I LIKE: Japanese Wallpaper

I am a fan of local/national/homegrown talent and Triple J is really good with keeping Australia and the world on top of the goods that are being produced in this country. Melbourne-based 'Japanese Wallpaper' is probably one of my current/potentially all-time faves that I've loved since they won the Triple J' Unearthed High contest thingo last year. The mastermind, music virtuoso behind the beats is this 17-year-old dude who seriously tears it up and kinda makes me feel a little bit inadequate with what I've done with my life so far, but also slightly hopeful at the fact that you're never too young to produce incredible sounds. 

SO HIS SOUND - I'd say ambient, dreamy, chilled, nostalgic electronica. Think 80's gradients, winter skies and neon signage. It makes me think of moments that you will remember for a long time. He's got a reoccurring motif of beautiful, crisp, delicate melodies going on throughout most of his pieces which pretty much defines his aesthetic. I really like it. It's sweet, uncomplicated yet so cleverly constructed. It's the kind of style thats so underrated and drowned out by all the generic, mediocre, predictable EDM around. 

My personal favourites of his is 'Between Friends' and 'Forces' and he also does a really sweet remix of 'Piñata' by another homegrown talent known as Montgomery. Do yourself a favour and add him to your winter soundtrack. Or your life soundtrack. You're so welcome.

And I'm Back In The Game (almost)

HEY HELLO HI WASSUP. The blog lives on! I've been pretty slack with posting lately (like really slack - like 2 months of straight up nothing) but all is well in the world because I'm going back to Uni next week and hopefully there will be things to write about from that! Being on uni holidays for 4+ months really gets you used to having no set routine and as bad as it sounds, it gets pretty comfortable. Unfulfilling, but definitely comfortable. I've loved being on holidays but I'm quite ready to get back into the swing of things. Theres only so much drink-making, burger-serving I can take. Working in a high-stress environment with lots of people really challenges you and brings out stuff that you were never aware of - both good and bad. In all honesty, this break has seriously been just what I needed. It has really given me a chance to take a step back, inhale and exhale a few times and check out where I am at the moment. I've learnt a lot about who I am (good and bad, again), what my main purpose is and who Jesus is to me. It's been good. I'm ready to face the world again and take on whatever tries to body slam me. I don't even know if I'm ready but I'm willing to be a little light.

GOODWILL BRIDGE + FOOTLONG SUBS

I love how songs can take you back to specific memories or moments of your life, so much that you feel like you're reliving that time. I'm currently listening to a bunch of songs that I'd have on repeat during my very first sememester of uni, particularly on Thursdays because I used to have a 4-6pm class and I was always hungry afterwards. I'd take a shuttle to the city campus after the class, order my footlong turkey sub on flatbread with baby spinach and walk across the Goodwill bridge to the train station. The weather would always be perfect; never too hot but still bright enough to watch the sun go down and the sky change to all sorts of oranges and purples and pinks. The best part about it is that no one else really feels what I'm feeling because that was my own experience, my own playlist and Thursday arvo. It was a nice little routine, a sweet pause from the craziness that is just the beginning of my life and for a moment I could stop thinking. 

HEY YOU

HEY YOU. YES, YOU. WHAT IF I TOLD YOU THAT SOMEONE REALLY. REALLY, TRULY LOVES YOU SO MUCH. THE REAL YOU. BROKEN, BAREFACED, TIRED, ANGRY, LOST, CONFUSED, BEAUTIFUL YOU. I'M NOT EVEN JOKING. YOU ARE SO RIDICULOUSLY ADORED BY SOMEONE WHO IS SPINNING THIS WORLD AND CREATING STARS AS YOU READ THIS. YOU ARE MADE OUT OF THE RAREST AND MOST DANGEROUS ELEMENTS THIS UNIVERSE HAS TO OFFER AND THAT'S PRETTY RAD. YOU HAVE BEEN SO METICULOUSLY CRAFTED BY HANDS THAT BLED SO YOU COULD LIVE AND EXPERIENCE THIS BEAUTIFUL THING THAT IS LIFE. THOSE HANDS ARE CARRYING YOU THROUGH YOUR DARKEST AND ARE LIFTED HIGH WHEN YOU'RE OVER THE MOON. AND I DON'T EVEN KNOW YOU BUT I LOVE YOU TOO. I THINK YOU'RE PROBABLY A REALLY FANTASTIC HUMAN BEING WITH GOOD TASTE IN MUSIC AND A WONDERFUL FACE. IF I KNEW WHO YOU WERE WE COULD BE FRIENDS. BUT NONETHELESS, DON'T FORGET HOW MUCH YOU ARE LOVED, EVEN WHEN YOU DON'T FEEL IT. BECAUSE YOU ARE. SO MUCH. 

