via Loyd Studios
Saturday, September 12, 2026
Alexandra Stan - Mr. Saxobeat
Music Appreciation
Released on September 12, 2010, "Mr. Saxobeat" became the breakthrough hit for Romanian singer Alexandra Stan and the song that launched her onto the international stage. It served as the second single from her debut studio album, Saxobeats (2011).
The song was written and produced by Romanian songwriting and production team Marcel Prodan and Andrei Nemirschi of Maan Studio, who crafted an infectious blend of dance-pop, Eurodance, and house music built around a memorable saxophone hook.
Lyrically, "Mr. Saxobeat" is a playful invitation to an irresistible saxophone-playing dancer, using flirtatious imagery and club-ready energy rather than telling a traditional narrative. Stan's bright, energetic vocals complement the song's carefree atmosphere, making it an anthem for dance floors across Europe and beyond.
Musically, "Mr. Saxobeat" is driven by a four-on-the-floor dance rhythm, pulsing synthesizers, and its signature saxophone melody, which gives the song its distinctive identity. The composition follows a conventional pop structure with verses, a pre-chorus, and an explosive chorus designed for maximum dance-floor appeal.
In the United States, the song reached No. 21 on the Billboard Hot 100 and topped the Billboard Dance Club Songs chart, marking Stan's biggest American success. Internationally, it reached No. 1 in more than 20 countries, including Germany, Italy, Denmark, and Romania, and earned multiple platinum certifications, cementing Alexandra Stan's reputation as one of Romania's most successful global pop exports.
Directed by Iulian Moga and filmed in Buftea, Romania, the music video embraces the song's playful, glamorous style with a humorous storyline. It opens with Alexandra Stan arriving at a police station in handcuffs after being arrested for speeding. Rather than focusing on the arrest, the officers become captivated by her presence, and the station quickly transforms into an energetic dance party filled with choreography and colorful characters.
Throughout the video, Stan performs in stylish outfits while the action alternates between the police station and outdoor scenes featuring dancers and luxury cars. Moga's fast-paced editing, vibrant colors, and lighthearted storytelling mirror the song's upbeat energy, helping make the video a viral success on YouTube and an important factor in introducing Alexandra Stan to a worldwide audience during the height of the dance-pop boom.
Sources:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mr._Saxobeat
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saxobeats
https://www.billboard.com/artist/alexandra-stan/
https://youtu.be/nwsewSMWIas
Friday, September 11, 2026
Leilani Bishop
Model Appreciation
American model Leilani Bishop was born on September 11, 1976, in Hawaii and spent much of her youth on Kauai, where her connection to surf culture and island life later influenced her image as a relaxed, beach-inspired beauty.
Leilani was discovered at age 15 by modeling agent Cindy Kauanui of Jet Set Models while in Hawaii, launching a career. Standing about 5'8", with blonde hair and light-colored eyes, Leilani embodied the sun-bleached aesthetic favored by 1990s fashion campaigns.
Leilani's early modeling career accelerated quickly. She appeared on magazine covers including Flare and Allure, and worked with major fashion brands such as Victoria’s Secret, Tommy Hilfiger, and Balenciaga. Yet many people outside fashion circles know her best as the distraught beauty queen on the cover of Live Through This by the band Hole. Photographed by famed photographer Ellen von Unwerth, Leilani appeared wearing a tiara and sash with mascara streaking down her face—an image that became one of alternative rock’s most recognizable album covers and a lasting symbol of 1990s pop culture.
Her later career extended beyond runway work. Bishop appeared in the 2000 film The Intern, developed a fragrance line under her own name, and founded Women for the World, a nonprofit organization based in California.
Sources:
Wikipedia
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0084119/bio/
https://www.vogue.com/article/beauty-staple-leilani-bishops-year-round-beach-hair
https://www.babepedia.com/babe/Leilani_Bishop
Thursday, September 10, 2026
Cruise Perk: Afternoon Delights
Soon after our Christmas family cruise, my wife booked two more cruises—this time without the kids—an idea I fully supported. It’s not that I don’t enjoy spending time with my daughter or my wife’s family, but cruises are at their best when they’re stress-free, unhurried, and give two people a chance to reconnect. Sometimes the best itinerary is simply each other.
The first of our cruises departed Galveston on the Fourth of July aboard Royal Caribbean’s beautiful Symphony of the Seas. While it’s smaller than the massive Icon of the Seas, which we sailed with our family, it offered many of the same amenities, plenty of dining options, and outstanding entertainment. In many ways, it was the perfect setting for slowing down and enjoying each other’s company.
