Although Dan Auerbach and Patrick Carney have known each other since childhood, what we know as the formidable Black Keys outfit was formed in 2001. In the following two decades, the pair have been prolific with their blues rock: Delta Kream, their latest album, is their 10th, an average of one every two years. As they’ve grown older, their songwriting has been marked by a noticeable shift into the personal. After the four-album run with Danger Mouse that brought them commercial success and fame, 2019’s ‘Let’s Rock’ was a rawer and rustic self-produced record. They’ve gone even further on Delta Kream, a collection of covers of hill country blues artists that continue to inspire them; two decades in, it’s impossible to begrudge the Black Keys this moment.
The whole thing is, above all, deeply felt. They took just 10 hours to record the album across two days in December 2019, with little planning or rehearsals. Consisting often of first takes, it’s why the tracks feel appealingly loose and limber. Mainly covers of the works of R.L. Burnside and Junior Kimbrough, a sweet link to those fine bluesmen past is provided with the presence of their sidemen here, in Burnside’s slide guitarist Kenny Brown and Kimbrough’s bassist Eric Deaton.
It begins, though, with John Lee Hooker’s hazy and long epic ‘Crawling Kingsnake’, the blues rising above the smoke over the delta. Songs like ‘Louise’, ‘Do the Romp’, and ‘Walk with Me’ are slow and steady, all built on innate timing and repetition. The same can be said of the closing track ‘Come On and Go With Me’, a stretched-out piece mesmeric in its control. ‘Going Down South’ – complete with a surprising falsetto from Auerbach – and ‘Coal Black Mattie’ simmer with pace and panache, more melodic than the other songs. Auerbach does his best with the vocals throughout, keeping his delivery low and smoky, although, understandably, the blues emanating from his mouth rather than someone like Kimbrough was always going to lack the power and meaning of the original.
Not much differentiates the songs here: All are composed of the same cool delivery, the same crisp instrumentals. Chord progression is limited, the emphasis firmly on precise timing and inherent groove; as they cycle through each repetitious track, the result is intimidatingly authentic. Delta Kream is, in every sense, a musician’s album. There’s no hint of looking for commercial viability, although as this is The Black Keys, they still managed to find it (the album reached number six on the Billboard 200 and five on the UK album charts). Casual observers looking for the zest and raucousness of hits like ‘Gold On The Ceiling’ or ‘Lonely Boy’ will be found wanting on Delta Kream, but they are simply not the target audience. The way the songs of their idols flow out of Auerbach and Carney is genuine and joyful; full of unhurried rhythm and electric talent, their power lies in the personal.
In the eponymous opening track of her sophomore album, Ready Is Always Too Late, Sinéad Harnett commits to action. Among swirling harmonies and patterns of twinkling keys, she renounces hesitation, declaring, “Waiting in this fear is impossible to me.” The song announces a leap of faith, and yet Harnett’s plunge from the precipice seems only to bring her closer to herself.
The album’s lush, soul-tinged R&B is the sonic embodiment of Harnett’s growing confidence. The chorus of the second track, ‘Stay’, consists entirely of the drawn-out vowel of this single world, mirroring the sense of blossoming trust that is laid out lyrically. Harnett’s vocals are elevated to perfection by a blend of classical production and electronic R&B, with strings rising gently to meet the drum track as the song fades out. Such tranquil grandeur is reinstated by the beachy funk of ‘Take Me Away’ as Harnett sketches a desire for escape alongside hip-hop pair EARTHGANG. After a decade in the music industry, Harnett’s discography boasts multiple collaborations, and she is joined by a number of features on this record. Notably, the irresistible groove of ‘Stickin’’ is bolstered by the talents of R&B duo VanJess and singer Masego; Harnett’s assertion of faith on the track is made all the more bold by a shifting landscape of electronic elements, as synth, keys, and snapping drums erupt and recede. Meanwhile, R&B maestro Lucky Daye enters to mine the ruins of a past relationship on ‘Anymore’. Among fluttering acoustic melodies, Harnett’s falsetto reaches celestial heights as she murmurs, “I miss the way it hurts.”
This sense of longing shimmers in the next track, ‘Hard 4 Me 2 Love You’, one of the album’s first singles. “If this is you on a bad day/ It must have been a hell of a year,” Harnett laments. Her own devotion is countered by a nameless lover who seems to linger far behind: “It’s almost like you want me to give up,” she reflects on the pre-chorus. The production here is sparing, with scatterings of sparkling piano melodies and a delicate blend of harmonies. Harnett may know herself, but her vulnerability still casts shadows that linger throughout the record.
It is vulnerability, indeed, that permeates both Harnett’s first full-length project, 2017’s Chapter One, and her follow-up, Lessons in Love, released in 2019. The latter closes with the avowal, “You ain’t nothing if you give into your fears,” and this sentiment stands at the heart of her new release as she excavates strength from instances of fragility. ‘Like This’ is certainly emblematic of Harnett’s newfound confidence, as she intones, “After the rain is when you see the sunshine/ They was a set up, but baby I’m the punchline.” Her sultry vocals mesh with bouncing drums and a jubilant brass section to generate an effortless, soul-saturated groove. This is R&B so smooth that it seems almost to draw out time; for all of Harnett’s self-declared alacrity, her music exudes a kind of inexorable languorousness, an ability both to advance and to pause and reflect. If she is diving from a cliff, she is taking the opportunity to savour the descent.
