Random Song Wednesday! Lily Allen: The Fear

Lily Allen is by no means completely under the radar! The song I chose for this post was once number one in the charts in the UK and in the top ten in the US when it was initially released a little over ten years ago.

However, I feel she will always stand alone in many ways for me as a female performer! She has her own style both in life and expressed within her music. I will always have extreme respect for her in more ways than one!

Not only did she become successful by releasing her music herself on YouTube to be “discovered” but also because every single one of her songs are so unique in presentation with what they lyrically consist of and convey, all while always being brutally real and honest!

One of my favorite songs by her will always be one entitled “Knock ‘Em Out” which I totally recommend for any females viewing this post! I don’t think any song both accurately and hilariously portrays the interactions with some men that women can experience.

The song I picked for this post was the first I ever heard from her. “The Fear” is a satirical creation both with the song itself and the video as well. It mainly pertains to how most modern female artists, really people in general for that matter, are often concerned with all the wrong things and very materialistically driven?

Really just the overall experience of consumerism and values that most of “western society” have come to accept as the norm. Which in many ways is extremely impressive and almost a premonition of sorts considering this song was released over ten years ago as stated above. With these ideals and views only becoming more and more commonplace and acceptable as time goes on.

I highly recommend you check out her other work if you enjoy this song because this alone doesn’t nearly begin to show her full range musically and personally!

Lily Allen: The Fear

I want to be rich and I want lots of money
I don’t care about clever, I don’t care about funny
I want loads of clothes and “truckloads” of diamonds
I heard people die while they are trying to find them

And I’ll take my clothes off and it will be shameless
‘Cause everyone knows that’s how you get famous
I’ll look at the sun and I’ll look in the mirror
I’m on the right track, yeah, I’m on to a winner

I don’t know what’s right and what’s real anymore
I don’t know how I’m meant to feel anymore
When do you think it will all become clear
‘Cause I’m being taken over by the fear

Life’s about film stars and less about mothers
It’s all about fast cars and cussing each other
But it doesn’t matter ’cause I’m packing plastic
And that’s what makes my life so “freaking” fantastic

And I am a weapon of massive consumption
And it’s not my fault, it’s how I’m programmed to function
I’ll look at the sun and I’ll look in the mirror
I’m on the right track, yeah, I’m on to a winner

I don’t know what’s right and what’s real anymore
I don’t know how I’m meant to feel anymore
When do you think it will all become clear
‘Cause I’m being taken over by the fear

Forget about guns and forget ammunition
‘Cause I’m killing them all on my own little mission
Now I’m not a saint but I’m not a sinner
Now everything is cool as long as I’m getting thinner

I don’t know what’s right and what’s real anymore
I don’t know how I’m meant to feel anymore
When do you think it will all become clear
‘Cause I’m being taken over by the fear

(Some minor alterations to keep the lyrics “PG” in text form, ha ha!)

I hope you enjoyed it!

Don’t forget to look forward to more random songs from my very eclectic musical tastes, ha ha!

“Death by consumerism”by onepointzero is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0

Random Song Wednesday! Two Gallants: Despite What You’ve Been Told

This week’s random song is one I can’t say I really am personally able to relate to. I just find it overall to be extremely powerful and honest!

I was only introduced to the band “Two Gallants” a few years ago and honestly don’t understand how it took me so long to discover them!

This particular piece was released in 2007 just for reference on how long they have been around. The second I began to listen to their music I completely fell in love with them both lyrically and instrumentally!

I feel like they have a very particular sound and presence that is by no means entirely original while still having something undeniably special they bring to the table at the same time.

Like I said, I can’t personally relate to this song on a number of levels myself but I have a very close friend who often refers to it as one of her “anthems” perfectly describing her in many ways.

Having explained this once again, I’m just going to let this one speak for itself!

I highly recommend you check out their other work if you find yourself even mildly enjoying this one because they have many amazing others. I feel the majority are extremely unique in the same sense that I described this one.

