#the modern folk trio

[haveyoulistenedtothisalbum-poll]

Tracklist:

The Longest Night • The Clandestine Adventures Of Ms. Merz • Compay • Invisible Mobile • March Of The Smallest Feet • Hotel Aurora • Osbome Avenue • Elliot Carter Family • Things That Might Have Been • Red Hook Stoop • Same Shirt, Different Day • Pablo Looks Back • Light Black From Pole To Pole • Lauren's Lullaby • Empire Of Light

Spotify ♪ Bandcamp ♪ YouTube

[eurovisionart]

🇹🇷 Modern Folk Trio & Aysegul Aldinc - Dönme Dolap

[timmurleyart]

Traffic light bump. 🚦🔴🟡🟢🚙💥🚗

[icys-junkyard]

If I could bother this dinosaur, I would

Suicune was my childhood favorite legendary! It might still be, even. I still have my old Pokémon Crystal cartridge and GBC, though my old save is lost to time as the game's internal battery died.

While some folk may consider Walking Wake to be kinda wonky, I think it's kinda cool! Nice to see an old favorite get some attention. It's 11'6" and has a huge mane, fluffy feets and two loooong tails. What's not to love. Though it makes me wonder about the resurrection story of Suicune, Raikou and Entei. Apparently, they aren't one-off legendaries if they have ancient forms... Perhaps the modern trio is a double resurrection in a sense, the 3 martyr Pokémon themselves AND the ancient species (but now in the shape of the Pokémon that had died). Two for one deal on Ho-Oh rezzes.

--------

Also you can totally go full Zorua and just hide in its mane.

[justpentdraws]

*Flops down on pillow and swings legs*

The band AU looks so cool tell us more 👁️👁️

so first of all - i'm so sorry you had to wait that long to get this answered! have a scar doodle as an apology.

second of all - let's begin! (click for more)

buttercups band au is set in a modern world (which means everyone is human) and focuses on the buttercups trio (scar, grian, mumbo) who are in a band together. they are rivals with another neighbouring band - a duo under the name of the perimeter, consisting of ren and doc. the rivalry is mostly friendly, the members of both bands know each other well and don't have any kind of actual discord between them. while the buttercups' music falls under the indie/indie folk label, the perimeter specialize in punk rock.

the buttercups live together with jellie (a cat that scar one day just brought home refusing to explain where did she come from) and sniffer (a large fluffy dog, who scar also brought home one day, but this time explaining that he'd found him on the street). both pets are loved by the fans and their friends, but by a twist of fate, doc happens to be allergic to dogs.

who is who:

mumbo - the buttercups' singer-songwriter and guitarist, though he mostly prefers to play an ukulele. super socially awkward when off stage and a certified funky glasses lover. enjoys plants a lot and often wears flower crowns and flower-themed hawaiian shirts.

grian - the buttercups' drummer. since one of the fans told him that a long expo photo of him playing looks like an angel, his theme became wings. never gets on stage without a pair of kinda-cringey fake wings on a headband.

scar - the buttercups' rythmic guitarist and/or a keytar player, sometimes doubling as a backup vocalist. in charge of the band's instagram account after he'd taken it over from grian. certainly a fan favourite, his email getting flooded with cat pictures that he asks for online.

doc - a drummer and guitarist of the perimeter. he bleaches his hair (though never the whole thing) and is a certified mesh shirt lover. a big fan of crossdressing who would certainly become a fashion icon if he cared just a little bit more.

ren - the perimeter's guitarist and vocalist. never seen on stage without his definetly-cringey wolf ears headband and an immortal red flannel shirt, which at this point might be more patches than original fabric. very open to fans, providing the perimeter a loving fan community.

less important characters:

martyn - an independent music creator under the name of littlewood monster (which is a bow towards another au of mine), known for his collabs with the perimeter duo.

---

special pings: @fandoms-bandoms-andmentalissues, my buddy and cocreator who read my midnight rambles about it in the morning and bothered to reply to all of it. i'm sure they'll be thrilled to tell you about this au or some of theirs if you ask!

[herebecritters]

I’ve got a ton of lore writings in the works and there’s a lot of little terms used by treefolk and by the trio. So here’s a handy guide in case anyone needs it.

THIS IS A LIVING DOCUMENT. There are sure to be edits and additions as time goes on.

Timeline

Dino-Sore Days

Period of time at the End of the Cretaceous Period before the meteor hit and the Death Curse began.

First Civilization

Period of time directly after the Meteor Strike and the Isles were formed. Cities built around the new Gods. Ends in extermination.

300 Year Colony

Period of time 66 million years after First Civilizations eradication. Years 1698 to 1998. Ends in extermination.

Current Era

Modern HTF as we know it.

Common knowledge

(Terms that most treefolks on the Isles will be familiar with)

The Isles: Also known as “The Isles of Da-rí-šè”, is a lush, multi-biomed cluster of islands hidden in the middle of the ocean and encompassed by a 66million year old Immortality Curse.

Critters/Treefolk: Sentient inhabitants of the world. Anthromorphic animals. Or “People” for lack of a better term.

Simple Beasts: Animals and creatures that live in the world who are not anthropomorphic characters. Pets, wildlife, ect.

Death Curse: The never ending loop of dying and regeneration experienced only within The Isles.

Blacking out: The sensation of losing consciousness and being unable to recall the specification of one’s own death on the Isles.

Death Hangover: The feeling one experiences when waking up alive after a death. Feelings of mental haze, disassociation, and a slight queasiness. Like you woke from a nightmare that you know you had but can’t seem to recall the details of it.

the Outside world/the real world/back home: No official word for this but many Treefolk tend to refer to the world and and their old life outside the Isles from time to time. As distant and far away as it now may seem to them…

Perma’d: the state of being dead without revival. Permanently dead.

Trio Terms

(Terms used among the trio or during the time of First Civilization and before.)

Holidays

(Holidays Celebrated during the First Civilization Era and still regarded by the Trio in private)

Day of Two Suns: New Year for the Critters of the First Civilization. Anniversary and Celebration of the day that the chixulub meteor hit the earth and ended the reign of the “Titans”. Transition from Spring into Summer.

