#honestly quite a few of these are from my annie playlist because i was listening on repeat to make sure the vibes were correct.

[hopeinthebox]

tagged by the tastemaker @cordiallyfuturedwight for the july list 💕 Category 5 Breakdown in the tags as per usual but tagging some favs if you fancy a go @aprylynn @thvinyl @monismochi @banghwa @pauls-mccharmly @avizou mwah

[kool-kat1324]

hi there!!! sorry i'm sending this late but if you still wanna do the ahit oc meme, 3, 22, 28, 50 for any of them please!!!

Oh- oh hi! I didn’t expect this- of course I’m willing to answer!! I can’t remember all the ones I listed, but for a few OCs I can think of with answers for the questions I’ll add them!

3. Inspiration

The first OC I can think of for what inspired them is Alexandra. I was sitting in art class in high school and Daddy Discord came on my music playlist, and I thought, "huh, this would actually fit if Snatcher had a daughter. Obviously that couldn’t be canon, but it’s a fun concept." …so I made a daughter for him and Vanessa (well, before the whole incident, of course)! Ironically, she ended up being mroe Vanessa’s daughter than Snatcher’s daughter because of her story (which I’d be more than happy to explain if you want, but to keep things somewhat short I’ll exclude it for now), but oh well :) I was honestly really hesitant about sharing her for a long time, but… I like her, soooo-

Another one I had inspiration for was Nekomaru! I was just listening to the main Metro theme, and it just made me think of an innocent cat who went to the metro to explore.

Molly is a similar reason, except with the Windmill theme…I just wanted a little mouse that lives in the windmill :)

So, really, music in general is an inspiration to me!

22. Occupation

Oh boy, I’ve got quite a few for this one-

Azure is the host of the Annual Bird Movie Award, as well as his own personal game show. He’s a con artist, though, and often scams people with his schemes.

Maru, whom I mentioned before, is an artist! She made her own art shop in the Metro where she sells original paintings, art supplies, and gives art classes! She loves it a lot! Her art even caught the attention of the Empress, who made a business deal with her — the two promote each other’s businesses now. Little does Maru know she’s working with the head of the Nyakuza…

Maosato is a kitty assassin that works for Empress! When there’s someone that crosses her the wrong way but she’s unable to get them herself for any reason, she sends him after them — and of course pays him handsomely…

Lester is my Subcon jester! His job WAS to keep the Queen happy… but when he failed to do that, she had him killed, of course. Now he just hopes to make anyone laugh at all…

Julian was a soldier before he died- a soldier of Dorma (my fanmade world which is basically a sister kingdom to Subcon) who tried to protect the king and queen, but was killed in the process and became Windghost, an ice spirit banished from the main village.

[Edit: Forgot to include Annie! I don’t have a ton about her, but she was a friendly maid who worked in the Manor. She barely managed to survive the initial blizzard caused by Vanessa.]

28. Aesthetic

Oof, this is a toughie…I don’t really think of aesthetics too often, and I don’t know how to make moodboards… I know Alex would like warm things… soft, fuzzy blankets; cocoa by the fireplace… Void would definitely like light colors, probably nature-y type things… I might have to come back to this

50. Random facts

Oh boy, gonna list as many as I can think of:

-Vince was part of a pirate crew that got shipwrecked on the coast of Mafia Town. He’s buddies with Mu!

-Stasya has been friends with Hat Kid for years. I originally planned for them to be the same alien species, but I changed my mind and made Stasya’s species a kind of ‘parasitic’ species (in terms of how some birds lay their eggs in other species’ nests) that was left with Hat Kid’s species.

[Edit: Forgot to include Stasya and Hattie became enemies after a dispute over time pieces.]

-Mewsa loved the Prince, but was hated by Vanessa for it. She died of hanahaki and now dwells the forest as a guiding spirit.

-Void is an alternate version of Hat Kid that got lost in a time rift and never found the way out. She accepted her fate and lives in the rifts now.

-Nyagare had her own business, but she lost it when she couldn’t compete with the other businesses in the Metro and went to the Empress as a last resort, but she’s very disloyal.

…and that’s all I can think of right now! Thank you so much for asking!!

[dcmcged]

          ——— wanda’s playlist  —  “ don’t let go, keep a hold “ (( listen on spotify ))  — ( a general playlist with songs that describe wanda and she likes to listen to )

* * *

— leave a light on by tom walker (( youtube ))

“ tell me what's been happening, what's been on your mind lately you've been searching for a darker place to hide, that's alright ”

          a song which describes a more or less general, a bit loose headcanon that has now turned into a solid headcanon ( @voitel knows what’s up).           for a long time in her life she was motivated by the wrong thing - hatred for stark. it was tragic what she and pietro went through, but it shouldn’t have been the reason for doing what she did, for being turned into hydra’s toys, gaining unnatural power and using that for their own selfish reasons. then, when she decided to do good, she lost her twin brother and it hit her hard. she felt completely alone even though she was with the avengers now, but she tried to act strong, show she was all good. and then came rumlow, blowing up a building, accidentally killing innocent people and the world fearing her. over time all the negative things, loss, grief, guilt, regret, fear, had been piling up, slowly eating her on the inside, trapping her in her own mind - her own personal hell. she liked being an avenger, helping save the world, fight for those who can’t fight for themselves, but all of this was new to her, the proportions of... everything. wanda was still so young and she didn’t know how to deal with it, how to get out and get better. fortunately for her there was someone who saw right through the act, someone who had gone through something very similar himself, another hydra’s toy, who refused to sit back and do nothing to help her get out of it, to get better. and he didn’t mind doing it in her own pace.

