PLAYED AND PLAYED IS A DIGITAL MAGAZINE THAT TALKS ABOUT YOUR FAVORITE ARTISTS AND BEST MOMENTS IN THE MUSIC INDUSTRY
PLAYED AND PLAYED EXPLORES MUSIC OF THE PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE
THE MUSIC THAT WE HAVE PLAYED AND PLAYED OVER AND OVER P L A Y E D N
WE TAKE YOU ON A JOURNEY THROUGH MUSICAL HISTORY, REMINISCING ON TIMELESS CLASSICS AND MUSICAL ICONS OF THE PAST, INTO MODERN-DAY CHART-TOPPERS AND ARTISTS POISED TO INFLUENCE THE UPCOMING GENERATION OF MUSIC
THE OBJECTIVE OF PLAYED AND PLAYED IS TO EXPRESS ADMIRATION AND APPRECIATION FOR THE MUSIC THAT HAS RESONATED WITH US, IRRESPECTIVE OF ITS AGE OR GENRE
“X’s” -Cigarettes After Sex
“Charm”
- Clairo
“Great American Bar Scene”
- Zach Bryan
ALBUM REVIEW
“I Love You So F****** Much”
- Glass Animals
“Bando Stone and The New World”
- Childish Gambino
“Kansas Anymore”
- Role Model
LYRICALBREAKDOWN
Clairo’s third studio album "Charm" was released on July 12th. After a dozen listen throughs I can confidently say this is my favorite Clairo record She described creating the album with the idea of the "grey area" of being charmed by someone The lyrical simplicity of her wavering, romantic experiences is so raw and vulnerable, emotions that she talks about struggling with throughout the album Let's take a closer look at some of the lyrics from “Charm ”
Sometimes I want somebody to see me
How you opened my doors and left them wide open Why doesn't this happen more naturally? If I tried, maybe When you're lonely, you'll just do anything To drink it all up, the feeling, it's the memory That's when it all aligns, I can really see What you meant to me
-Thank You
This song is so important to me because vulnerability is something I struggle with in relationships Clairo says how this person saw and understood her immediately, but left her in a state of open vulnerability she isn't used to because that instant connection doesn't happen very often. She talks about her loneliness after the person and at first it stings, but once she properly reflected on the situation, she saw what that person's purpose was in her life
The song is literally a thank you letter Even though the connection didn't pan out the way she's expected there is still so much gratitude and admiration for that person. I appreciate this concept so much as I've learned there are people that you meet throughout your life that are only meant for you in that specific part of your life I find it so special that the people we meet along the way, teach us about ourselves and what we want out of our own experiences
When close is not close enough (ooh, ooh, ooh) Where's the fun in it? And now I'm too tough From close being just too much
-Pier 4
Again, this song touches on vulnerability and the impact it has the relationship you have with people you care about She talks about how it's easier to just push people away followed by excuses as to why they're no longer close, when she was really to blame The cost of vulnerability is questioned throughout the song, but is answered in the last chorus, where she shifts perspectives acknowledging that her emotional guard is the reason her and this person could never truly be close.
I understand this all too well as the feeling of heartbreak is devastating in ways that have made me never want to seek it out again And when I do, I’m unintentionally cautious of my feelings because of that heartbreak sting. Emotionally guarded girlies rise.
But I'd rather be alone than a stranger You'd come visit me late at night I'd rather wake up alone than be reminded Of how it was a dream this time
-Nomad
I've seen various interpretations of this song, but to me she's expressing how she would rather be alone than with someone who doesn't really know or care about her This seems like an obvious concept, but I think she's saying what she means Having an undisclosed, unlabeled connection with someone can be all sorts of fun but often leads confusion or exploitation within the connection.
She refers to them spending time together as a dream because she knows the hope she has for the relationship is all in her head Valuing yourself through the eyes of someone who merrily sees you for who you are is not a relationship, but more of a stranger who thinks they know you
STEVIE NICKS: HALF MOONSHINE,
A FULL ECLIPSE
Once an ‘it girl’, always an ‘it girl.’ Stevie Nicks recently celebrated her 76th birthday in May but continues to rock out on stage like its ‘76! Nicks just wrapped her self titled tour this in July, traveling across the U.S. and Europe. The singer has been on tour since March of 2023, performing her solo and group hit records to fans of all generations.
The first time I saw Stevie was on YouTube performing ‘Dreams’ with Fleetwood Mac at a music festival in the 80's. I became obsessed with the aura that was, and still is Stevie Nicks. Her alluring, dark bohemian style matched with the lyrical incantations she speaks is an energy I wanted more of.
Over the years becoming a genuine fan of hers, listening to the stories she’s written has made me reflect on my own life and experiences in comparison to hers. Only recently did I learn that Stevie joined Fleetwood Mac when she was 27! She was apart of minuscule musical projects prior to joining the group, but didn’t start her official rockstar run until her later 20's. This was an eye-opener for me as I’m 22 years old and often think I have no time left to experience life the way that I want. I’m five years away from the age that Stevie was when she only merely stepped into her now ongoing legacy of a career, giving me peace of mind that the timing of life happens at different paces for different people.
If someone is a novice Stevie Nicks fan I would recommend listening to her debut album ‘Bella Donna’ (‘Some Become Strangers’ is my #1) and her third album ‘Rock a Little.’ For Fleetwood Mac I recommend, ‘Tango in the Night’ and of course the notorious ‘Rumors’ record.
