Thursday, November 4, 2021

Michael's Musings

Would You Like A Pearl Necklace???
Michael Shinafelt

I don't know about you Minions but I'm feeling myself today thus that means all bets are off! It's an amazing place to be in the moment and confident. 

So gird your loins because who knows what I'm gonna spew fourth, here we go...

Virginia proved once again there is no Santa Claus

On that note if JFK Jr truly faked his death and was going come back and be anyone's running mate FYI he would be Biden's 

The war on Christmas cannot end until Christmas stops it's illegal occupation of November

Eat a pellet, make a pellet

I'm currently making a list of things only wine can teach me

Hell hath no fury like a Good Guy scorned (if you know, you know)

I promise...it will be worth the wait

Some people create their own storms, then get upset when it rains

Woman Crush of the Week - Singer/Songwriter/Activist Ariel Beesley here's her latest bad ass video for her song "So Baby" 

FYI There's nothing for you on the ground

Civility! What a concept?!

Live life in the key of happiness

It's not a whore house, it's a whore home

Sometimes you just gotta...

Find out what here -

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

https://twitter.com/MShinafelt    

Wednesday, November 3, 2021

Hump Day & Chill

 “I Am Not Afraid” Singer Feathers Wise flies into Grammy Future For your consideration for the Dance/Electronic Recording category of the 64th Annual GRAMMY™ Awards! New York, NY 

Today, we are happy to announce that Feathers Wise, an American transgender musician, actor, and music producer, has been nominated in the Dance/Electronic Recording category at the 64th Annual GRAMMY™ Academy Awards. Born in Novato, CA, she began writing music at age 13 using her home built PC and a dream. In college, she studied music composition, but dropped out to transition. She struggled with homelessness and lived on the margins of society for years until her return to musical expression. Since then, the “I Am Not Afraid” singer has been a part of many groundbreaking and progressive queer projects. “I Am Not Afraid” contains trans themes and queer history, but it’s really a song for everyone. Our struggle to live and thrive in the trans community is a universal human story. People everywhere struggle with self awareness and acceptance of our true selves. And we want to be able to face the future with pride, joy, and bountiful energy that comes as a result. 

This inspirational message is delivered with pop hooks, synthesizers, and a soaring vocal. Some noteworthy credits include: 

Jean Grae’s Intersectionals Choir at Church of the Infinite You (2017), Joel Escher and Blair Bodine’s mini-musical Superhots! (2017), sister Anna Wise’s music video “Stacking That Paper” (2017), ChloĆ© Rossetti’s short film "SUNRIDER” (2018), M-34’s Production of “Salome” (2018), the HEAT Collective’s production of “The Night it Rained” (2018), Brandon Colvin’s feature film “A Dim Valley” (2020), Ashlei Hardenburg-Cartagena’s musical short film “BREAK/UP” (2021), and she is currently working as Composer of the new musical “Paradise Lost in Space” with book & lyrics by Omri Navot and Joshua Fesi. 

Feathers used to write music in her bedroom, and she is still working in writing and production. She has taught songwriting workshops through the LGBT summer camp program “Arts in the Woods,” and has worked as a music producer with RAD (Recording Artists Development) to help future queer independent artists create and grow.

Feathers song “I Am Not Afraid” was recorded in the RAD workshop program and has garnered its share of GRAMMY™ Nomination Buzz. Jeff “The Jedi-Master” Jones, GRAMMY™ Award Winning Producer & Voting Member of the National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences, who currently produces and records through his company World Alert Music in New York City, has been quoted on social media saying:

“No need to downplay your nomination. You deserve every mention that’s turned up on FB because you are a fantastic artist, musician and producer. Now you can forever put grammy nominated in your resume and promo. It’s a great song. It sounds great and your performance is great - more than that it strikes a nerve that needs to be struck in this day and age. I personally love your music and you were nominated on the merit of your work in my opinion. I participate in voting and selecting categories artists songs appear in - you freakin rock” - Jeff “The Jedi-Master” Jones 

If “I Am Not Afraid” passes through the first round of Recording Academy voting for the 64th Annual GRAMMY™ Awards, Feathers will join the short list of out trans women recording artists to be nominated. The list includes SOPHIE, Teddy Geiger, and the legendary Jackie Shane. With your consideration and votes, Feathers Wise will be the 4th

Feathers Wise on the WWW -

https://www.feathersthewise.com/  

Tuesday, November 2, 2021

Day Of The Dead

Day Of The Dead

Today marks the conclusion of the Day Of The Dead celebration. "No" this has nothing to do with George Romero film in his zombie trilogy of the same name. 

