My October Soundtrack

Welcome to my monthly soundtrack, featuring 10 songs I've been listening to during those 30/31 days. Dare I say it's been a slightly slow-paced month for music, although it would be fair to say it's been a rather slow year for the music industry (how much Justin Bieber can we take, seriously? Pls Justin just stop). However, mid-October to late October had some really good music. You might have heard of this person called Adele? Yeah, she came back, with a fantastic song. Let's get started. 

1. Hello - Adele (of course)

This is truly a masterpiece, I first came across that snippet of the single on Twitter and instantly fell in love. As Adele has stated, her upcoming album is a 'make-up' album, and we truly get a sense of that in this song. It reflects on the idea of what happens after the breakup, how they're mending and reflecting on what could've been. Simply wanting to say 'hello', simply wanting to say 'sorry'. The sombre tone and real lyrics are what makes this track one of the best of, not only October, but the year. 

2. Alive - Sia

Funnily enough, this song was meant for Adele's upcoming album 25, but it didn't make the cut. You can definitely hear Adele's impact on the song, with her being a co-writer on the track. This is a nice departure from Sia's 1000 Forms of Fear, yet still manages to stay very Sia. Those high notes though, unachievable for any ordinary human being. Sia proves yet again that you don't have to twerk and sing about drugs to make a killer song.

3. Love Me - The 1975

Can I make you all hate me by saying that I didn't really 'get' The 1975 the first time round, but their first single from their second album suddenly appealed to me. Love Me of course sounds like it was created to bring back the attention of the fans, but it also got my attention (not being a fan of the first album bar one of two select songs) because it's slightly different, it's fun and it's quirky, it has a really infectious 'youthful' feel to it. I think it's safe to say I'm now a fan. 

4. Rollercoaster - Bleachers (and Charli XCX)

This song makes me feel nostalgic for the 80s, despite me being born in 1997. I'm not entirely sure how that even works, but it's a thing apparently. This is simply a really, really nice song to listen to. Yet, it makes me want to run around an American high school in a montage set in the 80s. 

5. Wings - Hurts

This is possibly one of my favourite songs from 2015, already, and with Hurts' newly released album Surrender I found myself having the majority of this list being songs from that album, I refrained and decided to have my absolute favourite from the album on here. For reference; two others that I really like are 'Rolling Stone' and 'Nothing Will Be Bigger Than Us'. Wings is a truly beautiful song, the chorus itself is a 'raise your hands dramatically in the air and sing your heart out' moment. It's just a very much cooler and better version of a Westlife song and I definitely appreciate that. The story of the song is another thing, it's moving yet so very touching, reflective yet makes you want to go outside and hug everyone you see. 

6. Shine A Light - BANNERS

BANNERS' Shine A Light is a feel-good, starting off slowly and quietly, quickly becoming a lively yet tender song. First hearing the song, I admired the blend of tender lyrics with the feel-good, anthem-like sound. You could definitely imagine this being sung at Glastonbury on the main stage at night, everybody singing along to the chorus. It's simply a really great song. 

7. Fashion - The Royal Concept

I'm only now realising the potential context of this song, I should really listen properly sometimes. But, heck, it's a good upbeat song. Take this scenario, you're walking down the street in the early 90's with your group of friends and you're being all cool and 'hip' (perhaps use My Mad Fat Diary as a reference for this) and this song plays. It's the ultimate 'cool kids' music, right?

8. Murder Song (5,4,3,2,1) - Aurora

This is a really, really dark song with a flowy, nice and airy sound to it. I first heard it played by Clara Amfo on BBC Radio 1 and loved it, I looked into the song and read the lyrics and found it to be the perfect contradiction. It's a beautiful sounding song, but the lyrics are so haunting and, perhaps even scary, that it combines to make a surprising song that's both tender and heavy. Ever since hearing Aurora, I've become slightly obsessed with her work. I'd definitely recommend checking her out. 