Nicks has been even more on my radar as of late, as she and Harry Styles performed together in London at Hyde Park on July 12th. She brought Styles out to sing ‘Landslide’ in honor of former Fleetwood Mac bandmate, and friend, Christine McVie, who would have been celebrating her 81st birthday.
Seeing the love and respect they have for one another shines through on stage making their tribute even more meaningful. This being what I believe is their 3rd public performance together solidifies their relationship, Nicks having said ‘He’s like the son I never had.’ Stevie x Harry official collab when?
Another pop star with admiration for her and her work is none other than Taylor Swift! In her newest album titled ‘The Tortured Poets Department,’ Swift named dropped Stevie in her song ‘Clara Bow’ saying "You look like Stevie Nicks in '75, the hair and lips. Crowd goes wild at her fingertips. Half moonshine, a full eclipse.” The singer draws comparisons between herself and female icons of past generations, showcasing their musical impact and legacy. I take it back...Stevie x Taylor collab when?!
“AND WHEN I CALL WILL YOU WALK GENTLY THRU MY SHADOW THE ONES WHO SING AT NIGHT”
-NIGHTBIRD, THE WILD HEART
W G AT
Lollapalooza is a four-day music festival held at Grant Park in Chicago, Illinois Artists and bands of all genres perform at the fest, creating an electric, celebratory weekend of music, art, and community This year I’m going for the first time! Here are a few of my most anticipated performers from this year’s lineup.
When the lineup was announced back in March I knew I was going to be in attendance at this year’s Lollapalooza I counted 30+ artists and bands I would drop a bag to see individually in concert, so after calculating a bit of girl math, I’m actually saving hundreds of dollars by going to the festival!
Thursday (IMO) is one of the best days lineup wise There is no better way to start off the festival than seeing Jungle After the release of their fourth studio album ‘Volcano’ I can’t help but say that I’ve been in love! Later The Japanese House Lizzy Mcalpine, and Kesha are all playing around the same time making me choose between all of my mothers (Not cool)
Thursday night is packed with back to back performances from Chappell Roan, Labrinth, Benson Boone, and Hozier Incredibly excited to see Chappell again, post her rise to stardom within these past few months, followed by a euphoric performance from Labrinth, and closing out with my sad, lover boys, Benson and Hozier Truly couldn’t be better
Friday includes some of my favorite smaller artists including Sundial Wisp It’s Murph, and The Stews Most importantly, Friday is the day of my favorite performer of the entire festival, Laufey She is an Icelandic-Chinese jazz pop artist who I swear reads my journal and then writes her music She’s performing with The Chicago Philharmonic Orchestra around sunset, and I could not think of something more perfect Oh wait, I can! SZA is headlining afterwards, bringing me out of my ‘Second Best’ aura into my ‘Kill Bill’ energy
Other performances I’m trying to catch throughout Friday include Kevin Abstract Raye, Ruel, Faye Webster, Sexxy Red, Megan Mornoey, and Malcolm Todd There are a few overlapping performances I’ll have to miss, one of which is my babygirl Reneé Rapp She is scheduled at the same exact time as Laufey, at opposite ends of the festival The same goes from headliners Stray Kids I’ve been dying to experience a K-Pop group live, but ultimately need the musical emotional support from SZA more
LOLLALOLLALOLLALOLLALOLLA
I am the most unfamiliar with the artists on Saturday, but that makes it even more the fun! Definitely seeing one of my favorite bands TV Girl I have tried to see them in concert the past few years and am finally having the chance to hear one of my favorite songs ever ‘The Blonde’ live. I would also love to see the sets of Ethel Cain, Hippo Campus, and Cannons My pop princess and alt girl personas are fighting because I have to choose between Tate Mcrae and Deftones They are again, at opposite sides of the festival at the same time Seeing Tate perform looks like a time and a half, but at the same time I’m wondering when the next time, if at all, I’ll get the chance to see Deftones live Still debating, I’ll just think later about it LOL!
Planning on taking it slower on Sunday, seeing Teddy Swims and SiR to start the night to then see Dominic Fike I have never had the opportunity to witness his performance live, and I’m over the moon about it! (Edit: He dropped out of the festival Wednesday night :) I am still so upset ) This marks the eightyseventh instance where scheduling conflicts arise, as both Conan Gray and Dominic are set to perform at 6:45 yet again making me have to run across the festival to catch both sets
This being my first ever music festival, I’m going in blind with no real expectations other than to enjoy my favorite artists and music of all genres
Xoxo, see you soon Lolla!
BOYBAND INTERMISSION!
AUGUST
“Short n’ Sweet”
- Sabrina Carpenter
“Paradise State of Mind”
- Foster the People
“This is How Tomorrow Moves”
- Beabadoobee
ALBUM REVIEW
“Antartica”
-King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard
“Deeper Well”
- Kacey Musgraves
“F-1 Trillion”
- Post Malone
ALBUM OF THE YEAR PREDICTIONS
This year has seen a profusion of album releases by various artists and bands, with many more anticipated in the near future. While the abundance of music is appreciable, concerns arise regarding the potential overshadowing of deserving artists during Grammy nominations and within their respective categories. I truly believe that ranking music is a subjective endeavor, as it is art interpreted differently based on whose ears are listening, BUT I still think it’s interesting to see what is named ‘the best.’
To the left are the albums I anticipate will contend for the coveted Album of the Year accolade at the upcoming Grammy Awards.
AND THE WINNER IS...
This prediction was founded on my personal opinions and beliefs regarding what is likely to occur. Billie and Finneas have a tendency to sweep at the Grammys (and in general). I believe she has a high likelihood of being nominated for this award for the third time, and secure the win for the second.
