The Most Important Band in the World (part 1)

On Spotify you can listen to Stay Free: The story of The Clash (aka: the most important band in the world). And I highly suggest you do!

From Spotify

It’s a FANTASTIC podcast/audio-documentary hosted by Chuck D of Public Enemy (who while not punk in music/genre, sure af were punk in spirit and ideology).

I love this podcast for so many reasons. While the most obvious would be based on my love for the Clash themselves, there are three reasons I would especially suggest this for anyone.

First is how Chuck D discusses Public Enemy, and, the influence of the Clash on his group. “Elvis was a hero to most but, he never meant sh*t to me” while not political is one of my favorite lyrics of all time—and I actually don’t mind Elvis personally. But in episode one Chuck D addresses how if you TRULY look at music the argument is not The Beatles vs Elvis (The Beatles is the correct answer) because Elvis was a manufactured Star (because he was noted as the “great White hope for music” because white Women in the 60’s were falling for black musicians and that was SO FROWNED upon at the time—tbh has much changed?!). The real argument was (and historically correctly for Rock n Roll): Chuck Berry vs Bo Diddly. The ideas were based not merely on technicalities of musicianship but in the writing of lyrics.

Additionally, Chuck shares how listening to The Clash and—more specifically Joe Strummer—were an influence on the direction that Public Enemy took including the anguish of young adults and anger at their society’s failing systems.

I LOVE THIS PARALLEL!!!

My second favorite part of this is the way this plays as an audio documentary, and not “simply” a podcast. That’s no diss to podcasts as I LOVE them. But the research and archival audio files used in this lend a more, idk “scholarly” feel. I know there are similar podcasts—in fact, I would call those audio documentaries as well for the longer ones. Again: not a diss to either, I just like to distinguish info (old schooling habits die hard).

Lastly: music history!!! It is truly my favorite subject. In fact, all of my research papers and subject throughout college and grad school were based on music history and it’s equal influences/reflections of society!!! [My second fave is general media consumption (movies, books, television) and its influences].

I hope you’ll be sure to check out the series!!

If you have any podcast or audio documentary recommendations please tell me about them in the comments!

Lumberjanes: A Tiny Review & Playlists!

LumberJanes L to R: Ripley, April, Jo, Molly, Mal via

If you're looking to pick up a comic sereies RIGHT NOW, may I highly recommend Lumberjanes!!! Other bloggers have recommended the series, and I immediately picked it up, especially Cazz from Nerdburger whose review can be found here, and Gwen of A Geek & Her Oven whose review is here!

Like the ladies above, I love Lumberjanes' genuine use of girl's kicking butt and having fun action! It reminds me of Powerpuff Girls x Scooby Doo x Buffy, and--as another review noted--a little bit of Ann M. Martin's Babys-Sitter's Club for measure!

I like the comic's style as it colorful, and on the zanier side. The second those three-eyed foxes showed up in issue one, the series pretty much stole my heart!

Fox Fight!!! via

The comic also has an all inclusive feel with diverse characters who all get along and have friendship as their glue (a la the BSC). No character comes across as a "token," either! Each of these young ladies is a person who contributes to the group, making up their solid 20 percent of the group! This is such a refreshing element to me. Each character is well balanced, and has her own specialty. In the most recent issue (number three) I swear I heard the Doctor saying to Molly "...I've never met anyone who wasn't important." Also, Ripley--the youngest, and most hyper of the 'Janes--gets thrown in a "Fastball Special" (which happens to be 1 of 5 things that I actually like about Wolverine). This is totally a comic for comic lovers, and, newbies a like though (don't let the references scare you, let them inspire you, young padawan).

At the end of every issue, I feel like I've earned a merit badge along with Jo, April, Mal, Molly and Ripley! (I should make some! Someone on Etsy needs to get on that too...like, stat! LOL).

While I would read this series based on all of the things above, you know what signed, sealed, and, CEMENTED the deal?

Those Playlists! If you've been here with you friendly neighborhood Joie for a while you know I love me a good PLAYLIST/MIX TAPE! (Even though I'm not a T. Swift fan/person/respector at all, the playlists are BOMB!)

In short I would HIGHLY recommend picking up Lumberjanes. Especially to those of you who are tired of just toeing the water, and are looking to jump in the pool!

Here are the playlists from one and two (except in 2 I took out Avril Lavine...because she is my enemy and if my life were a video game, she'd be the penultimate boss battle I'd fight). Also Fefe is luv!

Fox Fight Jams:



River Adventure Mix of Doom:


I'll get to volume 3 later...

Have you read Lumberjanes? What comics are you reading now?

Product Review: Costume Running Sleeves by Groovy Baby Action Gear

On Wednesday I showed some groovy sleeves from Groovy Baby Action Gear!

Shop owner, Katie Dean makes these totally awesome sleeves as well as calf sleeves to complete a running cosplay look, and some fun flair! They're great for warmth, flair, and for danger-prone-Daphne's (like your's truly) a buffer against scrapes!

Ariel calf sleeves!!!

Buzz Lightyear!!!

"As a chronic over-user of the word "awesome" and someone who regularly abuses exclamations points, I have landed in my ideal place in the world. A runner myself, I started Groovy Baby Action Gear to celebrate the euphoria of the finish line. I also decided it was time to provide some seriously fun running and cosplay options for all those quirky, fun events that seem to keep popping up everywhere we go.

I strive to celebrate the uniqueness of every character, athlete and individual so if you have an idea for a pair of custom sleeves, hit me up and we'll co-create just the right pair for you!"

In addition to the items in her shop, Katie is working on some more AWESOME character designs, and she looks forward to creating sleeves: JUST. FOR. YOU.!!!
Be sure to check out her shop here:

Groovy Baby Action Gear

And now for my first review!

These Little Mermaid sleeves are first and foremost: FUN!!! They are a pretty poison green, with a sparkly, shiny  scaled print (sorry, my phone is my camera, so I don't feel I'm doing them justice). Also, these could double as Poison Ivy props too!!!

The fabric is stretchy, and breathable, but sewn fitted so they won't slip and slide down your arms, but they are not suffocating or overly tight. I ran with them Monday and Tuesday. Monday was very warm and where I was running it was 78 degrees with a small breeze, and I didn't feel overheated at all with them on. Tuesday was more like 64 (I was even running at the same place!) and the sleeves kept me warm enough while my body heated up from running. I also like that if they are too warm, they aren't bulky like a long-sleeve, or sweatshirt, and can fold up really small and fit in a fanny pack or pockets (yup, you read that correctly: I occasionally have run with a fanny pack...keys).

Though they are meant primarily for costume fun runs (which I totally want to, and will do!) they are officially a part of my go to for spring cardio!

I give them 5/5 Kirby's!!!

Be sure to check out Groovy Baby Action Gear!