#i have loved being able to see dan with so many sims and learn so much more abt him and them :')

[thesims4blogger]

The Sims 4 Star Wars Journey to Batuu: Interview with SimGuruRomeo

StarWars.com has released an exclusive interview with SimGuruRomeo, giving some new details on The Sims 4 Star Wars Journey to Batuu Game Pack.

If you’ve ever wanted to join the Resistance or First Order — or live your best scoundrel life — this is your chance.

Lucasfilm and EA announced last week that a galaxy far, far away is coming to The Sims with The Sims 4 Star Wars: Journey to Batuu on PC, Mac, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One. Available September 8, the pack will take players to Black Spire Outpost, the location featured at Disneyland® Resort and Walt Disney World® Resort’s Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, where they can create their own story with an allegiance of their choice.

As seen in the reveal trailer and a new features overview trailer, Journey to Batuu centers around a detail-by-detail recreation of the Star Wars-themed land, from the layout of Oga’s Cantina to fun Easter eggs like the diagona that pops up in a water fountain. (And of course, the ultimate dream come true: lightsaber building!) There are main story missions, side missions, and even some familiar faces in Vi Moradi, Rey, and Kylo Ren, as well as the chance to pilot iconic ships, including the Millennium Falcon, TIE echelon, and T-70 X-wing. Of course, it’s all through the fun and funny lens of The Sims, meaning friendships, relationships, and the occasional dance party are all possible, too. Ultimately, it looks to be a more than worthy addition to one of gaming’s most vaunted simulators. “As a huge Star Wars fan, I have always loved the stories that have been told in this universe,” producer Antonio Romeo tells StarWars.com, “but being able to take the reins and play out my own stories with the Sims is such a unique experience no other game can offer.” StarWars.com caught up with Romeo to talk about bringing Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge to life in video game form, visiting Disney Parks for research, and having lightsaber duels over dirty dishes.

StarWars.com: This pack is such a fun idea, but one I never would’ve really thought possible. Can you talk about where the idea came from and how it evolved?

Antonio Romeo: We have a lot of Star Wars fans here on The Sims, and we have always wanted to incorporate it into a larger, more fleshed out gameplay experience. When we learned more about Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, we thought it was such a unique setting that has so much more to explore. This was a perfect opportunity for us to jump in and provide fans and players with an experience that coincides with their experiences at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.

StarWars.com: What strikes me as something wholly unique about this project is that the fantastical world you’re building actually exists in Disney Parks. Did you get to visit in preparation for development?

Antonio Romeo: The goal was to build an authentic Star Wars experience and the only way to fully incorporate the sights and sounds into The Sims was to experience Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge first-hand. Myself and a small group of artists and designers spent three full days there capturing reference for rock formations, textures, audio, guest behavior, and just trying to get a sense of what it would be like to translate Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge into our game. It was a lot of fun and I am excited to be able to bring that experience to fans in a unique way.

StarWars.com: What other resources and reference were available to you?

Antonio Romeo: The Star Wars vault is massive! Anything that we could think of where we needed a reference was only an email away. As a huge Star Wars fan myself, I was in heaven. I learned so much from working with the great folks at Lucasfilm. Additionally, the Disney Parks team was extremely helpful in providing us with true-to-life audio to ensure the experience in Journey to Batuu is as authentic to the real place as possible.

StarWars.com: What were your ultimate goals for Journey to Batuu once you started development?

Antonio Romeo: Star Wars is all about storytelling, and The Sims provides players with an opportunity to tell their own stories. When we were developing Journey to Batuu we wanted to ensure players had all of the tools they needed to create their Star Wars story on Batuu. We also thought of the many ways Star Wars could blend with your everyday Sims gameplay beyond Batuu. This last point was extremely important to us as Sims fans. In the end, we landed on a great balance of The Sims style of fun and authentic Star Wars moments. Who doesn’t want to duel their roommates to decide who has to wash the dishes that night? These are the types of moments that excite me as both a Star Wars and Sims fan.

StarWars.com: I love how you can choose your own allegiance, be it Resistance, First Order, or Scoundrel. It’s actually one of the few Star Wars games to give you that freedom.

Antonio Romeo: Absolutely! I myself am a diehard Scoundrel player. I have always loved the stories of scum and villainy in Star Wars. However, The Sims 4 is all about player choice and storytelling. We knew we couldn’t provide players with just a single path, there needed to be an option for Resistance and First Order. Each one of these groups provides you with unique gameplay that helps you understand what each of the three groups are about. For example, the Resistance will have you sneaking into the First Order District to uncover information, disrupt comms, and even sabotage the main headquarters of the First Order. The First Order, on the other hand will have you checking IDs of Batuu citizens, hunting down criminals for information, and even arresting Resistance sympathizers. The Scoundrels…well, they play by their own rules and do not have an agenda beyond earning galactic credits. Players that want to fall in with the Scoundrels will find themselves helping Hondo Ohnaka gather supplies, recruit crew members, and tackle a heist on Canto Bight for all the credits you could ever want. I am really excited about the three different groups and the different types of stories the players will be able to tell.

StarWars.com: When it comes to side missions that other Batuuans might give you, how did you develop and write those?

Antonio Romeo: Each group has a main story to guide you through exciting moments, but we wanted to ensure that you get to see all that Batuu has to offer. The side missions are a way for you to have never-ending storytelling opportunities that also fill in the gaps for the Story Missions. One of my favorite side missions is actually one you can get from Savi’s Workshop in Black Spire Outpost. When you visit his shop, you can request a lightsaber challenge. This will allow you to have fun and exciting lightsaber duels on Batuu to earn rare lightsaber parts, credits, and even build your fitness skill in order to be more proficient at wielding your own lightsaber.

StarWars.com: This seems like a great gateway into The Sims for those who’ve never played it. What would you tell Star Wars fans in that category?

Antonio Romeo:  If you have ever wanted to explore the world of Star Wars and create your own story, this is a perfect experience for you. You have the ability to customize your Sim to prepare for your Journey to Batuu. Once you arrive on Batuu, there are so many authentic Star Wars moments and objects, you are only limited by your own imagination and creativity. When you return to the Sim’s world, the creativity doesn’t stop — you can use the build and buy items to construct your very own Star Wars inspired homes.

Watch The Sims 4 Star Wars: Journey to Batuu trailers below!

The Sims 4 Star Wars: Journey to Batuu arrives September 8.

Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge is at Disneyland® Resort and Walt Disney World® Resort.

Dan Brooks is Lucasfilm’s senior content strategist of online, the editor of StarWars.com, and a writer. He loves Star Wars, ELO, and the New York Rangers, Jets, and Yankees. Follow him on Twitter @dan_brooks where he rants about all these things.

[icarusaturn]

Learn about me!

1. Your name?

Maria Lawson

2. Nationality?

American

3. Age?

16

4. Birthday?

November 12, 2003

5. Zodiac sign?

Scorpio

6. Gender?

Female

7. Sexuality?

Bisexual

8. Your looks ( add a picture or describe them)

9. What do you/did you study?

I’m still in high school, but I’d like to study something either about language, music, or helping people/animals

10. What’s your current job like/what do you have?

I work during the summer at a Dairy Queen, a lot of my friends work there so it’s usually pretty fun

11. Your birth order?

Second, third if you count my sister

12. How many siblings do you have?

2, one brother and over half sister

13. Do you have good relations with your family?

Mostly yes

14. How many friends do you have?

Many but only around 5 close friends

15. Your relationship status?

Single

16. What do you look for in an SO?

Honest, kind, loves animals and kids, up to adventure, loves music, loves nerdy things, open to trying new things, good sense of humor, respects boundaries & privacy, not pushy

17. Do you have a crush?

No

18. When did you have your first kiss?

8th grade

19. Do you prefer a serious/meaningful relationship or casual dating/one night stands?

I won’t mind either a serious relationship or casual dating

20. What are your deal breakers?

No common sense, being an asshole, pushy, no respect, derogatory towards others, no self respect, being overwhelming and or annoying, hates animals/is rude to animals, can’t be independent, lazy

21. How was your day?

Good!