Festival of Shedding: Summer into Autumn harvest festival and feast.

Nesting Day: Preparation of Autumn to Winter. Preparing the nest of Ki for the colder months.

Festival of Frogs: Winter into Spring festival when the frogs come out of hibernation.

Union: Solar Eclipse celebration

Bleeding Night: Lunar Eclipse Ritual to revive Theia from death with a chosen sacrifice.

Theology and Myths

Theia: The moon; deity of the Night and watcher of the small folk and critters.

Sâmâs: The Sun; deity of the Day

Ki: The Earth; Child of Theia and Sâmâs, asleep in the core of the planet.

Alagtila: The Idol of Life

Alagkana: The Idol of Misfortune

Alagumuna: The Idol of Blood

Dingirtila: Formal Title for the God of Life

Dingirkana: Formal Title for the God of Misfortune

Dingirumuna: Formal Title for the God of Blood

Egalkana: Temple of Misfortune

Egaltila: Temple of Life

Egalumuna: Temple of Blood

Mushhush: The name of Nergals monster form

Umamumurgu: Ancient beast of Rage and Fire sent by Sâmâs to protect the children of Theia from the Titans.

The World of the Curse

The Blood: Concentrated Suffering in the form of blood. Gives the idols their power.

The Wells: Underground rivers and lakes where the Blood is held. How full they are determines the amount of power the idols have.

Burrows: Series of tunnels deep below the Isles leading to the wells and to the Trios private chambers.

Hibernation: State of stasis where the trio can go long periods of time of inactivity to conserve Blood.

Ludari: “The Eternal People” The term used to describe the people who lived during the First Civilization before the Rebellion.

Lukurra: “Outsiders” Those who are not one of the three Idols. This term replaced Ludari after the rebellion.

Titans: The dinosaurs, pterosaurs, plesiosaurs, mosasaurs and other giant reptiles that went extinct after the meteorite hit.

Bonus

[unabashednightmarepizza]

𝑆ℎ𝑎𝑑𝑜𝑤 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝐵𝑜𝑛𝑒 𝐶ℎ𝑟𝑜𝑛𝑖𝑐𝑙𝑒𝑠, 𝑃𝑎𝑟𝑡 2

Tagging: @bloody-mf-bsc

Liked by freddycarter1, kittheyounger, benbarnes and 5,795,598 others

Y/N Y/L/N: Field Day ❤️‍🔥🏜️

View 546,923 comments

freddycarter1: I'm telling you, this woman has problems. A "Field Day" is supposed to be fun, not scorching.

Y/N Y/L/N: Ancient civilisations lived like that and they were fine 😑

freddycarter1: They DIED! And we are in modern times, if it wasn't for Amita and Danielle, we would be one of those skeletons in the corner!

freddycarter1: And yes, there were skeletons! See the TRUE side of your precious, her fans!

User3: She could do no wrong😒

Y/N Y/L/N: Ahh, yes, I had to think of the ladies...🥰 And then you and the others.😒

Y/N Y/L/N: @ user3 my babies, I knew you would back me up 🥰 SUCK THAT FREDDY 🖕

kittheyounger: benbarnes, come and get your woman from here. She is bullying us!

Y/N Y/L/N: What gave you the idea that I don't bully him already?

User2: Y/N's clear love for the women of the cast is... Just so us.

Liked by benbarnes, archierenaux3, pascalispunk, milliebobbiebrown and 6,745,352 others

Y/N Y/L/N: Archie said it wasn't that hard to be the Darkling

1. This is just Ben waiting like a Karen so that this "bullshit" would stop.

2. And this is Ben when he actually realized that Archie looked good doing it.

View 785,545 comments

benbarnes: How dare you call me a "Karen" woman?! I call you "love of my life" and that's what I get?

Y/N Y/L/N: But you love me~ 🤭🤗🥰 Besides you don't need to be told that, you are the most handsome man to me!

benbarnes: You know other men? 🤨

Y/N Y/L/N: Seriously? ರ⁠_⁠ರ

User5: Now, Ben is also being a gremlin lol

User3: Only Y/N could call Ben a "Karen" and I'd be fine with it..

User5: She calls us "her gremlins" but at this point, she is the gremlin of all gremlins 😂

User6: Somewhere down the comments, It's said that Y/N had found her new victim, none other than DADDY PEDRO

User5: Their energy matches so well, both chaotic and energetic

User1: And add Oscar too... OMG THE GREMLIN TRIO *WAR SOUNDS*

User2: Ben Barnes Slander made by Y/N affectionetly had started again. Sorrows... sorrows, prayers.

pascalispunk: Suddenly I'm scared of having her around after all of her chaotic posts, and even more chaotic captions...

Y/N Y/L/N: You should be, I'm coming for you next after we're done with those dorks

Liked by jessie_mei_li, benbarnes, blakelively and 7,677,421 others

Y/N Y/L/N: Uhm, excuse me but what the actual fuck? Can you get your hands off of my wives benbarnes?

User2: It's official: Y/N is a simp for Jessie the most and a big fan of her ladies lol

User4: Today, folks, even Ben Barnes lost to women

User5: But is it trully a loss if It's SaB women?

shadowandbone: Once again, women 🌠

User2: I think SaB account is also run by her...

User8: Where is Amita, Daisy and Sujaya? 🤔

Y/N Y/L/N: Safe in my room.🫦

User8: and Anna?

Y/N Y/L/N: I'm safe in her room.

User4: If Y/N was a Man, she would be the greenest green flag

Hater1: or a red flag... ı don't understand how everyone can love her so much. She is so annoying

User3: you can dislike her but never insult her like that. One, she has millions of fans two, she is almost the backbone of the industry and three, her man is overprotective asf

User2: @user3 don't bother too much, girl. Queen Y/N doesn't care about what the other think of her

User3: Say what you want, but I'm sure she cheated on Ben with one of them, or who knows? Maybe Ben also did it? Look at how he is with Jessie and say it to my face

User3: wtf is wrong with you? Neither Ben nor Y/N would ever do that. They had been together for almost three years and are committed to each other! They trust each other immensely which already means a lot to both of them, and shows us the deep connection they have. They are both succesfull, they already met their families and will probably get married soon and be happy with each other forever! And don't even bring my Jessie into this, she is the sweetest soul ever and she is like that with everyone else! She told many times that she was so nervous to shoot her scenes with Ben because she thought Y/M would be angry but our Queen never did and rrusted Ben, which isn't an easy feat for her! If you aren't a delulu girl, I don't know what you are and stay away from our beautiful and cute Y/N and her amazing boyfriend benbarnes! Liked by Y/N Y/L/N and benbarnes

User4: Sis ate up and left now crumbs user3, amazing human being really...

