u/ManaScrewedIRL

Hey guys, apologies I disappeared again. I will have more reviews for you sometime this week I hope. Life went off the rails there for a moment. I have (paid!) Work to do, and also I ended up at the clinic lol. The health issues never end.

My apologies and thank you for your patience.

But, a question:

Is it possible to post cover songs to Bandcamp? Legally, of course. Is it frowned upon either way?

I made a fun cover of a Billy Talent song today that I'd love to share.

I know on Distrokid and similar it sorts out the licensing automatically, but how does it work on BC? If I make it a free track, and (obviously) credit the boys, would that bypass any legal snags?

It's not a huge deal, it just might be fun to share the rough draft, before I send it to my mixer friend for editing hehe.

I'm interested in more personal and isolated examples than "the internet", "social media" or "the job market".

Maybe there was a franchise you used to love that was killed by popularity? A band that started appealing to the common denominator instead of its loyal fans? A hobby you were great at but can no longer enjoy because scalpers came in and ruined it all? Or maybe there's a quiet park you used to stroll through that got bulldozed so they could build a shopping mall by popular demand. That sort of thing. Feel free to rant.

I've lost access to Prime, and I can't find the clip on YouTube, but I'm trying to recall why she says she'll change her name to Zippy 🤣

Thanks in advance.

Examples (and my answers):

- Pressing the stop button on the bus when it's your time to get off

- When wait staff come to clear your plates or glasses in restaurants

- Having to repeat your name when someone doesn't catch it the first time, or having to correct them if they get it wrong

Something similar to "sonder" (the realization/awareness that everyone else has a life as real, conscious and complex as yours), but more specific to our experiences, thoughts or ideals even.

For example: I saw a silly meme about a specific type of person that implied they're special or different for savoring happiness, being good at puns, helping others, appreciating loyalty, enjoying hobbies and a whole bunch of nonsense that applies to pretty much everyone.

Or a simple example: How some cultures (Italian, French, Swedish etc) all claim to have a strong and special food culture because its so deeply ingrained in who they are, but like... which culture *doesn't* ? I can guarantee Australians, Brazilians, Finns, even North Americans all have rich cuisine and associated customs too.

It's food. It's the default. No one can say it's special to them, you know?

Hey guys. In case you haven't seen me around, I posted a few days ago proposing a music review blog exclusively for us little guys and underdogs.

I want it to be as accessible and fair as possible, because I believe music shouldn't have to meet commercial standards for it to matter.

I honestly wasn't expecting the reaction I received. Woooooow you guys. Thank you SO much for participating. I am so stoked so hear and write about all of you. I think this little project is going to kick all kinds of ass :)

I just wanted to give you an update because I went a bit AWOL there. This week was surprisingly busy and also a tad rough on me healthwise, so I didn't have as much time as I hoped to get everything set up.

That said, the first review will be up this coming Saturday :D

Thank you for bearing with me.

And by the way, the submissions are rolling. If you want in, you can absolutely still put your stuff through. I've linked the form on my profile for easy access.

Anyway, I hope you guys had an easier week than I did, and that you enjoyed your weekend and got lots of rest :)

See ya!

I'm in the South Coast and I think this is the worst bout of hayfever I have ever had in my life. A buddy is in Durbs and is bedridden.

Is looked it up. Pollen Count says DBN is in the orange for tree pollen but it might be last week's data. Accuweather says pet dander and dust is extreme, also that the AQ is pretty bad.

I'm just curious if its coincidental or if it's horrid for everyone.

UPDATE: I have set up a Google form if you'd like to submit your stuff. I will link it in the comments.

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I actually worked as a writer before the machines took my job, so you'll be in good hands. I also have a strict no GenAI policy when it comes to writing, so all the words will be my own.

The general idea is this:

I'm setting up my artist blog (on Substack). I am in a country that doesn't have Stripe so it'll be 100% free to read and subscribe to.

It will be about music/the arts/entertainment as a whole. Mostly rambles and opines. I'm thinking maybe once a week (or twice if I can manage it), I can review your stuff, the gist being that once its up, we share it across our socials. People are exposed to your music, and by default mine through my profile. It's a kind of "I scratch your back, you scratch mine" deal.

Now the thing is, I genuinely despise the usual review practices on things like Submithub. I have never used it/them because I was put off by the hoops you have to jump through, and their snobbery (quality, no autotune, their "make us care" bullshit). I'd like mine to be a little less obnoxious and from the heart.

You record with your phone? Awesome. So do I.

You used autotune? Great. So did I.

Your song is 12 years old? Amazing. Art doesn't expire.

You could submit literally anything — as long as it's not AI *generated* (AI mastering is still fine, I guess. As long as the machines didn't make the song or the artwork *for* you).

I'd also like it to go beyond "I listened to this and here's what I think". I want to explore the artist behind the work too. Maybe include a profile/bio, some fun or cool facts about you, or even a quick 5 minute interview or Q&A. I'd like it to be as much storytelling as it is opinion.

