It's For The Children

 I broke down and after releasing my 2nd album, I got a TikTok. Goddamnit, I never wanted one but I have to promote my tunes!

If you're a TikTokker and want to follow me, my name on there is manikfoxlaughs.

Happy New Year!

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New album out NOW on Apple Music, Spotify, and wherever you get your jams!

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Merry Christmas & Socials

 Merry Christmas Everyone! 

My website "card" if you will, is located at http://clikk.me/manikfox where you can reach me musically and art-illy on Twitter, Instagram, Spotify, and more.

Peace the F Out, 2022!!!!!!

 2022 was real shitty. There, I said it. It all started when in late January our landlord in Arizona raised our rent beyond what we could afford. We then moved halfway across the country to a cheaper place. Which took forever, and was so frustrating. Our moving company were a bunch of scammers and thieves. We still were dealing with them in July, and we had finished moving in March.

After a frustrating move, speaking of July, we were witness to a crazy gun battle that ensued just beneath our window where we slept. Someone busted our car window and attempted to steal things. Someone busted into our storage units downstairs in the basement and stole things. A car fire happened within view of our windows. I don't' know how many times this year we called 911, or had the police come out. 

But there were good things that happened too. We had a 4 day weekend in June for my birthday, and had a fun-packed weekend together. We did it again for my mate's birthday in July where we went to see Brandi Carlile in concert in Kansas City. 

The bad outweighed the good this year unfortunately. I think 2023 is starting to prepare us for a better year; a few good things have started happening to us just this month... and I am wearing a necklace with black onyx stone for protection, so that should help too.

As far as "resolutions" go, I don't have any. Mostly because resolutions are typically either impossible to keep or they are pipe dreams you have no intention of keeping up with. A lot of people want to lose weight, or diet, or exercise, or stop smoking, stop drinking, be a better person. 

This coming year I instead made goals. Tangible ones that are something that I can attain. We got our dinosaur rings, and we will do some research to see when the best month and best place and best clothes will be to exchange them with our own little private ceremony. This is a goal of mine. It's also a goal of mine to go to at least one sort of festival, if not more. I may perhaps decide to drink a little less. I will say I have at least one beverage each day, but not to excess, and usually for the most part I tend to stick to light pours, or a beer or two. I don't like to get drunk. 

I also wish to listen to music more this year. I did listen to a lot this year, in order to do my top 10, but I feel like it wasn't enough. I didn't get to "chill" to it, or sleep to it, or relax to it, celebrate it. I did my music listening in a controlled and methodical manner. I'd like to experience it in a more leisurely way.

I would also like to learn a new language. I had been learning German in August and September but I think I actually want to learn Dutch or Finnish. I haven't decided which, yet. And I want to learn to play the Banjolele. I bought one for Laurel, on her birthday, and we need to have fun learning it together. 

Our #1 goal though, is to keep safe. #2 is to save up $$. Both can be done if we play it smart...

So we have some things we need to do, tangible goals that we can accomplish if we try. 

I am really excited for the new year to come. Usually each year I am so tired that I get to sleep before midnight and never 'ring in' the new year. This year I am determined to say goodbye to 2022, and see it go away. So this means an early bedtime and an early awake time!

Dear 2023, you can't come fast enough. Best Regards, Me.

Baby, it's cold outside...

 ...But I've got my love to keep me warm...

So in 3 days it will be Christmas! We had a snowstorm yesterday. It went from being 35-40ºF to now -5. With a windchill of -30º. Yikes!

My favorite time of year though, tied with Halloween and my Birthday :-D

We've got 2 little artificial trees, and decorations up. It looks nice. '

Here's some holiday AI art that I did:

Have a Merry Christmas/Happy Hannukah/Holidays and such to you all!

Top 10 Psychill of 2022

 I'm back with another Top 10 list, this time for 2022. This was an interesting year for music. A lot of long-awaited albums came out, and some other surprises from artists we didn't expect. 

I listened to approximately 100 of the new psychill/psybass/chill/whatever albums and EPs released this year, and it was tough to determine who would end up on this list, but I think I got it pegged. I hope you enjoy finding out who was on the top 10!

10. Man of No Ego & Logical Elements - Seen and Unseen

Beautiful guitar effects surround rich soundscapes to envelope you into a peaceful vibration. Blossoming psychedelic melody blends with a slight melancholic feeling that really helps you sit and relax while you listen.

Man Of No Ego & Logical Elements - Seen and Unseen [Full EP]

9. Panda on the Bamboo Tree - Xtradimensional Motions

Bountiful psybass entrances you on this album. With a touch of psydub, the mounting energy and soft blended chanting makes this one stand out.

