Galantis - Runaway (U & I)

Music Appreciation

On October 5, 2014, Swedish pop music duo Galantis released their hit song "Runaway (U & I)," which quickly became a global sensation. The track combines progressive house and electro-pop elements, characterized by its energetic beat and catchy chorus. It also features uncredited production work by Svidden, Julia Karlsson, and Cathy Dennis.

The accompanying music video, directed by Dano Cerny, features the Seafox, a recurring protagonist in Galantis' music videos. The video begins with Seafox being interviewed, where she shares her insecurities about love, saying, "I think when you've been burned by love it's hard to open yourself up again." The narrative follows Seafox through her daily life, showing her in her apartment, walking through the streets, and attending a Galantis concert, where she eventually dances with another Seafox.

The video’s blend of animation and live-action footage creates a whimsical and emotionally resonant story, enhancing the song's themes of vulnerability and connection. 

Sources: 

Wikipedia

https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0148689/

https://www.discogs.com/release/6798439-Galantis-Runaway-U-I

https://galantis.fandom.com/wiki/Runaway_(U_%26_I)

Daryl Hall & John Oates - Out of Touch

Music Appreciation

My mom had a crush on Daryl Hall, perhaps because of his tall stature, lean build, and blonde, wavy hair. She enjoyed listening to and watching music videos of Daryl Hall & John Oates, with "Out of Touch" being one of her favorites. This song, from their twelfth studio album Big Bam Boom, was released on October 4, 1984. It became their last Billboard Hot 100 number-one single and marked their fourteenth consecutive top 40 hit since 1980.

Directed by Jeff Stein under the pseudonym Raoul Kark, the music video for "Out of Touch" begins with "Dance on Your Knees" and transitions into "Out of Touch." It features Hall & Oates dancing inside a gigantic bass drum, trying to escape as it flattens them. The duo is seen performing on a sound stage with large letters spelling BOOM in the background. In the video, Daryl Hall wears a leopard suit over a grey tee shirt and cowboy boots, while John Oates sports jeans and a white printed sleeveless tee shirt. The video ends with them playing with the band on the enormous drum set.

I can imagine filming this music video and seeing the final results was a lot of fun.

via Daryl Hall & John Oates

Source:

Wikipedia

https://musicvideo.fandom.com/wiki/Jeff_Stein 

Shenanigans & Debauchery

Pardon the Interruption

I was in my late 20s when I had my first bachelor party before my first wedding. Let me tell you, it was a night that went off the rails in every possible way. My groomsmen and I crossed the border into Mexico, aiming to kick off the "festivities" at a so-called first-class gentlemen’s club. By the time we rolled in, I was already pretty tipsy.

My buddy, let’s call him Charles, wasted no time calling over two petite, gorgeous Mexican girls to our table. Naturally, he let them know I was tying the knot the next day and needed a proper send-off. Well, the girls took that as their cue and whisked me off to the VIP area. What followed was... let's just say, "intense." One unzipped my pants, while the other got up close and personal with her assets. It was the kind of "celebration" that most guys dream about. I eventually tapped out, realizing I had reached my fun and money limit.

But the night didn’t end there. Nope. My friends kept the party train going, bribing some local police (true story!) and driving us straight into "boy's town," where things got even weirder. One of the guys suggested we check out a donkey show (yes, that kind of donkey show), but Charles had other ideas. He decided I needed some quality time with an Amazonian woman. Long story short, she led me to a room, unzipped my pants, placed a condom on me, and things got pretty wild. Soon after, I was back on U.S. soil, utterly exhausted. That was 21 years ago.

Fast forward to now, and here I am, on my way to Las Vegas with Charles and the crew for bachelor party round two. This time, it’s for my second wedding, and as a more “mature” man, I doubt it’ll be anything like my first. Let’s be real—stamina isn’t what it used to be, and honestly, I’m more into fine dining, craft cocktails, burlesque shows, and lounging by the pool. Sure, we might hit up a gentlemen's club for a lap dance or two, but I’m thinking this trip will be a bit classier.

Stay tuned...who knows, there may still be some shenanigans in store! 

I love how AI envisions a group of six middle-aged men partying in Las Vegas.

RANDOM WEDNESDAY: Ryuu Lavitz - Tifa Lockhart

@ryuulavitz

 

Antonio Roybal

Art Appreciation

Antonio Roybal, born on October 1, 1976, is an American fine-art painter known for his distinctive style that blends surrealism with elements of fantasy and symbolism. Raised in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Roybal's work is heavily influenced by the rich cultural tapestry of the Southwest, drawing from Native American, Hispanic, and European traditions. 

His paintings often depict dreamlike scenes filled with otherworldly characters, vibrant colors, and intricate details. Each piece tells a visual story, exploring themes of identity, spirituality, and the human condition. Roybal’s work has been showcased in galleries across the U.S., earning him recognition for his technical precision and imaginative concepts.

Roybal’s artistic approach is deeply personal, reflecting his introspective nature and fascination with the metaphysical. His use of layered symbolism invites viewers to engage with his art on multiple levels, challenging them to find meaning in the juxtaposition of the familiar and the fantastical. 

Influenced by classical painters like Hieronymus Bosch and Salvador Dalí, Roybal brings a contemporary twist to traditional surrealism. Beyond the canvas, he has expanded into sculpture and mixed media, further broadening his creative expression. Roybal’s work continues to inspire audiences, resonating with those who appreciate the fusion of realism, mysticism, and the exploration of the subconscious.

One World

Judas

Bloody Mary

Sources:

Wikipedia

http://www.antonioroybal.com/

https://alibi.com/art/albuquerque-now-winter/#google_vignette

Body Art: Paul Roustan - Naked but Painted at the Beach

Artist: Paul Roustan

Model: Daisy

via Roustan 

Stone Temple Pilots - Wicked Garden

Music Appreciation

On September 29, 1992, Stone Temple Pilots released "Wicked Garden" as part of their debut studio album, "Core," and while it wasn't issued as a commercial single, it stands as one of the band's most significant hits. Written by Scott Weiland, the song's abstract and metaphorical lyrics invite listeners to apply their own experiences and emotions onto it, with many interpreting it as an exploration of personal struggles and inner demons.

The accompanying music video, directed by Graeme Joyce, begins with scenes of two children and a man tending to a garden. The video then transitions to Scott Weiland and the band performing on stage, surrounded by an exuberant audience and a mosh pit – an area within the crowd at a live music event characterized by intense, spontaneous, and physical dancing, reflecting the song's energetic and emotional essence.

Sources:

Wikipedia

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7080204/