User3: and I'm calling the dibs on their wedding! This is literally the only thing I want and my mum tells me that I wasn't that passionate and eager to go to college... So, imagine my state right now (⁠ﾉ⁠≧⁠∇⁠≦⁠)⁠ﾉ⁠ ⁠ﾐ⁠ ⁠┻⁠━⁠┻

User9: When did this shit go south like that?? Let our parents live their lives peacefully you jealous shits! Are yall blind to not see the obvious love in both their eyes? I can take you to visit a doctor??

SaB.memes: Just a quick question: What was your first reaction when you saw Danielle in the audition?

Y/N: I fell down from my fucking chair, that is what happened.

SaB.memes: and what about the Blake Lively liking your chaotic posts? 🤔

User3: You shouldn't have pointed that out *looks at Y/N worriedly*

Y/N Y/L/N: She didn't like my- HOLY SHIT, IT'S THE FUCKING BLAKE LIVELY?! *screeches like a dinosaur* JUST ONE CHANCE PLEASE!

User3: yep, the reaction we all expexted

Y/N Y/L/N: People had been asking me to share some Ben appreciation because I had been bullying him... And since he doesn't agree on talking to me unless I make a fluffy post about him, and he is backed up by the fans, here it is... I guess?

1. Said this one was for me before he went and shot the most obsecure and violent scene we ever did... Gee, thanks😑

2. Can you get off of my throne? You lost your chance 600 years ago!

3. This is just Ben turning crispy and flirting with me , using a corny pick-up line like "There she is, my saviour angel!"... Sir, I'm the reason you are burning in that costume😑

View 456,989 comments

User4: Y/N slandering Darkling is forever gonna be carved into my mind.

Y/N Y/L/N: Darkling deserves to be punched, rolled over, stabbed, burnt and every other thing... But my Ben only deserves to be coddled and well-taken care of as I babygirl him

User5: I don't know why... But suddenly, a tear ran down my legs at her possessive usage of "my Ben". Was it just me? (⁠ ⁠╹⁠▽⁠╹⁠ )

User5: No bestie... I think I just flushed so bad that I had to take a breather (⁠●⁠_⁠_⁠●⁠)

User4: It's official ladies! Ben Barnes is getting the babygirl treatment! As he should djjddj

User7: Do you guys think Ben stalks her page and giggles like a highschool girl whenever he sees her posts?

User1: would be a shame if he didn't

amita_suman: to add to the comments, he blushes until he is a walking tomato too!

freddycarter1: and we confirm that yes, he does all of that indeed.

jessie_mei_li: And yes, he read her comment with "my Ben" and now we can't find hım... They are either making out right now, or he is hiding. Either way, he was so red 🤣

Liked by benbarnes, freddycarter1, vancityreynolds, amita_suman and 7,896,995 others

Y/N Y/L/N: Be grateful for me and my holy ability to take unexpected yet amazing photos. Eat them up everyone!

View 897,698 comments

User5: our lord and saviour has blessed us once again🤲

User4: Had it been not for her, we wouldn't start our day good

freddycarter1: As usual, I'm looking good.

Y/N Y/L/N: Only thanks to me and your wife Kazzle Dazzle

User7: Y/N knows what she is doing... And she is having her fun

User9: There doesn't go a day without her bullying them at least once 🤣

Y/N.Fanpage: She wakes up, looks at Ben's sleeping face and just decides that It's a good day to bully him as she prepares her coloring pencils 😌

User2: What?! OMG I CAN'T- She didn't right? 🤣

Y/N.Fanpage: she did! And he didn't leave the house for the whole day and trapped her inside with him... iykyk 😉😏

User5: OMG-

benbarnes: RYAN REYNOLDS LIKED YOUR POST?

Y/N Y/L/N: said the man who avoided me because I had the same reaction with Blake 😒😑

freddycarter1: do you both have to simp for everyone?

Y/N Y/L/N: We are appreciating the God's work, Freddy... AND RYAN AND BLAKE ARE NOT EVERYONE!😡

benbarnes: Well-said, my love! Peasants like hım wouldn't understand...

User6: To see both of them having a weak spot for Ryan and Blake is... My two parents showing their love for each other 🥹

User4: Blake and Y/N are good friends for years now, and seeing that they are both happy with their lovers is just so beautiful

User8: yeah, they both went through hard times alone together. Seeing them find their other halves is so nice!

blakelively: It's so nice to see you both so well, love! Missed you so much ❤️

Y/N Y/L/N: Me too, Blake! Gosh, it has been soooo long... How are my precious nieces?

blakelively: missing their auntie as usual! And the newest one is eager to meet you too! On thursday? The usual? 😉

Y/N Y/L/N: You bet! And Ben can finally shut up about me being have to introduce Ryan and him

vancityreynolds: Please don't play monopoly...

benbarnes: Too late... She is already grinning like a cheshire cat and is very eager to use her "Crows tactics"...

vancityreynolds: We are doomed...

User6: both Ben and Ryan being uxorious for their lovers is what we ladies need to look for in a man

User10: Y/N, what's the thing you love about Ben the most?

Y/N Y/L/N: Aww, such a sweet question coming from such a sweet person! The answer is: Everything...😍🥰☺️. Liked by benbarnes

User10: OMG you both are so cute! Thank you for answering and being who you are! Have a good day both of you! Liked by benbarnes and Y/N Y/L/N

[thatndginger]

A Little Intro

Let's try this again, shall we?

I’m K (she/they), an overworked, perpetually exhausted cog in the corporate machine who's chosen method of staying sane is writing about queer idiots getting into trouble.

