In a digital age where the gap between the rich and the renowned and their fans is both as vast and as connected as the internet itself, the question of how celebrities can truly connect with their followers is an increasingly important quandary. Celebrities once existed on a distant pedestal, rarely interacting one-on-one with admirers. However, the rise of social media has leveled this platform, allowing for a more down-to-earth form of communication that fans yearn for.
In this blog post, we will explore the art and importance of creating meaningful connections between celebrities and their fans, dissecting strategies to engage audiences effectively, and examining how these interactions enrich the lives of both parties.
Understanding the Dynamics of Fan Engagement
The relationship between celebrity and fan has always been complex. Fans invest not only their time, but often their emotional energy into following the work and lives of public figures, seeking entertainment, inspiration, or sometimes, even a sense of belonging. Celebrities, on the other hand, hold the power to influence and shape the lives of their followers.
Building Authentic Connections
To bridge this divide, authenticity is key. Fans can sense insincerity like a hound on a scent; a genuine interaction goes a long way. Authentic connections are formed when celebrities share relatable content or take the time to respond personally to fans on social media.
Utilizing Social Media Platforms Effectively
Social media platforms offer a direct channel for interaction. Each platform has its own unique traits and audiences and must be leveraged in the most effective manner to foster a stronger bond. From live Q&A sessions on Instagram or Twitter to sharing personal anecdotes on Facebook or Snapchat, the possibilities are vast.
Strategies for Celebrities to Connect with Their Fans
Being active on social media is just the tip of the iceberg. To truly capture the hearts of their followers, celebrities need to engage in a multi-faceted approach to fan connection.
Share Behind-the-Scenes Content
Fans love to be taken behind the velvet rope, to see what really goes on in the life of a celebrity. Sharing insights from the set, studio, or simply the personal life of a star makes them more human, and interaction more genuine.
Interactive Q&A Sessions and Fan Meet-Ups
There’s no better way to engage with fans than to provide them with live, raw, and uncut access to their favorite personalities. Regular Q&As or live videos not only give fans a chance to ask burning questions but also provide celebrities with real-time feedback on industry-related decisions.
Host Fan Events and Initiatives
In-person meet-ups and events create a memorable shared experience and an opportunity for fans to celebrate their common interests. These events can greatly reinforce the sense of community and connection that fans crave.
Social Media Influence: A Two-Way Street for Fan Relations
The power of two-way engagement on social media cannot be overstated. When celebrities take an active role in responding to their audience, they cultivate a more dedicated following.
Using Platforms for Direct Interaction
Social media allows for immediate conversation between celebrities and followers. Engaging in conversations, ‘liking’ fan posts, or even simply retweeting can make a fan’s day and solidify their support for the celebrity. Also, this OnlyFans agency, and other similar ones can serve as a platform that allows for more exclusive interactions between fans and celebrities. Not only does this increase the connection between the two parties, but it also provides a source of income for the celebrity.
Creating Engaging Content
Fans seek content that not only entertains but also compels them to participate. Polls, contests, or user-generated content campaigns can turn passive fans into active collaborators, and even brand advocates.
The relationship between celebrities and their fans is no longer a one-way street. By investing in genuine, two-way communication, celebrities can deepen their connections with their following, which ultimately leads to a more fulfilling and successful career.
For fans, the chance to interact with those they admire is an exciting opportunity to feel a part of something greater, something that goes beyond the work and into the life of the star.
Celebrities bridging the gap to connect with their fans is not just about bolstering a career or building a brand. It’s about recognizing each other’s humanity and the value that a good conversation, an honest moment, and a shared experience can bring. It’s a reminder that, in the grand scheme of things, we all share the same desire to connect and belong. And in these little moments of interaction, within the vast and interconnected landscape of the digital world, we find ourselves just a little bit closer.
In a world where every moment is fleeting, the expectation to capture the essence of joy at events has evolved into more than just a desire—it’s now about creating unforgettable memories. This is precisely where the opportunity to rent a photo booth becomes invaluable, especially with Special Events Photo Booths leading the way.
As pioneers in the photo booth rental industry, this innovative company has transformed how we commemorate our special occasions. Offering an unparalleled rent a photo booth experience from the bustling scene of London to private parties across the UK, Special Events Photo Booths stands out for its quality, creativity, and the unmatched fun it introduces to every event.
Why Opt for Special Events Photo Booths?
Unmatched Range of Options
From the glitz of magic mirrors to the charm of traditional picture booths, their arsenal is packed with high-quality booths designed to suit any event theme or space. Whether it’s for a wedding, corporate event, or birthday party in London or beyond, their offerings ensure a perfect fit.
Tailored Experience for Every Occasion
Understanding that no two events are the same, they offer customized photo booth hire packages. Be it a grand wedding photo booth hire in London, a lively party photo booth, or a sleek corporate event solution, their packages are designed to cater to the unique needs of each client.
Dedicated Support
Every hire comes with a dedicated booth attendant, ensuring a seamless experience from start to finish. This hands-on approach allows guests to enjoy the photo booth experience fully, with assistance just a step away.
Capturing More Than Just Photos
Beyond instant prints, Special Events Photo Booths create unforgettable memories through fun props, themed backdrops, and an online gallery. This means the laughter and fun are not just remembered but relived through vibrant, memorable photos.
No Hidden Costs
Their transparent approach to pricing ensures that clients receive the best value without worrying about additional costs. This commitment extends across their range of services, from booth hire in London to mobile magic mirrors for engagement parties.
The Party Essential: Photo Booths for Every Event
Wedding Celebrations With Photobooth Hire
A wedding photo booth hire is not just entertainment; it’s a repository of joy, capturing the essence of your special day through fun, online gallery, and digital copies.
