn left the show in 2018, citing the travelling was causing her to miss seeing her daughter grow up, she turned 11 this year.

On leaving the show in an interview she said she was open to doing another soap and mentioned Casualty and EastEnders as being attractive possibilities, well Casualty’s “sister” show Holby City came calling and it wasn’t long until she joined the cast of the hospital “soap” as Angel “Ange” Godard, a consultant general surgeon, she has now racked up 128 appearances in the show, which was cancelled and ended in March this year.

Dawn lives with her hubby Paul Blair, in the seaside town of Whitstable on the Kent coast and enjoys swimming regularly in the sea there. She was recently back in Scotland filming the new BBC detective series Granite Harbour, set in Aberdeen, Dawn plays DCI Cora MacMillan. While it was nice to see some shots of Aberdeen I think the show was a bit of a dud, I really can’t see there being a second series, if you are looking for a show like Shetland, this falls way short of that. Unfortunately for Dawn the interior scenes for the show were shot in a Glasgow studio, which left her disappointed that she didn’t get the chance to film in Aberdeen.

“I was quite jealous when everyone else went up, because I love Aberdeen. I rehearsed for a tour of Tutti Frutti at His Majesty’s Theatre and then we opened the show there, so I spent eight weeks in the city. I also filmed a film, Marionette, there, so I got to know it well. It can be so beautiful and it’s nice to see it on the screen again.”

Steele knew from a young age that acting was where her future lay. “I started off with dancing and I was in drama clubs from when I was young. I was part of Kirkintilloch Players from when I was 10 or 11.

However Dawn did say she enjoyed filming in her hometown of Glasgow, taking the opportunity to catch up with friends and family, as well as reconnect with familiar faces within the industry.

“I will always work in Scotland,” she says. “I love it because it is home and I know everyone. It is nice because you walk onto a set and there are so many crew who have been part of your life over the years – our lighting guy Stuart was on Monarch of the Glen with me.”

Of late Dawn was on the TV series Granite Harbour, cop show set in Aberdeen and the latest Shetland series with Ashley Jensen.

[trumpetnista]

ANOTHER 1000 POSTS!

215K and counting! Thank you to all 2,788 of you guys (plus everyone in my activity chart area…) for following, enjoying, and tolerating LiveLoveWRITE for all of these years (as of 5 January 2022, it’s been 12 years since I joined Tumblr! Wow!) down various fandom rabbit holes, through The Great Tumblr Purge of December 2018 (which didn’t work properly to nobody’s surprise. JUST DELETE THE PORN BOTS, PEDOPHILES, AND THE NAZIS, YOU IMBECILES! PROBLEM SOLVED FOREVER.), through the latest change of owners/dubious U.I. changes (I give it 6 months to a year before they give up on their “investment” and leave with their tail tucked between their legs…) and my ongoing evolution into a pale blog with a heavy focus on cottagecore and its various branches nowadays.

I would also like to give a very special shout-out to The Walking Dead/Richonne/Carnid folks who have welcomed me with open arms into their post apocalyptic world (what’s left of it after all the absolutely EXCELLENT writing…), the GOTHAMITES who have welcomed me as a lifelong citizen (the show may be over now but Gotham will always be my home!), and as always, mad love to all of the Gladiators who still follow me despite the show (mercifully!) being over and those who keep enjoying my mashups on here and my ongoing efforts at clever (usually not, but it’s funny 9 times out of 10…) live and before/after the show commentary on Twitter for both old and new fandoms. The acceptance from everyone makes things infinitely more fun around here! Here’s my favorite owls and some other appropriate pics and here’s to at least a thousand more!

[legion1227]

Barry: Season 4 Review

With the latest season, Barry has to be cemented as one of the best shows. Period.

If you're unaware of the future classic HBO show, I recommend a watch absolutely. On March 5th, 2018, the first season of Barry started to air. Initially, the show followed Bill Hader as Barry Berkman, a former military veteran turned hitman who pursued acting. Its first season is this great blend of drama and comedy as Barry meets his acting teacher Gene Cousineau, played by the immaculate Henry Winkler. Accompanying the amazing duo are an equally outstanding cast with Sarah Goldberg as Sally, Barry's love interest, criminals NoHo Hank and Critobal, played respectively by Anthony Carrigan and Michael Irby, and the man who groomed Barry to be a killer, Fuches, played by Stephen Root. Other characters are introduced throughout the seasons, but the aforementioned core players are show-stealers for four seasons straight. Barry, the show, may remain comedic throughout, but by season three, the show makes a darker turn. The comedy remains, but the drama is upped.

And with its final season, it's solidified as a top-tier show.

The show can shove a lot into its eight-episode season, but it doesn't feel bloated. Its eight-episode run has a perfect pace with every episode and every character getting ample time to breathe. The arc every character goes through by this final season is a fascinating endeavor as every character is nearly unrecognizable from who they were in the first season.

Some of the cast become genuinely unlikable yet still rich and complex, with a tangled web of complications plaguing and infecting their past and present. It's hard to root for certain characters by this point, but equally difficult to turn away from the screen as you're left dying to see what happens next or what each person's next action will be…

Not only does Bill Hader excel at acting as the titular character Barry, but he and Alec Berg truly crafted a masterpiece that warrants immense critical acclaim and praise. Everyone deserves so many awards this Emmy season for creating an excellent sendoff to a truly underrated piece of television. 5/5. Absolute recommendation, a must-watch.