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atlas-of-a-human-soul · 5 years

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Love me, love me not ~ pt. 3

03: When Grayson walks the red carpet

Summary: Grayson recounts the past week before walking the red carpet with Y/N and Ethan.

Warnings: swearing, fluff, angst, SMUT

Word count: 3000

Love me, love me not ~ Series Masterlist

"Wait, so what happened?" Ethan was a little lost, finally getting the truth from his brother who had been rather coy for the past week. "You kissed her and Henry stormed off and through the paps and you went inside and stayed the night?" Ethan repeated the version the media believed, the one they all assumed considering Grayson was seen leaving the next morning, disheveled, his shirt missing a few buttons.

"Yeah. And then..." Grayson licked his lips, trying not to smile because he genuinely didn't know if there was anything to smile about.

"Bro, tell me! I've gots to know!" Ethan insisted, well aware he's acting like a fan instead of like his twin, but he was rather lost on number of things that happened in the past week and he needed answers. His attraction to Y/N may or may not be a big reason why, but hey, no harm in looking was his life moto.

"And then she closed her door and slapped me so hard I saw stars." Grayson licked his lips, wanting to continue before Ethan chuckled so loudly, a small squeal had made his laugh sound like a kicked puppy.

"And then she pushed me against the wall and kissed me even harder." Grayson continued, making Ethan's laugh die in an instant.

"She fucking kissed you?!"

Her hands ran up and down his chest as her lips claimed his - passionately, roughly, determinedly. Without a word, she started to unbutton him, her cold fingertips brushing his warm skin - until she lost patience and ripped his shirt open, pressing her palm against his chest as he broke the kiss.

"You stopped the kiss?!" Ethan exclaimed, unsure if he should let him finish the story or punch him in the face for missing out. If it wasn't clear by now, Ethan lived vicariously through Grayson.

"Wait. Y/N, are you sure?" Grayson breathes out, his own brain malfunctioning as she stepped back long enough just to pull her shirt over her head and give him a glare.

"Less talky, more kissy." She ordered, drawing a smile on his lips as she pushed him toward her bedroom, her lips reattached to his, her teeth sinking into his bottom one.

"So you actually? Like, you really - ya know?" Ethan winked suggestively, smiling like a goof who was very proud of his little brother.

"Wait. Hold up! Do you have a condom?" Y/N stopped herself, her brain working just enough to let some sane thinking push down on her incredulous desire.

Grayson groaned, his hands moving from her breasts to his face as he realized how unprepared he is. But he how could he have expected this to happen?

"Fuck." She cussed under her breath, pulling his briefs down.

Grayson's eyes snapped open, propping himself up on his elbows as he watched her cold little hands take his already hardened cock in her hand, her eyes hungrily inspecting it.

"What are you doing?" He chucked, unable to hold off the bubbling laughter of confusion and enthusiasm of having her touch him, feeling himself twitch on her palm.

"You'll fit." She smiled, leaning forward her body covering his entirely, naked completely and pressing in all the right places as he released a shuddered breath. Y/N reached her nightstand, pulling out an XXL sized condom, smiling victoriously as she showed him.

"You just have those lying around?" Grayson questioned as she shrugged, her thumb grazing over his sensitive, pink tip, making him shiver as a chill went down his spine.

"Gonna question it or gonna let me ride you until you can't breathe?"

"She dominated you! Oh my God, I love this!" Ethan threw his head back, tapping his legs on the ground as his arms crossed over his chest, laughing once again.

"Bro, that's not even the worst part." Grayson scowled, rubbing his forehead in frustration.

Heaving, Grayson could hardly get enough of the view on top of him - her beautiful mouth opening in pleasure every time she sunk down on him, her eyes rolling back into her head, her breasts bouncing as she speeds up, her hands placed over his chest to keep herself steady. She'd reach back with her left hand - fondling his balls every chance she could, prompting his loud, uninhibited moans that drew an honest smile upon her lips. He'd rub her clit every time she did so, returning the favor until she pushed his hand away and placed her own back on his chest.