Corporate Events
Elevate your next corporate occasion with a party booth that not only entertains but also fosters networking and team bonding.
Birthday Parties & Private Celebrations
From milestone birthdays to engagement parties, a party photo booth hire guarantees a fun-filled backdrop for guests to create lasting memories.
Special Occasions
Whether it’s a Christmas party, a special anniversary, or a public event, their booths are equipped to add that extra sparkle, ensuring guests leave with a smile.
Beyond the Booth: A Photo Adventure
For those seeking a modern twist, the magic mirror offers a full-length reflection, interactive features, and instant printouts, perfect for dressing up and striking a pose.
Selfie Pods
Compact and versatile, selfie pods are the modern answer to the traditional photo booth hire. Ideal for events where space is at a premium but fun is a must-have.
Skilled Photographer Touch
Though their booths capture the candid joy of the moment, the option for professional photography ensures no moment is missed, blending the fun of a photo booth hire with the artistry of professional shots.
Check Availability for Your Next Event
With a commitment to quality, creativity, and customer satisfaction, Special Events Photo Booths invites you to check the availability for your next event. Whether it’s a party in the bustling streets of London or a private gathering elsewhere in the UK, they’re ready to make your event a standout celebration.
Contact them to discover how they can transform your next event into a treasure trove of amazing memories and instant, shareable fun.
Crafting Memories with Diverse Booth Options
A Spectrum of Choices
Special Events Photo Booths has solidified its reputation as one of the premier photo booth hire companies in the UK by offering a diverse array of options tailored to fit any type of event. From the vibrant streets of London to the quaint countryside, their service spectrum is as varied as the events they cater to. Here’s what sets them apart:
Photo Booth Hire Packages
Each package is carefully curated to ensure your event needs are met without the worry of additional costs. From wedding receptions to corporate events, there’s a package perfectly suited for every occasion.
Traditional Photo Booth and Magic Mirror
Whether you prefer the charm of a traditional photo booth hire or the innovative magic mirror that adds a touch of glamour, Special Events Photo Booths ensure your guests are entertained and leave with instant printouts of their memorable photos.
Selfie Pod Innovation
For events where space is at a premium or you’re looking for something a little different, the selfie pod is an excellent choice. Sleek, modern, and capable of capturing fun, pods are becoming a favorite for guests.
Beyond Just Pictures
Special Events Photo Booths takes pride in creating an occasion that goes beyond the snapshot. Their booths are designed not just to capture pictures, but to create wonderful memories wallowing guests to create personal online gallery.
Instant Print Outs
The joy of walking away with a physical memento is unmatched. Guests love the thrill of seeing their photos printed out instantly, making every moment captured a tangible memory.
Excitement and Birthday Party
No special venue is too small or too grand. Whether it’s capturing the laughter at engagement parties or the joy of birthday party, their booths are equipped to provide endless fun.
High-Quality Booths
With a focus on delivering exceptional quality, each booth is equipped with high-resolution cameras, ensuring every photo is picture-perfect.
Tailored Entertainment for Every Party
Understanding the unique needs of different events, Special Events Photo Booths offers specialized services:
Weddings Photo Booth Hire
A wedding is incomplete without a photo booth. Offering both enclosed booths and open-air options, they ensure that every smile, laugh, and silly face is captured on your big day.
Business Occasions
Boost your brand’s visibility and employee engagement with a photo booth at your next corporate gathering. It’s a fantastic way to break the ice and capture professional photographs with a twist.
Photo Booth Hire London
In the heart of the UK, where events are as diverse as the city itself, their London service stands ready to bring your party to life, offering everything from booth hire in London to bespoke experiences designed to match your event’s theme.
Ensuring Availability and Quality
Before you set your heart on a photo booth for your next event, Special Events Photo Booths makes it easy to check availability, ensuring that your chosen date is secured without fuss. With a commitment to quality and satisfaction, they guarantee that your photo booth adventure will be a highlight of the event.
Professional Photographer Option
For those seeking an added professional touch, the option to have a professional photographer alongside your booth hire ensures that not a moment is missed.
Memorable Photos Without the Fuss
Their dedicated booth helper takes the hassle out of the experience, guiding your guests through the fun and ensuring everyone leaves with a smile.
The Takeaway: Rent a Photo Booth
Special Events Photo Booths remain the go-to choice for photo booth hire in London and beyond with a range of options to suit any theme and the flexibility to cater to any special occasion.
With a focus on creating lasting rememberings, impeccable service, and a tailor-made experience for each client, Special Events Photo Booths stands out as a leader in the UK’s photo booth hire landscape.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much should you spend to hire a photo booth?
When planning to hire a photo booth, your budget should account for the quality and features offered by photo booth hire companies. Expect to find packages that include unlimited prints, pre-designed props, and a guest book, with prices varying based on duration and additional services required.
How much does a party photo booth hire cost for an event?
The cost of party photo booth hire for an event typically depends on the event’s length, the type of booth (such as an enclosed booth), and any extra features like unlimited prints or themed props. Most companies offer a range of packages to suit different needs and budgets.
How much is a party photo booth hire in the UK?
Hiring a photo booth in the UK can vary widely in price, with factors including the hire duration, type of booth, and any additional features like a guest book or themed props affecting the total cost. It’s best to contact a reputable photo booth hire company for a detailed quote based on your specific requirements.
How do I set up a cheap photo booth hire London?
To set up a cheap photobooth, consider working with a photo booth hire London company that offers flexible packages allowing for customization without the additional cost. Opt for a photo booth hire company package that includes essentials like unlimited prints and a selection of props, and avoid extra features you might not need to keep costs down.
Choosing an outfit for a sunny Sunday church service can sometimes feel like a dilemma, especially when you aim to look your best for church. This is a common struggle among churchgoers, both men and women, who regularly ponder their wardrobes before Sunday services.
