"Gentle Poison. Part 2" by Monolit is there!

Due to laptop trouble I'm listening it from my cell phone at the moment. ^^

You can download the single here following these steps, I'm now re-posting the images from an older entry:

3 totally different tracks and the voice that makes me blush and have that weird feeling on the skin. *___*
I'm no big musical criticist, analyst and even fan, but I'll try to make up a short opinion/impression about each track.

The 1st one is an electro/dubstep version of the "Laskovyi Yad" ("Gentle Poison") song from the 1st part of the single. I think Adora might like this one. ;)
It's STRANGE. Something I never expected to hear from Monolit, a bunch of suicidally (for me) cute long-haired stylish rockers. ^__^
A nice surprise though - because I'm into electro music too, and tracks of this genre shamelessly neighbor rock and metal and acid and j-pop on my current playlist. :D

Track 2 is a symphonic version of "Pobezhdai ili Umri" ("Win or Die") from the 1st part of the single. Monolit + a dash of Adrian von Ziegler - I thought having listened to the song to the end. Not totally different from the version I've heard before, but with a different mood. What is more, it's one of my absolute faves from the whole single, so - it's a win, not a death. ^^

Last but not least, there's a song the guys dedicated to their friends among bikers. This one even has an English name - "Biker's Song", but the text is in Russian. Finally, something in the traditions of Western rock and not Russian rock! (I respect both, but more into Western rock, nothing political here :))) ) I've recently started to fear that the guys don't have worldwide classics as an example anymore, but my fears turned out to be nothing else than a drunk party of bugs in my mind. ^__~

In general - I like this part even more than the 1st one. I guess it's because it's less romantic. I sound weird now, I know. But since I'm currently resisting all romantic moods, I support this state of mind with appropriate music. "Laskovyi Yad. Part 2" corresponds with these needs and therefore goes to my everyday playlist.

Eye-candy:

Photo from www.monolit.shostka.net

P.S. I'm aware of a popular opinion about my approval of everything the Monolit guys do - some people love saying I'm promoting them either because I'm a friend, someone's whore or just a bought journalist. None of these versions is true.
I do support them because they're my friends, I do it to all friends of mine. I partly like them because it is so, and I am able to forgive small flaws all people have. I just ALWAYS mind the good sides only, and I think it's only them that are worth public discussion. I can criticize the guys' work, of course. If I feel like this, I'll do it in person and with a smile. :)

Hope you'll like them as much as I do. :D

Ex.ua - the opinion of a soft furry goth fool

Ex.ua was the biggest file sharing resource in Ukraine, you could find anything there - from porn to cute cartoons and serious books. It's been shut down by the authorities who claim ex.ua was breaking copyright laws by distributing movies and music users could upload and share.

Ukrainians have split into 2 main groups - as usual. Some take it as a personal tragedy and loss of access to free movies and music, while the other part - mostly musicians and their managers - hate the 1st group and say it's time to start respecting copyrights and give musicians and other talents the money they deserve.

Orchidee the arrogant bitch isn't in any of these groups.

I regret losing such a resourse because it let me watch movies right on the net without downloading. I regret losing a site where I got books for useless classes, being able to read them at home with a cat on my laps instead of getting frozen in a huge and somehow depressing library. But this is a consequence and not the beginning.

A resource like that has reasons to have been so popular among Ukrainians. 

First of all - not all worldwide content-sharing services are available in Ukraine. Or using them is such a pain in the ass that it's better to have no music and no movies.

Secondly - unfortunately most people in this country don't earn enough to afford buying all content legally. It's sad to admit, but most families spend nearly all money on food and clothing. Especially those with kids. Especially those with more kids. It's not an issue to justify piracy, I'm just telling about the current state of Ukrainian economy and it's reflection in lives of mere mortals.Free downloads are the ONLY possible entertainment for many people out here.