However, closer to their high, Grayson had watched her move like a goddess on top - half convinced this is a wet dream instead of reality, giving his orgasm a chance to hit fully as he trusted up and into her, taking her by surprise as she gasped, giving her an unexpected release as she clenched around him.

And that's when it happened, a loud wheeze filled the room, forcing Y/N down from her pleasurable high much sooner than she'd like, finding Grayson unable to breathe.

"You had a fucking asthma attack?!" Ethan cackled, falling off his chair as the story pieced together in his head, looking at his embarrassed brother with a look of disbelief.

"She found my inhaler in my pants and we fell asleep soon after. I mean...there was cuddling, but I woke up alone. There were pancakes on the kitchen counter, her key left on a note - Didn't want to wake you. Last night never happened. Lock up after and keep the key. - and she was gone. I was supposed to drive her. Instead, I saw her two days later and only for a few minutes and we weren't even alone." Grayson slammed his head down in his desk, cringing at the situation, unable to decipher this girl he barely even knew.

"She rocked your world, got scared she might have killed you and decided never to fuck you again. That's what I think happened." Ethan's opinion didn't help. Hell, Grayson hoped it was anything but that.

Their relationship was already the talk of town, their first public outing later that night as the E! Choice Awards nominated the Dolan twins and they were expecting a win. But he wanted to know what to expect with her.

While he was getting ready, Ethan stepped in and opened the front door as she came in, all glammed up, her dress with her assistant who came along.

"Can we talk?" Ethan asked, a little serious which definitely didn't seem like him from what she could tell.

"Sure." She smiled, giving a small nod to her crew to leave them alone.

"You know." She deadpanned, aware how Grayson always said he and Ethan had no secrets between them. She also wondered how long will she be able to go on without them realizing she knows them a little too well for someone they've never met.

"Look, he's my brother and I love him, but his heart is in his penis and his brain in his chest and his head is just a bunch of butterflies and rainbows and unicorns. I get that your heart isn't in your vagina and having sex with him probably meant nothing, but he falls in love with every girl that smiles back at him and thinks he's found a soulmate in every girl who cares for him. Just, don't play with his feelings, okay?" Ethan's words left her speechless, he could tell just by a gentle flush of her cheeks that showed through her make up. He stunned her into silence.

"That wasn't my intention. I promise I'll be professional from now on. I wasn't quite in my right mind that night, so have no worry." She flashed a weak smile, passing by him as she got into the bathroom, getting dressed as well. But that's not what Ethan wanted. He expected her to admit she's into Grayson, or that she wanted something real, but she simply brushed it off and he knew Grayson will definitely be hurt by that.

Finally dressed, Y/N had walked to the middle of the hall, meeting a very handsome looking Grayson Dolan.

"Don't you look dashing in that suit!" She complimented, noticing the older Dolan come into view as well. "Both of you look incredibly handsome." She smiled widely, clicking her heels before dropping her gaze, realizing she's top excited and they might see through her.

"And you look stunning." Grayson smiled, reaching out and grasping her hand in his. He had never seen her all dolled up before. Well, not in real life. He didn’t believe she could get anymore beautiful, but oh, how wrong he was.

"I - uh, wanted to ask if you're free this weekend?" Grayson's shy attitude and shaky hand alerted her, but she remained ambivalent, her eyes losing the warmth from just a moment ago as she looked up at Grayson, trying not to remember how heavenly he looked under her - because he looked like pure porn in her mind, even fully dressed as he is now.

"Actually, I have to go to Paris." She excused, pressing her lips together in a form of a silent apology, her fingertips dancing along his palm as she hoped to withdraw her hand, but his tightened grip didn't allow it.

"That's what I wanted to ask you about. Louis Vuitton invited Ethan and me to attend and do a few photos and since you're supposed to be my girl, I thought to invite you." Grayson tilts his head right, his sort brown eyes doing much more damage to her than a thousand knives to a heart.

