Love At First Listen

Sometimes you fall completely in love with music on first listen. It can be a dazzling guitar solo, the exemplary vocal harmonies, the powerful lyrics, or the amazing orchestral backing tracks. And, before you know it, you're in love with the song, the artist, the entire album.

The general public may not recognize these two ladies, but to indie music fans worldwide, BOY, composed of Swiss singer Valeska Steiner and German bassist Sonja Glass, are bona fide superstars. The two met years ago at a music camp in Hamburg, and the friendship that prevailed over the years has produced Mutual Friends — the duo's debut album.

I remember staying for a bit more at the bar, the first time I heard Drive Darling. I was immediately hooked. From the in-wall speakers behind me it came; a song I can describe only as pure, unadulterated music. I had never seen BOY perform before but I admired them instantly. And I loved that I didn’t know anything about them even more.

And when we arrive

The hardest of goodbyes

You will dry my eyes

Somehow you're always by my side

The one who holds my kite

And watches over all my flights

BOY writes and sings catchy, straightforward pop-folk songs about life and relationships. There's one about a waitress, one about waiting by the phone, and another about moving to a big city. I am swept by their song's lyrical integrity, their austerity, the organic sound of real instruments, along with the delicate unraveling of the splendid musical arrangements.

Drive Darling is not just a song. It's a story, a beautiful yet sad story.

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Experiencing Hiroya Kurata's Art

Finding moments of genuine peace can feel like a rare treasure these days. But what if I told you that a dose of serenity could be as simple as gazing upon a canvas? Hiroya Kurata 's work makes you want to slow down and find tranquility in daily life. His oil paintings look like delightful children's books or manga that whisper calmness through their composition, their palette, and the very essence of what they depict. Hiroya's canvases are basically a visual diary, capturing little snippets of moments he spends with his family in ordinary places. And, in a way, his art provides a pause button, a moment to simply be in the presence of something beautiful and serene. His work has been exhibited extensively in solo and group exhibitions across the globe, from New York to Hong Kong, Tokyo, and London. Waiting , his debut solo show at Carl Kostyál , is on view until August 2, 2025.

Press Play Again

You know that feeling when you stumble upon an old movie you haven't seen in years? It's like finding a dusty photo album and flipping through the pages, only instead of bad hairstyles, you're greeted with hideous special effects and awful dialogue. Also, the dramatic tension I remembered as nail-biting was now… well, a little slow-paced. But the truly entertaining part of rewatching a movie is that you notice things you never did before. For example, in Midnight Cowboy , I didn't know that the guy who gave Joe Buck (Jon Voight) a blow job was played by Bob Balaban, who later became known for his role as Russell Dalrymple, the fictional president of NBC in Seinfeld . Released in 1969, Midnight Cowboy is a raw, sometimes uncomfortable, often heartbreaking, but ultimately deeply human. And seriously, the chemistry between Ratso Rizzo (Dustin Hoffman) and Buck is pure gold. Rewatching a movie is like visiting an old friend. You know their idiosyncrasies, their stories, bu...

So, have you given Chloe Qisha a listen yet?

What I love about the Malaysian-born singer-songwriter is her knack for crafting those sad/happy songs – music that makes you want to cry and hit the dance floor at the same time. Chloe writes about love, anxiety, and self-acceptance with such wit and honesty. Her beauty is also undeniable – a perfect blend of modern allure and timeless Asian elegance. Her looks shine through with such grace and an effortlessly cool confidence. Here is my favorite.

finding cain

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