Golden Globe Awards

The 78th Golden Globe Awards

Today is the 78th Golden Globe Awards to be held in Beverly Hills, CA. Being a local living in Los Angeles we get these banners on lamp posts plastered about town.

Tina Fey & Amy Poehler are back as hosts, it should be interesting to see how they stage the show. That's one of the odder things I have enjoyed about the pandemic is how they pull off Award Shows. It sure brings out the Entertainment Industries creative side.

So kick back, grab some snacks and enjoy to quote the banner above it's "What the globe needs right now" - Cheers to that! 

Tap the link below for the list of nominees -

https://www.goldenglobes.com/articles/2021-nominations-78th-golden-globe-awards-have-been-announced

Reunited

We Are Family
Lady Gaga & Children

With the world being all sorts of crazy, perhaps the weirdest story of the week was the kidnapping of Lady Gaga's French Bulldogs. (Sorry CPAC, your no longer winning the crazy game. You are simply boring loons at this point for me.)

Gaga and her dogs have been reunited, this took me to my happy place. While it is unclear what the motivation was for the dognapping (I will be curious to find out) happy endings these days are always a welcome change of pace.

(CNN) The two French bulldogs violently stolen from Lady Gaga's dog walker have been returned safely, the Los Angeles Police Department said Friday.

A woman, who wasn't named, met the entertainer's staff and detectives at the Olympic Community Police Station with the animals at around 6 p.m. PT, the LAPD said in a statement.

"The woman found the dogs and reached out to Lady Gaga's staff to return them," the statement said. "The woman's identity and the location the dogs were found will remain confidential due to the active criminal investigation and for her safety."

The LAPD also updated the condition of the dog walker, saying he was "stable" with injuries that were not life-threatening.

Go Gaga on IG -

https://www.instagram.com/ladygaga/   

It's National Tell A Fairy Tale Day!

Ready For The Ball
Zendaya 

"Once upon a time there was a Dancing Chicken that made toast with the silhouette of Hello Kitty on it..."    

In case you haven't guessed it's National Tell A Fairy Tale Day and telling them obviously is not my forte. Thus I will leave that to the experts like The Brothers Grimm or Hans Christen Andersen.

To help commemorate the day we have Zendaya on hand dressed as Cinderella at the Met Gala. 

What the world needs now is a good fairy tale, a happy ending so to speak. I don't know about you but that's what I am going to do today. Immerse myself in a good old fashioned escapism.

Join me and Zendaya, in a world of fantasy and fun, won't you?

It's OK to check out ever so often, so be good to yourself 😊

National Tell A Fairy Tale Day on the WWW -

https://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/fun/tell-a-fairy-tale-day  

Michael's Musings

The Ole Yin and Yang
Michael Shinafelt

"Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes
Turn and face the strange" - David Bowie

This week has brought about some major changes that are a coming. While they won't be immediate they are a sure thing. How one handles certain changes is how it effects them. I'm looking forward to what transpires in the near future.

Saw I Care A Lot on Netflix, did I like it? Sort of, while I wasn't bored it definitely needed to be more focused and have some sort of arc for the character played by Rosamund Pike 

And now a French lesson from Josephine Baker...

Remember everything's bigger in Texas, especially the incompetence 

Daft Punk = No More

Weather has delayed Willie, the more you know

Nasty, dumb goons, oh my!

Did you know? Admission to Heaven is 90% determined by spelling and grammar

Isn't it sad a rotisserie chicken's whole life is only worth 5 dollars?

Woman Crush of the Week - Eiza Gonzalez from I Care A Lot, do you have to ask why after seeing it, or the photo above? I think not!

If asked to define a word, never add an unknown one to describe it to the mix

Looking for your mask while it's hanging on my ear, is the new looking for your phone while you are holding it

I sit and drink tea, not Pennyroyal Tea, just plain black tea

Wine is the nectar of the Gods - fight me on this

I've got 99 problems, but you won't be one

Find out what those problems are at:

https://www.instagram.com/michaelshinafelt/?hl=en

https://twitter.com/MShinafelt   

Hump Day & Chill

Do You Want To Build A Snowman?

Today there is going to be more "Chill" than the usual Hump Day & Chill. Why you may ask? Well see this man all bundled up in the snow? Yeah, the hunky one above, that's the one. He is going to be peeling those layers of clothing off gradually until, you guessed it he is 100% wearing nothing in the freezing snow! How's that for cajones?

