WYLTLM '76

 hi, can't sleep

 

 

1976 demo of one of my favorite prince songs

JAPAN JUNE 2025

 honestly forgot about this until my credit card got charged for the domain last week.

 

anyways might as well put it to use. here is a selection of stills from footage i took on my camcorder during my first trip to japan (as well as out of the US). it was a lot of fun, i went with my girlfriend and some of my best friends. i truly can't wait to go back. nothing is in order so i'll provide context on the photos where i can.

 

 

we took a long walk from our airbnb in hatagaya to shop around shimokitazawa for the day. it was really hot and humid but we ended up walking down this path about half way through.

i was pleasantly surprised at the amount of padres stuff i saw during the trip, especially because the dodgers and padres faced off in two series while i was there. i figured i'd see more blue, but i was very happy not to. the cornrows are crazy though.

it was also pride while we were there, very cool and exciting to see people parading through tokyo, they looked very happy, that made me happy.

 

 

i was pretty excited to visit a tower records and it didn't disappoint. i didn't walk away with too much by way of music, but i was able to scoop a "saturday night" by zhane record for about $30 USD (i'd been looking on eBay to no avail), as well as some merch for myself and my parents. definitely want to check out more record stores whenever i go back.

 

a lot of walking was done. a lot.

shinkansen to kyoto. need one of these in the states desperately.

a shrine in kyoto, we didn't really check it out, one of our bus stops just happened to be outside of it. crazy to think how old this thing probably is.

 

also on our long walk to shimokitazawa. we happened upon this park (called komaba park) which had a western style mansion and a traditional eastern style home. we didn't spend any time looking at the houses as we were just passing through, but the park itself was beautiful, the tree cover was much needed after walking in the hot sun for awhile.

arashiyama monkey park. it was really fun, quite the walk. worth it for our experience, but mileage may vary. we were lucky enough to catch the feeding time where all the monkeys congregated and ate peanuts that the workers tossed out, it was interesting, but also kinda strange.

i pointed the camera at her every opportunity i could (which was often).

arashiyama and the katsura river. the trees were so pretty and lush.

hot dog from paddlers coffee. hot dogs seem kinda popular in japan.

i didn't end up going to the deer park in nara (my friends did), but we caught a glimpse of a few deer on the way down the hill from the monkey park. how cute.

lots of toyota comforts and toyota crowns as taxis. they look so cool, i'd love to drive this daily.

shibuya scramble on a warm, rainy night. wasn't as busy as it normally got, but still a bit crowded.

these covered scooter things are so funny to me, not sure why. i wanna drive one though, seems fun.

the osaka kaiyukan aquarium. i am not well versed in aquariums or aquatic animals (though i do love sharks), but this was quite fun. it was a bit of a mission to get to, especially since we were only in osaka for the day and we were bouncing around, but seeing the whale shark and other animals in that big tank was really cool.

 

all in all, it really was such a cool trip. we were there for about 2 and a half weeks and i don't at all feel like it was enough time, i can't wait to go back. thanks for reading this if you got this far. cheers! 

 

AUGUST 2024

APPLE MUSIC

I did in fact not post the August playlist in a little bit. This is a bit of a tough hobby to get in the habit of, but we try regardless!

 

1. Se Queres Saber by Nana Caymmi

The tone of her voice, the drifting horns, the soft crackle in the recording, and the gentle but driving plinking of the piano make this feeling like a soft warm daydream.

2. You've Got a Woman by Lion

Come for the drums, stay for the ooooo's and the guitars.

 

3. Beautiful Machine (Studio Demo) by SpaceArk

 

The quickest way to get me to listen to a song is adding "Demo" to the end of the title. This one has it all, lofi recording, super smooth kinda off vocal, guitar solo, vibes, bridge, fade out.

4. Never Gonna Leave You by Evans Pyramid

A disco song that leans a bit more ballad-y. Been saying a lot about this month's playlist, but I really do enjoy a singer with a sorta weird voice. The "No, I'll never leave you." layered vocal at the end is beautiful.

 

5. Janine by Arthur Russell

 

I've slowly been working through Arthur Russell's discography. "Love Is Overtaking Me", the project this song is on, was released in 2004, and is more guitar driven compared to 2000s "Calling Out of Context". Though it still contains much of the fun and experimental bits of Russell's production, I think this compilation of work really highlights his ability to write and verbalize feelings and emotions with a sense of earnestness, directness, and humor that I really appreciate, relate to, and hope to evoke in everything that I do. "Calling Out Of Context" is such a powerful body of work because it feels so experimental and forward thinking, "Love Is Overtaking Me" is proof that it's not all novelty and production, the songwriting is absolutely a factor.

6. Rufufus by Remi Wolf

I don't really know what to say about this besides I really enjoy how it was produced. Side chain compression I think.

7. One Wish (ft. Childish Gambino) by Ravyn Lenae

I love Ravyn Lenae, and that guitar riff.

8. Let Your Heart Be Free by Patrice Rushen

In hindsight, I must've really been in a Patrice mood. That baseline and the percussion are killer. It's funny cause it weirdly feels like there's a sense of restraint, like they're just holding back a little tiny bit while performing the song, and I absolutely love it.

9. Slow Fast Hazel by Stereolab

Stereolab makes really good thinking music. Find a window or a nice view and plant yourself in front of it, let this song be your companion.

10. People by Experience Unlimited & E.U.

Writing this in February is funny because I know for a fact this song would be (and likely was) excellent on a walk when it is sunny and 72 degrees. It's been gloomy and in the 50s/60s so I'll just have to enjoy this one in the car and house for now.

 

11. Tender Game by Swamp Children

 

I love the electric piano and drums with that ride. This song has a bit of a foreboding feeling, but the way the progression eventually resolves is pretty satisfying.

 

12. Eviction Scene by Melvin Van Peebles

I watched a screening of Watermelon Man (1970) directed by Melvin Van Peebles at the New Beverly and this song immediately stuck out to me while watching. Imagine being a genius director and still finding a way to make compelling music for your movies. I don't even particularly like the change around 3:08, but I love the first half so much, I'll let it slide.

13. It Never Rains in Southern California by Tony! Toni! Toné!

Must've also been in a Tony! Toni! Toné! mood. Raphael Saadiq is amazing. They were so so good at writing hooks.

14. Tell Me What It's Like by Nia Archives

 

 It feels like in the past couple years, UK artists and genres (DnB, Jungle, Garage, even Drill) have really had a moment and rightfully so. It's really fun to listen to.

24

 hey. been awhile.

my birthday is tomorrow (really some amount of minutes after posting this). i'm turning 24. hell of a year 23 was. i know that's extremely trite, and it was certainly less hell than 22, but some hell nonetheless. i really don't know exactly what to say or where to start. i guess you just look up one day and you're an adult with bills and responsibilities and slowly, but surely, you have to do things for yourself. quite daunting. i mean, i'm even supposed to pick what i want to eat everyday. even when i'm not hungry, even when nothing sounds good, i have to eat. very much a first world problem, and still, i'd say that is a pretty apt allegory for life in general. you have to keep going and finding your way, even when it's tough, even when it's not interesting. what a bleak thing to realize right before your birthday! but not all hope is lost, i honestly have a lot to be grateful for. i'm grateful to have arrived at this realization. i'm grateful to have learned all i have about myself and the people around me and to continue to learn. i'm grateful to have realized what i want from my life won't always be the same, and it's freeing to know that i am a person who grows and learns and changes and i ought to treat myself as such. everyday i have to remind myself that.

i won't go on and list everything i've learned or i'm grateful for and what great and terrible happenings caused it, but i do want to mention one thing in particular i think has helped me. i'm certainly very early in my journey to find my voice when writing, but one thing has, without a doubt, helped. i started to keep a little journal in my pocket. it's there most days, either in my left chest pocket or one of my back pockets, depending on what i'm wearing and if it fits. i usually keep the button for whatever pocket it's in undone, so i'm not fiddling with undoing it when an idea comes to mind or i hear or see something interesting. i started it in september probably, it's currently about half full of ideas for photos/designs/clothing, quips from friends, things i saw while i was out, etc. originally i got it cause i really enjoy having the tactile experience of actually writing something down instead of typing it into my notes on my phone, but i found it really help keep me present and in the moment. when the journal is in my pocket i found i'm more curious, more observant, and a better listener. with it's presence, the journal demands i write in it, and to write in it, i must have something to say. what do i have to say, if i have nothing to talk about. i always thought the idea of "romanticizing your life" was a bit corny, but corny is sometimes just necessary. my life can be full of beautiful, interesting things worthy of remembering if i let it be, if i just choose to see it and experience it.

