From Above

Tuesday, 26 May 2020

"Sure we all have soulmates but we walk past them everyday"

I refrain from calling this an analysis because, in short, I feel as though there is a certain level of expectation attributed to the analyses of a Cambridge English student (subtle flex). However, I certainly could not pass up the opportunity to talk about the genius of the many iterations of Ben Folds, Ben Folds Five, The Bens, etc. There are a thousand Folds' songs that are aggressively sentimental to me, but 'From Above' recently struck a chord - pun unintended. So running free from the rigorous PEE paragraph format of my GCSE years, here is my 'not-analysis' of 'From Above' - I hope it does not leave you too disillusioned with reality. 

Folds' music is primarily narrative driven, embodying the many personas and faces of western society throughout his work, and this concept album is no exception to the rule. Ben Folds and Nick Hornby's collaborative song depicts a 'she' and 'he' existing separately with their respective partners 'Tom' and 'Martha'. The song briefly notes that this 'he' and 'she' - betrothed to others and having only exchanged a singular look across a bar - are in fact soulmates. The song treats the notion of soulmates as an absolute truth, but more significantly it examines the bittersweetness of this reality - the fact we are utterly oblivious to the existence of our soulmates. I'm not entirely sure if I believe in soulmates personally, but if they do exist, I would certainly expect us to miss them -"we walk past them everyday". It's also illustrated that those 'from above' are painfully aware of the concept of soulmates - burdened by the knowledge that two people belong together without the capacity to invoke change in others' lives. In that one shared moment - their 'heartbeats... synchronised and (stayed) that way forever'.  And nothing can be done.

This unchangeable fixation to each other is never fully manifested. We are shown many instances of near misses. The opportunities for connection arise, yet the inconvenience of life pervades through any moment of coincidence or fate. The sense of simultaneous coming and going - only ever a moment away from each other - is ever-present, but the world we live in is a world without miracles. "He never once looked around". You cannot attribute blame to 'he' who does not know what he is missing, yet those 'from above' again are plagued with the misfortune of chance. "There's nothing that can be done for them, it doesn't work that way.'

Living in their states of blissful ignorance, 'he' marries Martha and 'she' marries Tom. Yet we are presented with an underlying feeling of dissatisfaction. Not to be conflated with unhappiness - I feel as though one could live in love without a soulmate, but it is suggested they - still unaware - acknowledge there is, by some metric, discontent in their lives. Although this begs the question: I wonder whether it be possible to be aware of an absence? 'The faint notion that something was wrong". An unknown presence that they are just lacking. 'A phantom limb, an itch that can never be scratched'.

We see those 'from above' contemplate whether "maybe that's how books get written, maybe that's why songs get sung". Interpret this as you will. I feel as though there are two main ideas brought on by this. One, we are shown a world where your ignorance to this profound absence in your life allows you to resume normality and continuity. As a result of our oblivious predicament, we write books, we sing songs, we fill our lives through its many other facets - namely artistic ones. Unlike those watching 'from above', we are not searching for the external, but rather fulfilling the internal due to our state of perpetual unawareness. The entire song is fundamentally dissecting the irony of soulmates - just because you belong together: does not mean you will, does not mean you should, perhaps? As an alternative view, you could argue they are becoming increasingly aware of this absence. Books and songs are mediums in which artists express themselves. The pain of discontent (and more importantly, lacking the knowledge of what precisely this dissatisfaction stems from) fuels our art. If we lived in a world where we were all united with our soulmates, what need would we have for art? We would have complete satisfaction already. Perhaps it benefits us as artists, as creators, and as complexly emotional beings to constantly seek something more. Without this imbalance and paranoia, we could never write books nor could we sing songs. Art is a manifestation of our pain and ambition. There must always be something more for us out there, or there is no point. Our own personal and societal continuity is perpetuated by a sense of ambition, which would not be present if we felt we had reached true satisfaction.

The line "Maybe we are the unlucky ones" also resonated with me due to its ambiguity and ambivalence. The 'we' representing those from the outside watching the soulmates fail to unite. This sense of the 'unlucky' could be a result of their lack of ignorance. They must watch the world continue to turn as 'he' and 'she' create lives without each other, in the knowledge that they were meant for each other. The protagonists are unaware of their own unlucky state, therefore, by the metric of self-perception, we see those who know as unlucky, rather than those who actually are without their soulmates. This notion of knowledge (and its accompanying sorrow) is driven into the heart of the song. Soulmates are treated as a universal normality, but the knowing of such is the real crux of the song's meaning. Would you prefer to know that your soulmate exists and never meet them, or accept that soulmates as a concept is idealised and an arbitrary falsehood? As a second interpretation, the sense of being the 'unlucky ones' could be a further reinforcement of ignorance. Yes, those 'from above' are aware that 'he' and 'she' are soulmates, but no reference is made to their own personhood. Perhaps this is a statement regarding their own ignorance, whilst they watch the infuriating mistrials of 'he' and 'she', they equally live in a state of unknowing of their own soulmates. 