The album’s final tracks demonstrate a curious mix of introspection and playfulness. ‘Obvious’ is an exercise in self-restraint, though there is, thankfully, nothing restrained in the infectious, reggae-tinted funk that accompanies Harnett’s musings. “I only want you when I’m lonely/ Promise not to chase you when I get so/ Lonely,” she sings, adding, “It’s just so hard to feel all the things that I wish I could feel.” On ‘Distraction’, however, she is engaging in just the right amount of feeling: “Take you there where I know you wanna go/ More high than you ever been before,” she hums, and snatches of pitched-up vocals create a breezy, old-school feel that rounds off the record with perfect coolness.
Whether swooping from a great height or finding quiet intermission, it seems Harnett is an artist who possesses an enviable command of time. No matter where she chooses to go next, she has succeeded in crafting a luxuriant sophomore album that expertly captures her own journey.
A lot of upcoming artists have more chances and opportunities as compared to before when it comes to promoting and launching their own music albums and tracks, especially when they are on a budget. Due to budget restraints or whatever may be the reason, a lot of artists with a huge amount of potential do not know where to start or begin when it comes to promoting their music on various platforms, especially when it comes to Spotify. One of the most important things to be kept in mind is that your music should be your top most focus and if your track, album and EP is not written well or even professionally produced, you are going to face a lot of problems when you start promoting your music on Spotify.
So, which are the five effective ways to promote your music on Spotify?
Start with the basics first.
Take a few courses on how to build a professional website or even find websites that would help you build one. This is important because this website will help the potential consumers of your music to know who you are and whether you are actually legitimate or not. It is extremely important to build a website, but what is more important is to build a community that would help you curate a dedicated mailing list. So, what exactly does your website need to have? A little bit about yourself, but mostly about your work, from the behind the scenes of making your music tracks and albums to the links to your music and a basic mailing list sign up form. This is a form of email marketing that will help you understand and know who all are actually interested in your music. This will also help people to come across your Spotify profile and it would be a wise idea to buy Spotify plays that will help in adding value to your work as well.
Design your Spotify profile well, and make sure that you are verified on Spotify.
Details play a huge role in designing your Spotify account which is why you have to make sure that everything from your header image to curating your concert calendar to updating your Spotify bio to customizing your playlists, you have to do it all, very intricately. The reason behind why you need to get verified with Spotify especially if you are an artist is because of the fact that you gain the trust of the followers and the fact that they will be convinced that you are not using someone else’s music tracks as yours. Which is why you have to buy Spotify plays if you do not see an increase in your Spotify plays. This will also play a key role in gaining more followers on Spotify and adding value to your Spotify account
Which brings us to the third point, which is to buy Spotify plays and research well on the best sites to buy Spotify plays from.
Which are the best sites to buy Spotify plays? Is it necessary to buy Spotify plays? There are some of the best sites to buy Spotify plays. There are a number of best sites to buy Spotify plays if you do enough research on the topic to know which ones suit your need and budget because you will be surprised at the availability of the content that is out there. In order to promote your music on Spotify, you need to gain a decent amount of Spotify plays, Spotify streams and followers on the artist’s Spotify account. Which is why you need to see which are the best sites to buy Spotify plays for you.
Use other social media platforms to promote your music on Spotify.
Your target audience is just not restricted to Spotify, you have to remember that your target audience is spanned all over various social media platforms which is why you have to promote and provide the links to your music albums and tracks on every social media platform that you are on. This will also increase the traction on your profile. You can also buy Spotify plays from various best sites to buy Spotify plays as this will help in increasing your Spotify followers as well. Using the social media Ads that are available will also allow you to gain the exposure that you need.
Collaborate with the people in your genre.
Collaborating with people who have a similar audience as yours will help you gain access to their audience and vice versa. This will help you to get more Spotify plays and followers as well.
While the numbers are extremely important and play a vital role when it comes to gaining exposure and the trust of your audience, with adequate research you will be able to find the best sites to buy Spotify plays that will help you buy Spotify plays and promote your music on Spotify.
Born in Portugal to Belgian and Cape Verdean parents, Erika de Casier grew up in the Lisbon suburb of Estoril until she moved to the tiny Danish village of Ribe at the age of 8. Having spent a year abroad in Vermont as part of an exchange program, she eventually settled in Copenhagen and taught herself music production in her bedroom. Though she had to learn to sing in a hushed tone so as not to disturb her flatmates, she’s since found ways to harness that intimacy to convey all manner of emotion, whether invoking the sensuality of ’90s and ’00s R&B or taking cues from the empowerment anthems of Destiny’s Child and TLC. She draws from both musical worlds on her new album, Sensational, her second following 2019’s Essentials and first since signing to 4AD; each subtle texture radiates warmth as well as newfound confidence, lending an air of playfulness to what is an otherwise stripped-back and relaxed affair. But more remarkable than de Casier’s self-assured presence is her ability to explore relationship dynamics with elegance and style, making her minimalist, confessional songs feel vivid and nuanced: not just palpably romantic, but full of possibility.
