#this year both of them released solo music AND they did a group release that i really liked so i'm fine

[sanstropfremir]

randomish and this might be an unpopular opinion or just something cassies think and never say out loud but i’ve been kinda sensing a disbandment might be coming within the next year or so, their career in korea as a group has been in limbo for a while and the events of last year made it even worse idk i just don’t really see a path for them in korea anymore i feel like they’re gonna do their jpn tour next year finish that maybe release a “special”mini album for the 20th anniversary with a fan meeting and then announce a hiatus which will never end

i mean, there's no real reason for them to actually disband. they can just keep doing solo schedules and performing at smtown, plus whatever toho activities and tours they want, and that's reasonable for a group of their age. since their popularity is waning in kr i think it's very understandable for them to slow down, and now they literally have to bc changmin has a baby and yunho has long covid. but that doesn't mean they have to formally disband or even go on hiatus imo. it's fine to let them live life a bit.

[atinystraynstay]

I Don't Share - Jeon Jungkook

Synopsis: Jungkook was the one that proposed you should be friends with benefits. You both were single and had desires. Falling in love wasn't a part of the plan though.

Pairing: Idol!Jeon Jungkook x Back up Dancer!fem reader

Genre: Smuttttt! Jealous, posessive Jungkook, friends with benefits - Minors DNI

Contains: public sex, mentions of eating out (f. receiving), light spanking (f. receiving), no protection vaginal sex, slight degradation, creampie, hair pulling

Word Count: 2.6k

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You were given the opportunity of a lifetime. What started as a way to kill time during the pandemic quickly turned into you flying to South Korea to join BTS in their rehearsals for their Permission To Dance shows. A little over a year later, you were in rehearsals again for Jungkook's solo promotions with the release of his debut album, Golden. You didn't think your life could get better than this.

Never before would you think that your dance studio closing to meet shutdown requirements would grant you the opportunity of a lifetime. Or that you would meet the guy of your dreams.

Jungkook was around your age, so it was easy for you two to get along. You often would spend late nights going over and over the dance routine for performances and the filming of upcoming music videos. His manager would often ask if he wanted a ride home, but Jungkook would always come up with an excuse.

"No, I'm ok. I want to make sure my hyungs are proud of me when they can finally see this!" Which often made the staff smile that he wanted to make his members proud.

Another one often was along the lines of - "No, thank you though. I am just stuck on this one part of the choreography and I think I'm finally getting it down. I will call security to make sure I get home." He promised every single time to use the resources at the company, but he never did.

He always opted to take Uber rides with you. At first, it was because Jungkook liked being able to talk to someone around his age. He had a solid group of friends, but you were new. Coming from the United States, he wanted to know what it was like to be a 20-something-year-old making it work.

The two of you often shared after practices drinks and meals. "You know, we have to nourish our bodies well. Jin-hyung taught me that well."

Quickly though, his hunger turned into something else. Getting to know you, getting to watch how your hips moved with ease, he began to grow hungry for your pussy. Jungkook was a very competitive guy, and he was determined to be the best at fucking you until you see the stars. He wanted to make you cum and scream until you forgot your name, until you questioned your ability to walk after.

Meals quickly turned into eating you out at your apartment. To be fair, it was his favorite meal of the day. He loved getting down on his knees for you, spreading them wide, and exposing you to him. Only or him. He often liked to blow cool air on your pussy to watch you squirm underneath his touch.

Jungkook thrived on knowing the reaction he could pull out of you. He liked knowing you whimpered and begged for him to lick your pussy, to suck on your clit as if his life depended on it. And if you begged well, he would reward you by sliding two of his fingers into your pussy.

Dance practices weren't the only reason why he would come over. If a recording session didn't go well, you offered comfort by letting him bend you and pound into your pussy. Afterwards, you would always talk about how he was feeling but you quickly learned that Jungkook preferred letting his frustrations out physically rather than verbally at first.

There were just a few more performances left for the group. Everyone knew that Jungkook would be enlisting soon, so nobody was taking it for granted. Every dance, every member of the crew, and Jungkook himself were basically putting their all into every dance practice, dress rehearsal, and performance.

You were currently sitting criss-cross on the dance practice floor, your water bottle resting in your lap. Your thumb moved your TikTok FYP up every once in a while. There was a 30 minute break, allowing some people to go grab lunch while others were taking a minute to just relax.

"So, y/n, did you know someone here in Korea before you moved?"

There was often conversation floating among the dancers. Down time and hanging outside of practice were opportunities to get to know one another, and do a little networking. With the days narrowing down on this contract, you were beginning to consider your options. Part of you wanted to go back home, to reunite with family, but you also were having the time of your life here.

Hearing your name, you locked your phone and set it on the floor. There were a few others who joined you on the floor, in their own worlds until the current conversation started. You felt all eyes on you as the question was directed to you.

"No, I actually didn't," You laughed. A year ago, you never would have had the courage to move across the world by yourself. Being here now, you knew it was the best decision. "So a good dancer, a risk taker, beautiful," one of the male dancers began to list.

You blushed at the compliment. One thing that has changed is your struggle to accept compliments. You knew he meant well, but it didn't stop you feeling as if your face had gotten incredibly hot.

"You've got to have a partner, right? Meet someone here in Korea? I mean, Korean men know how to treat you right," he winked.

You heard one of the female dancers scuff. She rolled her eyes at his words, shaking her head towards the two of you. "Don't listen to him. Stay away from Korean men," she warned before going back to eat her salad.

"You're just upset still about your breakup," he muttered. Quickly, that was followed by a loud smack and laughter from the other members. You watched the one male rub his tender arm, apologizing to the woman to his right. Satisfied, she nodded in acknowledgement before going back to her lunch.

The male looked back at you, smiling sheepishly. "Anyways, are you single?" He asked. "You've never met up with us after practice for a quick drink."

Yeah, I normally can't go out because I'm getting railed by Jungkook after practice.

"Maybe she has a boyfriend back home?"

Decided to speak to yourself, you laughed as a way to break the conversation. Eager eyes were on you, wanting to know more about their American colleague.

"That's my bad for not showing face after practice. I normally get tired and want to go home. Sometimes I'm even here practicing a bit more just to make sure I'm as good as you all. I mean, you guys are professionals."

The group smiled wide at your kind words. You weren't sure how you'd fit in as an outsider, especially if you weren't sure if you were going to be staying or not. At the start of this job, you placed a huge amount of pressure to do well especially as you knew that so many people would do anything to be in your position. You wanted the company to be satisfied that they chose the right person.

"Well, now that it's known that we want you here. You are coming out with us tomorrow night." "Yes, you have to! We'll have to show you around the best parts of Seoul." "And hopefully get you with the best guy." "Or at least go home with the best guy."

Your cheeks turned pink again, which caused all the whole group to smile. How could life get any better?

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

The sun had already set by the time you got done with practice. Most of the group had left for the evening whereas you were packing up your duffle bag with all your belongings. While you were very much looking forward to tomorrow night, you always loved a night-in to yourself.

You couldn't help but wonder if Jungkook would want to come over.

"You know, you really should be leaving here by yourself," a voice called out to you.

Startled, you looked over your shoulder to see Jungkook leaning against the practice room door. Speak of the devil. You placed one hand over your chest as your racing heart began to settle, very slowly that is.

"God, you fucking scared me."

He let out a laugh before coming into the room. You only could tell how he was moving by the sound of his laughter growing louder. "Sorry, doll, I couldn't help myself," he apologized. You hummed in amusement as you had your back turned towards him, trying to get the rest of your belongings together so you could leave. Because if he was ready to go, that meant that you were to.

You felt his hand ghost over your hip. Zipping up the duffle bag, you slowly stood up straighter to feel him right behind you. His lips hovered over the shell of your ear, feeling his hot breath against it. You shivered from the effect and with excitement.

"You seem to really be finding your place here," he said.

His voice was very smooth. He knew the effect he had on you, how you were basically wrapped around his finger. And he used it to his advantage. You were a bit confused as to where this was coming from.

"I mean, I overheard you making plans with the other dancers. I think that's good for you." His hand gently caressed your hip, the touch light as a feather. You were almost in a trance from it all. Just feeling his body heat radiate into your back sent a wave of warmth throughout you.

"But there is one thing I do not like." You were about to look over at him, but were cut off when his grip on you tightened. He yanked you back so you could feel his boner right up against his ass. You gasped in surprise which caused him to chuckle lightly. The laugh sending shivers done your spine. "I don't like sharing, angel."

Everything happened so suddenly. One minute, you were getting your duffle bag, the next you were being pinned against the mirrors of the dance studio. Jungkook's grip was tight enough to inform you he was in charge here, but loose enough to slip out if you felt uncomfortable. Yet, his gaze locked on you told you to stay put.

His breathing was a bit rigid, sensing emotions were coursing through his body. What was on his mind? You noticed his jaw was a bit clenched, almost as if he was contemplating what he was doing or his next move.

"Let me make it clear. You are not going home with anyone else besides me. You'll always come back to me."

Oh god, he overheard your conversation earlier. It was starting to make sense.

"I'll have to remind you if that's an issue." "Then mark me up and make me yours."

Jungkook's breathing hitched hearing you. He wasn't expecting such a response from you but it made him so damn weak. God, you were the death of him.

Not one to back down, he accepted your challenge.