"Me too. So, lose the puppy dog eyes cause I guess we're attending together. Good chance to get to know each other before we get a few interviews in line." And while she didn't want to turn it into a business deal, the trip something that genuinely mattered to her, she had to find a way to explain why her finger twitched when her heart skipped a beat.

"Your hand isn't as cold anymore." Grayson remarked, quietly, almost as a whisper.

"When fire and ice meet, ice usually loses the battle." She shrugged, raising her eyebrow before nodding over her team to file out, opening the limousine she had rented for the three.

"We're going in style then?" Ethan fist bumped Grayson, happily sitting inside, screaming loudly in his excitement.

"You're gonna spoil him." Grayson fought to keep a smile at bay, glancing at her from the corner of his eye only to find her looking up at him.

"Gotta create some good memories for the children." And whether she knew it or not, the statement went straight to his heart. Grayson’s mind instantly crafted a picture perfect family for the two, shaking his head to stop himself from going overboard.

“Coming?” Y/N smiled, looking back at the gentle giant she tried hard not to let into her heart, wondering if she can do it when even at a few days mark, Grayson made her head spin.

“Yeah.” Grayson bit his lower lip, trying not to think about her asking him the same in bed, just a little differently with a sultry tone and hooded eyes and lot less clothes.

The drive was pleasant, Ethan and Grayson bickering about the Halloween decorations Y/N found ever so present this time around, their home looking more like a haunted house than an actual house. But she didn’t mind, simply watching out the window as she hoped she could put her mind at ease and get through the night without hiccups.

“We’re here.” Grayson’s warm hand on top of hers had brought her back to reality, the flashing lights already going off even with the limousine door unopened, her stomach knotting into an anxious mess as she accepted Grayson’s hand and let him lead her out.

A Dolan at either side, Y/N felt like the Belle of the ball. She couldn’t help but smile proudly, even a little victoriously as the crowd screamed as they passed the red carpet together, taking a few photos alone with Grayson as requested by a few photographers.

She was very aware of his arm around her as it pulled her close, his hand on her hip, giving it a light squeeze. He’d lean into her, his lips pressing a tender kiss to her temple, making her tingle with anticipation of something more - something she said she wouldn’t do again.

But then he spun her into his chest, her hand pressing against it as she looked up, finding his face rather near, inches away as his peppermint breath caused her eyes to water.

“And here’s the hottest couple in town!” Giuliana Rancic welcomed them after finishing up with Ethan, ecstatic to be the first to speak to them since they’ve been spotted together.

“Your dress is to die for!” She added and Grayson used the opportunity to help Y/N twirl, showing off all the best parts of her truly breathtaking look.

“Good to see you, Mercy. We’ve been missing you.” Giuliana continued. “And on the arm of such a handsome man. Tell us how you two met.”She pushed the microphone toward Grayson who looked like he’d throw up any moment now, despite his dapper smile. Y/N steered the microphone toward herself, deciding to save him as she actually had a story to sell.

“Well, after Ellen had gotten me to choose this hunk as someone I’d date, I found him in my Instagram messages the same night.” Y/N blushed, looking back at Grayson who just nodded, his hand on her hip giving more than just a reassuring squeeze - he held onto her for support.

“And she ignored me for days.” Grayson adds, chuckling.

“But he was persistent and well...look at him!” Y/N pointed at her date, giggling. “I was quite happy there was such a beautiful soul inside an Apollo as him. I genuinely didn’t expect to find someone who would have my heart a few hours into the first date.” Y/N wasn’t lying...not really. She was worried he had won her over and she was resisting him with every fibre of her being. Not that she had much strength to begin with after the public masacre she endured.

“You had me before we even met.” Grayson pecked her cheek, pulling her into his side as Giuliana gushed how perfect they seem to be and how she expects to be invited to the wedding.

