A wardrobe overflowing with clothes, yet the familiar feeling of having nothing to wear. It’s a modern paradox. We accumulate pieces for fleeting trends or specific, one-off events, leaving us with a collection that feels disjointed and impractical for daily life. The secret to escaping this cycle isn’t more clothes, but smarter choices – building a versatile wardrobe that works for every season and occasion.
The goal is to create a core collection of items that can be layered, mixed, and matched, carrying you from a chilly spring morning to a warm summer evening, and from a casual day trip to a glamorous event. It’s about investing in pieces that are not only timeless but also adaptable, allowing you to get the most out of every item you own. This approach saves you time, money, and the daily stress of outfit planning.
Dressing for the Unpredictable British Weather
Let’s be honest, the British weather is anything but predictable. A sunny morning can quickly turn into a rainy afternoon, which makes layering your best friend. A versatile wardrobe thrives on pieces that can be easily added or removed. Think lightweight knits, classic trench coats, and breathable cardigans. These items can be thrown over a summer dress when the temperature drops or worn under a heavier coat in winter.
Investing in high-quality basics is the foundation. A simple white t-shirt, a well-fitting pair of jeans, and a neutral-toned blazer are the building blocks of countless outfits. These staples can be dressed up or down with accessories, making them suitable for almost any setting.
From Festivals to Formal Events
Your social calendar can be as varied as the weather, with events ranging from muddy festivals to elegant race days. How can one wardrobe handle it all?
Festivals: This is where durable, comfortable pieces shine. A pair of stylish denim shorts or a denim skirt can be paired with wellies and a rain jacket for a practical yet cool look. Layering is key, so pack a hoodie or a flannel shirt that you can tie around your waist when the sun comes out.
Holidays & Day Trips: Lightweight, breathable fabrics like linen and cotton are perfect for holidays. A versatile midi dress can take you from the beach to dinner with a simple change of shoes and accessories. For city breaks or day trips, comfortable footwear is non-negotiable, so a classic pair of white trainers is a must.
Races & Events: Formal events don’t always require a new outfit. A classic slip dress in a solid colour can be styled in numerous ways. For a summer wedding, pair it with strappy sandals and delicate jewellery. For an autumn event, add a tailored blazer, heeled boots, and a statement clutch.
The Power of the Co-ord
One of the most effective ways to build a versatile wardrobe is by embracing co-ords. A matching set, whether it’s a blazer and trousers or a top and skirt, offers at least three outfits in one. Wear the pieces together for a polished, put-together look, or mix and match them with other items in your wardrobe.
A denim co ord, for example, is a modern essential. The denim jacket can be thrown over a floral dress in the spring, while the jeans or skirt can be paired with a cosy knit in the autumn. Worn together, these co ords create a bold, fashion-forward statement perfect for a casual weekend outing.
Ready for Anything
Building a wardrobe that works year-round is about shifting your mindset from buying for a single occasion to investing in pieces with long-term potential. By focusing on quality basics, mastering the art of layering, and embracing versatile items like co-ords, you can create a collection of clothes that you truly love and wear. The result is a wardrobe that feels intentional, stylish, and ready for whatever the year throws at you.
In the ever-evolving world of beauty, glueless wigs have emerged as one of the hottest hair trends. Unlike traditional lace wigs that required glue, gel, and a lengthy installation process, glueless wigs make styling effortless.
No more spending half an hour applying or removing your wig — these modern wigs are lightweight, breathable, and designed for comfort. They offer a natural look without compromising scalp health, making them the must-have choice for anyone who wants convenience and the latest hair trends all in one.
What Is a Glueless Wig and Its Benefits
A glueless wig is a type of hairpiece designed to be worn without the need for adhesive tapes or liquid glues. It typically features built-in adjustable straps, combs, or an elastic band that securely attaches to your natural hair and head. Beyond the craftsmanship, glueless wigs offer multiple benefits that users value:
Enhanced Scalp Health: Eliminates damage from harsh chemicals, protecting your natural hairline and sensitive skin.
Effortless Application: Designed for quick wear and removal, making it perfect for beginners and daily use.
Time-Saving Convenience: Simplifies your routine by drastically reducing styling and installation time.
Superior Comfort: Breathable materials allow for better airflow, keeping you cool throughout the day.
Versatile Styling: Offers a natural look and the freedom to change your style without commitment or mess.
Where to Buy the Best Glueless Wig
Several reputable brands offer quality glueless wigs, with a range of reliable and stylish options suitable for various preferences. Among them, Arabella Hair is well-regarded for its high-quality glueless wigs that combine convenience with style. Taking this commitment a step further, the brand introduces its exclusive 13×6 Three-Go™ Glueless Wigs — a collection designed to redefine effortless beauty.
These wigs feature a natural hairline crafted from Vietnamese virgin hair, ensuring a seamless and realistic look. With a 3-step install system, they are truly wear-and-go, eliminating the need for glue while still providing a secure fit.
