Saturday at Sunset: Inspiration
Like many people, I am fueled by inspiration, and luckily for me, I’ve felt inspired for the past few weeks. It’s exciting. I’m excited for the future: my next few posts on Sunset (including this one), starting my senior year of high school, and even beginning my dreaded college applications. It’s weird. I’ll be the first one to tell you. Shit is thoroughly messed up, but I am going to ride this wave of inspiration until conditions are deemed unsuitable for riding.
But enough about me. Saturday at Sunset is a daily special in which the songs and writing are based on some sort of theme or genre. This week’s theme is inspiration, so let me tell you about how I got inspired this fine summer.
About a month ago, Lydia took a chance on me by letting me write for Sunset. Not in a Meta World Peace playing for any NBA team kinda way, but just because she didn’t really know me. But by allowing me to write for her site, Lydia validated my presence on the Internet. She is one of the nicest people that I barely know, and I am forever indebted to her. Her hard work, kindness, and overall awesomeness inspire me. This post, for example, would not exist if it weren’t for her Straight Talk Sundays.
Under the influence.
Listen: “New Map” – M83
Listen: “Teflon Heart (Star Slinger Remix)” – Caged Animals
As you may know by now, I’m a huge comedy fan. It’s something that I find completely fascinating, and I adore it. Louis CK’s Chewed Up is one of my favorite things ever. Like, I like it more than I like people. If I had a child, it would be Chewed Up first, child second. Easily. If I had two children, it would be the same, because I’ve already decided that I won’t love my second child at all. I’ll hate him. I’ll teach him the colors the wrong way just to fuck him over for his entire life. But yeah, I like comedy, and I’ve always wanted to try stand-up. Twice. Because apparently, the first time you do stand-up, you don’t really get a feel for it; you’re so nervous. The second time you’re more…there. I got inspired by watching an HBO Special from a few years ago called “Talking Funny,” featuring Ricky Gervais, Jerry Seinfeld, Chris Rock, and Louis CK. The special was just them talking about comedy, and the fascinating thing about the whole thing was that they are the biggest comedy fans. They love what they do and have worked extremely hard to get to the top of their profession. Watching them talk candidly about the craft inspired me to write my own stand-up. Hopefully, I’ll be able to perform it one day. For human beings.
Fish are friends, not food. Swag swag.
MP3: “Never Be The Same” – Little Majorette
Listen: “Lighthouse” – Theophilus London
Listen: “River Hymnal (FISHING Remix)” – Guerre
I’ve been listening to the newest M83 album lately (“New Maps” is from the album as is “Wait” below). I’ll have a review out for it soon, but I just want to say that Hurry Up, We’re Dreaming is a breath of fresh air. Really. It’s reminded me why I like indie rock so much. It reminded me that behind some of the trash that is put out in today’s overly accessible market is some really well-constructed albums such as this one. The entire double disc effort could have easily been the soundtrack for Spike Jonze’s Where The Wild Things Are–it’s beautiful, atmospheric, dramatic, cinematic, and delicious for any music fan.
It’s not delivery, it’s L’Homme Run.
Listen: “Wait” – M83
Preorder Hurry Up, We’re Dreaming || CD | LP | InSound
MP3: “Don’t Go (ft. Josh Kumra)” – Wretch 32
My last source of inspiration has been a girl. She’s great in every way. I should tell her that.
MP3: “The Understanding” – Jones Street Station
Thanks for reading. You guys are the ones that really inspire me. Ha! Just kidding. Fuck you.
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Arjun || Twitter