Finally inside, Y/N had introduced the twins to dozens of people, all capable of furthering their career when the time comes. Grayson was patient with her, not bringing up their night, but he was on the edge - itching to say something - anything.

And he did...right after he and his brother had been called to the stage as winners for Social Star award.

“And I also want to thank my beautiful girlfriend for bearing with me and the crazy filming schedule Ethan puts me on - for giving me amazing days and...memorable nights.” With a wink, the two waved goodbye, leaving the stage as Y/N stood up and went backstage as well.

“What the hell was that?” She whisper shouted, stopping Grayson backstage, her eyes set alight with fury and mixed feelings about his insinuation. Sure, a rational part of her knew it was a good, strategic move on his behalf, one that ensures their lie can continue, but the irrational part - one she had frozen to death in her head and in her heart, the one that’s been hurt time and time again and had left her in shambles for letting people in too easily, for being too naive...that part of her wanted to scream at the man before her.

“I can’t pretend it didn’t mean anything. Angel, I can’t.” Grayson sighed deeply, feeling his chest constrict under her heavy glare.

“You need to learn to. This is a business transaction, remember? Nothing else. Sooner you get it through your thick head, the better.” She poked his chest angirly, huffing as she went to the bathroom to calm down. The rest of the night she was poise and composure, picture of elegance - as was he...no one could see his broken heart and hurt ego.

“You okay, bro?” Ethan checked in with him before bed, noticing he’s zoned out, mind elsewhere.

“I can’t do this, E. This is too much.” Grayson ran a hand through his hair, licking his lips.

“You can either accept her words or try and find a way to change her mind. I don’t think she’s the type to sleep with someone she just met and yet, she slept with you. There’s more to it, but I also think you should ignore it. She’s a mess - a beautiful mess, sure, but broken beyond repair. Probably best to just do your duty and get that audition and forget her.” Ethan reasoned, his words harsh but ringing truth.

But Grayson knew it would be impossible. Two days later, he’d be in Paris with her and while she was the main cause behind his throbbing headache and aching heart, she was also the one girl he believed would be perfect for him. And yes, he had thought so about a couple more before she came along, but this time was different - he felt it in every cell his body is comprised of, down to the twenty-one grams of soul he was given. He couldn’t give her up.

“If she’s a mess, I’ll help her clean it up and if she’s broken, I’ll fix her. She’s real and she’s a very complicated girl, but I want to know her. You’re the one who said nothing could go wrong.”

Ethan simply shrugged, deciding to let him be because he did say that and he didn’t want to admit he’s wrong for he underestimated Y/N and her charm and her ever enchanting nature. “It’s your funeral, bro.”

Tags: @xalayx @dolandolll @godlydolans @dolanstwintuesday @anything-dolan @peacedolantwins @maybgrayson @nowheredolan @graydolan12 @beautorigin @justordinaryjen @starrydolan @pitreshawn @grays-laugh

#grayson dolan #grayson dolan x reader #dolan twins #ethan dolan #grayson dolan series #grayson dolan fanfic #grayson dolan fluff #grayson dolan fic #grayson dolan fanfiction #grayson dolan angst #grayson dolan au #grayson dolan smut

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stopplayshuffle · 5 years

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MINI MANSIONS CONCERT: WHY CONFIDENCE MATTERS IN WHAT YOU LOVE

On Monday, June 24th 2019, I attended a Mini Mansions concert at The Independent in SF CA. I’ve seen Mini Mansions perform live before when they opened for Arctic Monkeys at the Bill Graham Civic Center in SF on October 20th 2018. However, this is my first time seeing them at their own show for their own tour. That night was incredible, not just because of their performance, but because I got to actually meet two members from the band.

If you are not familiar with who Mini Mansions are, I’ll give a bit of background. Mini Mansions is a music trio made up of keyboardist/vocalist Tyler Parkford (touring keyboardist for Arctic Monkeys), bassist Zachary Dawes (the Last Shadow Puppets), and guitarist/vocalist/ (former drummer?) Michael Shuman (bassist for Queens of the Stone Age). Mini Mansions is a side project for the three members since, as you can see, each of them are involved in other projects.

