HIPSTER RUNOFF

Photos by SUP MAGAZINE

I was looking at some pictures of chillwave artists in SUP MAGAZINE. I feel worried about them. It looks like they have a lot going on in their minds. Like maybe stressed out, or something. You might recognize Ernest Greene, the lead singer of Washed Out. But if you saw him on the street, would u think he was one of 2k9's most successful new musicians?

Even Neon Indian bro seems like he has been going on a lot of long walks. Looks like his mind is cloudy, overwhelmed with worry.

Photos by SUP Magazine

Probably a lot of pressure. So many people want to 'get at u', offer you money so that they can take your brand to the next level. But you're just one bro. You just made some songs on the compy. Asking yourself, "Why is there even a backlash against me?" Being in a buzzband must be a post-absurd experience. Pretty isolating. Like very few people would even be able to understand the problems and pressure in ur life.

Going to just chill. Free my mind. Drink an iced coffee.

Still feel empty, even after the barista made me the perfect iced coffee. 'My Glass is Half Empty.'

2k10 is here, and most artists have a lot to think about. There is so much pressure on all musicians and mp3 blogs to stay 'now.' Ultimately, there is a new meme + trend cycle on the horizon, and we are all scared of being left behind. The more we openly talk about the state of the modern alt scene, the better equipped we are to move forward and help one another stay relevant. We cannot be paralyzed by fear. We must confront our issues and become better humans.

Life isn't easy. Even the most successful people have a stress. Sometimes u just need a friend. Sometimes u just need some1 to talk 2. Never be afraid to ask 4 professional help. Just be U. We will <3 u no matter what. U'll always be a part of us.

Is chillwave dead?
Is stresswave the new chillwave?
When will the first 'good' new band of 2k10 come out?
Why do u think they are so bummed?
Maybe we can't 'just chill' n e more... maybe it's time 2 want something more out of life...

hi yall.
how r u?
Don't really feel 'zany' or 'energetic' 2day. Just wanted 2 post some MP3s that are kinda chill/dark. Sometimes u need 2 reflect. Feel a lot of pressure to 'be funny, relevant, and insightful' all of the time, but sometimes u should just lay alone in the dark and listen to Sigur Ros/reflective music with words that u can't rlly understand.

Might start listening to Grouper instead since they are opening up for AnCo. This is one of their myspace pix. I think it is 'kinda haunting' somehow.

[MP3s]
Grouper - Heavy Water/I'd Rather be Sleeping
Grouper - Rising Height

Myspace
http://www.myspace.com/grouperrepuorg

MP3 hijacked from
http://gorillavsbear.blogspot.com/search/label/grouper

Sort of reminds me of my fave AnCo song 'Visiting Friends.'

good nite yall.

I'm not sure if yall have noticed, but I HIPSTER RUNOFF is going to start pushing a 'progressive conservative alternative agenda.' I want 'authentic family values' mixed with 'authentic altness' so that we can strengthen or local scenes, & help every1 feel like they are part of a special movement that is bigger than ourselves.

I want us to reach out to people from our past who we didn't connect with, and even to our parents so that they can understand that we have found a better way to live life. We need more alts in the world, and we need to let them know that they can be a part of the family.

I was particularly touched by an email from an HRO reader who is trying her best to make the world a little bit more alt. She made her mother an authentic Birthday Card.


What can u do 2 make the world a better place?
R u going to make ur family a slideshow in Keynote for Xmas?
R u going to promise 2 make ur mom 1 bloghouse mixtape per month?
Are you going to go around town and hang up meaningful signs typed in Helvetty?
Now that Barry Obammy is Pressy, we have to do more to make sure that we r making the world a better place. If a black man can become President, then I believe every mainstreamer can become alt.

We need more Arts N Crafts funding in our suburban communities 2 fight depression + suicide.

"What does it feel like 2 sleep forever?" -an Alt in Crisis

[Image by LindsaysDiet]
Life is hard. Don't listen to what other free-spirited people at music festivals tell you. If you are some1 who actually contributes to ur national economy, then chances are u face some stress in ur life. If ur some1 who actively contributes to the alternative social economy, then ur life is probably twice as hard as a regular mainstreamer. U have a whole new set of problems that mainstreamers can't even fathom.