We caught up with Erika de Casier for this edition of our Artist Spotlight interview series to talk about how she discovered her creativity, her new album Essentials, and more.
What do you like about being in Denmark now that you didn’t appreciate as much when you first moved there?
I’m so used to it now because I was eight when I moved. And I think I’ve adapted really quick, for example, to the cold; I used to hate the cold, and now it comes as kind of a relief sometimes when winter starts, because it’s like there’s no pressure to go outside and enjoy the sun, you know. [laughs] Because I feel that a lot. There are many things that I still don’t appreciate, but that’s more to do with how the world is going now. One very specific thing I really like is our bike culture. Everybody’s biking around, from when you’re a little kid until you can’t anymore.
Do you feel more connected to a music scene or community now?
Yeah, now I’m part of a music community, but I think that’s also part of getting older and finding your interests and other people that have the same interests. When you go to school, you’re just put in a class with a bunch of random people, and then you have those common interests for the year that you go there, but when you get older, I think a lot of people find people that have the same interests that you can talk to about stuff. And I think I definitely got that here. I moved at one point, just sort of like six months, and when I came back, I missed it so much. I just missed my community and being able to go to like the café I usually go to where all my friends hang out. I also love that we don’t all make the same music – we really inspire each other with very different sonic realms.
Were you creative as a teenager? How did you discover your creativity?
When I was a kid, I was alone a lot, and I started drawing – I had to entertain myself a lot of the time, so I guess it came that way. I found that it was a great way of expressing your emotions without talking about them necessarily, but just making something – or even, you know, as a kid when you’re playing, you’re being creative because you have a great imagination. And I feel that even if I’m a part of the community here, when I’m making music I’m still by myself. I still have that space – I seldom sit with somebody and make music. And when I do, it’s people that I really know or like one person. For me, I’ve always connected being creative to something I do on my own, and where I can just shut the world off.
Was it a similar reason that drew you to writing in English specifically, that you felt you could express your emotions in a way that you couldn’t in another language?
I’ve been wondering about that actually, why I write in English. And I think it’s just a language that comes more naturally to me when I’m creating. I’ve written maybe one Danish song, and it’s a whole different way of expressing yourself. First of all, the vocabulary is much smaller in Danish; there are different ways of saying something, but not as many words. And also, I’ve always listened to a lot of English music, and it took me some time before I listened to Danish music after I moved here as a child. I knew English music before I knew Danish music, so I think that’s why it comes more naturally to me.
You’ve talked about the importance of MTV early on in your life, but I’m curious how you were exposed to the more underground or contemporary influences that inform your music.
When I was a teenager I got more and more curious about music, and I felt it was also a way to shape your identity. I went to the library a lot and borrowed CDs and downloaded a lot of music. I don’t know – I guess I felt special, in a way, listening to something that not many people knew about.
In what way was it tied to a sense of identity?
I grew up with just my mom and my brother, and my mom’s from Belgium and I’ve never lived in Belgium. So I think I was very curious to find out who I was, and to find out – like, my dad is from Cape Verde, and I also listened to some Cape Verdean music. I looked up to artists on MTV that looked like myself. [laughs] And also, when I was 15, I think I was – like a lot of 15-year-olds are – you know, the music on the radio wasn’t doing it for me. I was so cynical at this time – I felt very much like a victim, like “nobody understands me,” you know. I remember I started listening to Radiohead and I felt like, “I’m the only one listening to this right now in the world.” [laughs] I think once I got older I loosened up a bit.
It was the same for me with Radiohead. You know, they have millions of fans and somehow I felt like I was the only one in the world who knew them.
It was also before social media, like you couldn’t go in and see Radiohead’s page and be like, “Wow, they’re actually pretty well-known.” Back then it was nothing, it was just like, you found a CD and you had no idea when people are listening to it. It gave space for maybe a little bit more mystique than we have now.
I wanted to ask you about your debut album, Essentials, which has been described as a kind of word-of-mouth success. Did it feel very organic to you?
I felt it was very organic. When I released the Essentials, people were like writing me like, “Oh, cool album,” but it wasn’t like all of a sudden I was on every magazine, [makes rhythmic sound], hype, hype, hype. I played a release show in London for like 10 people, you know. So it wasn’t like that at all, which was really nice because I got a chance to follow it without freaking out.
To what extent did any expectations affect your approach to the new record?
I tried not to let it influence me. I think it’s natural – whatever goes on in your life influences what you make, so of course there was an expectation to myself about wanting to make something that was good. But that was also the case with Essentials, I really wanted to put something out that I really liked. And I’ve also tried to think about, “It’s one record, I don’t want to put my all my worth and all my happiness – I don’t want Sensational to carry that, so if it goes well, that’s really nice, I’m glad people like it.” And some people won’t, you know, you can’t make everybody happy. I try not to let it take up too much space in my mind because it does affect me, of course. You spend maybe one two years making something, and then you’re just like, “This is what I made. What do you think?” But I try not to let it touch me when I’m making music – you know, if I’m sitting writing a song and I get that little ego voice going, “Is this good enough? Are you gonna put this out?” And I try to just like, “No no no, I can throw this in the garbage if I want.” There’s no pressure when I’m making the tracks, but I would lie if I said that it didn’t affect me.
