Rock is a Girl’s Modesty – Episode 8

Hi there people, and welcome again to Flawed Each Time. Right now we’re touching down at Oushin Academy throughout a second of disaster, as Lilisa’s fledgling rock band faces its first main conflict of personalities. Lilisa invited Tina into the band considerably accidentally, initially unimpressed by her piano expertise, however in the end impressed by her unflagging dedication to the trigger, a ardour that reminded her of her personal efforts to impress her father. Nevertheless, Shiro has no endurance for imperfect performers, and has ultimately demanded Lilisa hearth Tina from the group outright.

This disagreement speaks to a extra elementary problem the group hasn’t resolved: articulating what particularly they need out of this band. Lilisa set their preliminary objective as showing at a selected pageant venue, however that alone doesn’t dictate what kind of dynamic they’re in search of to domesticate as a gaggle. Is that this only a place the place adversarial particular person musicians spar and rage at one another, as Otoha appears to need? Lilisa might need initially accepted that, however Tina’s continued presence would possible require a softer contact, and that in flip would problem the present’s unconsidered assumption that “social niceties are false, aggressive confrontation is genuine.” I’m frankly prepared for the textual content to maneuver past that adolescent “fuck normies” ethos, however I’ve at this level realized to mood my expectations relating to this manufacturing’s insights into the philosophy of music. And hey, violent clashes of massive personalities are principally their very own reward, so let’s settle in for the fireworks as we return to Rock is a Girl’s Modesty!

Episode 8

We open with a pair of nested flashbacks, first to the final second of the earlier episode, after which instantly via Tina’s eye into her reminiscence of the previous efficiency. As at all times on this present, eyes are the window to inside reality, on this case inviting us to see that efficiency simply as Tina skilled it

And her first expertise is, unsurprisingly, “they make such violent music!” Each by way of the sound they create and their strategy to collaboration, Lilisa’s group is outlined by violence – the efficiency is a perpetual competitors, and the output is a cry of rage that calls for to be heard

I suppose it’s unfair of me to count on far more than “fuck you, society” from this group at this level. Contemplating how closely they’re burdened with limiting expectations each different hour of the day, it should be an awesome aid to simply seize your guitar and wail out a cathartic “fuuuuuuck you”

Tina sees them baring their true selves via their efficiency, and might’t assist however need the identical

Glorious trick of pacing as “I’m certain that sometime I will be like them” cuts on to “I’ve heard sufficient” from Shiro, emphasizing how Tina should really feel, like her rebel is over earlier than it even started

“There’s no means we’ll win in opposition to them with such a shitty keyboardist.” It definitely looks like they’re placing the cart earlier than the horse relative to a gaggle like Keisoku Band or MyGO. These teams are primarily about discovering a neighborhood, with the precise efficiency half being secondary to discovering a spot the place you might be valued on your true self. Right here, private concord is virtually discouraged, and technical excellence is every part. Once more, I can perceive it as a response to the enforced, superficial concord of their upbringing, however I really feel like they’re throwing out the “a trusting neighborhood is crucial for a cheerful sense of self” child with the “social niceties suffocate sincere self-expression” bathwater

“You don’t take heed to rock and might barely play the keyboard.” In fact, Shiro’s expectations of professionalism are additionally fairly cheap, she’s simply phrasing every part within the bluntest means doable. Nonetheless uncertain if that’s an intentional selection on the writer’s half – in the event that they’re actively acutely aware of “I’m going to be savagely sincere about every part” being an outsized, in the end unsustainable response to pressured civility that the solid will ultimately develop past, or if that itself is our finish level

Tina’s heartfelt protection is met with “go take your religious journey someplace else” from Shiro. Woman, why do you get to determine what kind of band that is? You appear to be a essentially depressing particular person to be round, so perhaps you’re the one who ought to depart

Shiro explains she’s seen novice bands fail to make it large as a result of they refused to jettison their lifeless weight. I can perceive that, however I really feel like her expectations relating to success in music are out of whack. Virtually no one “makes it” by way of constructing a sustainable profession as a rock musician, those that do make it are typically extra simply fortunate or well-connected than uniquely expert, and consequently, like with any creative pursuit, discovering pleasure within the course of is in the end way more vital than making a “excellent” finish outcome. To say nothing of how low the ceiling of success is for an instrumental exhausting rock group within the first place; even the preferred bands in such a distinct segment style largely all have day jobs. You don’t get report offers and Grammys merely for rocking more durable than anybody else

That actuality is even mirrored in how the final word targets of many of those band anime teams is to “play at some massive venue.” You may’t make it sustainable; capitalism doesn’t worth musicians sufficient for that, so one of the best you’ll be able to hope for is to briefly tag the brass ring

Tina agrees to depart, however Lilisa grabs her hand, asking her if she’s actually okay with this. Tina looks like a take a look at of Lilisa’s personal conviction – can she keep the underlying kindness her father embodied even within the context of this cutthroat group?