Styling for church presents a variety of options. While some might argue that attending church is not the occasion for a fashion display, dressing impressively for a splendid Sunday morning certainly doesn’t hurt. The attire for church varies widely; some opt for corporate or traditional looks, while others prefer a more casual approach. The preference is truly individual. Opting for conventional wear makes you stand out, whereas casual attire lends a more relaxed and friendly vibe. However, choosing men’s church suits is a surefire way to capture attention; suits always manage to make a statement. Regardless of your style, the essential dilemma remains: How can I dress for church while ensuring I still look stylish? Here are some guidelines to navigate this.
Diving Deep Into the Web for Sunday Style Insights
Have you ever scratched your head about what to wear on Sunday? You’re not alone. Especially for the guys who know they look sharp in suits but need help deciding on the right combo or colour. A quick online search could be a game-changer if you’re considering donning a classic men’s church suit for your next service.
The internet is packed with style blogs, Pinterest boards, and Instagram fashionistas ready to show you the ropes. From the right shade of blue that complements your eyes to tips on accessorizing with panache, a whole universe of advice is waiting to be discovered. And it’s not just about colour coordination – you’ll find tricks to infuse your personality into your Sunday best, making you walk out the door feeling stylish and genuinely “you.” It’s like having a personal stylist at your fingertips, ready to help you shine in your Sunday finest.
Identify Your Style Objective
It’s crucial to regularly question your style goals. Are you aiming to dress impressively, or is standing out more your aim? At first glance, this decision might appear daunting and potentially off-putting. However, aiming to turn heads with your style and striving for a distinctive look are commendable ambitions. Ultimately, it’s the presentation that truly counts.
Embrace Your Unique Style
There’s something special about dressing in a way that aims to impress and truly sets you apart from the rest. When you lean into what makes your style unique, you leave a lasting impression of your own. Choosing to highlight your individuality through your clothes involves more than just picking out what looks good; it’s about prioritizing comfort and authenticity. We’ve all seen someone trying too hard to stand out in the congregation only to miss the mark. The real secret? Balance. As you sift through your wardrobe on a calm Sunday morning, select pieces that showcase the best version of you and resonate with your personal flair and body type. This approach doesn’t just elevate your confidence; it lets your distinctive style radiate naturally, ensuring you’re both at ease and elegantly distinctive.
Considering the Occasion
Thinking about what kind of service you’re attending is pretty key. Even though it’s just another Sunday, what’s happening during the service can make a difference in what you wear. Some Sundays are just your regular, run-of-the-mill services, but then there are those special ones—like harvest festivals, Thanksgiving, anniversaries, and all sorts of celebrations.
Knowing what the day is all about doesn’t just help you pick something appropriate; it also means you’re dressing in a way that matches the mood. Is the service a solemn one, or is it more on the joyful side? Your outfit can reflect that. For example, a service celebrating harvest or Thanksgiving might have you leaning towards earthy or fall colours. On the other hand, an anniversary celebration might be the perfect occasion to bring out something a bit more formal. So, by keeping the occasion in mind, you’re not just choosing an outfit; you’re connecting with the day’s vibe, making your choice an extension of the celebration.
Is Your Style On-Trend?
Figuring out your Sunday best sometimes boils down to asking: “Is this style in right now?” If you’ve seen fashion designers or labels recently getting behind a specific look, chances are, you’re hitting the mark with current trends. It’s more than just about wearing what’s “in”—it’s about resonating with the rhythm of the fashion world. When you step out in an outfit that’s caught the eye of the style gurus, you feel more in sync with the latest in fashion, and people tend to notice and appreciate your fashion-forward thinking. It’s a sweet spot where staying updated meets personal expression, and it’s always a good look on anyone.
Conclusion
Wrapping up, the trick to nailing your Sunday church look is all about balance. It’s mixing a bit of what you love, style-wise, with the respect the occasion commands. Whether that means combing through online style tips, considering the day’s event, or simply reflecting on your fashion statement, each step is a crucial stitch in the fabric of presenting your best self.
Facing your wardrobe on Sunday shouldn’t feel like a chore; it’s your chance to shine in your unique way while still nodding to the sanctity of the service. So, next time you’re picking out what to wear, remember: it’s less about the outfit and more about your statement. Keep it authentic, align it with the occasion, and you’re all set. Here’s to stepping into church not just dressed but dressed in a way that perfectly captures both the spirit of the place and your own.
In the expansive universe of modern gaming, a distinct and vibrant niche thrives, celebrating the bygone eras of video games while simultaneously pushing the boundaries of innovation. At the heart of this phenomenon lie indie games, often crafted by small teams or even solitary developers, who have become instrumental in resurrecting the spirit of classic gaming through what has been termed “retro revivals.” These indie titles draw inspiration from the aesthetics, mechanics, and nostalgia of vintage games, infusing them with fresh ideas and leveraging modern technology. In this exploration, we delve into the captivating world of indie games and retro revivals, examining how they seamlessly blend nostalgia with innovation to craft unforgettable gaming experiences.
The Magnetic Pull of Nostalgia
The allure of nostalgia is akin to a magnetic force, capable of transporting individuals back to cherished memories of the past. In the realm of gaming, nostalgia evokes feelings of warmth and familiarity, serving as a beacon that illuminates the simpler times spent in front of a screen, controller in hand. Amidst this nostalgia-laden journey, even the mention of “free slot machines” can conjure up images of hours spent spinning reels in arcades or the corner of a local casino. Recognizing the magnetic pull of nostalgia, many indie developers harness its power to craft games that pay homage to the classics of yesteryear.