I became familiar with them through Arctic Monkeys, since Alex Turner was featured in their 2015 album, The Great Pretenders (track 6: “Vertigo”, if anyone was interested in what song). Then I saw them perform live when they opened for Arctic Monkeys. This isn’t their first time opening for them either, since they opened for them before in their previous tour. Needless to say, they have a strong relationship with those Sheffield lads. While standing there and feeling curious to what their other music was like apart from “Vertigo”, I came to find that their setlist was pretty good. Their music is unique, which is too simple a word to describe the kind of music they make. It’s like vintage ‘60’s rock n’ roll distorted with psychedelic elements, accompanied with groovy bass lines (compliments of Zach Dawes), poppy piano hits (thanks to Tyler Parkford), and bluesy guitar riffs (from multi-instrumentalist Michael Shuman). I am a huge fan of vintage rock/pop, like the Beatles, Beach Boys, you get the picture. So hearing something that is similar to that kind of music will most likely capture my interest. And I was definitely interested in Mini Mansions.

The concert itself was pretty cheap, about $15 a ticket. After spending about $105 for Muse, $120 for Mike Shinoda, and about $70 for Arctic Monkeys, I was pretty stoked how affordable this show was. I didn’t want to stress myself out by trying to arrive 4 hours early to get a decent spot. My mentality was, whatever spot I get is what I get. My sister, Jenni, and I arrived at the venue about 45 minutes before they opened the doors, and to my surprise, there wasn’t a lot of people waiting in line. There were maybe about 6 or 7 people waiting before us. I’m guessing everyone else had the same mentality as I did going into this concert. I was relieved that my feet wouldn’t be worn out from waiting so long, and I now had the energy to withstand the entire show. When we were finally let into the venue, I walked straight to the front of the stage, not using my peripheral vision to catch anything weird or exciting. While standing in front of the carpeted stage with a tape that ran across the edge reading “NO DRINKS” my sister tapped me on my shoulder and asked, “isn’t that Mikey working the merch booth”? as she pointed towards the corner that was diagonally across from where we were. I was like, “No, I don’t think so”, because why would a band member work their own merch booth, right? At least that’s what my dumbass thought. But then I squinted my eyes towards the direction she was pointing at, and as my eyes were adjusting in that dark room, with only a dim light hovering around the merch booth, I could tell from the gelled back hair that it was indeed Michael Shuman. He was wearing an all-black outfit: black moto jacket, black t-shirt, black skinny jeans, and black shoes. Pretty casual. This is the exact opposite to the outfit he will later change into when he will perform, which was a white satin suit with some watercolor accents on it.

It was like having two personas, one being the regular guy selling band stuff and the other is the performer. I thought it was cool that he was working the merch booth because he wasn’t acting like he was too good to sell his stuff.

Jen asked me if I wanted to buy something, and despite the fact that I needed to save as much money as possible to have enough for my rent and other bills for the summer before school starts I said, “Hell yeah I wanna buy something!” But at the same time, I kept staring at the front of the stage, and I was apprehensive because I got a decent spot for the concert. The woman next to me told me, “You totally should, they’re really nice, I mean I’ll try to extend my arm out as much as possible to save your spot”. God, what a nice woman. I thanked my fellow concert friend and walked up to the line. There was only two people in front of me and they seemed to be a couple waiting next to each other, so I wouldn’t have to wait too long. But the girl took a while figuring out if she wanted a black Mini Mansions shirt or a white one. At this point, Zach Dawes was also at the booth helping his buddy, Mikey, out with making sure he had enough merchandise at the table. She asked Zach for his opinion, “which color do you like best?” And Zach, with his calm voice says, he liked both of them. I don’t even remember which color this chick went with, but they finally left the line, and I was finally next. I was standing face to face with Mikey Shuman, with only a plastic banquet table in between us. My eyes kept darting from his face to the posters to the left of him.