The large-size glueless lace and breathable cap make them exceptionally skin friendly, providing comfort and confidence for all-day wear. For anyone seeking the perfect balance of natural aesthetics and hassle-free styling, the 13×6 Three-Go™ collection is the ultimate upgrade in glueless wigs.
Arabella Hair’s glueless wigs — including the 13×6 Three-Go™ Glueless Wigs — come with reliable after-sales support, offering free shipping and a 30-day return policy for peace of mind with every purchase.
How to Install Arabella Hair Glueless Wig
Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you see easy Arabella Hair glueless wigs are to wear. It’s so simple that even first-time wig users can get started quickly.
Step 1. Prepare your hair. Braid them or smooth them down so the glueless wig cap sits flat.
Step 2. Use the drawstrings and elastic bands inside the cap to adjust the fit at the front and back, put on and secure the wig.
Step 3. Add style. Part your hair, add curls, or straighten it — a human hair glueless wig responds just like your own.
Lots of TikTok creators are trying out Arabella Hair glueless wigs and sharing easy-to-follow videos. If the instructions seem tricky, just watch a quick clip and see how it’s done!
How to Choose the Perfect Glueless Wig
When you know where to get a glueless wig, it’s time to select the right one. Remember to take into account your lifestyle, personal style, and budget to ensure it’s the perfect fit for you.
Face Shape: Opt for styles that complement your face shape. Longer layers can soften angular features, while curls or waves can add balance to a oval or round face.
Cap Size & Fit: Ensure the wig cap size matches your head circumference for a secure and comfortable fit. Adjustable straps are a valuable feature for a customized feel.
Lifestyle Needs: Choose a length and style that suits your daily routine — low-maintenance waves or shorter cuts are great for an active lifestyle.
Personal Style: Whether you prefer a natural look or something bold, select a wig that reflects your personality and enhances your overall appearance.
Budget: High-quality human hair wigs offer greater versatility but come at a higher price, while synthetic options can be more affordable yet still stylish.
Bonus Tip: How to Care for Glueless Wigs
Buying a glueless wig is not the end of it. Without proper care, it will quickly lose its appearance. Even the best quality hair needs care. Here are some tips to help extend the life of your glueless wig:
Gentle Washing: Use sulfate-free shampoo and cool water. Gently comb through with a wide-tooth brush before washing to avoid tangling.
Proper Drying: Pat dry with a microfiber towel and allow it to air dry naturally on a wig stand. Avoid using high-heat tools frequently.
Storage: When not in use, store the wig on a stand or in a breathable bag to maintain its shape and prevent dust buildup.
Heat Styling: If using heated tools, apply a heat protectant spray beforehand and use low-temperature settings to prevent fiber damage.
Minimal Product Use: Avoid heavy styling products that can cause residue buildup. Opt for lightweight serums or sprays specifically designed for wigs.
With proper care, your glueless wig will stay fresh and look natural for months. If it’s a human hair glueless wig, like those sold at Arabella Hair, caring for it is as simple and easy as looking after your natural hair. It can also last for years.
Conclusion
Today, fashion dictates a simple rule: style should not only be beautiful, but also comfortable. And that is why glueless wigs that don’t need glue for attachment have become one of the brightest hair trends. They save time, are gentle on hair and skin, and look no worse than traditional wigs.
If you are looking for a store that combines quality and ease of installation, pay attention to the Arabella Hair. This is the best wig website for those who want beauty without sacrifice—just a few minutes and a simple touch in front of the mirror.
Social media is competitive and standing out requires more than luck. It demands consistent results, trust, and a product that keeps users returning. Stormlikes has carved a niche for itself with a loyal community of Instagram users who swear by its services.
But what makes this platform so special? Why do users consistently choose Stormlikes over newer or cheaper alternatives? This review dives deep into the Instagram followers service. We’ll explore its unique features, quality, and the reasons behind its enduring appeal.
Stormlikes Has a Legacy of Trust
Stormlikes began in 2012 as a personal project aimed at boosting Instagram presence. What started as a small initiative quickly grew into a global go-to platform for Instagram growth. It’s thanks to its commitment to quality and reliability.
With over 12 years of expertise and more than 9 billion likes, followers, and views delivered,Stormlikes has become a trusted partner. The service is great for influencers, businesses, and individuals worldwide. This longevity is a testament to its ability to adapt to Instagram’s evolving algorithms while maintaining a focus on genuine user engagement.
Why Users Keep Coming Back
Customer loyalty is the lifeblood of any service, and Stormlikes has mastered the art of retaining users. Many customers report returning to Stormlikes after trying other providers. They reference consistent quality, reliability, and unmatched customer support as key factors.
For instance, one user noted that despite testing other services, Stormlikes followers were the only ones that felt authentic and led to organic Instagram growth.
This loyalty is further reinforced by the platform’s rewards program. It incentivizes users to share their positive experiences through reviews, videos, or social media posts. Overall, it does a great job of creating a cycle of trust and community engagement.
