video; @tsunpo

[atonality]

[ It starts like a 21st century video on a 21st century video app, with a guy in a funky get-up backing away from what can only be a camera lens. How? Why? Don’t worry about it. Worry instead about what’s going on: the guy, taking a seat on a plastic crate and pulling up a funky stringed instrument, one which he strums in one grand and dissonant swipe.

Got your attention? Good. That sounded terrible. He knows it did; it’s in the curl of his lip, and in the tip of his head like he’s looking at you, dear audience, challenge in every angle of his maddening face. Who wears sunglasses at night? This guy.

Pay mind, now. He’s begun to play. It isn’t a crazy crash of notes this time, though. This time, it’s harmonious when he launches into a song, plectrum a blur over silvery strings.

Well, what the hell.

When he’s done, without any warning, he points at the camera, at you, dear audience. ]

Are you tired of AI-generated media cluttering your feeds? Do you long for the spirit of music to grip your empty, human hearts once again? Do you wish to create something soulful for humanity to cling to before the next kaiju attack ruins your seasonal plans?

[ Another strum, a little threateningly. Twannng. ]

The time to create is now. Rise to the top as Neo-Tokyo’s new idol sensation. Start a band that the people will revere for the remainder of humanity’s tenure on this planet.

Allow me to help you.

Comments

@vessel

[eyescar]

[ This guy again... ]

What if we don't want to be an idol?

[atonality]

[ This kid again. ]

Support the arts. Buy tickets. Shout your idol’s name at the top of your lungs.

[eyescar]

Oh... Like if I saw Jennifer Lawrence...

[ Nodding his head sagely. He gets it. ]

1/2

[atonality]

[ A western name. Who is this? ]

2/2

[atonality]

Y… es. Pray tell, what exactly would you do if you saw such a personage?

@justish

[lostdestiny]

Unsubscribe.

[atonality]

Request denied.

[lostdestiny]

Go bother the president instead of me!

[ Surely Lacus will forgive him for this, she is a retired(?) idol she can handle this shit. ]

[atonality]

The president is currently unavailable. Can you take a message?

@FutureTerror

[kaizou]

PEOPLE DIDN'T LIKE IT SO MUCH LAST TIME I ROARED

[atonality]

[ Brows lift up from behind the shades. ]

What happened the last time?

[kaizou]

MOSTLY PEOPLE TELLING ME TO SHUT UP

[atonality]

Surely it can't be that bad.

[ He's certain that it probably is, but now he's curious. ]

@Destiny

[intertwinedfates]

[What's this? A chance to become an idol like he's (almost) always dreamed of?? A second chance at his big break!?

Guess who's bursting out into a song of... questionable quality.

He does better drunk, promise.]

[atonality]

[ Well, it isn’t Neo-Tokyo’s Top Ten, but it’s the first song he’s gotten out of these ornery folk, so he’s gotta take it. And take it he does. To honour this little guy’s greatest effort, Bansai opens his ears and lets the song inflict upon his psyche for a good and proper assessment. ]

Your submission has been accepted and has entered review. [ For what??? ]

To start with… What manner of artist do you see yourself becoming?

[intertwinedfates]

[Hurray! He's getting through to someone! Better than his last attempts at breaking into the music industry. It's tough being a god that's hard for mortals to normally perceive.]

Alright! [Cue the little dancing jig!]

I wanna be a J-pop artist! They get all the cool merchandise and fangirls!

[atonality]

[ Damn. The little guy knows what he wants. Even better. Bansai nods along and takes his little notes in his little eye computer. ]

Have you a theme in mind? What do you want the enraptured masses to remember the most of you?

@rodya

[axethrows]

Oh no, I ain't falling for that! Not the first time I ran into "talent seekers" like you!

[sorry, she's from a sketchy place so these things sound fake to her.]

[atonality]

[ He gives the strings another twang, a little dramatically. ]

Which suggests you may have once before. Does the call of music not entice your hungering soul?

[axethrows]

I mean, music is pretty nice. I can sing a tune or two, but I dunno if I want to go far with it. Plus how do I know if you're legit. Seen folks back home that follow "talent seekers" like ya only for both of them to disappear in a bad way.

[If it sounds too good to be true, then it's not true.]

[atonality]

Such is often the case, but I admit, you have me there: I don't necessarily have my idol's albums on hand for demonstration.

So allow me to switch track here: what kind of music would you like to hear?

[ Her logic remains impeccable: it is. ]

@kijyo

[saudadist]

what if you only know one song and don't want anyone to see your face

[ fame is a pain ]

[atonality]

Online avatars or masks. Apparently that was a popular thing in the 21st century, masked singers.

Which song?

[saudadist]

[ Masks, huh? She feels a bit ridiculous now for not having thought of it. ]

it's called elfenlied
I think the person who made it was called wolf

[atonality]

If you find a suitable front, I welcome a sample of your song. I find myself intrigued by this mysterious sound.