As a final reflection on the concept of soulmates, the song interrogates our own sense of entitlement. The existence of soulmates is unquestioned, but whether we are entitled to a life with that person is implicit. The song blends the romantic with the cynical, the idealised with the realistic. We are shown a bitter acceptance of reality. Our soulmates may exist, but the question is not of who, but rather of if. If we should pursue them, if we have the capacity to do so, and if books could get written and songs could get sung without our ignorance and discontent. I feel as though this is where true tragedy is felt. In an existence where such greatness could be achieved, but, decidedly or otherwise, it is not. Contemplating the existence of soulmates is not tragic. Knowing they exist, but failing to fully realise that concept due to life's injustices and inconveniences is perhaps the biggest tragedy of all - because I think the notion of 'what if' is one of the most universal human fears. 

Thank you for indulging my analytical brain and my undying affection for Ben Folds. This makes a nice informal change to the depths of 19th Century Shakespearean criticism. Have your own thoughts? Give the song a listen and let me know in the comments. I'd be so interested to hear your interpretations - romantic, cynical, farcical, or otherwise.

Yours truly,
Em Cav


A Playlist Professional

Monday, 25 May 2020


When you hear the name Emily Cavanah, what do you think of? In fact, don't answer that. Perhaps it'd be preferable if you left your snipes to yourself, but one thing I think my mates would all collectively agree on is... 
that I have a banging taste in music.

To some extent, yes, my music taste is "performative", contrived, and somewhat people-pleasing.  You see, I genuinely like so many genres, which means I consider my superpower to be the ability to read the room and read it well. I know how to expertly gear my music towards any circumstance, and I think people honestly respect and enjoy my slightly eclectic, sometimes obscure, yet always banging tunes. I take muchos pride in being the designated aux chord friend. I'd say curating playlists is one of my biggest hobbies; I'm constantly adding and shuffling and revising my playlists in the name of musical and emotional precision. So I thought I would share some of my favourites with you.


Wakey Wakey Eggs n Get Up
The playlist that takes no prisoners. Listen to this to navigate your mornings with energy, empowerment, and excitement. We begin with New Order's Blue Monday, weave our way into ACDC's Back in Black, quick pit-stop at The Libertines, moving swiftly onward to Public Image Ltd, followed by nothing other than Blur's Parklife. Be warned, this is not a playlist for the light hearted. This is full blown expulsion from your bed. No tweeting birds to be found within this one. Just hardcore sounds for even the most unwakeable sleepy heads.

The Coffee's Hot
This playlist is an alternative to the harsh and brassy 'wakey wakey eggs n get up'. Overflowing with indie, folk and jazz, this playlist provides the perfect underscore to your daily toast buttering, coffee brewing, and sleepy eye rubbing. Notable tracks include: Girl From Mars by Ash, America's A Horse With No Name, numerous songs from The Beatles, The Cure, The The - and, naturally, a sprinkling of Belle & Sebastian and Cat Stevens. My favourite way to start the day in an easy-going, yet productive manner.

The Sad Movie Montage
This playlist is more than your usual playlist of generic 'sad songs'. The requirements for this playlist pertain to more than just a minor key.  'The Sad Movie Montage' embodies the cinematic bittersweetness so commonly found in my favourite films - those being the great Hollywood classics or any rom com circa 2004. This playlist masters the concept of stillness and isolation (when the world seems oblivious to your sorrow, or as Frank Sinatra would say: the time When No One Cares). Highlights include Milburn's What You Could've Won, Billie Holliday's I'll Be Seeing You, Blue of Joni Mitchell fame, and conclusively Ben Fold's entire discography. This also includes my favourite song of all time (subject to change) which is LCD Soundsystem's New York I Love You, But You're Bringing Me Down - 5 minutes and 35 seconds that express your inner disillusionment and bitter disappointment at reality.

Smoking Kills 
Imagine: you are in Paris. The year? Indiscernible. But definitively the distant, smoggy past. A black coffee (thanks to Sarah Vaughan) on the cafe table in front of you. A gin on the rocks in one hand. A poetry manuscript of some depressive artist in the other. Smoking a cigarette with Nina Simone herself. This playlist has the capacity to transport me to that very place with the musical stylings of Etta James, Hugh Laurie, Portishead, Otis Redding, and Eartha Kitt. The dark sensuousness of jazz, blues, and French swing creates an antithesis of romance and cynicism. You will leave this playlist whole-heartedly believing no one will ever understand you quite like Nina Simone. I would argue you were right.