Lola Diaries For Your entertainment

One of the best, worst things to ever do to yourself is to keep diaries throughout your entire high school life. I have never felt so embarrassed for someone, ever, and that happens to be to myself (not sure if that made sense, carry on). Over my schooling years, I have made lists of what I learnt for each year of high school and I thought you might enjoy a small portion of what I have discovered from the years of puberty yuck, braces and packed lunches. Years 8-11 was all written in year 11, but they're a pretty accurate summary of what went down from '09-'12. I hope you are entertained at the expense of my dignity. Anything in italics is just some cynical, current commendation of what I have to say about my profound knowledge (not really).

THINGS I HAVE LEARNT THROUGHOUT HIGHSCHOOL 

by Lola Irwanto

YEAR 8: Year of the twelvie fag.

• You will eventually discover boyz and see them as something more than stinky, 2 legged sweat bombs) - so like, three legged stink bombs?
• Drama and fights with friends are inevitable and they're bound to occur.
• It doesn't hurt to speak up.
• Some people that you used to know will change a lot.
• There will always be someone prettier/sportier/smarter/funnier than you. Don't worry about it - when being 'sporty' was the primary trait that every hardcore 14 year old boy wanted in a girl

YEAR 9: 13 going on flirty (a.k.a - ankle tapping in the corridors and passing notes)

• There will always be that friend who will try to change who you are. Don't fall for it.
• There will also be the friend who will drag you into their problems. Again, don't fall for it.
• Never ever base a friendship/relationship through texting or Facebook. It will only go down hill. - yeee struthh
• Flirting is yuck.
• Leading people on is not nice. You may think that they will never like you but you'd be surprised - save dem x's for your gal pals 
• Try to act normal around guys who like you if they think you don't know - i didn't really have to do this that often tbh lol
• flirting is not a solution or answer - apparently i wrote this all in caps
• Never pull allnighters 

YEAR 10: ye getting there.

• Majorly involving God in your life really turns your life around.
• You never really mature - aint that the truth
• People will come and go
• If a guy you like offers you a drink (A SOFT DRINK), accept it. Don't just get up and get it yourself. HE WAS JUST TRYING TO BE NICE.
• Jealousy is not pretty. Its actually yuck.
• Make Jesus the centre of everything
• Never get carried away with getting attention from guys because it wrecks everything
• You should really make sure that you're doing something for the right reason before actually doing it.
• Don't let your friends try to set you up with someone you don't know - TY A.G
• Keep your diary in a safe place.

YEAR 11: Learning to be comfortably weird

• Don't get your hopes up too high - thats a bit depressing 
• Don't be afraid to take chances and laugh at your mistakes
• Some people will just sugar coast some things so stay clear.
• If you ever have a problem with someone, talk to them about it! Don't talk about it behind their back.
• Being just friends with guys is the best way to go.
• Who cares what people think about you?
• Take every opportunity you get
• Its not all about you
• Never underestimate the power of a steep hill
• Say what is true. Don't tell people what they want to hear, tell them what they need to hear. However, say it with love
• Learn to accept constructive criticism even though it may hurt.
• Never leave things to the last minute! - YEAH STILL HAVEN'T LEARNT FROM THIS HA HA

YEAR 12: Actually not too terrible

• Its ok to be a little or a lot cray.
• It is possible to eventually stop liking that person you had a crush on since year 7 - omg
• Sometimes people will confuse and irritate you when their actions contradict their words; don't worry because it's their life, not your problem.
• Do what you love best and you will succeed at it
• Learn to disregard the pettiness that is high school
• Polaroid cameras are an expensive investment.
• Most problems can be solved by skating
• You will eventually learn to drive a manual without stalling.
• You will figure out who your true friends are and they will be your friends for life
• Marriage is a beautiful thing
• Have fun in the subjects you hate and regret nothing - b/c y0L0
• Someday soon you will figure out what you love best.

20 THINGS LEARNT FROM FIRST YEAR

So my 2nd semester and first year of uni is coming to a close (one more assignment dammit) and 4 months of holidays awaits! I have learnt a tonne of things from this year, some things that I thought I'd never come to realise but yeah I did. SO here is a list of 20 things that I have discovered about myself/learnt from my first year if uni.