Panda On The Bamboo Tree - Xtradimensional Motions [Full Album]

8. Annihilation of Self - First Orbit

Reach for the stars. That is the message this album conjures up for me in my head. Slick melodies backing clever bass send you into outerspace. Psychedelic chillout at it's best.

Annihilation Of Self - First Orbit [Full Album]

7. Unusual Cosmic Process - Atlantis

UCP does not usually disappoint, so it is no wonder that this musical enchantment brings about success. With the full scope of synths, melody, bass, and some mid-tempo chilltrance, this album definitely makes us think about Atlantis, the lost underwater city.

Unusual Cosmic Process - Atlantis [Full Album]

6. Klaada - Conjunctio Oppositorum

As one of the most highly anticipated albums this year, it is no wonder it is on this list. Deep and moody, with an ethereal vibe that includes chanting in french, the epic sound on this one takes us on a journey in our minds.

Klaada - Coniunctio Oppositorum [Full Album]

5. Ott - Heads

Psydub at it's finest, Ott is back again with more brain melters. Or should I say Head benders? :)

Dubby basslines and snazzy psychedelic surprises abound on this album, no wonder it is one of the most fun on this list.

Ott - Heads [Full Album] (2022)

4. Solar Fields - Formations

Our good friend Magnus is back with a highly anticipated album. It's been a while since we have held in our hands a copy of a new Solar Fields album, of new material that is.  This album shows us new perspectives of sounds and atmospheres that evoke visions of different moods around different time periods.

SOLAR FIELDS - FORMATIONS (preview) 4K

3. Eelison - Obscurities

Very masterfully crafted minimal psybass. Or at least that is what I would call it. Dubstep beats showing off downtempo sounds. Smooth basslines. This album provides a moody atmosphere. If you like your moody music on the chill side, this is definitely for you.

eelison - Obscurities [Full Album]

2. Kalya Schintilla - Trinkets

We always get what we want with a new Kalya Scintilla album. Chunky basslines, fun beats, and an atmosphere ready for a big psybass party. Melodies abound, this album throws us a beautiful remix of the song "Feelin' Good" by Nina Simone - an unexpected treat.

Inhale Exhale

And are you ready for #1?

1. E-Mantra - Silence 3

As per the usual, E-Mantra doesn't fail to impress with this auditory masterpiece. With a perfect balance of proper chillout and psychedelia, this album is a win. Soothing pads, beautiful synths, just the right touch of fx makes this beautiful album perfect for any winter day.

E-MANTRA - Ode to the Winter Nights (Silence 3 Album)

Honey, without all the exes, fights and flaws, we wouldn't be standing here so tall

 So, I feel weird. For a day or so now I have felt rather sad, emotional, and sensitive. I actually burst out sobbing when my mate spoke mildly harsh to me. She wasn't being mean or anything, she was just confused as to why I was acting dumb and stupid, and I had no idea why. I just burst out.

I skipped a dose of Abilify last night. Usually if that is 'pulling me down' then it helps to remove it from my system for a day or two. I am on the max dose of Wellbutrin, and I decline any SSRI's because of their intensely sickening withdrawal symptoms.

So I have to rely on strategies that I have in place to help myself out of this way of thinking. I can play board games, draw/color, do art stuff, take a walk (though it's rainy and cold now), meditate, deep breathing, exercise, etc... but I am feeling incredibly lazy with a lack of motivation.

I have no idea why I feel this way. I mean, yeah, I know, I have bipolar... but that isn't what I mean. I mean I didn't have a specific trigger that made me start feeling bad. I just started feeling bad for no apparent reason.

I had been relatively stable for a few weeks. When I am stable I always think to myself, "Just change the way you're thinking when you start to feel bad. Just be happy." I get mad when non-mentally ill people say shit like that. Why did I? I forgot that the sadness kinda consumes you, it eats it's way inside your head until there's just grey and ashes.

You'd think I would be 10x more excited about having my music up on Spotify and other streaming services right? I am, but my enthusiasm had a low threshold. In fact my self esteem is wobbly about it. Who's going to listen to it? If anyone hears it, will they like it? Am I good enough? I usually do not have a big problem with self esteem (any more-- childhood is another story). So why am I acting this way?

I feel bad for my mate, she has to put up with me. I must be a real drag to be around right now. I am really trying super hard to fake it till I make it and white knuckle the flat numbness that is starting to encircle me.

What a joyous blog entry.

I will leave you with a wonderous AI art picture that I generated a few weeks ago.