22. Favorite food and drink?

My favorite food is probably chicken or bacon cheeseburgers for meat, otherwise I love any sort of fruit. My favorite drink besides water (lol) is lemonade

23. What position do you sleep in?

Usually I sleep on my stomach or my side

24. What was your last dream about?

One of my friends’ sister was working at a Barnes and Nobel

25. Your fears?

Being betrayed, being lied to, everyone secretly hating me, being left alone, being forgotten

26. Your dream?

I want to be successful and happy with a good place to live and good friends

27. Your goals?

The same as my dream

28. Any pets?

Yeah, one cat named Sabrina

29. What are your hobbies?

Art, theater, band, choir, speech

30. Any cool places in your area?

I live in a small town, so there’s many unique things about it

31. What was your last awkward situation?

I was in the car at the local grocery store and someone I didn’t like parked next to me

32. What is your last regret?

My last relationship

33. Language(s) you can speak?

Only English, although I’m trying to learn sign language

34. Do you believe in astrological stuff? (Zodiac, tarot, etc. )

It’s very interesting so yes, I’d also like to learn more about it

35. Have any quirks?

I have synesthesia, the type where I can hear colors

36. Your pet peeves

Lazy people, people touching my stuff without permission, when someone keeps trying to talk to me while I’m listening to music, annoying loud people, obnoxious rude people, people who blurt things while someone else is trying to speak, people who think they’re better than everyone else, liars

37. Ideal vacation

Anywhere where whoever I’m with and I can do what we please whenever we please

38. Any scars?

A few from childhood and some more recent ones from self harm. I’m in a safer space and state of mind now, so there’s no need to worry

39. What does your last text message say?

I just signed up, did it work?

40. Last 5 things from your search history?

Marvel characters

Color block hoodie teddy fresh

Griz and Norm frozen

Everything I wanted lyrics

Kirishima shirt

41. What’s your device background?

42. What do you daydream about?

Movie/show scenes, memories, possible future outcomes, music

43. Describe your dream home

A house in the city with a bay window, an atrium, a claw foot bathtub, and a modern vintage look/feel, clean with nerdy decor

44. What’s your religion/thoughts on religion

I don’t have a religion because I don’t know much about it, but either way I don’t want to attend any holy services, because I’d like to prioritize other things. I do believe that everyone has their own rights to what they believe in, to me it’s like saying people should be able to eat, it’s common sense

45. You Personality type?

Campaigner personality ENFP - T

You can read about it on 16 personalities

46. Most dangerous thing you’ve done

When I was around 12 I flew with my brother alone on a plane

47. Are you happy with your current life?

For the most part yes

48. Some things you’ve tried in your life?

I’ve tried competitive dance, baking, hiking, and woodworking to name a few

49. What does your wardrobe consist of?

The usual stuff, t shirts, hoodies, jackets, sweaters, casual & fancy clothes, dresses, lots of shoes, jeans and leggings

50. Favorite color to wear

Yellow or blue

51. How would you describe your style?

Trendy nerd

52. Are you happy with your current looks?

Yeah mostly

53. If you could change/add something to your appearance - impossible or not - what would it be?

I want freckles lol

54. Any tattoos or piercings?

I have 4 lobe piercings, 2 on each side, and my left ear helix so 5 in total. I’m planning on getting many small tattoos and my septum pierced. Nothing drastic, all simple and small

55. Do you get complimented often?

Yes, almost every day with my hair and a lot with outfits

56. Favorite aesthetics?

Nature, vintage, character inspired

57. A popular trend that you dislike

There were these weird wavy eyebrows, not a fan 😂

58. Songs you’re currently obsessed with?

All of the Frozen 2 soundtrack, For The First Time in Forever and Let It Go from Frozen, Are You Bored Yet by Wallows, Amerika by Young the Giant, Maniac by Conan Gray, Come Around by Papa Roach, Same Damn Life by Seether, and Soarin by Bazzi

59. Song you wouldn’t normally admit you like?

I like mostly everything, so I would admit to liking mostly any song someone brings up

60. Favorite genre?

Pop or show tunes/ movie tunes

61. Favorite song/band/ genre?

My favorite song right now is a tie between Show Yourself and Into The Unknown from Frozen 2 or Are You Bored Yet by Wallows

62. Hated popular songs/artists?

6ix9ine, lil pump, artists like them

63. Put your music on shuffle & list first 5 songs

Prom Queen by Molly Kate Kestner

I’m Born to Run by American Authors

Holding on to You by Twenty One Pilots

Trip Switch by Nothing but Thieves

Swimming Pool Summer by Capital Cities

64. Can you sing/play any instruments?

I sing Soprano 1 and play Flute

65. Do you like karaoke?

Yeah!

66. Own any albums?

No vinyls or cassettes or DVD’s, it’s all on my Spotify lol

67. Do you listen to the radio? What stations?

I only listen to Spotify

68. Favorite movie/series?

My favorite movies are Frozen, Frozen 2, The Lion King, or any marvel movie past iron man lol

My favorite series are My Hero Academia, Voltron and friends

69. Favorite genre movies/ books/ etc.

Action, comedy, and fantasy

70. Your fictional crushes?

None lol

71. Which fictional character is you?

A mix of Elsa and Anna and Bakugou and Kirishima

72. Are you a shipper? List your otps if so

I don’t ship many things but I love Tododeku and Kiribaku

73. Favorite Greek god?

Apollo, Athena is my favorite goddess

74. A legend from where you live that you like?

There’s no legends where I live, but I like state legends like the legend of Paul Bunyan

75. Do you like art? What’s your favorite work or artist?

I like more modern artists, like ones on tumblr lol. These are a few artists I really like

@elentori-art @tecochet @cherriielle

76. Can you share your other social media?

I have Instagram, Twitter and the like but my Pinterest is maria_1820

77. Favorite youtubers

Colleen Ballinger, Joey Graceffa, Trainer Tips, David Dobrik, Molly Burke, Shane Dawson

78. Favorite platform

Everything but Facebook lol

79. How much time do you spend in the internet?

All of the time 😂

80. What video games have you played? Which ones your favorite?

I’ve played the sims and Mario kart and I like the sims more lol

81. Your favorite books?

We are the Ants by Shaun David Hutchinson and the My Hero Academia series

82. Do you play board/card games?

Not really

83. Have you ever been to a night marathon in cinema?

Nope

84. Favorite holiday?

Christmas

85. Are you into dramas?

Medical/police/firefighter dramas lol

86. Would you use death note if you had one?

I’d like to say no but I probably would

87. What changes would you make in the world no matter how impossible, if you had the power to?

I would have everyone have a good house and money

88. (There wasn’t a question here so I made one up)What was your first word?

Besides mama, my first word was eat

89. If you turned into a paranormal being, what would it be?

A Phoenix

90. What would you want to happen to you after your death?

I’d want my body donated to science

91. If you had to change your name what would you pick?

I like my name so I wouldn’t change it

92. Who would you switch lives with for a week?

Maybe a guy to see what it’s like

93. Pick an emoji to be your tattoo

🪐

94. Write 3 things about yourself + only one of them must be true

I love acrylic nails

I’ve never been on a train

I met Dan and Phil

95. Cold or hot?

Cold because I could put on a sweater

96. Be a hero or be a villain?

Hero

97. Sing everything you want to say or rhyme?

Sing everything because I sometimes find rhyming annoying

98. Shape shifting or controlling time?

Shape shifting

99. Be immortal or be immune to everything aside from natural death?

Immune to everything but natural death

100. Book or movie?

Both

[heartfeltfangirl]

a white-hot pride for you to see

this is technically written because of the pride flash fest by @phandomficfests, but I wrote way over limit and I am late for it, because I was busy proposing to my girlfriend on the weekend :) but I wanted to post it anyway.