I present to you…

Two Gallants: Despite What You’ve Been Told

Well, I guess by the blood stain of your lips
And the wander of your fingertips
I should prove true to my emptiness
And stay here

Well, I’m just a kid of ill repute
But the skin I wear is my only suit
And you, you’re just a substitute
For the one that I hold dear

You know, you could be anyone
God forgive my tasteless tongue
I never should have been set free

I claw my eyes, I skin my face
Beg somehow to be replaced
That’s how we deal with boys like me

Well, I guess for this world so sick with loss
And your service is so free of cost
I should climb down off my rugged cross
And lay with you

But you know, by now it’s half past late
And I only came here for escape
You you’re just my next mistake
Like me to you

You know, you could be anyone
God forgive your unborn sons
I hope they don’t end up like me

I drag my mind through streets of shame
Lay myself forgive the game
That’s how we deal with boys like me

But despite what you’ve been told
I once had a soul
Left somewhere behind
A former friend of mine

And I hate to speak so free
But you mean nothing to me
So if the street lights they shine bright
I’ll get home tonight

I guess by the dim light in your eyes
And that to you all things come as a surprise
I should set the steel trap of your thighs
And dive right in

But to you I’m just a confused child
Insecure or in denial
Go raise your robes, go have your trial
I’ll let you win

You know, I could be anyone
God forgive what I should’ve done
A thoughts enough to guilty be

Yes, I guess I made this bed
But I’ll take the sidewalk instead
That’s how we deal with boys like me

But despite what you’ve been told
I once had a soul
Left somewhere behind
A former friend of mine

And I hate to sound so true
But I mean nothing to you
So, if the street lights they shine bright
I’ll be home tonight

I hope you enjoyed it!

“Flight Brigade – Live”by phin_hall is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0

Media Mondays! My Experience Being in Bands/Supporting your Local Music Scene!

Any type of career or even mild interest in making it in any forms of entertainment has to be one of the most challenging and draining under takings that one can choose to devote their time to in my opinion.

It’s been almost 10 years, give or take, at this point since I was heavily involved with being in bands and taking part in live performances.

I have watched many of my friends and acquaintances dedicate their lives primarily to music throughout the years and even some that still do so to this day!

To make it in any form of entertainment you have to fully dedicate every last bit of yourself to fully committing to making it work! The second that you or one of your “partners” in such endeavors begin to lose interest or hope in such activities then you’ve already failed!

This can sound very harsh but 100% dedication for your particular passion has to constantly drive every second of your being or you may as well quit before you even begin to try.

This becomes even more complicated with trying to make something like a band work. Not only do you have to maintain this yourself but you also have to rely on the others in your particular group to keep up this mentality as well!

The many various factors that are involved in such a project are almost literally endless with how many different issues/concerns can arise!

Not only do you all have to stay in agreement on the material that you create together. You all also have to continue to get along hopefully on a personal level! All of this and more I have dealt with myself in my own experiences and watched many others struggle with as well.

As you would imagine the level of stress with all the varying factors that come into play during the creative process, working together at all times, and having to agree on things in general can all lead to a very “taxing” experience. Not only do you have to deal with creating the content itself but also when/how you choose to distribute it, where you all agree/disagree on performing, etc.

The saddest part of all of this is that even if you yourself or your band as a whole are incredibly talented and people love your music! The chance that you will still “make it” are slim to none no matter what!

This can be very hard to maintain such a level of dedication when you begin to enter your early 30’s for example, as myself and most of the individuals I used to associate with find themselves currently getting older. I remember in my early twenties watching other bands in their 30’s, 40’s or even older still giving it their all and they always had my highest respect! If you don’t continue to give it your absolute best and dedicate such a huge part of your life towards it then once again you will never succeed!

Complications can arise on multiple levels with such a “task” as you could imagine! Whether it be worrying about your career, continuing to pay bills, or even maintaining your personal relationships, whether this be friends, spouses, or even children for some.

Let’s break up this random depressing notion for a second with some positive thoughts!