What is more - ex.ua was just a fast and convenient service for free file sharing, and it worked with heavy ones. You know, it's sometimes necessary to share something huge as fast as possible - like sending a rock band all pics I've taken at their concert, or receiving a whole shoot from a photographer in order to choose pics for further post-production.


I've used ex.ua a lot and I support those who are furious about it's murder.

Coming to the other side, owned by those who produce copyrighted content - guys, I'd gladly pay you for all awesome things you create.
But not all services are available in Ukraine.
But it's a bit useless for me to buy a CD since I'm always on the run and listen to music in mp3 format. Buying it that way is nice, though all those bank card codes and ERRORS (that often happen with shitty Ukrainian banks) take TIME - sorry, I don't have much of it mostly. Sometimes I remember that I need new music 5 minutes before I jump out of home - there's only time to search and click "download".
But I don't have all possible types of cards and don't trust sms code payments. Again, it takes time. It's a crucial factor for me in most cases.

Some legal and "example-like" services work ass-backwards in a lousy CUNTry like Ukraine. I cannot use AppStore properly because my cards don't work with them. there are 2 ways: either install Jailbreak or: get a gift card, register a fake American account and use the code to buy apps and something on iTunes. I'm also not sure they have archives of ancient stuff that I have on the playlist. Sometimes we're obliged to cheat.

Legal sharing services convenient to use from developed countries aren't ready to be implemented in Ukraine. Or it's Ukraine that is not ready for them yet.


The solution? 
I respect those who understand that the internet is for porn is unlikely to be fully controlled, and who don't find it necessary.

Some musicians - yeah, you know whom I mean, but it's not only them who do this - legally spread their work over the interwebs. AND they make money. Both my live shows and CDs - if the product is good, many people become fans and find it a light version of a fetish to have the physical copy of their fave tracks. Same with movies. I had a friend who collected DVDs with horror films.

Some people provide different options of either payment or content download - like a shorter free download an an extended paid one.

I honestly don't understand the aggressive copyright-holding Ukrainians who spit poison all around because they want to make money on what they make. First of all - make good stuff and you'll find a way to get a reward. Secondly - keep in mind that things made with the purpose of making money aren't sold very well. And give people a right to choose! Some really cannot buy your content for a variety of reasons. Or you want to have fans of a certain social status only?

I don't really give a shit, even though in some meaning I'm a copyright owner too. I feel honored when my stuff is spread - I only hate it when someone claims it to have been created by them. LOL)) But I know ways to get rid of such scammers.

I'm just sick of aggressive Ukrainians who instantly started hating others just because those defend a pirate-content source. They don't want to understand and accept a variety of reasons and conditions. They just want to show their importance. I think it's stupid.

I'm sick. Gonna entertain myself by trying to buy a new Adrian von Ziegler CD.Hope my card will work and delivery will not take ages. :D

Metal guys bring good luck: Monolit, the metal band.

I have a very personal superstition: if I see a cute metalhead/rock style guy - the day's gonna be a success. When some nasty girl is next to him - get ready for a lousy 24-hours time. 

It's already been a day with a tough P.E. class in the morning in April of 2008. I was going to university for more classes by my most hated means of transport - the  crowded metro of Kyiv. Industrial music in the earphones didn't make things better, and I felt doomed for a shitty day and a boring evening. 

I spotted a cute long-haired guy and started entertaining myself by trying to stare at him without making him notice it.

Girls, do you know who he is? *___*

As soon as some people left the train, I saw one more rock-star-like guy, then another one... 

Holy f**k, how many of those are here? - I thought getting a high dose of curiosity.

Nevertheless I quickly switched my thoughts to some work-related stuff. As soon as I did it, one of those guys started talking to me. Having taken the phones off I understood that they're a band, and the one who talked to me handed an invitation to their concert.

How do you know what my job is??? - I asked him. He said he doesn't, and then I revealed that I'm a journalist. (Later the band's frontman told me it was him who spotted a goth-dressed girl and asked his friend to invite me. Shame on my staring skills! -__-)

We met again in a week so that they could arrange me a press pass, and things were made clear. 