Is it worth braving the cold to view this striptease, well IMHO "Yes!" the end result will definitely turn up the heat and thaw your chilled loins for Hump Day.

So click on the link below to visit the Snowman at Tye Brigg's Favorite Hunks & Other Things.

Hump Day & Chill, indeed...

https://favoritehunks.blogspot.com/2021/02/a-snowy-strip.html  

G(Reese) Is The Werd...

You're The One That I Want
Reese Witherspoon

Levity is the name of today's game, not the name game. While I saw this photo when it was initially posted on her Instagram page, I stumbled upon it again surfing the WWW. You might could say, it made me smile because it is so damned silly. 

"Yes" Minions I hereby declare today Grease on Reese day! Can I get a hoot and a holler?! Of course I can!!!

I mean just how fun is this image I ask you? I asked you, answer me damn it! Fine moving on...today is about fun not strife, so I can take a non-response, for now.

My decree for all of you today is to do something silly, but not with string. Photoshop is the challenge of the day, do it and do it now!

Reese on IG -

https://www.instagram.com/reesewitherspoon/?hl=en  

Monday Motivation

Feel The Love
Mariska Hargitay & Christopher Meloni

Happiness is...

Well that takes on many shapes and forms, but for all intended purposes today, happiness is being reunited!

In case you have not caught my drift, I am a huge Law & Order: SVU fan. I so seldom fan out on anything, thus you need to understand how much weight this truly carries, got it?!

Thus nothing makes me slap happier than seeing this photo of Mariska Hargitay & Christopher Meloni working together again.

"Yes" I know it's to provide the starting point for Chris' spin off series Law & Order: Organized Crime, but this dynamic duo is back in action, if even for a blip second, and that brings me joy. 

So where's the Monday Motivation in all this? Find something that brings you happiness and joy today, even if it is just a TV Show.

It's all good...

Law & Order: SVU on IG -

https://www.instagram.com/nbcsvu/?hl=en

Building Homes For Heroes

Four Corners Motorcycle Rally is proud to announce that they have teamed up with legendary rock band Avenged Sevenfold for the ‘Ride Now and Rock On The Road’ Sweepstakes. Participants can donate for a chance to win a VIP rock and roll vacation for 2 to see Avenged Sevenfold at a future concert in the continental US (side stage access, backstage tour, lodging, and transportation) PLUS a customized 2020 Harley-Davidson Street Glide from Durango Harley-Davidson, or $20k in cash! Donations will benefit Building Homes For Heroes, who will build a mortgage-free house for a veteran. Sweepstakes ends March 28, 2021. Four Corners Motorcycle Rally happens annually over Labor Day Weekend in Durango, Colorado; 2021 event dates are Friday, September 3 - Sunday, September 5.

Watch the Four Corners Motorcycle Rally sweepstakes information video HERE. 

Visit HERE to learn more about those who will be generously affected by your donation through the efforts of the nonprofit organization, ‘Building Homes For Heroes’.

“I’m honored to have the support of M. Shadows from Avenged Sevenfold with our efforts to raise money for Building Homes For Heroes. In the middle of the craziness of the past year with concerts being canceled this is an amazing experience to give everyone who joins us an opportunity to look forward to when concerts return,” says John M. Oakes, managing partner of Four Corners Motorcycle Rally.

Fans can visit www.FourCornersMotorcycleRally.com to make a donation benefitting Building Homes For Heroes. Donations can be made in denominations of $10, $25, $50, up to $100 - the higher the pledge, the exponential increase in entries*. Entries will close on March 28, 2021. One winner will be chosen at random to win the grand prize.

About Building Homes For Heroes:
Building Homes For Heroes story began after the tragedy of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, when our Founder, Andy Pujol, volunteered in the search and rescue side-by-side with our heroic first responders. Witnessing the horrors around him, Pujol made a pledge that day to serve the country he loved, and to help the brave men and women who fought to defend our freedom in the aftermath of those attacks to the present day. Soon after, Building Homes for Heroes was born with the hope of giving a single home to a single veteran. Thirteen years later, thanks to the help of tireless volunteers, supporters, and generous corporations, the dream has grown to 225 homes gifted to our nation’s injured veterans by the end of 2019, and nearly one home gifted every 11 days, on average.

Together, Building Homes for Heroes has grown to become a nationwide partnership of communities and corporations working together to make our country a better place by serving our nation’s heroes. With continued support, Building Homes for Heroes hopes to reach its 300th home gift by 2021, and its milestone 500th home by 2025.