Rating: T (only for themes of homophobia)

Summary: There's different sorts of prides: quiet and personal, loud and happy - and there's the angry one, that makes you want to fight those who are the reason your life is so hard sometimes. // On the airplane aisle across from Phil is a homophobe who doesn't like him watching Queer Eye. So what if he has a little fun with this?

Wordcount: 1.5 k 

[Read on AO3]

Phil's angry, and it surprises him.

He's not an angry person, usually. Not towards other people at least. He might yell at the TV when he loses a game, sure, and he knows he can be a nuisance if he gets hungry. But when it comes to the people around him, he is usually understanding and patient to the point where Dan often steps in and snarks at someone on his behalf.

And yet, right now - right now he's feeling a tenseness in his chest that makes him want to bite something, or grab Dan's hand hard, or tilt his laptop further towards the guy with the disapproving quirk of his eyebrows that reminds him too much of some of the relatives that ask him about whether he'll marry a nice girl soon each time they see him.

Because Phil's on a plane, watching Queer Eye, and the guy on the other side of the aisle is definitely a homophobe.

It started out subtle enough. A few glances too many in his direction ("Dan, is my hair weird or something?" - "No, why?" - "That guy keeps looking weirdly at me" - "Maybe he's just into you"). Then several annoyed huffs whenever the flamboyant and feminine Jonathan was on screen ("I think it's something else to be honest"). Until, just now, at one of the guys smacking the current contestant on the ass, the dude with the weird moustache that Phil already violently hates muttered a slur under his breath that had Phil ball his hands into fists.

Dan's been shooting him questioning glances for a while already. He's leaning over now and pushes Phil's headphone off his ear.

"What's up with you?" he whispers.

Phil swallows. He debates not telling Dan for a moment, because he knows how mad it'll make him if he hears about this. Dan is prone to feel impulsive when he's angry and Phil doesn't know what'll happen and he definitely doesn't want the British gossip newspapers tomorrow to be full of the news of the two gay YouTubers who are actually gay together and caused a public scene in an airplane by insulting someone who's probably a Very Important Person.

"Phil?" Dan hits pause. "Are you okay?"

His eyes are now tinged with hidden concern and that's all Phil needs to decide to tell him (as if not telling him something had ever been a viable option).

"This guy is homophobic," he murmurs into Dan's headphone free ear, "he keeps looking weirdly at us and I heard him say... something bad just now. Don't look!"

Dan's head swivels around instantly and Phil watches him glare at mustache guy. He nudges him.

"Don't let him see you."

"Too late," Dan says, way too loud for Phil's liking, "we just had some very intense eye contact."

It's intended to make Phil laugh, he knows, but he can't - not right now, when he has to work so hard to keep the white hot ball of anger in his chest under control. He swallows against all that he wants to say, or scream even perhaps. It's people like that - people that are visibly against others just for who they are, that make life so hard for people like him and Dan and so many in their fan base as well.

Phil's always known his love to be right and pure. Deep down, he's always known that. And yet he's had to endure glances and assumptions, had to hide because he feared for his income, has to work against years of half-lies and omitted truths just to talk about Thor being hot. Has to not hold his boyfriend's hand even though he really wants to, all because of bigoted dickheads who sit an aisle across a stranger and insult them for a show they're watching with openly gay men.

"I hate this," he whispers.

Dan looks at him; really looks at him.

"I know."

It's pride month, even. There've been rainbows and flags of all kinds and good shows all throughout June. There have been fans at their shows holding pride flags that they signed, always with a mixture of anxiety and love. There's been their Sims series with its gayer content by the episode, and the innuendos in the shows and the pictures they post of each other and so much tentative happiness and freedom in learning how to be themselves again. There's been pride, in every step they take and every time a queer kid stands in front of them and tells them timidly or stubbornly or proudly that it means something, that they came out or found friends or themselves in the community around them both. Despite the fact that they've made no statement, their life has been tinged in a sort of pride that's often quiet and just theirs, and sometimes public and bold.

And now... now this feels like a different sort of pride. It feels like the activism Phil's only been able to support with donations for the most part, anonymous but grateful. It feels like people marching together for a cause and like standing up for others who are just like them or maybe a little bit different, others who get scuffed upon like the both of them are now.

"We can put on something else," Dan offers, already reaching for the laptop and exiting fullscreen, but Phil stops him.

"No," he says, "I want to watch Queer Eye with you."

He knows he talks louder than he has before and he knows his fingers shake a bit for it, but he continues anyway.

'Let me just... put on subtitles. You know. Just... um." Just so it's even clearer what we're watching, he thinks, just so that maybe even the message of the show gets across, just so that this guy really knows what's going on.

Is it out of spite, perhaps? Phil doesn't know, he just wants to show this queerness and the pride he feels in it all around and especially to moustache guy.

Dan twinkles back at him, curious.

"Okay," he says with laughter in his voice. "That's- ... okay. Let's do that."

Phil's not done yet. This feels good, this feels like doing something. It's terrifying, but it's also fulfilling in a way he's not really felt before.

"Did you water our plants at home," is the first thing on his mind, despite knowing fully well that he did it himself.

Just roll with it, he tells Dan with his eyes, please. Dan shakes his head almost imperceptibly and grins, but luckily he's quick to adjust and indulges Phil whenever he can.

"I think that was you. I sweeped the bedroom, remember?"

Phil risks a glance over to moustache dude, just to see they're definitely being listened to with a scowl on his face. Somehow, this time it fills him with glee.

'Oh right babe," he says, and it's a risk, but they're in business class and it doesn't matter if they're heard, not really, and it just feels too good. Still, Dan's eyes widen just a fraction before his face gets that determined look Phil both dreads and loves. Right now, it thrills him in the best way.

Dan leans closer into his space.

"Should have washed the sheets though, after- you know," he says, lowly but still loud enough for the people nearest to them.

Phil feels himself blush, but he also hears a gasp coming from his right and looks over at the guy, whose expression looks nothing short of disgusted.

Phil loves this. He turns to Dan.

"Keep it down," he shushes him, "and let's just watch Queer Eye. I'm gonna go home with Karamo if you keep embarrassing me. He's well fit, you know."

Dan giggles and leans into Phil shortly. He smiles at him a smile that tells a story of the same sort of recklessness and accomplishment and pride that fills Phil up inside. Phil touches his hand to Dan's knee for a moment.

Thank you, that means, for getting me. Perhaps it also means I love you.

Dan let's his own hand brush over Phil's before he presses play again. The episode continue. [That's the gay lifestyle] the subtiles caption Tan's words, and Phil pushes his laptop a bit to the side. Perhaps moustache guy does want to watch it with them. Dan giggles next to him.

Phil's pride is quiet and settled and hidden most of the time. But today it's a rainbow above his head, a light for those less comfortable than him and something that blinds all the homophobes with its brightness. It's new to him, but he wants to keep a bit of this. He loves Dan and if he has to annoy stupid guys with that so they don't get to make him feel bad - well, then he'll maybe just enjoy it.

[dontlookdown]

Nick’s Favourite Music of 2017

I’ve always been someone that tries to accentuate the positive, so let me get this bold take out of the way:

2017 was bad, and best summed up by the phrase “Further complications”.

...But the music, films, TV and games of the past twelve months have been (on the whole) great, so we just about made it through.