Pixel Art and Chiptune Soundtracks: A Symphony of Nostalgia
A hallmark of retro-inspired indie games lies in their utilization of pixel art graphics and chiptune soundtracks. Pixel art, with its charmingly blocky, pixelated visuals reminiscent of early gaming consoles, serves as a nostalgic ode to the 8-bit and 16-bit eras. Similarly, chiptune music, composed using the sound chips found in classic consoles, adds another layer of retro allure, transporting players back to the halcyon days of gaming’s infancy.
Resurrecting Classic Genres: A Testament to Timeless Appeal
Indie developers often breathe new life into classic gaming genres, infusing them with their own unique twists while remaining faithful to their roots. From side-scrolling platformers to top-down shooters, these indie titles offer a contemporary take on beloved genres while honoring their storied legacies. Games such as “Celeste” and “Shovel Knight” exemplify this trend, paying homage to the platformers of the 80s and 90s with challenging gameplay intertwined with modern storytelling and design sensibilities.
Innovation Amidst Constraints: Unleashing Creativity within Retro Aesthetics
Despite drawing inspiration from the past, indie developers are not constrained by its limitations. Instead, they leverage modern technology and design principles to innovate within the confines of retro aesthetics. With tools like Unity and GameMaker Studio at their disposal, indie developers craft visually stunning games that capture the essence of classic gaming while harnessing the capabilities of contemporary hardware.
Embracing Gameplay Innovation: Forging New Paths in Familiar Territory
While nostalgia serves as a cornerstone of retro-inspired indie games, innovation stands as an equally vital pillar. Indie developers are not content with merely replicating the past; they aspire to redefine the boundaries of gameplay and storytelling. Whether through the introduction of novel mechanics, the exploration of non-linear narratives, or the examination of unconventional themes, indie games offer a level of creativity and experimentation seldom seen in mainstream titles.
Cultivating Communities, Fostering Creativity: The Power of Collaboration
The indie gaming community plays a pivotal role in the success of retro revivals. Platforms like Steam, itch.io, and indie-focused events such as IndieCade provide developers with avenues to showcase their work and engage with players. Additionally, online forums and social media groups serve as hubs for fans to discuss their favorite indie games, share fan art, and even collaborate on projects. This sense of community fosters creativity and encourages developers to continue pushing the boundaries of indie gaming.
The Continuation of Retro Resurgence
Indie games and retro revivals stand as a testament to the enduring allure of nostalgia and the boundless potential of innovation in modern gaming. By drawing inspiration from the past while embracing the possibilities of the present, indie developers craft experiences that resonate with players of all ages. Whether through pixel art visuals, chiptune soundtracks, or groundbreaking gameplay mechanics, indie games pay homage to the classics while carving out their own distinctive space in the ever-evolving landscape of gaming. As we peer into the future, it becomes evident that the spirit of retro gaming will persist and flourish in the capable hands of indie developers, ensuring that the magic of the past continues to thrive in the games of tomorrow.
NYC band Been Stellar have released ‘All in One’, the latest single from their debut record Scream from New York, NY – out June 14 via Dirty Hit. It follows lead cut ‘Passing Judgment’. Check out a video for it below.
“In many ways this song and its lyrics are at the album’s heart,” the band shared in a statement. “I think it’s the culmination of a point we’ve been trying to make for years. The lyrics grapple with processing the mundane daily tasks we all carry out, and how they connect to understanding our lives in a larger sense. So much of life in a condensed city like New York is spent in a very small box- we wanted the video to portray the madness that comes from that experience. The themes of solipsism and existential uncertainty we brought up on our EP feel tied up with this song. The music feels like a creative conclusion for us as well— like the kind of song we’ve been working towards for years. We finished it in the final weeks leading up to recording and couldn’t be more proud of how it came out.”
Girl and Girl have dropped a new single, ‘Mother’, taken from their upcoming debut LP Call a Doctor. Arriving on the heels of lead single ‘Hello’, the track comes paired with a video directed by Andy Freer and Dan Flood. Watch and listen below.
“I wrote ‘Mother’ about my beautiful mum and how our relationship has matured and evolved from my late teens to my mid-twenties,” Girl and Girl frontperson Kai James explained n a statement. “Shifting from this all-knowing being into something a bit more human. There’s beauty in that shift, relief at the fact that no one’s perfect, but then fear and doubt, too, as you step out and slowly learn to trust and back yourself.”
Call a Doctor comes out May 24 via Sub Pop and Virgin Music Australia.
Marina Allen has announced her third album, Eight Pointed Star, which is set for release on June 7 via Fire. Lead single ‘Red Cloud’ is out now, alongside a video directed by Wes Anderson collaborator Eliel Ford. Check it out and find the album artwork, tracklist, and Allen’s upcoming tour dates below.
“The imagery surrounding Nebraska has always been really vivid for me,” Allen said of the song in a statement. “My mom would tell me about how my grandma would ride a pony to school named Daisy. I guess it brought an awareness of how much the world has changed in such a short time, but it also really tripped me out as a kid. We’d be watching The Wizard Of Oz and I felt like Dorothy was my heritage. So much of your family narrative defines who you are, and so much of it isn’t true, or you hear it wrong, or you only pick up this one part, passed down by somebody else who only picked up one part. I wanted to play with that. I had all of these images swirling around me, with me at the center, and none of the sources were reliable.”
Allen made Eight Pointed Star with producer Chris Cohen. “As much as you can have will and ambition, those things often get in the way of a fluidity to life, and where you’re supposed to be,” she added. “You can make yourself dizzy wanting to be somewhere you’re not. With Eight Pointed Star I’m trying to harness that beginner’s mind again, while having the scars and wisdom that come from biting into the fruits of knowledge.”