Unique Selling Points: What Sets Stormlikes Apart
Stormlikes stands out in a crowded market through several innovative features. These prioritize user control and authenticity. Here are the top ones for your consideration:
Gender and country targeting: Unlike many competitors,buying followers at Stormlikes offers advanced targeting options. This enables users to tailor their follower base by gender and geographic location. It’s particularly valuable for businesses and influencers looking to reach specific demographics. For example, fitness enthusiasts in the United States or fashion bloggers in Europe.
Delivery speed controls: Users can customize the delivery speed of their followers. They can choose between instant delivery for a quick boost or a gradual drip-feed approach that mimics organic growth. This flexibility helps maintain account safety and avoids the Instagram algorithm raising a red flag.
Real and active followers: Stormlikes guarantees that all users are real Instagram followers. You will not find any bots or fake followers. This commitment to quality ensures that followers engage with content. You can count on contributions to long-term growth and higher visibility on the platform.
Automatic services: For hands-free growth, Stormlikes offers automatic likes and views subscriptions. These services detect new posts within 60 seconds and deliver engagement automatically. You’ll find that it saves users time while ensuring consistent results.
No password required: Security is a top priority for Stormlikes. Users only need to provide their Instagram username and never their password. It goes a long way toward reducing the risk of account compromises.
Stormlikes Makes the Difference With Quality Over Quantity
In an industry where many providers prioritize numbers over authenticity, Stormlikes focuses on delivering high-quality followers. They make sure that there is a genuine interaction with content.
Therefore, followers from Stormlikes often have profile pictures, posts, and stories. It makes them indistinguishable from organic followers. This quality enhances social proof and also aligns with Instagram’s policies.
Additionally, users consistently report that these followers lead to increased organic engagement. In practice, it means more comments, shares, and profile visits. It helps to create a snowball effect that fuels long-term growth with guaranteed results.
Pricing Overview
Stormlikes structures its pricing around a tiered and scalable model. The design is to accommodate users with varying goals and budgets. Packages are categorized into small, medium, and large tiers. This allows customers to select a volume of followers, likes, or views that aligns with their specific needs.
Furthermore, the platform employs a value-based pricing strategy, where the cost per unit decreases significantly with larger packages. Hence, it incentivizes bigger investments for long-term growth.
The approach ensures clients pay for precisely the level of service and results they require for their profile organically. For that reason, Stormlikes enjoys a range of users, from casual ones to major brands.
Tailor-Made Packages for Diverse Needs
Stormlikes understands that different users have different goals. That’s why it offers customizable packages to suit various needs and budgets. You can be a micro-influencer looking for a small boost or a business aiming for large-scale growth. Stormlikes has options for all types of Instagram users.
For example, consider a high-end boutique hotel in Bali. Their marketing strategy isn’t about mass appeal, but about attracting affluent travelers and honeymooners. A generic package of 10,000 global followers would be less effective for them than a highly targeted package.
With Stormlikes, the hotel can opt for a medium-sized package and use the gender and country targeting features to focus on their primary market. You can use detailed analytics to figure out where the best connection with your audience can be found.
Adherence to Instagram Policies
One of the biggest concerns with buying followers is violating Instagram’s terms of service. Stormlikes mitigates this risk by using methods that mimic organic growth. For instance, gradual delivery and real-user engagement that you can verify.
This approach keeps accounts safe while still delivering noticeable results. Additionally, theStormlikes blog provides valuable insights into Instagram’s algorithm updates. It helps users stay compliant while maximizing their growth strategies.
Customer Experiences With Stormlikes
The proof of Stormlikes effectiveness lies in the experiences of its users. Many customers report improvements in their Instagram presence after using the service. For example, a fitness influencer mentioned that Stormlikes helped them connect with real enthusiasts who actively participated in their challenges.
Another user who is a small business owner noted that their food video went viral after purchasing views and likes. This led to real-world success with customers queueing outside their restaurant. These stories highlight how Stormlikes goes beyond mere numbers to create meaningful engagement. Completing such verification will help you understand the value of Stormlikes before proceeding.
Addressing Concerns: Transparency and Improvements
While Stormlikes enjoys overwhelmingly positive feedback, some users have reported issues with delivery times or refund processes. However, the company actively addresses these concerns through its customer support team. The system is available 24/7 to resolve problems.
Furthermore, Stormlikes also has a refill guarantee to replace any followers that drop off. It gives you peace of mind and demonstrates its commitment to customer satisfaction.
Choose gradual delivery: Patience is a virtue for algorithm safety. Instead of instant delivery, choose the drip-feed option to spread your follower acquisition over several days or weeks. This mimics organic growth patterns, thereby making the influx of new followers appear natural to Instagram’s algorithm. This careful approach will reduce any risk of being flagged for suspicious activity.
Sync with high-quality content: Time your purchase to coincide with your best Instagram content. Also, before initiating a follower package, make sure your profile features recent posts that accurately represent your brand. When new visitors arrive from Stormlikes,compelling content gives them a reason to stay, follow you organically and engage.