If anything, there might have been too much good stuff. This is the first year in a while where I’ve not only struggled to pick out my favourites from earlier months, but have also had to navigate a massive backlog of acclaimed music that I’d missed. The scheduling of certain releases didn’t help. I have four bands in my life that hold a drop-everything status when they release a new record (LCD, War on Drugs, The National, QOTSA), and they all unleashed new albums within a week of each other. It gets exhausting!

As always, I’ve waited until the year is truly over before finalising my top 20 tracks of the year, because you never know when something extraordinary might suddenly pop out in the middle of December (and it frequently does). I’ll be posting about one song each day. Previous entries can be found easily using the tag “best-of-20xx”, going all the way back to 2010 (I always surprise myself every year by being reminded that this blog is that old).

First, though, some honorable mentions for tracks and albums that didn’t quite make the cut, but still mean a lot to me:

Cloud Nothings – “Modern Act”

ME: Oop! There’s a new Cloud Nothings album. Time to check in and see if Dylan Baldi has come up with a third entry in the ‘Choruses That Nick Relates to Way Too Much’ series, following “I need time to stop moving” and “I’m not you, you’re a part of me”.

DYLAN: “I want a life, that's all I need lately. I am alive but all alone”

ME: *sobbing uncontrollably* …Nice.

Coldplay – “All I Can Think About Is You”

This is a strange one that I rediscovered towards the end of the year, and haven’t been able to stop thinking about. It’s the sound of Coldplay making a conscious effort to return to the quieter, less-poppy style of their early work, but remembering that those records still had a sense of fun that was lacking in Ghost Stories.

Craig Finn – “God in Chicago”

Craig Finn (also of The Hold Steady) has always presented himself as more of a storyteller than a songwriter (although, as the incredible Boys and Girls in America proves, he’s brilliant at both), and his most recent solo album really pushed further into that territory. “God in Chicago” in particular is a stark contrast to the boisterous bar anthems that Craig’s other band is famous for, but still shows him operating at the peak of his powers.

Frank Ocean – “Chanel”

It took some time to adjust to the idea that, since returning after four years of silence, Frank Ocean doesn’t seem to be retreating out of the spotlight again. That’s fine by me. I’d listen to this guy sing the phonebook. Frank seems happy to be publicly experimenting with his sound right now, releasing new songs every few months via his radio show. “Chanel” was the first of these, and was a refreshing, almost stream-of-consciousness change of pace when compared to the precise songwriting that we heard on blonde. It also just happens to be the best song Drake’s never made.

Vince Staples – “BagBak”

Googles: "big fish theory" yeezus “About 18,200 results”

I’ve got nothing to add, really. “BagBak” bangs. I’m happy to hear Vince trying out new shit.

King Krule – The OOZ

I really struggled to formulate any solid thoughts about The OOZ, other than it is very good. What do you even call this type of music? Doom jazz? Extreme chillout? The album is like the sonic equivalent of a heavy night spent consuming every depressant imaginable, or a Morphine record that melted. …And, in writing that, I might have cracked it. It sounds like how we’ve all been writing about 2017 for the last few months! Time will be very kind to it, I suspect.

Mount Eerie – A Crow Looked at Me

Absolutely brilliant and almost impossible to recommend, A Crow Looked at Me is an earnest document of the passing of Phil Elverum’s wife, Geneviève, and an unflinching portrait of how death really affects the people someone’s absence leaves behind. Musically, it’s a stripped-down as a record can possibly be, and requires an empathetic frame of mind from the listener. But it’s incredibly rewarding for those that take the time to engage with it.

Slowdive – Slowdive

Very few things in this world make me happier than bands reuniting after long breaks and releasing an album that stands up with their very best work. I’ll be talking about this in more detail later on in the month, but it’s worth bringing up in relation to the already-legendary shoegaze band Slowdive. Twenty. Two. Years. And it didn’t dull their senses one iota.

Alec Holowka – “Home Again”

Night in the Woods is the game I wish I’d had when I was 18. At its core, it’s a game that stresses the importance of talking to and learning about the people in your life, and considering how we all bump into each other throughout our long-ass lives. In between hanging out with old friends, it perfectly captures that intangible sense of malaise you get when you’re forced to take stock of your life so far and end up wondering just what the fuck you even want to achieve now. This dissonance is present in the game’s soundtrack too, composed by developer Alec Holowka. “Home Again”, as the title suggests, plays while your character is back in her childhood home, returning abruptly from college. It’s got a very warm sound, hazy and swirly in a way that provokes a mental image of familiar dusty furniture being bathed in a sunbeam through your window. And then, after two bars at around :30, a minor chord is introduced, giving the progression a sad, almost disappointed feel. You’re back…but why? Is everything okay? It’s equal parts comforting and concerned, the lone piano shifting into a more confident melody at 1:30 while the moody synths hold back briefly. It’s the sound of a worried parent calmly asking you some tough questions.

Dan Salvato – “I Still Love You”

I’ve previously gone on-the-record about how Doki Doki Literature Club completely wrecked my shit, as have many people who’ve played it, but I think the game deserves some recognition for being as much a loving tribute to dating sim games as it is savage deconstruction. This is something that’s highlighted by the game’s soundtrack (composed by writer/designer/way-too-talented person Dan Salvato), full of bright, breezy pieces that would sound right at home in any number of these games, on-the-nose emotionally and completely earnest in presentation (bum notes and all). And then, as you might be aware, things get weird. But, crucially, the music does not. Rather than composing new pieces to supplement the new tone, we simply hear the old ones again (albeit ever-so-slightly warped in places). This adds to that false sense of security. “Everything’s fine”, the game tells us, lying through its teeth. By the time the façade drops completely, the music is gone, replaced by an atmospheric soundscape. “I Still Love You”, which plays over the climactic scene, is a blend of the two extremes we’ve heard so far: the emptiness of the soundscape morphing itself into an actual melody, accompanied by a lone piano still hitting the perky beats from the earlier tracks. It’s a perfect representation of everything the game does so well when it comes to managing tone and player expectation, and a great and relaxing piece in its own right.

John Williams – “Canto Bight”

In which John Williams finally composes a proper follow-up to “Cantina Band”. I joked last week that you could make a playlist consisting of nothing but this track repeated hundreds of times, and end up with the perfect soundtrack for any party. It’s funny because it’s true. In less than three minutes, Williams segues from traditional film score bombast to an exciting cocktail of Dixieland jazz, Cuban salsa and 12-bar blues. Separated from the scene it soundtracks, it’s a piece that constantly keeps you on your toes, and a perfect example of why the general weirdness of The Last Jedi was one of the most exciting things about it.

That’s it for now. Tomorrow we’ll start with the list proper. Until then!

[brasenosearts]

Are you excited? You should be excited.

Hello and welcome to ARTS NOTICES a solidly sporadic fixture coming soon to the world wide web! To those of you still hanging around from last year, welcome back it's great to see you is that a new puffa jacket?