One of the things we love most about cruising is that you unpack once and your hotel magically follows you from port to port. My personal favorite perk? Being able to sneak back to our cabin for a little afternoon delight whenever the mood struck. By the end of the eight-day cruise, my wife pointed out that we had set a personal record: having sex ten times in eight days. Not exactly an Olympic event, but we were pretty proud of our accomplishment.
It’s a fun vacation record to look back on—especially considering it’s now been about a month since our last rendezvous. I’m sure we’ll remedy that long before our New Year’s cruise in December, but I have a feeling that the eight-day record may stand for quite a while. Then again, every cruise deserves a goal.
Wednesday, September 9, 2026
Tuesday, September 8, 2026
Anna of the North - Lovers (from To All the Boys I've Loved Before)
Music Appreciation
“Lovers” was released on September 8, 2017, as part of Lovers, the debut studio album from Norwegian singer-songwriter Anna Lotterud, known professionally as Anna of the North. Born in Gjøvik, Norway, and later splitting time between Oslo and Melbourne, she developed a sound rooted in dreamy synth-pop and emotional minimalism.
Prior to the album, she built momentum with singles like “Sway” and collaborations that circulated widely on streaming platforms. Lovers marked her formal arrival, pairing glossy electronic production with restrained vocals that became her signature.
Lyrically, “Lovers” explores the fragile space between intimacy and uncertainty. The narrator longs for clarity in a relationship that feels undefined—hovering between friendship and romance. Lines that question commitment and emotional reciprocity reflect a modern dating landscape where labels are blurred.
Musically, the track leans on soft, pulsing synths, a steady electronic beat, and airy vocal layering. The production is sparse yet textured, allowing her voice to carry both vulnerability and quiet resolve. The melody is restrained, almost hypnotic, reinforcing the emotional tension at the core of the song.
The music video, directed by Alexander Darby, complements the song’s introspective tone. As noted by Indie Music Filter, the visual unfolds in intimate, subdued settings, focusing on Anna in contemplative moments rather than a linear narrative. The camera lingers in close-ups and muted lighting, emphasizing solitude and emotional distance. Rather than dramatizing conflict, the video mirrors the song’s restraint—suggesting that uncertainty in love often plays out internally, in quiet rooms and private thoughts.
Sources:
https://indiemusicfilter.com/anna-of-the-north-lovers-video
https://www.allmusic.com/artist/anna-of-the-north-mn0003565886
https://www.billboard.com/artist/anna-of-the-north/
https://www.discogs.com/master/1269340-Anna-Of-The-North-Lovers
https://genius.com/Anna-of-the-north-lovers-lyrics
Sunday, September 6, 2026
Julius LeBlanc Stewart
Art Appreciation
Julius LeBlanc Stewart was born on September 6, 1855, in Philadelphia into a wealthy family that supported his artistic ambitions. His father, a successful sugar magnate, ensured Stewart had access to elite education and travel.
Stewart studied at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts before relocating to Paris, where he trained under Jean-Léon Gérôme at the École des Beaux-Arts. This academic grounding shaped his technical precision and compositional discipline, while his exposure to European high society informed the subject matter that would define much of his career.
Stewart built his reputation in Paris during the late 19th century, becoming closely associated with the Paris Salon, where he exhibited regularly and gained recognition. His work often captured the elegance and excess of Belle Époque society—lavish interiors, fashionable gatherings, and aristocratic leisure.
One of his most recognized paintings, The Hunt Ball (1885), reflects his ability to choreograph complex social scenes with clarity and rhythm. Stylistically, his work blends academic realism with elements of Impressionism, particularly in his handling of light and color, though he maintained a more polished finish than many of his contemporaries.
Technically, Stewart excelled in rendering fabrics, textures, and the subtleties of social interaction. His compositions often feature carefully arranged figures that guide the viewer’s eye across the canvas, creating a narrative without overt drama.
Self-portrait, 1886
A Hunt Ball, 1885
Gypsy Girl, 1875
Portrait of Mrs. Francis Stanton Blake, 1908
Nymphs Hunting, 1898
Sources:
Wikipedia
https://www.artnet.com/artists/julius-leblanc-stewart/
https://artvee.com/dl/the-first-spring/
Saturday, September 5, 2026
Friday, September 4, 2026
Rebecca Black - Hot Wet Delirious
Music Appreciation
Like many others from my generation, I remember Rebecca Black from her viral 2011 song “Friday,” which became an internet phenomenon—though not necessarily for reasons any 13-year-old singer would have wanted. The song was widely criticized for its simplistic lyrics and Black’s heavily processed vocals, and she endured an extraordinary amount of online ridicule.