— war of change by thousand foot krutch (( youtube ))

“ it creeps in like a thief in the night without a sign, without a warning but we are ready and prepared to fight raise up your swords, don't be afraid ”

          getting better and the healing process isn’t easy, it takes time and strong will and strong mind, but with help of someone she has started to trust more than just trusting a teammate in a battle it’s nothing she couldn’t eventually do.           and honestly she just likes how this song has screaming vocals too.

— bury a friend by billie eilish (( youtube ))

“ what do you want from me? why don't you run from me? what are you wondering? what do you know? why aren't you scared of me? why do you care for me? when we all fall asleep, where do we go? ”

          as much as she likes big names, wanda also appreciates music from not so well known musicians/bands, or at least ones that aren’t aired on radio five times a day, billie eilish being one of them.           this specific song she likes because of the beat and the lyrics - more specifically questions the singer asks. the media had made her into a monster, a weapon of mass destruction that everyone was afraid of, and, even though she tries hard to change her own mind and views, she still catches herself feeling insecure, wondering why her new family, the avengers, aren’t afraid of her like everyone else are.

— smooth criminal by alien ant farm (( youtube ))

“ annie, are you okay, you okay, you okay, annie? you've been hit by you've been struck by a smooth criminal ”

          rock music is something that others can hear coming from her room quite often. as much as she loves the original version my michael jackson, she also loves the rock cover made by alien ant farm and she has a playlist of rock and metal covers for pop songs. her most listened genre is 2000′s rock.

— believe me by austra (( youtube ))

“ mother, everything you did before you hit the ground I found believe me, you need me more all i've been”

          another artist who isn’t one of the mainstream ones. wanda doesn’t know how she stumbled upon this song, but this was the one, that caught her attention and made her look more into this band. she loves the voice of the lead vocal, the range and the sound of it.

— sunday stroll by benny treskow (( youtube ))

“ — ”

          it’s a rare thing, because she usually listens to something upbeat, rock or some oldies-goldies, but she likes to put on a playlist with just songs like this, a nice, soothing melody played on a piano. she can’t play the piano (though she wishes she could), but this would definitely be one of those songs she’d learn by heart. it calms her down and lets her just sit and enjoy the melody without having any thoughts running through her head.

— rebel yell by billy idol (( youtube ))

“ last night a little dancer came dancin' to my door last night a little angel came pumping on the floor she said, come on baby, I got a license for love and if it expires, pray help from above ”

          a song people living with her might have a chance seeing her rocking around her room or the whole house, singing along, playing an air guitar. it’s not a regular thing though, but this song surely gets her in the right mood to dance.           not long after she moved into the avengers base wanda started to learn playing guitar. acoustic at the beginning, then electric one when her skill was rising, and this is one of the few songs she knows by heart. definitely not an easy one, but she was quite determined to learn.

— the weasley stomp by nicholas hooper (( youtube ))

“ — ”

          a song that is her current default ringtone and has been for some time. for language learning purposes she has read a lot of books in a record time. for example harry potter - took her a week to read the whole series. fantasy novels are her favorite, lord of the rings, the hobbit, hunger games, stravaganza, but she won’t turn down a good detective or mystery.

— ты кидал (ty kidal) by 5′nizza (( youtube ))

“ я не боюсь никого ничего kроме себя самого во aайкидо ойкидо от и до я здоровый молодой ”

          even though russian will always make her think of the time spent under hydra’s wing, all the horrible things that came with it, she doesn’t mind listening to this band, this song in particular. since sokovian is similar to russian, it wasn’t hard to learn it, that’s why she understands what they are singing about and it is a complete nonsense. there are quite literally just  words and phrases thrown together, which brightens up her mood almost every time at least a little bit. she’s not quite proud of it, but she has memorized almost every word of this song.

— beweg dein arsch by lafee (( youtube ))

“ beweg dein Arsch Babe komm komm her zu mir beweg dein Arsch Babe komm komm her zu mir ”

          honestly she had no idea what that girl was singing about when she heard this song. wanda knew only sokovian, russian and a bit of english. definitely not german. but that didn’t stop her from appreciating how the song sounded all together, which was exactly her cup of tea.