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

Smack.

You whimpered loudly at the feeling of Jungkook's hand meeting your left asscheek. It was like an electric jolt. A bit painful, considering he has spanked you repeatedly throughout the evening, but also pleasurable because it made you feel alive. It honestly made you feel powerful.

Jungkook had you on your hands and knees. You were at the dance studio. You knew everyone had left but the thrill of someone potentially catching the two of you turned you on.

With one hand staying on your hip, Jungkook's other hand ran up your spine gently. His touch was still a stark contrast to the feeling of his thick cock sliding in and out of your soaking pussy. Each smack against your ass caused your walls to squeeze around his cock, sending the two of you into a chorus of moans.

His hips rammed into you from behind. It created a rhythmic sound of skin slapping, the two of you moaning, and how wet you were. The last sound caused your cheeks to heat up, much to Jungkook's satisfaction.

The hand on your spine gathered your hair. You were grateful you put it in a low ponytail during practice earlier. Jungkook pulled your head, causing you to hiss in response. The sweet sting of your hair being pulled made you crave more. The sudden movement also caused your eyes to become a bit glossy. Your head tilted back as you met his in the reflection of the mirror.

"Look at you," Jungkook asked. His mouth was curled into a sinister smirk. "You're crying over my cock. Is it not enough for you, hmm? Is that why you wanna go out to meet other guys?"

"No, Jungkook, fuck," he panted out. "You're all I want, all I need." "Oh yeah? Prove it. Cum on my cock. Show me that I really am the only one that can make you feel so damn good."

If it were possible, Jungkook increased his pace. You cried out in pleasure as the intensity of his brutal thrusting caused your arms to give out. You upper half of your body rested against the cool wood floor, causing your ass to move a bit up. Jungkook groaned in appreciation for the change. He couldn't help himself. Smack.

Your mind was hazy. You couldn't comprehend anything besides Jungkook's cock filling and stretching you out. Your vision was getting blurry from the tears beginning to fall as you felt that familiar tingling, warm sensation in your stomach.

In a matter of moments, your vision went white and your toes curled. You screamed out his name. His grip on your hips could be burned into your skin. You never wanted him to stop touching you. Jungkook groaned as his thrusts got harder, determined to meet you at your high. The world around you seemed to stand still while your head was in the clouds.

After a few more thrusts, Jungkook let out a loud groan. You could feel his cum filling your pussy, which sent you into a whimpering mess at the feeling. You felt so content. He also felt content seeing some of his cum spilling out of your pussy once he began to pull out.

He swore you've never looked more beautiful. All his.

Lips were being pressed against your spine. You didn't even register that your body had sprawled out onto the wooden surface until Jungkook gently moved you. Your head rested on his chest, your back on the floor. His hand ran up and down your lower back. His other hand reached up to wipe away any of your remaining tears.

You were bringing brought down to reality. You could register the sound of you two heavy breathing, the slight tremors of your body starting to subside. With your head pressed into Jungkook's chest, you could hear his once racing heart beat begin to steady itself.

"You won't forget about me, right?" "How could I ever forget about you?"

There was a pause. Jungkook was the type to usually have a response, or do something in response to what was said to him. Not this time.

You looked up at him, concerned as you knew something was bothering him. Unfortunately, you got confirmation when you were met with his own glossy eyes.

"Look, I know a lot is going to change over 18 months. I don't care if you stay here in Korea or you go back home. I don't like sharing, y/n, so just promise not to forget about me because I'll come back to you. Every single damn time." "I could never forget about you, Jeon Jungkook. I'll be waiting for you, regardless of what happens next."

[aninventoryofthepossible]

Inspirations for VOID 1680 AM

Earlier this year, I released a new solo TTRPG: VOID 1680 AM. In it, you use a deck of cards, a six-sided die, your music collection and a voice recorder to create your own late-night radio show.

The cards help you dig deep into your collection to reconnect with music you love; they and the die also help you create anonymous Callers and the concerns, hopes and obsessions that drove them to reach out to you, a fellow lone voice in the darkness.

I also included steps for joining the library of Callers for other players to use, and even to submit your full show for broadcast on the "real" VOID 1680 AM. You can see some of those Affiliate broadcasts here. They're genuinely very cool.

You can check out the game here, and I'm proud to say VOID 1680 AM is now a Judges' Spotlight Winner in this year's ENNIES.

Okay, enough table-setting. Let's get into it.

VOID was the culmination of a lifelong obsession with commercial radio; both the technology (which feels retro despite scarcely being over a century old) and the melancholy romance of lonesome voices baring themselves to an audience they'll never know the scope of.

This, to me, is an apt metaphor for the act of making something - anything at all. Speak into the Void, the back cover copy says. You never know who is listening. So it is with putting something you love into the world.

So what inspired VOID? I cite both Anamnesis by Sam Leigh and The Wretched by Chris Bissette in the book itself, two solo RPGs whose tones and methods did much to help me find my own.

But if I'm being truthful, VOID's inspirations mostly reside outside of games. Here are a few things that haunted me profoundly enough to drive me to respond.

The first is Talk Radio, specifically Oliver Stone's adaptation of Eric Bogosian's play. The movie's tagline is "the last neighborhood in America," which to me frames radio's persistent relevance and puts social media - often called a "town square" itself - in proper context as one piece of the many ways people find connection with others, for better or worse.

Contra the VOID DJ, Barry in Talk Radio is very, very aware of how his audience receives him (hint: not well). Barry must be heard, and so must the similarly damaged souls who call in to dump the poison in their brain into his... and everyone who's listening in, besides. It's a host of people who want to connect but don't know how, spiraling in decaying orbit around each other until something awful happens.

VOID 1680 AM was originally much darker before I decided to pull back and let players pick their own tone, and Talk Radio is why.

Oxenfree is a narrative video game about a small group of teens stuck on an island haunted by hungry ghosts who can be tuned in and out of reality with handheld radios. There's more to it than that, but I'll leave you to discover what on your own - because I would recommend this game to just about anyone.

Insofar as VOID 1680 AM can have a "soundtrack," it is this one by scntfc, created using WWII-era radio equipment.

The Vast of Night is a quietly alarming lo-fi/sci-fi set in a small town in New Mexico in the late '50s. A radio DJ and a switchboard operator pick up strange signals, and then... things happen.

This specific radio station (stylized in the poster above) is what I picture for "my" VOID 1680 AM.

Then there's Stevie in The Fog, played by Adrienne Barbeau. She's the bridge between VOID 1680 AM and my earlier solo game, Lighthouse at the End of the World.

She is, yes: a late night DJ. And her radio station is, yes: in a lighthouse. She's living my dream, at least until the ghost pirates show up.

Spoilers, I guess?

But the most important influence? VOID 1680 AM cover artist Jordan Witt's fan art for the podcast King Falls AM years ago. This image took up residence in my head, so much so that I still use it as phone wallpaper despite never having listened to the show it's for.

When it came time to partner with a cover artist, who that cover artist would be was never in question. Entirely unknowingly, Jordan took all these loose ideas in my head and gave them something to cohere to. A beacon, if you will.

They spoke something into the Void, and I listened.

Fun fact: Jordan even jazzed up the original logo I made for VOID 1680 AM when that title only applied to the AM transmitter in my garage. Here's my original - you can plainly see the influence of Jordan's art on that O. It all really came full circle.

Those are the biggest ingredients in the stew that made VOID 1680 AM. It's fun to talk about stuff I like, but also I hope it might nudge someone - anyone - to get going on something they're after.

(That's you. I'm talking about you.)

A project finding its voice is a wonderful thing, but there's no real miracle to it, no outside influence that will tell you what to do. It's just things in your head magnetizing to each other until they got a shape that - with coaxing - can stand on its own.

See you on the dial.

[roo-bastmoon]

With 17 versions to buy and 8 versions combined for 160 streams per Spotify account, plus Melon and FLO streams now counting, of course Jungkook’s Seven is charting high and sweeping awards. Firstly because it’s Jungkook of course, and secondly because it’s been given every possible advantage.

My (perhaps controversial) opinions about that are below the cut.

Honestly? I really can’t feel good about any “first” or “most” or “fastest” records achieved by this single—catchy as it is—which wasn’t written or conceived by Jungkook and has nothing much personal or deeply meaningful about it. It’s a fun feel-good summer pop song, for sure, but no more groundbreaking than, say, Bad Decisions (in my opinion… I have no musical expertise.)

But I can’t feel super great about all the records and awards because this many versions immediately restocked and shipped and auto play and promoted to radio and ads and leadership hyping only this while Jungkook says he wants to be the one and only artist to conquer kpop and pop for the next thousand years… it all just doesn’t really sit right with me.

When compared to the 10 months Jimin forewent sleep, food, and showers to have a hand in every aspect of his first (and deeply personal and symbolic) album, which was never sent to radio or restocked, got split tracks and delayed playlisting and shady articles, plus not one kudos or congratulations from leadership even after he made history for South Korea and stocks soared…

Forgive me, but it all leaves a bad taste in my mouth. It is ruining the song for me.

Some things like culled streams and sales are out of the company’s control. But the things I mentioned above were all possible for Jimin’s Hot 100 #1. Even if every Tannie has total say in their projects' sales and marketing, and everyone was on board with only Jungkook getting the Hybe America "red carpet" treatment, I can’t lie and say the stark difference feels fine. It doesn't, and I confess I leave the headphones in every time Seven comes up in the playlists now.