Leech Therapy

Get The Glow
Demi Moore

Ever wonder how Demi Moore keeps her youthful looking skin? Well wonder no Moore (pun intended) - it's called leeches Minions.

That's correct, Demi gets up close and personal with those little blood suckers. Turns out they detoxify the blood, which gives Demi her glowing epidermis.

Personally I would pass on this beauty tip, but hey whatever works, I guess?!

File this under: The Moore You Know

Mic Drop!

Demi on IG -

https://www.instagram.com/demimoore/?hl=en

Film Buff Friday: Nosferatu in Venice

"DARKLY POETIC BEAUTY... Kinski ravishes his glamorous co-stars with frankly unsettling bestial enthusiasm"  —The Spinning Image

What was intended to be an unofficial sequel to Werner Herzog's NOSFERATU instead became one of the most notoriously fascinating productions in EuroCult history: Klaus Kinski - "now fully in the grip of the 'batsh*t crazy' phase of his career" (Rock! Shock! Pop!) - gives his penultimate performance as the legendary vampire resurrected in modern-day Venice with an insatiable hunger for warm blood and rough sex. Donald Pleasence and Academy Award® winner Christopher Plummer co-star in this sumptuously insane shocker that features music by Oscar® winner Vangelis (CHARIOTS OF FIRE), employed five different directors - including Mario Caiano (NIGHTMARE CASTLE), Luigi Cozzi (PAGANINI HORROR), writer/producer Augusto Caminito and reportedly Kinski himself - and still delivers "one eye-popping scene after another" (Cinema Retro), now scanned in 2k from the original negative.

Media

Watch trailer »

Bonus Materials

• Creation is Violent – New Feature-Length Documentary on Kinski’s Final Years
• Creation is Violent Outtakes: – Nothing Bad Can Happen – Gypsies Should Be Played By Real Gypsies!
• Trailer

Sales Points

• Includes an all new documentary on Klaus Kinski
• The unofficial sequel to Werner Herzog’s NOSFERATU
• Scanned in 2k from the original negative
• For fans of Nosferatu, Near Dark, The Hunger
• The worldwide blu-ray premiere

Order Here: https://mvdb2b.com/b2b/s/SEV4682BR

Michael's Musings

Get "The Look"
Michael Shinafelt

"The More Things Change, The More They Stay The Same" - Jean-Baptiste Alphonse Karr

Ever get the feeling that even though things are getting better there is a certain sameness to them? Sort of like life is merely a thing of slight variations, nothing too intense and then boom!

Yeah, I thought so, let's pump up the volume and create our own noise...!!!

My thoughts are with my family, friends and the people of Texas, stay safe

How Appropriate Rush Limbaugh passed during Black History Month

Sniff glue, worship Satan, any questions???

Roses are red, violets are blue, don't confuse the KY with the Gorilla Glue

Good riddance? Great Riddance! Know the difference

Wonder if God has ever thought of killing us all as a coping mechanism

Sometimes I wonder: What would Lizzie Borden do?

Please explain Cryptocurrency to me, on second thought, nevermind...

Woman Crush of the Week - In honor of Black History Month trailblazer Diahann Carroll, remember Julia? If not, that's what Google is for

There is only one true Pod, think about it, but not too much

Once upon a time music wasn't in the cloud

In case you might need one sending a huge hug to you

"Sean Hannity, Jeanine Pirro, and Tucker Carlson walk into a bar. The bar is immediately lowered" - Elayne Boosler

I'm actively trying to be a GIF

Help me on my quest at:

https://www.instagram.com/michaelshinafelt/?hl=en

https://twitter.com/MShinafelt   

Hump Day & Chill

Artyom

"California dreaming (California dreaming) On such a winter's day" - The Mamas & The Papas 

While it tis a hazy shade of winter in most of the USA - We here in California are quite fortunate to have mild temperatures and weather (this is why we pay to stay in this region Minions) 

Thus today we are going to really put the "Chill" in Hump Day & Chill with model and artist Artyom. He's breaking out his nether regions and the rest of his bare body in the freezing ass snow!

Taking you to a place that everyone has been before cold, rain and just plain frigid. Well perhaps not so frigid when you see his warm flesh in the middle of a cold bank.

Oh, and "Yes" this comes via Tye Briggs Favorite Hunks & Other Things, naturally.