I will always love a local music scene almost more than I prefer to see bigger more well known performances!

Nothing more amazing to me exists than watching people I know, or even ones I don’t know, up on stage playing their hearts out literally giving it their all doing what they love!

I remember one of the number one things I used to enjoy in my early twenties was going to this local “run down bar” in my nearest city that did “open-mic nights” every Wednesday! I will never forget those nights for the rest of my life! People were allowed to show up with whatever they wanted and play three songs a piece until everyone who wanted to play had a chance. Sometimes people would mix and match with others they just met, all different styles of music, ages, walks of life, and it was nothing short of an incredible mix of musical passions!

I know this is no new concept to many but big or small never underestimate how amazing it can be to experience your own local live music scene!

Sometimes this can become a struggle to maintain depending on location, other varying factors but even if your own might be on the decline then make it your own personal “duty” or project to make it great again!

I feel like honestly right when I found myself unable to stay so involved in my own local scene for a number of reasons was when it began to pick up more than ever before! New festivals, activities and the like were all growing and being created by the very people I used to share these experiences with.

Venues and places to play in general will always come and go but the spirit will always be alive inside people! Whether it’s at a location where you can currently actively see it or not!

You always have to remember that the most important thing about keeping a local scene alive is supporting other performers! I feel like this aspect of things is what greatly hurts local music in more ways than one.

I remember when I used to play live in one of my bands very early years that we would often always play with another very popular local band at the time. This band would show up with a reasonable number of fans who would leave along with the band themselves once their own set was complete.

This is absolutely disgraceful in my opinion!

How can you truly claim to love and appreciate music if you can’t even have that passion for your fellow local performers?

I hope to eventually be able to get to a point in the future eventually when I can play live more often again myself. Whether this be in another band or even just another acoustic set at an open mic!

Music will always be my overall biggest passion!

If you at all feel the same then I highly recommend you get out into your own local scene!

If you don’t have one?

Create one like I said!

Music truly will always be amazing in it’s ability to bring people together who have a mutual appreciation for it!

I think this is the primary reason that I will always love it so much above anything else!

Thank you so much for Reading!

(Probably could have made this two separate posts in retrospect but whatever! As always, the writing bug took hold and it ended up way longer than intended! Perhaps I’ll edit it in the future, ha ha!)

“Flight Brigade – Live”by phin_hall is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0

“Music”by Chris_Hawes is licensed under CC BY 2.0

Random Song Wednesday! Hatsune Miku: Rolling Girl

To be completely honest this was fairly far down on my list initially of songs I planned to introduce in this new up and coming series.

I suppose it does further prove my point of entailing just how vast my musical tastes truly are, ha ha!

I guess it also may come as no surprise to some considering I have made a fair amount of anime/otaku related posts so far and claim for it to be one of my primary topics of discussion.

I do, however, only slightly dabble in the ways of the various Asian inspired music that exists whether that be K-Pop/Rock or Vocaloid productions.

For those of you who may not be aware of the world of Vocaloids, they are artificial personalities and performers who can on occasion even be projected as holograms during concerts and the like.

The voices themselves are usually completely unique and fabricated using a combination of methods. While, I am not typically a fan of modified voices usually, I feel that in this situation it’s interesting and fun to see what they can do vocally in some songs things that could not be achieved with “normal human” capabilities.

Many different Vocaloids have come into existence at this point but one of the first and more well know is Hatsune Miku! You can find her adorable persona all over the web, on various merchandise, marketing purposes, etc.

I truly do find this world fascinating for a number of reasons. One of her songs even include a description of the complexity that can exist in this very concept.

The song included in this post will always remain one of my favorites! Not only for being one of the first I was introduced to but because it really is just all around an incredible song both musically and lyrically.

“Rolling Girl,” as the title slightly hints at, is a song about a girl who has had an extremely rough life so far and has become accustomed to “rolling with the punches” as they say.

