Back in August 2018, Janette Ayub of Girl Underground Music invited me to play a benefit show as Cusi Coyllur to help keep families together who were separated due to Trump’s zero tolerance policy. After I performed, scarypoolparty went on and I fell in love with his fast finger-picking, soothing voice, and his song “Out Loud.” So much so that the next day, I learned it on piano and played it over and over again, adding vocal harmonies to it too.
In this week’s pick for Sadcore Sundays, Sevdaliza delivers a strong message about being expected to put another’s well-being over your own all in the name of love. “Marilyn Monroe” follows the perspective of someone living in their own pain, yet feeling under pressure to be a support system for someone who won’t do the same for them.
Self-harm can become a habit that is difficult to stop. Below are two tips to help you replace it with a healthy, healing choice.
We want to photograph people with mind obstacles (that’s what we call mental illnesses) practicing alternative self-care authentically at their home, or space to show that self-care doesn’t require spending a lot of money, or wearing expensive clothes. It is a rebellion against capitalism and societal expectations that productivity always has to be making or spending money.
Initially, when I first heard this song I attached it to something romantic, but after listening for some time, I think this song could be for anyone looking to be given a second chance. I hear it now as an apology from that part of us that can be stubborn and harmful, but reaching out to be seen as something more than our mistakes. We can do better. We know it, and we want others to know it too.