The long-haired men in leather and chains turned out to be a metal band named Monolit. They were heading home to the city of Shostka after a festival.

I'm proud to know them^__^

Here's their cute frontman's new personal blog - it's in Russian, but feel free to use me or Google translate. ^__^ 

By the way, that guy's name is Kostyantyn, he likes anime and does...break-dance. He's also the frontman of a dance crew named "Leader" that also sometimes shows up at their concerts. 

It's not only rock music and an unrelated type of dancing that he does. Kostyantyn is the head of the department of underground youth issues of a local culture center in the city of Shostka.

And here's a page in English where you can listen to some of their tracks - Monolit on ReverbNation.

The guy who handed me the invitation has become my close friend. 

One of those "scandalous" photographs

 His name is Anton and he's the advertising manager of the band. I can say he's like a brother to me, but nevertheless we've become the subject of tons of rumors - both because of friendly hugs and his protecting me at concerts - he knows about my eyesight trouble and always saves me from the mosh while I'm taking photos.

I don't see anything else while taking pics of these guys, and they always pose well on stage

As I got to know new things about guys from Monolit, more and more curious facts arose about each of them. 

Their guitarist Max is interested in almost anything and changes his style easily - I can say his experiments with hair, piercings, clothes and even makeup are the most drastic of all I've seen on this bands members.

Pasha the bass guitarist is their graphic designer and studies arthitecture. Most of artworks you can see on Monolit's CD covers are by him.

Serhiy the drummer adores beer and, as Kostya told me, hardly ever rehearses at home - and still does  perfect at gigs. LOL I remember his falling from the stage when he thought there was a wall behind a banner. XDD

Their ex-member, the 2nd guitarist Kolya, is a historian, and wore glasses even on stage therefore being sometimes called a professor.

Interviewing - at the 1st concert of them that I've attended.

I just like this photo

 

 You think they're so fluffy and oh-so-cute? No way! They almost made me fall from the stairs last year! I was taking a pic of them on stage standing  on the edge of a steep staircase. It's been a day or 2 after my birthday, and Kostya congratulated me. I was so shocked, happy and surprised that lost balance and would have fallen if Anton wasn't there. :))

Pic unrelated ^^

They're about to release a bunch of new stuff soon, Kostya is going to attend some anime or j-rock event with me and my friends, and I can't wait for their next gig in Kyiv since I skipped the last one for a stupid reason of not being able to find the club. 

And an unhappy part - so that my readers wouldn't forget that I'm a grumpy depressive goth: even though I've known them for years, I still have no photos with the whole lineup. T_T

News time: Monolit are currently releasing their new single online in several parts. 

Cover of part 1, the name is "Gentle Poison". Truly goth, isn't it?

What is more - it's officially available for free download - part 1 is here. The download site is in Russian, but I made a quick instructions picture - please don't kill me for editing skills. :))

Download: step 1

Download: step 2. Click on the images to enlarge.

Latest news: TOMORROW at 20:00 the 2nd part will be released! 

They already revealed the cover of the 2nd part

 You can look for it at Monolit's website or their Facebook, but I'm also going to post it here and on my official FB. ^___^ Can't wait to hear their newest experiments and...to see Kostya's new image - he told me he has changed his look again, but I haven't seen them live since... last spring as far as I remember.

Ukrainian cosplay on Japanese TV

And lolitas, of course. One sweet day I woke up because of a phone call of Alexia, the girl responsible for cosplay shows at the Otobe festival. She invited me as a lolita for a Japanese TV crew who are making a program about Ukraine so that the Japanese would get to know what country (or CUNTry?) hosts this year's Euro.XDD At least something good from this championshiT that made our university force us to study on Saturdays. >___<

They wanted to talk to Mona, the winner of last year's Otobe lolitas contest, and Mokona, our leader. Unfortunately Mokona wasn't feeling well today, so Juri was there instead. :) And yesterday I was lucky to have  coffee with Vitaly, one of the responsible Otobe people - I've heard a lot about him, but didn't know personally, and it was him who was to guide us to the interview place. I felt blessed - not all smart and polite and nice guys have disappeared in Ukraine. I really enjoyed the evening.