Glorious – in Tina’s unhappy reflections on abandoning her ambitions, Lilisa sees her personal despair at her mom telling her to desert the guitar. Music ought to be a sanctuary, not an unique citadel

“I used to be wanting ahead to the day, Lilisa… once I might reveal my true self to the world such as you do.” Oh c’mon Lilisa, you’ll be able to’t abandon this woman

Lilisa units one other ultimatum, saying she’ll make Tina right into a keyboardist who can impress Shiro in a mere 5 days. I’d frankly desire her simply name out Shiro as a poisonous one that’s not value participating with, however I suppose this works too

“Cease losing time on a misplaced trigger!” “By no means is spending time on my bandmates a waste!” I suppose I’m grateful that Shiro’s presence is forcing Lilisa to take the opposing stance, and really embrace music as a drive of collaborative liberation. Shiro principally embodies the entire egocentric attitudes Lilisa was beforehand adjoining to, and seeing them articulated by one other is making Lilisa understand she doesn’t need to be that type of particular person

“She’s combating to dwell life in her personal means! That’s the type of particular person I need to rock out with!” Nothing about capability, only a pure union of philosophy. Simply the kind of “what is that this band about” ethical declaration I hoped for

Otoha suggests simplifying the keyboard half, saying it “feels higher to go all-out on a music you’ll be able to play, slightly than one which’s too troublesome.” Stable recommendation; a less complicated keyboard half frankly gained’t have an effect on the music negatively, and it’s principally unattainable to precise your self on a music you’re struggling to play in any respect. Fluency with the half should precede expressive variation

“I’ll change with rock!” The hope that brings so many to the tradition; that us awkward outsiders or social pretenders is perhaps remodeled by the ability of music, that on-stage we will turn out to be the heroes we’ve dreamed of being, and perhaps save or rework a number of different souls within the discount

Otoha chats flippantly with Shiro as the 2 share a experience residence. Otoha really feels snug conversing in her younger woman persona; it feels extra real to her than Lilisa, possible as a result of she was born into it. It might not embody all of her, however it’s nonetheless an genuine automobile for self-expression

Ohh, attention-grabbing. Otoha says that Tina “resembles you as soon as upon a time,” resulting in a shot the place Shiro is captured within the automobile window’s reflection. Finally an indicator of layers beneath Shiro’s poise, heralded as at all times via the usage of mirrored pictures. So it appears she as soon as possessed a extra open-minded appreciation of musical expression, however has hardened over time

Shiro in the end rejects Tina’s new efficiency, however Otoha’s phrases of help for Tina shake her religion. An illustration of how fragile Shiro’s allegedly iron will is, that her opinion is so simply swayed by Otoha’s – one thing Lilisa is fast to note as nicely

“Nobody’s gonna shield her like she’s used to. She’s doomed to endure that harsh actuality, so isn’t it higher to inform her to give up now whereas there’s nonetheless time?” Shiro gives her personal model of sympathy after accepting Tina into the group

Each Tina and Otoha arrive on the venue in trench coats, instantly filling me with worry

Lilisa is kind of happy with her not-Rolling Stones shirt

And apparently Tina’s lack of a binder can be her disguise

Oof, extra regrettable gags about Tina’s boobs. Once more, a present about celebrating honest self-expression can’t even be persistently leering at and punishing its solid for not concealing themselves. The road between authenticity and cruelty isn’t really that skinny

Stress mounts as Lilisa realizes a lot of the gang is right here to see Shiro’s solo, a task that’s now assigned to her

And Performed

Oh my god, what is this horrible rock group? I’d hoped the distinction of Tina and Shiro would create some productive friction, and it type of did that, nevertheless it concurrently delivered to the forefront simply how antagonistic our group dynamic really is. Rock is clearly not a path to solidarity and neighborhood right here; rock is a battlefield, your fellow rock teams are your enemies, and even your individual bandmates are contentious rivals that you simply’d presumably kill if you happen to might. I’ve acquired critical reservations about this story’s conception of what rock music represents, however the saving grace right here is clearly the connection between Lilisa and Tina, which on this episode noticed Tina pulling Lilisa again from the brink of purely mercenary musicianship, and remembering the spirit of compassion and human connection she present in enjoying together with her father. Be happy to ditch Shiro, although!

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