Michael's Musings

I'm Superman, With The Wind At His Back...
Michael Shinafelt

"You better lose yourself in the music, the moment, You own it, you better never let it go" - Eminem, Los Yourself

With the world in complete chaos I am taking solace today in focusing on what I need to do to make myself happy. I'm gonna seize my moment and keep it going. It's the best gift, I or anyone else could give themselves right here, right now.

Hope everyone is having a good week, here we go Minions, it's time for Michael to get random, again 😮

Keeping the good vibes flowing: Law & Order Thursdays are back tonight, yay!!!

Where are the Taco Overlords???

Never sign a contract crying and soaking wet

FYI I've lost 11lbs and counting as of this moment 

"So giving a 12-year-old trans boy in Texas testosterone is child abuse, but forcing a 12-year-old rape victim to carry a pregnancy to term and give birth is…good?" - Aubrey Hirsch

All good friendships start with: "When I first saw you I thought you were a bitch"

Sure I can keep my mouth shut. But you can still read the subtitles on my face...

There are so many things to worry about, how should I prioritize them?

Woman Crush of the Week - Maude Apatow as Lexi Howard on Euphoria, a revelation on last weeks episode...Go with your bad self Lexi (Maude)!!!

Remember someone out there feels better because you exist

One word describes The Texas Chainsaw Massacre on Netflix: Tragic

Lizzo's got moves, that's it, that's the statement

What's your favorite "C" word? I'll start, Cookie

I start my day off, every day with a big delicious glass of lemon water. The more you know...

Tell me how you start your day off here -

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

https://twitter.com/MShinafelt   

Hump Day & Chill

Meow
Zoe Kravitz

I have a Hump Day & Chill confession to make. While I do not see many comic book based movies (I've never seen an Avengers film and don't plan to either) I do see certain ones. Of those "certain ones" I will see anything Batman.

"Yes" Batman was my jam in my formative years. Thus I consume all movies featuring him, there you have that!

Needless, or needful to say, depending on your POV I am looking forward (never back) to The Batman. Other than the obvious draw of Robert Pattinson playing the title character there is Zoe Kravitz as Catwoman.

Today we Hump Day & Chill to Zoe as the Cat. I love Ms. Kravitz, not only is she strikingly beautiful she is a quite talented actress. If you didn't see Big Little Lies (1 & 2) then I suggest you do. 

So F#ck the Bat and bring on the Cat! All hail the queen of Hump Day & Chill Zoe Kravitz!

Zoe on IG -

https://www.instagram.com/zoeisabellakravitz/

On The Rocks, No Salt...

Can You Feel It?
Neil Patrick Harris

Hola Minions, guess what today is? It's National Margarita Day...Yay! As If I needed an excuse to get me one. For the record I like mine, you guessed it: on the rocks, no salt.

Today I have invited fellow margarita enthusiast Neil Patrick Harris to celebrate with us. As you can see Neil seems quite wasted away again in Margaritaville. No word on whether or not he has found his lost shaker of salt as of yet.

So join me and Neil as we down ourselves a couple, perhaps a few margaritas today.

Remember what happens when drinking margaritas, gets broadcast on Social Media...

Lime Drop!

National Margarita Day on the WWW -

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

Euphoria With A Twist

When Euphoria Met Dynasty

Alright Euphoria fans, like me. Last night's episode was amazing, as per usual. One of the best of a show that is already the best.

Not sure how many of you out there remember the nighttime drama Dynasty, not the reboot currently running on the CW, I am talking the original one from the 80's. 

Why am I asking? Well I am assuming you are viewing the very clever piece of pop culture that Internet artist Ronald McDonkey did above of Cassie and Maddy. Well to truly appreciate it you need to be familiar with, well, the original Dynasty.

Ronald's take casts Cassie as Crystal (Linda Evans) and Maddy as Alexis (Joan Collins) from it. Crystal and Alexis were arch rivals. Now I bet you are getting the concept of it, if you hadn't already.

"Yes" Ronald McDonkey does some really cool stuff, and this piece in particular really nails it!

Happy Presidents' Day! 

Ronald McDonkey on IG -

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

Sunday Funday

They're Back!
Mariska Hargitay & Christopher Meloni

Well here's a sight for Sunday Funday eyes, it's Mariska Hargitay & Christopher Meloni magically appearing on Law & Order press day in NYC.

This is cause for celebration amongst us L&O fans as Law & Order Thursdays return this week, yay!!!