You said before that you kind of loosened up as you were growing up, and that’s something I also feel is part of the shift from your first album to Sensational. Going into the album, I’m curious what kind of attitude and vibe you wanted to convey, especially with the album title.
When I was writing it, I had a lot of words like “sensual,” “sensational,” “sexy,” all these s-sounding words. When I wrote ‘Drama’, I was like, “This is so sensational,” and I also say it in the lyrics. And when I had to piece all the tracks together, I was like, “These are all pretty like sensational tracks,” because I do feel that I’ve experimented a little bit more with a more outgoing persona. And I like the exaggeration of the word, it’s almost like saying that it’s not by calling it that. You know, sensational. Like, “Okay, relax. Who do you think you are?”
It’s kind of tongue-in-cheek as well. You mentioned a more outgoing persona, and I know that you’ve invented a character called Bianka for your latest music videos. But I’m wondering to what extent in the album itself you’re inhabiting certain characters when you were writing the songs, as a way of being more free.
I think it’s characters that are within me, like when I say a persona, it’s still me. When you write, you can be anything, you can be who you want to be. And when you are in a certain situation, you have one thing that is what you say, and another thing is what you think. And another thing is what you think five hours later. And a lot of the songs are what I thought after I got to processes it, like, “Oh, I should have said this” or “I should have said that.” And in some of the situations, I’ve actually had the courage to say what I felt, but there’s so many things where you’re like, “What would the person say?” or “I don’t want to come off as mean or needy or whatever,” you know. I just felt it was empowering to write that way this time around.
One moment I love on the album is the song ‘Acceptance’. It’s kind of an interlude, but there’s this confidence that the previous tracks and the album as a whole has, and this feels almost like a moment of defeat, maybe hinting at the lonelier, more melancholy feelings that the album doesn’t show as much. What was the inspiration for it?
It was during lockdown, and I just felt like nothing was going my way. I was just fooling around with orchestral sounds and I made this little snippet, almost, and I thought it was just gonna be a fun little thing that I wasn’t gonna use. But then I thought it really gives a good image of that one moment where I was feeling… Yeah, kind of defeated, actually. You know, sitting in your room, isolated. I was trying to make something, and I went from making one beat that was useless, that doesn’t give me any feeling – that’s the worst when you’re making music, like, “Well, it’s a nice beat, but it’s not touching anything inside.” And then with ‘Acceptance’, it was just like, “Let me just make something.”
It’s such an honest album, even when you’re exaggerating or playing a character. One thing in particular that I love is how it expresses sentiments that are simple or would otherwise be perceived as cliché – like the “when you fell from the sky” line on ‘Make My Day’ – but it always feels genuine. Where do you think that comes from?
It’s hard to dissect, but I feel it’s just a matter of how I’m used to writing, or why I started writing. When I started writing love songs, it’s about making the other person understand something that you think. That’s how I started writing very… almost like letters, you could say, to the person I was trying to tell something to. So I think the honesty comes in that. Sometimes I’m – for example, doing these interviews, I’m like, “Am I saying something that’s contradicting what I said a few days ago?” You know, you constantly evolve, and that’s why in some of the songs I’m the one with the upper hand and some of the songs I’m the victim, almost, or defeated, as you said. I’ve just tried to get as many of these different roles we have in our lives.
This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity and length.
Casino games have become a popular feature for developers to include in open-world adventures on console. They offer players something else to do as a break from the main storyline. Because casino games are popular, and also due to the excitement involved with them, they could become a more commonly used side game in the future. Here are three examples of open-world titles that have used casino offerings in interesting and immersive ways. These titles are likely to have an influence on other developers who are considering adding a casino vibe to their games.
Poker in Red Dead Redemption 2
Red Dead Redemption 2 from Rockstar Games was one of the most successful console offerings of all time. It was lauded for its storyline, characters, and riveting gameplay. Because the playable area of the game was so vast, players really felt as if they’d entered another world. This made it seem like they were living another life as the character, Arthur Morgan. When living an alternate existence, it’s important to feel as if you have freedom to do whatever you want. For that reason, Rockstar Games realized that players couldn’t just stick to a rigid storyline that goes in one direction. They needed to have other activities to keep them entertained.
RDR2 was jam-packed with side games to keep players busy for hours on end. Gambling games had been well received in the original Red Dead Redemption, and players had noted how fitting these pastimes were within the Wild West universe of the game. For that reason, Rockstar Games opted to include an even greater number of casino options in the sequel. Indeed, players were able to walk into saloons in every area of the map and take part in blackjack and poker.
A highlight of the game was when poker was used as part of one of the main quests. This was the 52nd story mission in the game, called A Fine Night of Debauchery. Players ventured to the Grand Korrigan riverboat, which was a floating casino. Once there, they had to take part in a high-stakes game of poker against Desmond Blythe.
The aim of the mission was to bust Blythe at the felt, causing him to bet a gold watch that he kept in his safe. When Morgan has won the game, he has to follow the pit boss to get the watch. It’s at this point that the player is able to loot the safe and take down a number of bad guys before escaping the ship.
