Friko have shared a rendition of Radiohead’s In Rainbows track ‘Weird Fishes/Arpeggi’. It comes alongside the announcement of a run of tour dates, which you can check out along with the cover below.
Jun 14 Chicago, IL – Taste of Randolph Festival
Jul 9 Evanston, IL – Space
Jul 18 Indianapolis, IN – Rock the Ruins
Jul 26 Niigata, Japan – Fuji Rock Festival
Jul 28 Newport, RI – Newport Folk Festival
Aug 3 Chicago, IL – Lollapalooza
Aug 4 Chicago, IL – Lincoln Hall
Aug 8 Nashville, TN – Bobby Nashville
Aug 28 Louisville, KY – WFPK Waterfront Wednesday
Sep 9 Columbus, OH – Newport Music Hall %
Sep 11 Rochester, NY – Essex Music Hall %
Sep 12 Toronto, Ontario – History %
Sep 13 Detroit, MI – Majestic Theatre %
Sep 14 Madison, WI – The Sylvee %
Sep 15 Minneapolis, MN – First Avenue %
Sep 19 Urbana, IL – The Canopy Club at Pygmalion Fest
Sep 24 Philadelphia, PA – Union Transfer %
Sep 25 Brooklyn, NY – Brooklyn Steel %
Sep 26 Brooklyn, NY – Brooklyn Steel %
Sep 27 Washington, D.C. – 9:30 Club %
Sep 28 Boston, MA – House of Blues %
Sep 30 Atlanta, GA – The Eastern %
Oct 1 Nashville, TN – Brooklyn Bowl %
Oct 8 Denver, CO – Ogden Theatre %
Oct 9 Lawrence, KS – The Granada %
Oct 14 Los Angeles, CA – The Bellwether %
Oct 15 Los Angeles, CA – The Bellwether %
Oct 16 San Francisco, CA – The Fillmore %
Oct 17 San Francisco, CA – The Fillmore %
Oct 18 Sacramento, CA – Ace of Spades %
Oct 20 Portland, OR – McMenamins Crystal Ballroom %
Oct 21 Seattle, WA – Moore Theatre %
Oct 22 Vancouver, British Columbia – PNE Forum %
Nov 2 Amsterdam, Netherlands – Bitterzoet
Nov 3 Brussels, Belgium – Les Nuits Weekender
Nov 5 Rennes, France – Antipode
Nov 7 Paris, France – Pitchfork Music Festival
Nov 9 London, England – Pitchfork Music Festival
Nov 10 Bristol, England – Louisiana
Nov 12 Manchester, England – Yes
Nov 13 Glasgow, Scotland – King Tut’s Wah Wah Hut
Nov 14 Dublin, Ireland – The Workman’s Club
In Hanlin’s works, memory is akin to a whimsical seamstress, weaving threads of recollections into a rich and complex tapestry. Each creation stitches together memories’ transient and unpredictable nature, constructing a visual narrative that echoes the depth and subtlety of human experience. The artist seeks to unveil the profound interplay between the remembered and the present, creating a harmonious blend of reality and the ethereal.
Exhibition View, Photography by BluBlu, 2024
The exhibition has included numerous significant works by the artist. One of the more thought-provoking pieces in the exhibition confronts the concept of the “Elephant in the Room,” utilizing a compelling mix of balloons, mirrors, and acrylics. This artwork delves into the often ignored yet glaring issues that permeate both society and personal life. The reflective surfaces of the mirrors juxtaposed with the playful yet fragile balloons symbolize the tension between visibility and denial, urging audiences to introspective confrontation with the hidden complexities and uncomfortable truths that are often avoided.
Exhibition View, Photography by BluBlu, 2024
Another work, Pool Party, painted directly onto a mirror, powerfully captures the essence of loneliness with bold and vivid expression. The composition features the feet of an individual precariously standing atop a tumultuous, swirling body of water, symbolizing instability and vulnerability. This visual metaphor reflects the precarious balance one must maintain in life’s overwhelming tides, embodying deep insecurity. The title, Pool Party, introduces irony, suggesting a surreal and solitary celebration. This contrast between the festive title and somber imagery underscores the poignancy of the human condition, where profound solitude often overshadows joy.