I’m not jealous. If anything, I have a warped sense of pride that Jimin has done so fantastically well despite so many, many obstacles stacked against him. I love to champion an underdog and I’m glad I never need to doubt his success was organic. I actually feel extra admiration for how humble and hardworking he continues to be—no resting on any laurels for the It Boy. I'm so glad he is my ult-bias.

*sigh*

Listen to me.

I know Jungkook and Jimin are both genuinely good people. I know they are sincerely talented and hard working. I know they truly love each other. I know all members are legitimately happy for each others' success.

I know what’s important to me may not be important to them, nor what they want for their careers. And even if I feel their company’s making shitty decisions, I know my place as a fan.

So I trust them. And I simply hang in. I hope lessons were learned for smoother, fairer future releases. Because neglecting assets makes zero business sense, and perceived favoritism can erode the group’s bonds and tear ARMY apart. It is, frankly, just plain stupid.

So I may dislike things about their solo era rollouts and I can't bring myself to sugar-coat it; but I mostly try to keep my negative thoughts to myself and find things I CAN celebrate with other fans on an open timeline.

I never want another Tannie to feel anguished and misunderstood the way Hobi did about JitB’s physicals.

Watching Jungkook’s face here on his London live when he talks about people hating him just haunts me. It guts me. I can't stand it. That kid was going through it and I don't believe he has a malicious bone in his body, so it just really upsets me seeing him like that.

There’s so, so much about this company, this industry, this culture that I just don’t understand. But I trust Park Jimin completely. As long as Park Jimin loves and supports his members, God knows, I will too.

So!! On that note...

We have Jungkook’s birthday to celebrate next week and Taehyung’s album to support the week after that. I’m going to do my best to rest up and gather some good energy for these things!

And of course, we must congratulate our Jimin, who made history again today, and no matter what, will always set the standard. I just know he's cooking up something else for us with all these weeks of silence, and I cannot wait to go BERSERK for it whenever it drops.

I’m not really sure I had a point to this post. It’s just that I have been mulling all this over for a long time, and finally felt well enough to sit up long enough to come online and type up my thoughts.

I guess what I mostly wanted to share with my friends here is that it’s okay to feel really disappointed and even enraged at the way some things play out over the (hopefully life-long) careers of BTS members. Don't let folks gaslight you. Call it like you see it. (Maybe keep sensitive things behind a cut or in the DMs--and of course, please change your mind if you get better insight. In the end, only the Tannies really know what's going on with the Tannies.)

But while I’m still side-eyeing the company so hard right now, I’ve decided to love and support the boys as people and artists. I'm trying to believe the best in everyone. I’m still an OT7 Jikooker.

You don’t have to agree with me, and if you need to unfollow, I understand. But I figured I should just tell you guys (especially the new followers) where I am at with all this.

Love, Roo

[thetaoofzoe]

‘It Was Fun to Be Wanted by Someone Like Elvis Presley’: An Interview With Darlene Love

The gifted singer reflects on Elvis’s collaborative presence and his relationship to gospel music

by MICHAEL MUSTO August 7, 2018

The swaggering real-life Jeff Koons statue named Elvis Presley is hot again. Eugene Jarecki’s June-released documentary The King involves a road trip taken in Elvis’s old Rolls to survey his impact on the culture and determine that the American dream the singer represented is officially dead. (But oh, when it lasted!) Even darker is the film’s exploration of Presley’s appropriation of African-American culture, covering songs like “Hound Dog” — originally a non-hit for the brilliant Big Mama Thornton — and making them rock and sell. For singers like Thornton, the American dream never existed.

Enter powerhouse singer Darlene Love, who is represented on another new project, Where No One Stands Alone, a fourteen-track compilation of Elvis’s gospel work due out August 10 on RCA/Legacy. The L.A.-born minister’s daughter started singing in the church choir at ten, on the road to being scooped up by producer Phil Spector to belt hits like “He’s a Rebel,” “Today I Met The Boy I’m Gonna Marry,” and “Christmas (Baby,Please Come Home).” The lead voice of such groups as the Blossoms and Bob B. Soxx & the Blue Jeans, Love ended up working as a maid in the Eighties, but when she heard one of her old hits on the radio while she was scrubbing, it inspired her to get back into performing full-time. Her appearance in the Oscar-winning 2013 documentary 20 Feet From Stardom was memorable, especially when it addressed the way Spector promised her a solo career, but gave other singers credit for her work.

I recently talked to Darlene about her backup singing for Elvis, and how she feels about the King’s relationship to the music he both co-opted and celebrated.

Hi, Darlene. What is some of the gospel work you did with Elvis?

There is “Let Us Pray,” the one from the movie we did with Elvis, Change of Habit. That was his last film.

It was in 1969, with Elvis as a doctor and Mary Tyler Moore as a nun.

We, the Blossoms, are in the first scene. And we were in his 1968 comeback special [Singer Presents … ELVIS].

His new gospel compilation album should be quite interesting.

They [recently] had me do some fill-ins, what we call ad libs, throughout the album to make it sound more gospel. I haven’t heard it yet. Hopefully it’s a wonderful thing.

Elvis went to church and listened to gospel singers to soak up what they did, right? 

Even today, it’s more mixed than it was in the Fifties and Sixties. Whites and blacks didn’t go to church together back then. What Elvis told me he would do — we had night service on Sunday night when we did what we called “praise songs.” A lot of them were songs he loved, what we called “hymn songs.”

We didn’t have air conditioners. We had pushup windows, with a little rope. Elvis said he would stand outside the church rather than going in, because they didn’t think black and white should be in the same churches together. He said he would listen through the windows. It gave him such a thrill. It’s a big difference between the way blacks sang gospel and the way whites sang gospel.

Do you feel he was dedicated to the music or he was just taking it for himself? 

I found out years later, when we were doing the comeback special, that his mother’s favorite music was gospel. He would always sing gospel around her. I think if he could have had a big career in gospel music, that’s where he would have been. But you can always make more money off secular hits. Elvis had 10 or 15,000 people come to his shows to see him. Today, they have mega churches that hold 25,000, but back then, you were doing great if you had 500 people.

I bet they have air conditioning now.

Oh, lord, yes. [Laughs] I lived in Texas for five years as a young kid with my father, and it was so hot we couldn’t even breathe. There was no air conditioning in church or the house. What a difference it makes to have a cool ensemble. You still sweat because of the energy, but back then, we were soaking wet, when we sang in church.

I love gospel music. If I had a calling — meaning from the Lord — just to sing gospel, I would have, but the secular music got to more people. I bet a lot of secular singers like Sam Cooke and Aretha Franklin felt the same way. They never paid us no money. “Do it unto the Lord.” “OK.” [Laughs] We would drive to the gigs and they’d give you an offering — gas money. They were hardly giving us a whole lot of money. But it was worth it, every penny of it. It was a wonderful experience singing gospel.

But was Elvis appropriating the music, or that’s just the way it was?

That’s just the way it was. A lot of people think a white person is copying the black person. He just loved the music and he was singing it the way he felt. He sang “Hound Dog” completely different than Mama Thornton. [Elvis’s version was rock, whereas Thornton’s was blues.] Even today, they take secular music and put it in gospel, and vice versa. You know, Elvis won three Grammys, and they were all for gospel records. 

What were your experiences like with Elvis?

One time, Elvis decided we’d all go to the movies. He bought this theater out that night.

What did you watch — Change of Habit?

Don’t even ask me. I don’t remember. [Laughs] We had a lot of free time when we were recording and when we were making the movie. That’s when the Blossoms and myself got a chance to know the gospel side of Elvis. He’d want to know the songs we knew. He’d get his guitar and say, “You know this song?” “Yes, we grew up on it.” He’d say, “Let’s do it.”

Was he funny or serious?

He was funny and he was serious sometimes. If he didn’t think he was doing great, he’d say, “Hey, girls, how’m I doing?” He was very, very funny. I call it that “country funny.” He would do his moves in the studio the way he was gonna do them onstage. It made it easy to be around him, but sometimes it was not easy because his bodyguards were keeping people from him. He wanted to be with the Blossoms, where he could pull out his guitar. We’d say, “We think you’d better go. You’re gonna get us in trouble.” We’d never forget, because he’d be giving us his personal time.

You’d just be hanging out and singing?

Yes! Whatever song he knew — “Amazing Grace” or “River of Jordan” or “Heaven Is a Wonderful Place” or “Sweet Hour of Prayer.” We called them hymns of the church. There was another one called “Pass Me Not, O Gentle Savior.” The Blossoms were known for their harmony. We’d harmonize with him. There’s something we had with Elvis that others didn’t have. It was fun to be wanted by someone like Elvis Presley.

He had tremendous respect for you.

Yes, he did. That was great. I always say he left us way too soon. He is where I plan to go one day, so I’ll see him again.

You were all rather young and great-looking. Was there any sexual tension in the air? 

There was. It could have been. But I was too scared to do anything.

You fool! [Laughs] Kidding. You wanted to keep it professional.

And I definitely did. Something about dating someone you’re working for, it takes away from that. “I know he’s never gonna look at me the same after this.” [Laughs] He’d start playing with me. He’d tap you on the shoulder or do a hip shake, and me and Elvis knew what that meant.