It is extremely deep and something I feel most of us can relate to in some way. The video itself I feel is very powerful and almost perfectly encapsulates the heart and feeling behind the piece.

(I have linked the Japanese version of the song with English subtitles included but versions of the song/video exist as well if you may find yourself interested. I always feel it is better first to hear any media in it’s original language first personally.)

Without further ado, I present to you…

Hatsune Miku: Rolling Girl

Rolling Girl always looked at unreachable dreams
Making a fuss if you got inside her head and disturbed, disturbed.

“No problem.” Was murmured, but weren’t those words lost?
Fail again, fail again.
After ending your search for mistakes, it spins again!

Once more, once more.
“I’ll also roll today,”
That girl says, that girl says,
Playing her words with meaning

“Are you better now?”
“It’s still a ways off, I still don’t see the point. I’m gonna stop my breathing, now.”

Rolling Girl is at the end of the ruins, beyond unreachable colors
Overlapping voices with voices and blending, blending.

“No problem.” Was murmured, but those words were lost.
How are you going to turn out good?
Even the hill tempting me is making mistakes now.

Once more, once more.
Somehow I’m rolling.
That girl said, That girl said
Repeating silent words with meaning

“Are you better now?”
“Just a bit more, and you’ll see something soon. I’m gonna stop my breathing, now.”

Once more, once more.
“I’ll also roll today,”
That girl says, that girl says,
Playing her words with a smile

“Are you better now? It’s okay now. Let’s go, you must be tired as well, right?”
I wanna stop my breathing, now.

I hope you enjoyed it!

“hatsune miku”by 夜の猫さま is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0

Media Mondays! All the Greats Come from New Jersey! (I Know Not All…but a Good Amount!)

I was born and bred in New Jersey so granted I may be slightly bias when it comes to this particular topic.

I’m a Jersey Girl through and through!

Anyone who has ever had the pleasure would know we truly are one of a kind!

I don’t know what exactly it is about Jersey folk that seems to bring about some type of special unique quality but from my interactions with people from other places it is without a doubt undeniable!

It’s an attitude, presence and just overall state of being that I truly don’t think can be compared to anything else for whatever reason.

New Jersey may have a lot of flaws even more so now than ever honestly but I will always love the fact that I grew up here. How many other places can you go that literally have practically anything you can find anywhere else. Granted it may not be the best version of it by any stretch but we have beaches, mountains, cities, and probably a lot more country areas than those who have never visited before realize.

Every year, however, things just continue to become extremely more expensive and overpopulated!

(I would seriously debate finding somewhere else to live at this point if I wasn’t tied to my current area for a number of reasons.)

This overpopulation itself is probably one of the more important factors for why so many well known individuals have come from the state let alone the mentality.

I’m sure a good majority of the more well known famous people many have heard of and/or are aware of. Such as Frank Sinatra, Whitney Houston, Danny DeVito, Buzz Aldrin, just to name a few of the random examples I can think of without even having to look.

I assure you though!

If you were to run a simple search you would probably be utterly shocked by the sheer number of people you would recognize who were either born and/or raised in New Jersey.

Whether it be musicians, actors, historical figures, etc. clearly something must be “in the water” to bring about such a plethora of amazing people from so many different industries.

I feel in particular that this applies when it comes to music. Most of my favorite bands are from New Jersey without even going out of my way to make it so. Jersey has an incredible underground music scene as well as more mainstream aspects.

Trust me when I say it’s a lot more diverse than just “gangster style” movie stereotype people, ha ha!

No matter where I may end up in my life in the future New Jersey will always be my home and I will love it forever!

Thank you so much for Reading!

“Jersey City Backstreets”by Friscocali is licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0

“Seaside Heighs Ferris Wheel”by Khaz is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0

Random Song Wednesdays! Alex Turner: Stuck on a Puzzle (A Potential New Series?)

I was thinking instead of doing “Wordless Wednesday” which I’ve become a huge fan of, that I would do something similar to this as a replacement!

Not to say that this a new concept by any means!

Just, I don’t know?