FunksnRoundabouts
Turns out, I like funk music. Like, a lot. This playlist was initially titled "swingsnroundabouts" as it initially contained a lot of swing before funk usurped the playlist, but I've recently been told (rather forcefully might I add) that "FunksnRoundabouts" was a far superior title. Make up your own mind. I don't really have much more to say than this is a great playlist if you're feeling suave - the sun shining on your face and unlimited pep in your step. Funk music makes you feel utterly unstoppable, thus, do not stop and continue to bop!


Walking Through Johns
This certainly is not my main "indie" playlist (see: Dad Music); however, I think this playlist perfectly encapsulates the morning rush of running around campus always five minutes late to my next supervision with the energetic sounds of The Clash, The Cribs, and David Bowie. Think I Am The Resurrection meets Men's Needs meets Here Comes Your Man meets A Certain Romance (or From Ritz to Rubble - I can never decide my preference) meets Oasis' (What's the Story) Morning Glory in its entirety. If you have ever witnessed me dancing through Second Court clearly exceedingly late to a seminar, now you know why.

DIY Wednesday Cindies
My most followed playlist and for good reason. I must confess that The Smiths is slightly more my style than AJ Tracey and Dave. This said, this playlist covers all ground of John's bar at Cindies with Drake, Aitch, Jme, Kanye, Skepta, and so on. If you are craving your Wednesday Cindies fix, revisit the nostalgia of Arizona Zervas' ROXANNE being played eight times an hour. Feel free to give this one a listen - unless you don't go to John's, of course. Then you're not allowed in.


The Triad of Crush/Defy/Biotch
My playlists for unapologetic pop, hype trap, and glamorous throwback tunes ranging from the 60s to y2K. The ultimate soundtrack for getting ready and feeling fierce. Each with their own spin on the iconic feminine protagonist. Do I love boys? Do I hate boys? You'll never know. This is what we call range, ladies and gentleman. Muchos recommend for those looking for iconic girly girl tracks to sing into your hairbrush. XOXO

Vacation/Summer
We all know someone who thinks liking 80s music is a personality trait. That's me. I'm someone. Nice to meet you. These two playlists encapsulate the authentic British holiday experience. The soundtrack of "hi mum, can you put suncream on my back?". The playlist 'Summer''s energy is so immersive, it could practically barbecue your burgers with its 80s synth beats, sunny Reggae jams, and the nostalgic, saccharine pop of the 2000s, whereas 'Vacation' is the ultimate sunbathing playlist. Your life feels all-inclusive just to listening to it. 

Thank you for allowing me to revel in my own uppity musical superiority - whether it be baseless or otherwise. Give them a listen whilst you can, as I'm revising these playlists daily and you may miss the chance to hear your new favourite song. Please leave your Spotify usernames in the comments below, I'd love to see your music tastes (and meticulously compare your top songs with mine in a judgmental, but affectionate fashion).

Yours truly,
Em Cav


The Skinny on: Sunglasses

I think Corey Hart said it best. "Don't switch a blade on a guy in shades".

Historically, sunglasses have been an iconic part of accessorising. A symbol of importance, mystery, and coolness, growing increasingly synonymous with celebrity culture and the 'high life'. Don't just take my word for it: in 12th Century China, sunglasses were used in court in order to hide expressions during interrogations; it was even suggested Emperor Nero used polished gems as an early concept of 'sunglasses' when watching gladiator fights. You may not find yourself in court or stuck between a gladiator and a hard place anytime soon, regardless - here is the skinny on sunglasses.


 Quick history lesson. The first prescribed use of tinted lenses was actually as an aid to syphilis sufferers, due to the symptom of light sensitivity; however, sunglasses' associations of poor health were soon shed like snake skin for the new persona of 1920s Hollywood glamour. Celebrities parading around in oversized sunglasses equally served a practical purpose alongside its aesthetic of glamour and wealth, providing relief from bright studio lights and making their identity more covert. So - in 2020, sunglasses (in every iteration of shape, size and colour) have resurfaced as a fashion staple for all - whether you have syphilis or not.


The Trends: What are They and Why Should I Care?


Welcome to the 60s: Thankfully moving forward from the homogeneity of y2K Ray-Bans and Aviators, there's been a resurgence in thick plastic frames - a style notably popular in the 1960s. The current trends seem to incorporate many anachronistic elements taken from every era of sunglasses, but the commonality between the sunglasses is the thick plastic frames, as seen on the catwalk, on the pages of Vogue, and all over your Instagram homepage.