Engage with your new audience: A follower is not a mere statistic. When you gain new followers, actively engage with them in return. For instance, respond to comments on your posts and reply to Stories reactions. You can even visit their profiles to like a few of their photos. This human touch fosters a sense of community and encourages higher overall engagement rates.
Utilize automatic subscriptions: For consistent engagement that boosts every post, activate the automatic likes subscription. Once configured, Stormlikes will deliver likes to your new content instantly. This provides an immediate engagement signal to the algorithm. Consequently, it can help improve your post’s visibility in the Explore page and followers’ feeds.
Analyze and refine your strategy: Use Instagram’s Insights tool to track what happens after using Stormlikes. Furthermore, monitor which types of content your new audience engages with most. This might be Reels, carousels, or single images. Additionally, analyze follower demographics to see if they match your targeting choices. You can use these real data points to refine both your content strategy and your future Stormlikes targeting.
Should You Try Stormlikes?
Stormlikes has earned its reputation as a leader in Instagram growth by prioritizing quality, security, and user control. Its unique features, such as gender and country targeting set it apart from competitors.
But beyond the features, it’s the platform’s commitment to organic-like growth that keeps users coming back. In a world where social media success can feel elusive, Stormlikes provides a reliable path forward. If you’re looking toboost your Instagram presence without compromising on authenticity, Stormlikes is a proven choice where you can buy real Instagram followers.
Foxing have announced they are going on an indefinite hiatus. “After 14 years as a band and 12 years of consistent touring, we’ve decided to take a hiatus from playing shows, writing or doing anything as Foxing,” reads a statement posted on the band’s Patreon. It continues:
It feels really scary to say that. This band has been completely inseparable from us as people for our entire adult lives up to this point. It is so much of our identity and our sense of self worth in the world. But it has become clear to us that in our pursuit of our dreams and making the most honest and genuine art we can, our relationship with music, each other, and our sense of self without the band has eroded. We have decided to prioritize these things and need to step away from the band to do so.
These shows in Chicago and St. Louis will be our last for the foreseeable future. Know that if you ever saw us at a show or listened to our records, you were getting the most from us that we could possibly give in that moment. We will come back if/when we feel that we have more to give.
Pokémon GO has officially confirmed that the Harvest Festival is coming back for a 2025 edition. This seasonal event lets players catch special characters and earn rewards. At the same time, trainers can try new gameplay features tied to the celebration.
Debut of Dipplin and Hydrapple
According to Niantic, this year’s Harvest Festival will showcase the coming of two long-awaited Pokémon. In particular, Dipplinand Hydrapple are finally joining the game. For the unfamiliar, Dipplin is the third evolution of Applin. And Hydrapple is an evolved Dipplin.
GameRant says that their arrival is part of Pokémon GO’s Tales of Transformation Special Research event.
To evolve Applin to Dipplin, players need 200 Applin Candy and 20 Syrupy Apples. In contrast, trainers must use 400 Applin Candy to evolve Dipplin into Hydrapple. However, that is not all. To achieve Hydrapple, they also need to catch seven Dragon-type Pokémon with Dipplin set as a buddy.
Apples and Special Encounters
Based on the official announcement, apples play a big role in the event. Trainers can find Syrupy Apples at PokéStops with active Mossy Lure Modules. Also, interacting with these may grant Sweet Apples, Syrupy Apples, Tart Apples, or encounters with Applin. That is, if players get lucky.
Wild Encounters during the Harvest Festival will feature many Pokémon. Particularly, some of these are Applin, Combee, Miltank, and Smoliv. Likewise, lucky trainers can encounter shiny ones!
Event Bonuses and Research Tasks
During the event, players will benefit from double Candy. They can get this when catching Pokémon with Pinap Berries and Silver Pinap Berries. There will also be higher chances of facing Shiny Pumpkaboo and Shiny Smoliv.
Along with this, a Paid Timed Research is available. Participants can enjoy extended Mossy Lure durations, more chances to receive Berries from PokéStops, and additional Applin encounters. Plus, trainers can give tickets to friends at the Great Friends level or higher. However, players are not allowed to use PokéCoins to buy tickets.
Collection Challenges
Niantic will also add Collection Challenges. These focus on catching and evolving Pokémon. Many rewards await trainers who complete these tasks. In particular, they can get Stardust, Mossy Lure Module, and more.
Availability and Store Offers
The Pokémon GO Harvest Festival starts on October 10 (10:00 a.m.) and runs until October 16 (8:00 p.m.).
Niantic will also sell a Harvest Festival Ultra Ticket Box for US$4.99. It is set to be available at the Pokémon GO Web Store. Trainers who buy a ticket will get three bonus Silver Pinap Berries for free.
Value is rarely as simple as weight or material. Across history, people have assigned extraordinary worth to objects that, on the surface, seem insignificant. Today, some of the most sought-after collectibles are nothing more than ink on cardboard. Yet, their prices can climb into the thousands—or even millions. Why does this happen, and what makes these items more than just disposable fragments of culture?
Understanding why pieces of cardboard can rival or even surpass gold in value requires a closer look at how culture, scarcity, and human psychology intersect.