Fast-forward 15 years, and Black, now 29, gives us something considerably more grown-up with “Hot Wet Delirious,” released July 10, 2026 ahead of her forthcoming album, Age of the Exhibitionist.
Written by Rebecca Black, Jesse Saint John and Oscar Scheller, the song finds Black embracing desire with little interest in subtlety. Inspired in part by her relationship with her girlfriend, Black has described the song as capturing that intoxicating moment when someone gets so thoroughly under your skin that self-control begins flying out the window. It is quite a journey from worrying about which seat to take on Friday morning.
Musically, “Hot Wet Delirious” is sleek, sensual electronic pop produced by Oscar Scheller and Nightfeelings, pairing a pulsing club-oriented rhythm with Black’s breathy, restrained vocal delivery. Rather than the bright adolescent pop of “Friday,” this is music intended for somewhere considerably darker and later in the evening.
The lyrics revolve around physical attraction, infatuation and the almost irrational intensity of wanting someone, fitting neatly into Age of the Exhibitionist’s broader exploration of visibility, vulnerability and the desire to be seen.
Black has said the album reflects her experience of spending much of her life on public display, but “Hot Wet Delirious” turns that idea inward, showing how being completely seen by another person can be both exhilarating and unsettling. It also demonstrates how dramatically Black has rebuilt herself as an artist: instead of running away from the notoriety of “Friday,” she has spent the intervening years developing an increasingly experimental pop identity on her own terms.
Then there is the music video, directed by Hannah De Vries and Rebecca Black, which makes the song seem almost modest by comparison. Black presides over an extravagant dinner party populated by scantily clad guests whose increasingly uninhibited behavior gives the gathering the atmosphere of a surreal, orgy-like banquet—something resembling Eyes Wide Shut after someone replaced the ominous soundtrack with sweaty club music.
The sensual imagery isn't there merely to shock: Black places herself at the center of a world built around desire, spectatorship and performance, directly reflecting the “exhibitionist” concept behind the album. Her girlfriend is represented by a queer dancer, making the visual fantasy personal rather than purely theatrical.
Sources:
Wikipedia
https://linktr.ee/rebecca.black
https://people.com/rebecca-black-age-of-the-exhibitionist-album-tour-interview-exclusive-12022714
https://music.apple.com/us/album/hot-wet-delirious-single/6780569676
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt43664241/fullcredits
Thursday, September 3, 2026
Album Cover: The Flamin' Groovies - Supersnazz
Album Cover
Album: The Flamin' Groovies - Supersnazz
Released: September 1969
Cover Artwork: Bob Zoell
Sources:
Wikipedia
https://www.discogs.com/release/1032335-Flamin-Groovies-Supersnazz
Wednesday, September 2, 2026
Saint DX - Can't Get You (Featuring Ménage à Trois)
Music Appreciation
Released on September 2, 2021, "Can't Get You" is a standout track from Unmixtape, the debut album by Canadian singer-songwriter and producer Saint DX. Featuring the French trio Ménage à Trois, the song blends smooth synth-pop, disco, and contemporary indie dance influences into a dreamy late-night groove.
Built around shimmering keyboards, a relaxed rhythm section, and soulful vocals, "Can't Get You" explores the lingering feelings that remain after a powerful romantic connection. The lyrics reflect a sense of longing and emotional obsession, with the narrator unable to move on from someone who continues to occupy their thoughts. The track's polished production and nostalgic atmosphere helped establish Saint DX as one of the more intriguing voices in modern French-pop-inspired electronic music.
The accompanying music video, directed by Hannah Rosselin, complements the song's themes of intimacy and desire. Rather than following a traditional narrative, the video presents a montage of couples sharing affectionate and sensual moments, capturing the tenderness, passion, and vulnerability that often accompany romantic relationships.
Through its warm cinematography and candid portrayals of human connection, the video reinforces the song's emotional core while celebrating physical and emotional closeness. The result is a visually elegant companion piece that enhances the reflective mood of "Can't Get You" and underscores the universal experience of being unable to forget someone who has left a lasting impression.
Sources:
https://www.discogs.com/release/20101462-Saint-DX-Unmixtape
https://saintdxmusic.com
https://becausemusic.com/artist/saint-dx
https://youtu.be/NnBVA1p_7dU?list=PLKuOvlIUzs6FE2M5aJUIYK7nqXgWuKgAl
RANDOM WEDNESDAY: Immortal Hulk: The Best Defense #1 Written by Al Ewing and Art by Simone Di Meo
Cover Art by Ron Garney and Richard Isanove
Tuesday, September 1, 2026
Jia Lissa
Acting Appreciation
Jia Lissa, born Julia Chirkova on September 1, 1996, in Izhevsk, Udmurtia, Russia, is a Russian adult model, influencer, and former camgirl who has gained international recognition through her work in the adult entertainment industry.