To those of you who are fresh and new babies, hello. These notices are basically to tell you what's on in Brasenose and in Oxford generally - however I tragically do not have a telepathic link to all organisers of artistic events (maybe for the best as I don't think I could handle that many actual dramatic monologues playing simultaneously with my own internal dramatic monologue) so please let me know either through email to ella.williams@bnc.ox.ac.uk or on Facebook (if you find me) if you're involved in something or want to promote it for whatever reason - to appease your loud thesp friend, because you've been promised free wine if you drag people along, whatever. With that in mind, congrats to the strong BNC contingent who were in the Greek Play last week and even more congrats to their friends who sat through 2 hours of ancient greek and were very nice about it. You are troopers and I will get your reimbursement to you ASAP... Which is a great link into mentioning that although it's been dormant, if you message me or Manish (who you should all know from last night's JCR festivities) about going to see an event that has quantifiable Brasenose involvement we can reimburse you £3 per ticket. Fun! Also congrats to Manish for us now being able to do this due to FINALLY unfreezing our accounts from the cruel cold clutches of the Hong Kong Shangai Banking Corporation (burn HSBC!) and meaning we could pay back everyone's favourites Celtic Chris With The Barkhorns From Arts Week and Pottery Priscilla from Fresher's Week (both real and excellent people). Okay I think that's everything

“What does it mean? It means that I exist! Don’t you see? She knows that I am a human being – a human being capable of pillowtalk and poetry! God, I have fire at my fingertips. I want to topple buildings, my friend; I want to shoot down the stars!” What's that melodramatic line from? A particularly angsty excerpt from a drunk poetry night submission? An extract from that fresher's diary we found in the laundry room? No, fear not, it's actually from Cyrano de Bergerac. / 3rd Week MT / Keble O'Reilly That format means it's a play! Tickets: https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/nk-productions https://www.facebook.com/events/860893990745592/ (ft our very own DANIELE Zurbrügg and TOBIAS Sims although it took me a while to realise this as they are going by their colloquial nicknames of Dan and Toby in the cast list.) Also Sarah Hughes (no nicknames, she doesn't mess around) will be "in the pit with ma cello". Unmissable. You could get £3 back if you go to this! you could also learn about "unspoken love and the fear of rejection" which seems like a great crash course for Michaelmas heartbreaks.

---------------

An admin note: our beloved Dance Coordinator Natasha is currently living it up with croissants and la vin rouge in France. We miss her terribly.

[heysnowflake]

Yeah I like doing these, shhhh!

1. Five ways to win your heart: 

- “I’ve never met anyone like you before” 

- Offering to share your food with me 

- Be as obsessed with Disney and Non-Disney like me

- Always be really enthusiastic with my dogs

- Laugh at me when I do something ridiculous 

2. Something you feel strongly about: 

Equality and LGBT+ rights, To quote Dan Howell, “Queer people exist. To choose to ignore them is not an option”. As a heterosexual whose best friend is bisexual, I will god damn fight for her rights to feel accepted, respected and valid in this world in any way I can. 

3. Bullet your whole day: 

- Take a business call

- Drink a cappuccino

- Do some financial work 

- Walk my boss’ dogs 

- Get home from work in the earlier afternoon

- Make another cappuccino 

- Play some Sims

- Play some Layers of Fear 2

- Tidy my room

- Make dinner

- Read a good book

- Imagine all my dream scenarios that will never happen 

- Listen to ASMR and go to sleep 

4. A book you love: Goblet of Fire by J.K. Rowling, I’ve read that baby 17 times and I’m debating reading it again. 

5. Things you want to say to an ex: 

... 

6. Your views on mainstream music: Whilst I’ll agree that there some valid and talented individuals in the mainstream music business. I personally just prefer to listen to other things. My main music taste ranges from 80′s movie soundtracks to Disney to Classic Rock. Anything written before 2000, basically. 

7. Five pet peeves: 

- People who leave their babies/dogs in a hot car without even a window cracked or air con on

- The phrase “I’m living/I’m dying for (insert whatever item here)” 

- People who get drunk all the time and/or buy obviously useless items, and then complain about having no money and even trying to borrow money

- Empty packets left in cupboards/fridges 

- People who complain clearly for the sake of complaining 

8. What you ate today: nothing yet actually, only had a cappuccino 

9. How important you think education is: I think education is highly important for reasons such as molding you into an intelligent adult, the lessons you learn from the hidden curriculum, and getting you into a solid career, etc. However, I do believe that there are extremely important subjects that should be taught as a compulsory in educational institutes. Such subjects include home economics, business studies, general life skills, financial management and a more advanced and inclusive sex education programe. 

10. Put your music player on shuffle and write the first ten songs that you play: 

- W.I.T.C.H (Main theme)

- Paris Holds The Key (To Your Heart)- Anastasia

- Radio Ga Ga- Queen

- Land Of 1000 Dances- Wilson Pickett

- Let Me Be Your Wings- Barry Manilow

- Welcome To The Jungle- Guns N Roses

- Sound The Bugles- Bryan Adams

- Far Away- Nickelback

- Shake Me- Cinderella 

- So Close- Jon McLaughlin

11. Your family: I have too many members oh boy, my mum Glenda, my dad Ian, 4 sisters, 3 brothers, 1 brother in law, 13 cousins, 2 aunts, 3 uncles, 2 nieces, 3 nephews, my 3 dogs and little old me (not all in one roof, fuck that) 

12. Five guys you find attractive: Hugh Jackman, Benedict Cumberbatch, Markiplier, Jacksepticeye, and Prince Cornelius (animated characters count right?) 

13. Your opinion about your body and how comfortable you are with it: As someone who used to be quite overweight when I was younger, it has taken me a long time to learn and accept my body for what it is: just mine. I spent many years comparing myself to other women’s realising that my body would never look like theirs because we’re all built different and no two people are the same in any regard. Whilst I am actually pretty comfortable with my body and who I am (as someone who used to be overweight and now isn’t), there are sure things I wouldn’t mind being changed about my body but they are things for me to change because I want them to and not because of what other people say. It was actually only just recently that I started being more comfortable having my picture taken as I’m someone who gets extremely nervous about not being in control of the picture/editing process of an image of myself. It’s been a slow journey of acceptance but I believe I’m finally at its final stages. Role models such as Carrie Hope Fletcher, Ashley Graham and Kate Winslet have been women I have looked up to during this process and inspire me to a better person every day. 

14. What you wore today: black elbow-sleeved top with a scoop neck and tied into a knot at my waist, black leggings and brown ankle boots. 

15. Your zodiac/horoscope and if you think it fits your personality: my horoscope/zodiac is Virgo (technically Virgo/Libra cusp as I was born on a cusp day) and my Chinese Zodiac is a Rat. Both are absolutely bloody spot on. 

16. Something you always think “what if” about: What if I never met my best friend? It’s a world I don’t like to think about living in but it haunts me every day and I’m thankful for every moment I have with her. 

17. Something that you’re proud of: my degree in Business management 

18. A problem that you have had: I used to have bad anger management when I was younger than 10 but made a rapid improvement when I was a little older and now can happily say that I’m one of the chillest people I know. 

19. Five items you lust after: Cornelius’ ring from Thumbelina (I have yet to find one similar), a brown grand piano, the Canon EOS 1D Mark II camera, a pair of black ugg boots (will most likely purchase soon), more Funko Pops xD 

20. Your fears: failure, lots of stairs (have an extremely minor case of Bathmaphobia), and my loved ones dying. Ooooh and also Red-Faced Demon from Insidious 

21. How you hope your future will be like: living with my best friend with a couple dogs and cats just taking one day at a time and travelling together. 

22. Your academics: GCSEs ranged from A* to Cs and Dinstinctions/Merits, A-Levels ranged from Bs to Cs and Distinctions, University I got Distinctions. 

23. Something that you miss: that hangout feeling you get when you walk into school/college/university

24. Five words/phrases that make you laugh: Nincompoop, X Gon’ Give It To Ya, “We’re the reason cousins shouldn’t marry” - Magic Sword: Quest For Camelot, “Would you like the hotel moving an inch to the left?”- Basil Fawlty, and “You should write a book: How to Offend Women in Five Syllables or Less”- The Swan Princess. 

25. Something you’re currently worrying about: the fact that I haven’t been able to see my best friend in a month

26. Things you like and dislike about yourself: 

Let’s keep it to three each shall we xD 

Like: my curly hair, my ability to think outside the box and I can curl a sick present ribbon

Dislike: my inability to be concise, my obvliousness and my arms 

27. A quote you try to live by: “Life is too short to live the same day twice”

28. Somewhere you’d like to move to or visit: NEW ZEALAND!!!

29. Five weird things that you like: Vegemite and honey on toast, watching a favourite animated movie multiple times, organising my bookshelf, eating pepperami slces in a very particular way (I eat the outside before the inside), and genuinely enjoy tickling my friend’s feet for ages. 