Eight Pointed Star Cover :
Eight Pointed Star Tracklist:
1. I’m the Same
2. Deep Fake
3. Red Cloud
4. Swinging Doors
5. Bad Eye Opal
6. Easy
7. Love Comes Back
8. Landlocked
9. Between Seasons
Marina Allen 2024 Tour Dates:
Fri Apr 5 – Montreal, QC – Beanfield Theatre *
Sat Apr 6 – Toronto, ON – Masonic Temple Concert Hall *
Sun Apr 7 – Detroit, MI – El Club *
Mon Apr 8 – Milwaukee, WI – Vivarium *
Wed Apr 10 – Minneapolis, MN – Fine Line *
Thu Apr 11 – Chicago, IL – Thalia Hall *
Fri Apr 12 – Cleveland, OH – The Roxy at Mahalls *
Sat Apr 13 – Pittsburgh, PA – Mr. Smalls *
Mon Apr 15 – Washington, DC – 9:30 Club *
Tue Apr 16 – Philadelphia, PA – Union Transfer *
Wed Apr 17 – Boston, MA – Royale Boston *
Thu Apr 18 – New York, NY – Webster Hall *
Fri Apr 19 – Norwalk, CT – District Music Hall *
Sat Apr 20 – Woodstock, NY – Levon Helm Studio *
Thu Jun 13 – Los Angeles, CA – Scribble
Wed Jun 19 – New York, NY – Union Pool
Fri Jun 21 – London, UK – The Slaughtered Lamb
Mon Jun 24 – Stockholm, SE – Cirkus ^
Tue Jun 25 – Oslo, NO – Sentrum Scene ^
Wed Jun 26 – Copenhagen, DK – DR Koncerthuset ^
Sat Jun 29 – Nijmegen, NL – De Vereeniging ^
Sun Jun 30 – Groningen, NL – SPOT / De Oosterpoort ^
Charlotte Day Wilson has released a new song, ‘Canopy’, lifted from her upcoming album Cyan Blue. It follows the previously shared singles ‘I Don’t Love You’ and ‘Forever’. The track is “meant to remind us that losing love & leaving can be just as inspiring as finding it,” according to Wilson. Check it out via the accompanying video, filmed by Sylvain Chaussée and styled by Mellany Sanchez, below.
Cyan Blue is due for release on May 3 on Stone Woman Music/XL.
Since releasing his last solo album, Time to Melt, in 2021, Sam Evian has helped produce acclaimed records by Big Thief, Helena Deland, Palehound, and more. A few years earlier, he’d decamped to the Catskills alongside his partner Hannah Cohen and their dog, Jan, establishing Flying Cloud Studios, which he now runs out of a new barn on the property. But while he likened the process behind Time to Melt to curating a DJ set in an attempt to create a cohesive listen out of dozens of demos, his breezy yet layered and hypnotic fourth album – the first release on his new imprint, Flying Cloud Recordings – was more about curating the people and space around it. Sfter Sufjan Stevens set off fireworks in the meadow on New Year’s and Evian invited a group of friends and fellow musicians to dive into a nearby creek – hence, Plunge – sessions began in the early winter months of 2023. Collaborators on the album include Liam Kazar, Sean Mullins, El Kempner of Palehound, and Big Thief’s Adrianne Lenker, and as much as Evian maintained his role as an engineer and host, he also took the opportunity to step outside of it and – inspired by many of the rock records from the ’60s and ’70s he was introduced to at an early age – embrace his wilder musical instincts.
We caught up with Sam Evian to talk about some of the inspirations behind Plunge, including Glyn Johns, his dog Jan, the Catskills, and more.
Glyn Johns
I know you watched the Get Back documentary in the studio. Why did his role as an engineer and his overall presence in the film fascinate you?
To talk about Get Back, it’s a two-part thing. It’s the fascination with the characters, and then the fascination, for me, with the workflow, especially in the latter half, when they got into the studio with Billy Preston and they finally got the gear working. That’s where my jaw was on the floor the entire time, and it reaffirmed a lot of ideas that I already had about making music in a studio with people: no isolation, no headphones, no tuning devices, no click tracks; just this environment where you can sit in a room together and make music and capture it. I think that’s not necessarily a retro or vintage idea. I think it’s just a cool way to make music, and you see it happening across the board and on so many great records these days. Glyn Johns being the operator behind all of that was so intriguing to me, and he’s such a legacy. It’s crazy to me that during that session, there was a pretty strict out for him, which was, “Actually, I have to go work with Led Zeppelin after this.” [laughs]
He’s so effortless. He has a wonderful bedside manner in the studio with the artists in the way that he’s swinging mics around and working his magic. I mean, they named techniques after him because of the way that he recorded drums; it’s called the Glen Johns overhead technique, and I employ it a lot here at the studio. He was really smart about the way he did things, but he also wasn’t a lab coat. He was emotional and he was beautiful, he wore fantastic clothes and played the part and hung out with the musicians and had musical ideas that were really valid. I could go on and on about Glyn, but I loved his part in Get Back. I loved seeing him, and it’s not often you get to see the behind-the-scenes people like him – especially when you’re talking about the Beatles.
Did it change your perception of him in some way or inspire you to dive deeper into his work?
It was just kind of a nice reminder. I was watching him get drum sounds and I’m like, “Oh yeah, that’s how I like to do it too.” Watching the way they had the studio workflow set up – they had the vocals going through a PA, which is not very typical, but I do that all the time here. Just little things like that. He was so casual, and they were all so casual with all those microphones and the way they were just getting tossed around that room. It reinforced a lot of those ideas, and I took them with me into the Plunge sessions, which were structured in a really similar way: teaching the band these arrangements in the moment and capturing them live with live vocals and live performances. I employed a lot of the same engineering techniques, and we worked on tape. But I just love him as a character in the story – they don’t necessarily interview him or talk about him a lot in Get Back, but he’s always there in every scene, moving or twiddling with something, or Paul looks over and says, “What do you think, Glyn?” There is a part where I think it’s him and Paul at the piano together, and he’s making suggestions, hanging over the piano. He went on to do Dylan and the Stones and the Who and the Kinks, just a lot of records from that era.
