I can already tell that I am going to be loving this band. Loving is a slow-wave indie bedroom rock band from Canada. Their music gives off the impression of a lazy sunday, which pockets of sun poking in through the windows as the rain taps against the glass. The band consists of a group of three from Canada, who play sparse, intimate songs.
The band started back in 2015 when David Parry and Jesse and Lucas Henderson, who are brothers, started recording music together. It was initially a long-distance project, since some members of the trio were in Victoria while others were in Toronto. However, their initial success inspired the trio to become a full-time band and set up shop in Victoria.
The music of Loving is like psychedelic folk. It’s calming, relaxing, and uplifting all at once. Loving’s first album is their self-titled debut, which came out back in 2016. My favorite song is “The Not Real Lake,” closely followed by “Bowlly Goes Dancing Drunk Into the Future” and “A Long Slow Little Wave / Citizen, An Activity.” Their second album, “If I Am Only My Thoughts,” came out in 2020. It is a bit more fast-paced and features more acoustic sounds than their debut album. From this I would choose “A Mirror for Two Voices” and “Only She Knows” as my favorites.
You can love, you can leave it, and say you’re nothing without it, but don’t sleep on Loving. Hope you guys enjoy the tunes, -The DJ Formerly Known As Chippypants
For me, 2021 has been about finding music new and old that is good quality and worth listening to. This is evidenced quite clearly by this list being composed of music with release dates that span from 1998 to 2020. Let’s not waste any time and get straight into my February Favorites.
“Let’s Get Out” by Life Without Buildings
Up first, we have “Let’s Get Out,” by Life Without Buildings, an arbitrary but joyous song comprised of slightly nonsensical lyrics. Despite this, it is so addicting to listen to, as the words and phrases seem to have no real meaning behind them, causing them all to flow into each other beautifully. The lead singer of the band, Sue Tompkins, talk-sings amongst an addicting guitar melody engineered by Robert Johnston, upbeat percussion headed by Will Bradley, and a groovy bass-line by Chris Evans (not to be confused with the famous Marvel actor Chris Evans). This song feels like sunny days in January, and I can’t help but smile as I sing along.
“When It Hurts so Bad” by Ms. Lauryn Hill
This year, I finally listened to the critically acclaimed album, “The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill,” which as a whole has been a favorite of mine thus far in 2021. In the hook of this song, Lauryn Hill laments the question “When it hurts so bad, when it hurts so bad / Why’s it feel so good?” Hill displays her stunning vocals throughout this song, especially in the chorus. The outro of the song, like a few others on the album, includes a skit of a teacher asking a classroom full of students what love is. Following that story throughout the album is very fun, and makes it all-the-more cohesive. This track is the ultimate song to sing along to in the shower.
“Tarantula” by Wavves
Despite what the title might make you think, this song is not about arachnids, but rather the perfect angry-for-no-good-reason tune. It simultaneously is an upbeat dance tune, while also having fairly nihilistic lyrics, which is my personal favorite type of song. The chorus loudly asserts “Every morning / Toxic waste / Everything sucks / If you don’t get your way.” Wavves makes great indie-rock tunes and this song is a prime exemplar of that fact.
“Simple Math” by Kid Sistr
Kid Sistr started releasing music last year, and it would be no understatement for me to say that I’m obsessed. “Simple Math,” is a beautiful indie-rock ballad about the hard cycle of getting over a relationship. The chorus, which I love to poorly sing along to, goes “I keep falling back on simple math / It’s all I have / Trying to subtract you / Coming back to simple math.” The intricate lyrics, clean vocals, and slow and somewhat haunting instrumentation comes to a head at the end of the song, where the lead singer belts out the last couple of lines. Kid Sistr is an excellent band, and I especially keep coming back to this song.
“The Breeze” by Dr. Dog
“The Breeze” is a folkier song from Dr. Dog, a band that tends to lean more toward the genre of rock. This track feels like a winter in the Midwest in a comforting way that I can’t put my finger on quite completely. The folky nature of the song feels like a mixture of Fleet Foxes and “Norwegian Wood” by the Beatles. I can’t speak high enough praises of this song and the pure nostalgia it brings to me, despite only listening to it for the first time a few weeks ago. The lyrics are poetic in nature, my favorite section being the first chorus, which goes “Do you feel like you’re stuck in time? / Forever waiting on that line / If nothing ever moves / Put that needle to the groove / And sing.”