I live in the northern half of the US Rockies with my partner Cryptid, who features fairly often on this blog. Other featured family members are my four dogs and one cat. Since this is a personal blog as well as a writing one, you'll find occasional posts about my interests outside of writing as well. You have been warned~

My primary WIP is an urban fantasy project called Shapeshifter.

Set in a modern-day version of our world, Shapeshifter is a low-magic urban fantasy setting. Magic is a subtle force, incapable of knitting wounds back together or creating fireballs, but a force all the same. Werewolves, vampires, witches, and all manner of supernatural creatures exist openly in the world in small numbers. In the United States, the largest numbers congregate in the city of Moressau on the coast of Washington.

Morressau has all the problems of a major city and then some. Vampire queens and werewolf mob bosses vie for territory and political power while the powers that be turn a blind eye as long as they get a cut. The regular folk do what they must to get by, carving out lives for themselves in a city that only sees the sun thirty days of the year, determined to find happiness in the dark corners of a city that cares for them as long as they care for it.

Most of the current focus of Shapeshifter is on the first book, Into the Storm, and the trio of main characters. As a bonus, I've started a second wip following two other characters in a tiny mountain town in Wyoming called The Runaway. You can find out more of both below.

General tags: #wip: shapeshifter, #shapeshifter vibes

There’s a routine to Kerr McKay’s life. Help his not-a-boss smuggle goods around the city, get into fights with vampires and werewolves, run from cops, go drinking with his best friends Jay de Lange and Warrick Salehrad. Oh, and occasionally turn into a dog. Just a day in the life of a shifter living on the fringes of society.

You can read the first three chapters on AO3!

Until a new face appears at his favorite bar, a new gang starts trying to weasel it’s way into his territory, and his not-a-boss makes it clear that the last thing Kerr should be doing is getting himself involved.

Kerr has never been good at taking orders.

Tag: #shapeshifter: into the storm

Temperance Maddox is running from his past.

All he wants is to forget. The things he's done, the things he's witnessed, the things he knows. And the best way to forget is to put a couple thousand miles between himself and the place that haunts his nightmares. Until Temperance finds himself stranded in a middle-of-nowhere town and relying on the kindness of strangers as he re-learns what it means to be a human being.

You can read the first two chapters on AO3!

Dean Matthews is trying to build a future.

He's got people who depend on him, who love him despite all that he is. And he'll do whatever it takes to make sure he never lets them down. Even if it means learning how to be something he never thought he could be. Then a stranger finds their way into Dean's quiet, routine life and challenges everything he knows about himself and the life he's built.

Tag: #shapeshifter: the runaway

If you've made it this far, you may as well get to know the extra extra bonus wip of this blog: The Dragon Project. Borne of a particularly rough patch of overtime-induced burnout, The Dragon Project is a fluffy, lighthearted wip for when I just need something easy and fun.

Set on the fictional continent of Ostrera in a time period similar to our own 1860's, this is a world where people ride domesticated dragons. These dragons are of average animal intelligence and lifespan, more like horses than the sentient, talking dragons commonly found in fantasy stories. I don't have much for this wip other than artwork and vague ideas, but it's here all the same.

Tag: #the dragon project

[cherrylng]

Muse interview - Matt Bellamy [CROSSBEAT (March 2000)]

“My most fundamental motivation for going into music was to give eternal life to human emotions.”

Muse, a trio of explosive lyricists who mix cross-cultural blood with modern sensibilities, have finally landed in Japan! Matthew Bellamy's spirituality, the heart of a band that respects Radiohead but aims to be ‘somewhere different’. Interview: Sumi Imai

“I think music is best listened to when you're alone. Because it's music that makes you connect with something beyond the material.”

Muse, who hail from Devon in south-west England, were discovered by Maverick in the US as ‘promising newcomers’ and signed independently, followed by individual record deals in five countries around the world, including the UK, Germany, France and Japan, making their debut on an international scale not seen in recent years. Now, Muse is coming to Japan! At just 21 years of age, their first album ‘Showbiz’ strikes the listener's soul raw with instinctively stirring dramatic sounds and melancholy melodies. Matthew's (vocals/guitar/keyboards and lyrics/composition) singing, which is sensitive yet expresses emotions that seem to rise from within, dark, edgy and loud guitars, and melancholic and beautiful melodies have often led to them being described as ‘the three-piece Radiohead of the new millennium’, but of course they are no mere followers. Their music has the shadowy danger and tension of Radiohead, the dynamism, drive and gloss of Mansun (for the second album) and the bare intensity of Nirvana…… They create a unique "Muse world" by weaving in exotic elements (including flamenco-style guitar!). At the age of 14, Matthew joined the band of his secondary school classmate Dominic (drums). Two years later, Chris (bass) joined the band, which became the original Muse and continues to this day. We caught up with Matthew after he had been back home for a while, amidst a packed schedule of European tour dates.

You have always liked Spanish and South American music, as well as classical and choir music. I think that this diversity of musical influences is what sets Muse apart musically from other bands. 「Yes, that's true. Since I was a kid, I grew up listening to all kinds of music, regardless of genre. When I first learnt to play guitar, it was blues and slide guitar, and I started to get into rock when I was 13 or 14. When I graduated from high school, at the age of 17, I spent about four months travelling around Europe on holiday. I wanted to learn a lot of guitar music there that I wasn't used to hearing before. I went to Greece and Italy just to listen to the different kinds of folk music from different places. It was an experience that opened my eyes to the possibilities of what I could do with the guitar. I also used to play classical music like Rachmaninoff and Chopin on the piano. So maybe I'm trying to fuse all kinds of music.」

You started your first band at the age of 12, and it all started around the same time (1991 or 1992?). Was it grunge or something like that? 「Oh, no, no (laughs), it was actually a jazz-ish band.」

Oh, really? 「I was playing the piano in a boogie-woogie or rock ‘n’ roll kind of way. Then I started playing electric guitar and joined Dom's (Dominic) band. His band was so cool at school, everyone wanted to be in it (laughs).」