The Power of Perception
Value begins with perception. An object is only worth what someone is willing to pay for it. Gold, for instance, has maintained its value for centuries because it is scarce, durable, and universally recognized as a form of wealth. Cardboard, in contrast, has no intrinsic value. Its worth is built entirely on the meaning we attach to it.
When a community collectively decides an item has importance—whether through nostalgia, status, or exclusivity—it transforms the ordinary into something extraordinary. This is the same force that drives limited-edition sneakers, vintage vinyl, and rare comic books into coveted collectibles.
Scarcity Creates Demand
Scarcity is perhaps the most obvious driver of value. When only a handful of copies or editions exist, competition naturally raises the price. A misprint, a discontinued run, or a first edition can all elevate what would otherwise be a common item into a prized possession.
Collectors are motivated not only by ownership but also by the knowledge that they hold something few others have. This scarcity factor explains why certain trading cards, tickets, and first prints can sell for astonishing sums.
Case in Point: Trading Cards
Trading cards are one of the clearest examples of how cardboard gains value. At first glance, they are little more than paper with pictures. Yet, certain cards can command life-changing sums at auction. Take Pokémon cards, for instance. What began as a children’s game in the late 1990s has evolved into one of the most lucrative collectibles markets in the world.
While most cards are worth little more than pocket change, rare editions can fetch staggering prices. The difference comes down to condition, scarcity, and cultural relevance. For collectors seeking guidance, resources that explain how to determine the true value of Pokémon card collections have become indispensable. This demonstrates how even in a market built on nostalgia, structured knowledge and careful evaluation are crucial.
Nostalgia as an Economic Force
Emotions play a crucial role in how we value objects. Nostalgia, in particular, is a powerful driver of markets built on “worthless” items. A piece of cardboard that once represented childhood joy or social belonging can hold deep significance decades later.
When people reach adulthood, they often seek to reclaim fragments of their past. If their peers share the same desire, prices climb. What was once just a game or a trend suddenly becomes a cultural artifact. Nostalgia effectively transforms personal memory into collective value.
Cultural Status and Social Proof
Another layer of value comes from status. Possessing a rare or highly prized collectible can be a form of cultural capital. It signals expertise, passion, and sometimes even wealth.
Collectors often want more than the item itself—they want the recognition that comes with owning it. In this sense, the collectible becomes more than cardboard; it becomes a symbol of identity, achievement, and belonging.
The Role of Storytelling
Every collectible tells a story. Sometimes it’s the story of its creation: a rare printing process, a limited run, or a unique design. Other times, it’s the story of ownership: perhaps the card belonged to a famous player, or the ticket stub was from a legendary concert.
Stories make collectibles relatable and memorable, and they allow value to be transmitted across generations. Without stories, these items would simply be mass-produced objects. With stories, they become part of culture.
Condition Matters More Than Anything
In the world of collectibles, condition is often the single most important factor. A crease, faded color, or bent corner can dramatically reduce value. Conversely, a flawless copy of a rare item can multiply its worth several times over.
Professional grading services exist to evaluate and certify condition. Once an item is graded, it enters a new tier of the market where buyers and sellers can trust the assigned value. In this way, cardboard begins to behave like gold: standardized, certified, and tradeable.
Market Dynamics and Hype
Markets for collectibles are not static. They rise and fall based on cultural trends, celebrity endorsements, or sudden bursts of attention. A film release, an anniversary, or even a viral social media post can ignite renewed interest in an item that was previously overlooked.
This volatility is part of what makes collectibles fascinating. Unlike gold, whose value tends to move steadily, cardboard collectibles can spike overnight. For those who anticipate these shifts, the rewards can be immense.
Beyond Monetary Value
It is important to note that not all value is financial. For many collectors, the emotional satisfaction of owning a piece of culture outweighs any potential profit. Cardboard, in this sense, becomes a vessel for memory, connection, and joy.
People collect not only to own but also to share—to build communities, trade stories, and celebrate a shared passion. The social aspect of collecting ensures that even if prices fluctuate, the cultural importance of these items endures.
Conclusion: The Real Worth of the Worthless
At first glance, cardboard seems trivial. Yet, under the right conditions, it can surpass gold in value. This is because value is not determined solely by material but by meaning. Scarcity, nostalgia, cultural status, and storytelling all converge to elevate ordinary objects into extraordinary ones.
Cardboard becomes more than cardboard when it embodies memory, desire, and identity. Its worth lies not in what it is, but in what it represents. That is why some pieces of cardboard are indeed worth more than gold.
Miki Bereyi Trio have released a new song, ‘Doldrum Days’. Finding beauty in the mundane, the track arrives ahead of the band’s first and seemingly last North American tour. Check it out below.
“The lyric is about the spaces between places where interesting things can happen,” Ollie Cherer said of the track. “The scenario is borrowed from Erskine Childers’ novel The Riddle of the Sands, but really it’s about being lost, stranded, unmotivated and bored, and what a potentially fertile or dangerous place that can be”.