Roulette in Fallout: New Vegas
Fallout: New Vegas was one of the most memorable offerings in the series from Bethesda Softworks. Released in 2010, the game sold more than 12 million copies worldwide. It was also nominated for numerous game of the year awards along with two Baftas.
In Fallout: New Vegas, gamers play as a character called the Courier. Most of the game takes place in a post-apocalyptic city that used to be Las Vegas. One of the reasons why Obsidian Entertainment decided to use this setting was so that they could seamlessly include casino games. This was one of the first console titles to include realistic gambling offerings that provided high-octane thrills outside of the main missions.
Roulette is one of the most recognizable and popular table games of all time, so it’s no surprise to see it still going strong in the scorched, ruined landscape of the Fallout universe. In the game, players take part in American roulette. This version of the game differs slightly from the European option, in that it has a zero and a double zero. When players take part in games of roulette online, they have a choice between these different types of game and even other variants. It is wise to read the rules first, though, because the diverse offerings have slightly different odds and payouts.
Blackjack in GTA V Online
Grand Theft Auto V is one of the most successful and long running games of all time. It initially found success as a single-player offering upon its release in 2013, and it was the fastest-selling entertainment product of all time. To put that into context, it generated $1 billion in sales within three days of its release. It doesn’t stop there, though. Rockstar Games kept GTA alive with its hugely popular online experience, which has become a separate game in itself.
More than 140 million people still play GTA V Online, which is incredibly impressive considering it has been eight years since the game was originally released. The reason why it continues to attract players is because Rockstar Games keeps updating it with new features. GTA5 has always had a number of mini games to keep players entertained, but it didn’t have any casino offerings until recently. This all changed when the Diamond Casino was introduced to GTA Online in 2020. For the first time ever in the sandbox, players could walk into the casino and take part in classic table games.
One of the standout options to play in GTA V Online is blackjack. Rockstar Games clearly took inspiration from developers in the online casino industry, and aimed to make the experience as immersive as possible. Players approach the blackjack game with the first-person perspective, and this helps them to feel as if they are in a real casino playing blackjack. They can bet using in-game currency, so there is always something at stake to add to the thrills.
Casino games have been used well by these developers over the years. They provide some respite to the main storyline, but also come with thrills of their own. When players put in-game currency at risk, it can help to up the excitement levels. This also gives players an incentive to get to another level of the game.
Slow fashion has caused a major impact in recent years, but what exactly is this movement and why is the role of Finnish designers and manufacturers considered so important?
The History of Slow Fashion
Slow fashion is a term similar to other popular movements like slow food and slow travel. Kate Fletcher of the Centre for Sustainable Fashion at the London College of Fashion is credited with first using this name. Designers such as Katharine Hamnett and Giorgio Armani had already shown interest in a more sustainable approach back in the 1990s, but this was also a time of incredible growth for international fashion chains.
It is about a responsible, sustainable approach to fashion that aims for quality, eco-friendly garments that will stand the test of time. This contrasts with the fast-fashion approach that involves huge, multi-national chains that cycle rapidly between seasons and dispose of old stock in a way that damages the planet.
The three key principles of the movement are a local approach, the use of a transparent production process and sustainable end products. The broad definitions that are used mean that slow fashion could involve buying a low-cost garment from a thrift store or choosing an expensive new item made from recycled or organic materials.
Why It Has Become Popular in Finland
The ideas behind slow fashion fit in well with the Finnish way of living, which is heavily based on simplicity and respecting nature. An example of a local brand that has embraced these concepts is Marimekko. Founded by Armi Ratia in 1951, their clothing line is all about creating garments that would last for decades. Other brands have followed, with Ivana Helsinki and Samuji among the Finnish clothing lines taking a sustainable approach.
Seija Lukkala is behind Global Hope, which had the world’s first up-cycled fashion show in Helsinki in 2003. 2018’s Fashion Week in Helsinki then marked a turning point, as it was the first time this event was 100% sustainable. Organizer Evelyn Mora created a zero-waste environment powered by renewable energy sources and including eco-friendly food and beauty products, as well as recycled materials.
Discounts and offers remain as important in the clothing industry here as in other types of business. A look at the Finnish retail scene reveals that Marimekko offers 20% off selected items and that Global Hope gives its customers a free canvas bag for orders over €100. There is no longer any need for consumers to believe that sustainable clothing has to be more expensive, especially since they are products designed to last a long time.
These discounts tie in with what people expect from other industries in Finland. Beliani promises up to 70% off furniture. A look at their site also confirms that subscribers get exclusive vouchers. Adidas offers a 20% discount on its footwear. In terms of entertainment, the Kalevala kasino has a bonus offer for new players. Finnish users can play over 2,000 slots games and live dealer titles using this bonus cash.
The Future of Slow Fashion
The impact of the slow fashion movement is difficult to put into numbers. However, research from Mintel has shown that the number of people buying clothes regularly fell in 2018, which is perhaps a sign that consumers are tired of the idea of buying cheap, throwaway clothing every month.