2000s Ugliness: It's not all nostalgia and sunny skies. A retro style that has reared its ugly head includes the painfully thin frames, coloured tints, and the narrow lenses of the 2000s. This is a particularly good choice if you enjoy the trend of 'ironic fashion' at the moment. Never has dressing 'stylishlessly' been so fashionable. Blending the energy of the 1970s and the early 2000s, these narrow sunglasses perfectly encapsulate the laidback attitude of sun, sea, and irony. If you wholly believe that 'ugly is the new black', I bid you run wild with young Mary-Kate and Ashley, but likewise prepare for abuse to be hurled at you by fashion fanatics - by which I mean me.
It will be me hurling abuse at you.



So... it's like a secret society?: Taking more respectable advice from y2K fashion trends, it's clear that the sophistication and classiness of Cruel Intentions have massively influenced the modern sunglasses trends; the more black, the more opaque, the more secretive: the better... The slick and sleek style give an air of inimitable chicness that can exclusively be achieved by a wicked scandal of upper-class incest, seduction and betrayal - or sunglasses work too. 
Cue Bitter Sweet Symphony by The Verve.





We need guns. Lots of guns: Admittedly, I haven't seen The Matrix, but I will commend them on their impeccable fashion choices. Echoing the sleek chic of Cruel Intentions, here we have secrecy in its purest form - a super-spy style that has suddenly resurfaced and in doing so dominated most retailers' collections for this Spring/Summer. Add to your personal mystique with a twist of special agent chic with these opaque black shades - in combination with a black pleather trench coat if you think you can really hack the MI5 wardrobe.


The Classic Oversized: If there's ever been a hard and fast rule for my life, it's: when in doubt, have Breakfast at Tiffany's. And I believe that rule applies with sunglasses. I sympathise with all the confusion at the hand of the sheer multitude of shades currently in fashion - especially considering the trend of 'reverse fashion'.  What's fashionably ugly, and what's just definitively ugly? Therefore, I provide you some solace in the form of the classic, oversized sunglasses. Much like the iconic fashion houses (like Chanel, Dior, Prada, etc.), this style captures a sense of timelessness with its bold yet understated optical statement. A staple for any eyewear enthusiast.





If you managed to leave your cynical comments about there being no demand for sunglasses as a result of 'the British Summertime' to one side, I hope this blog was a helpful reflection of the current sunglasses trends and the anachronistic styles that have had a significant influence on these modern styles. Whether the sun be shining or not (probably not), enjoy your new-found respect for sunglasses and, of course, you mustn't forget "don't switch a blade on a guy in shades".

Yours truly,
Em Cav





Colour Theory in Fashion

Tuesday, 19 May 2020


Have the star spangled staples of modern fashion left you feeling uninspired? Is your wardrobe relentlessly begging for some sense of revitalisation? Are rhetorical questions more effective in threes? Yes. To all of the above.


I'm sure I can't be alone in my obsession with trends of colour blocking, monochromatic looks, and achromatic ensembles; however, these limited colour schemes - whilst helpful in regards to creating a synthesised and cohesive look - can grow tedious and repetitive. Anyone else exhausted by the monotony of a restrictive colour palette? Well, let me introduce you to my trusty old pal 'colour theory' and, in true Chop Suey! fashion, see what we can do to wake up and shake up our wardrobes.


I'm no artist - a statement in which I'm sure my GCSE Art teacher, Mrs Abrahams, would more than gladly corroborate. I have no expertise nor experience in the world of colour mixing. Also, I retain little information about how colours are actually wavelengths that are in turn interpreted by our brain, so in some way colour doesn't explicitly exist at all. This said, I'm here to share my knowledge of colour theory (more specifically colour harmonies) in relation to fashion in the hopes that I can provide you some solace from the world of shade singularity.


Before we get into the ways in which we can combine colours effectively, I must bring you some primary school nostalgia. Say it with me, kiddos: The colour wheel! The colour wheel shows how we determine primary, secondary and tertiary colours. It's important to identify these terms as they come into play rather significantly later. If you take notice of the diagram above, you will see that our main/primary colours (in the world of pigment, not light - sorry in advance, scientists) are Red, Blue and Yellow - as these shades have the capacity to compose the rest of the secondary and tertiary colours. And this blog is here to illustrate and examine the relationships between said colours in regards to how they can benefit us in the name of stylistic coherence.