For the uninitiated here's the 411 explaining the significance of it: Prayer and remembrance of friends and family members who have died

Well last year I celebrated by partaking in yoga at Hollywood Forever Cemetery. "Yes" that's correct I took time to reflect and meditate in a place where there are actual dead people and no I didn't see any.

Honestly it was a truly amazing experience, a renewal if you will.

FYI I took the photo above when I was there last year. It was behind the instructor during class. Translation: that was everyone's view for the Day Of The Dead meditation.

What's that you say, am I going this year? No unfortunately I have to have an X-ray done on my left middle finger, it's wonky.

Mic Drop! 

Day Of The Dead on Wikipedia -

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Day_of_the_Dead

Monday, November 1, 2021

Yeah Yeah Yeah

Rocking their way out of SoCal into the national spotlight in the late 90s, Lit (original members Jeremy (lead guitar) & brother Ajay Popoff (lead vocals) and bassist Kevin Baldes) were part of the Orange County explosion that included No Doubt, Sublime, The Offspring, Save Ferris, Home Grown and more. Now entering a brand new chapter as a band with all original members (original drummer Allen Shellenberger died  from brain cancer in 2009) they have released their new single, “Yeah Yeah Yeah HERE via Round Hill Records. 

 

“Yeah Yeah Yeah” is a straight forward in-your-face power pop punk anthem that Lit has become known for since the late 90’s when they blasted onto the Alt-Rock scene with their inescapable hits, MY OWN WORST ENEMYMISERABLE (featuring Pamela Anderson) and ZIP LOCK, (featuring Twisted Sister’s Dee Snider)

 

When we started firing up to write the new Lit material, we wanted to try and get our heads in that space we had landed in during the late 90s and early 2000s.We not only got back to our old school roots, but also found a good marriage between the classic sound of 1999 with a modern production vibe." states Ajay.

 

While brother Jeremy quips, “When you’re listening to Lit, I hope you get to escape from the world for a little bit. We hope you feel like, ‘Damn. In the middle of the shit storm that was 2020 and 2021, these guys managed to dial it back to a more innocent time’.”

 

Watch the lyric video for “Yeah Yeah Yeah” HERE

 

The band will also be featured  in Internet Takeover: Wedding Edition HERE featuring viral video star, Adley  HERE, as she lets the internet plan her wedding in a hilarious journey to the altar.  Being the rockstar that she is, Adley surprises her friends and family with an amped up performance by Lit that made the wedding reception truly one-of-a-kind and one they’ll never forget.

 

Lit are currently working in the laboratory on their next rock opus slated for a spring 2022 release.  With more music and touring on the horizon, the band will be back on the road in 2022 for a UK Tour with Bowling For Soup in mid-April currently on-sale HERE with US dates to be announced in the coming months.

 

In addition, twenty-one years after the release of their award winning mega-hit song, “MY OWN WORST ENEMY” topped Billboard’s Modern Rock chart for 11 weeks it has now been certified double platinum, even though it was never released as a stand-alone single until two years later  when fans could buy it as a track on iTunes. American Songwriter called it the most covered, karaoke'd, and broadcasted hit of the past 2 decades, while Post Malone covered it on Instagram Live as did Kelly Clarkson HERE and Jimmy Fallon on his late night show HERE.

 

Stream the Lit catalog HERE

 

Follow Lit here:

Official Website: https://www.litband.com/

Instagram

Facebook

Twitter

Youtube

Sunday, October 31, 2021

Black Celebration


Happy Halloween Minions! I had a Black Celebration yesterday in honor of today. "Yes" I finally viewed the slasher film that heavily influenced everything from the original Halloween to When A Stranger Calls...Black Christmas!