 

so, in turning 24, i'd like to continue to do that. i want to write more, and share art, and read. i want to eat good food, and wear nice clothes that i enjoy, and actually go places and meet people and see things with my eyes rather than living passively and through a screen. it's a work in progress. that's all!

hopefully not so long this time, thanks again. peace!

JULY 2024

APPLE MUSIC / SPOTIFY

Yes, it's almost the end of August, who cares? Maybe I'll post an August playlist in a little too.

 

1. Juna by Clairo

Puttering drums, ascending and descending keys, soft vocals harmonizing with the synth.

Sounds like falling in love and being scared about it kinda.

2. (Lay Your Head On My) Pillow by Tony! Toni! Toné!

Lowkey perfect R&B song.

"The cutie pies, they all know, they can always L-A-Y on my pillow." = genius actually.

 

3. Mystery by SWV

 

There's something kinda off-kilter to this song. It feels like it sits in a pretty standard 90s R&B pocket, but vocally, the runs they do, the way they harmonize, and the way it moves feels kinda fitting for a song called "Mystery".

4. Vôo Sobre O Horizonte by Azymuth

God, I love tremolo on an electric piano. This sounds like sunlight and a warm breeze and nothing to do. That tone of that lead synth that follows along the vocal is excellent.

 

5. A Personal Issue by The Cleaners From Venus

 

I've been on a big Cleaners From Venus kick the past few months. This song has a really good bass line and I really the guitar riff that the song is built around. Plus the dudes song writing is kinda weird, but very enjoyable. I'd highly recommend their song "I Fell in Love With The Cleaner".

6. Ophis le Serpentaire by Daniel Janin & Jean Claude Pierric

I'm really bad at this kinda stuff, but I think the first half of this song is in 5/4 (I'm probably wrong, but it feels correct??), which is fun. I definitely like the first half more. The pause in the middle is unnecessarily long lol.

7. No More Like That by Eifuawn

I was just talking to a friend about how I think guitar music is cool one year and then like not the next and the pendulum always swings back and forth. 2024 definitely feels like a guitar music year (There's a lot of good everything though). This kinda sounds like an Alex G song a bit.

8. 360 by Charli XCX

I don't need to say anything about this I think.

9. Facing East by 79.5

Really into the "'fore it snowssssss".

10. Cross Country by Archie Whitewater

This song would probably go even crazier if it was cold and I was sad. I can still enjoy it even if both of those things aren't true. Love the piano on this one a lot. The vibraphone solo is also a welcome surprise.

 

11. Moon Hymn by Idris Muhammad

 

I really like the turn this takes at around the 2:15 mark. There's a random synth riser and then it gets really funky for 30 seconds before returning to serenity.

 

12. Blue Jeans by Blur

"I don't really want to change a thing. I want to stay this way forever, if you don't mind."

13. Cha Cha by Patrice Rushen

Really, really well produced, all around pleasant song to listen to. It's truly difficult to even single out any one thing cause it's all so nice.

14. Moanin by Cortex

 

 I ended last month going to see Cortex perform "Tropeau Bleu" in full live, because I missed it last time they were in LA and I was so bummed at the time. Very happy I got another chance and they did not disappoint. This song isn't too much like that album obviously, but still a fun listen. Especially enjoy the part that starts at 2:17.

my fit today, wednesday, july 25, 2024

 lol okay not literally today

i was originally going to wear my dark wash tcb jeans, but i opted for the noah jeans because the cuff i ironed into them this weekend was a little too long, and they were a little too flooded with the loafers. still, i like how it came out, the contrast between the dark jacket, the blue from the jeans and the yellow from the tie was nice.

gonna try drawing some other poses soon i swear!

prince-posting

 

 

i've listened to the instrumental at 21:49 so, so many times.