Exhibition View, Photography by BluBlu, 2024
Mirrors, as recurring elements in this exhibition, imbue the artist’s works with a profound sense of introspection and self-reflection. As observers gaze into the mirrors, they are confronted with their own reflections, compelled to explore the depths of their own loneliness and vulnerability. This engagement transforms each piece into a personal journey, where the viewer’s presence and perception become integral to the narrative. The mirrors transcend their physical form, becoming portals to inner contemplation and emotional resonance, seamlessly blending the viewer’s reality with Hanlin’s artistic vision.
Exhibition View, Photography by BluBlu, 2024
In this space, reality merged with the delicate layers of memory. Artworks no longer act as mere reflections of the past but dialogues with it, inviting viewers to delve into their own memories and emotions. The artist creates a sanctuary where the fragility of memories is both acknowledged and celebrated, offering a glimpse into the intricate tapestry of life that we all weave, thread by delicate thread.
Expectation versus reality arises from the realization that what one thinks of something doesn’t match its tangible expression. It can happen in publicity materials being put on various media platforms. But it shouldn’t be that way.
The Importance of Visual Appeal in Marketing
Marketing materials, from websites to social media posts and print advertisements, are the face of a company, and their impact relies heavily on the quality and appeal of the visuals used. One effective way to enhance your brand’s visual appeal and create high-impact marketing materials is by removing backgrounds from images, a process that can be achieved with the help of a background remover tool.
Visual elements are important in attracting attention and communicating the intended message of any brand to likely buyers. Eye-catching pictures that are easily remembered enhance the attraction of marketing materials. Nonetheless, in modern times with excess loads of information, visually appealing and top-notch images could make your brand exceed that which others offer.
Understanding the Background Removal Process
The process of cutting out images involves separating the main subject or element of an image from its original background. It enables companies to create clear and precise visual content that can be added to different promotional materials including product catalogs, social media posts, website banners, mockups for client presentations, and many others.
Benefits of Using a Background Remover
Using a background remover is an aspect of the Swiss Army knife of tools you should have at your disposal. This is just a supplementary for the procedures you’re already doing with your images. Nonetheless, this magic trick is enough to provide the following benefits:
Professional and Polished Appearance: By removing backgrounds, images appear more polished and professional, contributing to a cohesive and high-quality brand image.
Versatility: Background-removed images can be easily layered onto different colored or patterned backgrounds, allowing for greater flexibility and creativity in designing marketing materials.
Time and Cost Efficiency: Instead of investing in costly photoshoots or hiring professional photographers, businesses can utilize a background remover tool to repurpose existing images, saving both time and money.
Clean, focused visuals are more likely to capture the viewer’s attention and encourage engagement with your brand’s marketing content.
Choosing the Right Background Remover Tool
With numerous background remover tools available, it’s important to select one that aligns with your brand’s needs and objectives. Look for a tool with a user-friendly interface that simplifies the background removal process, even for those with limited photo editing experience. The tool should effectively and precisely separate the subject from the background, preserving intricate details and minimizing manual touch-ups.
Ensure that the tool supports a wide range of image file formats and can seamlessly integrate with your existing design software or platforms. For businesses dealing with large volumes of images, a tool that offers batch processing capabilities can significantly streamline the background removal process.
Incorporating Background-Removed Images into Your Marketing Strategy
Once you have a collection of visually striking images with their backgrounds removed, it’s time to incorporate them into your marketing strategy. Here are some effective ways to leverage these visuals:
Product Catalogs and Advertisements: Showcase your products with clean, focused images that highlight their features and details, making them more appealing to potential customers.
Social Media Posts: Engage your audience on social media platforms with eye-catching visuals that stand out in crowded news feeds.