Flirting?

Yeah, I think so, and I think it showed his human side. I wasn’t bad-looking — and I was thin, too. [Laughs] He wanted to take out time and be around us. The reason we sang on his ’68 comeback special is he was the one that insisted that the Blossoms sing in the music section of the show.

So Elvis treated you better than Phil Spector did?

Oh my God, I’d say so.

That’s an easy one.

That’s a real easy one. Phil took advantage of me and my talent. With Elvis, he wanted us to work, and we got paid well. It wasn’t like Phil Spector cracking the whip and us running around!

[7ndipity]

Get to know me

Thanks to @bethanysnow for tagging me!

❣ Who is your favorite Kpop group?❣

Bts and Stray Kids! There's several groups that I love, but these two hold a very special place in my heart💜

❣ Which member sparked your interest first?

I don't quite remember for Bts, but I'm pretty sure it was Namjoon. I was really drawn to his general style and aesthetic, as well as his solo work like Mono.

For Skz, it was Hyunjin, bc gifs of him kept popping up in my recommendations after the 'Oh' mv was released and I got curious and checked them out. So it's basically his fault for bringing me into this fandom, lol!

❣ Who was your first bias?

Yoongi and Chan

❣ Who is your current bias?

Yoongi and Chan(lol)

❣ What makes them your bias?

For Yoongi, he's the grandpa to my grandma energy, lol! Fr tho, I think it's bc he's so genuinely himself?? Like I love his dry humor, his writing style, his awkward tsundere energy, despite having such a soft heart🥺. Like, I will never understand how people think he's cold or indifferent, he's such a kind, loving person. I really admire his drive and passion for music, he's one of the people who inspired me to take back up writing. Idk, it's just everything.

For Chan, he's just super sweet and funny, and he clearly cares so much for everyone around him, from his group members to their crew/staff to the fans. He's also just soo relatable, and I really admire his dynamic with the fans, he feels like a best friend. I also really appreciate his honesty on tougher topics like self love and mental health. He's brought me so much comfort on tough days and makes me want to be a better person. Again, Idk, he's just Chris💜

❣ Who is your bias wrecker?

Literally EVERY OTHER MEMBER of both groups, lol! Like it's impossible not to love all of them!

❣ Which member(s) are you currently obsessing over that aren't your bias/bias wrecker?

For Skz, Minho(I blame @bethanysnow for helping fuel this lol) and a bit Han(the new curly hairstyle and the song covers he keeps posting on insta feel like a direct attack on me I swear)

❣ When did you first discover this group?

I'd been vaguely familiar with Bts for a few years, but it wasn't until my sister sent me some of their mvs back in 2020 that I started actively listening to their music.

For Skz, it was the summer of 2021, just after the 'Oh' mv was released, like I mentioned above.

❣ Have you ever been to one of their concerts?

No, but a girl can dream

❣ What are some of your favorite songs by the group?

Bts:

Paradise, The truth untold, Louder than bombs, Blood sweat tears, Zero 'o clock, Blue & gray, Pied piper, Jamais vu,

Skz:

Oh, Gone Away, Sorry I love you, Red lights, Chill, Cover me, Hello stranger, Waiting for us

Tagging @a-gayish-unicorn @crabby-libra @this-must-be-my-tardis and whoever else wants to play!

[svt-sunnie]

8:41 PM | SUNNIE

taglist !! @seolboba @allthings-fandoms

date : march 7, 2024

a/n : yujun going through it… sorry I disappeared for so long 🤕 (also kinda short chapter but 🤷)

pairing : jun x sunnie (mentioned hao)

warnings : angst, they both cry, dating rumors

summary - the aftermath of this article

To say that Yuming was unaffected by the backlash she gets would be a lie. She honestly couldn't even count the number of times she used to cry to one of her members after another interviewer was being disrespectful or after reading a hateful comment. Over the years, she felt like she grew more confident in herself and within SEVENTEEN, especially with releasing her solo music, doing acting roles, and even just actively talking more during group schedules.

Now Yuming’s wondering if good things really don’t last forever as she scrolls through the array of articles and comments calling for her removal from the group.

“This can’t be serious..” She mutters, shaking her head. She knows it's unhealthy to consume this much negativity about herself, but usually Junhui or Minghao are there to talk her out of looking at hate about herself. Now looking around the empty dorm, she wishes either of the two could be there.

As much as Yuming and Junhui don't try to hide their relationship from fans, they both know how awful a dating rumor could be for both of their careers. Yuming sighs as she opens her text messages full of worried texts from the members. She feels terrible that she's been ignoring them all but can't find it in herself to respond to them.

Just as Yuming was about to turn her phone off and try to pretend nothing was happening, her messaging app buzzed with a new text.

New Text From: junnie 💕

can we talk?

To say Yuming was nervous would be the understatement of the year — she was completely terrified to answer Junhui. Her boyfriend was nowhere to be found the entire 13 hours of one of the worst dating rumors they’d been in. She even asked Minghao who was in China with Junhui, and he had no clue where Jun was.

Before she got the chance to even think about responding, her phone rang with an incoming call from Junhui. She lets it ring a few times before she decides to accept the call and puts it on speaker.

“Junhui I’m—”

“Did you see the articles? Are you okay?” Junhui interrupted.

“Hui, what do we do?” Yuming whispered, tearing up.

She absolutely hated crying, but she couldn't help the tears running down her face, “I ruined everything, I'm sorry. I'm so sorry.”

“Baobei are you crying? Ming you didn't ruin anything. It's okay, please don't cry.” He quickly consoled.

“We have to tell everyone, don't we?” She said, trembling. “It's become too big to ignore now, hasn't it? Pledis even told me we have to deal with it one way or another..”

Junhui went silent for so long that Yuming almost thought he hung up.

“Hui, revealing our relationship could genuinely destroy our careers. It's not like we ever tried to hide it fully, but fans' theories don't even come close to an actual confirmation.” She sniffled.

“You know I'll always be by your side, right, Sun?” He said, and Yuming could swear she heard his voice shaking. “No matter what happens, we’ll get through this together, I promise.”

And Yuming can’t help but find herself believing him. No matter what happens, everything was going to be okay, right?

[beautifulpersonpeach]

BPP! This might be a tough one for you.

What do you think about BigHits tactics with regards to album releases and promotional tactics for members? Hobi and Namjoon have been the only ones (not without other issues) thus far who’ve gotten proper time to promote their album and allow it to sit with Army and other fans. Today with the announcement of D-Day, it basically means Jimin had only 2 weeks to promote and allow his album to sit with Army (not counting the time that was divided with In the street by JHope).

Now the focus, as you can imagine, will be divided. It is a bit unfair to jimin but this is more a company planning issue rather than an issue with the members themselves. It could be that Yoongis album also get affected because Army just spent tonnes on buying Face 🤷🏻‍♀️

What are your thoughts around this?

**

Hi Anon,

I’ve talked about this a few times before but it seems several people still have the same concerns, going by the flood of asks I just got on the topic, in addition to yours. So let me try a different tack.

...

Fuck BigHit.

Fuck BTS.

Fuck HYBE.

Do we look like fucking ATMs? Are they trying to cause a burnout in the fandom? To see how far they can push us before we break? Do the members in BTS, those ungrateful fucktards, take ARMY so much for granted they think it's okay to push out albums one after the other like fucking pop tarts?

I just spent a shit fuck ton of money on Jimin and my wallet is still recovering. Now here comes Yoongi not even two weeks later shipping his shit out. And this is when his concert tickets are running up US$5,000 a pop on reseller sites. What does BigHit think they're doing? Writing this, I was initially going for a 'sarcastic' pitch but nah, I'm actually kinda ticked off. Fuck BigHit for their tacky, unorganized, chaotic and cluttered as fuck roll-out, and fuck BTS too for agreeing to that bullshit.

You're probably reading this and going "BigHit is the problem, not BTS", but those grown men agreed to this shit. You think Yoongi’s tour and album date was only decided yesterday? No. He and Jimin knew months before how everything would be phased, and they agreed to it. I held them responsible for agreeing to the PET and Dreamers, and I'll hold them responsible for this. You know, I actually can't believe Jimin. The actual gall to sit there and say the FACE album is very precious to him, only for him to agree to dip after two weeks of promotions. It's like he's begging to free fall off the charts. I wonder if he has a masochistic kink since he religiously keeps up with charting and social media lately. Anyway, Yoongi is the even bigger problem here since he's encroaching on Jimin's promo time. There's literally no need for BigHit to rush any of this, not even Yoongi going to the army is...

...

Oh.

The army...

Oh, right.

The military...

*

Enlistment... that thing they've been talking about lately. Yoongi has to enlist this year, and if the members all intend to do their service before returning in 2025, then they all have to enlist sometime in the next 10 months. And as the maknaes (taekook) will likely be having big debuts like Jimin, they'll need some time too. And, though it's possible he does, I doubt Jimin plans to enlist soon after promoting FACE. The guy I heard in Set Me Free Pt 2 sounds like he plans to be around for most of this year, active and trying out different projects. So BigHit will have to plan/stagger Jimin's next solo projects around Taekook's solo activities...