Over time, the biggest impact may be that which has seen global brands like H&M and Zara forced to introduce sustainable collections and focus more on ethical processes. In particular, H&M was heavily criticized for burning old stock, with some estimates suggesting that the Swedish manufacturer disposed of up to 12 tons of unsold garments in this way every year.
Slow fashion has struck a chord with consumers all over the planet, nowhere more so than in Finland. If you want to keep an eye on future ideas in this movement, it is worth looking at what Finnish designers and manufacturers are up to.
Freelance writing and ghostwriting has become a profitable venture during the last year of lockdowns, as legitwritingservices.com explains. Should you consider this path, you might stumble onto a career that will last for a lifetime.
But how can you become a better writer? You already learned all the rules of grammar in grade school. Technically, you possess all the writing knowledge, so why aren’t you cranking out novels or charging $300 per article?
Writing can be a more technical craft, but it is also a more artistic and spiritual venture. A writer is not just like any other profession; it is a type of person. So, how can you “become” such a professional? By reading, of course.
Being intelligent and effective are two different things. It is not uncommon for people with intelligence and talent to fail because they did not persevere with their craft.
Some very imaginative writers have fallen through the cracks because they weren’t interested in practicing, reading, and expanding their horizons. As a professional writer, you have to know that there are limits to even the broadest skill set and that you need to find inspiration in the work of others via reading.
Benefits of reading
Human beings use language and words to form thoughts. Even if someone has the brainpower to understand complexity, it is still half the battle.
Without a broad vocabulary, there won’t be any way to express specific ideas. Giving something a word label makes it easier to juggle inside your head. It gives you the power over that concept, as you will be able to twist, compare, mock, praise, or allude to it.
This is the first benefit of reading: you can’t have broad thoughts without a broad vocabulary. And it is not advisable to open a thesaurus or dictionary and start memorizing pages. Reading allows you to organically learn about new concepts and words while enjoying a compelling narrative.
The second benefit is armchair psychology.
If you are writing some characters, the story will fail if they all think and act like you, the author. It is often said that good characters write themselves. This means that a well-defined character with an evident personality and boundary is almost on auto-pilot.
For example, you sort of know how Gandalf from the Lord of The Rings would react to a specific situation, even if you haven’t read it yet. His actions are predictable because his personality is accurate and consistent.
That being said, before you can write these deep and well-defined characters, you have to get out of your head and learn how people tick. Admittedly, some writers have a natural talent for “getting” how others work. But most of us need to expand our thought patterns via reading.
Thanks to reading, you can walk beside Achilles at the siege of Troy, sit in a chamber where a widow grieves a lost son, or hear the thoughts of a person who is conspiring to overthrow their king.
You can read about heroes, liars, adventurers, rogues, artisans, politicians, vagrants, and any other shade of personality. You will travel deserts, oceans, and deep forests.
It is hard to overestimate just how much this supercharges your mind and improves your ability to see things from different perspectives. If you read enough, making up realistic characters will become a walk in the park.
Learn from the best
When compared to any other profession, writers have an inherent advantage. Most products and services are fiercely guarded by the company that has the trademark. Corporate espionage is a prolific practice and problem.
In writing, there are no arcane secrets and hidden formulas locked away in underground vaults. For a small fee, or even for free, you can read the masters of this craft since the beginning of time.
An avid reader can easily deconstruct and reverse-engineer the methods and winning formulas and reproduce them himself. The most popular books on the market are highly derivative, and nobody is bothered by that.
As a writer, you have to remember a single lesson: when you borrow from just one source, it is called plagiarism. But when you borrow from multiple sources, it is called research.
Books that will make you a better writer
First, we have The Sacred and the Profane: The nature of religion, by Romanian-American author Mircea Eliade. For the exact same purpose, you can read just about anything written by Joseph Campbell.
You can easily search for writing, grammar, syntax, and structure tutorials on Google. You do not need this article’s help for that. However, some books don’t automatically come into mind when considering this topic.
Your goals as a writer are to hit deep. Pop culture novels aside, writing often aims to move the human soul while entertaining the reader. The best-kept secret in fiction is that we keep telling the same old stories, using the same ancient archetypes.
The same patterns keep repeating in myths, literature, and stories from the dawn of time. The names and the language change, yet the distillate essence of the human experience is the same.
The Star Wars story was a Sci-Fi script. Sure, it was set in outer space. But it had knights, wizards, evil emperors, and the classic Hero’s journey ( read Campbell’s “The hero with a thousand faces”.)
Transhumanism is a lie because humans face the same moral struggles and go through the same journeys regardless of time and age. Problems and dilemmas that plagued the Roman Empire are seen in modern 21st-century megacities.
Sure, the nuance and the background changes, but the underlying message stays the same. There are no new humans; thus, there are no new humanities to talk of—just the same one.
Eliade and Campbell’s works will help you to understand those facts and identify those patterns.
Conclusion
Humans like to tell stories. We understand our lives via stories, as we often see ourselves as the main characters of a narrative. We tell ourselves stories about our relationships, the founding of our countries, divinity, and happiness and strife, and about every aspect of life.
We can’t think of life outside of these archetypes. A good writer realizes that he doesn’t get to write the archetypes; he writes about them. The patterns were there since the start.