I think I have a lot to offer in the ways of random music that some may have never heard before and could appreciate.

My musical tastes really are so vast that I couldn’t possibly imagine being able to write about every band I love even if I started right now!

I thought this might be a neat alternative to help counteract this!

I’m not sure if I’m going to make it a guaranteed weekly thing just yet or if I will simply do it whenever a song strikes me that feels right!

We’ll see how it goes!

The following song I only found myself for the first time a few years back and could not get over how I hadn’t heard it previously with how much I love it now!

It is easily one of the most relaxing songs I’ve ever heard, perfectly suited for early morning, late night listening, any time of day! I always tend to put it on when I’m in a rough spot and just need to wind down.

The song has many different opinions of the romantic aspects conveyed.

Perhaps you will even be able to relate yourself?

Musically and lyrically I will always love this song!

Lemme know what you think of either the song or my new idea in general, please!

I now present to you by the lovely Alex Turner off the album Submarine…

“Stuck On The Puzzle”

I’m not the kind of fool
Who’s gonna sit and sing to you,
About stars, girl.

But last night I looked up into
The dark half of the blue,
And they’d gone backwards.

Something in your magnetism
Must have pissed them off,
Forcing them to get an early night.

I have been searching from
The bottom to the top
For such a sight
As the one I caught when I saw your

Fingers dimming the lights
Like you’re used to being told that you’re trouble
And I spent all night
Stuck on the puzzle

Nobody I asked
Knew how he came to be the one
To whom you surrendered

Any man who wasn’t led away
Into the other room
Stood pretending

That something in your magnetism
Hadn’t just made him drop
Whoever’s hand it was that he was holding.

I have been searching from
The bottom to the top
For such a sight
As the one I caught when I saw your

Fingers dimming the lights
Like you’re used to being told that you’re trouble
And I spent all night
Stuck on the puzzle

I tried to swim to the side
But my feet got caught in the middle
And I thought I’d seen the light
But oh no.

I was just stuck on the puzzle
Stuck on the puzzle.

I hope you enjoyed it!

“Missing pieces”by focusedcapture is licensed under CC BY 2.0

Media Mondays! SKA! Let’s Face it People! Some Music is just Way Better with Horns!

As the tittle would suggest, most music is just plain better if you add horns!

You may not know however, that ska actually dates back a lot farther than you may realize if you’ve never fully researched it before!

For the most part, it is generally said to consist of three major periods of influence!

Ska has been around since the Jamaicans first primarily started the genre during the 50s to 60s roughly? This was a huge time for the “rock-steady” and reggae era which sparked much of the initial influence for the basis of the style. This primarily drew upon heavy use of walking bass lines and was made for dancing!

It wasn’t until about the 70s to 80s that it really started to have that major of an influence on other cultures all around the world! This is when the sound really first began to pick up it’s slight jazz and punk influences and really started becoming more “well known” and really being something pretty cool for a lot of people who may have been experiencing something like this for the first time.

This was a huge time for developing musical genres of all different types, obviously, so I feel that sometimes Ska has become almost overlooked and more of a “niche” musical taste with it’s fans varying immensely for the various individuals who have enjoyed it throughout history!

Now, Once you starting getting more into “my time” in the 90s to early 2000s is when the genre completely took on more “extreme” punk undertones. Usually, involving a three piece horn section, at the very least, with upbeat sounding rhythm and style that as happy as they may seem can honestly been some of the most depressing songs you’ll ever hear in your life more often than not!

At a typical “average Ska show” nowadays you will most likely see what is known as a style of dancing which has become known as “skanking!”

This style itself, in my opinion, is in a few words phenomenal, random, and awesome!

It tends to be a lot more relaxed than say a typical “pit” involving multiple people going around in a circle tossing their arms, legs, and everything else about in various personal styles to the beat of the songs in appreciation of the music!

It’s amazing all music genres and sub genres all have their respective back stories and influences!

Everything is so cool!