9. Seventeen - Sjowgren

This is a really cool song, it makes me feel nostalgic and chilled. You know, like, driving down the coast in a super cool convertible with your friends (not like that Friday video by Rebecca Black, imagine it a bit more cooler), hands up in the air, so much excitement and fun. This song makes me feel good about life. 

10. Beat of My Drum - Powers

This is simply just a feel-good song. I want to shimmy and do all the cool dance stuff when I listen to it. It's fun, it's energetic, it's about doing your own thing (hence the title, beat of my drum). This is truly just a fantastic song that I've really enjoyed listening to, heck it was the first of these songs to make it onto my iTunes, usually I listen to music on Spotify unless I really want to commit to a song. Thus, this is a fab song.

 

P.s. there's a really good remix of this song (The White Panda Remix), which makes me want to dance and shimmy even more than the original (which I thought wasn't even possible). Check it out below:

That's all for now. 

See you soon!

Byeeeee

Totally Culture

Curtis

MY DREAM MUSICAL COLLABORATIONS

We've experienced many collaborations in musical past and present, from the likes of Charli XCX/Marina and the Diamonds' Just Desserts to Florence + the Machine/Dizzee Rascal's You've Got The Dirtee Love, as well as Elton John/Kiki Dee's Don't Go Breaking My Heart and Diana Ross/Lionel Richie's Endless Love. 

Yet, there are some collaborations we still don't have, and well, these next 5 hypothetical collaborations are what I'd like to see, no matter how likely or unlikely they are. 

1. Marina and the Diamonds/Florence + the Machine 

Florence and Marina are two hard-hitting musicians, and despite their slight difference in genre despite mostly maintaining an 'indie' vibe, I feel their collaboration would lead to great things. Heck, I'd even want a full album from the two together. If you have a quick browse on YouTube, there are many great fan-made 'mashups' of their songs. This is one I've been obsessed with for a while, however it's since been moved onto soundcloud, it works really well and their voices truly compliment each other. 

2. James Bay/Ed Sheeran

Just imagine all the soul and sheer emotion coming from a James Bay and Ed Sheeran collab. Oh THE FEELS I CAN'T EVEN. Sorry for going all tumblr fangirl on you, I truly am sorry. Anyway, James' album is probably one of my favourite albums of 2015, Ed Sheeran manages to release a hit after hit. This collaboration would do wonders. 

3. Taylor Swift/HAIM

Apparently they're friends? I don't know, they're never seen together at all (sarcasm intended). Imagine a song combining the likes of Taylor Swift's Bad Blood and HAIM's My Song 5, some hardcore rant-pop right there. Heck, I wouldn't mind if they collaborated, with either an intense track like Bad Blood/My Song 5 or perhaps an explosion of pop and disco with Shake It Off/If I Could Change Your Mind, ooh I can see myself dancing already. 

4. CHVRCHES/Years & Years

Imagine all that electro pop gold sparkling down onto your ears and BAMN instant fun and instant dancing (what did I just say). Here I imagine a track combining CHVRCHES' The Mother We Share with Years & Years' Shine. Oh how satisfying to imagine. Please, please, please let this happen. Now. I demand it. Give it to me. NOW. But seriously, I could see perhaps a 'VS' collaboration, similar to Bastille VS HAIM's Bite Down. The best of CHVRCHES VS the best of Years & Years. I'm already dancing thinking about it. 

5. Foxes/Bastille

Two of my favourites, Foxes, a singer, and Bastille, a band (Dan Smith, the lead singer pictured above), create these songs that are not only fun (for the most part, check out Count The Saints by Foxes and Oblivion by Bastille for some serious stuff) but also genuinely GOOD. It's not often we get music that is both nice to listen to and fun to dance to. Here, I would perhaps imagine a line between Foxes' Glorious and Bastille's Laura Palmer, to make a song that has a huge impact on young people and kind of have those 'hipster' vibes. Foxes also supported Bastille on tour, so you know, it could almost definitely happen. 

Anyway. That's all for now. Perhaps another time I will post another set of dream collaborations. Be sure to follow me on BlogLovin', Twitter, like my Facebook page or even subscribe to get email notifications every time I post a new blog post. A new blog post will be going up later in the week, be sure to check it out when it arrives!