[musicmixtapes]

Halloween Mix (October 31 ‘18)

Happy Halloween to all my favorite witches, vampires and ghouls--This week's mix is pretty self explanatory but I had so much fun making it and think that it can be listened to even when it's not Halloween because we all have spooky hearts year round

Listen on Spotify

1. Witch by the bird and the bee - The beginning of this song with the xylophone sounds already sets us up for some interesting tones and makes it all the more spooky vibed throughout, which was automatically very ear catching when I first listened to it. But other than that, the entire love-lust-desire themed song of a witch entrapping someone in their spell and taking names without mercy is such a great trope for female empowered music. There are so many references to the "spells" "biddings" "conjurings" "hauntings" in this piece which makes it a classic halloween song. But I didn't find this during witching season, in fact, I discovered it over the summer which goes to show that it holds the test of time and can be enjoyed not just on this specific day (although I highly recommend it going on your own Halloween mix for sure). There is also another really cool instrumental segment in the mid part of the song where an electric guitar or string instrument of some sort is introduced followed by the step down chords of the synthesized creepy piano/string sound that is recurring in this piece. 

2. Ungodly Fruit by Wax Tailor - This artist, who I have featured one other time on a previous mixtape, produces some of the the smartest and most unique pieces that I have had the pleasure of hearing with unworthy ears. There are not many words in this piece and in Wax Tailor true character, the words in the song are samples from different films. The first lyrics heard are Sampled from Professor Alexander Siletsky in the 1942 film To Be or Not to Be. The second portion of lyric is sampled from the 1934 film The Man Who Knew Too Much. Listening to the extravagant horns throughout the piece along with the interesting harp and assorted strings woven through create a vintage love/horror movie vibe that perfectly aligns with the samples of the movie lines that are showcased. 

3. Black Magic Woman by Fleetwood Mac - Please for the love of halloween and all things magical, do not try and tell me that this is a cover of Santana's song because it is the other way around actually. His much popularized cover is quite fantastic, I agree, but there is something special and essential Fleetwood Mac about this piece that sets up the vibe of the band from very early on in the metamorphosis of the group. Now, if you are only familiar with the more recent group, you would be confused by this track because it sounds different and queen Stevie Nicks is not anywhere to be found. The group used to consist of Peter Green, Mick Fleetwood and Jeremy Spencer before the grouping was changed to what we know now. Honestly, this song is just a prediction about the queen witch that would later grace the band, but also a desire song about a mystifying woman.

4. Monster Mash by Bobby Boris Pickett & The Crypt Kickers - If you have been living under a rock for every October since you were born, then you don't know this awesomely spooky hit. Otherwise, I'm absolutely sure you've sung, you've danced, you've enjoyed this graveyard smash of a song that has created a rippling effect over halloweens for over fifty years. I remember being in kindergarten at my Halloween parade and walking around showing off my angel costume to this song, so yes, it has had a lasting effect on me for sure. Lou Simon, senior director of music programming at SiriusXM Radio, says, “‘Monster Mash’ has timeless appeal. The generations who grew up with it have fond memories of the song from the ’60s and again from its ’70s renaissance. The familiar arrangement is uncomplicated and delightful. It’s just one of those records that wears well and makes people happy.”

5. The Boy With The Thorn In His Side by The Smiths - Ok starting this one off with a literary definition, just in case you don't know exactly what Morrissey is referring to... To have a thorn in one's side is to have something or someone that continually causes problems for you; my definition of this is when someone will not quit pissing you off and making life hell even if they are unaware of doing so, we all have one of these and they are utterly unshakeable such is the way of life. When asked if this song was inspired by Oscar Wilde in an interview, Morrissey replied: "No, that’s not true. The thorn is the music industry and all those people who never believed anything I said, tried to get rid of me and wouldn’t play the records. So I think we’ve reached a stage where we feel: if they don’t believe me now, will they ever believe me? What more can a poor boy do?" 

6. Leave Me Be by Beau - This is one of two songs on this week's mix that does not exactly conform to theme I laid out but there was no way I was going to leave it out because the sounds and emotions included in this piece is perfectly in line with the general feeling of the playlist. The singer's voice is so weird and unique, I have not heard anything like it before, but it definitely reminds me a bit of Lene Lovich's (80s singer) voice when she does those big jumps in range and pitch in the chorus of the song. I guess the voyeuristic image of someone bothering the speaker of the song and pestering her like an impetuous ghost following one around does conform to the theme of ghoulish natures and general halloween-ness. My favourite line from the song is the repeated phrase "All I ever wanted was just to be left alone/All I ever wanted was something to call my own" because me too... me too. 