Coming back to Japanese TV...I didn't know what to do with my freshly dyed hair and eventually decided to wear it loose under the bonnet. Hours of straightening... The girls loved the result, but I still don't find it even nice. Perfectly straight hair sometimes becomes my obsession.

I didn't have any special accessories, just put on my fave cameo, the new locket I bought last December, and 2 fave rings - gifts from Juri and Mokona. <3 Missing lower lashes have been replaced by separate ones - yeah, true hell to apply, but I managed to put a few of those little bitches along the fake lower lashline I drew. My sister from Mexico, Mary, sent me a nice way of doing lower lashes, and I followed the lashes pattern suggested there. ^^

No nice pics are available for now, I only made a blurry ghostly and masculine ipad shot while on the bus to the destination. :P

Mind that winter has come to Ukraine with hellishly frosty weather up to -27 degrees Celsius as they forecast. T__T Makeup gets cracked, eyelashes fall off, powder gathers in disgusting flakes and the nose gets the shade of an ape's ass.Hell yeah, this is Ukrainian winter.

Having come to the haunted-looking building - I hoped there would be ghosts, of course - everyone started to change/correct makeup/help ech other etc, while the TV crew were setting everything up.

We've been here ^^ Pic not mine, it's from the net

One of the Japanese from the crew is married to a Ukrainian, and they speak English at home. We answered the questions in Ukrainian and Russian, they will later translate the soundbites into Japanese.

Mona said that the style suits European girls too since it's based on images of European women of a certain era. Juri admitted that Japanese people are more polite than those here - I agree that they're unlikely to shout the words lolitas often hear from people here in Kyiv. I was asked about how I've come to the lolita style - told them that traditinal goth style turned out too adult and cruel for me, and that's not really what I am like inside.

And thank you Japanese people for being tolerate and understanding my jokes and signs! :D Having been   asked about age I used my usual answer: I'm old. I'm so old that cannot remember my age, and the documents have been lost with archives. (Now you now why I like Kerli's "Love Is Dead" music video that much ^^) The Japanese man said that I look good! These words warmed me up greatly, and

It's also been fun helping a stunning cosplayer to move in her outfit - it was long and the 3 lolitas were following her everywhere holding the folds and tails and beads so that she wouldn't wipe the floor. Hope that girl will soon come to the lolitas meetup. :)

Going home had been a small dance adventure today. Dirty dancing on ice with curse-singing. A great show, isn't it? XD And still I crawled to the nearby shop to get coffee and chocolate. :) About to go to bed now...

Have a nice day if you're awake, and sweet dreams if you're on the same side of Earth where I am. =))

Overdose of cuteness: cat photos!

I adore my Hrytsia. As well as all kitties available in the world.
Nothing is more perfect than a cat. Any kind of cat. Any breed of cat. A cat of any status and health. Cats are simply precious. <3

Find-a-cat

Cinnamon nose!

Eyes <3

You are not gone

Today is also a holiday in Ukraine. But unfortunately it will forever be a sad day for me and some friends.

In the evening of the same day in 2008 I saw my then-gothy friends posting nearly the same things - condolences about someone's death and statements they can't believe it. I was cynical then - thought that some popular goth model has died and all who knew and admired her react to it. But when a post liike that appeared in the blog of a friend who was far from goth...I couldn't help texting her asking what happened.

"Candle is dead" - was the reply. I hardly remember what was next, from what I can get out of memory - I was mad at the friend, told her joking like that is just stupid... Gradually the understanding of bitter truth started coming. But I still can't believe Candle is not here with us anymore.

It's said she committed suicide. I'd never believe. Yes, she got to the 16th floor of her house and then fell down. There were only her footprints in the snow, so no one thinks she was killed. But she wasn't the type of person who would kill herself. To be honest, it was her who once pulled me down from a windowsill when I tried to do something bad. Her message stopped me from doing it. 