About the upcoming tour, Miki Berenyi commented: “Moose is breaking his no-fly embargo so gig-goers will get to enjoy the full and proper Trio. I’m sad to say that the costs involved in touring stateside have become crippling for smaller bands like us, so this will be our last ever outing in North America. I wish we could have covered more cities, but I’m incredibly grateful to the many fans who have messaged on my socials to say they will make the journey to see us play. We’ll be sure to include a bunch of Lush tracks in the set as a last hurrah and a thank you to long-time fans.”
Miki Berenyi Trio’s debut album, Tripla, came out earlier this yea.
A Country Western have released two new songs, ‘Clouds’ and ‘GG’. The hypnagogic double single arrives ahead of the band’s tour supporting Winter; ‘Clouds’ was written and recorded back in 2021, while ‘GG’ is more recent. Take a listen below.
Jake Xerxes Fussell and James Elkington have teamed up for their first original film score. The folk musicians have soundtracked Rebuilding, the new feature film written and directed by Max Walker-Silverman, following up his 2022 Sundance hit A Love Song. Ahead of its release on November 14, they’ve previewed the score with two lovely tracks, ‘Glow in the Dark’ and ‘Contemplating the Moon’. Take a listen below.
Walker-Silverman was introduced to Fussell’s music through producer Dan Janvey. “I could hear the cinema in it right away,” he said in a press release. “His music is rooted firmly in all the folkloric traditions I love but not at all nostalgic. And that was much like the film we were making; a story in which the past is all around but firmly of the here and now. And since so much of his music has no lyrics, Jake already understood the challenge of telling a story through instrumentation alone.”
Elkington produced Fussell’s last two albums, Good and Green Again and When I’m Called. “I think Max had a suspicion that we’d be able to improvise a couple of new pieces in the room, while watching the picture, which turned out to be true,” Elkington recalled. “Some of our favorite cues were written that way – in the room while watching the picture.” Reflecting on some of the inspirations for their work, he added, “Not only are both The Straight Story and Paris, Texas great soundtracks, but the films themselves hold hands with Rebuilding as modern inversions of the western.”
Total Wife is the experimental shoegaze duo of composer/producer Luna Kupper and lyricist/vocalist Ash Richter, who have been friends since high school. Having formed the band in 2016, they moved from Boston to Nashville in 2020, establishing themselves as part of the city’s DIY scene and enlisting Ryan Bigelow (Rig B), Sean Booz (Celltower), and Billy Campbell (Make Yourself at Home) for their live lineup. After more than a couple influential records in the increasingly saturated shoegaze genre – 2021’s self-titled LP, 2022’s a blip, and 2023’s in/out – Total Wife did the opposite of fading into obscurity, signing to Philadelphia label Julia’s War and cementing their status with their latest, come back down. It’s a breathlessly inventive and unconventionally dreamy record whose tides are difficult to predict or even identify – mind-melting guitars that get blown out and repurposed as synths, vocals whispered right beside your ear then chopped to oblivion, and a fluid rhythmic backbone evoking, to quote their song ‘rest’, “the beat in between my restlessness.” Pitched between jittery alertness and the edge of sleep, come back down is also a riveting expression of the duo’s dynamic compositional and lyrical instincts, a force that grounds the record in its malleable, blurry transcendence.
We caught up with Total Wife for the latest edition of our Artist Spotlight series to talk about first falling in love with music, childlike inspiration, their intentions behind comeback down, and more.
I was thinking about the idea of the title, come back down, in the context of the album being released and your upcoming tour. I’m curious how much of that euphoric high the record both documents and interrogates is tied to music and Total Wife as a project. I know ‘still asleep’ is about your first tour, but how has that feeling grown and changed over time?
Ash Richter: It’s insane, because at the level we were at, it was still so euphoric. It hasn’t plateaued in any way either. It’s just changed. I feel like keeping ourselves grounded in each thing that we’re doing is super helpful. And I feel even more excited for what’s to come.
Luna Kupper: Yeah, tour never stops being exciting. After that first tour, we just kept wanting to do it. And with music in general – writing it, too – I think it’s always about chasing that first thing that made me excited when I was writing music for the first time. Not changing that initial intent.
You’ve talked about the album starting as “one thought unfolding endlessly,” which goes back to that feeling of first falling in love with recording. You sold all your synths prior to recording this record to pay rent, but I’m sure it also played into this feeling.
LK: Yeah. I feel like you could just buy a bunch of gear, and that’s not gonna change anything. But after a while, I kind of just wanted to not think about trying to find anything new from outside of what I already had, or whatever I already knew. When I first started making music at all, it was just recording, so I feel like that’s always been so tied to songwriting and every other part of making music for me. I feel like it just helped me get lost in the process of editing and recording versus, like, trying to use a new pedal or a new synth patch or something like that. Just coming up with my own sounds from what I had.
Were there any specific moments where you really felt like falling in love with recording all over again?