Wow (laughs). I heard that they played songs by Mega City Four and Senseless Things. 「Yeah, Dom's band used to play that kind of stuff, and we used to cover other British indie bands like Ned's Atomic Dustbin and Wedding Present. I started learning those songs when I joined that band.」

I see. By the way, you said, "The only bands that really mattered in the 90s were Nirvana and Radiohead during 'The Bends' era. What made these two bands stand out was their pure vulnerability in exposing themselves and innovation". You seem to be obsessed with ‘innovation’, but if there was a ‘new sound’ that Muse could present to the current scene, what would it be? 「Well, I'm not very good at describing what I do in words (laughs). But…… When I mentioned Nirvana and Radiohead, I think I was trying to talk about the ‘guitar music’ they produced. In terms of guitar-based music and its development, from Jimi Hendrix, Elvis, the Beatles and the Who to the Sex Pistols…… I think they're important bands to put in that queue. But yeah, it's hard to talk about ourselves because we're just starting out (laughs), we've got a long way to go.」

So what do you want to create in the future? 「I want to be honest about what I feel at the time. This time I've incorporated classical piano music and organic Spanish elements, but I want to combine these atmospheres in modern rock. There are so many different kinds of music in this world. Music has a long, long history. Different countries have different music. I think it's important to keep an open mind and listen to everything, to get in touch with what's happening in the world, past and present, and to develop what you create.」

I see, I understand. By the way, when UK bands expand into the US, the usual pattern is for them to establish themselves in the UK to some extent, then play small shows in the US…… But you guys are doing a big expansion on your own with your record company in the US. Many of your favourite bands - Nirvana, Primus, Rage, Smashing Pumpkins - are from the US, but do you think success in the US is important for you guys? 「Hmm, it's a challenge for us. It's a big country and I think it takes time to become a thing. The fact that the US music scene/rock music has been so creative for the last five years or so is what I'm really interested in. I think the next couple of years are a good time to bring song-oriented music to the US scene. There's been a bit of an emphasis on heavy metal music over there for a while now. But (success in the US) has never been the most important thing for me. I'd rather be successful in my home country, the UK, than the US.」

I see. But when you went to the US, you were greeted with limousines and champagne, which is unbelievable hospitality for a new British band. 「Hahahahaha (laughs), yeah, yeah.」

When it comes to being treated so well since your debut, do you take it easy and think, "I'll just take what they give me"? Or do you always calmly tell yourself, "Don't get carried away by this. Keep your feet on the ground"? 「Yeah, I don't think we take the situation too seriously. So it's more like ‘enjoy it while you have it’. We know it's all just for the moment, it won't last. We know it's just to make a good impression on us. We know we haven't earned it yet. Anyway, we don't even know if that's what we really want to get. It's just a bit of fun. It's not like I believe life should be like that or anything.」

Hmmm… that's rather cool (laughs). By the way, what ambitions did you have when you were 16, when all three Muse members were together? 「At the time…… I was like, "We're going to be the biggest in the world" (laughs), hahaha. But that kind of thing changes as you get older.」

And now? There are bands like Manics [aka Manic Street Preachers], who made their debut with the enthusiasm of "We're going to be number one in the whole world" (laughs), and then there are bands like Elastica, who say "If we can do what we love, sell 10,000 copies of our albums, and can make a living, that's enough". 「Yeah, it's possible for those two extremes to coexist inside of you. For example, to put it in an extreme way, a part of me thinks, ‘I'm happy just to exist’. Music gives me so much joy that I enjoy just being able to spend time with it, to focus on new ideas and creating something. My main motivation for continuing with music is to keep having the opportunity to create new things and to communicate with other people through it. I think that's the most important thing. There is more than one way to maintain that situation. I think I'd be just as happy if I could just make a living or if I was the most famous person in the world.」

But when we get too big, for example, there are some things we can't control. Like the suffering that fame brings, not to mention the example of Kurt Cobain…… 「Yeah……」

Also, I don't know if you've seen this, but from the Radiohead documentary video— 「Yeah, I've seen about half of it.」

From that you can also get a sense of the kind of madness they put themselves through. Do you have any fear or preparedness for that sort of thing? 「It's easy sometimes to take your situation and everything too seriously. It's easy to get depressed and wallow in self-pity, but I think that's boring. For example, I don't think the situation in that video was actually as bad as it appears on the screen. I think they were deliberately shot to look like they were in a bad situation in order to portray the image they had at the time. I know, I've been on tour for a long time now, and it's actually not that bad, I enjoy it. I mean, I try to enjoy it as much as I can. That's what life is all about. I don't feel the need to dwell on the bad aspects of it, because it's the most enjoyable experience of my life, even though I don't like some of it. I don't think that feeling will ever change.」

One of the unique characteristics of Muse's music is that it is full of deep, intense and real emotions - in the overall sound, in your guitar and piano, and of course in the songs. 'There are many ways that people do and create music - as a means of self-expression, as a means of communication, as a therapeutic role, etc. What is the greatest significance of music for you? 「Well, I guess…… The most fundamental motivation for me towards music was to give eternal life to human emotions. I mean, the feeling that after we die, the feeling remains in the world. That's the first thing, or in other words, I believe in the existence of the soul. Sometimes people can be confused by the body. They feel frustrated by the material world. Art and music express our emotions and show us that there is more to life than material things. Music is a way of connecting with people in a different way beyond the material world.」

You mean a spiritual way? 「Yeah, I think that's probably what it is. I think art exists to express what we feel inside and to communicate with people beyond natural phenomena, if there is such a thing as spirituality. Everyone expresses themselves in different ways, but most of the songs on the first album are about my relationship with the outer material world.」

Hmmm. On a different note, there have been a lot of comparisons to Radiohead, but I was impressed by how you coolly analysed and answered, "Well, I don't mind, I've never really been a fan of Radiohead. If you think about the fact that Thom Yorke was influenced by Jeff Buckley and that our album was produced by John Leckie (who produced ‘The Bends’), it's an understandable comparison." I think there are a lot of bands who, when they're as young as you are, would be very dismissive, but you handle it well, probably because of your own respect for them. 「Yeah, it's certainly partly because of the respect for what they've achieved. And I understand the comparisons for the reasons I've just mentioned. But the comparisons don't mean that we're treated as a copycat band.」