Sure, then you still have to learn grammar, syntax, spelling, etc. But that doesn’t automatically make you a great writer. After all, technical manuals are well-written in that regard, but nobody is rushing to buy them outside of their intended purpose.
Reading is the first and most crucial step when familiarizing yourself with what humans are, and how their mind works. After accomplishing that, the rest is just filler.
Hoodies are a staple winter wear for both men and women. During winter, the sales of hoodies reach skyrockets. From young toddlers, teens to even elderly people, everyone loves hoodies. They are cheap, easy to wear and go with everything. When it comes to tips for women wearing hoodies, finding the perfect style and fit is essential. Gelato offers a wide range of customizable hoodies to sell online, allowing women to express their unique fashion sense while staying comfortable and cozy.
In this article, we will look at some popular ways women can wear hoodies, and appear cute, stylish, and fabulous.
1. Wear All Black with Your Hoodies
Since you are likely to wear hoodies in winter, going full black will not be a problem, especially if you’re wearing Yellowberry hoodies, as they have a range of awesome full black ones. You can wear a black t-shirt or a sweater inside your hoodie depending on how cold it is outside.
You can also try black boots with black jeans to complete your full traditional Gothic black look. Likewise, you can bring some variety in color by wearing a different colored hat, or you can stick to the dark theme and wear a black hat.
2. Wear Your Hoodie with a Blazer
The hoodie by itself might not always be enough to fight the cold weather. To keep yourself warm, style your hoodie with a blazer on top. This will keep you warm even during the coldest nights.
But you need to keep in mind that the color of the blazer contrasts with the color of your hoodie. One-colored hoodies or simple monogrammed hoodies go well with blazers.
3. Combine Hoodies with Scarfs
You can wear a scarf with your hoodie if you feel a bit fancy. Wrap a colorful scarf around your neck, and you will be good even without the hoodie cap.
But make sure not to use a long scarf, or you might not be able to wrap it around your neck properly. The headcover of the hoodie takes some space so wear smaller scarfs. Also, do not tie the scarf too tightly because moving your head while wearing both a scarf and hoodie could be difficult.
4. Hoodies with Hats and Sunglasses
Even though hoodies are winter outfits, they can be worn on chilly summer days. You can wear them without using the headcover. But you need something else to shade your skin.
This is where hats and sunglasses come in handy. Cowgirl hats with medium brims and dark sunglasses complement this style perfectly. Wear flip-flops or belt sandals with denim jeans and your summer hoodie look will be complete.
5. Make a Semi-formal Look
To turn your hoodie into semi-formal business wear, you can wear a suit on top of your hoodie, wear jeans, and two-strap heeled sandals. This semi-formal look is casual, friendly, and more approachable.
Business requires you to talk with many people and if they feel comfortable around you due to your attire, then it might be a win-win scenario.
But wear a plain one-colored hoodie that does not have various prints in it, otherwise, it would be too casual for your business look.
6. Oversized Hoodies for a Baggy Look
If you are used to wearing loose-fitting clothes in the summer, then you will also enjoy wearing oversized hoodies in the winter.
There are quite a few benefits of wearing oversized hoodies. You can wear them with jeans, or as overcoats and wear fancy clothes inside. Wearing loose hoodies with skinny jeans and knee-high boots, or safety boots (the stylish ones) is very trendy these days.
7. Create a 90s Look with Hoodies
You can easily create a 90s look with your hoodies. Get a plain hoodie and wear a denim jacket on top of your hoodie. Wear boyfriend jeans and large dad sneakers.
A bright hoodie with some tacky prints will look better. You can also choose a complete white hoodie since white goes well with light blue denim jeans and a jacket.
8. Wear Puffer Jackets with Hoodies
This is for girls who want a punk street look. You can wear a puffer or a bubble jacket on top of your hoodie. Make sure that the jacket is unzipped and unbuttoned.
To complete the look, wear sweatpants that match the color of your puffer jacket. This will bring out the punk look. To finish it off, you can wear a pair of sunglasses and military boots.
9. Tuck In Your Hoodies
Tucked-in hoodies can also be very stylish. But you need to wear a long coat on top of your hoodie so as not to look weird.
Wearing jeans with a tucked-in hoodie is preferred because trousers or chino/linen pants do not go well with this style. Wearing military boots or knee-high boots will complete this look.
Type of Hoodies for Women
1. Zip-up hoodies
These hoodies can be unzipped when wearing, like the way you would wear a jacket. Zip-up hoodies are the easiest to wear.
2. Pullover Hoodies
You can wear these hoodies like a sweater. There are no zippers, so you need to buy the right size because a tight pullover hoodie is almost impossible to wear perfectly. Pullover hoodies come in many sizes, designs, and colors. Pullover hoodies are usually more puffy and comfortable.
3. Knit Hoodies
These hoodies are of knitted material, which makes them light, perfect for summer and spring. The knitted material and colors combine very well. It looks unique as well.
4. Sleeveless Hoodies
The perfect hoodie for your summer jobs. They look athletic and are very comfortable to work out in.
5. Tunic Hoodies
If you like wearing long garments, such as trench coats, then this tunic-style hoodie will fit your taste perfectly.