LK: A lot of what I used to have fun with was almost like collage-style copy-pasting stuff in Pro Tools. The song ‘ofersi3’ is kind of just that pushed as far as I could, because it’s just distorted breaks, making them atonal through just chopping it as much as possible, and then using those chops to create different sounds. Just continuously manipulating whatever waveforms were already there. That copy-paste thing was always so fun for me, but I didn’t really realize that was the fun part at first. I was more focused on trying to learn how to write a song. I felt like I didn’t really know how to piece chords or anything together. Once I figured that out, I was like, “Wait, that’s not really the part that I always thought was fun,” and honestly felt more like myself. I feel good that I can sit down and play guitar now, but getting into just having fun editing, reprocessing guitars and vocals – that was definitely the most fun part for me. And ‘(dead b)’, that song was much slower at first and in a different key, and I didn’t really like it anymore. So, not worrying about the take being, like, “Oh, I played this and that’s good because I could play guitar,” but instead just reprocessing it until it sounded better to me.
I know you’ve been friends since high school. Do you mind sharing some of your earliest memories of playing together?
AR: The bassist for our band, his name is Ryan Bigelow – he has a project called Rigby, which you might like.
LK: It’s really sick.
AR: I first met him when I was 17 and he was 15. A mutual friend was supposed to play with me doing a solo acoustic cover set. My friend couldn’t do it, so he gave me Ryan’s number, and I hit up Ryan, and we played together for the rest of high school. Then I went to college – that’s when I met Luna, right at the crux of that.
LK: I was in my junior year of high school, and you were a freshman in college, I think, when we met. I can’t remember exactly, but we immediately started talking about wanting to make music together the night we met. My first memory of us working together was doing a cover of ‘Diana Ross’ by The Concretes. That’s so funny, I haven’t thought about that in a while.
AR: At that point, my background was more in mall emo stuff, like All Time Low and We the Kings. [laughs] That was a cool kind of intro to different styles of music.
Has the way you talk about making music changed over time?
AR: I feel like it’s gone through a lot of changes. We haven’t always been really good at working together – we had to work through some stuff. You know, when you’re a kid, you don’t necessarily have a clear vision of what you want yet, but you know what you don’t like, kinda, and then you work your way into a style from there. Having known each other for over 10 years and working together, we’ve had disagreements, but we’ve honed in on a way to collaborate really well.
LK: Just always refining, I think, always changes the narrative. But we’ve always been critical, and definitely informed by the stuff we don’t like. If we get the ick from something we do, we’re like, “Fuck that.” So it’s a good bouncing board, and it took a while to lock in on what we both thought would work.
Is it also about communicating better around the thing that feels off?
LK: Yeah, that’s our rule: to always say when we’re feeling that.
AR: And it can be hard, you know, when you’re writing about stuff you care about, to not let your feelings get involved. But we have ways of working through that. If one of us gets the ick and the other’s like, “No, this is the song,” we can work through and compromise.
LK: And push it more toward what it’s supposed to be. Super open communication has always been our rule, for sure.
With this record, more than setting specific goals, were there things you were explicitly trying to avoid?
AR: Yeah. There were ideas we worked through in the last couple of records that we didn’t necessarily want to get rid of, but we’d done enough of them. Like, a lot of the more krautrock-y stuff… Once you make so many songs like that, it starts to feel a little repetitive. I think we have fewer of the songs that just go on infinitely – not that I don’t love that stuff too.
LK: We just incorporated that in a broader sense, I think. I feel like at this point we took everything we liked about making music and applied it more broadly, not as obviously. Taking ideas from things – not necessarily how they sound, but being more conceptual about it – and then using what I had, rather than trying to make it sound like somebody else.
I think that ties into what you’ve said about being a “psychological mixer.” That really shines through on songs like ‘naoisa’ and ‘(dead b)’, which feel sonically both in line and at war with the headspace of the song. There’s a dizziness to both songs that kind of acts over what the brain is saying, whether that’s the need to slow down or how life is on pause.
AR: It’s awesome that you get that from them. It definitely is that juxtaposition of, like, My life on pause, but then, LOL, nothing ever stops.
LK: Being able to just embrace the chaos, for sure. I was really trying to think about the perspective of the person listening to the mix, rather than focusing on where instruments should technically sit. Using a lot of low-end, especially with guitars, because usually they’re cut out, but that takes away certain effects. It’s always like, “Should you at all think about the audience?” But it’s also about the audience, making sure the objective experience comes across when mixing. Trying to catch yourself in a state of passive thinking while hearing the song.
Do you just try to imagine the listener, keeping the process private? Or do you send demos around for feedback?
LK: It’s pretty private. Those moments are caught when I’m mixing and literally falling asleep. I’m less aware of what I’m supposed to be doing. I’ve gotten to a point where I’m happy with where it is, and then, as I’m mixing, I’m starting to hallucinate a little. That perspective shift informed a lot of how I wanted the album to sit sonically, because you really start to see the shape of something, when you’re falling asleep.
It’s tricky, figuring out the extent to which you allow the music to sit in this limbo state.
LK: Definitely. I feel like this album was the first time I felt we’ve expressed that in a way that’s not too abstract or kaleidoscopic.