Yes, that's right. When you said that, you also said, ‘But if you see us live, you'll see that Muse is more of a rock band’, 「Yeah, it's just that if you see us live, you can better understand what we actually sound like as a band. On the record we're more experimental, we use different instruments, we sound like a five or six-piece [band], but live it's just the three of us, and I think the emotion hits you harder. And we're definitely from a different generation (to Radiohead)…… So I think we're appealing to a different generation.」

Oh, a different generation…… So what do you actually think of 'OK Computer'? Considering the sound and structure of that album, I thought that what you said earlier meant that yours is a more straightforward and powerful rock. 「I think 'OK Computer' is a good album, I just don't listen to it too intensely. It probably didn't have the same influence on me [as 'The Bends']. Maybe it's partly because I listened to 'The Bends' at a certain time of year that it appealed to me more clearly. I think 'OK Computer' is a good album, but it doesn't resonate with me the way 'The Bends' does. I think it's probably a generational thing, an age thing.」

Oh, I see. Well, this is just my personal impression, but I feel that Radiohead's sound is largely a journey of self-exploration towards inner chaos, while Muse's sound is more outward-oriented with ‘the intention to connect with the listener’. The guitars and singing seem to speak to us. For example, in your live performances, are you conscious of the presence of the listener in that sense? 「Yes, for example, I've loved going to gigs since I was a kid, and the most exciting thing was when a singer would perform to me as if they were talking to me. I'm very conscious of people as 'individuals', not as a ‘crowd’, and I try to be conscious of that. I try to imagine that I'm part of the audience, and I try to put myself in their shoes. I think music, especially albums, are best listened to when you are alone. Because music makes you feel you are not alone and connects you to something beyond the material. I don't think Muse's music is appropriate to play when you're all gathered at a friend's house having a drink and having a good time. I don't think it's the right music for that kind of background music. I think it's more the kind of music that you can listen to when you're alone and feel something different…… I mean, I hope so (laughs).」

Translator's Note: The earliest Muse interviews that can be found in Crossbeat and Rockin'On were all released on their March 2000 issues, with INROCK only releasing theirs on April 2000. But out of three, I think Crossbeat has the best early interview by far, thanks to how good of a journalist Sumi Imai is. Their interviews just reveals Matt and his bandmates in a way that most other western music magazines and newspapers don't.

Or it's just because Japanese interviews tend to reveal the conversation of questions and answers as it was recorded back then, so there's no backfilling of sorts at all.

[meme-streets]

what music i think the trio would listen in the modern day

blondie a mix of country, surf rock, and psychedelic rock (i associate him with the doors in particular). also i think he'd be really into robert johnson.

tuco steely dan. the band faces also. a lot of blues and sometimes folk (i associate him a lot with townes van zandt), probably some classic rock but leaning hard rock over psychedelic.

angel eyes metallica and lady gaga in the same playlist.

[kaizey]

Ceol comhaimseartha as Gaeilge (Contemporary irish language music recommends)

Many foriegners looking more into more music as gaeilge following from Unreal Unearth and have been asked afew times about it. So Im gon give afew recommendations

Seo Linn - Folk/Indie/Soft Rock group formed in Conamara and have a good range of sounds ranging from newer covers of our most popular folk songs (Óró sé do bheatha abhaile , Siúil a Rúin and Mo ghile mear are among the best) and are a good intro point

IMLÉ - More of a collection of artists who bring different sound styles together and topics in their lyrics. Honestly, just take the entireity of the self-titled album as a taster

Róisín Seoighe - A great soloist and someone who transfers aspects of Canadh Sean Nós into a newer format. Alot of her work and songs touch on the state of Gaeilge (Níl mé marbh and Sín do lamh).

Kneecap - One of the more well-known, atleast over here. A rap trio from Belfast/Derry, and alot of their lyrics and flow focuses much more on the specific experience of both millenial life and Gaeilgeoirí and An Ghaeilge in the North, and what its actually like trying to engage with society through our language when half of the the governmental institution has contempt for its existence. CEARTA, one of their singles, has still stayed a sort of aintiún (anthem) for language rights up here in the North. Also, heavy heavy anti-colonialism, mar sin craic Mhaith (see their JOE.ie interview). Otherwise, some of ther best works you might like are Cearta, Bouncers agus Gael-Gigolos

TG Lurgan - A sort of summer school/learning scheme that started out of the Connemara Gaeltacht, meant to help irish learners pick up the more natural flow specifically by learning through music. Nearly all of the music is sung by school kids and leading musicians with the majority being covers of pop songs. So you can find the lyrics online easily, and can be a helpful way for people trying to learn how to deal with the lack of real word-for-word translation ó Ghaeilge go Béarla.

This is just a handful of artists, and the first handful rarely scrape over 2000 streams a month. Modern irish music is still very much a niche in its own way, miserably so even on our island. Theres no shortage of music you can find being made by newer artists though, even if ceol as gaeilge only makes up some of their work

Tá súil agam go bhfaighidh tú roinnt a mbaineann tú taitneamh astu, agus má tá tú ag foghlaim, go gcabhraíonn sé leat

[eveandtheturtles]

Do Martian Mice sweat?

Today Eve decided to go into how do Martian Mice deal with thermal regulation of their bodies brought to you by a weird thought moment I had during writing a Charley X Vinnie bit.

From what I read Earth mice curiously don't sweat (like humans) nor do they pant (like dogs). They do have sweat glands on their feet but they don't use them for their controlling their body temperature but rather the traction or sticking to places better.

They do control their metabolism - when drinking a lot of water they also have a part of their brain that tells them to lower the metabolism and they become less active to preserve energy. (I am probably saying this in a very simplistic way in comparison to how it actually works lol still fascinating stuff).

An earth mouse can die in 99 degrees Fahrenheit (about 37 degrees Celsius) so they are really not heat (nor cold) resistant creatures. All this stuff from what I have gathered is due to their small size. When you are this tiny water economy within your body becomes very important.

But that isn't the case for Martian Cave Mice. They are size XLarge so to speak, around human or taller sized. They need a different mechanism for body heat control.