Hmm, now that I think about it, Joon did seem agitated when he said on his WLive, he's running out of time. Jimin and Yoongi both expressed a strong desire to return as a group ASAP on Suchwita. Jung Kook, who watched them, agreed and felt so inspired watching them that soon as it was done, he went to work and the context of his speech suggests he went to work on a solo endeavor. Oh, and if he's still working on music, that really shows how involved he is in the process, doesn't it? I mean, it's not Jung Kook who selects BTS's distributor (it's YG btw), but it's hard to say how there would be a complete album if he's still working on the song, and so he might need more time...

Enlistment is a real pressure all the guys are feeling this year, JK too even if he doesn't go, I promise you. I doubt they want these tight deadlines either. And that's all this roll-out is: tight. I refuse to call the roll-outs messy and insufficient because the guys' promotions have all without fail, even Hobi's, been thoughtfully done. And I'm saying that as someone who still thinks JITB packaging is pathetic and JITB should've come with a CD.

There’s a real possibility the fandom deals with some whiplash between releases.

Personally, I'm having the time of my life with the barrage of new music. Everything I wrote in that angry rant above is hogwash. BTS are keeping us so fucking fed, the music is incredible, they're all expressing themselves in so many ways, I can't stop gorging myself on them. As someone who has watched them for some years, it's nothing but pure fun seeing them be themselves and making great records. ARMY has already dealt with almost 20 releases since June 14th and all of them have done very well, plus it's not like BTS see themselves as competition anyway, so why should we?

That said, I can see why you think it’s unfair Jimin has likely had only two weeks to fully promote his album. I also sympathize if it all feels very overwhelming for you. Please remember it's always okay to step back and detach. In fact I recommend doing it often if you like. The music isn't going away, engage at your own pace.

*

There's also the issue of solo stans and their diet versions kicking up a stink about missed goals/targets after Jimin's Hot100 win. It's a shame and it will be annoying, but also that implosion has to happen somehow right?

If you're saying this cause you worry about ARMYs (or at least the OT7-ish core), don't worry. Those people showed up for JITB, Indigo, OTS, Jimin, and they'll show up for D-Day. Of course listenability, genre accessibility, preferences in general etc, definitely also impact what people like to listen to, and metrics will also vary for that reason. It's not always solo stans who determine these variances.

If the money is an issue for you, very understandable. It's money after all not toilet paper, it's a very valuable resource and there's a real fear fans will significantly spend beyond their means. Thus far I haven't seen this happen, and people seem to always forget the fandom has a lot of people and a lot of funders. It's just that not all of them pitch in unless it's for their biases. I have an ask sitting in my inbox of an Anon noticing that many people who had spent the last year talking about how ARMYs are 'obsessed with charts' and that people should allow music to be 'organic', those people themselves got really into charts when trying to chart Jimin's FACE. For that Anon if you're reading this, I agree with your observation but that sort of mean spirited shitposting ask is just unnecessary so I'm not posting it lol.

Anyway the point is, even the fans who don't consider themselves part of ARMY will show up to support their biases. They might dip right after, but they'll show up. That's just the effect BTS has on people. So Anon, ARMY will do what they do: enjoy the music, support the guys, and bicker.. feel free to do the same.

[sizzlingpatrolfox]

You mentioned competition being one of the primary reasons for JK & Tae fans hating/resenting Jimin, and I think you're on to something there.

Jimin was not supposed to be popular. He was supposed to be cute, a good dancer(but not as good as Hobie) and the one who can't sing or write his own music, but tries and oh, isn't that a sweet little Jominie?

Sexy and handsome,? That's Tae's thing. A musical powerhouse? That's the Golden One. Why can't Jimin just remain in his role as BTS #1 cheerleader?

It drives these fans bat-sh*t crazy. The natural order has been abandoned. Their fave has been disrespected. All because Jimin--and the people inwexplixably drawn to him--don't know their place.

Imagine posh spice suddenly doing cartwheels and sporty spice's whole identity and thing that made her "unique" in the group, is not so unique anymore.

This happens in every group, tho. Kpop or not, that characterization is a must when groups are being formed. All members are supposed to have that one thing that makes them different from the rest, and that it will cater to certain people. Even one direction members had a certain moniker that made them "special" within the group. You mentioned some of those things with BTS, and it's true. They might be real traits of the members, but they actually choose what to put forward so other people would remember them by that.

The truth is Jimin never really did that lol 😆 he never really tried to push certain hobbie as his whole identity, or talked about himself in limiting ways. Even with dance, he's always been excellent at it and was doing the hardest parts of BTS choreographies since the beginning, but it wasn't until like 2018 that he actually started talking about dancing in a way that you could tell it meant something really important to him. He didn't even have other members talk that talk for him, the way Hoseok did. All the members, year after year, would talk about Hoseok's dance this or that, but they never mentioned Jimin. Armys didn't even know Jimin is a main dancer too 💀

A lot of them are solo fans of other members, point blank. They might type a little seven and pretend they're not, but they are.

I've talked about this before, but there's always going to be competition when someone else is able to do the same thing you do. Jimin sings and dances. Jungkook sings and dances. Taehyung, well... he sings I guess. All three are maknae line. There's a lot of clashing interests and a lot of space for competition because their areas and "identities" overlap so much. Same with some Jin akgaes that have gotten to drag Jimin over vocals in the past few years; because both sing. If Jin was a dancer, I bet you they would fight about that too.

That's why nobody is fighting over Jimin being a better rapper than Hoseok. No, they argue about fashion and dance -things both of them have in common.

Now, it's 2024 and Jimin sings, dances, writes, produces and composes his own music. He coreographs his own coreographies, he's topped major charts. Everything, literally everything that was expected of, or that armys swore only rapline or other maknae line member could do. Armys will still talk about Yoongi as if he was the only producer in the group like Jimin isn't there, only because it's easier, it's repetitive, it's the story they've been telling for a decade.

As I've said not too long ago (but can't find the post): armys have always been uncomfortable when Jimin showed them they were wrong about him.

"X member is going to have a huge fashion career" - Jimin has objectively had the best deals with fashion so far.

"X member is the most popular in US" - Jimin doing just as good or even better than said member.

Everyone expecting Jungkook and Taehyung to release full albums of 309483 songs written by them - not only none of them did that, but Jimin did it.

This fandom doesn't like their ideas being challenged, and all Jimin has been doing is exactly that. Making them see something that they weren't aware existed, or didn't want to acknowledge. It's even worse because Jimin doing the same things other members do, makes those members seem less special than armys or solos thought they were.

It's also one of the reasons why Jimin was basically pushed out of the makane line by the fandom, as I've mentioned here:

They didn't want more competition for the ones the fandom wrongly thought were supposed to be the "biggest" soloists of the group (taekook). It was all about "wait for taekook's debuts" blah blah blah. Notice how hyung line stans (even those who are allegedly ot7 army) get upset about Jimin being more successful than hyung line, but they don't get upset when taekook do better?

I think one time that it really dawned on me how willingly oblivious armys were, was when this ad was released. I remember tweeting something about why was Jungkook considered the most athletic member in BTS when he has never done stuff like that. That looks athletic to me, at least. Jimin has been doing these flips for a decade and no army has ever pointed it out, have they? It's like "oh Jimin doing another flip, cool". Or worse, not even acknowledging it. If another member, especially Hoseok or Jungkook or Yoongi, had spent a decade doing this, you bet that army would be doing compilations about it every single day. It really made me wonder why has Jimin never been in the center of "the athletic ones in BTS", when he so obviously has always been good.

[cherrylng]

BREAKTHROUGH IN AMERICA [STYLE Series #004 - Muse (August 2010)]

The band's ability as a live band, the enthusiasm of “Twilight,” and Matthew's star power, and the great success in the U.S. achieved through repeated tours without fuss or hurry Text: Hisashi Murakami

It was a long time ago, but I remember seeing Muse on stage in New York City when The Cure toured North America in 2004 as part of their Curiosa Tour. Muse appeared on the second stage, which was much smaller than the main stage. Since Muse was already popular in the UK and Japan at that time, I paid attention to the show, but I am ashamed to say that I have almost no recollection of the performance. I tried hard to remember, but all I could remember was that I had seen the performance. To make things even more embarrassing, when I was researching Muse's tour history in the U.S. for this article, I discovered that they had participated in the 2000 U.S. tour, which was double-headlined by Red Hot Chili Peppers and the Foo Fighters. So it is almost certain that I saw them on stage at that time. I certainly remember seeing the opening band. However, I never dreamed that 10 years later they would become one of the biggest bands in the world, and I can only be appalled at my own lack of foresight.

However, only a handful of UK and international artists have been successful in America. Aside from U2, looking back over the past 15 years, Radiohead and Coldplay are the only bands that have truly achieved success in America. Even Oasis had a momentary breakthrough in the early days, but in the end, they never really showed off their monster act like they did overseas. Of course, in cities such as New York and Los Angeles, where they are more sensitive to trendy developments in the UK music scene, and where there are many foreigners, new rock bands that NME pays attention to, such as the Arctic Monkeys, can be exciting for a moment, but they do not develop into a big boom. Dance music bands such as the Gorillaz may be more widely accepted.