If you ever want to ask me for a good recommendation feel free anytime in a comment!

For, any of you current rude boys and gals out there!

I have a great joke for you!

How many rude boys does it take to screw in a light bulb?!

I don’t know! How many?

Seven! One to drop it and another 6 to yell….

Pick it up! Pick it up! Pick it up! Pick it up! Pick it up! Pick it up!

Corny I know, but it always made me laugh!

I don’t even remember who told me that for the first time at this point!

That will about do it for now I suppose!

Thank you so much for reading!

I have a lot of fun topics coming up in the future I think so stayed tuned!

“Conc. La Manada. 22 jun 2018 – MUSICA”by Fotos de Camisetas de SANTI OCHOA is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

“SHAGGY DOG @ STD.KRIDOSONO 2007”by findkaboel is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0

“ska and punk kids skanking”by aka Twitch is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0

Media Mondays! Anime! Something I genuinely feel everyone should give a fair chance!

I feel for those who may have little experience and/or exposure to anime may have the wrong idea of, honestly, one of my most favorite pastimes!

Anime tends to catch a bad rap in some ways carrying with it various negative connotations for some.

It’s weird, perverted, over the top, made for children, etc…

Sure, some shows do tend to deal with some if not all of these.

However, in my opinion, most simply do not at all!

As far as I’m concerned the only reason I could possibly think of for someone not enjoying anime is if they simply don’t care for any types of animated works in general.

Which can be very understandable, don’t get me wrong!

(Really, though….what’s wrong with you…?)

(Totally kidding! Ha ha!)

Anime to me is so much more than just your average television program or movie!

It truly is ART in number of different ways!

The art itself is primarily what will draw me to initially try a new potential show for the most part.

(Granted, this is not something you can always solely base your opinions on for a particular show. Sometimes a wonky or experimental art style can be amazing! Especially if it is somehow tied into the premise of the show itself.)

The art styles in anime vary so drastically from traditional, modern, or just straight up unique one of kind works!

Next, has got to be the music!

O my the MUSIC!

Anyone who has even remotely followed me so far should know that music above all others is probably my biggest passion of them all!

Anime brings music into a program in ways that I feel far surpass things you will typically find in more “western based” media.

From the opening and closing scenes, to the songs used during various parts of the show itself.

They are usually nothing short of phenomenal!

Whether they be more Asian inspired pieces or western based productions.

Incredible, amazingly catchy and unique songs that are more often then not matched up perfectly to the animation and will, most likely, be stuck in your head far longer than you may care for!

Some anime’s central themes will even on occasion revolve solely around music as the basis for the entire show and storyline.

(One of my absolute favorite genres if you couldn’t guess!)

This leads right into my next point which is the stories themselves. A key point in what I was trying to stress at the beginning of this post.

Honestly, to say you don’t like anime is practically almost saying you hate media in all it’s forms!

If there is a particular genre you enjoy whether it be popular, more unknown, or maybe something you didn’t even know could exist and stands alone!

Trust me! You can find it in an anime!

You like horror?

I could introduce you to shows that will leave you on the edge of your seat!

Maybe you prefer a good comedy?

I bet some will make you laugh in ways you never have before!

Romance?

It’s probably easier to find an anime that has romantic themes in some way than it is not to!

I’ll stop there, I’m sure you get the point!

The last thing I’d like to address is that anime and/or animation in general is for children?

Maybe, if you want to limit yourself to that kind of thinking!

In all the never ending genres in the anime world I can almost assure you that at least more than half are not something children should witness for varying levels of mature content!

Shows that tend to be more well known or in the forefront of “mainstream” anime usually tend to be typically more of the “shounen” variety. Literally translated as a genre that is primarily aimed to be attractive or appealing to young boys.

This is not to say that others regardless of your age or gender can not enjoy these shows. My point is simply that I feel this does play a more crucial role in why anime may carry with it all the themes stated above.

Genres are not always based on age for reference but a good majority will include one of the various titles attached to it describing it’s key demographic.