Funnily enough, your dog was the first inspiration that El [Kempner] of Palehound talked about in our interview around Eye on the Bat, which was funny and sweet. Of course, I’d love to hear it from you as well: What energy does she bring to the studio?
She’s my caretaker, and she’s like my co-producer. She sits – [moves camera] this is the console, and there’s her spot. She’s actually in the house right now because she wanted to hang out with Hannah. She gets some kind of noise in on every song, but most importantly, she sculpts the workflow, because she’ll look at me and be like, “Hey, I think you’ve been sitting in this one place for too long and we should go outside.” She really guides my day in this amazing way. She’s one of those classic best friend dogs and has has amazing instincts. She’s part of every session, she’s such a good studio dog, she’s so quiet, and she’s just always there. All the artists that come here, I think they love her presence in the studio. She’s really grown into her role here over the last several years, and she makes me a better person. I guess that’s what a lot of of relationships do. But I love talking about Jan, I’m such an obsessive dog owner. It’s impossible for me not to include her in any list that I’ll ever be asked to make.
Pasta
We talked about cooking as a theme in your last record. Was pasta a go-to dish during the sessions for this one?
It’s kind of a tradition, every session I’ll make fresh pasta. The sauce always changes depending on the season; Plunge was a winter record, and I made a Sunday sauce, which is a real traditional red sauce – a gravy, as the Italian Americans call it. But just the food aspect in general is so important to how sessions happen here. I worked in the city for a long time and worked in Brooklyn, and I found it difficult to guide people through a day when they’re receiving their nutrients through a takeout container, which is so often the case if you’re working in the city. People are all ordering different things, and, like, the drummer’s eating a burrito that’s a little too big and makes them sleepy. So I love being able to sculpt the entire experience, including the food and the community here at the studio, and I see how effective it is to cook together. It’s funny, I was hanging out with El during the Palehound session, and they’d just got back from Greece, so they brought a bunch of recipes with them and we cooked together. So you share recipes, and pasta is something that I share with people. I love making it fresh, and it’s a really satisfying way to end a day in the studio. Hannah is an amazing cook, too, and it’s just become as important as any of the gear I have here – we gotta be in the kitchen chefin’ in it for the musicians that are here.
Friends and community
They’re everything, and that’s why the record sounds the way it does. A good deal of why I make music is the social aspect of just sharing this language with people that are important to me. The more we do it, the closer we become, and it’s a beautiful community. Cooking them and showing them love in that capacity extends into the music; you can hear it in the record, I think, that these people had 12 days of, like, summer camp – except it was the winter [laughs]. But it was a retreat, and we’re all being cared for and we’re all caring for one another. It’s part of how I run the business here in the studio, and doing it for my own session was really special. Especially considering it was a christening of this new space that I’m in, which is a barn that’s separate from the house; Hannah and I renovated it over the course of four years. When I was doing Time to Melt, I was running the studio in the house itself, and then last year finished this barn and moved out here. Plunge was like one of the first records that I got to work on out here, so it was kind of an experiment and a cathartic moment.
I brought all these beautiful musicians and friends together to share that moment. El and Liam [Kazar], who plays guitar on the record, and Hannah [Cohen] and Sean [Mullins], who’s the drummer – he’s got a project called Moon Mullins. My friend Santiago Mijares came up from Mexico City because we just became really fast friends after he came here with a band to record called Petite Amie, and also his bandmate, Fernando Bueno, they both play in this band called Little Jesus. Santi came up and it was just this communal experiment of a record. Time to Melt was the opposite. It was COVID, I couldn’t spend time with people, I was isolated and making music alone and having people do overdubs remotely, so this was just completely the opposite experience, and it was so fun.
Adrianne Lenker’s new album, Bright Future, comes out the same day as yours, and I read about her bringing a jug of maple syrup over and then contributing like a guitar solo on ‘Why Does It Take So Long?’. What did it feel like to hear your ideas and transformed in that communal environment?
The production, for me, more than it was about any technical aspect, was just about curating this group of people. I said to myself before the session started, “I’m going to be open and accept everyone’s ideas and let the record flow in the direction that it wants to,” rather than being like, “Oh, that’s cool, but I kinda had this other thing in mind,” or “Can you try a different part there?” The embrace of everyone else’s character was really important to me on this one. One day the power went out and Liam cooked a candlelight dinner for everyone, and Annie showed up with a jug of maple syrup and hung out and kind of christened the Session and and really helped me commit to the ideas that I had, which were doing things live. She was like, “Oh, you have to do that. You should sing now, it’s great.” Phil [Weinrobe], who engineers Annie’s solo records, came and helped me get the studio set up. He’s like my brother, we’ve worked together in the city for a long time. We got the drum sounds together, and it was so nice to have his ear and general character present for the first couple of days.
They made a story of it in the press release, but it really did start with a giant party. There were like 40 people here in the middle of the woods on New Year’s, and we lit off fireworks, and I made everyone do a midnight plunge in the stream, which goes around this property. It was 12 days of bliss for me, because I really got to let go a bit of my job, which is traditionally to be the producer – I look at production and engineering kind of like a hospitality position, and not to say I withdrew any of my hospitality to my guests, which I certainly did not, but I got to embrace a bit of chaos which I normally leave to the artist. As a producer on projects, I help temper things and organize things and find consistency and start and finish records and keep people happy during that process. But during this one, I really let myself be the opposite end of that, and I think that’s why the sounds are kind of scrappy in a way. We did it on tape – I made sure the microphones were on, I didn’t get too obsessive about it, and then just kept myself in a music mindset. Being amongst friends, it was really fun to let myself go there.
The magnetism of the Catskills
Last time, we talked a bit about how moving thereinspired your creative flow, but not so much the place itself or its “magnetism,” as you call it. What have you grown to love about it in the years since?
I’ve been here now since the end of 2018. I was living in the city, and I had this idea that I wanted to come upstate to make a record in 2017, and that’s what I did. I rented a house from a mutual friend, I brought the band up, I brought gear up – it was kind of a random house, I didn’t know exactly where I was going, I just knew that it was upstate and it was going to be really cool and in the woods. It was such a fascinating and beautiful two weeks, in July 2017, that I just became obsessed with the idea of living up here. I drew a circle on the map, and that house that I initially rented is only two or three miles away from where I am now. It’s all kind of in this area – talk about magnets – just within miles of the Ashokan Reservoir, which is a man-made reservoir that is fed from the Esopus River – a large percentage of New York City’s drinking water comes from this reservoir, and it’s this beautiful reservoir perched in the mountains. Of course, there’s a back-end story, which is, they flooded a town to make this reservoir back in the turn of the century. But it’s a fascinating area, and I immediately felt drawn to it. I think a large body of water certainly can be a magnet for energy, especially when it’s surrounded by mountains and streams. So I drew a circle on the map back then and ultimately ended up here.
It feels like every year I’m here, I learn a new thing, or I get better at living up here. It’s not frontier living, but we’re in the woods, and it’s rugged. There’s power outages and trees coming down, and the winter is cold and punishing and dark, but every year I feel like I learn a new way to get through it and to experience life here. I have neighbors that are in their seventies, and they’re so inspiring to me that they have gardens and figure out ways to thrive. It’s a beautiful place to live and be creative, and it’s also been a joy to share that with people who come here. We got really lucky coming up here before the pandemic, because obviously the housing market went crazy and it’s become difficult to find housing for people up here. All of our neighbors are either old timers who we’ve been here since the ‘60s and ‘70s and have all this wisdom or they’re young, creative types who are interested in making this new homesteady, living approach work for them. I don’t think I could ever leave. I think about where else I could live – maybe I could retire to an island somewhere in the Mediterranean [laughs], but until then, it’s an incredible place to be and to make music.
What kind of wisdom do you get from your older neighbours?
There’s the functional wisdom of just understanding the land and understanding, you know, “You can eat this, you can’t eat this, this is poisonous.” And then there’s the other side of things, which is what it’s like to grow old here and keep yourself engaged with life and keeping your curiosity and your wonder and living in nature. I mean, that’s such a beautiful way to grow old. Our neighbour Linda is someone I’m so inspired by, and she actually just lost her husband, Joe, and now she’s alone. This place is a hollow, basically – it’s nestled in the mountains and there’s a creek that runs down the whole hollow that’s very ancient. Her family was like, “You should leave, it’s gonna be so hard to be out here alone. It’s a difficult life as an old person being alone.” And she was like, “Are you kidding? I’ll never leave. This is my place.” That day, the power went out for a full day because a tree came down on some of the power lines, and one of our other neighbors went and brought her a generator.
There’s a community here, and we all look after one another. I feel like you don’t get that so much in the cities or even in the suburbs. I feel like typical American life can be so singular, and it can be really hard to find a community that takes care of itself. We have a library where people meet and play ping pong and exchange vegetables that they grew and stuff like that. It’s rare and pretty beautiful. I grew up in a more suburban town, where neighbors don’t bring over vegetables or really look after one another, and they kind of keep to themselves – they mow their lawns, they do their suburban life, bring their kids to school. But here, it’s different. The challenge of the environment brings us all together, and and we also celebrate it when it’s beautiful. Which, it’s about to get really beautiful – I walked outside yesterday, and it was sunny, and there’s this thing that happens when the ground thaws out a little bit, and you can smell the earth. It just hits you, like this life after a cold winter. It feels so incredible and visceral.
Music from 1970-1971
You call these the best years in music. Was it partly what you grew up on?
Well, I grew up on jazz. My parents are jazz musicians. I still listen to jazz and study it, and that was the music I initially fell in love with. So it’s not necessarily what I grew up on, but my dad was also a Beatles head, and he was at Shea Stadium at their concert in ‘65. He was also at Woodstock and told me about seeing Jimi Hendrix and all that stuff. So I got hints of it growing up, and then it just has settled in with me as music I always come back to. Practically speaking, in 1970 you had All Things Must Pass, which George came out with the same year Let It Be came out. You also had Velvet Underground Loaded, Kinks with Lola versus Powerman, Lennon with Plastic Ono, Hendrix with Band of Gypsys, Neil with After the Gold Rush. It’s on and on, and it bleeds into ‘71 with Sly, There’s a Riot Going On, Marvin Gaye, What’s Going On?, Nilsson Schmilsson. If you just Google records that came out in those two years, it’s overwhelming and absurd, just to think of the quality and the frequency at which these records were happening. It’s really the end of the sixties in those two years – it’s this cohesive punch of all those ideas that were stewing, and it blows my mind. And Glyn Johns worked on like 50% of those records. [laughs]
It’s the high point of analog – you could argue that it this went into the seventies and even the early eighties, but for me – I work on a recording console that’s from ‘74 and a multi-track tape machine that’s from the same year – I feel like the medium of analog recording was at its best in those early years of the ‘70s. It was the perfect set of limitations. A lot of people were mostly working on 8-tracks in those years, and the 16-track came very shortly after. So you have this very critical little moment, this little diamond of songwriting and music in combination with the format – it just made for an amazing few years. There could be an entire college syllabus on those two years alone.
