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Punktuation Magazine Justin Courney Pierre Permanent Midnight EP Release

Music Review:’It’s ‘Permanent Midnight’ for Justin Courtney Pierre’s Latest EP Release’

Click here to go to my Puncktuation Music Review: ‘It’s ‘Permanent Midnight’ for Justin Courtney Pierre’s Latest EP Release’

Punktuation Magazine Justin Courney Pierre Permanent Midnight EP Release

It’s ‘Permanent Midnight’ for Justin Courtney Pierre with Latest EP Release

Motion City Soundtrack front man releases fourth and final EP instalment of his recent EP series via Epitaph Records.

‘Permanent Midnight’ is a continuation of the pervasive themes that have plagued Justin Courtney Pierre’s song writing throughout his decades long musical career (and life); the unrelenting, existential, concept of the passing of time, his relationships, and personal battles with mental health.

Released over the past year, beginning with An Anthropologist on Mars in March of 2021, followed by The Price Of Salt in July and Ghost World in November, Justin’s previous EPs, for the most part, kept the sound and essence of Motion City Soundtrack. Creating on his own, however, he the freedom to showcase his individuality, explore new ideas and sounds, and let his personality and creativity take centre stage.

With this EP, Justin returns to the more traditional pop-punk sounds which will help to bridge the gap for fans (patiently) waiting on new music from Motion City Soundtrack. Which we HOPE is coming… the wistful opening song on this EP ‘Used to Be Old School’ is a reminiscence on the past, perhaps on the band’s touring years? But hopefully not an ending! What ‘grand farewell’ is Justin excited for? Let’s not get too worried!Permanent-Midnight-

‘Back at 45’, takes you back to the best of the rock-out, pop-punk days, upbeat and fun! The journey through fatherhood and love he has for his daughter, Max, shines through, with her on assistant vocals. So cute! Genuinely thinking you won’t live to have a family (because of mental illness), and then being able to share them with the world through your music must be such a joy, truly delightful to hear.

‘So Beautiful and Difficult’ and ‘House of Strangers’ return to a more contemplative, melancholic examination of the meaning of life, our lifetimes, such as many of the songs from Motion City’s 2012 album ‘Go’, with the slower, melodic rock style.

Lyrically, Justin has always shown shockingly genuine emotion. From Motion City’s manic, depressed, isolated themes on 2010 album ‘My Dinosaur Life’, to the last song on the EP, ‘You’re the Reason’, it feels like Justin’s life is in such a better place. This ballad is a beautiful love letter to his wife and family, with his usual self-doubt but also now, real hope.

As someone who has been listening since ‘The Future Freaks Me Out’ on ‘I am the Movie’ in 2003, I not only love the ever-evolving musical styles of Justin Courtney Pierre, but also that he has never been afraid to vulnerably share his life, now with the clear message of hope, and that life is worth living.

Both fans and new listeners alike will love the charm, the cheerful tones, the dreamy themes, and the emotional punch this EP delivers. ‘Permanent Midnight’ doesn’t feel like the darkness is closing in, doesn’t feel like an ending, it feels like a new beginning.

10/10

*Full disclosure: Motion City Soundtrack/Justin Courtney Pierre are my favourite band so I may be biased! 😊

Permanent Midnight

 

By Amanda Bacchi, ago

Queensland Fire & Emergency Services – HAZMAT Visit

Brisbane Northern SES group visit to the QLD State HAZMAT unit to learn about their functions. Station Officers took us through the site, educating our members on their role in supporting firefighters with specialty equipment when chemical, radiation, or biological issues arise. Their unit tests and reconditions all of the hazmat suits, breathing apparatus, and scientific firefighting equipment for the whole state.

Operationally speaking, the QLD HAZMAT unit deployed to Townsville to help with the cleanup in the floods at the end of last year, was a part of the teams activated during the G20, and can also be found at any incidence of house fire or gas leak in Brisbane.

Their team of expert scientists, who are also firefighters, liaise with state, federal, and international agencies to ensure that Queensland is up to date with all of their policies and procedures, keeping us as safe as possible! We all learned a lot and we’re grateful to extend or knowledge of the QFES family!

Suit testing.
Roll out! Off to a job (possible trapped in vehicle) on Gateway Motorway!
By Amanda Bacchi, ago

Ep. 29 ~ Cobra Kai Review

After having a general ‘non-spoilery’ chat about it on ep. 28 of the Most Popular Podcast, we decided to further discuss the storyline, characters, actors, and nostalgia of the ‘Karate Kid’ continuation series that is ‘Cobra Kai’ on Youtube Red!

Link to FREE first episode: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCe9DTWmhhxeKyYHL4mldGcA

Cobra Kai Series Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CobraKaiNeverDies/

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By Amanda Bacchi, ago

I’m not going to lie, rejection sucks. And to be beaten out on a job that I knew I would be perfect for makes it even worse. But then to find out that I was beaten out by someone that was already known to the hiring team weeks before the audition process even began… well, I did wonder why there was no evidence of an audition tape of hers online. Turns out she has already been tapped. 

It is really sad that we now live in a world that is judged by how many ‘likes’ or ‘followers’ someone has, especially when those can be bought, with the real evidence of ‘popularity’ evident in engagement (which is rarely understood, let alone acknowledged). It is sad that it still comes down to ‘who you know’ and not your skills, experiences, knowledge, contacts, or qualifications. 

By Amanda Bacchi, ago

Aussie Comic Book Secrets Revealed at ACAF

There seems to have been some trepidation from some comic fans in taking a chance on a ‘first-time’ event, fears which have proven to be completely unfounded. While the numbers were slightly lower than expected, what the attendees lacked in volume, they make up for in enthusiasm and passion. They had a willingness to utilise the festival’s unique opportunities to absorb as much of the knowledge that decades of good, bad and ugly experience had bestowed upon the plethora of artists and writers in residence. While I did not make it to a lot of panels (as I was hosting in other areas), the snippets of the few I was able to sit in on were well researched and informative, with feedback from participants being highly positive.  (more…)

By Amanda Bacchi, ago

Mark Sexton: Panel 1 of 2 – Origins

From Mad Max to Star Wars, the extensive storyboarding career of Mark Sexton is a delicious wonder, considering his formative years without tv or cinema, growing up on  the isolated Norfolk Island. While most kids grew up going to comic shops and enjoying the popularity of superheroes, Mark’s introduction came through Asterix comics shipped in by his Dad, obscure kids book ‘Ant and Bee’ by Angela Banner, and Pink Floyd’s ‘Muddle’ from his mum. It was these items that helped form the character ‘Bug’, and cemented his career in the comic arts – if you were ever looking for his horcruxes…. I caught his ‘Art of Mark Sexton’ panel at the Australian Comic Arts Festival in Canberra and tried to transcribe some of his extraordinary career.. (more…)

By Amanda Bacchi, ago