Thus what are you waiting for?! It's Time for a real bona fide Hump Day & Chill winter style. Get on your sleigh and slide into the link below...not 10 below!!!

https://favoritehunks.blogspot.com/2021/02/artyom-snezhnyy-den.html

Do A Grouch A Favor

Getting Grouchy With It!
Oscar The Grouch

"A grouch is a habitually irritable or complaining person, a grumbler." ~ Merriam-Webster Dictionary

Today is National Do A Grouch A Favor Day, "Yes" really, look it up if you don't believe me. So here to help us celebrate is the biggest, and most famous grouch of them all, Oscar!

The mission of today, should you choose to accept it? If you see someone in a grouchy mood, and let's face it, we all have them, do that person a favor to cheer them up.

"Yes" it's that simple and easy. No one is expecting you to solve said person's problem, just do something kind for them and see how good it makes them, and you, feel.

So now I beg the question, what shall I do for Oscar?  Anyone have any ideas? Send them my way!

Do A Grouch A Favor Day on the WWW -

https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/do-a-grouch-a-favor-day/  

Night Flight TVi

Night Flight Launches 24/7 Independent Music Video Channel

Featuring an eclectic mix of independent music videos from Sub Pop, Dais, RVNG Intl.,

Dark Entries and more to come. Artists include Clipping., Kate NV,

Orville Peck, Drab Majesty, King Khan, and Patrick Cowley.

Pioneering music TV series Night Flight has launched a 24/7 TV channel dedicated to independent artists and labels on its popular streaming platform Night Flight Plus. The new channel coincides with the arrival of revered reissue label Dark Entries on the apps, who will join the current Night Flight label partners that include Sub Pop, Dais, and Rvng Intl. Drag City will be arriving next, with more labels to come in 2021.

From Night Flight founder and CEO Stuart S. Shapiro: “From Day One, Night Flight has been a beacon for the creativity and innovation of independent musicians and artists. It's in our DNA. NFTVi now celebrates this art form which is so vibrant today and culturally important. I am so proud to launch our second 24/7 TV channel on the Night Flight Plus platforms.”

NFTV and the new independent music platform, NFTVi, are available exclusively to Night Flight Plus members to enjoy on Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV and Online. Like a “Punk Criterion Channel,” the Night Flight streaming app is the exclusive home to original Night Flight episodes, and an eclectic mix of cult films, music documentaries, concert films, and video rarities.

Beginning in early 2020 with a partnership with Sub Pop, Night Flight has created new episodes of Night Flight with over 50 artists from its independent label partners. Featuring introductions from the show’s original host, Pat Prescott, and exclusive visuals from select artists, these new episodes uphold and further the iconic series original mission: exposing its audience to the diverse and eclectic sounds from across the musical landscape.

At launch, the new Night Flight channel will feature Video Profiles from an eclectic mix of independent music videos from independent artists including Clipping., Kate NV, Orville Peck, Drab Majesty, Weyes Blood, J Mascis, Genesis Breyer P-orridge, King Khan, Patrick Cowley, ADULT., Peter Ivers, and many more..

Memberships for the streaming app are $4.99/month and $39.99/year. Night Flight Plus is the ONLY place to watch original episodes of the iconic ‘80s series. Start your 7-day free trial today.

Valentine's Day...

Happy Valentine's Day!

Tatum Lynn "Let Your Hair Down"

Tatum Lynn
Photo:
Sergio Garcia

TATUM LYNN RELEASES PARAMORE COVER “STILL INTO YOU”

WATCH THE VIDEO HERE

  LISTEN TO BALLAD VERSION HERE   

"LET DOWN YOUR HAIR" ALBUM RELEASES MARCH 5,2021 

 No Doubt's "Just A Girl" Cover Available HERE 

 "CLOSER" LYRIC VIDEO HERE

LISTEN HERE

“Later Baby, XO” HERE SOARS OVER 1 MILLION VIEWS

Tatum Lynn is not your typical “new artist.” Yes, she’s about to release her first album, Let Down Your Hair on March 5 2021, which features 14 tracks of pop paradise, but there aren’t too many people who can claim a chart topping first single before their record even drops. From the time she was ten years old, Tatum showed a dedication and savvy unlike most, giving her all in to developing herself as an artist; in late 2019, at the age of 19, that commitment paid off as “Later Baby XO” HERE broke in to the Billboard Top 40 and has garnered over 1 million views. Tatum hasn’t looked back since.