Website Design: Enhance the visual appeal of your website by incorporating background-removed images as hero images, product showcases, or visual elements throughout the site’s design.
Print Materials: From brochures and flyers to billboards and signage, background-removed images can elevate the impact of your print marketing materials.
Capture the attention of people with appealing visuals that feature clean, focused product images or promotional visuals.
Best Practices for Effective Background Removal
Start with high-quality images, as the quality of the original image plays a crucial role in the effectiveness of the background removal process. Use high-resolution, well-lit images for the best results. Establish a consistent visual style for your background-removed images to maintain a cohesive brand identity across all marketing materials.
Look out for the contrast when you’re deleting backgrounds. Check how it suits the final image’s entire composition.
Conclusion
Humans are inherently visual creatures, and our brains process visual information far more efficiently than text. Well-designed visuals not only catch the eye but also evoke emotions, create lasting impressions, and ultimately influence purchasing decisions. From the experienced marketer to the beginner entrepreneur, taking a chance on image background removal can be a boon for your visual merchandising blueprint.
IAN SWEET and Porridge Radio have joined forces for a new single, ‘Everyone’s a Superstar’. The collaborative track arrives as part of Abbey Road Studios’ annual Amplify x Pitchfork London series. Check it out below.
Discussing the new single, IAN SWEET’s Jilian Medford said: “We all went into this day with no expectations but also wide eyes and a lot of excitement! To be at Abbey Road was a dream, and to be reunited with Porridge Radio was also a dream, so it was so fun to see our old friends again in a totally new context and to make something special together. We all clicked in a really magical way right off the bat. Everyone sort of took their places and fit in where they had to. We came out of it with something I feel so proud of, and something I never knew would exist. Writing with Dana and seeing her process as a lyricist was really enlightening as well. It had been a long time since I’d written lyrics with someone else…I was excited to see where her mind went and how our two styles found one unique voice together.”
Porridge Radio added: “It was amazing to come into a room of 7 musicians with absolutely no idea what was going to happen and lock-in together to write and record a song that we actually all love in one day. Creatively it was so exciting and such a fun process and we’re so proud of what we made.”
Cassandra Jenkins has released ‘Petco’, the latest offering from her forthcoming album My Light, My Destroyer. It follows previous cuts ‘Only One’ and ‘Delphinium Blue’, and it comes with a video directed by Jenkins herself. Check it out below.
In a press release, Jenkins explained:
Petco is about looking for connection & coming up a little short. Writing from a pointedly angsty and existential place allowed me to be more playful with songwriting. I needed a space to explore the lizard brain, and deep down the song stems from the sincere belief that we are wired, on the most basic instinctual level, to love and to be loved.
I wanted to capture the sense of uncanny malaise inherent to a place that puts a price tag on nature – simultaneously granting us access to the natural world while distancing us from it, all with the promise of companionship.
I come back to the same ideas again and again in my songs, and Petco throws a new lens on a familiar thought: the further we distance ourselves from the natural world, the harder it is to find our way back. It’s easy to wonder if we’ve gone too far, and despite my anxieties, I can’t help but see the humanity in all of it.
Of the video, she added: “The video is staged in three distinct locations: an NYC apartment with a window to the outside world, a pet store, and lastly, the dance floor– where the video provides a sense of closure that the song never gives us.”
My Light, My Destroyer arrives July 12 on Dead Oceans.
Halsey has released a new song, ‘The End’. It’s the first preview of her upcoming album, but not the lead single, the singer explained on social media earlier this week. “Before the first single comes, I wanted to share this,” she wrote. “It means a lot to me and I love it.” Today, she added, “long story short, i’m Lucky to be alive. short story long, i wrote an album. it begins with The End. out now.” Give it a listen below.
‘The End’ was co-produced by Halsey, Michael Uzowuru, and Alex G. Halsey’s social media post includes hashtags for the Lupus Research Alliance and the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, and the singer is making donations to both organizations in conjunction with the song’s release.