Just a few more things for you to consider:

- It would be free for anyone to submit to. Though I am thinking maybe a "priority" system can happen? I'd have to figure out the rates and capacity. But the idea is if you'd like to guarantee a slot that week or ASAP, or line it up with your release etc maybe it could come at a small fee? I do need to get some money in, so it would be entirely optional, but just a little bonus for the extra work.

- I'm willing to accept all genres, but please keep in mind I don't have a refined pallete when it comes to instrumental music (with emphasis on electronica and jazz). I also prefer rock and alternative (all genres, from pop punk to blackened death metal lol). I have a new love for rap. And I'm always keen on cute/fun pop music.

- I don't have the means to purchase your songs unfortunately (at least not at the moment), so I will have to stream them (unless you'd like to gift it to me). If I love it though, I absolutely will follow you everywhere there is to follow and share it to the best of my ability, outside of the blog.

- I'm still building the blog. No followers yet. But hopefully it will grow in time. I should have it up and running sometime today. Maybe to start with the reviews next week? If anyone is interested.

Lastly, some market research:

- Do you think this would work? Or is it more trouble than it's worth?

- if so, how much do you think the "priority" fee should be? What's fair? (Remember, it's 100% optional).

- Can you think of anything else I need to consider?

- What do you think would be the best way to submit? I'm thinking a Google Form will cut it. It's free for all of us AFAIK. But if you have a better idea, please do share it.

- If it is weekly, which day you think works best? Music Monday? Feedback Friday? Tunes Day? Song Saturday/Sunday (might not name it that, but I do like alliteration lol).

Thanks for reading :) I eagerly await your feedback.

For me it's the Adventure Time episode with Cookie (?)

The choc chip cookie that wants to be a princess.

When, at the end

EDIT SPOILER. Sorry, I don't think I tagged it right.

Jake visits him at the mental hospital and presents him with a crown I burst into tears. I literally fell to pieces 🤣

I still cry a little when I watch that one. It's just so unbearably sweet.

How about you?

I'm watching the Adrian Mole series, and in The Secret Diary of... his mother, Pauline, is played by Julie Walters, but in The Growing Pains of... she's played by Lulu.

I had a thought that given the wry comedy of it all, it would have worked perfectly if Adrian commented that she looked different. Maybe a lead in to something like "it must be a new haircut".

Are there any real examples of this? Like, characters acknowledging, but not addressing, a cast change?

I'm not sure what you'd call this trope, if it exists so don't know where to even begin looking it up. I like the idea of it though, and would like to dig deeper.

You don't *have* to. You just can if you want to. It won't just disappear, it will be like it never existed in the first place. So no catch, other than the full range of consequences or implications of doing that.

For example, if you pick Facebook, Zuckerburg's profits, the bots and Meta AI, stolen content, Marketplace scammers... all of it goes with it. But so do people's accounts that they may or may not have built businesses with or found their spouse through. The friends they made through it, bands they discovered, fundraisers that gained traction, support groups, all of it goes as well. You won't have any memories of it either. So you won't know what you've lost. No one will know. So you also can't be held accountable for taking it away.

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I have a sort of job interview tomorrow and I desperately need this job. I've felt for quite some time now that the winds of change are a-blowing, and I think this is what I've been sensing.

But I need all the good juju I can get. So, if you wouldn't mind to send me some, that would be fantastic and much appreciated.

Also, what do you need good juju for? What are looking forward to, or nervous about?

I'll gladly send you all the good juju I have to spare 🙂 I believe in you, and you've got this!

Here's to better days for all of us 🥂

UPDATE: The interview went SO well, you guys! It was mostly a casual chat, just to touch base and clarify my experience, the role, the company's values etc. They explained that from here, they'll refer my application their "Talent Acquisition Specialist" and if she likes what she sees they'll schedule a formal interview. So now we wait. Step one done! But seriously, it was great :D my unreliable internet even stayed connected the entire time. No awkward silences, no stress, they were funny and relaxed. And they asked, if it comes to that if I'm willing to relocate and also start ASAP. I think that's a good sign. Thanks for the juju. Please, if you can, keep it coming. I have so much to share with you now 😁 you guys are the best.

I've had a random flashback to a poem I read once. I don't remember where, it's name, or who wrote it.

It was a wholesome, cozy poem. The writer spoke of it being a rainy day. I think it started with the rain disrupting their plans but they were happy about it. And they listed all the cozy things they'd do instead of going outside. It ended with something like "But first I'll make a cup tea". Or possibly "And then I'll drink some tea".

Any ideas?

I just remembered mine:

I watched a video from Cracked.com back when it was still the GOAT. Dr. Scott Bugg, giving a lecture on how dinosaurs make the earth spinsies.

This is going to sound unbelievable, but I swear to you, the way the video ended made me laugh so hard I blacked out. My then-bf now ex swears I deprived myself of oxygen and rendered myself unconscious 🤣 and I can actually believe it because I have never laughed so painfully, disgustingly hard in my life and I don't think I ever will again.

So, what's yours?

Edit: Prof. Scott Bug, sorry. It's been a while