7. The Piano Duet by Danny Elfman (Corpse Bride) - Sitting in the piano room of my college dorm in the East Village on a Monday night a couple of weeks ago, I was exhausted of studying statistics and needed something to bring me to a peaceful state of mind. At first, I tried playing other pieces of music, but they proved too complex for my muddle mind at the time. Then I came across this simple and wonderful piece hailing from the classic animated king of Halloween, Tim Burton's The Corpse Bride. I was fascinated by the wandering notes that can be played with literally one finger which turns into this complex two handed piano piece that takes more time than I had to learn in its entirety. Danny Elfman has composed a lot of music for Burton which has become well loved and renowned but this short piece is striking and emotional for me. If you have the chance and a piano, you should play around with it because I think it is so satisfying to play. 8. Agony by Yung Lean - Originally I found this song in another version, one that was done by the alternative band Beach Fossils and I was hesitant not to put that version on the mix, but in the end decided the original needed to be heard and loved more. Coming from the Swedish hip hop/rap/emo/etc performed and artist Yung Lean, this vulnerable piece of music which describes how it feels to become unraveled is unrivalled by a lot of other songs about chaos that traps you in your own mind. What's more is that the song comes from a place of truth because the artist, Jonatan Hastard's (Yung Lean), spent time in a psychiatric facility due to mental health issues which were making him unable to live successfully. I think that it is so important that mental illness be represented in the music industry because it shows not only that having illness is okay, but that you can deal with it and get through it. So, thank you for showing us yourself, Hastard, and encouraging us to do the same. 

9. Skeletons (Acoustic) by Yeah Yeah Yeahs - How fitting for this celebratory day with none other than the queen of being spooky and distorted. In this track, the speaker asks her lover to basically tear her apart, to destroy her by any means necessary because she has already been destroyed by the love she has experienced. Now, one of the most important things to remember about a song that has very few lyrics is that the ones that are there, are there for a particular reason. The phrase "frost or flame" returns more than once, and it is due to the reference to the poem by Robert Frost "Fire and Ice" in which he details which way the world ending would be better. The speaker relates this to the way that her lover can destroy her: either by burning her or icing her out. I am going to include the poem because I love it so much: Some say the world will end in fire/Some say in ice/From what I’ve tasted of desire/I hold with those who favor fire/But if it had to perish twice/I think I know enough of hate/To say that for destruction ice/Is also great/And would suffice.

10. Femme Fatale by The Velvet Underground - I'm sure you've heard of this phrase before, but do you know why and when is became such an iconic phrase? No? I didn't either until I heard this wonderful song. This phrase has actually been around since the turn of the 19th century with the mass popularization of the gothic type of novel, but it resurfaced with this song in the 60s and has stayed relevant to this day. What I didn't know about the 'femme fatale' is what I found from contributors on Genius music (I use this all the time for insightful explanations): "Edie Sedgwick was an American socialite, actress, and model that came from a very wealthy and prestigious family. She was a part of Andy Warhol’s “factory” crew, and became one his closest friends and muses as Warhol brought her to fame." I think that this tribute to a friend and inspiration makes for the perfect song and gives a deeper meaning to a tale of a heartbreaker and 'take no prisoners' woman that is depicted here. 11. I Put A Spell On You by Annie Lennox - Classic. Breathtaking. Magical. Three words that describe this song and specifically the Lennox cover of this song. Something about the way the high chords of the keyboard are struck in the beginning of the piece is so gratifying, I just knew I would be in love with listening to this in the first few seconds. Honestly, and I never thought I would be saying this but, I have to thank whoever put together the 50 Shades of Grey film because that is the reason the cover of this song exists, which is kind of annoying. Nonetheless, it thankfully exists, and tells about a man who cannot be faithful to the woman who is telling the story in the song. So, she puts a spell over the man so he will not leave her and remains faithful to her instead. Despite having such amazing music to go behind it, this is such a wicked sentiment and fits perfectly with the season. 

12. Found Love In A Graveyard by Veronica Falls - This song is really, really sad. And I wasn't sure I was going to include it because it is really striking and makes me feel very emotional due to the intense meaning behind it. But, I think that music is, yes, supposed to uplift you and put you in a good mood, but not always. Sometimes, songs have a power to touch the things deep and dark inside of us that are untouchable by anything else, and this is a beautiful concept; sad, but still beautiful. The minor and eerie chords and drumbeat that start the song off with the discordant "ooohs" let us know this is not going to be one of those sunny, uplifting songs, but one of the darker ones. This piece can very well be about the literal sense of finding love in a graveyard with someone who is no longer alive, but I think it's about finding love in someone who is not present in one's life and wanting them so much but not being able to have them anymore. Listen with caution if you are already in your feelings. 

13. Zombie by The Cranberries - Let me paint a picture for you: it was summertime five years ago. A thirteen year old girl who was just discovering her musical genre for singing and listening alike stepped onto an outdoor stage in mid-June. The heavy guitar of a somber rock song come on and she begins to sing; surprise, the song is this one, and the girl is also this one who is writing to you. This song particularly has had more influence over my own writing and singing style than any other in this mix, both because it is beautifully metaphorical and because it is truthful to the point of tears in some respects. The song tells about the Troubles which occurred in Northern Ireland between the unionists and nationalists, the tensions and violence which spanned over decades and literally tore families apart. Dolores O'Riordan, the writer and singer of this song said, "This song is our cry against man’s inhumanity to man, inhumanity to child."