30. One thing you’re excited for: where me and my best friend will travel to next

[a-sims-garden]

100 Questions To Invade My Personal Life

I saw @simsstuffmarie​ do this yesterday and thought I’d give it a go.

If you want to read it all good luck, if you can’t be bothered I don’t blame you, it’s quite long :D

1. What’s your middle name, and do you like it? Elizabeth, it’s alright, it’s quite common.

2. Are you artistic? Not really, I used to be good at drawing when I was yonger.

3. Have you had your first kiss? I had my first kiss when I was 12 :P

4. What is your life goal? To have a secure job I love and maybe a couple of kids

5. Do you have any experiences with a famous person? I saw Warrick Davis at a convention once.

6. Do you play any sports? I used to play badminton at school but I don’t really do anything now.

7. What’s your worst fear? Being stuck in a tight space for ages - like being buried alive.

8. Who’s your biggest inspiration? Anyone who has motivation to do what they love.

9. Do you have any cool talents?

I can do a good Butterfree impression?

10. Are you a morning person? No way.

11. How do you feel about pet names? They can be cute, I find them a bit cringy to use myself. My boyfriend and I just call each other ‘love’. 12. Do you like to read? Alllllllllll the time. 13. Name a list of shows that have changed your life. Yuri!!!!! on Ice - I’ve never felt so strongly for two main characters my entire life.

Friends - I don’t know what I’d do without it, it’s a comfort for me whenever I re-watch it.

14. Do you care about your follower count?

Not really, I’m amazed even 1 person followed me (*´∀`*) I appreciate every single one though.

15. What’s the best dream you’ve had?

I’ve had a few where I’ve been able to fly, those where pretty fun.

16. Have you ever kissed someone of your same gender?

Only when I was younger as a dare. I wish I had been more explorative when I was younger though since I think I’m most definitely bi now.

17. Do you have any pets?

Two cats.

18. Are you religious?

Not really. I like to think believing in reincarnation would be pretty cool though.

19. Are you a people person?

Only if they’re the kind of people I know how to get along with.

20. Are you considered popular?

Probably not but I don’t really care, I’ve got my group of close friends and that’s all I need.

21. What is one of your bad habits?

Being a bit selfish sometimes.

22. What’s something that makes you feel vulnerable

Thinking about how we’re all just little ants on this planet absorbed on our own little worlds and none of us are special.

23. What would you name your children?

I like Pheobe for a girl and Ethan for a boy. If in the very unlikely chance that I have twin boys I am 100% calling them Theo and Leo xD

24. Who’s your celebrity crush?

Scarlett Johansson can come and steal me away any day <3

25. What’s your best subject?

Animal Behaviour (what I studied at uni)

26. Dogs or cats?

Catssssss

27. Most-used social media besides Tumblr?

Probably a tie between Facebook and Twitter

28. Best friends name

Josh

29. Who does your main family consist of?

My mum and my sister

30. Chocolate or sugar

Aren’t they the same thing?? But always chocolate!!

31. Have you ever been on a date?

Lots

32. Do you like rollercoasters?

Love them!!

33. Can you swim?

Yup, I love swimming

34. What would you do in the event of an apocalypse?

Somehow try to meet up with my boyfriend and best friends, get our families and hide out at a big school or something.

35. Have you struggled with any kind of mental disorder

Bits of depression and anxiety, getting better now that I’ve finished uni!

36. Are your parents together?

Divorced 4 years ago.

37. What’s your favourite colour?

Greeeeeen

38. What country are you from/do you live in?

England, used to live in Wales for uni.

39. Favourite singer?

Dan Reynolds from Imagine Dragons

40. Do you see yourself being famous some day?

No, wouldn’t want to be.

41. Do you like dresses?

Sometimes, only for formal occasions.

42. Favourite song right now?

Believer by Imagine Dragons

43. Does talking about sex make you uncomfortable?

Nope

44. How old were you when you first got your period?

It was the morning of my 14th birthday... great present!

45. Have you ever shot a gun?

Only bb guns.

46. Have you ever done yoga?

No.

47. Are you a horror girl?

Only the Stephen King kind.

48. Are you good at giving advice?

Not really

49. Tell us a story about your childhood.

At preschool we would do the nativity play every year and one year I was an angel and got really nervous and wet myself... on stage xD

50. How are you doing today?

I’m alright, could be better, could be worse. (Halfway through these, woooo)

51. Were you a cute kid?

I was pretty cute. I had the chubbiest cheeks :D

52. Can you dance?

I used to do modern/jazz dance after school.

53. Is there anything you do that you can’t remember ever not doing?

Loving to read?

54. Have you ever dyed your hair?

Only highlights

55. What colour are your eyes?

Green

56. What’s your favourite animal?

Owls ( ◎▼◎ )

57. Have you ever made a huge fool of yourself?

Plenty of times...

58. Do you have a good relationship with your parents?

Definitely with my Mum, not so much with my Dad since he moved out but getting closer since he had my little brother.

59. Do you have good friends?

They’re the bestest.

60. Are you close with anyone of the lgbtq+ group?

Not that I know of

61. What’s your favourite class?

Used to be Biology

62. List all the tv shows you are watching.

Handmaiden’s tale and Friends

63. Are you organised?

Sometimes I get bursts of being organised but most of the time as long as I know where it is, that’s enough for me!

64. What was the last movie you saw? Opinion?

Wonder Woman was A.M.A.Z.I.N.G.

67. Which tv character do you relate to most?

If I had to pick one, Pheobe from Friends although I’m sure there are lots of differences.

68. What are some things that stand between you and complete happiness?

Time and space... just kidding :P probably money.

69. If you received enough money to never need to work again, what would you spend your time doing?

Looking after all the beautiful reptiles and birds I would buy...

70. What would you change about your life if you knew you would never die?

I’d probably be less scared to try new things

71. What would you do differently if you knew that no one was judging you?

Nothing, I’ve long stopped caring what other people think

72. If you could start over, what would you do differently?

I’d spend less of my middle school years being sad and depressed because I had no friends, and I’d make my parents get the internet way earlier then when I was 17...

73. Would you break the law to save a loved one?

To save from death? 100%

74. When was the last time you travelled somewhere new?

When me and my friends when camping last summer

75. When you think of your home, what immediately comes to mind?

My cats

76. What have you done to pursue your dreams lately? How about today?

I looked for jobs at local zoos and sanctuaries, applied for a couple the other day (fingers crossed!)

77. What did you want to be when you were a kid?

A zoo keeper

78. If you dropped everything to pursue your dreams, what would you be risking?

My social life and relaxing time, otherwise I’d be volunteering/working 24/7

79. When did you not speak up, when you know you really should have?

I can think of loads of examples...

80. Describe the next five years of your life, and your plans, in a single sentence

Get a job and move back in with my boyfriend and get a cat and maybe get engaged

81. What would happen if you never wasted another minute of your life, what would that look like?

Tiring but productive xD

82. If you could live forever, how would you spend eternity?

Playing the Sims lol

And probably reading every book that ever existed.

83. How would you spend a billion dollars?

I’d pay for my mum to live in a nice house and take us all on holiday. Then I’d get a nice house for me and my bf and all of our pets that I’d buy.

84. If you could time travel, would you go to the past or the future?

I’d love to go to the past and see how we evolved and how dinosaurs lived.

85. What motivates you to succeed?

My bf and my mum

86. What dream that you’ve had has resonated with you the most?

Whenever I have a nightmare about zombies and faceless things...