 

To celebrate Valentine's Day, Tatum has recorded a stripped down ballad version of Paramore's hit song, "Still Into You."  Watch the video for "Still Into You" HERE and stream the track HERE  “Still Into You” is one of my all time favorite songs. I have covered it before, but none of them are like this. The piano version brings out raw emotions that you wouldn’t get from the upbeat version. Hopefully I make Hayley Williams proud!!" says Tatum

In advance of the March 5 Let Down Your Hair album release, Tatum has released two album cuts including, "Closer" HERE along with a special live studio performance HERE and the lyric video HERE.  Additionally, Tatum released her first single & video “Let Down Your Hair” HERE (directed & choreographed by So You Think You Can Dance famed dancer/choreographer Benji Schwimmer) and is available on all formats HERE. 

Photo:
Sergio Garcia

While the whole album explodes with surprises, there are some tracks that deserve to be put on repeat:  It will be hard not to get up and dance when “Let Down Your Hair” comes on.  Tatum worked with producer/songwriter Joey Barba and Lauren Christy on the track.  The song is a clarion call for optimism and strength, Tatum encourages people to rise above the noise and just be yourself as she states here: “I have many fans and followers that shared with me their experiences and frustrations of being bullied on and off social media.  “Let Down Your Hair” was written to give them courage and the confidence to not let this get you down, and to keep on trying and smiling. Social media can be brutal, I have experienced it firsthand. The world is full of fakers and haters, so making sure we remember who we are, and to let down your hair is so important.”

 

Work on the album Let Down Your Hair Pre-Order HERE started in California, where Tatum, armed with her journal, began writing with A-Level talent. “I’ve been very comfortable writing with other people. We talk about what’s happening in our lives, ideas we want to touch on, and then we just go.” For the album, Tatum collaborated with Lauren Christy (Avril Lavigne, Dua Lipa, Kelly Clarkson), who was part of the award-winning Matrix writing trio, celebrated writer/producer John Fields (P!nk, Demi Lovato, Jonas Brothers) producer Joey Barba and Jon Levine (Meghan Trainor)

 

While choosing songs, she knew the stakes were high and worked hard to make sure the songs were accessible, smart, fun and meaningful. “What I like to say about this album is that there’s a song on there for everyone. Whether it’s losing a friend, going through a break up, trying to figure out where you stand, or even celebrating differences, you can come find a song for you.”

 

Tatum’s new album Let Down Your Hair is set for release March 5, 2021. 

  

Check out Tatum’s cover of  No Doubt's "Just A Girl" HERE

Check out Tatum’s cover of Post Malone’s “Hollywood’s Bleeding” HERE

 

Follow Tatum Lynn here:

Instagram  - https://www.instagram.com/tatumlynnmusic/

Facebook  - https://www.facebook.com/TatumLynnMusic

Twitter - https://twitter.com/tatumlynn

Official website: https://www.tatumlynn.com/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=tatum+lynn 

Happy Chinese New Year!

Party Like An Ox!
George Clooney

Happy Year of the Ox Minions! That's correct today marks the beginning of the Chinese New Year, this year is owned by the Ox.

Thus I thought we would ring it in with George Clooney who was born in 1961 making him, well an Ox according to the Chinese Zodiac Calendar.

Here's what Chinese Astrology has to say about him: "George Clooney was also born in the year of the Metal Ox, in 1961. These people don't aim to be the center of attention, but they often receive recognition due to their hard work. And this seems to be Clooney's case, since he is always focused on making great films, rather than being famous. Everything he has achieved, including fame and money, is a result of his hard work.

When it comes to fashion, the Metal Ox is often classic and more traditional, and that is again a way to describe Clooney."  Happy New Year!

Chinese New Year on Wikipedia:  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_New_Year    

Michael's Musings

"It Me"
Michael Shinafelt

Like the image above states "It Me" I'm not sure where to start or where to end, I'm just me and that's it. Like the rest of you trying to figure out what my new normal is, it's kind of tenuous when nothing is truly stable in the world at present.

We will get there at some point, trust...

R.I.P. Mary Wilson founding member of the legendary The Supremes 

Wanna appear smart in meetings? When everyone seems to like an idea yell "Ship It" people will then think you have the power to ship things

Mr. Woo does not pay for p#ssy, you go Mr. Woo!

#FreeBritney

Table legs hate the human race, the more you know

When your head is up your ass you tend not to get out much

I have a gimp, that is all

They call it "The Cunning" look it up!

Woman Crush of the Week - in honor of Black History Month, Billie Holiday. If you have to ask why check out some of her music on line, you'll find out.