1. It's ok to change your subway order

2. Make sure you don't forget your student ID card - it's like a magic pass

3. Yes there are a lot of attractive people, no they will not notice you. Move along. 

4. Take advantage of the amenities and resources - that's what you're paying for anyway

5. Assignment crams are achievable, but not highly recommended

6. My time management sucks - do better next year

7. Lectures are boring

8. Coco Chanel was a slurry and Marie Antoinette was annoying

9. People are really funny and random and interesting and lovely

10. Public transport is rough as

11.  If you recognise someone in your class or have something/know someone in common, just ask or talk to them. They could be really lovely and you'll never know unless you meet them

12. I friggin dislike stairs

13. I have gotten really good at pretending to be occupied with my phone when people try to give me flyers as I walk into uni. It feels like they want my autograph when they're really just trying to suck me into a gym membership or free chips at burger urge

14. BURGER URGE SUCKS

15. Packed lunches are the best

16. The library is a sanctuary of serenity and comfy chairs

17. I never even used a single hard copy book as a reference for any of my assignments

18. You can buy extra internet for pretty cheap

19. Fashion is not as materialistic and superficial as it seems 

20. Goodbye forever, richlands guy who got on my train at around 8:03am train on Mondays. I will miss your defined jawline and fashion sense 

This Massive World

I catch a train almost every day of the week to uni and everytime I do, I always see different faces. However, there is this one instance where I have seen the same guy every Monday for a few weeks now. He hops on the train a few stops after me and he has a nice face and also goes to my uni as well. That's all. Yeah it's tragic, I know. 

I have often caught myself taking a step back to ponder on the vastness of life, but I have never actually taken into account of how crazy huge this universe really is. How ridiculous is it to realise that you might never see the most of the faces you have crossed paths with, ever again? The thousands that pass by you everyday is just an infinitesimal fraction of what the rest of the world has to offer, yet that itself is overwhelming to comprehend. As many as there are, each stranger has a soul, a story, a first love, a bad habit and a dream. Every individual you have ever sighted has been hurt, one way or another. If their scars could speak, they would probably tell you stories. Despite the enormity of souls you see everyday, there are still people that you may have noticed, double-looked or even communicated with. Have you ever wondered if people notice you, just as much as you may notice other strangers you come across? You could be someone's 'Tuesday guy' or 'busway girl' or 'uni dude', just as much as that stranger is that 'Monday Richlands guy' to you (or me hahahahahahha...haha..ha). You may see them again, you may not. I think that's one of the tiny perks of life - not knowing who you're going to meet next. It's kind of liberating in a way, as it gives you another reason to let yourself be free without caring what people think about you (unless they end up being your workmate or tutor or something unfortunate - which has not happened to me thank goodness). It's a wild time.

I LIKE: Vancouver Sleep Clinic

I really do believe that some of the world's most ridiculously talented human beings originate from Brisbane, and I don't usually compliment cities that often. Especially Brisbane. In a previous post, I established that I'm not a super-pro-music reviewer-type-person and I will remain true to that claim. However, I know that when I really, really like something, I will try my hardest to put the fanciest words I know together to give it the slightest bit of justice it deserves. 

I've had this pretty song called 'Vapour' on my phone by an artist who goes by the title of Vancouver Sleep Clinic, for quite a while now (I found him on Triple J - where I find all the good stuff) but I only got around to listening to his EP tonight after a Spotify haul, followed by purchasing the album on iTunes (that's when you know that you reeeeally like it). It is honestly one of the most beautiful things I ever did hear. Reminiscent, reflective,  and strikingly atmospheric (my new favourite word which I have used about 50000 times in my sound design assignment) - the kind of vibes that take you to a whole new place. I love how beautifully he ties acoustics together with the dreamiest synth pads, melodies and killer falsetto (look, I'm trying here). The builds are unpredictable but so perfectly arranged that you feel like you're soaring or driving on an open road at sunset. I've gotta be honest and say that I have been going through an evocative-themed, electronic music phase at the moment (eg. Porter Robinson, Japanese Wallpaper, VSC, M83) which may have been slightly influenced by all the sound design, electronic music stuff that I'm learning at uni. I don't think it's a bad thing though. If anything, it has only inspired me more. I totally wish I could produce music that beautiful haha. If you like your life and love this sort of goodness, you really should look up Vancouver Sleep Clinic, like, right now. I've run out words and smart-music-lingo from my extremely limited vocab so do yourself and everyone you love a favour, and look up VANCOUVER SLEEP CLINICCCCC. Oi, i'll even post the SoundCloud link below if you're too lazy to type the words in on Google. But honestly, no one should ever be that lazy.