Please don't confuse this 1974 original with any of the lame re-dos. This is one good slash fest with very little slashing, but heavy on the creepy atmosphere, not to mention an even creepier killer who has a thing for making obscene phone calls to the women in the sorority he is stalking.

This macabre outing was directed by Bob Clark who would go on to direct another Christmas movie the classic A Christmas Story. Hey, he's got a Santa fetish, or something I guess.

It stars Oliva Hussey of Franco Zeffirelli's Romeo & Juliet fame along with Margot Kidder best know as Lois Lane in the Superman movie.

Throw that in with some top notch camera work that set the standard for the slasher genre and well you've got one bangin' Christmas present I'll say! In fact I just did! 

Let Christmas come a little early and treat yourself to this movie for Halloween...Boo!

Black Christmas on IMDb -

Saturday, October 30, 2021

The Bride Of Frankenstein

Will You Love Me Tomorrow?
Miranda Kerr & Frankenstein


Psssssst! One more day until Halloween! Thus I thought this spin on The Bride Of Frankenstein with Miranda Kerr and, well, Frankenstein captures the spirit (yeah, pun intended) of the season.

For the unfamiliar The Bride Of Frankenstein is a horror classic anchored by a great performance by Elsa Lanchester as the title character and Boris Karloff as Frankenstein. 

While Miranda's take on the Bride is a lot lighter and more whimsical, it was enough take catch my eye (literally, seriously, I am now minus my right eye...NOT!) and post it for it's maniacal genius take on the legendary movie.

Thus enjoy your last day until darkness falls across the land and the celebrations of macabre commence!

"You stay, we belong dead" Frankenstein, The Bride Of Frankenstein

The Bride Of Frankenstein on Wikipedia -

Friday, October 29, 2021

Film Buff Friday: The Hills Have Eyes


"One of the prime examples of what was so fascinating about American horror films in the 1970s".

     —TV Guide


Horror master Wes Craven achieved critical and commercial success with the likes of Scream and A Nightmare on Elm Street - but for many genre fans, the director's seminal 1977 effort The Hills Have Eyes remains his masterpiece. Taking an ill-advised detour en route to California, the Carter family soon run into trouble when their campervan breaks down in the middle of the desert. Stranded, the family find themselves at the mercy of a group of monstrous cannibals lurking in the surrounding hills. With their lives under threat, the Carters have no choice but to fight back by any means necessary. Following on from his notorious 1972 directorial debut The Last House on the Left, Craven's The Hills Have Eyes stands alongside the likes of The Texas Chain Saw Massacre and Night of the Living Dead as one of the defining classics of American horror.

Media

 Watch trailer »

Bonus Materials

  • Brand new 4K restoration of the film, viewable with both original and alternate endings
  • 4K (2160p) UHD Blu-ray presentation in High Dynamic Range
  • Original lossless mono audio
  • Optional lossless 2.0 stereo and 7.1 remixes (original ending only)
  • Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
  • 6 postcards
  • Reversible fold-out poster
  • Limited edition 40-page booklet featuring writing on the film by critic Brad Stevens and a consideration of the Hills franchise by Arrow producer Ewan Cant, illustrated with original archive stills and posters
  • Audio commentary with actors Michael Berryman, Janus Blythe, Susan Lanier and Martin Speer
  • Audio commentary by academic Mikel J. Koven
  • Audio commentary with Wes Craven and Peter Locke
  • Looking Back on The Hills Have Eyes – making-of documentary featuring interviews with Craven, Locke, actors Michael Berryman, Janus Blythe, Robert Houston, Susan Lanier, Dee Wallace and director of photography Eric Saarinen
  • Family Business – an interview with actor Martin Speer
  • The Desert Sessions – an interview with composer Don Peake
  • Outtakes
  • Alternate ending
  • Trailers and TV Spots
  • Image gallery
  • Original screenplay
  • Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Paul Shipper

Order Here: