App News 2014 | idobi

Stranger Things Season 2 Appetizer – The Promise

idobi Staff — Fri, 20 Oct 2017 20:00:51 +0000

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You’re about to get lucky this Friday because we've got a fanfic appetizer for Season 2 of Stranger Things. Geek Girl Rioters, Monique and Sherin aka MoRin have penned a spec script for their version of the second season opener of the beloved yet creepy 80s inspired paranormal series.

"The Promise" (written in May 2017) isn't affiliated with the Stranger Things series or Netflix in any way but it will definitely help hold you over until Oct 27 when season 2 drops. Think of it as a little love from your girls at GGR—with pics to make it feel real. Read "The Promise" exclusively right here on idobi.com:

Previously on STRANGER THINGS:
Season 1 ended with major losses and an uncertain future-- which somehow looked a lot like a happy ending. Police Chief Jim Hopper finally shook his depression, but a shadowy limousine picked him up for a conversation he couldn’t refuse. Will Byers was rescued from the twisted alternate reality known as the Upside Down, but he’s secretly coughing up slugs. Our four “Goonies” Mike, Lucas, Dustin, and Will were reunited, but Eleven (our psychically gifted hero) sacrificed herself to save them. Which makes us wonder why Chief Hopper keeps leaving Eggo waffles for her. The Demogorgon (the killer monster from the Upside Down) was eradicated by Eleven, but Hawkins Lab continues to cover everything up. Things have gotten very bad in Hawkins, Indiana and they’re about to get stranger...

[pdf-embedder url="http://idobi.com/assets/post/2017/10/StrangerThings-SpecScript-Nicole_Younger_ThePromise.pdf"]

[caption id="attachment_276678" align="aligncenter" width="1000"] "Will may have left the Upside Down but the Upside Down didn't leave Will." Stranger Things. Credit: Netflix[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_276679" align="aligncenter" width="1000"] "Lucas has a lot to learn and we meet a new lady warrior."Stranger Things. Credit: Netflix[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_276689" align="aligncenter" width="1000"] "Joyce just wants to go back to something resembling normal."Stranger Things. Credit: Netflix[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_276680" align="aligncenter" width="1000"] "Mike might be singing 'Should I Stay Or Should I Go' soon...". Stranger Things. Credit: Netflix[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_276681" align="aligncenter" width="1000"] "Sometimes they come back...". Stranger Things. Credit: Netflix[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_276682" align="aligncenter" width="1000"] "Love in stranger times--What will Steve do without Nancy?" Stranger Things. Credit: Netflix[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_276683" align="aligncenter" width="1000"] "Whose side are you on, Sheriff?" Stranger Things. Credit: Netflix[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_276684" align="aligncenter" width="1000"] "Jonathan just wants to take pictures, no weird shit." Stranger Things. Credit: Netflix[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_276685" align="aligncenter" width="1000"] "That boy Billy, he ain't right." Stranger Things. Credit: Netflix[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_276690" align="aligncenter" width="5576"] "Time to get the band back together." Stranger Things. Credit: Netflix[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_276686" align="aligncenter" width="1000"] "What the hell kind of experiment went wrong this time, Doc?" Stranger Things. Credit: Netflix[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_276687" align="aligncenter" width="1000"] "Mad Max? More like Furiosa!" Stranger Things. Credit: Netflix[/caption]

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First Listen: “An Existential Eve With My Pet Hamster” by Dead Is The Cat

idobi — Fri, 20 Oct 2017 15:58:55 +0000

Emerging from the suburban hellscape of St. Petersburg, Florida, Dead Is The Cat brings you an exclusive listen of their song, An Existential Eve With My Pet Hamster.

The band is preparing the release of their debut studio album, For All We Know, an album the band says they've poured everything into, including their own sweat. Let's hope the copy we pick up won't be musky. Check out An Existential Eve With My Pet Hamster below and keep an eye out for the accompanying music video.

Hear more indie on idobi Anthm.

Fresh Pressed [new music friday] – 036

Joe DeAndrea — Fri, 20 Oct 2017 10:00:47 +0000

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What better way to kick off a weekend than with new music? Fridays are always chock full of the latest songs and albums ready to be the soundtrack to everyone’s antics, and here you’ll find some of the week’s standout releases. Whether you’re ready to spin an anticipated song from a favorite artist or just taking a look at what’s out there, there’s a whole lot of tunes to dive right into. Who knows—maybe you’ll find your next obsession.

Tegan and Sara - The Con X: Covers

The Con is not only an important record for pop music, but it’s an important record for Tegan and Sara’s career. Celebrating its tenth year anniversary, the album helped push the duo over the edge and into mainstream success, and they’ve since gone on to improve with each album thereafter. Still, The Con is worth remembering, and The Con X: Covers honors its legacy in the finest of ways. Featuring the likes of Chvrches, Sara Bareilles, and Paramore’s Hayley Williams, some of the most influential and talented women in music assist in putting their own spin on The Con’s songs, and the result will remind you just why the original album is so special.

Maroon 5 - “Whiskey”

It’s a waste of time to talk about how Maroon 5 are no longer the same band that released Songs About Jane—well, duh. But through the process of becoming a full-blown pop band, the group’s mastered the art of a tailor-made radio anthem. They’ve also shown they have the ability to call back to their arguable heyday, too. On “Whiskey,” the latest track off their Red Pill Blues album, Adam Levine is as vulnerable as we’ve seen him as the track is one of the most imaginative songs they’ve ever recorded.

Niall Horan - Flicker

With his debut solo album, Flicker, ex-One Directioner Niall Horan has no problem making a name for himself outside of his boy band, even if his songs are a bit reminiscent of 1D’s final years. Sporting a heavy adult contemporary soundscape, Horan blends into the genre effortlessly, providing a solid LP for both new fans and old.

The Dangerous Summer - “Fire”

Out with the old, in with the new—it’s a tried and true saying and it seems like the focal point of The Dangerous Summer’s hard-to-believe comeback. After a three year hiatus, the band is back in action with a brand new record, but more importantly, a brand new single for the world to devour. Despite the messy breakup, this new-look Dangerous Summer doesn’t miss a beat on “Fire,” a slow-burn rocker with a punchy chorus. The band releases their self-titled album via Hopeless Records on January 26th.

Liam Payne - “Bedroom Floor”

Liam Payne’s found his niche rather quickly, so you’ve got to give him credit for that whether you like his music or not. Following the club anthem “Strip That Down,” Payne heads back to a similar, sexy formula on the aptly-titled “Bedroom Floor.” A breezy trop-pop instrumental acts as the backbone before Payne unleashes an addictive falsetto chorus.

Rachel Platten - “Collide”

Whether it’s called “Fight Song” or not every song is a fight song for Rachel Platten. Now solidified as a household name in music, each track she’s released since her breakout hit has helped prove why she’s here to stay. “Collide” crashes down the moment it begins with purposeful piano until Platten breaks out of her comfort zone on what is her most eclectic song to date.

Taylor Swift - “Gorgeous”

It doesn’t matter how long Taylor Swift’s been in the game, you can always expect surprises when it comes to new music. With her Reputation era, we’ve already seen pseudo-rapping and Right Said Fred interpolation, so what else could possibly be in store? Turns out “Gorgeous,” the record’s latest promo track, is actually the most sane sounding thus far. It’s got that signature Jack Antonoff production feel, and the lyrics are totally relatable, “Guess I’ll just stumble on home to my cats.” Same, girl.

Post Malone - “Candy Paint”

Post Malone is on top of the world, especially now after his first number one hit with his recent single, “Rockstar.” With a new album looming, new tracks are starting to roll in, and even a couple old ones, too. “Candy Paint” is finally released as a stand-alone single after having only been featured on the The Fate of the Furious soundtrack earlier this year. This re-issue is important because not only does it mean an album is getting closer, but Malone is finally pushing to get this chilled out pop track the recognition it deserves.

Weezer - “Happy Hour”

You can guarantee a party when it comes to new Weezer music, and their Pacific Daydream era has no shortage of feel good tunes. “Happy Hour” sounds exactly like the title would suggest—a heavy beat is present throughout while Rivers bursts into a loud and glimmering chorus.

Kelly Clarkson - “Meaning of Life”

With the title track released from her forthcoming album, Kelly Clarkson shows her record’s purpose in only four minutes. Powerhouse, pitch-perfect vocals take precedence while the song is yet another soulful offering from her expansive repertoire—it’s a style that Clarkson keeps fresh with every note.

Future & Young Thug - Super Slimey

Did you really think Future was satisfied releasing only two albums this year? The rapper gets together with Young Thug for a collaborative effort titled Super Slimey where each artist fights to outdo the other on every bar. The result is an instant collaborative classic, rivaling Watch The Throne and What A Time To Be Alive for one of the best joint albums in recent memory.

Other new releases:
MGMT - “Little Dark Age”
A Perfect Circle - “The Doomed”
Frank Turner - “There She Is”
Sleater-Kinney - “Here We Come”
Lindsey Stirling - Warmer in the Winter
Kygo - “Kids in Love” (feat. The Night Game)
Nick Jonas - “Home”
Justin Bieber - “Friends” (Remix) (feat. Julia Michaels)
Fifth Harmony - “Can You See”
Ty Dolla $ign - “Don’t Judge Me”

Exclusive Stream: Get Weird with Pacifico’s New Album ‘Everest’!

Alex Bear — Thu, 19 Oct 2017 15:00:36 +0000

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It’s almost the weekend, let’s get weird. We’re bringing you new music from Pacifico today; idobi is the only place you can hear the new album Everest in full a day early! Yeah, we love you guys THAT much. Listening to the supernatural synth-filled indie rock that powers Everest, we’re about 98% convinced that Pacifico’s Matthew Schwartz is a singer-songwriter by day, space traveler by night. The proof is in the music: The entire album has a definite outer galaxy vibe to it, and its beautifully captivating lyrics leave you with questions about life, the universe, and everything. Pacifico is writing a sci-fi fantasy flick of their own design, and scoring it too. Schwartz says of the record:

"For my new album Everest, I challenged myself to take new strides in the way I wrote music and what I wrote about. This album truly was my highest mountain to climb and I did so alongside many talented and fascinating artistic friends and collaborators. I am so excited to share what we've created with you on idobi. We hope you enjoy it as much as we did making it. If you enjoy live music, look for us in a city near you on our nationwide tour. You can find our tour dates at pacificorock.com. Thank you for supporting independent music!"

Everest was certainly a mountain to climb for Schwartz; it took three and a half years, five studios, and 12 musicians—including Joy Electric’s synth-maestro Ronnie Martin and poet Vincent Cellucci—to create Pacifico’s third full-length. Pacifico has been since ’99 in one form or another, but this more collaborative approach to the band has been liberating, and opened up new creative pathways. Schwartz & co. have poured all their experience and expertise into Everest, making the challenge seem effortless, and totally worth the wait. And as for you fans, listening won’t be a mountain to climb—instead, you’ll be powering up the [insert your spaceship of choice] and flying sky high to new musical worlds. Because Everest is a journey, exploring life, love, loss, and everything that makes us human, and you’re in for a damn good ride.

Loved it? Yeah you did. Get your pre-order on here—Everest is out at midnight!

First Listen: Hear Zander Bleck’s “Battlecall” with New Video

Emillie Marvel — Thu, 19 Oct 2017 10:00:14 +0000

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Inspiration, positivity, manifestation; these are the qualities that set Zander Bleck apart from the crowd. His anthemic sound sets the stage for his beliefs and his journey, making his a story you have to hear to believe.

In every note of the compelling tracks, we find the talent and fearlessness that was required to go from a kid in New Jersey, to a New York model, to a departure from the well known paths of music making in favor for a direct chain from artist to fan.

Zander is setting out to reach listeners worldwide, and is ready to take the next step forward with “Battlecall”. The video for the arena worthy track can be found exclusively below.

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Take A Trip To Suburbia With Envy On The Coast and Catch Them On Tour!

idobi Staff — Wed, 18 Oct 2017 16:34:07 +0000

Envy On The Coast released a new video for their single "Virginia Girls" (which you can watch below) off their EP Ritual. Also the band has announced a short East Coast Holiday Tour which you can grab ticket for here!

Tour Dates:

12/20 - Boston, MA @ The Middle East Downstairs

12/21 - Asbury Park, NJ @ House Of Independents

12/22 - Brooklyn, NY @ Market Hotel

12/23 - Wantagh, NY @ Mulcahy’s

Letting Go and Finding Home with Sean Scanlon of Smallpools

Alex Bear — Wed, 18 Oct 2017 14:00:12 +0000

[caption id="attachment_276535" align="aligncenter" width="4805"] All shots by Anna Lee Media[/caption]

It’s not something you hear often, but Los Angeles has been good for Smallpools. Eschewing the typical burnout, cynical and fake side of LA, that you always hear talk of, the indie pop band have found a place to call home. They’re a long way from where they began—it shows in the music, and in our conversation. It’s a cloudy but typically beautiful day when I call, and vocalist Sean Scanlon is taking a walk around the block in Reseda, California, enjoying a break from preparations for their upcoming tour. Smallpools’ new EP The Science of Letting Go has just come out and this time around the vibe is different, both musically and as individuals; it’s more relaxed, more at home than they’ve ever been.

“It feels good,” Scanlon says of finally putting the new songs out there. “We were under the radar for awhile, just writing a lot of songs. There were a lot of mood swings. We decided on these five as our favorites, they all had a nice theme together.” The Science of Letting Go is a celebration of freedom, still powered by exuberant highs but with less urgency and more depth than ever before. Capturing feelings and transforming them into musical lightning in a bottle moments that move you is what Smallpools does best. They’re just living in the now, and their listeners are with them every step of the way. “Fans seem to like what’s going on, so all in all a positive report,” he quips.

[blockquotefull]Capturing feelings and transforming them into musical lightning in a bottle moments that move you is what Smallpools does best.[/blockquotefull]

This newfound creative approach is something the band had to learn the hard way; their attitude to making music has mellowed as they’ve evolved as musicians. “This time felt a little different,” he admits. “The original stuff was just kind of like us in a rehearsal space. Nobody knew who the hell we were. We didn’t know much about what was going on in music at the time.” The band were giving it one last shot, and that’s when magic happened with their debut self-titled EP. “There was a nothing to lose-type attitude. I think that maybe came across in those songs.” The Science of Letting Go is freeing in a different way; they’re not trying to push for anything in particular. Getting it right and true to them was more important than ever with this record. “We were just waiting for things to come—but not in a lazy way” he jokes. Underneath the light humor you get the immediate sense that Sean Scanlon is a pro. His band have been around the world and back, through all the highs and lows of the music industry, and they’ve taken every lesson on board.

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It’s always a challenge when a band has a song blow up, but then expectations about a follow up aren’t met. For Smallpools, it was “Dreaming”, the major hit on their very first EP, and it led to pressure to produce that kind of viral success ever since. Too often that pressure stops creatives from developing further, when they’re expected to do exactly what they did before. “You never really know what the track is that people are going to care about or what is going make sense to people,” he observes. And that’s what music is all about, celebrating our differences and how a song can take on so many different meanings. Music is an art form and you can’t replicate true inspiration, no matter how hard you try. You can only grow.

[blockquotefull]"Even if we’re jamming in a room for hours and hours, we’re just hoping for that happy accident where we all turn to each other like, ‘oh man, that was it'."[/blockquotefull]

Talking to Scanlon you get the feeling that, while he’s grateful for the past—signing to RCA Records early on helped get the band to where it is today—he’s glad to be writing his own future now. The band left RCA last year and are now under Kobalt Music Group, which has granted them more freedom. Being signed to a major label provided the financial backing and business guidance to help take their career to the next level, which is something most artists can only dream of. But it became harder to make the music they wanted to, when they were almost expected to make another hit like “Dreaming”. Going independent has clearly given them room to breathe; now, they can take their time and let inspiration come to them. Here Scanlon hesitates, trying to find the right words. “Our whole thing is just like, we…I mean, not necessarily wait—because we do write and work—but the random lines or inspirations, they come out of nowhere. Even if we’re jamming in a room for hours and hours, we’re just hoping for that happy accident where we all turn to each other like, ‘oh man, that was it’.”

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Scanlon credits the transition to California for the change of pace. “First moving to LA, I was like, ‘oh it’s vacation phase!’ and then I was like, ‘I gotta get a job!’ and I got all this cool new stuff and palm trees and…” he trails off, laughing before getting serious—after a few years, they’re settled and life under the sun has seeped into their attitude, and in turn the themes and moods of their songs. “But we’ve all just kinda chilled out a little bit since getting here and doing the initial music. So I think it’s just our moods channel through.” Those moods are summer-soaked, sparkling, and can elevate your own mood at a moment’s notice—because you feel what they feel, and these songs take on a life of their own for every listener.

“When things come out and other people listen, it’s like your whole vision of it all is put on its head,” he admits. But that’s half the fun. Even Scanlon, listening back to the songs now, finds new layers he didn’t realize existed. “Every week my favorite will change, like ‘oh man! I’m really down with this song right now’, and then I’ll discover something new in another one of ours.” When you’ve spent countless hours pouring parts of your life into songs, putting that incredibly personal work out there can be nerve wracking. But then they mean something completely different to each and every person hearing them, and it’s exciting to get a fresh perspective. “Originally during the writing process we thought one song was the one, but then something else came to the forefront.” He won’t say which—that’s for us to try and figure out. He wants everyone to have their own experience and find their own ways with each track, just as they had different experiences writing and recording them.

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The word synchronicity comes to mind when you hear about their journey with The Science of Letting Go—from finding inspiration in the moment right through to the collaborations. “All the songs are from five different producers,” he explains. “We would meet friends who were also in the music industry at parties or gatherings or something and we’d be like, ‘Hey! You know, we should write together sometime’. Usually in Hollywood that means, you know, I probably won’t see you for a long time but…in this case we kind of actually acted on these meetings and setups and we wrote with some friends and some new cool people that we met, and it all just kinda happened.” He almost brushes it off, like working with big names such as Flor’s Dylan S Bauld (who recently collaborated with LIGHTS and Halsey) and Printz Board (Mark Ronson, John Legend) is no big deal. It’s LA, it seems wild to the rest of us looking in, but ask anyone living there and they’ll shrug and tell you that’s just how it is.

[blockquotefull]That’s what The Science of Letting Go is, to me, at least; sometimes when you stop searching for something, you find everything you’ve been looking for all along.[/blockquotefull]

All roads lead back to Los Angeles, at least for now—who knows where life might take Smallpools next. That’s what The Science of Letting Go is, to me, at least; sometimes when you stop searching for something, you find everything you’ve been looking for all along. Sounds pretty good, doesn’t it? When the honeymoon phase wears off and you’re still content, you’re right where you need to be. Smallpools have that figured out; they’ve found home. “It just feels like life somewhere else,” Scanlon says, and in that moment he could be talking about LA, or the new chapter of Smallpools. “The overall naive excitement for it all has gone. Now we’re just hanging out and playing songs.”

(Un)Covered: Skid Row (Downtown)

Sam Devotta — Wed, 18 Oct 2017 13:00:38 +0000

“Skid Row (Downtown)”
Writers: Alan Menken, Howard Ashman
Original Release Date: 1982

Just in time for Halloween, I came across a cover song from a horror comedy musical that, while not spooky, will definitely add a spring in your step. But first, the original:

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Even if, like me, you haven’t seen Little Shop of Horrors, everyone can recognize the giant venus fly-trap that features predominantly in the musical. Written by Howard Ashman and with music by Alan Menken, the musical premiered in 1982, based on a 1960 movie of the same name. The story revolves around the love blossoming between two flower shop workers, Seymour and Audrey, as well as the carnivorous venus flytrap that mysteriously appeared during an eclipse. Honestly, it sounds ridiculous—and I’m into it. This version of “Skid Row (Downtown)” is the second song on the soundtrack from the 2003 Broadway revival. In it, we meet Audrey and Seymour who both lament their unfortunate lives and complain about where they live. The lyrical content sounds similar to a lot of pop-punk songs when you think about it, but the musical is heavily influenced by Motown and early sixties rock ’n’ roll, making it more doo-wop than hardcore.

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A few years back, Dallon Weekes and Brendon Urie released a free cover of “Skid Row (Downtown)”. It wasn’t released under the Panic! at the Disco name, but then-guitarist Ian Crawford also played on it. In their cover, Urie takes the role of Audrey (and the Bag Lady) while Weekes plays Seymour and the gang of urchins who help set the scene multiple times during the show. It’s no surprise that this cover came out around the same time as Panic!’s third album, Vices & Virtues—it has the same vaudevillian quality to it, with a more pronounced guitar part, and two powerful voices. We always knew that Urie was made for Broadway, but this cover proves that Weekes can be just as theatrical—what do we have to do to see him on The Great White Way?

While the Broadway cast is made up of theatre professionals and not rock stars, you can’t deny that there’s something electric about the combination of Weekes and Urie’s voices. Their cover makes me wish for another Broadway revival of Little Shop of Horrors.

Shut Up About the Guinness, GIVE US THE MUSIC (and the Guinness): Ten Bands to Cheer from Ireland

idobi Staff — Tue, 17 Oct 2017 16:00:10 +0000

Ireland is known for a lot of things—when you say you’re from Ireland one of 3 things will happen: 1) the person you’re talking to will say they, too, are Irish, 2) a comment about Guinness and/or Whiskey will ensue or, 3) Conor McGregor. Just anything about Conor McGregor. However, one other thing you may think of is music. Unfortunately even within Ireland attention can veer towards basic unoriginal bland music. That being said, just under the surface there is an abundance of talent and genuine musical ability. When compiling this list, it was hard to bring it down to only ten but alas, here’s Ten Bands (in no particular order) from Ireland that you shouldn’t be sleeping on. With a variety of genres, there’s guaranteed to be something for everyone.

1. Otherkin

[caption id="attachment_276561" align="aligncenter" width="1080"] Photo credit: Jake Haseldine[/caption]

Grunge-pop foursome Otherkin already have an impressive resumé, from supporting the likes of Guns N' Roses to spending the summer playing festivals, the band are now setting off on an extensive tour around Europe. Check out their video for "Come On, Hello" to get a bit of a sense for what their live show has in store. Following the 201 EP and The New Vice EP, Otherkin’s debut full length, OK is a mark of triumph of everything they’ve accomplished, and also a sign of big things to come.

Where to find them: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook

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2. Fangclub

[caption id="attachment_276562" align="aligncenter" width="2000"] Photo credit: Pooneh Ghana[/caption]

Having signed to major record label Universal Music Ireland in 2015, Fangclub have been breaking boundaries left, right, and center. The three-piece began getting particular attention with "Bullet Head" which give you two minutes of pure energy. Already gaining critical acclaim, the band’s live energy was in no way lost in the recording of their debut self-titled full-length. Having just supported SWMRS in the UK and gearing up to go on a headline Irish-tour there are no signs of slowing down.

Where to find them: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook

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3. All Tvvins

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If you want a break from the heavier stuff, All Tvvins might be for you. After releasing single "Anything", the duo are back at it with a bang. A perfect song while you try desperately to hang on to what’s left of the summer feeling. Both having pretty solid foundations in the music scene already and being parts of established bands—the two decided to focus on All Tvvins and it’s been only been an upward trajectory since—going from impressive support slots (with the likes of Arcade Fire and Editors) to playing their own sold out shows and massive festival appearances.

Where to find them: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook

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4. Raglans

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The four-piece are no strangers this side of the ocean, having performed at the likes of SXSW and recorded their Again and Again EP in California in 2016. Raglans are currently building suspense for whatever they have up their sleeves—posting a teaser of what they’re working on with a new song “Same Stone Pavements” on YouTube. Before that, Raglans’ debut full length and EPs along with their infectious live shows have created a recognizable sound that is distinctly theirs.

Where to find them: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook

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5. Talos

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Eoin French’s project, Talos emerged in 2014 with the introduction of “Tethered Bones”. As the years have gone on, melodic electronic-pop music has continued to make Talos one of the most unique artists in the scene. The album Wild Alee is a masterful example of pure talent.

Where to find them: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook

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6. Bitch Falcon

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Bitch Falcon have been blazing their way to the forefront of the scene with their powerful amalgamation of influences, resulting in a combination of alt-rock/grunge/noise-pop. The three-piece have been busy, having played shows in Canada in September before returning to Ireland for festival appearances, and they continue to be one of the most exciting live bands around.

Where to find them: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook

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7. Pillow Queens

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Dublin’s punk-pop outfit Pillow Queens released their debut EP, Calm Girls, themselves and have been going from strength-to-strength since then. Having toured across the UK and Ireland, the band’s melodic punk continues to challenge the boundaries of the genre. Still relatively new to the scene, with Calm Girls released in December of 2016, they’ve been busy building up their live portfolio and impressed at this year’s Electric Picnic.

Where to find them: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook

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8. The Academic

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Also not complete strangers to the US, The Academic have been busy spending more and more time over here; they're currently on tour in support of Judah and The Lion across the states. The indie-pop band’s live loop version of their single "Bear Claws" has already amassed over 1.3 million views on YouTube, having only been released at the start of October. The innovative video shows the band using Facebook’s livestream option as a looper and is an impressive example of their creativity.

Where to find them: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook

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9. Little Hours

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If you want some music to chill to, Little Hours is your band. They are yet to release an album but have already played this year’s Main Stage at Electric Picnic, an impressive feat by anyone’s standard. The Donegal duo’s interpretation of the folk/pop genre is backed by both of their skills as singer-songwriters, setting them apart from other bands in the genre and giving them their own sound.

Where to find them: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook

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10. THUMPER

[caption id="attachment_276570" align="aligncenter" width="2048"] Photo credit: Lucas Garvey[/caption]

With three EPs to their name, THUMPER have fast been making a name for themselves—due in part to their explosive live shows. With no signs of slowing down, the noise-pop band have already completed their fourth EP and will be going on tour with Fangclub in October.

Where to find them: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook

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Photos: MAX in Los Angeles

idobi Staff — Tue, 17 Oct 2017 15:00:36 +0000

Last Thursday night in Los Angeles, there was a rush of pure energy felt 'round The Roxy—that enchanting feeling pop singer-songwriter MAX is known for. idobi photographer Nicole Busch was there to capture the magic of the Meteor Tour, and she’s bringing you her take on the show below. So turn the Lights Down Low baby and start scrolling, 'cause when MAX takes the stage, that’s a moment you wish could last forever—and now it can with these photos.

MAX

Meteor Tour dates:
October 17th - Denver, CO @ Larimer Lounge
October 18th - Santa Fe, NM @ Meow Wolf
October 19th - Dallas, TX @ House of Blues - Cambridge Room
October 21st - Austin, TX @ Stubbs Indoors
October 22nd - Houston, TX @ House of Blues - Bronze Peacock
October 24th - Atlanta, GA @ Aisle 5
October 25th - Asheville, NC @ New Mountain
October 26th - Washington, D.C. @ U Street
October 27th - Columbus, OH @ The Basement
October 28th - Chicago, IL @ Schubas - SOLD OUT
October 29th - Chicago, IL @ Schubas - SOLD OUT
November 1st - Toronto, ON @ Velvet Underground
November 2nd - Montreal, QC @ Fairmont
November 3rd - Portsmouth, NH @ 3S Artspace
November 4th - New York, NY @ Gramercy
November 7th - Boston, MA @ Brighton Music Hall
November 9th - Philadelphia, PA @ The Foundry
November 10th - Richmond, VA @ The Broadberry
November 11th - Raleigh, NC @ Motorco Music Hall
November 15th - Knoxville, TN @ The Concourse at The International
November 16th - Indianapolis, IN @ Deluxe at Old National Centre
November 18th - Milwaukee, WI @ Miramar Theatre
November 19th - Minneapolis, MN @ 7th Entry

Five Finds: Small Press Expo 2017 Edition

Cindy Tenicela — Tue, 17 Oct 2017 14:00:34 +0000

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I attend a lot of “reader” events—from book festivals to comic conventions—and am always on the lookout for the unique and unusual. That's what makes Small Press Expo stand out every year. Bringing together independent publishers, artists, and writers focusing on comics and graphic novels, SPX is one of my favorite places to discover new, diverse, and downright amazing works by up and coming and established creators. It was hard to narrow it down to just a handful, but here are my top Five Finds from some of the awesome creators at this year's SPX:

1. POC Portrait Coloring Book
by Kurenai Kiba

I LOVE a good coloring book. When I broke my leg two years ago coloring books helped save my sanity when I was housebound for several weeks. However, most of the books I bought or received as gifts were either mindless doodles or simply pretty pictures to color. This book however serves a purpose: It showcases people of color and invites you to be creative in how you see them. Artist, Cosplayer and Graphic Artist, Kurenai Kiba debuted her POC Portrait Coloring Book at SPX. I was attracted to her booth by the beautiful cover art Kurenai is holding in this photo. She describes her coloring book as “filled with a diverse collection of portraits ready to color with no boundaries on your imagination”. The book is a delight and I can’t wait to start coloring!

2. Hereville, How Mirka Got Her Sword
by Barry Deutsch

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Hereville is the story of an 11 year old Orthodox Jewish Girl who fights trolls, bullies, and an unruly pig—while we learn about her life and her religion. First released in 2010, Hereville has now grown to three volumes, received the Sydney Taylor Award, and was nominated for Eisner, Ignatz, and Nebula awards. This delightful story of a young female hero is both fun and educational. I love that this solidly entertaining story gives the reader a chance to explore the Orthodox Jewish religion through Mirka’s relationships with her faith and her family. The best review I can give to Hereville is to tell you about the two young girls who came up to creator Barry Deutsch’s table while I was talking to him at SPX. When asked “Have you heard of Hereville?” the two excitedly exclaimed “Yes! We’ve read all 3 books!”.

3. Stranger Than Bushwick no. 3
by Jeremy Nguyen

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If you’ve ever lived in or visited the Brooklyn, NY neighborhood of Bushwick you’ll love the witty, sarcastic humor of Stranger Than Bushwick. I picked up volume three because it’s a double issue and I couldn’t get enough of Jeremy Nguyen’s hysterical calling out of all things Bushwick. From Bushwick dating culture to gentrification, Jeremy pulls no punches when addressing issues relatable to every city dweller—especially long time residents who have seen their neighborhoods slowly taken over by the tragically hip. Even if you’ve never been to Bushwick, it’s a really funny take on some of today’s millennial hipster culture.

4. Curls
by Carolyn Belefski

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I’m a sucker for all things cute. At one point I even had to put myself on a "cute diet" and forbid myself from buying anything if my first reaction was “OMG how cute!” But I had to make an exception for this one. When I walked past the Curls Studio booth this dishwasher magnet set off my “OMG how cute!” reflex, but I justified my purchase because hey, it’s also practical, right? I mean, I can have Carolyn’s awesome art on display in my kitchen while knowing I remembered to turn the dishwasher on. And, not only is it adorable but it’s from one of the most active female comic artists in the DC area. Carolyn writes & draws Curls, collaborates with Joe Carabeo on three other comics, and is also the chair and a board member of the DC chapter of the National Cartoonists Society. She regularly contributes to Magic Bullet and helped found Cartoonists Draw Blood. Plus she does freelance work and can be heard on the The Carolyn and Joe Show podcast. As busy as she is I bet she often forgets whether the dishes are clean or not—good thing she came up with this magnet!

5. Silver Sprocket Publishing

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These stickers!!! The “Please kill my enemies” sticker called out to me as I passed the Silver Sprocket booth. I'd just been through some pretty serious personal drama with some people I’m not particularly fond of, so the cute drawing accompanied by the biting words really struck a chord with me. Silver Sprocket, who describe themselves as “an art crew, comic and zine publisher, record label, and collection of budz”, have a lot more to offer than these stickers though. With titles like Girls, Catboy, Be Your Own Backing Band, and Please Keep Warm, as well as Ben Passmore’s Ignatz award winning Your Black Friend, Silver Sprocket has some of the most relevant, creative titles I’ve come across lately...and did I mention, these stickers!!

Set Sail On The Warped Rewind At Sea With Us!

idobi Staff — Tue, 17 Oct 2017 10:30:58 +0000

We're stoked to be heading out on the first Warped Rewind at Sea from October 28th- November 1st and we want you to be a part of it too! Everything from Bacon and Bingo, Belly Flop Competition with Simple Plan, and ALL YOUR FAVORITE BANDS PERFORMING! So what you're gunna do right now is grab your tickets HERE.

Photos: The Devil Wears Prada in Norfolk

Maysa Askar — Mon, 16 Oct 2017 18:00:23 +0000

idobi photographer Crystal Huffman covered The Devil Wears Prada show at The Norva in Norfolk, VA. Check out some photos from the show below!

The Devil Wears Prada

Veil Of Maya

Silent Planet

Thousand Below

Callwood at the Cooler #30

Brett Callwood — Mon, 16 Oct 2017 17:00:51 +0000

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To Universe or not to Universe…

The modern trend for movie franchises has been to create shared “universes” rather than (or as well as) direct sequels. This is a move that has been executed beautifully by Marvel Studios, to the extent that it’s being aped elsewhere in the comic, fantasy and horror world.

Recent Tom Cruise film The Mummy, a commercial and critical flop, was meant to be a jumping off point for a “Universal Monsters” universe, involving Dracula, Frankenstein, Bride of Frankenstein, the Creature from the Black Lagoon, and more. The fact that Cruise’s film was so horribly-received has apparently put the entire concept in jeopardy. The Bride of Frankenstein is scheduled to be next, but it’s on hold.

Monsterverse…

Then there’s the fact that the recent Godzilla and Kong: Skull Island movies are connected, and the two giant beasts are scheduled to square off against each other at some point. Whether any other traditionally unrelated big monsters are going to appear in that universe remains to be seen, but the after-credits scene at the end of Kong: Skull Island hinted at some of the fan-favorite Godzilla allies and adversaries that we are going to be seeing, including Mothra, Rodan, and King Ghidorah.

Execution is everything, and as absolutely underwhelming as the Universal Universe appears to be, the Monsterverse seems to be exciting everyone. But why is that? It could be because those who enjoy movies about giant monster smashing shit up (and I’m one of them) are more than happy to see a greater number of monsters smashing shit up. Plot is secondary. But shoehorning storied characters like Dracula and the Phantom of the Opera together feels unnatural. The first movie being such a dud has completely destroyed any good feeling that previously existed about the project.

Battle of the (other) giants…

Marvel have played this beautifully from day one, while its main rivals, DC, have struggled. In tying together the TV shows Agents of SHIELD, Netflix’s Daredevil, Jessica Jones, Luke Cage, Iron Fist, and The Defenders, among others, into the Marvel Cinematic Universe, they were able to create something bigger, really without lifting a finger. We know that Phil Coulson of SHIELD exists in the Avengers universe because he was in the early movies.

We know that the Defenders do, because of the occasional reference to the “event in New York,” or “the big green guy.” But Marvel has set it up so that the interaction can be minimal or nonexistent between characters. The Punisher doesn’t have to bump into Rocket Raccoon, but there’s something really awesome about knowing that, if the right circumstances played out, they could meet.

As a result, what DC seems to be viewing as the biggest problem with a shared universe is its biggest asset. You have way more flexibility to do whatever you want with the characters. In real terms, a universe is vast, and we only meet a fraction of the other beings in a lifetime. When you consider that the Marvel universe includes other planets and dimensions, there’s really no reason to believe that one character’s arc will be massively affected by another’s. But, if they want to grab Daredevil, Coulson or Ghost Rider and use them as a cameo in a forthcoming movie, they can. That’s just fun.

Is there any Justice…

DC has struggled, partly because they didn’t have a plan from the start. They had several movies and CW shows, and they tried to make it work. Even so, they all seemed to be over-thinking it. There’s no reason, no reason at all, that the Arrow, Flash, Legends of Tomorrow and Supergirl shows couldn’t have existed in the same universe as the current Justice League crew. Instead, they cast two Flash’s and two Supermen, and blew the whole thing to crap.

And now DC is panicking and has announced that they’ll be focusing less on the universe and more on individual stories, forgetting that those things don’t have to be mutually exclusive—despite the fact that Marvel has offered a blueprint. We don’t as yet know how forthcoming Shazam, Batgirl, and Justice League Dark (Constantine, Swamp Thing, etc) movies will fit in with the larger universe, but the signs aren’t good.

Personally, it’s a shame because I’ve always been a DC guy. The characters have just always been more fun for me, with Batman my all time favorite. At his best, Batman is dark and brooding and, in the Joker, he has the best, most terrifying villain in comic book history. The tone of DC movies such as Man of Steel, Suicide Squad and Justice League—that dark, film noir vibe, is far more up my alley than the bright, cheery and colorful Guardians of the Galaxy and Ant-Man. Even if the writing isn’t as full.

Conversely, Marvel has nailed a wonderful tone with the Netflix shows, while DC’s CW shows sail a little too close to the old days of Smallville in being a bit soap opera-ish. One has to wonder if there an “Infinite Earths” storyline on the way. After all, DC big cheese Geoff Johns has a history of writing excellent retro-continuity in the comic books for Flash and Green Lantern in particular. A storyline which established DC Extended Universe (DCEU) as Earth-1 and DCTV as Earth 2 would allow for forthcoming crossovers.

If Marvel can “borrow” Spider-Man from Sony, while that studio builds its own Spidey-verse, anything’s possible.

Make it happen.

“Callwood at the Cooler” is a bi-weekly column which will see me waxing lyrical about events in the news, pop culture and the etc. Sometimes it’ll be light, other times not-so when the rant/monolog demands. The subject matter will vary dramatically so expect anything and keep coming back.

Watch This Week – 10/16

idobi Staff — Mon, 16 Oct 2017 15:31:22 +0000

This week: The Big Bang Theory, The Flash, This Is Us, Riverdale, Great Performances ‘She Loves Me’, Dirk Gently, Outlander, The Walking Dead

The Big Bang Theory

Season 11, Episode 4 - Mon Oct 16 - 8PM
On CBS

[caption id="attachment_276422" align="aligncenter" width="1100"] Monty Brinton/CBS ©2017 CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights Reserved[/caption]

Howard and Sheldon have always been at the two opposing ends of the science-nerd spectrum—but of course, those differences make for a great team up…when they can stop bickering, that is. Speaking of team ups, Leonard’s mom (played by the ever charming Christine Baranski) bonds with Penny. We don’t know which pairing is going to be more of an interesting experiment to watch but we know we’re in for a whole lotta fun either way.

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From CBS:
“The Explosion Implosion” – Wolowitz and Sheldon bond when they drive to the desert to shoot off a model rocket. Also, when Leonard’s mom, Beverly (Christine Baranski), finds a new best friend in Penny, it rubs Leonard the wrong way, on THE BIG BANG THEORY, on the CBS Television Network.

The Flash

“Mixed Signals” - Tues Oct 17 - 8PM
On The CW

[caption id="attachment_276423" align="aligncenter" width="1200"] The Flash -- "Mixed Signals" -- Pictured: Jessica Camacho as Gypsy -- Photo: Jack Rowand/The CW -- © 2017 The CW Network, LLC. All rights reserved.[/caption]

Gypsy and Cisco go on a date. That is all we need.

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From The CW:
BARRY AND IRIS GO TO COUPLES THERAPY — Barry (Grant Gustin) has his hands full when he takes on a dangerous meta (guest star Dominic Burgess) who can control technology, while also confronting an obstacle in his personal life: the ramifications of abandoning Iris (Candice Patton) for six months to balance the Speed Force. Meanwhile, Gypsy (guest star Jessica Camacho) breaches in for a hot date with Cisco (Carlos Valdes), but she gets annoyed when his work keeps them apart.

This Is Us

Tues Oct 17 - 9PM
On NBC

[caption id="attachment_276424" align="aligncenter" width="1000"] THIS IS US -- "Still There" Episode 204 -- Pictured: (l-r) Milo Ventimiglia as Jack, Parker Bates as Kevin -- (Photo by Ron Batzdorff/NBC)[/caption]

We don’t know who is the more spectacular dad: Joe from The Flash, Randall from This Is Us, or Randall’s dad Jack. Both This Is Us contenders do their best to win the title this week. Randall does his daughters’ hair while working to connect with a foster daughter who isn’t as much like him as he’d hoped. Jack teaches the Big 3 to deal with the itchiness of chicken pox while making sure his kids know how strong and amazing they each are. Jack also tries to banish his Evil Mother in Law from their home—the whole setup starts out a bit clichéd but trust This Is Us to take it somewhere. Rebecca however is the big hero. When it comes to protecting her kids she is fierce. Beth on the other hand, shows us the gentle side of motherhood. It’s all about fighting through emotional and physical wounds this week and Kevin and Kate have a lot to deal with, as does new kid Deja. Ooh, and there’s a lemon poppyseed flavored surprise…

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From NBC:
STILL THERE
Randall and Beth adjust to a new family dynamic. Kate books her first big gig. Kevin suffers a setback on his movie. Jack and Rebecca are visited by an unwelcome guest.

Riverdale

Wed Oct 18 - 8PM
On The CW

[caption id="attachment_276425" align="aligncenter" width="1200"] Riverdale -- "Chapter Fifteen: Nighthawks" Pictured (L-R): Alvin Sanders as Pop Tate, Camila Mendes as Veronica Lodge, and KJ Apa as Archie Andrews -- Photo: Bettina Strauss /The CW -- © 2017 The CW Network. All Rights Reserved[/caption]

We live tweeted last week’s episode on @GeekGirlRiot and honestly, we’ve never used so many exclamation points. Riverdale just keeps gettin’ better, and the new episode is ramping up the drama. Betty’s on a mission to save Pop’s diner, and Archie’s acting a l’il more than strange. Add in an old secret finally coming to light, and tensions are running higher than our emotions. All in a day’s work in Riverdale, eh? No matter what curveball this show throws at us, we’ll be there every step of the way, leaving a trail of exclamation points as we go.

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From The CW:

SAVING POP’S — With the gunman still at large and the residents of Riverdale on edge, Betty (Lili Reinhart) leads the charge to save Pop’s after learning that the diner may be forced to close its doors forever. Meanwhile, the gang becomes increasingly concerned for Archie’s (KJ Apa) well being after noticing a string of unusual behavior from him. Elsewhere, Betty and Veronica (Camila Mendes) approach Cheryl (Madelaine Petsch) and Josie (Ashleigh Murray) for their help saving Pop’s, while Jughead’s (Cole Sprouse) attempt to find FP (Skeet Ulrich) a new lawyer may have some serious repercussions. Finally, when a past betrayal unexpectedly comes to light, Veronica finds herself at a crossroads with Hiram (Mark Consuelos) and Hermoine (Marisol Nichols.)

Great Performances ‘She Loves Me’

Fri Oct 20 - 9PM
On PBS

[caption id="attachment_276426" align="aligncenter" width="970"] PBS[/caption]

Who doesn’t need a classic love story musical to warm their hearts on a Friday night? The long-running Broadway show She Loves Me tells the tale of two parfumerie clerks who can’t quite see eye to eye…until they find the one thing they do have in common is an anonymous pen pal romance, aka—yup, you guessed it—each other. This fantastic performance of She Loves Me was the first Broadway musical ever to stream live during a performance at Roundabout Theatre Company’s Studio 54, and kicks off PBS’s fall Broadway’s best lineup with a bang.

From PBS:
The critically-acclaimed Roundabout Theatre Company production of She Loves Me comes to GREAT PERFORMANCES on Friday, October 20 at 9PM (check local listings) as the opening presentation of PBS’s fall Broadway’s Best lineup.

DIRK GENTLY’S HOLISTIC DETECTIVE AGENCY

Season 2, Episode 2 - Sat Oct 21 - 9PM
On BBC America

[caption id="attachment_276427" align="aligncenter" width="1800"] Dirk Gently _ Season #2, Episode 201 – Photo Credit: Katie Yu[/caption]

If you thought the first episode of season 2 was a wild ride then you’re not ready for the rollercoaster flip-flops of episode 2. Magic, mayhem and multiple dimensions collide as Dirk, Todd, and Farah reunite just in time to hop on the case of a fifty-year-old unsolved disappearance—that up until now was left to the trees. Dirk meets Sheriff Hobbs and the resulting conversation is a wondrous recap of season 1. They kinda bond over that—Hobbs is so understanding. Meanwhile, Deputy Tina turns out to be a Todd fan—viva the Mexican Funeral! So yeah, the bonds and connections are happening all over the place. Ooh, and Alan Tudyk shows up as an absolute lunatic named Priest. He hunts folks like Dirk and Bart (the Blackwing subjects) but he’s way loopier than Dirk and far less moral than Bart. So, Priest is filled with nah uh. This case is going to be a witch to solve—which incidentally gets a witch involved too. Watch out for those wands...and the toy guns too!

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From BBC America:
FANS OF WET CIRCLES
Dirk, Todd, and Farah are happily reunited and begin to investigate what Dirk believes is the case. They follow strange clues and discover the body in the car that fell out of the tree connects to one of Sheriff Hobbs’ cold cases, which concerns a missing couple and their missing son.

Outlander

“A. Malcolm” - Sun Oct 22 - 8PM
On STARZ

[caption id="attachment_276389" align="aligncenter" width="1800"] Caitriona Balfe (Claire Randall Fraser). Credit: STARZ[/caption]

Geek Girl Rioter Kat is recapping the series so you know we’re into it. After an emotionally packed episode, Claire and Jamie are finally reunited, but so much time—and, uh, space—has passed, how will their relationship fare? Well, all we know is things are about to get steamy.

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From STARZ:
OUTLANDER 306: “A. Malcolm”
After decades apart, Jamie and Claire finally reunite and rekindle their emotional and physical bonds.

The Walking Dead

Season 8 premiere - Sun Oct 16 - 9PM
On AMC

[caption id="attachment_276428" align="aligncenter" width="4500"] Melissa McBride as Carol Peletier, Norman Reedus as Daryl Dixon - The Walking Dead _ Season 8, Episode 1 - Photo Credit: Gene Page/AMC[/caption]

At the end of season 7, the gang got together at Hilltop, FINALLY, all ready to face everyone’s favorite bad guy, Negan. And y’all, we have SO. Many. Questions. Has Maggie had her baby yet? Is Dwight going to turn against Negan? Are Carol and King Ezekiel going to get together? Is Negan going to meet his maker? (We’re conflicted about that one.) What’s going to happen with Jadis and those double-crossing scavengers? Why does Rick look like Gandalf???!!? We don’t know the answers yet, but what we do know is we’ll be glued to the TV this Sunday night to find out.

From AMC:
Rick and his group, along with the Kingdom and Hilltop, have banded together to bring the fight to Negan and the Saviors.

First Listen: Austin David’s New Single, “Here I Am”

Emillie Marvel — Mon, 16 Oct 2017 14:00:26 +0000

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From Michigan cover bands to shows across the country, Austin David has been working his way to the top. The singer songwriter got his start in Grand Rapids, MI, before a personal tragedy inspired him to face his dreams head on and move to Los Angeles.

Since then, he's grown as a musician, bringing pop elements and a tenacity to make the best sounds he can to his music. Once you hit play on his tracks, a world is created around you; one you don't want to leave, and can't wait to return to.

Today, we're bringing you the second single from Austin' upcoming EP, Life, Love, and Death. Titled "Here I Am", you can listen to it for the first time below, then watch out for the collection later this fall.

Outlander REWIND “Freedom & Whiskey”

idobi Staff — Mon, 16 Oct 2017 12:00:37 +0000

by Kat Bittner

[caption id="attachment_276387" align="aligncenter" width="1800"] Caitriona Balfe (Claire Randall Fraser). Credit: STARZ[/caption]

[blockquotefull]"The first time I was terrified. Second time heartbroken. This time I want it to be peaceful. If I had to say goodbye to you there I might never go."[/blockquotefull]

The opening title vignette of "Freedom & Whiskey" shows Claire writing on a handmade ornament, "Brianna's 1st Christmas 1948", while wearing Jaime's wedding ring on her right ring finger. Not every Outlander episode begins by highlighting an object to be seen later in the story, but it's a flourish that seems to be used in major episodes.

It's December 1968 and mother and daughter have returned to their lives in Boston. Dr. Claire Randall is performing a difficult surgery with Dr. Joe Abernathy. We see she is a fearless and amazing surgeon. If there's ever a need for a historical medical drama, do a spin-off with these two!

Unfortunately, Brianna is not doing so well back in Harvard. She's failing her classes, bored of sketching columns, and only looks interested when her professor debunks the myth about Paul Revere being the one to warn the British are coming. Too bad the lesson ends just as it was getting good. He gives the students a parting question: "How can fictional prose alter the perception of history?" The professor is sympathetic towards her, saying her dad was a friend and he feels obligation to look out for his daughter. She assures him she's okay, but we later see her return home to an empty house. She touches the Christmas ornament from the title scene. She holds Frank's pipe and looks at pictures of her as a baby with her parents. Brianna misses her dad a lot.

Joe and Claire share a post surgery drink. He asks her what happened in Scotland. Did she meet someone? Claire is vague, but implies it's as serious and real as it comes, but fate had other ideas. Joe says, "Fuck fate!" and you can see why him and Claire are such good friends.

[caption id="attachment_276388" align="aligncenter" width="1800"] Sophie Skelton (Brianna Randall), Richard Rankin (Roger Wakefield). Credit: STARZ[/caption]

Roger has come to Boston on a whim and is giving himself a mini pep talk before he surprises Brianna. (Side note: I can't even get a gallon of gas for $2.50 let alone a cab ride from the airport!) No worries about Roger looking daft since he awkwardly arrived when mother and daughter are fighting; Brianna has told Claire she is withdrawing from Harvard and moving out at that very moment. Roger, clearly looking forward to spending time with Brianna, tries to head out, but Claire offers him the chance to stay the night.

The two catch up over dinner. Roger is not in his family home of Inverness since his foster dad, the Reverend Wakefield, passed away. They both share Christmas traditions with their families: Roger and his dad would go to the children's hospital and sing Christmas carols; Claire and Frank would read A Christmas Carol to Brianna. He admits that part of the reason he came over was to experience an American Christmas and make a new tradition. Claire sees through his BS and casually acknowledges his real reason for coming over was to see her daughter, of course. This is a good thing since Brianna is having a hard time coming to terms with who her real dad is.

However, spending time with Brianna under the mistletoe is not the only reason Roger came to Boston. He also comes with good news, revealing to Claire he found where Jamie is through his historical research. Jamie is working as a printer in Edinburgh in 1765. Claire is clearly freaked out—she goes through the five stages of grief in less than five minutes. We again see how hard it was for her to let go of Jamie. Now, with the knowledge of Jamie's whereabouts, she'll no doubt want go back to him. However, she's also a mom and cannot leave her daughter behind in such a vulnerable state.

Meanwhile, Joe is examining the skeleton of a murder victim from the Caribbean, sent over by a colleague for a second opinion. Just when we're biting our nails hoping this is not Claire's future fate the good doctor does an about face and asks Claire about her Scottish man. She confesses her mystery man is Brianna's real dad and she never stopped loving him. Joe admits no one saw her relationship with Frank as ideal and if she has a chance at real love she should take it. Her daughter will come around.

Roger is watching Dark Shadows—which oddly parallels the want to be reunited since neither time nor vampires can keep true lovers separated. Brianna and Roger fall into a playful banter. She's glad Roger came and apologizes for the scene between her and her mother the previous day. He playfully tells her his wish to experience a real American Christmas with lobster rolls and Boston creme pie. Brianna invites him to a ceremony for her dad at Harvard, but the important thing is to first finish the Dark Shadows episode!

From a Gothic soap opera to Gothic revival architecture, Brianna takes Roger on a tour of the Robinson Cloisters in Harvard. He says the Reverend told him stories about his real father, and knowing who he was helped Roger learn more about himself. Brianna questions the truth in the stories, but to Roger it doesn't matter. To her it does. Brianna is having a crisis of faith in trusting history—from who tells it to the stories that are told.

[caption id="attachment_276385" align="aligncenter" width="1800"] Caitriona Balfe (Claire Randall Fraser), Richard Rankin (Roger Wakefield), Sophie Skelton (Brianna Randall). Credit: STARZ[/caption]

Naturally for Brianna the place where you want to be when you’re doubting your own history—and the whole field of it in general—is to be at a ceremony naming a fellowship in European studies in honor of your late father, Frank Randall. At the cocktail party Claire encounters Frank's girlfriend Professor Travers. You can tell how each woman sees him differently by the way they imagined him reacting to this honor. Dr. Travers really gives Claire a lesson in all the hurt she caused her and her relationship with Frank. She believes he stayed with her for Brianna, even though he still loved Claire too.

Brianna sees the exchange and brings it up with her mom, who admits Frank loved Dr. Travers and was going to marry her. Brianna wonders if her parents hated her; Frank because he saw her as another man's child, and Claire as the reason she lost the love of her life. Claire is close to tears when she assures her daughter that Frank did love Brianna as his own and was the source of so much joy in his life. Likewise, she declares she loves Brianna for who she is and not who fathered her.

By the way, Claire also decides to drop that Brianna's boy from the other side of the pond found where her dad is. Claire's ready to stay in the present with Brianna and take care of her, but Brianna tells her mom even though she loves her she doesn't need her the way she did as a girl. (Now that I've grabbed the nearest box of tissues and given my girl, Cub, a big hug, onto the next scene.)

At the hospital the staff is watching the Apollo 8 space mission and we hear Joe wonder offscreen, how do you return back to your life after that. Claire thinks about her own journey, and how it seems even more impossible than a trip to the moon.

Claire and Brianna discuss the consequences of Claire leaving since there's a real possibility she may never return. Brianna confesses that she is her mother's daughter and if she is even half as resourceful and strong as Claire she'll be okay. But Brianna senses her mom is worried about something else. Claire is wondering whether Jamie has moved on. It's rare to see the confident Claire question herself, but it shows how far mother and child have grown in their relationship. Though Claire does seek a second approval from Joe who breaks it down with, "You're a skinny white broad with too much hair, but a great ass." Just like that, Claire got everything on her Christmas list: reunite with love of your life; make amends with estranged child; and still seen as attractive!

As if there wasn't enough good fortune for Claire the trio are exchanging gifts under the tree. Roger and Brianna give her period accurate currency and a book on Scottish history book. Brianna also gives her mom a topaz, because traveling through stones she's lost a gem each time. Claire jokes she needs a Batman-style utility belt to hide the scalpels and penicillin she plans to use in the 1700s. Queue the caped crusader’s theme song while Claire makes her own period-appropriate outerwear from old raincoats.

[caption id="attachment_276386" align="aligncenter" width="1800"] Sophie Skelton (Brianna Randall), Caitriona Balfe (Claire Randall Fraser), Richard Rankin (Roger Wakefield). Credit: STARZ[/caption]

As for Claire's preparations for 1760s life? She gives Brianna her resignation letter to give to Joe; the deed to the house and the bank accounts are transferred to her. The only thing Claire requests from Brianna is that she can't go with her to say goodbye. "The first time I was terrified. Second time heartbroken. This time I want it to be peaceful. If I had to say goodbye to you there I might never go." Claire gives Brianna the pearls Jamie bestowed to her on their wedding night. She also thanks Roger for his persistence in finding Jamie. The three toast to freedom and whiskey.

After Brianna and Roger wave goodbye to Claire from the window they both begin their own Christmas tradition. Brianna dons a Santa hat and brings a tray of lobster rolls and Boston creme pie into the living room. Roger gives her a copy of A Christmas Carol. She's touched, especially now both her parents are gone, to have a chance to relive a childhood tradition. They kiss and Brianna snuggles in with Roger by the fireplace to read.

There's a nice inner monologue by Claire about her superstition of puddles—she imagines, by breaking through the smooth surface she might fall into a fathomless space—which marks the transition from a taxi in the 1960s to 1760s in Edinburgh. Claire finds the print shop with Jamie's name on the door. Unbeknownst that the love of his life has just crossed space and time to come back to him, when she enters Jamie calls out, "What took you so long, Georgie!" (echoing every viewers' thoughts). When he finally turns around and sees Claire, the man falls to the ground and we end with Claire in a panic. Queue hysterical laughter and groans from everyone in my household.

[caption id="attachment_276389" align="aligncenter" width="1800"] Caitriona Balfe (Claire Randall Fraser). Credit: STARZ[/caption]

"Whiskey & Freedom" is an emotionally packed episode with more confessions than a Jerry Springer episode. This season seemed to serve as a way to illustrate the separate lives Jamie and Claire led and to develop the supporting characters, which was starting to test fan patience. Claire and Jamie are at their best when they are together and the show is as well.

So let's raise a glass of whiskey to a long awaited reunion!

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Follow “Outlander” Online:
Twitter: @Outlander_STARZ
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Join the conversation with #Outlander and #STARZ.

**NEXT WEEK**
OUTLANDER 306: "A. Malcolm"
Airdate: October 22nd at 8 PM ET/PT on STARZ, the STARZ app and STARZ On Demand

After decades apart, Jamie and Claire finally reunite and rekindle their emotional and physical bonds.

“Outlander” airs on Sundays at 8PM ET/PT on STARZ.

This NEW Black Panther Trailer is Gonna Blow Your Mind

idobi Staff — Mon, 16 Oct 2017 10:29:30 +0000

[video width="1280" height="738" m4v="http://i.ido.bi/assets/post/2017/10/Black_Panther.m4v"][/video]

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There's a new Black Panther trailer and all we can say is, DAMN.

From Marvel:

Marvel Studios’ “Black Panther” follows T’Challa who, after the death of his father, the King of Wakanda, returns home to the isolated, technologically advanced African nation to succeed to the throne and take his rightful place as king. But when a powerful old enemy reappears, T’Challa’s mettle as king-and Black Panther-is tested when he is drawn into a formidable conflict that puts the fate of Wakanda and the entire world at risk. Faced with treachery and danger, the young king must rally his allies and release the full power of Black Panther to defeat his foes and secure the safety of his people and their way of life.

“Black Panther” stars Chadwick Boseman, Michael B. Jordan, Lupita Nyong’o, Danai Gurira, Martin Freeman, Daniel Kaluuya, Letitia Wright, Winston Duke, with Angela Bassett, with Forest Whitaker, and Andy Serkis.

The film is directed by Ryan Coogler and produced by Kevin Feige with Louis D’Esposito, Victoria Alonso, Nate Moore, Jeffrey Chernov and Stan Lee serving as executive producers. Ryan Coogler & Joe Robert Cole wrote the screenplay.

First Listen: Calling Apollo Brings You To The Stage With Video For “Light The Way”

Emillie Marvel — Fri, 13 Oct 2017 15:30:31 +0000

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Calling Apollo makes the kind of alternative rock that calls back to a more emo version of yourself, while still remaining polished and current. Their sound will remind you why you fell in love with music in the first place, and they documented in with their video for "Light The Way".

The video was filmed during a performance on the Welsh band's tour with Rory Indiana. It puts you right in the crowd as you watch the band rock their way through the five minute track. Check out "Light The Way" exclusively below, then watch the band live during one of their upcoming shows.

Catch more bands like Calling Apollo on idobi Radio, the internet's most listened to pop punk and alternative station.

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"'Light The Way' is a personal favourite for the band. We had no plan to release another single. But we were aproached by a videograpger called Sean Sheridon and he offered to film us on the Bournemouth date of the last tour. We had no expectations but the guy put together a great video and we thought it would be a waist not to push it. And the fact it’s taken from a date on our tour makes it even better for us."

Tour Dates:

17/11 - The Harp Restrung - Folkestone

18/11 - EVI Arts Centre - Ebbw Vale

19/11 - Subside - Birmingham

First Listen: Maggie McClure Brightens Up Your Day With Her New Single

Emillie Marvel — Fri, 13 Oct 2017 15:00:54 +0000

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You've heard Maggie McClure on all of your favorite TV shows and movies—from Dr. Phil to The Hills to Christmas In The Heartland. Her singer/songwriter style has been showcased across plenty of television stations and countless stages, and now, it's bringing her to idobi.com.

Her brand new single, titled "Brighten Up My Day", is set to be the next chapter in the songstress' impressive tale. You can hear the track exclusively below, and let us know what you think on Twitter.

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Photos: MAX in Los Angeles

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This NEW Black Panther Trailer is Gonna Blow Your Mind

First Listen: Calling Apollo Brings You To The Stage With Video For “Light The Way”

First Listen: Maggie McClure Brightens Up Your Day With Her New Single

1. POC Portrait Coloring Book
by Kurenai Kiba

2. Hereville, How Mirka Got Her Sword
by Barry Deutsch

3. Stranger Than Bushwick no. 3
by Jeremy Nguyen

4. Curls
by Carolyn Belefski