It was assumed that Snow Patrol or Keane would follow Coldplay and become the next bands to make a big splash in America. However, while both of these groups have had some success, it is Muse who has outshone them all. The blueprint that everyone had in mind was for UK bands in the vein of sensitive rock music like Radiohead and Coldplay to succeed in the U.S., and they turned out to be wrong. This is because the image of UK bands that Americans are looking for is one of liberal arts rock with a sensibility not found in the U.S. (although this author's own prejudice is also a major factor), and the grass is always greener on the other side. Muse has been off the radar since the 1990s, and although they have been giving concerts in the U.S. every once in a while, unfortunately and fortunately, they have been turned away. I guess that many Americans, like myself, were not caught by it. However, the reason for their success can be said to be that they slowly and deliberately spread their one-of-a-kind presence in the U.S. over a long period of time, rather than suddenly and unexpectedly.

The Police, whose 1983 release "Synchronicity" topped the US charts for 17 consecutive weeks. Sting also enjoyed great solo success.

Radiohead frontman Thom Yorke also played in the band Atoms for Peace with Flea of the Red Hot Chilli Peppers. He has become a superstar.

Moreover, Muse was equipped with the weapon of musical performance. Many of the new bands coming out of the UK can't compete with their American counterparts at all in terms of performance, and even though they understand the point of feeling and impulse rather than technique, when they actually go out on the live circuit In the American market, where the question is how well you can satisfy the audience, no matter how much NME praises you, if you lack persuasiveness in your live performances, you won't be well-received. In this respect, the fact that Muse was a band that could fully demonstrate their abilities live was a major factor in their success. After the Curiosa tour in 2004, Muse toured the U.S. for a long period of time, and it is no coincidence that the band has been making a name for itself in the U.S. as well. Thanks in part to these steady live performances, “Absolution” released in 2003, although it never appeared in the top 100 of the U.S. album charts (peaking at #107), it sold slowly and steadily, eventually earning a gold disc (500,000 copies sold). In the U.S., such a foreshadowing of the next album can lead to a big turnaround, and that was exactly the case with Muse as well. Their follow-up, 2006's “Black Holes and Revelations“, debuted at number 9 in the U.S., and 2009's “The Resistance“ debuted at number 3, setting a good record.

And we must not forget the extraordinary popularity of the “Twilight” movie. Muse themselves seem to be saying, "We owe our success in America to 'Twilight,'" with lip service, but there is no denying the fact that there was certainly a piggyback effect. The enthusiasm for “Twilight” has turned into a huge movement that cannot be compared to that of Japan and other countries. The soundtrack of “Twilight” which included their song “Supermassive Black Hole,” reached No. 1 in the U.S., and the soundtrack of the sequel “New Moon/Twilight Saga,” which included “I Belong to You,” also reached No. 1.

And for the soundtrack of their latest film, “The Twilight Saga: Eclipse,” they once again offer a new song, “Neutron Star Collision.” The fans of this hit series are overwhelmingly teenagers, which seems to have added to their popularity. For young people who have never been exposed to a stage performance by a band like Muse that plays classic rock or progressive rock, it must be easier for them to learn from the British than from their father's generation. It is reminiscent of the late 80's breakthrough of Depeche Mode in the U.S., and shows the enthusiasm that comes with catching on to a new movement. Then there's the question of star quality and celebrity status, but Matthew and actress Kate Hudson's dating story has surfaced and cleared this one up nicely, too. Matthew is now a muse with no fear in the United States.

Debuted in 1979, the band finally broke through in the US with 1992's Wish. The Cure, led by Robert Smith, reigned as the parent band of the goth genre and also had a successful Curiosa tour.

U2, the biggest Irish band in the world, who have toured with Muse, and whose stage sets on each tour are so spectacular that Muse may have taken a leaf out of their book?

Depeche Mode, which Muse has also opened for. A rare electro band that can consistently fill stadium-class venues.

Translator's Note: A decent article, with quite good information that really showed to us what helped Muse to finally have that 'breakthrough' in America. Yes, we can't dismiss that the Twilight film series gave them that much needed boost back then.

[rushingheadlong]

Humpy Bong now available on streaming!

In case you missed the announcement last week, Tim Staffell has put the two tracks he recorded with Humpy Bong up on streaming platforms!

Spotify | Apple Music | Amazon Music

If you plan on looking them up anywhere else, make sure you search for "Humpy Bong" specifically because Tim released these under the band's name and not his own!

Left: Modern logo for Humpy Bong, designed by Tim Staffell / Right: Humpy Bong (Colin Peterson, Jonathan Kelly, and Tim Staffell)

Humpy Bong was the short-lived group that Tim joined immediately after leaving Smile in the spring of 1970. Founded by ex-Bee Gees drummer Colin Peterson and Irish musician Jonathan Kelly, the band only recorded two songs and broke up by the end of the year.

"Don't You Be Too Long" was released as a single, backed with "We're Alright Till Then". Both songs were written by Jonathan Kelly but feature Tim Staffell on lead vocals. "Don't You Be Too Long" was performed on Top of the Pops on October 22, 1970 and was the only "live" show that Humpy Bong ever did, as the band had significant issues finding additional permanent members to round out their line-up. The tape for their Top of the Pops performance has never been released and is presumed to be lost.

Tim Staffell had previously released the Humpy Bong tracks on his digital album "Parallel World", which features unreleased or forgotten songs from his 1970s musical career.

Note: The Wikipedia page for Humpy Bong has some significant errors with regards to the band's timeline and Top of the Pops appearances. "Don't You Be Too Long" was not released until August 1970 (as per dates printed on the records), making it impossible for Tim to have appeared on Top of the Pops to promote the single "within a month or so of leaving Smile" as is claimed on the wiki page.

Rather, Tim's first Top of the Pops appearance was as part of Jonathan Kelly & Friends performing "Don't You Believe It" on July 23, 1970. Kelly had released the single as part of his solo career earlier in the year and it originally featured Eric Clapton on the guitar. However, Clapton was unavailable for the Top of the Pops performance. It was policy at the time that no performer could mime an instrument that they didn't play on the backing track, so Tim was chosen to re-record the guitar part and appear on Top of the Pops in place of Clapton.

The dates for both appearances (with Jonathan Kelly & Friends and with Humpy Bong) can be confirmed on the Top of the Pops archive website.

[seosejun]

Soloist SEO SEJUN debuted at the beginning of last year with the critically acclaimed mini-album, NEW GAME, which achieved immediate success. The album sold nearly half a million copies, and his debut song, MELODY, took home seven music show wins. He followed this up a few months later with another EP, to much of the same success. His meteoric rise to fame and fortune is an obvious by-product of the little over a year he spent in 1V1, a fan-formed group from survival show Last Act. By the end of their fifteen-month temporary contract, 1V1 was on even ground with the show’s winners, ENCORE, having sold over a million copies with their first and last full-length album.

The ten months since his last music release have come as a surprise. While it was obvious he wouldn’t maintain the breakneck pace of 1V1’s releases, the quick turnaround between his first two albums seemed like a promising sign. Now, it looks like those signs were misplaced.

That isn’t to say Sejun has spent the last ten months in radio silence. He’s active as a model and an influencer, gracing the covers of Vogue and Elle Korea to name some examples. He also co-wrote the debut album of former group member KIM CHAN late last year. When it comes to his own music career, he seems to have become completely inept.

With each passing day, it becomes increasingly evident he’s moved on to greener pastures: his streaming career. Sejun’s Twitch and personal YouTube channels 세유화 (SEYUHWA)—a portmanteau of his name and Kim Sowol’s poem “산유화”—made their debuts last summer. Since then, he’s streamed almost every day, sometimes for ten to twelve hours at a time. He spends most of that time playing video games—namely Overwatch 2—and occasionally engaging in the usual parasocial conversations with fans. Given that his appearance on Last Act and 1V1’s entire concept both revolved around video games, it was only a matter of time before his solo career did the same. Inheriting the group concept is not enough, Sejun needs to wholly embody it.

From an outside perspective, C Entertainment appears to support his new ventures. His streams sometimes features his manager, KWON INSOO, as a gaming partner rather than a supervisor. Sejun has yet to speak out or complain about his new management. Knowing his propensity for talking shit, his complaints would be known if he had complaints to make. Viewers were also quick to notice that he seems to be happier and more animated streaming than in either of his solo promotional periods, leading fans to wonder if he still wants to be an idol.

Not everyone is as enthusiastic as he is for his new career. He gained notoriety during Last Act after a recording of him flaming his League of Legends teammates in voice chat surfaced. Although tame by gaming standards, it was not the best look for an idol hopeful. Similar controversies would continue to plague him throughout his time in 1V1, though they did nothing to hinder the group’s success. With his freedom to apparently do whatever he chooses, Sejun has once again found himself the target of those who dislike his disregard for an idol image. Some of his streams also feature former 1V1 member ALEX KANG, who retired from the entertainment industry after the group’s disbandment. Though these collaborations were once celebrated by casual kpop fans and die-hard Supports—1V1’s fandom name—alike, Alex’s insistence on distancing himself from the kpop industry and his tendency to ban people in his Twitch chat who ask too many questions about his idol experience have furthered soured some netizens’ opinion of Sejun.

When asked about the state of his music career or if he’s preparing for a comeback, Sejun is uncharacteristically vague. In responses to comments on his Instagram posts of his latest brand deals, he's “working on it” and hopes fans will “wait a little longer.” He elaborated a bit further on streams, assuring fans it isn’t the fault of his management like many of them assume, but rather his own choices. He doesn’t say much more on the topic.