I suppose that’s as good a place as any to wrap things up.

I’m fairly positive I managed to cover most of what I intended to express in this post.

My only goal being to potentially open your mind to trying out something new!

For all you know this could very well turn into being one of your new favorite hobbies!

Anime is continually growing worldwide in popularity and not at all as “niche” as it once was and for good reason!

I always would enjoy the occasional anime in my teens and thoroughly enjoyed them! I did, however, struggle to find anyone to share this interest with.

I really only fully embraced my “anime addiction” maybe, give or take, around 5 years ago?

I have since watched roughly over 200+ different series in my lifetime…

This is nothing compared to some “pros” who may even make a living off anime on YouTube or other social media but I mean it sure is still a decent amount!

Anyways, I hope this, at the very least, gave some of you more understanding and/or appreciation of the wonderful world of anime!

I can honestly say it’s primarily the only thing I tend to watch mostly anymore when I’m actually able to have the patience to sit still and focus on one thing for an extended period of time.

(Western based shows nowadays just tend to be so unoriginal or even repetitive in a sense, in my opinion, for the most part. I find anime to be a very refreshing break from this.)

If you have already previously and/or still do watch anime, let me know some of your favorite shows in the comments!

I would love to hear them!

Always looking to connect with fellow anime “nerds.”

Thank you so much reading!

See You Space Cowboy…

(Anyone who gets that reference is awesome, by the way!)

(Come on! It has to be one of the most popular anime!)

“130628anm_080”by wotupset_080803 is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0

Media Mondays! (A new series) PUNK IS NOT DEAD!!!

May 20, 2019

By: Cailin Conroy

I’ve never understood why throughout my life I have always seen this phrase in various places…

PUNK IS DEAD!

Punk music has always been one of my favorite genres of music, if not my most favorite! I love all music (except for country, don’t even get me started, some southern rock is cool but whatever….) , it’s by far my biggest passion and the very broad “punk genre” has always been super high on the list!

I initially got into punk music shortly before I entered high school if I had to guess? I know for sure by the time I entered high school is what like my entire life revolved around at the time. I hung out with all the “punk” kids, was always going to shows (both local and otherwise), and was even in a few of my own punk bands over the years.

Punk is such an amazing genre of music that I feel is often misunderstood by some who may have never had much exposure or experience with it? Not to say that’s the norm or anything but yea, moving on!

I feel like Punk in general whether you are referring to the varying music styles or the “fashion” is for the most part, in my experience, completely different than what your average “regular everyday person” may think.

Punk if nothing else I believe is about COMMUNITY!

I guess most “niche” or less “mainstream” than other interests tend to stress this more than most sometimes. The punk community if nothing else, in the simplest terms, is a gathering of “misfits!” I mean that in the greatest possible way mind you! A group of individuals from all walks of life, coming together to mutually appreciate music they love and their respective artists!

If you’ve ever been to a punk show before this should be more than enough to make this clear!

And I’m not talking about every show you’ll ever go to because some can tend to be a touch more “hardcore” but just average run of the mill punk show, ha ha!

Every single person in the crowd at a punk show (excluding random a-holes!) is constantly looking out for each other!

You lost your shoe?

I’m sure everyone around you is trying to help you find it and hopefully you do!

(I’ve personally finished a show in just socks for the record…)

O, NO! You fell down in the PIT!

Typically, people will form a “circle of protection” around you until someone else helps you get back up!

These are just two super quick examples but ones I’m sure we have all experienced or witnessed if a punk show has been a previous pleasure of yours.

Punk is about nothing more than appreciation of music and a great sense of community at it’s core! It’s about plenty of others things, of course, but I believe this sums it up in it’s simplest terms.

Punk often I feel has this connotation of “violence” tagged to it which is in most cases not the case at all in my opinion. Sure, some level has and always will imply with it some level of “revolution” but don’t many types of other genres tend to also share similar themes, don’t they?

This brings me back to my original point….

How is it exactly that “Punk is Dead?”