Standing 5 feet 5 inches tall, with distinctive red hair and green eyes, she developed a strong online following thanks to her approachable personality, social media presence, and professional modeling work.
Lissa has spoken in interviews about growing up in Russia before pursuing opportunities in online content creation and modeling. She began her professional career around 2017 and quickly established herself as one of the most recognizable European performers of her generation.
Prior to entering mainstream adult entertainment, she worked as a cam model, building a loyal audience through interactive online platforms. Her success in web based content creation helped her transition into professional modeling and film work, where she earned attention for her natural appearance and engaging on-screen presence. In addition to appearing in numerous productions, she has cultivated a substantial social media following, allowing her to expand her brand beyond traditional entertainment channels.
As an influencer and digital entrepreneur, Jia Lissa represents a new generation of performers who have leveraged social media and direct-to-fan platforms to build global audiences. Her career has included hundreds of magazine covers, photo shoots, and video appearances, making her one of the most visible Russian-born figures in contemporary adult entertainment.
Sources
https://para.co/Jia_Lissa
https://onlyfans.com/jia_lissa
https://www.instagram.com/jialissaonly
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm9912070/
https://www.iafd.com/person.rme/perfid=jialissa/gender=f/jia-lissa.htm
https://www.babepedia.com/babe/Jia_Lissa
https://hotnessrater.com/infinite-scroll/64455/jia-lissa
https://www.themoviedb.org/person/2308564-jia-lissa
https://www.adultfilmdatabase.com/actor/jia-lissa-60083/
Monday, August 31, 2026
Debbie Gibson
Music Appreciation
American singer, songwriter, producer, and actress Debbie Gibson was born Deborah Ann Gibson on August 31, 1970, in Brooklyn, New York City. Raised on Long Island, she displayed exceptional musical talent from an early age, studying piano with renowned teacher Morton Estrin while also writing original songs as a child.
Debbie attended local schools but devoted much of her adolescence to developing her music career, recording demos and performing whenever possible. Her determination and songwriting ability attracted industry attention while she was still a teenager, laying the foundation for one of the most successful teen pop careers of the late 1980s.
Debbi broke through in 1987 with her debut album, Out of the Blue, which produced a string of hit singles including Only in My Dreams, Shake Your Love, and Foolish Beat. At just 17 years old, she became the youngest artist to write, produce, and perform a Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 single with "Foolish Beat."
She followed that success with the multiplatinum album Electric Youth and the chart-topping hit Lost in Your Eyes, cementing her place as one of pop music's biggest young stars. As mainstream musical tastes shifted during the grunge era, Debbie's commercial profile declined, but she continued recording and performing. In March 2005, she appeared in a nude pictorial for Playboy, a decision she said was intended to coincide with the release of her single Naked and present a more mature public image.
Beyond pop music, Debbie built a successful career in theater, film, and television. She starred in Broadway and touring productions of Les Misérables, Grease, Beauty and the Beast, and Cabaret, demonstrating her versatility as a performer. She has also appeared in television films, reality programs, and independent films while continuing to record new music and tour.
In a recent AARP interview, Debbie reflected on the lasting influence of her mother, Diane, whom she described as an early "momager" who taught her resilience in the male-dominated music industry. She also spoke about treasuring a piano once owned by Liberace, coping with the loss of cherished memorabilia during a difficult period in her life, and finding renewed creative freedom by traveling and recording in an RV that doubles as a mobile studio. She credits her loyal fan base with sustaining her career and shared that these experiences will be explored further in her forthcoming memoir, Eternally Electric: The Message in My Music.
In her personal life, Debbie has been open about living with Lyme disease and the Epstein–Barr virus infection, using both conventional medicine and holistic approaches to manage her health. She has become an advocate for greater awareness of chronic illness while supporting organizations focused on children's health, music education, and charitable causes.
Sources:
Wikipedia
https://www.debbiegibsonofficial.com
https://www.aarp.org/entertainment/celebrities/info-2025/debbie-gibson-interview.html
https://www.britannica.com/biography/Debbie-Gibson
https://www.biography.com/musicians/debbie-gibson
Sunday, August 30, 2026
Amy Sherald
Art Appreciation
American painter Amy Sherald was born on August 30, 1973, in Columbus, Georgia, and was raised in the nearby town of St. Marys. From an early age, she displayed an interest in art, though she initially planned to pursue a career outside the field. After seeing the power of painting firsthand during a museum visit, she changed direction and devoted herself to becoming an artist.