In ‘71, Serge Gainsbourg put out Melody Nelson, which is one of my favorite records of all time. Recently I was in Paris, and I got to go visit his house, and it was really insane and inspiring. I’m digging back into that world, and I’m hoping to incorporate some of that into the next wave of things that I work on; some of his ideas on orchestration and arrangements were just incredible and lush.
His parents
One of the ideas that struck me lyrically was the way you’re intertwining your own story with your dad and your family as a whole, in a way processing your parents’ relationship through your art. That also ties into what we were talking about earlier in terms of growing old.
Yeah, that’s very much where all the songs came from. My parents have been making a lot of changes in their lives the last couple of years; experimenting, changing things, moving, spending time apart, coming back together. I found it truly inspiring to watch them. You know, it’s hard, when you’re older, to change, and it’s been wonderful to watch them search and look for happiness and and peace and change at this stage in their lives. In trying to imagine and see them, I of course see myself, I see my childhood. It’s an investigation into my own upbringing and my own person, why I am the way I am. If you investigate where you’re coming from, you’re just holding up a mirror to yourself. But it was a fascinating experiment and kind of difficult to commit to initially, because it’s hard to turn the focus, to shine a light and feel like you’re investigating something that isn’t necessarily yours. But I think it came back to me. I guess a lot of the subject matter can be intense for me to think about, but it helped me find some really potent songs, I hope.
In what sense did it come back to you?
I mean, you are your parents, really, as much as we want to escape it. I just started seeing patterns and relating to them and seeing them in myself. It’s kind of like therapy, I guess, but that’s what music is for me.
This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity and length.
In the art world, Jiawei Fu is the bridge that crosses from culture to culture, from emotion to emotion, and from narrative to narrative, creating pieces that give us the ability to travel from one country to another and to find oneself in stories. Taken from her hometown Guangzhou, China and now maturing in Los Angeles, USA, in the works of her as an interior designer and painter, the motifs and vivid colors used resemble a calling to tell stories while building communication.
Jiawei’s central artistic element is the message that she has learned from her family to always be mindful about communicating which can improve life quality. For her, communication is much more than words; it can be taken as a form of expression which goes beyond words. Her works of art become a way of conveying in a pictorial form the intricacies of human communication and an invitation to the audience for a conversation that goes beyond language. Fu says, Each work there is a real life story behind. They come from people in my life, across my life or outside my life. As an artist/interior designer, storytelling is always the most important part of my creative person because I believe that’s what holds people together.
The painting of Jiawei is mainly made of egg tempera, which is one of the specific features of this painting technique. This ancient make, also called tempera, is matching pigment with a water-soluble binder like egg yolk. The final work of art can be painted on many different kinds of material such as wood, canvas, or paper, but it will always appear bright and hard. It is in this detail-oriented depiction that the artist’s soul stirs, her brushes sparking creativity with every stroke that carries purpose.
Within her expansive body of work, two distinct series stand out: “Deceitful Lovers” and “My Yellow is Your Blue”.
“Deceitful Lovers” the artist goes to the depth of romantic love, giving lies various ways they are used to cause harm within it. Every piece in the series becomes a window into the universe of conspiracy, with the subtle, indicative gestures and the iron-rich colors showing what lies beneath the surface. From various love stories watched by her and understanding the delusion and truths behind them, Jiawei uses love stories in a way that will make viewers come to a point of questioning the perspective of love and true story-line, in her painting series.
If there are indeed 100 types of love, it follows that there would be an equal number of lies.
—– Message of Deceitful Lovers.
Charging, 24” x 18”, 2021, Acrylic & eggyolk on canvas
We will always be finding our “soul mate” on social media. Loving this finger and that face. Since when the idea of “love” becomes such harsh, cruel, and commercial? We just merge ourselves into the hard shell and become the hard shell.
While the series titled “My Yellow is Your Blue” is an abstract representation of the serene and pure bond between ours and and their eyes. The subject is revealed via intricate layers of acrylic, plaster and egg yolk. It allows the artist to depict the close ties between people. Each canvas becomes the proof of the importance of empathy and appreciation, as Jiawei succeeds in translating the events of human touch into the language of skyline, emphasizing beauty and delicacy. “Translation” explores the concept that some emotions can be universal and are not limited by language or its cultural barriers. The title itself conveys this, “Translation”, suggests that Jiawei might want to illuminate this idea that emotions can be universally understood.
Viewing conflicts as opportunities to discover bridges and a sense of belonging in such a relentless era.
—– Message of My Yellow is Your Blue.
When it rains, it pours, 8” x 16”, Acrylic/plaster and eggyolk on canvas
In a space burdened with weight Where gravity asserts its sway I thirst for the rain and pain
Her artistic undertakings are not simply restricted to the limits of painting but it touches the interior design as well. Just like her roles serving as an interior designer at companies like Kelly Wearstler and Studio UNLTD, Jiawei is able to stake a statement by telling stories via the spatial environment. The artist does this by creating unique environments through her designs which not only evoke emotion but also start conversations which play a part in bringing people together.
Jiawei’s achievements not only gained her a reputation in her home city, but also drew the coveted attention of the international audience, culminating in shows in leading cities like New York, Berlin, and Monaco. A number of reputable publishers have used her works including American Art Collector and Vogue China, securing her place as a star in the world of art.
At its heart, Jiawei Fu’s art, is a story of how language and communication can become a means of reaching across divides and gaining understanding. Her art speaks to the viewer, drawing them in an exciting expedition that triggers curiosity and reflection, leading them to view life anew. In an era that put meetings at a crest of distinctiveness and disagreement, her work acts as a ray of hope reminding us of the universal language that is there to unite us all – the language of art.