He actually spoke first and said, “Hi. How are you?”

And like a square I responded with, “I’m good, how are you?

“I’m good!” He said back, “What can I get you?”

“Uhh, may I have that poster please?” I pointed to the poster, which was signed by all 3 members.

“You may” with a dip at the end of “may” (what a polite gentleman).

(I put the poster on the stage so I can take a picture of it. No one was playing yet, btw. But that’s how close I was to the stage).

I didn’t want just a poster, (which I didn’t plan on where I was putting while watching the concert) I wanted something with it, so I asked Mikey if I could buy the CD that had Mini Mansions written in yellow on the top left corner, with a stuffed toy bunny on an illuminated plate. It was their first full length album they ever released, and I didn’t have that album yet. Which by the way, is hard to come by. It was sold out on Amazon for a while, and sold-out on their website too. I tried going to Rasputin Music a few months ago at the mall where I live to see if they had it. The cashier said there was something by Mini Mansions there, but I couldn’t find anything. I tried looking at a record shop in Santa Cruz, but no Mini Mansions CDs there either. I think it may have been available again on their website, but I waited on buying it, but I don’t remember exactly why. I think I wanted to avoid shipping fees and wait for it to be prime available on Amazon. Or maybe I was hoping I will find it in a record shop around where I live.

Anyway, I asked Mikey for the CD and he asked, “This CD right here?” He pointed to the CD.

“Yeah”

He then looked in another box, and when he put the box down empty handed he said, “Wow that was the last one”.

“Cool!” I responded with, like the fucking shy idiot I am.

It took me a while to get this album, I’m glad I waited so I can actually buy the album from the band themselves, but I wish I could’ve responded better.

(Photo of CD taken after the concert on my desk)

What happens next is so surreal that it took me a couple of days to comprehend that it happened. It’s nothing even that spectacular it’s just something that had never happened to me before. He tapped on the tablet the items I was purchasing and told me my stuff was going to be 35 bucks. I handed him my card and he actually swiped my card into the card reader sticking out from the tablet and asked, “Can you sign right here, please?”

This was mind-blowing to me, because I’m thinking shouldn’t it be the other way around? Shouldn’t I be the one asking you to sign me stuff. But I signed the tablet, in a way like I’ve never been excited to sign my name to a purchase before. I couldn’t believe I was buying band merch from the actual band member himself, it was awesome. After he gave me my stuff, I handed them to my sister and asked him if I could shake his hand. The guy puts the tablet down and sticks out his hand and I’m fucking touching Mikey Shuman’s hand. I thanked him, and if I wasn’t enough of a square, my sister noticed an awkward silence and finally said, “I think you guys are great and I’m really excited for the show!” Both Zach and Mikey said thank you and both shook Jen’s hand. I thanked Mikey again and leaned over to shake Zach’s hand and went back to the front of the stage.

Obviously, I was excited that I met two of the members from the band. I couldn’t believe I actually talked to them. But I still felt unsatisfied, not with them of course, but with myself. I want to be a music journalist and interview bands and study music as a career. Because I have anxiety issues, including a bit of social anxiety, I am always awkward and shy when I meet people, which does not help me in the long run at all. There were so many things I could’ve asked Mikey: What do you like to play more, bass, drums, or guitar? I love how bluesy you get in The Great Pretenders, what was the inspiration for that? I couldn’t even ask him something as basic as, hey how are you liking SF this time around? Anything weird happen to you yet? Ever been to Oakland? My God I suck. I could’ve even said, Wow, this is the last CD? No way? How lucky am I? Such a missed opportunity to connect with the band, and actually work on my people skills when I meet musicians for the job I want. Despite the fact that I wish I could go back in time to alter how I met Mikey and Zach, I was still grateful for the encounter I had. It’s not a common thing for me to meet the people who make the music I like.

