Dear Rocka readers,
This month I did some interviews, sold a few more shirts, and fell in love with some new country tunes. Today I come to you with some thoughts about how people think I’m a literal witch.
It’s partially my fault. I am at a very Christian, very conservative school. I am neither of these things (at least at this point in time. As Justin Bieber said “never say never”). But a lot of people here genuinely think I’m a witch.
80% of the time it’s a joke. It’s my incense that freaks people out or the fact that I have rose quartz in my underwear drawer because my massage therapist said my neck felt like a brick wall and I needed some loving energy(I now have a boyfriend so she was on to something). It’s my spiritual ambiguity but generally good spirit that throws folks for a loop.
I have two playlists that support the general consensus that I am a witch. The first, is aptly titled “witch bitch.” This is more of a feminine take on magic-y vibes. Think Lana, Stevie Nicks, and Queens of the Stone Age. The second, though, is called “hot priest.” This is the playlist I made when I was 19 and realized that The Doors were actually really good. Like most spiritual experiences in my life, I was flat on my back in bed on migraine meds when I heard “Back Door Man” for the first time. It’s the closest I come to God.
This playlist has caused me more of a headache than my actual neck injury has. I have friends and foes approach me telling me how much they like the playlist but how they hate the title. Two people have told me that they listen to it but don’t follow the playlist so it doesn’t come up on their Spotify profiles. It makes me laugh every single time because they just don’t know it’s a character from Fleabag. I am not sexualizing a priest, much less the role of a priest. I made a mix about the vibe of a fictional character, and you would’ve thought I was mixing potions in the student union.
A few months ago, some of my fans were discussing me in front of one of my closest friends. The word “pagan” was thrown out, perhaps with some implications of Wiccan practices. It upset me, seeing as though I’ve always struggled with the concept of religion and am open-minded when it comes to ideologies.
But man was it funny.
I have no real point to writing all of this except to say that “hot priest” got me a job a few months later. My hard work, character, and connections got me the job yada yada yada — but it was that playlist that I spoke to my boss about when I was being interviewed. I talked about feeling inspired by a character and aesthetic and finding music that fits that. It’s not about a hot priest, it’s about listening. Listening deeply to the people and art I consume. Listening to various decades and genres of music, weaving threads of influences through time.
There’s probably a lesson here about listening to others when they have differing opinions. Sure, yes. But my takeaway is to learn how to tune people out. Even when it’s praise (often undercut with some backhanded compliment), it’s best to stick to your guns and create the things you want to create. The right people will sense the sincerity and passion that runs deeper than the jokes. Godspeed to all those who have “inappropriately” titled playlists. If having a good ear is magic, then by all means I’m a witch.
Predictably, this month’s mix is an abridged mix of “hot priest.” Here is the original playlist I add to. And Here is the new one, distilled for your listening ease. I won’t add more lore to it for you, but I hope you enjoy a crisp October day with this as a soundtrack.
The spotlight track is “Get Down Moses” by Joe Strummer and the Mescaleros. I have not shown this to a person who hasn’t liked it. It’s Joe Strummer of The Clash, first off. This song is a perfect mix of reggae, rock, and exudes a certain unparalleled musical confidence. I have to stop myself from listening to this every day so I don’t end up hating it.
P.S. If you want the most angelic cover of Marcy Playground’s “Sex and Candy,” please listen to Rocka alumnus Sturtz’s cover here. I’m responsible for at least 300+ views of this video and they played it live for me one time. I think about this weekly.
Rocka out,
Ally