For now, there's nothing for fans to do but wait as he's asked.

[reflections-in-a-critical-eye]

https://www.tumblr.com/reflections-in-a-critical-eye/752192695524589568/so-hybe-treats-fan-songs-also-differently?source=share

May i know what you think of this difference in treatment? I have seen solos talk about it but you know they can go to extreme with their biasness but i have never seen jkkrs talk much about the difference. They only say the comapny hates jm and nothing more than that is addressed. They never say jm is competition or any kinda assume but just comapny hates it so idk what ppl that love both jm and jk thinks of this difference in treatment.

Also did you notice that they put jk's solo logo on that song. I mean why put the logo for a song that's supposed to be for armys and festa.... isn't it his solo logo or it's different..

I think I've talked about differences in treatment of both of them in terms of label management. Perhaps last year, around the Seven release. I would have linked the posts, but I apologize once again for this website not being helpful at all.

Jimin and Jungkook have proven that they are the only two members of BTS with an actual succesful solo career in terms of popularity. I'm mentioning this criteria because it's the one brought to the front in every single debate/insult/you name it. So from that perspective, they are both doing well. The difference is that Jungkook's solo path was a BH project in collaboration with Hybe America, whilst Jimin's was not and took a more traditional k-pop direction. Which does make him a competition because his achievements have had close to zero label support. Does it sound absurd? Yes. But if Bang Si Hyuk wasn't happy with NJ and obviously prefered Le Sserafim, even though the success of both groups made him a richer man, then I believe anything is possible. It may be more subtle in the case with BH and the BTS members, maybe there's nuances there on a personal level, I don't know. I'd expand more on it if other text messages would be leaked. Until then, shall I say that it remains a bit vague.

It's clear that Jungkook's solo career in 2023 has been crafted folowing a very specific model, hence all the promotions and label involvement have been in accordance to that model. I would also want to mention that a concept such as fairness or equal treatment is non existent in such an industry. Perhaps the fandom at large was led to believe that based on the BTS idea of togetherness and unity and whatever meaning they have went for. Solo careers are obviously a very different thing in which a lot of factors are at play. From individual preferences, to financial aspects, to what is worth investing in based on possible returns, to perhaps more malicious reasons. Jimin appears to have gotten the short end of the stick with his first solo album, but nevertheless, has had quite a lot of impact. That's a remarkable achievement, especially when compared to a debut fully backed by the label. I don't know what the treatment of Jimin's second album will be like or even after he returns, but I do know that as a fan, it can be frustrating and as much as I still have some hope left, there hasn't been any indication yet that the situation will change. (Sometimes I wish I had been a casual fan, with no access to details or more insight, so I could just enjoy his music and that's it).

As to your last point, I did notice the logo. Regardless of its use or not, the song is for his fans and army, both words used in the announcement (the same as when Jimin released Closer to You, so I find theories on this subject a waste of time).

That logo is part of his brand, which is now under a trademark. If I recall, there was an application for this right before he enlisted. It is a direction he chose for his solo career and I personally don't have an issue with it. He is a BTS member and a solo artist and those two sides can be interchanged and/or used at the same time. To me, it looks like Jungkook chose to create his own brand in connection to his music career. At the same time, Jimin has done something similar. His dad is making sure of that with the ZMillenial brand, but in a slightly different direction. So far, I believe they are the only members of BTS who have done it and perhaps it's nothing but a smart business decision.

[dlstmxkakwldrlarchive]

Genie Music K-pop Exploration Team's listening session — O (Circle) PICK by Kim Yoon-ha, Kim Young-dae part i

source x

YOUNG: Who is it today?

YOON: Today, like Woojin, I brought the work of an artist who released a solo album. However, this artist has already released solo works

YOUNG: He did

YOON: He's the main vocal of a group we're really familiar with

YOUNG: Yes

YOON: Who is it?

YOUNG: ONEW. LEE JIN/KI LEE JIN/KI. Our Jinki.

YOON: We prepared ONEW's new album Circle. This is his first full lenght album in..?

YOUNG: He debuted in 2007 or 2008?

YOON: 2008

YOUNG: Then it's his first after 15 years?

YOON: In the meantime, he released two mini albums, the solo debut was a bit late. After releasing his first mini album in 2018, he only released a japanese album, another EP and now his first album.

YOUNG: As the main vocalist of one of the greatest groups in K-POP history there weren't many releases so it's pretty meaningful that it's first album in 15 years

[...]

YOUNG: A little curiosity. What is the difference from a mini album and a full lenght album?

YOON: I think it depends on the times, based on 2023 KPOP standards, 'mini' showcases chapters organized like 'this is me' and 'this is me'

YOUNG: That's right, a mini is a sampler menu in a restaurant: this restaraunt is good at this and that. If it's like this a regular [album] is a full course

YOON: Yeah, it's eating the main dish [...] Basically the ingredients are the same but it's inevitable that the point is what flavor and what kind of eye candy you show them. Onew released two mini albums called VOICE and DICE: VOICE is a calm album filled with ballad-like songs while DICE is very refreshing, it's onew's colorful side. What album would you think is the real ONEW? With that feeling, I think this album, 'Circle' , is an answer and a question.

[...]

YOUNG: Let's go with the general evaluation

YOON: How was it?

YOUNG: For me, this recent talk about SME incident. Hybe and Kakao...There are things like that, right? If you like SME music or your favorite artist is under their agency, what we're curious about is how SME music will change after lsm, will it change? Critics are flaggergasted about this, right? Opinions are divided, it'll be similiar, it'll change... I don't own this CD and I haven't seen it in person but lsm isn't in charge

YOON: Oh

YOUNG: So in a way this is the first album without LSM..? Kind of like that, I don't know exactly. [...] is this the grand post lsm era?

[note: lsm place as executive producer for this album was taken by onew himself he revealed it in hot tracks circle fansign event x]

YOON: I didn't feel much of change, compared to the existing sm sound [...] commenters are saying 'uh but it changed a bit'

YOUNG: We'll know when the number of cases increases!

YOON: I thought it was an album where I focused on the voice of the singer

YOUNG: Yes

YOON: While listening to it, we also check things like 'oh, this music is this kind of genre' and 'this kind of songwriter in this is essential' but the more i listen to this album, the more i think 'oh, this person wanted to express his voice like this' or 'this person can sing with this voice'. I think the most important part of this album is the fun of finding things like that

YOUNG: It's one of the two [things to find]. 'Which song penetraded through this voice and showed its presence' or 'or, did you really use it in that direction by collecting only the songs that are really optimized for this voice?' But i think it's both

[...] Of course, his voice is unique. to be honest, Onew's voice

YOON: If you hear the first note, you'll know that it's SHINee's Onew

YOUNG: Right. that's a very gentle voice

YOON: The more I listen to it, the more I think it's the result of Onew's obsession with his voice

O (Circle) PICK - O (Circle), Cough, Rain On Me, Caramel & Anywhere

YOON: In that sense, the song that really obsessed me was the first song, O (Circle)

YOUNG: To add a bit of exeggeration, the image of this album, should I say it's a sound effect? Should I call it tone? I think 70-80% of the colors that I feel when i think of the album are decided here

YOON: I think so too. As soon as I listened to this song, I got to listen the whole album

about O (Circle)

[...] YOON: You mentioned the first part and I think that the most of it was very anomalous and completely different. As soon you hear that sound, in a science fiction movie, you know? The feeling of trascending time and space

YOUNG: Like a warp

YOON:Yes, that kind of part. That part starts with Onew's voice, as soon as I hear the sound, it's like changing time and space

YOUNG: You're coming out strong from the start, a voice that changes time and space?

YOON: I've told you that before and I think that feeling came straight to me, I thought 'Wow that's good'. But honestly it's not that easy to approach, right?

YOUNG: Some people might think 'it's not the sound I expected'

YOON: It's a song that's actually pitchy or contemplative rathar than pop

YOUNG: Yes, so I thought that the atmosphere of this song... its core is Onew's rich voice who floats on the mood and atmosphere rather than the melody or anything like that [...] There's no meeting, the lyrics are all floating around. The image itself. When time goes quickly, the seasons go like this, it's kind of like the clock goes backwards when the time goes back, Onew's voice feels like that. [...] If you think of the theme of this song, we think that time is going foward with renewal because we're crossing the calendar but there's a cyclical time structure where we can come back and find a common ground, right? I think we're moving foward while turning around? What he's [Onew] trying to say is tha we look alike and go against each other. It's exquisite that those parts are expressed in a floating sound unknown to us, like you mentioned earlier

YOON: It's very attractive, I found it very attractive. On the other hand, it's not easy to write lyrics for a song like this, it has all the sounds. I don't talk about lyrics that much but I really want to talk about it in this song. Kim Eana wrote them for this song! When the song starts, they give us words to the melody and the beat of 'nana-nana-nana-(sun cloud wind)', the words continue to throw nouns, and of course, there's a message afterwards but the words continue to contain the image of the sound we talked about, it plays a role in making it separate from the reality. So if there's a sentence, we keep thinking of the narrative but if we throw a word like this, we start to imagine it, right? The chemistry between them is really good

YOUNG: In terms of generation, Kim Eana is a lyricist who's both old and new school? These days, there's a way to make impact with your lyrics in k-pop, there's a new style but Kim Eana is not really that style, she stuck with, I think, a strange sound that we can't exactly say is a trendy k-pop song

YOON: It's not a song that can lead in terms of trend but Onew's voice is a actually a bit trendy in terms of sound. Since it's close to an alternative R&B sound, I think it's a song that creates a strange appreciation by adding lyrics that emphasizes the taste of korean words, it's a song with a high level of completion. Everytime I listen to it, I think about it. [...] It's one of my three favorite songs.

