[SUNDAY SNACK Volume 4] WINTER BOYS' new release is a surprising aural symphony
Plus, HULU happenings and what stock photo companies are warning their contributors about A.I.
This series started out as Snack Size for Volumes 1-3, but I kept forgetting the name and just changed it to SUNDAY SNACK, a mash up of top of mind topics. (Plan C was Weekend Snack, but that feels too food leaning). If you’re new here, hi!
Listening Stations
Remember the days of record store listening stations? I miss that. I’ve been overconsuming media and want to loop you in on a pivotal record release that I hope you’ll take a time out to experience. Oklahoma band WINTER BOYS’ September September knocked me out last night.
As the band is fronted by former Chainsaw Kittens’ singer Tyson Meade, I was expecting a loose, raw, energetic sound with traces of High in High School’s 1990’s vibe, but the arrangement was tight, layered and surprisingly symphonic.
The album felt 1990’s, Y2k and cinematic, with what felt like hints of futuristic irony. For example, the flavors evoke a Wim Wenders movie set in 2030, with a throwback soundtrack’s homage to a simpler time, juxtaposed with measured arrangements. These four songs resonated the most, numbered to match their bandcamp listening page:
Song 5 - Around the Moon
Song 6 - I Like To Be Sad
Song 7 - Water Tower
Song 8 - Eyes in His Head
I can’t remember the last time I loved and appreciated an album this much.
Winter Boys also includes Other Lives’ Jesse Tabish and Aaron Frisby. I’d have to do a lot more digging to include more scoop, but Becky Carman’s story on their band page is the must read.
I read about the release on facebook via Chainsaw Kittens’ former guitarist Trent Bell, who mentioned the band mixed and mastered it as his [Bell Labs Recording] studio and tracked it pretty much completely live. Bell followed that up with, “We also wanted to keep it as raw as possible (in a good way) and I think we accomplished that.”
Tyson Meade recently announced that he landed a teaching job at Mustang High School!
WINTER BOYS has 8 of 200 limited edition vinyl albums left that may be sold out by the time you read this, but see their other options.
If you give it a listen, I’d love to hear what you think. Here’s the title track.
Hulu Happenings
Rez Dogs - (spoiler alert)
If you don’t know, I’m a rabid Reservation Dogs fan and Elora was recently pressed to find her father. I am relieved to know that, even though the series is ending, co-creator Sterlin Harjo is kind to let us know that he’s leaving his characters in a good place.
Love in Fairhope - Premieres on Wednesday 9/27
Quiet Luxury
I loved this designer’s meticulous creation and will also be sharing some pretty inventive men in October.
TO NOTE: You won’t fully understand why I posted this unless you watch her dedication to fusing the sweater and blazer.
Stock Photo Agencies have something to say about A.I.
I have a few of my videos and photos with stock photo agencies and, earlier this year, I noticed that contributors were asking this consistent question on forums: can we or can’t we submit A.I. images?
Stock agencies are sending a very clear: “Don’t *#%@ try it!”
Most stock photo and video companies don’t accept artificial intelligence, except Adobe Stock which requires that those submissions be entered as illustrations. They don’t accept celebrities or public figures, like mine, for example.
Getty Images just emailed a politely firm reminder not to submit A.I.
More on AI in next weekend’s Sunday Snack!
Does anyone want to read a post on submitting content to stock companies?
Asking because it’ll be time consuming to write and I think the pursuit can be the equivalent of chasing bags of nickels, but will help followers who might have an itch to scratch.
I am with Getty Images for video and their sister company iStock for photos.
TO NOTE: I’ve licensed one video for $600 (pandemic era alcohol sales) and one video to a past US President’s campaign for $350 (political protest). I received a very modest percentage of both.
I rarely upload or submit, unless I think something I’ve captured on the fly can contribute to the conversation.
I shoot only editorial, but it’s staged commercial content that has more opportunity. Track me down if I can help point you in the right direction.
Please peek Volumes 1, 2 and 3 of Sunday Snack to get a better idea of what this series covers — and thank you for following Easily Entertained.
This week, we talk about superstars, street fashion, beauty boxes like these and weird of the week. ;)