I  know we might have not known some sides of her life. I'm also aware that the most risky group of people is of those who are far from being suicidal - because they don't plan it, they just do in case something upsets them strongly. And that's the main danger. But even if something was wrong - didn't she know she could always talk to us? Maybe there was something she couldn't talk about?

I remember the feeling of something unreal, fake, a lie happening in life, when was meeting friends to go to Candle's funeral. Flowers, brightly dressed young people and talks - everything looked just as if we were about to meet like we usually did. The difference was in the place we were heading to, and weeping was there instead of usual laughs and jokes. Candle's parents asked us not to wear black for that day.
Wax-like face, painted lashes... She looked like a doll. I put roses by her feet refusing to accept that the one in the coffin is my friend. And I still can't believe. I want to believe that the photo on the funeral bus was a similar one, but not of Candle. The funeral itself must have only been a nightmare.

The pic above was taken at Tori Fest 2008. As well as the 1st photo in this post. Candle and I first met in real life at rehearsals for the lolitas runway show. Both of us were ero-lolis. :D

But we started talking much earlier, it happened in the Fleur band fans' community at the Russian blogging service - @Diary. We befriended each other there and later took part in the show together. The Tori Fest show was my 1st appearance on stage ever, and we were together.

Yumi and Candle attaching a bow to the epic black balloon

We had similar plans: Candle had a huge balloon and was going to throw it to someone in the audience, and I had an orchid painted blue I was going to hand to someone near the stage. But since the MC fucked up all announcements, the people weren't as close to the stage as we expected.

Candle was a talented photographer. I hate this form of the verb "to be"... I don't want to use it about her...
I look through pics she took of me, and the feeling of lack of the ending appears. As if we've planned something and postponed it, and one day will still fulfil it. She wanted to have a shoot with me, we were also going to have one together.

Just found a photo Candle took when we first met.
 Me: Candle, there are ants on this tree, can't sit here for long!!
Candle: Where else would you be so close to ants? I think there'll be an awesome shot when they get into your undies!

She was taking a pic of me on the stairs of the Historical Museum and my skirt jumped up.
"Orchid, we're not shooting for Suicide Girls! :D"

Candle came up with an idea to have a pic of my husband and me with different expressions - Kamijo was to smile while I was planned to be frowned... And here's what we got:

I couldn't help laughing, it always happens when I need to pose. "Think of something sad" - Candle suggested. I did - and laughed even harder. As far as I remember this is the only normal pic from that on-the-spot shoot. Candle said the rest were blurry and crazy-faced. =))

And this is the last photo she took of me. The winter meet-up in January of 2008 was the last time I saw her alive. It was cold as hell then. She left earlier because of an exam on the next day. She was wearing a new coat of the 'electric blue' color. And an eyebrow piercing. And the kitty earring. Her makeup was also in matching blue.

We remember and love you Candle. I just wonder - why does God need that many angels?...
<3

Are Dutch and Russian alike? O_o

5 AM on the clock, and I'm still working. I love it :D
Translating an article written by Vlad the Dutch friend <3. The article is in English, but the author's native one is Dutch. I'm translating from English into Russian, and words of the latter perfectly fit the expressions Vlad used in his English.

English and Russian are completely different according to me. I'm rather fluent in both even though Russian sometimes challenges my brain. So it must be Vlad's thinking in the Dutch way represented in English expressions that matches the peculiarities of Russian language perfectly?

How I wish I could speak Dutch... At least I'd make this issue clear, now I'm just too curious. Does anyone of my followers speak both Dutch and Russian? ^___~

Or maybe it's just time for me to go to sleep?

Typing and drinking the night away. :)) Sorry for the crappy look, hikikomori mode on for these days, a dance class last evening and hair healing procedures that make roots insane. -___-

Are Russian and Dutch really alike?