There’s a sense of awareness around the idea of the album title in lines like, “Excitement is not the same as anxiety/ My body wants to know what the difference is.” It’s such a direct, non-abstract way of expressing that dichotomy. Does the line ever get blurry, for you, between restless creativity and self-consciousness?
AR: Certain life experiences made those feelings physically feel very similar in my body. Musically, I’ve mostly found a lot of clarity in the difference. I can see and feel my nerves before playing a show, and I can see and feel my excitement about doing the same thing. I’m able to tease them apart better now. At first it was really overwhelming – not being able to see the nuance, just reading everything as anxiety and really feeling that leading up to experiences that are supposed to make you feel good. Because you’re choosing to do them, you’re getting validation for them, even though sometimes rejection is really close by. It doesn’t matter, because there’s nuance to it.
LK: I honestly never thought about how much clarity that brings. It kind of repersonalizes you and places you in reality, and you can see the difference between the two.
The album’s escapism or nostalgia is often rooted in memories of a child self, especially in Ash’s lyrics. Luna, I’m curious how you resonated with Ash’s recollections of growing up, and what it feels like for both of you to sing those lyrics together.
LK: It’s interesting, because it’s really easy to just keep moving forward and not think about that stuff necessarily. But the words really put you there. Even more so than live, during the recording of the album, that was another variable that reminded me: just do what you would have instinctually done before making a bunch of albums and becoming so self-critical. Just follow that childlike inspiration.
AR: Because when you are a kid and you’re creating, you’re not necessarily so self-critical. But if you’ve gotten used to being so self-critical, it’s hard to get out of your own way to create. That’s an instance where you give yourself more grace by reconnecting with the child self. And we both grew up in Connecticut, so a lot of the natural imagery – there are certain places you know I’m talking about.
LK: Yeah, for sure.
Luna, did Ash’s lyrical perspective affect how you mixed the vocals?
LK: Yeah, it definitely comes from a similar place. I don’t want to totally obscure the lyrics or bury the vocals in the mix, because they feel important. That’s so often done.
AR: On that note, I do feel like they’re louder than people are saying they are? They’re not fully buried like so many other–
LK: They’re texturally placed. They’re definitely in the mix. In the session, they’re loud, and they’re mixed a certain way so that they could be very present. I don’t know, it’s still hard to hear, I guess. [laughs]
AR: I guess it’s still hard to hear, but not to me.
LK: For us, we’re like, “Cool, we can actually hear every word.”
AR: But also, I have a specific example of her psychological mixing with my voice. I remember in the studio, when we were recording ‘in my head’, I did a vocal take, and when she was mixing the vocals – we don’t normally put any effects on the voice. At least on this album, we were very clean vocally,and I think the last one too.
LK: Yeah, there isn’t any effects on either.
AR: But on ‘in my head’, there were a couple of specific, time-stretchy things that you did with my voice, like the stutter effect.
LK: That’s all the 404MK2’s stutter effect, just layering, trying to create space without delay, reverb, modulation and stuff – keeping to the idea of using what’s there. So those were just chopped-up samples over and over and over again, layered – kinda sounds like reverb.
AR: But it had to do with the lyrics. The way she edited them was informed by what I was singing about – the feeling of being lost, and being okay with it.
LK: Yeah, we’d take the lyrics and play with what you would imagine the sound of the word to be, I guess.
Jumping to the final song, ‘make it last’, was it more or less of a challenge to stay true to the original feeling?
AR: That was an intense struggle for me, sticking to the original feeling of that song. For a lot of the time playing that song, I was improvising lyrics. Actually, both of those songs, I was improvising lyrics before we recorded. In my head, I could improvise about being lost, riffing about breadcrumb trails or whatever whenever we’d play it. But ‘make it last’ felt a lot harder to stick to my guns about, and the lyrics of that song changed a bunch.
LK: That was probably the first one of this batch of songs we started playing live. It’s always the same, and then that ending section that’s just one chord for a long time, we kept stretching more and more. We do that probably for like 15 minutes at shows now, so that’s changed a lot. But the beginning of it came from me trying to be simple structurally: there’s three sections, repeat that, then do a long chord and don’t go crazy with it. That was also the first time I tried layering sounds to make a synth sound for that sound in the chorus. I was chopping stuff, stacking an “ooh” of the vocal with one note of a guitar, and a bunch of other elements to create the sound. I had layers of both of us singing the melody, then I played it on guitar, resampled it and changed the pitches, to create a lead. That was really fun.
Could you share one thing that inspires you about each other?
LK: I mean, the fact that you always want to keep going. That’s awesome, I’m down for that. To find someone that is also just pushing forward really hard.
AR: Something that inspires me about Luna is that whenever she doesn’t know how to do something, she’s just gonna figure out how to do it, but in a way where she’s very detail-oriented, which I don’t necessarily – I’m working on it. I’ll often throw myself into things, but the way she’s gonna look into all the details of something and actually get so good at the thing. It’s almost as if she never didn’t know how to do it.
This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity and length.