This is the alt struggle.

The alt struggle is there for a reason. It's to make u a better alt. We've all had times where we think about giving up. Never give up. Your alt life is too valuable. Alternative suicide is bad for your alternative community. Even if you are an unmemorable alt who wears American Appy and has less than 10 tagged photos on a social network, just the fact that you have a default userpic with a MacBook camera makes you relevant.

I remember when a bunch of AZNs tried to commit suicide. People are getting stressed about the bursting electroBubble. Alts don't know what to do during this time of war when the government is rationing electricity to fight in the electro war.

All I can say is 'never give up.' Pharmacists are working on a solution to all of our problems, yall. Things will be perfect within the next 10 years--just give it time. Put on your electroHeadphones and watch meaningful electroDocumentaries. Never forget that your unique personal brand is important to your Alternative Social Economy.

What is causing alt-depression?
1) Mainstreamers wearing too much American Appy, making alts feel less unique
2) altBro saturation of major metropolitan areas
3) post-ElectroWar Stress Syndrome
4) Yellow Fever (2ManyAZNs)
5) Entry Level Alts making AuthenticAlts feel less authentic
6) The American Election
7) The War with Iraq
8) The War with Iran
9) Australian Stress Syndrome
10) No new Justice album for the past 200 blog years
11) Popular 'alt' blogs posting too many Alice Glass pix
12) Agyness Deyn not being fun any more since she started hammying Alby Hammy Jr.
13) Choose Ur Own Response yallsies

XX WHAT MUSIC WILL SOUND LIKE WHEN THE ENTIRE WORLD IS DEPRESSED XX

In the future, all male singers will be bald, play piano ballads, and wear Abercrombie beaniez.

BTW...who are yall voting for in the election thingy? Can nonAmericans vote or is it the whole world?

[Image via FFFFound]
I heard Barry Obama got some 17 year old girl preggers or something, but I just read headlines from message boards and don't rlly pay attention. What's going on in politix, yall? Should I blog about it? It seems zanier than a party pix site with 25% n00d gingers.

Do yall believe in 'depression'? Sometimes I think it's just spoiled people (mainly girls and closet homos who had bad parents) who don't know how 2 be happy... but I haven't been around people who are poor at n e time in my entire life, so it's hard 4 me 2 put myself in the shoes of some1 who have real problems/have had 2 work hard 2 get somewhere in lyfe/feel like life is for more than just floating from weekend2weekend.

It's also hard 4 me to believe in depression cuz the graphics that are in pamphlets about DEPRESSION are s0 funnie.

Kids can apparently be 'sad and not know why' even though they don't have any serious relationships or financial responsibilities.

This chart maps why entry-level alts started listening 2 blog house.

Do yall believe in depression? Or is it only for 40+ year old people who 'don't know how 2 adapt to our technological society'?

Was Tom Cruise right that medication can't truly help people b happy? Do u have any 'zany' friends who are depressed to a level where it ruins Saturday nights for your group of altFriendz?

What internal conflict is inside of 'sad people'/depressed people?

• mainstream vs. alt?
• bad parents?
• person I want 2 b VS. person I will end up being?
• will I make good grades?
• Am I ghey or straight or bi?
• will I get an iPod or a Zune?
• Did Garden State mean something or nothing?
• Will I move 2 NYC or LA?
• Will n e 1 ever luv me like I think I deserve 2 be luved?
• Is my personal brand authentic or phony/which 1 will make me more money?
• Should I major in communications or design?

Is it hard for yall 2 empathize with people who don't have the tools to be self-aware/have stopped yearning for 'something more'/taken the emotional energy 2 make their mainstream concept of 'happiness' obsolete?

I guess what I'm trying 2 say is:
ALT = HAPPINESS ?

XX BONUS BLIPSTER INDIAN XX

In the electro war, some tribes will not use modern weapons. They will use weapons made from the electroEarth.
[Photos by Click//Clash]

But srsly yall... is there a lil bit of sadness in every1?
What's life all abt?