14. Time Warp from The Rocky Horror Picture Show - Not going to lie, I first heard this song and saw the scene performed when I was 12 and discovered the wonderful television program that is Glee. After that, though, I further investigated the chaotic goodness that is the Rocky Horror Picture Show and became enamoured with the explicit messages of open sexuality, breaking social norms and utter weirdness that makes up the show. This song is the most recognisable from the show, but by no means diminishes the other pieces that are performed. If possible, I really suggest either seeing a live performance or watching one online because all of the different characters, which you can hear in the recording are produced on the stage; the visuals make all the difference in the holistic experience of listening and I think in this instance, enhances the value you will hold with the song particularly the ever shifting point of views and voice sounds exhibited.

15. Werewolves Of London by Warren Zevon - First and foremost, all credits for this song being in my life go to my father because I have been listening to this with him since before I could write, much less write about music on a blog for my friends and family. Because it was such an integral part of my music experience from a young age, I enjoy examining not just what it means, but what it means to me.  The song is based on the 1953 film "Werewolf Of London" and if you haven't seen it, I recommend the viewing of this, because it's a really good movie, but either way you can enjoy the song separately because it stands on it's own. It describes and details a werewolf doing all normal human behaviour and a man meeting him and being like "wow this is really strange". Even just the first line of the song depicting a werewolf getting chinese food at the store is so funny and strange, and then talks about in the next lines a woman being mutilated by werewolves. I love the contrasting images outlined in this piece with such a simple 3-chord progression that is so catchy. 

16. Voodoo Child (Slight Return) by Jimi Hendrix - The distortion of the guitar in the intro for this track is so awesome, I cannot get enough of it and it is quintessential Jimi Hendrix  classic rock. Hendrix's gruff and raw rock voice comes through amazingly in this song and tells us a story about psychedelic experience of exaggeration with voodoo practice that was popularized especially during the 1960s and 1970s. The image of chopping a mountain down with the edge of one's hand presented in the first verse suggests that this is a drug induced experience in which the narrator is having an out of body vision of this happening, or so we can assume (I don't think Jimi chopped down a mountain, but who knows). As for the much iconic phrase 'voodoo child', I attributed this notion to the feeling of some of the African heritage and cultural spirituality that centers around practice of voodoo which has traced back through centuries. The intervention of God given to shamans or mediums, the servants of the spirits, results in a magic of spiritual nature. 

17. Blood In The Bathtub by Bonny Doon - I think the only scary thing pertaining to this song is the title and matching phrase that is repeated in the chorus of this low key song, but otherwise it is really of a loving, sensitive nature for year round enjoyment. Again, the guitar in this song is so present and the riffs included are indicative of some blues inspiration which is really nice and adds a lot of colour. As for the meaning, I ascertained that the speaker feels bad about his actions towards the end of his and the subject's relationship and is trying to explain his feelings about their demise. The aspect I appreciate about this song is that the speaker isn't trying to get back or win the affection of the subject, but instead agree that they have the right to leave and be lost or confused, which is a really valid feeling. The blood can be many things, but I like to see it as an impurity where the goodness (water) of the relationship was supposed to be. 

18. Scary Monsters (And Super Creeps) by David Bowie - I often find that this spectacularly strange man can describe feelings that we all have in surreal ways no one would think to, yet do it so precisely we can't help but love it. This is a description I found online for the piece that I think is really perfect and I couldn't say it better myself: "The song title was inspired by a Kellogg’s Corn Flakes ad campaign: “Scary Monsters and Super Heroes”. It describes the feelings of an obsessive man when he gets a shy girlfriend. Though his influence on her initially works out well for the relationship, it becomes too much for her. She soon becomes a recluse, leaves the man, and descends into madness, seeing all strangers as ‘scary monsters’." I love this thought of being terrified of strangers and can relate on days in the city when I don't feel like talking to anyone.

19. Monster by ALASKALASKA - A new song for this mix, which was hard because surprisingly, not many artists cater to the halloween aesthetic genre of songs. I impose the thought that we need some bands/artists that only write for this holiday and season because I want more halloween music, not just the same old same old. This song is not about making someone else the monster, but the other way around of someone making you out to be a monster in order to place blame and flip the script. If you've ever been in a relationship where someone uses an ugly aspect of you in and twists the conversation to make you look bad, you can definitely relate to this song. The electro indie sounds in this song which are discordant and not so pretty go perfectly in line with the songwriter's intentions of meaning, in my opinion. 

20. Which Witch by Florence + The Machine - A bonus track and a demo from the How Big How Blue How Beautiful album and quite possibly my favourite song from the album at the same time. This song makes so much sense coming from Welch because she exudes the witchy nature in every way and writes about pagan nature and deity folklore a lot in her music which is so outside the realm of regular music that we are used to, which makes her so likeable and a force in the music industry. This track describes a two fold witch trial: one in the realistic and historical sense of witches being put on trial for having sinister ways and doing unexpected things for women for their time period. The other is her having her heart put on trial for loving in a way that was not desirable from her lover, even though she never tried to hide what she was. Now that she is escaping from the relationship, she explains she has no regret for what has happened, no matter what the man says in retaliation to her opinions. 