What’s going on Butcher Crew, it’s your Master Butcher, The Saw, and today we are going to talk about True Crime. This has always been a subject that fascinated me because I have always been curious as to why people do the things that they do. I also like to understand the sociology and the psychology of a person. I like to try and analyze the individual and see if I can come up with my only theories as to why people are the way they are or how an event could happen.
Below, is a list of shows that I enjoy watching that are based on true crime:
Mindhunters – Netflix
This TV show is based on actual FBI agents and their cases! This show follows around two FBI agents who helped create the term “serial killer” and also develop the behavioral science/psychology department at the Bureau.
Night Stalker – Netflix
This documentary goes through the investigation of the Night Stalker. There are interviews with the detectives that were on the case, family of the victims, and surviving victims.
American Murder: The Family Next Door – Netflix
This case was wild!! A mother and her two daughters go missing and the father is acting rather calm… I wonder why…
Evil Genius – Netflix
Follow the investigation to see who was behind the man who was told to rob a bank with a bomb attached to him. The people in this case are wild.
The Ripper – Netflix
Follow the investigation in England, when the Ripper was out on the streets.
Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil, and Vile – Netflix
This film follows around Ted Bundy (played by Zac Efron) and his gruesome murders. This film also shows the point of view of Bundy’s girlfriend, who did not know what her man was up to.
Conversations with a Killer: The Ted Bundy Tapes – Netflix
This film has audio recordings of interviews with Ted Bundy and his killings. These are fascinating to listen to because you get a glimpse of the personality behind the killer and his reasonings to kill.
Hotel Cecil – Netflix
Follow along with the investigation of Elisa Lam and dive through all the conspiracy theories and went along with this strange disappearance.
Bailey is a YouTuber who does her makeup while she talks about a true crime story. She does a great job at laying out all the information and giving you a good picture of what happened. She is very passionate about what she speaks about and she does a wide variety of true crime stories.
Instagram can be a truly soul-sucking place, but there is one reason why I’m still on it: the artists. There are so many incredible illustrators, designers, and painters that constantly give me inspiration. Here’s a list of some of my absolute favorites to hopefully inspire you too!
1. @kid_kura
Source: @kid_kura on Instagram.
Kid Kura does these amazing psychedelic illustrations that I can never get enough of. Most of their work is digital, but they also do a lot of zines too! The artwork shown above was from their campaign for Vice’s astrology signs instagram higlight.
2. @flesh_png
Source: @flesh.png on Instagram.
@Flesh.png is an anonymous artist that I’ve been following for a while. Though their work is mostly done on Procreate, I love the texture and collage-like quality they add. It’s been awesome to see them grow as an artist over the past few years!
3. @a.creature
Source: @a.creature on Instagram.
Ines J., the artist behind @a.creature, has created an entire cult following with her woozy and surreal illustrations. Her style is so unique, yet her skills are obviously very diverse. She is probably one of my biggest artistic inspirations. The way that she manages to breathe life into even the simplest doodles is amazing.
4. @mariamedem
Source: @mariamedem on Instagram
You can’t help but feel relaxed when viewing María Medem’s work. Using muted yet vibrant colors and images of nature, her illustrations seem to speak directly to your soul. Based in Spain, María specializes in “silent comics” and has published several books.
5. @birdofclaydesigns
Source: @birdofclaydesigns on Instagram.
Who knew that Sculpey could be so breathtaking? Luna Fae, the sculptor who runs @birdofclaydesigns, uses oven-bake clay to make incredibly intricate jewelry, knick-knacks, and other oddities. Her attention to detail is astounding, especially when it comes to all those little mushrooms!
6. @alisonzai
Source: @alisonzai on Instagram.
You could spend hours going through Alison Zai’s drawings and never get bored. Her hand-drawn comics are humorous and honest, perfectly depicting the pitfalls of human nature and relationships. Though they look simple, her style and way with words is incredibly endearing.
7. @pantspants
Source: @pantspants on Instagram.
I would be a fool if I didn’t mention Josh Mecouch, more commonly referred to as just “pants.” His simple cartoons are both creepy and hilarious. He somehow manages to create these charming little drawings with simple, messy lines and one main character, a silly balding fella with a mustache and glasses.
Valentine’s Day is right around the corner, and you know what that means! It’s time to buy a box of chocolates, get comfy in bed, and shamelessly watch romantic comedies until your stomach hurts. Whether you’re doing it alone, with a special someone, or with a whole group of friends, here’s ten of my all-time favorite rom-com’s to get you through V-Day!
1. Bridget Jones’s Diary
Number one on the list is always and forever going to be “Bridget Jones’s Diary.” This movie never fails to make me laugh, especially since Bridget and I share so many of the same qualities. Loosely based off of “Pride and Prejudice,” “Bridget Jones’s Diary” follows a clumsy “spinster” as she stumbles through boyfriends. It’s also a great Christmas movie too!
2. The Photograph
LaKeith Stanfield and Issa Rae are fantastic in “The Photograph.” After Mae finds a photograph from her estranged mother’s life following her death, she falls for a journalist, Michael, who is investigating it. It’s deeply heartfelt and is a must-watch for Valentine’s Day.
3. 10 Things I Hate About You
This movie is a cinematic masterpiece and an absolute classic. Similar to “Bridget Jones’s Diary,” the plot roughly follows Shakespeare’s “The Taming of the Shrew.” Cameron (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) pays borderline-criminal Patrick (Heath Ledger) to date abrasive, terrifying Kat Stratford so he can go out with her sister, Bianca. This movie is filled with lots of drama, bad jokes, and the best Y2K wardrobe.
4. Always Be My Maybe
“Always Be My Maybe” is one of those delicious Netflix Originals that you just can’t stay away from. Ali Wong plays Sasha Tran, a successful restaurant owner who moves back to San Francisco and reconnects with her childhood best friend, Marcus Kim (Randall Park). Even though she’s engaged, her feelings for Marcus still linger.
5. The Big Sick
Based on actual events, comedian Kumail Nanjiani tells the story of how he met his wife, Emily, and how their relationship was upended by Kumail’s parents and a mysterious illness that puts Emily in a coma. Though the plotline sounds a bit on the serious side, it’s ridiculously funny and definitely worth a watch.
6. The Princess Bride
“The Princess Bride” was one of my favorites growing up. Just like the kid from the beginning, it was my go-to sick day movie. This epic follows Buttercup and Westley on their journey to be together amidst evil kings, pirates, giants, and Rats of Unusual Sizes.
7. How to Lose a Guy in Ten Days
This movie is guaranteed to give you some laughs. Andie Anderson (Kate Hudson) is a writer for a women’s beauty magazine, unfulfilled with her shallow work. In order to get a promotion, she comes up with an article about “what not to do when dating.” To have content to write about, she starts “dating” Benjamin Barry and intentionally acts completely insane.
8. Love, Simon
“Love, Simon” is more of a tearjerker than a comedy, but it’s so good I just had to include it. Sure, it might be a little cheesy, but you can’t help being touched by Simon’s story. As he’s trying to find the anonymous online boy he’s crushin’ on, Simon finds himself being blackmailed by someone at school who threatens to out him.
9. Twilight
Last but not least, I present to you the best movie ever made, the first “Twilight.” It’s so bad that it’s objectively good. While it’s meant to be a drama, you know that if you’ve seen “Twilight” it leans much more towards comedy. Always worth re-watching if you’re feeling lonely or sad on Valentine’s Day.
One of my favorite things in this world is my record player. It is a 1992 cassette, CD, and record player and it gives me those ‘90s and grunge vibes that I love, oh, so much. After reading DJ Butter and DJ Mango’s posts about their vinyl collection, I decided to hop onto the trend.
I just went through all of my vinyls because I got an app called Discogs that lets you upload your vinyls and create a library. You can also add vinyls, CDs, and cassettes to a “Want list” and so I will be notified if/when there are some for sale. Discogs is also an online store so you can buy and sell your albums. I updated my library with this app and I listed out some of my favorite vinyls from my collection to share with my Butcher Crew!
Tash Sultana – Flow State
You already know how much I love this album, it’s one of my all-time favorites. I told myself that when I got a record player, that one of my first purchases would be this album on vinyl. I listen to it almost every day.
Obituary – Inked in Blood
I love me some groovy death metal and Obituary are the kings of groovy death metal. This vinyl is very special to me, not only because it’s one of my favorite albums and the cover is wicked, but because it is signed by all the band members! What a flex!
Cattle Decapitation – Death Atlas
I was really excited when I found this gem at Sorry State Records in downtown Raleigh. These guys are badass and Death Atlas is such a masterpiece. It was one of my favorite albums of 2019! This album is an essential piece for my collection and I am happy that I found it.
Death – Leprosy
This was the first vinyl I bought. I got it before I even had a record player because Death is such an influential band that I would have been a fool to not buy it. I hardly see Death records, so to see one of my favorite albums for sale, on vinyl, and in perfect condition, I had to secure the bag.
Kiss – Alive II
I have every Kiss record (that they made with their makeup on) on vinyl and they were all released on Casablanca (which is rare to see since Kiss records from them are not seen often). Alive II is my favorite because it’s a double record, it has pictures of the live stage and the individual members.
Celtic Frost – To Mega Theron
I like some black metal, and Celtic Frost is one of the OG’s. They are so awesome and this is one of my favorite Celtic Frost albums and it is a classic black metal record. The artwork on the inside cover is awesome, too!
Iron Maiden – Live After Death
One of my favorite Iron Maiden albums and my favorite Iron Maiden cover! This cover is so cool, I have it on a shirt. This album has my favorite song, “Hallow Be Thy Name” and to hear it on vinyl gives me chills. It is literally their best live record.
Boundaries – Your Receding Warmth
I literally just bought this vinyl and I cannot wait for it to get in because it is one of my favorite albums currently. I want to try and get all of my favorite albums on vinyl and I am so happy I get to add this to my collection.
Honorable Mentions:
AC/DC – Back in Black
Black Sabbath – Black Sabbath
Fleetwood Mac – Rumours
Grim Reaper – See You In Hell
Jimi Hendrix – The Essential Jimi Hendrix
Led Zeppelin – IV
Michael Jackson – Thriller
Prince – 1999
Quiet Riot – Condition Critical
Rush – Exit… Stage Left
Van Halen – 1984
Saturday Night Fever (The Original Movie Sound Track)
What are some of your favorite vinyls from your collection?
Who are the Burkharts? The Burkharts are a new band that sounds like an old style of 50s doo-wop beach music. With angelic background harmonies, a fast drum beat, and a light bit of guitar, this band seems to mimic almost everything the Beach Boys stood for. However, that’s not to say that the Burkharts are a carbon copy of them.
The Burkharts started in Buffalo, NY around two years ago. They have described themselves as not too sleepy, not too spicy. I honestly couldn’t put it any better than that. Their music keeps you engaged, but it’s not too overwhelming. It’s the kind of music I could do homework to or listen to while I walk around a park on a Sunday afternoon. Right now they only have two EP’s and a few singles out, but my favorite songs are “Our Rockaway,” “Pretty Words,” “Oh, Dreamer,” and “Flower City Nights.” Their second EP contains the latter two of my favorites and has more of an indie feel to it than their most recent EP, however you can still hear their trademark old-beachy-sound.
Hope you guys enjoy the tunes, -The DJ Formerly Known as Chippypants
You know those times when all of a sudden it feels like you’ve been hit with a wave of new, really good music out of nowhere? It’s the best feeling in the world. Finally, you can get yourself out of the same five-song rotation and expand your music taste, treating your ears to the soothing sounds of something new. I just recently happened upon this feeling for the first time in a while, and I would like to share it with you all. So, here is what I’ve been listening to lately.
“My Cousin Greg” by Houndmouth You might know this band from the song “Sedona,” but if you dig deeper into their discography you can find that they actually have an array of songs that match “Sedona’s” energy. “My Cousin Greg” is like one of those songs that starts out smooth but eventually gets more and more exciting as it goes on. Perfect for any car ride with friends.
“Evil Ways” by Santana I heard this song for the first time in a while last weekend while I was in Wilmington. It was a beautiful day and I was driving to the beach with friends when this song came on. The sun was shining through the Spanish moss and illuminating the car as a wild guitar riff spun through the car. And now I think of that every time I listen to this song.
“Blue Magic” by Kelly Hogan and Bill Taft This is one of those songs that is perfect for laying in bed at 3 AM and staring up at the ceiling. It has an echoing guitar with a vocalist to match it perfectly. It sounds very similar to “White Rabbit” by Jefferson Airplane.
“Miracle” by Jurassic Shark Jurassic Shark is a nice little surf rock band that came out with the album “Miracle” back in 2014, however I’ve only just recently been getting into them. My favorite song off of the album is “Summer.” The sound of the song definitely lives up to its name.
“Above Water” by Felly This song encapsulates the feeling of trying to make it through the first week of classes. No matter how stressful it gets to keep everything up to date, you just have to keep your head above water.
Well I hope you guys enjoy the tunes, -The DJ Formerly Known as Chippypants
What’s going on Butcher Crew?! It’s your Master Butcher, The Saw, and today we will be talking about going back to school. I don’t know what it is, I love being on break and doing nothing, but I love preparing for a new semester and getting my school supplies and area together. It’s a time to start over and create better study habits. I will be giving you guys some of my tips and tricks that I use in order to be successful in school and start off the new semester with ease.
School Supplies
This is probably one of my favorite things about going back to school, I. LOVE getting school supplies. Usually, each student has their “core” supplies that they buy in order to organize their materials for class. Here is what I do: first, I get a planner. These help me keep track of all of my assignments, readings and papers. I don’t like taking notes on my computer, you can say that I am old-school. So, instead I buy a binder, loose leaf paper, and dividers in order to keep track of all of my class notes. This is cheaper than buying notebooks for each class, it uses less paper, and it keeps everything in one place. Highlighters, pencils, and pens are a must. Get some pretty colors to make taking notes fun!
Clean your study space
Since all of my classes are online, it is important to keep my school space clean and organized. Working in a clean space will do a lot of positive things for you; it’s as if a clean workspace makes a clean headspace. I like to have my space cozy and neat. This helps me be able to sit down for large periods of time doing work. I also have a shelf that is dedicated to all my textbooks and binders so all of my school supplies are in one place.
Syllabuses are your BFF
When you get your syllabus for all of your classes, print those out and keep them for the entire semester. These will have all of your due dates, more information and requirements for those assignments, the class schedule with the readings, and contact information for your professor. I like to give each class that I am enrolled in a different color pen and write down all of my due dates and writing/reading assignments for each class. This helps me stay on top of my work and keeps me less stressed. When I know what is going on weeks in advance and I can plan accordingly is when I do my best work.
I hope my tips can help! Do you have any tips and tricks that have helped you through school?
Second-hand shopping is the best shopping. Not only are you (usually) saving a pretty penny by thrifting, but you’re also avoiding fast fashion! It’s so important to shop sustainably, and buying pre-loved goods is one of the easiest ways to do so. My new year’s resolution was to only buy clothes, books, and furniture used, and it’s been super rewarding! One of my favorite pastimes is to explore rows of antiques. Here are some of my favorite second-hand stores near NC State (in no particular order):
1. The Cheshire Cat
This place is a treasure trove if you love antiquing. Located in Cameron Village next to the Goodberries, the Cheshire Cat is a huge underground antique store. It’s filled with just about anything you can imagine from dozens of different vendors. There are records, books, furniture, clothes, knick-knacks, and literally the most random stuff you’ll ever see. I’m not exaggerating when I say that you could get lost in there for hours. If you’re looking for cheap vinyl, they have lots of $1 records available.
2. Nice Price Books & Records
Nice Price is an obvious favorite, especially since it’s right across from campus next to Cup a Joe. They’ve been around for over 20 years and continue to be one of Raleigh’s best record stores. Not only do they have new releases from current artists, but they also have rare used records as well. It’s a bit pricey for me, but their used book section is fantastic and you’re sure to find something special.
3. Rumors Chapel Hill
Since I moved to Chapel Hill last summer, Rumors has become my favorite spot. Though Franklin St. will never compare to Hillsborough St. (to me at least), the little side avenue where Rumors lives is the exception. They have tons of used, on-trend clothes and some really nice vintage pieces. If you’re on a budget, Rumors is probably the best curated thrift store to hit up because of their low prices. Looking to get some clothes off your hands? They also buy clothes at a really fair price!
4. Father & Son
Because they get the majority of their stock from estate sales, Father & Son is the peak of high-end vintage shopping, but get ready to drop some cash if you’re shopping there. They have the most beautiful mid-century furniture and art. Their clothing selection includes lots of ball gowns, leather jackets, and quality vintage pieces. Despite being on the more expensive side of things, Father & Son does have some cheap records!
5. Reader’s Corner
Reader’s Corner is the best place to find used books. Period. It’s one of those places that people often forget about but are amazed by when they walk through the doors. Though it’s a small place, it’ wall-to-wall with books. This is where I get all my vintage collage magazines and prints from! They are very budget-friendly and super helpful in there. Located a bit up the street from Nice Price, it’s a definite must-see!
Though it’s a bit of a haul away from Raleigh, the Design Archive Emporium is a second-hand shop in Downtown Greensboro that I absolutely love. Like the Cheshire Cat, it’s a vendor-based thrift store with (mostly) clothes for sale. I’ve found some amazing pieces there for super cheap! If you’re ever taking a trip westward you gotta make a stop there.