So I thought of something that is possible for them to thermoregulate.

They still posses large ears - extremity to release heat like in elephants perhaps? (It would cause them to be very rich in veins. Potentially risking significant/life threatening blood loss when damaged.)

The helmets most folk on Mars wear have exposed ears instead of full coverage (except the main trio). Probably to keep the ears letting out heat when adrenaline runs high?

I was thinking maybe their clothes being on more airy side but they seem to like leather- like trousers? Maybe they make up for it with the lack of shirts (looking at the main trio). And even military seems to prefer short sleeves attire with a few exceptions? It would makes sense also why a motorbike would also be logical option of modern transport (one being the terrain being difficult after the Plutarkian war for anything 4-wheely). The wind during the motorcycle ride would be a cool (hehe) way to cool off as well.

Then I got thinking on how it might affect their cultural/social life and architecture.

The Martian Mice probably also enjoy spending days in shadow rather full sun. I don't think they would be fans of sunbathing (unless it was colder season). Cuddle piles among family and friends are probably common. At least maybe during peaceful times more than during wartime.

Since they are Cave Mice I was thinking also there might be communal spaces underground to hanging out and cooling off during hotter seasons. Like a reverse igloo to keep the cooler air in and release the heat above ground mixed with your local town park/aquapark lol. Just a hub connecting different cave systems/homes.

I think panting we see in dogs would be a sign of early stages of overheating as well.

I wonder if it means that any sign of fever requires an ice bath...

Anywho this was me having thoughts.

Toodles

Tagging those who seems to be interested in BMFM lol lemme know if you rather I didn't or if you do want to be added here @sharpwindow @thelaundrybitch @ninjaintheshadow

[a-nameless-writer]

it's now time for...

music recs from beyond the grave!

a series in which i yap about my latest discoveries

Lunatic Soul

Solo studio music project of Mariusz Duda, lead singer of the Polish progressive rock band Riverside, Lunatic Soul's dark musical atmosphere evokes this intense feeling one can experience at twilight. There's something quite mystical about it, as if the winds and the mountains were whispering in your ear.

From the album Walking on a Flashlight Beam (2014):

Eastern High

This Swedish metal band's progressive approach can sometimes be reminiscent of Aether Realm's sound, although I feel it has a more mystique spirit — if that's even possible. Let's just say, as a Ghost fan: there's something in Swedish music that makes it impossible for them to make anything but bangers (I don't think this can be proven wrong).

Today's recs are from their first album, Garden of Heathens (2017). The first one, Afterglow, is the last song in the album (yeah, I like doing things the wrong way round). It is quite atmospheric, with almost ethereal vocals and clear acoustic guitar sounds.

The next one, Bottled Insanity (the first in the album, ha!), goes harder: with heavy guitar riffs and deep growls in the middle, it is quite reminiscent of melodic death metal. There is a notable contrast between soft and heavy passages, which I appreciate a lot. I find that the guitar solo is bleeding through very nicely. Side note: the chorus feels very solemn — which is a plus in my book, considering the vibe of this song.

Cellar Darling

A Swiss heavy progressive folk rock band! This trio was previously part of Swiss folk metal band Eluveite, and decided to embark on a different path — one free of any creative limits.

In their first studio album This Is the Sound (2017), vocalist Anna Murphy's powerful voice, combined with the rich sound of her hurdy-gurdy and heavy riffs, manages to throw you into a mystical experience. You'd almost expect Morgan le Fay to come out of the nearest bush, belting this song.

They also covered Queen's The Prophet Song (in 2018). Here, again, Anna Murphy's vocals are pure delight to the ears.

Zaho de Sagazan

This French singer-songwriter made a splash by covering Bowie's Modern Love for the opening of the Cannes Film Festival 2024, as a nod to Greta Gerwig's nomination as the jury's president. During this performance, she threw herself into the music — as she always does on stage — and invited us all into her world of electronic music.

She declared falling in love with the German language later, although she did study it in high school. From this, she decided to cover the famous song 99 Luftballons, by West German band Nena.

Zaho de Sagazan is hypersensitive, something that brought her a lot of trouble as a kid. But, “One day [she] discovered music, and [she] realized that by crying over [her] piano did [her] a lot of good, it didn't hurt anyone and above all it gave pretty songs. [She] realized that what [she] thought was [her] greatest flaw in life was ultimately [her] greatest quality”. From this discovery, the song La symphonie des éclairs (literally “The symphony of lightning”) was born.

Aaaand I've hit the hellsite's limit for Spotify integrations... Which means, without any surprise, that I'll continue these recommendations in another post (depending on this one's reception). I hope you enjoyed listening to all of these, as much as I've enjoyed writing about them!

Have a nice day, and don't forget to feel the music!

[journeytothewestresearch]

The Worship of Red Son

Fans of Lego Monkie Kid, did you know that Red Son (Hong hai'er, 紅孩兒), this guy ...

... is worshiped in Chinese folk religion? Journey to the West (Xiyouji, 西遊記, 1592) states that Guanyin (觀音) gives "Red Boy" the religious title "Child of Goodly Wealth" (Shancai tongzi, 善財童子) upon his initial capture and fake submission to Buddhism:

"Since you have received my commandments," said the Bodhisattva, "I won't treat you lightly. I'll call you the Child of Goodly Wealth. How's that?" The fiend nodded his head in agreement, for all he hoped for was that his life be spared. [1]

菩薩道：「你今既受我戒，我卻也不慢你，稱你做善財童子，如何？」 那妖點頭受持，只望饒命。

This is the Chinese name of an established Buddhist deity called "Sudhana". He is best known as a young cultivator from the Gaṇḍavyūha Sutra (c. 200 to 300 CE) who studies under 53 respective gods, goddesses, bodhisattvas, holy monks, and lay practitioners to achieve enlightenment. [2] He is commonly depicted as one of Guanyin's two disciples, the other being the Dragon Girl (Longnu, 龍女). For instance, here is a Malaysian religious statue of the trio in my personal collection:

Here is a detail of the Child of Goodly Wealth (his right leg is not broken, just bent at the knee). Take note of the Monkey King-like curlicue band around his neck and the golden rings around his wrists and ankle(s).