Final Thoughts
Hoodies are always trendy and each year, different types of hoodies appear on the market. These are flexible, comfortable, and match with almost any casual or semi-formal attire.
Several top movies have been made in Colorado or used the state as a backdrop. In terms of the most famous film set in Colorado, they do not come much bigger than Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.
Released in 1969, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid stars Paul Newman and Robert Redford, who superbly bring William Goldman’s Oscar-winning screenplay to life. The Colorado filming locations used include Durango, Silverton, and Telluride among others and although Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid may have some historical inaccuracies, it does not deter from the story. There is one scene in a tavern where Sundance goes head-to-head with a tough gambler and if you become tempted to have a gamble yourself, always use a licensed mobile operator. The final image of the duo before their death is poignant and there is no doubt Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid is one of the best films set in Colorado.
Another of the best films set in Colorado has to be Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. This film was released in 1989 and was set in various Colorado locations, including Alamosa, Cortez, and Pagosa Springs. Regarded by many as being the second best of the Indiana Jones films, the Last Crusade sees Sean Connery as Indy’s dad and there are some great pieces of dialogue between the James Bond legend and Harrison Ford. The story and action may be a little far-fetched but the action is great and Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade is one of the top films to be set in Colorado.
Heading back to 1939 and we come to Stagecoach, a film shot in Cañon City. This film is full of everything, including drama, action, and comedy. The film moves effortlessly between scenes, combining the best of the scenery and a stagecoach full of interesting characters. Starring John Wayne, Stagecoach was the film that launched his career in the big time and it remains a classic to this day.
Moving on and we come to Badlands, a film shot in Rocky Ford, La Junta, Las Animas, and Trinidad, among other Colorado locations. The plot is a fictionalization of the Charlie Starkweather murders and stars Martin Sheen and Sissy Spacek. The background to this film is of the relationship between and man (Kit) and girl (Holly), who end up on the run when Kit kills the girls father. He goes on to kill again and despite the gruesome backdrop to the film, there is a glow to this movie thanks to the places used in Colorado, some of which are relatively unknown to those outside the state.
Finally, we come to the most recent film in our list, About Schmidt. Starring Jack Nicholson, the film uses Boulder and Denver and sees Nicholson travel to his estranged daughter’s wedding. The trip teaches him more about himself than he could ever have imagined and the combination of humor and melancholia produced by writer/director Alexander Payne is perfect.
Lead generation is a direct approach to form a solid long-term connection with real customers who are ready to contribute to your business. Increasing leads means enhancing your brand awareness. Attracting prospects and turning them into leads results in creating a base for eventually regular audiences. The content that represents your brand should be a magnet that is capable of capturing leads and if it isn’t you can learn about salesnav here.
As much as we love reading, even more, we love graphic information to perceive: little text and a lot of visual eye-catchers, especially those that bring valuable and useful information. Visual content is always a magnet for prospects, therefore, you should move your focus on creating a stronger graphical representation of your brand. Let’s look at the most winning tips to do that.
More stuff to watch
Depositphotos states that 33% of the time people spend on the internet is devoted to watching videos. HighQ says that 28% of honorable smartphone owners watch videos on their phones daily. Wyzowl informs that 84% of users made positive purchasing decisions after seeing a video. This proves that videos are full of potential to generate leads who might eventually become your regulars. Just make sure that your videos align with the rules, created for capturing leads and making them stay till the final deal ( purchase, order, sign-up, etc.). Having a video that is not long, is informative – key moments in the beginning -, and seasoned with some humor, then there is a chance that people will want to know more and cooperate with your brand.
Leverage infographics presence
Infographics are indispensable when you intend on communicating some broad concepts in a detailed manner; demonstrating statistics, or sharing an enthralling story. Pictures in combination with the “up-to-the-point” text are liked by the visitors and usually learned through. You should not be a high-class graphic designer to create those. Turn to the bounty of graphic design apps that are present on the market and choose the one ( or several) that suits your selling needs the most. Honestly, without special design skills, you may create just about anything. Resume templates, newsletters templates, infographics templates, invoice templates,newsletter templates etc. are all available, do not be shy to customize them for your vision.
Obviously magnetic content
Here is the talk about ebooks, whitepapers, presentations, guides, meal plans, etc. If a prospect landed on your page then it assumes that there is a cure for his pains in your hands. Just play the cards right. Offer some enticing content that is attainable at the same time. This way your prospect will not only appreciate the aesthetics but also get a chance to try something real from your brand arsenal. The moment they liked the idea to download your presentation, you got your lead generated. This is why the quality of design of your magnets is crucial for your leads stepping forward. Choice of colors, fonts, material lay-up, and call-to-action buttons have to motivate somebody to do something and do it fast.
Memes and…more memes
Make some memes a part of your visual content strategy. They are popular, well-perceived, and always welcomed by the users. Humor provokes higher engagement rates and quite a friendly and fun tone for your future cooperation. The connection also gets a human touch which increases likability and enhanced reach.
Conclusion
Visual content, clearly, plays a dramatic role in your lead generation strategy. In order to seal the deal ( having a prospect transformed into a lead and further into a client), you should consider leveraging your usage of graphic elements that will communicate the message of your brand and entice people in becoming a part of your big mission.