Their performance was also great. After watching two openers, Tyler Parkford finally came out, but to set up his keyboard directly above me. He bent down and plugged some wires in. I’m sure it’s creepy having people stare at you while you’re doing something, so I looked away so he can do his job. But at one point I looked back up at his direction and while he was standing behind his keyboard, he looked at me and I smiled at him. I was happy that he smiled back. Unfortunately I never got to talk to Tyler that night, but I’m hoping I will in the future.

After Mikey sound checked all of the equipment, they began to play. They started off with “Freakout!” which is what they started with when they opened for Arctic Monkeys. The song isn’t super intense but has an upbeat tempo that is perfect for getting the crowd going. They mostly played songs from The Great Pretenders, but incorporated a few from their upcoming album, Guy Walks into a Bar… So we were getting that mix of relaxed familiarity from being able to sing along with the songs we already knew, and the excitement from the new songs from the album that has yet to come. A variety of uplifting emotions that was getting the crowd pumped. The song I connected to live the most was “Works Every Time”. “Works Every Time” is from their upcoming album, but they released it on their EP with the same title first. Since the song had been out for some time now, I was already familiar with it, and enjoyed the calm soulful singing of Parkford and swaggering bass lines of Dawes. The kind of sound that someone can listen to while driving late at night. But hearing it live was a different experience for me. The dreamy tone from the piano was more upfront, maybe because I noticed it more? I don’t know, but it was lovely.

Zach was a little shy when I met him, since he didn’t really say much; however, on stage he wasn’t shy rocking out those bass lines with his buddies. The guy has mad rhythm with his bass, and he didn’t look nervous on stage. If he was nervous, then I couldn’t tell because he played each song so naturally. I know if that was me up there, I’d probably mess up a lot from nerves, since I can barely sing right while singing karaoke with two friends.

When it came to the more fast tempo songs, especially “Mirror Mountain” all the guys got really into it, but Mikey was not shy of wailing around and screaming loud into the mic. I enjoy watching him get this intense honestly, [even though a couple of the audience members who I talked to at the Bart station after the show told me, at another Mini Mansions concert they went to in Sacramento, were afraid of Mikey potentially kicking them sometimes while he was rocking out, but luckily he didn’t]. His punk rock energy bounced across the entire stage, and as a direct result I got pumped watching him go. There was a point during “Mirror Mountain” when he bent down real close to the edge of the stage. He puts the mic close to his lips, and his palm held the back of an audience member’s nape. He sang close to this young man’s ear, and the young man smiled, probably from the attention he was receiving from Mikey, but he was also leaning back, possibly because he was trying not to get too close to him. Looking back at it now, I didn’t know what was going through that kid’s head, but he seemed unsure of how to react when the singer/guitarist for Mini Mansions was singing physically close to his face. I wouldn’t know either, to be honest, if that was me.

Needless to say, there’s a level of boldness that is needed to get that close to someone, without having that internal conversation wondering if you’re doing too much or just enough. He just did it. While performing, he used his entire body (from his voice to his legs) to express himself, and while some people would think that’s too much or bold, either way, people are looking.

But that’s the thing when you express yourself in something you care about, may that be writing, food, books, or music, it will show. With Mikey, Zach, and Tyler they used their talents to create this interesting concoction of vintage inspired contemporary indie rock. They went with what they had, released it, and was able to perform it in about every part of the world.

In the end, they are going places with it, this thing that they love, or at least what it seems to me they love. In other words, they just went for it. I wish I could possess at least half the confidence of what they have. Maybe if I did, I would’ve been less awkward when I met Mikey and Zach. Now, I’m not saying confidence is the only thing a person needs to pursue what they want, but confidence helps push someone toward what they want. With confidence, you can stand on a stage and exercise your skills in front of people, you can be yourself without the fear of judgement, you can talk to someone you’ve never met before and have a great conversation. With confidence, you just go for it.

#minimansions #mikeyshoes #tyler parkford #zach dawes #concert #indie #music

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