Honestly I'm not sure why these shows run with new episodes for a month and then break for a month, perhaps that's the way the Pandemic has affected their shooting schedules? Perhaps they simply like to string their fans along? 

Whatever the case, it's frustrating, but oh so gratifying when the show hits the airwaves again.

Looking forward never straight until this Thursday February 24th.

Meanwhile enjoy Sunday Funday!  

Law & Order on Wikipedia -

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Law_%26_Order_(franchise)

"Spring Loaded"

NEW LIVE VIDEO OF “YEAH YEAH YEAH” OUT NOW –Click HERE

 

Lit have announced their first batch of US tour dates in over three years today.  The trek dubbed, “Spring Loaded” is set to begin May 4 in Flint, MI  along with a date at Sony Hall in New York City May 10 and then wrapping up at Mohegan Sun Casino June 4. Special guests Heart Attack Man here and Tuk Smith & The Restless Hearts here will complete the bill for a night of non-stop rock-n-roll. 

 

Prior to the US run, Lit will accompany Bowling For Soup throughout the UK for a two week tour in April.  All dates are on sale now HERE A full slate of dates (as well as very special album news) will be announced very soon. 

 

Lit have also released a live performance video HERE of their latest single HERE & official video HERE, “Yeah Yeah Yeah”, and are currently working in the laboratory on their seventh full-length rock opus slated for an early summer release.

 

Catch up with Ajay & Jeremy as they sit down with AXS TV’s Katie Daryl HERE

 

In addition, Lit recently revealed a four part documentary style podcast about their iconic song, “MY OWN WORST ENEMY” that was produced for Round Hill Music by Osiris Media. Listen to My Own Worst Enemy, The Podcast. Presented by Round Hill Music HERE

Imagine writing a track that:

*has over 200 million streams on Spotify

*has 44 million views on YouTube

*was #1 on Billboard Modern Rock chart for 11 weeks

*was named SONG OF THE YEAR by both ASCAP & Billboard

*is The most broadcasted, covered & karaoke’d rock tune in the past 20 years

 

Over four episodes, they explore the impact that this iconic track has had on music and pop culture and the enduring legacy of the band Lit. Conversations with the band and musical peers like Butch Walker, Adrian Young of No Doubt, and Noodles from the Offspring, as well as label executives, radio hosts, professional songwriters and musicologists tell the story behind the seminal song that has been in constant rotation since its release in 1999.

 

A vast array of artists View Here including A Day To Remember, Charlie Puth, Wallows, A Thousand Horses, Dustin Lynch, All Time Low, Zoe Kravitz, Michelle Branch have all covered the song, while Post Malone performed it on Instagram Live as did Kelly Clarkson HERE and Jimmy Fallon on his late night show HERE. “My Own Worst Enemy” truly transcends being categorized to a specific musical genre as is witnessed with its instant appeal not only to fellow punk and rock bands, but by country and pop artists.

 

Stream the Lit catalog HERE

 

Follow Lit here:

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

Instagram

Facebook

Twitter

Youtube

“Spring Loaded” Tour Dates

Lit with Heart Attack Man and Tuk Smith & The Restless Hearts

( * = does not include Tuk Smith)

( ^ = does not include Heart Attack Man)

 

Wednesday, May 4th : Flint, MI @ Machine Shop*

Thursday, May 5th : Lexington, KY @ Manchester Music Hall

Friday, May 6th : Cincinnati, OH @ Riverfront Live

Saturday, May 7th : Buffalo, NY @ Showplace Theater*

Sunday, May 8th : Warrendale, PA @ Jergels

Tuesday, May 10th : New York, NY @Sony Hall^

Wednesday, May 11: Hopewell, VA @ Beacon Theatre

Thursday, May 12th : Charlotte, NC @ Amos’

Friday, May 13th : Columbia, SC @ Savage Craft Ale Works

Saturday, May 14th : Sanford, NC @ Wampus Cat Music Festival*^

Sunday, May 15th : Myrtle Beach, SC @ The Boathouse

Thursday, June 2: Millville, NJ – Levoy Theatre*^

Friday, June 3: Derry, NH – Tupelo Music Hall*^

Saturday, June 4: Uncasville, CT – Mohegan Sun Casino*^

 

"This Is Dirty"

Jawbreakers

              Jawbreakers Clean Up the Dancefloor with 

                                  “This is Dirty”