TotallyCulture

CHOICES FOR A FEMALE DOCTOR

Hello! As some of you may or may not know, I'm hugely supportive of a female Doctor in, of course, Doctor Who. Gender is fluid in time-lord biology, as proven with Missy/The Master, as well as references to this fluidity in previous episodes. 

While some fans may be against a female Doctor because it's 'unnecessary' and 'the Doctor has always been a man so why should he change', I'm all for it. The introduction and regeneration into a female Doctor would hugely alter the narrative conventions of Doctor Who, and create a sharper, and fresh dynamic between The Doctor and their companion, enemies such as The Master, as well as the fans of Doctor Who themselves; introducing a younger audience to a world where women can be heroes. Just imagine, one of the flagship programme of the BBC, with a huge following amongst adults and children alike, with a female lead. Merchandise, video games, comics. It would be huge. New fans would come along, while old fans would decide if they'll stick to Doctor Who, or walk away and throw a tantrum because the Doctor isn't a man anymore. Anyway, I made a similar post fan-casting Captain Marvel, in the MCU for her own film released in a few years, being the first female-led Marvel superhero film in the cinematic universe, (the second female-led superhero film in general in this era of films following Wonder Woman), so be sure to check it out. I'm going to list 10 actors that most definitely could play a female regeneration of The Doctor, in a sense that they would be bringing something fresh to the role and truly portray The Doctor in a recognisable yet unique way.

1. Katherine Parkinson

 

Parkinson's work in The IT Crowd was brilliant, a truly fantastic comic actor that really fits the Doctor, and yet, whilst watching Humans, she's proven just how good of an actor she is overall. Katherine Parkinson has a fantastic talent, her ability to go from dramatic to comedic within a minute is admirable. Parkinson would be a fantastic choice for the Doctor.

2. Jessie Cave

 

Jessie Cave is my hero, her daily illustrations are hilarious, and her recently released book Lovesick is fantastic. Jessie Cave has been hard at work since her Harry Potter days as Lavender Brown, becoming a comedienne, acting in shows such as Glue and The Job Lot, and appearing in films such as Pride, as well as becoming a mother. Jessie Cave is a brilliant actress, and she definitely has the look for the Doctor. If I don't see this casting happen, I shall riot.

3. Lara Pulver 

 

Lara Pulver is brilliant. Her work as Irene Adler in the BBC's Sherlock was iconic, and will be remembered for a long time. However, despite how fitting Lara would be as the Doctor, already playing The Woman in Sherlock, I fear that perhaps she has already played such an iconic character in an huge series that it's unlikely she'd ever consider playing the Doctor (sad face).

4. Natalia Tena

Mostly known for her portrayal of Tonks in the Harry Potter franchise, Natalia Tena has appeared in Game of Thrones (pictured above), and played in Molotov Jukebox, proving her immense talent in acting and music. Natalia is quirky and generally 'cool', thus, a fantastic Doctor. Also, her work as Tonks showed her ability to play 'clumsy', something the Doctor is known for.

5. Emilia Fox

Emilia Fox is a huge part of British culture, no seriously. From Merlin to Silent Witness, she's absolutely fantastic. She's very talented and adapts to any role she takes on with ease, it really isn't questionable if she could play such an iconic character as the Doctor. Fox would take the role, and truly make it her own.

6. Katie Leung

Yet another Harry Potter star, Katie Leung is fantastic. Her recent dramatic work is truly admirable and notable for her engaging performances. I can truly see Leung in the TARDIS, facing up to the Master and beating the Daleks. I'm quite a fan of Leung's work, and it would be brilliant to see her leading Doctor Who. 

7. Georgina Leonidas

Georgina Leonidas is my kids TV hero, appearing as Molly in Basil Brush. Following her stint in children's television, she appeared, like a few others in this list, in HARRY POTTER. Georgina recently finished appearing in Beauty and the Beast at the Theatre Royal in Windsor. Her brother appeared in Doctor Who in 2011, as Howie Spragg. Georgina really can act, and I truly believe she would bring something different to the role of the Doctor.