Floating Points has released a new track, ‘Del Oro’. Following ‘Birth4000’, which arrived last year, the song comes with an “alive painting” video by Tokyo-based artist Akiko Nakayama. Check it out below.
Floating Points’ most recent album was Promises, his 2021 collaboration with Pharaoh Sanders and the London Symphony Orchestra.
Jamie xx has announced a new album called In Waves, which arrives September 20 via Young. The follow-up to 2014’s In Colour boasts guest appearances from Robyn, Panda Bear, the Avalanches, his the xx bandmates Romy and Oliver Sim, Honey Dijon, Kelsey Lu, John Glacier, and Oona Doherty. It includes the previously shared single ‘Baddy on the Floor’, and today’s announcement comes with the release of ‘Treat Each Other Right’ alongside a music video directed by Rosie Marks. Check it out and find the album cover and tracklist below.
In a press release, Jamie xx said:
My new album, In Waves will be out on September 20th. I am so unbelievably happy.
It’s been a while… and a lot has happened in that time. Ups and downs, growing up, figuring stuff out and then forgetting it all many times over. Life changing events and world changing events. These waves that we have all experienced together and alone.
I wanted to make something fun, joyful and introspective all at once. The best moments on a dance floor are usually that for me.
I can’t wait to share it with you
Love Jamie xx
In Waves will come with a deluxe edition that includes the previously shared ‘It’s So Good’, ‘Kill Dem’, ‘Let’s Do It Again’, along with two new bonus tracks, one of which features Erykah Badu.
In Waves Cover Artwork:
In Waves Tracklist:
1. Wanna
2. Treat Each Other Right
3. Waited All Night [feat. Romy & Oliver Sim]
4. Baddy On The Floor [feat. Honey Dijon]
5. Dafodil [feat. Kelsey Lu, John Glacier & Panda Bear]
6. Still Summer
7. Life [feat. Robyn]
8. The Feeling I Get From You
9. Breather
10. All You Children [feat. The Avalanches]
11. Every Single Weekend (Interlude)
12. Falling Together [feat. Oona Doherty]
Ready to learn about the best rare champions in Raid Shadow Legends? This article will show you the best rare champions that you should focus on.
1. Introducing Raid Shadow Legends
Raid Shadow Legends is a very popular mobile game that is played on phones and tablets. It is an adventure game where you collect and build up a team of fantasy characters called “champions”. The game has amazing 3D graphics and a deep, fun combat system. There are many different types of champions, from good guys to bad guys, and each one has their own special abilities. Whether you’re new to these kinds of games or have played them before, Raid Shadow Legends is a great game that will keep you coming back for more.
2. The Best Rare Champions in Raid Shadow Legends
In Raid Shadow Legends, there are different levels of champions, from common to legendary. The rare champions are the ones that are a bit harder to get, but they can be really useful and powerful. These hidden gems can do some amazing things for your team and help you progress in the game.
1. Frozen Banshee
Frozen Banshee is one of the most sought-after rare champions in the game. She excels as a powerful poisoner, with the ability to place [Poison Sensitivity] debuffs and double poison debuffs on her A1. By pairing her with counter-attack or ally attack champions, Frozen Banshee can become a poison-dealing machine, making her a staple in Clan Boss and other boss-focused content.
2. Pain Keeper
Pain Keeper is a unique rare champion that shines in certain team compositions, particularly those involving Unkillable strategies for Clan Boss. Her A3 ability, which decreases the cooldown of an ally’s skill by 1 turn, allows her to enable champions like Maneater and Demytha to keep their Unkillable buffs up consistently. This makes Pain Keeper a valuable addition to budget-friendly Unkillable teams.
3. Warmaiden
Warmaiden is one of the earliest accessible champions with an AOE Decrease Defense ability, making her an essential part of many early-game teams. Her 3-turn cooldown on this debuff allows your nukers to hit harder, making her a crucial component for clearing through Campaign and progressing in the early stages of the game.
