A new year...a fixed computer...and some bad news ( Muted related and non Muted related)

I'M SORRY!!! My laptop crashed after I managed to spill orange spritzer all over it…leaving me without a computer for a LONG time. But here we are… the January issue and I’m close to curling up in the fetal position and sobbing profoundly.

Bad news first:

First off, I’d like to say thank you and good bye to Liem Vu our Features Editor. We will miss him more than we miss Blink-182. That does mean, however, that I’m looking for a new Features Editor to fill the position! Interested? Email me at fwahking@mutedmag.com.

Secondly, I’ve been going through a hell of a time. About two years ago my family found out my mom had uterine cancer. We thought everything would be O.K; she was going to go for radiation and get a hysterectomy. We even planned out a trip to Europe in the summer of 2008. We didn’t end up boarding a plane. Instead, my mom found out her cancer came back and was causing fluid to build up in her stomach. She had to go for chemo treatments until Christmas time. Well Christmas time came around and the doctors told her the chemo wasn’t working and was sent home where we are supposed to keep her rested and happy until her death. She may only live for 6 months- 2 years. It’s hard to stay happy through all of this…and those who know me well know that I probably force myself to be happy most of the time. Please keep her in your prayers.

OK! So now that I have the bad news covered it’s time to look forward to a new year of music and movies…and pretty much anything pop culture I can get my hands on to:

1) Fall Out Boy…can I call this the year of the FOB? With an upcoming tour and their new CD already out in store and not to mention Bronx Mowgli Wentz (why mess with tradition Pete? Your baby should be called Peter Lewis Kensington Wentz the 4th, just saying). The world is abuzz with all things Fall Out Boy and I couldn’t be more happier.



2) The Diverse Attraction- Besides the bassist being one of Mutedmag.com’s top photographer? Their new CD drops soon I hope. *Sniff* *Sniff* do I smell another Silverstein on our hands? I hope so…their sound has a definite lasting affect on the brain.



3) He’s Just Not That into You- Guess how I’m spending Valentine’s day? With my two besties, Cosmos (yum), and this MOVIE. Besides having a stellar cast, I can probably relate to all these characters one way or another. Who doesn’t love a good chick flick.


4) The Feel-Good Dance Music Sisters (FGDMS)- This is pretty much covers a lot of the artists blasting on my Ipod right now. The FGDMS are Taylor Swift, Rihanna, Katy Perry, Lady Gaga, and Estelle. These feisty females are climbing the charts with hit after hit and I’m LOVING it. Cause sure 2008 didn’t consist of kissing girls, breakin’ dishes, love stories, poker, or American Boys but who knows what will happen in 2009.


~Love on my right heel, Hope on my left~

-Fran

Merry Christmas, I could care less...

Hey dahlings,

I hope you enjoy this month’s issue. It’s a bit short but still amazing. I’d like to thank my three editors for putting so much work into this issue. They are not only acting as editors this month, but editor in chiefs as well. I’m on vacation for Christmas, working on my tan.

So as it is Christmas here is two songs to get you guys in the holiday mood!



The animated version of 12 Days of Christmas by Taking Back Sunday. This is HILARIOUS, it’s like the original song, with commentary.



This isn’t the original version of the Fall Out Boy song “Yule Shoot Your Eye Out” but it will have to do. I’d rather give you a live version, than photo slides of Fall Out Boy pictures. This song is just simply beautiful and I’d rather hear this than Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer on my radio.

So now that we’ve got Christmas covered, let’s talk about the New Year for a second. I have YET to keep a New Year’s Resolution…EVER.

This year, I intend to keep this simple resolution: Be happy with who I am and where I am in my life.

It seems strange, but I’m tired of being so negative about myself, those who are friends with me know what I am talking about.

Merry Christmas (screw being politically correct) and a Happy New Year everyone from everyone at Mutedmag.com!

I came here to make you dance tonight

Hey dahlings,

So this is it. The first issue of Muted Magazine is coming out soon. I can't believe it! All my hard work and stressing has finally paid off. All I can say is, "Can't wait for the December issue!" The next issue will be filled with awesome interviews from the latest bands to hit Toronto and of course our wonderful fashion section. Wonder what will be in that section...another one of my hoodies from my growing collection?

Anyways, in honour of the first issue I thought it would only be appropriate for me to talk about 2 bands that you should be listening to. One who made Snakes on a Plane my favourite soundtrack in awhile and another who's power pop sound should soon be taking over the airwaves.

Cobra Starship's new CD Viva la Cobra! came out on October 23. I'm not going to lie, I haven't bought it yet. With my lack of money these days, and the fact that I hate downloading a band's CD, means I have to wait until a magical fairy gives me the CD as a present. Until then, I constantly watch their new music video for their first single "Guilty Pleasure". Let's get over the fact the video is HILARIOUS (dog humping its bed made me spit out my orange juice) and talk about the sound. It's catchy and melodic. Think teen movie soundtrack: The heroin wakes up and starts getting dressed. Grabs her hair brush and starts lip synching. Enter danceable background music and you've got "Guilty Pleasure". It's a great mixture of rock and club music. The other song I've come across is "The City is at War". It has a techno feel to it with a strong lead guitar. It reminds me of a pre-completely fucked up Britney Spears. Remember Toxic anyone?

Never underestimate the power of 6 boys and a keyboard. Forever the Sickest Kids hails from Dallas, Texas. All I can say is "Hey Brittany" is one of my favourite songs. They have an eclectic mix of power pop and rock that really make this band worth listening to. It's strange when I started listening to them they only had one song up and didn't belong to Universal Records. Oh how my boys have grown up. Won't be long 'till this band goes mainstream...my advice? Start listening to them before they become the next Fall Out Boy and their fans become divided between those who listened to them pre From Under the Cork tree and those who only know past "Sugar We're Going Down".

Until next week,

Francesca Wahking