[...]

about 'Cough' and 'Rain On me'

YOON: Before we came in we talked about the album and said "1, 2 and 3 punches are the best"

YOUNG: I think the beginning [of the album] was done not until the end but it got the upper head and completed the big frame?

YOON: The songs after O (Circle) that created the atmosphere are 'Cough' and 'Rain On Me', they're slightly warm, aren't they? For me O (Circle) feels rich and dreamy but it makes me feel lonely emotionally, 'Cough' melts my heart. It's like when the snow melts in winter and it becomes spring? It's a perfect song to listen to this weather these days

YOUNG: To me, 'O (Circle)' is close to the sky. I mean, if it's more of a philosophical and contemplative thing in the world of metaphysics then 'Cough' and 'Rain On Me' feel like they're on the ground

YOON: 'Rain On Me' isn't a heavy rain either, it's a spring rain: it's like a sprout is going to come out after the rain stops. These two songs go really well with this spring vibe. 'Cough' has a moist feeling while 'Rain On me' has a rain theme but it feels a bit dry, I liked the twist

YOUNG: There are a lot of reasons for that dry feeling, the singing style... but also it's just Sam Kim's style [note: 'rain on me' composer & lyricist]. All the songs he made are like this, his style is kind of dry and the music itself has a lot of echo and there isn't much of dynamic in general. The music is stretching out? There's nothing cute about it.(YOON: Yes, it's very calm) I think 'Cough' is a bit cuter?

YOON: It's lovely to me

YOUNG: Cuter and more lovely

YOON: That's right. The strings spread in the chorus and then he goes back to his voice and guitar. It just ends dryly and I realized that's where Sam Kim and Onew meet

YOUNG: First of all, a guitar should be dongdongdongdangdongdongdang, here is just dreungdreungdreung and Onew fills in the middle with a warm voice

YOON: It feels warm but a bit rough, that charm is really amazing

about Caramel

YOUNG: I'm dancing right now because of the next song. Isn't it something that anyone can dance to? (laughs) In a way track number one, two and three are too calm. 'Cough' is cute but slow, this is the first track to raise the groove

YOON: In terms of sound 'Caramel''s role is connecting the front part [of the album], it also raises the tempo slightly. Also, Giriboy featured and took part in the work

YOUNG: "More, more, more, more into space" ['Caramel' lyrics] This is the only part where you get excited while listening to it, it goes up at that moment. 'Rain On Me' remains stuck on the ground while, I really like the expression of walking, in 'Caramel' you start walking faster

YOON: Yeah and also it's a bit witty the, how do we call it? A mouth trumpet? Lip trumpet? Louis Armstrong did a great job!! I think you can listen to 'Caramel' while walking lightly in a spring day, it's a representative pop track

YOUNG: It's cozy, but it doesn't have that cozy feeling in slow songs. I'm sure people who will listen to it will relate to it. It feels like a breeze, like a blanket? It feels like a breeze and a blanket. I really like that feeling. I really like the voice Onew uses, he's so talented. I love his song with Lee Jin-ah, 'Starry Night' is always in my top playlist

YOON: I really like that feeling. [...] If you look at the album as a whole, this kind of song was necessary as bridge, the previous three songs we discussed before penetrate the album emotions but from the heavy part to the end [of the album], it goes more to pop and k-pop route. I think this song needed to play that role. It's also good to meet Onew's skilled vocals. The lip trumpet that we mentioned earlier is a small skill but it's an advantage of this song, you can meet Onew, a skilled vocalist who sings naturally to a beat, soul and rhytm that you haven't seen in k-pop tracks

YOUNG: His pronunciation is so good. 'Sweet like caramel' It melts...

YOON: That's right, that's right! It's like it's melting into something...

YOUNG: When I first heard it, I thought it stood out? I thought it might break the album's emotional line but when I heard it for the third time, I was happy the song came out and that's the advantage of a full-lenght album. I rarely change my mind when it comes to mini. (YOON: the songs are few...). Since there's no flow. That's the fun part of a full album.

YOON: Giriboy's feature helped

about 'Anywhere'

YOUNG: SO, where are we going? Let's go somwhere else? Are we going to 'Anywhere'?

YOON: 'Anywhere'!! Yes, that's right. I choose it as one of my top two songs in the album. I like it because it feels like the middle of the album, after 'Caramel', which brought some of the rhythm, this songs explodes with a slight change of temperature. I think it's a song that makes you feel comfortable, I like this album section. If it's a full lenght album, there are a lot of songs and of course we care a lot about the songs' flow. Tracks one, two and three, as we said before, came with a dark and luxurious vibe, with Giriboy's help we came into 'Caramel' rhythmically and then in 'Anywhere'... there was a lot of emphasis on things like rough but cozy acoustic sounds in the first part but here, it naturally leads rhytm and cools down [the album's vibe]? Do you know the pop-like feeling? I like that feeling

YOUNG: Uh, sure. It has a bit of city vibe. I feel like I'm staring straight at lights at night and I gradually lose focus without even realizing it or like if you keep looking at the surroudings reflectively while driving, there's a dreaminess that you feel when you pass a line and feel nothing.

YOON: It has a bit of speed

YOUNG: With a sense of speed, the beat goes like this 'I'm not going anywhere', the sound is all around me

YOON: The notes are actually that low? [note: youngdae was singing]

YOUNG: No, it doesn't have a crescendo, it doesn't sound like it, but it feels like he's praising you. It's a city pop style, it has a good vibe

[twice-inamillion]

Nah, their contract are still expired next year (either July or October)

The main point is are all nine of them going to renew their individual contract and team contract with JYP

Blackpink is the example of only renewing the group contract, the members can only works as group when they cooperate with YG, and YG has no say on their individual activities. Actually it's just a better name for disband, as in a foreseeable future, all members are going to focus on their individual career.

BTS is the example of renewing both the team and individual contract.

And Then we have girls generation, five out of eight members renew their individual contract with SM, so like Taeyeon's solo and Girls Generation's group album are also produced by SM, while the members who quit SM, like Tiffany or Seohyun, are releasing music individually or under the new agency.

And lastly we have Got7, all 7 members did not renew both the individual and group contract, and under the new law or commercial settlement, Got7 has taken back the copyright of Got7's name and music, so they release individual music with their own agency, and they have a agency opened by the members and only responsible for thr group activities. There are also some 2nd generation group that has individual company for all the group works and all individual activities.

Hopefully this can solve all of your questions

Yes it did. Thanks

[everythingbap]

📸 Kpop Concerts: [RECAP] Bang Yongguk Concludes “‘III’ THE US TOUR” with A Bang in Hollywood A/N: posted on 240511

After completing 10 shows across the United States, Bang Yongguk met Los Angeles fans for the final show of ‘III’ THE US TOUR 2024 at the Vermont Hollywood on Sunday, April 28. This tour is a follow up to the successful The Colors of Bang Yongguk Tour last summer and is centered around his latest and third EP, 3. 

Many fans first got to know the deep-voiced rapper Bang Yongguk from his time in the K-Pop boy group B.A.P which debuted in 2012.Since pursuing his solo career, he has been releasing new music and making a concerted effort to connect with international fans.

Despite his dominant stage presence, Yongguk humbly introduced himself and politely bowed to the audience. He quickly went back to his performing persona for “Ride or Die,” “IXLU,” “RACE,”and“NUMB”where he had fans jumping up and down alongside him in excitement. Fans did not let a single moment go to waste as they used any silence between songs to bark affectionately and cheer for Yongguk as he drank water.

Yongguk shyly asked fans if they listened to his latest album and was met with loud cheers and fans proudly waving their newly bought albums in the air for him to see. He thanked fans for listening to all his new songs and explained that this album is filled with things he’s wanted to say but hasn’t said before. Hilariously, when he prefaced giving advice to fans with “I’m not your teacher but…” fans went wild at the thought of him as their teacher. Confused but amused, Yongguk held back his laugh with a “whoa, relax” before proceeding with his advice. He encouraged fans to take on challenges they have not done yet because you only live once. He also reassured fans that there are more new songs coming their way and to not forget to get his new album and merchandise.

Fans did not want the night to end yet and quickly began chanting “Bang Yongguk!” and “Encore!” Yongguk then reemerged on stage sporting his tour merchandise t-shirt and beanie for the party anthem “Rain On Me.” He performed “MOVIMENTO” again where he poured water on both the audience and himself. Fans cheekily threw various undergarments onto the stage and Yongguk gathered up all of them and held them out for everyone to see. After an encore performance of “BUSS IT DOWN,” he performed his final song of the night “Orange Drive” with lots of fan service as he pointed directly to fans for the lyrics “I love you.” Even after the song ended and he said his final goodbyes, he lingered on stage to sign fans’ albums and touch fans’ hands.

Bang Yongguk and his fans were beyond delighted to be reunited and share a memorable night together after a year apart. It definitely won’t be long before Yongguk returns with new music and sides of himself to share with U.S. fans!