87. Would you rather live in the city or the woods? Why?

Definitely the woods, cities are way too suffocating.

88. Do you believe in life after death

My science brain says no, but my imagination says maybe?

89. What teacher inspired you the most? How did they?

My middle school science teacher who taught me how fun science is.

90. What’s your fondest childhood memory?

Our family holiday to Disney Land, Florida.

91. If you could have dinner with any one person, living or dead, who would they be and why?

Charles Darwin, I’d let him know how successful his work became.

92. What would you have to see to cry tears of joy?

Not many things could make me cry of joy. My bf proposing to me might do it though xD

93. What is the hardest lesson you had to learn in life?

Everyone has the capacity for good and evil.

94. What do you think happens after we die?

You get a funeral...

95. What would you do if you could be invisible?

Pull pranks on people

96. What’s something you can’t do no matter how hard you try?

Be taller

97. Would you want to choose the sex and appearance of your offspring?

No, although there are so many women in my family I will probably have only girls...

98. How did your first crush develop?

Poorly

99. Is there a feeling you are trying to ignore? What is it?

Embarrassment

100. Do you live or do you just exist?

I try to live as best I can.

So there you go! Congrats if you made it to the end! I won’t tag anyone, just give it a go if ya wanna :)

[spiceukonline]

Georgia Meets "Dark Pop" Duo City Conga

THE first thing I notice about City Conga before the interview has even started is how accommodating they are.

A few days before the interview is due to take place, I confess to one-half of the music duo that as hard as I may try, I am not a London girl and cannot think of a “cool” enough interview location. Taking pity on my country ways, they email me a location and we sit down to chat in The Troubadour in Earls Court, which is possibly the most indie bar I’ve ever stepped foot in.

In typical “me” fashion, I walk straight past them to the other end of the bar, looking hopelessly lost, until one of them taps me on the shoulder. This is 22-year-old James-Eden Hutchinson, who I will come to learn likes to refer to himself in the third person. He’s dressed like an advert for Urban Outfitters, and I will spend the whole interview trying to match up his aesthetic against his well-spoken demeanour.

He embraces me and tells me it’s “lovely” to see me again, and introduces himself to my photographer, before pointing over to where his other half, 23-year-old Dan Choppen, is sitting. Dan does not get up when we approach him and watches us cautiously, and I instantly notice he appears a lot more reserved than James, who seems eager to please. Dan’s aesthetic is what I call “effortless,” dressed in a simple T-shirt featuring a scene from a movie I am nowhere near cool enough to have seen.

By this point, I’m confused about a lot of things. I’m confused about how these two found each other, confused about what genre of music they belong to and furthermore, still confused about how to operate the Circle and District line.

Firstly though, I want to address where in the world they got the name “City Conga,” and whether they are aware it has the potential to sound like the next dance craze or a strip club in Soho.

James (left) and Dan (right).

Dan admits that they went through a lot of potential names, but the penny finally dropped for him after spending a weekend back home. ‘I thought about the massive contradiction between the city, the business people doing the 9-5 type thing, and students like us stressing about not having a job after uni,’ says Dan, ‘and then I just got this image of all the business boys in like a conga dancing to work. I came back and said to James and he was like “that sounds cool.”’

Cool indeed, and that’s the vibe they seem so keen to give off, so much so that I feel artsier just breathing the same air as them.

James and Dan met when they were both students at The University of Westminster, studying mixed media arts. I nod when they mention this last part, even though I have no idea what such a degree entails. Initially working on their own “soundscapes,” they eventually “jumped in” on each other’s solo work and began writing together. Not only are they now one another’s bandmate, but they also live together and are best friends.  How do they work together when they’re always in each other’s space?

Dan explains the creative collaboration process in possibly one of the best-worst analogy I’ve ever heard. ‘It’s kind of like that game you played as a kid called “hot potato,”’ he says, (it should be noted that I never played this game as a child), ‘I’ll have the potato and then I’ll chuck it on to James, and then he’ll add something and then I’ll add something and then the potato is perfectly cooked at the end.’

They admit that their “sound” is difficult to describe, and having seen them perform live, I would also agree. Experimental, angsty and synth heavy, their vibe is reminiscent of The 1975 or The Neighbourhood, without the poppy overtones and the floppy-haired poster boy. I recall being at a recent gig of theirs not being sure whether to sway thoughtfully, whoop like a teenage girl or start forming a mosh pit.

So how would they describe their sound to someone who was approaching it for the first time?

They look at each other as if they’re sharing some kind of inside joke that I’m not allowed to be privy to.

‘We’ve come up with a one liner,’ says Dan finally.

After a prolonged and slightly awkward hesitation, James pipes up: ‘I want to say Dark Renaissance.’

‘Dark Renaissance?’ I repeat uneasily, which perhaps gives the impression that I’m challenging his creative authority because in a moment of insecurity he backpedals and says “I’m not quite sure that fits.

Dan tries to save James from the hole he has dug himself, but that doesn’t go to plan either. “We say dark pop duo because influences range from…it’s weird really because one minute we’re listening to the Clash and the next minute we’re listening to Biggie.”

Biggie? I didn’t see that one coming.

“Yeah, I guess I’m slightly more hip-hop, broken beat more like actually DJing and producing music,” says James.

Who would be their dream collaboration?

‘I mean Kanye West would be class,’ James declares. I didn’t see that one coming either.

‘I just find him so intriguing and interesting,’ he elaborates, ‘and even if you try not to like him, I think his ability to instigate and play around with his image and music and everything that he’s pioneered is just very, very interesting. I’d just love to see how his brain works.’

“Dark pop” aside, they seem to be quite positive individuals. There is a sense of charming awkwardness about Dan and a sense that he would happily give you his undivided attention for hours on end. James is careful with his words and avoids eye contact, so much so that multiple times I wasn’t sure if he was talking to himself or not.

But they are fun and interesting, and to all intents and purposes, just like us regular young folk. They enjoy nights out (Peckham’s infamous “Soultrain” is a joint favourite night of theirs), are partial to a bit of laddish debauchery and despite seeming to have it all figured out, come across as being a bit lost post-graduation.

  “Having a diverse range of musical influences is really important. There’s so much stuff out there now.”

  Listening to the one song available on their Soundcloud called “Family Feud,” I’m surprised such dark lyrics could’ve been created inside the minds of the two charismatic lads in front of me. Are their lyrics always so dark and damning?

Dan laughs, aware that they’re never going to be asked to debut on a Disney soundtrack anytime soon. ‘I think our lyrics do often take quite dark turns, maybe because of our course. The lecturers were always like “you’re never going to be able to buy your own house,” “you’re always going to be struggling for money,” “you’re going to die alone,” and we’re like “fucking hell.” And then as the course developed, we realised that there’s a lot of shit wrong with the media industry, and I think that’s where a lot of dystopian or apocalyptic blues all stems from.’

The mood shifts and I suddenly want to order an entire bottle of wine to myself. ‘I mean, “Family Feud” is probably the most depressing song we’ve got,’ Dan clarifies.

What’s so wrong with the media industry then, I ask, aware that the answer is most likely “everything.” 

‘Fake news’ says Dan, and I subconsciously clutch my notebook tighter to my chest, aware that as a journalist, I’m the creative industry’s public enemy #1.

‘The thing that really winds me up, I see it on my Facebook all the time, is that people believe anything they’re given. People say “oh my God, so-and-so did this,” but I’m like yeah but where did that come from? Billybob’snews.org.biz.za or something saying shit and everyone’s like “oh, it must be real.”’

This is the most animated I’ve seen Dan thus far, and I’m slightly taken aback but also want to hear more of what he has to say about the very industry he’s trying to break into.