Thanks for listening and reading!

See you next week,

Julia

[ifishouldvanish]

@giggleboxx3000​ tagged me to list the last 10 songs I listened to! What a pal!!

HOWEVER…. 1) i don’t know my exact last 10 anything because I gave up on getting Spotify and Last.fm to play nice a long time ago and 2) anyone who has followed me for any significant amount of time knows I almost always listen to complete albums so I’m actually gonna list those and pick a song from each that I think is extra bangin’

Bloom by Beach House DUDES so over the past few months I have become 100% certified Beach House TRASH and it’s all @nerdrumple​’s fault. Honestly half of this list could just be their discography because THAT’s how far gone I am here. Their stuff is so dreamy and pretty and cool, the compositions so thoughtfully arranged, and Victoria Legrand’s voice is un-fucking-real. Anyway, off this album I’m particularly fond of “Myth”, “The Hours” and “Lazuli” (I tried to pick just one but I fckuin couldn’t i’m sorry it’s terrible i’m terrible)

Darklands by The Jesus and Mary Chain I actually hadn’t listened to this album in a while but it’s?? So good?? But okay okay ONE SONG I’m gonna pick “Cherry Came Too”

Not an album but just Frédéric Chopin I listen to Spotify’s This Is Chopin playlist quite a bit while I’m working. I really dig Waltz No. 7 Op. 64 No. 2 in C sharp minor.

Self-titled by The Stone Roses This album is so groovy from start to finish but I’m quite partial to “Made of Stone”.

The Heart of Saturday Night by Tom Waits “New Coat of Paint” and “Fumblin’ With The Blues”. Yes that’s two songs and I’m not sorry. Not even a little bit.

Dreamboat Annie by Heart This album is so #Classic and I’m going to plug “Sing Child” because the whole thing is bitchin’ but it gets so overshadowed by “Magic Man” and “Crazy On You” so w/e SIIIIIING CHIIIIILD SIIIIIING

Brotherhood by New Order Every song on this album is a Certified Banger but in the interest of NOT just plugging “Bizarre Love Triangle” which is imo the Ultimate Greatest Banger of All Time, I’m going to link “Angel Dust”. Love all those sick drum fills and dissonant chords and shit.

Love Songs by Chicago ok ok ok so yes I’m cheating a lil bit because it’s a compilation album BUT W/E “Look Away” and “I Don’t Wanna Live Without Your Love” are SUCH good power ballads!!! 

Villains by Queens of the Stone Age This whole album is 👌👌👌 flawless but the vocals and cool sexy chill of “Hideaway” really vibe with me man

High ‘N’ Dry by Def Leppard hoo BUDDY. Their catalog being added to Spotify was a literal prayer answered??? And what could be more iconic than the title track “High ‘N’ Dry (Saturday Night)”??

I’m gonna tag: @nerdrumple, @barpurplewrites, @evilsnowswan, @avatoh, @theoneandonlylittlebird, @winterswanderlust, @sagesequoia, @bookwormappreciationlife, @wixley-kryptonese, or whoever else sees this and wants to do it?? And you know, if you don’t wanna do it, that’s cool too man, no pressure 👍

[princessasmosprincess]

The Ultimate Musical Theatre Questionnaire

This is not originally mine, the link is below. I just filled in my answers.

Ultimate Musical Theatre Questionnaire

Some of these will include a Top 5-10…

1. What is your “go-to song” when you’re feeling sad?

 It really depends on what “sad” means that day. If I need a boost of confidence “Watch What Happens (Reprise)” or “Once and for All” usually does it. If I need to get out some anger “I’m Done” from Rocky is a fun one to sing. Comforting songs are good too, like “A Little Fall of Rain”.

 Honestly, playing a cast album like Newsies or Cinderella really lifts my spirits.

 2. What Broadway song do you relate to?

SO MANY!

Watch What Happens ~ Newsies

Santa Fe ~ “

If I Loved You ~ Carousel

Before the Parade Passes By ~ Hello, Dolly!

 3. Favorite female voice? Favorite male voice?

 This one is so hard. Obviously this isn’t a complete list but this is what comes to mind at the moment. 

Female:

Barbara Streisand

Laura Osnes

Laura Benanti

Sierra Boggess

Megan Hilty

Kelli O’Hara

Lea Salonga

Phillipa Soo

 Male:

Jeremy Jordan

Alfie Boe

Ramin Karimloo

Santino Fontana

Aaron Tveit

Christian Borle

Lin-Manuel Miranda

Hugh Jackman

4. What is your favorite show based off the music?

Bonnie and Clyde

Death Takes A Holiday

Meet John Doe

The Secret Garden

Chaplin

Literally anything Rodgers and Hammerstein. Even if I don’t care for the show, I usually love the music. I love the wit behind the lyrics.