Tell Vagisil I want them to know it was me...

R.I.P. Larry Flynt for his free speech activism 

Positive thing about the Pandemic? Since going out isn't an option I paid off one of my Credit Cards and the other one is almost there

To those who want to bubble wrap Betty White, please consider this would hasten her demise and she would suffocate 

Watching the documentary about the Cecil Hotel on Netflix. I unwittingly visited it when it was called Stay On Main. I remember it did have a weird vibe.

Good Vibes Only here, with me at: 

https://www.instagram.com/michaelshinafelt/?hl=en

https://twitter.com/MShinafelt    

Hump Day & Chill

This summary is not available. Please click here to view the post.

National Pizza Day

Woofing!
Meryl Streep

In these times there is a day for everything, thus I do not acknowledge them all. Yet, how could I pass up a shout out to National Pizza Day, I ask you? "Yes" I asked, are you thinking of your answer or simply ignoring me?! Moving on...

Pizza how do I love thee le me count the ways, you are my favorite food group. You and Mexican Food complete me in a way nothing else can. 

Here to help us celebrate NPD is Meryl Streep, this image of her woofing down on a mighty slice made me smile, it's not your typical Meryl thing to do, ya know woofing. That's what makes it so damned amusing, and amused I am.

Well I guess that means I'm gonna have to celebrate accordingly, pizza for lunch it is!

Mic Drop!

National Pizza Day on the WWW -

https://nationaltoday.com/national-pizza-day/

Monday Motivation

Let's eat the music, there is a vast majority of us out there who are struggling with those Pandemic pounds. This quote from my friend Dr. Nina caught my eye, thus it is today's Monday Motivation, indeed.

I for one have never owned a scale, so honestly I do not know what I weigh at this point and juncture. All I know is that I lost a substantial amount of weight and gained a lot of it back. I used to weigh in at the gym on occasion, remember those? 

For this part of my journey I am not going to weigh myself at all I'm simply going to work on being healthy and in shape, for what I want to be. Not what a piece of plastic tells me who I should be.

Another trick I use to help myself is instead of saying "I need to watch what I eat and lose some weight" I say instead "I will watch what I eat and lose some weight" Yeah, it's the little things. 

For more Monday Motivation give Dr. Nina a follow on Instagram -

https://www.instagram.com/dr.nina.psychoanalyst/?hl=en   

Year Of The Living Dead

John Tejada

With his new album, Year Of The Living Dead, due out on February 26, 2021 on Kompakt, Vienna-born and LA-based producer John Tejada finds a blissful extended moment of balance between the new and the familiar. Anyone who’s followed his career to date, which has included four previous albums for Kompakt, outings for storied labels like Plug Research, Playhouse and Cocoon, and numerous remixes and collaborations–most recently, his Wajatta duo with comedian and musician Reggie Watts–will immediately sense the warmth and eloquence that Tejada brings to his gilded, pliant techno and electro hybrids. But there’s more here, too; an explorer’s glimmer in the producer’s eye, as he gets to grips with new ways of working and being, while offering a reflective opening for the listener, something echoed in artwork by graphic designer and ‘contemplative artist’ David Grey. For more information, please visit kompakt.fm/releases/year_of_the_living_dead

“The album was started using tools I was unfamiliar with, which became an interesting exploratory process,” Tejada explains. “Staying away from the obvious and having to re-learn simple things was a fun challenge.” You can hear these new creative pulsions pushing the eight tracks on Year Of The Living Dead ever-forward; the album has a unique cast, and though there are trace elements of the genres Tejada has indulged previously, he’s never quite put them together this way before. There’s the dubwise glitter sprinkled across the moody opener “The Haunting Of Earth,” the kind caresses found amongst the deftly woven textures of “Sheltered,” and the churchy melancholy, all hymnal and golden, of “Echoes Of Life.” Year Of The Living Dead also speaks obliquely to its moment, though Tejada works this implicitly, allowing the strange circumstances of 2020 to cast their inevitable shadow without being obvious or didactic. “The production process began right before lockdown and continued through what felt like a very serious time for all of us,” he recalls. “Not being able to see or touch our loved ones made me feel we are all like ghosts. We can observe from a distance but cannot really be there. We are isolated and alone.” And yet, Year Of The Living Dead’s tenderness offers an out for that anxiety and loneliness, its intimate immensities gifting the album a redemptive and compassionate core. Compact and glistening, Year Of The Living Dead sculpts unassuming beauty.