Complementary
Now before you start blushing - this is not in fact complimentary, but rather complementary. This is the relationship between two colours that have a direct opposition within the colour wheel (see above) and this sharp contrast creates a balanced sense of correspondence between colours. This relationship can be achieved with all primary, secondary, and tertiary colours, and is a perfect way to experiment with colours in a manner that is loud, yet still cohesive. If you want to live your Patrick Star best life, may I recommend a pink and green combo - where your complements are bound to win you compliments, especially from those residing in Bikini Bottom.



Similarly, purples in combination yellows are successful in creating a bold, yet equally romantic aesthetic. Think sunset circa La La Land's 'A Lovely Night'. Although colour theory's principles are fundamentally centred on balance (or a lack thereof), the way we incorporate colours and their relationships does not necessitate an element of balance or equivalency. An additional bag, hat, or belt could be the only addition of a second colour in your ensemble; the use of colour harmony would still be effective. See below for some more minimalistic interpretations of the complementary relationship.




Analogous
Our second form of colour relationship is the almighty Analogous. This is ideal for those who want an expansion of monochrome but would like this expansion through a more subdued form of contrast than shown in a complementary colour scheme. Analogous colour palettes are made of colours that reside next to each other on the colour wheel - red, orange, and yellow for example. This coherent colour 'family' consists of a dominating colour, followed by a supporting colour and another operating as an accent colour (optional). This is a common effect used in haute couture to give a suggestion of saturation and vividness without appearing cheapened by excessive colour use.




Here it is evident that analogous colour schemes have the capacity to add character and an interesting dynamic to an ensemble. The heterogeneity of colour allows an outfit to feel flavourful, whilst the supporting/accent colours enable the look to feel well established and natural, without bordering extremity. Whether you choose two or three colours, the analogous dynamic is the perfect extension of monochromatic outfits - canvassing brightness, effortlessness, and a natural harmony between the outfit's elements.





Triadic
The final colour relationship I will be explaining is the triadic colour dynamic. If we have learnt anything from great literature and art throughout time - extremity is the point. This colour scheme is taken from three evenly spaced colours around the colour wheel - although not in direct opposition, the equal spacing between these shades allow for a sense of concordance regardless of their unfamiliarity. The triadic pattern tends to be bright and dynamic, successful in creating a statement look with an overarching sense of confidence and finesse. There is a simultaneity of conflict and harmony within the triadic scheme - which effectively lends itself to the trend of colour blocking as seen below. 




There are some drawbacks to this colour palette; the competitiveness of the three equal shades means there is a struggle to emphasise and highlight a specific item of clothing. Instead, it achieves an overall sense of vivacious spectacle, presenting the outfit as more of an amalgamation of separate pieces, rather than showcasing one particular element. The effect of the triadic style is dramatic and borderline caricature, therefore it has be come a commonality between movie posters and movie characters alike (seen below). This surrealist, cartoon feel is the perfect way to exhibit the paradoxical harmony inside incongruity, highlighting the potential saturation and visual excitement colour can create to the forefront of your outfit.


I hope this brief guide to colour theory and colour harmonies was informative and to some degree inspirational in regards to livening up your choice of colours in a way that still maintains cohesion and balance. I also hope that implementing these changes to your wardrobe can brighten up these darker times - shed some colour in a world that seems a bit grayscale at the moment. Thanks for reading, friends.

Yours truly,
Em Cav

Reintroduction

Friday, 15 May 2020

Hello all,
I recognise that those of you willingly reading this will exclusively consist of my friends, my parents and people from university who have googled me. Creeps. But regardless, this is my reintroduction to the 'blogosphere'. Therefore, it would seem greetings and salutations are in order. Hello blog, old buddy, old pal. It's been a while.


This blog has existed for a few years now - wallowing alone in a corner of the internet, collecting dust and aching for revitalisation. It's digital downfall came about from the explicit personal-ness I chose to write this blog with. "Emily, we understand you have a lot of feelings, but somethings are not meant for the internet". This is especially true in the case of my egotistical, naive ramblings on my teenage superiority. No one wants to read the thoughts of a girl who thinks she runs the world - when in reality she has to work up the courage to order a coffee at Starbucks.


So - intimacy is a no-go. No more elaborate contemplations of my childhood, no more 'this traumatic experience made me', and no more thinking I'm the herald of hard hitting hot takes. What do we have left, you ask? I have several hobbies including travel, cinema, music, fashion, the usual; an endless stream of stories from my surreal, surreal life; and of course, my witty way with words. Therefore, let's start afresh.


Although I cannot detail what you should expect from me, no more than I can anticipate what I expect from myself: I wish you well and welcome you with open arms to Emily Cavanah: The Blog: The Sequel. Of all the blogs in all the towns in all the world, you've walked into mine.

Yours truly,
Em Cav


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