 5. An overrated song.

Seasons of Love ~ Rent (I love to hate this one. It’s catchy and fun to sing… SOMETIMES…)

All I Ask of You ~ The Phantom of the Opera (I read the book, I’ve seen the movie, the live tour, and the 25th anniversary, but I just don’t like Raoul...)

I’m Not Afraid ~ Songs for a New World

Sixteen Going on Seventeen ~ The Sound of Music (there are other really great songs in this show!)

Tomorrow ~ Annie

I Feel Pretty ~ West Side Story (I mean, really, this is one of the defining songs of this amazing show? America, Maria, and Tonight are so much better in my opinion).

Green Finch and Linnet Bird ~ Sweeney Todd

 6. An underrated song.

Without You ~ My Fair Lady (everyone always does “Wouldn’t It Be Loverly” and “I Could Have Danced All Night” but I don’t think those two songs are the best in the whole show).

How Can Love Survive ~ The Sound of Music (this one wasn’t in the movie but it is an amazing song. It’s so witty and the tune is beautiful. Actually I did this one as a solo for a cabaret show).

Raise A Little Hell ~ Bonnie and Clyde (This one gives me chills every time)

 7. An overrated musical

Avenue Q ~ I am so tired of hearing about this one, and I don’t like the concept or the music.

Book of Mormon ~ I know there are a few good songs but as a Mormon and as a decent human being I find it offensive… Jk about the decent human being thing, but still, I don’t like this one…

Rent ~ I do appreciate that it’s based off of La Boheme, and that it’s a very revolutionary piece, but I’m tired of hearing about it.

Cats ~ why?

Chicago

Little Women ~ Everyone has Sutton Foster Fever and they need to stop. She’s a great actress, but there are other actresses out there and these songs are played too much.

Into the Woods

Songs for a New World ~ BIG TIME. It really bothers me that the songs I like from this show are less popular than the ones everyone raves about.

You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown ~ Any of the Charlie Brown musicals… I don’t really have a connection and I don’t think the music is particularly clever…

Seussical ~ I’ve been in one full production of this and I also played the Cat in the Hat in a dance recital (that one was actually fun), but I LOATHE this show. It’s very childish, and I get that that’s the point, but it’s really childish. It’s on a similar plane to Charlie Brown in my eyes.

Grease ~ Seriously, the story to this one is terrible. Yeah, go ahead and change yourself for your crush because he’s not man enough to tell his friends and society that your social status shouldn’t matter when you’re in love… Also some of the music gets on my nerves, and I don’t really like the movie either.

A Chorus Line

The King and I ~ Personally not my favorite Rodgers and Hammerstein show. There are some good songs but I like some of their other shows far more.

How To Succeed in Business Without Really Trying ~ Ugh…

Cabaret ~ Another really poignant show but no one really focuses much on the story, they just like the suggestive and scandalous songs.

Pippin

Annie

Oliver

Sweeney Todd

Falsettos ~ Now I know I’m going to get a lot of hate for this one but I still had to say it. It is a really great show and I don’t hate it. It’s just there was so much hype before the Tony’s and so much hate directly after.  I just don’t like how negatively people acted when it didn’t win Best Revival. (I thought that Miss Saigon was going to win but whatever). I just really dislike the hate that goes along with not liking this show. I don’t think the writers would have appreciated that, and I don’t really think the actors would either.

 I’m adding an extra category because there are some shows that are overrated but I still like them a lot...

The Lion King ~ -ish… I still like the show, but everyone raves about it when there are some other really great shows out there.

Hamilton ~ Again, I like the show, but everyone is obsessed…

Dear Evan Hansen ~ I don’t know whether it really deserved to win best musical… But then again the lyrics and staging were really on point.

In The Heights ~ There is so much good about this show but I do think it’s a bit overrated...

 8. An underrated musical

Rocky (I think the music is adorable, but then again I’m a South Jersey girl so Rocky holds a special place in my heart)

Love Never Dies ~ Lots of people hate this but I really like it. This is definitely one that you need to actually see to appreciate it. I really like the character development, if you can get past all of the weird Coney Island stuff. Plus, you know I hate Raoul.

The Scarlet Pimpernel

Dracula

Show Boat ~ This one is a classic but still, it doesn’t get nearly enough attention.

Death Takes A Holiday

Bonnie and Clyde

Meet John Doe

Chaplin ~ I will never get over how CRIMINALLY underrated this one is.

The Woman in White ~ Why doesn’t anyone talk about this?!

 9. How many cast recording albums do you own?

 Technically… I own Newsies, Cinderella, and the celebrity version of Finding Neverland...

 Of course thanks to the library I was able to download quite a bit to my computer so…

Wicked

Beauty and the Beast

The Phantom of the Opera 25th Anniversary

Bombshell ~ Smash, I count this one.

Mary Poppins

South Pacific

 I also have various songs from some different shows.

 10. Do you buy the whole cast recording, even if there are songs you are not fond of?

Depends. I don’t really have that many. If there’s only a few songs I like I’ll just buy the songs separately, but if I like the majority of the album I would definitely buy the whole thing.