James fails to outdo Dan on this one, telling me that we’ve “slightly been sold a lie” by the media, and I think reading too much George Orwell can sometimes be a bad thing in situations such as these.

Despite their differences in just about everything, it is that difference, at its very core, that seems to make City Conga what it is and has acted as a help, rather than a hindrance to their collective project.

‘I’d never think to do some of the stuff [Dan] says,’ James confesses, ‘but then [he] does it and I’m like “wow, I was wrong, that was quite good!” And same with me, I’ll be like what about some bongos here and he’s like “really?” and then we do it. Diversity is important, there’s so much stuff out there now.’

They both seem to realise that they have chosen an ever-saturated market to break into. Are they worried that they’ll never “make it?”

James disappears off into his own world again and seems hopeful. ‘ I guess sometimes it’s a challenge to make any noise at all because so many people are doing it,’ he ponders, ‘it’s wicked now that with like £20 you can buy a little sim thing and you can write an album on it and upload it and two million people can hear it. But I guess sometimes it’s like, you wonder…’

Dan finishes his sentence as it becomes clear James is about to venture off into his own personal monologue. ‘How are we going to get ourselves heard?’

On Saturday night, where they play a live set at The Water Rats in King’s Cross, they appear to answer their own question. Playing to a larger audience and their sound significantly more fine-tuned than the last time I saw them, they seem to be actually enjoying themselves this time, even if James’s interpretation of dancing was a bit dodgy, but 10/10 for comedic value.

Dan clocks me after the gig and admires my “dedication” since I have to make it back home to Kent from here. I joke about being eligible for a free T-shirt, and he says I’m like their “no. 1 fan,” by which he means to say “crazed groupie.” I’m not sure whether now is the appropriate time to tell him that my attendance was a personal challenge to see how much I would need to drink to approach edgy indie boys who play the guitar. I wouldn’t say no to a free T-shirt, though.

Nonetheless, with promises of “plenty” more music and a lit music video to come, the conga line is only just getting started.

 City Conga’s EP “For Our Friends” is available on Soundcloud and Spotify 

You can also stay updated on all things City Conga via their Facebook, Instagram and YouTube (yay, new fans) 

WORDS by Georgia Chambers (@Just_GeorgiaSD)

PHOTOS by Robert Bruce (@RobBruceK)

[newsexplored]

20 Massive Actors Who’ve Appeared In Video Games

New Post has been published on https://newsexplored.co.uk/20-massive-actors-whove-appeared-in-video-games/

20 Massive Actors Who’ve Appeared In Video Games

One of the best things about the evolution of gaming as a medium is that we’re seeing genuinely well known and respected actors appear in titles more and more these days.

To be clear, I’m in no way trying to undermine the fantastic work done by video game voice actors like Nolan North and Ashley Johnson, but sometimes it’s fun to take a look at the big screen stars who’ve taken a walk on the digital side.

Oblivion – Patrick Stewart

Renowned thespian and leader of the X-Men Patrick Stewart could read the phonebook and make it sound interesting. He popped up in The Elder Scolls IV: Oblivion as Emperor Uriel Septim VII.

Assassin’s Creed – Kristen Bell

Veronica Mars’ very own brilliant Kristen Bell popped up in a couple of Assassin’s Creed games as Lucy Stillman.

Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare – Kevin Spacey

It was fantastic to see an actor of Kevin Spacey’s caliber in Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare. Unfortunately, the House of Card star’s appearance did nothing to make the game less average.

Fallout 3 – Liam Neeson

Fallout 3 sees Liam Neeson take on the role of the player’s dad who – in a refreshing change of pace – is the one who gets kidnapped, leaving it to you, the player to try and save his skin.

The Legend of Spyro – Elijah Wood

Everybody’s favourite Hobbit (apart from maybe Bilbo) actually appeared as everybody’s favourite purple reptile (apart from maybe Barney) for the Legend of Spyro games.

Arkham Asylum – Mark Hamill

To an entire generation, Mark Hamill is probably as well know for playing The Joker as he is for being Luke Skywalker – the definitive voice of the clown for so many reprised his role for the excellent Arkham games.

GTA San Andreas – Samuel L Jackson

Rockstar

The inimitable Samuel L Jackson appeared in Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas as officer Frank Tenpenny, a particularly bad motherfucker who favours police brutality and corruption.

Civilization VI – Sean Bean

Man of a thousand deaths Sean Bean managed to net himself a relatively safe role as the narrator of Civilization VI. He could still kick the bucket in a future update though.

Metal Gear Solid V – Kiefer Sutherland

A controversial recast, as 24 star Kiefer Sutherland’s appearance as Snake in Metal Gear Solid V meant that longtime Snake voice actor David Hayter had to step aside.

That had nothing to do with Sutherland himself of course, and he turns in a great performance as the sneaky killer.

Mass Effect – Seth Green

Robot Chicken creator and all round awesome nerd king Seth Green provided some comic relief in Mass Effect as Joker the pilot. He might not be able to make the Kessel Run in less than 12 parsecs, but he’s still great.

The Witcher III – Charles Dance

Charles Dance is brilliant. The Game of Thrones actor brings an air of majesty to any role he plays, so it’s fitting that he was Nilfgardian Emperor Emhyr Var Emreis in The Witcher 3.

Call of Duty: World at War – Gary Oldman

Unlike Kevin Spacey, Gary Oldman managed to get in on the COD gravy train while it was still respected by the gaming community. The former Commissioner Gordon played Sgt. Viktor Reznov.

The Fallout series – Ron Perlman

Seriously, are you even playing a Fallout game if Ron Perlman isn’t there to announce that ‘war never changes’? There aren’t many actors who could dump a fuck ton of exposition on me when I all I want to do is play, but Perlman always nails it.

Rome: Total War – Brian Blessed

Some say Brian Blessed can take down armies with the power of his voice alone. Others think that’s a bit of an exaggeration. Either way, he does a great job of narrating the action in Rome: Total War

True Crime: Streets of LA – Christopher Walken

Christopher Walken pops up in True Crime: Streets of LA as an elderly desk sergeant by the name of George. It earned him a nomination at the prestigious Spike Video Game Awards in 2003.

Beyond: Two Souls – Ellen Page

Fun fact: Naughty Dog had to make some slight alterations to Ellie’s design in The Last of Us because of it was deemed too similar to Juno actress Ellen Page.

After slamming Naughty Dog for ‘ripping off’ her likeness, Page went on to star in Beyond: Two Souls, which was a warm pile of shit compared to The Last of Us.

Rage – John Goodman

The always-excellent John Goodman lent his formidable pipes to the character of Dan Hagar in RAGE. It’s a shame he couldn’t have picked a better game to appear in, really.

Seaman – Leonard Nimoy

The late, great Leonard Nimoy will forever be closely tied to his iconic role as Spock in Star Trek. He’ll be less well known as the narrator in Seaman, a highly unusual ‘pet fish’ sim for the Dreamcast that defies all explanation.

Deadly Creatures – Billy Bob Thornton

There’s a Wii exclusive action adventure game called Deadly Creatures that you’ve probably never heard of.

Despite being about a Scorpion and a Tarantula (seriously), Bad Santa himself – Billy Bob Thornton – voices one of the two human explorers. No, I don’t know why either.

Fable 3 – Like… A Fuck Ton of Big Names

Lionhead

As much as I love the Fable 3, it has to be said that the quality of actor they managed to get for the final game far outweighs the quality of the game itself.

Michael Fassbender, Stephen Fry, John Cleese, Zoe Wanamaker, Naomie Harris, Simon Pegg, Nicholas Hoult, Ben Kingsley, Sean Pertwee – some of the finest talent around helped bring the third Fable game to life in ways the actual gameplay struggled to.

If you’ve learned anything from this article, hopefully it’s this: even Billy Bob Thornton has bills to pay.

Original Article