Sherald earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in painting from Clark Atlanta University before completing an M.F.A. in painting at the Maryland Institute College of Art. Her path was not without obstacles, including serious health challenges that culminated in a heart transplant in 2012, an experience that strengthened her commitment to her work.
Sherald has built an acclaimed career as a portraitist whose paintings center African Americans in quiet, everyday moments that have historically been underrepresented in Western art. Working primarily with oil paint, she is known for depicting her subjects with grayscale skin tones set against vibrant clothing and simplified backgrounds.
This distinctive approach shifts attention away from race as a biological marker and instead emphasizes individuality, dignity, and shared humanity. In 2016, Sherald gained national recognition when she became the first woman to win the prestigious Outwin Boochever Portrait Competition at the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery, a milestone that helped establish her as one of the leading contemporary portrait painters in the United States.
Sherald's best-known work is her official portrait of Michelle Obama, unveiled in 2018 for the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery. The portrait was celebrated for its modern interpretation of the former First Lady, presenting her in a striking geometric gown with Sherald's signature grayscale treatment.
She also painted the widely acclaimed portrait of Breonna Taylor in 2020, honoring Taylor's life with grace and humanity following her tragic death.
Other notable works include Miss Everything (Unsuppressed Deliverance), The Bathers, and For Love, and for Country, all of which reflect Sherald's ongoing exploration of identity, memory, and representation.
Miss Everything (Unsuppressed Deliverance), 2016
Portrait of Michelle Obama, 2018
The Bathers, 2015
For love, and for country, 2022
Sources:
Wikipedia
https://www.artbook.com/blog-amy-sherald-love-and-country.html
https://npg.si.edu/portrait-search/artist/amy-sherald
https://www.phillips.com/detail/amy-sherald/NY010720/1
https://www.britannica.com/biography/Amy-Sherald
https://www.hauserwirth.com/artists/28064-amy-sherald
https://www.newyorker.com/culture/annals-of-appearances/the-mystery-of-amy-sheralds-portrait-of-michelle-obama
https://youtu.be/KcKNiEIVx1A
Saturday, August 29, 2026
Depeche Mode - Personal Jesus
Music Appreciation
Listening to Depeche Mode’s Violator album through my headset one afternoon, I blurted out to my office mate, “This is the best album ever made.” He raised an eyebrow. “Ever? Better than Abbey Road?” I paused, laughed, and walked it back slightly—“Okay, one of the best.” But I meant it. That album still hits like nothing else.
I first heard Depeche Mode at my grade school best friend’s house. He had a boombox that could load two cassette tapes—one to play, one to record. We’d dub albums for each other, and one day I left with a copy of Violator. It was like taking home a secret code to cool. That tape wore out from overuse, but the music never got old.
Depeche Mode, the English electronic band formed in 1980 in Basildon, Essex, originally featured Dave Gahan, Martin Gore, Andy Fletcher, and Vince Clarke. After Clarke left, Alan Wilder joined and helped shape their darker, more layered sound. With over 100 million records sold and a 2020 induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, their influence on modern music is undeniable. The band’s name, borrowed from a French fashion magazine, means “fashion dispatch.”
“Personal Jesus,” released in August 1989 as the lead single from Violator, was a creative pivot for the band. Martin Gore penned the lyrics after reading Elvis and Me by Priscilla Presley, exploring the concept of someone being your personal savior. The song blends bluesy guitar with synth textures and brooding vocals.
Its video—Depeche Mode’s first in color—was directed by Anton Corbijn and shot in the Tabernas Desert of Spain. Since then, the song’s legacy has only grown, covered by artists from Johnny Cash to Marilyn Manson, and earning a place on Rolling Stone’s list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.
Sources:
Wikipedia
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6683764/
https://cadenaser.com/baleares/2024/11/01/es-solo-musica-pero-nos-gusta-con-julio-molina-depeche-mode-radio-mallorca
https://blurredculture.com/exploring-depeche-modes-legacy-in-la-reflections-from-the-memento-mori-world-tour
https://realvj.com/2013/01/31/depeche-mode-personal-jesus-1989
https://www.radiox.co.uk/artists/depeche-mode/meaning-personal-jesus-depeche-mode/
https://www.reddit.com/r/depechemode/comments/1goerz1/personal_jesus_meaning/
https://www.gigwise.com/the-enduring-legacy-of-depeche-mode-style-in-music-history/
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