The bands/rings are very similar to those worn by Nezha in Monkie Kid (more on this below):

Here is a stand alone statue of the Child in my collection. The curlicue-style neck band is not included:

While the rings are likely connected to the kinds of adornments historically worn by South Asian religious practitioners, Journey to the West states that Red Boy/the Child's ornaments serve the same function as Monkey's golden headband. They are used to further submit the stubborn demon:

Dear Bodhisattva! She took the fillet and waved it at the wind once, crying, "Change!" It changed into five fillets, which she threw at the body of [Red Boy/the Child], crying, "Hit!" One fillet enveloped the boy's head, while the rest caught his two hands and two feet. "Stand aside, Wukong," said the Bodhisattva, "and let me recite for a while the Golden-Fillet Spell" (Wu & Yu, 2012, p. 251).

好菩薩，將箍兒迎風一幌，叫聲：「變！」即變作五個箍兒，望童子身上拋了去，喝聲：「著！」一個套在他頭頂上，兩個套在他左右手上，兩個套在他左右腳上。菩薩道：「悟空，走開些，等我念念金箍兒咒。」

I should note that this is not a case of later believers copying details from the novel. It's actually the reverse; Journey to the West simply gives a fanciful origin for the rings that have been associated with the deity for centuries. For instance, here is a Japanese statue from the 13th-century.

This is where it gets interesting. Some modern practitioners worship the Child of Goodly Wealth in his Red Boy form, as evidenced by these circa 1970s drawings from a Singaporean idol maker's shop (photos by Keith Stevens/courtesy of Ronni Pinsler of the BOXS project). Notice how they are strikingly similar to Nezha:

They are so similar, in fact, that modern statues of Nezha and Red Boy are easy to confuse. Here is a prime example. The figure on the left is Nezha in his "Lotus Prince" (Hualian taizi, 蓮花太子) form. [3] The leaves on his shoulders look just like those from the first Red Boy drawing above. The one in the middle is his "Wrapped Stomach" (Du wei, 肚圍) form, which shows Nezha wearing a baby's stomach apron. And the last is Red Boy. He wears the same apron and even stands on a fire wheel just like Nezha (refer back to the second Red Boy drawing).

Update #1

This website notes how someone added a spear to their Child of Goodly Wealth to make Red Boy.

Update #2

An informant states that more recent practitioners consider the Child of Goodly Wealth and Red Boy two different deities:

[H]ave to wonder just why wu cheng en decided to hybridise existing buddhist figure sudhana with red boy, these days many devotees subscribe to pov that shan cai and red boy are two seperate individuals with shan cai statues unarmed and red boy statues wielding weapons

They also directed me to this (likely custom) statue of Red Boy. I love the flames shooting from his mouth:

Note:

Original source changed slightly.

His spiritual journey is summarized in Fontein, 1967, pp. 5-14.

After sacrificing his life, Nezha's physical body is replaced with a divine one constructed from a lotus. See Creation of the Gods (c. 1620).

Source:

Wu, C., & Yu, A. C. (2012). The Journey to the West (Vol. 2). Chicago: University of Chicago Press.

Fontein J. (1967). The Pilgrimage of Sudhana: A Study of Gandavyuha Illustrations in China, Japan and Java. The Hague: Mouton & Co.

[vintageurovision]

Türkiye in the Eurovision Song Contest: The 1980's

1981 - Petr'oil, Ajda Pekkan

1981 - Dönme Dolap, Modern Folk Trio and Aysegül

1982 - Hani, Neço

1983 - Opera, Çetin Alp and the Short Wave

1984 - Halay, Bes Yil Önce, On Yil Sonra

1985 - Didai Didai Dai, MFÖ

1986 - Halley, Klips ve Onlar

1987 - Sarkim Sevgi üstüne, Seyyal Tanner and Lokomotif

1988 - Sufi (Hey Ya Hey), MFÖ

1989 - Bana Bana, Pan

[curiosity-killed]

writing wip ask game

tagged by @crimsonrainseekingflower!!

RULES: make a new post with the names of all the files in your WIP folder, regardless of how non-descriptive or ridiculous. Let people send you an ask with the title that most intrigues them, and then post a little snippet or tell them something about it! and then tag as many people as you have WIPs.

per usual! i am cheating. and also not tagging 90+ folks

Trigun

trigun girlies terrible roadtrip

tristamp plant fic

trolley fic

MDZS/The Untamed

20200518_Family feels

a thousand branches

bodyswap

burial mounds pov

copy of LWJ thread fic

jc perspective

Jin Ling WWX Empathy

knives for JC

lxc wwx post-whipstitch

sixteen stitches

Sizhui Bow verse

wangji find me

wangxian tumblr prompts (despite the title the only wip in here is sangcheng)

wwx as mdm yu protege

yunmeng bro reunion

yunmeng jiang everyone dies

AssCreed

Altair and Al Mualim

altmal 6 below AU

altmal modern AU

altmal modern soulmates

almal modern swim

altmal sex talk

altmal sparring

altmal time travel (wow do u notice a them with my AC fics)

convict altiar plus future part_OLD

Dragon Alty

Not including Marvel or VLD fics here since those are pretty well abandoned

TGCF

he xuan and hua cheng bros

hualian makeup

Ruoye

tgcf twt au

hua cheng bro

hualian dance AU

wulian au

alt b4 twt thread

bflf mer au

hualian pygmalion — holy and real

huaqing gay chicken

xianle trio reunion

hualian idev LMAO

Original Fic

20231130_Consolidated draft01 (aka TCP)

again. d1

apostasy_FW 8292017

diabolos

NaOri reunion

Ren and Avery

20190429_Sotiris and Nadia

20230528_Nadia and Sotiris

crown of string

GEMINI script

OVERWORLD script (??)

Pi & Veria

Untitled Document

The Girl with Red Hands

scorpion grass

Misc

wenzhou fix-it

a thousand whirling dreams

atla_light dancer

tagging (no pressure!) @givemeunicorns @vyther15 @fantasiavii @lightshesaid