8. Ruth Wilson

Ruth Wilson is epic. She presents this confidence and prowess that is perfect for the Doctor. Known for her work in Jane Eyre and Luther, Wilson can truly redefine the role of the Doctor without straying too far from the shows conventions and the expectations of the fans. Wilson is hugely popular when fan-casting a female Doctor, and I can definitely see why. Wilson, I must admit, is truly perfect for the role.

9. Tamsin Greig

How cool is Tamsin Greig? Very cool. If she were to become the Doctor, she'd resemble the early-Doctor days, being quirky and lively. She's a great comedic actor, and could perhaps bring a motherly-instinct to the Doctor, perhaps leading into a development of narrative into the Doctor's family. Greig can also be serious as heck, and would be perfect to follow Capaldi's current run as the Doctor. Greig is one of my more preferred castings, and would bring a new aspect of alien and heroism to the Doctor.

10. Miranda Hart

Miranda is yet more proof that comedians are actually rather good actors. Her sitcom Miranda is hilarious, and yet the serious moments really showed Miranda's ability to act. Miranda Hart also appeared in Call the Midwife, and again showed her ability to play 'serious' very well. I feel Miranda would bring a certain air of comedy to the role of the Doctor, whilst also having her dark moments, perhaps similar to Matt Smith's series 5 Doctor before he went all dark on us. Miranda was one of the more heavily rumoured actors to be replacing Matt Smith, coming first in many polls, and while obviously that role went to Peter Capaldi, I'd happily see Miranda play the Doctor. She's proven she can, so now she just has to do it. However, Miranda's currently breaking into Hollywood, featuring in Spy alongside Jude Law and Melissa McCarthy, but would that really stop her? I want to see Miranda's Doctor galloping whilst being chased by a Slitheen. How brilliant would that be? I'd have no words, and I'd still love it.

Honorable Mentions

Bonnie Wright

Lacey Turner

Jo Joyner

Louise Brealey

Alison King

That's all for now. 

See you soon!

TotallyCulture

  

ACTRESSES I WANT TO SEE PLAY SUPER-HEROINES

With a huge amount of female superheroes in Marvel/DC comics, I'm going to be exploring actresses who have the acting ability and suitability to play a super-heroine. Considering this, we should probably remember the lack of female heroes represented in superhero films, even with characters such as Black Widow, Gamora, Storm, Kitty Pride and soon-to-be Scarlet Witch, Wonder Woman and Captain Marvel... so who do I think could play characters such as She-Hulk, Spider Woman, Captain Marvel and Mantis. Likewise with my 'actors I want to see play superheroes', I won't go into specific characters, but focus on who I'd simply like to see play a super-heroine.

1. Charlize Theron 

2. Amanda Seyfried

3. Jenna Coleman

4. Kat Dennings

5. Mila Kunis

6. Lupita Nyong'o

7. Rachel Weisz 

7. Zooey Deschanel 

8. Natalie Dormer

9. Anna Camp

10. Anna Kendrick

Honorary Mentions

Sarah Hyland

Billie Piper

Georgina Leonidas

Hannah Simone

Kaley Cuoco

That's all.

Bye for now.

Geek Culture and Me

Curtis

"I lift your name higher and higher"

ACTORS I WANT TO SEE PLAY SUPERHEROES

This is a strange little post, but here are 10 actors I would like to see play a superhero (Marvel/DC only). No specifics. I just think they'd do it well, based on acting ability and suitability. Watch out for another post about actresses I want to see play a super-heroine.

1. Dylan O'Brien

2. Ryan Gosling

3. Logan Lerman

4. Chiwetel Ejiofor

5. Jake Gyllenhaal

6. Matt Bomer

7. Tom Felton

8. Max Greenfield

9. Taron Egerton

10. Alfred Enoch

Honorary Mentions

Russell Tovey

Matt Smith

Jonathan Bailey

Zac Efron

Tom Ellis

That's all.

Bye for now.

Geek Culture and Me

Curtis