New Single is an Ode to Social Influencers, The Cock Destroyers

The drag-duo DJ-production team known as Jawbreakers return to the dancefloor this month with “This is Dirty,” the second single from their soon-to-be-released 'Just A Taste' EP.  The song is a camp club track that references The Cock Destroyers, two British porn stars who exploded on Twitter after a viral clip emerged of the two ladies proclaiming, "Do you know what we are? Cock destroyers, Cock f---ing destroyers," among other bizarre quotes.  “Sophie Anderson and Rebecca More of The Cock Destroyers were a huge part of queer pop culture when we were coming of age,” explains Jawbreakers’ Sabrina Babyslut.   “We were obsessed with their strong message of sex positivity and support of sex workers.”  Jawbreakers met the now-split-up Cock Destroyers in 2019 at Amsterdam’s Milkshake Festival.  The meeting inspired them to introduce the infamous porn duo to the next generation of queer clubbers with a fanciful song that contained an underlying kink theme but was suitable for all to enjoy. “We want everyone to be able to dance and party to our music!” Jawbreakers’ Kali Forni-Kate exclaims. Jawbreaker’s “This is Dirty” is being distributed through Extrovert Music, a division of Vicious Recordings, and is available on Spotify, Apple Music and Deezer.  Its lyric video is available on YouTube.  The Just A Taste EP will be available on Apple Music and Spotify on April 1.  

“This is Dirty” isn’t just for the dancefloor, it’s for all floors!”  proclaims Kali Forni-Kate from her Melbourne home.  “It can be listened to on loop while on hands and knees scrubbing the kitchen floor,” she says.  The song follows the Jawbreakers previous hit single, “Boyfriend;” a track that climbed to #1 on the iTunes Dance chart in January 2022. 

In the “This is Dirty” lyric video, Kali and Sabrina are seen in sexy maid uniforms, leaning into the song’s playful double meaning.  “We designed and made those outfits,” Sabrina explains.  “Other than the fact that it was 90 degrees on the day we filmed the video, and Kali and I were in full drag in a studio with no air conditioning, we had a blast!”   

Charles Buxton-Leslie, known for his recent work with queer artists G Flip and MAY-A — and for directing Jawbreakers’ “Boyfriend” video — directs the “This is Dirty” lyric video. Also returning is the washing machine from the “Boyfriend” video;  this time covered in colorful stickers. 

Along with the radio edit, Vicious Recordings will release several new remixes of “This is Dirty” on March 4th.  Included in the package will be the James Alexandr piano house remix, John Course’s minimal and dark cut and two tracks by LA based producer Twonski: a driving 'space disco' version and an 'acid filth' remix.

Kali and Sabrina first met in 2016, performing in a Britney Spears tribute show in Melbourne.  They immediately clicked as both came from similar middle-class, nuclear family backgrounds, discovered drag via their passions for musical theatre, and began their individual adventures into the art form after high school.   When they learned of their shared interest in music production, they decided to join forces as a DJ duo.    They bought a mixer and six months later they were in business as Jawbreakers.

The duo has already headlined several international festivals including Sydney Mardi Gras and Milkshake Festival in Netherlands. Their next big gig will be Summer Camp Festival where they will perform alongside Years and Years, Big Freedia and The Veronicas. They are also slated to perform the next Goodlife U18 event, as well as Adelaide Festival, St Kilda Festival and Melbourne Pride.

“We have been keeping an eye on Jawbreakers for several years,” says Damien Platt of Extrovert Music, a division of Vicious Recordings, the label that discovered Avicii when he was a teenager, and released his first ten records.  “When Kali and Sabrina presented us with demos of the EP, we were instantly fans of the music. It's fun, its camp and its quality music.”

Jawbreakers is not Extrovert Music’s first foray into gay dancefloor music.   Label co-founder Andy Van, of the band Madison Avenue, had a #1 dance anthem with “Don’t Call Me Baby”. More recently, Sgt Slick’s recut of “Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!” went gold and has become a major queer anthem.  “Extrovert Music is focusing on dance pop/disco/commercial/cross over releases,” Platt continues. “A majority of our new signings and existing roster who identify as LGBTQIA+ are producing this sound.”

Jawbreakers’ “Just A Taste” EP is being distributed through Extrovert Music, a division of Vicious Recordings, and will be available on Apple Music and Spotify on April 1.  Jawbreaker’s “This is Dirty” is available now on multiple platforms and its lyric video is available on YouTube.  Follow on Instagram @ JawbreakersDJ