Roland Faunte is a musician whom I discovered randomly on Spotify. I instantly fell in love with his music after listening to his song, “Hand Over Hand,” from his album Sewing Kit. Through his lyrics, Faunte makes it clear that he battles with mental illness. In the song, he describes how companionship and love, even if fleeting, helped keep his head above water. This song, and others like “Happy Life,” “Levers,” and “Lilies” were in constant repeat when I was battling my own depression. It’s calming when you find an artist who speaks truth to mental illness and allows themselves to be vulnerable through their art.
Lyrics from his song “Hand Over Hand”:
“My little love I wanna leave, turn out the lights and be at ease. I feel I live along the brim of giving up and giving in. So hear me now without mistake, in case I falter and I break. Without a doubt, let me be clear. You are the reason I’m still here.”
Performance of “Levers”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v8zNlSHtVTE
“Hand Over Hand”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gm6hT2Bc-mk
If you are a Fiona Apple geek like me, then this is the page for you. This Instagram page often posts videos of Fiona, among other things, that she sends through her email to a person’s Tumblr page called, “FionaAppleRocks.” And if you don’t know who she is, well you are about to. She is a singer-songwriter that you may already know from her hit single, “Criminal,” that was released in the mid-90s. My father was the one who introduced me to her music, and for that I am VERY thankful. Her music speaks to my angsty, love-drunk, weirdo soul. One of my favorite songs of hers is called, “Every Single Night,” off of her fourth studio album The Idler Wheel… (2012). This song delves into the mind of Fiona, and it is definitely a trip and half.
Lyrics from Fiona’s song, “Every Single Night”:
“So I’m gonna try to be still now. Gonna renounce the mill a little while. If we had a double-king-sized bed we could move in it and I’d soon forget…that what I am is what I am ‘cause I does what I does. And maybe I’d relax, let my breast just bust open. My heart’s made of parts of all that surround me and that’s why the devil just can’t get around me. Every single night’s alright, every single night’s a fight. And every single fight’s alright with my brain.
Video for “Every Single Night”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bIlLq4BqGdg
Tumblr page: https://fionaapplerocks.tumblr.com/
Video for “Not About Love” (ft. Zach Galifianakis): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u09s0uz0tEU
Shortcake is an adorable pitbull that melts my heart every time she comes across my feed. She has the best smile, eyes, and fur coat in the biz. Shortcake is the only instagram model you need to follow, and you best believe that she will influence the f*** outta you. She enjoys lazy Sundays on the couch, cuddles, and car rides. She will make you want to rescue a million dogs, and then some. Look no further. It doesn’t get any better than this.
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CzbieTqWWyo
Fresno Bully Rescue: https://fresnobullyrescue.org/
Erica Lall is a ballet dancer who is a corps dancer for the American Ballet Theater. I follow a lot of ballet dancers, but she is definitely one of my faves. I think what I admire about her the most, besides being incredibly talented, is her wicked sense of humour and joyous spirit. It seems as though she lives every moment of her life with a smile on her face, and I aspire to live mine the same way.
Erica Lall recreating the Aunt Viv Dance: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F4vZLcDuNCg
Truth Hurts Performance: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sed_JNJZLoI
Interview w/ Elle magazine: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sP3L2OqEARA
Amanda Seales is an actor, comedian, podcaster, writer, author, intellectual with a Masters in African American Studies, etc., etc. She can do it all. I love that she is passionate and open about the way she feels, and that she is not afraid to use her voice to speak on things that are important to her (and that should be important to you too). As a person who happens to be white, I learn a lot from her knowledge about black culture, community, history, etc. And I think it is crucial to educate yourself, especially as a person who happens to be white, about the realities that face the black community such as institutionalized racism, police brutality, discrepancies in pay between races, etc. One of Seales’ close friends (who happens to be white) said it best in a page from Amanda Seales’ new book Small Doses,
“I challenge you (as I challenge myself) to make it a priority to learn, listen, and identify how you can be an ally to POC and the systematically disenfranchised, and disempower the myth of Whiteness. […] While I do not support the empowerment of Whiteness as a concept, I acknowledge I benefit from white privilege daily. […] It is NOT the move to ask your POC friends to fill you in. If they volunteer, listen — and be mindful of whitesplaining. If you misstep here, apologize and don’t shy away from future conversations.”
Podcast: Small Doses with Amanda Seales
Book: Small Doses
I had to rep my lil sis y’all!! She is a seventeen-year-old artist who posts a lot of her artwork on Deviantart and usually does commissions on there as well. I am proud of her evolution as an artist, and that she has found a niche in art that makes her happy. She also enjoys being a game master in DnD, creepypasta, and dark memes. Basically, she is the total opposite of me (except I do love me some dark memes and creepy stories…so, maybe not that different). And we are both chronically emotional and sensitive human beings, so please pray for us. Love you Hurleeyyyy!
Deviantart: https://www.deviantart.com/verathedragon
Sharon, or Asmr Glow, is my favorite ASMR artist (other than maybe Cardi B). I know that ASMR may not be everybody’s thing, but it has helped me go to sleep some nights, decrease my anxiety, and has given me many brain tingles. I love that she isn’t afraid to try new avenues of ASMR in order to help all her subscribers. Sharon is the real deal. Check her out!
Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFmL725KKPx2URVPvH3Gp8w
Cardi B ASMR: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HUMygkRhB88&t=298s
Well, Jeff explains jokes in incredible detail. Sometimes his explanations are funnier than the joke itself. He is truly committed to his craft.
Jeff’s Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQw4w9WgXcQ
I LOVE the show Outlander. This show is the only reason why I’ll be paying for a one-month subscription to Showtime come February. Two of the actors on the show, Sam Heughan, and Graham McTavish, have created a podcast, Clan Lands Show, that is based on Scottish Clans, their history, culture, and the landscape of Scotland. And I am so here for it! Not only do I get to listen to their wonderful Scottish accents, but I get to learn a thing or two about Scotland. The podcast has not been released yet, but when it does you’ll want to click that follow button for updates and pictures of their beautiful faces.
Sneak Peaks: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EJBcLzwuEf0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NgGAfHw4aQs
Other shows you should check out (if you haven’t already):
Fleabag (still need to do an article on that show. SO GOOD.)
Lucifer (Can’t wait for season 5!!)
Catastrophe
GUINEA PIGS!!! Need I say more?
If you are looking for more guinea pig content (as I’m sure you do), also check out:
Sammy is an international cosplayer that I met at the 2017 Comic Con in Stuttgart, Germany. She cosplayed as Raven from Teen Titans and I totally geeked out. She makes most, if not all, of her costumes and she’s stupid good at cosplaying. Check her out!