4. Reliquary Tender
Reliquary Tender is a potent support champion, providing a team-wide Cleanse and Continuous Heal on her A2. This ability is invaluable in various game modes, as it allows you to remove debuffs and keep your team healthy, making her a solid choice for both PvE and PvP content.
5. Bellower
Bellower is a versatile rare champion known for his AoE abilities, which make him an excellent choice for clearing waves in Dungeons and Campaign. When built with crowd control sets like Stun or Provoke, Bellower can effectively control the battlefield, slowing down and locking down enemies to facilitate your team’s success.
6. Renegade
Renegade, also known as the “Budget Prince Kymar,” is an exceptional rare champion due to her A3 ability, which decreases the cooldown of ally skills by 2 turns. This skill synergizes incredibly well with champions like Coldheart, allowing you to double-up on their powerful abilities. While Renegade may not be a primary damage dealer, her utility in enabling other champions makes her a valuable asset to have in your roster.
7. Apothecary
Apothecary is one of the most widely used rare champions, particularly in the early and mid-game stages. His ability to boost the Turn Meter and provide a Speed buff to your entire team makes him a crucial support champion for outpacing opponents in the Arena and other game modes. Combining Apothecary with a champion that can provide a Speed aura, such as High Khatun, can give your team a significant advantage.
8. Kael
Kael is widely considered the best starter champion in Raid Shadow Legends, and for good reason. As a rare champion, Kael provides exceptional value with his poison-based abilities, making him a powerful damage dealer in Clan Boss, Dungeons, and even the Arena. His combination of a 2.5% Poison on his A1 and the ability to place up to 4 random Poison debuffs on his A3 ensures that Kael remains relevant throughout the early and mid-game stages of the game.
9. Paragon
Paragon is a unique rare champion that thrives in specific scenarios, particularly in the Nightmare Campaign and certain Doom Tower secret rooms. His ability to place an Unkillable buff on himself every 2 turns allows him to become virtually unkillable, making him a valuable tool for players looking to overcome challenging content. While Paragon may not be a damage dealer, his utility in facilitating difficult fights is undeniable.
10. Coldheart
Coldheart is widely regarded as one of the best rare champions in Raid Shadow Legends. Her A3 ability, Heartseeker, deals enemy max HP damage and also decreases the target’s Turn Meter by 100%. This makes Coldheart an invaluable champion for tackling high-HP bosses in various game modes, such as Spider, Fire Knight, and certain Doom Tower encounters. The synergy between Coldheart and champions like Renegade further enhances her capabilities, making her a must-have rare champion for any serious Raid player.
These rare champions provide a diverse range of abilities and utility, making them essential additions to any Raid Shadow Legends roster. By understanding the strengths and use cases of these hidden gems, you can maximize your progress and overcome the game’s most challenging content.
In the world of Raid Shadow Legends, where progression and building a formidable roster of champions is key, many players seek alternate paths to accelerate their journey. Enter PlaySwap, a trusted platform that offers a safe and convenient way to purchase Raid Shadow Legends accounts.
PlaySwap is a reputable marketplace that connects buyers and sellers of Raid Shadow Legends accounts. Whether you’re a new player looking to jumpstart your adventure or an established player seeking to acquire a specific account, PlaySwap provides a secure environment to facilitate these transactions.
Strand of Oaks has unveiled a new song, ‘Ananda’, ahead of the release of his new LP Miracle Focus on Friday. It follows earlier cuts ‘More You’, ‘Party at Monster Lake’, and ‘Future Temple’. Check it out below.
“With all of Miracle Focus there is an intrinsic connection between the sensual and connection with a divine energy,” Tim Showalter explained in a statement. “Ananda could just as easily be a celebration of passion for my wife or aligning my body through yoga. With the proper intention they live in the exact place. When you begin to acknowledge that you are a result of the miraculous art of creation and allow peace in your life, it’s pretty amazing how sexy it gets!!!!”