>> VANCOUVER SLEEP CLINC SOUNDCLOUD <<

First-year Uni Rookie

This year has gone crazy fast. I am about half way through my first year of university already! After years of thinking that I wasn't going to start uni straight after school, I find myself sitting in the library watching 'Hey Arnold' and listening to Japanese Wallpaper whilst waiting to go to my next tutorial. It's funny to think that nothing really ever goes how you expect it to go, and that's alright. I had a really nice coffee catch up today with one of my friends who is about to finish her law degree at the end of this year! The days are so, so short. I have definitely learnt a lot of things this year (so far): academically, socially, mentally and spiritually. For starters, I never knew that I had the capacity to pull an all-nighter til 5:30am (on the day my assignment was due), take a 2 hour power nap and get back up at 7:30am to complete the assignment at 11am, go to uni, submit it at 3pm and crash for 5 hours afterwards! To justify myself, it was a very extensive assignment that I didn't leave til the last minute! Here are some more things i've learnt/discovered about myself over the course of this year at the moment (there are still a few months to go but I've completed most of this year anyway so why not).

1. Packed lunches are good for your health and bank account

Sometimes it's nice to be a little fancy and grab a burger or something from the local food alley at uni, but spending about $10 a day on food, everyday (and I have uni 4 days a week) begins to get painful, especially if you're studying more than you're working. I know it's common sense, but packing your own lunch is really so much better than forking out $$$ for a meal that will sustain you for about 3-5 hours. It may require you to get up a little earlier in the morning to chuck together some salad or a sandwich but you won't regret pocketing that extra $10 to invest into something more meaningful (like your future children or an in-ground trampoline). And bring your own water bottle! 

2. Check your emails!
There is quite literally nothing more inconvenient than rocking up to a class that has been cancelled, especially when it's the only class you have that day. Tutors usually email their students a few days in advance if there won't be a class on so its good to check at least once a day. I made the rookie mistake of coming to a class that wasn't on and spent three hours watching random videos in the library.

3. Uni is not the place to find your potential suitor
At uni, you will cross paths with some individuals who were blessed with quite pleasing aesthetics. This doesn't necessarily mean that you are going to marry them hahaahahahaha. People come from all over the place and have very different backgrounds, beliefs and standards of morality so it will be quite rare to meet someone that ticks all your boxes. There are also so so so so many people at uni, so the people you see around are probably only a fraction of your entire uni population (people have classes at night too, yuck). Besides, remember that you are at uni to study!! QUT cuties and Harvard hunks for another time in life (Harvard isn't even in Australia what the heck).

4. Group work is challenging
There are two things that most humans do not particularly enjoy - country music and group work. For my uni degree, a lot of my assessments are done in groups (and thankfully not exams, or else I would be working full-time at maccas right now) and it has brought out sides of me that I didn't even know existed. For most of my school life, I always thought I was that chilled, just-go-with-it kind of person when it comes to these things, but recently i've found that i'm actually a bit of a psycho. It's scary. Like, who even am I anymore. Every single one of my subjects are predominantly based on group work this semester and it's been really interesting so far! It's allowed me to meet more people, some people that I definitely would never of met if I wasn't doing these assignments with them and I actually don't mind it. However, things do begin to get difficult when group member X doesn't do their part and you're freaking out because it's due in less than a week and so on. Overall, it's a real character building experience.

5. Take full advantage of your uni's facilities
I don't mean stealing some toilet paper and taking it home so you don't have to buy your own, take advantage of the resources like books, exclusive-access sites, equipment and softwares. For my sound design subject, we get to use a music computer lab with music producing softwares and equipment like MIDI keyboards and microphones etc, that would be quite expensive if you had to buy them yourself! You're paying for your degree anyway so you might as well just use what they've provided to it's full capacity.

Hello Spring

Tonight marks the first night in three months that I've been able to wear shorts to bed........ITS SPRING!!! No more frosty mornings and heat lights (they're really quite a luxury), cold toilet seats and pitch black 6:00 AMs! I have almost forgotten what spring feels like so I'm glad that winter only goes for three months. Last winter, I listed some of my favourite things about that season so I guess there's nothing more appropriate than to present to you my Spring faves:

• Not having to wear trackies to bed
• Warmer air
• Flowers
• Temperature warm enough to stand outside at night, but not enough for 9278259 mosquitoes to suck the life out of you
• Longer days
• That spring sky
• Skating with no shoes
• Awakening from hibernation
• Exposure of knee caps - ripped jeans don't count
• Seasonal fruits yeeeeew

I love how seasons go for long enough to be able to appreciate the next one that's coming around the corner. May your Spring be sweeeeet.