Trying to explain annual skin shedding to Eorzeans, or even plainly Gridanians was an awkward affair. It felt like the only one outside her family who understood for a long time was the annual moulting her chocobo would experience as well. Her family tried their best to maintain the normalcy of it, marking it with as much import as a nameday, or puberty.
Now, Sen reflected at the first signs of it. The paling further of her scales, the dulling of its lustre. Edges lifting. It was late.
She picked at the edge of it, willing it to lift faster but it just left her bleeding. Not yet. She sighed, using just a little bit of aether she swiped the pad of her thumb over it, gone.
Folding her arms over the window sill, she huffed long strings of hair from her face. It was past her lower back, the longest she'd ever had it. Seabirds sang, her eyes were for the sky. Gods only knew how much she wanted to fly. Not yet.
They had been spending the better part of a week inside, recuperating - hiding. Two months they had been gone when it was all said and done. Spending weeks wrapped in spider silk preserving their bodies while their spirits made a journey of a life time.
In her minds eye she saw herself first rejecting a kimono, laid across her mother's arms. Her father's hand squeezing her mother's shoulder comfortingly. Building a small shrine in her room to her patron, her true patron, Althyk.
Next she saw her arms up past the elbows covered in blood, holding the tiniest of infants. Remembering the tidal wave of relief when their cries reached her horns, the mother's joyful tears.
The thunderous rumble, crashes, and pure destruction ripping through the Shroud. A sense of safety gone, for a long while.
A crash of cold waterfall at dawn, aching new muscles. Flashes of fiery eyes behind flying fists, a sharp cut at her foot forevermore. A soothing song trickling like water, a hilarious limerick, thrumming building tension. A meeting of natural forces.
Rubbing ash through her fingers, what was left of the mystical fire that consumed her cane and staff. Sprinkling it into a small glass vial for safe keeping. Sentimental as always.
Somewhere among the memories she had dozed, nightmares descending like thick wilderness. The deep shadows formed in the sickening green, it pulled someone away, a desperate hand reaching for her and not being caught.
A certain catte unintentionally snuck up on her, jolting her awake but immediately being wrapped in the very arms she had sold her soul for. Jesser'to draped himself over her shoulders, nuzzling into the crook of her neck.
Turning, adjusting, folding into him. Squeezing tightly, she buried her face. Sensing her unease he held tight not letting go.
Several moments passed, finally she relaxed her hold.
Pairs Well With…Aurora, Norah Jones, Courtney Barnett
Diamond Thug’s vocals are the most notable thing in their music - gritty isn’t the right word, but the rich, accented way front woman Chantel Van T sings word feels experienced and real. Some country drawl, bedroom pop melodies, jazzy inflections - her band’s songs feel like a bed for her sounds and words, often minimal constructed and building like waves when naturally cued. Blues rock (“Minds Eye”) and new wave pop (“Beauty Through the Devil’s Door”) show Diamond Thug as musically full and with growingly tight performance on record. On the other hand, recent single “Kommetjie” is so peaceful it literally starts with the sound of waves crashing in the distance, a space that actually really works for Diamond Thug’s primary goal as a rock songwriter who can lead in directions equally organic and electric.
Space rock quartet hailing from Johannesburg --Diamond Thug share a haunting ballad titled Purple Skies that entreats the listener with an emotionally charged piano laced soundscape and poigant lyrics. The breathtaking visual treatment directed Meghan Daniels showcases the powerful bond between two brothers. Watch the treatment--our Video of the Week above and then read the interview we conducted with this fantastic four-piece!
01. Hello! How are you and what is going on?
Oh hi! I’m great, thank you for asking. We are busy soundchecking for a very special show in our city this evening.
02. How did Diamond Thug meet and form their band?
It started as a hip hop project by Danilo and myself but it quickly turned into what we are now, as members joined. Adrian saw us on stage and asked to be the drummer, slowly sneaking onto guitar. Then Ted saw us at a festival and snuck on stage pretending to be Danilo’s cousin and very shortly after became our drummer.
03. Where are you from and what are some of your favourite things to see and do in your city?
We are from Cape Town and it’s surroundings. Our early days were band practice in my basement in Kommetjie where I was staying at the time. We are so lucky to live in a city surrounded by nature. So most of my favourite things to do are surfing, hiking, rock climbing, picnics and movie nights at the Labia theatre.
04. What was the inspiration behind Purple Skies?
I was staying in Napier which is the countryside just outside of Cape Town when Danilo the bassist sent me the piano line. The words and melody came pretty immediately, I was sitting watching the sunset. It comes from accepting how truly loving someone comes with learning to let go of the fear of losing that person at some point in life. It was written during lockdown, where the conversations we were all having were very deep and intense and sort of heightened the fragility of life.
05. What is the story behind the fantastic video?
We worked with an incredible director named Meghan Daniels, who had photographed us years before. We sat and spoke about the song and what it meant and she told us about the visual idea she had, telling the story of a bond between brothers, mirroring the idea of dealing with loss from the lyrics. We loved the idea, and the way the male-leads could really contrast what is one of our quietest songs. So we gave her free reign. She put an incredible cast and crew together, who all just did an incredible job on the indie band budget we gave them. We’re hosting a screening with the crew and cast tonight before our show.
06. How would you describe your sound?
Space rock / Alternative indie ;)
07. Any sleeping tips for us?
Oh yes! You’ve come to the right place. I happen to be rather into biohacking and holistic health.
Key ones:
Stop screen time 3hrs before bed
Don’t drink anything 2 hrs before bed (avoid needing to wee in the middle of the night)
Limit caffeine from 3pm in the day
Sleep hygiene (the body loves routine!) try go to bed and wake up at the same time every night.
Read before bed
Practice breathing or listening to calm music.
Drink chamomile tea and put some lavender oil on your pillows :)
08. Any local artists in your city that you are loving and would love to tell us about?
There are tons, but right now we’re loving Internet Girl and Manu Grace write some really great songs!