 11. What was the first cast recording you owned?

 Newsies, but I think I had some songs here and there before that.

 12. How many playlists do you have on your mp3 or iPod? If just one playlist, how many songs?

 I’ve got at least 5 different Spotify playlists. Usually I listen to songs on Pandora so I can get some new suggestions.

 13. Song that reminds you of someone else?

Beauty and the Beast ~ Technically the movie version but… This was going to be my parents’ wedding song.

The entire album for Show Boat

Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again ~ The Phantom of the Opera

The Love I Meant To Say ~ Smash. Also not really from a show but this one touches my heart so much.

 14. Stephen Sondheim or Andrew Lloyd Webber?

This is a really tough one. I think ALW’s music is a bit more accessible to me and he has many great shows (and some really overrated ones). Stephen Sondheim is also extraordinary, but I like his more melodic songs which can be few and far between. Sondheim is challenging to sing and understand sometimes.

 15. Favorite choreographed number?

 King of New York ~ Newsies

 I’m sure there are others but I can’t think of any right now.

 16. What do you think of shows based around the music of other artists? (i.e. American Idiot, Mamma Mia)

 I like Mamma Mia, and I’ve heard that All Shook Up is really good. If the storyline is as compelling as the music, then I’ll love it.

17. Favorite song cut from a show?

The Truth about the Moon ~ Newsies (I want sheet music so bad!)

One Man ~ Seven Brides for Seven Brothers

 18. Most powerful (vocally) song

Female:

Once Upon A Time ~ Brooklyn

When It All Falls Down ~ Chaplin

 Male:

Who Am I ~ Les Miserables

Raise a Little Hell ~ Bonnie and Clyde

Music of the Night ~ The Phantom of the Opera

 19. Favorite song from your least favorite show.

 I’ll just name one, “Stars and the Moon” from Songs for a New World

 20. No-Dry-Eye Broadway song.

 I cry in almost everything…

Letter from the Refuge ~ Newsies

Santa Fe (prologue) ~ Newsies

Santa Fe ~ Newsies

The entire score to Les Mis

I’ll Be Here ~ Ordinary Days (listen to it and you will bawl your eyes out if you have a soul)

Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again ~ The Phantom of the Opera

When the Phantom sings a reprise of “All I Ask of You” during “Past the Point of No Return”. Also his reprise of “Masquerade” at the end and when he sings, “Christine, I love you…”

Dyin’ Ain’t So Bad ~ Bonnie and Clyde

Hold On ~ The Secret Garden

You Don’t Know This Man ~ Parade

 21. Your favorite Broadway duet

Love Songs

If I Loved You ~ Carousel

Something to Believe In ~ Newsies

 Non-Love Songs

A Little Fall of Rain ~ Les Mis

How Can Love Survive ~ The Sound of Music

Chip on My Shoulder ~ Legally Blonde (can’t actually remember if this is a duet or not…)

 22. Do you reenact/sing in front of the mirror/pretend you’re the character when you’re singing along to a song?

All the time.

 23. Top five Broadway songs.

 Nope, can’t do it.

 24. A broadway song that makes you cringe. (i.e. least favorite)

 I’m Not Afraid of Anything ~ Songs for a New World

Seasons of Love ~ Rent

 25. What shows have you seen?

On Broadway:

Newsies (Once with Jeremy Jordan and once with Corey Cott)

Cinderella

Wicked (With Aaron Tveit when I was 13 and didn’t even know who he was…)

 On Tour/Professional:

Mary Poppins

The Phantom of the Opera

Emma The Musical (I don’t think this one has been on broadway but Colin Patrick Hanlon and Annelise Van Der Pol were in it)

Peter and the Starcatcher

 26. If you could play any role on Broadway, what would it be?

Katherine Plumber

  27. Name some stars you’ve met at the stage door.

Jeremy Jordan, Corey Cott (I chased him down the street before the show…), Andrew Keenan-Bolger, Annelise Van Der Pol, Carpathia Jenkins, Andy Richardson, pretty much the entire OBC from Newsies.

 EXCEPT FOR TOMMY BRACCO...

 28. If you could go up to New York and see any and every Broadway show you want to, what would you go see?

 There are so many shows… Right now maybe Dear Evan Hansen or The Great Comet (if it’s still running…)

 29. Which Broadway star do you want to see live more than anyone else?

Laura Osnes, Hugh Jackman, Neil Patrick Harris, Laura Benanti, Christian Borle, Andy Mientus, Santino Fontana.

 30. Favorite Tony Awards host?

Neil Patrick Harris

 31. Least Favorite Musical

 Any of the overrated ones, but for the sake of time Cats.

32. What is your go-to shower song?

 A crazy patter song like “Watch What Happens” (Newsies)

 Also “I’m Gonna Wash That Man Right Out of My Hair” from South Pacific. My grandmother used to sing this song to me when she gave me baths when I was a toddler and young child.

 33. What does Broadway mean to you?

 It’s my life. I love Broadway and everything about it, and one day I will be performing there.

And I’m too tired to write anymore...