I mean if it’s one of my favorite musical genres and one that I have shared with plenty of others?

Is this just from people who really wanted like “anarchy” or something like that?

I truly don’t understand at all….

If, plenty of artists and creators are still alive and well, constantly still performing and the like.

Why do you think this?

If anyone has any input I would seriously, no joke, love to hear about it so leave me a comment if you like!

I’m going to leave you with this…

Punk is about a lot more than just fashion, world views, or anything else for that matter!

First and foremost, it’s about MUSIC!

Not to say that punk doesn’t tend to carry with it a “certain mentality” I feel like from my experience. I don’t think it matters if your someone rocking the biggest mohawk I’ve ever seen with ripped jeans or maybe you’ve grow up a bit and find yourself now rocking a suit and tie most days for work!

You’re still PUNK as hell if you still have that music appreciation and mentality alive in your HEART!

Punk is Alive and Well!

I know I will never stop loving it my entire LIFE!

Don’t forget to let me know if you have any idea why some people use this phrase and like/follow if you like what you see!

(Been listening to “Bikini Kill” for the majority of this post if your curious, ha ha!)

“The Manix”by adamsaul is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

“The Protective Mask Is A PuNk rOCkER.”by shivaelektra is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0

Building My Brand! (Making a Name for Yourself, Online or Otherwise!)

By: Cailin Conroy

I’d just like to start off by saying that I can still honestly not get over how utterly enormous my previous post was…

What a “behemoth” that turned out to be, huh? Jeez!

Lesson learned and I promise I will try to never release a post that substantially large ever again!

Now, on with today’s topic…

SELL YOUR BRAND!

What exactly does this mean?

I have found myself over recent weeks and months, doing more research, on more topics and information, than I have in a very long time! During said research, I kept coming across the phrase “sell your brand.” I wouldn’t say it was a term I had never heard before but at the same time certainly not one I fully understood?

Until now!

Or at least I’d like to think so….

From what I’ve gathered, it’s mainly about just getting your particular name or business out there in anyway that you can. Whether it be by word of mouth, posting on social media, using various other services, friends and family, blah blah blah…..

Seriously, though! Clearly, this is important! I don’t think it matters exactly how you decide to go about the means to obtain what it is you would like to achieve as long as you keep trying your best I guess?

For the most part, I’d like to think I’m a believer in the philosophy that if you set your mind to something and it’s really what you want…

ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE!

(Cliche I know, but I’m a true believer!)

I didn’t intend to keep this post long or practically informative. You could even say it’s more just for my own self satisfaction or whatever. Make me feel like I haven’t been wasting so much of my time on my varying recent endeavors.

But, to be honest, I really could care less! Haha, I’ve been having a blast just messing around, trying things I’ve never done before but also wanted to do, reaching out and communicating with other creators, etc.

O, by the way, I’ve recently came up with a rough plan or structure that my blog shall hopefully begin to follow shortly!

Hence forth!

I shall be attempting to always release new content on Mondays and Thursdays every week! On Mondays I plan to focus on topics mainly related to my various interests ranging from what I might be into at the time to something I’ve always been passionate about!

I shall be referring to this as MEDIA MONDAYS!

(IKR! Great name!)

(Sense the sarcasm….?)

So what does this mean for Thursdays you ask?

TRANS-RELATED THURSDAYS!

(I bet you didn’t see that one coming!)

Where I discuss all transgender related topics having to do with not only my own experiences but other things that may be going on in the trans-community!

This is not to say these will be the only days I will ever post. This is more so, not only for myself, to help me maintain a schedule but also so new potential followers know when to look out for my content!

I suppose with that, I’m gonna wrap things up for now! I hope with all the power within me this post has remained a decent size….

I promise I’m really going to get my technique down eventually!

Thanks you as always for reading!

Let me know what you think about my posting ideas or schedule down in the comments! I’d love to hear anyone’s opinions!

Love you all! Till next time!

“Flat Design: Building” by Chelsea Frankel is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0